FMA Informative Issue No #164

Informative Issue No. 164
2015
An Interview with:
Sensei Dr. Hironori Higuchi, Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr., Mr. Michael D. Janich, and Dave Sustak
Blowgun as a Means of Sport & Martial Training
Philippine Sport Blowgun Association (PhiSBA)
How to Make a Blowgun or Sumpit with Darts
Sumpit: The Filipino Blowgun
The Blow Gun - An Interview with:
Dr. Hironori Higuchi
Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr.
Mr. Michael D. Janich
Dave Sustak
The Blowgun as a Means of Sport & Martial Training
My Introduction to the Blowgun
Blowgun, Martial Arts and Gender Stereotypes
Passing on the Art of the Blowgun
Blowgun as an Extracurricular Study to Martial Arts
Possible Use as Respiratory Therapy
Target Practice: Making it Fun
Future of the Sumpit/Fukiya/Sarbacane
Blast from the Past: Philippine Sport Blowgun Association (PhiSBA)
How to Make a Blowgun or Sumpit with Darts
Each issue features practitioners of martial arts and other internal arts, other features include historical, theoretical and technical articles; reflections, Filipino martial arts, healing arts, the culture of the Philippines and other
related subjects.
The authors, publisher and owner of this online magazine are not responsible for any injury, which may result
from the instructions contained in this online magazine. Before embarking on any of the physical activates described in
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articles are the property of the author’s that wrote them and cannot be used without the permission of the author.
The FMA Informative is for the promulgation and promotion of the Filipino martial arts and the Culture of the
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of the FMA Informative.
Perry Gil S. Mallari - Fight Times Editor of the Manila Times on January 26, 2015 published a article called
Sumpit: The Filipino Blowgun. This reminded the FMA Informative of the articles on the Blowgun that it had
seen published in the FMAdigest.
Contacting Dave Sustak who permitted the FMAdigest to put his article “The Blow Gun - An Interview
with Sensei Dr. Hironori Higuchi, Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr., and Mr. Michael D. Janich.” The FMA Informative got permission to reprint the article with some highlights on changes that have happened since the article
was published in the FMAdigest in 2005.
Dave Sustak then recommend that Restita DeJesus might be interested in contributing to this issue. The
FMA Informative contacted Ms DeJesus and she was happy to contribute and she wrote some very interesting
information on the blowgun. From how she got involved and became very sufficient in the use of the blowgun
and continuing with her thoughts to round out her article. Ms Dejesus owns and operates a martial arts school
out of Seattle, Washington.
The Philippine Sport Blowgun Association (PhiSBA) was becoming a solid part of the blowgun community in 2003, but through the years has disappeared. But the FMA Informative thought to republish the FMAdigest article on them as a Blast from the Past.
Finally The FMA Informative was talking to Marc Lawrence a good friend and a contributor in the past
to the FMA Informative and of course he was happy to write a little something on his knowledge of making a
blowgun with darts.
Sumpit: The Filipino Blowgun
at birds a short distance away. His
ammunition consisted of round
clay pellets, which he fashioned to
the right size by help of a hole in
a small tin plate, which he always
carried with him.”
By Perry Gil S. Mallari - Fight Times Editor
Manila Times - January 24, 2015
The Filipino word for blowgun
is sumpit or sumpitan. Used by
the natives for both hunting and
warfare, the blowgun is among the
Philippine weapons described in
details by Antonio Pigafetta, the
chronicler of Ferdinand Magellan.
“Those people of Polaoan [Palawan] go naked as do the others:
almost all of them cultivate their
fields.
They have blowpipes with thick
wooden arrows more than one
palmo long, with harpoon points,
and other tipped with fishbones,
and poisoned with an herb; while
others are tipped with points of
bamboo like harpoon and are poisoned. At the end of the arrow they
attach a little piece of softwood,
instead of feathers. At the end of
their blowpipes they fasten a bit
of iron like a spearhead; and when
they have shot all their arrows they
fight with that (Pigafetta’s Account
1521 Part 2, 1898, the Shaping of
Philippine History Vol. 2 no. 17,
October 1998).”
The spearhead attached to the
blowpipe is obviously for close
range fighting in the same manner
that modern soldiers would use
the bayonet when they have shot
all their ammunitions. This type
of blowgun, exactly as Pigafetta
described nearly five centuries
ago, still exists in Sabah, Malaysia
today. I mentioned this because
Sabah was once part of Mindanao
and even to this day, there is an
unsettled issue between the Philippines and Malaysia regarding the
ownership of the island.
Another document on pre-colonial
Philippines that depicts the lethal
quality of the blowgun is the Boxer Codex. The following excerpt
from the translation by Carlos
Quirino and Mauro Garcia published in The Philippine Journal
of Science Vol.87, reads, “In some
of these islands they use some
blow-guns like those in Spain
which they kill birds, and with
which they shoot some very small
arrows with very sharp iron points
through the hole of the blow-gun,
and the iron ends of these arrows
are full of poison or herb. If they
draw blood in the wound they
make, [the victim] dies although
[the wound] be small.”
It is the poison that made the darts
shot through the blowpipe deadly.
The pre-colonial Filipinos were
experts in concocting a diverse
variety of poisons and blowgun
projectiles commonly smeared by
the sap of the upas tree (scientific
name: Antiaris toxicaria). The latex of this plant was scientifically
found to contain an extremely toxic cardiac glycoside, a component
capable of increasing the force of
contraction of the muscles of the
heart.
The potency of this poison as well
as the accuracy of the blowgun
was described in the book The
Former Philippines Thru Foreign
Eyes By Fedor Jagor, Tomas de
Comyn, Chas. Wilkes and Rudolf
Virchow (1916), the authors wrote,
“Among their other weapons is
the sumpit, a hollow tube, through
which they blow poisoned arrows.
