Recommended reading and notes on equipment:
- Shito-Ryu Karate
- Books
- Unante by John Sells. Available through Amazon.com, or directly from John Sells. Contact Douglas Bailey or Hank Prohm on the Bailey's Academy Yahoo! group for information about buying the book from Sells.
- The Bible of Karate: Bubishi, translated and with commentary by Patrick McCarthy. Available through Amazon.com.
- Web links
- Equipment -- Most karate equipment can be purchased from a number of local stores in the Portland (Oregon) area, or through any number of online merchants. Please contact the instructors for recommendations, as they will have the most current information on which equipment is required for class, and whether there are any orders being placed that may be subject to school, instructor, or group discounts. Alternatively, inquiries can be made on the Bailey's Academy Yahoo! group.
- Other sources -- There are a huge number of books and videos available about the history and techniques of Okinawan and Japanese martial arts. If you would like to pursue additional studies of karate or oriental weapons training, please contact the instructors for recommendations as to titles and authors.
- Highland Broadsword
- Books
- Lannaireachd: Gaelic Swordsmanship by Chris Thompson. Available through Booksurge.
- Highland Swordsmanship: Techniques of the Scottish Sword Masters by Rector and Wagner. Available through Chivalry Bookshelf or Amazon.com.
- Highland Swordsmanship: Techniques of the Scottish Regimentsby Rector and Wagner. Available through Chivalry Bookshelf or Amazon.com.
- Websites
- Equipment
- Weapons, Beginner - For basic drills, our weapons are 1/2" or 3/4" rattan sticks with a leather basket hilt.
- Protective headgear - For any bouting or sparring, protective headgear is absolutely required! If you are crossing sticks in anything other than a drill or a demonstration with an instructor, you are required to wear a mask. We are using three-weapon fencing masks, which are available from a variety of online suppliers.
- Other protective gear - There are a large number of options open to the student.
- Gloves - It is highly recommended that all students have a heavy leather glove to protect their hands and wrists. This is especially true of bouting, but also true even with some drills. Some students have used saber gloves purchased from fencing supply stores, and some students have used welding gloves. It is a matter of personal taste.
- Tunic or vest - Again, this can be anything from a heavy leather or denim jacket, to a tunic made by a firm specializing in equipment for historical reenactors, or even a very heavy-duty traditional fencing jacket. The requirements are that it has to provide some protection for the student, while still allowing full range of motion.
- Chest and groin protectors - Groin protectors for men can be found at almost any sporting goods store. They are also available for women, too. Plastic chest protectors for men and women can be found through many fencing supply firms; alternatively, some very simple leather armor can be purchased online, or can be made by or purchased from students or instructors who are proficient in leather work.
- Arm, leg, elbow, and knee protection - Protection for these areas is left to the discretion of the students. For the knee and lower leg, there are a number of different knee/shin/knee-and-shin guards available at most sporting goods stores. For the forearm, elbow, and upper arm, there is leather armor that can be purchased online, or there may be students or instructors in clas who are proficient in leather work and who would be willing to make some simple armor for a fee.
- Other sources - There are a number of publications and online discussion groups devoted to the history and techniques of historical swordsmanship. Talk to the Bailey's Academy instructors and/or senior students for title and author recommendations with regards to books on historical European martial arts. Techniques and weapons can vary widely based on the century, country, and social strata of the fighters and teachers being discussed.
- Online discussion group:
There is an online discussion group for Bailey's Academy. It is the baileysacademy discussion group on Yahoo!, and can be found at this address, or by clicking on the icon below.
