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.

Karate, the Bad Word


Click for large view.
Karate seemingly does not hold any real value in today's world. Karate, at one time, was the catch all term for anything martial coming from Asian martial arts. They even used the title "Karate Kid" for the latest instance that is actually about Kung Fu. Ok, Kung Fu using the original Karate Kid's theme and scripts. 

Does anyone actually use the term karate anymore. I know in some circles it is used and yet the majority of martial terms used by the general public are now attached to MMA or BJJ, etc. 

I have heard, read and observed those who practice karate when asked what martial art they practice will often use some other term in lieu of karate to answer the question. I am a martial artist who practices Isshinryu or Goju or Shorin or Wado even when the other person knows that these systems/styles are karate. 

At one time, in the early seventies and maybe early eighties when someone said they practiced karate others would be curious and sometimes impressed since in those days, and earlier, a karate-ka held a mystique that said this person is a fighter, a karate fighter. In those days the tournament circuit was bigger and attracted a large crowd of viewers as well as competitors. I remember looking up tournaments for karate and their would be this long list in the Bay Area of California but today not so much - with the karate title in it anyway. 

I have read posts that really good karate sensei would actually suggest one not mention they do karate in any way because the term has turned into a bad word. People frown and grin and sometimes laugh when a person says, I practice karate. 

People don't look for karate classes anymore. They look for MMA or BJJ or what ever the current craze of so termed martial arts is being taught and practiced. It seems like we are into the flavor of the month martial arts craze. I doubt most even remember that MMA actually means Mixed Martial Arts. Even martial arts are getting a bad name even tho it is the basis for everything in the current craze. 

Even when you append the prefix of traditional or classical to either martial arts or karate the general consensus seems lacking. In the early days when you said martial arts or karate, etc. the eyes would open wide, there would be an Ohhh and an Ahhhh and the posture and demeanor of the person hearing you profess your karate expertise would show respect and admiration. Not today, not by a long shot. 

The only time I see karate attached to respect and admiration is when it is attached to an established and respected martial arts training hall. Even then, it is a small circle who hold that karate in high esteem. 

Karate, the bad word. Such a shame the systems have allowed such a great discipline and way of life become known as a big joke. When you pump out black belts faster than a rabbit has bunnies you tend to lower the standards. Even today in our eSocieties we still cannot come to a unified consensus on what it means and what it takes to achieve a black belt. Maybe that is the real problem, that black belt. Then the question arises, what do you use to determine when someone achieves a certain level of proficiency and expertise? 

It seems the reasons all fall back to the age old problems of power, politics and money. The moment any or all of these come into play the discipline that it breaches tends to start falling from grace. It becomes corrupted, corroded and ineffective except in the realm of pride, ego and a lack of esteem. 

I participated in the down fall of karate and other perceptions over the years. Even tho I have turned my perceptions and practices around back to that more traditional or classical model it does not mean even my contributions during those early years, 70's on, didn't contribute to the downfall of karate. That is too bad but ....

It is not too late. There are a lot of traditional/classical martial artists out there. There is a ton of periodicals, books and video's out there to inform and educate on the more traditional/classical way of karate or martial arts. When properly taught and trained and practiced it opens a huge path toward a far more enriching, exciting and life changing discipline. I look at it like the way some feel about the games of both football and golf. Both, in the best of them, tend to lead with a philosophy that is similar to classical/traditional martial arts. A good example is the old television show "Friday Night Lights." It has its philosophy as to how football teaches the players about the way to live life and so does the traditional/classical martial arts when seen in the same light. 

Give it a try and lets see if we can turn around the misconception and bad perceptions of karate. In my book it is worth the journey. After thirty-seven years of training and practice I still enjoy my daily training sessions. I still see things that I had not seen before and I constantly make adjustments as I learn new things every single day. Life is like that, karate-do is like that, martial arts are like that - a constant flow of information both new and old that provides impetus for change. Change is good, it keeps you frosty.

Try it, you will like it! - Says Mikey ;-)

No comments: