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Links that lead to off-site pages about martial arts (MAs). I do not list schools unless they have good informational content, have particular significance, or are located in Chicago.

Aikido

Aikido = 合気道 = union/harmony energy way = The way of harmonized energy. Founde by Ueshiba, Morihei = 植芝盛平 (1883-12-14/1969-04-26).

• Chicago
  • Midwest Aikido Center [AikidoMAC.org]. 4349 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60618, (773)477-0123. Nice dojo, very traditional, Aikikai style. Tohei, Akira (1929-07-02/1999-07-02), the most senior Aikido instructor in the U.S. taught there since 1972.
  • United States Center of Real Aikido [USCRA.info]. Shihan, Vladimir Djordjevic. 5904 N. Harlem Ave Chicago, IL 60631. 773-443-8059. Fax 801-409-6108.
• Miscellany
  • Aikido [W]. Here are some of the major styles:
    • Aikikai. The original recognized by the Japanese government in 1940 and led by Ueshiba, Morihei, then his son Ueshiba, Kisshomaru, and then his grandson Ueshiba, Moriteru.
      • Aikikai Foundation [aikikai.or.jp]
      • United States Aikido Federation [usaikifed.com]
    • Daito-ryu. Ueshiba martial foundation was through daito ryu aiki jutsu. It's like aikido with smaller circles.
      • about daito ryu [niagara.com/~zain/html/daitoryu.htm]
      • Daibukan [www.h2.dion.ne.jp/%7Edaibukan/home.html]
    • Shodokan Aikido. A style of aikido which places more emphasis on randori. Founded by Tomiki, Kenji (1900/1979).
      • Japan Aikido Association (JAA) [homepage2.nifty.com/shodokan/en/index.html]
        • 17 basic randori techniques. Complete with animated gifs.
      • Japan Aikido Association U.S.A. (JAAU) [tomiki.org]
        • Kata. The same animated gifs of their 17 basic randori technques but with explanations. These are two person katas.
    • Yoseikan. Founded by Mochizuki, Minoru (1907/2003).
      •  International Yoseikan Budo Federation (IYBF) [yoseikanbudo.com] 
    • Yoshinkan. A "harder" style of aikido founded by Gozo, Shioda (1915-1994).
      • International Yoshinkai Aikido Federation (IYAF) [yoshinkan-aikido.org]
  • Aikido America International / Nihon Aikido Kyokai [aikidoamerica.com]
    • Aikido Training
    • Basic Principles of Aikido. Seiryoku Zenyo = Maximum efficiency with minimum effort. Jita Kyoei = Mutual benefits. Mushin Mugamae = No mind, no posture.
  • Aikido FAQ [AikidoFAQ.com]
  • Aikido3d.com
  • AikidoJournal.com
  • Aikido Primer [http://www.sotnak.com/primer/]. By Eric Sotnak
  • Aikido-World.com
    • Aikido Techniques
  • AikiWeb.com
    • "Maai"
    • "Rhythm and Aikido"
  • Stenudd.com/aikido/. By Stenudd, Stefan.

Archery

This section includes

• bow and arrow.
  • French: arc et flèche.
  • Italian: arco e freccia.
  • German: bogen und pfeil.
  • Portuguese: curva e seta.
  • Spanish: arco y flecha.
• crossbow and bolt.
  • French: arc et boulon en travers.
  • German: kreuzbogen und schraubbolzen.
  • Italian: arco e bullone trasversali.
  • Portuguese: curva e parafuso transversais.
  • Spanish: arco y perno cruzados.
• spear thrower and dart.
  • Australian: woomera.
  • Aztec: atlatl.
  • French: propulseur; lanceur et dard de lance
  • German: speerschleuder und pfeil; Stangenspritzring und pfeil.
  • Inuit: nuiyak.
  • Italian: propulsore. lanciatore e dardo del germoglio.
  • Portuguese: atirador e dart da lança.
  • Spanish: lanzadardo; lanzador y dardo de la lanza; note that spear=lanza, thrower=lanzador, dart=dardo.
  • Sumerian: illuru.

---

• Ancient Archery [ancientarchery.com]. They make and sell bows based on  historical designs but also have info.
• Archery.net.
• Archery-IFAA.com. International Field Archery Association.
• Archery.org.
  • FITA (Federation Internationale de Tir a l'Arc).
  • 'The international governing body of archery is the International Archery Federation (FITA). Founded on the 4th of September, 1931 in Lwow, Poland, by seven countries (France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland, the United States, Hungary, and Italy), FITA serves to promote and regulate archery world-wide through its more than 130 Member Associations (National Federations or Associations) and in conformity with the Olympic principles. It aims at framing and interpreting the FITA Rules and arranging for the organization of World Championships and other international competitions.'
• Atlatl.com. Info about atlatls but they also sell them.
• CrossbowConnectionMagazine.com
• Crossbows-Bolts.com. 'This website is designed to answer all your questions related to crossbows and accessories, crossbow hunting, and more - so spend a few minutes prowling around this informative website, and enjoy! Also remember to pop over to our community forum for more great crossbow related discussions.'
• HorizontalBowHunter.com
• Northern Plains Atlatl Association [ThudsCave.com/npaa/]. Lots of info including history, historical examples, making, and usage.
• Slinging.org
• TenPointCrossBows.com
• Flight-Toys.com. 'Boomerangs, Slings, Bolas, Atlatls and Throwing Rings [including chakrams, quoits & Aerobies®]. All of these aerodynamic devices have their roots as primitive airborne missiles used by early man for both weaponry and sport. These devices are still in use by both primitive and advanced technology societies today. Flight-Toys is your one-stop-source for information about these flying toys and hunting devices.'
• USArchery.org.
• Wikipedia
  • Bow (weapon)
  • Longbow. A non-recurved bow taller than a person.
  • Yumi. The Japanese bow.
• WorldCrossBow.com. 'The World Crossbow Shooting Association Inc. [WCSA] is an international organisation representing the interests of target and open crossbow shooters around the world.'

Chinese MAs (CMAs)

This includes Gongfu/Kung Fu, WuShu/Wu Shu, Taijiquan/T'ai Chi Ch'uan, etc.

• Local.
  • Martial Arts Training Temple [mantisfist.com]
    • 3716 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641 Phone: 773-545-5490.
    • Near my house.
  • TaiChiCenter-Chicago.com
    • 511 W. Berwyn, Chicago, IL 60640, 773-528-5637
    • Very close to my folk's house!
  • The Philip Nearing School of Wing Chun [wingchunchicago.com]
    • 400 South Green Street, Suite 217, Chicago, IL 60607, 312-226-4516, phil@wingchunchicago.com.
    • Phil trains with us at the Chicago Swordplay Guild (CSG) [chicagoswordplayguild.com] on occassion.
  • Tsai's Kung Fu International [TsaisKungFu.com]
    • 4430 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. 773-227-1888. 773-267-1888. --> Relocated. -->
    • 3302 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. 773-227-1888. LearnKungFu@tsaiskungfu.com.
    • 2005-02-23t00:29:50Z: I've driven by this place many times before. I finally checked this place out the place today while my daughter was at tap dancing class. I spoke with Si Shong Rob Page (rob@TsaisKungFu.com) who seemed nice professional. I love their high warehouse ceilings, their soft sprung floor, and the large variety of equipment they have. Funny thing is that they had kali there for a while. They cover a wide range of CMAs: weapons/empty hands, hard/soft, formal/reality.
      • 2006-06-05: The part of the preceding paragraph in italics was modified by request.
• Sun Tzu. The Art of War. Original ca. 6th century BCE.
  • 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.
• Wikipedia
  • Chinese martial arts
  • List of Chinese martial arts
  • The three major internal styles
    • Baguazhang
    • Tai Chi Chuan
    • Xingyiquan
  • Five Animals_(martial arts). The Five Animals of Chinese Martial Arts, Snake (Earth), Tiger (Metal), Crane (Wood), Leopard (Water), and Dragon (Fire), are often corresponded to the five elements.
  • Shaolin kung fu
  • Wing chun = 詠春
    • Muk Yan Jong = 木人樁 = wooden man post = wooden dummy
    • Chi Sao = 黐手 = sticky hand
  • Yin and Yang
  • Pushing hands
• Miscellany
  • Chinavoc.com.
    • Info and shop on all sorts of Chinese things.
    • Kung Fu
  • DragonsList.com. 'The Largest Kung Fu Community on the web!'
  • Great River Taoist Center [grtc.org]. Headed by Scott M. Rodell. He studies historical CMA and has similarities with the historical WMA community. He is a moderator for Chinese Swords & Swordsmanship at the Sword Forum International [SwordForum.com].
    • Videos
    • " Taijiquan, t'ai chi ch'uan or Tai chi, what's the difference? Only the spelling. There are two major systems for the Romanization of Chinese characters. The older Wade-Giles system transliterates the three Chinese Characters for this art as T'ai Chi Ch'uan. This is often misspelled without the appostropies, which are used to indicate the "T" is pronounce as a t and not a d, for example. The more contemporary pinyin system transliterates these three characters as taijiquan. This system has the advantage of not confusing words such as qi (energy) with the ji in taiji, which are written ch'I and chi in the Wade-Giles system, simply by forgetting to use the appostrophy. The pinyin system has been the internationally accept system for many decades now and is the standard for international organizations, libraries, etc. the short hand, Tai chi, is a bit of a misnomer because it simply refers to the Chinese symbol we know as the yinyang symbol. The quan in taijiquan literally means fist of martial art. Taijiquan means the art based on the ideas of alternating yin and yang, yield releasing power etc."
  • iKungFu.net. 'We are an Australian owned company which specialises in eBooks on Chinese Kung Fu forms in consultation with Masters in Mainland China. Our founders have had over 20 years experience in Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi.'
  • Kung Fu Magazine [ezine.KungFuMagazine.com]
    • The Kung Fu Glossary
  • KungFuCinema.com
  • KungFu-Wusu.com
  • Shaolin.com.
    • 'Shaolin Gung Fu Institute'
    • 'This site has been developed to provide information to the public regarding the traditions of the Shaolin order, including Shaolin martial arts (kung fu) and philosophy. It is dedicated to those Shaolin priests that risked their lives to flee a country wracked by civil war so that Shaolin knowledge might survive even if the temples themselves did not. This web site is a testament to their legacy.'
  • Shaolin.com.au
    • 'On these pages you will find some of the most interesting, comprehensive and unusual information on the art of Shaolin Kung Fu. You will also find information on our Venues, our current & future instructors, curriculum, around 200 different traditional Chinese weapons, about health and how you can also train much of this at home with Shaolin Cyber Kung Fu Program.'
    • The 5 Shaolin Kung Fu Weapon Groups
    • The Spirit of Liang-I Shaolin Kung Fu
  • Siulam.info
    • 'Here you can find everything you'd like to learn about the Hung Ga Gungfu style, the style of the late Wong Feihung. The style is also known as Hung Ga Kung Fu, Hung Gar, Hung Kar, Hung Kuen, Siulam Hung Pai and Fu Hok Pai.'
    • Tit Sin Kyun form
    • Hung Ga Fighting Theory
  • Tai Chi and Qigong [GodServer.com/TaiChi.shtml]
  • T'ai Chi Collection [http://www.m.isar.de/denner/neijia/]. Nice explorations on the language.
  • Tai Chi Society [taichisociety.com]. An Australian school that has some articles.
  • WingChun.com
  • WLE.com. 'Wing Lam Kung Fu' or 'Wing Lam Enterprises' is California school that also has a web store.
  • YMAA.com. 'Yang's Martial Arts Association'
    • YMAAPub.com
    • YMAASchool.com
      • "A Brief History of the Chinese Martial Arts"
    • Seminars

Filipino MAs (FMAs)

• "20th-Century Arnis: The Reemergence of a Warrior's Art, Part 1", Part 2, and Part 3. By Mark V. Wiley.
• AllianceMartialArts.com/arnis.htm
  • "Sinawali Mapping: Making Sense of Double Stick Patterns"
• AuthenticBelaDiri.com/kali.htm. School in San Francisco, CA.
• Bakbakan.com
  • 'Bakbakan International is a brotherhood of martial artists from different disciplines of martial arts. It is not a style nor representative of any single style. It is a center for the sharing of ideas, techniques and knowledge.'
  • Some good articles and some PMA-specific books offered. They also sell PMA equipment and aluminum blades.
• Bandalan Doce Peres [bandalan.com]
  • A school in Hayward, California, USA.
  • Eskrima tournament rules [bandalan.com/wekafrules.htm]. "World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Rules and Regulations Governing Tournament Competition Draft June, 2002 This rulebook is a slightly modified version of the original "Eskrima-Kali-Arnis Tournament Rules", written by Grandmaster Dioniso Cañete in 1991."
• Black-Eagle.org. Some very nice content about history and weapons.
• DoceParesInternational.com
  • 'Doce Pares was founded on January 11, 1932 by a small group of Eskrima Masters spearheaded by Eulogio Cañete, Lorenzo Saavedra and Teodoro Saavedra.'
  • Cebu City, Philippines
  • Some associated schools:
    • Bandalan.com. In San Jose, CA.
    • DocePares.net. 'Filipino Martial Arts Academy' in Sacramento, CA.
    • DoceParesUSA.com. PIMA Academy (Philippine Integrated MAs) in Jersey City, NJ.
• DogBrothers.com
  • Headed by Marc Denny (aka Crafty Dog).
  • The Dog Brothers are known for their "real" contact PMAs. They only use fencing masks and hockey gloves. The were considered too extreme for the UFC (the supposed anything-goes matches).
  • Has some online videos.
• "Outline of LaCoste Kali"
• Eskrima.com. San Miguel Eskrima, founded by Filemond D. Canete.
• Filipino Martial Arts Forum [fmaforum.org]
• FilipinoLinks.com/Sports/Martial_Arts/index.html
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) [martialartsresource.com/anonftp/pub/eskrima/digests/fmafaq.htm]
• Geocities.com/TheTropics/Bay/1216/cabales/cabales.html
  • 'Khalid Khan's webpage of Historical Photos of Serrada Eskrima featuring Angel Cabales'
  • 'Angel Ovalles Cabales was born in 1917, in the island of Visaya, in south-central Philippines. He learned the Close Range stick-fighting system of SERRADA from a master named Felicissimo Dizon.'
  • 'His art of escrima is different from other styles of escrima in many components, such as the next-move sampling and checking in each of Serrada's counters for the 12 Strikes of the Serrada system, the LOCK & BLOCK method, the FLOW fighting method, the REVERSAL principles, and other concepts.'
• Inosanto.com. 'The highly sophisticated and comprehensive martial art from the Philippines is weapon based, but ultimately an empty hand system. The Filipino martial arts taught at the Inosanto Academy are drawn from 26 primary sources, the instructors who Magulang Na Guro Dan Inosanto has spent his life training under. With influences such as the late Grandmaster John La Coste, Magulang Na Guro Dan Inosanto has developed a program that introduces students to 12 main areas, including, but not limited to single stick, double stick, stick & dagger, double dagger, panatukan (Filipino boxing), Sikaran (Filipino kicking methods), Kuntao & Silat. In the US as long ago as the 1500's, the Filipino Martial Arts have something to benefit everyone. Developed for "mass attack" as well as single opponent confrontations, the training heightens student's awareness of their surroundings and teaches them to use their environment as tools of combat. Everyday objects, such as umbrellas, books, bandannas, etc., become effective means of self-defense in the hands of a properly trained individual. Use of left and right hand techniques develop coordination. Drills and techniques taught in a fluid, non-restrictive manner allow students to enhance their natural attributes and improve their sense of timing, speed, awareness, balance, agility, and confidence.'
• KaliSilat.com.
• KBS System of Filipino Martial Arts [stevekbs.tripod.com]
  • "History of Eskrima, Pre-1900"
• LamecoEskrima.com. 'In 1981, Edgar Sulite (1957-1997) created the Lameco System of Eskrima. The name Lameco is actually three words joined together. La = Largo (long) me = Medio (Middle) co = Corto (close)'
• MartialArtsResource.com/filipino/filframe.htm
  • A fair number of PMA links.
  • "Arnis: A Question of Origins"
  • FMA FAQ. Excellent resource. If you had to have 1 link on the FMAs, then pick this one.
• Martial-Way.com/kali.html
• ModernArnis.com
  • The site of Remy A. Presas (1936-2001), "The Father of Modern Arnis". Videos and books on sale.
  • Technique of the Month [modernarnis.net/technique/month.shtml]
• PAMAusa.com. 'Princeton Academy of Martial Arts'. A school in New Jersey, USA. They also sell equipment and videos.
• PSDTC.com.
  • 'Practical Self Defense Training Center'
  • Their Additional Information section has a nice expansion on the 12 areas of Kali.
• ShotokanKarate.ca/kali-ecrima%20terminology.htm
• Some of the Major Weapons of the Moros
• "Tested Tough: The Fearsome Fighting Blades of the Philippines"
• Videos
  • PHILIPPINES MARTIAL ARTS 1 [youtube.com/watch?v=7DUmU4T3LdM; 04:56]. Short documentary filmed in the Philippines of different FMAs.
• VillabrilleLargusaKali.com. 'The Villabrille-Largusa Kali System is a Filipino Martial Art founded by the late Grand Master Floro Villabrille and Grand Master Ben Largusa.'
• WEKAF.com. World Eskrima-Kali-Arnis Federation.
• WEKAF.net. World Eskrima-Kali-Arnis Federation.
• Wikipedia
  • Filipino martial arts
  • Eskrima
  • Modern Arnis
  • Sikaran

Full Contact

Full contact combat sports like boxing, Muay Thai, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

