Pencak Silat: An Indonesian Martial Art

Pencak Silat is one of Indonesian Martial Arts. Its origin is unknown historically. No historical evidence found about this matter.

Suroso Orakas (1977:8), a Pencak Silat Fighter, guessed its basic was brought by Chinese merchants from fifth century to tenth century. In the time, Strait of Malacca had been a central traffic of sea trade between China, India, and Nusantara (ancient name of Indonesia). This mercantile, religion, and cultural relationship was on top in 670s, Golden Era of Sriwijaya Kingdom. Sriwijaya was a famous Buddhism education center. Probably in this age Nusantara People learned martial basic from their trade partner, Chinese merchants.

In fifteenth century, Pencak Silat Teaching taken over by every "Kiai" in "Pondok Pesantren". Kiai is Islamic Priest, Pondok Pesantren is Islamic Traditional Education Center.

After long process which took centuries, finally Pencak Silat found its own personality like we all know now.

Buddhism Influence can be seen in Pencak Silat Philosophy. It teaches not to be the first attacker. Fighter who strikes first blow will lose the fight.

This is prediction of history of Pencak Silat. If you are interested in learning it seriously, please visit Padepokan Pencak Silat, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta, Indonesia. Or you can join Persekutuan Pencak Silat Antar Bangsa (Persilat), if it exists in your country.

Reference:

Orakas, Suroso, Bela Diri Praktis Pencak Silat, Karya Anda, Surabaya, 1977.

Ninja: Principle of Stealth Fighter

Ninja, faceless men, expert fighters in infiltration and assassination, were not fiction but did in fact exist. They were Japanese Secret Assassin in ancient Japan from sixth century to beginning of seventeenth century.

Ninja way of life, named "Ninjutsu", taught an assumption that people can not attack whom they can not see. This made ninja developing infiltration and stealth techniques.

This principle could be applied in fight by three ways.

First, you can attack an opponent from his back silently when he has not detected you already. This is what the so called "Stealth Technique". It is most popular technique used by ninja in ancient time.

Second, when you have been fighting an opponent whom has detected you already, you can still move to his back. It requires leg agility, special technique, and intensive training.

Third, you can distract opponent's vision then attack him. For example, you can pretend you are grasping something, then pretend to throw it to his eyes. Although you throw nothing, he will still turn his face or cover his face in instinctive reaction to protect his eyes. This moment permits you to attack him.

In ancient time, ninja used the third application by throwing smoke bomb. As the smoke filled the air and opponent could not see clearly, ninja would attack his opponent. It was also possible the ninja would throw shuriken (ninja thrown weapon) first. While opponent was being hit or trying to avoid it, ninja would attack opponent with his main weapon, ninja blade.

These are application of Stealth Principle which was developed by Ninja, Stealth Fighter.

Bruce Lee: New Paradigm of Martial Art

Bruce Lee was a very famous Hollywood Actor. He was also a great Kung Fu Fighter. It is a pity he passed away unnaturally.

For the Western World, Bruce Lee introduced a new thing. It is how to use leg as a weapon in the fight. Before they know him, Western people always fight only with their hands.

For Eastern World, Bruce Lee introduced a new style in Kung Fu, Non Style Kung Fu. Before his appearance, Kung Fu Fighters always tied to a style. For example Snake Syle, Dragon Style, Tiger Style, and so on. He tought a form of fighting untied to style, but only concentrated on fighting techniques. For Kung Fu World, this is a new paradigm. One thing never exists before.


This is story of change done by Bruce Lee in Martial Art World. Hopefully, we could get benefit from his teaching.

Miyamoto Musashi: Principles of Invincibility

Miyamoto Musashi was an invincible samurai in Japan Feudal Era. He survived more than 60 duel and passed away peacefully on his bed. Facts about his historical existence are admitted.

One of the historical evidence is the book he wrote in 1643, entitled The Book of Five Rings. In this book he explained his principles of using sword.

First, he suggested to hold a long sword in one hand and a short sword in another hand. He said with this configuration you can overcome fight in any terrain.

Second, you must always fight with your back or your side to sun-shine direction. Do not fight in position with your front to sun-shine direction, except you have no choice. This is important to have your vision undisturbed.

