Whilst we’ve featured Samurai Sword Umbrellas before, these premium “Kasana” umbrellas, based on the Katana or Samurai sword, come with a forged steel handle and guard and a hefty price tag to match.

However, they’re crafted by the Japanese Katana masters of Gifu-Ken and assembled in Tokyo, so they’re apparently a true piece of art as well as a useful tool to protect from rain.

If the Kasana is a little too big to be practical, then you can opt for the Kasana Mini…

Check out the Samurai Umbrella on the True Beyond Design website, who are the exclusive online distributor of Kasana products.

Technorati Tags: gadgets, Japan, Kasana, Katana, martial arts, Samurai sword, Samurai Sword Umbrellas, umbrella

For the cheapest path to ninjadom, check this Ninja Wisdom Deck, a portable guide containing 50 deadly meditations for the non-ninja.

The Ninja Wisdom Deck on Amazon

Via The Awesomer

Technorati Tags: cards, martial arts, ninja, Ninja Wisdom Deck

Super-skilled as they are, the traditional “Shaolin Monks show” has really gotten around now, but we’ve only just heard about Sutra, which has been across the globe and back since 2008.

Sutra is a critically-acclaimed production that marks a collaboration between Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Antony Gormley and 17 Shaolin Monks!

Winner of the prestigious Ballettanz Production of the Year award, Sutra is a fascinating exploration of the philosophy and faith behind the Shaolin tradition, its relationship with Kung-Fu, and its position within a contemporary context.

It looks different to the usual Shaolin show and with a touch of modernism, looks amazing! I’m envious of anyone who’s in London during March 2010, when the show hits Sadler’s Wells, as I’d love to see it. However, for anyone like me, there’s a beefy video clip that’s over 3 minutes long that gives you a sizeable taste of the show.

Visit Sutra on the Sadler’s Wells website for more information and to book

Performance times
Sat 13 – Wed 17 March & Mon 22 – Fri 26 March at 7.30pm
Running time : 1 hr
Tickets : £10 – £35

Thanks David!

Technorati Tags: dance film, entertainment, London, martial arts, Antony Gormley, Sadler’s Wells, Shaolin, Shaolin Monks, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Sutra, United Kingdom

For fans of the film Ip Man, who have seen the actionless teaser trailer for the sequel Ip Man 2 (both starring Donnie Yen), did you know the prequel is also going to be released soon? (It’s already wrapped apparently, ready for a May Day 2010 release.) Called The Legend is Born: Ip Man, the trailer, containing lots of sweet and intricate Wing Chun moves, has just been released…

The title role of Ip Man went to newcomer To Yu Hang, who has 6 years of actual Wing Chun training. Sammo Hung also stars, along with Yuen Biao. Another highlight is Yip Man’s eldest son Yip Chun, who plays Yip Man’s 2nd mentor Leung Bik.

Trailer via Wu-Jing who also have more info on the production here.

Technorati Tags: film, Ip Man, Ip Man Prequel, martial arts, To Yu Hang, Sammo Hung, The Legend is Born: Ip Man, Wing Chun, Yuen Biao

Whilst the story (and even the pace and structure) of Ong Bak 2 didn’t overwhelm us, here comes Tony Jaa back for more in a third installment of the movie! Check the trailer below.

The legend of Ong Bak 3 begins after Tien (Tony Jaa) has lost his fighting skills and his beloved stepfather at the Garuda’s Wing cliff from the raid led by Jom Rachan (Saranyu Wonggrajang). Tien is brought back to life with the help from Pim (Primrata Dechudom) as well as Mhen (Petchai Wongkamlao) and the Kana Khone villagers. Deep into the meditation taught by Phra Bua (Nirutti Sirijanya), Tien finally is able to achieve ‘Nathayut’. His talents are put to the test again when his rivals including the Golden-Armored King’s Guard (Supakorn ‘Tok’ Kijusuwan), the mysterious killers in black, and Bhuti Sangkha (Dan Chupong) return for the final massive showdown.

