Children in Karate and Martial Arts

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I was inspired to write this particular article even tho I have not devoted all that much time teaching children under the age of sixteen years simply because of this quote, “Fundamentals of the situation: We have children who, because they’re children, don’t always behave in mature, reasonable ways. As children, they sense their relative powerlessness in society, and when they’re given power, they sometimes abuse it … “

This quote reminded me of why I tend to lean far away from teaching karate and martial arts to children. Children - will be children - and we may find teaching them a discipline, stress the term discipline, that involves an original foundation of brutal physical ability may not be the best thing to do. They are children who are still developing especially as to the brain as well as the emotions inherent in all humans (well, almost all). Maturity is a big thing from where I sit and even those with a modicum of maturity will succumb to emotionally driven actions and reactions and that is with being an age that is socially accepted as an age of maturity. 

When you evaluate a person to enter your dojo to teach what is essentially a brutal methodology that results in injury, damage, grave bodily harm and even death you need to make sure they have the moral and emotional ability to assume such a huge responsibility. Parents need to accept this as a base when deciding if they want their children to participate in karate and martial arts even when it is predominately a sport oriented endeavor (take note that even a sport fight oriented discipline can be misused as well to cause damage, etc.). 

Then there is even a huge responsibility that must be assumed by anyone teaching karate and martial arts for all the same reasons. You don’t just teach a technique based model to children and you shouldn’t be teaching such a model to even adults because this type of practice, training and application is dangerous even when done for fun. 

Back to children; because of that lack of maturity, because of their child driven behaviors, because of the power being placed in their hands and because of the huge potential toward abuse it is my feelings that children (younger than 16 years minimum) should not be exposed to karate and martial arts. 

Now, is that going to happen? Nope, nadda, and no way because as I see it from my view karate and martial arts cater to children because it seems that children are now the mainstay of most more commercial studio’s. Yes, that is a narrow view since I don’t visit a lot of these training facilities but when I view the various sources available due to our technological state of modern times I tend to see a dominance of young adults and children represented. I often wonder if the instructors, teachers and sensei have a syllabus and training plan that incorporates such considerations.

Then add in the responsibility and influences that come when children train to young adulthood, say around 16, and then are presented with black belt status, does the training address this ego boosting state? Did they train and practice for this over the whole of the training program? There are a huge amount of complexities involved in assuming responsibility to train children in a combative oriented discipline. 

The author who I quoted does address this responsibility by stating that lectures might work but in truth it will be how the sensei, senpai and kohai act as to being role models that will have the greatest influence - I agree with this in a limited way. An example is to not go around kicking and punching just because you can but by acting in a manner with honor and responsibility, etc., you demonstrate the proper moral and social aspects of karate and martial arts with just one caveat, often they don’t see, witness or hear of how they all act “OUTSIDE” that same training hall, facility and dojo. 

I would add in that lecture still plays a role or role playing would also make some difference but again I would stress that training is one thing, reality another. How do you emphasize and condition students to believe wholeheartedly that what is done in the dojo is serious, dangerous and must be controlled while allowing for fun and play as learning tools and that what they do is special in the uniforms they wear, etc. It also comes down to what kind of attitude is demonstrated and how that effects the attitude of the child student. 

Diligence, clarity and consistency must be made and maintained regardless or all of it is just going through the motions. Live, breath and act with attentiveness toward the show of aggression, etc.Teach the proper etiquette and values that should be a cornerstone of karate and martial arts. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

What is the correct or preferred way to write Isshinryu / Isshin Ryu / Isshin-ryu

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First, this is more about grammar and the use of spaces or hyphens, etc., to convey proper meaning when written such as this question as to whether it is proper to write Isshin and Ryu as one word, or separate words or to use the hyphen. 

Just as a example and a start toward understanding the proper way consider using a spell checker in a word document. The Word documents often used have a decent engine to check and suggest but it is not infallible. Then there is the use of a dictionary but since this is a word or term, etc., not a common one used in every day English, used specifically to name a foreign word that makes it a bit more difficult. 

Then you can also use Mnemonics to help your memory eke out a proper way but since the questions was asked and most of us are not writers or even English majors as to education along with many writers and majors also tend to have difficulties in this area that may not work either.

