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 - First Generation Students of Tatsuo-san

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


In general, what is attained by being and being allowed the status or title of first generation student of Tatsuo Shimabuku, creator of Isshinryu karate? I asked that question on a Facebook site dedicated to Isshinryu and Tatsuo-san. 


Question: what does it mean to each of you to have the designation of first generation student? In other words, other than bragging rights, what is it that makes this distinction so special to those who hold it? 


So far, not one has responded and I have to wonder why because it may be that no one knows other than it may give them some feeling of status special much like being the first born son in a family. So, I still wait for a possible answer. Hundreds of Marines during that time passed thorugh the Honbu dojo and I wonder why their names are not listed because Tatsuo-san's popularity in the special services machine means many, many more attended than the list provided by one first generation student. 


Q: "what is the significance of being a first generation student of Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei?" 

  1. Is it about the quality of the teachings?
  2. Does it mean the student is imbued with some special quality, knowledge or understanding of the teachings? 
  3. Does it imply they are special and received special attentive teaching of Tatsuo-san? 
  4. Does it imply some special connection to Tatsuo-san as if family rather than merely a student? 
  5. Does it mean the person has some special historical value as a practitioner of Isshinryu? 

Another question is in regard to this special group, first gen’s, as to whom decided the rules of membership and why those hundreds of Marines who took instruction over the many years of Tatsuo-san’s association through special services didn’t or don’t belong on that list. For instance, my Sensei a retired sgtmaj of Marines, who said once he spent a good deal of time training at the honbu dojo while Tatsuo-san sat and smoked while drinking tea many days is not on that list. 


Then I have to ask, as many state, Cisco actually did the majority of hands-on training of students while Tatsuo-san smoked and drank tea, why isn’t there a first-gen list with Cisco as the head since he is known to have been the main Isshinryu teacher/sensei of that time? Then there is also statements even from the first-gen’s that a lot of the practice and teaching was the person’s responsibility with assistance from their senpai, other Marines in the dojo. It just makes me wonder just how many actually had hands-on continuous instruction and training under tatsuo-san because my research, if accurate and factual, indicates that Tatsuo-san did a ton of observing while others did a ton of training, practice and teaching, i.e., senpai’s and Cisco. 


Update: I still have not seen, heard or read any responses to my questions on this special designation of first-generation student and what it conveys to that student and to those who envy that designation… One person did allude, by their questions in response to my questions, to pride but that seems incomplete because I have a ton of pride for learning and training with Henry sensei but not so much I vilify him or put him on this special pedestal of honor. Yet, for some unknown reason and don’t give me that crap “you had to be there to understand” as that is a cop out over answering the questions. 


Also, it has been posted - quals for first gen:


Qualifications for First Gen Student Status

  1. trained under Tatsuo-san for minimum six continuous months;
  2. graded and awarded brown belt;
  3. Attended between 1956 to 1971; 

Note: those who attended tatsuo-san’s American visits don’t qualify because of item one above and those who traveled to Okinawa to train also will not qualify unless the meet requirements above especially no. 1. 


First-gen reminds me of the label given to a type of pushup bar, the chinkuchi pushup bar and that really didn’t resonate with what I know about the concept of chinkuchi as applied to practical application of karate methodologies in self-protection. that is the joy of such philosophies, none of them are wrong per-say and they inspire us to push forward and evolve. Now, that is a good thing no matter what you call it.


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

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