I've been basking in nostalgia looking at Dunkin martial arts gum cards this morning.
I had a small collection as a teenager back in the mid-Seventies.
I so remember the orange packet with the two kickers in front of the Torii gate.
I'm hoping I still have a couple of these cards in my Kung Fu box.
Seeing Bruce Tegner's books took me right back too.
Bruce was an early American pioneer of paperback pugilism. He covered virtually all the martial arts back then between those soft covers and always opted for a distinctive single colour cover like this red Complete Book of Karate.
and the fabulous Aikido Holds and Locks, which I devoured back in the day.
Probably most nostalgic of all for me was seeing these Kung Fu slippers again. Available aplenty still on Amazon no less, I wore mine out as a youngster!
After seeing Enter The Dragon in the early Seventies aged 13 [yes, an X certificate film!] I had them on all the time in the house and garden and the Wing Chun class I'd joined. So comfy back then, I doubt I could wear them now. I have an excruciating corn, which I have to pamper with padding. I really must deal with it! Hi Ya!
Anyways, happy days back then Kung Fu fighting!
Were you part of the craze readers?
I watched Kung Fu and The Water Margin, and went to an Aikido class once or twice, but that was about it for me.
ReplyDeleteLoved both of those shows Mish! Water Margin was hypnotic! I even took notes, which I still have. I went to a few Aikido classes as well in Chorley. I changed to Judo.
DeleteI love those 70's book covers!
ReplyDeleteMy mind immediately shouted out 70's typography, (which is in that style) but I realised they were also referencing the Victoran carnival posters that used multiple typefaces and sizes to great effect.
What a nostalgic double whammy!
Yes, very Seventies Looey arent they. I can spot a Bruce Tegner paperback a mile off.
DeleteAn amazing time to be a kid. So many cool fads and exciting toys, comics, books and telly. I had the prized Look-In comic free Kung Fu medallion and Hi-Karate talc as my legacy to the world of '70s martial arts.
ReplyDeleteAh, that Look-In issue! I still have the cover Tone and somewhere sleeps the dragon medallion in the attic too! and oh, Hi-Karate, the wonderful Valerie Leon spicing up a young boy's life!
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