Japan

Martial Arts & Self-Defense Weapons – What IS a Kubotan

Arts blogger

If you do a search on the internet, there seems to be no end to what has been written about this simple, yet powerful weapon. There seems to be no small supply of writers who have used dramatic titles to add to the impact of an otherwise so-so article on the subject.

“Fistful of Dynamite,” “Rod of Pain,” and many others lead the way as writers share their own knowledge and insight into this inconspicuous, and yet surprisingly powerful little weapon. Unfortunately, far too many of these articles serve little to no real purpose in helping you to actually create results. And, these articles range in scope from the generalized “what it is” variety, to the overly bloated tome that includes what seems to be every single detail and supposition that the author wishes to impress you with.

Believe me, I have read a lot of what’s available, and while there are certainly a number of valuable resources from real experts, they are buried in a cyber-world of practically worthless “chatter.” While you can feel free to recreate my extensive research on the subject, I’ve brought it all together so you don’t have to.

So, what, exactly, is a Kubotan (pronounced “koo-bow-tahn”) anyway?

Good question. And to answer that, you can read the book titled, KUBOTAN: Self-Defense Keychain to get a much better idea. But, for now, I’ll give you the short, “what’s it look like and what else might it be called,” version. For those interested, the above book covers the viewpoints of “where did it come from and how long has it been around,” as-well-as others in its other chapters.

In my other articles, you can take a quick overview of the strengths and weakness of this popular self-defense weapon. But, for now…

The Kubotan, also known as a…

1. Pocket-stick…

2. Self-Defense Keychain…

3. Mini-Stick, and…

4. many others…

…is arguably, the most common self-defense weapon, next to the handgun, in the United States.

While many new tactical weapons continue to find growing acceptance within the law enforcement and security communities, there seems to be little change within the realm of private citizens. It appears that, once people find a good thing, they tend to “stick” with it. (Yes, pun intended!) According to many experts in the field of defense and personal protection…

“…the most popular, and quite possibly the most versatile, personal defense weapon is the Kubotan.”

For simplicity’s sake, I’ll refer to the weapon throughout this article as the Kubotan or, more simply, the self-defense keychain. However, regardless of the name given to it, this powerful little compliance tool, carried by thousands of men and women – martial artists and non-practitioners alike – is an awesome means of deterring and controlling an attack situation.

Besides being, quite probably the cheapest weapon you can buy, in the hands of even a person skilled in only a few basic moves, the Kubotan is a formidable weapon for stopping an assailant in his tracks. And, for those with more training and developed skills, the self-defense keychain is one of the most effective self-defense tools that you can use today.

The weapon is simple in appearance, inexpensive to acquire or make, and fairly easy to conceal. While not as versatile and convenient as a clipknife like the Delica from Spyderco – my preferred weapon/tool of choice, by the way – it is definitely easy-to-learn and even easier-to-use.

Depending on the manufacturer, the Kubotan is just a basic rod made of metal, plastic, or wood. It’s about 6 inches long and, as the name suggests, usually has a key ring attached at one end. The “official,” patented, Kubotan weapon “invented” by a man named Tak Kubota, has grooves machined into the weapon to identify it as a unique creation. But, just like “Band-aid” has come to be the generic name for adhesive bandages and “Q-Tips” the same for cotton swabs, the bar-shaped, self-defense keychain is almost universally called a “Kubotan.”

There are other variants of the basic model, including what is billed as the “Ninja” version of the weapon. This little piece of imaginative effort, created during the ’80’s when every weapon had it’s own “Ninja” version, has two thinner spikes protruding out from the side of the weapon that fit between your fingers when you grasped the main bar of the tool.

Let me assure you that, regardless of what you ever read or hear, the Kubotan or self-defense keychain is NOT a Ninja weapon – officially or unofficially. It’s ancestors that gave rise to the modern version, at least in Japan, were used by almost all trained warriors – not just the Ninja.

The more commonly recognized variants of the weapon are generally manufactured from heavy-duty plastic or aluminum. The official Kubotan, and third-party copies, are simply straight rods with blunt ends. However, many self-defense key chains have at least one tapered end with the key ring attached to the squared, blunt end. Needless to say, some of these “centerpunch-like versions, are extremely dangerous – as they have the capability of actually penetrating the target and doing more severe damage.

And, for those of you who are fashion-conscious and need to make sure that your self-defense weapon doesn’t clash with your Armani, these little gems even come in a variety of colors and high-tech shapes to match just about any ensemble.

So, to answer the question, “what IS a Kubotan?”

