 | Revealing abit about our secrets of the Ninja | by sok'e nejunsu for everyone |
from
this document below is the Idea they know anything about the ninja
however they get abit Right and wrong......(ask me how i know..lol)
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I would like to explore the mysterious past of the real ninja and help clarify just what makes someone a ninja and what purpose they served in history.
Did you have to be born into a ninja family to be a ninja?
No. History shows us that a lot of ninja were former samurai or were still holding samurai status as they performed duties as a ninja. The founder of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu was a samurai who fled to the mountains to avoid being killed and trained with mountain priests to create what we practice today. Another example, is found in the Kuki Shin family who had their own “division†of ninjas, these were samurai who were trained for covert activities. Throughout history the Shogun actually employed ninja to guard the castle grounds.
Were ninja lone assassins?
Some records paint the ninja as a person who acted as spies, assassins or saboteurs. They describe the ninja as a super soldier who was employed by the highest bidder to do the job that the samurai were unable to perform because of the warrior code of Bushido. This is not entirely true either. The samurai code of Bushido actually came into existence after the Warring States period of Japan during a more peaceful time. Books such as “Hakagure†were written to describe the activities of the samurai warrior that presented them as a Japanese version of the European Renaissance man. This code of “chivalry†did not exist during the ninja time period so it could not have had an influence on the true ninja history. Just as a modern day mercenary would not be called a Navy SEAL if he was no longer in the Navy and was “selling†himself to the highest bidder. The ninja were not just lone assassins for hire but were actually apart of large organizations. Maybe a simple way to describe a ninja might be to compare it to today’s military. A person can be in the Navy and not be a Navy SEAL. SEAL team members are trained for specific jobs such as reconnaissance, target elimination, sabotage and other covert activities that take special training. The same was true in historical Japan. Ninja could be samurai that had received special training to serve a specific purpose. There were also certain families that trained these warriors to perform the duties needed that normal troops could not do. There were also families that trained to be of service to a higher ideal that were part of Ninja organizations. The structure of these organizations was defined as Jonin – or upper level which was the person who made the decisions on who the families would support. The Chunin – or middle level who trained the agents and sent them out on missions and finally the Genin – or lower level and they were the actual field agents. The modern day equivalent might be a military General as Jonin, a Company Commander as Chunin and the Platoon infantrymen as Genin. The ninja worked in small tactical teams when on covert missions and often times alone when on espionage missions.
Were ninja people that fled into the mountains to escape persecution from the government?
This is true of some ninja warriors. They were samurai who were on the “losing†side of battles. The warlords that they served lost the conflict and they had to flee to the mountains to avoid being made an example of by the government. In today’s world we would refer to them as rebels, people who don’t agree with the way the government rules or maybe religious restrictions that are in force.
Could a person be a ninja and never have to perform as a covert agent?
Yes. Sometimes they were placed in areas that might become important depending on how events went. It would be the equivalent of a “sleeper agent†in a modern day espionage organization. These are agents that are never called upon for service.
Is a Ninja just a super martial artist?
Can a karateka be a ninja? Can a person who studies ninjutsu ever be a karateka? I think to be a ninja you must study the art of ninjutsu. Does this mean that everyone who studies ninjutsu is a ninja? I don’t think that is a qualification either. I would say that it is someone who has mastered the art of ninjutsu.
Were Ninja cold blooded killers?
Ninja were trained to gather information and escape without being detected. If a ninja was captured they faced a horrible death so they trained in ways to escape and evade captors. The idea that a ninja was a death machine who killed everything that moved is more of a Hollywood fantasy than reality. To retrieve information and pass it on to those in power so that lives could be saved and to keep wars from happening was as important in feudal Japan as it is today. The ninja would be the equivalent of a modern day intelligence service.
What is the definition of a modern day ninja in the Jizaikan?
The Jizaikan organization has a system set up so that you can earn the title of Shinobi, another translation of the Japanese kanji Ninja. This is done when you finish the Togakure Ryu element scroll training (One is held every year) and the rest of the scrolls from the Togakure family lineage. This can be obtained at 5th Degree black belt. Does this mean that you have to perform covert activities? No, but it does mean that you have the skills necessary to do so if needed.
I hope this article helps you understand a little better what is considered a ninja. Does it contain all of the information on the subject? No, but it is a tool to help you start to think about the art that you study and where the information has come from and how it was used a thousand years ago.
Michael Jutoshi Eichenberg
Owner – Warrior’s Edge Martial Arts
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(now) i reveal the secret.......
There
is a lot of confusion today as to what exactly is a ninja.(we like it
that way) A lot of fantasy and lore has been created by the
entertainment media in the form of books and movies. (by martial artist
and actors) If you are an American you have probably seen ninja in
movies and on television that are portrayed as being super martial
artists who can take out armies of armed men without the aid of a gun.
That was the image of the ninja in the 1980’s.(that is true to a
point) After the eighties the ninja image became one of almost
incompetence, maybe this was brought on by movies like the “Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtlesâ€. (but thats the role of any whom fear what the
image of the ninja became in cinema) Up until recently movies have also
portrayed armies of ninja being wiped out by the hero or heroine,
opposite of the super assassins of the 80’s movies. (again this was TV
and the cinema trying to show martial arts as more then just a physical
disipline and self defensive art). Lately, though it seems that it is
once again cool to be a ninja.
(its always has been cool to work in the field of the WAY)
I
would like to explore the mysterious past of the real ninja and help
clarify just what makes someone a ninja and what purpose they served in
history. Did you have to be born into a ninja family to be a ninja? (yes it helps) but the answer is no.......... History shows us that a lot of ninja were former samurai or were still holding samurai status as they performed duties as a ninja. (thats a lie told by history to make it a formal disipline because the ninja was also a student of the sword...Ways) ..(and) (Ninja played in roles to help them get in and leave without any image other then the one one's suspected), However they was given rule as samurai at times........but never started as one or left as one.....(this is one of (OUR BIGGEST) secrets.......... The founder of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu was a samurai (Yes) but wasn't the Founder of all of Ninja Skills or the Way) who fled to the mountains to avoid being killed and trained with mountain priests to create what we practice today. Another example, is found in the Kuki Shin family who had their own “division†of ninjas, these were samurai who were trained for covert activities. Throughout history the Shogun actually employed ninja to guard the castle grounds. (that again wasn't fully true.)
Were ninja lone assassins?
Some records paint the ninja as a person who acted as spies, assassins or saboteurs. (yes we was or could be) They describe the ninja as a super soldier who was employed by the highest bidder to do the job that the samurai were unable to perform because of the warrior code of Bushido. (No we was only employed if and when a turn wasn't helpful to our own living arrangements) "No ninja ever was a sellout" However we would with the masters guidance train another to do as they would" ) This is not entirely true either. The samurai code of Bushido actually came into existence after the Warring States period of Japan during a more peaceful time. (Yes and No) Books such as “Hakagure†were written to describe the activities of the samurai warrior that presented them as a Japanese version of the European Renaissance man. ( That was more of the idea of the image, and not the samurai persay) This code of “chivalry†did not exist during the ninja time period so it could not have had an influence on the true ninja history. (Actually it was about but only to those whom valued life as well as death, hence the idea of a spiritual warrior as stated by more, nd more now common books) Just as a modern day mercenary would not be called a Navy SEAL if he was no longer in the Navy and was “selling†himself to the highest bidder. (That again is a lie) "Mercenary types tend to use their Combat image to sell themselves to those whom would employ their Skills") The ninja were not just lone assassins for hire but were actually apart of large organizations.(Yes and no)... Maybe a simple way to describe a ninja might be to compare it to today’s military. A person can be in the Navy and not be a Navy SEAL. SEAL team members are trained for specific jobs such as reconnaissance, target elimination, sabotage and other covert activities that take special training. The same was true in historical Japan. (again yes and no) Ninja could be samurai that had received special training to serve a specific purpose. (no they couldn't) There were also certain families that trained these warriors to perform the duties needed that normal troops could not do. (again a no) There were also families that trained to be of service to a higher ideal that were part of Ninja organizations. (Saddly that is true...) The structure of these organizations was defined as Jonin – or upper level which was the person who made the decisions on who the families would support. The Chunin – or middle level who trained the agents and sent them out on missions and finally the Genin – or lower level and they were the actual field agents. (No these titles aren't realthey was madeup by the modern ninjutsu of the day..) (jo-bojutsu).chun- num(chuckas) and genin (gen)eral) or basic) The modern day equivalent might be a military General as Jonin, a Company Commander as Chunin and the Platoon infantrymen as Genin. The ninja worked in small tactical teams when on covert missions and often times alone when on espionage missions.
Were ninja people that fled into the mountains to escape persecution from the government? (again a no) ( "they was more kicked out because they was feared they would change the balance of power as they are still feared to do this today" )
There were samurai who were on the “losing†side of battles. The warlords that they served lost the conflict and they had to flee to the mountains to avoid being made an example of by the government. (again that is a no, thats the Ronin story) not (Ninja)... In today’s world we would refer to them as rebels, people who don’t agree with the way the government rules or maybe religious restrictions that are in force. (lol)
Could a person be a ninja and never have to perform as a covert agent?
(yes that is true, however the training to be one makes you almost always ready to do more then that.......)
Yes. Sometimes they were placed in areas that might become important depending on how events went. It would be the equivalent of a “sleeper agent†in a modern day espionage organization. These are agents that are never called upon for service. (No) such nature as a sleeper was ever in the nature of an un-trained person)
Is a Ninja just a super martial artist? (No) but they can posses the nature of the skills and more.......
Can a karateka (lol) karate-ka a title to make others think karate forms or natures aren't within ninjutsu as a whole.(lol) the ninja uses all images to serve their physical as well as mental purposes......) be a ninja? Can a person who studies ninjutsu ever be a karateka? I think to be a ninja you must study the art of ninjutsu. Does this mean that everyone who studies ninjutsu is a ninja? I don’t think that is a qualification either. I would say that it is someone who has mastered the art of ninjutsu. (entering into ninjutsu makes you a student of the ninja methods however you must master more then just nijutsu to be a ninja....)
Were Ninja cold blooded killers? (no, though they don't and won't end until the task is done.....fully)
Ninja were trained to gather information and escape without being detected. If a ninja was captured they faced a horrible death so they trained in ways to escape and evade captors. (destroying anythig is the last resort of the Ninja) The idea that a ninja was a death machine who killed everything that moved is more of a Hollywood fantasy than reality. (actually its abit oof both) To retrieve information and pass it on to those in power so that lives could be saved and to keep wars from happening was as important in feudal Japan as it is today. (actually it was more to undermine the image and experiences of the ones whom was out to attack another, and not always for good ends) The ninja would be the equivalent of a modern day intelligence service. (again no) "if that statement was true then we would have little need of their secret other skills....or should i say ours"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------(you got what you saught to know) to study is to understand more...........now i just am defining words below..........
What is the definition of a modern day ninja in the Jizaikan? (madeup new design)
The Jizaikan organization has a system set up so that you can earn the title of Shinobi, ( shin-spiritual (obi-one) another translation of the Japanese kanji (kanji- is word--) Ninja. This is done when you finish the Togakure Ryu element scroll training (One is held every year) and the rest of the scrolls from the Togakure family lineage. (Toga kure) is a samurai system that boast of ninja design but isn't so..in either but the year of Toda) This can be obtained at 5th Degree black belt. Does this mean that you have to perform covert activities? No, but it does mean that you have the skills necessary to do so if needed.
I hope this article helps you understand a little better what is considered a ninja. Does it contain all of the information on the subject? No, but it is a tool to help you start to think about the art that you study and where the information has come from and how it was used a thousand years ago. (it certainly does)
"so why tell you this?"
Because to be a ninja is more then any book and isn't always seen as it will be as "ninjutsu" as a formed system of fighting and defensive arts are advancing as a whole........to be a ninja and beyond in my book is to master what they all saught
"THE WAY"
Sok'e R.L
| Our Schools Policy | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Sho-Lung-Dojo Rules and Actions
First
of all i would like to thank any of whom come here to see the beginning
or continued education in the Martial Arts..However we are training for
the Spirit and for the Skill not just to kill time or learn a new
thing....(so if you seek that instead of an adventure in the arts)
please seek somewhere you can get that....THANKYOU
1.
Sorry we don't train young persons here below the age of 16 unless they
are special in their self as in the arts or unless invited by the
Teacher or Instructors of the School....(again this isn't a baby-sitters
or is my son or daughter good type place...(its a serious place of
training and some might get hurt if they don't take it that way..)
2.
You may sign up for short study that will perhaps take longer then you
might think, (we have a set limit of how long something should take..but
thats just a guess based on the amount of serious free time and
training one could do in their process to get the Arts...) That doesn't
mean you have to live up to it, nore will it mean you can't beat
it....(GO AT YOUR OWN PACE, JUST BE DEDICATED) you can leave if you
want..anytime the art isn't offering what you wished it would for
you....(you will also be offered a chance to comeback as well....)
3.
No Outsiders unless they are invited....sorry but the private school
message is..(silence, dedication, skill, timing, and
instruction)...unless you need more....don't bring it..Please
4. Rank is based on how well your doing not how long it takes to do it...Don't rate yourself by the others about you...
5.
For speical events just as gatherings and demonstrations, your only
need to show if you want to...and being in it is up to you...
(the rest of the rules you will get when you join)
| Advanced Meditational Arts | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
( ninja systems & or styles(sai-yama-koto-kei-ko-kata ) a form of saimenjustsu ryu ( mind controlling action )
( like blank zen, guarden zen, and blind shaolin ) but only in teaching the power of the images we reveal the essence of being )
I have never had much faith in the way of meditation, however it is the starting point in a form of travel that the zen call "nirvona" and the kei.....
only students of wise schools like my school ever get to see this bridge, that the masters hide well....
but everything has its starting place....
Below is a form of ancent meditational and creativity art, for the bold and daring kunici (female warrior of truth) though it might take more forms then this.....
In a world where stress and confusion can cause a few walls to be formed my education to expand the wisdom of healing and trust i come accross an ancient art of 2,000 years in the lower part of china introduced to me by my esoteric teacher in my travel to california....and now i offer it in the expanding of the tools of Event Body Arts to the females of the martial or the mental,
Sunrise Taichi : like natural tai this art is done "naked" and follows the basic flow of all the animal systems of shaolin but in a non enclose form (the soft art) saddly this is only a female class because it is an orginal and ancient art of the past.....
"it surrounding encounters with another as the form advances however it is done in a non conflict fashion, but to the ancient women of the "lua chi"/n it was also a fighting art if mastered was as cunning as ninjutsu....in the way of moving what could nomally not be moved, now used in the way of a soft vitalizing truth it is both deadly and beautiful, however like ba-gua it gathers circle movements as well...
Contact care of Event Body Arts
Course is 150.00 its 12 different forms, and take 2-3 months....... only students
contact blkmagus13@aol.com
or call: 240-415-0421 (and leave a message) if you get no response...
if you seek to be of this design...
| contact us | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Sho-Lung-Dojo
"School of GeninKachido"
(Shorinjutsu Ryu Daimyo & Kwanju)
This school is one in the greater frederick area, a private
school of martial arts devoted to the grand design of the
martial ideals as in...( examples )
1. training : development into an automatic, reactional and
observational control ( so movement is fast and
effective ) almost without thought..... A system to
develop mastery in the arts as well in the spirit.....
2. Weapons: as of weapon respect and the defensive nature ,
rather then the attack first ideal in those who think this
makes them good, truthfully it is the master of
himself/or/her to become one with themselves and the art
for this is grand nature and the richness of the arts....
( the real Mastery )
3. The richness of the historical messages and masters lessons ( this learning teaches in a way simple kata will never , true kata and sparing can bring you skill, but a great teacher will say that the art has chosen you first and always, not the other way around ... )
4. When the student is ready the master will appear, this wording is true, however if one has been seeking a master,
A great teacher will know this, ( defense is good, but a ready defense is better )
5. Respect for life and for those who in both way will test you as most lessons of life can do, we are trained for self and the art....no military type school can offer this directly, because they can be turning the grunt or other into a weapon, and not a forfilled martial design, Ask the masters, they don't advocate agressive, but they also won't desire you on the street without a defense nature , hard or soft....