Via Beyond Hollywood

Technorati Tags: film, martial arts, Ong Bak 3, Tony Jaa

We knew it was coming and so at last there’s a trailer for Ip Man 2, albeit just a teaser and without much action. Still, look forward to plenty more as the Summer release creeps closer, and revel in Donnie Yen matching fists with Sammo Hung…

Apparently, this sequel will focus on “Ip Man’s migration to Hong Kong in 1949 as he attempts to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun martial arts”.

Via BeyondHollywood

Technorati Tags: Donnie Yen, film, Ip Man, Ip Man 2, martial arts, Sammo Hung

SPIRIT WARRIORS is a new martial arts fantasy children’s drama that begins in the UK on the 22nd January on CBBC, BBC 2 and BBC HD. It’s the first time in British television history that a TV series made in the UK has a majority East Asian cast! Check out this trailer below which shows that the series has alot of potential..

SPIRIT WARRIORS will run for 10 weeks, after which a special one off behind-the-scenes show will air.

More about Spirit Warriors below…

Prepare to step into a mystical realm where dragons talk, shadows come to life and the fate of the world lies in the hands of a teenager and her friends, when the new action-packed martial arts fantasy drama series Spirit Warriors airs on CBBC from mid-January.

Inspired by ancient Chinese myths and legends the show follows Bo (Jessica Henwick), her sister Jen (Alicia Lai) and fellow school kids Vicky (Lil’ Simz), Trix (Gilles Geary) and Martin (Karl Rogers) who, during a trip to a museum, are transported to a parallel Spirit World.

Once there, they find themselves transformed into Spirit Warriors, each with their own special spirit power. With the help of their mentor Shen, a Chinese dragon, they have to use their new-found skills to navigate the realms of Wood, Water, Earth and Fire and find 12 legendary spirit pieces before the evil warlord Li (Benedict Wong) and his henchman Hwang (Tom Wu) can get their hands on them.

The CBBC production has been created by up-and-coming writer Jo Ho, is produced by Nick Pitt (Silent Witness, Robin Hood) and executive produced and directed by BAFTA-winning programme maker Jon East (That Summer Day, Summerhill).

British Chinese community website Dim Sum reviews Spirit Warriors – read more…

Technorati Tags: entertainment, martial arts, Spirit Warriors, tv series, United Kingdom

Another forthcoming Donnie Yen martial arts period flick, and this one looks slick! Donnie Yen portrays Quinglong, one of an elite force of assassins in the service of the Emperor of China during the Ming Dynasty.

More about the film:

During the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor of China possessed one weapon greater than all others, the Jinyiwei, an elite force of assassins recruited from street orphans. Trained in clandestine combat from childhood, the Jinyiwei were masters of the 14 Blades, eight being for torture, five for killing, and the last blade being reserved for suicide when a mission failed. Above the law, with a license to kill, the Jinyiwei devoted their lives and lethal prowess to the service of the Emperor alone.



When the Imperial Court is taken over by evil eunuch JIA, the best of the Jinyiwei, QUINGLONG and XUANWU, are assigned to steal a list identifying those still loyal to the Emperor. However unbeknownst to Quinglong, the Jinyiwei have fallen under the control of Jia, and during the mission Quinglong is betrayed by Xuanwu and barely escapes with his life. Now as the most wanted man in the land Quinglong must seek out and rally the loyalists to rise against Jia and restore the Emperor to power. In his way are the deadliest assassins in the land, his former brethren, the Jinyiwei.

Via Twitch Film

Technorati Tags: 14 Blades, Donnie Yen, film, martial arts

Though I probably won’t use something like this, I still love all the utilities you get in this Ninja Tanto Battle Package! The diagram says it all.

Via The Awesomer

Technorati Tags: gadgets, martial arts, ninja, Ninja Tanto Battle Package

Technorati Tags: film, Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith, martial arts, The Karate Kid, The Kung Fu Kid