I have a variety of bloggers I read. They always get me thinking because of the post as a whole and sometimes excerpts that inspire me to post as well as think, contemplate, and consider ... things. Today I read a post on the kobudo weapon "sai." I like sai and at one time I practiced it along with the bo, kama, nunchaku, and tuifa (tonfaa). I practiced them for the art aspects. You know the history, customs, etc. that they represent.
Kobudo have a purpose yet in my training and practice they DO NOT have street or combat applications. If you are interested in that view point then I recommend the book, "Becoming a Complete Martial Artist," by Tristan Sutrisno Sensei with Marc MacYoung and Dianna Gordon. [p.s. the views expressed here are NOT from the book, just this one quote/paragraph which is not exacting.]
Back on topic, the following are "excerpts" from a post I wrote of above. These were particular "rules" out of about fifteen that caught my eye and caused me pause. They just didn't fit my view on the weapon or any kobudo weapon. Here they are:
- Don't touch another person's sai. [this seems obvious yet I understand the some newbies will be interested so may go over and with out thinking pick up someone else's sai to look at them closely. Rude, yes, but not a real big cause for concern. I don't even feel that it is of any real danger to the person who's curiosity was peaked but understand caution is the better choice.]
- Look at where you are striking with the sai. [I had to laugh with this one yet have to agree even tho it seems logical to me. Instructors are not one's who should allow for "assumptions" so in that light I would add that although this seems obvious many dojo and practitioners do not "look or see" before they do something. I see it occur in kata and fundamentally basic upper and lower techniques. I watch folks turn into a direction and apply technique with out first "looking" even a subtle look. If I teach sai then I teach chakugan or "To set eyes on the opponent." [yes, I know in some situations you have to go on instinct cause you get blindsided, etc. yet ... ]
- Don't step over sai. [This is ridiculous to me. This is something someone from somewhere adapted to kobudo. I believe that in sword arts of Japan that this particular rule is set and has important reasoning behind it as an art and a combative system. Someone observed this in a sword art dojo and said to themselves, "this is cool," then put it into the training regimen to impress and be cool. Poppy Cock! Even as a tripping hazard type rule sai should not be laying about the dojo floor willy nilly as that has a inference as to the dojo etiquette, etc.]
- Generally, don't place sai on the floor. [Ok, lets get obvious here. Some dojo are set up with no tables and no wall hooks to hang kobudo weaponry so it goes somewhere. Now, in my dojo's you placed your weaponry on the floor and up against a wall. It is out of the way and leaves the dojo main training area open and free from obstacles. It just didn't make sense to me but then again it may be due to instructing children, etc.]
This next one is the most egregious in my view:
- If a stranger or visitor brings "naked" sai (not in a case) to the dojo, it gives the appearance of a challenge. [People can be stupid. They may not have the funds to get a case and spent their hard earned money to get the best sai possible. To assume that anyone coming into a dojo with a "naked sai" is coming to challenge is ludicrous in my eyes. This sounds a lot like some movie about Samurai or some Bruce Lee "Fists of Fury" type hold over that made it into legend and dojo all over the country. I am not the end all and know all karate-ka but all my studies do not present any data or info that this type of thing occurred historically. Even those stories from Japan as to Samurai, etc. are taking a lot of leeway with dramatization to sell books, magazines, and movies tickets.]
Ok, maybe I am being a bit picky yet it seems clear that some things occur because they get inserted into things like martial systems because of outside influences that are not valid or of any historical value. To me there is so much more we can do and accomplish by returning to the roots at each level and discovering more from our new level and view of things.
p.s. If you be the author of the post I extracted from this is just an exercise in theories, etc. and not meant to besmirch you, your practice, your dojo, or anything else. It was just particular fodder for me to launch a tirade on monkey brain crud from my end. ;-)
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.
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