This word or term does not fall under the heading of homonyms and plurals so that won’t work either. Sounding it out fails to give an answer except in English I would make an assumption that the two separate words, Isshin and Ryu, having a usage to describe one thing would best serve, as to its English usage, to be somewhat correct in using “Isshinryu.” This view is debatable to say the least and why this question becomes a bit more difficult to answer.

Then I asked myself what defines a suffix? The dictionary tells us that a suffix follows an element to which it is added such as the “ly” to the word “kind” to make, “Kindly.” It can, in general, be anything added at the end of something, ergo Ryu added to the end of Isshin making “Isshinryu” a bit more correct, maybe. 

Another aspect to suffix as defined in the dictionary is to add (a morpheme) as a suffix to the end of a work where morpheme means, “any of the minimal grammatical units of a language, each constituting a word or meaningful part of a word, that cannot be divided into smaller independent grammatical parts, as the, write, or the -ed of waited.”

This leads me, personally, to consider that Isshinryu is more correct vs. Isshin Ryu or Isshin-ryu. Another way to look at it is to review several determine factors of the actual term from its native forms, i.e., the actual characters/ideograms used in Japan (we won’t go to the Okinawan dialect since Japanese is the official language there as well). 

The characters/ideograms for this term or word or title is, “一心流,” which does not get translated as is from the on-line English-to-Japanese-to-English translation sites but if you separate the first two from the last you get two separate translations. 

一心 means, “one mind; wholeheartedness; one’s whole heart,” and 流 means, “style of; method of; manner of; school (of thought).” When spoken they are pronounced as just one word, i.e. Isshinryu. 

Now, one site that translates the three characters/ideograms (Kanji of 一心流) does provide an English word when translating, i.e., “Isshin-ryu.” Now, as to English I would say the proper way to write the English version of this descriptive word to be “Isshinryu” while as to at least one official translation site translating the kanji as “Isshin-ryu” then I would surmise that these two are proper and interchangeable unless you want to drill down to believing the true correct way would be that translation from the Japanese characters/ideograms (Kanji) into its English form. If that is correct, I would accept this personally, then the one correct way to write it in English is, “Isshin-ryu,” without capitalizing the Ryu part. 

In a nutshell, use, “Isshin-ryu,” as a correct spelling. Now as to the next half of this two-part question, i.e., 

“What is the history on how it is written?”

I would have to defer to those who have a direct connection and experience with the founder who named the system or style of karate, Isshin-ryu. I do suspect that since it was originally written in the Kanji style and that the translation to English by that founder would have been flawed since his command of the English language was very poor and that left any corrections up to the American students who didn’t have or use a command of English to provide a true and correct translation into a proper English form - grammatically speaking. 

I also suspect until this very moment no one has bothered to even ask this question and tended to assume what ever spelling was used by their Sensei was correct while never truly researching the correct way.

Note/Caveat: Remember, I am not an English major with any type of degree or other credentials that would make my answer, correct. I would, if you truly wanted to know for sure, submit the question along with background as to the origins of this word to a grammatical professional. Even then, because of its uniqueness and use they may not have a definitive answer either. 

In the end, what does it matter? What matters is this type of question comes most often from someone who wants to study and learn about every aspect of a discipline and although more of a trivial nature it speaks loudly of the type of effort and diligence this person has along with a very high motivation to learn and that is very good. When a student asks such seemingly trivial question it is easy to not give it its fair consideration because it may seem trivial but the heart of it means something great about that individual so answer it truthfully as possible. Remember, as their knowledge and understanding grow they will begin to differentiate in such questions while growing in depth and breadth in their understanding while creating a mind-state that allows for the distinctions that separate the types of training, practice, studies and applications. It could literally make all the difference to the person asking and create a connection that would take them to a life time of study and practice over someone who might simply quit early on, etc. 

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implied movement

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I have written a good deal of ideas, theories, beliefs and philosophies on the practice of kata and then ran across this quote, “ … kata does not teach specific movement per se, but instead it teaches implied movement. That is, movement which can be used across different situations. If kata movements were intended to counter only one specific technique, then it would be necessary to memorize and practice literally hundreds of kata.”

Possible actions and reactions are the cornerstone to achieve a certain level of proficiency in karate and martial arts self-defense. This quote stresses this thought, my thoughts, and explains why the way kata are often taught, not as much today as things are improving, involves memorization of hundreds of kata and thousands of techniques. What this does is overload the mind-set and mind-state often leading to the “Freeze.”

