Kwai Chang Caine was one of the heroes of my youth and it isn’t easy for me to adequately express how I felt, moments ago, when I read the notice of David Carradine’s death.
I’d like to share a clip from one of the scene’s of the TV series Kung Fu that defined the martial arts in the 1970s.
I was very fond of David Carradine; I watched many of the TV shows and movies he was in… Some were good and some terrible. But I think that Caine/Carradine will be with me for a long time.
About two weeks ago, I went to a late night showing of Star Trek (2009) with my brother-in-law, Ed. Ed is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet and my favorite big screen partner. When we walked out, his first statement was, “I liked Kirk’s father best.” And I agreed. The movie had me in the first 10 minutes with the introduction of kirk’s father.
Now, I wounldn’t say I’m a trekkie (trekker, whatever), but I would say I’m a fan of the series. I loved that the original series was multi-cultural and that it showed a united Earth, with galactic friends traveling the universe. “Wagon Train to the Stars,” is how Gene Roddenberry originally pitched the show to network executives. So, back in the day I watched shows like Star Trek, The Wild, Wild West, Kung Fu and many others that all showed their heroes in “western” settings.
Ok… I know that all you really want to know was whether it’s good or not. So here’s my review:
I liked it. It wasn’t the Star Trek, I grew up with… and I do understand why they had to make changes. The franchise needs younger actors with the freedom to grow and fresh stories that the public will embrace. Not sure exactly why Kirk turned out to be a bit of an asshole, (new) Spock is a bit emo and McCoy is the only character that I don’t think they changed at all.
So, I went to the movie expecting them (production company) to utterly destroy my childhood dream show, but instead they tweaked it a bit. I look forward to seeing the next one with my son!
Here’s a funny clip to watch while you decide whether to shell out $11 bucks to see it in the theater or wait a couple of months and pay $20 to own the DVD.
The Book of Five Rings (Gorin No Sho) is a text on Japanese sword skills (kenjutsu) and, to some degree, the martial arts in general. Believed to be written by Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645, it is a classic book on warrior strategy (heiho).
There are at least a dozen different translations of this work… many focusing on a broader audience than just martial artists. In the 1980s and early 1990s it was an often quoted, must read, by business executives for adaptation to the workplace.
Since first reading a copy in the early 1980s, I have read several English editions, and portions of both Italian and Japanese versions. If you enjoy swordsmanship, swordplay or if you are a martial artist, I recommend this edition:
Yesterday, I was trying to be a funny by emailing a friend that I really wanted to be at hombu (Noda, Japan) this week, but the drive long drive would probably make me late… So how far a drive? I went to google maps, entered the data and there it was, a little over 9,500 miles. But it also offered me directions. For a smile, click on the “B” in the map below, then click on “Get Directions” and read through them.
Question: I’m a member of a Bujinkan Dojo, but sadly for many reasons I haven’t been able to attend in some time; still I’m in constant contact with fights here and there and I have come to realize that no one uses the lunge punch against me. It’s hard for me to use what the Bujinkan taught me… Still I use it and it’s quite effective, but this is not a question about the punch itself but about defending against regular punches (boxing style?)… Any thoughts?
Answer: Bruce Lee is quoted as saying, “Before I learned martial arts, a punch was just a punch and a kick was just a kick. When I studied martial arts, a punch was no longer just a punch and a kick was no longer just a kick. Now I understand martial arts, and a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick.”
So, a punch is a punch, a kick is a kick. Whether you practice against a lunge punch, cross punch, etc. doesn’t really matter. In the Bujinkan we prefer to focus on learning how to control distance, timing and balance. If we control the distance, then an opponent’s strike can never reach us. If we control the timing, then the opponent is always a moment too late. If we control the balance (maintaining our own, while unbalancing our opponent), then the opponent is unable to launch another attack.
Most important, is to try and understand why these outbursts (fights) seem to be occurring. Learning to control the distance, timing and balance of a situation BEFORE it becomes a fight is very important. Please, consider returning to your training soon.
This was the first small press Bujinkan book ever authorized by Hatsumi-soke. Translated by an amazing team of budoka lead by Joe Maurantonio, shidoshi. You can buy it by clicking on the book below:
Shadow Warrior
The Shadow Warrior highlights Darryl Caldwell's insight on the early years of ninja art and culture in America. Surviving the bruises, flashing blades, and dizzying mental shifts, he emerged as one of the first black belt teachers outside of Japan.
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