Monthly Archives: May 2013

Mau Rakau – A Traditional Maori Martial Arts Culture

Posted on May 31, 2013 by dykiegirl

Maori had their own traditional martial art culture and weapons and these are remarkably similar to those that evolved in China, Okinawa and Japan before finding their way to the west. Maori warrior culture places similar emphasis on respect and … Continue reading →

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The Importance of Okinawa in Karate History

Posted on May 31, 2013 by dykiegirl

Three distinct martial arts forms evolved on the island of Okinawa namely kara-te (empty hand), tegu-mi (wrestling) and Okinawan kobu-do (weapons). The geographical proximity with both China and the main islands of Japan along with the relative isolation of Okinawa … Continue reading →

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References

Posted on May 31, 2013 by dykiegirl

A  number of articles I’ve written on my dykiegirl blog contain references. These articles are sections of my PhD and should be referenced individually but, for the time being, the references are all stored here – and in my EndNote … Continue reading →

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Bodhidharma

Posted on May 31, 2013 by dykiegirl

Bodhidharma, generally accepted as being a Buddhist monk alive during the 5th/6th century CE,  (Unknown 2007) is traditionally credited with bringing the Indian philosophical concepts and practices of Dhyāna, a stage in the process of meditation leading to Nirvāna, to … Continue reading →

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The Kiwi Psyche and the Martial Tradition

Posted on May 31, 2013 by dykiegirl

You might also say that the martial arts are embedded deep in the Kiwi psyche. Military history would certainly support this. While the conventional western idea of the performing arts arrived with the first settlers the martial arts, coming from … Continue reading →

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The Legend of the Kanchipuram Prince

Posted on May 31, 2013 by dykiegirl

Legend has it that some 5000 years ago a Kanchipuram prince (Tamilnadu – India) developed a structured training programme of self defence that did not require weapons. He developed his system, it is believed, by observing the movements of animals … Continue reading →

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Kururunfa Kata ~ hold patiently, suddenly destroy

Posted on May 30, 2013 by dykiegirl

Kururunfa is an advanced kata believed to have been brought back from Fuzhou in China by way of Miyagi Chojin sensei’s instructor Kanryo Higaonna but its true origins are unknown. When compared with the kata of Goju-ryu’s sister school To’on-ryu (the school of  Higaonna Kanryo’s most … Continue reading →

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Kyoda Juhatsu and the Evolution of To’on Goju-ryu

Posted on May 30, 2013 by dykiegirl

Kyoda Juhatsu and the Evolution of To’on Goju-ryu By Yagi Meitoku Translated by Mario McKenna 2001 dykiegirl acknowledges the source of this article as being: http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=474 Some editing and amendments have been made to the original. The founder of Naha-te, … Continue reading →

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Higaonna (Higashionna) Kanryō

Posted on May 30, 2013 by dykiegirl

Born March 10, 1853 Died October 1915 Higaonna (Higashionna) Kanryō was also known as Higashionna West, (1) was a native of Nishi-shin-machi, Naha, Okinawa. He was born in Nishimura, Naha to a merchant family, whose business was selling goods to the north … Continue reading →

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Sanchin Kata – three battles

Posted on May 29, 2013 by dykiegirl

Sanchin is a kata of Southern Chinese (Fujianese) origin that is considered to be the core of several styles, the most well-known being the Okinawan Karate styles of Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu, as well as the Chinese martial arts … Continue reading →

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