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.

The Red Obi

I was just provided a photo of three gentlemen and all three, in one place, were wearing a red obi. I guess they all have mastered their system(s). I am not saying they have not but since, in recent years, I have noted a "lot of red belts" being worn I began to wonder how that could be and what criteria was used to award such a level, grade or rank to "anyone."

I was originally led to believe that there were no ranks above go-dan or fifth level. At least when the dan-i system was created for the Judo world that was the highest level awarded by Judo's founder. This was somewhere around the late eighteen hundreds or early nineteen hundreds. 

In karate the Okinawans adopted the dan-i system but I believe no one actually wore the red belts at that time. I have been informed that the founder of the system of Okinawan karate I practice wore a red/white paneled obi, a red belt with gold strip in middle lengthwise or gold belt that seems to be strictly of Okinawan origins (it seems to have fallen out of favor and very few wear them now). 


It also was my teachings that the only person who wore a red belt or attained such high levels were the founders of a system such as Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei who created Isshinryu. 

So, back to my inquiry, what constitutes a red belt and what criteria says one is a master of a system? I don't know but it seems to me that it should be a combination of things such as, (1) a certain dedication and diligence toward training, practice and teaching; (2) a certain level of knowledge and experience in at least their parent style or system plus; (3) a certain level of holistic understanding of all that is a martial system such as "Theory," "Physiokinetics," "Technique," and "Philosophy"; (4) a certain level of inner peace in the individual; (5) a certain age level such as reaching the winter years of a life long dedication of study, practice and training in their style or system. 

I am sure there may be more that denotes one who has achieved such a level of mastery but not necessarily over the more technical teachings ergo why numbers (2) and (3) tend to hold more importance from some perspectives simply because (3) covers the entire holistic training and practice of martial systems at a fundamental level, a foundation that is mastered. 

I can say that such master does not come at an early age regardless because only age and a maturity that comes with it can provide a person mastery of this level. 

In a nutshell I don't feel that many people can truly wear a red belt even when they create a system in martial arts. I am only saying this is true for me and from my perceptions and perspective. After all, who am I anyway, right?

Lastly, as to technical knowledge I believe a san-dan level should have a solid and complete knowledge and experience in those things where any levels about san-dan are about "polishing and refining" those things. Again, my perception and perspective. 
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