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Please...if you like coming, lend your
support! If you benefit from what you find here,
show your appreciation with a contribution.
Doing so will assure our continued presence on line,
and expansion into new areas of interest over
time. We have many plans and ideas for the
future, but will require significant upgrades in video
recording equipment, software and computer hardware,
on top of the increasing expenses for web volume and
throughput. As it stands, we are extended to the
limit of available resources.
Cast your vote with a donation!
WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!!!
Please note that Iron Crane Dojo is not
a “not for profit” organization. Donations are not
tax deductible. Whether you able to donate or not,
please understand you will remain our friend and
continue to be welcomed at Iron Crane Dojo.
In the Pacific Northwest, Master Isidro
Archibeque is a figure larger than life. He has
been actively teaching in Western Washington for as long
as anyone can remember, and today, though in his 60’s,
he remains a figure larger than life. “Archie”, as
he prefers to be called is best know for his mastery of
the Iron Hand. His feats have included driving
nails through boards, breaking countless bricks,
carrying a refrigerator up three flights of steps,
penetrating sealed plastic soda bottles with his
fingers, breaking rocks, bricks, boulders,...you get the
picture! Once, to commemorate one of my
promotions, he brought a 12”x12” piece of plywood, 1”
inch thick (that’s 9 layers of veneer!). It took
two hits for him to do the break. I have never
seen anyone else even attempt this.
If that were not enough, “Archie” is
equally well known for his mastery of pressure points,
joint locks, and fighting strategy. His art is a
philosophy, requiring that each student return to
nature, and develop a personal understanding and
awareness of his or her integral package of
instincts. His teaching is modeled on the
psychology, behavior, and movement of animals...a return
to the original inspirations for Martial Arts, as he
would say. The name he has given to this
philosophy is Gun-Fu, Animal Fighting Styles.
“Archie’s” greatest fame came as a
teacher to “teachers.” Starting in the late
1970’s, ranking Black Belts, and senior students from
other styles began to seek “Archie” out, many choosing
to stay and undergo an apprenticeship with this force of
nature. Some of those persons are now recognized
masters in their own styles, and freely acknowledge
their debt to Master Archibeque. Whether you’ve
heard of him, and want to learn more, or if you’re
simply curious and would like to take a peek at the
pinnacle, relax for a moment and browse through these
articles.
Master Isidro Archibeque (5/12/1933 -
1/9/2021)
It is with
great sadness I must report the passing of Master
Archibeque on the evening of January 9, 2021.
He was 87 years old. COVID was not a
factor. He just wore out. He is survived
by his beautiful wife and family, and his legions of
students sworn to continue his legacy into the
future. We will never forget him, or his
magnificent talent.
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