10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 1/9

The Freelancer

Musings from Freelance Academy Press

Feeds: Posts Comments

Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – AnInterview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani

June 21, 2013 by The Freelancer

(http://freelanceacademypress.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/alphabet-a.jpg) martial artist, linguist, historian and tireless arms and armourresearcher, Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani (Germany) is an award-winning author who won the prestigious awards of the Book Prize of theIslamic Republic of Iran (2012) for his book Lexicon of Arms and Armor fromIran: A Study of Symbols and Terminology and Arms and Armor from Iran: The

Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period(2009), which also won the World Book Prize in the fieldof Iranian Studies in 2009. The latter book is based on over 800 primary and secondary sourcesand features a detailed analysis of over 520 artifacts from ten Iranian museums for the firsttime. 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: TheStreshinskiy Collection (published 2010) and has written well over 100 print articles, lexiconentries and book contributions related to arms and armor from Iran in 30 print journals andmagazines, an encyclopedia and one in a book in English, German, Spanish, French andPersian for American, Argentinian, Austrian, British, 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 atSwordforum International, and were particularly excited when we learned that he had beencombining all of his passions and backgrounds in a new project: Razmafzar – Persian MartialArts. His latest book, Persian Archery and Swordsmanship: The Martial Arts of Iran, is the firstpublication of his results, another massive, meticulously documented analysis of artifacts,artwork, and literature, this time cross-analyzed with surviving Persian fencing, archery andriding manuscripts and the many living-traditions of Iranian wrestling. We are pleased to offerthis interview, where Dr. Khorasani gives us some insights into the (re)development ofRazmafzar, living martial traditions in Iran, and what is forthcoming from his prolific pen.

10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 2/9

(http://freelanceacademypress.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/cache_2419822987.jpg)Shamshir and Separ (Buckler) vs Mace and Buckler. In Razmafzar the small shield (separ) is

used with a variety of weapons, including the sword, mace, axe and dagger.

QUESTIONS:

FAP: In the simplest terms, what is “Razmafzar”? Where does the name originate? Whatfighting 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 “Battle Weapons”. Actually, this word isrelated to zinabzar or zinafzar which means the weapons for a mounted warrior. The termzinafzar can already be found in the Poems of Onsori Balkhi (1990, p.22). This word is an oldword which derives from the Middle Persian word zēn afzār (war implements/weapons) thatcan be found in Karnameye Ardeshir Babakan (see Farahvashi, 2007, p. 30). The reason forchoosing razmafzar and not zinafzar for this historical martial art is that it deals not only withcavalry techniques and tactics but also with infantry techniques and tactics. So it is a moregeneral term encomassing both fields. Although the fomer has received some cursory look, thelatter has been completely ignored in the studies of martial hertitage of Iran/Persia. It entails alltechniques which are documented in manuscripts, poems, battlefield accounts, miniatures,arts, stone reliefs from Ancient Iran and also Islamic period of Iran.

FAP: You had already established your reputation as a researcher into Persian arms andarmour? 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 ofresearch, measurement and recording hundreds of Iranian arms and armor in 14 museums inIran and many private collections in Europe, Russia and USA, the intriguing question has

10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 3/9

always been how these weapons were used. That is why I turned my attention to a detailedstudy of these weapons.

