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.

Ikken Hissatsu [一拳必殺]

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

It has been said that to have Ikken Hissatsu, one must, "execute every blow, punch, strike, kick, etc., with intent, the attitude of 'this will be the final blow.' Always expect the first blow to be the last, but never rely on it." 


PERSPECTIVE (Enkin-hou [遠近法]): When translated, the term in English comes to mean, somewhat, the following: 

  • "to annihilate at one blow"
  • "it conveys the spirit that the karateka (player) must partake in"
  • “kill with one strike”
  • “one punch kill”
  • (ichi) meaning “one” , (ken) meaning “fist” and hissatsu meaning “certain kill or death”
  • "to annihilate at one blow"
  • "single strike that ends the contest"
  • "ONE HIT ONE KILL"
  • "one fist, certain kill,"
  • "to beat with one strike"

Ok, you get the point. It must be remembered that such old meme's although presented with the best of intentions sometimes don't carry over in modern times for a variety of reasons. In these modern times, i.e., late 2020, such meme's when taught and followed regardless of its explanations can and do leave open perceptions and judgements especially when it comes to their effects in self-protection for self-defense. 


It sets the mind-state of the uninitiated, even those who assume they know, a certain attitude that can transcend true self-protection for self-defense into a concept of deliberate aggressive intent thereby putting the person into the illegal side of self-defense rather than a justified legal and acceptable side and view of self-defense defense. 


Let's divide karate, for instance because that is where these meme's are used the most, into "sport" vs. "protection in defense." In sport, taking the initiative to win a match is pretty clear that we are not actually annihilating another human being toward grave harm or death, but in self-protection for self-defense society, in general, along with both social and legal systems WILL use such things to get the win, a guilty verdict regardless of whether you actually were defending yourself over being an mutual participant or the actual aggressor. There are some who are doing time because of this distinction so make sure you address it in your training LOOOONG before you use those skills in "protection for defense."


If the meme does not promote and instill a proper attitude in training that attitude will rise to the top like cream to the top of milk when the stress hits along with an adversary coming to do you harm. This matters!


"IF the opponent leaves an opening, you have to take it right away, 100%." 


PERSPECTIVE (Enkin-hou [遠近法]): First and foremost, don't get me wrong because I am NOT putting these meme's down but I AM advocating that one teach toward an understanding of how they applied historically and how they should be applied, explained and understood all depending on what your focus is in taking karate or any martial discipline, i.e., "Solely Philosophical (kind of self-help thing); Solely Sport (for the fun of competition, camaraderie and inclusion); solely for self-protection in self-defense against grave harm or death?" 


If sport, when you can score the point or get that knock out. In self-protection it gets really complicated because of use of force issues along with the social and legal system mandates, requirements and laws. If philosophical, go for it because in that instance as long as it does not bleed over into self-protection for self-defense you can do pretty much anything morally and legally acceptable in a social way. 


"Why, shouldn't the sensei explain all this stuff to the students?"


PERSPECTIVE (Enkin-hou [遠近法]): Yes, yes, and yes, but, as to those who drop by and see these (online and without sensei)  it is important to explain to them so they don't mistakenly understand that which must be understood. Then there are those sensei who preach, teach and promote things as self-defense who literally have no clue and allow their students to go out and use their skills, think "Kobra Kai, not the series but the movie versions." 


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


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