I know alot of you know about the Wikipedia list of martial arts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_martial_arts
It's certainly one big list. One interesting article I found on it was one about an art called ' Taekido":
"Taekido is a martial art. It is taught in Australia and the U.S. but the two countries use very different styles and they are not affiliated.
Taekido in Australia
In Australia, Taekido is a combination of the full techniques of Taekwondo and Aikido. It is currently taught in about 50 dojos throughout the Sydney, Woolongong, Goulburn and Australian Capital Territory regions. Taekido courses separate children's and adult's classes, where most of Taekwondo side of the art are taught to coluored belts; and Aikido aspects are taught after getting the black belt levels.
'Taekido is a true Martial art, it is known for it’s dramatic flying and spinning kicks, holds, throws and locks. The name comes from the Korean word tae (foot), Japanese word ki (vital breath, energy), Korean and Japanese word do (way). It has evolved in the historic tradition of eastern culture. It must be understood that studied in earnest, Taekido is more than a science of tactics and self defence, it is a discipline for perfecting the spirit.' -- extract from the website, by Sensei Rodney Day."
Remember that these Wikipedia editors have to be neautral, meaning they pretty much have to write what the founders and practioners of the art say. Reading this article( and others) I must say that this sounds like really soft-core Hapkido( I'm no expert, and am only going by what articles say. I did, however, study Korean TSD). Could not someone just study Aikido and Taekwondo, rather than Taekido? Was it necessary to create this art? I guess the point of this art is to give the student TKD and Aikido training for the price of one.
Now, another interesting article I found, was one on the art of " Tsunami Karate". Some disaster pics were posted on this site before, here's the thread:
http://www.bullshido.net/forums/show...Tsunami+Karate
Here's what the Wikipedia article said:
"Tsunami Karate is a Polish style of karate founded by Ryszard Murat. The style is named Tsunami due to the apparent overwhelming power of its techniques.
In Tsunami Karate Japanese technique names and dojo etiquette is used; The style was created in Poland but on the foundations of more traditional styles of karate, explaining the use of Japanese terminology. Tsunami claims to have a policy of mercy, stating the dictum that 'in a fight situation, one should gouge one eye, not two.'
The style has been influenced considerably by street fighting and also pays attention to specific facial expressions; it claims that often a fight can be won merely on the merits of the facial expressions of the fighter. These expressions are completely different from the expressions of normal people involved in a fight.
This style has a focus on the use of untraditional weapons specifically for Poles: a sickle, a shovel etc."
Damn Polacks. I have to admit, if this was an American style, I would immediatlly assume this was Bullshido just by the name. I wouldn't even read the article. However, Poland being foriegn to me, I decided to read the article. Well, they call this art " Tsunami" because of their so-called "overwhelming techniques". Overwhelming to a human as is a real tsunami to a city. I doubt it. Especially if they claim a merit of mercy. Also, I find the fight can be won by facial expressions thing a little questionable. If I fold my lips out and cross my eyes, will I increase my chances of winning a fight? Sounds a bit like "teh I) 3adly" to me. One more thing: Isn't a sickle one of those old manual tools for reaping corn stalks or wheat? If so, I think most of us can agree that that isn't exactly practical for modern streetfighting( Imagine, though, if a person actually used one of those in a fight. If that ever happens, please video tape it and post the clips). I can understand shovel, but sickle?
There are loads of weird and questionable MAs out there. Anybody else know any differant ones? Also, would you happen to know any Takido or Tsunami Karate practicioners.
Style: TSD, Kung-Fu, Wrestling
