HMA || Kalis Ilustrisimo || Katana (Dos Manos) - Base of the Blade Beats Tip (Don't Reach)|| 21/1/25

Humphrey Martial Arts (HMA) - Based on Sydney's Northern Beaches
Guro Josh Humphrey and Guro John Sullivan
Available for 'Group' or 'Individual' Private Lessons
[phone]
[e-mail]
North Harbour Reserve (NHR), Balgowlah
Session No.147
Guro John has been training with us since early 2012, starting back at Lange's MMA "Roof" group Arnis classes. He is one of HMA's main Instructors, having recently received his Lakan Dalawa/Black Belt 2nd Dan in Lange-Corral Arnis late 2023.
John is also a certified Kalis Ilustrisimo Instructor under Ray Floro of Floro Fighting Systems (FFS), head of Kalis Ilustrisimo in Australia. This pairs well with his other training in Arnis, Silat and previous experience as a Right-Handed Southpaw Boxer.
This raw footage is a continuation of various Dos Manos (Two-Handed Sword) technical sparring sessions from the previous months, between myself (Josh H - tattoos, converse, grey shirt, black shorts) and another Kalis Ilustrisimo Instructor (John S - sneakers, black shirt, red board shorts).
We were focusing on points brought up by our Blade Master, Ray Floro, in our previous Instructor Sparring Day (video on HMA's KZbin Channel - • Kalis Ilustrisimo - Se... ).
We are using 3ft (90cm) Foam Covered Rattan Cane walking sticks as sparring buffers, almost the same length as our Polypropylene Katana's/Bokken's made by Cold Steel, approx. 3.5shaku/feet (105cm) long.
This is a mix of Kalis Ilustrisimo and Floro Fighting Systems (FFS) with a focus on une pulgada (one inch rule) evasions through use of the Reti Rada - Elastico and de Relo footwork systems (circa 16th Century Spanish Fencing footwork).
We were doing this as we realised the range of motion and lack of flexibility with the Dos Manos compared to the Solo Espada took away several of our defensive/evasive options, whilst also increasing the range and power of our strikes. This put a larger emphasis on correct distance, broken rhythm + timing through footwork and subtle Paupo (sit down) hip rotations, simultaneously protecting our hands/head whilst also setting up the counter attack. This has also been helping our Solo Espada in the Corto-Media ranges as the footwork and principles directly transfers across.
This video shouldn't be seen as an instructional video at all. Kalis Ilustrisimo is an advanced blade system with incredibly subtle movements, with a heavy emphasis on measurement and timing, that don't translate well to video or group classes. I highly recommend finding an instructor from our style in your area that offers private one-on-one tuition if you want to learn more about blade on blade fighting techniques and principles.
If you are determined to use a video as a learning tool, GM Ray Floro has amazing instructional videos for sale on his website listed below.
courses.rayflo...
Many thanks and the utmost respect to our Blade Masters, GM Ray Floro, GM Romeo 'Mang Romy' Macapagal and their teacher the late GM Antonio 'Tatang' Ilustrisimo, for sharing, guiding and mentoring us through such a beautifully technical blade system.
I hope this video helps a few fellow FMA practitioners with their own techniques, counters and application. All the best with your sparring!