An interesting video on ancient Greek influence on various aspects of Asian art and culture (including martial arts).
The Greco-Buddhist kingdoms of Bactria and NW India are of course featured, but it turns out that the Hellenic influence survived far longer. Note that the first depictions of the Hindu gods Krishna and Balarama are Greco-Buddhist, and so are the first anthropomorphic depictions of the Buddha. There are even depictions of the Buddha with two dharma-protectors, who on closer inspection turns out to be Alexander the Great and Herakles!
The content-creator argues that some Asian martial arts might be influenced by ancient Greek Pankration (made famous by the games at Olympia). Thai boxing and Bokator in Cambodia are apparently the main suspects. The video also claims that there are descriptions of fighting techniques in the Hindu epic Mahabharata which resembles Pankration.
Interesting. So here we go again: Ex Occidente lux. Or at least mixed martial arts...
"Pankration is the sun. All other unarmed martial arts are just shadows".
ReplyDeleteOr something like that.
I stole and modified that quote from a very ridiculous action movie from the 80:es.
https://youtu.be/jP69wn8xtS4?si=DyKC7o6uttZIXeCC
ReplyDeleteWow, never seen this one before! The Destroyer!!
DeleteVill se en minst 10 A4-sidor lång analys av Hubinette om varfōr Korea-chauvunismen I filmen egentligen är antirasistisk och bra.
ReplyDeleteTror att han skulle hävda att koreanen är en guling-stereotyp...
DeleteBut about cauliflower ears that they ta about in the documentary, those are NOT typically associated with "styles that include groundwork". They are most common in styles where clinching from standing position is common.
ReplyDelete"Greco-Roman"(actually a modern french rule system)wrestlers get more deformed ears than any other martial artists because they are only allowed to grab above the waist and they are constantly fighting for control over each other'necks where their ears get in the way.
ReplyDeleteFree style wrestlers get cauliflower ears slightly less often because they are allowed to grab and throw below the waist as well. And the point system encourage some groundwork.
ReplyDeleteJudo guys don't get cauliflower ears very often because they have a lot of groundwork and they usually hold on to the lapel instead of the opponents neck.
Interesting. The YouTube content-creator is an independent scholar, he may still have something to learn about martial arts.
ReplyDeleteI like the docu and think I agree with the general idea(seen half now) but I bet the creator never have been at the slightest risk of deforming his ears.
Delete