FAP: One of the unique things in Persian Archery and Swordsmanship is your detail tolanguage – in tracking a lexicon of martial terminology or technical vocabulary, that can befound in non technical literature and then comparing that to iconographic depictions of thesame actions. This is an area that is still awaiting more serious attention in HistoricalEuropean Martial Arts (HEMA). 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 onclassification of Iranian weapons from Ancient Iran up to the end of the Qajar period in 1925.The result was the publication of my book “Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to theEnd of the Qajar Period” in 2006. After that I turned my attention to translating and annotatingmany 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 inthe western world), archery manuscripts (5 of them published in my last book), manuscripts onlance, spear, swordfighting and manuscripts on war wrestling. As an English major, as I have aPhD in English language, languages and their academic study have always been a central areaof concentration for my research and analysis. I have lived and studied in different countriesand 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 techniquessuch as “shamshir bar farq zadan: To strike the top of the head”. I saw this expression in manymanuscripts in many centuries. Then I analyzed miniatures and was extremely surprised to seehow often this technique was used. Quite often I must say. Then other combinations followed.I went back and saw that even in Ancient Iran, this technique was used. I mean in iconogrphyof Sasanid period. Then I found how manuscripts and even poems describe this technique andhow it should be applied. I made a comparative analysis. I did it for all techniques I could findin hundred manuscripts. Many of them handwritten manuscripts which were scanned. Ameticulous and painstaking process. It took very long. At the end I found 5700 lexemes andthen tried to find the relationship to iconographic items. First I published my lexicon “Lexiconof Arms and Armor from Iran: A Study of Symbols and Terminology” in 2010 and then my lastbook this year “Persian Archery and Swordsmanship: Historical Martial Arts of Iran”.

FAP: HEMA 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 Persianmartial texts to draw from?

Khorasani: Yes, there are. I have presented many complete manuals in my last book. Fivecomplete ones on Persian archery. One on mounted lance fighting. One on spearfighting onfoot. Three on war wrestling. One on swords. As we are talking, I have received some newones. This area has been neglected for years. I have received new manuscripts on archery,swordsmanship, mounted combat, etc.

FAP: In the West, many traditional martial arts, particularly “aristocratic” or “chivalric” onesbecame extinct in the 18th and 19th centuries, and have had to be reconstructed. How doesthis compare to the situation in Iran? Have you been able to find living sword or weaponarts, 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

10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 4/9

(http://freelanceacademypress.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/cache_2419822755.jpg)Wrestling remains an important sport, fighting tradition and cultural treasure in Iranian

culture even today, and was considered the basis of Persian warrior training.

Khorasani: Chivalric code of Iran is best expressed in the Javanmardi code which is similar toEuropean chivalric code or Japanese bushido. We have a living tradition of Zurkhane (House ofStrength). Wrestling in Iran is considered as a sacred sport, where the mat is still considered aplace to respect and to be respected and one needs to show humbleness and also help people inneed. My project of Razmafzar is based on academic reconstruction of techniques inmanuscripts, miniatures and reliefs. But it does not stop there. As I have shown in my lastbook, the tenets and training methods of the House of Strength will be integrated in it.Additionally, we have over 24 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 inRazmafzar as well.

FAP: At the same time, there are many European folk traditions, particularly for wrestlingand stick or knife fighting, that have survived. In Persian Archery and Swordsmanship youtouch on this with traditional Iranian wrestling or Varzesh Pahlavani. Can you tell us a littleabout Pahlavani – both as it exists now and as it might have related to earlier Persianfighting arts?

Khorasani: The House of Strength symbolizes a sacred place where practitioners not onlydevelop strength, but they need to learn javanmardi rules. They need to be role models for theyoung generation. Wrestling is one of the most effective combat systems as proven again andagain. This plays a major role in Iran.

FAP: Have you yourself trained in Varzesh Pahlavani yourself? Have any modern Pahlavansbeen interested in your work with Razmafzar?

Khorasani: Yes I am fortunate enough to be in contact with leading pahlavans in Iran and I

10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 5/9

(http://freelanceacademypress.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/cache_2420319814.jpg)A Persian warrior should be able to grab and throw in close range at anytime. And then of

course to deliver fast and powerful blows with his weapons.

Khorasani: Yes I am fortunate enough to be in contact with leading pahlavans in Iran and Itrained and even documented their training in the House of Strength. They are greatlyinterested in Razmafzar.

