Miscellany Martial Arts Biographies

A short who's who in martial arts: Biographies and bibliographies.

• Abbe, Kenshiro (1915/1986)
• Ayoob, Massad
  • Firearms
  • http://www.backwoodshome.com/ayoob_index.html.
• Burns, Martin (1861-02-15/1937) [W]. Aka "Farmer Burns"
  • Martin Burns was a catch wrestler who claimed to have had over 6,000 matches and 6 losses.
  • Burns left a legacy of great documentation of his techniques.
  • Martin "Farmer" Burns [sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Burns/burnsindex.htm]. Including his lessons as PDFs or images!
• Cabales, Angel (1917/1991)
  • Angel Cabales was the Filipino founding father of Cabales Serrada Eskrima. He taught first taught it in Stockton, California, USA in 1966.
  • GM Angel Cabales [youtube.com/watch?v=O0Dtk4lm7ZE; 02:42]. Some old footage of Angel Cabales demo of Cabales Serrada Eskrima.
• Chiba, Sonny
  • Japanese action star, esp. The Street Fighter.
• Choi, Yong-sul (1904/1986)
  • Founder of Korean Hapkido
  • 
• Draeger, Donn [W]
• Geesink, Anton (1934-04-06) [W]. Aka "Anton"; Geesink, Antonius Johannes.
  • Anton Geesink was a Dutch judoka who "broke" the Japanese hold on judo by taking the world champion title in 1961 and the 1st Olympic judo gold medal in 1964.
• Gracie family [W]. Many a Gracie has made a name for himself in martial arts. I'm not going to follow the huge family tree (see http://www.550media.com/igjjf/familytree.html), but here are some of the more famous Gracies in rough chronological order.
  • Gracie, Gastão. Gastão Gracie is considered the founder of the Gracie dynasty. He was the son of Gracie, George who emigrated from Scotland to Brazil in 1801. He was a Brazilian politician and businessman who helped Maeda, Mitsuyo in his cause for facilitating Japanese immigration to Brazil. Maeda then went on to teach two of Gastão's sons: Carlos and Hélio, the pair of which went on to found Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ).
    • Gracie, Carlos (1901/1994). Carlos Gracie co-founded of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with his brother Hélio. His children include: Carlson, Robson, Reyson, Reylson, Rosley Carley, Rolls, Carlion, Rocian, Carlos Jr, Crolin, Reyla (daughter) and Rilion.
      • Gracie, Carlson Sr. (1935-08-13/2006-02-01) [W]. Aka "El Garotao" = "Big Boy". Carlson Gracie was the eldest son of Carlos. Carlson's group eventually split from Hélio's group. He died in Chicago as a 9th degree in GJJ.
        • Gracie, Carlson Jr. (1969-07-27/). Aka "El Principe" = "The Prince". The Carlson Gracie Federation [carlsongraciefederation.com] has its HQ in Chicago!
      • Gracie, Robson.
        • Gracie, Renzo (1967-11-11/) [W]. Renzo Gracie has has competed in sports BJJ as well as MMA events such as PRIDE and IFL. As of 2007, he was the coach of the New York Pitbulls in the IFL. With Danaher, John, he co-authored Mastering Jujitsu (2003) [amazon.com/...].
        • Gracie, Ralph
        • Gracie, Ryan (1974-08-14/) [W]
      • Gracie, Rolls (1951-03-28/1982-06-06) [W].
      • Gracie, Carlos Jr. (1956/) [W].
      • Gracie, Reyla. Married Gomes, Mauricio Motta (student of Gracie, Rolls).
        • Gomes, Roger Gracie [W].
    • Gracie, Hélio (1913-10-01/) [W]. Hélio Gracie co-founded of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with his brother Carlos. His sons include: Rorion, Relson, Rickson, Rolker, Royler, Royce, and Robin.
