The History of Fighting

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.

A photograph of the front gates of the Shaolin Temple, taken before the 1928 destruction
of the legendary Buddhist place of worship and home of Kung Fu.

Yang Lu-ch'an also known as Yang Fu-k'ui or Yang Fukui (1799-1872), was an influential master of t'ai chi ch'uan during the 19th century who founded the Yang-style. After a modest upbringing, Yang was hired by the Imperial family in 1850 to teach them and several of their élite Manchu Imperial Guards Brigade units martial arts.

At this time, he taught the Taijiquan style and is credited with spreading it throughout China, being named by four of the five Taijiquan families as having transmitted the art to them. When he fought, Yang never lost but he never caused serious injury to his opponent either and his fighting prowess was so well respected, that he earned the nickname Yang Wudi (Yang the Invinsable).

More legends of tai chi chuan

Tony Jaa executing a spinning jumping roundhouse kick in his hit movie Ong Bak.

Title:  Negros Fighting

Date:  c1824

Artist:  Augustus Earle

Infomation:  This painting is an early rendition of an illegal capoeira fight in Rio de Janeiro.
It was painted by English born artist Augustus Earle during his three year spell in Brazil in the 1820s.

Title:  Mongols Invasion

Date:  1847

Artist:  Kikuchi Yoosai

Infomation:   This Ink and water colours on paper depicts the destruction of the Mongol fleet in a typhoon that prevented them conquering Japan. This happened not once but twice, prompting the Japanese to believe it to be a Devine Wind or kamikaze.