FAP: Before you began reconstructing Razmafzar, did you already have a previous martialarts 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 blackbelts, a 4th dan in one of them, the others 2nd dan. I have trained and competed in many full-contact sports such as boxing, Muay Thai and of course wrestling. I experimented with BJJ andtrained in a team. Besides I also trained in a Japanese Koryu sword art extensively. But I havealways wrestled and love this sport. Wrestling has helped me the most, as this is the tenet ofPersian armored and unarmored fight. But I have to say that all martial arts and fighting I havedone have played a part, by helping me universal principles of combat, like distance and linesof attack and defence. I have to say I love realistic and full-contact sparring and think that isimportant in all martial arts, including swordfighting.

FAP: Persia has long been a cross-roads between the Mid and Far east. Have you foundcommonalities between Persian arts with those of the Arabs to the West or Indians, such asthe Sikh Gatka or Shastar Vidiya to the East?

Khorasani: Well possibly, but as I have not trained in Indian or Arab arts, I cannot passjudgments. What I can say is that there always commonalities with certain arts, especiallywhen the arms and armour are similar, but I would say that what I know defines Persian arts isan emphasis on developing strength, stamina, power and only then techniques. This is why

10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 6/9

wrestling plays a crucial role – it trains the body that is at the core of the entire art. A Persianwarrior should be able to grab and throw in close range at anytime. And then of course todeliver fast and powerful blows with his weapons.

FAP: You have chosen to create an international research and development team to developRazmafzar. Can you tell us a bit about who comprises the team and how your team workstogether?

Khorasani: I have a very dedicated team and I am in constant contact with them. My teamcomprises of three different groups. Researchers who write and do research on historical armsand armor from Iran, the other section comprises experienced martial artists and another whowork and help in the realm of public relations and also editorial process. To enter my groupand be marked as a member one needs to fulfill certain criteria. I am really proud of themembers of Razmafzar team and many thanks for asking me questions about them. These are:

1) Mr. Bede Dwyer from Australia is a leading researcher on Asian composite bow. Bede haspublished many articles in many leading academic journals. He plays a very important role inRazmafzar team. He has been my editor from 2004 and has made useful comments on archerysections on my books. We have written many important articles on Persian archery based onPersian archery manuscripts which have been translated by me. At the moment, I am planningto write a book on Persian archery together with Mr. Bede Dwyer on Persian archery. Thisbook will not only comprise archery techniques and annotated archery texts but we will showtechniques and how to execute them with a replica Persian composite bow.

2) Mr. Ali Ghourchani from Iran is an accomplished horse archer who has gained many placesin international horse archery competitions. I will test many horseback wrestling andhorseback lance and swordfighting in cooperation with Ali. He is an accomplished horsearcher.

3) Mr. Heiko Grosse from Germany is an accomplished swordsman who has been training andlearning razmafzar under my direct supervision. He is a black belt in kendo with ten yearsexperience in Kendo competitions and a Cateran and an expert in Scottish swordsmanshipwith five-year experience. He plays a pivotal role in learning and teaching Razmafzar.

4) Ms. Mitra Haji is a Museum Curator of Bonyad Museums from Tehran, Iran. I have beenworking with Ms. Haji over 7 years. I have analyzed over 500 historical arms and armor fromIran which are kept in Bonyad Museum. She has translated and edited many of my articles inPersian. We organized two historical arms and armor exhibitions “The Power of Iranian Steel”and “Weapons and Combat in the Shahname” in Tehran.

5) Mr. Mark McMorrow from the USA is the executive editor and director of SwordforumInternational, the biggest online community dedicated to the study of historical arms andarmor. Mark plays a very important role in making Razmafzar public and we have an excellentworking relationship together,

6) Mr. Richard Nable is a police Lieutenant for a metropolitan police department in theSoutheastern United States. He is a SWAT sniper and team leader, department rangemaster,and instructor primarily in police weapons, tactics and survival. Richard is our advisor on themechanisms of historical firearms and has edited a number of articles on historical firearmswhich I have written and also has been editing parts of my books.

10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 7/9

7) Mr. Greg Thomas Obach has been on my team for over 12 years. Greg is a leading and veryexperienced smith who makes wonderful crucible steel. He has edited the chapters on cruciblesteel in my books and also articles. His insights into making crucible steel and above all hisdown-to-earth approach and willingness to learn and experiment make him truly a uniquesmith.