These and more formal lessons are taught here....
kata, positioning, and natural form is the first things, 1-4 forms
then 5-10 as we feel the student is progressing,
(for
my outer instructors) then setup at least 3 sessions where they, the
student or students can show me what any have learned
-must have between 10- 15- 20 technics to be ranked for a belt of that level,
- hands/knees/feet/ unless head teacher is requested to set the practice,
-( then you evolve from there ) judo/with/karate, or aikido, or shorin with judo still keeping with the startup.....
- hands/knees/feet/ unless head teacher is requested to set the practice,
-( then you evolve from there ) judo/with/karate, or aikido, or shorin with judo still keeping with the startup.....
(As for ranking i require 2 months worth of training before testing, unless otherwise said or required)
and exercise ( hands /feet/ and jumping jacks ) 3 runs ( about 3-5 miles )
and exercise ( hands /feet/ and jumping jacks ) 3 runs ( about 3-5 miles )
if you, the instructor, or teacher require.
Sparing
is on assigned area, until the student has aquired at least 15 technics
( of a art, rank, or level... but test sparing is to help them see how
the skill is used, can happen anytime....
As for The Ways.......
As for The Ways.......
Any must have formal time with their instructor and as the Master teacher sees fit.....
basics, tosses, trips, grabs, and escapes
>
classes offered, depends on student, and basic to advanced self
defense, style and traditional education as in ( ways of social design)
(all based on the evaluation)
as class schedules are setup by phone and time given, group training is based on the time of the teacher/instructors or test/styles required.....
Weapons
training is often on a grade level and after any of the 5 basic forms (
karate, judo, ju-jutsu,aikido, shorin ) unless one is doing kungfu,
then it is a mixure, If students show greater potential , then they
are......
1. invited more time to train,
2. given weapon or duty exercises of a higher level,
2. given weapon or duty exercises of a higher level,
weapons and lessons of advanced training, any or all..........
are taught in defense then attack, no other way.....
3. The rest is up to the School, Branch or Instructor Sok'e R.L.Hargett
Now the requirments:
Training is 2-3 days a week, unless offered otherwise,
Student pays for Uniform and Equipment ( training is free )
to most...
Advanced lessons such as in:
Kungfu : shaolin 'bak sing choy la fut'
wood dummy training can create speed and deadly accutate skill, but is more to outwit then submit, we have those too.....
Shorin : (tomarite-masumori-aikijutsu) the basics of all karate as in
hard/soft, this teaches bravery and skill of fighting as in a mobile
warrior, and is also good for close combat
Ninjutsu : ku-san-kagi nin
this art is the art of escape, and is taught to only those that i
feel will be serious and develop their mind and body to be like the ninja "they wasn't killers hired or other, that was samurai and
chinese spies trying to be like their image.... instead they created an art based on modivation of others and their lore, what others created as a fighting system, they would better it and make it more feared......(must be a heavy brown from another school or green belt of mine to learn this....sorry)
Samurai Aiki-jutsu : The art of tenshin bushi to
jubei-dai-kokuri-tenshin-yagu ryu and yoshi/kokuri nagi-shin-kaga
budo (i have all five styles)
but basically they are used as multi and modivational defense of the samurai nature (and only offered to one who is found wise in the way of the samurai self.....)
but if you wish to train at my school, you must be offered and as you read, you pay for supplies only and you must keep it to yourself, I don't care for world publicity......my students tend to bring me students....(nothing more) do i care to accept...
wood dummy training can create speed and deadly accutate skill, but is more to outwit then submit, we have those too.....
Shorin : (tomarite-masumori-aikijutsu) the basics of all karate as in
hard/soft, this teaches bravery and skill of fighting as in a mobile
warrior, and is also good for close combat
Ninjutsu : ku-san-kagi nin
this art is the art of escape, and is taught to only those that i
feel will be serious and develop their mind and body to be like the ninja "they wasn't killers hired or other, that was samurai and
chinese spies trying to be like their image.... instead they created an art based on modivation of others and their lore, what others created as a fighting system, they would better it and make it more feared......(must be a heavy brown from another school or green belt of mine to learn this....sorry)
Samurai Aiki-jutsu : The art of tenshin bushi to
jubei-dai-kokuri-tenshin-yagu ryu and yoshi/kokuri nagi-shin-kaga
budo (i have all five styles)
but basically they are used as multi and modivational defense of the samurai nature (and only offered to one who is found wise in the way of the samurai self.....)
I
also do kempo (chen; various open fist with short strong strikes (wood
monkey style), chu (shang wai; slipping and roping links (close combat,
and multi forms including 2 weapons), and lei long (sleeping
smoke dragon) chan; hands and grapples/ wu; feet and balances and
jeet....(kungfu, and wingchun open lotus form)
but if you wish to train at my school, you must be offered and as you read, you pay for supplies only and you must keep it to yourself, I don't care for world publicity......my students tend to bring me students....(nothing more) do i care to accept...
(however from time to time a master needs a worthy pupil or group of them, otherwise why teach a forfilling way)
Aikido,Aikijutsu,Samurai type study, Jujutsu and ninjutsu
( might require more in the way of payment )
due to time and the advancement of skill level.......
leave an e-mail saying your interested in lessons...and your contact number.....please...
(otherwise your mail might not get through)
(otherwise your mail might not get through)
TY... FOR YOUR INTEREST IN MY SCHOOL
| direction of the martials | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
The Map of Martial Direction
Kung-fu : Translated it means (Hard work or applied working)
( kungfu is the building blocks of movement and balance for a virtual number of martial systems, the lanching pad of Te.....
Kara-Te : Translated it means ( invisible hand/ or empty )
Karate is both fast and slow and move in a basic of 4-8 pattern stepping its purpose is composed of the hard(hit) and soft(yeilding) however it is not fluid until you have a form of kata(pattern) Karate
was designed as a way to enlighten, like kungfu, but more like a sword
to be forged then of the likness of beauty being shown..
Ju-jutsu, The more lethal form of its now known ju-do form,
ju
: Translated it means gentle, however it is more sweeping in step then
gentle however it's mastery is quite unique because it relies on balance
and position verses power, jitsu : Translated it is warfare, not a nice
word but a method to fashion indefensive or offencive need....
Aikido
: this form of an evolved ju-jutsu, is quite stunning it is about the
full overpowerment of an attacker by using their own strenght, it can
begin as a form of chi syle, that in japanese call Kai or kei , the
power and looseness of this form come from the mastering of, without it
the basics are useless against one of greater knowledge and skill in Te
or fu, but as any one who has trained in either it is timing and
confidence....The history of Aiki is in the other link...
Kenpo(
kem-po) : Is a multi striking form designed to add or compliment the
martial arts of kungfu and te, however this system is an example of the
more confidence one has if appling the full range of many of the martial
principles...most ken-po is still only adopted as americanized and
based on the Tiger and the Dragon but mainly as a mental principle and
not as a fashioned style, Tiger ( the agressive /figher ),Dragon ( the
Mastery of self /priestly qualities )
Kobudo : Chinese/Japanese/Okinawan/Korean/and American
many
diffent forms of budo as in the honor of weapon training, all stand out
for one reason ( chinese design, japanese perfect strikes, okinawan
survival, korean leadership, American desire to lean whats new )
budo:
has many meaning but the most known is to the works of samurai and
honored combat, cute word, but bu- is of the word shinbu meaning spirit of the honored.....or shih
Ninjutsu
: is an art of many faces, that will not show you any of them it is
when you learn it... that is when you will discover which face you see, Ninja, now called nin-jutsu is the physical art of the ninja true skills, however the mastery of ninjustu, is still but a stones throw from the full art of the ninja mind, and that is what your really diving into...,Tai-jutsu,
or nagi ,are words to own what is natural....the ninja has been for
years refered to as the cat that makes no noise, this is because of the
mask and the toe foot work in the ninja design uniform......(poof)))))
though you read before the message of the ninja art, know that message
is the basick that the world accepts and not the full truth, only a
"real" ninja knows the story and few tell even then...
Samurai : Way of the warrior, is more like way of the poet,
for
samurai, void...is a skill and can see the dynamics of lifes true
workings it is called kanji "magic" , however the skill the samurai
learns is not only to master the way (methods of the sword), but to
become like poety... when in homelife all is a celebration to life,
because at any time a samurai must be willing to face death, and to
survive it, is to overcome fear itself, Book of the 5 rings.....
The honor of being one is rare, life altering...Hagakure......book of meaning
Mixed
Schools or style, is like anything one trying to be the next bruce lee
or jacky chan, or a famous movie artist, however if you ask them they
will tell you that honing and honoring what they learned is worth more
then any movie can pay or ever fully capture......because that life can
only be seen on film, never lived.......
Mastership:
comes from practicing so well that it (the art ) takes shape in you and
makes you react without near a thought, As an master of an art will
tell you, "You are the art and it becomes like your companion" This is
true for those that have that spark, and also as any master can quietly
tell you if you do or not..,If you have a
class of 40 only 5-10 are going to be your best, Why? well it is because
they take the mind and honor lessons to heart and isn't just out to
become well (defended) and a master can tell at a glance what you are
and where your going to go though, beside being is the skill of being a
master of any art, They care..........about you,,,,,,,,the art, and the name you make with it.........(Thats a way you can know it well, as in Why many are called and only few shows up... )Famous saying
"When
the student is ready, the class begins, oh you thought i would say "the
master appears" no , the master knows who is joining their class...
and who need more time studying....
| Sash ideal's 2 | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Martial Arts: Hard vs. Soft, External vs. Internal
The
concept of hard/soft and external/internal martial arts is not one
easily described. In terms of styles which most people are familiar
with, Karate would be an example of a hard style and Aikido or T'ai Chi
examples of soft styles. A hard style is generally considered one where
force is used against force; a block is used to deflect an incoming
strike by meeting either head on, or at a 90 degree angle. A soft style
does not use force against force, but rather deflects the incoming blow
away from its target. There are uses for both hard and soft techniques. A
practitioner may wish to break the attacker's striking arm with the
block. On the other hand, a much smaller opponent would not be able to
accomplish this, so instead may wish to deflect the incoming attack.
An
external style is one which relies primarily in strength and physical
abilities to defeat an opponent. In contrast, an internal style is one
that depends upon ch'i and timing rather than power. Aikido (at the
master's level) would be an internal style, while most karate styles are
external.
However, the
concepts of hard/soft internal/external are finding fewer proponents
among senior martial artists. Both conceptual twins are impossible to
separate in reality, and masters will generally acknowledge that any
distinction is largely only a matter of subjective interpretation.
Arguments about the reality of the concepts are often waged by novices
and philosophical dilettantes, ignorant of the inseparable nature of
duality. They see yin and yang as elements that can exist independently,
while philosophical and physical reasoning demonstrate that they
cannot. Without their union (=Tao), neither can exist. Ergo, a "hard"
technique such as a straight fist is guided by the soft power of mind
and the internal component of ch'i. Equally, the softest projection of
Aikido requires the "hard" element of physical contact and movement,
coupled with actively redirecting the opponent. In short, preoccupation
with distinguishing soft from hard is a distraction from learning
martial arts and moving towards a unifying technique and mastery.
Kung Fu Styles
Kung
Fu styles may generally be divided into three classes: Shaolin Temple
styles, temple-derived non-temple styles, and family styles, or Pai.
Within the Temple styles are those arts generally and consistently
taught in the temples, with many having their origins in pre-Shaolin
history. There are two major divisions in Shaolin kung fu. The southern
temples are predominantly hand technique oriented, while northern
temples put more emphasis on kicks and foot techniques.
The northern Shaolin styles primarily consist of Northern Praying Mantis, Black Crane, and Black Tiger.
The southern Shaolin styles primarily consist of White Crane, Tiger, Dragon, Leopard, Snake, and Southern Praying Mantis.
Many
of the movements were representations of the behavior of animals. A
system sometimes comprised the maneuvers of one specific animal and no
other. All the blocks, attacks and stances were done in imitation of the
bird or beast. Each system had certain aspects peculiar to it since
each of the animals was designed differently by nature. However, most
styles were not so rigid and limited; northern praying mantis, for
example, uses mantis and tiger hand techniques, and monkey and generic
northern style footwork.
Differences Between the Styles
In
general terms, the styles followed specific training objectives (but
there are always exceptions). The dragon movements were devised to
develop alertness and concentration. These movements were executed
without the application of strength, but with emphasis on breathing in
the lower abdomen along with the coordination of mind, body and spirit.
Movements are long, flowing and continuous, and provided Shaolin
practitioners with the equivalent of t'ai chi or pakua.
The
tiger movements were formed to develop the bones, tendons and muscles.
The execution of these movements was the opposite of that of the dragon,
since emphasis was placed on strength and dynamic tension. Movements
are short, snappy and forceful.
The
snake movements were used to develop temperament and endurance.
Breathing was done slowly, deeply, softly and harmoniously. Movements
are flowing and rippling with emphasis on the fingers.
The
crane movements were used to develop control, character and spirit.
Emphasis is placed on light, rapid footwork and evasive attacking
techniques. Movements in the one-legged stance are performed with a
considerable amount of meditation.
The
Shaolin systems were developed from animal actions and were divided
into low systems and high systems. The list used below is from the
temple from the Honan province during the Ch'ing dynasty. The low
systems of the Shaolin were choy li fut, crane, cobra, and tiger. The
high systems of the order were snake, dragon, Wing Chun, and praying
mantis. The primary features that separate high from low are the
fantastic economy of movement and the differences in application of ch'i
in the high systems.
The
low systems were so called because they had their basis both in
physical maneuvers and in earthly creatures. Choy li fut was based on a
posture called a riding horse stance, so called because when adopted,
one appeared to be straddling a horse. The movements are very stiff and
hard, depending primarily on muscular power to perform adequately. There
are only three kicks in the original system, although recently the
style has adopted many techniques of the Northern Shaolin system.
According to legend, it was designed for use on the house boats of the
south where a stable stance and powerful hand techniques were necessary.
The certain portion of its history is that the system was named for two
Chinese boxing masters, Choy and Li. Fut means Buddha, serving in this
instance to refer to the Shaolin temple's Buddhist influence.
The
next system is crane, one of the traditional Shaolin systems. A legend
is also attached to its birth. One day a monk stumbled on a battle
between an ape and a crane. It seemed as if the ape would rend the bird
in two. However, the bird continually stymied the ape, flapping its
wings and darting in and out with its beak; at last the animal was
driven away. The graceful movements of the bird were copied as well as
its one leg stance. The principle weapons of the system are its long
range kicks and a hand formation, the crane's beak.
The
cobra system is a strange, nearly dead system. Its basis is a stance
that resembles a cobra risen from the grass with spread hood. The
maneuvers are strictly defensive in nature, devastatingly effective and
swift. Cobra is designed for speed and tenacity for once the reptile
strikes, it hangs on and makes certain that its opponent will die. Most
of its techniques are hand maneuvers aimed at the eyes and throat. It is
primarily a dim mak style.
Tiger
is another natural system, this the opposite of crane. It is a vicious
method of fighting utilizing powerful kicks and grim clawing motions.
Like the tiger, its practitioner fights fiercely, rending, tearing and
breaking any open space of skin or limb that is left unguarded. It is
highly defensive in nature, waiting until being backed into a corner,
then unleashing an unstoppable assault. Its principle hand weapon is the
tiger claw, also useful for unarmed defense against weapons. By
clasping the weapon between the hands or enmeshing it in the crushing
grip of the hand, the enemy's advantage is lost.
