Preorder and Save: Korean Sword and Weapon Arts DVD

Preorder the Korean Sword and Weapon Arts DVD (scheduled release: Nov. 30) now and save $5.00 of the regular price of $24.95. Korean Sword and Weapon Arts is a rare look at some of the oldest documented martial arts of Korea. In this fascinating DVD, the National DemonstrationTeam of Kyung Dang, led by Grandmaster Im Dong-kyu, reenacts the sword, stick, spear and empty hand arts of ancient Korea.

10 Principles of Defending Against a Knife Attack

Sang H. Kim, instructor of the Knife Defense Fundamentals and Advanced Knife Defense DVDs, shares these simple principles for defending against a knife wielding attacker:

1. Stay as close to your opponent as possible after you close.
2. Focus on taking control of the knife first.
3. Grabbing the knife wielding hand is always preferable to parrying/blocking.
4. Cut off your attacker's view of the knife.
5. Close the distance quickly and smoothly.
6. Never take unnecessary chances or use complicated techniques.
7. Detach yourself from the fear you feel when faced with a weapon.
8. Stay alert but unemotional.
9. Keep a natural demeanor and deceive your opponent.
10. Move suddenly and without warning.

Korean Kickboxing DVD available 11/21

The newly released Korean Kickboxing DVD is scheduled to ship out on November 21st. There is still time to save $5.00 off the regular price of $24.95 by preordering today.

Shipment of Bargain Basement Books Just In

We have just received a shipment of bargain basement books - slightly damaged books sold at a deep discount. Bargain basement titles typically sell out in a day or two of arriving so don't delay in ordering.

Kwon Bup: Ancient Korean Martial Art

Kwon Bup means fist fighting method. The earliest surviving written reference to kwon bup is found in the Muye Dobo Tongji, which has extensive documentation on the techniques and history of kwon bup. According to this text, kwon bup was impractical for large scale combat on the battlefield, but was taught as an introduction to the martial arts. Soldiers learned kwon bup prior to learning more complex weapons arts to master footwork and body control. It was also taught as a method of personal self-defense for Chosun warriors.

Kwon bup was developed based on the methods of the Shaolin Temple and the techniques of Jang Song-kye. The Shaolin methods emphasized external style (waega) techniques including joint locks, jumping attacks and elaborate footwork. Advanced techniques of the Shaolin style were very elaborate and difficult to master.

Jang Song-kye favored internal techniques (naega) with an emphasis on self-defense. His philosophy dictated that skills only be used when one encountered an unavoidable enemy or hopeless situation. According to the historical text Naega Kwon Bup, the internal style also included three classifications of vital death point attacks which were handed down in secret. It was widely believed, because of these secret techniques, that the internal style was superior to the external style in self-defense.

An early master of naega style kwon bup, Wang Jung-nam devised thirty-five training methods and eighteen types of footwork. He classified them into yukro (six paths) and ship dankum (ten levels). The yuk ro methods were used to develop bone strength and inflict immediate damage while the ship dankum methods were intended to induce a delayed reaction. Many of his methods have been preserved in the Muye Dobo Tongji.