Karate vs. Martial Art

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In my most recent posting, articles, I have begun to use, “Karate and Martial Art” to separate karate from the martial arts. It then gave rise to the question I answer in todays article, “Why separate karate from martial arts, aren’t they the same?

In the beginnings of my studies of karate I, like many, made and accepted the assumption that karate was a  martial art but in the last decade or so I have contemplated karate as a martial art and my studies led me to finally accept the fact that karate is NOT a martial art. 

As my continued research discovered more of the history of karate and with the theories and understandings of others who practice karate and martial arts with a traditional or what some call a “Koryu” sense, I came to my conclusion.

First, karate was born from the ancient practice of hand defense some believe is called, “Ti (pronounced tea).” Ti was an indigenous form of defense practiced on the island of Okinawa and its practitioners may or may not have been few and of a higher class of its society - that part is and will be a contested historical nature.

Second, Ti was also considered by the military presence of the Okinawans as a prerequisite to weapons training and there are tidbits of information from a concerted historical documentation of Okinawan history that states there were places, open ground, that clearly was found to be used to train in Ti so that its practitioners could and would move up to the weapons training necessary to protect the island but more importantly the ships used in their commercial trade efforts. Like any military, there is always an empty-handed or hand-to-hand component because there is always a chance Ti or the empty-handed discipline would, but not very often, be necessary in a combat situation. It can be theorized that even in close quarter combat with swords that their training and ability with Ti could be used in tandem with sword play and so on.

One could argue that Ti as a prerequisite makes it a martial art but in general since it was used as a means for civil defense by guards, etc., on the island it still mostly falls to civil defense. It is not actually a required discipline used in combat, that is what weapons are for but still, it is possible. I would suggest and I believe it is a civil thing rather than martial because in a nutshell its lack of significant presence in historical military or social renderings it is only mentioned in passing. I also take into consideration that the more ancient martial artists considered it a play toy vs. an actual combative tool for military conflicts. 

Third, then we come to the modern version of Ti or what became also known as Toudi, karate. Karate actually came into the forefront of practice of the Okinawans and in the late 1800’s and then 1900’s the Japanese but for certain socially driven political war effort reasons.

The Japanese, even in the 1800’s-1900’s were still war like and with their superior attitudes started to expand themselves to China and other Asian societies, etc. One of the significant events of those times was the writing and publication of the book, Bushido. As many modern articles and theories indicates this book and the subject of Bushido didn’t really have strong ties to the ancient practices of the feudal era where samurai, warriors and the conflicts and violence involved bushido really didn’t exist and if it did it was more or less insignificant. What was more significant was the practice and requirements of that practice of Zen Buddhism but that is another whole article. 

The Japanese needed to find a way to prepare and convince the Japanese people that war was good, necessary and of the right mind-set. The publishing of the Bushido concepts fell right into their needs and plans. Then the effort to incorporate practices into their society, including the Okinawans, they found that karate, while not a martial art, could become a prerequisite to being a willing warrior for the Japanese cause, i.e., karate was implemented into the educational system.  When karate, then actually translated as China Hand, was first introduced to the Japanese it may have been seen as a means to instill that form of bushido or military willing attitude into their youth, via the educational systems. The person who demonstrated China Hand then changed it to Empty Hand simply because that made it more malleable to Japanese acceptance - especially the military.  

Karate was accepted and then instituted into the Educational system along with other martial arts. It was also allowed, possibly directly but I sense more indirectly to be under the heading of Japanese Martial Arts. Karate, even with the changes but especially with the changes necessary to make it acceptable to the education of the younger peoples of Japan and Okinawa became even less martial by its watering down, etc. hiding its true nature as a defensive fighting system. 

When coupled with the possible propaganda oriented education toward a more warrior like mind-set and mind-state it was made acceptable and easy to label as a martial art. Labeling it or placing it under the heading of martial art also worked to the advantage of the Japanese in conditioning the young adults toward acceptance of a military war like mind-set ergo how karate first became understood as a martial art when in truth it was still a civil defense system.

My view here is more toward its historical beginnings as a traditional civil defensive system and my effort is to bring my practice up to speed so that my practice of karate will be more of a self-defense civil discipline ergo the creation of principles that fit with the fundamental principles of multiple methodologies for defense. 

While I am at it, this is also why I have changed my reference to principles from, “Fundamental Principles of Martial Disciplines” to “Fundamental principles of multiple methodologies for self-defense or defense.” My karate, as I aim for in training and practice, is to focus on the underlying fundamental principles as applied toward the use of multiple defensive methodologies for self-defense in a modern society in which I live. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

p.s. also, just because it is indiscriminately used and labeled as a martial art does not make it so like an accepted use of a new term would be added to a dictionary. If this were acceptable then we would have to change the true meaning of martial art, combat and warrior - not true or going to happen just because it fits our agenda. Now, I accept that this may be an issue with my view and belief as stated above. That is the nature of this game. 