The latter are of various kinds, and
those used in war are dipped in the
sap of what the natives term the
‘apo.’ The effect of this poison is
The blowgun is among the easiest
weapons to construct. Years back
when I took deep interest in the
weapon, I made a blowgun out of
metal curtain rod and sharpened
almost instantaneous, and destroys
life in four or five minutes. Those
who have seen a wound given
accidentally, describe the changes
that the poison occasions as plainly
perceptible in its progress. Before
using the arrow, its poisoned point
is dipped in lime-juice to quicken
it. The range of the sumpit is from
fifty to sixty yards. “
The material and manner of construction of the Filipino blowgun
was mentioned by H. Wilfrid
Walker, a fellow of the Royal
Geographical Society in his book
Wanderings Among South Sea
Savages And in Borneo and the
Philippines (London Witherby &
Co. 1909). A portion of Walker’s
book reads, “Many of the Filipinos are very good shots with their
blowpipes, and Vic possessed one.
It was about nine feet in length,
and possessed a sight made of a
lump of wax at one end. Like the
bows of the Negritos, it was made
out of the trunk of a very beautiful fan-palm [Livistona sp.]. Two
pieces of the palm-wood are hollowed out and then stuck together
in a wonderfully clever fashion, so
that the joins barely show. Vic was
fairly good with it when shooting
common nails (heads removed) as
projectiles. For my darts’ fletching,
I used cigarette filters with the paper peeled off. It’s a perfect choice
because it’s fluffy enough to create
pressure in the blowpipe as air is
blown into it, and attached to the
dart it displays good aerodynamics. Without smearing poison on
the darts, the only instance when
you can inflict serious damage
with a blowgun is when you shoot
somebody in the eyes with it.
To the best of my knowledge, the
only Filipino martial arts style
today that employs the systematic use of the blowgun is the Pananandata system of Grandmaster
Amante Mariñas. Mariñas is the
author of Blowgun Techniques, a
definitive book on all aspects of
this unique ancient weapon.
The Blow Gun - An Interview with:
Sensei Dr. Hironori Higuchi, Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr., Mr. Michael D. Janich, and Dave Sustak
Provided By: Dave Sustak, Co-Founder, National Sport Blowgun Association
Sensei Dr. Hironori Higuchi
Chairman of the International Sport Fukiyado Association, of Nagaoka, Japan
Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr.
Author of “Pananandata: Guide to Sports Blowguns”
Mr. Michael D. Janich
Author of “Blowguns: The Breath of Death”
Dave Sustak
Co-Founder, National Sport Blowgun Association
When one thinks of a Triumvirate - the leading heads of the Roman Empire - a ruling power that spanned generations comes to mind. When one thinks about blowguns - three names come to mind - Higuchi, Marinas, and
Janich. Because of their achievements in promoting the sport of blow gunning, worldwide, these three names
are synonymous with the discipline. One often wonders how these three individuals, from diverse backgrounds,
came to the forefront of this often-maligned activity. What do they think about blow gunning as a sport? What is
their vision for the future of blow gunning?
Question: How did you first become involved with blowgunning?
Higuchi: Since I was a child, I had
played with the blowgun as a toy.
It is a very popular children’s toy
in Japan.
Marinas: The zarbatana (ancient
Philippine blowgun) had always
been a weapon that used poison
darts. Poison is as serious as you
can get. Since I have been in the
martial arts for many years, it was
only natural for me to make a serious study of the blowgun.
Janich: When I was about 13,
my martial arts instructor brought
a Jivaro blowgun into class and
demonstrated it for us. Once I
saw the tremendous power and
accuracy possible with a blowgun,
I was hooked. I bought my first
one within a week and have been
hooked ever since.
Sustak: I was first introduced to
the modern blowgun in the Spring
of 2003. I was immediately drawn
to this ancient weapon, and began
extensive research on it. I found many
references to its uses for hunting,
some using poisons such as curare
and dart-frog poisons, and some not. I
found references to the modern blowgun (or rather, I should say, to modern
barrel and dart materials) used as
sporting equipment, much as the bow
and arrow have evolved.
Question: Dr. Higuchi, what influenced your decision to write the
book, “Fukiya Health Method”?
Higuchi: I found that the breathing technique used to properly
shoot the blowgun is same as one’s
abdominal respiration, which is a
traditional health method.
Question: Dr. Marinas, what was
your influence for “Pananandata:
Guide to Sport Blowguns”?
Marinas: I consider the blowgun as a very effective weapon.
Hence, I included it as one aspect
of Pananandata, the system that I
founded.
(2015 update: in 2010, Dr. Marias
published a follow-up: “Blowgun
Techniques: The Definitive Guide to
Modern and Traditional Blowgun
Techniques” Published 2010 by Tuttle Publishing. North Claredon, VT)
Question: Mr. Janich, what influenced your decision to write the
book, “Blowguns: The Breath of
Death”, and why was that selected
as the title?
Janich: After developing an
interest in blowguns, I started to
do some research to learn more
about them. Unfortunately, most
of what was written consisted of
isolated articles or single chapters
in books. There was no one book
devoted to the topic of blowguns
and I thought there should be.
Once I had the background knowledge to do the job properly, I gave
it a shot. As for the title, that was
my idea. Curiously, it remains one
of the few Paladin Press books to
have ever been published under its
original working title.
Question: Mr. Sustak, what influenced your decision to write your
series of blowgun books?
Sustak: Reading the books of
Dr. Higuchi, Dr. Marinas, and
Mr. Janich were my inspiration.
As an avid researcher, I realized
that there was so much more that
needed to be addressed as you
approach this ancient weapon as
a modern sporting tool. There
needed to be a quick introductory
book for someone who flirts with
the idea of target shooting with a
blowgun in the “For Dummies”
style, as well as a very serious
textbook for those who want to, as
I have done, become a world class
competitive shooter. Now, I am in
the process of publishing using the
modern blowgun as a true Martial
Art weapon and finally, will have a
book out on using the blowgun for
survival – hunting and fishing.
less disciplined standpoint, than it
would be as a form of the Martial
Arts. Do you believe this is the correct approach to take in the United
States? Why or why not?
Question: Dr. Higuchi, have you
considered having your publication, “Fukiya Health Method”
reprinted, and translated into
English?
