What martial arts book are you currently reading?

[isshinryuronin]

I recently had a long conversation about the value of poomsae in Korean MA's. Due to their relatively young age many do not see or understand the value of learning forms in depth. I argued that of Korean the form sets, the Palgwe forms had much more depth than any others, especially the newer Taegueks that really only have value in competition. While older, the Pinon (Pyong Ahn) forms are very basic in movements, evolving from the school/academy days of Korean military.
There are tons of books that talk about the Taeguek forms in regards to the static movements/patterns but very few that talk about any real depth or application, essentially because it does not exist. In a nutshell, it is left up to the instructor or student.
It is understandable why there is so much confusion about them.

All the poomsae you refer to are quite stylized and straight forward in appearance (very similar to their Shotokan root style), and for this reason, it's harder to identify possible in-depth applications. Many of the techniques have lost the subtlety that allows for application beyond the obvious basic ones. They seem to be constructed more for drilling/demonstrating the basic blocks, strikes and kicks, rather than for actual down and dirty combat. (I find it odd that low kicks are non-existent in the poomsae.)

This doesn't mean the potential for advanced application is not there. It's like a latent recessive gene, lurking in the background but able to show itself in the right circumstances with exploration and understanding of the original intent.

I did notice that by Taeguek and Palgwe 6 & 7 more involved techniques capable of advanced app show up; and I agree with you that the advanced Palgwe seem to have more depth compared to the Taeguek. As for the Pyong Ahn, let's look at their history.

Itosu drew on some existing Okinawan kata techniques and adapted them to construct the Pinans1-5 for their use in public school teaching. Even so, Funakoshi maintained that the combat function still remained. Then they were exported to Japan under the name Heian, and then exported to Korea as the Pyong Ahn. It's reasonable to think that along the way some of the original meaning faded and thus the perception (only partly true) that they are "very basic." Many Pyong Ahn moves can be seen in the newer Taeguek and Palgwe, so perhaps an additional "import" has taken place.

All the above factors, plus commercialization and competition, give us modern poomsae. While their depth of application may be harder to find, they are still there to some extent. Strong, fast, basic moves, along with tactics and a fighting spirit, go a long way. If poomsae can develop these traits they are useful, even without the fancy applications. But if you read about the history of Okinawan karate and its core concepts, you will gain some insights on poomsae application.

 

[_Simon_]

Highly recommended to me by people I highly respect, finally starting it!

 

[Xue Sheng]

 

[Taiji Rebel]

Xing Yi Nei Gong: Xing Yi Health Maintenance and Internal Strength Development
Drawing on information from Zhang Bao Yang, Wang jin Yu and He Yu Qi all students of Wang ji Wu
Compiled/Edited by
Dan Miller and Tim Cartmell

What a great read/study for all internal martial artists. It is really useful for those looking to create new class content due to the information and exercises contained within - this book gets a 100% recommendation from me

 

[a.v]

What a great read/study for all internal martial artists. It is really useful for those looking to create new class content due to the information and exercises contained within - this book gets a 100% recommendation from me

Looks like I will have to import it myself considering it's being sold locally for $140 USD.
Where can I find it for cheap?

 

[Hot Lunch]

5 Rules for White Belts, by Chris Matakas

 

[Buka]

I'm reading Shogun again. I think it meets the requirements of a Martial Arts book.
(it's a real cool read, too)

 

[Gyakuto]

 

[Drobison491]

The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power. by Kris Wilder

 

[_Simon_]

Finished Zen Body Being a month or so ago (finally got there), starting on some foundational texts for our stream of Goju

 

[Gyakuto]

Finished Zen Body Being a month or so ago (finally got there), starting on some foundational texts for our stream of Goju

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Oh they look like great books. I love digesting those kinds of data!

 

[Gyakuto]

Not a martial arts book, admittedly, but one about a great issue within ‘sports’. An intriguing read despite it’s slightly ‘sneering’ style. What’s surprised me is the data showing just how far behind elite biologically female athletes are to elite biologically male athletes and thus what an advantage testosterone bestows. Katie Ledecky, the outstanding ‘living legend’ swimmer with 19 world titles to her name would not make it onto a US Junior team! Her Tokyo Olympic winning time over 800 metres would place her 14th in the European junior boys heats of the same year while her historic and amazing 2016 world record would place her 6th among the junior boys and at world level she would not even make the boys final! Arsenal’s international cup winning women’s football team were beaten 5-0 by the Arsenal under 15s team. There’s page after page of stats like this which was astonishing and evidence that there is no overlap between women’s and men’s performance and the need to have separate categories due to the lingering effects of ‘testosteronisation’ during puberty.

It was also disappointing to hear just how biased, unfair and indeed illogical the IOC have made their rules. I’m not sure I’m even going to watch this year’s Paris Olympics as a result. A truly crooked organisation.

 

[_Simon_]

Oh they look like great books. I love digesting those kinds of data!

ME TOO ME TOO! Delving into it

 

[Buka]

I’m currently rereading The Roar of the Crowd
by Gentlemen Jim Corbett.

 

[Xue Sheng]

 

[Brian King]

I’m currently rereading The Roar of the Crowd
by Gentlemen Jim Corbett.

Sounds like a great read. Just ordered on Amazon. Thanks for the find.
Brian

 

[Stuarto]

In addition to reading Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps, I recently started to read Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai

 

[Gyakuto]

In addition to reading Shinsengumi: The Shogun's Last Samurai Corps, I recently started to read Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai

Which translation are you reading? I love the commentary on Hagakure, ‘Mishima on Hagakure’ by Mishima Yukio.

 

[Stuarto]

Which translation are you reading? I love the commentary on Hagakure, ‘Mishima on Hagakure’ by Mishima Yukio.

It's translated by Alexander Bennet, my fiancé got it for me because she knows I like all things samurai related. She is also from Japan, born and raised.

 

[Gyakuto]

It's translated by Alexander Bennet, my fiancé got it for me because she knows I like all things samurai related. She is also from Japan, born and raised.

Oh yes, Bennet knows his onions! Hagakure is like Go Rin no Sho…there are great translations and some not so good. It’s interesting to read Tsunetomo Yamamoto’s thoughts on the ‘47 Ronin’ incident (or the ‘Asano affair’ as I think he calls it).