      • Gracie, Rorion [W]. Rorion Gracie is the eldest son of Hélio. Rorion chose Royce over Rickson during the set up of the UFC following an unspoken tradition of sending a lower ranked person ahead.
      • Gracie, Rickson (1958-11-20/) [W]. Rickson Gracie is the son of Hélio, and brother to Rorion, Relson, and Royce. He was considered one of the most technically strong and innovative of the Gracies.
      • Gracie, Royce (1966-12-12/) [W]. Royce Gracie is the son of Hélio, and brother to Rorion, Relson, and Rickson. He was the Gracie that introduced the Gracie name to the US public because in 1993/1994 he won 11 MMA matches including UFC 1, UFC 2, and UFC 4. He was key in not only establishing the UFC but also popularizing MMA.
• Grossman, Dave [W]
  • Lt. Col. Dave Grossman was a U.S. Army soldier, sergeant, Ranger, and officer, who went on to teach psychology and military science. He studies the psychology of killing and combat, especially how to psychologically enable it, the physiological and psychological symptoms of it, and recovering from it. He has strong opinions about how American modern culture, especially through film and video games, uses the same psychological enablers for killing without proper restraints.
  • Brilliant works. His conceptualization of the population as 98% normal, 1% wolves, and 1% sheepdogs is fascinating and helpful. I think knowledge of this to would foster more sheepdogs and fewer wolves. I'm not fully online with his analysis of modern culture for several reasons but mainly because it suggests restricting 99% of us when we really should focus on finding and helping the wolves.
  • Works include:
    • On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society (1995). Back Bay Books. ISBN 0316330116. [Amazon.com/...]
    • Coauthor: Christensen, Loren W.. On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace (2004). PPCT Research Publications. ISBN: 0964920514. [W] [Amazon.com/...]
  • Killology.com
• Han, Bong Soo
  • Hapkido master. Did the advanced stunts in Billy Jack.
• Hollander, Jane
  • Jane Hollander has studied kung fu and kenpo.
  • The Complete Guide to Kung Fu Fighting Styles. Burbank, CA: Unique Publications, 1985. 0-8656-8065-5.
  • shaolinkenpo.com/article1.htm
• Ilustrisimo, Antonio (1904/1997) [W]. Aka "Tatang".
  • Head of the Kali Ilustrisimo, his style of Filipino Martial Arts.
• Inosanto, Dan (1936-07-24/) [W]. Aka "Danny".
  • Dan Inosanto is best known for his association with Lee, Bruce and for continuing Lee's Jeet Kune Do. Inosanto is a Filipino who teaches JKD, Inosanto Kali, BJJ, Muay Thai, Silat, Tai Chi Chuan and other arts out of Marina del Rey, California. He holds black belts in at least 7 different martial arts.
  • Dan Inosanto - Warrior, Teacher, Bruce Lee & JKD [youtube.com/watch?v=PfXfc1CYnCw; 10:24]. Inosanto discussing Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do.
  • Bruce Lee Concept Lesson (Jeet Kune Do) Part 1 [youtube.com/watch?v=20HlyP14Ndc; 09:40]. Inosanto's videos introducing JKD. Very nice set up of the foundations of a system.
  • 
• Isatz, Karl (1924-08-03/2007-07-28) [W]. Aka Gotch, Karl; "The God of Pro Wrestling"; Krauser, Karl; Isatz, Charles.
  • Karl Isatz is best known by his ring name of "Karl Gothch".
• Jaa, Tony (1976-02-05/) [W]
  • Tony Jaa is a Thai martial arts actor.
• Jay, Wally
  • Wally Jay was the founder of Jujitsu America and Small Circle Jujitsu International
  • 
• Kano, Jigaro (1860/1938)
  • Founder of Judo.
  • 
• Kimura, Masahiko
• Kubota, Takayuki
  • 
• Kwan, Tak Hing (1905-06-27/1996-06-28) [W]
  • Tak Hing Kwan was an actor who played the role of Wong, Fei Hong, a real life Hung Gar master, in at least 77 films, between the 1940s and the 1980s.
