KunTao
Silat de Thouars is the Dutch
Indonesian art based on the combining of Silat, the fighting art of
Indonesia, the Chinese fighting arts, and the arts of India and Arabia.
These videos show the background, specialty skills, techniques,
applications and practice methods of this exotic and unknown, very
direct and brutal art.
Made over a period of twenty five years,
the information in these tapes will never be available again.
These are tapes made by martial artists, for martial artists. The
production values may not be as good as some others, but the information
is what you would hope to have in any martial arts tape.
Willem de Thouars
is one of the worlds' finest fighting men. For over sixty years,
he has studied with some of the foremost teachers of some eighty martial
art styles; Pentjak Silat, the Chinese KunTao on Java, the Five
Majors of Shaolin and the Three Crowns of Chinese art in China, Western
Boxing, European weapons arts and so on. He has produced fine
students for over forty years, teaching in the privacy of his own home
to students accepted by invitation only. For the first time
anywhere, Uncle Bill makes his art accessible to the public by way of
these videotapes of his work. They give us an insight into the
practice of a martial artist unparralled in his intention and dedication
to honoring his teachers and their gifts.
Backyard Productions is
Steve Gartin. He has been shooting video of the de Thouars
Brothers teaching and performing KunTao & Pentjak Silat for many years
in seminars, classes, demonstrations, and in backyards. He bought
the gear, learned to edit and produce and has been making videos
of KunTao Silat for use by inner circle students for many years.
These are videos made by a martial artist for
martial artists. He shows the good
stuff and doesn't waste your time. The videos are made to be used
and studied for years to come. They are produced on the highest
quality DVDs with the idea that you will stop and start, repeat and
pause. Malabar KunTao Silat is the
name given to our art by the
as an American Dutch-IndoChinese
martial art. Guru Steve
Gartin is a Cigar Dalem(Inner Circle) practitioner for over
twenty-five years and lineage founder in the grace of Willem De Thouars,
Paul De Thouars, Victor De Thouars and Maurice De Thouars.
Much of the material was videoed where and when it happened with
available light and sound over a fifteen-year period. Special
footage and commentary is done to expound and explain the archival
footage.
Email: orders at kuntaosilat dot com
if you have any problems ordering DVDs
Disk #1 contains the introduction to all the Guest
Instructors and Uncle Bill's session which focused on knifework, legwork
and chi gung. This DVD was videoed and edited by Steve Gartin and
only contains Uncle Bill's session on July 23, 2005.
Additional videos are planned which include the
sessions by Guest Instructors noted in this DVD and are videoed by other
videographers and edited by other editors.
:
Beginning Karambit training.
Well, I'm experiencing the effects of middle-age after an
evening out with an old buddy of mine. This gave me penty of
time to view the new Kerambit video from THUNDER ROCK - Maha
Guru Steve Gartin's production company.
First off, this is one the best produced tapes yet. In terms of
giving readers step-by-step instruction, and clear direction, it
easily stands out.
The Kerambit has been the 'it' thing the past few years,
probably because, well, they look cool. Ironically, this is
exactly WHY you shouldn't carry one most of the time. God forbid
you need to defend yourself and use a sharp implement to do it,
but you can expect to be looked at extra cross-eyed by the
polizei if you are weilding a bloody klingon-esque weapon.
However, knowledge of the Kerambit is central to KTS training.
Long before I had gotten into it officially, I viewed it as a
core weapon in my KTS practice. Why? Well, it just fit in
naturally to the training. Plus, because of it's easy
deployment, a small Kerambit has been a frequent friend on some
my, um, less friendly visits.
What a pleasant surprise that this new DVD clearly shows for the
KTS player just how elegantly this signature weapon plugs into
the skills they have been developing.
The application session is wonderfully assembled, rather than
the completely free-form (yet informative) material you will
find on previous DVD's, Maha Guru Gartin supplies a clear
breakdown of basic buah, demonstrating KTS strategy with the use
of the Kerambit.
This should be required viewing for KTS players, and if you
don't play KTS, I think you will find a real wealth of
information that is ready to use, right out of the box.
Perhaps the most mind-blowing aspect was the 'final' techniques
as demonstrated by Guru Mudah Aric Fowler. I must admit that
this use of the Kerambit was very enlightening indeed, and I
intend to practice the heck out of it before the Silat-a-Palloza!
