10.11.2014
Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer
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Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An
Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani
June
,
by The Freelancer
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/ /alphabeta.jpg martial artist, linguist, historian and tireless arms and armour
researcher, Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani Germany is an awardwinning author who won the prestigious awards of the ”ook Prize of the
Islamic Republic of Iran
for his book Lexicon of Arms and Armor from
Iran: A Study of Symbols and Terminology and Arms and Armor from Iran: The
Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period
, which also won the World ”ook Prize in the field
of Iranian Studies in
. The latter book is based on over
primary and secondary sources
and features a detailed analysis of over
artifacts from ten Iranian museums for the first
time. Some selected items from private collections are also featured in this book.
Dr. Khorasani is also the author of the book Antique Oriental and Arab Weapons and Armour: The
Streshinskiy Collection published
and has written well over
print articles, lexicon
entries and book contributions related to arms and armor from Iran in print journals and
magazines, an encyclopedia and one in a book in English, German, Spanish, French and
Persian for “merican, “rgentinian, “ustrian, ”ritish, Canadian, French, German, Indian,
Iranian, South Korean and Spanish magazines.
We have known Dr. Khorasani for many years in his role as a moderator and consultant at
Swordforum International, and were particularly excited when we learned that he had been
combining all of his passions and backgrounds in a new project: Razmafzar – Persian Martial
“rts. His latest book, Persian Archery and Swordsmanship: The Martial Arts of Iran, is the first
publication of his results, another massive, meticulously documented analysis of artifacts,
artwork, and literature, this time cross-analyzed with surviving Persian fencing, archery and
riding manuscripts and the many living-traditions of Iranian wrestling. We are pleased to offer
this interview, where Dr. Khorasani gives us some insights into the re development of
Razmafzar, living martial traditions in Iran, and what is forthcoming from his prolific pen.
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Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer
QUESTIONS:
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Shamshir and Separ ”uckler vs Mace and ”uckler. In Razmafzar the small shield separ is
used with a variety of weapons, including the sword, mace, axe and dagger.
F“P: In the simplest terms, what is Razmafzar ? Where does the name originate? What
fighting disciplines does it entail?
Khorasani: This is a combined Persian term, a New Persian lexeme which consists of razm
battle/fight and afzar tools/weapons . It means ”attle Weapons . “ctually, this word is
related to zinabzar or zinafzar which means the weapons for a mounted warrior. The term
zinafzar can already be found in the Poems of Onsori ”alkhi
, p. . This word is an old
word which derives from the Middle Persian word zēn afzār war implements/weapons that
can be found in Karnameye “rdeshir ”abakan see Farahvashi,
, p.
. The reason for
choosing razmafzar and not zinafzar for this historical martial art is that it deals not only with
cavalry techniques and tactics but also with infantry techniques and tactics. So it is a more
general term encomassing both fields. “lthough the fomer has received some cursory look, the
latter has been completely ignored in the studies of martial hertitage of Iran/Persia. It entails all
techniques which are documented in manuscripts, poems, battlefield accounts, miniatures,
arts, stone reliefs from “ncient Iran and also Islamic period of Iran.
F“P: You had already established your reputation as a researcher into Persian arms and
armour? How did you come to turn your attention to Persian fighting arts?
Khorasani: I have been an active martial artist almost all my life and surely after years of
research, measurement and recording hundreds of Iranian arms and armor in museums in
Iran and many private collections in Europe, Russia and US“, the intriguing question has
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Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer
always been how these weapons were used. That is why I turned my attention to a detailed
study of these weapons.
F“P: One of the unique things in Persian “rchery and Swordsmanship is your detail to
language – in tracking a lexicon of martial terminology or technical vocabulary, that can be
found in non technical literature and then comparing that to iconographic depictions of the
same actions. This is an area that is still awaiting more serious attention in Historical
European Martial “rts HEM“ . Can you discuss the process you used in going about this?
Khorasani: Thanks for asking this question. I started my research first by writing a book on
classification of Iranian weapons from “ncient Iran up to the end of the Qajar period in
.
The result was the publication of my book “rms and “rmor from Iran: The ”ronze “ge to the
End of the Qajar Period in
. “fter that I turned my attention to translating and annotating
many Persian manuscripts, which have been scanned for me by Iranian museums and libraries.
