KW048 What Is Self-Defense? (Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu)
Great Grand Master James M. Mitose
110   pages, softbound, 4th edition, 1980
$29.95, Plum Price: $25.95

Sifu James Mitose had a strong influence on Kenpo, and was a major figure in its development. For a number of years his important text was unobtainable. We are happy to make it easily available once again.

There is a strong Buddhist flavor that runs through Mitose's Kenpo, with numerous self-defense techniques interlaced with ritual, and many wishes for peace. For instance, the entire book is filled with admonitions to refrain from using these self-defense actions and more advanced techniques unless necessary.

Included in this book are history sections that collect many strands while explaining the structure of the style. Many of Kenpo's famous movements are featured, such as the straightforward "check" technique, or the functional concept of multiple strikes. Techniques like these offer specific effects. In the early days, the sequences had no names, the routines few descriptions; they include empty hand, kicking, handheld weapons, groundwork and at-hand tools like a stool or a lamp. Mitose's book includes them all.

There is much in this book that is not common, such as the introductory preface called "The Motive For Publication," linking his thoughts to Dec 7, 1941. There are sections about Kenpo's value and approach. There are numbered lessons, starting from beginner. It is quite a remarkable document.

We like these historical volumes that chronicle the middle-to-late 20th century development of kung fu. They are sometimes crude with stilted illustrations, or less than stellar photos, but they also give a keen look into what was being created, or recreated, by contemporary minds.

 

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KS071 Secrets of Chinese Karate
Ed Parker
239  pages, softbound, Reprint of the 1963 by Prentice Hall edition
$14.95

Ed Parker's Secrets of Chinese Karate gained tremendous popularity when it first came out. Written by Mr. Parker (possibly with an aid by historian William C. Hu), with a foreword by writer Joe Hyams, this book hit the shelves right at the beginning of the “craze phase.” Kenpo and Karate were attracting a growing number of celebrities and this very readable text was the punch that landed in the right place at the right time.

The book itself is an interesting mixture of practical movement, sprinkled with more theoretical subjects like Buddhism. For instance, the book almost starts with a Theorem of Training.

All the figures in the book, which are clear and good-sized, are rendered drawings which make for a surprisingly clean presentation.

If you have been in the martial arts for any length of time, you might feel a strong sense of familiarity with many of the concepts outlined. Parker introduced certain martial theories that still stand today, even if some have mutated. Here you will find “Three Star,” the famous conditioning exercise for forearm strength, followed by a section on Breathing and Conditioning; Stance Training work in various positions, followed by arrangements of the stances into a series, sort of an 'armless' form, called “Running the Horse.”

There is a chart showing relative lengths of body parts, then a two-person set whose interest lies in the fact that it is the opposite of most partner
sets: in this form, the strikes are not blocked but meet their goals. I remember one teacher telling me that this was for untutored observers so they will understand what is happening.

This is more than a "back in the day" kind of book, and for those who are less familiar with Ed Parker, you might be surprised by his nuanced martial instruction.

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KK008 Knockout Punching: Theory and Practice
by Leo Fong
79  pages, softbound, published 1984 by Koinonia
$12.95

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This is a well structured examination and study of just what it means: the art of the one punch knockout. Fong sees the punch as having five major points. With that he goes into subjects like Accuracy, appropriate training methods, the Center Line, Awareness training, Timing, Penetration, the Power Line, the Gliding Step, Speed and Velocity, Relaxed Focus, and training methods covering the Heavy Bag, Shadow boxing and more. A nice in-depth study: the pictures are a little rough, they’ve been through many additions, but the ideas as solid and clear.

Learn more about instructor Leo Fong.

KH011 Hit Without Getting Hit
By Leo Fong
57 pages, softbound, published 1990 by Action Communications, Inc.
$9.95

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This book concentrates on the goals of the title. It takes a nicely segmented approach focusing on topics such as Attitude, Footwork, On Guard Stance, Hit-Duck and Hit, Hit-Slap and Hit, Hit-Jam and Hit, Hit-Side Step and Hit, Hit-Move and Hit, and Sparring. The photos, though hazy, are large and give enough information to show the applications.

KW037 Wei Kuen Do: The Psychodynamic Art of Free Fighting
By Leo Fong
144 pages, softbound, published 1976/99 by Koinonia
$16.50

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This book is probably Leo Fong’s major piece. He takes on the total concept of natural fighting. The book starts with Footwork then goes on to Punches, Elbows strikes, training methods, kicking, grappling, putting everything together, light bag work, conditioning drills, concentration, meditation, defense combos, offense combos, emotional stage, rules of WKD. Photos a bit blurred, but text right to the point. Leo Fong was one of the first publishers and writers to create practical self defense books regardless of style or lineage. And enthusiastic martial arts he created one of the first independent martial publishing companies and his books are still pivotal contributions to martial reality.

This unique book will familiarize practitioners and martial artists with basic concepts of the human body, as defined by both Western and Eastern Medical traditions. Written in a clear, concise style, this beautiful and informative text presents information previously unavailable in a single source.

• Over 133 line drawings and 60 photos in color and B/W
  
• Twenty essential self-massage and revival techniques
  
• Detailed principles of pressure point fighting
• Comprehensive listing of pressure points in English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean along with translations of the nam
  
  This is a long-overdue text that is very nicely and clearly illustrated and perfect resource for martial artists interested in point location from both a healing and martial perspective. We would show you a picture of the inside but all it is is a series of extremely comprehensive lists of point correspondences. Definitely a good reference volume.

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KH005 Hung Gar Pugilism Self Defense
by Ho Lap Tin
$28.00, 180 pages, softbound, photographs

The Hung system has many "humble" weapons and methods dealing with ordinary or common things such as the bench. This is an interesting book, in both Chinese and English, on such weapons. It contains a "Dragon and Tiger Umbrella Form" of 69 movements. Also there is a written section in the back derived from Hung known as the 8 Healthy Body Methods which is a description of Kung Fu exercises for any age. In the front section which demonstrates self defense the teacher uses the following: empty hands, bench, umbrella, Chinese Iron Fan and walking stick, all as examples of the basic concepts of Kung Fu self defense.

KD005 DIM MAK (Dian Hsueh):
Pressure Point Kung Fu
Compiled and Edited by Douglas H. Y. Hsieh
$10.95, 54 pages. Illustrated , Printed in Taiwan.

Dim Mak (Dian Hsueh) "The Poison Hand of Death"
Another of McLisa's infamous rip-off texts. This one has photographs and illustrations on the art of the "Death Touch" Funky illustrations. Some photographs of actual usage. Time tables. Weather conditons. Prognostications: "One will die in 9 days if the Tan Tian Hsueh point is struck". Plates lifted from old Chinese books. This was one of the first. In 1997 it was in its 9th printing. A wonderfully basic yellow cover.