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.

Content, Context and Perceptions - OhMy!

Naiyō [内容], Myakuraku [脈絡] To [と] Ninshiki [認識] (内容脈絡と認識)


Content: the subject or ideas contained in something written, said, created, or represented … also the things represented or suggested in something written or created as art, or the ideas it communicates.

  • Content of training and practice toward actual reality applications (reality-based).

Context: the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.

  • Why you train, i.e., conflict and violence, competition, self improvement (social, asocial, etc.).

Perceptions: the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses: a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression.

  • Those experiences and perceptions and beliefs you carry with you and how they influence training, practice and experiences, etc.


Awareness

Ishiki [意識]


First and foremost one who trains for violence must have awareness to which the primary awareness is that of, “Self Awareness!”


SA is our conscious knowledge of our own character, feelings, motives, and desires.


What’s important is to look within in general then look inward as to self involving conflict and violence. Use that knowledge to develop other awareness capabilities as follows:


Read more:


https://tinyurl.com/2tn2uv6h


https://tinyurl.com/5n7rnjdh


https://tinyurl.com/3449fdrf


Introduction to Situational Awareness 


The Totality of Awareness


Informed and Situational Awareness


Situational Awareness


Another Perspective on Situational Awareness


For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)


IMG_2043.jpeg



Kuro Obi [黒 帯]

Black Belt 🥋 


When one reaches this level or grade, being given independence of action, now pride themselves upon the award of methodologies, experiences and spirit of budo, capable of applying methods; the very possession of theses dangerous applications does impart to the wearer feelings of self-respect and great responsibility. It is with pride of the dojo, dojo mates and both senpai and sensei one is awarded this kuro obi, symbolic of a path take and instilling excitement of the path ahead!


A symbol of what the Obi means and thus what the wearer carries at one’s waist, in the mind and in one’s heart - honor and loyalty and responsibility!


Knowledge that one has committed oneself of his or her spirit into the forging and tempering of spirit and character.


The kuro-obi imparts to the wearer at its awarding the understanding that acquired and the acquiring of skills must not be misused as the dojo code denounces and abhors its misuse.


One must be of self-possessed character in knowing the appropriate time to make use of skills, and that such times come but rarely.


One thus knows, “to achieve success in the application of skills is to do so without causing grave harm or death, but to avoid or deescalate in conflict before violence is possible.

Muscling It

Kin'nikushitsu [筋肉質]  Sore [それ] (筋肉質それ)


We, or would it be better if I stated “I”, tend to give a huge belief effort on our muscles, muscling it if you will, as the chief answer to dealing with the more competitive side of human physicality - especially in the self defense and combative aspects. So much so there is an entire effort and industry to building muscle mass along with strength. I spent a ton of time, effort, sweat equity and a bit of pain and blood to build my muscles that took me far beyond what nature intended since she provided me with a specific body type (read this). 


Often, this pension toward muscling it often leaves us dependent on it to “get-r-done” rather than using our creativity and cleverness, on the side lines. Ever hear the ancients in the dojo say how they have to learn to be sneaky 😈 to keep up with the young pups? There are so many clever and sneaky ways to go beyond just strength to be successful in say, “defending self and others!” 


Like leverage, like gravity and like emotional maturity., and many other concepts and methods.


Yes, there are many martial disciplines available that focus on just these kind of things like knowing that the body has ball and joints, pivot points, and so on that can be manipulated in such a way, just to take bigger stronger antagonist and put them on the ground, hard!


It is such a shame, personally, I didn’t come to this conclusion, in my very early years of Marshall training.


As with mini in my age bracket that light didn’t come on until the last decade or so, i.e., entering into those winter years of life and Marshall, practice of the age 60 and older.


Here is an example, both my wife and I are in our 70s, and our new house requires quite a bit of labor and I can’t tell you how many times I’ll see my wife struggling so I go over ask her if she’d like a little recommendation, and if she says yes I tell her how to use her body efficiently, so the smaller muscles and the less strength that she has, compared to me, allows her to move, lift, and handle much heavier workload than the way she was doing on her own. It was like a light going off in her head saying, wow, very cool.


In my own case, I have felt lucky over the years that many things seem insurmountable physically by being a tiny, bit clever and using a little bit of creativity, I was able to do things like, move an entire floor of furniture From one side of a building to another by myself with only a handcart I’m talking well over 1000 ft.² of furniture to include desks, chairs, safes, and other things. Often to the amazement of the employees coming back to work after a weekend finding that the movementof their office stuff was done so fast and by one person.


