store front schools ep. 2

Asian Martial arts instruction in America was largely incubated in two varieties of places: YMCAs and other such community centers where teachers- often US servicemen returned from parts East- taught classes; and in private spaces. As martial arts grew in popularity and more Asian teachers became willing to teach non-Asians, the dedicated martial arts school proliferated. Now days I would guess the majority of martial arts schools are storefronts in strip malls. Images of pre-fabricated TaeKwonDo schools sandwiched by a discount clothing store and a restaurant, off a local highway aren't the most romantic. However, in between these timeframes there was a boon period for storefront schools, often with lurid or extravagant appearances. In many cities, particularly those with older and/or disinvested neighborhoods, the curious eye can still find some interesting examples of such relics of martial arts yesteryear. Then again, some of them are still open and teaching. Go inside!

For this installment of store front schools, I bring you a video I found over at DojoRat.  It is a short documentary called Southside Warriors about the Tornado School of Martial Arts in Detroit, MI.  The all black school is run by Gregory Jaco, a former Army Ranger and community activist.  He is in ill health and apparently approaching death.  In spending time with Jaco and his school we receive an intimate portrait of a bygone way of doing things in the martial arts world. 

DojoRat's original post has some fascinating background on the film, I hope you enjoy:

thoughts on breaking.

Breaking has been a mainstay of martial arts exhibitions in the US for decades.  In fact, the average layman when thinking of martial arts probably conjures images of a yelling "karate chop" through some material.  Perhaps this is due to to ubiquitous satire in popular culture.  Many legitimate masters decry breaking as mere parlor tricks or at the least unoteworthy or unimportant displays.  Still, they are a key component of many traditional systems.  Why?  Is there any inherent value in breaking some bricks, or is it just for show?   

store front schools ep. 1

Asian Martial arts instruction in America was largely incubated in two varities of places: YMCAs and other such community centers where teachers- often US servicemen returned from parts East- taught classes; and in private spaces. As martial arts grew in popularity and more Asian teachers became willing to teach non-Asians, the dedicated martial arts school proliferated. Now days I would guess the majority of martial arts schools are storefronts in strip malls. Images of pre-fabricated TaeKwonDo schools sandwiched by a discount clothing store and a restaurant, off a local highway aren't the most romantic. However, in between these timeframes there was a boon period for storefront schools, often with lurid or extravagant appearances. In many cities, particularly those with older and/or disinvested neighborhoods, the curious eye can still find some interesting examples of such relics of martial arts yesteryear. Then again, some of them are still open and teaching.  Go inside!

thoughts on belt ranking.

I recently read an article thread on belt ranking systems on MartialTalk and was inspired to comment. The original author briefly elucidates the factors in a common complaint against martial arts- that the pursuit of rank often detracts from the pursuit of the art itself. While I couldn’t agree more, I also feel that some sort of rank system is necessary in public schools.

movie review: choke.

I recently watched "Choke," a documentary film about Rickson Gracie's preparation for, and competition in the second Japanese Vale Tudo tournament in 1995. The film profiles his career and training in California, then follows him to the competition. As well, the filmmakers follow two other competitors, one American, one Japanese as they prepare. The second half of the film documents the actual tournament, compressing the matches and showing some interesting backstage goings-on. Choke is primarily a profile of an important fighter at the height of his career but it only skims the surface of the ancillary and highly relevant subject material- the emerging dominance of Gracie Jujitsu and the then unnamed MMA.