Kowakan blog wrote the quote, here is the article it came from, i.e., Kata & Apprenticeship.

Where I slide off to the side of the path of kata practice is concerning the fundamental principles of martial or karate disciplines. Principles tend to transcend any one style or system but focus on certain universal applications of fight methodologies through principle based application(s). This means you learn some fundamental foundational principles and methodologies that are present regardless of the movement or techniques that will work when applied proficiently and correctly that add up to a handful vs. hundreds of kata and thousands of techniques. 

I understand how large quantities of kata, techniques and system/style black belts become necessary, it is because of a commercialized model of teaching karate and martial arts. It is about keeping students interested so they get instant gratification and it is about a model that promotes specifics for testing and promotions that also lead to longevity, attendance and continued flow of money, etc. In truth, to learn karate and martial arts doesn’t really take all that much, all that much time and only a concerted, disciplined and exhaustive effort. It takes time to maintain over the long run and that is all. It requires other things far more important than basic techniques, techniques, technique driven drills, kata drills and sport oriented kumite. 

Take a look at what I believe and perceive as those principles, this is the bare bones minimum necessary to learn and apply karate and martial arts. This literally brings karate and martial arts training back to what some believe is traditional, a hand full of basic techniques with hands and feet, one to three kata maximum then other aspects listed in the principles to make it work for self-defense. All those additional kata, etc. are more of an academic benefit over actual hands on fighting and self-defense. 

PRINCIPLE ONE: PRINCIPLES OF THEORY (Universality, Control, Efficiency, Lengthen Our Line, Percentage Principle, Std of Infinite Measure, Power Paradox, Ratio, Simplicity, Natural Action, Michelangelo Principle, Reciprocity, Opponents as Illusions, Reflexive Action, Training Truth, Imperception and Deception.)

PRINCIPLE TWO: PHYSIOKINETIC PRINCIPLES (Breathing, posture, triangle guard, centerline, primary gate, spinal alignment, axis, minor axis, structure, heaviness, relaxation, wave energy, convergence, centeredness, triangulation point, the dynamic sphere, body-mind, void, centripetal force, centrifugal force, sequential locking and sequential relaxation, peripheral vision, tactile sensitivity, rooting, attack hubs, attack posture, possibly the chemical cocktail, Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat]???see below)

PRINCIPLE THREE: PRINCIPLES OF TECHNIQUE (techniques vs. technique, equal rights, compliment, economical motion, active movement, positioning, angling, leading control, complex force, indirect pressure, live energy and dead energy, torsion and pinning, speed, timing, rhythm, balance, reactive control, natural and unnatural motion, weak link, non-telegraphing, extension and penetration, Uke. Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat])

PRINCIPLE FOUR: PRINCIPLES OF PHILOSOPHY (Mind [mind-set, mind-state, etc.], mushin, kime, non-intention, yin-yang, oneness, zanshin and being, non-action, character, the empty cup.)

Principle’s One through Four: 

Pearlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power." Overlook Press. N.Y. 2006.

PRINCIPLE FIVE: PRINCIPLES OF SELF-DEFENSE (“Conflict communications; Emotional Intelligence; Lines/square/circle of SD, Three brains (human, monkey, lizard), JAM/AOJ and five stages, Adrenal stress (stress induced reality based), Violence (Social and Asocial), Pre-Attack indicators, Weapons, Predator process and predator resource, Force levels, Repercussions (medical, legal, civil, personal), Go-NoGo, Win-Loss Ratio, etc. (still working on the core sub-principles for this one)”Attitude, Socio-emotional, Diplomacy, Speed [get-er done fast], Redirected aggression, Dual Time Clocks, Awareness, Initiative, Permission, multiple attack/defense methodologies (i.e., actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat)

Principle Five: 

MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.

Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.

Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014. 

Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012

Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.

Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.

Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979. 

PRINCIPLE SIX: CHEMICAL COCKTAIL: (Attacked Mind, Train It, Breath It Away, Visualize It Away, Sparring vs. Fighting, Degradation of Technique/skills, Peripheral Vision Loss, Tunnel Vision, Depth Perception Loss/Altered, Auditory Exclusion, Weakened legs/arms, Loss of Extremity Feeling, Loss of Fine Motor Skills, Distorted Memory/perceptions, Tachypsychia (time slows), Freeze, Perception of Slow Motion, Irrelevant Thought Intrusion, Behavioral Looping, Pain Blocked, Male vs. Female Adrenaline Curve, Victim vs. Predator, The Professional, Levels of Hormonal Stimulation, ???)

Note: Understand, the first four principles were the original I learned about from the karate-ka who first put them down into written form and the last two as can be seen by the bibliography provided on those were added, by me, as critical to karate and martial arts for self-defense. I can tell you just working on the first four will take considerable effort and some time but add in that the last two would take even more time, effort and experience. It is worth while to check them all out through a study of the references provided then seek out a professional who has a solid understanding and proficiency of them all, i.e., adding in experience in a adrenal stress-condition reality based training regimen. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Practice makes Progress: Perfection is but a Dream.

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Dreams are the means that humans need, want and use to set goals toward their desires in life. 

Our dreams are a product of the yin-yang sub-principle of FPOMD.

In short terse terms, dreams are mental pictures that provide a symbolic state of mind to drive us toward life goals with a full understanding that like yin-yang some are attainable while others lead us to our true destiny, in a sense that the dream was not realistic for us but opened a door to another more beneficial and appropriate dream.

Perfection is first and foremost an individual symbolic idea cast from that individuals life experiences from their perceptions, social connections from birth to family to close social connections outward in an expanding sphere of influences, i.e. social conditioning so, etc.

Perfection, as in a person striving toward perfection in the practice of karate and/or martial arts, is a subjective concept. A concept that is truly unattainable in the context of karate and martial arts.

Practice makes perfect is often perceived as a positive concept toward a constant effort toward a goal of perfection, but whose idea of perfection?

Practice does NOT make for perfection but rather an incremental and constant progress towards a form of mastery that is also similar to a state of perfection - subjective. Mastery is also more about assessing one's own progress in comparison to a goal of the self.

In practice one's goal should be a degree of progress as an ongoing fluid state of proficiency and understanding that changes as progress is achieved rather than one goal with such expectations often much higher leaving room to self-excuse failure.

Dreams are those symbols of progression humans must have for survival and the models created must be about progress rather than idea's that are truly and naturally unattainable and unachievable, if for no other reason than the natural fallibility of humans.

Humans by their very nature and design are unable to achieve either mastery or perfection but are very capable in achieving progress and proficiency, sometimes exceptional proficiency. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

combat sports

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First, what is combat? “Fighting between armed forces, i.e., killing in combat.” It is also define as active fighting especially in war but it can be a fight or contest between individuals or group. Some synonyms are action, battle, field, etc. Most consider combat to mean fighting in violent conflicts meant to weaken, establish dominance over, or to kill the opposition, or to drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed.” 

“The term combat (French for fight) typically refers to armed conflict between opposing military forces in warfare, whereas the more general term fighting can refer to any physical or verbal conflict between individuals or nations.” 

“Combat violence can be unilateral, whereas fighting implies at least a defensive reaction. A large-scale fight is known as a battle. A verbal fight is commonly known as an argument.”

Second, what is sport? “An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which in individual or team compete against another and others for entertainment. Sport are all forms of usually competitive physical activity or games which,^[1] through casual or organized participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical ability and skills while providing entertainment to participants, and in some cases, spectators.”

Third, what is combat sport? “It appears that a true definition actually resorts to another term or phrase used to clarify, i.e., as in competitive contact sport or fighting sport. In reality there seems to be no valid definition as to what a combat sport is except to redefine combat to mean a dedicated contests that mimics a form of combat where the rules of engagement along with other factors that make combat, combat, are removed or watered down enough to make the sport less deadly.”

In my mind there is no such thing as a combat sport, the two words and definitions just don’t connect except in the most tenuous way to meet some agenda driven media oriented commercial way to entice and draw attention as in spectators, etc. 

One source uses, unofficially and without validation as to factual and realistic according to accepted definitions, the definition of combat sport to be, “Sports in which two armed or unarmed opponents confront each other in combat.” This type of definition leads one to make assumptions according to their perception as to what sports are and what combat is, often to the detriment of true meaning in the definition. In short, “Bullshit to dramatize toward a certain agenda that tends to be commercial in nature - money.” 

