Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

What is Karate, Look to Funakoshi Sensei

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Often the question comes up, “What is karate?” Some say it is a sport, some say it is a combative system for use in unarmed combat and some say it is to apply skills for self-defense. Then you have the more philosophical model where some feel strongly it is a physical manifestation of a meditative practice toward self-improvement and so on. Some even think that all of these are applicable. 

Truthfully, from my perspective and perception, I believe that most of the above should be a part of karate, i.e., under the heading of principles of theory, physiokinetics, technique and philosophy. This seems to encompass a more traditional and classical study of karate-jutsu-do.

One of the leading luminaries toward the acceptance and spread of karate from Okinawa through Japan was Sensei Gichin Funakoshi who wrote the following statement as a part of his, “Third Precept: Karate Cultivates Justice.” (Read about it HERE: http://www.kowakan.com/funakoshi-gichin-yamaguchi-gogen-the-war-years/ )

I quote, “Karate-do is an unarmed martial art because your hands and your legs can be used like swords. You should not use karate-do for injustice or outrageous behavior. You should be in a position of justice and use karate-do only in emergency situations. Then its power will be seen.” - Funakoshi Sensei.

If the karate and martial art communities accept this as truth then it goes a long way to tell us what the true essence is of karate. When I read the part, “You should not USE karate-do for INJUSTICE or OUTRAGEOUS BEHAVIOR,” I lean heavily toward the understanding that the true essence of karate training and practice is about the use of karate for self-defense/protection only in situations where the use of karate skills is necessary and appropriate to the forces used against that individual. 

Read his precept again, the quote also has contradictions but only if your definition of karate-do and martial art are about the more philosophical benefits. The majority of the quote does focus heavily on its use as a combative type application toward defense but in his day with the upcoming World War he may have also meant it as a means to gravely damage and/or kill the enemies of Japan. After all, the article written about this third precept does involve most of the actual statement as a War oriented honor and justification for Japan and its citizens to take up arms against the U. S. and other Asian nations of those times. 

His other remarks toward its use as to justice, justice of the sociality, the governing bodies of that society and its members is clear in that karate should be used to enforce the mandates of that society and government. But the question does arise, “Do we use that as a basis for modern karate?” I ask because we all have to remember that many of the beliefs, precepts and maxims that drove karate practice were relevant then but may not be now. Yet, if one of karate’s founding fathers wanted his karate, note I stressed “his,” to be used only for the purposes discussed and quoted then we can possibly extrapolate it to mean that karate, in essence, is NOT sport; not a method of self-improvement in a more philosophical sense and not meant to be used to earn money as if a studio or club for fitness and self-gratifications, etc. 

Many of those professionals of these modern times also tend to say that martial arts, including karate, are about damage and death, not winning trophies or accolades or grades or control and so on. It is about using the mental-physical violent actions to stop a threat and safeguard the clan or tribe as well as societies mandates. Anything else is just human egoistic self-soothing manifestations derived from a more academic oriented educational form of a physical discipline misnamed as “Karate or Martial Arts.” 

Look at this perception and perspective as one would an “Armchair Quarterback,” for Sunday Football. They have never played but they tell themselves they are experts and often express that loudly during the games. Ain’t we special!

Bibliography (Click the link)

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