The History of Fighting

Title:  koshiate
Date:  1735
Artist:  Hayakawa Kyuukei
Info:  This woodblock from the Edo period depicts a series of Japanese samurai swords on their koshiate
(Sword Hangers) and is from a Japanese book on samurai armour called Tanki Yoriaku: Hi Ko Ben

This video is a demonstration of stick fighting from Kalarippayattu, an ancient Indian martial art that is said
to be over 3,000 years old and the ‘mother of all martial arts’.

Title:  The Boxing Boys

Date:  c. 1600 B.C.E.

Artist:  Unknown

Date:  c. 1600 B.C.E.

Infomation:  This fresco from Thera (modern-day Santorini in Greece) depicts two Minoan
boys engaged in boxing and is the earliest image depicting the use of boxing gloves.

A rare photograph of legendary capoeira fighter Mestre Jose Antonio do Nascimento
(1842 - 1936), commonly known as Nascimento Grande (Great Birth).

Title:  Moko Shurai Ekotoba

Artist:  Unknown

Date:  c 1293

Infomation:  This picture depicts the samurai facing Mongol arrows and bombs and is from a set of near contemporary illustrations known collectively as the Moko Shurai Ekotoba. They were commissioned by the samurai warrior Takezaki Suenaga to record for prosperity his heroic deeds during the Mongol Invasions of Japan, which consisted of two failed attempts to conquer the country in the second half of the 13th century.

Nihon Kendo Kata, forms 1 to 10.

Title:  Masamune

Date:  Unknown

Artist:  Unknown

Infomation:  This old image is of Gorō Nyūdō Masamune (c.1264 – 1343 CE), widely considered to
be the best sword smith that ever lived. He lived during the Kamakura Period and is said to
have made swords that had the perfect balance between strength and flexibility.

Title:  L'Énéide

Date:  c.1927 (?)

Infomation:  Painting depicting the famous boxing contest between Entellus and Dares, as described in Virgil's epic poem, The Aeneid, written sometime between 29 and 19 BCE. The older Sicilian champion Entellus went on to win the fight against his younger opponent from Troy, which is said to have taken place in games held by Aeneas in Sicily.