Snake
is an interface between the high systems and low systems. It is one of
the easiest systems to learn and also one of the most deadly. The reason
that it is a transition system is because it has the movements of a
spiritual system and the physical applications of a low system. The
spiritual movements are all flowing and continuous, akin to the
movements of a cloud. Physical applications of such movements are seen
by the stabbing hand motions to the face, throat and genitals. Ch'i is
present in the practitioner as his body mimics a snake in its coiling,
undulating motions; for only through ch'i can the proper flow be
achieved to allow the technique to work. It is an earthly animal by
nature, yet still somewhat spiritual due to its mysterious character.
The snake has thus been appointed as the guardian of the dragons.
The
basis of the dragon systems is ch'i, the inner power of Taoism. The
movements and applications of the dragon systems are dependent on the
use of ch'i. The special flow that distinguishes it from the flow of the
crane system is due to ch'i. Also, the ch'i is substituted for muscular
strength. For example, a tiger stylist would break a rock by sheer
force and physical technique, while a dragon stylist would shatter it by
ch'i projection.
The
praying mantis has as its watchwords silence and determination. Although
it is a physical system in terms of its origin, it nonetheless is
classified as a high system. Praying mantis warrants its prominence
because of its extreme efficiency. Despite the fact that it is hand
oriented and lacks the fancy leg maneuvers of dragon, it is versatile
and overpowering. Characteristic of mantis, as well as dragon and snake,
is the virtual lack of blocks. Since blocks are inefficient, the high
systems follow the advice of the ancient sages and yield in order to
conquer. Also, it combines ch'i and extreme awareness to be virtually
invincible.
The systems
of the Shaolin can be arranged on the pyramid illustrated below. The
best method for this is to take the tiger family as a representative of
the low systems and the dragon family as a representative of the high
systems. The remaining Shaolin systems will be placed in the appropriate
tiers singly.
The
lowest level of the pyramid is composed entirely of basic techniques.
These are common to all martial arts and can be claimed exclusively by
no one system. The maneuvers are comprised of kicks, punches, stances
and blocks. Since they are universal to most martial arts, it is very
difficult to distinguish a student from a karate style as opposed to a
choy li fut pupil. All of this class of basics belongs to the low
systems and so are dependent on hard, muscular movements in order to
carry them through properly.
Next
we progress to the low systems. As stated earlier, this level has its
basis in earthly rather than ethereal beings. The subsystems of tiger
are numerous at this level. Tiger, eagle, leopard, hung gar, the drunken
system and the crab system all belong at this level. Tiger, leopard and
hung gar are very oriented toward physical body strength and the
destruction of an opponent by breaking his body's structural system.
Eagle is a vicious ripping system with the bulk of its work directed
against the eyes and throat. The drunken system is a lurching, seemingly
unstable system that strikes with little power and thus tries to
exhaust an opponent with an arrhythmic, oddly placed series of blows to
tender, exposed areas. The crab system concentrated on closing off blood
vessels and pinching nerves, thereby immobilizing part or all of an
attacker's body.
In the
category of the higher low systems are found four different tiger
subsystems: hong tiger, s'hu tiger, imperial tiger and white tiger. They
are placed above the previous systems because ch'i and some concepts of
spiritual motion have been incorporated into them. Hong tiger was a
system which evolved from a mixture of tiger and white dragon. It was
used by palace guards especially against weapons. S'hu tiger was the
weapons training that went with the unarmed system of hong tiger.
Imperial tiger is a modern adaptation of hong tiger. The techniques are
sophisticated at this level. Also contained in the band of high low
systems is monkey, placed there because of its liberal use of parries
and advanced striking techniques, taking it out of the realm of brute
strength. White tiger is a highly sophisticated, forbidden style similar
to snow tiger.
The
main systems of the Shaolin that are left are placed thus: choy li fut,
white crane, and tiger all low systems. Snake is a lower high system and
may be classified as a low or a high system. Dragon, praying mantis,
and Wing Chun are all classified as full high systems due to their
efficiency of movement and the use of ch'i to both supplement and in
some cases replace physical technique. These systems were taught to some
extent to all monks as part of their training. The complete systems
were reserved for the few, the priests that would remain in the temple
after being granted their priesthood.
| sash ideals | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
What is a martial arts style?
The
concept of a style is a rather complicated one, and Chinese martial
arts claim as many as 1500 different styles. By "style" we mean a
particular school of martial practice, with its own training methods,
favored techniques, and emphasis on attack and defense. While it is
impossible to quantify differences between most styles, it is easy to
see the distinctions between such disparate approaches to combat as
practiced by Tiger, Crane, and Monkey stylists. In choosing a style (a
contemporary privilege; traditionally, styles were assigned by the
teachers), try to find one that suits your physical attributes,
interests, and sense of utility. It does no good to study the graceful
single-leg and flying techniques of White Crane if you have the
flexibility and grace of a turtle! On the other hand, and kung fu
practice will enhance your physical skills, dexterity, and alertness,
and it is not uncommon for a beginner in one style to change to a more
"appropriate" style later. Whatever else may be said of styles, the
first year basics are almost universal--punches, kicks, and stances show
little variation at the beginner's level.
What is Kung Fu?
In
dealing with the recently popularized concept of kung fu, one must
begin the discussion by explaining that kung fu is not a martial art
unto itself, yet it encompasses the most effective and devastating
methods of self-preservation known to man. The identity of kung fu is
diverse; over 1,000 styles are known or recognized. From kung fu came
Karate, Escrima, and most important, a way of thinking that became a
code of life.
Kung Fu requires of the practitioner a
strict code of physical and mental discipline, unparalleled in Western
pursuits. It is only as a whole concept that kung fu can be discussed,
and this entails more than fighting.
To be adept,
one must follow the Tao, the way, the essence of the philosophy and life
of the originators of the arts. One cannot pay to learn this art; it is
only acquired by the desire to learn, the will to discipline one's
self, and devotion to practice.
The standards to be
met to attain proficiency are so high that the Chinese refer to the
master as a disciple of the way of the tiger, the sign of the dragon.
The Martial Aspects
The
power of the kung fu practitioner lay in his ability to defend himself
against impossible odds and situations. After years of the most diligent
practice, these monks became more than merely adept at the ways of
survival. But the initial acceptance to be one of the chosen few was
difficult.
As children, applicants for priesthood
were made to do the most menial and difficult work related to the upkeep
of the temple. Their sincerity and ability to keep the secrets of the
order were severely tested for years before the finer aspects of the
order were revealed to them. But, upon being accepted by the elders of
the temple, his or her entry into kung fu was to open a whole new world.
The student would work long hours training mind and body to work
together in a coordinated effort. He would learn the principles of
combat, the way of the Tao, and together they would ensure his way to
peace.
One would be taught initially the first basic
fist sets, the prearranged forms which simulated multiple attacks.
These in turn became more complex as the student advanced, while he
would simultaneously be learning the way of Taoism.
Upon
completion of the student stage, one became a disciple who would be
taught the higher secrets of the arts and philosophies. Weapons of all
descriptions would become familiar to him as weapons of attack and
defense. One would perfect his movements to coincide with his breathing.
One's mind would meld into the realm of meditation known as
mindlessness. And one would learn to harness ch'i.
Ch'i
is a concept of such magnitude that we shall deal with it throughout
this site in many different lights. For now, suffice it to say that ch'i
is the power governing the universal power, so to speak. Only by
harnessing such energy can a person of mild stature learn to break
bricks with his bare hand, or learn to sense the movements of an
opponent in the darkness. The list of feats goes on and on; we shall
discuss some of these in other sections of this site.
Essential
to movements in kung fu are ch'i-controlled actions. Compare the
movements of a Karateka and a kung fu practitioner, and the differences
are at once obvious. The Karateka moves deliberately, forcefully, each
move unique and distinct from each other move. He punches linearly,
kicks in a straight line, and keeps his body as rigid as iron. The
Chinese boxer, on the other hand, is smooth and fluid in motion,
allowing several moves to meld imperceptibly into one long, graceful
action. In short, kung fu is fluid.
Ch'i properly
coordinated allows for fluidity. Consider a single drop of water. Alone,
it is harmless, gentle, and powerless. But what on earth can withstand
the force of a tsunami? The concept of ch'i is the same. By tapping into
the universal energies, one increases one's abilities many times. How
can one damage a kung fu practitioner, when one is unable to strike and
injure a body of water?
Artistic Aspects
There
can be little doubt, after examining first hand the structure of kung
fu, that mastery of it is indeed mastery of a fine art form. It requires
a tremendous amount of background, information and disciplines, which
would shame our liberal-arts students. The priests of old were adept in
all of the following: medicine, music, art, weapons-making, religions,
animal husbandry, cartography, languages, history, and of course, kung
fu. The artist had to be more than a fighting machine, he had to know
how, where and why to enter a fight, and even of greater importance, how
to avoid conflict. Only with "unbeatable" ability of the priest was he
secure enough not to need to fight.
There was a
ranking system of sorts used, beginner, disciple, and master. The
beginner (novice or student level), was the menial servant. Only very
crude rudiments of kung fu were in his domain. Disciples were in effect
almost priests, still having to master themselves, but of the right
mettle to carry the traditions and secrets of the Shaolin. The pinnacle
of master was reached by very few; it was truly the achievement of a
lifetime.
The primary obstacle that a disciple had
to pass to attain the priesthood was the test for master rank. Actually a
series of oral and practical exams, they culminated in the test of the
tunnel. The candidate was lead to a corridor linked with the outside
world. In the corridor were booby-traps, all lethal, all unpredictable.
The disciple had to pass all of these, for there was no going back, no
way out but to succeed. Most never even began the journey; few finished
it. The adept who passed the traps faced one last obstacle; a several
hundred pound urn filled with burning iron filings. On each side of the
urn was an emblem, different for each temple, usually of a dragon and a
tiger. The urn had to be moved with the bare forearms to unblock the
exit. In so doing, the now priest was forever branded as a Sil Lum monk.
Many
priests just out of the temple would wander about the country acting as
doctors, roving law givers, and guardians of the poor. Some would
return to the temple then it was their job to prepare the next
generation of priests. Entry was between ages five and seven. Graduation
was at the age of at least twenty-two. And every bit was part of a
long, hard life.
The stylistic variations within the
Chinese martial arts are due to various factors. First, some priests
were not content with one "truth", and engineered improvements or
variations on the old standards. Some arts had their origin from Indian
exercises, while others were influenced by Greek wrestling, and equally
unexpected pursuits.
Secondly, the priests were not
all content as priests. Some went civilian and taught parts of the
temple boxing, mixed with moves of their own. A man who preferred the
use of one style of attack, i.e. claws, would build a whole discipline
around gouging, claw-like attacks (Eagle Claw system).
Thirdly,
the civilians taught by priests would adapt what they needed in their
real lives. For this reason, Southern Chinese preferred hand techniques
with stable stances, adaptable to boats, while the Northern Chinese
adapted almost bizarre foot techniques, flying kicks and wild sweeps.
| tae/te-geuk chongi maki | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Taekwondo
( Te-geuk-chongi-maki )
I personally teach a style of Reeju tegeuk maki
it is an developed form of Taekwondo with 3 weapon arts
- What is the difference between Kung Fu, Japanese Karate, and Tae Kwon Do?
Kung Fu is the Chinese form of Karate. The techniques emphasize punching and heavy contact - thus the nickname "Chinese Boxing." Japanese Karate originated in Japan. The techniques of this form of Karate emphasize the use of aooroximately 50% punching and 50% kicking techniques. Tae Kwon Do, Korean Karate, is perhaps the oldest form of Karate, and it emphasizes the use of the legs as primary weapons. Since the legs are automatically stronger than the arms and almost twise as long, Tae Kwon Do is a very effective method of self-defense for men, women, and children.
- What can children gain by learning Tae Kwon Do?
- Learning Tae Kwon Do is a very good way for children to develop the following qualities:
- Teaches to prioritize objectives and to become organized
- Maturity, self-control and self-defense
- The ability to make rational decisions quickly
- Loyality and respect for oneself and others
- Self-confidence / HIgh self-esteem
- Perseverance / Diligence
- Poise, positive attitude
- Etiquette, responsibility
- Mental and physical discipline
- etc.
- Why learn the Martial Art?
- Many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits may be realized:
- Develop balance and coordination
- Increase awareness
- The ability to make rational decisions quickly
- Control weight, tone muscles, increase flexibility
- Teach limitations and discipline
- Increase endurance and stamina
- Develop a more positive attitude
- Become a more productive and well-rounded person
- How long does it take to become proficient?
A student acquires important skills after only a few lessons. It takes many years to master the art, but it takes only a short time to gain a lot of valuable knowledge.
- What will I learn in a beginning Tae Kwon Do class? A
beginner is first taught mental and physical techniques, as well as
basic self-defense maneuvers. After mastering these basics, he is ready
to move on to more advanced aspects of the Martial Art.
- Would I be placed in a class with advanced students? No.
You will be placed in a class with other students at your own level and
in most cases your age. You will progress within this group at your own
speed and proficiency.
- Will I get hurt? Under
the staff's direct supervision the student is taught how to control the
amounts of bodily contact while sparring. This allows room for errors
and for conditioning of good techniques. At no time is a student allowed
to use destructive force. This policy provides for safe training and
maximum learning for each student.
- Is every black belt an instructor? No, in Tae Kwon Do, unlike many other forms of Karate taught in America, a person must complete special training and apprenticeship before he/she can be certified as an instructor. The required time to elevate from apprentice to associate instructor is approximately 4 years. if you wish to be an instructor...
- Who is eligible for classes?
- Students can begin training in Tae Kwon Do as young as 5 years of age and continue their training well into their eighties. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Martial Art is that each person conditions him/herself at his/her own pace. This idea of self-pace rests on the fact that people study the Martial Art for many different reasons:
- Excercise
- Discipline
- Self-defense, or competition;
- therefore, each person must determine for him/herself how much he/she wants to learn, improve and progress.
| ninjutsu/ninja | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Ninjutsu/Ninja
Nin-ja
Ninjutsu
or Ninjitsu, both pronunciations of the same Japanese character,
literally means art of disguise and stealth. Ninjutsu and its
practitioners is still severely misunderstood in the modern world. In
the last decades a Ninja craze was created by the mass media. The art of
the Shadow Warriors was thought of as being very violent and deadly.
Interestingly enough, many people were intrigued by those aspects and so
they were dragged to Ninjutsu. After they discovered the genuine art
only a few found the strength and interest to continue on that path.
Most people know little, if anything, about it. The image martial arts
movies and thrillers give is that Ninjutsu is a cruel, life-denying art
of maiming and silent killing. In fact it is just the opposite. In its
higher order, Ninpo, there is indeed much more to it than just a martial
art. It is a way toward spiritual enlightenment, part of it being a
highly evolved system of self-defense. As a way of life, it is not an
end though, it is a means to an end: leading a happy life.
There are many theories as to the beginnings of what we know as the art of Ninjutsu today. There is also an official and an unofficial version of the story; the official one being readily available at a local bookstore. This version intends to fix the common stereotype. Most historians agree that it all started about more than 900 years ago in Japan.
In this distant era Samurai families that became political outcasts for multiple reasons (for example their Shogun or master got killed) had to flee deep into the mountains to escape enemy forces. Concentrated in the Iga and Koga regions in the mountains of central Japan, these families settled down and committed their lives to achieving spiritual enlightenment. They learned from wise Chinese sages and monks, as well as from Yamabushi, ascetic Japanese warrior-monks. When they lived close to villages the Ninja families and the village citizens mutually helped and protected each other in times of need.
The rulers back in the capitol did not like seeing others achieving such complete enlightenment, out of religious and personal reasons. Frankly they felt inferior and threatened by them. In Carl Jung's words they projected their own shadows onto the Shadow Warriors (Ninja). They saw the Ninja reaching higher planes of awareness and this showed them the ineffectiveness of their own system of beliefs. Hoping they could extinguish the Ninja for good, they sent warriors into the mountains with the mission to kill whole Ninja families. Then, of course, the Ninja had to defend themselves and so the famous system of self-defense and stealth and many other arts was developed.
