Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

Re: Physics and Karate



Derek,
Part of the study of Aikido is the use of the bokane, a blunt and
dull wooden sword shaped like a katana. We do the following demo (VERY
impressive).
uspend a 3/8"x4' dowel (1/2" would probably work as well or better) by two
loops of tissue paper held by two razor-sharp knives. Make the tissue
loops out of Kleenex or the equivalent. Assistants hold the tissue loops
on knives with their edges up so that the dowel is at the level where the
sword will be horizontal when it hits it. The martial artist, using qi of
course, severs the dowel with a vertical stroke of the blunt wooden bokane.
If there is someone really accomplished available, you can use a bamboo rod
instead of the dowel. This takes real concentration. Practice it ahead of
time. If the move is done right, the tissue loops will be undamaged and
the dowel will break cleanly in the middle.

Charlie

Charles A. Crummer,PhD
Lower Division Laboratory Manager
Physics Department, Kerr Hall
University of California, Santa Cruz 95064