Ramon Martinez (fencing instructor)
Encyclopedia
Ramón Martínez is a teacher of classical and historical fencing. He studied classical fencing with the late Maître d'Armes Frederick Rohdes in New York for ten years. Maître Rohdes was one of the last fencing masters to teach fencing as a martial art, himself having learned a variety of historical fencing systems from his own master, Maître d'Armes Marcel Cabijos. During that time Mr. Martínez became assistant and protégé of Maître Rohdes and was the only one of his pupils permitted to teach with full authorization at the Rohdes Academy. In late 1982, shortly before his death, Maître Rohdes conferred the rank of Fencing Master on Mr. Martínez.
In all, Maestro Martínez has devoted over 28 years to the study and teaching of classical fencing. He has also done extensive research in historical fencing. Many of the most prominent masters of the past centuries left elaborate, highly detailed treatises of the systems and styles which they taught. Maestro Martínez has spent years carefully and thoroughly researching these treatises in an effort to accurately reconstruct these varied styles. These ancient and historical forms are then taught as authentically as possible to those of his students who are interested. Maestro Martínez' goal is to teach, promote, and preserve this rare martial art.
Maestro Martínez is a past president of the Association for Historical Fencing (AHF), founded to promote, preserve and revive classical and historical fencing. He is also one of the founders of the International Masters at Arms Federation (IMAF).
Likewise, Maestro Martínez is considered a prominent researcher on the Spanish system of swordsmanship "La Verdadera Destreza"
, codified throughout the historical period known as "Siglo de Oro Español"
, having studied the old fencing techniques developed by such Masters as Don Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza
and Don Luis Pacheco de Narváez
, among others.
He is recognized as a leading instructor in classical and historical fencing both in the U.S. and abroad, being considered a teacher on traditional fencing systems to other renowned members of the HEMA
community, such as Cecil Longino, founder and head instructor of Academia della Spada in Seattle, Washington and Maestro Alberto Bomprezzi, founder and president of the Spanish Association for Historical Fencing (AEEA).
Maestro Martínez is a frequent instructor at the International Swordfighting and Martial Arts Convention (ISMAC), held in Detroit, Michigan every year. He is also director of The Grand Assault of Arms, an annual open classical fencing tournament organized by the AHF in New York City.
In all, Maestro Martínez has devoted over 28 years to the study and teaching of classical fencing. He has also done extensive research in historical fencing. Many of the most prominent masters of the past centuries left elaborate, highly detailed treatises of the systems and styles which they taught. Maestro Martínez has spent years carefully and thoroughly researching these treatises in an effort to accurately reconstruct these varied styles. These ancient and historical forms are then taught as authentically as possible to those of his students who are interested. Maestro Martínez' goal is to teach, promote, and preserve this rare martial art.
Maestro Martínez is a past president of the Association for Historical Fencing (AHF), founded to promote, preserve and revive classical and historical fencing. He is also one of the founders of the International Masters at Arms Federation (IMAF).
Likewise, Maestro Martínez is considered a prominent researcher on the Spanish system of swordsmanship "La Verdadera Destreza"
Destreza
La Verdadera Destreza is a Spanish system of fencing. The word "destreza" literally means "skill." However, the full name is perhaps best translated as "the true art."...
, codified throughout the historical period known as "Siglo de Oro Español"
Spanish Golden Age
The Spanish Golden Age is a period of flourishing in arts and literature in Spain, coinciding with the political rise and decline of the Spanish Habsburg dynasty. El Siglo de Oro does not imply precise dates and is usually considered to have lasted longer than an actual century...
, having studied the old fencing techniques developed by such Masters as Don Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza
Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza
Don Jerónimo de Carranza is commonly called the "Father of Spanish Fencing" and he wrote his text Of the Philosophy of the arms, of its art and the Christian offense and defense in 1582 under the sponsorship of Don Alonso de Guzmán El Bueno, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia.His work on Destreza, the...
and Don Luis Pacheco de Narváez
Luis Pacheco de Narváez
Don Luis Pacheco de Narváez was a Spanish writer on fencing. He was don Jerónimo Sánchez de Carranza's student and later published a multitude of works based on the Destreza school of fencing. Some of his works were compendiums of Carranza's work while others were less derivative.He may be the...
, among others.
He is recognized as a leading instructor in classical and historical fencing both in the U.S. and abroad, being considered a teacher on traditional fencing systems to other renowned members of the HEMA
Historical European martial arts
Historical European martial arts is a neologism describing martial arts of European origin, used particularly to refer to arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms...
community, such as Cecil Longino, founder and head instructor of Academia della Spada in Seattle, Washington and Maestro Alberto Bomprezzi, founder and president of the Spanish Association for Historical Fencing (AEEA).
Maestro Martínez is a frequent instructor at the International Swordfighting and Martial Arts Convention (ISMAC), held in Detroit, Michigan every year. He is also director of The Grand Assault of Arms, an annual open classical fencing tournament organized by the AHF in New York City.