sensei8

Congrats chrissyp; very well deserved!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

For just a moment... Forget, if it's possible to do so, that she's a child! Forget, if it's possible to do so, that she's a black belt! Forget, if it's possible to do so, that she's wearing a gi! Rate her Kata execution! I've heard so many times over the years that "She's/he's a child playing...she/he was performing memorized movements...how cute" because, for me, that argument's mute, because all of us that are training in a style that teaches Kata's, perform memorized movements AS ADULTS!! Was she performing a Kata or was she executing a Kata? Imho, they're not the same! Performing a Kata means that the movements are dead! To execute a Kata means that the movements are alive!

Absolutely!!

Possible interpretations of Bunkai's!!

Without any doubt, it's quite unsettling to deal with those who abuse the MA. Being an instructor of the MA for 4 decades, I use to take these barbaric acts as a personal act on what I hold dear within the MA. Why would they chose these less than honorable acts? I can only assume!! What's in the heart of man, is for him/her to say. Nonetheless, those disgraceful acts are theirs to decide if they are honorable or not. To those the choose to dishonor the MA, their acts are not a dishonor! Why? Maybe, it's the Martial...it's the war...that they find the pleasure in committing such horrific acts in the name of the MA..I suppose! Personally, I detest their actions, and in that, I can personally label them as unworthy of the MA. There's not much that I can do. I can report said student to the Police, but only if they've committed a crime; they will have their date in court. I can expel said student from both my dojo as well as from the Shindokan Hombu. I can pass rules of accountability within my dojo as well as within the Shindokan Hombu. I can erase their name(s) from my dojo as well as from the Shindokan Hombu. I can choose to never associate with this person(s) for the rest of my life; I've no use for thieves and liars, nor do I have use for those who would abuse and dishonor the MA. What can't I do? I can't, and won't, strip them of their rank/title. Our By-Laws forbid that; it's not an option, nor does an act exist that permits it. I can't take personal physical actions upon him/her. That, would be a crime. A crime in which I'd be subjected to having aforementioned five things done upon me; of which, I'd be guilty of. Modern times wouldn't permit me to commit unlawful punishments upon this type of person. After all, this isn't 1600 Japan, nor am I one to take the law into my own hands. Can I defend myself if they choose to assault me? Sure! Defend! Anything beyond that would be me abusing the MA; that's not an option I'd choose! Moral compasses have run askew in those types who would abuse the MA in order to commit crimes against others.

I agree...I train with the bokken more as a warm up before going live.

Solid post!!

Weapons must be respected right from the very start. If one treats their weapon in a lackadaisical manner, said weapon will remind you in an unceremoniously way that you won't soon forget. Making a mistake with a weapon can change your life, and the life of others, forever. Control the weapon, and don't allow the weapon to control you. Take special care when by-standers are near; their safety is paramount over learning and training with weapons. Be wary of your surroundings at all times, in that, warn all by-standers to keep their distance while training and the like. For the most part, when introduced to a new weapon, students are given "practice" weapons because safety is tantamount. Furthermore, it's advisable to train with "practice" weapons when the floor is being shared and visitors are in attendance, no matter the skill level. I will wield a "practice" weapon when I'm not alone on the floor or in the dojo, and I've been training in Kobudo since 1967. The other spectrum of weapons training, and the purpose of the thread, is concerning the fact that there's a time when the Kobudo student finally goes live with said weapon. This is the time to highly respect said weapon with all of your heart, mind, and soul. You endanger others, as well as yourself with the smallest inattention to surroundings and with by-standards. Check your weapon for any flaw!! Is the weapon solid through and through? If not, repair it first or replace it first; either way, that flawed weapon should stay off the floor. Retire it, if need be; the sooner, the better for everyone's safety sake. After all, proper care in all manners, maintaining weapons in a safe and effective condition is part of training. I always, even when I'm not training with a particular weapon, administer a great amount of care to my weapons...I respect my weapons, and to do so, is to properly look over its continuous condition. Polish it...clean it...inspect it...adjust it...replace it...fix it...oil it...wipe it...powder it!! Treat it with loving care, and it will do the same for you!! Your weapon can't do it, YOU have too!! Always remember what your instructor(s) have taught you. Obey their guidance unswervingly! Their guidance is without any happenstance, and therefore any of their forgone conclusions shouldn't be argued upon. Don't go live UNTIL your instructor gives you the green light!! "Practice" weapons aren't boring at all because they're designed to provide the Kobudo student a means of training with minimal risks to all who train and for those who aren't training. The nunchaku, for example, can and will thump you in practically every part of your body; your finger tips or the back of your head or your elbow...you name the body part, and the nunchaku will find it sooner or later. I'd come out of a training session with a live nunchaku with new bumps and bruises and Band-Aids. Kama, for example, single or in pairs, can shred. Be careful your Kama isn't shredding you or your gi. Add a sling to it and start twirling it, you better remember that you're in the middle of this unforeseen food processor. I stuck myself right into my right knee; skewered by my one inattention. Sai, for example, has three prongs that can puncture a many body part, and one big blunt end that will crack your skull or your many other bones. I've poked myself in the side so often I started to tape pads to my sides for protection. Why? Inattention to detail!! Bo, for example, will leave you bruised and pelted while training; it's a really long baseball bat, and when I first thought about the bo and how it was so harmless, well, I was taught real fast that anything is possible, and it was...to me!! I smacked my own mouth right often...how?...inattention!! These are some examples that I've encountered when I went live for the first time. Now, these are distant memories!! Advanced movements are just layers of unforeseen tortures awaiting the less expecting students in their Kobudo future. Wielding a live weapon can be a daunting experience, especially the first time! Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro must be in harmony as a MAist, and with a live weapon, now is the time that these two maxims must be attended to and in concert with one another; keeping ones mind on every miniscule movement will spare the unknown from occurring. Be mindful of the weapon!! It can crash...it can cut...it can hurt...it can overwhelm...it can kill...in short...it can do quite a lot of good, but in the hands of a careless practitioner, it can do quite a lot of bad. Your weapon doesn't care if it's you or someone else; it does what it's designed to do without any ambiguity. So be for sure that it's intended target is the only target!! Homemade weapons are fine, just as long as safety is understood and followed at every part of producing said weapon. When you purchase a weapon from either a commercial manufacturer or from a homemade shop, inspect it when you first receive it to ensure its soundness. Then, every day and every time you train with it, make sure it's still sound through and through; practice or live, either of them can cause havoc. Weapons don't destroy, the practitioner does!! The weapon doesn't love, the practitioner does!! The weapon doesn't think, the practitioner does!! The weapon doesn't decide, the practitioner does!! Go live or go home!! Nice sentiment, but without substance, it's best that one went home while leaving Kobudo training with those who can and will defend the honor of the weapon. That honor starts with safety for all!! Horseplay and weapons don't belong together; practice or live weapons!! When you horseplay, you demonstrate plain ignorance, and more importantly, you demonstrate that you've no honor for said weapon or your fellow MAist or innocent by-standers or yourself!! Protect and guard your weapon from ANYONE to accidentally and purposefully pick up any of your weapons!! Especially a live weapon!! Be guarded with any weapons that are either on display or in their resting place, especially when children are present. Their curiosity will get the best of them UNLESS you're attentive to your surroundings. Make sure that all students and visitors know the rules concerning any and all Kobudo weapons. DON'T TOUCH can't be emphasized enough, imho!! Training with a Kobudo weapon is both an honor and a privilege, and not a right for the MAist. I believe that this must be understood first before one can begin training in Kobudo, and especially when one finally goes live with any Kobudo weapon!! Your thoughts, please!!

