Hey Everyone!
I mentioned previously on another thread that I had seen some lovely elderly Chinese women practicing with fans for exercise. The moves they were doing were dance with a definate overtone of martial arts. That got me thinking...
I've found some "fighting fans" online that seem like an "accessory" a dressed up woman could carry in an overly warm restaurant or club while out on the town.
Does anyone here know more about the use of fans for self-defense or as part of martial arts? What is your take on them? I would appreciate the information.
Le'
What do you know about Fans?
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Le Haggard
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gmattson
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Bob Campbell. . .
is quite knowledgable about this subject. He taught a Kata using a fan-weapon at the '83 SummerFest on Thompson Island. I'll forward your message to him.
GEM
"Do or do not. there is no try!"
"Do or do not. there is no try!"
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gmattson
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Reply from Bob Campbell
Dear Sensei & all our Friends in Budo
Fighting Fans
Japan : A General, War Lord or warring member of a royal / imperial house, would hold a rigid, solid, one piece, War Fan, when directing the course of a battle. The fan was symbolic, much like a Roman gold-gilt Victory Baton.... the Japanese War Fan was not intended for actual battle but I am sure if you were hit with it, you would know it
China : There are 2 types for fighting fans..... the more modern one, easily purchased from numerous martial art suppliers, made of steel blade-like-fins supporting silk, cotton or nylon making up the " face " or shield of the fan..... I personally do not advocate this model / style fan.... its too heavy, clumsy and more danger to the user than the would be assailant
I favor the bamboo, blade-like-fins with the face / shield made of starched paper..... in the hands of a true expert, it is a deadly weapon. In the hands of a dancer.... its a mere prop, in the hands of a man or women with little training, it is a fools weapon of choice. In the hands of a time tested, actual combat / self defense / street smart.... practitioner, it is deadly
I have studied in Taiwan, Hong Kong & China under several great Masters of the Chinese Fighting Fan...... if any reader on the Uechi Forum would like to learn more or ask any questions please contact Sensei Mattson who will in turn contact me here in Hong Kong
Ladies in the Park..... delightful to watch, even cute, found in every park here in Hong Kong & China dancing with fans..... they may have some knowledge that the fan can be a weapon however almost known could effectively use it so !! Give these women umbrellas on a subway .....then watch out
I do apologies for not being able to be more active on the forum, my work & travel schedule/s here in Asia tends to monopolies my every day & night
Warmest regards to all......
Bob Campbell Uechi Ryu Karate - Do Hong Kong Dojo People's Republic of China
Fighting Fans
Japan : A General, War Lord or warring member of a royal / imperial house, would hold a rigid, solid, one piece, War Fan, when directing the course of a battle. The fan was symbolic, much like a Roman gold-gilt Victory Baton.... the Japanese War Fan was not intended for actual battle but I am sure if you were hit with it, you would know it
China : There are 2 types for fighting fans..... the more modern one, easily purchased from numerous martial art suppliers, made of steel blade-like-fins supporting silk, cotton or nylon making up the " face " or shield of the fan..... I personally do not advocate this model / style fan.... its too heavy, clumsy and more danger to the user than the would be assailant
I favor the bamboo, blade-like-fins with the face / shield made of starched paper..... in the hands of a true expert, it is a deadly weapon. In the hands of a dancer.... its a mere prop, in the hands of a man or women with little training, it is a fools weapon of choice. In the hands of a time tested, actual combat / self defense / street smart.... practitioner, it is deadly
I have studied in Taiwan, Hong Kong & China under several great Masters of the Chinese Fighting Fan...... if any reader on the Uechi Forum would like to learn more or ask any questions please contact Sensei Mattson who will in turn contact me here in Hong Kong
Ladies in the Park..... delightful to watch, even cute, found in every park here in Hong Kong & China dancing with fans..... they may have some knowledge that the fan can be a weapon however almost known could effectively use it so !! Give these women umbrellas on a subway .....then watch out
I do apologies for not being able to be more active on the forum, my work & travel schedule/s here in Asia tends to monopolies my every day & night
Warmest regards to all......