Higuchi: I love the Martial Arts
… all forms of the Martial Arts are
actually sports. However, usually
only young men get involved in
the Martial Arts. I changed the
name of the International organization name from the “International
Sport Blowgun Association” to the
“International Fukiyado Association”, by request of the JSFA, so
as not to have a conflict in registered terms/ the term “Fukiyado”
refers to the sport in a Martial Arts
sense, and new participation has
declined. Japanese blowguns with
the film cone darts are not dangerous at all. It is a very safe sport. I
recommend the sport for all ages,
and both sexes. If you promote the
sport as a Martial Art, the project will fail. There is a negative
connotation to grouping the sport
solely as a Martial Art, because the
blowgun becomes thought of more
as a weapon (although it really is,
but only if the projectiles used are
those capable of causing injury.
The film cone darts used in Japan
are very safe). There are other
more powerful and accurate weapons that belong grouped within the
Martial Arts category, but I believe
that the blowgun really doesn’t fit
that definition.
Marinas: If it is to become accepted, it has to be treated as a martial
arts discipline. And as such, in all
shooting competitions, all competitors must be required to wear uniforms with patches to identify their
school/club affiliation. If shooters
wear all kinds of informal get ups,
blowgun shooting will not progress
beyond the club level.
Higuchi: The publication, “Fukiya
Health Method” is more of a pamphlet, than a book. In retrospect,
I do find many passages that I’d
like to make changes to … some
mistakes in the description. Other
areas addressed include topics on:
windsurfing, riding a unicycle,
mountain climbing, camping, and
so forth. At that time when I wrote
the pamphlet, I couldn’t find any
data about the blowgun at all. That
is why I decided to publish it.
Question: Dr. Higuchi, how did
you first become involved with Dr.
Amante P. Marinas, Sr.?
Higuchi: I found the book “Pananandata: a Guide to the Sport
Blowgun” published by United
Cutlery. After reading it, I contacted Dr. Marinas.
Question: Dr. Marinas, how did
you first become involved with
Sensei Dr. Hironori Higuchi of the
International Sport Fukiya Association (IFA)?
Marinas: I saw his website and
emailed him. I was really surprised
when he responded.
Question: The National Sport
Blowgun Association (NSBA) was
founded in the United States to
promote the sport of competition
target blowgun shooting. They
position the sport as being between
“pub darts” and archery. The sport
is approached from a more relaxed,
Janich: I think this approach is
very appropriate for the American
market, as long as the competition
offers enough challenge and variation to maintain shooter interest.
Because we are so fortunate, we
sometimes tend to get bored easily.
By keeping the competition challenging and exciting, like some of
the high-end archery competition
currently in vogue, I’m confident
that we can get blow gunning to
flourish as a sport here.
Sustak: The NSBA was dissolved in 2006, a revision of the
American SBA came in for a few
months, and it also dissolved in
that year. The US Sport Blowgun
Association took over and is still
in place today. In order for the
sport to gain the respect that it deserves, and be considered seriously, there needs to be more structure
than there is today in 2015. The
current US national organization
opposes this, and does not properly promote that sport – so it has
fallen out of favor, and is only followed by a small group of individuals spread out over the country,
with no true central organization
to pull the sport together. If this
could be changed, then this sport,
with proper marketing and publicity, could take off nationally in the
U.S., as well as internationally.
Question: Can you offer any examples of training tips and technique for a beginner in the sport?
What cross-training activities
would be best to compliment the
training needed for the sport (e.g.:
swimming, jogging, weight-lifting.
etc.)?
Higuchi: Blow gunning really
doesn’t require any cross-training
activities. Mr. Morikuni Matsumoto (holder of the World Record
at both 8 and 10 meters), doesn’t
cross-train in any other sport. I am
old (68) and a small stature individual, and I have scored in the
“gold” level. Some strong people
often quit blow gunning because
they hold barrel and blow too hard,
thus their darts improperly arc, and
don’t hit where they are aiming for.
They get frustrated, because they
are “over-blowing”. The technique
needed for target blow gunning is
control, not power. Force can be
delivered to the dart without hyperventilating.
Marinas: Breathing exercises
must be done before any shooting
starts. It will improve the public’s
perception of the blowgun. It will
then be seen as a discipline and not
just shooting a needle-like dart.
If you are right-handed, place the
barrel over the V” of your right
hand. This way, you can use the
index finger as a pointer. If you
are right-handed, you do not point
at things with your left hand. You
must record all your shots and
score them according to a certain
set of standards such as the ones
used by the IFA, JSFA, NSBA or
the ones I have in Pananandata
Guide to Sport Blowguns. If in
doubt as to what point to give
a shot, be generous to yourself.
Have a regular shooting schedule
and plan how many times you are
going to shoot. If you shoot outdoors, do not curse bad weather.
Do something else. If you shoot
outdoors, take time to watch the
birds, the bees and the butterflies
- even the bugs. It will help you
relax. Know the weather forecast for your area. The forecast
will give you wind velocity. Any
sport that will develop a stronger
pair of lungs such as swimming,
jogging, skipping rope. Are good
cross-training activities?
Janich: The ultimate training ac-
tivity is always the actual practice
of the task. As such, constant, regular practice is the key to getting
good. I like to vary my practice
to focus on specific aspects of my
shooting game. Sometimes I’ll
shoot at short ranges (15-20 feet)
but using very small targets (aspirin or Tums tablets) to develop
accuracy. Other times, I’ll shoot
for maximum distance or deepest
penetration to develop lungpower.
Supplemental breathing exercises
from the martial arts or yoga also
help a lot.
Sustak: Cross training, as with
any other sport, helps to develop
over-all performance. Whatever
one selects to do in addition will
help improve one’s concentration
and over-all well being.
Question: Have you considered
writing a second book about the
sport, and if so, can you share
some of the topics that you may
cover?
Higuchi: Publishing a book is very
expensive in Japan. Booksellers
would most likely not display this
type of book as they would a best
seller in Romance or Biography, so
the sales would be low. I just don’t
think it would be popular reading
here
Marinas: My 2nd book is almost
finished. I have added (a) sections
on how to make darts and blowguns (2) more statistical information on shooting the blowgun (3) a
more detailed discussion on aiming the blowgun (4) the blowguns
from Ecuador (5) more physics.