• Lee, Bruce (1940-11-27/1973-07-20) [W]. Aka Lee, Jun Fan = 李振藩.
  • One of the most famous and influential of martial artists in modern times.
  • Founder of Jeet Kun Do.
  • 
  • Lee, Bruce; Linda Lee. Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Burbank, CA: Ohara Publications, Inc., 1975. No ISBN.
  • Chunovic, Louis. Bruce Lee: The Tao of the Dragon Warrior. New York, NY: St. Martins's Griffin, 1996. 0-3121-4290-0.
• Lewis, Joe (1914-05-13/1981-04-12) [W]. Born Barrow, Joseph Louis.
  • Joe Lewis was an American heavyweight boxer who held the title for 11 years. Voted the greatest heavyweight of all time.
• Lewis, Joe [W]
  • Joe Lews was an American kickboxer.
• Li, Jet (1963-04-26/) [W]. Born Li, Lianjie.
  • Jet Li dominated the wushu forms for the All China Games 1974/1979. Went on to a great kung fu movie career including: Shaolin Temple; Once Upon a Time in China; Fist of Legend; Lethal Weapon 4; Black Mask; Hero; Unleased; Fearless.
• Liu, Chia-Hui = 劉家輝 [W]. Aka Liu, Jia Hui; Lau, Kar-Fai; Liu, Gordon.
  • Chia-Hui Liu is best known for playing the bald character San Te in the kung fu classic Shao Lin san shi liu fang (1978) = The 36th Chamber of Shaolin.
  • Liu also known for playing two roles in Kill Bill (2004):
    • Pai Mei = 白眉 = Bak Mei = White Eyebrows. In the kung fu movie tradition, Pai Mei is a villain who betrayed the Shaolin temple and led to its destruction by the Qing Dynasty, and went on to become one of the legendary Five Elders that survived the fall.
    • Johnny Mo, the bald headed head of the Crazy 88.
• Maeda, Mitsuyo (1878-11-18/1941-11-28) [W]. Aka "Count Combat"; "Conde Koma"
  • Mitsuyo Maeda was a Japanese Judoka from the Kodokan, catch wrestler, and prize fighter who traveled the world fighting and teaching. Maeda in particular taught Gracie, Carlos in Brazil. It was Carlos Gracie and his younger brother Helio Gracie who later went on to set up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
  • 
• Marciano, Rocky (1923-09-01/1969-08-31) [W]. Born Marchegiano, Rocco Francis.
  • Rocky Marciano was the only undefeated heavyweight boxing champion in history. Inspired the Rocky films.
• Mifune, Kyuzo = 三船久蔵 (1883/1964) [W]
  • One of the greatest Judo technicians after Kano, Jigaro.
  • The Essence of Judo [video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3346298601525244862&q=kodokan; 01:03:16 video]
  • 
• Musashi, Miyamoto = 宮本 武蔵 (1584-06-13/1645) [W]. Aka Shinmen, Takezo; Bennosuke, Miyamoto; Musana, Miyamoto.
  • Miyamoto Musashi was the most renowned Japanese kinsei (sword saint). He fought in six wars and won over sixty to-the-death duels.
  • Musashi founded the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū [W] = Niten Ryu style of swordsmanship.
  • Musashi finished writing Go Rin No Sho = 五輪書 = The Book of Five Rings (1645) shortly before his death. Musashi's book is considered a martial classic and is about both martial and military strategy.
  • samurai.com/5rings/. Translation by Harris, Victor.
  • artofwar.thetao.info/japan/gorinsho.htm. In Japanese.
  • hyoho.com
  • 
• Ng Mui, Da Shi [W]
  • Ng Mui was one of the legendary Five Elders that survived the fall of the Shaolin temple.
  • She is credited with having mastered several martial arts including Shaolin, Wudang, and Yue Fei.
