DAGGERS

What immortal hand or eye / Could frame thy fearful symmetry? William Blake was writing about a tiger (tyger) but we are speaking of daggers. The dagger is made with a fearful purpose and a beautiful symmetry. The dagger is defined by its symmetry around the long axis and by its emphasis on the point overContinue reading “DAGGERS”

KATA DORI

A new month so moving to a new focus: a front shoulder grab – kata dori. First the context. A shoulder grab while wearing a dogi (or Edo-period clothing) can be an effective control. Starting with the little finger one quickly wraps his grip in the fabric of the shoulder or upper sleeve to effectively pin the opponent’s arm orContinue reading “KATA DORI”