Thang Ta

Found in Manipur, in northeast India, Thang Ta has managed to remain intact as a complete and discernible fighting style unlike other Indian arts. The techniques are largely unknown outside of its home region. Legend holds that the people of Manipur are descended from the serpent god Pakhangba, who also gifted to the inhabitants the art of Thang Ta. Following unification of the area in the fifteenth century a corpus of techniques was organized and recognized and the modern day art traces its roots to this time. Like other regions affected by the colonial aggression of European and American powers the art was forced into secrecy under British rule.

Thang Ta - Sword and Spear

The name literally means Sword - Spear and it is first and foremost a weapon art. The unarmed style imitates the movements of animals in forms, which are made up of punches, kicks and other simulated fighting techniques. The influence of animals on the art is further demonstrated when some masters instruct their students on how to combat wild beasts. More advanced practice reveals the battlefield origins of the art as the student becomes familiar with the dagger, spear, broadsword, bow and dart. Centuries ago weapons would have been studied as a priority, including usage from horseback. It was this latter area of study that led to the invention of the game polo by the warriors of Manipur. This game is played on horseback and was subsequently adopted by the occupying British forces before finding a competitive home in most of the world’s leading military nations. The proper name however is Huyen Lallong, or ‘Method of Safeguarding’, implying a less aggressive and warlike approach and message.

Training is not merely physical and offensive-minded. Internal and spiritual development are also stressed, with a leaning towards Tantric Buddhism (which holds that all of creation is a joyous expression of Divine Consciousness). Basic and advanced techniques are practiced through rituals that are handed down from master to student. Internally, the practitioner uses breathing exercises to control and manipulate his vital energy in a similar manner to yoga. As with yoga, the lower abdomen is recognized as being the seat of power. Spiritual awareness (here meaning an awareness that reality is an expression of Divine Consciousness) is achieved through prayer, meditation and rituals dedicated to different deities.

In combat the unarmed Thang Ta expert will seek to avoid strikes directed against him, allowing the momentum of his opponent to create an opening for a quick counter attack. This counter may take the form of a strike, but the practitioner may also choose to throw his enemy to the ground. Bear in mind that unlike other fighting arts where battlefield grappling was mostly necessary owing to the often-heavy armor worn by combatants, Indian fighting men did not possess the same level of technology and as such punches and kicks could be delivered even in the heat of battle (though we can assume that the distance between two combatants would have been closed very quickly, inevitably leading to the use of grappling movements).

Kendo

Kendo is the modern version of samurai swordsmanship. The origins of the samurai can be traced back to the tenth century when family members of local chieftains in what is now the Tokyo area would war with one another and terrorize weaker opposition. Through time these close-knit family war bands admitted outsiders who were bound to the group through ties of fictive kinship, resulting in a a lord-vassal relationship. Two of the most famous clans were the Genji and the Heike. At this time the bands were mounted and made primary use of the bow, which was their principle weapon. The sword would become their badge of status centuries later.

The ideals that would later be encapsulated in Bushido - the Way of the Warrior - were first seen in this early period which great emphasis placed on loyalty, honor, valor and the avoidance of shame.

The Heike (Taira) clan was finally defeated by the Genji (Minamoto) in 1185 and a new style of militaristic government was installed through the office of the Shogun. From this point on the samurai would rise to prominence. Perhaps predictably war followed and for more than one hundred years Japan found itself in a state of civil war. The training of the samurai, by necessity, became more specialized and three principle schools of swordsmanship emerged: Tenshin shoden shinto ryu, founded by Iizasa Choisai; Aisu kage ryu, founded by Aisu Ikosai; and Itto ryu, founded by Chujo Hyogo-no-kami Nagahide.

After the tumultuous civil war period Japan entered a period of almost complete peace that lasted for around 250 years. In this time weapons were modernized and European powers began employing conscript armies; the age of the specialized, elite warrior, was over. Though Japan lagged behind somewhat, when the country finally modernized the samurai class was abandoned and the combative battlefield arts went into disuse. During this period the techniques became ritualized and were passed on through the ages according to strict traditions. Interest however was dwindling and today classical schools are not well attended. In attempt to preserve the Way of the Sword while encouraging at least a degree of realism, the use of a shinai (bamboo practice sword) and bogu (protective armor) was introduced by Naganuma Shirōzaemon Kunisato sometime between 1711-1715. By the end of the 18th century practice with this new equipment was becoming more widespread and popular, though of course traditionalists rejected the practice.

The term Kendo was coined in 1920 and rules and codes of practice became standardized. In 1952 the All Japan Kendo Federation was created and from there the art has slowly spread throughout the world, leading to the creation of the International Kendo Federation in 1970 and the establishment of a world championship.

As a form of self-defense Kendo is of course next to useless. Its attraction lies more in the recognition that through hard training the body and the mind can be conditioned to operate at a higher level. This is both a blessing and a curse. While this extreme training keeps the art somewhat relevant to modern life, it is also what puts off a lot of people from training, even in Japan.

In competition (shiai) targets include the head, the wrists and the ribs. Advanced students are also allowed to thrust at the throat. None of the targets were viable on the battlefield as they would have been too well protected. As each 'cut' is made the Kendo practitioner shouts out the name of his intended target. Action can become extremely fast and furious.

While shiai is the main focus, kata are also practiced that go some way to bridging the gap between the sport version and the techniques that were employed on the battlefield. Again, the kata have been modified and standardized but they reflect to a greater extend the origins of the art.

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