  • She is credited with having created several martial arts including Ng Mui style, Wing Chun, Dragon style, White Crane, and Five-Pattern Hung Kuen.
• Norris, Chuck (1940-03-10) [W]
  • I am CHUCK NORRIS' Number One Fan. Go Walker! [intrawebnet.com/chucknorris/]. Funny stuff.
• Oakley, Annie (1830-08-13/1926-11-03) [W]. Aka Mosey, Phoebe Ann (birth name).
  • American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1885.
• Parker, Ed
  • 
• Presas, Remy (1936-12-19/2001-08-28) [W]. Aka Presas, Remy Amador; "The Father of Modern Arnis"; "The Professor".
  • Remy Presas was pivotal in establishing the Filipino Martial Art of "Arnis" or "Modern Arnis" as he "branded" his version of it.
  • Remy Presas was born in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Visayas, Philippines. He started learning "Kali" from his grandfather Presas, Leon, at the age of six. He later traveled to different islands in the Visayas such as Cebu, Panay, Bohol, and Leyte. In particular, in Cebu he studied under Moncal, Rodolfo; Marranga, Timoteo; and Bacon, Venancio, from whom he learned the "Balintawak" style of stick fencing.
  • In addition to Modern Arnis, Presas was also a 6th dan in Shotokan Karate and a black belt in Judo. By 1969, Presas had moved to Manila where he established his own gymnasium, as well as the National Amateur Karate Organization (NAKO) and the Modern Arnis Federation of the Philippines (MAFP).
• Robinson, Sugar Ray (1921-05-03/1989-04-12) [W]. Born Smith, Walker, Jr.
  • Sugar Ray Robinson was pound for pound, the best boxer of all time.
• Seven Little Fortunes. A group of top students of the Peking Opera School found in 1960s in Hong Kong that have made a lot of kung fu shows.
  • Chan, Jackie (1954-04-07/) [W]. Aka Yuen, Lou
  • Hung, Sammo (1952-01-07/) [W]. Aka Yuen, Lung; Yuen, Chu.
  • Yuen, Biao (1957/) [W].
  • Yuen, Corey [W]. Aka Yuen, Kwei.
  • Yuen, Tak (1956/).
  • Yuen, Wah (1950/) [W]. Stunt double for Bruce Lee in his last films. The landlord in Kung Fu Hustle (2004).
  • Yuen, Wu.
• So, Doshin (1911/1980)
  • Founded Japanese Shorinji Kempo in 1947. Shorinji is Japanese for Shaolin Temple. Kempo is Japanese for "fist way". Shorinji Kempo is a martial but also a registered religion in Japan.
  • Studied in China for 17 years before and during WWII.
  • 
• Thirty-Six Strategies (489/537 during the Southern Chi dynasty) [W]. Aka 36 Strategems; 36 Tactics.
  • The 36 Tactics is a Chinese collection of 36 sayings on military strategy. Here are the tactics:
    1. "瞞天過海" "瞒天过海"(man2 tian1 guo4 hai3) - Deceive the sky to cross the ocean
    2. "圍魏救趙" "围魏救赵"(wei2 wei4 jiu4 zhao4) - Besiege Wèi to rescue Zhào
    3. "借刀殺人" "借刀杀人"(jie4 dao1 sha1 ren2) - Kill with a borrowed knife
    4. "以逸待勞" "以免待劳"(yi3 mian3 dai4 lao2) - Replace labor with leisure (make your enemy tire himself out while you conserve your forces)
    5. "趁火打劫"(chen4 huo3 da3 jie2) - Loot a burning house (attack your enemy when he is weak)
    6. "聲東擊西" "声东击西"(sheng1 dong1 ji1 xi1) - Make a sound in the east then strike in the west (feign an attack from one side and strike from another)
    7. "無中生有" "无中生有"(wu2 zhong1 sheng1 you3) - Create something from nothing.