I remember several instances while stationed in the Marines on the island of Okinawa, handling three or more people in violent situations because I was able to be creative efficient and effective and applying certain methods and methodologies.


I remember one instance when I was taking a squad of marines Out to a training area when one of them had apparently got an agreement the other six or seven to do something involving me, a corporal. As we dismounted from the vehicle, suddenly I was surrounded by several and because of my training, and that cleverness and efficient use of my body. I was able to start throwing one to three and four guys around Blocking other guys from getting to me until finally they just gave up ending the incident.


Yes, I was strong and muscular and I knew how to muscle things, but apparently nature gave me this insight that allowed me to adjust to such things, so I wouldn’t get my head, caved in, thrown out of second-story window by a group of Marines, or bludgeons to death with a 2 x 4 on my head, along with setting my bunk on fire.


Upon reflection, I think the reason I was able to be clever, creative efficient and effective in the use of my body, as well as my mind in my spirit, is because growing up as a youth, I tended to go around with people who were kind of mean and violent, rough and tumble , so hanging around with those guys and being subjected to certain things that happened gave me that experience that I gave little thought to the allowing me to be less muscular or muscle it so I could carry that over my martial art practices.


Developing the body is a good thing and doing so within the parameters set by nature, such as within one’s body type, along with both mind and spirit maximizes one’s true abilities and to limit exceeding those parameters will prevent inadvertently creating limitations such as being, “muscle bound” due to overextending body types, etc.


To be well-rounded, to be balanced, or to achieve perfect balance of yin-yang ☯️ will achieve great things for any individual who takes up the sword ⚔️!


The Way of Men-of-Arms

Buki o motsu otoko-tachi no do [武器を持つ男たちの道]

To study the way of men-of-arms is to inwardly regulate one’s mind according to the way and outwardly preserve the law (social & legal) in form.


Loyalty 

Chūsei kokoro [忠誠心]


Loyalty is not given, it must be earned. Reciprocity does not warrant one’s loyalty nor is it persuasive in nature. It takes time to earn one’s loyalty and once earned requires honor and respect returned in kind. Think of the Japanese cultural term, “Giri [(義理)is a Japanese value roughly corresponding to "duty", "obligation", or even "burden of obligation" in English.].


Reciprocity 

Gokei-sei [互恵性]


For reciprocity to work the receipt from another must hold a value to whom given otherwise it itself has no value. Providing things for the sole purpose of receipt of something regardless of value or no value to a recipient is the mark of evil and should be ignored. To give with the intent of receiving nothing in return is to honor the recipient, one’s family and oneself, the cornerstone of a great one.


“Leaving one’s gate, one sees the enemy.” - An Ancient 


Samurai Virtues

Bushi [武士] Bitoku [美徳]


  1. Rectitude or Justice: rightness of principle or conduct; moral principle determining just conduct
  2. Courage: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear …
  3. Benevolence or Mercy: desire to do good to others; kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power
  4. Politeness: showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.; courteouscivil.
  5. Honesty and Sincerity: freedom from deceit or fraud; freedom from deceit, hypocrisy, or duplicity.
  6. Honor: honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions.
  7. Loyalty: faithfulness to commitments or obligations, and faithful adherence to a sovereign, government, leader, cause, etc.
  8. Character and Self-Control: qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity; control or restraint of oneself or one's actions, feelings, etc.

Man-of-Arms: 

Ude no otoko [腕の男] used in lieu of warrior or samurai or bushi. etc.


In the presence of a legal system in action the term warrior can be utilized to convince a jury of guilt because it is associated with a mind of violence when “man-of-arms” is generic enough to be readily associated with those sanctioned to defend and protect the innocent as well as the self!


Pugilist (Kentō-shi [拳闘士]) also those who would be Men-of-Arms.


These words are for the understanding of those who would be, “Men-of-Arms.”


Sage, one of wisdom.

Bushi, gentleman warrior [武士]


When living the men-of-arms virtues one must live them from his or her own heart and thereby resist the natural influences of a group dynamic with the exception being a part of a whole such as the brotherhood of Marines.


Belief

Shin'nen [信念]


First and foremost, belief is subjective as is all eight of the above virtues. As one violence dynamic professional said, “It depends …”


I would assume, rightly so, that each and every terrorist committing some heinous crime was a true believer and felt their acts were and are righteous. So it is imperative one decide the validity of their beliefs with a mind-set that will always examine said beliefs with an open mind and acceptance of possible change.


People survive best in a group and it is important that group members agree on their belief system. It must be noted that at the moment of this writing this concept is at the forefront of a certain social fabric that seems to be unraveling thus exposing everyone to possible dangers not felt or experienced by the latest generation. 