It is a simple, easy to learn and use, self-defense weapon that can be effectively used by the smallest defender, to bring the largest assailant to his knees in seconds. Quite simply, it is the best weapon for the person with little to no formal training and who wants to be able to learn to defend him or herself with the least amount of time, effort, and money.

Difference Between Mma And Karate

Arts blogger

Although there are certain techniques and moves that may seem similar, there is a difference between MMA and Karate. Because of The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show on Spike TV people are starting to understand the real difference between the two sports.

Karate is a very old form of martial arts that originated in Japan. It was primarily for self-defense, a way to defend one’s self from an attacker even without a weapon in hand. The moves employed are for blocking an attack and counterattacking through strikes, punches, and kicks. Through the years, it has become a competitive sport and one of the most popular forms of martial arts in the world.

Mixed martial arts or MMA, from the name itself, is a combination of several forms of martial arts. Its roots can be traced back to the ancient Greeks where they participated in no holds barred and extremely brutal fighting matches. Unlike karate that evolved out of a practical need for self-defense, mixed martial arts already started out being a competitive sport. It combines different techniques to subdue an opponent inside the ring.

Practitioners believe that by selecting the most effective moves from different martial arts and incorporating them into one form, they are creating a better and more efficient form of fighting style. There are many forms of martial arts employed in MMA fighting but the dominant styles used Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, and wrestling. Fights are relatively short, usually five minutes per round.

The rules in MMA also differ from others. One is allowed to strike an opponent when he or she is standing or lying on the ground. Other contact sports such as boxing do not allow strikes when one competitor goes down. Although it is allowed in MMA, strict officiating is enforced. A match is stopped when one fighter knocks out or renders unconscious his or her opponent. Another is when one submits to the dominant fighter and if the referee sees that a fighter cannot defend himself anymore from his opponent.

Ultimate Mma Training For Beginners At Home – Learn Martial Arts

Arts blogger

I desire to ascertain MMA change into much more just like the NBA. The UFC would be the most crucial amusement on the town wherever one of the best fighters go to fight. The same as with basketball all the different countries would have their very own pro leagues. Having these leagues around the globe tend to be key to help the sport carry on increase internationally and creates farm methods across the world. I would love to see Strikeforce grow into the Minor leagues of MMA in American. As opposed to working towards the UFC they might come to be a farm system for the future UFC superstars. Each of the tiny time locally shows can maintain doing which sort they are doing, as a result we need their situation to hold giving young fighters a place to fight. Strikeforce would essentially stay the best way it really is now, but any of their fighters that was reduced to best 15 to 20 fighters would transfer over to the UFC.

A set of weights which include dumbbells can easily significantly increase your ranges of endurance, strength, and fitness. You can buy an used set of weights pretty cheaply from used ads section in your own hometown paper. You don’t have to buy fresh equipment should you don’t need to. Let us face it, an used weight goes to weight similar to a brand new one.

While it appears as though the UFC has a monopoly on the sport of MMA, that’s not precisely the case. Yes, they are the two of them thousand pound gorilla, however there’s absolutely room, and a strong really want for certain supporting chimps. With the departure of Japan’s longest operating and most effective MMA organization, PRIDE Combating Championship, and the recent failure of EliteXC, MMA needs much more credible shows, wherever up and coming fighters can easily “cut their teeth”. As we’ve seen with recent MMA upstart Affliction, if a start-up has sufficient money to lure away good fighters from the bigger much more well established organizations, and enough business knowledge to put together a great show, they have a shot. Whether or not Affliction has what it takes to stay around, is yet being seen, however they’ve absolutely done superior to most.

Phil Baroni (13-10-, aka the “New York Bad Ass”, is one heel that remains relevant today. Baroni started his career combating within the UFC after which went on to battle in Japan’s premier organization, PRIDE, but continues to be relegated to battling within the “B” level organizations as of late. Between his theatrical entrances, his continuous banging in the ring, and his mouth outdoor the ring, intense love him or hate him, Baroni is pure entertainment. The NYBA is another fighter who has checked positive for steroids.

Against a left-limbed attack practice pinning your correct arm against your body or lowering your grade and execute a penetration with your left leg forward. Evidently you decrease your stage on a punch and shield on a kick.

Wes Sims (22-12-, one of several tallest combatants of the sport at 6 ft and Ten inches tall, is known for his unorthodox battling style, his spectacular strength, and the many illegal blows he has delivered to his opponents. He solidified his popularity as a heel within a controversial fight against Frank Mir at UFC 43, in which Sims got up while Mir was on his back towards the fence and proceeded to stomp on Mir’s head different times whereas holding the fence for supplemental balance. The battle was stopped and Sims was disqualified. A lot along the lines of Tim Sylvia, Wes Sims is a heel that MMA fans like to hate. Sims continues to combat in lesser shows, however isn’t related among the many mainstream of MMA.