These included manuscripts on making Persian crucible steel up to that time all unknown in
the western world , archery manuscripts of them published in my last book , manuscripts on
lance, spear, swordfighting and manuscripts on war wrestling. “s an English major, as I have a
PhD in English language, languages and their academic study have always been a central area
of concentration for my research and analysis. I have lived and studied in different countries
and hence learned different languages English, German and Spanish as my academic fields.
Therefore, I felt that I had to extend my area of research and study battlefield accounts, poems,
stories and also popular tales. To my surprise, I found terms and expressions for techniques
such as shamshir bar farq zadan: To strike the top of the head . I saw this expression in many
manuscripts in many centuries. Then I analyzed miniatures and was extremely surprised to see
how often this technique was used. Quite often I must say. Then other combinations followed.
I went back and saw that even in “ncient Iran, this technique was used. I mean in iconogrphy
of Sasanid period. Then I found how manuscripts and even poems describe this technique and
how it should be applied. I made a comparative analysis. I did it for all techniques I could find
in hundred manuscripts. Many of them handwritten manuscripts which were scanned. “
meticulous and painstaking process. It took very long. “t the end I found
lexemes and
then tried to find the relationship to iconographic items. First I published my lexicon Lexicon
of “rms and “rmor from Iran: “ Study of Symbols and Terminology in
and then my last
book this year Persian “rchery and Swordsmanship: Historical Martial “rts of Iran .
F“P: HEM“ practitioners are fortunate in having a a larger number of technical works,
fight books , on which to base their reconstruction. Is there a similar body of Persian
martial texts to draw from?
Khorasani: Yes, there are. I have presented many complete manuals in my last book. Five
complete ones on Persian archery. One on mounted lance fighting. One on spearfighting on
foot. Three on war wrestling. One on swords. “s we are talking, I have received some new
ones. This area has been neglected for years. I have received new manuscripts on archery,
swordsmanship, mounted combat, etc.
F“P: In the West, many traditional martial arts, particularly aristocratic or chivalric ones
became extinct in the 1 th and 1 th centuries, and have had to be reconstructed. How does
this compare to the situation in Iran? Have you been able to find living sword or weapon
arts, and if so, have they played a role in creating modern Razmafzar?
Khorasani: Chivalric code of Iran is best expressed in the Javanmardi code which is similar to
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Khorasani: Chivalric code of Iran is best expressed in the Javanmardi code which is similar to
European chivalric code or Japanese bushido. We have a living tradition of Zurkhane House of
Strength . Wrestling in Iran is considered as a sacred sport, where the mat is still considered a
place to respect and to be respected and one needs to show humbleness and also help people in
need. My project of Razmafzar is based on academic reconstruction of techniques in
manuscripts, miniatures and reliefs. ”ut it does not stop there. “s I have shown in my last
book, the tenets and training methods of the House of Strength will be integrated in it.
“dditionally, we have over styles of traditional wrestling in Iran, we have sword dancing,
we have different stick fighting methods in Iran. They are in the process of being researched.
We will make comparative analysis and then set up a big data bank and integrate them in
Razmafzar as well.
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Wrestling remains an important sport, fighting tradition and cultural treasure in Iranian
culture even today, and was considered the basis of Persian warrior training.
F“P: “t the same time, there are many European folk traditions, particularly for wrestling
and stick or knife fighting, that have survived. In Persian “rchery and Swordsmanship you
touch on this with traditional Iranian wrestling or Varzesh Pahlavani. Can you tell us a little
about Pahlavani – both as it exists now and as it might have related to earlier Persian
fighting arts?
Khorasani: The House of Strength symbolizes a sacred place where practitioners not only
develop strength, but they need to learn javanmardi rules. They need to be role models for the
young generation. Wrestling is one of the most effective combat systems as proven again and
again. This plays a major role in Iran.
F“P: Have you yourself trained in Varzesh Pahlavani yourself? Have any modern Pahlavans
been interested in your work with Razmafzar?
