The attributes of the tiger were/are, "calm and placid manner at rest," "patience in hunting," and the "fact" they keep their claws sheathed until they actually went for the kill.
Chinese military and martial artists used this set of traits, the tiger itself, as a most worthy model that men should emulate in their daily lives. Martial artists and military strategists who live up to the traits of the tiger are calm, have quiet confidence, wisdom and a benign spirit, and are capable of striking quickly and decisively to overcome and destroy an opponent.
It just might be possible that Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei meant for us as his students to discover through the study of his culture and beliefs this most positive aspect of one who studies and practices Isshinryu, the wholehearted practice of the one heart system called karate.
What are your thoughts on this possibility?
I would think that if he went to the trouble of putting those symbols together to represent what he taught, he meant something by them.
ReplyDeleteHi Rick: I agree and yet most would not bother to even try to find out what he was conveying.
ReplyDeleteThe journey is worth it.