Bob Campbell Uechi Ryu Karate - Do Hong Kong Dojo People's Republic of China
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Le Haggard
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Le-sama,
Tessen-jitsu, the art of the Iron Fan was practiced in Japan during several periods up to the current period.
Two types of fans, with minor variations, were used. The traditional War Fan, which looked something like a pingpong paddle and the more traditional folding fan (often with metal lames) were the most commonly used types.
Being a fan, it was not considered rude to have one on one's person inside another's home, unlike a sowrd, which was always placed in a katana-kake (sword rack) as one entered the home.
The fan could be used as a bludgeon, a parrying weapon for sword cuts or as a slashing weapon (the foldable types were particularly designed for this use when opened).
Strikes were most often to vulnerable areas such as the solar plexus, wrist joints, throat, etc. and some throwing moves were developed by at least one school, The Arima Tessen school, founded by Mataemon Araki in the early 1600's if memory serves.
There is a rumor that Araki was a student of Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's Kensei, or Sword Saint and author of the Gorin no Sho, The Book of Five Rings and Japan's most revered Samurai.
There is, if I recall correctly, a small amount of information on Tessen jitsu in Secret Arts of the Samurai.
Hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
Tessen-jitsu, the art of the Iron Fan was practiced in Japan during several periods up to the current period.
Two types of fans, with minor variations, were used. The traditional War Fan, which looked something like a pingpong paddle and the more traditional folding fan (often with metal lames) were the most commonly used types.
Being a fan, it was not considered rude to have one on one's person inside another's home, unlike a sowrd, which was always placed in a katana-kake (sword rack) as one entered the home.
The fan could be used as a bludgeon, a parrying weapon for sword cuts or as a slashing weapon (the foldable types were particularly designed for this use when opened).
Strikes were most often to vulnerable areas such as the solar plexus, wrist joints, throat, etc. and some throwing moves were developed by at least one school, The Arima Tessen school, founded by Mataemon Araki in the early 1600's if memory serves.
There is a rumor that Araki was a student of Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's Kensei, or Sword Saint and author of the Gorin no Sho, The Book of Five Rings and Japan's most revered Samurai.
There is, if I recall correctly, a small amount of information on Tessen jitsu in Secret Arts of the Samurai.
Hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
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Akil Todd Harvey
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Dana, Lee, Le & GM Sensei,
Although I am hardly Master Capbell's most famous pupil, I have taken a fancy for the fan as a weapon of seld defense for more than a decade.
In addition to the advantages descibes aptly by Lee, I find it useful on other counts as well.........
1) It is not generally intimidating visually in case someone sees it on a plane or other mode of transportation. I have brought them everywhere and never had them confiscated unlike my trusty kubuton which gets taken away at every govt. office building & major transport hub (I know you can store inside the luggage, but then it is not a personal self d device, is it?)
2) With all weapons, it is best not to "Pull it out of your pocket" if you dont intend to use it" as the mere sight of a weapon can escalate the scenario you are in. The sight of a fan, as compared to a gun, a knife, or nunchuks as examples, does not bring the kind of escalation that the other weapons have the potential.
3) The fan is also potentially useful because most adversaries are unaware of how it works, thus making it less useful to your adverssary in the event that you have either dropped the weapon or been disarmed.
3) It can be intimidating from the sound and the visual effect if and when you desire it to as opening it vigorously causes a very noticeable sound. The first day I owned one of these, I opened it in front of a fromer roommate, who yelled, "Dont come at me with those nunchucks".
4) I have found on several occasions that although I did not require a personal self defense device at the moment, the fan aspect was noted for its usefulness in creating a breeze for either myself or my wife.
I own several fans, both the metal and the wood ones and even have one I saved that Sensei Campbell gave me so many years ago (I had to repair it, so it is rarely used). For actual self defense purposes, I find nothing beats the wood variety. The metal blades bend too easily, making it less capable of opening and folding back up again quickly, and the metal one, even after a decade of use, is not a s sure in my hands as is the lighter wood ones.