Khorasani: Yes I am fortunate enough to be in contact with leading pahlavans in Iran and I
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Khorasani: Yes I am fortunate enough to be in contact with leading pahlavans in Iran and I
trained and even documented their training in the House of Strength. They are greatly
interested in Razmafzar.
F“P: ”efore you began reconstructing Razmafzar, did you already have a previous martial
arts background? If so, in what? How has it helped with your redevelopment of Razmafzar?
Khorasani: Yes, without name dropping, my students and friends know that. I hold three black
belts, a th dan in one of them, the others nd dan. I have trained and competed in many fullcontact sports such as boxing, Muay Thai and of course wrestling. I experimented with ”JJ and
trained in a team. ”esides I also trained in a Japanese Koryu sword art extensively. ”ut I have
always wrestled and love this sport. Wrestling has helped me the most, as this is the tenet of
Persian armored and unarmored fight. ”ut I have to say that all martial arts and fighting I have
done have played a part, by helping me universal principles of combat, like distance and lines
of attack and defence. I have to say I love realistic and full-contact sparring and think that is
important in all martial arts, including swordfighting.
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“ Persian warrior should be able to grab and throw in close range at anytime. “nd then of
course to deliver fast and powerful blows with his weapons.
F“P: Persia has long been a cross-roads between the Mid and Far east. Have you found
commonalities between Persian arts with those of the “rabs to the West or Indians, such as
the Sikh Gatka or Shastar Vidiya to the East?
Khorasani: Well possibly, but as I have not trained in Indian or “rab arts, I cannot pass
judgments. What I can say is that there always commonalities with certain arts, especially
when the arms and armour are similar, but I would say that what I know defines Persian arts is
an emphasis on developing strength, stamina, power and only then techniques. This is why
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wrestling plays a crucial role – it trains the body that is at the core of the entire art. “ Persian
warrior should be able to grab and throw in close range at anytime. “nd then of course to
deliver fast and powerful blows with his weapons.
F“P: You have chosen to create an international research and development team to develop
Razmafzar. Can you tell us a bit about who comprises the team and how your team works
together?
Khorasani: I have a very dedicated team and I am in constant contact with them. My team
comprises of three different groups. Researchers who write and do research on historical arms
and armor from Iran, the other section comprises experienced martial artists and another who
work and help in the realm of public relations and also editorial process. To enter my group
and be marked as a member one needs to fulfill certain criteria. I am really proud of the
members of Razmafzar team and many thanks for asking me questions about them. These are:
Mr. ”ede Dwyer from “ustralia is a leading researcher on “sian composite bow. ”ede has
published many articles in many leading academic journals. He plays a very important role in
Razmafzar team. He has been my editor from
and has made useful comments on archery
sections on my books. We have written many important articles on Persian archery based on
Persian archery manuscripts which have been translated by me. “t the moment, I am planning
to write a book on Persian archery together with Mr. ”ede Dwyer on Persian archery. This
book will not only comprise archery techniques and annotated archery texts but we will show
techniques and how to execute them with a replica Persian composite bow.
Mr. “li Ghourchani from Iran is an accomplished horse archer who has gained many places
in international horse archery competitions. I will test many horseback wrestling and
horseback lance and swordfighting in cooperation with “li. He is an accomplished horse
archer.
Mr. Heiko Grosse from Germany is an accomplished swordsman who has been training and
learning razmafzar under my direct supervision. He is a black belt in kendo with ten years
experience in Kendo competitions and a Cateran and an expert in Scottish swordsmanship
with five-year experience. He plays a pivotal role in learning and teaching Razmafzar.
Ms. Mitra Haji is a Museum Curator of ”onyad Museums from Tehran, Iran. I have been
working with Ms. Haji over years. I have analyzed over
historical arms and armor from
Iran which are kept in ”onyad Museum. She has translated and edited many of my articles in
Persian. We organized two historical arms and armor exhibitions The Power of Iranian Steel
and Weapons and Combat in the Shahname in Tehran.
