Cane fighting DVD at Turtle Press - Anyone heard of Gordon Oster?
Rafael Argos
I saw a DVD for sale by Turtle Press, but I'm a little curious as to the
(alleged) credentials of the guy who made it (Gordon Oster). As per their
webpage :
"Gordon Oster has 39 years of experience training in and teaching various
martial arts. He holds a 7th dan black belt in T.A.I. Kung fu as well as
black belts in Kenpo, Kodokan Jujitsu, and Bok Fu Pai Kung Fu. He is the
head instructor and owner of Academy of Self-defense and Oster Security
System in Boise ID."
My issues :
1) Is there such a thing as a dan ranking in Kung fu?
2) What exactly is Kodokan Jujitsu? The Kodokan teaches Judo
3) I couldn't find any contact info for his Academy/Security System in Boise
4) Googling his name turns up nothing but links to this DVD.
Does this sound highly suspect to anyone else? I normally have a pretty
high opinion of Turtle Press and their books/DVDs, but it looks like they
may have been taken for a ride by this guy.
R.
Topo Gigio
"Rafael Argos" <rar...@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:0xQDg.118719$R26....@tornado.southeast.rr.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I saw a DVD for sale by Turtle Press, but I'm a little curious as to the
> (alleged) credentials of the guy who made it (Gordon Oster). As per their
> webpage :
One can not learn a martial art from a DVD. Join a school.
Rabid Weasel
> "Gordon Oster has 39 years of experience training in and teaching various
> martial arts. He holds a 7th dan black belt in T.A.I. Kung fu as well as
> black belts in Kenpo, Kodokan Jujitsu, and Bok Fu Pai Kung Fu. He is the
> head instructor and owner of Academy of Self-defense and Oster Security
> System in Boise ID."
When you're selling stuff, credentials are always stated as impressively
as possible.
> My issues :
> 1) Is there such a thing as a dan ranking in Kung fu?
Traditionally, no. In the last few decades, yes. Many of the Chinese
teachers have adopted colored sashes with "black sash" roughly being
equivalent to "black belt."
> 2) What exactly is Kodokan Jujitsu? The Kodokan teaches Judo
In the old days (a century or so ago), Judo *was* called Jujitsu.
> 3) I couldn't find any contact info for his Academy/Security System in Boise
Might not exist any more. Might be a Garage Dojo. Might be a lie.
> 4) Googling his name turns up nothing but links to this DVD.
Good marketing.
> Does this sound highly suspect to anyone else?
I'm suspect of *most* cane self defense videos. It's a stick. Hit 'em
with it. I can teach the basics of self defense with a cane against
empty-handed or knife wielding assailant in just a few hours. Probably 5
or so.
Peace favor your sword (IH),
Kirk
Chas
> Traditionally, no. In the last few decades, yes. Many of the Chinese
> teachers have adopted colored sashes with "black sash" roughly being
> equivalent to "black belt."
There's kind of a yo-yo thing going on.
The japanese influence on the practice of all martial art is tremendous- the
use of the gi, the belting system, certain words are ubiquitous-
A lot of systems started mixing in those things while continuing to teach
what they teach- you see some funny examples; 'Shaolin Do', which turns out
to be Indonesian, and nothing to do with China, Japan, Buddhism or Shinto-
wearing gi's, issuing belts and talking about temples and stuff.
It's hilarious.
>> 2) What exactly is Kodokan Jujitsu? The Kodokan teaches Judo
> In the old days (a century or so ago), Judo *was* called Jujitsu.
Yeahbut; it's such an improbable construction, namewise, that one has to
suspect using that particular credential.
>> 3) I couldn't find any contact info for his Academy/Security System in
>> Boise
> Might not exist any more. Might be a Garage Dojo. Might be a lie.
<g>
I had security companies for years- mostly out of my hip pocket. You work
from contract to contract, figure in recuperation time- getting in the
Yellow Pages is sometimes improbable.
> I'm suspect of *most* cane self defense videos. It's a stick. Hit 'em
> with it. I can teach the basics of self defense with a cane against
> empty-handed or knife wielding assailant in just a few hours. Probably 5
> or so.
Absolutely-
the only refinement I'd make is that a cane is an 'end-weighted' stick, and
there are some small advantages that one can exploit that are 'better' than
a simple rod.
The proper length also has some 'mechanical' advantages that one can
exploit- the cane is the same length as from your hip-socket to the ground;
that's a 'natural distance' for you in your 'cigar dalem' (inner defensive
circle), and so on.
The other thing I don't like about most cane videos is that they're not for
the people who generally have to use a cane. The dude in the canemasters'
video actually gives some advice about how to mimic being crippled; it's
hilarious.
--
Chas
Do the Right Thing!
http://www.jacksandsaps.com/
(blackjacks, saps, practice and conditioning tools)
Evil Shaman
Rabid Weasel wrote:
> On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:41:16 +0000, Rafael Argos wrote:
>
>
> In the old days (a century or so ago), Judo *was* called Jujitsu.
>
>
I thought it was called shiao jiao.
Bryce
Rabid Weasel
> There's kind of a yo-yo thing going on.
> The japanese influence on the practice of all martial art is tremendous- the
> use of the gi, the belting system, certain words are ubiquitous-
> A lot of systems started mixing in those things while continuing to teach
> what they teach- you see some funny examples; 'Shaolin Do', which turns out
> to be Indonesian, and nothing to do with China, Japan, Buddhism or Shinto-
> wearing gi's, issuing belts and talking about temples and stuff.