If you are looking for a weapon with stopping power, go for the projectile launching mechanisms of various designs, calibers, permit requirements, etc.
The fan is a weapon you will rarely if ever feel uncomfortable leaving on the kitchen table in front of your children........Not detracting from the other options, just commenting on the advantages of this one. Note: There are distinct disadvantages to this weapon as well, I have not taken the time to discuss them, but will if needed.
Be Well and Enjoy Summer Camp if you have the chance to make it,
ATH
Although I am hardly Master Capbell's most famous pupil, I have taken a fancy for the fan as a weapon of seld defense for more than a decade.
In addition to the advantages descibes aptly by Lee, I find it useful on other counts as well.........
1) It is not generally intimidating visually in case someone sees it on a plane or other mode of transportation. I have brought them everywhere and never had them confiscated unlike my trusty kubuton which gets taken away at every govt. office building & major transport hub (I know you can store inside the luggage, but then it is not a personal self d device, is it?)
2) With all weapons, it is best not to "Pull it out of your pocket" if you dont intend to use it" as the mere sight of a weapon can escalate the scenario you are in. The sight of a fan, as compared to a gun, a knife, or nunchuks as examples, does not bring the kind of escalation that the other weapons have the potential.
3) The fan is also potentially useful because most adversaries are unaware of how it works, thus making it less useful to your adverssary in the event that you have either dropped the weapon or been disarmed.
3) It can be intimidating from the sound and the visual effect if and when you desire it to as opening it vigorously causes a very noticeable sound. The first day I owned one of these, I opened it in front of a fromer roommate, who yelled, "Dont come at me with those nunchucks".
4) I have found on several occasions that although I did not require a personal self defense device at the moment, the fan aspect was noted for its usefulness in creating a breeze for either myself or my wife.
I own several fans, both the metal and the wood ones and even have one I saved that Sensei Campbell gave me so many years ago (I had to repair it, so it is rarely used). For actual self defense purposes, I find nothing beats the wood variety. The metal blades bend too easily, making it less capable of opening and folding back up again quickly, and the metal one, even after a decade of use, is not a s sure in my hands as is the lighter wood ones.
If you are looking for a weapon with stopping power, go for the projectile launching mechanisms of various designs, calibers, permit requirements, etc.
The fan is a weapon you will rarely if ever feel uncomfortable leaving on the kitchen table in front of your children........Not detracting from the other options, just commenting on the advantages of this one. Note: There are distinct disadvantages to this weapon as well, I have not taken the time to discuss them, but will if needed.
Be Well and Enjoy Summer Camp if you have the chance to make it,
ATH
Seek knowledge from cradle to grave
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Dana Sheets
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I haven't seen many fan applications mostly because I haven't trained much in weapons that don't involve projectiles and powder combinations. 
Anybody know of some good online fan video or walkthroughs?
Akil - please do post what you feel are the drawbacks to the weapon. I can sympathize heartily with the "can't take it into the building" routine since I'm in Washington DC and regularly fly out of the onerous BWI airport.
thanks,
Dana
Anybody know of some good online fan video or walkthroughs?
Akil - please do post what you feel are the drawbacks to the weapon. I can sympathize heartily with the "can't take it into the building" routine since I'm in Washington DC and regularly fly out of the onerous BWI airport.
thanks,
Dana
Did you show compassion today?
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Akil Todd Harvey
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- Location: Tallahassee, FL
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Ok Dana,
But only because it is one of my favorite weapons.......
1) disadvantage number one....say you are using the fan as you would a simple batton (escrima stick, kali, Arnis, etc.) for various strikes (12 points of attack).....You will notice that the fan is a bit shorter, thus your reach is reduced......The longer the weapon, the easier to keep the BG at bay.
2) disadvantage number two....it is not a real batton (arnis, escrima, kali stick) so you won't get the full force you could transmit with a full fledged baton. Because the fan is not solid, it does not transmit force in the same manner (it is pretty darn good, but certainly not as effective as a solid stick).