• Boxing [W]
  • boxinggyms.com
    • Handwraps: How To Guide
  • Boxing styles and technique [W]
  • Doghouse Boxing [DoghouseHoxing.com]
  • fightbeat.com
  • International Boxing Research Organization [ibroresearch.com]
    • All Time Rankings
  • Ringside.com
• Kickboxing [W]
  • Adithada [W]. Indian kickboxing.
  • Lethwei [W]. Burmese kickboxing.
  • Muay Thai. Thai kickboxing.
    • Muay Thai [W].
    • Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A. (TBA-USA) [thaiboxing.com]
      • TBA Techniques
      • Vocabulary
  • Pradal Serey [W]. Khmer kickboxing.
  • Sanshou [W]. Aka Sanda. Chinese kickboxing.
  • Savate [W]. French kickboxing with shoes.
    • SavateAustralia.com
    • BridgemanSavate.com
  • Shoot boxing [W]. Japanese kickboxing that also allows standup submissions.
  • Yaw Yan. Filipino kickboxing. Has a "Mountain storm kick" which is essentially a downward Muay Thai roundhouse kick.
    • Yawyan [W]
    • YawYan.com. 'It sounds chinese, the movements slightly resemble that of Thai-Boxing and Korea's Tae-kwon-do but the origin is strictly Filipino. Yaw-Yan is billed as the Philippine's most lethal martial art. The acknowledged originator of Yaw-Yan is Grandmaster Napoleon A. Fernandez, a native of Quezon province, himself an undefeated All-asian and Far-East Kickboxing champion. The word Yaw-Yan was derived from the two last syllables of "Sayaw ng Kamatayan" meaning "Dance of Death".'
  • Leagues
    • International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) [ikfkickboxing.com]
    • International Sport Karate/Kickboxing Association (ISKA) [iska.com]
    • K-1. A large Japanese league with international competitors.
      • K-1 [W]
      • k-1.co.jp
    • World Federation of Kickboxing [wfk-gov.com]
• Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) [W]. Distinct from No Holds Barred (NHB) or vale tudo = "anything goes" (in Portugese) fighting, since MMA is a sport with rules. The combat sport closest to NHB was Pankration of Ancient Greece which only barred biting and eye gouging.
  • Leagues
    • Largest leagues
      • International Fight League (IFL) [W]. U.S.A. based. Teams of 5 fighters. 2007: This league was the first MMA league to be on broadcast TV (Fox). The 2007 Chicago Read Bears was coached by Igor Zinoviev.
      • Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). U.S.A. based.
        • Ultimate Fighting Championship [W]
        • Ultimate Fighting Championship [ufc.com]
      • PRIDE. Japan based.
        • PRIDE Fighting Championships [W]
        • PRIDE Fighting Championships [pridefc.com]
    • Other leagues
      • Cage Rage [W]. U.K. based.
      • DEEP [W]. Japan based.
      • Elite Fighting Championship (EFC) [W]. Canada based.
      • Freestyle Fighting Championship (FFC) [W]. U.S.A. based.
      • International Mixed Martial Arts Competitions (IMMAC) [immacfight.com]. U.S.A. based --Chicago, IL based actually.
      • King of the Cage (KOTC). U.S.A. based.
        • King of the Cage [W]
        • King of the Cage [kingofthecage.com]
      • Mixed Fighting Championship (MFC) [W]. U.S.A. based.
      • Pancrase [W]. Japan based.
      • Rumble on the Rock [W]. Hawaii based.
      • Shooto. Japan based.
        • Shooto [W]
        • shootoamericas.com
        • x-shooto.jp
      • Strikeforce [W]. U.S.A. based.
      • TKO Major League MMA [W]. Canada based.
      • World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) [W]. U.S.A. based.
      • World Fighting Alliance (WFA) [W]. U.S.A. based.
      • ZST [W]. Japan based. Striking on the ground prohibited.
  • Miscellany
    • lockflow.com. News, articles, techniques (pictures & text instead of video is faster), forums, etc.
    • Daido Juku [W]. Founded in 1981 by Azuma Takashi (a former Kyokushin Karate champion).
      • daidojuku.com. Their particular kind of clear plastic headgear available there too.
    • Sherdog [sherdog.com]. MMA news.
    • mma.tv
    • thefightgame.tv
    • UFCJunkie.com

Guns

• Local
  • Airsoft Chicago [airsoftchicago.com]
    • 19733 Bauer Rd Wilmington, Illinois 60481. Near Kankakee River State Park.
  • Maxon Shooters Supplies & Indoor Range [maxonshooters.com]
    • 1226 Rand Road, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016. 847-298-GUNS (4867).
    • Fees: $15.95 per hour handguns. $17.50 per hour long guns. $135 per 12 visits.
  • Midewst Guns [midwestguns.com].
    • 8565 Plainfield Road, Lyons, Illinois 60534. 708-447-4848.
    • Fees: $15 all day, $12 all day with ammo purchase, Fridays half price, $200 all year. [As of 2006-08-14]
  • NapervilleSportsmansClub.org.
    • 'Incorporated in 1937, The Naperville Sportsman's Club is the current legacy of gun clubs dating back to the 1880's. The property, owned by the City of Naperville and leased to the Park District, was developed by the Sportsman's Club in the late 1940s. The Naperville Sportsman's Club is dedicated to the preservation of our outdoor heritage and the conservation of our natural resources. We promote shotgun shooting sports, placing emphasis on safety, education, training, and recreation. To protect our environment we use non-toxic ammunition and targets.'
    • I've done trap shooting at their fine outdoor range. As a non-member and non-resident, it was $5 per round of trap (25 targets) plus $5 for ammo.
    • Hours: Sunday 12:00/18:00, Thursday 18:00/22:00.
    • Location: Just south of West Street & Martin Avenue, Naperville, IL.
    • Phone: (630)420-9816
• Organizations
  • AGSFoundation.com. 'The Americans for Gun Safety Foundation, a project of the Tides Center, a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, seeks to educate Americans on existing gun laws and new policy options for reducing access to guns by criminals and children and to promote responsible gun ownership. The AGS Foundation supports the rights of individuals to own firearms.'
    • Glossary
  • ATF.gov. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, US Department of Justice.
    • National Licensing Center
  • CartridgeCollectors.org. ' The IAA [International Ammunition Association] was founded over 40 years ago [ca. 1960] to serve cartridge collectors and professionals in the areas of ammunition research and forensics.'
    • A Cartridge Collector's Glossary. Excellent illustrations.
  • FirearmsLawCenter.org. "The Firearms Law Center is dedicated to reducing gun violence. Our goal is to serve communities nationwide by providing information and resources relating to the regulation of firearms at the federal, state and local levels. "
    • Illinois State Law Summary
  • IPSC.org. International Practical Shooting Confederation.

    • 'In practical shooting, the competitor must try to blend accuracy, power, and speed, into a winning combination. Targets are 75 centimeters by 45 centimeters with a 15 centimeter center representing the "A zone" or bullseye. Most shooting takes place at close range, with rare shots out to 45 meters. Hitting a 15 centimeter A zone at 45 meters or less might seem easy to an experienced pistol shooter, but in IPSC only full power pistols are allowed (9mm or larger). This power minimum reflects the heritage of this modern sport, and mastering a full power handgun is considerably more difficult than shooting a light recoiling target pistol especially when the competitor is trying to go as fast as possible. Time, also plays a factor. In Comstock scored stages, the scores are divided by the time, adding to the challenge. Competitors may enter any one of five Divisions depending on the style of firearm they use.

      Multiple targets, moving targets, targets that react when hit, penalty carrying targets mixed-in, or even partially covering shoot targets, obstacles, movement, competitive tactics, and, in general, any other relevant difficulty the course designer can dream up all combine to keep the competitors enthusiastic and the spectators entertained. While the rules of IPSC state that the course of fire should be practical and diversity is to be encouraged, to keep the sport from becoming too formalized or standardized. In fact, some matches even contain surprise stages where no one knows in advance what to expect.

      Although the roots are martial in origin, the sport matured from these beginnings, just as karate, fencing, or archery developed from their origins. Now, IPSC shooting is an international sport, emphasizing safety and safe gun handling, accuracy, power, and speed, in major competitions around the globe. The crowning glory for practical shooting is to become the IPSC World Champion. '

    • PPSA.org.ph. Philippine Practical Shooting Association.
  • NRA.org. National Rifle Association.
    • ISRA.org. Illinois State Rifle Association.
    • NRAILA.org. ' Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is committed to preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. '
      • Compendium of State Firearms Laws
      • Gun Laws
  • Packing.org. "This is a great place to find out how to legally carry a concealed weapon, if it is possible in your state."
    • Packing.org page for Illinois
    • As of 2004-03, the right to concealed carry of firearms is:
      • Denied in: DC, IL, KS, NE, WI (5/53 = 9.4%)
      • Restricted in: CA, DE, HI, IA, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PR, RI, VI (11/53 = 20.8%)
      • Enabled in: all other states (37/53 = 69.8%)
• Wikipedia.org
  • Airsoft
  • Blackpowder
  • Bullet
  • Cartridge (firearms)
    • List of cartridges by caliber
    • List of handgun cartridges
    • List of rifle cartridges 
    • Table of pistol and rifle cartridges by year
  • Gun
  • Firearm
  • List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Point shooting
• Miscellany
  • "20 Most-Asked Shotgun Questions". Via About.com.
  • Cornered Cat [corneredcat.com]. 'This site is about women and guns, not about cats. But in a way, it's about the cornered cat in all of us. It's about the determination to get away from an attacker if you need to. It's about making the decision to say, "Not me. Not mine. Not today." And it's about the tools to make that decision stick. If you have to fight ... Fight like a cornered cat.'
  • Cruffler.com. 'a site dedicated to the needs of the firearms historian, collector and enthusiast "The Internet's Premier Electronic Magazine for the Firearms Historian, Collector, and Shooter"  '
  • FirearmsTactical.com
    • "Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition"
  • "Fundamentals of Pistol Marksmanship" By William Joyner [http://www.bullseyepistol.com/joyner.htm]
  • Gun Kata [W]. A fictional martial art.
  • GunsMagazine.com
  • "How to shoot a handgun accurately" By Massad Ayoob [http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html]. Excellent.
  • m1911.org
  • SaveTheGuns.com.
    • Glossary
  • Shooting-Hunting.com. 'This site is a worldwide data base of 19668 providers of products and services, covering the shooting-hunting industries.'
  • ShootingTimes.com
  • ShotgunWorld.com
  • "The Combat Grip" By Duane Thomas [http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_training/combatg_100306/index.html]. Includes discussion of thumb or no-thumb.
  • Todd Jarrett on pistol shooting. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48]. "IPSC(International Practical Shooting Confederation) champion teaches how to properly grip a handgun and shoot accurately. "
  • http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/~llou/guns.html
  • http://users.frii.com/gosplow/cgsa.html
    • 'Christian Guide to Small Arms.'
    • I'm sure Jesus would make a site like this ... NOT! Even taking Luke 22:35-38 into account.
    • On the other hand it has good content.

Historical European Swordplay (HES)

• Chicago
  • ChicagoSwordplayGuild.com (former site at CSG).
    • I'm a member of the CSG.
    • Located in Chicago, IL. Founded by Bjorn Skaptason, Greg Mele, and Mark Rector.
    • Does HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) but with particular interest in HES. Membership at one location allows you to practice at the other locations.
    • Pulaski Park. Hosts the main classes.
      • Location: 1419 W. Blackhawk Street, Chicago, IL 60622 (a few blocks SE of Ashland and North), in the assembly hall. Park District of Chicago: (312)742-7559
      • Fee:
        • $90 for 12 week Intro.
        • $80/quarter or $280/year for regular membership.
      • Schedule:
        • Sat 9:30-11:30 am for Intro.
        • Sat 11:30-3 pm for regular members.
        • Wed 6-9 pm for regular members, more open instruction.
    • Oak Park, IL. At Fox Center or Longfellow School or wherever it is this season.. Long sword classes only.
      • Location: Fox Center is at 640 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304. Park District of Oak Park: (708)383-0002.
      • Fee: $60 ($90 for non residents) for 6 week Intro.
      • Schedule: Tue 7-8:30 pm.
    • 
    • CSG Yahoo Group for members only. Email is SwordPlayGuild@YahooGroups.com.
    • CSG Yahoo Group for the public.
    • MrDanKelly.com did a few articles about the CSG that were originally published in the Chicago Reader:
      • "When Anachronists Attack!" [2004-02-27]
      • "Chicago Swordplay Guild". A longer version of the article.
    • Here are some schools that the CSG has a close relationship with.
      • AllianceMartialarts.com
        • 'School of International Arms Historical and Modern Day'
        • Located in Alpine, NY. Founded by Pete Kautz and Mike May.
        • Particularly good with close-quarters combat. They use American Heritage, Chinese, Medieval German, Filipino, Modern Combatives, and whatever they can get.
        • Articles. EG:
          • "Renaissance Knife Fighting"
          • "The Manly Art of Quarter-Staff"
          • "Airsoft Pistols for Tactical Training"
          • "Natural Health & Self Tempering: 5 Fundamentals of Old-School Physical Culture Offer You a Lifetime of Vitality!"
        • Techniques illustrated
        • Links
      • GallowglassAcademy.org
        • 'Training, Tradition, Defence ... Gallowglass Academy, Inc., provides an eclectic variety of short classes and seminars to the Student of Defence. Law Enforcement Officers and their Agencies will find a range of Police Combatives and Firearms Training Seminars. Civilians also may choose among Martial Arts and Firearms-related classes. The Scholar of Western Martial Arts will find classes on Rapier and Sidesword, as well as workshops with guest instructors expert in other historical combat styles.'
        • Located in Leaf River, IL 61047, which is only 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Chicago. Run by C. Allen Reed, a former member of the CSG in good standing.
      • MASHS.org.
        • 'Mid-Atlantic Society for Historic Swordsmanship ... MASHS then is a group of dedicated enthusiasts and practitioners who come together to study, analyze, and practice Historical European Swordsmanship and Western Martial Arts. Our focus is on Medieval weapons, Renaissance sword arts, and later period dueling swords. We use real techniques based on historical manuals and treatises. We also develop practical tactical experience through drilling and safe bouting using historically accurate replica weapons and simulators.
        • Located near Washington D.C. Founded by Larry Tom. The Order of the Seven Hearts sub-group was founded by Tom Leoni.
        • Focuses on Western swordsmanship. The Order focuses on Fabris rapier.
      • StMartinsAcademy.com and Geocities.com/St_Martins_Academy/.
        • 'St. Martin's Academy is located in Madison, Wisconsin. The primary focus of the Academy is the study and application of medieval combat--this includes wrestling, dagger and swordplay, staff, spear, pollaxe and various other staff weapons. The core program revolves around the study of basic combat principles in combination with the specific techniques and methods described by various manuals of the medieval period. Currently, the primary manual of study is the Flos Duelletorum of Fiore dei Liberi. Other manuals that are studied are by Vadi, Talhoffer, Marozzo, Silver, Swetnam, di Grassi, and the anonymous Tower MS I.33. There are so many manuals available (and even more are coming to light), and in consideration of St. Martin's goals of studying medieval combat, the Academy will certainly examine others in the future.'
        • Located in Madison, WI. Founded and run by Bob Charron one of the lead authorities on the Getty-Ludwig copy of Fior di Battaglia (The Flower of Battle) by Fiore dei Liberi.
        • A sister school to the CSG.
      • Schola Saint George [ScholaSaintGeorge.org]
        • "Historical combat techniques for both armoured and unarmoured competition and personal development."
        • Located in Union City, CA. Founded by Brian Price and Robert Holland.
        • A sister school to the CSG.
        • Arms, Armour & Protective Gear. Excellent listing of equipment needed for WMAs and where to get it.
        • Shinai-based longsword experiment [scholasaintgeorge.org/shinai.html]. 'Making a shinai-based longsword simulator'
        • Selected Technique Snippet Videos
        • Links
• Rapier
  • Prima Spada School of Fence [homepage.powerup.com.au/~pssf/]
    • Student Manual. Based on Salvator Fabris.
  • "Questions and Answers About the Rapier" [TheARMA.org/Youth/RapierOutline.htm]
  • SalvatorFabris.com/RapierGlossary.html
  • SwordForum.com/articles/ams/char-rapier.php. "Characteristics of the Rapier". Excellent article. Traces the evolution and characteristics of the rapier. Classical explanation of the superiority of the point over the edge (as well as critique of this explanation).
    • A displaced point can be re-aligned faster than an edge.
    • A sword raised for a cut leaves the body exposed to a counter thrust.
    • The point reaches the target faster than the edge because it travels in a straight line, whereas the later has to move in a curved path.
    • The thrust is deadlier than the cut.
• Miscellany
  • Academie Duello [academieduello.com]. 'a school of European Swordplay, based in Vancouver British Columbia, with a sister school in Seattle, Washington. We specialize in the Rapier, Backsword, Sidesword, Longsword, and grappling techniques of Europe from 1300 to 1700 AD.'
  • Association for Historical Fencing [AHFI.org]
    • The Association for Historical Fencing "exists to encourage and preserve the arts of classical and historical fencing".
    • They do the annual MWAW (Western Martial Arts Workshop) in Amsterdam, NY. Previous WMAWs have included rapier, small sword, and armored tournaments.
    • The CSG has attended their events.
    • Resources. Nice. Includes PDFs of texts from the 1500s-1600s.
    • The Macdonald Academy of Arms. Scotland.
    • "Daggers of the Mind: Towards a Historiography of Fencing"
  • ClassicalFencing.com.
    • ' Dedicated to preserving and promoting in classical fencing and historical swordplay, the true art, science and spirit of the sword. Our name is taken from our motto "In Ferro Veritas," which means "In the Sword is Truth." '
    • Article List
      • Demystification of the Spanish School by Maestro Ramón Martínez
      • ' Use of the Word "Sparring" ' by Maestro Ramón Martínez
      • "The Teachings of Marozzo" By Giovanni Rapisardi Edited By William E. Wilson
  • Dawn Duellists Society [dawnduellists.co.uk]. 'a historical fencing group studying the martial art of fencing, based in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. We aim to replicate as closely as possible the study of the arts of fencing in Western Europe from the 13th to 19th centuries.'
  • EJMAS.com/jwma/articles/2000/jwmaart_hand_0500.html. "A Matter of Time" by Stephan Hand.
  • FencingOnline.com
    • "From Dueling to Fencing"
  • FioreDeiLiberi.org/gallery. Tons if images of historical art, historical texts, antique items, and modern practitioners of WMAs.
  • Gregory Daub's Pictorial Glossary of Armor Terms. Nice. Much like what I've been putting together.
  • HistoricalFencing.org.
    • 'HistoricalFencing.org is a nexus of several distinct but associated entities. It was created by, and is maintained by, Ken Mondschein (who is, among other things, a fencing historian and student at the Martinez Academy of Arms) as a low-bandwidth, high-content site on historical fencing. The other folks involved are Paul Macdonald (Macdonald Academy of Arms and Macdonald Armouries), Bob Brooks (Hotspur School of Defense), and Jared Kirby (Martinez Academy student, vendor of historical fencing treatises, fencer, actor, and stage choreographer extraordinaire).'
    • The Compendium of the Sword
      • The same Ken Mondschein of CorporateMofo.com!
      • It's All in the Timing: Concepts of Combative Timing in Historical Italian Swordsmanship
    • NDDS (New Dawn Duellists Society).
  • Homepage.powerup.com.au/~pssf/.
    • 'Prima Spada School of Fence'
    • Spanish style rapier.
    • Documents
  • How to Study Historical Swordplay
    • 'Elizabethan Fencing and the Art of Defence'
    • Period Manuals. Including PDFs of Agrippa, di Grassi, Capo Ferro, Giganti, etc.
  • Iron Door School of Arms [HistoricalFencing.com].
    • 'The nation's only private free-standing facility built exclusively for historical fencing practice. Over 930 sq ft. of floor space with 16 ft. ceiling clearance .' [2005].
    • Run by John Clements in Dallas, GA.
  • Isidore-of-Seville.com/dueling/. 'Duels and Dueling on the Web'
    • Rob Roy MacGregor (Liam Neeson) with broadsword, and foppish Archibald Cunningham (Tim Roth) with rapier.
  • Jan.ucc.nau.edu/~wew/fencing.html.
  • Malipiero.com. 'In 1995 Massimo Malipiero founded the "Compagnia de' Malipiero" whose aims are not only the historical research and the practice of swordfighting, but also the teaching of the italian fencing covering the period from the 13th to 20th Century. This sport discipline follows the original rules of the art of swordsmanship practiced by the nobility in private or public duels and in battles. Therefore it requires a good training under a qualified supervision.'
  • Martinez-Destreza.com. 'The Martinez Academy of Arms is a unique school that preserves the tradition of fencing as the study of the sword in its realistic application in personal combat. Entering the Academy, one steps into another era and finds a serious group of practitioners dedicated to the art of the sword. '
  • Mike's European Fencing and Swordsmanship: Basic Terminology and Fencing Tempo.
  • Nova Scrima [novascrimia.com]. Italian martial arts, including moderna (modern) and storica (historical).
  • Oakeshott's Typology - an Introduction
  • Old World Martial Arts [italianswordplay.com]. 'a school of European Swordplay, based in Kent Washington, with a sister school in Vancouver British Columbia. We specialize in the Rapier, Backsword, Sidesword, Longsword, and grappling techniques of Europe from 1300 to 1700 AD.'
  • Riposte.org.uk
    • Database. A glossary of sorts.
  • SalvatorFabris.com
    • Rapier Glossary
    • The Fabris Wheel
  • Scherma-Antica.org
    • Federazione Italiana Scherma Antica E Storica (FISAS, the Italian Ancient and Historical Fencing Federation).
    • 'The Italian Ancient and Historical Fencing Federation, (FISAS) was found in order to preserve the traditional teachings of the Art and the Science of True Fencing. FISAS has been active in Italy since 1995 and documents with others qualified international organisations the main groups of styles: Ancient Fencing, Historical Fencing and Classical Fencing. '
    • Scuola italiana. Bibliography of many Italian period texts.
  • Scherma-Tradizionale.org. 'The International Masters at Arms Federation [IMAF] is an organization of professional teachers of Historical and Classical fencing, that is to say, fencing of the 14th through the 19th centuries, based on surviving traditions and historical documentation
  • SchooleOfDefence.co.uk
  • The School of the Sword [schoolofthesword.com]. "The School of the Sword was founded in its current form in 2002 by Caroline Stewart for the study and practise of historical swordplay, following six years previously doing demonstrations of historical combat at many premier heritage sites and museums around the UK."
  • Scrima Torino [ScrimaTorino.it]
    • 'L'Arte Italiana del Combattimento'
    • Manoscritti e trattati di Scherma Storica. Bibliographies of many Italian period texts.
  • SirWilliamHope.org
    • 'The Linacre School of Defence. Studying the historical British martial arts of smallsword, backsword and pugilism.'
    • The Works of George Silver comprising "Paradoxes of Defence" and "Bref Instrutions vpõ my Pradoxes of Defense" . Edited and with an introduction by Cyril G.R. Matthey. London: 1898. Scans from plates.
  • Stoccata.org
    • 'The Stoccata School of Defence is based in Sydney, Australia, and is dedicated to the study of European swordsmanship. We use replicas of historic weapons, and systems and techniques drawn from fencing manuals and treatises written between the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries. We offer regular courses of instruction in Italian rapier, single sword (in various styles, mostly English), including the use of companion weapons, and German long sword. English long sword and staff weapons are also taught, and research is being conducted in various other areas.'
      • Articles
        • "The Highland Cotun" by Paul Wagner.
      • Online Manuals. Includes some scans.
        • Joseph Swetnam. The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence. 1617.
        • G.A. Pallas Armata. 1639.
  • SwordSchool.com.
    • 'The School of European Swordsmanship, founded and run by Guy Windsor, teaches the historically accurate use of most European sword types from the period 1300 to 1900 AD, according to the principles written down by the original Masters. We practise these styles as a martial art; this is not re-enactment, sport-fencing, live-role-playing or theatrical stage fighting, though many students do engage in these activities.'
    • I have his book, The Swordsman's Companion, and it is excellent.
  • The Academy of European Swordsmanship [The-AES.org]. 'Our mission is to further the academic and physical study of western swordsmanship and martial arts.'
  • VArmouries.com/WildRose/. 'Knights of the Wild Rose: Swordfight performers for - stage, film, & special occassions.
    • Flos Duellatorum in Armis (Flower of Battle), 1410 by Fiore dei Liberi. A full translation with the original illustrations.

