Martial Arts Articles by Robert Hunt

Mr. Hunt began studying the martial arts in 1964 and holds Black Belt rank in three styles of Japanese/Okinawan karate, as well as kobudo. He has been studying the techniques and history of Karate for 45 years and and travels throughout the United States for book signings and seminars on the history of karate and its myriad applications. He is currently working on his second novel “One Moon” and is in the process of adapting his first novel “The Art and the Way” for film. (www.theartandtheway.com). He currently teaches Shito Ryu karate and Kobudo at the Scottsdale Martial Arts Center in Arizona and is a member of the Genbu-Kai with Fumio Demura. (Read Biography)

The ancients came to realize that the study of the art of killing can lead to a new way of understanding life and the warrior who pursues victory in battle is often surprised at the final destination.
Returning to Japan disillusioned with his life and karate training, David Cody is given a mysterious book passed down from Okinawa�s ancient warriors that unlocks a secret heritage and a destiny he could never have imagined.
Ten thousand resolute samurai stood quietly in the morning mist like a legion of phantom warriors, jaws clenched, hearts pounding with the anticipation of imminent battle.
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My wife is a karate master. She’ll scoff at the suggestion, of course, and probably make a wise crack. In our dojo, we avoid the word “master” like vampires avoid sunlight. And for much the same reason - it will steal your soul, if you let it. But the fact still remains. She’s a master. Here’s the story.
I was watching her last Thursday working out in the back of class just inside the door, off to the left, in front of the desk. It was a normal class. Hot. Sweaty. Quiet. Thirsty.  
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As the Arizona night descended around us in a blanket of warm desert hues, the yellow light from a kerosene yard lantern danced across the soft eyes of Teruo Chinen, reflecting in them the Chinese blood line of his Okinawan lineage, of which he spoke proudly. He talked about his life in Okinawa, Japan and the United States, karate, Goju Ryu, Miyagi, China, Kung Fu, ancient Chinese Generals and an evening’s worth of other subjects related to his lifetime of training and teaching his Okinawan martial art to anyone who would pay attention. (Read Article)

The following is about Dan Ivan, martial arts pioneer and icon, taken from 35 years of friendship and apprenticeship, some long nights of taping, and his own memoirs. Mr. Ivan began training in Japan in 1948 and spent his life in the martial arts world.  He passed away last year. The parts below in italics are Mr. Ivan’s own words from things he has written or tapes I have made.            Robert Hunt    

        “As I walked through the neighborhood of fallen concrete buildings and remaining ashes of those that burned, the smell of hibachi cooking permeated the air.                                      (Read Article)

The afternoon sun still drifted through opaque windows at the end of the gymnasium and offered a smidgen of hazy twilight to my corner of the stands. Contestants and judges buzzed about the floor in constant activity and watchers came and went through the double doors at the other end of the room. It was 1974. Tournament karate was young and exciting. Nowadays tournaments often feel like the proverbial hackneyed nag, tired from use and abuse, but, back then, they were fresh and still new, full of undiscovered challenge. No one knew where we were going, but it was a great time to get there.
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