3) Disadvantage number three.....It works somewhat less effectively in the wind. The various opening techniques that allow the fan to strike out quickly are far less effective the more the wind is blowing........
That being said, how come you like it so much??????
Easy to hide.....I can carry it hidden behind my back, inside my belt, and it requires no hands to carry with me. It even hides quite well in your hand, behind your wrist, to be quickly deployed as a defensive maneuver or as a distracting visual and aural crunch as you quickly district the BG, you make your evasive actions to scaddadle out of the area.......
I picked up the fan as in interesting distraction. As much as I enjoy doing Sanchin, I also enjoy anything that bring to mind a different perspective on things martial and things artsy. Like many of the other weapons that I picked up and picked out, over the years, I did not think of them at the time as being the end all martial arts weapon. After ten years or more of handling, practicing and carryign with me some of these weapons became more and more comfortable as a means of defending myself......
Realistically, if I had to protect myself with the fan, I think i would probably just use it as a simple bludgeoning or poking device, cuz it is simplest and most effective. I need to be realistic about how much fine motor coordination I think i would have in a real confrontation with adrenaline running through my veins and other liquids running down my leg (not so graphic please).......
Take Care,
ATH
But only because it is one of my favorite weapons.......
1) disadvantage number one....say you are using the fan as you would a simple batton (escrima stick, kali, Arnis, etc.) for various strikes (12 points of attack).....You will notice that the fan is a bit shorter, thus your reach is reduced......The longer the weapon, the easier to keep the BG at bay.
2) disadvantage number two....it is not a real batton (arnis, escrima, kali stick) so you won't get the full force you could transmit with a full fledged baton. Because the fan is not solid, it does not transmit force in the same manner (it is pretty darn good, but certainly not as effective as a solid stick).
3) Disadvantage number three.....It works somewhat less effectively in the wind. The various opening techniques that allow the fan to strike out quickly are far less effective the more the wind is blowing........
That being said, how come you like it so much??????
Easy to hide.....I can carry it hidden behind my back, inside my belt, and it requires no hands to carry with me. It even hides quite well in your hand, behind your wrist, to be quickly deployed as a defensive maneuver or as a distracting visual and aural crunch as you quickly district the BG, you make your evasive actions to scaddadle out of the area.......
I picked up the fan as in interesting distraction. As much as I enjoy doing Sanchin, I also enjoy anything that bring to mind a different perspective on things martial and things artsy. Like many of the other weapons that I picked up and picked out, over the years, I did not think of them at the time as being the end all martial arts weapon. After ten years or more of handling, practicing and carryign with me some of these weapons became more and more comfortable as a means of defending myself......
Realistically, if I had to protect myself with the fan, I think i would probably just use it as a simple bludgeoning or poking device, cuz it is simplest and most effective. I need to be realistic about how much fine motor coordination I think i would have in a real confrontation with adrenaline running through my veins and other liquids running down my leg (not so graphic please).......
Take Care,
ATH
Seek knowledge from cradle to grave
Akil Todd Harvey,
Excellent summation of the advantages and disadvantages. I would add one advantage, however:
No LEO is going to take a wooden fan seriously as an offensive weapon, generally speaking. And very few prosecutors would try to hang an "assault with a deadly weapon" charge on someone with a wooden fan as their only weapon. And most juries would probably laugh at the idea unless someone staged as really serious demonstration in the courtroom, which most judges will probably not put up with, IME.
But check with our legal brethren for verification on that legal stuff.
Just because my last name's Darrow, doesn't make me a lawyer, even if Cousin Clarence WAS one. No kidding on the relation, either.
Respectfully,
Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
Excellent summation of the advantages and disadvantages. I would add one advantage, however:
No LEO is going to take a wooden fan seriously as an offensive weapon, generally speaking. And very few prosecutors would try to hang an "assault with a deadly weapon" charge on someone with a wooden fan as their only weapon. And most juries would probably laugh at the idea unless someone staged as really serious demonstration in the courtroom, which most judges will probably not put up with, IME.
But check with our legal brethren for verification on that legal stuff.