Ninjutsu evolved as a very complex art of self-defense, stealth, disguise, intelligence gathering, espionage, assassination, psychology, acting, horseback riding, geography and meteorology. Ninpo, the spiritually higher form of Ninjutsu, was a way toward enlightenment - its practitioners followed "The Path of the Warrior".
Apart from these basic aspects, each of the various families had its own fields of expertise, for example sword, medicine, fire applications and so on.
After centuries of struggle for survival in the warring states period of Japan the Ninja, totally outnumbered from the beginning, finally lost to the Samurai and Samurai reformers in the 1700's. They were not particularly well portrayed historically. In fact, they were on the villainous side in the 1800's, being described as evil murderers, even as demons and such. Some people still cling on these stereotypes today. The Ninja history is somewhat the same as the Cowboys and Indians or the Witch hunt in the Middle Ages. It was not until later that it turned out that it was the other way around in many cases, that not the Samurai but the Ninja were the good guys. Surprisingly, even many Japanese today grab onto the stereotype of the Ninja as creepy, heartless and cold-blooded assassins and killers.
Unlike the Samurai the Ninja had no code of honor. They were not restricted in their thinking and acting. Ninja did not have to commit suicide when their master died. Surviving was the most important thing. Because of that, they were not considered highly by their enemies, the Samurai. In many ways they were the exact opposite: they were regarded as cowardly and sneaky. Though they had to be that, everything that helped was needed in this crusade for sheer survival. The contradiction gets obvious if one takes a look at the typical combat situations. The Samurai fought huge battles on open fields, with thousands dead and injured. On the opposite, the Ninja preferred not to be seen and finished his mission as fast and silent as possible with as little effort as possible. A night raid is a good example for that kind of guerilla warfare.
The Ninja were masters of virtually all weapons of their own time, but not masters of all weapons as it is commonly assumed. After firearms were introduced, there was obviously no real need to continue fighting with bow and arrow so they would not be masters of both weapons at the same time.
There are no big Ninja families left. Virtually the Ninja died out. Still the core of the art itself survived relatively intact and is being taught today by the current Grandmaster, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, in the Bujinkan system. Having the rank of Grandmaster, he is the last real Ninja. The Bujinkan consists out of nine different schools; three of them being actual Ninja training and strategy tactics schools and the other six being just martial arts with a particular emphasis. From its beginning on Ninjutsu has been very secretive, and it continues to be. Even advanced masters do not know everything about it and still have to learn much.
There is a big emphasis on creativity in the fighting style. It is often said that one should not think, just act. Some martial arts stress the instinct as to lead one through difficult situations, few are based on thinking. But both ways are deceptive: in a situation of immediate danger the thinking process is much too slow and instincts can mislead one. What is used in Ninjutsu is the power of intuition. For that, extensive mind training is necessary. In the process of this training intuition is sharpened in a way that extra sensory perception seems to be a possibility. Generally speaking, it is a very individualistic art since it is different for everyone. The experiences that trainee's have are very subjective and hard to grasp objectively. The atmosphere when studying Ninjutsu is usually relaxed and friendly and quite different from other martial arts with their rigid way of thinking and moving.
Ninjutsu is a highly evolved system of self-defense based on relaxation rather than tension and pure muscle strength. With it, weak, little and old people are able to prevail against bigger and stronger aggressors. Violence is only used when there is no other way out. It is not considered weak behavior if you get out of the way of a possible hazard and flee. It is considered rather smart: there is no need to get hurt and to hurt others as long as there is no reason to protect someone else from danger.
There is also nothing supernatural about the Ninja and their highly praised physical and psychological abilities. They are human beings with their natural restrictions. Still they apparently have sources of power overlooked or discarded as bad that gives them tremendous powers. With them, they could withstand the overwhelming armies of the Samurai for a long time. One of those sources is their own Shadow, a term that Carl Jung defined. It is a part of the unconscious that keeps all supposedly bad habits and aspects of our minds that have been repressed. The Ninja freed those and integrated them with his "good" side. It turns out that the Shadow contains many qualities that are of great help in many ways, but common morals preached them to be evil. Still if the Ninja wanted to prevail against the Samurai, they had to gather everything that might help them. Looking beyond the negative image of the Shadow and integrating it they experienced Wholeness or Oneness, a term often used in connection with spiritual enlightenment. That is why they are also commonly called Shadow Warriors.
In comparison to other popular martial arts, Ninjutsu has a deeper and older body of knowledge. One could go as far as to say that most martial arts should better be called martial sports, since they are there merely for fitness and discipline reasons rather than providing an effective self-defense system.
"I would say that most martial arts are invented products, like for instance karate was invented, created at a certain point of time like judo was, for a certain purpose by a certain person." (Hodel)
Since the actual purpose of Ninjutsu was surviving under hostile conditions, it is much more integrated and whole. Only the techniques that worked survived. The others died with their users on the battle ground. By now the concentrated forms of only the most effective combat techniques have survived and make up the core of Ninjutsu.
The art involves body, mind and spirit, the latter one is hard to find in most other martial arts and sports. Much is based on the 5 elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Void / Antimatter. Each element represents a system of certain moods, stances, general ways of thinking and such, fire, for example, is an aggressive element, so the movement is forward and backward, the mode of thinking are strong emotions and the being connected with it is an animal with its instincts.
The Void stands for creativity, and for the ability to change between the elements. It also represents the religious aspect for everyone of us. Originally the religion connected with Ninjutsu/Ninpo is a mixture of a mystical sect of Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto and other local religions. Enlightenment and Wholeness/Oneness of the universe was stressed. Still the art does not interfere with someone's religion and beliefs. Many of today's practitioners are Christians for example.
"It teaches you to be careful. However, it's not a life style like a religion would be. In other words it doesn't answer every question there is to answer in life. People having a desireful religion they can still have that and have it not attached or influenced by this training." (Hodel)
The training itself helps developing an increased awareness of danger, much like a sixth sense. It also makes you more aware to the world in general; martial arts people behave differently. But it is necessary to do the movement in order to understand the mental aspects. The Grandmaster says that like the human body, one fifth of the training is "head". The rest is the actual "body", movement.
"And it helps you having a happy life by making you healthy, by making you have friends that can protect you, by having you become a person that protects others; in other words, you're being the good guy. And it's a lot nicer going through life as the good guy than it is going through life as someone that has a reputation as being tough or being the bad guy." (Hodel)
Unfortunately as with many other popular things there are many fakes out there. There are many fake masters who are for example karate masters and just put on a black suit. Then they pretend being a Ninja masters to get some money out of the Ninja craze. Though with the right sources at hand it should not be a problem to avoid them.
As we see here there is much more to Ninjutsu than just some green cartoon turtles or dastardly murderers. In spite of the media, the Bujinkan network spreading worldwide means the first steps into full recognition and appreciation have been taken.
After a civil war that lasted several centuries the Ninja lost to the Samurai, but their advanced methods of training and thinking have survived. The new millenium is now approaching, and with it the impersonal world of computers. Ninjutsu provides us with an alternative. It is an exciting and refreshing concept in general eastern thinking as well as a highly effective self-defense system. That given, it seems that it will live on for much longer.
There are many theories as to the beginnings of what we know as the art of Ninjutsu today. There is also an official and an unofficial version of the story; the official one being readily available at a local bookstore. This version intends to fix the common stereotype. Most historians agree that it all started about more than 900 years ago in Japan.
In this distant era Samurai families that became political outcasts for multiple reasons (for example their Shogun or master got killed) had to flee deep into the mountains to escape enemy forces. Concentrated in the Iga and Koga regions in the mountains of central Japan, these families settled down and committed their lives to achieving spiritual enlightenment. They learned from wise Chinese sages and monks, as well as from Yamabushi, ascetic Japanese warrior-monks. When they lived close to villages the Ninja families and the village citizens mutually helped and protected each other in times of need.
The rulers back in the capitol did not like seeing others achieving such complete enlightenment, out of religious and personal reasons. Frankly they felt inferior and threatened by them. In Carl Jung's words they projected their own shadows onto the Shadow Warriors (Ninja). They saw the Ninja reaching higher planes of awareness and this showed them the ineffectiveness of their own system of beliefs. Hoping they could extinguish the Ninja for good, they sent warriors into the mountains with the mission to kill whole Ninja families. Then, of course, the Ninja had to defend themselves and so the famous system of self-defense and stealth and many other arts was developed.
Ninjutsu evolved as a very complex art of self-defense, stealth, disguise, intelligence gathering, espionage, assassination, psychology, acting, horseback riding, geography and meteorology. Ninpo, the spiritually higher form of Ninjutsu, was a way toward enlightenment - its practitioners followed "The Path of the Warrior".
Apart from these basic aspects, each of the various families had its own fields of expertise, for example sword, medicine, fire applications and so on.
After centuries of struggle for survival in the warring states period of Japan the Ninja, totally outnumbered from the beginning, finally lost to the Samurai and Samurai reformers in the 1700's. They were not particularly well portrayed historically. In fact, they were on the villainous side in the 1800's, being described as evil murderers, even as demons and such. Some people still cling on these stereotypes today. The Ninja history is somewhat the same as the Cowboys and Indians or the Witch hunt in the Middle Ages. It was not until later that it turned out that it was the other way around in many cases, that not the Samurai but the Ninja were the good guys. Surprisingly, even many Japanese today grab onto the stereotype of the Ninja as creepy, heartless and cold-blooded assassins and killers.
Unlike the Samurai the Ninja had no code of honor. They were not restricted in their thinking and acting. Ninja did not have to commit suicide when their master died. Surviving was the most important thing. Because of that, they were not considered highly by their enemies, the Samurai. In many ways they were the exact opposite: they were regarded as cowardly and sneaky. Though they had to be that, everything that helped was needed in this crusade for sheer survival. The contradiction gets obvious if one takes a look at the typical combat situations. The Samurai fought huge battles on open fields, with thousands dead and injured. On the opposite, the Ninja preferred not to be seen and finished his mission as fast and silent as possible with as little effort as possible. A night raid is a good example for that kind of guerilla warfare.
The Ninja were masters of virtually all weapons of their own time, but not masters of all weapons as it is commonly assumed. After firearms were introduced, there was obviously no real need to continue fighting with bow and arrow so they would not be masters of both weapons at the same time.
There are no big Ninja families left. Virtually the Ninja died out. Still the core of the art itself survived relatively intact and is being taught today by the current Grandmaster, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, in the Bujinkan system. Having the rank of Grandmaster, he is the last real Ninja. The Bujinkan consists out of nine different schools; three of them being actual Ninja training and strategy tactics schools and the other six being just martial arts with a particular emphasis. From its beginning on Ninjutsu has been very secretive, and it continues to be. Even advanced masters do not know everything about it and still have to learn much.
There is a big emphasis on creativity in the fighting style. It is often said that one should not think, just act. Some martial arts stress the instinct as to lead one through difficult situations, few are based on thinking. But both ways are deceptive: in a situation of immediate danger the thinking process is much too slow and instincts can mislead one. What is used in Ninjutsu is the power of intuition. For that, extensive mind training is necessary. In the process of this training intuition is sharpened in a way that extra sensory perception seems to be a possibility. Generally speaking, it is a very individualistic art since it is different for everyone. The experiences that trainee's have are very subjective and hard to grasp objectively. The atmosphere when studying Ninjutsu is usually relaxed and friendly and quite different from other martial arts with their rigid way of thinking and moving.
Ninjutsu is a highly evolved system of self-defense based on relaxation rather than tension and pure muscle strength. With it, weak, little and old people are able to prevail against bigger and stronger aggressors. Violence is only used when there is no other way out. It is not considered weak behavior if you get out of the way of a possible hazard and flee. It is considered rather smart: there is no need to get hurt and to hurt others as long as there is no reason to protect someone else from danger.
There is also nothing supernatural about the Ninja and their highly praised physical and psychological abilities. They are human beings with their natural restrictions. Still they apparently have sources of power overlooked or discarded as bad that gives them tremendous powers. With them, they could withstand the overwhelming armies of the Samurai for a long time. One of those sources is their own Shadow, a term that Carl Jung defined. It is a part of the unconscious that keeps all supposedly bad habits and aspects of our minds that have been repressed. The Ninja freed those and integrated them with his "good" side. It turns out that the Shadow contains many qualities that are of great help in many ways, but common morals preached them to be evil. Still if the Ninja wanted to prevail against the Samurai, they had to gather everything that might help them. Looking beyond the negative image of the Shadow and integrating it they experienced Wholeness or Oneness, a term often used in connection with spiritual enlightenment. That is why they are also commonly called Shadow Warriors.
In comparison to other popular martial arts, Ninjutsu has a deeper and older body of knowledge. One could go as far as to say that most martial arts should better be called martial sports, since they are there merely for fitness and discipline reasons rather than providing an effective self-defense system.
"I would say that most martial arts are invented products, like for instance karate was invented, created at a certain point of time like judo was, for a certain purpose by a certain person." (Hodel)
Since the actual purpose of Ninjutsu was surviving under hostile conditions, it is much more integrated and whole. Only the techniques that worked survived. The others died with their users on the battle ground. By now the concentrated forms of only the most effective combat techniques have survived and make up the core of Ninjutsu.
The art involves body, mind and spirit, the latter one is hard to find in most other martial arts and sports. Much is based on the 5 elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Void / Antimatter. Each element represents a system of certain moods, stances, general ways of thinking and such, fire, for example, is an aggressive element, so the movement is forward and backward, the mode of thinking are strong emotions and the being connected with it is an animal with its instincts.
The Void stands for creativity, and for the ability to change between the elements. It also represents the religious aspect for everyone of us. Originally the religion connected with Ninjutsu/Ninpo is a mixture of a mystical sect of Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto and other local religions. Enlightenment and Wholeness/Oneness of the universe was stressed. Still the art does not interfere with someone's religion and beliefs. Many of today's practitioners are Christians for example.
"It teaches you to be careful. However, it's not a life style like a religion would be. In other words it doesn't answer every question there is to answer in life. People having a desireful religion they can still have that and have it not attached or influenced by this training." (Hodel)
The training itself helps developing an increased awareness of danger, much like a sixth sense. It also makes you more aware to the world in general; martial arts people behave differently. But it is necessary to do the movement in order to understand the mental aspects. The Grandmaster says that like the human body, one fifth of the training is "head". The rest is the actual "body", movement.
"And it helps you having a happy life by making you healthy, by making you have friends that can protect you, by having you become a person that protects others; in other words, you're being the good guy. And it's a lot nicer going through life as the good guy than it is going through life as someone that has a reputation as being tough or being the bad guy." (Hodel)
Unfortunately as with many other popular things there are many fakes out there. There are many fake masters who are for example karate masters and just put on a black suit. Then they pretend being a Ninja masters to get some money out of the Ninja craze. Though with the right sources at hand it should not be a problem to avoid them.
As we see here there is much more to Ninjutsu than just some green cartoon turtles or dastardly murderers. In spite of the media, the Bujinkan network spreading worldwide means the first steps into full recognition and appreciation have been taken.