In truth, just because someone uses a term in this manner and because no one questions it or makes it an issue and because those ignorant to that fact accept it and use it does not make it so. Wrestling is not combat; judo is not combat; karate is not combat; MMA is not combat and so on, they are all to often either “Fighting or Self-Defense.”

They are competitive endeavors or games people play to test themselves toward physical and mental ability with winners and losers and no one faces grave bodily harm or death as a result or a goal. Combat is about fighting with a goal of aggressively attacking a group to cause submission toward a political and survival goal with grave bodily harm and death as a means to achieve the goals of the other group. Combat seldom involves individual against individual except during a combat situation of a group where individuals as a unit with a common goal engage another opposing group of individuals to achieve a goal set by a governing body. 

I would go so far as to say that karate and martial arts, i.e., judo, jujitsu, kendo, sumo, aikido, kung fu, etc,, are not combat disciplines but rather of a sport, fighting (civil fighting such as a brawl in a bar) or a philosophical oriented way of self-improvement, etc. Even today, most of these are not about self-defense and combatives but an entertainment oriented sport or way, etc.

If a certain distinction is not made and fully exploited in training, practice and application then it is not self-defense and not combative as to combat, war or military campaigns, etc. 

Then again, what harm comes from using terminology in an incorrect and inappropriate manner if no one is hurt? Granted, misinterpretations and misunderstandings like this may come back to haunt the user if they are attacked and need to defend themselves especially if their actions take them to levels of force and such or result in grave bodily harm or death let alone prosecution if they fail to apply it appropriately, etc. 

I feel and think that it is just the luck of modern societies that allow us to avoid such distinctions for it is rare today for martial artists and karate-ka to use their skills against predators, etc. right?

p.s. Oh yea, it also gives me material to write my oh so neat opinions on and about :-)

Bibliography (Click the link)

p.s.s. if we fail to make distinctions then such things cross over and bleed into one thing that causes the same issues we find in media presentations that so often incite, inflame and inspire drama oriented emotionally inappropriate tirades through social media outlets, yes?

p.s.s.s. Also, as a Marine when I consider the term, “Combat,” I think of our military hero’s risking their lives for us and dying for us  (in Combat) and think, “Sport combat, kinda disrespectful of our hero’s who go to combat.” 

Gamen [我慢]

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Note: I love to write, I ain’t all that good at it but I still love to write. I write a lot and figure maybe over time and with lots of practice I just might get “Ok” at it. It is one of the reasons I pick out things like the term above to write about by first defining it using my favorite translation site then providing my philosophy, thoughts and beliefs on that term or with any subject matter I chose to write about. I find it a very effective learning tool, writing out my thoughts while viewing and reviewing the materials that triggered my need to write on that subject. I also spend time in practice assimilating such things using a physical model, karate, to help encode it into my mind (when it can be physically trained cause some things require actual hands-on experience such as with self-defense). So, what I write is first and foremost for me, for me to learn and for me to encode into my knowledge base. What I write and post is for those who may find my writing “Ok” and would be willing “To Consider It” toward their possibly assimilating my theories, ideas and knowledge into their studies. That is so cool. One important caveat, writing is difficult and there may be times I will come across in a not so nice light, don’t take it personal because I can be such an asshole. Try to overlook my ego in the writing and data-mine out the, hopefully, good stuff. Finally, if you have read this far - Thanks, I appreciate your taking your valuable time to read my mindless meanderings!” Now, on with the actual article ….

Gamen, the characters/ideograms mean, “Patience; endurance; perseverance; self-control; self-denial.” The first character means, “ego; I; selfish; our; oneself,” the second character means, “ridicule; laziness.” 

One interpretation of this term comes from Sensei Cezar Borkowski who states, “Enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.” I kind of like that and can understand its value in karate and martial arts. Karate and martial arts can be a daunting discipline depending on your goals in taking up the practice. When I think of it for self-defense and as a combative system in the right arena it has great potential and requires a certain mind-set and mind-state that will need to endure the unbearable, seemingly unbearable. 

Taking up karate and martial arts requires a lot of the practitioner and it enhances that person self-discipline, self-control and their levels of endurance, perseverance and opens the mind to greater possibilities beyond their imagination. 

