Joe Swift
Kyushojutsu: Basic Theory
By Joe Swift
The basic theory behind the ancient Okinawan art of striking vital points or Kyushojutsu.
Kyushojutsu: Historical Development
By Joe Swift
A brief history and overview of the development of this ancient Okinawan art of striking vital points.
Throws in Karate?
By Joe Swift
Karate has a lot more techniques than most people think, including a variety of throws and takedowns.
Shimabuku, Taro
By Joe Swift
Biography of Taro Shimabuku Okinawan karate and Kobudo expert.
Channan: The
By Joe Swift
The series of five basic kata called Pinan (later renamed Heian in Japan) are probably the most widely practiced kata in karate today, but were they based on an earlier kata known as Channan?
Roots Of Shotokan: Funakoshi's Original 15 Kata - Part 1: Classification & Knowledge Of Kata
By Joe Swift
Funakoshi's classification and selection of kata determined that his karate represented both sides of the Okinawan karate tradition.
Roots Of Shotokan: Funakoshi's Original 15 Kata - Part 2: Pinan, Naihanchi, Kushanku & Passai Kata
By Joe Swift
The surprising meaning and origin of Shotokan's Pinan, Naihanchi, Kushanku & Passai Kata kata.
Roots Of Shotokan: Funakoshi's Original 15 Kata - Part 3: Seisan, Wanshu, Chinto, Jitte & Jion Kata
By Joe Swift
While their origin is obscure these kata are among the most important to the system.
Unraveling The Mysteries Of The Nafadi Tradition: Its Kata
By Joe Swift
While we don't know the original Nafadi curriculum we can make some educated guesses based upon some evidence and data, as well as the kata of this tradition.
Review - Five Years One Kata: Putting Kata Back Into The Heart Of Karate
By Joe Swift
The old stories of karate training in Okinawa often revolve around a student spending a number of years, usually three, learning his first kata. Of course, modern teachers very seldom take this approach for fear that it will drive potential students away, but nonetheless, the stories persist.
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