Janich: I would very much like to
revise my original work to include
some of the things I’ve learned
since I wrote it. Specifically, I’d
like to address things like advanced dart design; comparison
of bore diameters as they relate to
power and velocity, and the utility
(or lack thereof) of blowgun gadgets and attachments.
Sustak: I already have two books
published on blowgun target
shooting, ane is an introduction to
the sport for those who just want
to try it out, the other is a training
manual in textbook format suitable
for either instructor use, or directly
by the student. I have two more in
the works, expecting to be ready
this year (2015). The Martial Art
and Hunting/Fishing with blowguns.
Question: Do you have any other
comments in closing?
Higuchi: I wish that participants
in USA would research what type
of darts are better for competition
blowguns, the wire shaft VS film
cone. We believe that the film
cone is superior for this purpose.
The Japanese don’t believe you
use mouth-pieced barrels; it’s just
not done here - different technique. Americans should know
that blowguns are not an effective
hunting weapon, they are too
underpowered for both penetration
and range, and they are only good
for sport target shooting. The IFA
doesn’t have specific membership requirements, or charge any
annual fees. Any national sport
blowgun organization is welcome
to join us. I send out an e-mail
newsletter to the membership,
keeping them aware of format) on
my web site. Anybody who sends
me the correct answers, and a sample handmade dart, can be an IFA
instructor, with no charge.
Marinas: Practice!
Janich: Stay safe!
Sustak: In the dozen years that I
have been involved with competition blowgun target shooting, I
have seen the sport internationally
grow, peaking about 2006. Today
it is very big in Japan, where it was
privatized, but has fallen again out
of favor in other countries, due to
a lack of national organization, and
in part due to an insistence by several rather vocal individuals to not
have a standardization of equipment and regulations. The perfect
score for blowgun target shooting
is 210 points. The current World
record was set at 208 (non-standard equipment used), 2nd is 206
points. I am still ranked 3rd internationally, having shot 202 points
multiple times.
We have seen in the past,
even Archery was banned from
the Olympic Games for 40 years,
because of a similar problem. I
have acted as the liaison to the
International Olympic Committee for the International Fukiyado
Association since 2005, and I have
been a major advocate of standardization of the sport from then, to
this day. Dr. Higuchi is the main
individual who promotes this sport
internationally, but his efforts to
gain interest by relaxing regulation to attract people to the sport,
have, in my opinion, been less than
effective.
About the Participants of this Article
Dr. Hironori Higuchi
“The Sport Blowgun Health Method”
Authored by Dr. Hironori Higuchi, co-Chairman of the International Fukiyado Association (IFA) and Dr. Yasumoto Hayashi. Published as part of a
medical pamphlet December 15, 1995 by Bunbunshobo Co. Tokyo, Japan.
The techniques used stem from the relaxation and focus control as in Yoga,
Zen meditation, and more recently, Lamaze and the pyschoprophylaxis (PPP)
techniques for pre-operative and child birthing. Claimed benefits include: decrease of stress, better digestion, increased lung capacity (due in part to better
utilization of normally “dead air” pockets), abdominal muscle and organ strengthening (due to the super-oxygenation of the blood and “massage” of the organs from the use of the diaphragm in deep breathing), stimulation of the autonomic nervous system, and increased focus due to directed concentration.
Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr.
“Pananandata: Guide to Sport Blowguns”
Authored by Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr., co-Chairman of the IFA, and NSBA Meijin
(Master), Published 1999 by United Cutlery Corp. Sevierville, TN
“Blowgun Techniques: The Definitive Guide to Modern and Traditional Blowgun
Techniques” Published 2010 by Tuttle Publishing. North Claredon, VT
Dr. Marinas, also an accomplished Martial Artist, holds black-belts in Aikido and
Shorin-Ryu. He is a former Professor of Chemical Engineering at Adamson University in the Philippines. He is a world-renown expert in hand-to-hand combat, and has
also authored several books in this area. From the perspective of a scientist, Dr. Marinas’ approach covers the ballistics, trajectory, impact force, and factors that will affect one’s aim. Other topics
include targets, and keeping track of one’s progress (scoring)
Pananandata Guide to Sport Blowguns is the latest and most
comprehensive guide to Blowguns, from the physics to the
actual practice. Written by Pananandata Martial Arts master and
founder, Mat P. Marinas, who is a former professor of chemical
engineering at Adamson University and is a black belt in aikido
and shorin ryu. He has authored seven books on the martial arts,
is featured in six videotapes, and has written over 100 articles
for martial arts magazines. As the world’s most published practitioner of the martial arts, he is an expert Blowgun shooter. Mat
Marinas takes you through every step of the Pananandata sport
blowgun art from the most basic to thoroughly explained expert
skills. If your a serious Blowgun shooter this book is a must
have.Amazon.com: Click Here
Blowgun Techniques: The Definitive Guide to Modern and Traditional Blowgun Techniques
Blowgun Techniques is a complete introduction to one of the world’s oldest
weapons. It provides detailed explanations and instructions on all aspects of
the blowgun’s use—from grips and stances, to targets and trajectories, to how
to construct your own blowgun.
While shooting the blowgun may seem effortless, it actually requires
not only power, but also intelligence, focus and good technique. This unique
combination—simplicity of design yet complexity of technique—has caused
the blowgun to undergo a dramatic rise in popularity in the modern world.
This popularity makes Blowgun Techniques a timely guide for hunting enthusiasts and those interested in archery–style sports competitions.
Amazon: Click Here
Dave Sustak
“Blowgunning For Beginners”
Authored by Dave Sustak, Co-founder, National Sport Blowgun Association;
ShoDai-Soke for the International Fukiyado Association. - Published November,
2007 by CafePress. Louisville, KY
“Fukiyado: The Way of the Sport Blowgun”
Published November, 2007 by CafePress. Louisville, KY
Other blowgun books soon to be published by this author: “Sumpit Silat: The
Blowgun Dance” and “Tugawesti: Hunting and Fishing with the Blowgun”
2015 by CafePress. Louisville, KY
David Sustak completed his Ed.M. as a Master Teacher, from Rutgers University in 1977. Since then,
Dave has adapted what he has learned in the discipline of technological education, and applied it to other areas.