We all have heard and been taught of the importance of one’s mind-set and mind-state. This is that one aspect of karate and martial arts that literally means the difference between life and death (at the extreme end of a spectrum involving conflict and violence). Life and death as a literal and a figurative meaning because in our nature there are events that will trigger, in our minds, feelings and reactions that mean life-or-death even when the outcomes are not actually life-or-death. Our minds and our natures and our instincts cannot differentiate and discern the differences, when the adrenal dump is triggered the lizard brain says, “Freeze or Run” your life is in danger - Danger Will Robinson, Danger!

In order to achieve higher levels of confidence, control and endurance, etc., you have to be exposed to situations, either live or in training, that will allow the mind, the lizard and human brains, to experience things so when reality rears its ugly head you have a chance to make that step that allows your training to react over nature’s natural instincts - it enhances those into something superior and effective for the fight, combat and/or self-defense. 

Gamen is a way to express that spectrum that provides practitioners the knowledge necessary for training and practice that develops the understanding and traits that will get-r-done. Gamen, like most terms from the Japanese language, express more than a single concept but provide a variety of ways to think, contemplate and consider and that is critical to the study, practice and application of karate and martial arts. 

Gamen becomes a theory and a philosophy toward the appropriate practice and application of physiokinetics and techniques as in applying principles and methodologies in the fight while maintaining control, of a kind, over the chemical dump so that one stays within the self-defense square. This requires a great deal of discipline, control, endurance, patience and perseverance while denying the monkey any influence that would become an obstacle toward such goals. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Conflict

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Itself resolves the tension between contrasts.   

Its positive and negative aspects, however, are integrated; they can be separated conceptually, but not empirically. 

Just as the universe needs " yin and yang," that is, attractive and repulsive forces, in order to have any form at all, so society too, needs some quantitative ratio of harmony and disharmony, of association and competition, of favorable and unfavorable tendencies. 

Societies only exist when peace and conflict exist - yin-yang.  

Comments: In our modern world we strive hard to push conflict and violence, the kind that makes us uncomfortable, out of our lives and especially out of our minds. This is a mistake because like all things of this Universe there are dualities that must be maintained to exist. In truth if a society is successful in discarding conflict and violence from its culture and beliefs that society will cease to exist. 

Our lives depend on such duality and that includes conflict and violence. Therefore it seems we must once again set the goal of “Balance.” To achieve our goals in life we must embrace conflict and violence as a part of who we are and then find a balance that allows us to evolve and become balanced in all things. 

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Ikken Hissatsu [一拳必殺]

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The characters/ideograms mean, “One fist certain kill.” The first character means, “One,” the second character means, “fist,” the third character means, “Invariably; certain; inevitable,” the fourth character means, “Kill; murder; butcher; slice off; split; diminish; reduce; spoil.”

While the first two characters when set apart from the second pair means, “one fist,” the second pair alone means, “certain kill.” Yet, when all four are set it means, “One fist deadly.” Some other interpretations follow:

“One Fist, Certain Death” “To annihilate at one blow” “one strike, one kill” “Kill with one strike” “One punch kill” “One hit, one kill” 

All the interpretations lead to one accepted belief in the karate communities, i.e., that one is able with sufficient training to kill another human being with one strike or blow or punch or hit, etc. This article expresses my views as to the possibility or impossibility of this ability.

Yes, karate has achieved a reputation of being a very capable system of fighting and in our modern era it also has great potential for self-defense. It has great potential if the practitioners train in an appropriate manner to achieve that goal while in most cases, to date, that is just not true. At least from the auditorium seat where I sit.

I have spent some considerable time studying self-defense and the system of hitting or striking as is practiced in the Okinawan system of karate. It has come to me that the human body was not created to apply such deadly force, i.e., an ability to kill with our bodies. Even when it does it is often a fluke of a particular situation or a result of other than human body such as curbs or other such hard and unmoving obstructions and obstacles that kill, i.e., the human body may have struck another human but if death occurred it was more from say, “Gravity,” pulling the body and head to fall, strike a hard object and result in that person’s death. 

When I was first introduced to the information recently presented and published about hitting someone and being hit by someone especially in a chaotic fight it began to dawn on me that the so-called one strike, one kill meme or maxim was false. Even with karate’s karada-kitae or body hardening that includes makiwara for conditioning the hands and feet the variables that would have to align make the possibility of a killing strike, punch or hit almost impossible (allowing for that one fluke when certain other issues allow a hit to kill, i.e., hit someone who happens to have some medical condition resulting in death when hit, punched or struck (then truthfully, you could not truly say it was the punch but the physical medical issue like with gravity, etc.). 

