WHERE IN THE WORLD
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, the characters that make up Japan’s name mean “sun-origin”, which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Japan is an archipelago of 6,852 islands. The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, together accounting for 97% of Japan’s land area. Japan has the world’s 10th-largest population, with over 127 mil. people. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the capital city of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million residents.
WHAT KIND OF KARATE? KARATE
Karate: is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed partially from indigenous fighting methods called the (literally “hand”; Tii in Okinawan) and from Chinese kenpo. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles. A karate practitioner is called a karateka.
PASSPORT WORLD TOUR - Summer 2024 China
Posted: July 25, 2024
WHERE IN THE WORLD
The People’s Republic of China is the second-largest country in the world by land area after Russia. China has the longest combined land border in the world, measuring 22,117 km (13,743 mi) from the mouth of the Yalu River to the Gulf of Tonkin. China borders 14 nations, more than any other country except Russia, which also borders 14. China extends across much of East Asia.
WHAT KIND OF KARATE? LONG FIST/KUNG FU
PASSPORT WORLD TOUR - Summer 2024 Philippines
Posted: July 17, 2024
WHERE IN THE WORLD
The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines is a sovereign country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and its tropical climate make the Philippines prone to earthquakes and typhoons but have also endowed the country with natural resources and made it one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. An archipelago comprising 7,107 islands, the Philippines is categorized broadly into three main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its capital city is Manila.
WHAT KIND OF KARATE? KALI/ESCRIMA
Kali/Escrima: Eskrima (also known as Arnis and in the West sometimes as Kali) is the umbrella term for the traditional martial arts of the Philippines, which emphasize weapon based fighting with sticks, knives and other bladed weapons, and various improvised weapons. It also includes hand-to-hand combat and weapon disarming techniques.
PASSPORT WORLD TOUR - Summer 2024 Thailand
Posted: July 09, 2024
This Summer we talk about and learn about the martial arts style of each of the countries listed below.
THAILAND
PHILLIPPINES
The Rising Tide Lifts All the Boats
Posted: June 14, 2024
There was a time when styles and martial arts schools were very divided. Each art professing its pride for being the most efficient and effective. As the tradition of learning was passed down from one generation to the next, with every passing year the newer generation felt a heavier responsibility to carry on the traditions of the techniques and the way they were taught. At times, instructors were even passing down techniques and traditions without even understanding the meaning of what they were doing, until someone realized this approach limited growth.
Then, what I would call “Enlightened Martial Arts Masters” came along and while honoring tradition in their hearts they expanded their circle of martial arts education. They challenged tradition and the idea of one style being the very best and started to create a new paradigm that looked at each martial art respectfully as having something good to offer. Instead of feeling threatened martial artists started to share with each other so they could become better. The phrase popularized by President Kennedy is absolutely true, “The rising tide lifts all the boats.”
Like in martial arts, as people who are trying to be the best version of themselves… their PERSONAL BEST, we must do the same. We all have fears and insecurities that cause us to shy away from, write off or minimize learning and giving respect and effort to relationships that could grow us to become more than we are. If we want to grow and realize our full potential, we have to do what martial arts masters had and continue to have to do to grow; admit they don’t have all the answers and be willing and ready to put on a physical, mental and emotional “white belt” and invest the time to stay a student. As the saying goes, “if you want to go fast, go on your own, if you want to go far, go together”.