Folding the Karate/MA Uniform

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A question arose about the formalized folding of the karate uniform as it may or may not relate to “Do (Doah) or the Way.” It was postulated from photos and theories that folding the uniform may have more significance other than ritual or etiquette. 

Is it a Japanese Budo thing? Does the folded uniform staged in front of Okinawan masters have some significance? The answer for me comes from a ritualistic model of cultural influences that originate with the Japanese concept of “Shikata.” 

Shikata Articles: 

Kata Origins

Kata and Shikata Connection

Kata - Shido

Sitting and Moving

What I have come to understand about all the etiquettes of karate and martial arts dojo are that they DO NOT come from or are INDICATIVE to those disciplines but are merely adopted from the every day social norms of the culture. It is our perceptions and limited understandings that give us the impressions and perceptions that such things are karate and martial arts oriented etiquettes and we therefore assume that those social practices are an intricate part of the study of karate and martial arts - not so, not true and not reality. 

Since the Japanese developed the shikata concept there is absolutely nothing taught or done that does not have a kata, or format, that drives how it is done. This is a concept that has made products of all kinds the best the world has seen. It was this shikata concept that allowed the Japanese to take products that at one time were considered here as junk and transform them into an artistic and top notch product that has stormed the world of commercialism. 

As you do research you will find effects of shikata even in the way the jacket of the karate uniform, i.e., that is representative of the style of jacket used in kimono, where folding the left side over the right has significance and is socially driven, not martially driven (yep, you can look that one up yourself cause I ain’t given that one here).

Bibliography (Click the link)

p.s. Ritual is an important - ritual. Taking up the socially driven shikata model with all the etiquette often found in the dojo has benefits. 

Speculations and Assumptions

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I have a friend who tends to avoid hearing about things one speculates and assumes on any subject matter but I want them to understand the making speculations on events and situations along with making assumptions as a result is normal and an intricate part of being human. 

Speculation an essential tool in assessing risk. The opposite to speculation is assumption. When we speculate we are working in our minds the what, when, where, how and of course the why of the event or situation so we may file it away for future reference just in case we become involved is said event or situation or some event or situation similar to the one we speculated about and made assumptions on. 

To assess anything provides us instinctual and insightful information from knowledge, experience and training so that we can also make decisions toward appropriate actions especially as it would apply to conflict and violence. Even if we train things, those things in all likelihood will not be in the same form when encountered in other situations especially in real life situations regarding almost anything but in conflicts and with violence especially. 

This is critical especially when encountering the unknown in sometimes unexpected situations we have not experienced making reality-based adrenal stress-conditioned training a critical component of self-defense as well for the physical model used for that defense. In short, we need speculations and assumptions to learn and therefore survive, it is the way of human-kind. At least to my perceptions, theories, understanding and belief - at least until someone provides proof of something better and more correct. 

It is how I see things when the traffic slows to a crawl when passing by an accident, the are all eyeballing the situation, speculation as to how it was caused and why then they are speculation the condition of those involved as to injuries or even death. They are running a variety possible scenarios in their head as to what happened, how it happened and why it happened. All assumptions based on possibly nothing or based on past experience in an accident or based on information and understandings from life experiences to include media driven reports on such events. They they speculate as to how they could have avoided that same situation and that is based on assumptions that seemingly come from nowhere or from experience and knowledge based on whether they completed a defensive driving program, etc. 

No one can remove that instinctual urge to speculate about events that occur around us especially when they involve danger, possible danger and possible to actual threats that would violate our personal safety and health. The same applies to making assumptions to those speculative ideas and theories used to act accordingly. 

I suggest that when one decides that speculation and assumptions are negative and not necessary and who try to avoid using speculation and assumption are actually avoiding the subject of that speculation and assumptions because it makes them feel uncomfortable, fearful and out of control. It is not actually the use of speculation to make assumptions but a fear of not being in control and not knowing because they have to have the answers or they don’t feel in control and therefore experience fear and so on. 

To achieve a greater or the greatest odds of hitting the nail on the head when using speculation and when making assumptions you need to seek out knowledge, understand that knowledge and how it applies to life, i.e., events and situations in life, and that helps our brains to seek out, manipulate and make use of the knowledge base we encode in our mind through such effort to learn, accumulate knowledge, gain experience both real and academic and finally to apply that when we speculate and assume in any given situation and about any given event within the situation and at any given moment. 

Education, understanding and experience are the most critical aspects of life necessary for speculation and the art of making assumptions especially for self-defense against conflict and violence. The three are core to acquiring data necessary to make speculation and assumptions work as the essential tool in assessing risk and when you assess risk you provide the way toward avoidance, etc. 

Trying to avoid the use of such critical survival tools is tantamount to losing your sight and going deaf. Would you want to deal with violence in that state? Another very important point on this subject, it is also critical once you speculate and assume an answer, response or fix you must validate it and verify its relevance, etc. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

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. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

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. 

Bibliography (Click the link)