Martial arts, which originated in the East as styles of armed and unarmed combat, is enjoying newfound popularity in the West, primarily as sport. This program brings together twelve of the world’s most accomplished martial arts masters who demonstrate the physical skills of strength and flexibility—as well as the mental discipline—required to perform their artform. Filmed live at the Budo Sai Festival, it features two of Japan’s most senior Kendo experts as well Morio Higaonna and Masafumi Shiomitsu, who are among the world’s leading Karate masters. A wide variety of martial arts forms is explored, including Aikido and Yui Shin Kai—a system of fighting developed by farmers and fishermen that converted tools of their trade into weapons. The program concludes with a dazzling display of Capoeira, a form of Brazilian street-fighting which, with its music and spectacular movements, is being heralded by some as the martial arts of the 21st century. (70 minutes)