Techniques are like maps

 

Mark your calendars

 

Dian Tanaka interview (part 1)

There have been a lot of great interviews come out lately, and here is another one from the Blood, Sweat, and Cinema YouTube channel. Dian Tanaka is a very accomplished kenpoist and became quite famous in the kenpo community for her skills with performing forms at the Long Beach Internationals.

(There is also a "part 2" but that is for members only it looks like.)

I've only listened to half of the interview so far but loved her stories about being at the West LA studio and how you couldn't part in front of the building unless you drove a Cadillac.

(If you drove just a normal car you had to park around back.)

Deadly

(recently posted on Facebook by Mr. Tom Bleeker)

Some of these articles from the early days of martial arts in America are fun to read, probably every martial art was touting itself as the "most leathal" or "most deadly" art.

And yes, we do have the ability to easily hurt someone with our martial art, but it is still interesting to look back and see how the martial arts were advertised to the public.

Mr. Parker and Mr. Brian Adams during a demonstration

(photo recently shared on Facebook by Mr. Spencer Bolejack)

What a great photo! 

1962, Mr. Parker and Mr. Brian Adams demonstrating what looks to be a club technique. Great work by the photographer at capturing the action just at the right moment. Notice the knee check!

Judging by the background in the photo this looks like it came from the same demonstration in this previous post from several years ago, (see link)

https://kenponotes.blogspot.com/2017/08/mr-parker-demonstrating.html

Looks like a who's who from the early days of kenpo, Dan Inosanto, Tom Bleecker, and Steve Golden for example.

Also, seeing as they were using a microphone at the demonstration I'm thinking the first photo of Mr. Parker in the following linked post came from this demonstration as well.

https://kenponotes.blogspot.com/2018/09/photos-of-mr-parker-shared-on-ed-parker.html 

And finally, here are a couple of links to posts about Mr. Brian Adams if you missed them and want to know a little more about him.

https://kenponotes.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-medical-implications-of-karate.html

https://kenponotes.blogspot.com/2025/08/mr-brian-adams-interview-on-kenpo-in.html

The Tracy system turns 60

 

A little too realistic

Facebook link to USSD Master Class advert

At the above link you will find a video on the USSD Facebook page from Master Jose Rodriguez giving some information about their upcoming Masters Seminar.

What caught my eye is Master Rodriguez demonstrating their version of Parting Wings (at least that's what it looks like, a defense against a two handed push.) Look closely, after he executes the block he throws an elbow strike to the jaw that actually connects!

We've all been there, in our attempt to make a technique as real as possible we get a little too anxious and actually connect with our fellow classmate. 

Usually what comes next is either a, "Ohhhh, are you alright? Sorry about that bro."

Or maybe even a, "Yup, that technique works."

Hopefully then we all laugh it off and chalk it up to a learning experience. 

But never forget, Kenpo actually works. We all have the bruises, bloody noses, and aching muscles to prove it.