Judo and Jujutsu

柔道 = ju do = judo. 柔術 = ju jutsu = jujutsu = ju-jutsu = ju-jitsu = jujitsu = jiu jitsu = jiu-jitsu. Also covers yawara, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ), and Small Circle Jujutsu.

• Chicago
  • Carlson Gracie Federation [carlsongraciefederation.com].
    • Fitness Formula - Old Town, 1235 N Lasalle Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 640-1235. Also http://www.fitnessformulaclubs.com/oldtown/.
    • Chief instructor Gracie, Carlson Jr., son of Gracie, Carlson Sr., son of Gracie, Carlos, co-founder of GJJ.
  • Chicago Judo Black Belt Association [ChiJudo.com soon ChicagoJudo.org].
  • Combat Arts Institute [CombatArts.org]. Recommended by several people with the CSG.
  • Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu [chicagojiujitsu.com].
    • 4900 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, (773)334-5189. ChicagoJiuJitsu@aol.com.
    • Chief instructors Eddie & Adem Redzovic.
    • I walked by their triangle corner real estate when I was picking up my kids, but they were closed then. I did see them demo their stuff on cable TV. They seemed pleasant and straight forward.
  • Judo-Jujitsu Institute [http://www.geocities.com/jjichicago/jji.html]. 'The First Martial Arts School in the Midwest, Since 1938 providing the Chicago Community with top level instructors from their native country Japan, Starting with Sense Tamura who passed To Sense Namba the current Shihan (head instructor) with Sense Hollis Barnett (5 Dan Kodokan) as Main Instructor.'
  • Pedro Vianna Jiu-Jitsu [pedrovianna.com]. 1753 N. Kimball Ave., Chicago, IL 60647. 773-756-7889.
  • Rio Jiu Jitsu Academy [riojj.com]. 1673 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60647. 773-235-3200. Pete "The Greek" Letsos.
  • Titan Combat [titancombat.com]. A "Chicago-based Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & No-Gi Submission Grappling league".
  • Tohkon Judo Academy [tohkon.com].
    • 4427 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60640, (773)784-7766. In the same building as the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) and down the street from Little Quiapo, a little Filipino restaurant.
    • I've practiced here a bit. A very good traditional judo dojo.
  • Univ of Chicago Jujitsu Club [http://jujitsu-club.uchicago.edu/jujutsu.html]
• Brazilian JJ
  • BJJ.org
    • 'BJJ.Org is an information site for students of the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as developed by the Gracie family. ... In 1914 a Japanese Judo and jiu-jitsu master named Mitsuo Maeda (called Count Koma) came to Brazil. In return for help from the Brazilian politician Gastao Gracie, Koma taught jiu-jitsu to Gastao's son Carlos. Carlos in turn taught his brothers (most notably Helio). They went on to further refine the art via constant no-rules competition, developing what is now known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.'
    • Techniques illustrated. 'Most of the techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu address grappling on the ground. There are some takedowns, self-defense techniques, and striking, but the core of the art involves improving, maintaining, or defending ground positions; along with submissions such as chokes and armlocks. Most of the techniques are organized around specific positions. BJJ is sometimes described as "position first, then submission". What follows is a small sampling of the many hundreds of techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.'
  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques [MartialArtsResource.com/DA/bjj.html]. Short illustrated guide to the basics of BJJ, in particular the mount and the guard.
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques [austinjiujitsu.com/budo/bjj/chapter-nav.html]. A decent catalog in text.
  • Gracie.com.
    • Family tree
  • Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy [gracieacademy.com]
    • Family tree
  • Gracie Seminars [gracieseminars.com]. 'information on organising Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Seminars, including information on the individual instructors.'
  • International Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Federation [550media.com/igjjf]
    • Family tree
• Small Circle JJ
  • JujitsuAmerica.org. 'Jujitsu America's humble beginnings came about in 1978, under the direction of Prof. Wally Jay. The name Jujitsu America was actually coined by Prof. Willy Cahill.'
  • SmallCircleJujitsu.com. 'This site is the only accurate online source of information about Small Circle Jujitsu™, as it is overseen by Professor Wally Jay and Professor Leon Jay.'
• Traditional/Japanese Judo/Jujutsu
  • American Judo and Jujitsu Federation [AJJF.org]
  • International Judo Federation. [IJF.org]
  • Ju-Jitsu International Federation [JJIFWweb.com]. 'The JJIF is the international forum for Ju-Jitsu where the National Official Sport Authorities can debate issues related to the practice of Ju-Jitsu in order to establish International Programmes and activities, and in order to elect the institutions, which will implement them. As JJIF is Full Member of GAISF (General Assembly of International Sports Federations) and IWGA (International World Games Association) it is the only governing body of Ju-Jitsu worldwide.
    • United States Ju-Jitsu Federation [USJujitsu.net]. 'The United States Ju-Jitsu Federation is the National Governing Body for Ju-Jitsu in the United States of America as the officially recognized United States member of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF).
  • JudoAmerica.com/helpforclubs/springmat/.
    • "The Spring Loaded Mat" by Gerald Lafon.
    • Their floor has entire rubber tires underneath. I've used entire rolls of garden hose on the "sprung floors" I've built.
  • JudoInfo.com.
    • 'You've entered the world's biggest virtual Judo club, with comprehensive information about the sport and art of Judo.'
    • Techniques of Judo. Lots of clear drawing, animated GIFs, and videos.
    • Articles and Essays on Judo
      • "Randori and the Unification of Jujutsu Disciplines by the Kodokan"
    • Gis. Large list of suppliers that sell judo gis. Mizuno and Toraki seem to be the leading brands.
  • Kodokan Judo Institute [Kodokan.org]. Very nice classification of techniques.
  • Kodokan Judo With Master Kyuzo Mifune [video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3748489073060595313; 00:30:09 video]. 
  • United States Judo Federation [USJF.com]
  • WorldJudo.org. 'The ultimate who's who of Judo. Players, Officials, Coaches and judo Clubs, with superb photos of world class judoka in action.'
• Wikipedia
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Judo
    • Judo techniques
    • Judo rules
  • Jujutsu
• Miscellany
  • AmFedJujitsu.com
  • Best Judo [bestjudo.com]. Reviews of judo books.
    • "Hadakajime - Air or Blood Choke?"
  • Shoshin Ryu Yudanshakai
    • 'Dedicated to the art and principles of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu'.
    • A system headed by Henry Seishiro Okazaki. The site's Education Corner is nice.
  • Stanford.edu/group/jujitsu/. Detailed curriculum. Techniques shown with videos and pictures. Decent glossary. They do a good job of mixing traditional JJ with other styles including BJJ.
  • UltimateJujitsu.com.
    • 'The Ultimate Online Resource for Ju-Jitsu and Street Fighting Self Defence'
    • Good forum. Decent techniques section with photos.

Karate

I have dozens of other karate links that I have yet to migrate over. ^I've trained with.

