Iranian military history expert and martial artist, Dr. Manouchehr M. Khorasani has been very active in promoting the project of Persian swordsmanship.

Lexicon of Arms and Armor from Iran: A Study of Symbols and Terminology

Author: Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani

Publisher: Legat Publishers (Tübingen, Germany) (2010)

ISBN: 978 0 96276 645 9

To Order click on the Legat Publishers link or order directly from LEGAT Publishers: Alexander Frank ([email protected])Tel. +49 (0) 70 73 / 30 24 49; Mobile +49 (0)179 / 453 61 21

Iranian historical fighting techniques arts gathered in the martial art of “Razmafzar” which, based on Persian manuscripts, include the training of the following historical weapons:

  • Kamān (bow)
  • Shamšir (sword)
  • Gorz (mace)
  • Tabar (axe)
  • Neyze (spear)
  • Kārd (knife)
  • Xanjar (dagger)
  • Pišqabz (dagger with a S-shaped blade)
  • Qaddāre (one edged short sword)
  • Qame (double edged short sword).

In addition to weapons training, Persian wrestling techniques as described by different mansucripts are trained extensively. These include a number of moves for throwing and even groundfighting.

Iran has been a multi-ethnic country since the Achaemenian empire and many influences and fighting arts of different Iranian tribes have been considered in the setting up of this project. The techniques are trained on foot as well as on horseback as described by Persian manuscripts. A number of experienced martial artists and historical fencers have already started to train in this ancient art

The following articles by Dr. Khorasani, on Persian swordsmanship and traditional martial arts from Iran have been published in peer-reviewed academic, military history and cultural journals thus far:

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2010f). Persisches Bogenschießen Teil II. Traditionell Bogenschiessen, 3. Quartal 2010, 56, pp. 64-67.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2010e). Persischer Schwertkampf. Pallasch: Zeitschrift für Militärgeschichte. Heft 35, 14. Jahrgang 2010, pp. 23-29.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2010d). El Arma Sagrada: El Combate con Arco y flecha en Irán. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas, Volumen 5, Número 1, pp. 53–76.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2010c). Persisches Bogenschießen. Traditionell Bogenschiessen, 2. Quartal 2010, 56, pp. 62-67.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2010b). Belief Systems: Iran, The Principles of Javanmardi and Ayyaran, Shah-Nama, Recitations (Naqqali), Passion Plays (Ta’ziyeh). In: Svinth, Joseph R. and Thomas A. Green (eds.), Martial Arts of the World An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, Volume 2: Themes. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, pp. 363-369.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2010a). Iranian Martial Arts: Archery, Swordsmanship, Iranian Wrestling. In: Svinth, Joseph R. and Thomas A. Green (eds.), Martial Arts of the World An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, Volume 1: Regions and Individual Arts. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, pp. 66-77.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2009e). Las Técnicas de la Esgrima Persa. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas. Volumen 4, Número 1, pp. 20–49.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2009d). El Combate con Armas Blancas Cortas en la Esgrima Persa. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas. Volumen 4, Número 2, pp. 38–53.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2009c). La Maza y el Hacha en la Tradición Marcial Iraní. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas. Volumen 4, Número 3, pp. 28–43.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2009b). La Lanza: El Arma Principal en la Tradición Marcial Iraní. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas. Volumen 4, Número 4, pp. 70–85.

Moshtagh Khorasani, Manouchehr (2009a). L’Escrime Persane. Traduit par Francisco José Luis. La Revue de Téhéran. Mensuel Culturel Iranien en Langue Francaise. N. 49, Décembre 2009, 5e Annee, pp. 10-19.