Just because my last name's Darrow, doesn't make me a lawyer, even if Cousin Clarence WAS one. No kidding on the relation, either.
Respectfully,
Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
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Akil Todd Harvey
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Lee (and everybody else who participates in this thread),
I appreciate your validation as I dont feel like I want to be the sole authority on this one. I have thought a lot about this post lately as it has caused me to carry my fan around with me again......Like others I can think of, I have been influenced highly by, among others, by Campbell Sensei, who introduced me to a plethora of martial arts weapons (he opened up a whole new world to me) which have taken me well over a decade to achieve some semblance of competence & functionality with (and interestingly, none of it seems to count towards any recognition of rank within the Uechi world). I pursued the training knowing that I might never get official recongition for the training, I just wanted to know how to do it......Now that I am somewhat proficient, I am beginning to feel an obligation to pass what I have learned on to others as it was passed down to me. These posts have been in that effort, to give back what was given to me so freely.....with such care and concern, they gave me strength & confidence....I hope to pass that on to others....
Among the weapons I have been training with are the Tonfa, Nunchaku (against Sesnsei Campbell's advice-I would never carry them with me as a self D weapon as they are so lethal and the court system would come down hard on anyone trying to use them even for ostensible self d purposes), bo (6'), jo(5'), cane, single stick arnis (escrima), kama, double stick Kali, 3 sectional staff, fan, shinai, plus a few I may not recall off hand, plus a few untraditional or esoteric ones.
I used to carry one of these weapons with me almost everywhere I went, not just for defense, but also to practice with. After a while, I miight get bored with a particular weapon and start carrying another one instead. Get tired of carying a five foot stick with you everywhere you go, bring a one and a half foot fan with you instead......
So, I started carying the fan with me again, not everywhere I go. If I couldnt find the wooden one, I would grab the metal one, it is a lot heftier and thus gives a false sense of security. See, after all these years, the wooden one doesn't slip out of my hands as the heavy metal one does and its blades tend to return to their original shape if dropped or impalled on something while the metal one just bends out of shape and you have to try to bend it back to the right shape such that it can be opened and closed quickly.
Among my thoughts and concerns about the above (previous) post is that I had indicated that the wooden fans could be taken among the carry-on luggage on an airplane. While I may done so successfully many times, I dont want people to think that that is in any way a guarentee. I cannot speak for the TSA or their regulations.
Lee, your point is so crucial that I cant figure out how I left it out. IMHO, i dont want to give LEO's or prosecutors any reasons to get to know me better.
Be Well and Be Good to Each Other,
ATH
I appreciate your validation as I dont feel like I want to be the sole authority on this one. I have thought a lot about this post lately as it has caused me to carry my fan around with me again......Like others I can think of, I have been influenced highly by, among others, by Campbell Sensei, who introduced me to a plethora of martial arts weapons (he opened up a whole new world to me) which have taken me well over a decade to achieve some semblance of competence & functionality with (and interestingly, none of it seems to count towards any recognition of rank within the Uechi world). I pursued the training knowing that I might never get official recongition for the training, I just wanted to know how to do it......Now that I am somewhat proficient, I am beginning to feel an obligation to pass what I have learned on to others as it was passed down to me. These posts have been in that effort, to give back what was given to me so freely.....with such care and concern, they gave me strength & confidence....I hope to pass that on to others....
Among the weapons I have been training with are the Tonfa, Nunchaku (against Sesnsei Campbell's advice-I would never carry them with me as a self D weapon as they are so lethal and the court system would come down hard on anyone trying to use them even for ostensible self d purposes), bo (6'), jo(5'), cane, single stick arnis (escrima), kama, double stick Kali, 3 sectional staff, fan, shinai, plus a few I may not recall off hand, plus a few untraditional or esoteric ones.
I used to carry one of these weapons with me almost everywhere I went, not just for defense, but also to practice with. After a while, I miight get bored with a particular weapon and start carrying another one instead. Get tired of carying a five foot stick with you everywhere you go, bring a one and a half foot fan with you instead......