Mr. Mark McMorrow from the US“ is the executive editor and director of Swordforum
International, the biggest online community dedicated to the study of historical arms and
armor. Mark plays a very important role in making Razmafzar public and we have an excellent
working relationship together,
Mr. Richard Nable is a police Lieutenant for a metropolitan police department in the
Southeastern United States. He is a SW“T sniper and team leader, department rangemaster,
and instructor primarily in police weapons, tactics and survival. Richard is our advisor on the
mechanisms of historical firearms and has edited a number of articles on historical firearms
which I have written and also has been editing parts of my books.
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Mr. Greg Thomas Obach has been on my team for over years. Greg is a leading and very
experienced smith who makes wonderful crucible steel. He has edited the chapters on crucible
steel in my books and also articles. His insights into making crucible steel and above all his
down-to-earth approach and willingness to learn and experiment make him truly a unique
smith.
Ms. Venous Pirmomen from Iran is an archaeologist with a Master and a ”achelor degree in
archaeology from Islamic “zad University. Her areas of interest and concentration are bioarchaeology, biological anthropology and forensic anthropology. She has played an important
role in accessing data for research of Razmafzar team and public relations in Iranian
universities. She has found many new manuscripts from Iranian libraries and museums for
primary research materials on Persian arms and armor.
Mr. Hessamoddin Shafeianis a PhD Candidate at University of California, Riverside in the
field of Electrical Engineering Department. He obtained his MSc degree from the prestigeous
Sharif University of Technology. He has been a very important team member with unflagging
determination to find and access data which are extremely important for the research of
Razmafzar team. Together with Venous, Hessam has found and gained access to many
important Persian manuscripts.
Dr. Denis Toichkin from Ukraine is a leading arms and armor historian and researcher and
the author of a book on the history of Cossack cold steel. He is recognized as a specialist in the
late medieval and modern history of Eastern European arms and armor. He has published on
Persian arms with me in leading Ukranian journals and we are going to publish further articles
on Persian arms and armor in future. He plays a pivotal role in arms and armor research in our
team.
F“P: Razmafzar is a large, complex art. When a new student wishes to begin training, where
do they start? What are the root disciplines of the system?
Khorasani: They will learn sword and shield combinations and spear combinations on foot
first. “ccompanied by wrestling techniques of course. War wrestling based on Persian
manuscripts play an important role in Razmafzar. Persian manuscripts stress that a good
warrior is a good wrestler. Then we move to dagger and knife fighting in combination with a
shield. Then axe and mace techniques are taught. More complex techniques of sword and
shield and wrestling always accompany the curriculum. Then short sword techniques qame
and qaddare as civilian weapons follow as the former are battlefield weapons. The whole
would take - years to master. Then they learn archery on foot and then horse archery. The
last step will be fighting with weapons and wrestling on horseback. The whole techniques
comprise all techniques from ancient Iran into Islamic period. Of course as far as they are
evidenced. We do not make up techniques. ”ut Razmafzar deals with all periods of Iran.
Participants should also learn about some aspects of historical arms and armor from Iran as
well.
F“P: You’ve created the largest single source on Persian “rms and “rmour, a companion
lexicon, and now a giant overview of Persian martial arts and martial culture. “ll in your
spare time! So what is next for Manouchehr Khorasani and Razmafzar?
Khorasani: Thanks for asking! My next project is finishing my book on historical firearms from7/9
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Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer
Khorasani: Thanks for asking! My next project is finishing my book on historical firearms from
Iran. This book contains translated and annotated Persian texts on cannon making, rockets, etc.
I have also measured and pictured over
unique examples of Persian firearms from Iranian
museums. “ treasure. I have been classifying and researching all techniques of traditional
wrestling arts of Iran. These will be published in different books by me. I am also planning a
book on armored combat and horse combat in Persian tradition. “nd of course together with
Mr. Dwyer we are writing a book on Persian archery. Thanks for the interview.
Freelance “cademy Press is proud to be distributing Dr. Khorasani’s books here in the United
States, and look forward to working with him in the future on other projects.
Here are few video clips of Razmafzar in action:
War Wrestling
Shamshir and Separ Sword and ”uckler
Posted in “rms and “rmour, History, Medieval Martial “rts | Tagged Khorasani, Persian,
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Posted in “rms and “rmour, History, Medieval Martial “rts | Tagged Khorasani, Persian,
Razmafzar, separ, shamshir, Swordsmanship, wrestling |
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