Third, do not use sword techniques rigidly. Best technique is technique that saves your life, not standard technique which does not develop your skill or your position.

Fourth, if you are being ganged up on by many samurai, do not wait for enemies' attack. You must control them, not being controlled by them. Rush and attack quickly to one direction and then rush again to other direction. Repeat this method. With this method, Musashi could defeat about 20 until 30 samurai alone in duel.

These are principles described by Miyamoto Musashi in his book. Hopefully they will be useful to Martial Lovers.

Unarmed Tactics: Fighting Many Armed Opponents

Fighting many armed opponents without a weapon is the heaviest form of fighting. Although you are skillful, this is still difficult to accomplish.

Basically, you must understand how to fight single armed opponent first. Because it is impossible for you to defeat many armed opponents if  you can not handle only single armed opponent.

These are suggestions for you if you have to fight many armed opponents:

Tactics 1:

It is better to run away if you are not very skillful. If you have been surrounded, penetrate out surrounding opponents. Find weakness or weak opponent. You could aim your escaping there.

Tactics 2:

When you are running away, try to find object which could be used as a weapon. It can be a wood stick, big stone, metal pipe, chain, etc.

Tactics 3:

You can enter a narrow path where only an opponent can fight you. It is an advantageous position. In here, you can disarm an opponent. The weapon you get can be used to fight them.

Tactics 4:

If you have to fight openly in wide terrain, you should fight fast. Have an opponent a living shield, so your risk of being injured could be reduced. Please see your trusted trainer to explain and demonstrate what I mean.

Fighting many armed opponents does not only need intensive training guided by a trusted trainer but also brave heart, deep calmness, and certainly: luck. My above explanation is only suggestion to help you fighting such opponents. Not best principles you must apply on absolutely

Unarmed Tactics: Fighting Many Unarmed Opponents

This is heavier form of fighting than 1-on-1 unarmed fight. This form needs good understanding too.

Basically, there are two choices. First choice, you will fight. Second choice, you will escape.

If you decide to fight, apply on "hit and run" tactics. Fight fast. If you need to, you could run freely during fight. It is better to use combination of punch and kick techniques most. The principles of this form of fighting is almost same as to defeat Type 1 of 1-on-1 unarmed fight.

But if you see too many opponents, more than 5 persons, it is suggested to escape or to run away. If you have been surrounded, penetrate out surrounding opponents. How? Look at the surrounding. You will find weakness or weak opponent. You should aim your escape there.

If you have been exhausted but opponents still going after you, stop running and face them. Shout at them to get their braveness dropped. This shocking action will frighten enemies. Usually only one or two braver opponents who will fight you again. When you have been refreshed, you could continue your action by finally fighting them again or escaping.

This is unarmed tactics to fight many unarmed opponents.

Unarmed Tactics: Fighting Single Unarmed Opponent

One-on-one weaponless fight is the simplest and easiest form of fighting. This is also the basic form of any Martial Art. But it does not mean it does not need good tactics and understanding.

Based on body size, we could divide opponent into 2 type. Type 1 is big bodied opponent, Type 2 is small bodied opponent.

How to Defeat Type 1:

Speed and agility are needed to defeat this kind of opponent. Launch various punch and kick techniques to fatal points of opponent's body. I suggest you to move by light/narrow stance. If you have to, you may have little running. Do not get close, and avoid applying throw techniques and/or lock techniques. It is hard to defeat this type with such techniques.

How to Defeat Type 2:

This is contrary of Type 1, small bodied opponent. You must get closer to win. Restrict his/her movement range. Use throw, lock, or break-joint techniques most. Move by heavy/wide stance. Avoid unnecessary move.

It seems easy if our opponent do not practice Martial Art. Now, how will we fight well-trained opponent?

First, you must identify his/her martial type. Close-fight martial art or far-fight martial art? You must know it first (to define types of martial art, please read my former article: Two Categories of Martial Art).

Second, apply reverse martial type of the opponent. If he/she has close-fight martial art, fight with far-fight martial art (or principally the same method on Type 1). If he/she has far-fight martial art, fight with close-fight martial art (or principally the same method on Type 2).

Above explanation is tactics of Weaponless 1-on-1 Fight. I will explain how to fight many unarmed opponents in my next article.