A Historical Martial Arts blog by Jens P. Kleinau
Q: Master Talhoffer, what is the trick to do a perfect strike? A: You strike without wanting to hit. Q: You mean to strike without wanting to hurt somebody? A: No, you just strike, hitting is no matter Q: But if he strikes at me too. What is than to do? A: You strike, the opponen'ts … Continue reading On strikes in medieval German fight books
The understanding of the terms "Vorschlag" and "Nachschlag" in the teaching of Johannes Liechtenauer is widely based on the interpretations done in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The early reception of the texts had been flavored by the modern understanding of 16th century fightbooks like those of Joachim Meyer. While Joachim Meyer himself never … Continue reading The true meaning of “Vorschlag” and “Nachschlag”
Q: Master Talhoffer, what is the true meaning of the Five Words of Master Liechtenauer? A: Try to connect all four fingers tipps of your hand to the tip of the thumb. How does it look like? Q: It looks like the number 5 on a dice. Two fingers are opposite and two are next … Continue reading On the Five Words “Vor/Nach, Indes, Stark/Schwach”
wenne mit dem worte vor als e gesprochen ist / meynt her das eyner mit eyme guten vorslage ader mit dem ersten slage / sal eyner kunlich an alle vorchte dar hurten und rawschen / keyn den bloessen czu koppe ader czu leibe / her treffe ader vele / das her ienen czu haut als … Continue reading Active or Passive, and Double “Vor”
The first thing, Master Lecküchner recommends in both his treatises is to open Schrödinger's Box and release the cat. In Dr. Schrödinger's thought experiment an atom is probably decaying in a radioactive source thus killing a cat, using a special device. Because nobody knows when and where an atom is decaying in radioactive substance during … Continue reading The simplicity of the “Vor”
Q: Master Talhoffer, why should I train the Zornhau again and again? A: Because you can't do a Sturzhau properly! Q: But the Zornhau is just a simple peasant strike and I am of noble birth! A: And you will be a dead noble if you don't use your brain. Q: So there is a … Continue reading διάλογος – Understanding Zornhau in Zufechten
Q: Master Talhoffer, I trained circular strikes, I pushed, I trained hard to generate power from my hip. But it seems that I am not able to accomplish the perfect strike. A: I see. Q: But please Master Talhoffer, can you tell me how I can accomplish the perfect strike? A: Listen carefully: If you … Continue reading διάλογος – On The Perfect Strike
Q: Master Talhoffer, is it true that long solo exercises akin to those of karate-do simply have no value whatsoever. A: No. Q: But our art cannot be learned without partners, however hard you try! A: Sure, you can learn anything without a partner or teacher whatsoever. Q: But I thought that solo exercises that can only be of … Continue reading διάλογος – Solo Practice
Q: Master Talhoffer, did I well to improve my stance? A: Yes, your standing firm and safe. Q: I trained hard to be rooted like a strong tree. Standing deep, low and balanced. A: Sure, like a tree waiting for the axe coming. Q: The axe? What do you mean by that? A: If tree … Continue reading διάλογος – Stand and fall
Q: Master Talhoffer, how do you get an opening? A: By a strike! Q: Is it always a strike? I mean, even if you thrust only, can't you thrust without a strike? A: If you thrust, you need to unfold your arm. It does not really matter if it is your shoulder, your elbow, or … Continue reading διάλογος – The strike in the Thrust