8) Ms. Venous Pirmomen from Iran is an archaeologist with a Master and a Bachelor degree inarchaeology from Islamic Azad University. Her areas of interest and concentration are bio-archaeology, biological anthropology and forensic anthropology. She has played an importantrole in accessing data for research of Razmafzar team and public relations in Iranianuniversities. She has found many new manuscripts from Iranian libraries and museums forprimary research materials on Persian arms and armor.

9) Mr. Hessamoddin Shafeianis a PhD Candidate at University of California, Riverside in thefield of Electrical Engineering Department. He obtained his MSc degree from the prestigeousSharif University of Technology. He has been a very important team member with unflaggingdetermination to find and access data which are extremely important for the research ofRazmafzar team. Together with Venous, Hessam has found and gained access to manyimportant Persian manuscripts.

10) Dr. Denis Toichkin from Ukraine is a leading arms and armor historian and researcher andthe author of a book on the history of Cossack cold steel. He is recognized as a specialist in thelate medieval and modern history of Eastern European arms and armor. He has published onPersian arms with me in leading Ukranian journals and we are going to publish further articleson Persian arms and armor in future. He plays a pivotal role in arms and armor research in ourteam.

FAP: Razmafzar is a large, complex art. When a new student wishes to begin training, wheredo they start? What are the root disciplines of the system?

Khorasani: They will learn sword and shield combinations and spear combinations on footfirst. Accompanied by wrestling techniques of course. War wrestling based on Persianmanuscripts play an important role in Razmafzar. Persian manuscripts stress that a goodwarrior is a good wrestler. Then we move to dagger and knife fighting in combination with ashield. Then axe and mace techniques are taught. More complex techniques of sword andshield and wrestling always accompany the curriculum. Then short sword techniques qameand qaddare as civilian weapons follow as the former are battlefield weapons. The wholewould take 4-5 years to master. Then they learn archery on foot and then horse archery. Thelast step will be fighting with weapons and wrestling on horseback. The whole techniquescomprise all techniques from ancient Iran into Islamic period. Of course as far as they areevidenced. We do not make up techniques. But Razmafzar deals with all periods of Iran.Participants should also learn about some aspects of historical arms and armor from Iran aswell.

FAP: You’ve created the largest single source on Persian Arms and Armour, a companionlexicon, and now a giant overview of Persian martial arts and martial culture. All in yourspare time! So what is next for Manouchehr Khorasani and Razmafzar?

Khorasani: Thanks for asking! My next project is finishing my book on historical firearms from

10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 8/9

Khorasani: Thanks for asking! My next project is finishing my book on historical firearms fromIran. This book contains translated and annotated Persian texts on cannon making, rockets, etc.I have also measured and pictured over 100 unique examples of Persian firearms from Iranianmuseums. A treasure. I have been classifying and researching all techniques of traditionalwrestling arts of Iran. These will be published in different books by me. I am also planning abook on armored combat and horse combat in Persian tradition. And of course together withMr. Dwyer we are writing a book on Persian archery. Thanks for the interview.

Freelance Academy Press is proud to be distributing Dr. Khorasani’s books here in the UnitedStates, 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 Buckler)

Posted in Arms and Armour, History, Medieval Martial Arts | Tagged Khorasani, Persian,

10.11.2014 Razmafzar – Persian Martial Arts Alive and Well – An Interview with Manouchehr Mostagh Khorasani | The Freelancer

http://freelanceacademypress.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/razmafzar-persian-martial-arts-alive-and-well-an-interview-with-manouchehr-mostagh-khoras… 9/9

Posted in Arms and Armour, History, Medieval Martial Arts | Tagged Khorasani, Persian,Razmafzar, separ, shamshir, Swordsmanship, wrestling |

Blog at WordPress.com.

The MistyLook Theme.

Follow

Follow “The Freelancer”

Build a website with WordPress.com