• Chicago
  • Chicago Fitness Center (CFC) [chicagofitnesscenter.com]
    • Like many gyms, this one has had various martial arts related programs.
    • 3131 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60657. 773-549-8181.
    • U.S. Shidokan [shidokan.com/cfc.htm] is headquartered at the CFC as of 2006-09.
  • Elite Martial Arts & Fitness [elitemaf.com]. Founded by John Fonseca.
  • Illinois Shotokan Karate Club [iskc.com]. Founded by John DiPasquale.
  • International Traditional Karate Association (ITKA) [itka-karate.com]
    • The chief instructor is Mahmoud Bambouyani.
    • I trained and taught with Mr. Bambouyani^ extensively.
    • 'Main Dojo 5945 W. Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL 773.283.8200'
    • The Traditional Karate Club at the University of Chicago [karate.uchicago.edu] is affiliated with the ITKA.
  • JKA Chicago [JKAChicago.com].
    • 'The dojo was established by Walter Nakamoto in 1962 as the Chicago Karate Club. The name was changed in 1963 when Shojiro Sugiyama^ was invited to come to America from Japan to become head instructor.'
    • A Shotokan karate school where some emphasize ki. Affiliated with the Nishiyama of JKA/AAKF.
    • I've trained there before, just upstairs of the Toguri J Mercantile Co. Japanese Gift Shop which sells some  Toakaido/Nozawa gis. A great place to get gifts too!
    • 853 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, 773-472-2244.
  • Traditional Karate Center [TraditionalKarateCenter.com]. A school headed by Jordan Scott that specializes in traditional karate styles such as Shotokan and Goju-ryu.
  • University of Chicago (UC) Shotokan Karate Club [jka.uchicago.edu]. Established in 1964 and is associated with Sugiyama of JKA Chicago.
  • University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Karate Club [uickarate.com]. I used to be the President there when I was a student at UIC. The UIC Karate Club is affiliated with the Okazaki of JKA/ISKF.
  • World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation (WSKF) [catsyscorp.com/wskf]
    • 'The WSKF representative in the USA is CHICAGO SHOTOKAN KARATE INC. The chief instructor in Chicago is Mr. Colin Smith, rokudan'
    • I trained and taught with Mr. Smith^ fairly extensively.
    • 'We train in the EXECUTIVE SPORTS & FITNESS CENTER 77 W. Wacker Drive (cnr Clark), Chicago, IL.'
    • 2007-03-15: It seems that Colin has moved --possibly out of Chicago.
• Shotokan karate
  • Organizations. *Direct student of Gichin Funakoshi and Masatoshi Nakayama.
    • Japan Karate Association (JKA) [JKA.or.jp]. The original Shotokan organization founded by Gichin Funakoshi in 1949-05. It is a world body for Shotokan karate. Chaired by Nakahara, Nobuyuki with Sugiura, Motokuni*^ as the chief instructor.
    • American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF) [AAKF.org]. A U.S. body for the JKA created by Hidetaka Nishiyama*^ in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A..
    • American JKA Karate Association (AJKA) [americanjka.com]. An international body co-founded by Safar, Leslie and Hassel, Randall.
    • Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) [aak-karate.com]. In the Philippines.
    • Hawaii Karate Seinenkai (HKS) [seinenkai.com]. In Hawaii since 1933.
    • International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF)  [ISKF.com]. A pan-American body for the JKA created by Teruyuki Okazaki*^ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.. Also includes other direct students such as Takayuki Mikami*^ and Yutaka Yaguchi^.
    • International Shotokan-ryu Karate-do Shihankai (ISKS) [shihankai.org]
    • International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) [itkf.org]. Headed by Hidetaka Nishiyama*^.
    • Japan Karate Shoto-renmei (JKS) [JKS.jp]. A Japanese body created by Tetsuhiko Asai*^ ().
    • Japan Karatedo Shotokai (JKS) [shotokai.jp]. The group that split from the JKA in 1949 after the death of Funakoshi.
    • Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA) [esf.jp/jska]. Headed by Keigo Abe.
    • JKA Shotokan Karate-Do International (JSKI) [jkany.com]. Headed by Masataka Mori^ in New York.
    • Karate-Do Shotokai (KDS) [karatedoshotokai.com]. Headed by Harada, Mitsusuke.
      • Relaxation
    • Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) [KUGB.org]. A British body for the JKA created by Keinosuke Enoeda*^ (1935/2003).
    • Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF) [kwf.jp]. A Shotokan organization created by Mikio Yahara. Excellent videos.
    • Las Vegas Shotokan Karate (LVSK) [LVShotokan.com]. A Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. school formed by Ozawa, Osamu (1925/1998).
    • Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) [SKA.org]. A U.S. body for the Shotokan karate created by Ohshima, Tsutomu (1930) in Santa Barbara, CA
    • Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) [skif.jp]. An international body created by Kanazawa, Hirokazu*^.
      • SKI Belgian Federation [SKIBF.be]
      • SKI South Africa [SKI-Karate.com]
      • SKIF U.S.A. [SKIFUSA.com]
    • South African JKA Karate (SAJK) [Karate.co.za]. A pan-African body for the JKA created by Schmidt, Stan^, the first non-Japanese to attain 7th dan in the JKA.
    • World Shotokan Karate-do Association (WSKA) [wska-karate.com]. An international body founded by Kasuya, Hitoshi.
  • Videos
    • Bunkai kanku-dai [youtube.com/watch?v=xrkUYBQz9iE; 00:02:12]
  • Wikipedia
    • Shotokan
    • Japan Karate Association
    • List of shotokan techniques
  • Miscellany
    • 24FightingChickens.com. By Rob Redmond. Sometimes it seems that Rob is anti-Shotokan but he's just Rob. One of the best sites about Shotokan or karate.
      • "What is Karate?"
      • "What is Shotokan?"
      • "Japanese Karate Terms" 
      • "The Physics of Effective Techniques"
      • "Kime: The Myth of Focus"
    • alt.martial-arts.karate.shotokan [newsgroup]. Of the martial arts newsgroups, the Shotokan newsgroup was one of the most active and meaty groups.
    • Ingber.com/#KARATE. Notes on Shotokan by Lester Ingber.
    • JKA of Silicon Valley [jkasv.com]. By Jon Keeling. Articles.
    • Karate Club at USF (University of South Florida) [ctr.usf.edu/shotokan]
      • Makiwara
    • karate-psv-hattingen.de. A German site that has posted the Shotokan katas as performed by Enoeda Sensei and arranged onto one page per kata by Pfluger. I got these from some German friends years ago and I they're awesome!
    • Karate the Japanese way [karatethejapaneseway.com]. By Mark Groenewold.
    • Lester Ingber's Archive [ingber.com]
    • Progressive Shotokan Karate-Do [progressiveshotokankarate.com]. With blog too. Filipinos!
    • ShotoJournal.com. Alas, the content is largely not free.
    • Shotokai.com
    • ShotokanKarate.ca. Shotokan and Escrima Kali Arnis.
    • Shotokan Karate Magazine [shotokanmag.com]
    • Shoto Mag [shotomag.com]
    • Shotokan World [ShotokanWorld.com]
      • 'The Japan Karate Association has given birth to numerous organizations some having affiliations to the JKA and many who no longer wish to affiliate and those who while they follow the JKA syllabus have never been affiliated. This site is the place to come to find out what is going on in the world of JKA style Shotokan Karate regardless of affiliation. International and national organizations that either have an affiliation to the JKA or are based on the JKA Shotokan will be listed. This site will also list up coming events and post results of competitions. Any organization that meets the criteria can submit information.'
      • This site does a great job of listing the different JKA style Shotokan karate organizations.
    • "The non-contraction (non-tension) way in Karate-do" [shotokai.com/ingles/essays/another_way.html].
      • An interesting discussion on the difference between Shotokan and Shotokai.
      • "He decided that the only way to find out would be to start to receive blows from all type of Martial Artists (karateka of all styles, judoka, kendoka, boxers, etc.) and even common people. Master Shigeru Egami recounts: "I knew this way of testing was dangerous, but I decided to try anyway, as there was no other way and I thought that the way of striking was not really effective" (Egami, 1976). He received tens of thousands of blows in his abdomen and face. The conclusion was devastating, Egami recounts: "The result of the studies were extremely depressing because I was able to discover that the karate tsuki was the least effective. And I had to admit a very shocking thing: the more and more seriously a karateka had trained, the less effective were his tsuki. The most percussive tsuki was that of the boxers. Another very surprising fact was that the blows from a person that had never studied anything were surprisingly percussive" (Egami, 1972). The problem, Master Egami said, lay in the fact the different martial artists put too much power in the wrist, elbow and shoulder, this inevitably would dissipate the energy that was intended to be received by the objective."
• Taekwondo
  • Taekwondo [W]. The Republic of Korea (ROK, aka South Korea) ordered that the various kwan = martial arts schools unify under a common name and thus a government body formed the Korean Taekwondo Association (KTA) in 1959. For a while the KTA renamed itself the Korea Tae Soo Do Association (KTSDA) but then it renamed itself back to the KTA. Major General Choi Hong Hi was head of the KTA (and coiner of the word "taekwondo" but he fell out of favor and moved to Canada and split from the KTA to form the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) in 1966. In 1972, the KTA built the Korea Taekwondo Association Central Dojang, which was shortly renamed the Kukkiwon = National Technique Center. The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was formed in 1973 and it is an international body distinct from the KTA.
    • Hyung. Forms, aka poomsae or tul.
  • General Taekwondo Information [barrel.net]
  • Tae Kwon Do Resource [jenningscc.com]. By Andrew Jennings.
    • Tae Kwon Do Forms (Poomse)
    • Theory of Power
  • tkd3d.com
  • Organizations
    • World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) [wtf.org]. A public organization that the Olympics reference.
      • Kukkiwon [kukkiwon.or.kr]. The building, the physical headquarters of the WTF.
      • U.S.A. Taekwondo [usa-taekwondo.us]
    • International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). A private organization.
      • itf-admin.com
      • tkd-itf.org
      • internationaltaekwon-dofederation.com
    • There are many smaller organizations
      • American Taekwondo Association [ataonline.com]
      • International TaeKwon-Do Association [itatkd.com]
• Miscellany
  • Organizations
    • World Karate Federation (WKF/FMK/WUKO) [WKF.net]. A world body for traditional styles of karate, esp. Goju, Shito, Shoto, and Wado.
      • Panamerican Karate Federation (PKF)
        • USA National Karate-do Federation [USANKF.org]. Member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
    • World Traditional Karate Organization (WTKO) [wtko.org]
    • Amateur Athletic Union Karate (AAU Karate) [AAUKarate.org]
      • The traditional karate branch of the AAU was established in 1975 using WKF style rules. The AAU is a multi-sport not-for-profit organization established in 1888 dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.
      • The AAU Karate National Chairman is Joe Mirza in Mt. Prospect, IL. I have trained with him and he has always been very gracious and friendly.
    • USA Karate Federation (USAKF) [usakarate.org]
  • Wikipedia
    • Karate
      • Chito-ryu
      • Genseiryu
      • Goju Ryu
      • Japanese martial arts
      • Kyokushin
      • Ryu Te
      • Seido
      • Shito ryu
      • Shorin-ryu
      • Shotokai
      • Shotokan
      • Wadoryu
    • List of Karate organizations
  • Miscellany
    • alt.martial-arts.karate [newsgroup]. Some good info but lots of crap including fantasy or virtual martial arts.
    • ChicagoETools.com/Scott. By Scott Langeley.
    • Enshin Karate [W]. Known for its full contact Sabaki challenge held annually in Denver since 1989.
    • IainAbernethy.com.
    • International Ryukyu Karate Research Society (IRKRS) [society.webcentral.com.au] or koryu-uchinadi.com. By Patrick McCarthy.
    • Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF) [karatedo.co.jp]. Structurally, the JKF is underneath the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), which in turn is under the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT).
      • Books and videos
    • KarateTips.com
      • "How To Make A Makiwara"
    • karatewiki.org. A wiki on karate. It seems like it was started by the Cambridge Karate Club.
    • masutatsuoyama.com
      • Site on Sosai Masutatsu Oyama (1923/1994), aka Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushinkai Karate.
      • 100 Man Kumite. Its origin and who has done it.
    • Seinenkai.com.
      • 'The Hawaii Karate Seinenkai was established in 1933 by Karate supporters from Hawaii's Okinawan community. The first instructors of the Seinenkai were Mizuho Mutsu, Kamesuke Higashionna, Seishin Uehara and Thomas Shigeru Miyashiro. '
      • Kata: The Living History of Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate
    • Shidokan.com
      • 'Shidokan is an eclectic combination of Goju-Ryu, Shotokan, Kyokushinkai and Thai Boxing.'
      • While the above description comes from the site, Shidokan actually has more judo and jujutsu.
    • Shitokai.com. 'Shitoryu Karate Do Cyber Academy'
    • UCD.ie/karate/. University College Dublin, Shotokan Karate Club. Some nice info. Some not directly linkable.
      • http://www.ucd.ie/karate/documents/
      • WHAT IS SHOTOKAN? [PDF]
    • Wonder-Okinawa.jp/023/eng/index.html. "Karate and martial arts with weaponry". Has short videos of Okinawan masters.

Knives

• BladeForums.com. 'The Leading Edge of Knife Discussion'
• GermanDaggers.com
• Getting an Edge with Waterstones, Oilstones, and Sandpaper
• Knife Art Custom Knives [knifeart.com]. 'the largest selection of custom knives, handmade knives and damascus knives on the Internet.'
  • "Custom Knife Encyclopedia" 
• Knife Forums [KnifeForums.com]. 'dedicated to providing a forum where the knife enthusiast can meet to discuss the industry, politics, and personal experiences, in a intelligent and non-combative way.'
• Knives.com
• Martial Blade Concepts [MartialBladeConcepts.com]. 'An Edged-Weapon Self-Defense System Developed by Michael D. Janich. ... Martial Blade Concepts(MBC) is an edged-weapon training program specifically designed to meet the needs of today's concerned citizen and armed professional. Originally known as Martial Blade Craft and taught under the auspices of the Spyderco knife company of Golden, Colorado, as of 1 July 2004, it became the official edged-weapon training program of the prestigious Masters of Defense knife company and their parent organization, BlackHawk Products Group.'
• Sharpening a Knife
• Sharpening Double Hollow Ground Knives
• Survival Knives. Summary:
  • Basic requirements of a survival knife:
    • Full tang. Avoid hollow handled knives and folding knives. If survival accessories are kept with the knife, they should be on the scabbard. A smaller or folding knife like a Swiss Army knife has other uses.
    • Small sections of serrated teeth on the false edge are not for sawing but for cutting shallow, squared notches on bound items so the binding won't slip.
    • Countoured grip for comfort.
    • Textured grip and sufficient cross guard to resist slippage, esp. on to the blade.
    • Butt end must function as a hammer.
    • An unsharpened false edge can be used for applying pressure
    • The tip should be pointy for use as an awl
• Via Wikepedia.org:
  • Dagger
  • Knife
• Via WorldKnives.com:
  • Blade Geometry
  • Steels Used by Knife Makers

Legal

• ICS (Illinois Compiled Statutes)
  • Illinois Criminal Offenses (720 ILCS 5/) Criminal Code of 1961.
    • Title III Specific Offenses
      • Part B - Offenses Directed Against The Person
        • Article 9 - Homicide
        • Article 12 - Bodily Harm. Defines degrees and kinds of assault, battery, intimidation, stalking, etc.
          • "Sec. 12-1. Assault. (a) A person commits an assault when, without lawful authority, he engages in conduct which places another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery. (b) Sentence. Assault is a Class C misdemeanor."
          • "Sec. 12-3. Battery. (a) A person commits battery if he intentionally or knowingly without legal justification and by any means, (1) causes bodily harm to an individual or (2) makes physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with an individual. (b) Sentence. Battery is a Class A misdemeanor. "
          • "Sec. 12-6. Intimidation. (a) A person commits intimidation when, with intent to cause another to perform or to omit the performance of any act, he communicates to another, whether in person, by telephone or by mail, a threat to perform without lawful authority any of the following acts: ..."
      • Part C - Offenses Directed Against Property
        • Article 20.5 - Causing a Catastrophe; Deadly Substances
        • Article 24 - Deadly Weapons.
          • 24-1 Unlawful Use of Weapons: (a): (4). Transport firearms either a) broken down in non-functioning state; b) not immediately accessible; c) unloaded and enclosed in a case.
          • 24-3 Unlawful Sale of Firearms: (A): (g). The waiting period is 72 hours.
        • Article 24.6 - Laser Pointers
      • Part F - Certain Aggravated Offenses
        • Article 33a - Armed Violence
        • Article 33f - Unlawful Use Of Body Armor
  • Public Safety (430 ILCS 65/) Firearm Owners Identification Card Act
• Illinois State Police.
  • Firearm Owner's Identification Information. A FOID is required for all firearm owners in Illinois. Fee is $5 for 5 years as of 2004-03. Site has form to fill for FOID. Also listing gun shows in state.
  • Chicago Municipal Ordinance Relating To Firearms. Essentially this is certain parts of the MCC (Municipal Code of Chicago) plus amendements.
    • Chapter 8-20 Weapons.
      • 8-20-040. Firearm registration is required in Chicago.
      • 8-20-050.
        • Sawed-off shotguns, machine guns, short-barreled rifles, firearm silencers are not allowed in Chicago.
        • Except for peace officers, security personnel, and private detective agencies, handguns are generally not allowed in Chicago.
      • 8-20-080. Annual fee is $20 for 1, $25 for 2-10, or $35 for more than 10.
    • Chapter 4-144 Weapons
    • Chapter 8-24 Firearms And Other Weapons.
      • 'No person shall carry concealed on or about his person a pistol, revolver, derringer or other firearm or dagger, dirk, stiletto, bowie knife, commando knife, any blade of which is released by a spring mechanism, including knives known as "switch-blades" or any other type or kind of knife, any blade which is more than two and one-half inches in length, ordinary razor or other dangerous weapon except that no person 18 years of age or under shall carry concealed on or about his person, any knife, the blade of which is two inches in length or longer.'
• ChiCityClerk.com. City Clerk of Chicago.
  • Selected Municipal Codes. If it's not there, they make you call 312.744.6870.
    • Chapter 8-24: Firearms and other weapons
• USC (United States Code)
  • Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure: Part I Crimes:
    • Chapter 7 Assault
    • Chapter 44 Firearms

Martial Arts (MAs)

Martial Arts (MAs) in general. General Eastern Martial Arts (EMAs) are folded into this section.

• Chicago
  • Shinjinkai.org. 'The Japanese Martial Arts Society (Japanese name: Nihon Bugei Shinjinkai) is an international association of students united by a common purpose: bettering themselves through disciplined training in the classical martial arts of Japan. The Society is headquartered at the Shinjinkan, a beautiful traditional dojo on Chicago's north side, a short distance from Wrigley Field. The facility is also home to Chozen-ji Illinois Betsuin, a Zen Buddhist temple, which offers training in meditation and traditional fine arts such as tea ceremony (chanoyu), flower arrangement (ikebana) and brush calligraphy (shodo). At present, Society headquarters in Chicago has sections devoted to training in the following martial arts: Aikido, Iaido (Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo), and the feudal-era samurai arts of the Shinbukan Kuroda Ryugi.'
• Wikipedia
  • Martial arts
  • List of martial arts
  • List of fictional martial arts
• Miscellany
  • 1911Encyclopedia.org. Here are some MA related sections: Armour Plates, Arms and Armour, Artillery, Bow, Boxing, Gun, Halbert, Halberd, or Halbard, Helmet, Martial Law, Ordnance, Quarter-Staff, Rifle, Spear, Sword, Wrestling.
  • 4Kicks.com
    • 'iTip: Martal Arts Instructor Tips'
    • Public contributed tips and drills.
  • ATAMA.us
    • 'A.T.A.M.A. [American Teachers Association of the Martial Arts] is a democratic martial arts organization of students and instructors of all ranks, from all styles, seeking to improve the level of competency within the martial arts through a mutual exchange of knowledge. Dedicated to the belief that proficiency in the doing of an art is not synonymous with proficiency in the teaching of an art, A.T.A.M.A. has created an ever-changing learning environment in which children, students, and instructors learn what is best, from the best, in martial arts today.'
    • They have classes and also offer insurance.
  • Black Belt Magazine [BlackBeltMag.com]
  • BullshiDo.net. "Fighting BS in Martial Arts". Some good articles but in their efforts to counter fantasy/virtual martial arts, they sometimes focus on them.
  • Classical Fighting Arts [dragon-tsunami.org/Cfa/Pages/cfahome.htm]
  • EJMAS.com. Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences. Several journals and resources.
    • Journals
      • InYo: The Journal of Alternative Perspectives on the Martial Arts and Sciences
      • Journal of Combative Sport
      • Journal of Non-lethal Combatives
      • Journal of Theatrical Combatives
      • Journal of Western Martial Art
        • The Journal of Manly Arts ( JManly ): European and Colonial Combatives, 1776 - 1914
          • "The Quarter-Staff"
          • "A Brief History of the Quarterstaff"
      • Physical Training- Fitness for Combatives
        • "Dick's Indian-Club Exercises"
      • The Iaido Journal
    • Kronos: A Chronological History of the Martial Arts and Combative Sports
    • Proceedings: Records of Meeting
  • FAQs.org/faqs/martial-arts/faq/
  • FightingArts.com
    • Christopher Caile's Fighting Arts is 'a cyber community and network of traditional martial artists, historians, and writers dedicated to the promotion and understanding of their arts through the exciting new medium of the Internet.'
    • Lots of articles and forums. EGs:
      • The Flower of Battle: An Interview with Bob Charron - Part 1 and Part 2.
      • What Is Aiki Jujutsu?. By Okabayashi Shogen.
      • 20th-Century Arnis: The Reemergence of a Warrior's Art, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. By Mark V. Wiley.
  • FightAuthority.com. More for fan boys but there are some articles. Seems to favor MMA.
  • FightTimes.com. They have an online store but the there are also regular articles.
  • Furyu.com. "presenting classical martial arts as a classy, decent, honest endeavor, with a rich history and great mental, spiritual and physical health benefits."
  • Koryu.com. 'Home of the Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan series'
  • MartialArts.com. Some content but largely sponsor dependent.
  • MartialArtsPlanet.com
  • Martial Arts Talk martialartstalk.net]. Message board on the martial arts.
  • MartialInfo.com. Some content but largely sponsor dependent.
  • MartialTalk.com. 'MartialTalk is dedicated to the friendly discussion of the martial arts, and the promotion, preservation and support of both the arts and the artists that study them.'
  • Martial-Way.com. They try to cover many different martial arts. Here's their list as of 2004-04: Aikido, American Kenpo, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Capoeira, Choi Kwang Do, Daito-ryu, Aiki-jutsu, Freestyle wrestling, Gatka, Greco-Roman wrestling, Hap Ki Do, Hung Gar Kung Fu, Hwa Rang Do, Iaido, Jeet Kune Do, Judo, Jujitsu, Kajukenbo, Kalaripayit, Kali-Escrima-Arnis, Karate, Kendo, Kenjutsu, Kickboxing, Krav Maga, Kumdo, Kung Fu, Kyudo, Kyokushinkai Karate, Muay Thai, Naginata, Ninjutsu, Pentjak, Silat, Praying Mantis, Sambo, San Shou, Savate, Shintaido, Shorinji Kempo, Shotokan Karate, Shuai Chiao, Sumo, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi Chuan, Taido, Tang Soo Do, Thai boxing, Vovinam Viet Vo Dao, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Wrestling, Yoseikan Budo.
  • New England Martial Arts Group [NewMAG.org]. 'The mission of the New England Martial Arts Group is to provide a general online resource for the martial arts enthusiast. All combative arts are supported without prejudice.'
  • No Nonsense Self-Defense [nononsenseselfdefense.com]. A site by Marc MacYoung (aka "Animal") and Dianna Gordon MacYoung. Actually quite a bit of content on the site.
  • Practical Marial Arts [practical-martial-arts.co.uk]. 'dedicated to martial arts and martial art techniques that can be practically applied on the street and on the mat. High quality martial arts goods are also available on this site ranging from t-shirts to Practical Karate mitts.'
  • SengokuDaimyo.com. About medieval Japan, including Japanese armor. By Anthony J. Bryant, a Baron in the SCA and a Japanese historian.
  • USADojo.com. 'the encyclopedia of all things Martial Arts: Martial Arts Systems, Martial Arts Styles, Martial Arts Organizations and Martial Artists. This new site will cross all discipline boundaries to bring you information that will increase your knowledge about Martial Arts and keep you informed about organizations, instructors, schools, tournaments and events from all over the world.'