Be careful what you believe in and what you “FEEL” when diving into the deep waters of someone else’s beliefs especially if it sounds too good to be true.


Take and keep your own side first because you have spent a life developing your honor system with its identity and be very cautious when others come stand at the pulpit preaching the current special belief that is going to save us all and make things right.


Personality and Harmonious Character 

Kosei to chōwa no toreta seikaku [個性と調和のとれた性格]


A person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities; marked by agreement in feeling, attitude, or action.


The aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person; moral or ethical quality; qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity …


Intention + Discipline + Behavior/Training + Practice + Habit = Character/Expertise/Understanding 


8 Martial Traits of Mastery

  1. Intention: stepping onto a dojo floor
  2. Discipline: returning to the dojo consistently 
  3. Behavior: working hard on the dojo floor
  4. Training: working hard with my dojo mates
  5. Practice: working hard outside the dojo
  6. Habit: living and breathing the dojo life
  7. Character: leading and guiding my dojo mates
  8. Expertise: diligently studying the spirit of the way

            (Work in progress)


Of course, your dojo can input the definitions relevant to your philosophy of practice and I meant it to go even further to the deshi,or individual practitioners, to create their own definitions.


Giri [(義理)]

“Giri [(義理)is a Japanese value roughly corresponding to "duty", "obligation", or even "burden of obligation" in English.].


The characters/ideograms mean "duty; sense of duty; honor; decency; courtesy; debt of gratitude; social obligation." The first character means, righteousness; justice; morality; honor; loyalty; meaning," the second character means, "logic; arrangement; reason; justice; truth."


Often we hear of giri in martial arts circles due to the influences of the samurai legends of old Japan. In one quote it was said that giri is the burden hardest to bear. If one does not feel it, then one does not have it. It is looked upon as a debt that can never be repaid. Looking at the definitions for the characters/ideograms it is no wonder why it takes on such a meaning.


It is defined as "to serve one's superiors with a self-sacrificing devotion" by Namiko Abe. It is tied closely with the more feudal era culture and beliefs that have remained steadfast to present day.


Giri is difficult to translate adequately into western English cultural belief terms. It has been romanticized in movies and books such as "The Yakuza," where giri is a major factor in the story.


In the study of martial arts one cannot truly understand all the cultural nuances be they Japanese, Okinawan or Chinese. All three have connections and the final Japanese cultural meaning of giri is born of all three although now unique to the Japanese.


Giri goes both ways as well. Giri is a matter of two sides to one coin or as one might assume as yin-yang. For one to feel it requires the other or recipient to feel it and vice versa. If either one does not feel it then it is diminished even tho the one side can still find themselves bound to the other through giri regardless of the others feeling for giri.


Anytime there is a relationship involved the two personalities coupled with cultural beliefs and individual perceptions, etc. make it a most difficult part of any belief system.


Giri in a general sense may be related to better understand the concept to group or tribal survival dynamics. It can be related to social associations whereby loss can equate rejection and/or dismissal from the group or tribe.


Favorsconcessions and obligations are all survival principles of humans for it is these and other principles, rules and/or social conditionings that are all from long, long, long ago when we were still cave dwellers who by our very physical limitations required to gather into tribes or clans just so we could survive the dangers of those ancient environments with all those predators both human and animal. 


Giri is just another way to express that humans must adhere to the rules where favors, concessions and obligations that are mutually beneficial to the group, tribe, or clan for everything and that includes their very survival - even in modern times with literally no danger from any great plains wild life. Note: for some, that danger if still very real; for some, hunters often put themselves into such dangerous environments with at least the knowledge they get to go back to proverbial civilization when the hunt is done.


In my karate for self-fense, as it should be in any form of self-fense training, this type of knowledge is a way to self-arm for the use of persuasion toward influencing a possible adversary or opponent toward avoidance and deescalation. Dr. Robert B. Cialdini, PhD, wrote an excellent book on the subject that explains the system of principles and rules better than me. I suggest you take a read, study it a bit, read it again and then analyze that along with other self-defense literature to synthesize a new way to avoidance and deescalation. Beware tho, if you miss your mark as with almost any other effort in this vane you will find the repercussions to be devastating. Also, beware that nefarious duds can also use this same trigger device to get you to do things that you wouldn’t ordinarily do as well, the sword cuts both ways (yin-yang sub-principle to Philosophy principle). 


Bibliography:

Cialdini, Robert B. PhD. “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.” Harper. New York. 2006.


Bibliography (Click the link)


The bibliography link just shows a partial library of study 📚🤔