Hidden Hands: Unlocking the Secrets of Traditional Martial Arts Forms [Paperback]

Phillip Starr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 2010

The solo forms or sets of a martial art may appear to be merely flashy performances or rote exercises for conditioning, and because of this many students disregard this aspect of their training. True martial arts masters, however, know that the forms of a system actually contain all of the techniques and secrets of that system—if one knows how to look for them. Often called the “great books” of martial arts, forms are crucial for a deeper understanding of the art one practices.

In Hidden Hands, Phillip Starr provides detailed instruction in the art of reading martial arts forms: by first mastering rudimentary “words” (individual techniques) and then moving on to simple “sentences” (combinations of techniques), the student will come to understand forms as ancient documents that contain the true essence of their art. Starr discusses different aspects of forms practice such as rhythm, timing, spirit, and performance, and presents specific guidelines for interpreting the movements of various forms. The book ends with the dissection and interpretation of a complete form. Containing examples from Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan, and Korean martial arts, Hidden Hands shows serious practitioners how to improve in any art and style.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Phillip Starr's newest book, Hidden Hands, is one of a kind. Mr. Starr shows that the functions and practical applications of kata are universal and can apply to any kind of martial art. He brings forth examples of these applications not only from kung fu but from karate and taekwondo as well. This book is a must for any serious martial artist.
—Prof. Dan Anderson, author of American Freestyle Karate: A Guide to Sparring

About the Author

Phillip Starr has been teaching martial arts professionally since 1971. He was named a U.S. National Champion by the United States Karate Association and has received the Presidential Leadership Award from the Amateur Athletic Union. In 1992 he was named to the Inside Kung-Fu Hall of Fame.  The founder of the kung fu style known as Yiliquan and the author of three other martial arts titles, he teaches in Omaha, NE. and resides in Council Bluffs, IA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books; 1 edition (November 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583942432
• ISBN-13: 978-1583942437
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I began martial arts training in 1956 when my Father was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. Since then, I have trained in a number of martial disciplines to include judo, Japanese karate, hoquan (renamed "baixingquan" by my teacher, W.C. Chen), xingyiquan, taijiquan, baguazhang, arnis, and iaido.
In 1976 I was named as a U.S. National Champion of the United States Karate Association, the only kung-fu stylist to achieve that title at that time.
In 1982 I founded Yiliquan (One Principle Boxing) and currently serve as the National Chairman of the Yiliquan Martial Arts Association.
I also spent several years serving as a peace officer, working in (state) drug enforcement. I also worked as a correctional officer at a state penitentiary, and later as a private investigator.
In 1991 I was elected as National Chairman for the Chinese Martial Arts Division of the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union). Within two years this entity became the largest kung-fu organization in U.S. history. I was subsequently admitted into the Inside Kung-Fu Hall of Fame in 1992.
I've taken up writing and hope to use whatever talent I have to promote and preserve the traditional martial arts.

Please visit our websites at http://www.omahakungfu.net and http://www.yiliquan.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding And Much Needed Look At the True Purpose of Katas, February 27, 2011

By 

Shawn Kovacich "Shawn Kovacich" (The Greatest Little City in the World) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hidden Hands: Unlocking the Secrets of Traditional Martial Arts Forms (Paperback)

Once again Phillip Starr has come out with a very informative and much needed book that explains the true meaning behind the various forms, kata, patterns, etc. practiced religiously by traditional martial artists in a variety of disciplines ranging from Karate to Taekwondo and everything in between. This book is similar to another outstanding work targeting the same subject by Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder titled, The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide for Deciphering Martial Applications, and although both books cover the same subject matter, you would do well to won both of them as together they pretty much cover all the possible material. I have owned The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide for Deciphering Martial Applications for a number of years and have read it several times, Starr's book is every bit as informative and influential as Kane's and Wilder's.

So exactly what does this book have to offer? Well for starters it goes into great detail explaining the true purpose behind the use of forms in the traditional martial arts and really give substance to the fact that most, and I do mean most, instructors and therefore their students aren't really getting out of the practice of their forms what was intended. Most practitioners simply do the forms as robots and not truly understanding that the superficial moves that they have been practicing is merely a smokescreen to what is truly being learned if one knows what to look for.

And exactly what do you or should you be learning from your forms? Well to put it simply, everything that you aren't seeing when you execute them.

I have often heard people complain that they had tried various forms of martial arts such as, (insert any style here), and although most enjoyed it, pretty much nobody enjoyed doing the forms and felt that they were a tremendous waste of time. Often times this was a major factor in why they were no longer practicing their chose martial art. Yes, I know that is a very lame excuse, but not everyone is disciplined. Every time I have somebody tell me that, the first thing I ask them is if they know why they were doing those forms. Not once has anyone ever told me that they were learning anything other than a punch, kick, or block set in a particular sequence. And, not surprisingly, most of their instructors didn't know why either other than that was what they were taught.

This trickle-down practice happens in all martial arts with other techniques, not just forms. No, it doesn't happen to everyone, and that is mostly because of the instructors themselves who not only make sure that they know what they are doing, but just as importantly make sure that their students know what they are doing. Now admittedly this is not usually the fault of the individual instructor as he/she is merely teaching what they themselves were taught. Then again, ignorance is bliss. Well, not anymore and we can think Phillip Starr, Lawrence Kane, and Kris Wilder for that. Thanks Guys!

I highly recommend this book and the following two books by Phillip Starr to help you on your path to martial enlightenment.

Martial Maneuvers: Fighting Principles and Tactics of the Internal Martial Arts

Martial Mechanics: Maximum Results with Minimum Effort in the Practice of the Martial Arts

Shawn Kovacich
Creator of numerous books and DVD's.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A super book to help us keep the real martial arts alive in the future., December 16, 2010

By 

Armando Dominguez in Texas - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hidden Hands: Unlocking the Secrets of Traditional Martial Arts Forms (Paperback)

This book is "the book", that teaches what is really hidden in real martial art forms! Not fancy WuShu but real Kung Fu and Karate as they were meant to be practiced. What you will find is an awesome tome that compliments Sifu Starr's other books Martial Mechanics and Martial Maneuvers. This book teaches very clearly what gives life to forms and explains why forms, kata, kuen are treasures in the truest sense of the word. I am not only excited but a bit jealous as I learned how to interpret forms in this way, and now the keys to understanding forms is in your hands. I give this book my highest recommendation. If there were a 6 star I would have given it that! If your are a taditionalist GET this book. If you are not, get this book, undertand where your feeder based systems get their methods. If your are on the fence about the value of forms, GET THIS BOOK!! You will not be disappointed, you will be educated. Take this knowledge and drink deeply brothers and sisters. This is the product of a true font of masterful knowledge. Bless you Sifu Starr. And thank you. I continue to look forward to the next addition to my library.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hidden Hands, December 20, 2011

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Marci - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hidden Hands: Unlocking the Secrets of Traditional Martial Arts Forms (Paperback)

An Outstanding And Much Needed Look At the True Purpose of Katas
Once again Phillip Starr has come out with a very informative and much needed book that explains the true meaning behind the various forms, kata, patterns, etc.

Very good Illustration as well