 

Metal

• Blade Steel Facts [crkt.com/steelfct.html]
• Admiral Steel [admiralsteel.com]. They sell a variety of steels for blades (and other stuff like buildings and windows). They will laser cut steel to your design. They started in Chicago in 1949.
  • Blade Steels
  • Reference
• Engineer on a disk [claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/eod/]
• Knife Materials [equipped.com/devices7.htm]
• MatWeb.com. 'Data sheets for over 62,000 metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites.'
• Steel Chart [spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=3]
• A.G. Russel Knives [agrussell.com]. Nice knives and a lot of info too.
  • "Steel"
  • Steel Guide
• SuppliersOnline.com. Buy, sell, and research materials.
• A nice online periodic table [webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/periodic-table/key.html]
• Wikipedia
  • Metal 
  • Aluminum
  • Iron
  • Steel

Military, Para-Military, Police

• ADTDL.Army.mil. American Doctrine and Training Digital Library, aka the General Dennis J. Reimer Digital Library. As of 2004-04, this site is being transitioned to the login required site of Train.Army.mil, but content (such as the Soldier's Manuals of Common Tasks) is still available at the old site.
• AlexanderJason.com. 'Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst'
• Army.mil/cmh-pg/. 'US Army: Center of Military History'
• ArmyStudyGuide.com. 'This site provides FREE U.S. Army Board Study Guide Resources to help you prepare for the various U.S. Army Boards.'
• Basic Training [www.usarec.army.mil/1stbde/1abn/DEP-DTP/BasicTraining.html]
• BlackwaterUSA.com
  • These are modern mercenaries. Not just p rivate security but soldiers for hire.
  • 'Blackwater Training Center was founded in 1996 to fulfill the anticipated demand for government outsourcing of firearms and related security training. Located on over 6000 acres in Moyock, North Carolina (just south of the Virginia border), Blackwater has the finest private firearms training facility in the U.S. Blackwater has set a new standard for firearms and security training and is recognized as the industry leader in providing government outsource solutions in training, security, canine services, aviation support services, range construction and steel target equipment. Since its inception, Blackwater has trained over 50,000 military and law enforcement personnel and provided solutions to hundreds of satisfied customers.'
• Bureau of Justice Statistics [ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/]. Many statistics, reports, charts related to crime, victim, law enforcement, etc.
• Carlisle-www.Army.mil.
  • 'United States Army War College and Army Heritage Education Center" at historic Carlisle Barracks, PA.
  • Parameters: US Army War College Quarterly. 'The United States Army's Senior Professional Journal'
• Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation [ArmsControlCenter.org]
• CFR.org. Council on Foreign Relations. "Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, national membership organization and a nonpartisan center for scholars dedicated to producing and disseminating ideas so that individual and corporate members, as well as policymakers, journalists, students, and interested citizens in the United States and other countries, can better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other governments."
  • ForeignAffairs.org. A publication by CFR.
    • The Protean Enemy [2003-07]. Article on Al Queda.
  • CFRTerrorism.org
• Combatives [W]
• "Defensive Military Structures in Action: Historical Examples" [COMW.org/pda/webbtl.htm]
• Digger History [DiggerHistory.info]
  • Many good nuggets of info.
  • 'Unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Services'
• FAS.org. 'The Federation of American Scientists is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501c3 organization founded in 1945 as the Federation of Atomic Scientists.'
  • Military Analysis Network
    • DOD 101 -- An Introduction to the Military
      • United States Weapon Systems
        • Land Systems
          • M9 9 mm Beretta Pistol / Personal Defense Weapon
          • M16A2 5.56mm Semiautomatic Rifle and M4/M4A1 5.56mm Carbine
    • Congressional Research Service [CRS] Reports Military and National Security
• GlobalSecurity.org.
  • 'focused on innovative approaches to the emerging security challenges of the new millennium'
  • Army Field Manuals. A lot of good stuff like this:
    • FM 3-06.11 Combined Arms Operations in Urban Terrain
    • FM 3-25.150 Combatives. Lots of good photos.
    • FM 7-0 Training the Force
    • FM 7-85 Ranger Unit Operations
    • FM 21-75 Combat Skills of The Soldier  
    • FM 23-10 Sniper Training
    • FM 27-10 The Law Of Land Warfare
• GruntsMilitary.com. Nice stuff about rank insignias, medals, and ribbons.
• GTITraining.org
  • 'The goal of the Government Training Institute, Inc. (GTI) is to inspire, encourage, and instruct the driving force law enforcement, educators, and leaders hold in their pursuit of safety, protection, and specific duties in their fields of operation. GTI is committed and dedicated to those having the responsibility of our national security, safety of the U.S. citizen, and the future of our nation. GTI utilizes the most intense and realistic hands on training, QAE (quality enhanced) educational courses, a comprehensive and ongoing research base, and honest, and ethical consulting, as tools in our mission.'
  • Links
• HK94.com. 'You will find this a valuable resource for your military, intelligence, firearm inquiries. The HK 94 Team provides data, gun pictures, and reference on the assault weapon, military weapons, rifle, pistol, shotgun, and gun varieties from around the world. Participate in the gun discussion forum. View various gun makes and models. This website is for adults 18 and older.'
• Janes.com. "The world's foremost civilian authority on Military Intelligence."
• Military.com
  • "Stew Smith: Performing for the Special Forces"
  • "Stew Smith: PFT Standards"
• Military-Quotes.com. Quotations but they also sell military stuff.
• Military Rank [Friesian.com/rank.htm]
• Militaria-Seidelsohn.de. German site on antique military items.
• Naval-History.net. By Gordon Smith.
• NavySeals.com
  • 'the web's #1 site for Navy SEAL information, news, and merchandise.'
  • Navy SEALs Workout
• PoliceTraining.net. 'a comprehensive calendar of law enforcement training opportunities'
• StrategyPage.com.
• The Military Channel [military.discovery.com]. Channel 274 for Comcast Cable TV in Chicago.
• US Armed Forces Order of Battle [Geocities.com/Pentagon/9059/usaob.html]
• USMC.mil. US Marine Corp.
  • Information for Marines
    • Aircraft, Vehicles and Equipment Factfile
      • M9 Pistol
      • M16A2 5.56mm Rifle
      • Bullets for Beginners, Big Bullets for Beginners, Bullets for Beginners 3
• Xenophon Group [XenophonGroup.com]. 'an informal association of military historians who are interested in researching and presenting knowledge on the progress of warfare.'
• Wikipedia
  • List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Military budget in the United States
  • Military of the United States
  • Military rank
  • Military unit
  • Recruit training

Modern Combatives

Not combat sport but hand to hand combat (HTH; H2H) self-defense/combat in real-life situations by civilians, security, police, and the military when grenades and firearms are not practical. Aka close combat; close quarters combat (CQC); mano-a-mano.

• American Combatives [AmericanCombatives.com]
  • Headed by John P. Kary, Joe Green, and Scott MacDonald.
  • 'American Combatives is the premier training center for personal protection. Whether you are a corporate executive who travels internationally, a law enforcement officer, or a member of a special operations unit within the military, ACI has a program to meet your personal protection needs. It is an easy to learn system that can be retained and depended upon to work under the most stressful environment. This personal protection system is based on WWII close quarters combat. It's effectiveness has been proven by individuals throughout the world, from all walks of life, against armed and unarmed assailants.'
• CQC Training Institute [CQCTI.com]
  • Headed by James O. Bacon.
  • 'The Close Quarter Combat Training Institute Located in Chattanooga, TN ... Training Law Enforcement, Military, Corporate Security and the Aware Citizen In Less-Than-Lethal and Lethal Hand, Stick, Knife and Gun Close Quarter Combat ... CQC Training Institute, in association with the Scientific Fighting Congress, is commited towards researching and developing the best combat techniques, tactics and strategies and making them available to all law enforcement, military, security specialists, martial artists and concerned citizens, thereby helping them to preserve life under dangerous and extreme circumstances.'
• Don Rearic [DonRearic.com]. '18 and over only. This site contains uncensored discussion of self-defense and violence.'
• HocksCQC.com
  • 'W. Hock Hochheim's The Hochheim Group Hand, Stick, Knife And Gun Close Quarter Combatives'
  • ' I saw it all coming together into the true essence of combat. I came to understand the only reason I learned and taught fighting systems was to defeat two targets, the enemy soldier and the criminal, not to pass on grandmaster dynasties, become a trophy/sport champion or to preserve art for the sake of tradition. There are two ways to defeat the enemy, less-than-lethal means and lethal means. In short-sometimes we take them prisoner and sometimes we have to kill them. A competent warrior can do both as legally, morally and ethically needed in a proper use-of-force continuum. If you want to defeat the enemy soldier or the criminal, this is the system for you.'
  • Seminars
• James Keating [JamesKeating.com].
  • 'This site contains mature subject matter of a tactical nature. This includes, but is not limited to: Knife collecting, cutlery in general, firearms, hunting, martial arts, military subjects, law enforcement topics, travel, adventure and survival. '
  • MaajakWorld Cyberzine. 'The world of Master At Arms James A. Keating (Maajak) on his terms and about his interests. A news page and more.'
• Jimmy-Fatwing.co.uk. A mix-and-match collection of often very good articles on martial arts.
• KellyWorden.com.
  • 'Welcome to the Official Site of Datu Kelly S. Warden, Natural Spirit International, Inc.'
• Reality Combat Online [KungFuOnline.com]
  • 'Reality Combat Online was created with the sole purpose of providing a forum for truth and reality in the combative arts. RCO is committed to being the world leader in the advancement of reality-based fighting arts and a voice for those who practice them. As a magazine we vow to exceed your expectations by providing the most realistic information and objective coverage available.'
  • This is an excellent site, but they should get a different URL.
  • "Elements of JKD Training"
  • "The Four Phases Of Self Defense". 'In part one of the Four phases of self defense we covered the Avert Phase. Now in part two we will cover the final three phases - avoid, ambush and active combat.'
  • "The Seven Ranges Of Fighting"
  • "The Shield Defense System"
  • "Grappling Doesn't Work Here"
  • "Long Gun Weapons Retention"
  • "Real World Knife Fighting"
  • "More Key Principles"
• NoNonsenseSelfDefense.com.
  • 'This site will provide you with free, easy-to-use information to keep you safe from crime and violence, including  robbery and rape. Our goal is is to assist you in your quest for personal safety.  The information we provide is tailored for your needs in the modern world. You will find a wide spectrum of crime prevention  information, including  home security, property protection, robbery prevention, self-defense, martial arts and many other topics related to surviving high-risk situations. '
  • Marc "Animal" MacYoung has phenomenal content.
• Real Fighting [RealFighting.com]. Lots of good articles but also some nice products like practice knives.
• Self Defense Forums [selfdefenseforums.com/forums/cmps_index.php]
• Self-Defense.info.
  • They're selling stuff but they also have nice tips.
  • 'Search here for self-defense or fighting topics that interest you. For example, type "knife" to find all documents dealing with the knife.'
• Threat Focused Forums [threatfocused.com/forums]
• Uncle Fester Books [UncleFesterBooks.com]. Steve Preisler (aka "Uncle Fester") is best known for Secrets of Methamphetamine Manufacture, his first book, but Home Workshop Explosives teaches you how to make explosives at home.

Museums and Libraries

• Chicago
  • PritzkerMilitaryLibrary.org.
    • 'The Mission of the Pritzker Military Library is to acquire and maintain a collection of materials and develop appropriate programs focusing on the concept of the Citizen Soldier as an essential element for the preservation of democracy.'
    • 610 N. Fairbanks Court, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL, 66011, 312-587-7917.
• Miscellany
  • Armouries.org.uk. ' The Royal Armouries is Britain's oldest national museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world. It began life as the main royal and national arsenal housed in the Tower of London. Indeed the Royal Armouries has occupied buildings within the Tower for making and storing arms, armour and military equipment for as long as the Tower itself has been in existence. '
  • FrazierArmsMuseum.org
    • The Frazier Historical Arms Museum.
    • 829 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
    • ' The Frazier, in collaboration with the Royal Armouries (Britain's oldest museum), holds in trust one of the greatest collections of arms, armor and related historical artifacts in the world. '
  • Higgins.org.
    • 'The Higgins Armory Museum, with 8,000 objects on 4 floors, is the only institution in the Americas dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of arms and armor. A visit to the Higgins will spark your imagination with the fact behind the fairytale!'
    • 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA 01606-2444 USA - 508-853-6015.
  • MuseumOfWorldWarII.com. In Massachusetts. Visits by appointment only.

Not-Strictly MAs

• CENorm.be. The CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation), i.e. the European Committee for Standardization, European standards body. CEN standards are used for certifying most OSF equipment. EG: A CEN 2 OSF mask can withstand 1600 N of piercing.
• EquipmentLocker.fateback.com/. Mostly for gaming but some good content. EGs: Body Armour and Missles.
• ExRx.net. 'ExRx (Exercise Prescription) on the net is a resource for the exercise professional, coach, or fitness enthusiast. ExRx.net consists of approximately 1500 pages, most of which are found in the Exercise and Muscle Directory.'
• ForgeAndAnvil.com. They make things, sell blacksmithing equipment, and teach courses.
• Highlanderweb.co.uk/wallace/index.html. "William Wallace: The Truth Behind The Man".
• Kevlar FAQ
• Sirlin.net. "Your source of shocking insights on game design." While this site focuses on video games, it has some remarkably insightful articles that are directly applicable to physical martial arts.
• SyntheticThread.com. Think Kevlar® (5x stronger than steel, cut resistant), Nomex® (heat resistant), and Spectra® (chemical and water resistant).

Olympic Style Fencing (OSF)

Aka modern fencing, collegiate fencing, Olympic fencing, and strip fencing.

• Chicago
  • ChicagoFencingClub.com. Focuses on Olympic style fencing.
    • Location: Discovery Center, 2940 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 (just SE of St. Alphonsous), (773) 348-8120.
    • Fees: $100/year of Sundays. $60 for 6 weeks.
    • Schedule: Sun 10-11 Beginners. Sun 11-12 Intermediate. Sun 12-2 Lessons and Open Fencing.
• Miscellany
  • BritishFencing.com. The British Fencing Organization. The maintain the official English translations of the FIE rules.
  • Entertainment.howstuffworks.com/fencing-equipment.htm
  • Fencing [W]. Lots of good genera MA info too.
  • "Fencing" [exra.org/FencingChptr.htm]. Studies on injuries from fencing. This is chapter 12 from Epidemiology of Sports Injuries, D. Caine, C. Caine, K. Lindner (eds.), Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, pp. 186-195 (1996).
  • Fencing.ca.
  • Fencing.net. Decent shop too at shop.fencing.net.
  • Fencing101.com
    • FAQ
    • Nice thread
  • FencingForum.com.
  • FIE.ch. Federation Internationale d'Escrime. The body overseeing OSF. The rules are in French only --to see the rules in English see the BritishFencing.com.
  • Library.ThinkQuest.org/15340/beginners.html. Good beginners introduction to OSF.
  • Mindspring.com/~aedan/caitlin1.htm. "Modern vs SCA Fencing" by Lady Caitlin Deirdre of Errelyn.
  • Olympic.org. 'Official Website of the Olympic Movement'
    • Olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/index_uk.asp?SportCode=FE
  • Parry-Riposte.com. An old and dying site.
  • USFA.org.
  • USFencing.org.
    • Rule Books

Stick and Pole Weapons

The transition from stick to pole is roughly at 90 cm ~ 3 feet. Regarding pole arms, George Silver recommended two particular lengths for pole arms: (1) long pole weapons ("short staff, half pike, forest bill, partisan, and gleve") should be roughly as high as you can reach plus the width of your grip, which comes to ~ 240 cm ~ 8 feet to ~ 280 cm ~ 9 feet. (2) medium pole weapons ("battle axe, halberd, or black bill") should be roughly man height.

