Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai by Masaaki Hatsumi
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- July
- 25
A couple of weeks ago I reviewed an audio book by Eugene Robinson called “Fight”. The audio book was pretty cool and I highly suggest you pick it up.
I have recently received a copy of a hardcover book entitled “Unarmed Fighting Techniques of the Samurai”, by Masaaki Hatsumi. Hatsumi has studied Judo, Kendo, Karate, Aikido, Okinowan Karate (Zen-Bei Butokukai), Jukendo (rifle and bayonet combat) and western style boxing. By the time he was 20 years old he had obtained the rank of 4th degree black belt in Judo.
Grandmaster Hatsumi is the author of over a dozen books and 40+ video tapes on the art of Ninjutsu.
Now I know what you are thinking. What do Samurai’s and mixed martial arts have to do with each other? Not a whole lot, but this book demonstrates several useful strikes, throws, and submissions that translate well into MMA fights. As a mixed martial artist, you always want to have a well rounded arsenal of fighting techniques. I like to watch unorthodox fighters, and unorthodox martial arts styles. If you bring something to the table that the typical mixed martial artist has not seen, chances are he will have trouble defending and you gain the upper hand in the fight.
The book has illustrations of some interesting excercises you can do to make your grip stronger, and a strong grip is important in the jiu-jitsu aspect of mixed martial arts.
Some of the fighting techniques in this book are drills that are pretty routine in kickboxing and muay thai. The book describes an counterstrike called “Keto”
The opponent comes in with a right kick. Pull the left slightly, and with the right lef kick up from below the opponent’s right leg. The opponent shifts and comes in with a right strike. Block with the left arm and immediately hit the opponent’s face with a shako te (claw-shaped hand). At the same time kick the opponent with a right kick.
Replace the claw hand with a right cross and you have yourself a pretty nice hand/feet combo. The book is packed with offensive maneuvers like this. There are also photos and illustrations of ancient Japanese paintings.
I found the book to be a great read, and a nice resource to add to my collection of martial arts books. I suggest that you pick it up. You can buy it for about 23.00 at Amazon.
This entry was posted
on Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 3:28 pm by Larry Vollmer.
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