Joe Judt
________________________________________
Kun Tao
Silat Karambit, Level 1, A Review
I received this DVD last week, and after having watched it
several times, I must state that this is the best Kun Tao Silat
DVD yet produced by Maha Guru Steve Gartin. It is also one of
the best silat DVD's produced regardless of emphasis, still
retaining the Indonesian perception of self-defense and combat
while incorporating the Western ideas of progression.
Surely, there is clearly a gradual introduction of
principles, concepts and techniques with regard to Kun Tao Silat
and the use of the karambit, but done in a manner which
obviously shows the methods and thoughts of a genuine
practitioner with many years of hard practice behind him. The
viewer will know immediately that this DVD was created by
someone who understands implicitly Dutch-Indonesian/Chinese
martial arts and the thought processes behind them. This is in
stark contrast to other video and DVD presentations which appear
to overlay silat on a kenpo or karate frame of understanding.
The difference is obvious and overwhelming in quality
of movement, demonstrated applications, and understanding of the
concepts revealed by the individuals on the screen.
Since this is a "Level 1" tape, the most fundamental aspects of
the karambit are discussed and revealed. Drawing from a primary
form of the Kun Tao Silat system, Djuru Satu, the instruction
focuses on the use of the karambit during the movements in order
to maximize offensive potential while minimizing exposure to the
opponent's attacks. The form is shown to instruct in proper
structure while moving through space and clashing with an armed
opponent. It will be noted that proper handling of the karambit
will negate cutting yourself while maneuvering a small,
double-edged hooked blade in the reverse position, sliding the
edges inside the arms and close to the torso while handling an
extremely hostile person attempting to violently bleed you out.
While upper and lower body (i.e., djuru and langkah,
respectively) movements are shown clearly, the djurus is
emphasized in this level one introduction to ensure the student
is "blade aware," as the karambit is very unforgiving and
completely without compassion when a mistake is made during
practice, training and implementation.
Included on the DVD are some upper body applications from the
previously shown djurus which demonstrate and instruct how the
karambit should be used versus someone with a larger blade who
is attacking. Here Maha Guru Gartin displays Kun Tao Silat
principles while intercepting unrehearsed attacks; cutting the
arms, hands, shoulders, neck, using the ring for striking;
jamming the line of attack, supporting his weapon hand,
maintaining his structure under contact; deflecting,
re-directing, locking, manipulating the opponent into an even
more vulnerable position; using forward pressure, lateral
movement, destroying balance and always, cutting, cutting,
cutting....
Full body applications (buah) are later revealed along with
other Kun Tao Silat principles using the karambit while being
attacked from ambush. Here, the applications are taken directly
from the form earlier instructed on the DVD- Djuru Satu.
Again, while the applications are specifically taken from the
referred form, it can be obviously seen that the karambit user
has a myriad of options available to use on the knife-wielding
attacker. The approach, entry, contact, footwork, positioning,
takedown, follow-up and finishing are demonstrated by the
karambit defender using different movements pulled from Djuru
Satu from various different attacks.
For those who have been diligently working on Djuru Satu,
this tape will open a whole new level of awareness and
understanding. For those who like the karambit or small
knife-work in reverse grip position, a new level of knowledge
awaits.
The production value of this DVD is excellent with video and
audio vibrant and crisp throughout. The natural backdrops and
working areas add a nice touch while maintaining a professional
look due to the high-definition images recorded. Slow motion
takes are judiciously used so the student may see more clearly
what exactly is going on immediately after the real-time
instruction. Doubtless, the observer will even need to slow
that down to obtain proper perspective on what was revealed.
Thankfully, the slow motion is not gratuitous or inappropriate
to the material.
Solo training, partner training, applications, a nice knife
kembangan by one of the practitioners, instructional emphasis
and
demonstration of dozens and dozens of techniques; for anyone who
ever wondered how a karambit is really supposed to be used by an
art that specializes in the instrument, and was born in the same
place, this is the definitive DVD so far.
Trent Beach
Four DVD Set:
Showcasing the first 6 forms and applications of American KunTao Silat
> Excellent! That's exactly the response you
want to have on the record. Good silat!
It is-
and a good segue` into saying a bit more about the video
In the first HMK, we covered different sorts of knives, carry
systems, some first aid kinds of things- then showed some grip
styles, openings/draws,
basic floorwork and stepping, and some practice methods and
applications.