Sticks differ from clubs in that the latter are usually heavy and rely on bashing.

• Wikipedia
  • Club (weapon)
  • Pole weapon
    • Staff (stick). A pole. A staff can block as well as swing or thrust.
      • Chinese: gun = gùn = 棍.
      • German: halm; stock.
      • Quarterstaff. The English quarterstaff was hardwood and sometime reinforced with metal. The most common length was 180 cm = 6 feet, but long staves got as long as 5.4 m = 18 feet.
      • Bâton français. French stick fighting uses a 120 cm = 4 foot staff.
      • La canne. French cane fighting uses a cane or walking stick which are ~ 90 cm ~ 3 feet.
      • The Japanese have a variety of sticks and staffs that they name.
        • Yawara. Aka Pasak; Dulodulo; Kubotan (if a keychain). ~ 15 cm ~ 6 inches or just wider than a fist.
        • Tambo (weapon) = 短棒 = tanbo = tanjo. ~60 cm ~ 2 feet ~ 2 shaku.
        • Hanbo = 三棒. ~90 cm ~ 3 feet ~ 3 shaku.
        • Jo (weapon) = 杖. ~120 cm ~ 4 feet ~ 4 shaku. Officially, a jo is 4 shaku 2 sun 1 bu = 127.56 cm = 4'4.25" = 50.25". For a personal fit, a jo come to just under your armpit. Roughly the length of a two-handed sword. The only person who ever  beat the legendary Miyamoto Musashi in a match was Muso Gonnosuke with his jo. Jojdo or Jojutsu uses the jo.
        • Goshaku Bo is 5 shaku = 1.5151 m = 59.651 inches.
        • Bo (weapon) = 棒. ~180 cm ~ 6 feet = 6 shaku. Aka Rokkushaku Bo or Cho Bo. 6 shaku = 1.8182 m = 71.582 inches.
      • Jogo do Pau. The staff or vara of Portuguese stick fighting is ~150 cm ~ 5 feet, or up to your chin.
      • Juego del Palo. The stick fencing of the Canary Islands, Spain uses a variety of lengths for their palillos.
      • Silambam. The staff of this southern India style is up to the user's nose.
      • Bata (martial arts). Irish stick fighting uses sticks of a variety of lengths but they are most famous for their bata siúil éille (shillelagh) which is commonly a ~ 120 cm ~ 4 foot stick shod with iron on both ends.
    • Spearedia.org/wiki/Spear">Spear. A point on a pole. Inexpensive and easy to make. Spears can be used like staffs but can also be thrown or planted.
      • Qiang (spear). qiāng = 槍. The common Chinese spear had a leaf shaped blade and had red-horse hair tassles below the blade. Then length varied from 2 m ~ 6.5 feet to 4 m ~ 13 feet.
      • German: stange.
      • Yari. 槍. A Japanese thrusting spear with a straight double edged blade. The pole ranged from 1 m ~ 3 feet to 6 m ~ 20 feet. The blade ranged from 10 cm ~ 4 inches to 1 m ~ 1 yard. The two major categories of yari were Su Yari (素槍, simple spear) and Kama Yari (鎌槍, sickled spear).
        
      • Trident. A three-pronged spear. Used by gladiators and also as a cultural symbol.
    • Guisarme. A hook on a pole.
    • Bec_de_Corbin (crow's beak). A curved spike on a pole.
    • Lance. A thrusting spear used from horseback.
      • French: lance.
      • Italian: germoglio, lanza.
      • Portuguese: lança.
      • Spanish: lanza.
    • Pollaxe. From Old English "head axe". A "short-staff" (man-height pole) with a head that was a triple-weapon combination: axe (taillant), hammer (maillet; mail), and spear or spike point (dague dessus; point de dessus). Sometimes a curved spike or bec de faucon (falcon's beak) would replace the axe. The staff would often also be reinforced with metal straps (languets). The butt end (bout d'embas; queue; dague d'embas; dague dessoubz; point d'embas) could be plain or also have a spike. The preceding terms are from Le Jeu de la Hache (The Art of Axeplay), a period manual on the pollaxe.
      • Italian: azza.
      • 
  • Some cutting pole weapons, all of which had variations which included thrusting point or guisarme or both.
    • Bardiche. Aka long poleaxe. A large blade attached to the pole by two sockets. The pole was usually less than 150 cm ~ 5 feet.
      
      • Lochaber axe. Aka Jeddart axe. A Scottish bardiche with a distinctive hook that could also be used to scale walls.
        
    • Bill (weapon). Aka English Bill, Brown Bill. Longer versions aka Forest Bills. Shorter versions aka Black Bills. Bill pole weapons are based upon the agricultural billhook, which has a distinctive recurved blade.
      [armor.com/pole030.html]
    • Glaive. A smaller blade attached to the pole by a socket.
      
    • Guan_dao. Aka kwan dao = 關刀 = guān dāo; Yanyue dao = 偃月刀 = reclining moon blade. A heavy and curved blade mounted on a 150 cm ~ 5 foot to 180 cm ~ 6 foot pole that had a metal counter weight on the other end.
      • 
      • Japanese: Bisento
    • Ji (halberd) = 戟. A Chinese spear with one or two additional blades attached to the head. There are gaps in the head that can be used to trap weapon.
      
    • Halberd. A long, two-handed pole weapon that had an axe, spike, and guisarme.
      
    • Naginata.なぎなた, 長刀 or 薙刀. A Japanese cutting pole weapon where the blade is attached via its tang. Compare:
      • A daito blade is roughly 60-110 cm = 2-2.5 feet/shaku, with a handle roughly 30 cm = 1 foot/shaku.
      • A nagamaki blade is roughly 60-120 cm = 2-4 feet/shaku, with a handle roughly 60-90 cm = 2-3 feet/shaku.
      • A naginata blade is roughly 30-90 cm = 1-3 feet/shaku, with a handle roughly 180- cm = 6-9 feet/shaku.
        
    • Voulge. Aka pole cleaver. A medium blade attached to the pole by the lower two thirds of the blade. A broad blade meant more for hacking than slicing. Many had pointed tip.
      
  • Some thrusted or planted pole weapons.
    • Pike (weapon). A long weapon often used in phalanxes against cavalry. 3 m ~ 10 feet to 6 m ~ 20 feet in length.
      • Italian: pica.
    • Sarissa. Aka sarisa. A long Macedonian pike (up to 7 m ~ 23 feet) that was often planted.
    • Ahlspiess. Aka awl pike. A short pike that ranged from 1.8 m ~ 6 feet to 2.5 m ~ 8 feet in overall length, with the thin long tip occupying half the length.
      
  • More decorative spears:
    • Spetum. A spear with two projections at the base of the head.
      
    • Partisan (weapon). A spear with a double-headed ax at the base.
      
• Bata
  • Bataireacht: The Art of Irish Stick-Fighting [thewildgeese.com/pages/facfight.html]
  • Comhraiceoir Bata [Geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4933/shillelagh.html]. 'Irish, Ireland, Faction Fighting, shillelagh, stick fighting, bata, Dublin, Irish Brigade, Collar and Elbow wrestling, Coraiocht, Fianna, CuChulainn, Connacht, Ulster, Meath, Leinster, Munster, Famine, blackthorn, boxing, John L Sullivan, Shanavests, Caravats
  • Geocities.com/Glendoyle/bata/
    • 'Uisce Beatha Bata Rince (Whiskey Stick Dancing) An Irish Stick Fighting Style'
    • Good explanations and pictures.
  • John Whurley [johnwhurley.com]
• Jogo do Pau
  • Jogo do Pau: Origins and Evolution [ejmas.com/jmanly/articles/2003/jmanlyart_wolfcosta_0203.htm]
  • Jogo do Pau [home.dbio.uevora.pt/~oliveira/Jogo_Pau/J_Pau.htm]
  • Jogo do Pau [arscives.com/jogodopau/default.htm]. A kata in photos and text.
  • Jogo do Pau [jogodopau.de]. In German but it has some videos.
• Jojutsu
  • A Brief History of ZNKR Jodo [ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_taylor_0900.htm]
  • Jojutsu: The "Art of the Stick" [fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?issue=5&article=150]
  • Muso Gonnosuke and the Shinto Muso-ryu Jo [koryu.com/library/wmuromoto1.html] 
  • Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi: Japan's legendary Staff Fighter [fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?issue=5&article=191]
  • Shindo Muso Ryu Jo Jutsu [shindomusoryu.com]
  • Wikipedia
    • Jodo
    • Shinto Muso-ryu
• Juego del Palo
  • JUEGO DEL PALO - Stick Fencing of the Canary Islands [ejmas.com/jwma/articles/2000/jwmaart_wolf_0500.html]
• Le Canne
  • Cane Masters [canemasters.com]
    • 'Our goal is to build a powerful resource for the rapidly growing community of folks who are interested in learning to use the cane for self-defense and exercise.'
    • Of course, they also sell canes, videos, books, etc.
  • French Cane Fighting [cambridgemartialarts.freeserve.co.uk/fred.htm]
  • Self-defence with a Walking-stick: The Different Methods of Defending Oneself with a Walking-Stick or Umbrella when Attacked under Unequal Conditions (PartI) [ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_barton-wright_0200.htm]
• Silambam
  • silambam.com. Some nice videos too.
  • Kalari World [kalariworld.com]
• Spears
  • Spearheads I: The Anglo-Saxon Spearhead [anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/atli_spear/top_index.htm]
  • Spearheads II: Alternative Methods of Making Spearheads [anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/atli_spear/top_index2.htm] 
• Stick Grappling
  • StickGrappler.tripod.com. 'Stickgrappler's Martial Arts Archive'
    • Brazilian Jiujitsu
      • "An Effective Entry, Takedown Combination, & Follow-Up"
    • FMA
    • "Thai Pad drills"
    • WING CHUN KUEN
    • Wrestling
• Miscellany
  • Axe Forum [AxeForum.com]. 'Where fellow Axe, Pole arm, Fire-arm and sword collectors alike can visit and enjoy the hobby most of us have come to love. We are home to smiths of various weapons that are very accomplished in metallurgy and other aspects of weapons fabrication so if you have any technical questions don't hesitate to ask.'
  • Quarterstaff.org
    • 'The British Quartstaff Association'
    • They also tell you the size of a quarterstaff and how to make your own.

Recreationists

This section covers historical Recreationists, Revivalists, Reenactors, LARPs (Live Action RolePlaying games), etc. The historical periods cover range from Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, U.S. Civil War, etc.

• Renaissance Faires
  • RenFair.com. These Renaissance fairs are commonly attended by arms and armor vendors.
    • Bristol Renaissance Faire. In Wisconsin, very near the Illinois border.
  • Renaissance-Faire.com
  • Renaissance Festival [renaissancefestival.com]
  • Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire [silverleafrenfaire.org]. In Battle Creek, Michigan, U.S.A..
• Miscellany
  • BeautifulIron.com. ' Dedicated to the display of tools, work methods, and products of the blacksmith, and to the use of horses as the main source of power on a farm. Building on the history of the blacksmith's trade, this website offers a tremendous amount of information and documentation to help other smiths to build their own forges and to see forges other smiths have built. '
    • Medieval Stuff. About medieval armor.
  • Belegarth [belegarth.com]. 'Belegarth Medieval Combat Society is a safe, cheap, and fun sport where participants wear medieval or fantasy themed clothing and fight with foam padded weapons. The fighting is hard and fast and has, over the past 25 years since people started fighting with foam weapons, refined into its own brand of martial art. The rules are easy to learn and after a few practices you will be hooked.'
  • Chronique.com
    • 'Knighthood, Chivalry & Tournaments Resource Library'
    • SCA ties.
    • Arms and Armour Glossary of Terms
    • Nice html translation of Fillipo Vadi's 15th century fighting treatise Ars Gladitoria.
    • "HISTORIA Surviving Source Material for the Study and Recreation Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts" by Greg Mele (of the CSG).
  • CORSAIR [Corsair.MorganLibrary.org]. 'The online research resource of the Pierpont Morgan Library'
  • Cunnan [Cunnan.SCA.org.au]. 'a Wiki collecting information for re-enactors of the Middle Ages and Renaissance with a heavy slant towards members of the SCA.'
  • Dagorhir.com.
    • ' Dagorhir Battle Games are many things to many people. Dagorhir combines fast-paced full-contact combat simulation with elements of live action role-playing. Dagorhir combines elements of both history and fantasy. Dagorhir is both a sport and a game. Dagorhir's participants experience their fantasies on a variety of levels. This wide ranging appeal is the reason for Dagorhir's nationwide success. Dagorhir was founded in 1977 by a bunch of college friends who shared an enthusiasm for Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and medieval history. '
    • Rules. Interesting division of weapons into blue, red, green, yellow, and white categories.
  • Foam Fighting [foamfighting.net]
  • Labyrinth.GeorgeTown.edu. 'The Labyrinth provides free, organized access to electronic resources in medieval studies through a World Wide Web server at Georgetown University.'
  • Lukrain's Guide to Boffers [thealmightyguru.com/Boffer/index.html].
    • Basic Combat Guide
    • Making a Generic Boffer
  • Mines.edu/stu_life/organ/sca/. This is a particular SCA club but they have lots of pictures, including test cutting.
  • National Foam Fighting Alliance [foamcombat.com]. 'We support all groups and all types of foam fighting and LARP's. Our membership includes members of Amtgard, Dagorhir, Darkon, Belegarth, SCA, and many other organizations and LARP's.'
  • PennsicWar.org
    • This two week long annual event gathers over 10,000 SCA members.
    • 'The Pennsic Wars are an annual event between the kingdoms of the East and the Middle, regional groups of the Society for Creative Anachronism Inc., and are hosted by the Kingdom of Æthelmearc. '
  • Pbm.com/~lindahl/. A site by SCA dude Greg Lindahl. Includes some fighting manuals too:
    • George Silver's Paradoxes of Defense (1599),
    • George Silver's Brief Instructions Upon My Paradoxes of Defense (c. 1599)
    • "Shield and Weapon Weights"
  • RenaissanceInfo.com
    • A portal to some Renaissance era sites and resources.
    • Forgeries
  • RenaissanceMagazine.com
    • A Medieval Glossary of Terms
  • Romance Reader at Heart [RomanceReaderAtHeart.com]
    • 'Mainly devoted to Historical Romance (but also now featuring a Contemporary Section), Romance Reader at Heart™ can point you in the right direction.'
    • I have these two links for their glossaries on period clothing:
      • Medieval Timeline in Fashion and Events
      • Renaissance Timeline in Fashion and Events
  • SCA.org. The Society of Creative Anachronisms [W]. Medieval and Renaissance reenactment activities, including the WMAs.
    • Rapier rules & appendices
    • SCA Geography. Lists the 18 Kingdoms. Illinois is in the The Middle Kingdom [Midrealm.org] (along with Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, parts of Michigan, and a nip of Iowa).
  • SAL.org.uk. "Society of Antiquaries of London ... We are one of the UK's oldest learned societies, having held our inaugural meeting in 1707 and having received our Royal Charter in 1751. Our aims, then as now, are 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'. "
  • SwordMaiden.com. ' This web site came about after both Eichling and Kolfinna were asked to teach about women fighters in the SCA. This web site portrays our feelings, knowledge and insight into this subject. We have enlisted the opinions, comments and stories of other people in the SCA to help expand our understanding of women in this field.'
  • The Order of Selohaar [selohaar.org]. 'The Order is a serious modern chivalric tradition, rather than an attempt to recreate the past. We do not assume personae and we often integrate influences from periods other than the Middle Ages and Renaissance without reservations about being out of period. Also, we are an initiatory order: members progress through a system of degrees as they experience and learn our tradition. Finally, our study of the mystic arts and our use of ritual magick are quite unique among organizations using a medieval motif.'

