Perisai Diri

Perisai Diri is a martial art originating from Indonesia. Pencak Silat is an Indonesian term given to the combatitive arts. "Perisai Diri" is practical and non sportative. The term "Perisai Diri" literally mean shield of oneself.

Perisai Diri was founded by the Pendekar Raden Mas Soebandiman Dirdjoatmodjo with the assistance of the Pendekar Imam Ramelan in Surabaya, Indonesia, on July 2, 1955. Dirdjoatmodjo or more popular with his nick-name Pak De, was born in the Paku Alaman Palace, Yogyakarta, on January 8, 1913. Perisai Diri was created by Pak De based on a combination of various silat styles such as East Javanese Silat (silat from East Java), Minangkabau (West Sumateran Silat), Betawi Silat (original Jakarta Silat), Cimande and Kuningan (West Java Silat), Wushu (Chinese martial arts), and other war styles of many tribes across Indonesia.

Pak De passed away in Surabaya in 1983. In order to honor his contributions to the development of silat, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia granted him with the title of "Pendekar Purna Utama".

Today, beside those in Indonesia, Perisai Diri schools can be found in Australia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Techniques of Perisai Diri

Perisai Diri was created with many different styles in mind. Pak Dirdjo studied several Pencak Silat styles before spending fourteen years studying a Chinese martial art with a Chinese Sifu called Yap Kie San, in Parakan, Banyumas Regency. Probably he studied a wushu style from South China, and this could explain some of the characteristics of Perisai Diri such as the avoidance of high kicks, straight-line moves (unlike other silat styles), the emphasis on "movements that respect the natural anatomy", the absence of flying useless show-off techniques, thrust-kicking with the heel, use of the chien. The late Donn F. Draeger also mentioned the Chinese technical influence in PD in his book "The Weapons and Fighting Arts of Indonesia" (p.69-70). The practitioners explain the different levels in the style this way: With the quick and elusive bird techniques and the vicious overwhelming power of the tiger and dragon technique. Also incorporated into Perisai Diri is the human techniques such as the warrior, monk and princess. The Princess and monk form are reserved for the higher levels as the require a higher understanding of the technique, however this does not mean lower levels cannot learn or use them.

Technique Minangkabau

Technique Minangkabau originated in the Minangkabau region. According to Minang folklore a war broke out between the West Sumatrans and the Javanese. In order to decide the war a battle between each side's water buffaloes was conducted. The Javanese produces the most largest, vicious and angry buffalo. The West Sumatrans simply supplied a young calf with razors upon its young horns. The large buffalo not seeing the threat allowed the young calf close as it came to suckle milk. Upon it trying to suckle it sliced the large buffalo's stomach, making the young buffalo the victor.

The technique is much like the point of this story. Seemingly harmless yet brutal in its application.

Technique Minangkabau is very useful to be used in ground fighting.

Technique Burung Mliwis (Bird Technique #1)

Based on a very fast and agile water foul, that hops around catching fish and insects, this technique uses light and evasive movements with powerful but precise strikes, made with the finger tips together to form a beak shape.

Technique Burung Kuntul (Bird Technique #2)

Burung Kuntul is similar to burung mliwis in that it is a bird form that relies on speed and agility. Kuntul uses the second knuckles of a half closed fist and uses direct jabbing attacks and jumping movements keeping the opponent at bay, while picking vulnerable targets to drive the spear-like "beak" into. Kuntul also uses a stomp/jab low kick aimed at the opponents knees.

Technique Burung Garuda (Bird Technique #3)

Garuda - Eagle. The great wings of this powerful bird are used to deflect attacks and to deliver powerful counter attacks.The forearms are adapted as the wings of Garuda and are used in long powerful chopping/cutting actions, the agility is maintained as the garuda fights in the air circling around the opponent delivering blows from behind.

Through the training of Garuda the exponent develops powerful forearms that are used like batons against the opponents neck, throat and collar bones.The elbows are also used in this close quarters technique, in all directions - inside, outside, up and down. The garuda is adept at attacking someone behind them, along with the outside forearm and elbow strikes the garuda uses a heel kick to the groin - Pacul- which hooks straight up to the groin from behind.

Technique Harimau (Tiger)

Harimau technique is ferocious and powerful. Utilizing the momentum behind full body movements, the practitioner uses palms and fingers to deliver knock out, bone crushing blows and gouge at eyes, throat and groin.This technique uses a claw-formed hand, which through training gives a vice like grip that is used in many of the grappling techniques in the Harimau style. In this technique, pouncing and jumping moves are used to attack with surprising speed and power, overwhelming the assailant quickly and efficiently.

Technique Naga (Dragon)

Naga,uses its serpentine movements of twisting, diving, coiling and straightening to generate enormous power through its body. Also through this action it is able to escape (slip out of) seemingly impossible situations, like locks, holds and grappling attacks. Naga uses these same movements for countering, with lifts, throws, breaks and chokes.The main strikes in Naga technique are: - Downward striking elbows and forearms, aimed at the opponent’s neck, collar bones and spine.-Upward and forward strikes, with fingers thumbs and concave palms. The thumbs and fingers are used by spearing into an opponents, eyes or throat and the palms striking to the nose, chin and collar bones. The Naga technique is also the source of Perisai Diri’s ground sweeps, large circular sweeps both inside and out side, used as a take down, by attacking the legs of an opponent.

Technique Satria (Warrior)

Technique Pendeta (Monk)

Technique Putri (Princess)

Mandatory Weapons Thaught In Perisai Diri

Perisai Diri curriculum has mandate several weapons in the training. However these mandatory weapons are only the basics that also can be used in learning various weapons, such as: double-stick, sabre sword, etc.

Pisau (Knife)

Pedang (Sword)

Tongkat (Staff)

External links

* [http://www.perisaidiri.com/ Perisai Diri United Kingdom]
* [http://www.pdbandung.com Perisai Diri Bandung-Indonesia]
* [http://www.pdbandung.com/forumpd/ Forum of Perisai Diri]
* [http://www.kpsnusantara.com/reflect/english/3_kuntao.htm An article by the Indonesian silat scholar O'ong Maryono that mentions Chinese influence in Perisai Diri]