Human Weapon: New Series on The History Channel

[Webmaster]

Yeah, Tony is right. Not the extra exposed loop, it's the way the knot and belt made his stomach look like it had a propeller sticking out of it. I guess it didn't bother me at the time, but the way he kept talking about 'the way we do it in bjj" could have been sort of rude to some of the other folks. I don't think it was intended that way and I think he missed the point that Judo is not BJJ so, yeah, it is different.

This sort of reinforces my perception that it's more of a travelogue with some easy matches thrown in for fun. Somehow I think the 'opponents' are going easy on the shows hosts.

I expected a lot more from the Judo episode, particularly with Aaron Fields having done a "quite a bit" of consulting for the episode. Then again, he was not listed in the credits, so maybe they blew off his consulting. That may be the reason why this show sucked.

[Jeff C.]

You mean we can't blame Aaron? Seriously Aaron, it's probably a good thing your name isn't attached to it, so your reputation isn't dragged down by their lower standards.

Jeff Cook

[Webmaster]

You mean we can't blame Aaron? Seriously Aaron, it's probably a good thing your name isn't attached to it, so your reputation isn't dragged down by their lower standards.

Jeff Cook

I think he is probably off the hook in this case. Like he said earlier in this thread, once the producers get a hold of it, who knows what they will come up with.

[rgoad]

Actually, if they wanted to train for real they would have found a place like Aaron's: under a building in an out of the way part of town, small dressing room, leave the shoes in the hall, and lots of folks who just want to train. They could have even figured out how to work around the concrete pillar in the middle of the floor!

I think they wanted pictures of pretty places and short lectures on 'secret' techniques more than sweaty guys working on harai goshi or uchi mata for years. Aaron probably scared them.

[Webmaster]

Actually, if they wanted to train for real they would have found a place like Aaron's: under a building in an out of the way part of town, small dressing room, leave the shoes in the hall, and lots of folks who just want to train. They could have even figured out how to work around the concrete pillar in the middle of the floor!

I think they wanted pictures of pretty places and short lectures on 'secret' techniques more than sweaty guys working on harai goshi or uchi mata for years. Aaron probably scared them.

Considering that Aaron is in Seattle and these folks seem intent on going to the "home source" for each art, that is not too likely. Tokai University does have a history of being one of the best competitive dojo in Japan, so despite the "pretty", they went to the right place. I do think that they could have benefited from a little time in a hard-core dojo like Aaron's prior to going to Japan. Maybe they would not have looked so totally inept. I mean really, in the match, Jason immediately reverts to using his BJJ and Bill declares that his strategy would be to "Bull Rush" his opponent. Were these guys not paying attention? Every Judoka I know would love for their opponent to do the Bull Rush thing and give them all the momentum to work with.

[rgoad]

Considering that Aaron is in Seattle and these folks seem intent on going to the "home source" for each art, that is not too likely. Tokai University does have a history of being one of the best competitive dojo in Japan, so despite the "pretty", they went to the right place. I do think that they could have benefited from a little time in a hard-core dojo like Aaron's prior to going to Japan. Maybe they would not have looked so totally inept. I mean really, in the match, Jason immediately reverts to using his BJJ and Bill declares that his strategy would be to "Bull Rush" his opponent. Were these guys not paying attention? Every Judoka I know would love for their opponent to do the Bull Rush thing and give them all the momentum to work with.

Sure thing. I meant the Japanese equivalent of Seattle JJ Club. Most of the small dojo I saw in Japan and Okinawa were tiny and in nondescript places and buildings, sort of like the Seattle club.

I was almost salivating when the big guy said he would 'Bull Rush' the Japanese guy. He would become an instant graduate of Japanese Flight School! The police club was the most intriguing to me because they would have been so serious and application oriented. I bet there was a lot to learn there.

[Jeff C.]

I caught the last 15 minutes of it last night; I'm kinda glad I didn't see the whole thing. The little host only showed rudimentary BJJ skills at best; his jaw-flapping about "using BJJ" was a bunch of newb nonsense. He never ONCE seriously tried to shoot, in spite of saying he would. Also, "shooting" is a judo technique as well - certainly not a BJJ-specific thing.

I had to laugh out loud when he said his "BJJ triangle choke" (apparently he doesn't know that sankakujime is a judo technique) "barely missed by inches." Hah! The judoka saw it coming from a mile a way, postured-up, and the little man landed hard flat on his back, missing by damn near two feet!

