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.

Isshinryu Leadership

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

What is leadership? As many answers as there are people in the world especially those who hold a position of leader of a discipline. Seldom have I come across, in the Isshinryu world, an accepted definition of what an Isshinryu leader is and how the express those traits and skills in any leadership role. 
  • Some assume rank indicates leadership, but what kind of leadership?
  • Some assume time spent in practice, say decades, along with titles, accolades and other ancillary titles, symbols and promotions indicate leadership?
  • Black belt wearers are often seen in leadership roles? 
  • Connection to the style's creator or master as indicated in Isshinryu as first-gen students is assumed a leadership role in Isshinryu, is it? 
In general, fundamentally, what is a leader and what is leadership? 

A leader is:

A person who leads or commands a group, org, or country, i.e., also known as a chief, head-person, principal, boss, commander, captain, director and so on. 

Leadership is: 

The actions of leading a group or people or an organization, i.e., also known as a directorship, captaincy, controller, ruler, commander, etc.

So, with that basics set, what are the traits of a leader, i.e., leadership traits:
  • Judgement;
  • Dependability;
  • Initiative; 
  • Decisiveness; 
  • Tact; 
  • Integrity; 
  • Endurance; 
  • Bearing; 
  • Unselfishness; 
  • Courage; 
  • Knowledge with Understanding; 
  • Loyalty; 
  • Enthusiasm;
  • Character and Personality. 
I would go so far as to state that one must first and foremost have character and personality that exemplifies all the other traits with a stronger emphasis on knowledge and understanding with the common sense ability to bring skills, disciplines, knowledge and understanding to the power of the skill and/or discipline. 
  • One can have rank and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
  • One can have a lot of time in a discipline along with rank and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
  • One can have and wear a black belt in a discipline and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
  • One can have a direct or close relationship with the creator/master of a style or system and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
  • One can have a direct and close relationship with one holding high rank and high credentials and high level position within an organization and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
  • One can teach a style or system or skills owning a dojo and organization and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
  • One can hold trophies, certificates and other symbols of achievements such as winning titles and accolades in a competitive environment and still not be a leader or have the ability to provide others leadership.
So, do you hold such symbols, titles and achievements as indications of great knowledge and understanding along with the traits of a leader in a leadership position as being a “leader” with “leadership abilities?” 

In Isshinryu, as example, I found many who were leadership material who I would follow and utilize in creating my skill-sets along with character and personality toward being an inspirational leader much like the person themselves, call that mentorship and mentoring and guiding one who follows toward a skill of being the one who others follow and those held ranks lower than others making the same claims and having dojo and members who they freely “give” back what was learned freely and unencumbered with the trappings of what others see as successful dojo, etc. 

I quote, "I didn't train for X (me: forty plus) years so I could keep it, I learned it so I could give it away." – Ken Bent

Something to contemplate, something to aspire to be and do and believe and something to hold as a standard within oneself in the hopes and aspiration that others will find it of value.

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

Shido [指導] translated into English as, "leadership; guidance; instruction; direction; coaching." The first character translates to English as, "finger; point to; indicate; put into," and the second as, "leading; guidance; conduct; usher." 


Add a character to get, Shidosha [指導者] translated to English as, "leader; guide; mentor; coach." 
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