Thank you for your kind words, Archimoto!! They mean the world to me; these aren't idle words. My wife and I were married June 14, 1993...ah, the years have flown!!

I've not meet a Okinawa Kobudo weapon that I didn't like!! I'm quite fond of any weapon in the Bo family...the Sai and Nunchaku family!! I do have to admit that I get a tickle from the Kama and Tonfa family as well!! Then there's the Tinbe-rochin [shield and Spear]. Oh, yeah, I've a relationship with Surujin [Weighted Chain]. Man, I like them all!!

Thank you for your kind words, Alex!!

Thank you for your kind words, JohnASE!! I pray you're correct because I would love to continue to train and teach for many years to come!! And yes, I've just got to put a stamp on my AARP envelope and I'm good to go.

Thank you for your kind words, mazzybear!! I'm the one lucky...to have known so many people like yourself!!

Thank you for your kind words, wayneshin!! I pray that you're correct and I'll be around for some time!!

Thank you for your kind words, zoomzoom!! I'll not be going anywhere soon; I'll be here on KF as long as possible.

Thank you for your kind words, cheesefrysamurai!!

Congrats, Alex!! Good luck to your new endeavor!!

"Black Sheep" types do exist in everything that's ever been created! What is held dear by one, is held in contempt by another. In this, the MA is surely not an exception. We must, and can only, master ourselves, albeit, we can't speak for others because they decide for themselves one way or another in being moral and the like...or to turn away from the moral courage. I treat others how I would want to be treated. In that, 'I', is my responsibility is to demonstrate that moral courage to my students and my fellow MAists at all times; without pause and/or ambiguity. It's a fine line, but only if it's painted that way!! The course is for us to keep it straight and true. Nonetheless, to navigate on that unswerving course of moral turpitude, not only as a MAist, but as a human being. To take the MA and to treat it as though it has no value is a disgrace!! The MA isn't for anyone to do with as they desire. No! The MA isn't ours solely to do with as one wishes. As a MAist, my MA journey IS MINE, and mine alone because it is mine. The MA isn't mine; I train in it, but I don't own it, therefore, the MA is for everyone would desires it, but there is a price to pay, to be for sure. That price is the path of honor!! Those who desire to foul the MA by their putrid actions don't deserve to share the floor with those who've truly sworn to honor the MA and their fellow MAists and themselves. Those "black sheep" types will be amongst us for as long as impurity exists!! Imho!!

Solid post!! I wouldn't use a bottom fist in the similar fashion that the backfist strike requires; two separate strikes for different targets. The right tool for the appropriate target!!

Go where you want to go...it's your choice!! From what you've posted, I believe that the other dojo would be more to your likings through and through. Tell your current Sensei or don't tell your current Sensei; to me, that might be a considerate thing to do, but oftentimes, it can be a nerve racking thing for the student. No one can dictate your MA journey; others will try though.

Welcome to KF; glad that you're there!! I understand what you're saying, however, many fights end up on the ground. Ground work, imho, needs to be paid attention to by MAists of all styles of the MA.

Throw in some transitional shifts...the world comes alive. Nice tutorial video, as always...thank you for sharing!!

Ditto!! The knees and close range techniques are close to my heart, and while WC has its plethora of kicks, nothing drives me more than close range. Thanks...I like your your saying " the proof is on the floor " you can't get more honest or direct then that.. Thank you...I live by it each and every day!!

Your Sensei is no stranger to you, therefore, I believe that you know what things he truly likes and holds dear to his heart...go with your gut because it's the thought that counts, and not the gift. Imho.