After a civil war that lasted several centuries the Ninja lost to the Samurai, but their advanced methods of training and thinking have survived. The new millenium is now approaching, and with it the impersonal world of computers. Ninjutsu provides us with an alternative. It is an exciting and refreshing concept in general eastern thinking as well as a highly effective self-defense system. That given, it seems that it will live on for much longer.
| samurai/kobudo/daikenjutsu | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Samurai/Kobudo/Daikenjutsu
samurai , knights of feudal Japan, retainers of the daimyo . This aristocratic
| [sä"mOOrI'] Pronunciation Key |
Book of the five Rings
Hagakure
| aikido/aikijutsu | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Aikido/aikijutsu
ai•ki•do
Pronunciation: (I-kE'dO; Japn. I'kE-dô"), [key]
—n.
a Japanese form of self-defense utilizing wrist, joint, and elbow grips to immobilize or throw one's opponent
Pronunciation: (I-kE'dO; Japn. I'kE-dô"), [key]
—n.
a Japanese form of self-defense utilizing wrist, joint, and elbow grips to immobilize or throw one's opponent
Aikido's founder, Morihei Ueshiba,
was born in Japan on December 14, 1883. As a boy, he often saw local
thugs beat up his father for political reasons. He set out to make
himself strong so that he could take revenge. He devoted himself to hard
physical conditioning and eventually to the practice of martial arts,
receiving certificates of mastery in several styles of jujitsu, fencing,
and spear fighting. In spite of his impressive physical and martial
capabilities, however, he felt very dissatisfied. He began delving into
religions in hopes of finding a deeper significance to life, all the
while continuing to pursue his studies of budo, or the martial arts. By
combining his martial training with his religious and political
ideologies, he created the modern martial art of aikido. Ueshiba decided
on the name "aikido" in 1942 (before that he called his martial art
"aikibudo" and "aikinomichi"). 
On the technical side, aikido is rooted in several styles of jujitsu
(from which modern judo is also derived), in particular
daitoryu-(aiki)jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts.
Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that aikido takes the joint locks
and throws from jujitsu and combines them with the body movements of
sword and spear fighting. However, we must also realize that many aikido
techniques are the result of Master Ueshiba's own innovation.
On the religious side, Ueshiba was a devotee of one of Japan's so-called "new religions," Omotokyo. Omotokyo was (and is) part neo-shintoism, and part socio-political idealism. One goal of omotokyo has been the unification of all humanity in a single "heavenly kingdom on earth" where all religions would be united under the banner of omotokyo. It is impossible sufficiently to understand many of O Sensei's writings and sayings without keeping the influence of Omotokyo firmly in mind.
Despite what many people think or claim, there is no unified philosophy of aikido. What there is, instead, is a disorganized and only partially coherent collection of religious, ethical, and metaphysical beliefs which are only more or less shared by aikidoists, and which are either transmitted by word of mouth or found in scattered publications about aikido.
Some examples: "Aikido is not a way to fight with or defeat enemies; it is a way to reconcile the world and make all human beings one family." "The essence of aikido is the cultivation of ki [a vital force, internal power, mental/spiritual energy]." "The secret of aikido is to become one with the universe." "Aikido is primarily a way to achieve physical and psychological self- mastery." "The body is the concrete unification of the physical and spiritual created by the universe." And so forth.
At the core of almost all philosophical interpretations of aikido, however, we may identify at least two fundamental threads: (1) A commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible. (2) A commitment to self-improvement through aikido training.
On the technical side, aikido is rooted in several styles of jujitsu
(from which modern judo is also derived), in particular
daitoryu-(aiki)jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts.
Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that aikido takes the joint locks
and throws from jujitsu and combines them with the body movements of
sword and spear fighting. However, we must also realize that many aikido
techniques are the result of Master Ueshiba's own innovation. On the religious side, Ueshiba was a devotee of one of Japan's so-called "new religions," Omotokyo. Omotokyo was (and is) part neo-shintoism, and part socio-political idealism. One goal of omotokyo has been the unification of all humanity in a single "heavenly kingdom on earth" where all religions would be united under the banner of omotokyo. It is impossible sufficiently to understand many of O Sensei's writings and sayings without keeping the influence of Omotokyo firmly in mind.
Despite what many people think or claim, there is no unified philosophy of aikido. What there is, instead, is a disorganized and only partially coherent collection of religious, ethical, and metaphysical beliefs which are only more or less shared by aikidoists, and which are either transmitted by word of mouth or found in scattered publications about aikido.
Some examples: "Aikido is not a way to fight with or defeat enemies; it is a way to reconcile the world and make all human beings one family." "The essence of aikido is the cultivation of ki [a vital force, internal power, mental/spiritual energy]." "The secret of aikido is to become one with the universe." "Aikido is primarily a way to achieve physical and psychological self- mastery." "The body is the concrete unification of the physical and spiritual created by the universe." And so forth.
At the core of almost all philosophical interpretations of aikido, however, we may identify at least two fundamental threads: (1) A commitment to peaceful resolution of conflict whenever possible. (2) A commitment to self-improvement through aikido training.
| gungfu/kung-fu | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Gungfu/Kung-fu
The
Shaolin order dates to about 540 A.D., when an Indian Buddhist priest
named Bodhidharma (Tamo in Chinese), traveled to China to see the
Emperor. At that time, the Emperor had started local Buddhist monks
translating Buddhist texts from Sanskrit to Chinese. The intent was to
allow the general populace the ability to practice this religion.
This was a noble project, but when the Emperor believed this to be his path to Nirvana, Tamo disagreed. Tamo's view on Buddhism was that you could not achieve your goal just through good actions performed by others in your name. At this point the Emperor and Tamo parted ways and Tamo traveled to the nearby Buddhist temple to meet with the monks who were translating these Buddhist texts. The temple had been built years before in the remains of a forest that had been cleared or burned down. At the time of the building of the temple, the emperor's gardeners had also planted new trees. Thus the temple was named "young (or new) forest", (Shaolin in Mandarin, Sil Lum in Cantonese).
When Tamo arrived at the temple, he was refused admittance, probably being thought of as an upstart or foreign meddler by the head abbot (Fang Chang). Rejected by the monks, Tamo went to a nearby cave and meditated until the monks recognized his religious prowess and admitted him. Legend has it that he bored a hole through one side of the cave with his constant gaze; in fact, the accomplishment that earned his recognition is lost to history.When Tamo joined the monks, he observed that they were not in good physical condition. Most of their routine paralleled that of the Irish monks of the Middle Ages, who spent hours each day hunched over tables where they transcribed handwritten texts. Consequently, the Shaolin monks lacked the physical and mental stamina needed to perform even the most basic of Buddhist meditation practices. Tamo countered this weakness by teaching them moving exercises, designed to both enhance ch'i flow and build strength. These sets, modified from Indian yogas (mainly hatha, and raja) were based on the movements of the 18 main animals in Indo-Chinese iconography (e.g., tiger, deer, leopard, cobra, snake, dragon, etc.), were the beginnings of Shaolin Kung Fu. It is hard to say just when the exercises became "martial arts". The Shaolin temple was in a secluded area where bandits would have traveled and wild animals were an occasional problem, so the martial side of the temple probably started out to fulfill self-defense needs. After a while, these movements were codified into a system of self-defense. As time went on, this Buddhist sect became more and more distinct because of the martial arts being studied. This is not to say that Tamo "invented" martial arts. Martial arts had existed in China for centuries. But within confines of the temple, it was possible to develop and codify these martial arts into the new and different styles that would become distinctly Shaolin. One of the problems faced by many western historians is the supposed contraindication of Buddhist principles of non-violence coupled with Shaolin's legendary martial skills. In fact, the Shaolin practitioner is never an attacker, nor does he or she dispatch the most devastating defenses in any situation. Rather, the study of kung fu leads to better understanding of violence, and consequently how to avoid conflict. Failing that, a Buddhist who refuses to accept an offering of violence (i.e., and attack) merely returns it to the sender. Initially, the kung fu expert may choose to parry an attack, but if an assailant is both skilled and determined to cause harm, a more definitive and concluding solution may be required, from a joint-lock hold to a knockout, to death. The more sophisticated and violent an assault, the more devastating the return of the attack to the attacker. Buddhists are not, therefore, hurting anyone; they merely refuse delivery of intended harm.
The Shaolin philosophy is one that started from Buddhism and later adopted many Taoist principles to become a new sect. Thus even though a temple may have been Taoist or Buddhist at first, once it became Shaolin, it was a member of a new order, an amalgamation of the prevailing Chinese philosophies of the time.
Other temples sprung from Henan. This happened because the original temple would suffer repeated attacks and periods of inactivity as the reigning Imperial and regional leaders feared the martial powers of the not-always unaligned monks. Refugee Shaolin practitioners would leave the temple to teach privately (in Pai) or at other Buddhist or Taoist temples. In rare cases, a new Shaolin Temple would be erected (Fukien, Kwangtung) or converted from a pre-existing temple (Wu-Tang, O Mei Shan). Politically and militarily involved monks (such as the legendary White Eyebrow and Hung Tze Kwan) would be perpetual sources of trouble for the generally temporally aloof monks.
The Boxer rebellion in 1901 was the beginning of the end of the Shaolin temples. Prior to that, China had been occupied by Western and Japanese governments and business interests. The British had turned the Imperial family into an impotent puppet regime largely through the import and sales of opium and the general drug-devastation inflicted upon the poor population. This lead to the incursion of other European powers, including Russia, France and Holland, and later the Japanese and Americans. By the late 1800s, China was effectively divided into national zones, each controlled by one of the outside powers (similar to post World War II Berlin, on a hugely larger scale). The long standing animosities between China and Japan worsened, and extended to include all other "foreign devils" as well. Coupled with the now almost universal disdain by the Chinese for their Empress, a Nationalist movement with nation-wide grass-roots support was born. Among the front line soldiers of the new "order" were the legendary and near-legendary martial artists--many Shaolin--known as Boxers (remember how Bruce Lee, in his films depicting these times, refers to himself as a Chinese boxer...). Though their initial assaults on the military powers of the occupation governments were not entirely successful (many believed in Taoist magical spells that would make them impervious to gunfire), their temporary defeat would lead to a more modern reformation that included adopting modern military weapons and tactics.
The withdrawal of western forces was prolonged over many years, and by the end of World War I saw China in an almost feudal state of civil war. Not only were national troops fighting loyalists, but both sides had to fight the Japanese (who still held much of the northern Manchurian region of China) as well as many powerful, regional warlords. Many parts of China were virtually anarchies, but by 1931 almost all non-Asian occupants had been successfully driven out (with the interesting exception, in the late 1930s, of the volunteer American airmen known as The Flying Tigers, who helped repel Japanese forces prior to World War II), and the major combatants within China were the Nationalists and the Communists. Both sides displayed the typical jingoistic attitudes of forces in mindless warfare--if you aren't with us, you are against us. Neutrality meant nothing except the possibility of a later enemy. Consequently, Shaolin and other monks were routinely murdered by soldiers from both sides. One result of this program of murder was the exodus of many monks into the hills, or abroad, with the hope that Shaolin knowledge might survive even if the temples themselves did not. The temples were unfortunate victims of war in a land that had abandoned its historical practice of respecting posterity and ancestors. All were ransacked and looted by various armed groups. O Mei Shan Temple ("Great White Mountain"), in Szechuan Province, was situated on a mountain top and deemed by Chinese officers to be a fitting target for artillery practice. It was shelled in turn by Nationalist and Communist armies. In a fitting twist of fate, this one-time site of medical and natural history knowledge was rebuilt by the Communists in the mid 1970s, and now stands as the National Park and Research Headquarters for the panda preserve. There are various stories coming out of China today referring to the history of Shaolin, particularly over the past 300 years. However, many of these stories are suspect (compare Chinese accounts of Tiananmen Square with CNN news coverage), with the more commonly "authenticated" versions coming from government records. The fact that Chinese authorities outlawed Shaolin and martial arts practices makes any story about their history from such sources suspect. The prevalent wu-shu styles originated as a result of a compromise between the post-World War II governments and the national need and history of having a martial arts tradition. Wu-Shu, however, was not designed as a martial art (strictly illegal), and claims to the contrary date back only a decade or so, following on the popularity of Kung Fu.
This was a noble project, but when the Emperor believed this to be his path to Nirvana, Tamo disagreed. Tamo's view on Buddhism was that you could not achieve your goal just through good actions performed by others in your name. At this point the Emperor and Tamo parted ways and Tamo traveled to the nearby Buddhist temple to meet with the monks who were translating these Buddhist texts. The temple had been built years before in the remains of a forest that had been cleared or burned down. At the time of the building of the temple, the emperor's gardeners had also planted new trees. Thus the temple was named "young (or new) forest", (Shaolin in Mandarin, Sil Lum in Cantonese).
When Tamo arrived at the temple, he was refused admittance, probably being thought of as an upstart or foreign meddler by the head abbot (Fang Chang). Rejected by the monks, Tamo went to a nearby cave and meditated until the monks recognized his religious prowess and admitted him. Legend has it that he bored a hole through one side of the cave with his constant gaze; in fact, the accomplishment that earned his recognition is lost to history.When Tamo joined the monks, he observed that they were not in good physical condition. Most of their routine paralleled that of the Irish monks of the Middle Ages, who spent hours each day hunched over tables where they transcribed handwritten texts. Consequently, the Shaolin monks lacked the physical and mental stamina needed to perform even the most basic of Buddhist meditation practices. Tamo countered this weakness by teaching them moving exercises, designed to both enhance ch'i flow and build strength. These sets, modified from Indian yogas (mainly hatha, and raja) were based on the movements of the 18 main animals in Indo-Chinese iconography (e.g., tiger, deer, leopard, cobra, snake, dragon, etc.), were the beginnings of Shaolin Kung Fu. It is hard to say just when the exercises became "martial arts". The Shaolin temple was in a secluded area where bandits would have traveled and wild animals were an occasional problem, so the martial side of the temple probably started out to fulfill self-defense needs. After a while, these movements were codified into a system of self-defense. As time went on, this Buddhist sect became more and more distinct because of the martial arts being studied. This is not to say that Tamo "invented" martial arts. Martial arts had existed in China for centuries. But within confines of the temple, it was possible to develop and codify these martial arts into the new and different styles that would become distinctly Shaolin. One of the problems faced by many western historians is the supposed contraindication of Buddhist principles of non-violence coupled with Shaolin's legendary martial skills. In fact, the Shaolin practitioner is never an attacker, nor does he or she dispatch the most devastating defenses in any situation. Rather, the study of kung fu leads to better understanding of violence, and consequently how to avoid conflict. Failing that, a Buddhist who refuses to accept an offering of violence (i.e., and attack) merely returns it to the sender. Initially, the kung fu expert may choose to parry an attack, but if an assailant is both skilled and determined to cause harm, a more definitive and concluding solution may be required, from a joint-lock hold to a knockout, to death. The more sophisticated and violent an assault, the more devastating the return of the attack to the attacker. Buddhists are not, therefore, hurting anyone; they merely refuse delivery of intended harm.
The Shaolin philosophy is one that started from Buddhism and later adopted many Taoist principles to become a new sect. Thus even though a temple may have been Taoist or Buddhist at first, once it became Shaolin, it was a member of a new order, an amalgamation of the prevailing Chinese philosophies of the time.
Other temples sprung from Henan. This happened because the original temple would suffer repeated attacks and periods of inactivity as the reigning Imperial and regional leaders feared the martial powers of the not-always unaligned monks. Refugee Shaolin practitioners would leave the temple to teach privately (in Pai) or at other Buddhist or Taoist temples. In rare cases, a new Shaolin Temple would be erected (Fukien, Kwangtung) or converted from a pre-existing temple (Wu-Tang, O Mei Shan). Politically and militarily involved monks (such as the legendary White Eyebrow and Hung Tze Kwan) would be perpetual sources of trouble for the generally temporally aloof monks.
The Boxer rebellion in 1901 was the beginning of the end of the Shaolin temples. Prior to that, China had been occupied by Western and Japanese governments and business interests. The British had turned the Imperial family into an impotent puppet regime largely through the import and sales of opium and the general drug-devastation inflicted upon the poor population. This lead to the incursion of other European powers, including Russia, France and Holland, and later the Japanese and Americans. By the late 1800s, China was effectively divided into national zones, each controlled by one of the outside powers (similar to post World War II Berlin, on a hugely larger scale). The long standing animosities between China and Japan worsened, and extended to include all other "foreign devils" as well. Coupled with the now almost universal disdain by the Chinese for their Empress, a Nationalist movement with nation-wide grass-roots support was born. Among the front line soldiers of the new "order" were the legendary and near-legendary martial artists--many Shaolin--known as Boxers (remember how Bruce Lee, in his films depicting these times, refers to himself as a Chinese boxer...). Though their initial assaults on the military powers of the occupation governments were not entirely successful (many believed in Taoist magical spells that would make them impervious to gunfire), their temporary defeat would lead to a more modern reformation that included adopting modern military weapons and tactics.