There are many karate professionals who will refute this claim of mine and will show or demonstrate their perspective by a demonstration of their immense strength, ability to break bricks, etc., and how hard they can hit solid objects like the makiwara and other surfaces. There is a community of body hardening enthusiasts out there who earn a living and a reputation in such demonstrations. When viewed even by experienced karate-ka it would feel, seem and be perceived as the ability to hit someone so hard they would die but in reality this is just not true. 

Ikken Hissatus or one strike, one kill, may be a great meme to impress fledgling students and to motivate practitioners into believing their ability to develop a hard body will equate to having skills to stop an attacker with just one punch (leaving out the killing part altogether).

Even a one hit to stop an attack is rare, most will be unable to accomplish this and it can be seen in competitive sports like boxing, MMA and UFC fighting contests. If this were possible then those professional competitors would be knocking folks out very fast and we know that would not be the exciting events we pay to see, right? 

So many physical and mental things must come together and align while in the chaos of an attack under the adrenal stress conditions induced in violent conflicts that achieving such a lofty goal is reduced by a considerable margin. Even in training under controlled conditions not many can perform to such levels including “Karate Masters.” 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Constructive Criticism

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Criticism, a very destructive trait of humans to criticize another human but often the one criticizing feels they are actually helping others by this personality trait but is that true?

Consider it from the receivers perspective, criticism is often perceived as an expression of disapproval often based on the giver’s perception of faults or mistakes. It is about another human being who makes a snap-judgement or analysis and judgement of the faults of others. Considering this as either a recipient or a presenter, is this a positive thing, i.e., is it kind; is it true; is it necessary. This also brings up the rights of a human to speak their minds, i.e. where they remove the social filters or they never developed social filters where it isn’t about their right to say what they want but questioning whether they “Should” say what they want again by asking themselves is it kind, is it necessary and is it true. 

There are so many problems with assuming one has a higher knowledge and understanding over another especially when the one cannot fathom the mind-set and mind-state along with that persons feelings, perceptions and beliefs to make such a huge decision to criticize.

There are three traits, if you will allow some latitude, humans take on that are, in most cases, toxic both socially and personally, i.e., to be critical of others; to express disgust when communicating with others and to also express contempt when communicating with others. The highest toxic contamination one human can heap on another is a combination of contempt and disgust while expressing criticism. 

Then there is a point of view that constructive criticism is, “Constructive.” Constructive criticism is a process where a person offers (better if asked by the recipient as to advice that may be constructive criticism) a valid and well reasoned opinion using both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than tn oppositional one (criticism with contempt and/or disgust, etc.). A huge question one should add to the, “Is it Kind? Is it Necessary? and Is it True?, is to ask oneself if the “Constructive Criticism” is to improve the outcome. 

For me personally, criticism of a constructive nature should be asked for by me and it should be expressed without add-ons, etc., that are destructive, etc. One should leave out words like, “You,” when discussing issues of concern warranted reasoned opinions that may be perceived as counter to the recipients point of views and beliefs. It should focus on that issue and not the person. 

The Art of Verbal Self-Defense uses a phrase that should keep the criticism neutral and beneficial, i.e., focus on an action separate and away from the person and it must be the type of criticism that can be verified and proven, i.e., emotional rhetoric cannot be verified or proven, etc. 

For example, when someone fails to achieve a goal asked by another the other person may say, “When the dishes are not cleaned properly, it makes me feel disappointed because I have to redo them.” Neutral non-emotional statement of logic without distaste, contempt or disappointment that is not about the other person as will be perceived as a personal attack. It was kind as it was not aimed at the person but to the chore and the object of that chore; it was true if you can see that the dishes are still dirty and it was needed to allow the recipient to see and recognize how it affected the person providing the criticism in an attempt to reach a more positive outcome, i.e., the person expressing the criticism will get recognition on how they feel, the dishes will in all likelihood get cleaned and overall both parties will walk away with a positive outcome. 

Look at it as the GAVSD three part statements, i.e., remember it is a statement and not an accusation, etc., “I feel …; When … describe the behavior or under what conditions you feel this way; Because … explain those conditions or behaviors you feel this way about.” 

Makes sure you avoid “Blaming the recipient.” 