These guys are funny, listening to them between rounds trying to make it sound like it is a competitive fight. I think they would get a lot more respect if they would say "That guy is owning my a$$" and "I just need to figure out how to survive the next two rounds."

A green belt in judo, or even a BJJ blue belt, probably would have at least had more fun with it, and maybe would have helped the dan-grade make it look like a fight. The judo champion wasn't even sweating at the end of the three rounds.

I was very impressed with the judo champion's posture during newaza. It seemed obvious to me, by his subtle positioning, that he knows what the hell he is doing on the ground too.

Jeff Cook

[Jeff C.]

Oh, I also want to add that his grip-wrestling was totally non-existent - he never tried to achieve a superior grip for defense or offense. Some training in that prior to his match would have been helpful.

Jeff Cook

[STORMCROW34]

Taking it for what it was, I thought the show was at least entertaining.

Like the rest of the episodes, the Judo "champion" was obviously taking it easy on the tourist. He made a couple Hidari Tai Otoshi look REAL easy, as if there was intentional minimal resistance. He was being exceptionally nice to the guy.

Anyone ever notice the strange looks the big guy gets from the dojo hosts? It's almost like they think he may be a little "special".

[Webmaster]

Anyone ever notice the strange looks the big guy gets from the dojo hosts? It's almost like they think he may be a little "special".

Did you also notice that once they were introduced to the Tokai University dojo's head sensei, they are quickly passed along to his assistant? Geeze, what a snub!

[Brian Dugger]

I caught the last 15 minutes of it last night; I'm kinda glad I didn't see the whole thing. The little host only showed rudimentary BJJ skills at best; his jaw-flapping about "using BJJ" was a bunch of newb nonsense. He never ONCE seriously tried to shoot, in spite of saying he would. Also, "shooting" is a judo technique as well - certainly not a BJJ-specific thing.

I had to laugh out loud when he said his "BJJ triangle choke" (apparently he doesn't know that sankakujime is a judo technique) "barely missed by inches." Hah! The judoka saw it coming from a mile a way, postured-up, and the little man landed hard flat on his back, missing by damn near two feet!

These guys are funny, listening to them between rounds trying to make it sound like it is a competitive fight. I think they would get a lot more respect if they would say "That guy is owning my a$$" and "I just need to figure out how to survive the next two rounds."

A green belt in judo, or even a BJJ blue belt, probably would have at least had more fun with it, and maybe would have helped the dan-grade make it look like a fight. The judo champion wasn't even sweating at the end of the three rounds.

I was very impressed with the judo champion's posture during newaza. It seemed obvious to me, by his subtle positioning, that he knows what the hell he is doing on the ground too.

Jeff Cook

Well, unfortunately I saw the whole program. I still don't know why the shave headed guy was even along for the ride. His ukemi was less than acceptable to begin to even understand nage principle/kihon. Oh, I cringed every time he took a roll on the hardwood out at that jujutsu dojo. The smaller host guy did have some training and potential, but not enough for the sempai at the Tokai dojo. Boy that was a beautiful uchi mata!

[STORMCROW34]

Well, unfortunately I saw the whole program. I still don't know why the shave headed guy was even along for the ride. His ukemi was less than acceptable to begin to even understand nage principle/kihon. Oh, I cringed every time he took a roll on the hardwood out at that jujutsu dojo.

Yeah, it's a good thing he didn't participate in the randori practice. When he said he could just overpower them with his strength and bull rush them...I was half hoping/half worried that he would charge right into a Tomoe Nage and have the wind knocked out of him.

[bvermillion]

I caught the last 15 minutes of it last night; I'm kinda glad I didn't see the whole thing. The little host only showed rudimentary BJJ skills at best; his jaw-flapping about "using BJJ" was a bunch of newb nonsense. He never ONCE seriously tried to shoot, in spite of saying he would. Also, "shooting" is a judo technique as well - certainly not a BJJ-specific thing.

I had to laugh out loud when he said his "BJJ triangle choke" (apparently he doesn't know that sankakujime is a judo technique) "barely missed by inches." Hah! The judoka saw it coming from a mile a way, postured-up, and the little man landed hard flat on his back, missing by damn near two feet!

These guys are funny, listening to them between rounds trying to make it sound like it is a competitive fight. I think they would get a lot more respect if they would say "That guy is owning my a$$" and "I just need to figure out how to survive the next two rounds."

A green belt in judo, or even a BJJ blue belt, probably would have at least had more fun with it, and maybe would have helped the dan-grade make it look like a fight. The judo champion wasn't even sweating at the end of the three rounds.