The withdrawal of western forces was prolonged over many years, and by the end of World War I saw China in an almost feudal state of civil war. Not only were national troops fighting loyalists, but both sides had to fight the Japanese (who still held much of the northern Manchurian region of China) as well as many powerful, regional warlords. Many parts of China were virtually anarchies, but by 1931 almost all non-Asian occupants had been successfully driven out (with the interesting exception, in the late 1930s, of the volunteer American airmen known as The Flying Tigers, who helped repel Japanese forces prior to World War II), and the major combatants within China were the Nationalists and the Communists. Both sides displayed the typical jingoistic attitudes of forces in mindless warfare--if you aren't with us, you are against us. Neutrality meant nothing except the possibility of a later enemy. Consequently, Shaolin and other monks were routinely murdered by soldiers from both sides. One result of this program of murder was the exodus of many monks into the hills, or abroad, with the hope that Shaolin knowledge might survive even if the temples themselves did not. The temples were unfortunate victims of war in a land that had abandoned its historical practice of respecting posterity and ancestors. All were ransacked and looted by various armed groups. O Mei Shan Temple ("Great White Mountain"), in Szechuan Province, was situated on a mountain top and deemed by Chinese officers to be a fitting target for artillery practice. It was shelled in turn by Nationalist and Communist armies. In a fitting twist of fate, this one-time site of medical and natural history knowledge was rebuilt by the Communists in the mid 1970s, and now stands as the National Park and Research Headquarters for the panda preserve. There are various stories coming out of China today referring to the history of Shaolin, particularly over the past 300 years. However, many of these stories are suspect (compare Chinese accounts of Tiananmen Square with CNN news coverage), with the more commonly "authenticated" versions coming from government records. The fact that Chinese authorities outlawed Shaolin and martial arts practices makes any story about their history from such sources suspect. The prevalent wu-shu styles originated as a result of a compromise between the post-World War II governments and the national need and history of having a martial arts tradition. Wu-Shu, however, was not designed as a martial art (strictly illegal), and claims to the contrary date back only a decade or so, following on the popularity of Kung Fu.
| ken-po/kempo | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Ken-po/Kempo
Ken-po-shi
, kem-shi : The multi movent based striking of chinese based forms of
speed and power, evolved into the american, movement
The earliest and, therefore, most speculative sources of our current American Kenpo Karate System are numerous:
1) Shang Dynasty through Han Dynasty (1600 B.C.-220 A.D.) Most Chinese martial arts styles can be traced back about 3,500 years to the practice of Shuai Chiao. Shuai Chiao developed from such influences as the grappling maneuvers of Mongolian wrestling; the footwork of horn butting (Chiao Ti); and the simple empty hands boxing being practiced by the feudal nobility. It took approximately 1800 years of development for Shuai Chiao to develop into some type of standard techniques (with variations from different regions of China). Shuai Chiao became a national pastime that was widely practiced by the nobility and the military.
By the onset of the Han Dynasty, Taoism had developed as the main belief structure in China. The philosophy of yin and yang, force and counter-force, balance and counter-balance, and the philosophy of the Five Elements were incorporated into the people's Shuai Chiao. Taoist priests continued to work and develop internal power (qi or chi), breathing methods (nei gong), as well as moving and standing meditation [Canzonieri, Feb. 1996].
One such Taoist contributor was Hua T'o, a surgeon who proposed a series of health exercises involving animal postures (bear's neck, fowl's twist, etc.). He is the source of the southern long-hand forms. Hua T'o also introduced our animal attitudes as physical and mental models, as well as the Taoist breathing techniques.
2) Liang Dynasty through Sung Dynasty (500-1260 A.D.) Bodhidharma (Daruma Daishi, Tamo) was the 28th East Indian prince and the successor to Buddha. Bodhidharma traveled to China to preach Buddhism, i.e., that one must coexist with nature and the surrounding environment. After being rejected by the warring Chinese populace, he retired at the Shaolin Monastery. While attempting to teach the Shaolin monks, Bodhidharma found that many fell asleep during meditation. Bodhidharma introduced a series of hand and foot movements to strengthen the physical and spiritual natures of the Buddhist monks. The Shaolin monks used Bodhidharma's exercises as well as the fighting skills of body guards, temple guards, military generals, ex-soldiers visiting Shaolin and fellow monks (who came from poor backgrounds) to create the 18 Lohan Boxing style [Canzonieri, Feb. 1996]. From this beginning, the Shaolin monks continued to develop their martial techniques to aid in the protection and defense of the monastery from bandits.
Bodhidharma's influence is preserved by us in his most famous quote, which is restated by Mitose: "...to fall down seven times, to rise eight times, life starts from now."
3) Yuan Dynasty (1260-1368 A.D.) During this Era, martial arts also became an integral part of the Chinese lifestyle. The martial arts were taught by only a select number of clans, who in turn passed on the deadly secrets to select clan members. The selected clan members were made, by their mentors, to swear never to disclose the secrets they received [Tindall, May 1996].
Around 1200 A.D., Genghis Khan began his conquest of China and in the process attacked a region containing one of the Shaolin temples. A high priest of the temple escaped to Japan where he met a Shinto priest whose name was Kosho. Kosho had already mastered a variety of fighting arts including: Kendo (Swordsmanship), Naginatado (Lance fighting), Kyudo (archery), fighting on horses and swim fighting. The high priest taught the Ch'uan Fa (Fist Law) system to Kosho. After becoming a master of all these systems combined, he changed his name to Mitose and began teaching his martial arts (Kosho-Ryu Kempo).
Nearly 80 years later, a Buddhist descendant of Mitose (Kosho) founded the Kosho-Shorei (Old Pine Tree) temple in order to teach his philosophy of true self-defense (self-defense without body contact). Koshu-Shorei contained a complete system of wartime self-defense (Kosho Ryu) as well as s system of teaching religion, the arts, and humanities (Kosho-Shorii). The wartime art of Kosho-Ryu Kempo, was taught only to family members (insiders). Kosho-Ryu was passed on from generation to generation in order for the family members to be familiar with it and to be able to defend against it [Golub, Reference]. Through these Japanese generations, the ancient Chinese art was extensively modified from its original circular movements to the more strict linear format preferred by the Japanese. The linear movements and takedowns incorporated into the modern American Kenpo can be trace directly to Kosho-Ryu.
4) Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) By the start of this period, the Shaolin monk Ch'ueh Yuan had increased the original techniques of the 18 Lohan style to 72 movements. Ch'ueh Yuan eventually obtained permission to leave the monastery and traveled extensively throughout China in search of other Martial Arts masters to confer with. Ch'ueh Yuan obtained many techniques and ideas from his travels before teaming with two contemporaries; Li Sou (great Lohan martial arts master) and Pai Yu-Feng (Hit Tai Tau internal boxing master). The three masters returned to the Shaolin Monastery to combine what was known from the internal and external styles. Ch'ueh Yuan's 72 movements were expanded into 170. The new movements were then categorized into five distinct animal styles:Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Dragon, and Serpent. The five animal styles are the basis of the Shaolin Ch'uan Fa ("Fist Law") known as "Five Forms Fist" [Canzonieri, March, 1996].
Also during this era a dispersion of Ch'uan Fa or "Fist Law" occurred outside of China. In 1372, an official Chinese tributary relationship was established between China and Okinawa's King Sho-ha-shi. The Chinese martial arts began to mingle with Okinawan fist fighting (Tode). The intermingling of fighting styles occurred because of the establishment of a permanent Okinawan settlement in the Chinese capitol of Ch'uan Chou and the migration of 36 families from the Chinese province of Fukien to Kume-mura, Okinawa. In this way Chinese boxing was passed on to many Okinawans.
In 1609, Japan, lead by Shinazu, conquered Okinawa. However, the Okinawa Te Style (Ch'uan Fa) was already established within the populace. By 1629, various Okinawan Ch'uan Fa groups and tode (fist fighting) societies had banded together to from a new fighting style called "Te". During this period, many Okinawans were secretly sent to China to learn its fighting systems [Corcoran, 1984].
5) Ch'ing Dynasty (1644-1912) After the Mongol takeover of China, the Ming Dynasty officials, which consisted mostly of the Imperial Guards, took refuge in the Shaolin Monastery to plot their revenge. With the influence of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Guards the shaolin Monasteries began to codify and strengthen their particular martial art styles.
Legend has it, and we emphasize the legend has never been empirically verified, that in order to graduate from the Shaolin monastery, monks would have to exhibit phenomenal skills and pass through 18 testing chambers in the temple. If they survived the first 17 chambers, they would have to grip an iron cauldron with their bare forearms and have the raised relief of a tiger and dragon burnt into their skin. These marks were the signs of a true Shaolin Master.
During this tumultuous period, the monasteries were periodically burned down and the ever resilient Shaolin Monastery had to be relocated in Honan, Fukien, Kwangtung and elsewhere. This was beneficial to the development of the martial arts, because as battles between the Ch'ing Dynasties and the Shaolin monks continued the different fighting styles intermingled and spread to the common populace. Two such styles born from the turmoil were Wing Chun Kung Fu and Hung Gar Kung Fu. Not only were these styles important to the spread of Ch'uan Fa to the common people of China, Japan, and Okinawa but they have significant influence on the evolution of American Kenpo Karate [See Thomas Connor, below]. A quick summary on the origins of Wing Chun and Hung Gar are given below:
During
the reign of Emperor K'angshi of the Ching Dynasty (1662-1722) Ch'uan
Fa became very strong in the Shaolin Monastery of Mt. Sung, in Honan
Province. This aroused the fear of the Manchu government, which sent
troops to attack the Monastery. Although they were unsuccessful, a man
named Chan Man Wai, a recently appointed civil servant seeking favor
with the government, devised a plan.
He plotted with Shaolin monk Ma Ning Yee, and others, who were persuaded to betray their companions by setting fire to the monastery while soldiers attacked it from the outside. The monastery was burned down, and the monks and disciples scattered. Buddhist Abbess Ng Mui, Abbot Chi Shin, Abbot Bak Mei, Master Fung Doe Duk and Master Mew Hing escaped and went their separate ways.
Ng Mui took refuge in the White Crane Temple on Mt. Chai Har. It was there she met Yim Yee and his daughter Wing Chun from whom she often bought bean curd on her way home from the market. Wing Chun's beauty attracted the attention of a local bully, who tried to force Wing Chun to marry him. Ng Mui learned of this and took pity on Wing Chun. She agreed to teach Wing Chun fighting techniques so she could protect herself. Wing Chun followed Ng Mui into the mountains, and began to learn Ch'uan Fa. She trained night and day, until she mastered the techniques. The she challenged the bully to a fight and beat him.
Ng Mui later traveled around the country, but before she left she told Wing Chun to strictly honor the Ch'uan Fa traditions, to develop her skills after her marriage, and to help the people working to overthrow the Manchu government and restore the Ming Dynasty [Yip Man, Reference].
1) Shang Dynasty through Han Dynasty (1600 B.C.-220 A.D.) Most Chinese martial arts styles can be traced back about 3,500 years to the practice of Shuai Chiao. Shuai Chiao developed from such influences as the grappling maneuvers of Mongolian wrestling; the footwork of horn butting (Chiao Ti); and the simple empty hands boxing being practiced by the feudal nobility. It took approximately 1800 years of development for Shuai Chiao to develop into some type of standard techniques (with variations from different regions of China). Shuai Chiao became a national pastime that was widely practiced by the nobility and the military.
By the onset of the Han Dynasty, Taoism had developed as the main belief structure in China. The philosophy of yin and yang, force and counter-force, balance and counter-balance, and the philosophy of the Five Elements were incorporated into the people's Shuai Chiao. Taoist priests continued to work and develop internal power (qi or chi), breathing methods (nei gong), as well as moving and standing meditation [Canzonieri, Feb. 1996].
One such Taoist contributor was Hua T'o, a surgeon who proposed a series of health exercises involving animal postures (bear's neck, fowl's twist, etc.). He is the source of the southern long-hand forms. Hua T'o also introduced our animal attitudes as physical and mental models, as well as the Taoist breathing techniques.
2) Liang Dynasty through Sung Dynasty (500-1260 A.D.) Bodhidharma (Daruma Daishi, Tamo) was the 28th East Indian prince and the successor to Buddha. Bodhidharma traveled to China to preach Buddhism, i.e., that one must coexist with nature and the surrounding environment. After being rejected by the warring Chinese populace, he retired at the Shaolin Monastery. While attempting to teach the Shaolin monks, Bodhidharma found that many fell asleep during meditation. Bodhidharma introduced a series of hand and foot movements to strengthen the physical and spiritual natures of the Buddhist monks. The Shaolin monks used Bodhidharma's exercises as well as the fighting skills of body guards, temple guards, military generals, ex-soldiers visiting Shaolin and fellow monks (who came from poor backgrounds) to create the 18 Lohan Boxing style [Canzonieri, Feb. 1996]. From this beginning, the Shaolin monks continued to develop their martial techniques to aid in the protection and defense of the monastery from bandits.
Bodhidharma's influence is preserved by us in his most famous quote, which is restated by Mitose: "...to fall down seven times, to rise eight times, life starts from now."
3) Yuan Dynasty (1260-1368 A.D.) During this Era, martial arts also became an integral part of the Chinese lifestyle. The martial arts were taught by only a select number of clans, who in turn passed on the deadly secrets to select clan members. The selected clan members were made, by their mentors, to swear never to disclose the secrets they received [Tindall, May 1996].
Around 1200 A.D., Genghis Khan began his conquest of China and in the process attacked a region containing one of the Shaolin temples. A high priest of the temple escaped to Japan where he met a Shinto priest whose name was Kosho. Kosho had already mastered a variety of fighting arts including: Kendo (Swordsmanship), Naginatado (Lance fighting), Kyudo (archery), fighting on horses and swim fighting. The high priest taught the Ch'uan Fa (Fist Law) system to Kosho. After becoming a master of all these systems combined, he changed his name to Mitose and began teaching his martial arts (Kosho-Ryu Kempo).
Nearly 80 years later, a Buddhist descendant of Mitose (Kosho) founded the Kosho-Shorei (Old Pine Tree) temple in order to teach his philosophy of true self-defense (self-defense without body contact). Koshu-Shorei contained a complete system of wartime self-defense (Kosho Ryu) as well as s system of teaching religion, the arts, and humanities (Kosho-Shorii). The wartime art of Kosho-Ryu Kempo, was taught only to family members (insiders). Kosho-Ryu was passed on from generation to generation in order for the family members to be familiar with it and to be able to defend against it [Golub, Reference]. Through these Japanese generations, the ancient Chinese art was extensively modified from its original circular movements to the more strict linear format preferred by the Japanese. The linear movements and takedowns incorporated into the modern American Kenpo can be trace directly to Kosho-Ryu.
4) Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) By the start of this period, the Shaolin monk Ch'ueh Yuan had increased the original techniques of the 18 Lohan style to 72 movements. Ch'ueh Yuan eventually obtained permission to leave the monastery and traveled extensively throughout China in search of other Martial Arts masters to confer with. Ch'ueh Yuan obtained many techniques and ideas from his travels before teaming with two contemporaries; Li Sou (great Lohan martial arts master) and Pai Yu-Feng (Hit Tai Tau internal boxing master). The three masters returned to the Shaolin Monastery to combine what was known from the internal and external styles. Ch'ueh Yuan's 72 movements were expanded into 170. The new movements were then categorized into five distinct animal styles:Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Dragon, and Serpent. The five animal styles are the basis of the Shaolin Ch'uan Fa ("Fist Law") known as "Five Forms Fist" [Canzonieri, March, 1996].