Sustak Sensei is the first American to achieve both, the 7-dan, and to complete the requirements set forth as a
certified instructor from the International Fukiyado Association (IFA). In April of 2011, Dr. Hironori Higuchi
selected Dave as the ShoDai-Soke of the International Fukiyado Association.
Blowgunning for Beginners - The Basics of how to shoot the blowgun
Michael D. Janich
“Blowguns: The Breath of Death”
Authored by Michael D. Janich, National Technical Advisor for the National Sport Blowgun Association (NSBA). Published 1993 by Paladin Press, Boulder, CO.
This is the book that re-introduced blowguns to the world. Janich, an accomplished
Martial Artist and Master of various forms of hand-to-hand combat, was introduced to the
blowgun as a weapon during a Martial Arts class in the early 1980s.
“… I had become a believer in the blowgun’s potential as a serious weapon … providing
the perfect vehicle for the accurate and silent delivery of a variety of projectiles in a very
inexpensive package.” - M. Janich
Blowguns: The Breath of Death
The blowgun is a mysterious tool of silent death. Michael Janich reveals the
many secrets of its capabilities and uses: how to buy or make your own blowgun and
darts (including “special” projectiles), shoot the weapon, devise custom targets and
customize, maintain and store your gun. This is the best book on this fascinating and
deadly device.
Amazon.com: Click Here
Loading darts, holding the blowgun, stance, aiming, and shooting techniques. Storage, accessories, maintenance, as well as blowgun terminology
is included.CafePress: Click Here
Fukiyado: The Way of the Sport Blowgun
A guide to competition sport blowgun target
shooting.
Learn the history of the blowgun, the
history of the sport, and proven techniques
for competitive target shooting from a master
of the sport, who is also an internationally
certified instructor.
CafePress: Click Here
Other non-blowgun related books authored by Dave Sustak:
“The Ancient Art of the Sjambok”
Published May, 2012 by CafePress Louisville, KY
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“Birang Silat: The Handkerchief Dance”
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“Who says blowguns are only for boys?”
The Blowgun as a Means of Sport & Martial Training
By Restita DeJesus
My Introduction to the Blowgun
I was introduced to blowguns in the early 1970’s by a boy
at a birthday party…..he had a
small dried branch that was hollow (where he got it and what tree
or bush it came from, I haven’t a
clue!), and he was shooting thicker grass stems at the other kids.
We thought it was fun, dodging
the stems and taking turns with
his makeshift “blowgun”. At the
time, I thought it was the greatest
upgrade to spitballs there ever was.
But my Mom wasn’t so keen on
the idea that I should be shooting
grass at other kids and made me
leave the boys to their play. So, as
a 6 year old, I thought blowguns
were a toy for boys. Fast forward
to the early 1980’s, when a friend
let me try her blowgun made from
copper tubing and dough pellets
for ammo. “Aren’t those for ninja
dudes?” I asked. “Who says blowguns are just for boys?” my friend
replied. She showed me how to
aim by keeping both eyes open
(parallax aim), and after successfully hitting my first soda can, I
recalled that birthday party from
years past, and was immediately attracted to the blowgun once
again. I got some copper tubing
and couplings, made my own,
and started sticking dough pellets
all throughout my house. My dad
thought it was cute.....my Mom,
not so much, considering she was
the one who had to clean up the
pellets.
My friend could literally
stop a minute hand on a clock with
a little dough ball with her blowgun. I found this type of accuracy
Restita DeJesus practices at her studio
amazing, so I too wanted to learn
how to be that accurate. As a
Karate stylist at the time, l saw the
martial practice in the blowgun
instead of just merely the target
practice. …I was drawn to the
Spartan aspect of the blowgun….
no gunpowder, no sights, no artificial apparatus……just you and
your ability. Later on down the
road, I learned about slingshots,
the traditional sling, bullwhips,
throwing knives and archery.
Being of full Filipino
ancestry and hearing stories all
throughout my childhood of my
great grandfather, Santiago Toledo
(on my Father’s side), I sought I
to learn Filipino martial arts in the
early 1990’s and found that my
new Kajukenbo instructor taught
Arnis. Through that Kajukenbo
school, I met Grandmaster Cacoy
Canete and one of his top students,
Master Christopher Petrill, and
it really sparked my interest in
learning about Filipino weapons.
When I asked my parents what
they knew about Eskrima or Filipino weapons, my Father would describe the movements that he saw
the other men of his family practice. My Mom would tell stories
of the Negrito tribes, the Bagobo
people, and other tribes throughout
the Philippines that used spears,
clubs and blowgun. The blowgun,
or “Sumpitan”, could “bring down
a monkey or large coconut tree
lizard, depending on the hunter” as
my mom would say. I remember
how my father once demonstrated
how he and his friends would shoot
blowguns as youngsters, holding
the tube by the mouthpieces as the
tribes people did. I also remember
when I was a young girl during a
visit to the Philippines, my teenage
cousin brought down a large palm
lizard with a blowgun, finishing it
off with his machete. Good meat
on the flame grill!
School and work took
much of my time and I didn’t
practice with the blowgun as much.
Fast forward many years later….
got back into the blowgun in 1998
after seeing one at a friend’s house.
I asked if I could try it, and found
that I could still hit a target. However it was a new fun experience
with real darts. I managed to find
a 3 foot blowgun, shooting as
much as I could. In 2010 I discovered the U.S. Blowgun Association (USBA), and competed for a
Yondan (4th Dan) ranking in the
organization in 2011.
Blowgun, Martial Arts and Gender Stereotypes
I was always the “tomboy” sort of the girl
in my youth: not afraid to play in the dirt, play with
toy trucks, climb trees and of course, do martial arts.
