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Mitose Trial Transcript

matt — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:47:28 +0000

There used to be a link to the Mitose Transcript, but the previous host appears to have fallen on some hard times. So, if you don’t have a copy, feel free to download one from this link, and enjoy the 205 MB and 2500 pages of wackiness.

It’s an eye opening read, and is required reading for anyone who wants a real understanding of the actions and treatment of James Mitose.

Walk through the combinations 1-60

matt — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:11:16 +0000

Steve Venturino has posted on his Kempoman.com site a walk through of the first 60 combinations on video. They might be a little different from yours, but check it out. Make sure that if you stop by you say ‘thanks’ for putting himself out there, and don’t mind the ‘guy in a parking lot’ quality, as it’s cool that he’s doing this at all.

Bug form update.

matt — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:08:38 +0000

Just got an email from a reader – and he says:
The posting that you just put up – “Things I didn’t even know I was looking for” is not a bug form. It is actually Northern Tiger. I learned it as a 1st Dan and loved the form. Just thought that you would like to know that the gentleman has an incorrect name for it.

Thanks for the update – that name sounds more familiar – and that makes me think that Mr. Venturino probably learned it right after it was developed and the name wasn’t finalized. Keep the updates coming!

Things I didn’t even know I was looking for.

matt — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:32:17 +0000

Steve Venturino sent me a comment and in it he let me know about his site kempoman.com. He’s also putting all his material up online, and mentioned a form I hadn’t heard of: The Bug form. He’s got it on a page of black belt forms.

I can see some of the traditional ingredients. Steve gives his training background on his page, and I look forward to collaborating with him to fill in some of the blanks in the archive. While you are over checking out his page, also take a look at the Kempoman game he’s trying to create.
Thanks Steve!

Hawaiian Warrior Culture

matt — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:54:12 +0000

The History Channel series Warriors has done an episode entitled Hawaii: Islands of Blood. The featured art is Lua, and the episode is fun to watch.

As I watched the techniques being done, I recognized a great many, and for that I (and Kenpo / Kempo) people all over have Henry Okizaki to thank. He incorporated many lua techniques into his teachings while cross referencing them with his jujutsu. I saw a lot of things that were reflected in the Kempo I’ve been learning from Professor Ferreira. It’s a great show, catch it if you can.

G.I. Joe Karate Manual

matt — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:08:40 +0000

Early on, one of our forefathers had a chance to contribute to G.I. Joe. Take a close look at the G.I. Joe information site, specifically at this manual. Do you see anything (or anyone) you recognize?

Edit: Make sure to click the link, and then view each page of the manual.

EPAK Manuals from Ed Parker, Jr.

matt — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:03:31 +0000

Ed Parker Jr. has been kind enough to type in belt manuals into Kenpotalk posts. These manuals were in the final stages of pre-print at the time of Ed Parker’s passing. Please check them out, but don’t be reselling them, etc.

Tigi Mataalii – Kempo Senior?

matt — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:23:14 +0000

I was perusing Youtube, and thought I found a nice little kempo variant. Tigi Mataalii has channel on Youtube where he posts lessons. As with any other person I wasn’t familiar with, I did a little homework. Depending on where you look, he’s a student of Professor chow, Sam Kuoha earned a third dan under him, he’s an Olympic medalist in Judo in 1968 and Judo and Karate in 1976, and a breaking world record holder. Sounds great! Except…

Judo wasn’t in the 1968 Olympics, and Karate hasn’t been ever. There’s no record of Tigi Mataalii winning an Olympic Medal. He apparently got booed off the stage for precutting his ice, and Chow didn’t know him. John Bishop smacks him down pretty well at the Kajukenbo Cafe. What’s the deal.

After the jump there’s also an obnoxious video demonstrating one of his ’signature chi breaks’, by some kid in his kitchen. Obnoxiousness after the jump.

A special gift from Christopher Geary.

matt — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:52:22 +0000

I’m not usually one to trumpet anything of Christopher Geary’s, but he has done a service by hosting a .pdf of James Mitose’s trial transcript. If you don’t currently have a copy and are a historian, it’s a must read. So, without further ado, make it a point to download a copy. Right click (on windows) or control click (on a mac unless you have a multi-button mouse). Caution – it’s a 200MB download. Make sure you have time. I found it to be absolutely captivating reading. I paid big bucks for my copy back in the olden days. Hooray for technology.