Also during this era a dispersion of Ch'uan Fa or "Fist Law" occurred outside of China. In 1372, an official Chinese tributary relationship was established between China and Okinawa's King Sho-ha-shi. The Chinese martial arts began to mingle with Okinawan fist fighting (Tode). The intermingling of fighting styles occurred because of the establishment of a permanent Okinawan settlement in the Chinese capitol of Ch'uan Chou and the migration of 36 families from the Chinese province of Fukien to Kume-mura, Okinawa. In this way Chinese boxing was passed on to many Okinawans.
In 1609, Japan, lead by Shinazu, conquered Okinawa. However, the Okinawa Te Style (Ch'uan Fa) was already established within the populace. By 1629, various Okinawan Ch'uan Fa groups and tode (fist fighting) societies had banded together to from a new fighting style called "Te". During this period, many Okinawans were secretly sent to China to learn its fighting systems [Corcoran, 1984].
5) Ch'ing Dynasty (1644-1912) After the Mongol takeover of China, the Ming Dynasty officials, which consisted mostly of the Imperial Guards, took refuge in the Shaolin Monastery to plot their revenge. With the influence of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Guards the shaolin Monasteries began to codify and strengthen their particular martial art styles.
Legend has it, and we emphasize the legend has never been empirically verified, that in order to graduate from the Shaolin monastery, monks would have to exhibit phenomenal skills and pass through 18 testing chambers in the temple. If they survived the first 17 chambers, they would have to grip an iron cauldron with their bare forearms and have the raised relief of a tiger and dragon burnt into their skin. These marks were the signs of a true Shaolin Master.
During this tumultuous period, the monasteries were periodically burned down and the ever resilient Shaolin Monastery had to be relocated in Honan, Fukien, Kwangtung and elsewhere. This was beneficial to the development of the martial arts, because as battles between the Ch'ing Dynasties and the Shaolin monks continued the different fighting styles intermingled and spread to the common populace. Two such styles born from the turmoil were Wing Chun Kung Fu and Hung Gar Kung Fu. Not only were these styles important to the spread of Ch'uan Fa to the common people of China, Japan, and Okinawa but they have significant influence on the evolution of American Kenpo Karate [See Thomas Connor, below]. A quick summary on the origins of Wing Chun and Hung Gar are given below:
Wing Chun Kung Fu
He plotted with Shaolin monk Ma Ning Yee, and others, who were persuaded to betray their companions by setting fire to the monastery while soldiers attacked it from the outside. The monastery was burned down, and the monks and disciples scattered. Buddhist Abbess Ng Mui, Abbot Chi Shin, Abbot Bak Mei, Master Fung Doe Duk and Master Mew Hing escaped and went their separate ways.
Ng Mui took refuge in the White Crane Temple on Mt. Chai Har. It was there she met Yim Yee and his daughter Wing Chun from whom she often bought bean curd on her way home from the market. Wing Chun's beauty attracted the attention of a local bully, who tried to force Wing Chun to marry him. Ng Mui learned of this and took pity on Wing Chun. She agreed to teach Wing Chun fighting techniques so she could protect herself. Wing Chun followed Ng Mui into the mountains, and began to learn Ch'uan Fa. She trained night and day, until she mastered the techniques. The she challenged the bully to a fight and beat him.
Ng Mui later traveled around the country, but before she left she told Wing Chun to strictly honor the Ch'uan Fa traditions, to develop her skills after her marriage, and to help the people working to overthrow the Manchu government and restore the Ming Dynasty [Yip Man, Reference].
Hung Gar Kung Fu
According to legend, Master Gee See, a monk of the Fukien Shaolin Temple, taught Hung Hei Goon, a Fukien tea merchant, the Shaolin Tiger Style. Hung, being a curious man, always sought to improve his skills.
He added to his Tiger Style many of the elements from his wife's White Crane system. He also incorporated movements from the Dragon, Snake, and Leopard forms, as well as techniques from the Five Elements Fist. He modified and expanded his "Tiger-Crane" Style to develop a system better balanced in long and short-range application, a system which better reflected his own character and skills-Hung Gar.
Hung Hei Goon developed a reputation for being a fighter of great skill and was known as "The Southern Fist". The essence of Hung Gar can be found in its name "Hung", meaning to "stand tall with integrity." Hung Gar philosophy stresses honesty, directness, iron will-power and righteousness.
To show the diversity of fighting styles available throughout China, the following list names the various monasteries that existed at one point in time. A brief summary of the styles attributed to have been developed by the different monasteries is:
Honan - Northern Fist, Ground Dragon, Monkey Praying Mantis, Cotton Fist, eight Drunken Immortals, 10,000 Lotuses Blooming, Golden Snake, Staff, Spear, Jointed Sticks, Single Broadswords, Double Broadswords, Tiger Hook Swords, Double Edged Sword, Three Sectional Staff, Chain Whip, Double daggers, Double Hand Axes, Single and Double Butterfly Knives.
Fukien - Southern Fist, Golden Centipede, Sparrow, White Monkey, Wild Horse, Iron Bone Training, Iron Palm Training, Iron Shirt Training, Short Fist.
Kwangtung - Tiger-Crane System, Fist of Ch'a, Crab, Golden Roaches, 10,000 Bees Attacking.
Shantung - Shantung Black Tiger, Tan Family Leg Techniques.
Omei Shan - White Crane, Eagle Claw, Golden Cock, white Swan, Ostrich.
Wutang Mountain - T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Pa Kua Chang, Hsing I Ch'uan, Liu Hsing Ch'uan, T'ai Chi Broadsword, Spear, Ta Mo Sword and Double Sword and Spear, Seven Star Sword.
Hua Mountain - Classical Fist of Hua, Modern Fist of Hua, Chang Ch'uan.
As stated earlier, the influence of these unique styles are still highly present in modern American Kenpo styles.
6) Karate Expansion (1915-1944) After the occupation of the Okinawan and Ryukyu Islands by the Japanese,the secret study of the Okinawan Te was publicly allowed and a great popularization of Karate followed.
Gichin Funakoshi and Knewa Mabuni (Okinawan Te Stylists) exported a form of sport karate to Japan in 1916. This was the Show Era in Japan. A great proliferation of martial arts and introduction of styles to the public occurred. By 1936 the term "Kara-Te" was utilized by the principal martial arts leaders of Okinawa.
7) Choki Motobu (1871-1944) Motobu was an eccentric Okinawan Karate master. He is responsible for secretly translating the Ch'uan Fa elements of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu ("Shaolin Way") into the current basic structure now known as Shorei-Ryu Karate. Choki Motobu is associated with the rise of Kempo in Hawaii because of a publicized visit in 1933 as well as a mysterious link with James Mitose and the development of modern Kosho-Ryu Kempo [Corcoran, 1984].
8) Dr. James Mitose (1915-1981) Mitose is a great grand master of Hawaiian/U.S. Kempo, and we can trace part of our lineage to him. At the age of 5, Mitose was sent to Japan to study the Mitose family tradition of Ch'uan Fa (or "Kempo" in Japanese) at the Mt. Akenkai Kosho-Shorei temple. As stated previously, the Ch'uan Fa tradition had already been modified by successive Mitose masters until it became known as Kosho-Shorei Kempo (Old Pine Tree Style).
| judo/jujutsu | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Judo/Jujutsu
judo , sport of Japanese origin that makes use of the principles of jujitsu,
| [jOO'dO] Pronunciation Key |
| karate | by Soke, Sifu for everyone |
Kara-te
a
method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of
weapons by striking sensitive areas on an attacker's body with the
hands, elbows, knees, or feet.
Karate Beginnings
As most karate students know, when the Japanese conquered Okinawa in
the 1600s, they disarmed the populace and forbade the practice of
self-defense by commoners. Prior to that time, the Okinawan peasants had
an indigenous form of fighting called te, or "hand," which probably
originated some 400 years earlier.
But te was a fairly crude pugilistic system. Certainly it was not
formally organized the way karate is today. Te contained no pre-arranged
kata, nor did it boast anything like them (see "The Truth About Kata,"
by William Durbin in the October 1990 Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated). It
was pure fighting practice, not a martial art (see "Shorin-Ryu's Awesome
Open-Hand Techniques," by Sid Campbell in the August 1992 KKI).
According to the writings of Black Belt columnist Dave Lowry, after the
Japanese banned self-defense training, te was practiced secretly,
usually at night and often in secluded sacred groves called maia (or
miya). For further security, it was taught only to family members and
trusted friends, or to their children. The secrecy of te was maintained
by controlling where, when and with whom it was practiced-not by
disguising its techniques as dance forms, as is commonly believed.
(Lowry wrote extensively about this in his Karate Way column in the
January 1993 and January 1994 Black Belt.)
Commoners sought to learn to defend themselves, even though
self-defense practice was illegal. Modern martial arts practitioners can
take inspiration from the way ordinary Okinawan farmers and fishermen
defied their conquerors by secretly learning to fight. This is the
important grain of truth in the story of kata that is commonly told and
believed, but the kata themselves had not yet been invented.
First Forms
The next important step in the development of karate occurred around
1800, when a man named Kusanku journeyed from China to Okinawa on a
trading mission (see Glenn Tibbet's letter, "Names Are Fabricated, Not
Arts," in the October 1993 KKI). He brought with him the training
discipline of Shaolin-style kung fu. In Okinawa, it was taken up by
people who had trained in the native te, and the resultant union was
called kara-te, or "China hands." This included training in stances and
punching and kicking techniques, but not kata.
The first kata, called kusanku, was developed by the next generation as
a tribute to the Chinese envoy. Credit for this sometimes goes to Tode
Sakugawa; other times it goes to Sokon Matsumura. The form is usually
called kanu-dai, and it is still widely practiced today.
Sometime after 1800-the approximate date of the creation of
kanku-daibut before 1900, two other kata were developed. One was called
channan, but today nothing is known about it except its name (see "A
Compendium of Traditional Karate Kata," by Andy Pruim in the June 1992
Black Belt). Even less is known about the other kata; even its name has
been lost to history. Of all the kata practiced today in the myriad of
martial arts, only kanku-clai is definitely more than 100 years old.
(One other kata, sanchin, may have been derived from an old Okinawan
court dance, since it is definitively known that at one time it was
practiced with open hands, rather than closed fists.) All the other
kata, without exception, were invented in the 20th century.
End of Prohibition
A major development occurred in 1868, when the often-mentioned "Decree
Banning the Wearing of Swords" was promulgated. This law abolished the
samurai class and all its privileges. Simultaneously it became legal for
common people to practice fighting. Kata were, therefore, practiced
secretly only between approximately 1800 and 1868. Before 1800 there
were no pre-arranged kata; after 1868 karate training was legal.
This has contemporary relevance. Some people show techniques that they
say were hidden within the kata, claiming they were secrets to be kept
from the Japanese overlords. Obviously, this is nonsense. The only kata
practiced today which could conceivably contain such hidden techniques
is kanku-dai. This is not to say that all the bunkai (applications)
within kata are obvious, for they are not-as anyone who has studied
karate knows. But saying something is not obvious is not the same as
saying it is hidden. For example, a poem may contain subtleties which
take years of study to understand, but that doesn't mean the poet was
trying to hide things from readers.
The next important development occurred in 1905, during the
Russo-Japanese war. A military draft was instituted in Japan. When
Okinawan recruits were examined by doctors, it was noticed that some
were in extraordinary physical condition. Authorities launched an
official investigation into the phenomenon. When martial arts practice
was determined to be responsible for this, Yasutsune Itosu was ordered
to develop a karate curriculum to be instituted in the Okinawan public
school system (Durbin, October 1990 KKI).
At that time, Okinawan elementary schools contained five grades. Itosu,
having decided that the existing kata were too difficult for beginners,
devel- oped the five pinan kata, one for each grade (Pruim, June 1992
Black Belt). Today the pinan kata are the foundation of most traditional
styles. (Presumably they contain some elements of the lost channan kata
and the unknown third kata, although there is no way to be sure.)
Itosu had several concerns. First, he had to develop an organized
curriculum that would satisfy the rigorous demands of the Japanese
educational system. Second, he was worried that the techniques of karate
could be learned by hooligans-to the detriment of society. Anyone who
persevered through the lengthy process of learning five kata, he
believed, would be sufficiently disciplined to exhibit self-control and
good judgment, and would not engage in combat needlessly.
Around 1923 one of Itosu's students, Gichin Funakoshi, brought karate
from Okinawa to the Japanese mainland. He found that even the pinan kata
were too difficult for beginners who lived in a somewhat different
culture (see Karatedo Kyohan, Funakoshi's masterwork), so he instituted
the taikyoku kata as an introduction to the subject matter of karate.
These forms, or some variant of them, are now practiced in many
different styles, sometimes under different names.
Funakoshi also changed the meaning of the word "karate." Even though it
was still pronounced the same way, it was now written with the
characters for 11 empty hands," rather than the characters for "China
hands." (Saying something came from China was not a good thing in Japan
at that time.) "Empty hands" has two meanings: first, that the student
should come to karate free of any preconceptions; second, that even with
empty hands-i.e., without a weapon-one is still armed. Modern Styles
The traditional styles of karate that are practiced today fall into one
of three groups. The shotokan-de rived styles begin with the taikyoku
kata for beginners and continue with the pinan kata for intermediate
students. The shorinryu-derived styles begin directly with the pinan
kata. These are the creations of, respectively, Funakoshi and ltosu.
Each modern style then generally adds a couple of kata unique to itself,
at which point the student has usually reached the level of shodan, or
junior instructor. (it should be kept in mind that Gichin Funakoshi
himself said that 15 kata represented a lifetime's study.)
The third group of currently practiced styles is derived from goju-ryu
karate. Goju-ryu was developed by Chojun Miyagi, following the example
Itosu set when he created shorin-ryu. Goju-ryu contains the sanchin
kata, which Miyagi developed from exercises transmitted by Kanryo
Higashionna. (As noted earlier, these may have been derived from
Okinawan royal-court dances.) Goju-ryu styles also contain the gekisai
kata, which Miyagi introduced in the 1930s, as a "first taste" of his
style; this parallels Funakoshi's use of the taikyoku kata as an
appetizer, so to speak, before beginning the core kata of his system.
(see "The Meaning of Okinawan Goju Karate," by Paul Myers in the October
1992 KKI).
All traditional styles of karate, then, fall into one of these three
groups: shotokan derived, shorin-ryu derived or goju-ryu derived. Since
there are dozens of styles currently practiced, and each contains at
least a couple of kata that are peculiar to it, we can see that most
currently practiced kata were actually introduced in the years after
World War II. (A few styles of karate have completely abandoned the
traditional kata in favor of their own unique exercises.) Summary
We have seen that kanku-dai is not quite 200 years old, that the pinan
kata are not quite 100 years old, and that all the other kata are even
younger than that. The only possible exceptions are sanchin and
gojushiho, which may derive from an older dance. That is the true
history of kata; all claims about them must account for the fact that
they are, basically, creations of the 2 01h century (see "The Imaginary
History of the Okinawan Martial Arts," by William Durbin in the April
1993 KKI.)
It is true that the roots of karate itself are much older than those of
kata. Te is possibly 700 years old, and Shaolin kung fu is probably
1,500 years old. Since the Shaolin style was derived, at least in part,
from chuan fa, we know that these roots may be 2,000 years deep-and
possibly much more. The martial arts have a very ancient ancestry, but
we cannot make the same claim about the kata.
This does not mean that kata are not worth practicing. That is a very
controversial question but not the subject of this article. But whether
you believe kata represent the very heart of karate or a complete waste
of time, you should at least get the facts straight: Ancient Okinawan
peasants had never even heard of them.
thanks : ask.com
As most karate students know, when the Japanese conquered Okinawa in
the 1600s, they disarmed the populace and forbade the practice of
self-defense by commoners. Prior to that time, the Okinawan peasants had
an indigenous form of fighting called te, or "hand," which probably
originated some 400 years earlier.