I was sometimes teased as a youngster for these
things by boys, which was natural as many boys
used to think that certain activities were “only for
boys”. However I used to get more teasing from Filipino kids, believe it or not. Because of this, I was
shy a lot, however still holding confidence. It was
sort of tough, being a Filipino girl who didn’t meet
the “usual” standards of other girls in my neighborhood. “Hello Kitty” school accessories and “Family
Affair” lunchboxes just wasn’t my style…. Imagine
the teasing I got from kids for having a “Speed Racer” lunchbox!
During the 1980’s the “Ninja craze” swept
the nation, and kids everywhere thought that blowguns were only a Ninja weapon, and in the opinion
of many kids, “only men are ninjas”. Silly notion,
isn’t it? But kids will be kids. However, why was
it that such things such as martial arts or blowguns
were viewed a specifically “male” sports? Even with
Restita practices in a modified “Tate Hiza” posture
skilled women martial artists such as Cynthia Rothrock,
Karen Shepherd, and Graciella Casillas, martial arts
and its weaponry was still considered by many to be an
activity best suited for men….at least in my neck of the
woods. Regardless of that, I continued to practice with
my homemade blowpipe and researched the blowgun’s
use in cultures past and present.
Passing on the Art of the Blowgun
I enjoy teaching people of all ages the
way of the blowgun, but my greatest joy is in
teaching kids. I believe that if we don’t pass
on traditional sports such as blowgun, slingshot etc, the skills could be lost in the modern
world. I’ve observed that kids can learn very
quickly, as they do not put as much competitiveness into their practice….I’ve found
that kids tend to practice more for the pride
is improving their skills, not necessarily to
compare themselves with others. To make it
fun for the kids, we do many different target
activities, such as: hitting a rolling soccer ball,
“quick draw” shooting (who can put a dart into
the blowpipe and hit the target first), “shooting gallery” with different targets at different
heights, playing “Horse” (the classic basketball
themed game, but with called shots instead of
basketball shots), walking target shooting, and
much more. We also incorporate a variation of
“Hassetsu” (the Kyudo 8 steps of shooting),
utilizing Kikou (breathing exercises) and centeredness training.
Although the kids at my studio like the
Some of the blowgun practitioners
at Restita’s Martial Arts Studio
idea of ranks within the USBA, they say that they like to shoot
for the fun and martial arts aspect of it, not just the rank. Most
importantly, the kids learn that shooting things in a controlled
manner and shooting things for vandalism are two different
things……the kids are urged to respect animals and property,
and to never shoot their blowpipes at pets or people just for the
fun of it.
Adults and kids practice together
for a fun family atmosphere at Restita’s studio
The Blowgun as an Extracurricular Study to Martial Arts
The blowgun has long been a
weapon for ancient peoples, and
this “way of the ancients” is what
initially attracted me to the blowgun. As a martial artist who values
the old traditions within my styles
of practice, I find it appropriate
that students of martial arts study
the Sumpit (Fukiya, Sarbacane)
for it’s historical and traditional
aspects . A sense of “awareness
in stillness”, much like that of the
practice of Tai Chi, is one of the
benefits of the practice. Just as in
traditional arts such as Qigong,
Kyudo, and Iaido, combining
breathing with the task is just as
important as hitting or cutting a
target. As with any target sport
(shooting, archery, etc), blowgun
training fosters enhanced handeye coordination, self-discipline,
instinctive sense, and whole-body
control. Taught in a safe and
controlled manner, blowgun target
shooting is a great sport for all
ages.
Possible Use as Respiratory Therapy
Dr. Hironori Higuchi, Founder of the International Fukiyado Association, offers free Fukiya sessions as
a possible experimental therapy for respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. Additionally, a proposal
titled “Virtual Blowgun System for Breathing Movement Exercise”, written by Peichao Yu, Kazuhito Shiratori,
and Jun’ichi Hoshino, suggests that a variation of blowgun types of exercises may have positive effects as a
therapy for those with breathing disorders. Proposal: Click Here
Target Practice: Making it Fun
Although Blowgun practice
is as much a martial art, it’s always
great to spice up your practice with
target games. Here are a few that
we’ve played at my studio.
“Horse”: Just like the
basketball game! Set a rectangular playing area as many meters
in length as you and 1 or 2 other
players agree upon, but also add
some meters of width on either
side of the target.
Players line up. The first
player announces what shot he is
going to make and takes his shot.
The “caller” can stand anywhere
within the playing area. If he
misses, he goes to the end of the
line. (2nd player then becomes
the next “caller”.) If he makes the
shot, the next player must make
the same shot. If the second player
misses, he gets an “H,” and it is the
next player’s turn to announce a
shot and try to make it. Each time a
player fails to make a shot that his
predecessor made, he gets another
letter until someone has spelled
“horse.” At that point the player
is out. The other players continue
play until only one player is left.
“Quick Draw”: This can be
played with only 2 players or with
2 teams. We play with empty water
bottles hung in front of a backstop.
Two players stand at the same
distance shooting line, with two
other players acting as referees for
each target (out of the line of fire
yet close enough to see the target).
Players will hold 3 darts in a manner agreed by both players, with
the blowgun held at their side (pipe
end down on the floor). At a referee’s command, players shoot three
darts in succession as fast as they
can, then kneeling down on one
knee when they’re done, shouting
‘CLEAR!’. The player that is done
first AND hits the target 3 times
wins 3 points. However if the person that finishes first does not hit
the target all 3 times and the other
opponent does, the player that
did not complete first gets .25 of
a point. If playing in teams, each
round of play is shot by another
team member. Play continues until
one person (or one team) gets to
15 points first. For longer games
you can go to 30 points.
“Pincushion”: This is not a
game of points but rather just for
target fun. The kids at my studio
loved to play this! Use a foam ball
or old soccer ball, roll it across
the floor and see if people can hit
it while it is in motion. It is best
to play on a carpeted surface, and
The Future of the Sumpit/Fukiya/Sarbacane
Currently, there are clubs
art to the younger generation, this
throughout the USA, France,
skill could possibly be pushed to
Japan and the Philippines. These
the wayside by modern cultures
practitioners, although practicing
in a world of iPads, video games
for the sportive aspect, carry on a
and other technology. The art of
tradition that many cultures and
the blowgun—along with other
indigenous tribes have practiced
traditional target sports—not only
for countless generations. Without
brings the old ways to a modern
blowgun practitioners passing this
view, but also brings a wonder-
you may make up criteria for the
targeting, such as “you have to hit
it while it rolls within a certain area
(marked by field marker cones), or
“two shots within 15 meters”…..
the fun is in making up rules for
the targets!
