With the gulf between Traditional Karate and Sport Karate quickly becoming smaller and smaller, there are a few Traditionalists out there determined to secure and preserve the heritage of our art, ensuring its values stay intact despite the growing trends that seem to almost ignore the real essence of the art.
"It’s difficult to give my opinion on The Heat of Battle using a couple of simple statements, but I’ll try. Elwyn Hall makes a genuine attempt to focus on the real dynamics of karate. He shows the techniques that are best suited to finishing off any mugger, or attacker.
I have recently had the good fortune to view a video programme called Elwyn Hall Looks Back. This video is from Legend Productions and I can honestly say I enjoyed every second of it.
Although most of what passes as traditional martial arts these days, is really nothing more than playground antics, there was a time when it really was a dangerous art. I feel privileged to have been a part of that era, a time when control was very necessary.
Ged Morgan and Maria Hugh of Legend Productions in Manchester England were kind enough to send me this very fun videotape entitled, "Masters of The Art", a few weeks ago. I have watched and reviewed it several times now and have enjoyed it tremendously.
"One of the reasons I left traditional karate was because 90% of what we did in the Dojo was based upon a scripted scenario, or pre-arranged sparring.
"I must have watched The Art of War dozens of times, and each time I feel like I’m watching it for the first time. The action is so fast and so strong. There’s nothing like it anywhere else. Nothing compares to this level of martial combat."