But te was a fairly crude pugilistic system. Certainly it was not
formally organized the way karate is today. Te contained no pre-arranged
kata, nor did it boast anything like them (see "The Truth About Kata,"
by William Durbin in the October 1990 Karate/Kung Fu Illustrated). It
was pure fighting practice, not a martial art (see "Shorin-Ryu's Awesome
Open-Hand Techniques," by Sid Campbell in the August 1992 KKI).
According to the writings of Black Belt columnist Dave Lowry, after the
Japanese banned self-defense training, te was practiced secretly,
usually at night and often in secluded sacred groves called maia (or
miya). For further security, it was taught only to family members and
trusted friends, or to their children. The secrecy of te was maintained
by controlling where, when and with whom it was practiced-not by
disguising its techniques as dance forms, as is commonly believed.
(Lowry wrote extensively about this in his Karate Way column in the
January 1993 and January 1994 Black Belt.)  |
| Modern karate students often perform their art's kata under the assumption that they are carrying on a martial tradition that stretches back to the days when Okinawan peasants fought samurai warriors. But history proves otherwise, the author claims. |
Commoners sought to learn to defend themselves, even though
self-defense practice was illegal. Modern martial arts practitioners can
take inspiration from the way ordinary Okinawan farmers and fishermen
defied their conquerors by secretly learning to fight. This is the
important grain of truth in the story of kata that is commonly told and
believed, but the kata themselves had not yet been invented.  |
| In 1868 the "Decree Banning the Wearing of Swords" did away with the samurai class and legalized martial arts training for commoners. |
The next important step in the development of karate occurred around
1800, when a man named Kusanku journeyed from China to Okinawa on a
trading mission (see Glenn Tibbet's letter, "Names Are Fabricated, Not
Arts," in the October 1993 KKI). He brought with him the training
discipline of Shaolin-style kung fu. In Okinawa, it was taken up by
people who had trained in the native te, and the resultant union was
called kara-te, or "China hands." This included training in stances and
punching and kicking techniques, but not kata.
The first kata, called kusanku, was developed by the next generation as
a tribute to the Chinese envoy. Credit for this sometimes goes to Tode
Sakugawa; other times it goes to Sokon Matsumura. The form is usually
called kanu-dai, and it is still widely practiced today.
Sometime after 1800-the approximate date of the creation of
kanku-daibut before 1900, two other kata were developed. One was called
channan, but today nothing is known about it except its name (see "A
Compendium of Traditional Karate Kata," by Andy Pruim in the June 1992
Black Belt). Even less is known about the other kata; even its name has
been lost to history. Of all the kata practiced today in the myriad of
martial arts, only kanku-clai is definitely more than 100 years old.
(One other kata, sanchin, may have been derived from an old Okinawan
court dance, since it is definitively known that at one time it was
practiced with open hands, rather than closed fists.) All the other
kata, without exception, were invented in the 20th century. End of Prohibition
A major development occurred in 1868, when the often-mentioned "Decree
Banning the Wearing of Swords" was promulgated. This law abolished the
samurai class and all its privileges. Simultaneously it became legal for
common people to practice fighting. Kata were, therefore, practiced
secretly only between approximately 1800 and 1868. Before 1800 there
were no pre-arranged kata; after 1868 karate training was legal.
This has contemporary relevance. Some people show techniques that they
say were hidden within the kata, claiming they were secrets to be kept
from the Japanese overlords. Obviously, this is nonsense. The only kata
practiced today which could conceivably contain such hidden techniques
is kanku-dai. This is not to say that all the bunkai (applications)
within kata are obvious, for they are not-as anyone who has studied
karate knows. But saying something is not obvious is not the same as
saying it is hidden. For example, a poem may contain subtleties which
take years of study to understand, but that doesn't mean the poet was
trying to hide things from readers.  |
| Chojun Miyagi (above) created the goju-ryu style of karate after training under Kanryo Higashionna for 15 years. |
The next important development occurred in 1905, during the
Russo-Japanese war. A military draft was instituted in Japan. When
Okinawan recruits were examined by doctors, it was noticed that some
were in extraordinary physical condition. Authorities launched an
official investigation into the phenomenon. When martial arts practice
was determined to be responsible for this, Yasutsune Itosu was ordered
to develop a karate curriculum to be instituted in the Okinawan public
school system (Durbin, October 1990 KKI).
At that time, Okinawan elementary schools contained five grades. Itosu,
having decided that the existing kata were too difficult for beginners,
devel- oped the five pinan kata, one for each grade (Pruim, June 1992
Black Belt). Today the pinan kata are the foundation of most traditional
styles. (Presumably they contain some elements of the lost channan kata
and the unknown third kata, although there is no way to be sure.)
Itosu had several concerns. First, he had to develop an organized
curriculum that would satisfy the rigorous demands of the Japanese
educational system. Second, he was worried that the techniques of karate
could be learned by hooligans-to the detriment of society. Anyone who
persevered through the lengthy process of learning five kata, he
believed, would be sufficiently disciplined to exhibit self-control and
good judgment, and would not engage in combat needlessly.
Around 1923 one of Itosu's students, Gichin Funakoshi, brought karate
from Okinawa to the Japanese mainland. He found that even the pinan kata
were too difficult for beginners who lived in a somewhat different
culture (see Karatedo Kyohan, Funakoshi's masterwork), so he instituted
the taikyoku kata as an introduction to the subject matter of karate.
These forms, or some variant of them, are now practiced in many
different styles, sometimes under different names.
Funakoshi also changed the meaning of the word "karate." Even though it
was still pronounced the same way, it was now written with the
characters for 11 empty hands," rather than the characters for "China
hands." (Saying something came from China was not a good thing in Japan
at that time.) "Empty hands" has two meanings: first, that the student
should come to karate free of any preconceptions; second, that even with
empty hands-i.e., without a weapon-one is still armed. Modern Styles
The traditional styles of karate that are practiced today fall into one
of three groups. The shotokan-de rived styles begin with the taikyoku
kata for beginners and continue with the pinan kata for intermediate
students. The shorinryu-derived styles begin directly with the pinan
kata. These are the creations of, respectively, Funakoshi and ltosu.
Each modern style then generally adds a couple of kata unique to itself,
at which point the student has usually reached the level of shodan, or
junior instructor. (it should be kept in mind that Gichin Funakoshi
himself said that 15 kata represented a lifetime's study.)  |
| When Gichin Funakoshi (right), a student of Yasutsune ltosu, spread karate to the Japanese mainland, he created the taikyoku kata to introduce students there to the Okinawan self-defense art. |
The third group of currently practiced styles is derived from goju-ryu
karate. Goju-ryu was developed by Chojun Miyagi, following the example
Itosu set when he created shorin-ryu. Goju-ryu contains the sanchin
kata, which Miyagi developed from exercises transmitted by Kanryo
Higashionna. (As noted earlier, these may have been derived from
Okinawan royal-court dances.) Goju-ryu styles also contain the gekisai
kata, which Miyagi introduced in the 1930s, as a "first taste" of his
style; this parallels Funakoshi's use of the taikyoku kata as an
appetizer, so to speak, before beginning the core kata of his system.
(see "The Meaning of Okinawan Goju Karate," by Paul Myers in the October
1992 KKI).
All traditional styles of karate, then, fall into one of these three
groups: shotokan derived, shorin-ryu derived or goju-ryu derived. Since
there are dozens of styles currently practiced, and each contains at
least a couple of kata that are peculiar to it, we can see that most
currently practiced kata were actually introduced in the years after
World War II. (A few styles of karate have completely abandoned the
traditional kata in favor of their own unique exercises.) Summary
We have seen that kanku-dai is not quite 200 years old, that the pinan
kata are not quite 100 years old, and that all the other kata are even
younger than that. The only possible exceptions are sanchin and
gojushiho, which may derive from an older dance. That is the true
history of kata; all claims about them must account for the fact that
they are, basically, creations of the 2 01h century (see "The Imaginary
History of the Okinawan Martial Arts," by William Durbin in the April
1993 KKI.)
It is true that the roots of karate itself are much older than those of
kata. Te is possibly 700 years old, and Shaolin kung fu is probably
1,500 years old. Since the Shaolin style was derived, at least in part,
from chuan fa, we know that these roots may be 2,000 years deep-and
possibly much more. The martial arts have a very ancient ancestry, but
we cannot make the same claim about the kata.
This does not mean that kata are not worth practicing. That is a very
controversial question but not the subject of this article. But whether
you believe kata represent the very heart of karate or a complete waste
of time, you should at least get the facts straight: Ancient Okinawan
peasants had never even heard of them. thanks : ask.com
| The Tai Experiences | by sok'e nejunsu for everyone |
> From: reg
> To: wizardluxas@hotmail.com
> Subject: Tai Chi
> Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007
>
>
> Hello,
> If you would as a martial artist and wizard, tell me about your take on the practice of Tai Chi. I have just signed up for lessons from a teacher who seems reputable at the University.
> Going Sola now until Deul,
> Reg
(My Reply)
Tai-chi is a great art if you do it for the spirit and for the fun, but don't make it a workout or something your just making yourself do....
just like the movements of tai, you must be just as flowing otherwise its not as much fun....
(it also helps if you get a great teacher)
because a real tai-chi teacher isn't one whom practices tai-chi, they live and embody balance, and not in the hippy healthfood way......
So goodluck in your lessons, and i still want that roll in the hay.....
Sok'e R.L
Martial Arts and Magic(k)al arts have one thing in common, they have more but this is the most true of them all......
(They Both serve the ones whom have the dedication and effort to move forward in them.. without the limits of the fear and doubts brought on by life's ever growing changes in existance and its standards..
> To: wizardluxas@hotmail.com
> Subject: Tai Chi
> Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007
>
>
> Hello,
> If you would as a martial artist and wizard, tell me about your take on the practice of Tai Chi. I have just signed up for lessons from a teacher who seems reputable at the University.
> Going Sola now until Deul,
> Reg
(My Reply)
Tai-chi is a great art if you do it for the spirit and for the fun, but don't make it a workout or something your just making yourself do....
just like the movements of tai, you must be just as flowing otherwise its not as much fun....
(it also helps if you get a great teacher)
because a real tai-chi teacher isn't one whom practices tai-chi, they live and embody balance, and not in the hippy healthfood way......
So goodluck in your lessons, and i still want that roll in the hay.....
Sok'e R.L
Martial Arts and Magic(k)al arts have one thing in common, they have more but this is the most true of them all......
(They Both serve the ones whom have the dedication and effort to move forward in them.. without the limits of the fear and doubts brought on by life's ever growing changes in existance and its standards..
| Bout our use of the 18 modern methods, we have our own but heres the list... | by sok'e nejunsu for everyone |
enjoy
"Warning"
we use these only for the training of our students and self defensive
methods of combat...any whom wish to learn these arts must first not be
at war with themselves, nore should they seek to use them outside of the
school...unless otherwise required by the reason above...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(if you get the right to study them to begin with...your spirit is more then just techniques)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We aren't a Hatsumi branch or connected to the stories of the syles that was brought into by the Mr K Hayes,
The
training and nature of our arts are patterned in the ideals of the arts
that these 18 purposed methods pose but we aren't setup to serve these
messages in the way the book and methods of these the modern formal
schools boast...The Training if your accepted to it is its own development in the arts of Samurai Aikijutsu and methods of the yoshin style, and formal edicate...
as for ninjutsu, you have to take it to see what we offer...its its own answer....
(Ku-San-Kagi Soken-Den Ninjutsu is a branch of the 3 styles that form the "Way")
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The 18 disciplines are Modern examples of the Ancient Concepts of Trainings:
- Seishin-teki kyōyō (spiritual refinement) : we offer (the elemental chaining technics)
- Taijutsu (unarmed combat) : ( kagi no shin ) sliding key method
- Kenjutsu (sword fighting) : (yagu, yoshin, dai-ken) and more....
- Bōjutsu (stick and staff fighting) : ( jo-shu- and yari-methods )
- Shurikenjutsu (throwing blades) : ( many blade and dagger postions )
- Sōjutsu (spear fighting) : (yari-ari-yaro, and a few others..)
- Naginatajutsu (naginata fighting) : (basic and advances and invisible hand)
- Kusarigamajutsu (chain and sickle weapon) : my favorite, kagi-nu-togo
- Kayakujutsu (pyrotechnics and explosives) : (funny stuff)
- Hensōjutsu (disguise and animal morphing) : (of course, but you won't be doing it by yourself)
- Shinobi-iri (stealth and entering methods) : (another favorite, but not for beginners at all)
- Bajutsu (horsemanship) : (if you can want a horse in the city..j/k..yes) but only to samurai-aiki students of status..otherwise go to a stable....)
- Sui-ren (water training) : (for advanced and special..don't like it too easy to be killed by a good ninjutsu eye)..but yes...
- Bōryaku (military strategy) :(always)
- Chōhō (espionage) :..............................................................ummmm yeah, but in respect to safety)
- Intonjutsu (escaping and concealment) : my favorite as well but only for those whom don't mind dying...)
- Tenmon (meteorology) : (lol...but yes)
- Chi-mon (geography) : ...............................a tree.........coool the wind blows, any questions...
| hello | by sok'e nejunsu for everyone |
Yes
i remember you.....you was a good (kungfu artist of the moment) of
which i wish our lessons together offered much... (good will to you in
your duty in the middle east) ...just words of wisdom..
to protect is to learn
to heal is to listen
to stay alive is to be alive beyond your senses...
use
this message well, and i will welcome my most dedicated female future
student back to my school..whenever you wish...(open invite)
Sok'e R.L
"war is the lesson, peace is the price"
(ki lo doshi)
--
| The Time challenge | by sok'e nejunsu for everyone |
Everyone
wants to do there best and strive to do it in a timely fashion, the
reality is that everything you really want "takes time" so even if your
given a saying like..you can learn this in so and so time....it is the
amount and the lesson and the life strengths and stresses that make the
so-so time possible...(but when you come to a school to learn..isn't it
the learning it right makes the difference and not the time needed
fully...) or are more schools begining to be like pizza delivery way
back when...30mins or less....(i personally know as i continue to
advance both as a teacher and a student of life...that time scedules can
become a really painful wall....)
When i came
to study the art, i didn't think hey 2 months or 3 years or 5 years...I
personally thought i was lucky to learn and even more educated by
teaching....
Time to an ant may be very
important because work is there life, but time to the wind or tree or
river or lake......(well age makes the differences, but having what it
takes to remain both alive as well as forfilled...has made them the
patience icons we strive to achieve....in time)
So learn as you will and hold it in your heart otherwise your going to miss the biggest lesson of all......(the complete you)
| The Young vs The Ready | by sok'e nejunsu for everyone |
It
has been the nature of the martial arts to offer any and all whom
whated training into its doors..reguardless of age....that is still a
great policy..however...age has taught us that some are and aren't ready
to take up the long and the dedicated road to the acceptance or mastery
of any art shown, yes it looks good for that parent that wanted to have
a special kid and one that is respected as well as accepted in this
world..however it has made both a good student as well as bad ones....
So
though many a young one will truely seek those open doors, Will we
masters of conviction hold these doors open any longer...for just money
or image of our diversity in the youth...(yes all should study) But are
they ready..is what makes us the judge and not the student we was...(or
has the schools image truely become just another business to you?)
I
know as a teacher that i want not only fresh minds and great skilled or
naturally skilled students to want enterance to my school...but i as of
years ago...with advice from my teachers...was given the right to go
private and instruct the way of one whoms doors are open to the
ready......
Most might say "its your job to make
them ready", to that i would say... how ready can a tree be without its
leaves, how ready is a river without the water flowing over it how
ready is the sky if there isn't any clouds about....(we can only do so
much..and at times more...) but the students we may or fate picks for us
to teach must want to be what is missing...otherwise we both lose...
So
in the sight of my teachers and to the ones i watch over as a Teacher
myself, I work with and train the ready and the willing....not the ones
whom just think they are...(not that they too won't be ready some
day)....its just not today...
See you in Training
Sok'e R.L
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