Sunrunner

You've already got your black belt...if you weren't worthy of it, you wouldn't be testing. No matter how hard it gets, find the strength to keep going. That is what the test is all about...a test of your spirit. Come from the perspective that you already have your black belt, and soon you'll be wearing it and shaking your teacher's hand. I'd say good luck, but I don't think you'll need it.

Does anyone else know about the different lineages of Isshin Ryu karate? I know of three, but are there more? I have studied under the lineage of Angi Uezu and have heard of the lineages of the master's son Kichiro and an american student Howard Long....are there any others?

Oh man. Great post. This should be in the article section. Despite your fear of possible backlash and of not getting your point across, I think you've added a great topic and some good food for thought. To be perfectly honest, even today I find myself slipping into that "I want to be a good fighter" mode when in all honesty, there isn't much need. Your post has forced me to ask myself a very good question...what do I really want out of my martial arts training? Again, great post. Thanks.

I've heard that the Maori people of New Zealand have a hand to hand and stick fighting art, but I haven't heard much about it.

Zuluking, There has been a lot of support going out to you on this thread, as you probably can see, and I think that is the greatest thing about this forum. I jsut have one question. Will you try again?

here's one that I think I saw somewhere on this forum long ago...not sure where it is now but, here goes: One day a monk was sitting peacefully by a small brook, meditating, content with the sound of the water, the birds, and insects nearby. Soon the sounds of heavy footfalls reached his ears and he looked up to see an armored samurai stalking towards him, quietly he resumed his meditation. The man was large and the expression on his face was of impatience and bespoke of one unaccostumed to laughter. He spoke in a commanding voice, "You, monk! Teach me about Heavan and Hell!" At first it seemed that the monk did not hear him, but slowly, an amused smile spread across his lips and he opened his eyes. "You, wish to learn of Heaven and Hell? You who are rude and impatient, you who stinks and who's hair is unkempt, you who are dirty, whose blade is rusty, and who's mother dresses you funny, you would wish to learn of Heaven and Hell? Huuh!" Quietly he resumed his meditation. At once, an intense fury spread across the warrior's face and his body quivered with rage. His sword lept from its saya and the samurai raised it high above his head, preparing to cleave the monk from shoulder to hip. Calmly the monk looked up, pointed at the samurai and said, "That is hell,". Recognition dawned in the warrior's eyes and tears welled. Here he was about to kill this creature who would risk life to teach him such a simple lesson. A warm compassion for the monk spread through the samurai's body and he lowered his sword. "And that..." said the monk, "...is Heaven."

This thread has given me back some inspiration. I have a spare white gi, and I was planning on dying it the most god awful pink. I'm talking like, barbie pink, and then wearing it to class, or maybe on April Fool's day or something. I think the amusement value alone would be worth it. I'll be sure to post a picture when I get this done. I thought about some flower and heart patches to...but how much is too much?

BlobOn is right...the martial aspect of Capoeira was hidden in the dance to keep slavemasters from suspecting that their slaves knew how to defend themselves. Apparently it was so well disguised that there were some instances of slave owners who pitted their slaves against those of another plantation in "dance" contests, basically saying "my slaves can dance better than your slaves", never suspecting that those slaves were practicing a martial art and their own religion at the same time. Kinda funny if you think about it. Considering its origins, I'm certain that Capoeira can be applied to self-defense situations.

Does anyone know of any websites or books or any other references that depict the artwork of martial artists? I know that Musashi was known for being a decent painter as well as a swordsman, does anyone know of any other famous martial artists, but ancient and modern that are known for artistic work as well. And not just painting...sculpture, metalwork, poetry, etc. Thanks.

I have studied Capoeira Angola for about two years now, and it is unlike any martial art I have ever seen or studied. To call it just a martial art is too limiting. It has music, dance, song, religion, history. The kicks, spins, dodges and other movements are just the icing on the cake. I study Angola which is different from Regional (which is pronounced "hey-jun-al"), which is slower, and some say more strategic than the other. This is the website of the group I train with in North Carolina: https://www.katuahcapoeiraangola.com

"what is written isn't what is, only what is written." - anon.

Thanks again...I've never done it before, but I think I will try this out.

Thank you both for the suggestions, I'll save them for future reference. Sauzin, where can I find linseed oil and how many coats would be applied?

I have turned an old, well used, and broken bo into a jo. I sawed off the broken and cracked pieces and have sanded it down to a mostly smooth state. Does anyone know what next I should do with it as far a sealing or treating it? I would like to restain it, but then what? Anyone here a staff maker? Thanks.

I may be in the minority in this but the majority of my instructors have been women. There have always been at least two on the testing boards, and the head instructor of my academy is a woman I've been learning under for the last who knows how many years. It seems to me that martial arts organizations are becoming more egaltarian, more quickly than a lot of other institutions.

The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff as well.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Richard Back

I would have to say it's the, "I'll get you next time" sparring partner that I think is most annoying. Now, I've had friendly competitions with friends at my dojo, we keep a mock tally on matches, but it's all in good fun. What I don't like is when I spar the one who makes it into a testosterone contest.

It was a beautiful article. I think that this article speaks a lot to the art of compassion as well as to the art of fighting. Thanks for the article, I found it to be very thought provoking.

As a martial artist and as someone who has studied various theories of human development, behavior, needs, and the like, I really enjoyed reading your article. Very thought provoking. Thanks for subitting it.

Thanks everyone, for all the input. I do think that it is an oft-unlooked at issue except when it sticks itself out like it did in an article that promted my questioning. I would like to think that disclosure beforehand would be the best defense against future incidents. For those of you with schools or are the person that admits new students into classes, what would you do if you had a potential student who disclosed to you that they were HIV positive? Has anyone ever run into this situation before?

If there is a student in your academy who has a an illness that can be transferrable via blood contact (ie: HIV or other like disease), would other students have to be notified of the potential risk? Where is the line drawn between confidentiality for the one, and safety for the others? I trust that most instructors would consult said individual with the illness before ever saying anything, but would anything need to be said to the rest of the academy? Is there any law or regulation concerning this topic?

I don't know about steel weapons, but there is a good site for wooden practice swords of good quality...https://www.woodenswords.com They sell wooden longswords, shield swords, greatswords (claymore length) and even bokkens and wooden tai chi swords. The price may seem steep, but I think they are some of the better quality wooden wasters out there. After a year of use, mine has no cracks and few dents. Hope this helps.

thick bristled hair brush...scratch it across your arm...imagine that across the face or neck.

How do you mean Western? I think the term signifies a larger area/subject than we tend to think. Do you mean western as in Western European? Western as in the Americas?