I was very impressed with the judo champion's posture during newaza. It seemed obvious to me, by his subtle positioning, that he knows what the hell he is doing on the ground too.

Jeff Cook

As I didn't see the episode I am not vouching for Jason's performance at all. I do know that he is a very accomplished grappler. He is a brown belt under Eddie Bravo. I would say his poor performance could be directly related to the GI. I know he started under Renzo but don't know how much he trained there before he moved to Eddie's school. He is also a pretty accomplished fighter. Holding an MMA record of 16-4. I do think his knowledge of martial arts outside of what he has trained in is very limited, as apparent by some of the studpid things he says.

[jasonwalker]

Well I have NO experience in Judo, but I did like this episode, better than the rest. Well, the escrima episode was funny, watching Jason getting chased around by the escrima champion, while getting "whooped" by the stick! Man that was funny! Like I said, I have no Judo exp., so I defer to you gentlemen, but I thought the history of Judo, was very interesting. I missed the last of it, and haven't seen it yet.

[Cliff Hargrave]

OK, I finally got to watch the Judo show last night.

I can see where everyone has their problems with it. However, I think we are looking at it through the eyes of martial artists, rather than the eyes of the general public who know nothing about it, or have some really wrong ideas from movies and such. Based upon some seriously bad shows in the past (like the XMA show or the top ten martial arts show) this one really shines. I thought it was entertaining, even with the bad pronunciations, belt tying, and history mistakes. For someone with no martial arts experience, this was a great show.

I guess all of the episodes will have a common theme of:

1. Introduce the art at a modern school
2. Train a little
3. Find someone teaching the "older" versions and touch on the history
4. Train a little in the older version
5. Have a staged "fight" with someone that politely doesn't kill the host.

Like I said, based upon some really bad shows in the past, I am enjoying this series a lot. I have talked to some friends that don't train and they are liking it too.

[jwinch2]

OK, I finally got to watch the Judo show last night.

I can see where everyone has their problems with it. However, I think we are looking at it through the eyes of martial artists, rather than the eyes of the general public who know nothing about it, or have some really wrong ideas from movies and such. Based upon some seriously bad shows in the past (like the XMA show or the top ten martial arts show) this one really shines. I thought it was entertaining, even with the bad pronunciations, belt tying, and history mistakes. For someone with no martial arts experience, this was a great show.

I guess all of the episodes will have a common theme of:

1. Introduce the art at a modern school
2. Train a little
3. Find someone teaching the "older" versions and touch on the history
4. Train a little in the older version
5. Have a staged "fight" with someone that politely doesn't kill the host.

Like I said, based upon some really bad shows in the past, I am enjoying this series a lot. I have talked to some friends that don't train and they are liking it too.

Agreed Cliff. I feel the same way. I get the feeling that they are at least making the attempt to approach each art in a respectful manner, find good people to learn from and to show what makes each art unique and what the similarities are. I also think they do a good job of showing that MA at its best is a lifetime pursuit, takes hard work and dedication, and is not full of the mystical mumbo jumbo many make it out to be, but rather a physical skill set that comes with long long hours of practice.

[STORMCROW34]

Boy that was a beautiful uchi mata!

I stand corrected....as usual.

First time I saw it, I thought the first and last Ippons were Tai O's. I just watched it again on Youtube...and the first one was clearly an Uchi Mata.

[Eye4NEye]

From the HW website:

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?c...&mini_id=54986


Bill Duff

Pro football player, bodyguard, wrestler and stunt double, Bill Duff holds a brown belt in Korean street fighting (Toa So Dou) under Master Davis of the Wa Wrang Studios in Riverside, NJ. Duff is a two-time heavyweight state champion wrestler, member of the NJ Hall of fame, and undefeated in bar fights.

Okay...now that I have wiped the tears from my eyes after reading that bit at the end, can anyone shed some light on Toa So Dou? I've never heard of it (but that doesn't mean a damn thing.)

[Dennis Monk]

Okay...now that I have wiped the tears from my eyes after reading that bit at the end, can anyone shed some light on Toa So Dou? I've never heard of it (but that doesn't mean a damn thing.)

It is why he is undefeated in bar fights.

[Webmaster]

It is why he is undefeated in bar fights.

Because he's never been in one?

Anyway, you'll want some humor, check out the forum for the show at the History Channel's website.

http://boards.historychannel.com/for...umID=800000065