MARTINEZ ACADEMY OF ARMS

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SPANISH MARTIAL ARTS WEEKEND

May 25th through 27th, 2007 in New York City

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Martinez Academy of Arms and its guest Raven Arts Institute are pleased to host the second 3 day Spanish Martial Arts Weekend. Maestros Ramón Martínez, Jeannette Acosta- Martínez, and James Loregia will be teaching and presenting the most extensive look at Spanish bladed martial culture at any workshop/seminar to date.

At the end of the 16th century, Don Jerónimo de Carranza created a system of fencing that was to influence the Spanish martial arts through his lifetime and well into the end of the 19th century. Carranza's core doctrine of the "True Art and Science of Arms" being a new and general reformation of fencing, as it existed during his time, and his new approach to the application of fencing theory was accepted by generations of Spanish Fencing Masters. This core doctrine remained nearly unchanged for 300 years. The techniques and methods for applying this doctrine varied considerably as successive generations of Spanish "Diestros" adapted the system to suit their needs, according to the conditions of their time and place.

This seminar will demonstrate a continuum of the theory and how it was applied or incorporated into the use of other types of weapons. The main focus will be the technical choices, organization and the pedagogic rational of how La Verdadera Destreza has been reconstructed, resurrected and taught at the Martinez Academy of Arms. To fully explicate how these choices were made we will trace the tenants of Carranza’s doctrine through an examination of selected Spanish fencing treatises.

Maestro James Loriega will present how the living tradition of the Navaja Sevilliana, the fighting knife of Spain continues to be transmitted at the Raven Arts Institute. This segment of the seminar will compare how the use of the folding clasp knife is documented and described in the popular literature (Alexandre Dumas, Theophile Gauthier, and Prosper Merimee) of the early to mid 19th century, as well as its treatment in the only known navaja text “The Manual of the Baratero” and in the later writings of Andre, Castle, and others. He will also present the baston de paseo and will address how the different techniques for using the cane are documented and passed down in a number of treatises.

The progression for this three-day seminar will be:

• Beginning with Carranza’s unique system and its application with the 16th century Spanish single sword (Espada/Espada Ropera), followed by the approach taken by Narvaez, continuing with the 17th century cup-hilt rapier (Espada Ropera de Taza) with a look at the works of Ettenhard and Rada.
• We will then transition into the late 18th century with an examination of Spanish Small-sword (Espadin) and Brea’s mixed doctrine.
• We will conclude our look at Spanish rapier with an introduction to the later traditional rapier, which continued to be taught and practiced in rare instances into the beginning of the 20th century by delving into the works of Heraud y Clavijo and Garcia Alvarez.
• We will then proceed into 19th century sabre (Sable) of Casademunt and Eduard.
• The progression will conclude with the Spanish folding clasp knife (Navaja) and the walking stick (bastón de paseo).

Schedule

Friday May 25th 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday May 26th 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday May 27th 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Fee

Pre-registration: $150.00 and must be received by May 16th, 2007
Registration at the door: $200.00

Please use our registration form to pre-register.

Location

Studio KHDT
330 Broome Street
New York City, NY 10002

Directions can be found here.

Equipment required for the classes

The classes are structured to accommodate both beginners and advance students. Students who have their own equipment are advised to bring a pair of gloves for both hands, masks, jackets, gorgets, breast protectors for women, and rigid groin cups for men. Students that do not have their own equipment are asked to wear comfortable work out clothing. If you do not have a Spanish type rapier an Italian type will do. If you have no rapier at all then we advise you to bring a wooden dowel of 3/4 inch in thickness. They can be purchased at any Home Depot or neighborhood lumberyard. To measure the appropriate length, stand square and extend your sword arm out horizontally to the side. The total length of the dowel should be taken from the opposite shoulder to the tip of the middle finger of the hand of the extended arm. If you do not have a Spanish smallsword, bring a foil. An Italian foil would be preferable but a French foil will be permitted. It is important that you have a sabre, as it is essential to understand the distinction between the sabre and stick. We will provide walking sticks and navaja trainers. Although we are making allowance for those who do not have all the proper equipment and weapons it is exceedingly important to be properly equipped to achieve the best results.

If you have any questions please contact Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez at: contact@martinez-destreza.com.

Hotel Information

Studio KHDT is located in Downtown Manhattan near Chinatown and Little Italy. There are hotels in the area. You can also find hotels in Queens or Brooklyn, check with them for subway and bus information.

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