“Robin Hood” Another fun
target game. Put a dart with an old
dart cone at the center of a standard
target. See how many darts it takes
to shoot a dart at the first dart’s
cone.”
“Blitz” Players have 1 minute to shoot as many darts as they
can for as many points as possible.
It helps to have a timer that makes
an audible alarm at the one minute
mark.
ful practice that fosters a view of
the natural ways of doing things.
Starting in this sport is relatively
easy….many sporting goods stores
and online retailers sell blowguns
of different bore sizes and lengths,
and the sport makes for a great
family activity.
Restita DeJesus is a Seattle, Washington native. She has studied martial arts since 1978 and is the Chief Instructor of Body Movement Arts, a school that offers instruction in Kajukenbo, Wushu, Tai Chi, and Doce Pares
Eskrima. Restita has been fascinated with traditional target sports ever since her first exposure to blowguns in
the early 70’s. More than 30 years later, she still practices with what she likes to call “non-powder projectiles”
or “traditional target sports”. Restita holds a Yondan (4th Dan) Silver Expert ranking within the United States
Blowgun Association (a branch within the International Fukiyado Association). She is the founder of the Northwest Sport Blowgun & Traditional Target Sports Enthusiasts (which welcomes members from the Washington/
Oregon/Idaho/Montana/Wyoming/Alaska area), and Founder of the Seattle Snapdragons Bullwhip Club. She
offers extracurricular lessons and seminars in Sumpit, Saltik (slingshot), Bagakay (throwing spikes), Tapon-Tapon (throwing knives), and Latigo (Bullwhip).
Restita DeJesus can be reached at rdejesus@bodyma.com or at her studio (206) 596-7880
Facebook - NW Sport Blowgun: Click Here
Web page, Seattle Snapdragons Bullwhip - About us: snapdragonswhips.webs.com
Studio, Body Movement Arts: www.bodymovementarts.com
Blast from the Past
This was about a group that was organized in the Philippines. This article was in the FMAdigest persission to use from
the FMAdigest was obtained. Since this article came out, the group has dis-banded.
Philippine Sport Blowgun Association (PhiSBA)
PhiSBA or the Philippine
Sport-Blowgun Association was
established in March 2003 It is
based in Davao City. The founding
members are: Goy-Goy, Yoyoy,
Marla, Dickie, Mai-Mai, Dakoy,
Drei, Gagets, and Waning.
It used to be a childhood past time
of blowing any projectile from
a piece of hollow stick. We used
projectiles such as beads, seeds
and even rice; and used shafts like
plastic straws and even papaya
leaf stems. When I got older, the
fascination for the blowgun once
again inspired me to improvise and
made use of 3/8 in. aluminum tube
from a discarded TV antenna, and
used push pins with improvised
fletching. It was fun and we can
hunt small prey and hit stuff at a
distance. We made contest out of it
with friends.
While on the Internet doing some research, the word blowgun just came to my mind and I
typed it on the search bar and viola! A whole new world opened up.
And that’s when I learned that it
has quite a following, especially in
Japan. The equipment was great,
there are even barrels that are Teflon coated, talk about technology!
After doing some research,
and gathering tons of info. I
came up with my own design, or
should I say version of equipment,
which was basically made out of
available stuff that can easily be
purchased in the hardware store. I
also studied the competition format and rules and made a brochure
out of it. The next challenge was
... will my friends take to the idea,
or will they laugh at me? I invited
them over one weekend afternoon, and told them that I have a
new sport to introduce to them.
We would become its founding
members; they all came (9 people
including me). As I discussed the
idea and the international follow-
Practice Makes Perfect
ing of the sport, everyone liked the
idea, and started blowing away.
We practiced during
weekends at our backyard, which
became its headquarters. I made
a website after we agreed on the
name (PhiSBA instead of PSBA,
which was such a mouthful) so
as to let people know of our existence. After a couple of months of
practice and several bottles of beer,
we tried a friendly competition
with the top three winners receiving a trophy. The competition had
two formats: point competition and
elimination style.
The activities were setaside after about a year, due to
busy schedules and I had a new
job. We recently revived the idea
with some new and additional
members, since a TV show that
features sports events and activities sent us an e-mail and asked if
they can feature the sport. It was to
be funded by ‘NGO’, which was
actually a documentary of Filipino
games. We are still waiting to see
if the project will come to fruition.
After receiving word from USA
based National Sport Blowgun Association (NSBA) and the plans of
the international blowgun community to bring it to the Olympics, our
group members wanted to revive
the sport and promote it further in
the country.
Currently we are reviewing
the rules and methods so that we
can practice, and better familiarize
ourselves on updated rules and also
pattern our local competitions on
International rules. In fact the targets that we were using are half the
size of the targets that are currently
in use by the International Fukiyado Association (IFA), and we are
using a format similar to that of the
German sport blowgun association
(Deutscher Sport Blasrohr Verein,
DSBV). Future plans will be to invite the international community to
compete with us, promote the sport
through schools, and create teams,
which will later become part of a
National Team.
The organization follows
the competition rules and regulations set forth in the IFA format,
and promotes competition blowgun shooting, because: Blowguns
have been used by our ancestors
primarily as a means of survival,
for hunting, as well as a weapon.
In our modern times the blowgun
has evolved using modern materials thereby improving the accuracy
and range of effectiveness. All over
the world a lot people have become
interested in the blowgun for sports
and small game hunting. In fact,
in some countries, like Japan and
This picture was taken at PhiSBA’s official hang-out (Yoyoy’s backyard)
during their first gathering on March 23, 2003.
From left to right, Goy-Goy, Yoyoy, Marla, Dickie, Mai-Mai, Dakoy
(crouching), Drei (in shades), Gagets, Waning.
