shihansean

Belts are clearly a Western addition to the martial arts. They make knowledge a tangible thing, and can there fore charge more for it. Traditionally there were no belts, As far as here in the west there was a big push by the NAPMA type companies who taught their client schools to teach their students that a belt is useless and meaning less without the certificate to legitimize it. Because anyone with an internet connection can go out and buy any color belt they want. This is why I personally feel belts mean nothing except to the individual. There are many so called masters self promoting it has lost its appeal.

Watch the old interview on Youtube with Brucee Lee, he explains it is a formless form like water, it can take any shape and be anything. The movements in it are created to be adapted to each individual so no two people will perform the same way. We are to used to standard kartate or storefront karate schools that list, classify, and label every little thing and call it a requirement. Fighting is simply movement, not a set of pre-determined combinations, they should just be concepts allowing you to create your personal version of it.

Yes we all have heard the throw the first punch sermon from so-called self-defense instructors but the plain truth is there are too many factors in a fight to decide here and now what I will do when in that situation. If the guy is bigger or possibly in better shape then you bet cha im coming in hard and fast. I dont fight for trophies or money I fight to survive. As far as I'm concerned the fight starts the moment they verbally threaten or assult me or even step within my comfort zone with visibly bad intentions, or are unresponsive to my questions or commands. Someone appraoches you in a parking lot you ask can I help you they dont say a word and keep coming, you get that bad gut feeling.... what do you do, wait to block? If so you could be up against a knife or gun or multiple attackers. Strike first.... at least control the situation and minimize the threat.

A very wise decision to seek knowledge of the knife. many people just think because they have a knife they are already doing good. Thats just not the case. More times than not the knife is usually taken from the person defending themselves or they cut themselves during the conflict. You are correct in wanting to know how the blade operates. Knife culture is growing more an more each day. There are alot of civilians who know how to handle the blade than there was 5 years ago. Again, excellent decision. As far as training goes be very careful where you choose to train.

Ninjutsu was always a mix of the systems and styles of of that time period. I would guess that they could have varied depending on what, region, and time period they were in. the Ninja wanted to be able to fight against any individual if they had too. So, I would say like true combatives ninjutsu was and is an evolving system. Stagnancy is a bad thing unless you are doing it to retain historical value and not self-defense value. Any style that is a so called stand-out one-of-a-kind system is a modern adaptation of what was once an ever changing and growing system.

I do agree run away....when you can. I teach combatives. Been in the arts for 31 years trained in BJJ fought amature Vale Tudo. The one thing I always teach is awareness. But when faced with multiple attackers when you cant run you need to level the playing field. In combatives we train in knife combat. Many people do not like hearing this but when faced with near impossible odds and survival is the goal do what you need to get home to your loved ones.