    8. "暗渡陳倉"(an4 du4 chen2 cang1) - Sneak through the passage of Chen Cang
    9. "隔岸觀火" "隔岸观火"(ge4 an4 guan1 huo3) - Watch the fires burning across the river.
    10. "笑裏藏刀" "笑里藏刀"(xiao4 li3 cang2 dao1) - Hide a knife behind a smile.
    11. "李代桃僵" "李代桃僵"(li3 dai4 tao2 jiang1) - Sacrifices the plum tree to preserve the peach tree. (Sacrifice the silver to keep the gold.)
    12. "順手牽羊" "顺手牵羊"(shun4 shou3 qian1 yang2) - Stealing a goat along the way (Take the opportunity to pilfer a goat.)
    13. "打草驚蛇" "打草惊蛇"(da2 cao3 jing1 she2) - Startle the snake by hitting the grass around it.
    14. "借屍還魂" "借尸还魂"(jie4 shi1 huan2 hun2) - Borrow another's corpse to resurrect the soul. (Raise a corpse from the dead.)
    15. "調虎離山" "调虎离山"(diao4 hu3 li2 shan1) - Entice the tiger to leave its mountain lair.
    16. "欲擒姑縱" "欲擒故从"(yu4 qin2 gu1 zong2) - In order to capture, one must let loose.
    17. "拋磚引玉" "抛砖引玉"(pao1 zhuan1 yin3 yu4) - Tossing out a brick to get a jade
    18. "擒賊擒王"(qin2 zei2 qin2 wang2) - Defeat the enemy by capturing their chief.
    19. "釜底抽薪" (fu3 de5 chou1 xin1) - Remove the firewood under the cooking pot.
    20. "混水摸魚"(hun2 shui3 mo1 yu2) - Catch a fish while the water is disturbed.
    21. "金蟬脱殼" (jin1 chan2 tuo1 qiao4) - Slough off the cicada's shell. (False appearances mislead the enemy.)
    22. "關門捉賊" (guan1 men2 zhou1 zei1)- Shut the door to catch the thief.
    23. "遠交近攻" (yuan3 jiao1 jin1 gong1) - Befriend a distant state while attacking a neighbor.
    24. "假道伐虢" (jia3 dao4 fa2 guo2) - Obtain safe passage to conquer the Kingdom of Guo.
    25. "偷梁換柱" (tou1 liang2 huan4 zhu4) - Replace the beams with rotten timbers.
    26. "指桑罵槐" (zhi3 sang1 ma4 huai2) - Point at the mulberry tree while cursing the locust tree.
    27. "假痴不癲" (jia3 chi1 bu4 dian1) - Play dumb.
    28. "上屋抽梯" (shang4 wu1 chou1 ti1) - Remove the ladder when the enemy has ascended to the roof.
    29. "樹上開花"(shu4 shang4 kai1 hua1) - Deck the tree with false blossoms.
    30. "反客為主"(fan3 ke4 wei2 zhu3) - Make the host and the guest exchange places.
    31. "美人計"(mei3 ren2 ji4) - The beauty trap. (The tender trap, use a woman to ensnare a man.)
    32. "空城計"(kong1 cheng2 ji4) - Empty fort. (Mental trap, empty a fort to make enemy think it is filled with traps.)
    33. "反間計"(fan3 jian1 ji4) - Let the enemy's own spy sow discord in the enemy camp. (Use enemy's own spy to spread false information.)
    34. "苦肉計"(ku3 rou4 ji4) - Inflict injury on one's self to win the enemy's trust. (Fall into a trap; become baited.)
    35. "連環計"(lian2 huan2 ji4) - Never rely on but a single strategy.
    36. "走為上策"(zou3 wei2 shang4 ce4) - If all else fails retreat.
  • afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=36ji. English & French translations.
  • chinastrategies.com
  • chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?showtopic=80
  • geocities.com/auchengyu/strategies. Folk tale examples for each tactic.