In HMKII, we amplify on all those concepts- there's more
applications, lots of them. There's more about the knife, the use of
the edge, anatomical
targets. There are throws compelled by the blade, lots of grappling,
unarmed responses to attack, little tricks and tips, and a wealth of
knowledge that
will meld seamlessly with any other martial art or serve as a
stand-alone system.
The art is taken from Maduran Silat, as practiced by Tai Eng, a
butcher. He applies the knife not only as a master of silat, but as
a man who worked the
blade on meat for a living. It lends itself to the smaller blades
rather than being an art ratcheted down from using agricultural
blades. It is
perfect for the tactical folders and basic 'hunting' knives.
Most of the material is taken from seminars, workshops, personal
intensives and performance footage, so there is no 'dead time'. Lots
of stuff from
Willem de Thouars and Senior Students; it moves very quickly and
covers a lot of material. We're martial artists making videos, not
video producers
trying to learn martial art. You'll find the information useful,
shot from good angles and the choice of material will aid your solo
practice very
practically.
Each of them is good by itself, material is not repeated or
anything, but you probably ought to have both of them to appreciate
the breadth of the
system. We're just finishing up HMKIII, and the set of three will
pretty much form the curriculum of the art, and be useful for
studying at home
without further instruction-
A basic investigation into the bladecraft of both
Silat and KunTao. Steve Gartin explains how the legwork and
handwork integrates with the bladecraft at the foundational level.
A great companion DVD for HeartLess Monkey Knife #1, #2 and #3 since
it establishes the basic concepts in a clear and understandable
manner. Filmed at 11,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies
$50
New Release:
Pentjak Silat CiMande
Uncle Bill conducts a seminar on the forms,
legwork, handwork and the use of the knife in this rare pukulan
pentjak silat system of CiMande. This is one of the more
ancient arts of Indonesia and Uncle's style is as it was taught
before WWII.
Unlike any cimande you may have seen before.
The arts now practiced in Indonesia are markedly milder than they
were before the modernization that came with "modern civilization."
$50
:
Special Presentation for Dan Inosanto
~ two DVD set
The first DVD was filmed in 1994 and the second DVD
was filmed in 2004.
Uncle Bill and his Senior Disciples present both a
broad view of the Willem de Thouars Branch of the Family Arts
and the specific Serak art as practiced and taught by
Uncle Bill. A "must have" for any serious practitioner in the
de Thouars Family arts.
$75.00
:
Uncle Bill teaches the esoteric Maduran BladeCraft to his
in-house disciples during the 10th Annual Family Gathering, a special
presentation for Dan Inosanto and inner circle Disciple class. BladeCraft
at its best.
$50
Basic Training Set (four
DVDs below): Available
individually or as a Set
Malabar's flavor is distinctively "Indonesian"
but draws its tools, training methods and tactics from many sources.
Monkey style KunTao is found in all levels and most applications of
Malabar. Preying Mantis KunTao
hitting tools provide the Malabar practitioner with unusual attacks from
unusual angles.
Tiger style KunTao
permeates the Entry and Controlling aspects with a startling ferocity
that establishes immediate superiority and total control of an
assailant.
The tornado-like
circularity of the Ancient Chinese PaKua as practiced in Indonesia lends
an overwhelming barrage of hitting, tearing, twisting and mangling
techniques to Malabar defenses.
Internal principles
of Chinese Tai Chi and I Hsing ie are focused on combat, rather than
health, although the basic health principles are applied in Daily
Training.
The footwork,
triangulation, and unique close-quarter hitting tools and the
devastating bladework of Poekulan Pentjak Petjut Kilat Silat have been
integrated into virtually all of the Technical Applications we present
to you in this video. Combined, these elements have evolved into a
fighting system designed to protect its Practitioner from skilled
fighters, with or without weapons.
Each of
the Systems and Styles from which Malabar has derived technique,
training method, principle, or tool is honored by the Forms
(Choreographed movements designed to ingrain "muscle memory" and
skeletal alignment into a Practitioner's consciousness), which retain
the ancient teachings of the Bapak Willem de Thouars lineage of the
Dutch Indo/Chinese Family System of KunTao Silat de Thouars
The hand stylings
of Malabar KunTao Silat are generally taught separate to the legwork and
to the footwork patterns. That allows the hand positioning to be keyed
to any leg position and to any footwork pattern.
