Studying Swordsmanship and other traditional weapons.

[Sasori_Te]

I was just looking over the post "Do you study Sword?". I just wanted to take a moment and once again share my opinion on this area. Studying swordmanship and traditional weapons from Okinawa are fine as long as you aren't studying them as a means of self defense (except, in my opinion, the bo and jo). As a valid means of self defense the weapon being carried should be legal and practical. If I were to carry a self defense weapon today, my first choice would be a gun (with a concealed carry permit). Other options are a short bladed (pocket) knife, A cane or any other object that you might normally carry on your person that could be used to defend yourself (i.e. a belt or car keys).

 

Don't get me wrong. I still study traditionaal weapons. However, I do this from a standpoint of learning to sharpen the connection between my mind and body. Also many traditional techniques carry over to the legal and practical examples that I provided above. I don't do it because I have some fantasy of having a movie sword fight with a bad guy. There are other reasons, obviously, to practice traditional weapons. If you're not into self defense you could simply want a more complete picture of your chosen art. You could study sword simply for the simple enjoyment of doing so. There are many right reasons to do something just as there are many wrong ones. I find that I get a better understanding out of my training by doing it for the right reasons.

Edited March 7, 2004 by Sasori_Te

[delta1]

Weeeellllll..., yes and no.

 

A sword could be an effective in home defense tool.

 

Gns- much as I love the things, they aren't allways the best choice for personal carry defense weapons:

 

Can't take them everywhere, even with a permit.

 

Carying them and deploying them is an art in itself, and as critical as shooting them effectively.

 

They control your mindset as much as the opponents.

 

In a grappling situation, he may have better access to your weapon than you do.

 

There is no longer any such thing as a minor altercation when you are armed.

 

Pull it late, you may be dead- pull it early, and no mattefr what happened before, you are the aggressor in a deadly force situation.

 

Just because you point it and pull the trigger, doesn't mean you'll hit your target.

 

For that matter, just because you pull the trigger, doesn't mean the thing will fire either.

 

Useing one effectively requires a lot of practice.

 

They require maintenance, and sometimes repair, like any mechanical device.

 

Carrying one may be a real comfort to your mind, but it will be a major pain in the butt.

 

And, everyone, everywhere, can't get a permit or legally carry a gun.

 

Not saying they aren't good and useful tools when you need one. But they aren't a solution to all your problems, and carry a few problems of their own.

 

Some good points in your post. And, when you really need a gun nothing else will do. But it isn't a decission to be made without adequate knowlege and consideration.

[Sasori_Te]

I agree about the guns. I never said they were the ultimate defensive weapon. They are, however a much more viable alternative than "traditional" martial arts weapons ..... but your arguments would hold true to any other weapon that you could carry with you. As for the sword in the home you still have to get to it, just like a gun and you will still be in a lot of trouble if the authorities think you used it in an excessive manner, just like a gun. You also still need to be able to know how to use it to be effective or it can be taken away and used against you.

[delta1]

True, true. Very true. I just thought I'd play devils advocate. Beer night, you know...

[Sasori_Te]

Well thanks for posting. It seems you are the only one to think of a differing view. Either that or the only one to care enough to write it.

[Iron Arahat]

With GUns there is also legal ramifications of using he thing. Just think people have gone to jail for accidental discharge of a firearm. You likely won't have that problem with a bo.

[Sasori_Te]

There wouldn't be legal ramifications for beating someone with a six foot stick??? I thought it was called aggravated assault, maybe assault with a deadly weapon when the judge/ court finds out you have training. This is , by the way the same charge you get with a firearm. I also look at it this way, if the situation is serious enough for me to have pulled out a firearm in the first place then whether I pull the trigger or it goes off accidentally is irrelevant. The intention to shoot someone was already there as soon as the gun came out. However you're right, unless you are a sheperd, a janitor or extremely observant you likely wouldn't have that problem with a bo since you can't carry one in public unless it's to or from class.

[White Warlock]

Well, there are no legal ramifications for accidentally discharging a six-foot stick.

 

Seriously though, i'm not keen with guns as a means to self defense. Offense, maybe... defense, no.

