This book is the last of the original Hwa Rang Do series. Along with details about Hwa Rang Do weapon training and defenses, this book introduces the many aspects of Hwa Rang Do's healing techniques. Just like the rest of the series this book contains detailed photographs to help you understand its content.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Great book, one of the first I ever owned! Comment: Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is Joo Bang Lee's, "The Ancient Martial Art of Hwarang Do; Volume Three."
This volume, like the other two in the series, starts out with an outstanding section that gives you a detailed look at the history of Hwarang Do and its progression over the centuries from ancient times to the present day. You are then presented with the theory and internal dynamics which make up this very impressive art. The basic principles of training sections were also very good and offered excellent advice that should be implemented during training. The following is a brief overview of each chapter in the book and what it contains.
11. Weapons:
a. This section begins with a brief discussion on the history of weapons concerning the art of Hwarang Do and then goes into the 20 basic weapon types that are studied in this art form. The author notes that once you have mastered the 20 basic weapon types, you can then eventually master the 108 weapons studied and used in Hwarang Do.
b. This section continues with the basic blocks, strikes and applications of the short stick. This is usually an oak stick approximately 6 to 8 inches in length with a cord attached to one end.
c. The next section comprises various defenses against the sword, stick, and cane. This is followed with 10 self-defense techniques that can be used against an attacker armed with a knife. This section concludes with a brief segment that demonstrates to you four different defenses you could use against an attacker armed with a handgun. This particular segment is one I didn't care for because it was too brief and did not include any of the basic information that you should know before even considering such a move.
12. Throwing Techniques:
a. This section starts off with some basic principles involved in throwing and the recommendation that you should learn how to fall and roll first, before learning how to throw. Sound advice!
b. This next section demonstrates and briefly explains how to execute 6 basic throws in Hwarang Do. It then does something really unique and not found in very many books, which is how to defend against someone who is trying to throw you.
13. Choking Techniques:
a. After a brief segment on the basic principles of choking, the author demonstrates 5 basic choking techniques.
14. Opponent Control:
a. Following a brief segment on the basic principles behind controlling an opponent, this section gives you 7 examples of controlling or restraining an attacker.
b. In this section, the author also demonstrates for you 7 different examples of defenses that could be used against two attackers. Following this he also demonstrates 1 example of defending yourself against three attackers at one time. These examples are intended to be just that, examples. They are not intended to be duplicated move for move.
15. Vital Points:
a. Although this section of the book was rather brief, the basic principles and the philosophy that the author relates to the reader is, in my opinion, not only very professional, but also the mark of a true master of the martial arts.
b. The author continues with this section by demonstrating some basic techniques applied to certain vulnerable areas of the body.
16. Charts of the Meridians of the Body:
a. This section shows detailed charts mapping out the meridians of the body that correspond to the major internal organs.
One of the things that I particularly liked about this book, and the others in the series, is the fact that there are no "sport" techniques in these books. All of the techniques shown are meant to be used in actual combat and self-defense situations. When you look at the art of Hwarang Do, you could make the comparison that this art form includes not only the strikes and kicks of Tae Kwon Do, but also the throwing and grappling techniques of Judo and the joint techniques of Aikido. Hwarang Do is truly a well-rounded and complete martial art.
This and its two companion volumes were some of the first books that I ever purchased years ago when I was in high school and starting to learn about the martial arts. These books give a very good overview on the art of Hwarang Do and are very informative. If you are interested in this art form, or any of the Korean arts, I would definitely put these books on your too buy list. Customer Rating: Summary: A Tribute to Korean Martial Arts Comment: This is the third volume of a series on Hwarang Do by Master Teacher Joo-Bang Lee originally published in 1978 by Ohara and since re-released by JL Publications. This third book is a fitting capstone to this series, offering a complete overview of a worthy and useful martial discipline. Volume Three includes a brief overview of the weapons of Hwarang Do, Defense against knife, sword, gun, defense with cane and short stick, Throwing techniques, choking techniques, opponent control, and a section on vital point including charts and photos. Throughout, a variety of detailed photographs illustrate sweeping, throwing, locking and striking techniques are demonstrated by Master Joo-Bang Lee himself. Volume One of this series covers history, Theory, Stances, Falling, Striking/punching, Kicking, and blocking. Volume Two deals with Joint locking, defense against grabs, defense against punches and kicks, and defense from disadvantageous positions.
Although there is some debate as to the historicity of Hwarang-Do as an "ancient" Korean martial art separate from Hapkido and Taekwondo --Lee claims Hwarang Do has a completely separate native Korean origin despite its remarkable similarity to other forms of Korean martial art such as Hapkido and Kuk Sool-- this debate does nothing to detract from the technical expertise evident in the presentation of this book and the two which follow it. Author Lee Joo-Bang was at one time a direct (and senior) student of Hapkido founder Choi Yong-sul, and part of an original core group of dedicated martial arts men in Korea who traded techniques with one another in a progressive and friendly manner. Eventually due to competition these bonds of brotherhood dissolved, and today there is a lot of mystery and quarreling over what happened in those early days to cause so much dissention.
Among the few faults I can find with this series of books is the repetitive inclusion of the same sections on history and theory in each of the three volumes. Certainly a more specific and inclusive history of Master Lee's own experiences, along with photos from his extensive historic collection could only benefit this series! The format of these books as well (not the actual layout) would benefit greatly by being reintroduced in a larger format. Hwarang-Do is certainly worthy of a nice large, hardcover volume built to last. Then again, these paperback editions offer affordability and easy access to the general public. For that reason and for the quality and scope of technique presented, Lee's three volume collection is absolutely worthwhile including in any martial arts collection. I hope Joo-Bang Lee himself will present further works on Hwarang Do in the future. Customer Rating: Summary: not for the beginning student Comment: With multiple black and white photographs on every single page, this book focuses on illustrating classical self-defense techniques against sword, stick, cane, knife, and guns. There is also a basic section on throws, chokes, and opponent control moves.
All moves are illustrated by a series of photographs but the accompanying text descriptions are a bit too limited. The pictures are usually sufficient for an experienced martial artist to figure out what's going on, but this is not a book from which a novice can expect to learn these techniques.
Many of the techniques are impractical, such as using a dan bong (ten inch stick) to defend against a katana sword, or gun defenses that end with the weapon pointed at your own head. I would only recommend this book to an experienced person looking to learn variations of basic weapon disarmament techniques, though the "opponent control" section contains some fairly novel (to me anyway) methods of immobilizing an opponent through wrist or shoulder locks without causing injury or ending with a finishing strike.
There is a pressure points section, which is too abbreviated to be of much use. It's basically just the numbered point charts, without much explanation.
