Domo arigato gozaimashita!

Intai [引退]

The characters/ideograms mean "retire." The first character means, "pull; tug; jerk; admit; install; quote; refer to," the second character means, "retreat; withdraw; retire; resign; repel; expel; reject."

Taishoku-sha [退職者]

The characters/ideograms mean "retired person; retiree." The first character means, "retreat; withdraw; retire; resign; repel; expel; reject," the second character means, "post; employment; work," the third character means, "someone; person."

There comes a time for everything. We are all subject to nature's intent - birth, life and death. The cycles are there and unavoidable so the best way is to seek the time best to retire, to leave a service and contemplate life. 

I have had a good run on the Internet. I have experienced a good run in active martial arts specifically the striking art of Isshinryu. As I study I find that I have been passed by and that is ok with me. I am turing fifty-nine and no longer desire to get out there and mix it up. It is time to allow others to reach for the stars and those stars are a far greater path than I followed.

My path was great for the time in which I experienced it. I am not finding that to remain steadfast in these new times I have to achieve goals that are not my desire, the physical ones necessary to speak with authority. Academia is not enough, the martial arts requires a balance with academia and physical applications. 

In order to maintain an honorable and responsible level requires greater engagement in the systems. To write or speak with the authority and validation necessary to mentor, lead or guide others in the martial arts one must get out there and do it daily - not a sport, not for fun, not as a social system but out there experiencing and learning and leading. 

I still strive for personal excellence in my practice of Isshinryu but it is now very limited in a traditional form. I still use it to attain a level of self-perfection but to lead others requires more and I find that I don't wish to go there  where younger more experienced folks are traveling. I wish to provide more choices but am unable or not wanting to take the extra steps and effort to reach that high. 

My time has come and I want to bow out gracefully unlike some who become an embarrassment. I love to write but need to leave it at the simplest level of philosophical such as I have attempted with my rendition of meaning behind the ken-po goku-i. If a question were to be provided I would give my theory and opinions but .....

This blog site is now considered retired. I leave it intact and available in case the information remains relevant to those seeking knowledge. My hopes are that it provided one person inspiration and allowed the person to gain knowledge and a modicum of open-minded thinking. I hope it made a difference in their practice, their training and their martial art but most of all it allowed for change and growth in all facets of life. 

Those who took time to read, thank you. Those who took time to let me know, I am grateful. Those who actually allowed the world to see they read my efforts, most appreciative - my sincerest thanks. To all those out there who inspired me with their posts and comments and books - your value to me is immeasurable, thanks. 

Domo arigato gozaimashita!