The Beauty of Japanese Art

Arts blogger

Japanese art is amongst the most respected all over the world and it’s famous for many diverse art movements across distinct mediums, such as wooden block prints and calligraphy.

It is not just those with Japanese history in their blood that are attracted the country’s art but people all over the world who appreciate the Japanese unique and beautiful view of art and life. The top identified artists from Japan inside the western art public are currently Katsushika Hokusai, Morita, Ando Hiroshige and Kitagawa whose original paintings and wooden block prints make popular selections as reproductions framed prints or wall posters for those seeking to add just a little color and culture to their houses.

Japanese folk lore is filled with the fantastic samurai of history, the shoguns, the warlords or the pretenders – this vivid history, frequently elaborated and embroidered informs an enormous number of prints loosely known as musha-e or warrior prints. As such Japanese prints are rich with human sensation. Almost every Japanese print recounts a tale, usually bloody, of bound couples, envious spouses and suicidal warriors. Aside from the excellent battle photos you will find also genres on spiritual subjects; the nineteenth century Japanese being particularly fascinated with ghosts, demons and spirits.

Playfulness in meaning and language was a fascination in nineteenth century Japan, a scenario exaggerated by a lot of edicts on artists to censor the subject matter of their work. These were contemporary recreations of nicely known historical subjects known as mitate-e, (literally, likened) prints.

Possibly the largest genre of all is: yakusha-e or actor prints. These may be portrait busts of actors in role or individual scenes from kabuki performances. Despite the fact that these prints had been of contemporary actors, the dramas that they portray are usually historical or mythic, meaning that the print itself can be a representation of an historic or famous event.

One thing people notice is that prints by the exact same artist often vary widely in cost. There are a few reasons for this. Condition is paramount for value but also specific prints by artists are regarded as to be of exceptional artistic value, other people are rare due to the fact the editions were extremely tiny. Prints are prone to fading, attack by worms and insects, water damage, damp, fire and careless handling and excess trimming. Condition is quite crucial, don’t forget these are fragile things and it occasionally seems miraculous that they’ve survived at all. If you purchase from reputable dealers nevertheless, then marketplace value will on the entire be fairly reflected inside the cost.

Most of all buy prints simply because you like them; a great dealer will provide a lot of details on a piece: the date, subject matter, who is depicted and so on. Details like this enrich the experience of ownership enormously.

Digital Mini DV Camcorders

Samurai Influence On Japanese Art

Arts blogger

No other tribe in the history may have gained such an epic image that Samurai people got who had been featured in a large number of comic books, plays and movies. That military people lived in the feudal Japan before centuries are still living in the hearts of hundreds of people today without regard to adults or children.

History of the Samurai art cannot be explained without referring to the history of the Samurai tribe. The governance system that existed in Japan in 12th century was denominated as Shogunate and the ruler was known as Shogun. At that time, Japan was suffering a lot from frequent struggles between the then existed powerful clans named Taira and Minamoto.

The daimyo were the second in command in the hierarchy of the Shogunate. This position was similar to that of dukes in Europe. The Samurai class was then the soldiers of a daimyo. Ronin is the name given to a Samurai that did not have a master. This happens when their master is forced to commit suicide.

The Samurai caste had many privileges which was not granted for the common people. They were licensed to carry two swords while the common people were restricted from carrying any. They were even allowed to kill any ordinary citizen who came to hurt them.

The Samurai tribe itself was categorized into three classes – the administrators who were known as housemen, soldiers who were permitted to fight on horse back named mounted Samurai and the foot soldiers.

Eventually this Samurai life underwent many changes and now most of their descendants are farmers living in castles. Depending upon their ranks, they were authorized for a certain percentage of the rice tax also. Samurai followed some moral doctrines which were mainly established over the obedience to the leader who was known as Daimyo. This code of Samurai life is known as Bushido, which means the way of warrior.

A strange custom of committing suicide named Suppuku existed among them. They believed it as a honourable way of death and was performed at the battle field or outside the battle as a formal function. Gradually, the age of battles came to an end and the Samurai class dissolved in the mainstream of the Japanese life.

The Samurai chronicles have become world-renowned because of their heroism and the impacts they made in the Japanese history in addition to the fame they accomplished through various types of media. The fact that this type of a tribe existed in the history and the code of life they adopted still remain implausible for the modern world.

The Samurai life had a great impact on the Japanese art of those times because of the power and position they possessed in the society. Their life, history and culture had been depicted in the Japanese art works with all the fascination. These arts catch the attention of everyone including those who are not at all familiar with the Japanese way of life.