• Thucydides (~-0460/~0400) [W]
  • Ancient Greek historian. Authored History of the Peloponnesian War, the first scientific history, i.e. an historical record without the intervention of gods.
• Tomiki, Kenji (1900/1979).
  • Founder of Shodokon Aikido.
• Sun Tzu = 孫子 = Master Sun (-0544/-0496) [W]. His actual name was Sun Wu = 孫武. FYI, wu is the Chinese word for martial or military.
  • Sun Tzu was a Chinese mercenary who wrote the extremely influential Sun Tzu Bing Fa = 孫子兵法 = Sun Tzu's Military Strategy (-0515). Aka The Art of War [W]. First published into the English language in 1782.
  • Translated by Thomas Cleary. Boston, MA: Shambhala, 1988. 0-8777-3452-6.
  • The Illustrated Art of War. Translated by Thomas Cleary. Boston, MA: Shambhala, 1998. 1570624224. [Amazon]
  • Gutenberg.org/etext/132. Free online.
  • Sonshi.com/learn.html. Free online.
  • Military-Quotes.com/Sun-Tzu.htm. If you want just some his best stuff.
  • 
• Urquidez, Benny (1952-06-20) [W]. Aka "The Jet".
  • Benny Urquidez was an American kickboxer, actor, and fight choreographer. He was initially a non-contact karate fighter but eventually pioneered full-contact kickboxing in 1974 and went on to career record of 57-0-0 until his retirement in 1993. His fight scene with Jack Chan in Wheels on Meals (1984) was one of the best fight scenes ever.
  • Interview with Benny Urquidez [mikemiles.com/urquidez.html]
  • 
• Ueshiba, Morihei
  • Founder of Aikido.
  • 
• Wallace, Bill (1945-12-01/) [W]. Aka "Superfoot".
  • An American kickboxer who dominated in the 1970s.
• Wong, Fei Hung = 黃飛鴻 = 黄飞鸿 (1847-07-09/1924-03-25) [W]. Aka "The Chinese Robin Hood"
  • Fei Hung Wong was a healer and martial arts master of Hung Gar kung fu.
  • He was the basis of a series of roughly 100 Hong Kong movies form the late 1940s to the 1980s. He is the character played by Jackie Chan in Drunken Master (1979) and by Jet Li in Once Upon a Time in China (1991).
• Yang, Jwing-Ming (1946-11-08)
  • Dr. Jwing-Ming Yang is a "is a world renowned author and teacher of Kung Fu, [Yang Style] Tai Chi Chuan and Chin Na grappling, and a leading authority on Qigong (Chi Kung)." He kung fu expertise covers the White Crane Style and Shaolin Long Fist.
  • Yang got his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.
  • In addition to teaching he has made many books and videos.
    • Comprehensive Applications of Shaolin Chin Na (Qin Na); Jamaica Plains, MA: YMAA Publications Center, 1995. 0-9408-7136-X.
    • Shaolin Chin Na: The Seizing Art of Kung Fu. Burbank, CA: Unique Publications Inc., 1982. 0-8656-8012-4.
    • Taiji Chin Na: The Seizing Art of Taijiquan. Jamaica Plains, MA: YMAA Publication Center, 1995. 0-9408-7137-8.
    • Taiji Sword, Classical Yang Style. Boston, MA: YMAA Publication Center, 1999. 1-886969-74-4.
    • The Essence of Shaolin White Crane. Jamaica Plains: YMAA Publication Center, 1996; 1-886969-35-3.
  • Yang's Martial Arts Association [ymaa.com]
  • Tai Chi Master Subduing Enemy in 4 Seconds part 1/4 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c25uWLrO5jU; 09:03]. Very nice video on small joint manipulation. EG: The difference between a nod and a bow is sweet.
• Yeung, Bolo (1938-07-03). Born Yang, Sze.
  • Body builder and martial arts actor most famous for his roles as "Bolo" in Enter the Dragon and as "Chong Li" in Bloodsport.
• Yip Man

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