KunTao: The Esoteric Martial Art of Southeast Asia

Even though I am well into my senior years my lifelong interest in numerous martial arts, (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, Krav Maga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Hanbo-Jutsu, Tanto-Jutsu, Wakizashi-Jutsu, and many others), for 7 plus decades is still strong as ever. This is why when I saw this 127-page soft cover book (Kun Tao: The Esoteric Martial Art of Southeast Asia by David Seiwert) on Amazon I decided to purchase it.The quick delivery service as always was great. I must say, having read hundreds of martial art, weapon and self-defense texts over the years, I immediately found this volume to be very informative and unique. I was familiar with most Japanese and American fighting arts, and even though I had studied Tai Chi long enough to get a teaching certificate; nevertheless, I had not heard of this particular Chinese (Kun Tao) martial art system. What I discovered in this book was that Kun Tao is related to many other Chinese Kung-Fu systems I had some knowledge of from my years of Tai Chi and Qigong training.I really loved this book for many reasons. Amazingly, it covers an enormous amount of material within its 127 pages. It begins with give Kun Tao history, who are the Hakkas? Japanese Karate, Hakka Kung-Fu, Hakka Kung-Fu characteristics, Chinese martial arts, adaptation, ranges of combat, Footwork, basic tools, hand strikes, blocking hand attacks, the kicking arts, blocking foot attacks, weapons, training, training drills, combat scenarios and final thoughts.There are many clear black and white photographs showing both unarmed techniques and weapons used in this system. As I emphasize in all my martial art book reviews, one cannot learn the finer details of any fighting system without actual hands-on training with an instructor. If you are presently taking Kun Tao, (or another Chinese Kung-Fu similar system), from an instructor, this excellent book will provide you a good reference source. The best combination is ALWAYS hands-on instruction along with reading the book.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Chair/Seated Tai Chi/Qigong/Yoga stretching for seniors and the physically challenged).

The media could not be loaded.  Very interesting and informative. Makes me want to look into Chinese martial arts more intensively.

Very descriptive about eastern martial arts, in general a good book to read.

The martial arts of south east asia are effective means of self defense ,the book augments live training under a skilled guru

I have personally learned under Guro Seiwert. He does travel to southeast Asia often, to learn from the source despite what other reviewers (liars/haters) have claimed. His years of knowledge shine in the classroom, I assure you. This book shines light on one of the lesser known martial arts of the world giving you both insight and reflection into Kuntao. Both the experienced and new comer of the Kuntao world should own this book.

As a fan of the Martial Arts, I found this book fascinating.The author gives an excellent primer starting with a short history of where Kun Tao started and how it eventually evolved, and incorporated into other martial fighting systems of Asia.Plenty of photos show techniques and the tools, explained simply on how it can be used in practical street combat for self defense.Techniques shown are plain and simple with no fancy moves- exactly what I'm looking for.Hope more will be written on this subject, and a recommended read for those thinking into practicing martial arts, as well as current practitioners.Good book to have in your martial arts library.

His in person classes are even better! Great Instructor! A simplified no nonsense approach to a mixture of Kali, Kuntao, and Silat.

David Seiwert, has written an excellent book on general topic of Kun Tao Silat. He has met his stated objectives as an author in this book and given the reader a great overview of art. The historical information provided gives the reader can opportunity to tie the art back to its various root systems and allows the reader with some knowledge of silat to tie everything together. I can refer this book without any reservations.

Having direct most of my life training and researching the martial arts. This book is very informative. The recommendations are on point with good practical information on how to Train and the understanding that as situations change, do should the techniques appliedIt also filled gaps in my research knowledge. Which is always good.

I have all 3 books from David and they are a brilliant source of interest and training aid for David's other work absolutely rate this book and others from David I've been doing martial arts for some 20 plus years and I rate this book A+++👍👍

Well written book. A good reference for these arts.

This book is basically a very quick and sketchy about all the combat systems that are recognized under the name Kuntao. We have a very good portion of the book in history of the systems and the people who developed it, but basically no single real fighting principle. Every single Kuntao concept is pictured with two photo sequences and very few lines od explanation. If you're a novice of the system you will not have the basic information to understand the body-mechanics that underlies behind the photo. If you're an experienced Kuntao player, you just will flip the pages of the book in about five minutes, finding no real error or bad information, but just nothing of real use. The author is surely very skilled about Kuntao and related Martial Arts (chinese, indonesian and filipino), but this book is just an advertising to his website. I gave 3 star out of five because what is showed is correct, but not explained.