Malaysia, sport blowgun target
competition shooting is already an
organized sport with a great number of followers.
Blowgun target shooting is
a sport that anyone can play. It can
be a singular or team event, and
anyone can play the sport ... young,
old and even people who have differently capabilities may enjoy the
sport.
How to Make a Blowgun or Sumpit with Darts
By Marc Lawrence
Warning: Blow guns are a Paleo - weapon used for target practice, bird hunting, tranquilizing large animals
by veterinarians and as weapons by Indigenous people so be careful as these can injure someone as they said
in the Christmas story you can shoot your eye out! So do not be dumb-ass with this! Do not hurt yourself, you
family friends or pets. Good luck, you are responsible for your own actions!
Blow guns are used by
many Native cultures, in the Philippines the Dayak were known for
their use of the Sumpit or blow gun
in the Southern Phillippines; they
employed toxic coatings to the tip
like the South American Natives.
The Blow guns used for hunting
ran about 5-6 feet long they were
small caliber about ¼-3/8 inch bore
with the mouth piece carved into
the butt and a spear blade mount-
ed on the tip with simple sight.
The unit also doubled as spear if
needed. Old time blow guns were
known to be 7-8 feet. In South
America they used long blow guns
with a small caliber and toxic dart
as well. In North American the
Cherokee people used blow guns
of a larger caliber ½ and were
made of hollowed out river cane
and used non-toxic darts and stun
darts for hunting birds.
Making a blowgun is a simple process today, it can be made
with some very simple material
found at hardware store you will
need a hacksaw a piece of half-inch
inside diameter PVC about 3 to 4
feet long, you will need some pipe
insulation for handle you will need
a water bottle of a mouthpiece.
This will make up the main part of
the blow gun.
Step One - measure PVC to 4 feet
long and cut off with a hacksaw.
Step Two - take a piece of #80
grit sandpaper and lightly sand the
ends so they are smooth, chamfering the outer edges as well as just
the inside of the pipe.
Step Three - get a water bottle cut
the top portion off and glue the
top end to the end which you want
to be the mouthpiece with hot
glue gun. Use some tape such as
masking tape or electrical tape to
make the edge of the water bottle
is smooth to when you put it up
to your face so it will not scratch
you.
Step Four - mark about mid-point
on the pipe, you will then mark
3 inches either side of that mark,
then you will put a dab of hot glue
on from the hot glue gun, quickly
slide the hand grip into position
and let cool. You now have a
blow gun! Use the large paint ball
rounds and you are California
Compliant! Know the laws where
you live. I understand in some
country this is highly illegal and
you could be jailed for having it.
So now you have nice PVC
one that looks very modern. OK
so I am a traditionalist at heart!
So here is how I make them out
of one piece river cane. I go down
to the river look for the straightest
one I can find about 10-12 feet
long, I cut it down bring it back
to the house and cut it into a 5
section I use the middle. I have
two methods to make a cane blow
gun at this point; one is slow
method I let it dry out, that takes
about 2 month. . I use a ¼ inch- 3
foot steel rod to knock the internal joints out, then I use section
of ready -rod of rebar as rasp to
hollow out and smooth the inside.
Sand edges, burn designs and
this yourself.
So now you need darts
if you wish shoot at targets, be
advised that in many states this is
illegal but not on Native American
reservations. To make skewer darts
you will need cotton balls thread
and bamboo skewers and pencil
sharpener.
PVC End
Dayak mouth piece
Coupling joint on Blowgun
Dayak blow gun full length
Step One - use one cotton ball tear
in half the long-ways,
Step Two - cut the skewer to 7
inches in length.
PVC Blowgun with 14 bottle mouth piece
Step Three - sharpen the skewer
and then poke it through the cotton ball and slide the cotton up to
a bout ¼ of an inch from the back
end.
PVC blowgun grip
PVC blow gun full length
finish with a varnish. The quickie method requires that you can
make a camp fire in the backyard
and heat the rebar and use it hot to
knock out the joints and rasp out
the inside. You can shoot it that
day.
Another method I have
seen and repaired is the
multi-joint blow gun
these are made by the
Dayak of. This is made
out of short sections of
hollowed out river cane.
Joined together like coupling they used larger
size joint section about
4-6 inches in length to go over
the smaller sections. Each joint
is sealed with natural gum resin
glue then is wrapped to hold. The
wrapping is coated with a paint to
seal and hold the wrapping. Use
the same methods as the other
river cane and you can reproduce
Dayak blow gun multi-joint
Step Four - Use a clove hitch knot
to secure the thread and wrap it 10
times around counter clockwise,
then start with the basket weave
wrap around cinch, you will alternate high, low high alternating
while wrapping each time and
pulling the cotton ball up tight so
that it will make an air tight fight.
Finish with a cinch know and finish it with 2 ½ hitches knot.
Step Five - metal tips made in a
long tapered cone fashioned from
thin sheet metal simply lay out the
pattern and cut out with tin snips
or old heavy duty scissors. Roll the
thin metal around the end of the
skewer to shape. Use small indent
like from small nail to hold the
shape and put s small crimp on the
end.
Paper cone darts- half sheet
method, you will need a half sheet
of paper, use a bamboo skewer
about 6 inches in length, use the
skewer to roll the cone starting
from the end left side by the corner
and roll inward until you have
large cone. Take the dart and tape
it with small piece toward the cone
Full length Dayak multi-joint blowgun
Cotton ball skewer darts with metal tips
Cottonball skewer darts
to hold it. Now put the dart in you
blow gun, mark with sharp pencil.
wrapped to the dart body and have
Take the dart out and cut with scis- enough hair to make air tight seal
sors. Right at or just a hair above
and still be able to slide in the tube
the line. Now slide your bamboo
of the blow gun. The hair bundle
skewer down so the cone is at the
has to quite long like 3-inches to
back end and tape in place. Now
make a plume that seals the tube.
you have paper cone dart.
Traditional darts
using long wispy hair material like squirrel hair or
synthetic hair requires it be
Cone dart
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