The History of Fighting

Reknowned Mestre Joao Grande and Mestre Joao Pequeno playing capoeira on a dock.

The Roots of Capoeira

Training at Shuri Castle c.1938. Photographed by Nakasone Genwa

The History of Okinawan Karate

Students of karate training on a roof top in Japan c.1934

The History of Okinawan Karate

Title: Capoeira or the Dance of War

Date: c1823

Artist: Johann Moritz Rugendas (1802 - 1858)

Capoeira Home

Mestre Bimba performing the ginga in the early 1930s
(His opponent is Asclépios Ferrer)

Capoeira Articles

Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953), Founder of Goju-ryu teaching in Okinawa
Picture taken in 1929

Karate Home

Photograph of Okinawan karate master Kanga 'Tode' Sakugawa (1733 - 1815).

(Update, although several sources around the web clam this to be a photograph of the great master, as he died in 1815 and photography had not been invented yet, this is not possible).

Karate History Articles

Title: Yamato Takeru Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)

Date: 1886

Infomation:This is a woodblock print on paper of Prince Yamato Takeru dressed as a maidservant, preparing to kill the Kumaso leaders. Yamato is held up as an ideal samurai and as an example for others who followed him.

Samurai History

Title:  Musashi vs. Bokuden

Date:  Between 1868 – 1892

Artist:  Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Information:  This woodblock print depicts a fictional fight or training session between legendary samurai warriors Tsukahara Bokuden (1489 - 1571) and Miyamoto Musashi (1584 - 1645)