So, I started carying the fan with me again, not everywhere I go. If I couldnt find the wooden one, I would grab the metal one, it is a lot heftier and thus gives a false sense of security. See, after all these years, the wooden one doesn't slip out of my hands as the heavy metal one does and its blades tend to return to their original shape if dropped or impalled on something while the metal one just bends out of shape and you have to try to bend it back to the right shape such that it can be opened and closed quickly.
Among my thoughts and concerns about the above (previous) post is that I had indicated that the wooden fans could be taken among the carry-on luggage on an airplane. While I may done so successfully many times, I dont want people to think that that is in any way a guarentee. I cannot speak for the TSA or their regulations.
Lee, your point is so crucial that I cant figure out how I left it out. IMHO, i dont want to give LEO's or prosecutors any reasons to get to know me better.
Be Well and Be Good to Each Other,
ATH
Seek knowledge from cradle to grave
Akil Todd Harvey,
Thanks for the kind words. I "closed my hands" over a decade ago (two BAD knees, a bone spur on the left hip socket will do that to you along with a couple of other issues) and have been an armchair MA since then.
It's nice to know that my memory still works and what I have read and used to practice still applies.
One variation weapon that is fairly street legal and not arousing of suspicion is a good pair of drumsticks. ( like the Zildjian 5As with the nylon tips).
Fast, built to take serious punishment, light enough for fast responses, yet having enough mass to do real damage if needed and/or parry as well.
Escrima/Kali techniques seem well suited to a pair of drumsticks and the nylon tip makes a reasonable blunt thrusting point (meaning that, while doing considerable damage and pain, you aren't going to puncture the guy unless you hit something VERY soft).
I'm also fond of carrying a cane (metal) when going into areas that I know are a bit on the dicey side. LOTS you can do with a crook-handle cane, believe me. But that's another thread.
One esoteric move with a fan that I have seen is the rice shower move. One has a handful of dried rice in the left hand, tosses it into the air and fans the daylights out of it, into an attacker's face.
It stings, disrupts timing and vision. Works with small plastic beads, too, which, once on the ground, can cause someone to slip and fall as well. For those who do beadwork, this one's a natural!
"Insidi est Optimus!" - Sneaky is best - unofficial Darrow Family Motto (in bad Latin, no less).
Respectfully,
Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
Thanks for the kind words. I "closed my hands" over a decade ago (two BAD knees, a bone spur on the left hip socket will do that to you along with a couple of other issues) and have been an armchair MA since then.
It's nice to know that my memory still works and what I have read and used to practice still applies.
One variation weapon that is fairly street legal and not arousing of suspicion is a good pair of drumsticks. ( like the Zildjian 5As with the nylon tips).
Fast, built to take serious punishment, light enough for fast responses, yet having enough mass to do real damage if needed and/or parry as well.
Escrima/Kali techniques seem well suited to a pair of drumsticks and the nylon tip makes a reasonable blunt thrusting point (meaning that, while doing considerable damage and pain, you aren't going to puncture the guy unless you hit something VERY soft).
I'm also fond of carrying a cane (metal) when going into areas that I know are a bit on the dicey side. LOTS you can do with a crook-handle cane, believe me. But that's another thread.
One esoteric move with a fan that I have seen is the rice shower move. One has a handful of dried rice in the left hand, tosses it into the air and fans the daylights out of it, into an attacker's face.
It stings, disrupts timing and vision. Works with small plastic beads, too, which, once on the ground, can cause someone to slip and fall as well. For those who do beadwork, this one's a natural!
"Insidi est Optimus!" - Sneaky is best - unofficial Darrow Family Motto (in bad Latin, no less).
Respectfully,
Lee Darrow, C.Ht.
http://www.leedarrow.com
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Akil Todd Harvey
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- Joined: Sun Feb 11, 2001 6:01 am
- Location: Tallahassee, FL
- Contact:
Lee,
There are times that I defer to the experts. One of the most valuable lessons that one can learn is about thyself. Know your physical limits and abilities (you may choose not to immeidately broadcast what those limits are, but you should known them).