 

As to the discussion of the sword, as opposed to the gun, how about a few excerpts from a piece i wrote called, Understanding the Sword:

...It was man, and this art known as warfare (i.e., martial art), which birthed the ultimate extension of man's personal power. That which directly reflects one's ability to survive in war was incorporated into the sword. As such, actions committed with the sword became aspects of self-discovery. In learning and accepting one's mortality, one developed a deeper understanding into the aspects of man's motivations. By the development of a tool which requires direct mastery of one's self, man created the power of metal in the fragility of the human body. Tempered steel, to complement a tempered man.

 

... ...

 

...Projectile firearms are considered the "equalizers" of man. With the development of firearms, anyone, regardless of personal mastery or respect of human life, wielded power. In my opinion, this is the travesty of modern warfare, as was evident in the tragic misunderstandings on the writings of Karl Von Clausewitz just prior to and during the world wars.

 

Practically anyone can learn how to fire a pistol and master its use in a matter of weeks. But it requires years of dedicated study to master the sword. For the pistol requires one to but point and click, while the sword requires supreme and subtle coordination of the mind, body and spirit. Delving into the sword, you will find the ultimate tool as an extension of man's ability to take life, but which required an unquestionable respect for life, and for death, in order to master.

I agree that a sword is not a reasonable weapon for modern-day self defense, in that you cannot carry it around on the streets and cannot hope to wield it effectively as a home-defense weapon. But its value should not be dismissed, for it teaches, better than most any other weapon, the value of human life. A pistol cannot teach you that. In fact, it can teach you just the opposite.

 

The fact that it requires so little training to use a gun is what bothers me the most about them. People can pick one up and they think they somehow have gained 'ultimate power,' like the power-up ball in some morbid video game. But, in truth, all they have obtained is an extension of their ignorance. They point, click, and take a life... and then wonder how many bullets are left... and how many more lives they could take before having to reload.

 

Granted, a gun is not the culprit here, but anything that helps to accentuate ignorance... i'm not keen with. And no, that doesn't mean i'm an advocate of gun control. Some control, yes... but not extremist control. Anyway... off-topic.

 

As a self-defense weapon, a pistol is only effective if you 'already' have it in-hand, cocked, loaded, removed from safety, and pointed at the threat. However, if you have children in the house, i would say don't go this route. Not only is it your 'responsibility' to protect your children from their own ignorance by putting a lock on your gun (required in some U.S. States), but even if you do happen to manage the difficult task of removing the lock, loading the clip, and removing the safety (in the dark) if you deem there is a threat to your home... you more than likely will end up shooting one of your own kids, or one of their friends, in error. And, even if that's not a big concern for you... because you don't have kids, or you just hate the buggers anyway, be aware that a bullet doesn't just peter out and fall to the ground as soon as it leaves your home. There have been incidents of neighbors or pedestrieans getting struck by a stray bullet. Granted, not many... but how many times does someone shoot off a gun in their home? Not many, right?

 

My recommendation then?

 

Prevention and preparation. A well-thought escape protocol is far more likely to save the lives of your family than any weapon. Secure your doors and windows, install an alarm system, and organize a family-security pattern (a drill). Just like in the streets, the best thing to do if your home is invaded... is get everyone the hell out.

 

In the end, the best home defense just so happens to be the same as the best personal self-defense...

 

Common sense and a good pair of running shoes.

[Sasori_Te]

This post has gotten way too far over into the gun advocacy area. That was not the intent of my original post. The gist of my original post is that if you are going to be training in traditional weapons, have an understanding as to why you are doing it. Then think about whether or not your reasons are valid because the plain fact is, most traditional weapons cannot be legally carried on your person at all times. The only weapon that I have found that fits this bill is the cane. I have yet to find a place that it can't be taken.

[Sasori_Te]

By the way, I agree with your previous post White Warlock. I was simply pointing out that if I'm going to be armed, my first choice would be a gun when possible. I maintain my firearms training just as I maintain my martial arts training.

 

I would also like to mention that I make my students look up the laws that pertain to self defense whether it be with weapons or empty hands. It is my personal belief that you cannot be a competent, responsible martial artist without knowing the laws of your own state (or country).