White Crane Snow Tiger News February 2009

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Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors

Nepai Kata Legacy from the Past!

SummerCamp!

Yamazato New Releases

Nepai Kata Legacy from the Past!

The nepai kata is one of those rare and esoteric forms that are hard to find and whose history is difficult to trace. The modern name for this form is nipaipo, meaning twenty-eight steps. This kata was originally a white crane [Whooping crane of Master Ryuryuko(1852-1930)] and southern Shaolin Temple form. Its meaning is simply twenty-eight.Previously it was mentioned that the significance of the numerical reference as a name to many of these old Chinese kata is lost. The numerical name could be a reference to the number of steps in the kata, the number of techniques or the order in which the kata was learned. In other words, kata twenty-eight was learned after kata twentyseven. In any case, its earliest reference is noted in the Bubishi, karates mystical sourcebook (Bubishi Martial Art Spirit, Alexander & Penland, 1993,Yamazato Publications). The nepai form as it is referred to in the Bubishi is described in narrative form only. There are no illustrations to further explain how the kata is to be performed. Interestingly, Sensei Iken Tokashiki of Okinawa has reconstructed the form by translating the old Fujian Chinese text from the Bubishi. Additionally, he consulted with numerous Chinese masters on his many fact-finding trips to China.

Original Chinese text from the Bubishi

His son, Tadao on the revised DVD,Legendary Masters of Goju Ryu Karate, performs Tokashiki senseis reconstructed nepai kata. In addition, Master Gokenkis version of this kata is on the revised DVD as well. There doesnt seem to be a substantial difference between the two, which tells us the version we are looking at is as close to the original as we can get.

The original nepai kata from the Bubishi looks much different than the modern form of nepai (nipaipo) as practiced by many Shito Ryu stylists. The reason for this is that because Kyoda Juhatsu (1877-1945) learned the form from Gokenki and later made changes to it. Kyoda then taught the form to Kenwa Mabuni who also made changes. Finally, a further modified nipaipo tournament kata emerged in the 1980s. The final form of the kata was initiated by sensei Teruo Hayashi. In the final analysis the modern kata although aesthetically pleasing in its own right is vastly different from the original combative form preserved by the Bubishi.

The Big Apple!

After Alan Goldbergs event in Atlantic City, New Jersey I headed for New York City. As many of you know, I seem to always wind up in Chinatown around this time, scouring through the many shops looking for usual art pieces and martial arts gear, etc. I also have a private student in NYC. He is a very wealthy individual and prefers to remain anonymous. In addition to teaching him traditional martial arts, I have a contract to teach his private security force. Sounds a little like a James Bond movie, Doesnt it? One of the benefits of this job and my acquaintance with this gentleman is to be able to drive several of his cars stored in his Manhattan garage. I drove the Bentley, which was great but there is nothing like the Lamborghini. Keep in mind Confucius said, The wise man seeks things in himself and not in others. But old Confucius never drove one of these! The thing is really loud too. You can hear it from several blocks away especially when the engine is screaming at 10,000 rpm. Fuel efficiency is not part of why someone owns one of these. It gets 6 mpg highway! Driving one of these exotic cars is something one can only dream about. Its as fast or faster than a crotch rocket.0-60 in 3.2 seconds! Top end is 196 mph. It feels like you are taking off in a fighter jet from an aircraft carrier. Its the only way I can describe it. The thing is dangerous. Its like you are moving in a different dimension and everybody else is standing still as you scream by them at mach II. Not that I would ever personally drive that fast or do anything illegal! Just think if you could perform your karate or any other martial arts that fast. You could hit people and they would never see it coming. Just a thought! Anyway, dont want to bore you with any more this

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Check out the newest issue of Action Martial Arts Magazine.www.ActionMagStore.Com

Makiwara PowerMake your fist hard as a rock and break anything! Learn real Makiwara conditioning!Makiwara Powershows you how to effectively and safely train on this ancient training device along with supplementary training methods that will make you hit hard & fast!

KaratePowerStrength & Conditioning. Yes! Size does matter! This DVD shows you how to build real karate power throughhojo undoor supplemental training exercises with weights and other great karate strength training devices & methods.

The Deadly Art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu.Direct from China! Awesome hand techniques and wicked throws!

Coming Soon! White CraneSpeed & Evasion Vol. 9 Sanchin, Snake & Crane!

Coming Soon! Josh Useras MMAUnleashed!

Photo Gallery:

George & Chuck Zito!Bill Wallace & two little fellers!

George & Greg Beavers, 2 Time Watermelon Kumite World Champion

Two sweaty dance partners George & Gary Wasnieski

2007 Lamborghini Gallo Nera 600 HP & 196 MPH! You can hear it coming!

Just a Bentley.

GokenkiSensei Teruo HayashiSensei Iken Tokashiki, second from right, with Ryuryukos grandson

Ryuryuko (1852-1930)Ryuryukos grandson,Xie Wei LingGeorge & Iken Tokashiki sensei