For those who want to step up their weapons game, an EXTREME BO STAFF SEMINAR has been scheduled for Saturday, January 16th from 2:00-3:30 in Woodbury.
Students will learn challenging moves and technique not practiced in a traditional class. The instructor is 3rd Dan Ken Buckley. The fee is $15.00 cash – all proceeds to benefit the Dr. Tate College Scholarship Fund for our martial artists. All clubs are invited.
Back by request, USA Martial Arts is sponsoring a kubotan self-defense seminar for women.
A “Kubotan” is a 5 inch long hand held ancient weapon that is used to fend off a potential attacker using easy and effective techniques. The instructor is Master Lorraine Dunn-Laranetto. The cost of the seminar is $20, $10 for repeat attendees who bring their own kubotan (cash, no checks please). The class will be held on Saturday, January 9th from 2:00 – 3:30 PM at USA Martial Arts, located at 744 Main St. South in Woodbury. Those who register by January 2 will receive a free kubotan. Bring a friend or relative – everyone is invited. All proceeds to benefit the Dr. Curtiss E. Tate College Scholarship Fund. To register email dougwilke7@aol.com.
A “Fighting Fan” (Korean war fan) class will begin in Woodbury on July 6th at 8:00 PM. This will be open to BLACK BELT CLUB members purple belt and higher (all ages). There will be a limited number of classes. “Fighting Fans” can be purchased through USA MA. There 5 varieties available on pages 278 and 279 in the Asian World of Martial Arts catalog. Two fans will be needed for this class. Please note the Fighting Fan history below.
The Korean war fan (mubuchae; Hangul: 무부채) was a Korean martial arts weapon that originated in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. Swords and similar weapons were banned from most people during this time which created a desire for weapons that could be held in plain sight without arousing suspicion. They became most popular among the changing (middle class) and yangban (upper class). Craftsmen discovered a way of taking the “pak dahl” wood, an extremely resilient birch tree that thrived in the ice storms and harsh seasons of Korea’s mountainous peninsula, and tempering it to a hardness that could resist the edged weapons typical of the era.
Following traditions of traditional weaponry, Korean war fans were often unique to their wielder and bore many possible combinations. Some wove flexible metal ribbons along the outer most edge for cutting power or preferred feathers that hid finger-sized razor blades which would rake upon striking. Others held variations of poisons or were used to conceal other weapons such as throwing blades which could be released in a spread upon snapping the fan open, a technique a few Kook Sool Won (Guksu Kwon) artists are said to practice. Poison fans often hid deadly or stunning concoctions in bladders or channels which would open upon spreading the fan, allowing the user to gently direct a gust of irritants and toxins at their opponent over short distances. Folklore and hearsay also suggests occasional traveling merchants trading with China possessed fans with small compartments in the vanes of the fan which held small explosive pellets that upon striking a surface would create a bright and dazzling flash of light, similar in concept to modern Chinese novelty fireworks.