Russian MAs (RMAs)

• Chicago
  • System-Chicago.com.
    • 'Systema Academy of Self Protection: Method based on authentic Russian Martial Art and training of Special Forces.'
    • Headed by Arkadiy Stepnakovksiy who is associated with Vladimir Vasiliev.
    • 6355 N. Broadway #19, Chicago, IL 60660. Phone: (773)203-7736. Email: astepankovskiy@system-chicago.com.
    • Several members of the CSG practiced with them and highly recommended them.
• Miscellany
  • ERMAA.com. 'European Russian Martial Arts Association'
  • "Overview of Systema and its Relevance to Aikido" by Stanley Pranin
  • RussianMartialArt.com. 'Systema Headquarters by Vladimir Vasiliev'
  • SystemaMartialArt.com
  • ' The Russian Martial Art "The Systema" ' by Trevor Robinson

 

Surreal MAs

• Ninja = 忍者. Aka shinobi = 忍び.
  • Chicago
    • Chicago-Ninjutsu.org.
  • Miscellany
    • EnterTheNinja.com. 'DON'T F**K WITH A NINJA!'
    • Modern Iga Ninja Life [iganinja.jp/english/life/f-menu.html]
    • NARUTO [W]. It would be nice to have a nine-tailed fox to draw upon sometimes. Shōnen coolness.
    • Ninja [W]
    • Ninja experiences in Japan [gojapan.about.com/cs/chuburegion4/a/ninja.htm]
    • Ninja Lessons [ninjalessons.com]
    • Ninjai.com.
      • ' Ninjai, The Little Ninja is our online action/adventure series. We invite you to join Ninjai on his exciting, enlightening and humorous journey as he travels throughout the Ancient World.'
      • Too slow moving.
    • NinjaTurtles.com. As in teenage mutant ninja turtles.
    • Ninjutsu.com
    • RealUltimatePower.net.
      • 'The Official Ninja Webpage'
      • Intentionally funny. So bad, it's good.
    • Rhode Island Ninjutsu Center [ninjutsuri.com]
    • TotalWarrior.com.
      • ' Training Today's Ninja - Rick Tew's Martial Science and Tew Ryu Ninjitsu is your source for up to date total warrior information and training. American Ninjitsu systems upgraded to a non traditional program of martial arts training. What Ninjutsu wants to be - the Martial Science is your solution for becoming a ninja based on reality or what we call a "Total Warrior." '
      • Unintentionally funny.
    • WarriorQuest.com.
    • WhiteNinjaComics.com.
      • 'White Ninja Comics are not for the weak of mind. They are a brilliant satirical commentary on controversial worldly issues.'
      • More like a complete waste of time!
    • Winjutsu.com. 'Your information source for Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Ninpo, Ninjutsu and other Traditional Japanese Martial Arts.'
• Stav. You're not taking Runic Stave seriously are you?
  • Markalex.pidd.cwc.net/stav/contents.htm.
  • StavAcademy.co.uk
  • SunnyWay.com/runes/stav.html.
• Virtual MAs
  • Alexa.com/browse/categories?catid=396. See how different MA sites rank in popularity. This is an Amazon site that ranks sites.
  • Chambara.com. 'A site dedicated to Japanese sword swinging films and martial arts movies from around the world.'
  • DragonQuestFrontiers.com
    • Weapons and Armor: Daggers, One-Handed Swords, Two-Handed Swords, Axes, Hafted I, Hafted II, Pole Arms I, Pole Arms II, Ranged I, Ranged II, Entangling, Dual-Class, Armor
    • Combat
  • Stick Figure Fight Club [animation]. A kung-fu/ninja movie done with animated stick figures.
  • StreetCombat.8m.com
    • 'The Magician's Network Self-Defense System ... A dangerous combination of magic, modern psychology, karate, kung-fu, pankration wrestling, and savate, the Magician's Network Self-defense System is coming into the world scene as an incredibly innovative, highly street-ready martial art system.'
    • Riiiight.
• Miscellany
  • Martial Arts Humor [http://users.binary.net/thomcat/Stupidma.html]. Some of it is quite funny and there ared elements of truth. Much of it is from RMA (rec.martial-arts): It's been so long since I've visited RMA, that I've almost forgotten such a goofy thing existed.

Survival

• Orienteering
  • Chicago
    • Chicago-Orienteering.org.
  • Miscellany
    • 4Orienteering.com
    • Orienteering.org
      • 'International Orienteering Federation'
      • 'Competitive orienteering involves using a detailed map and a compass to navigate one's way round a course with designated control points which are drawn on the map. On the route, orange and white control markers are set in the places that correspond to the points on the map. The competitors punch their control cards at each control point. The winner of the competition is the participant who has used the shortest time to visit the control points in numerical order. Fast running alone does not make you a winner. You must also choose the best route between the control points and find the markers without wasting unnecessary seconds.'
      • US.Orienteering.org
    • OrienteeringOnline.net
• Miscellany
  • DMoz.org/Society/Issues/Survivalism/
  • Equipped.org
    • 'The Definitive Source for Independent Reviews & Information on Outdoors Gear and Survival Equipment and Techniques'
    • U.S. Army Survival Manual FM 21-76. The classic.
    • U.S Army Field Manual 3-05.70. The updated version of the above classic.
  • LogicSouth.com/~lcoble/password/survival.html. 'Survivalist Information Library
  • OldJimbo.com/Survival/. 'Welcome to my predjudiced and opinionated ideas on survival stuff'
  • Preserving Beverages: Water, Juice, and Milk [ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5354.html]
    • 2-4 L of water per day per person.
    • Like canned food, store for around 6 months max.
    • Boiling for 10 minutes kills bacteria. A pinch of salt will improve taste.
    • 5.25% chlorine bleach can disinfect water. Let stand for 30 minutes. 4 drops per L. 16 drops = 1/4 teaspoon per gallon.
    • 2% iodine can disinfect water. Let stand for 30 minutes. 20 drops per gallon of clear water. Double that for cloudy water.
  • SurvivalArts.com.
    • A blog by Russell Whitaker
    • 'This is my personal blog. Yes, it's about what interests me. If you don't like guns, people with guns, atheists, libertarians, polyamorists, occasional foul language, and otherwise have trouble understanding someone with my rather unduplicable confluence of interests, you're in the wrong place. Otherwise, feel free to jump in with constructive and useful comments.'
  • SurvivalIQ.com. 'As your personal survival handbook, SurvivalIQ provides information, resources, strategies and techniques you need to know whether you're preparing for a back country camping trip or the Green Berets.'
  • TextFiles.com/Survival/. Lots of text files here.
  • Wikipedia
    • Survival kit
    • Survival skills
    • Survivalism. 'A survivalist is a person who anticipates a potential disruption in the continuity of local, regional or worldwide society, and takes steps to survive in the resulting unpredictable situation. Some survivalists take an interest in survival in the wilderness or at sea.'

Swords

• Japanese Swords
  • Chicago
    • ChicagoKendo.org.
      • Location: Buddhist Temple of Chicago, 1151 W. Leland Ave., Chicago, IL 60640
      • Schedule: Tue 8-10p, Fri 8-10p
    • Choyokan-Kendo.org.
      • Location: Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
      • Schedule: Tue 8-10p, Fri 8-10p, Sun 12-2.
    • Kendo.UChicago.edu.
      • Location: Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, 3rd floor.
      • Schedule: Mon 8-10p
  • Iaido
    • Iaido [W]
    • http://www.kvac.uu.se/~agback/iaido/
  • Miscellany
    • DojoOfTheFourWinds.com. A school in California.
    • Eikoku-Roshukai.com. They also list some grading criteria.
    • Japanese Sword Arts FAQ
    • JapaneseSwordsmanship.com.au
    • Kampai Budokai [Geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/8187/index.htm].
      • 'Kampai Budokai unites budoka from various martial arts clubs located in Ternat (Belgium). It was founded one morning after numerous rounds of beer, for a rather unclear purpose. This website will attempt to reflect this philosophy of the Kampai Budokai.'
      • They actually have good articles
    • Kendo America [kendo-usa.org]. "Dedicated to the promotion of Kendo in the United States. Decent basic info including "Selecting and Preparing Shinai".
    • Modern Japanese Sword Smiths, Polishers and more
    • The Japanese Sword Guide [http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/] and mirrored at geocities.com/alchemyst/. By Richard Stein. Lots of pictures and glossaries.
    • Shinai.org. A kendo group in California. They have diagrams in "Guide to Shinai Maintenance" about tying a shinai.
    • Toyama-Ryu.org. 'Originally a small sub-system of sword drawing techniques created for officers of the Japanese Imperial Army, Toyama ryu is now represented in various forms throughout the world as an independent sword art.'
      • Sword Related Accidents. Pretty funny stuff.
    • Tsuki-Kage.com. A school in California.
      • Shizan. Tameshigiri, test-cutting.
    • Yagyu Shinkage-ryu [W]
• Constructing practice/padded longswords
  • "Constructing an ARMA Generation 2.2 Padded Longsword" [anomaly.org/wade/paddedsword/index.html]
  • "Shinai-based longsword experiment" [scholasaintgeorge.org/shinai.html]
• Western
  • Hickoksports.com/glossary/gfencing.shtml
  • Marine Sword. A bit of history about swords of the US Marines. It's related to Presley Neville O'Bannon, 1st Lt., USMC (1776-1850) and William Eaton (1764-1811).
  • NetSword.com. 'NetSword is an Internet discussion group for medieval and renaissance swords, daggers and associated weapons of war.'
• Miscellany
  • SwordArts.com
    • 'Sword Arts offers a forum for discussion, learning, sharing and enjoying the art of the sword in all its myriad forms.'
    • Sponsored by AngelSword.com.
    • Tameshigiri. Impressive single-stroke cuts of multiple rolls.
  • Sword Forum International [SwordForum.com].
    • "Characteristics of the Rapier". Excellent article. Traces the evolution and characteristics of the rapier. Classical explanation of the superiority of the point over the edge (as well as critique of this explanation).
      • A displaced point can be re-aligned faster than an edge.
      • A sword raised for a cut leaves the body exposed to a counter thrust.
      • The point reaches the target faster than the edge because it travels in a straight line, whereas the later has to move in a curved path.
      • The thrust is deadlier than the cut.
    • "The Weapons and Fighting Methods of the Highland Scots"
  • Wikipedia's Sword section

Western MAs (WMAs)

WMA (Western Martial Arts), aka HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), is a superset of HES (Historical European Swordsmanship). This term is used to distinguish it from OSF (Olympic Style Fencing), EMA (Eastern Martial Arts), modern combat, or sport combat. The CSG actually belongs in this category but the CSG has a slight emphasis on swords so I put it under HES.

• AEMMA.org
  • The Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts. A Canadian group.
  • Online library of original texts. Fabulous but $15 per year as of 2006. I can see paying for translations, but for scans of originals that should be in the public domain just isn't right.
  • Schielhau.org. 'The focus of this site is the translation of selected sections of several fechtbücher, German manuscripts on the fighting arts. ... This site is the German fechtkunst research site of the Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts (AEMMA)'
    • Links. Excellent essential stuff.
• AHFAA.org. The American Heritage Fighting Arts Association.
  • Their 8 major areas of study:
    • Military Weapons. Bayonet. Saber.
      • Saber History. "The basics of the saber consisted of stance and steps similar to the bayonet and 21 core techniques. These consisted of three wards or guard positions, seven cuts, seven defenses for these cuts, three thrusts, and a circular parry."
        • ANTI-PUGILISM or The Science of Defense Exemplified In Short and Easy Lessons for the Practice of the Broad Sword and Single Stick
    • Civilian Weapons. Bata / Cane. Sword.
    • Frontier Weapons. Bowie. Tomahawk.
    • Exotic Weapons. Knife / Tomahawk Throwing. Whip.
    • Blackpowder Shooting. Firearm Safety / Care. Shooting Skills.
    • Unarmed Combat. Boxing / Wrestling. Rough and Tumble.
    • Physical Culture. Sports / Games. Military Gymnastics.
    • 19th Century History and Culture. Historical Research. Document Preservation .
  • WSFF (World Stick Fencing Federation). Singlestick & cudgel-play (40" sticks), backswording, great stick, and grand baton (60") and quarterstaff fencing (72"-84").
• Arms and Armor Society of America [ArmsAndArmor.org]. 'The Gateway to the Field and Study of Arms and Armor'
• Arms and Armour Society [ArmsAndArmour.net]. 'formed in 1950 by a small group of dedicated enthusiasts to further the study of arms and armour, from earliest times, by bringing together scholars, collectors, professional experts and all who share this common interest. It has now grown into one of the leading groups of those concerned in the study, collection and preservation of arms and armour. A Journal, published twice yearly, is recognised worldwide as one of the most authoritative publications in this field and is the preferred medium for original research papers. A quarterly Newsletter keeps members in touch with the Society's many activities and major events in the world of arms and armour.'
• Ars Gladi [ArsGladii.com]. 'a study group devoted to the research, reconstruction, practice, and promotion of historical European Martial Arts. Specifically, we currently concentrate on several Medieval manuals written in Germany between the early 14th century and the late 15th-early 16th centuries. The group operates out of the Detroit Metro area.'
• ArtOfCombat.org.
  • They do the ISMAC (International Sworfighting and Martial Arts Convention) in Lansing, MI. The 5th annual ISMAC was in 2004, the 6th was in Lansing, MI and it also included a Rapier and Singlestick tournament.
  • The CSG has attended their events.
  • They have many instructors and choreographers of stage combat.
• BoarsTooth.org. 'The Boar's Tooth is a fight school based in Folkestone, Kent, England. It is a society commited to the translation, study, and practice of medieval fighting techniques.'
• Bundtschuh.de. A German site.
  • Fechten. Fencing.
• Davenriche European Martial Arts School (DEMAS) [davenriche.com]. Site of Steaphen "Davenriche" Fick. 'Starting with plate armor and the long sword in 1989, Fick pursued studying unarmored swordsmanship, and traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland in 1998 to study with Maestro Paul MacDonald, one of the recognized leaders in historical sword fighting. He returned to Edinburgh in 1999 to spend six months learning over 11 different weapons and styles with Maestro MacDonald. He has also studied under Maestro Andrea "Lupo" Sinclair of Italy, and Maestro Ramon Martinez of New York. '
• DeReMilitari.org. ' De Re Militari: The Society for Medieval Military History, is an international scholarly association established to foster and develop interest in the study of pre-modern military affairs. '
• Freifechter.org. A German group working with historical WMA manuals.
• HEMAC.org. ' The Historical European Martial Arts Coalition was founded in 2001 by western martial arts practitioners and researchers from various European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and Poland. '
  • "Medieval and Early Renaissance fencing in Italy: Fiore dei Liberi, Filippo Vadi, Achille Marozzo, Antonio Manciolino" by Marco Rubboli
• HigginsSword.org
  • 'Higgins Armory Sword Guild. The Sword Guild practices techniques from medieval and Renaissance combat manuals. Areas of focus include the longsword (also called the hand-and-a-half sword or bastard sword), staff weapons, dagger, sword and shield, and rapier, based on German texts dating from 1300 to 1570.'
  • Higgins is in MA, USA.
  • Library. Nice.
• Knight2Day.com. 'Davenriche European Martial Arts School'
• Maisters.demon.co.uk. The Company Of Maisters Of The Science Of Defence. 'This site is intended as an information centre and moderated forum for all interested in traditional English/British fighting systems. Contributions from students of native European systems are also welcome.'
• Medieval.Mrugala.net
  • 'Le Moyen-âge par Fabrice Mrugala' or 'The Middle Ages by Fabrice Mrugala'
  • Translate from the French via http://www.google.com/language_tools
  • Weapons at the Average Age
• MyArmoury.com. 'A resource for historic arms and armour collectors'.
  • A site with good information rendered very stylishly.
  • A Beginner's Glossary of Terms
  • Anatomy of the Sword
  • Forms of European Edged Weaponry
  • Variety and Evolution of the Hilt 
• MySite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ScholaGladiatoria. 'Schola Gladiatoria - an historical European martial arts group based in London and North Devon, England'
• Oakeshott.org.
  • ' The Oakeshott Institute has been founded as a nonprofit education and research center with the purpose of furthering the study of ancient arms and armor. Ewart Oakeshott has dedicated his life's work to the study and sharing of knowledge in this field. He and his wife Sybil Marshall have founded this Institute with the objective of supporting further research and distribute the information to as wide an audience as possible. '
  • The Oakeshott Medieval Sword Typology
• Sword Academy [swordacademy.com]. 'Sword Academy runs weekly members classes and short term introductory courses in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.'
• Tattershall.org
  • 'The Tattershall School of Defense is dedicated to the study and instruction of Western Martial Arts the 14th thru the 19th Centuries.'
  • Instructors include William Wilson, Gary Chelak, and Roger Siggs. The CSG has had Roger Siggs over to teach.
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Elizabethan Fencing and the Art of Defence [http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~wew/fencing.html]. By William Wilson.
    • Period Manuals
• TheARMA.org or TheHACA.com. ARMA (Association for Renaissance Martial Arts), formerly known as HACA (Historical Armed Combat Association). Lots of good content.
  • ARMA Forum
  • Endorsed Medieval & Renaissance Links
  • Essays
    • There Is No "Best Sword": If there were no firearms, they'd still be designing new swords. I liked this article.
    • "Katana vs. Rapier: Another Fantasy Worth Considering" by John Clements, ARMA Director.
    • "Liechtenauer's Sword & Buckler Teachings"
    • "Master Sigmund Ringeck's Commentaries on Johann Liechtenauer's Fechtbuch". Including a discussion on i (before) and nach (after).
  • Paulus Hector Mair [paulushectormair.com].
    • 'Mair's Opus [Opus Amplissimum de Arte Athletica or Ultimate Book of Athletics] is the largest extant manual on Renaissance Martial Arts and covers an impressive array of weapons and techniques, both armored and unarmored, afoot and on horseback. It reflects a transitional period between the battlefield systems of the High Middle Ages and the salon styles of later Renaissance authors such as Joachim Meyer.'
    • "Paulus Hector Mair's Ars Gladiatoris and Modern Military Combatives" by David Knight. Ringen briefly compared with US Army Combatives [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-25-150/].
  • Reading & Research List
    • Online Historical Manuals
    • Terms. German, Italian, Medieval, Renaissance.
  • Excerpt from The Art of Longsword Combat.
  • Guidelines for Renaissance Free-Play & Rapier Fencing
  • Training Tips
  • ARMA Contact Weapon Construction
    • Constructing an ARMA Generation 2.2 Padded Longsword. Not actually part of the ARMA site.
      • Forum thread discussing Generation 2.2x
• The-Exiles.org.
  • 'The Exiles is a company of Western Martial Artists concentrating on the hand-to-hand fighting techniques of Western Europe during the medieval and early renaissance periods. We are active participants in the growing international Fechtbuch community, interpreting a variety of surviving historical manuals and intensively practicing the techniques we uncover.'
  • Fior Di Battaglia: Fiore Dei Liberi: Translation and Interpretation Project [Fiore.The-Exiles.org/home.html]. The Getty MS is the default but you can see the others too.
  • Links - Martial Arts Groups and Organisations
  • "Turning A Shinai Into A Longsword Simulator"