> It's hilarious.
I think it's more of an *AMERICAN* influence than a Japanese one.
Americans expect martial arts systems to have a belt ranking system
culminating in "Black Belt." It's nearly a requirement for mass
consumption.
>>> 2) What exactly is Kodokan Jujitsu? The Kodokan teaches Judo
>> In the old days (a century or so ago), Judo *was* called Jujitsu.
>
> Yeahbut; it's such an improbable construction, namewise, that one has to
> suspect using that particular credential.
I'm not disagreeing. Just saying that it's not unheard of. In some old
documents I've seen Judo referred to as "Kano-Ha" and "Kano-Ryu." In
England Jujitsu was interchangeable with Judo (to one degree or another)
up past WWI and somewhere before WWII. Possibly later. You've seen the
docs I've transcribed, right?
>>> 3) I couldn't find any contact info for his Academy/Security System in
>>> Boise
>> Might not exist any more. Might be a Garage Dojo. Might be a lie.
>
> <g>
> I had security companies for years- mostly out of my hip pocket. You work
> from contract to contract, figure in recuperation time- getting in the
> Yellow Pages is sometimes improbable.
hehehe Yeah, that's a possibility to. "Legal Fiction" and "Paper Corp."
>> I'm suspect of *most* cane self defense videos. It's a stick. Hit 'em
>> with it. I can teach the basics of self defense with a cane against
>> empty-handed or knife wielding assailant in just a few hours. Probably 5
>> or so.
>
> Absolutely-
> the only refinement I'd make is that a cane is an 'end-weighted' stick, and
> there are some small advantages that one can exploit that are 'better' than
> a simple rod.
No disagreement. I'd qualify that it's a refinement that most who are
interested in quick and pragmatic self defense with a cane probably don't
need to care about. Just "serious" and "long term" students of the cane.
> The proper length also has some 'mechanical' advantages that one can
> exploit- the cane is the same length as from your hip-socket to the ground;
> that's a 'natural distance' for you in your 'cigar dalem' (inner defensive
> circle), and so on.
There are any number of different methods for determining the "proper"
length. Everything from measuring from your solar-plex. to the hanging
palm. For *me personally*, I happen to like measuring from the hip
socket too. I found it by by accident when I was hobbling around on a
cane from a broken toe or something. I found that I could "lock" the cane
right to my hip and swing it with my leg for ideal support. When I make
canes for friends, I always leave 'em a bit long, explain to them the
three most popular methods for measuring "proper length," and then tell
them to cut it to a length that feels comfortable to *them* (starting
small and trimming off a bit more each time until they like it).
> The other thing I don't like about most cane videos is that they're not for
> the people who generally have to use a cane. The dude in the canemasters'
> video actually gives some advice about how to mimic being crippled; it's
> hilarious.
Well, I must admit that my own cane work relies heavily on my mobility and
physicality. But I don't need a special video to tell me that.
What I dislike about most cane videos is that they just *WAY* over
complicate the whole thing. It'd be like a Firearms SD video teaching
behind the back, mirrored, double-ricochet trick shots.
From what I can tell of the Cane Masters' vids they're not *quite* so bad
in that regard but still violate the K.I.S.S. rule pretty flagrantly.
My primary complaint with Cane Masters is their "rambo fanged cane of
death" products. Yeah, those things just *scream* "ambulatory aid -
nothing to see here, move along" to me. riiiight.
I mean, you know, if people are buying them and they're making money and
all, more power to 'em. But you won't catch *me* dead with one. And if
my wife plants one on me in my coffin I *swear* I'll come back and haunt
her!
Rabid Weasel
GAAAAAAAH! MY EYES! MY *EYES*!!!!!!
Dan Winsor
Rabid Weasel wrote:
> On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:07:44 -0700, Evil Shaman wrote:
>
> >
> > Rabid Weasel wrote:
> >> On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:41:16 +0000, Rafael Argos wrote:
> >>
> >> In the old days (a century or so ago), Judo *was* called Jujitsu.
> >
> > I thought it was called shiao jiao.
>
> GAAAAAAAH! MY EYES! MY *EYES*!!!!!!
Damn, we otta make sure that gets into the FAQ. Where is that Matthew
anyway, damnit?
--
Dan Winsor
Soy un poco loco en el coco.
Rabid Weasel
>
> Rabid Weasel wrote:
>> On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:07:44 -0700, Evil Shaman wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Rabid Weasel wrote:
>> >> On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 01:41:16 +0000, Rafael Argos wrote:
>> >>
>> >> In the old days (a century or so ago), Judo *was* called Jujitsu.
>> >
>> > I thought it was called shiao jiao.
>>
>> GAAAAAAAH! MY EYES! MY *EYES*!!!!!!
>
> Damn, we otta make sure that gets into the FAQ. Where is that Matthew
> anyway, damnit?
He's off somewhere misspelling Qi.
BURKE THE BOLD
******************************************************************************************************
Whereas (a) there is no such thing as a "dan rating" (found in Japanese
martial arts) in Kung fu (a Chinese martial art), (b) there is no such
thing as Kodokan Jujitsu (it is called Kodokan JUDO, J-U-D-O, for those
unfamiliar with the sport), (c) you could not find any contact info for
his Academy/Security System in Boise, and (d) your googling his name
turned up nothing but links to his DVD, I suspec that Mr. Oster, for a
lack of a more appropriate term, is a lying mother ... you get the
drift.
