(2 minute 25 second read) ‘Knowing when to walk away is wisdom. Being able to is courage.’ This sentiment reflects a profound truth that extends beyond martial arts into the realm of life’s challenges. . In the martial arts, the mantra of never giving up is deeply ingrained in us all from the beginning of…
Tag: Bushido
“Keep to your Path, and nothing else will matter.”
(1 minute 55 second read) I have been involved in traditional karate for over five decades, respect is a concept I hold dear. It’s the foundation upon which the martial arts are built upon. . The other day, a stranger called me “lad” (he didn’t know me), amongst other things. Apparently he took umbrage with…
“Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free: Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.”
(1 minute 25 second read) Do you ever experience those fluttering butterflies? That exhilarating sensation that arises when you’re eagerly anticipating something you’re about to do or witness? . The martial arts conjures up images of stoic composure, unwavering focus, and nerves of steel. . Yet, beneath the outward calm of experienced practitioners, often lies…
“Kata without bunkai is like a shamisen; Nice sound, but empty on the inside.”
(2 minute read) A comment on one of my articles stating, “I don’t believe in bunkai,” sparked a heated conversation and many comments, about its fundamental role in karate. . Such disregard reflects a misunderstanding of the art itself. . What is Bunkai and why is it necessary? . Bunkai (分解), literally translating to “analysis”…
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
(1 minute 37 second read) While we may sometimes choose to follow the current and see where it leads, ultimately, our choices have lasting consequences. . Something that pops up with regularity is the decision for a practitioner to leave the dojo, and it is rarely a simple one. . It’s a complex and highly…
“The true warrior is not one who seeks to conquer others, but one who seeks to conquer himself.”
(1 minute 45 second read) “Put your everyday living into Karate and you will find “Myo” (subtle secrets).” . The word “Myo” (妙) can have various meanings in Japanese, including “subtle,” “mysterious,” or “esoteric.” This leads to the term “Myojutsu” potentially referring to a deeper understanding or hidden secrets within a martial art. . One…
“The loudest claims of ‘no ego’ often echo with the loudest need to shift blame.”
(1 minute 35 second read) Recently someone commented that they have “no ego”, and I wondered why he would state this. . “I have no ego,” the words tumble out, a disarmingly humble shield against the rising tide of blame. But beneath this seemingly self-effacing declaration, a different truth might lurk: the art of shifting…
“What you leave behind is not what is etched in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
(2 minute 5 second read) Within the martial arts there are many types of people. Some have morals and are good people that you can rely upon, and others…….well, not quite so much. . You would think that historically, where character traits such as honor, integrity, courtesy, perseverance, and an unbreakable spirit, are held in…
“You should always train with intensity and spirit as if actually facing the enemy, and in this way you will naturally be ready.”
(2 minute 15 second read) Anko Itosu, revered as the father (sometimes Grandfather) of modern karate, through his teachings, and writings, Itosu shaped the course of karate’s evolution. . Anko Itosu was born in 1831 in Shuri, the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, now Okinawa. Little is known about his childhood, but it is believed…
Know which battles to fight, and which battles to walk away from.
(1 minute and 13 second read) Knowing which battles to fight, is really knowing which battles to pick and which to walk away from. . If your response to all things is to fight, this is bad thinking, bad practice. After all, life isn’t measured by how many times you stood up to fight. ….
“The wise win before the fight, while the ignorant fight to win.”
(1 minute 16 second read) Humility, a seemingly simple virtue, holds immense power, both within ourselves and in our interactions with the world. . Unlike arrogance, and there’s a lot of that about, which can halt learning, humility keeps you receptive to lessons, opportunities, and even criticism. . The journey from the novice white belt…
In meditation, the warrior hones not just their blade, but their spirit. In the Way of Bushido, this is the path to true strength.
(2 minute and 28 second read) Imagine a set of precepts that’s not just about fighting, but about living with honor and respect. That’s ‘Bushido’ (武士道), the “way of the warrior”. . A code forged in the fires of battle, wielding both the noble ideals of chivalry and the harsh realities of violence. . Bushido…