In olden days, the
handwork patterns (called djurus) were taught while seated. That
required the practitioner to find a belly support for any movement, and
to compensate through the hips for movements of the arm.
This shows a number
of forms and variations of practice, applications of the hand techniques
and it’s translation to weapons usage.
Djurus Satu is the
seminal form of KunTao Silat. It can be practiced as an entire martial
art; percussion, grappling, grasping, throws, weapons. It is a wonderful
base on which to learn and practice any skill or any application.
Djurus Satu is the
form from which most demonstrations of application are made. Much of it
is derived from PPS Serak®, some Arabian sources, India and Chinese. The
flow of the form melds one with the other seamlessly, and virtually any
application can find it’s practice mechanism in Djurus Satu.
This video stands
completely alone from the #2 Uncle Bill’s Backyard (archive set), and
they are complementary without unduly repeating the same information.
There are additional corrections, methods and styles of doing the forma,
including a weapon in practice and the two tapes represent a good
overview of the Djurus Satu.
Heartless Monkey
Knife takes it’s name from Willem’s description of the Ape Form; he is
‘wide-open, heartless and inviting’.
You are shown
various sorts of knives and their characteristics discussed; sheathes
and carry systems, grip styles, blade presentations, and practice
methods.
There is a long
section on wounds, first aid and body trauma by an EMT persilat; Steve
Rollert.
There are lots of
applications, footwork, hand positioning, body angulation and torquing.
There are discussions of the combat mind-set, tactical considerations,
and mental preparation.
KunTao Silat:
set of Four DVDs
This set of DVDs provides a wide perspective of KunTao
Silat and is perfect for those who are interested in a broad view of the
basic level.
Special price for set of all four DVD titles:
LegWork,
HandWork, Djurus Satu & Heartless Monkey Knife - Save $50.00
This is one of those experiences with Uncle Bill that will have you
shaking your head wondering why you didn't see all this simple stuff
before. The logical applications of kuntao and silat principles
throughout the DVD will leave you inspired to investigate for yourself.
This seminar was held at a TKD school, so you'll notice the
style-specific information and technical applications geared to the
understanding of the students.
Principles and applications, forms, drills
and exercises in paqua as practiced on Indonesia. This presentation of
paqua is derived from 'the formless art' and shows both large and small
circle, monkey influenced technique and many applications suitable for
any forma.
Item Name: PoQua Zen Seminars
Item Number: SS03
Price: $50
LegWork Seminar
IFootwork, kicks and leg
applications, positioning and timing in kuntao silat legwork. This
covers both offensive and defensive aspects of the leg; footwork and
technical applications.
tem Name: LegWork Seminar
Item Number: SS04
Price: $50
Special seminars by Pak Victor de Thouars, Maha Guru
Maurice de Thouars, Pendekar Paul de Thouars and Bapak Willem de Thouars.
All four de Thouars Brothers on one two hour DVD.
Special moments with Bapak Willem de Thouars. An
unforgettable experience, getting to know one of the world's great
martial treasures on one two hour DVD.
Bapak Willem de Thouars and his inner circle disciples
provide an insightful and inspiring look into the little known Chinese
fighting arts; not to be confused with Wu Shu, Kung Fu or Gung Fu.
Lots of old style Shaolin and Taoist training methods and applications
from an Indonesian perspective on one two hour DVD.
__________________________
Betawi Muda
Pak Chas Clements reveals his personal martial system,
comprised of Serak, kuntao, silat and several Japanese and Chinese
martial arts.
Item Name: Betawi Muda
Item Number: DVD010
Price: $50
:
Eight DVD Set: Over eight hours of seminar instruction
This is the first of the Instructional
Series and a must-have for all serious KunTao Silat practitioners.
The breadth and depth of kuntao and silat lore that Pak Chas Clements
relates is staggering. You will see the first 8 Serak Djurus
performed, demonstrated and elaborated upon like you have never seen
before. Two hours.
Weapons of KunTao
Silat
Item Name: Weapons
Item Number: I002
Price: $50
An in-depth analysis of the Kris, Karumpit and Kukuri.
Additionally, you will learn the practice methods, training exercises,
technical applications and knife lore surrounding the Indonesian martial
arts. One hour & 50 minutes.