I know I will never be the all powerful martial artist that some of Uechi Brethren have worked long and hard to become, but per chance I can learn from some of their experiences.
What I take from the "Reality" Forum and how I apply it to the use of the fan.......I must be realistic in my expectations of what I can and cannot due under the stress of a real attack. Keep it simple. Keep all your movements and techniques as simple as possible (gross motor responses only), thus minimizing the chance of dropping your weapon and maximizing your chance of using it effectively.
At this point in time, I have very little expectation that some fancy flinging move is gonna do the trick. So why bother carrying the fan? Gross motor movements with the fan in your hand will still do more damage to your attacker than without. It allows you to hook and grab, as needed, and it will puncture if you land those gross motor blows in delicate places.
Knives will probably do more damage, but do you have the stomach to use a knife?
Be Well Folks,
ATH
There are times that I defer to the experts. One of the most valuable lessons that one can learn is about thyself. Know your physical limits and abilities (you may choose not to immeidately broadcast what those limits are, but you should known them).
I know I will never be the all powerful martial artist that some of Uechi Brethren have worked long and hard to become, but per chance I can learn from some of their experiences.
What I take from the "Reality" Forum and how I apply it to the use of the fan.......I must be realistic in my expectations of what I can and cannot due under the stress of a real attack. Keep it simple. Keep all your movements and techniques as simple as possible (gross motor responses only), thus minimizing the chance of dropping your weapon and maximizing your chance of using it effectively.
At this point in time, I have very little expectation that some fancy flinging move is gonna do the trick. So why bother carrying the fan? Gross motor movements with the fan in your hand will still do more damage to your attacker than without. It allows you to hook and grab, as needed, and it will puncture if you land those gross motor blows in delicate places.
Knives will probably do more damage, but do you have the stomach to use a knife?
Be Well Folks,
ATH
Seek knowledge from cradle to grave
PAMAYPAY:Filipino Fans and others.
First, I am responding to this because I saw some postings by Bob Campbell who may remember me somewhat as we met in Manila in the Philippines. Bob was also a fashion model there, briefly, did a Kungfu Form demo for the Philippine Karate Association at a local meet, where my friend, Roland Dantes was also in attendance, and he was in the movie,RAW FORCE,which is a 'classic" We met when the USKA TEAM came to town at a Chinese Restaurant where the late Bob Trias and Col Dante Nagtalon and I were dining. Yes, I knew that Bob was in Hongkong the last I heard where he has or had a Uechi-ryu club or group,etc. Fans are, of course, found in all kinds of dances in Asia and some of the dances do have martial overtones or implications and possible applications. Folded or unfolded, the fan or pamaypay which can be found in Spain and Mexico,etc. can be used to strike, deflect, parry,etc. as most, if not all, martial artists know. The fans can be 'doctored' by those desiring to add something to them, such as, razor blades,etc. but usually not by refined ladies. The language of the fan can be varied: flirting romantically, for example. Or, as shield for bad breath. Long hair pins along with fans and,of course, umbrellas(parasols)(payong) are or can be a woman's better defense if they know how to employ such. Anyway, keep up your interest in fans and similar devices. Thanks for your time. Halford E. Jones at http://arnis.homestead.comFans can be carried by women usually in their handbags and
Bob Campbell is right about bamboo fans being better to carry and use than metal ones,etc. For one thing, if they are in your carry-on or in a woman's purse when catching a flight somewhere, the metal detectors will not be affected. If you have them on your person, like inside a jacket pocket or whatever, the metal detectors will not sound. Plastic fans that fold may also be used in place of bamboo ones. The solid- ribbed fans are different from the ones with paper or silk attached to the ribs. I am thinking of the large wooden fans that are found in the Philippines with decorative scenes painted on them. Flicking the fan about, especially towards or across the eyes of an attacker or opponent will work, can injure and graze the eyes, enough to distract and allow for something else to follow up on. Anyway, there is more to be said on this subject when time permits. Keep up your interest in the fan. Thanks for your time. Halford
