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.

Jutsu [術] vs. Do (Doh) [道]

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Jutsu [] when translated into English, the character/ideograph translates to, "art; means; technique." 

Do [] when translated into English, the character/ideograph translates to, "road; street; way; path; course; route; lane; distance; ways; the way (of proper conduct, etc.); one's way; morals; teachings (esp. Confucian or Buddhist); dogma; way; method; means."

Then there is what we often refer to as the art, i.e., Gei [] when translated into English, the character/ideograph translates to, "art; craft; accomplishment; artistic skill; technique; performance." 

When trying to differentiate between the two, jutsu vs. do, the characters/ideograms become important where the practitioners, community of martial artists and karate-ka, get to see how diverse they are in translation to English. As can be seen, there are many ways to interpret the characters/ideograms all dependent on the person, the culture (their are sub-cultural beliefs and customs even in Japan), environment (there are differences, sometimes great, between towns and villages and cities in Asia), etc. that drive what it means. 

In an example, I tried to use terms with an Asian who, even tho I pronounced it carefully, couldn't decide what I meant until I presented additional information as to "context of use." This seems important when deciding on which parts or many parts of a definition to use, if that is your desire. 

In differentiating between the two terms, jutsu and do, I would say that like another karate-ka said in a comment that jutsu is about pragmatic application of the physical for the soul purpose of damaging another human for specified intent such as self-protection. I would then say that "Do" is about taking on a solely philosophical study and practice more about improving the self in any one or number of ways such as physical fitness and health; mental health; and other manifestations such as discipline, attitude, character and personality enhancements, etc. 

As people read the supplied definitions it is noticed that jutsu and gei both provide art and technique while Do alludes to morals, Confucian/Buddhist teachings and one's way which is more in line with what most karate-ka and martial artists mean when they say they practice "karate-do." 

Last, one that is often used incorrectly and interchangeably is the term, "Budo." Budo [武道] when translated into English, the character/ideograph translates to, "martial arts; military arts; Bushido." This opens a can of worms because many assume that karate is also budo meaning martial art but that would be a mistake. Just saying it is and because it was added to other appropriately labeled martial arts of Japan people assume through a bit of bias and dissonance to be what they are practicing and studying. This and many other issues have been in contention since the American Serviceman brought back to the U. S. the various forms and disciplines labeled as martial, budo, karate or what ever. It will continue with no definitive answer because it appears all this commercialized stuff in karate and martial arts has been accepted in Asian Martial/Karate communities simply because of its commercial value to culture, country and the discipline itself. 


In the end, since there is no governing body that is accepted by all communities as valid and authoritative without biases, etc., like the AMA to the medical discipline, etc., it really doesn't matter except in one narrow practice of these physical methodologies, i.e., as it relates to the traditional and foundation of karate as self-protection/defense. This is because improper teachings lead to grave harm or death for those trying to use it for defense.

Bibliography (Click the link)

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