Origins of Martial Arts
The origin and history of Martial Arts is a controversial issue. One can see signs of martial arts in Egyptian, Greek, African, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Hebrew, as well as other cultures.
The Bible tells of warfare in Heaven before the end of Creation when Lucifer and his fallen band of angels staged a failed coup against God. He was defeated by Michael, the captain of the angels of war, and his legions.
The first fighting systems on earth probably developed alongside humans because after the fall, mankind must have always had a need to defend himself against animals, as well as against his fellow man. Ancient murals and sculptures show fighting poses from Egypt, India and Babylon dating from as far back as 5,000 years ago. Even the Dead Sea Scrolls include in their text what are considered martial art techniques, drills and systems that were written during the time of King David.
The martial arts as we know them today probably did not evolve until systems of offensive and defensive skills were devised in or imported into China. We believe that they were carried their along the trade routes from Israel and the middle east during the reign of King Solomon (who established these trade routes) to India where they were learned and further developed. Then they were taken from India to China where they developed into their "modern" forms.
Legend says that Bodhidharma, the Buddhist monk who brought Zen to China from India, also brought the martial arts. There is a clear path leading from the Southern China regions up to Korea, Okinawa and Japan. The details before that, and the exact details of that transfer, are greatly debated by historians and Martial Artists alike.
Through various periods in history when weapons were outlawed, the martial arts prospered as the only means for a person to defend himself and his family. But even as more civilized times descended upon humanity, the arts survived. They managed to outlive their violent origins primarily because they teach man much more than fighting. The true martial arts stress character development, discipline and respect. Self-defense, physical fitness and competition are some of the other benefits which modern practitioners enjoy. The fact that the martial arts have had a chance to develop into many different styles has allowed it to endure for so many centuries.
Origins of Chi-Tu Do
In the middle of the 1970's Brian Cunnings began training Shou Shu Kung Fu in Fresno, California with DaShifu Al Moore (www.mooresmartialarts.com). In the early 1980's he met Grand Master Edward B. Sell in Seoul, Korea and began cross-training in Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do (www.uscdka.com). Shortly after that, he also met and began training under Soke Clement Riedner in Shiho Karano Ju Jitsu (www.christianblackbeltassoc.org). He has also been fortunate to train under Grand Master Ramiro Estalilla Jr. (www.estalillakabaroan.com) for a number of years.
In the mid-1990's, and after receiving his Master's Degrees in each of these arts, he decided to break off and use his 30+ years of training and experience to form an ecclectic style he called Chi-Tu Do (meaning the Christian martial way) which combines all of his knowledge in these arts. Senior Master Brian Cunnings was awarded a 7th Degree Black Belt in May of 2000 by Grand Master Ramiro Estalilla Jr, who has recognized him as an Associate Grand Master in Kabaroan. Chi-Tu Do is officially recognized as a valid martial arts system by GM Estalilla and Soke Clement Riedner.