Make sure you are accurate and not hostile in expressing those feelings, etc.

Make sure it is true, it is kind and it is necessary.

Make sure to avoid or minimize making the other person feel guilty, put-down, and resentful.

Make sure you avoid expressing disgust and/or contempt. 

Note: This is an outline and to get the full skinny on GVASD three part statements go to Dr. Suzette Elgin’s books listed in the bibliography and as follows:

Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Self-Defense at Work." New York. Prentice Hall Press. 2000.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Written Self-Defense" MJF Books. 1997

Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995

Elgin, Suzette. "Staying Well with the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." MJF Books. 1990.

The only way to actually present constructive criticism is to make use of the three part statement described but with emphasis that it must first pass the following questions:

Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary? Will it be non-toxic, i.e., critical of the person, be conveyed with disgust and/or contempt and will it be about the issue and not about either party? 

Criticism is one of those things humans use that should be used sparingly and only with the above concepts because more conflicts and psychological attacks occur because of the verbal attacks using criticism, disgust and contempt being directed at someone rather than at an issue. 

If you find yourself using criticism as an everyday, normal, mode of communications and if you also find that your attitude comes from disgust and/or contempt it is going to end badly, for you. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

p.s. There is no such thing as "Constructive Criticism of a Person," there is only valid criticism of issues. Even when there are issues one should criticize only sparingly. This is absolutely critical. 

Temperament -n- Personality -n- Character

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

How our temper men effects how we handle conflict? Is it one of those defining factors Sensei of old used unconsciously to determine a students nature in learning karate and martial arts?

Is this more a Japanese thing in okinawa's attempt toward assimilation and acceptance they sought when assessing potential students?

Was the teaching of Ti more about teaching select persons who lived in the sensei's village and the relationship as village members similar to tribe survival group dynamics, etc.?

Would the Shi-kata model have been assimilated by the Okinawan natives as far back as the 1600's occupation by the Japanese samurai?

It should be noted that, as far as my personal studies would indicate, the Okinawans would only assimilate and adopt those socially driven constructs if they benefited from them and felt they were worth while even while under the sword of the occupiers. As to being under the sword it also appears that they actually took the logical course when the Japanese came to conquer in the 1600’s because they still had their ways as a dominant social construct. 

As you are already aware, temperment is about a person’s nature, especially as that nature pertains to their behavior, i.e., as in their disposition, character, personality, mind and spirit, etc. 

When a Sensei of old would consider a prospective student to learn his system or style they often wanted to see that person’s personality, i.e., temperment, under action and helps explain why stories about prospective students performing seemingly useless chores, etc. around the dojo. It was a means by which the sensei could observer over time how that person’s temperment handled certain tests. 

Sensei today don’t necessarily test out the personalities of a student but to teach one should try to ascertain the students temperment where the way sense teaches can be geared toward things like the student as to being an introvert vs. an extrovert. As I continue trying to understand the complexities of the temperment as to how that is a part of our personalities and by its action produces one’s character we can get a hint as to how we can train them toward maximum productivity.

Other aspects that are “Tells” to the temperment and personality of an individual are optimism, short-tempered or irritable, analytical and quiet, relaxed or peaceful and so on where these traits combine to make up that persons temperment therefore personality and overall their character. 

A person who trains in karate and martial arts with a trait of being optimistic tends to have a trait toward confidence and positive, cheerful and bright mind-state as with minimal, in comparison to other effort levels, encouragement will prosper, learn and grow in these disciplines while a person who lacks optimism and leans toward pessimism will find reasons to doubt themselves and look to the lesser or worst aspects of training, practice, application and growth.

Know such aspects of a person allows sensei to evaluate the forms of training and practice best suited to that persons ability to learn, absorb and most of all understand in all levels of psychological, physical and spiritual. 

When you begin to discern aspects of individual temperment in their personalities you get hints and clues as to how to maximize their learning and understanding but even more important the fun they can have overcoming struggles, obstacles and growing pains of karate and martial arts, i.e., the trials and tribulations of learning a discipline that fosters, builds and creates a greater psychological, physical and spiritual self that will benefit the person and their lives in the social constructs of their personal belief systems. 

This is just another understanding as to the difficulties of teaching but more importantly the responsibilities a teacher, Sensei, assumes when they step in front of a group of students. 

Bibliography (Click the link)