Miscellany

• Ancient MAs, esp. Greek and Roman
  • Ars Dimicandi [ArsDimicandi.it]
    • Italian recreationists for 'La legione romana, i gladiatori, il pugilato, la lotta e il pankration'.
    • Has some online videos.
  • Circolo Ares Discipline Marziali d'Occidente [Circolo-Ares.it]
    • Mostly Italian site on. Has some online videos.
    • Scrima
    • Introduction to Archaic Pankration. Their one page in English.
  • Greek Athletic Events (Boxing and Pankration) [ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~dromano/classes/lec17.html]
  • Famous Athletes of the Antiquity [sunsite.tus.ac.jp/olympics/classical/victors_famous.html]
    • Pankration
    • Wrestling
  • Federazione Italiana Pancrazio Athlima [Pancrazio.org]
  • Historical Pankration Project [Historical-Pankration.com]. 'This site is devoted to the Historical Reconstruction of Pankration and all its associated disciplines.'
  • Hoplites.co.uk. The Hoplite Association.  
    • Greek Swords and Swordsmanship [PDF]
  • Pankration Magazine [Pankration.splinder.com]. Blog on pankration written in Italian.
  • Roman Combat Sports [p209.ezboard.com/bRomanCombatSports]. A forum.
  • Sparta Pages [uts.cc.utexas.edu/~sparta/index.html]
• Armor
  • Arador Armour Library [Arador.com]. 'Since 1995 Arador has served as a hub for education, information and camaraderie to those in the Internet community with an interest in armour and armour-related subjects.'
  • ArmourArchive.org. "The Archive is an on-line Journal devoted to teaching people how to make armour." Lots of patterns.
  • Armour Research Society [ArmourResearchSociety.org]
  • Cuir Bouilli/Hardened Leather FAQ [personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/leather/hl.html]
  • Gregory Daub's Pictorial Glossary of Armor Terms [Home.messiah.edu/~gdaub/armor/picgloss.htm]. Nice. Much like what I've been putting together in my armor section.
  • Leather Helmet Instructions. Instructions and patterns for beefing up a fencing mask with leather pieces.
  • "Shields and Weapons" [http://www.era.anthropology.ac.uk/Era_Resources/Era/Pitt_Rivers/misc/shwecov.html]
  • "The Perfect Armor Improved: Water Hardened Leather" [daviddfriedman.com/Medieval/Articles/Perfect_Armor_Improved.htm]
  • "The Shield: An Abridged History of its Use and Development" [http://www.myarmoury.com/feature_shield.html]
• Aztec MAs
  • LatinAmericanStudies.org/Aztec-Warfare.htm
• Blade Steels
  • An Introduction to Blade Steels [Cruffler.com/Features/APR-02/blade-april-02.html]
• Capoeira
  • Capoeira.com
• Dousing
  • Dousing in the martial arts community is the practice of breathing and relaxing while having water, usually cold, dumped on you in natural settings. Some people call this a primitive form of showering but other consider it to be very invigorating and healthy.
  • AllianceMartialArts.com
    • Cold Water Dousing Photo Sequence By Bob Charron & Pete Kautz
    • Cold Water Therapy Self Tempering in Nature
    • My Experiences with Cold Water Dousing A Testimonial to the Health Benefits of this Simple Practice By Lily Gold
  • Porphiri Ivanov
    • Ivanov's Method "Childy"
• Fighting on horseback
  • Dextrarius.com.
• Flickr [flickr.com]. Martial arts related photos at Flickr.
  • Aikidoka [flickr.com/groups/aikidoka]
  • Martial Arts [flickr.com/groups/66426439@N00]
  • Medieval Combat & European Martial Arts [flickr.com/groups/medievalcombat]
  • Weapons! [.flickr.com/groups/weapons/]
  • Women with Weapons [flickr.com/groups/womenwithweapons]
• Haidong Gumdo. Korean battle swordsmanship.
  • HDGD.org. World Haidong Gumdo Federation.
  • HDGumDo.com.
    • The European Haidong Gumdo Federation.
    • 'Unlike Kendo and its Korean equivalent, Kumdo, the focus in Haidong Gumdo is not dueling but on the tactics of outdoor, pitched battles.'
    • 'Hai Dong Gum Do translates best to East Sea Swordsmanship. This translation does not carry all of the meaning for all people. Hai refers to the sea but it also refers to the sun. Dong is east and it too speaks of the sun, specifically the light energy of the sun. Gum means sword and Do has many shades of meaning.'
  • Stormpages.com/haidonggumdo/
• Indian MAs
  • Shastarvidiya.org. ' The Traditional Indian Sikh Battlefield Combat Arts of the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa.'
• Indochinese MAs
  • Myanmar (formerly Burma)
    • Advanced Fighting Systems [Thaing.net]
      • 'Advanced Fighting Systems is dedicated to preserving and exposing Martial Artists and the general public to the Kachin Systems of Burmese Arts. The Kachin Style is a 16 animal system, due in large part to the Jinghpaws animistic tradition. The animal systems in Kachin martial arts mentioned earlier are patterned after human attributes both physical and mental. It is believed that fighting must fit the individual nature and not that the individual fitting the system.'
      • Site has videos.
  • Thai MAs
    • Wikipedia
      • Krabi Krabong
      • Lerdrit
      • Muay Thai
• Interrogation
  • Human Resource Exploitation Training Manual - 1983
  • Kubark Counterintelligence Interrogation
  • The Dark Art of Interrogation. Article.
  • Wicklander-Zulawski and Associates [w-z.com].
    • 'Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates continues to be recognized as the premier consulting and training company on interview and interrogation techniques. We are dedicated to assisting public and private sector professionals to improve their ability to obtain the truth through legally acceptable techniques. To this end, WZ continues research to provide the highest quality training, products and professional services to an ever-increasing number of organizations throughout the world.'
    • About. Their About page has lots of links to police sites.
• Japanese MAs (JMAs)
  • American School of Hontai Yoshin Ryu [hyrusa.com].
    • 'Hontai Yoshin Ryu is currently headed by Inoue Tsuyoshi Munetoshi, 18th Soke. The honbu dojo is based in Nishinomiya, a small town about 2 hours south of Osaka. Membership is open to all people of good character, and the school currently boasts a worldwide membership of about 5,000. At the heart of the Hontai Yoshin Ryu are its teachings of jujutsu, bojutsu (six-foot staff art),and kodachijutsu (short sword art).In addition, the curriculum includes iaido (way of drawing and cutting),hanbojutsu (three-foot staff art),tantodori (knife taking),tachidori (sword taking), and kumitachi (sword combat).At some levels the school also offers instruction in Yamaguchi-ha Toyama Ryu Iaido, shimewaza (strangling techniques), toritsuke (binding techniques),newaza (mat techniques),and sojutsu (spear art).'
    • Some nice essays.
  • Bushido [W]
  • Bushido The Soul of Japan [BlackMask.com/thatway/books154c/bushidodex.htm]. A free online version of the book by Inazo Nitobe.
  • Bushido The Soul of Japan [artilect.org/altman/bushido.html]. Article on the book.
  • Chiryaku Dojo Belgium [users.skynet.be/chiryaku/]
  • Japanese Sword Arts FAQ [kjartan.org/swordfaq/]
  • Ryukyu Kobujutsu [paw.hi-ho.ne.jp/ryukyu-kbujut/tope.html]
  • Samurai [W]
  • Samurai-Archives.com
    • Death Poems. EG: By Ouchi Yoshitaka (1507/1551):
      'Both the victor
      and the vanquished are
      but drops of dew,
      but bolts of lightning -
      thus should we view the world. '
  • Southern California Naginata Federation [SCNF.org]
  • Takamura ha Shindo Yoshin Kai [shinyokai.com]. A koryu dojo.
    • "Budo and its struggle with creativity and change"
• Jeet Kune Do (JKD)
  • Authenticbeladiri.com/jkd.htm
  • BruceLee.com.
    • Documentation on Jeet Kune Do Written by Bruce Lee 18 Pages
  • GuyChase.com/jeetkunedo.htm
  • Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association [JKDAssoc.com]. 'It is well known to the students of Bruce Lee's that he was forming his own martial arts concept, Jeet Kune Do. We trained using Single Direct Attack (SDA), Attack By Combination (ABC), Attack By Drawing (ABD), etc. During this time Bruce was experimenting and changing his system by constantly adding and deleting. The whole concept of training in the different ranges was very important. The four ranges were what Bruce worked on and emphasized. The idea was to be able to flow from the Kicking Range, Boxing Range, Trapping Range, Grappling Range, (vice versa) and being able to flow from one to another easily. At the time of Bruce Lee's untimely death there were only 33 formal techniques in the Grappling Range. As the final and closest range there was much research to do in this range and Hartsell has continued his research into this area with various discrete techniques that now form the core of the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association.'
  • World Jeet Kune Do Federation [LeeJKD.com]
• Martial Psychology
  • Killology.com. 'The scholarly study of the destructive act, just as sexology is the scholarly study of the procreative act. In particular, killology focuses on the reactions of healthy people in killing circumstances (such as police and military in combat) and the factors that enable and restrain killing in these situations.'
  • "The Psychology of Abuse" [pcrm.org/resch/anexp/psych_of_abuse.html]. By Neal D. Barnard, M.D..
• Pencak Silat
  • Authenticbeladiri.com/silat.htm
  • Pencak Silat Cimande [home.tiscali.nl/~johnjagt/ciman_en.htm]
• Quotations
  • Military-Quotes.com
• Religion
  • "A Christian Response to Martial Art". For fundamentalist Christians but the sentiment probably applies for all fundamentalists.
  • "Martial Arts: The Truth Behind It". It reads like a joke but I think the writer is serious. How pathetic.
• Sambo
  • American Sambo Association [ussambo.com]. Some great videos too.
  • Sambo [W]
• Smedley Butler. The tale of U.S. Major General Smedley Butler pops up now and then.
  • "War is a Racket" by Butler
  • bio1, bio2, bio3, bio4
  • An American Coup d'État?
  • The Bonus Army of 1932
  • The Bonus Army
• Specific People
  • MikeLiem.tripod.com/combat.html. Mike Liem rambles about Tang Soo Do, HES, and Kung Fu.
• Specific Schools
  • Chicago
    • Degerberg Academy Martial Arts & Fitness, Inc. [Degerberg.com] and chicagomartialartsclasses.com and degerbergacademyofmartialarts.com
      • 'We concentrate in the English boxing, French savate, American kickboxing, Filipino and Thai martial arts, with a philosophy closely aligned with Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do. Our experience has shown that by training in specific skills from a variety of martial arts, the practitioner instinctively uses what is best for a given situation.'
      • 'Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts-Lincoln Square'. 4717 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, (773)728-5300
      • 'Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts-Milwaukee Avenue'. 3596 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60641, (773)545-3423.
    • Hyun's Hapkido & Tae Kwon Do.
      • '2743 N Western Ave Chicago, IL 60647-2015, (773) 252-8300'
      • I dropped in once since I lived nearby. He shows you a video and then gives you a price schedule. Triangle corner real estate.
  • Miscellany
    • Aibudo.com
    • Andy-Guettner.de. This German school does a mix of stuff from Ju Jutsu to Viet Vo Dao to Kali-Eskrima. The site is in German but it has a lot of informative animated GIFs.
    • AuthenticBelaDiri.com. School that does jeet kune do, pencak silat, and kali eskrima arnis.
    • GuardUp.com. This Burlington, MA school has an intermixing of EMA and WMA.
    • HwarangDojang.com. 'Hwarang Dojang is a certified martial arts school in Orem, Utah that teaches Korean-style martial arts, including Olympic Style Tae Kwon Do, and Haidong Gumdo (Korean swordsmanship).'
    • Philippi Martial Arts Academy, Inc. [http://pages.prodigy.net/david_wolfe/pmaa/]. Very nice dictionaries for Chinese, English, Filipino, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Malaysian, and Thai martial arts.
• Theatrical or Stage Fighting
  • 87eleven.com.
    • "Full service action film company"
    • They did fights and stunts for movies like V for Vendetta, Serenity, The Matrix, Troy, and 300. I love their sample fight scene where a woman busts them up at their facility.
  • Action Pact [actionpact.nl]. "Stunts - Special FX - Weapons".
  • Ring of Steel [RingOfSteel.org]. 'Ring of Steel--Ann Arbor, established in 1989, is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to developing and promoting the art of stage violence. We believe that the skills necessary to practice theatrical combat compose a martial art unto themselves. To this end, as the largest theatrical fencing salle in the nation, the Ring of Steel teaches classes, provides in-house workshops, choreographs shows, and maintains an aggressive performance schedule in a wide variety of public venues.'
    • Other Places. Lists many other stage fighting sites.
  • Ring of Steel [rso.cornell.edu/rosi]. 'The Ring of Steel Action Theatre: Ithaca[, NY] is a theatrical stunt group created to bring the "art of stage violence" to Cornell University and Ithaca College students as well as the Ithaca community via teaching and performances. Members begin their fencing training using bokken (or boken) and then advance to steel swords. We study rapier, rapier and dagger, broadsword, quarterstaff, and hand-to-hand combat. The club began in Spring 2003 and is a chapter of the The Ring of Steel Action Theatre located in Ann Arbor, MI. '
  • Society of American Fight Directors [SAFD.org]. 'a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting safety and fostering excellence in the art of directing staged combat/theatrical violence.'
  • The Duelists [Duelists.com]
    • A travelling show by Randall Scott and Marc Larranga.
    • 'A Dazzling Display of Comedy and Swordfighting Brilliance!'
• Viking MAs
  • Hurstwic.org
    • 'Hurstwic was a living history society in New England founded to study and to accurately re-create the life of the people living in northern Europe during the Viking Age.'
    • Viking Age Arms and Armor
  • VikingAnswerLady.com
    • 'The Viking Answer Lady website is the offshoot of my personal fascination and love for Viking Age literature, history, and archaeology. Over the years, questions from my readers have prompted me to research a number of facets of Viking life that I might not otherwise have considered looking into.'
    • I know Vikings didn't have horns on their helmets, but what types of armor did they wear, and what types of weapons did they use?
  • "Viking Fighting Notes from 23 Sagas" [TheARMA.org/essays/vikingfight.htm]
  • VikingSword.com. A scholarly site with a virtual museum and online library.
    • Ethnographic Edged Weapons Resource Site
    • The Norwegian Viking Swords by Jan Peterson (1919) translated by Kristin Noer (1998). Petersen's sword typology was simplified by R.E.M. Wheeler as I-IX and that was extened by Ewart Oakeshott's typology into types X-XXII in The Sword in The Age of Chivalry (1964, revised 1981).
• Weapons
  • Dictionary of Weapons [DictionaryOfEverything.com/Weapons/]
• Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)
  • "50 Facts About U.S. Nuclear Weapons"
  • Archive of Nuclear Data by the NRDC.org (National Resource Defense Council)
  • WMD Resources by the FAS.org (Federation of American Scientists).
  • IAEA.org. The International Atomic Energy Agency 'is the world's center of nuclear cooperation and works for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.'
  • NuclearTerror.org. 'The ultimate preventable catastrophe'
  • NuclearWeaponArchive.org. 'The Nuclear Weapon Archive: A Guide to Nuclear Weapons'
• Wrestling
  • EJMAS.com/jwma/articles/2001/jwmaart_kautz_0201.html. 'Fiore dei Liberi's 7 Rules of Wrestling: Medieval Attributes Training from the Master'
  • Grapple Arts [grapplearts.com]
  • GuyChase.com/submission.htm
  • International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) [fila-wrestling.com]. Aka Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées. The official international body for the four major modern forms of international amateur competitive wrestling: Greco-Roman, judo, freestyle, and Sambo, of which only Sambo is not in the Olympics.
  • International Wrestling Institute & Museum [wrestlingmuseum.org]
  • matburn.com. An "amateur wrestling wiki", but it's more like news site.
  • NagaFighter.com. 'Home of the World's Largest Grappling Tounaments'
  • usawrestling.org. Greco-Roman wrestling.
  • Wrestling via the 1911 Encyclopedia
  • Sandowplus.co.uk. 'Sandow and the Golden Age of Iron Men' ca. 1913.
    • Lessons in Wrestling and Physical Culture by Farmer Burns School of Wrestling. Excellent, very rounded content.
  • Wikipedia
    • Clinch fighting
    • Grappling
    • Grappling hold
    • Grappling position
    • Wrestling
• Whips
  • Whips As Practical Weapons.
  • Whips In Xena: Warrior Princess
• Miscellany
  • eHow [wiki.ehow.com]
    • How to Avoid a Confrontation
    • How to Choose a Martial Art
    • How to Fight
    • How to Win a Street Fight
    • How to Win a Swordfight
  • "The Punching Bag" [martial-arts-sparring-gear.com/The_Punching_Bag.html].
  • truefork.org. 'Art, science, swordfighting... An overview of the various publications and projects of Eli Steenput, Dr.ir.'
    • Dragon Preservation Society. 'My articles on historical European martial arts'
    • Kampai Budokai. 'My articles on Japanese martial arts'
    • Photo Gallery. 'My photos of swords, armour, and other things'
  • American Women's Self Defense Association (AWSDA) [awsda.org]. 'an international, non-profit, educational organization, made up of women and men who are dedicated to ending violence against women by providing training programs for instructors and services for women, designed to increase their awareness of self defense and rape prevention.'
  • Geoff Thompson [geoffthompson.com]. Writer, film director, and self-defense specialist. Nice content.
    • Guest Writers - Iain Abernethy. On karate.

Page Modified: (Hand noted: 2008-04-18 20:18:56Z) (Auto noted: 2009-07-29 19:03:03Z)