Tag: martial arts

Inazo Nitobe: “A Truly Brave Man is Ever Serene”

Power, Form and Honor

“A truly brave man is ever serene; he is never taken by surprise; nothing ruffles the equanimity of his spirit. In the heat of battle he remains cool; in the midst of catastrophes he keeps level his mind. Earthquakes do not shake him, he laughs at storms. We admire him as truly great, who, in the menacing presence of danger or death, retains his self-possession; who, for instance, can compose a poem under impending peril or hum a strain in the face of death. Such indulgence betraying no tremor in the writing or in the voice, is taken as an infallible index of a large nature—of what we call a capacious mind (Yoyū), which, far from being pressed or crowded, has always room for something more.”

― Inazo Nitobe, Bushido, The Soul of Japan

Aikido

Aikido: Staff

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as “the way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the way of harmonious spirit.” Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

Aikido techniques consist of entering and turning movements that redirect the momentum of an opponent’s attack, and a throw or joint lock that terminates the technique.

Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba’s involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion. Ueshiba’s early students’ documents bear the term aiki-jūjutsu.

Christian Howard

Christian Howard:  Photo Shoots

Christian Howard was born on May 4, 1984 in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. He is a British actor, model and martial artist who portrayed Ken Masters in Street Fighter: Legacy (2010) and also co-wrote the film with Joey Ansah, whom he previously collaborated with on many British martial arts films. He is also know for  his work on Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist (2014) and The World’s End (2013).

Howard co-wrote the TV series Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist with Ansah as well and also reprised his role as Ken. Christian Howard will return for Street Fighter: Resurrection and Street Fighter: World Warrior

최종병기 활 “War of the Arrows”

최종병기 활 (Choi-jong-byeong-gi Hwal), War of the Arrows; Directed and Screenplay by  Kim Han-min, 2011, Korea

“War of the Arrows” is a 2011 South Korean historical action film starring Park Hae-il, Ryu Seung-ryong and Moon Chae-won. Set after the Second Manchu invasion of Korea, the film is about an archer who risks his life to save his sister from slavery under Prince Dorgon’s rule.

Praised by critics for its fast pacing and combat sequences, the film drew an audience of 7.48 million, making it the highest grossing Korean film of 2011. It was also honored at the 48th Grand Bell Awards and the 32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, including Best Actor for Park, Best Supporting Actor for Ryu, and Best New Actress for Moon.

Note: I happen to be a great fan of Korean martial arts and detective movies. I find them exciting, full of action, great stories with great actors. I put this movie on my list of best movies. Most martial arts movies involve action with blades; but this movie is about a mostly overlooked martial art: archery. Great action scenes with unbelievable arrow shots. I also give it many stars just for the starring actor Park Hae-il, a great actor.