Heart, Faith and Steel » Budo

Ninja and Assassin

Joe — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:00:14 +0000

I recently saw two ninja movies that came out last year and though both were entertaining, neither was very good. So, here’s my review:

Ninja (2009): Age old story, boy meets girl in ninja school, they bond. Rival ninja student hates boy does bad things and gets a tabi boot to the butt. Rival student returns to make everyone regret the day…

Ninja Assassin (2009): Age old story, boy meets girl in ninja school, they bond. Rival ninja student kills girl. Boy escapes and returns to make everyone regret the day…

So, I’m glad I didn’t pay theater prices ($10 per flick) to see them… Instead i borrowed them from my local library (free).

Tick-ing

Joe — Sat, 15 May 2010 19:46:59 +0000

It’s a guilty pleasure but I have always enjoyed the Tick comic book and animated TV show… Then the Live Action show made it to FOX and I thought, “What are the odds?” And, it too, was good. So if you can, check it out:

This is just darn funny:

This one was one of my favorite scenes:

So, go read a (comic) book!

The power of zero

Joe — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:30:35 +0000

It’s not form or technique, it’s the koppo. It’s the whole body. It’s the power of zero. Don’t hit or strike. Play in the space. — Hatsumi-soke

Recently, a friend asked me to voice my thoughts on the quote above. here’s what I wrote back:

We always think of “koppo” in terms of bone attacks but a few years ago, Hatsumi-soke explained that koppo has a deeper meaning. My simple understanding of Koppo is knack (“skillful means”). So, koppo is letting go of the form and intent; moving naturally to effect others within “their” movements.

Additionally, soke often speaks and demos how we shouldn’t think of hitting the opponent, but move in ways that cause imbalance (loss of stability in body/mind) in the opponent.

For me a really “cool” non-martial way of explaining this is:
“A boozer looking for a fight walks into a bar. His attitude is plastered all over his face and body… Jackie [Chan], sitting in a chair, turns the chair and the boozer goes flipping over Jackie’s leg smacking his head on a table and falling unconscious.”

But as another friend of mine used to say, “Of course, I might have it all wrong.”

Daikomyosai 2009 DVD

Joe — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:00:27 +0000

Like many of my buyu, I am eagerly awaiting the latest release of Quest Video’s Bujinkan DVD line: Daikomyosai 2009. Having been there during the filming, I know from experience that it’s a must have for all Bujinkan shidoshi.

Follow this link to watch a clip on YouTube.

Moti Nativ – NYC Jan 6, 2010

Joe — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:45:23 +0000

Moti Nativ in NYC for one night only.

Muishiki: Warrior’s Awareness

On January 6, 2010 from 7:00-10:00pm, Moti Nativ will offer us a chance to see warrior lessons through the eyes of some one training in the Bujinkan for 35 years. Please consider attending and show your support and respect for this true Bujinkan shihan.

Dojo members should grab a seminar flier from me!

Moti: Think knifely

Joe — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:47 +0000

Moti Nativ, shihan

So, I have been a bit busy with work and traveling to Japan for Daikomyosai (more on that in another upcoming post). But upon my return, I was very pleased to hear that an old buyu (warrior friend) will be visiting the NYC area on January 6 (Wednesday) for a night class. That warrants a quick note here on the blog.

When Moti was last in the NY area, he offered a wonderful night class that fueled weeks of practice and talks for us at the Bujinkan New York Dojo.

If you aren’t aware, Moti Nativ is head of Bujinkan Israel and former Chairman of the Israeli presidium of the International Budo Academy. He has been in martial arts since 1966 and in the Bujinkan since 1975. Moti has taught martial arts since 1979 including: Self-defense (Krav-maga), Judo and Budo Taijutsu. Over the past 10 years Moti has specialized in the traditional kata of the Bujinkan Schools and in performing the Shinken-gata. Moti is also an internationally-known Feldenkrais teacher, and he specializes in seminars for martial artists. Moti is a Retired Colonel from the Israeli Defense Forces and Judan Kugyo in Bujinkan.

If you are interested in quality instructors and his powerful lessons, I highly recommend attending this event.

Good for a Hearty Laugh

Joe — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:04 +0000

John Pinette “France & Italy”:

Seagal. Lawman. TV.

Joe — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:41 +0000

Around 1988, I first saw Steven Seagal in Above the Law and thought, “Cool.” His movies got better, before they got worse… I think his last good movie was Under Seige.

Over the years, we have heard some negative things about his personality… however, he remains outspoken about Native American and Tibetan rights.

But now, he’s making a return to TV with a reality show called: Steven Seagal Lawman. I’m not sure how I feel about this.

http://www.aetv.com/steven-seagal-lawman/

Warrior. Legend. Tony Jaa!

Joe — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:04:59 +0000

There’s a new movie being released starring Tony Jaa called Ong Bak 2: The Beginning. The trailer looks really great, and if you have seen his other movies, you know that this (I do all my own stunts) martial artist is great!

Ong Bak 2

Milkman versus Mailman

Joe — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:00:27 +0000

Sometimes, there are these little clips on YouTube that make you laugh. This is one gave me a nig smile, so I thought I’d share.