Nunchaku advertisement

(from the Ed Parker Photos Facebook page 3-28-18)

Full page advertisement from Black Belt Magazine for Mr Parker's book Guide to the Nunchaku. 

On a trip to visit Mr Joe Palanzo's Ed Parker Studio GM Francisco Conde stopped by to show EP his latest creation the "Conchaku". GM Conde had created his version of the ancient weapon by using plastic instead of wood, he also had Conchaku's that were solid and swirled colors. 

EP took to the Conchaku and even included their use in the seminar he gave while at the studio. 

GM Conde also had a special version where small penlights were inserted into the bottom of the Conchaku, the lights were turned off and one of GM Conde's student started whirling the Conchaku ala Bruce Lee in the Way of Dragon.

The crowd went wild until one the penlights came loose from the bottom and went sailing thru the air, fortunately no one was struck by the airborne penlight. GM Conde turned the lights on, grabbed the Conchaku and announced the penlight version was still under development!

Justin Lin is developing Warrior, based on material created by martial arts legend, Bruce Lee, to Cinemax.

(by Mike Cecchini denofgeek.com 8-22-18)

Justin Lin is headed to Cinemax with Warrior. The project is based on material created by none other than legendary martial arts star, Bruce Lee. Lin's Perfect Storm Entertainment is working with Danielle Woodrow and Bruce Lee Enterprises to bring the project to the screen. Justin Lin will direct the pilot, which was written by Banshee co-creator Jonathan Tropper. Cinemax has given Warrior a 10 episode, straight-to-series order.
Here's the official synopsis for Warrior:

"Inspired by an idea from martial-arts legend Bruce Lee, this gritty, action- packed crime drama is set during the brutal Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the second half of the 19th century. Filming in Cape Town, South Africa, it follows a martial arts prodigy who immigrates from China to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances, and becomes a hatchet man for one of Chinatown’s most powerful organized crime families."

The show was developed based on handwritten notes from Bruce Lee that were brought to light by his daughter, Shannon Lee. Cinemax will start airing Warrior in 2019. The above image (photo by Graham Bartholomew) showcases series lead Andrew Koji.

“As a show that proudly bears the imprimatur of Bruce Lee, it’s our intention to deliver not only explosive martial arts action – which we will – but also a powerful and complex immigration drama that is as relevant today as it was in the 1870s,” Jonathan Tropper said in a statement when the project was announced (via Deadline).

“I’ve always admired Bruce Lee for his trailblazing efforts opening doors for Asians in entertainment and beyond,” Lin added. “So I was intrigued when Danielle told me about the urban legend of his never-produced idea for a TV show and suggested we bring it to life. Then when Shannon shared with us her father’s writings: rich with Lee’s unique philosophies on life, and through a point of view rarely depicted on screen – Danielle and I knew that Perfect Storm had to make it. Partnering with Cinemax has led to a wonderful collaboration with Jonathan Tropper, who has created a fantastic series inspired by Lee’s writings. We are all honored to continue what he started.”

Bruce Lee fans may remember that Lee felt he deserved more credit for the creation of the popular Kung Fu television series (which starred David Carradine). Lee had written material for a project with the working title of The Warrior, which featured a Chinese martial artist making his way through the American old west. Sound familiar? It has never been made clear just how many of Lee's ideas made it into Kung Fu, but the similarities can't be ignored.

Lee would have been the intended lead in The Warrior, and may have been considered for the role of Cain in Kung Fu before the decidedly not Asian David Carradine was cast in the role. In a 1972 interview with Off Duty/Pacific, Lee joked, "[what] they didn't know is people were ready for Hopalong Wong."

This is one of those projects we never expected to see.

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http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/warrior/153683/warrior-justin-lin-cinemax

Mr. Mitchell has passed away

Just saw on Facebook today that Mr. Mitchell passed away last night after having heart surgery.

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(from John La Tourrette's Facebook page 8-25-18)

 I saw Jim Mitchell fight in tournaments a bunch of times.

One time he jumped off of his right foot,

...placed his left foot on the left knee of his opponent...

...jumped off of the follow's left knee and rt-wheel-kicked him in the head.

Just like he was "running up the stairs".

The essence of kenpo

Comments by Ron Chapel on Kenpotalk forum about Directional Integrity and other kenpo terms

(kenpotalk.com 8-5-18)

One of the things I learned from Mr. Parker is the importance of terminology and vocabulary that "makes sense" and translates into ideas and principles anyone can understand with a minimum explanation. This discussion was prompted by some of the many terms he had chosen for his conceptual Kenpo Karate. I personally took issue with terms like "gravitational marriage." I surmised, "We're always married to gravity unless we leave the earth for weightlessness only found in space." He said, "Of course, you're right, but in this instance, with this vehicle, we aren't talking about true science." He went on to explain that Kenpo Karate was more pseudo-science or para-science, and his only goal was to convey an idea to a student. Gravitational Marriage served it's purpose for most by getting them to understand they needed to allow gravity to work for them by using your own body weight when striking.

However, when you move to another level of thinking and away from loose concepts, you must have a level of specificity that is transportable in science terms while still conveying the proper message and ideas. A good example from my system would be the Platform Aligning Mechanism or P.A.M. SOme might equate this with gravitational marriage expressed in a slightly different way. However, the term literally speaks for itself in that it describes the function of the action while teaching the transfer of weight much like "gravitational marriage." Therefore it is easy to explain the grand purpose that makes the minor application effective. "You do this, to get this, which will in turn get you this."

Anatomical Energy is an interesting term that may be expressed positively or negatively, but neither gives any insight into what it does or how it is accomplished. Truth is most of the intelligent experienced guys on this forum could easily decipher its meaning and/or intent. But, the intent of terminology and vocabulary is to convey information and insight to those who are uneducated. It does no good to make up terms that make us sound smarter while ignoring our goal and supporting the task of teaching. If we don't actually teach, then what we know and do will die and only remain in some semblance shell of what we know.

One of the many things the "Old Man" pounded (literally) into me.

Mark Tracy teaching at Dallas Texas seminar

(photo from the Chamberlain Studios of Self Defense Facebook page, 7-14-18)

Mark Tracy teaching at a seminar in Dallas recently.

I like the writing on the back of the gi as well.

IKKA Facebook page cover photo

 

EST. 1960 is what stood out to me when I first saw this cover photo on the IKKA's Facebook page.

 

The 60th anniversary will be coming up in just over a year. I wonder if they might do something special to commemorate it.