Heart, Faith and Steel » warrior

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).

The Bells Were Ringing

Joe — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:00:26 +0000

The martial arts are about living (not dying). We study the arts of protecting our friends, family and ourselves from those who would harm us; but equal in importance we are studying how to live, grow and foster the same in those around us.

So, (on Saturday, April 24, 2010) when one of the members of our group was getting married, it was obvious that many of us would be attending. Bill and his beautiful wife, Geovanna, had a wonderful sunny day and awesome wedding! Congratulations!

Per cent’anni!

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.”

Saturday May 1 Workshop overview

Joe — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:30:14 +0000

On many occasions, I get email from people interested in joining our Bujinkan Dojo training. Some occasions are specifically about attending a Saturday workshop and how that differs from a regular class. So, I decided to present here an overview of our May 1, 2010 session:

1. Explanation and demonstration of Bojutsu reiho. Standing and seated versions.

2. Description of the length and type of wood used in crafting a real rokushakubo (six foot staff). Also, detailed explanation on how to craft a padded training rokushakubo, jo (tsue) and hanbo. Recommendation that all students craft their own training version so they can have it available at class from May through September.

3.How to grip the staff: the floating grip, sliding the staff along the hips and allowing it to “snake out” at the opponent.

4. Moving the staff from posture or twirl to position for striking.

5. Shiho furi gata. All directional twirl. Practice this regularly for a few weeks so you get the knack of it.

6. Understand that our art physically emphasizes Taijutsu (circa 40%), Kenjutsu (20%), Bojutsu (20%) and all other weapons (20%). Additioanlly, much of our early years of training should stress 80% physical and 20% mental while after about 20 years that changes to something like 40% physical and 60% mental.

7. Proper hand positioning and movement while thrusting (tsuki) the staff.

8. Understanding and applying a sinking motion (bending of the knees) to create a strong foundation for the strike.

9. Recommendation of a book to read: Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams.

10. Waza. Rokushaku Bo Shiho furi gata to tsuki. Tori to understanding the transition and making it seemless so as not to allow openings for the opponent to attack. Uke practices how to use his sword to invite attack, then deflect or guard against the staff thrust.

11. Sempai – Kohai relationship and how it applies to dojo, learning and fostering a positive training enviroment.

12. Waza. Uke begins in Daijodan no kamae and then cuts shomen giri.
Tori (person receiving the attack) begins in Seigan no kamae while creating an opening for the Uke. You step left foot to left side as left elbow raises slightly to begin uke nagashi. His cut is guarded and deflected toward your right as you continue your flow to deliver a left kote strike to his outer right arm. Continue to move on your forward left diagonal as you cut across his torso. (kotsu: lower your center of gravity when striking, keep proper distance, move in proper timing and keep a guard).

13. Waza. Uke right punch.
Tori begins in Ichimonji no kamae and receives attack with Jodan Uke Nagashi. Migite shuto to his inner right wrist as you left step to your left diagonal. Study: Timing, Distance, Angling and Flow.

14. Waza. Uke right punch.
Tori begins in Ichimonji no kamae and receives attack with Jodan Uke (guard, not striking). Migite clasp hand… as left leg steps on diagonal, right hand uses timing to apply omote gyaku with your body motion rather than strength. Study: Timing, Distance, Angling and Flow.

15. Discussed a variety of topics during our after workshop chat (local seminars, current movies, books and DVDs by Hatsumi-soke, and the nature of the many “ninja” people advertising on the internet.

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!

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

Moti Nativ Interview

Joe — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:00:38 +0000

Moti Nativ has been involved in martial arts since the mid-1960s and in Bujinkan since 1975. He has taught martial arts since 1979 including: Self-defense (Krav-maga), Judo and Budo Taijutsu. As a Feldenkrais teacher, Moti specializes in seminars for martial artists with a unique course for improving the Warrior Ability.

Over the past 10 years Moti has specialized in the traditional kata of the Bujinkan Schools and in performing the Shingen-gata. Retired Colonel from the Israeli Defense Forces.

Here’s a subtitled interview with him:

The Best You Can Be

Joe — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:00:34 +0000

Many new students judge themselves and their abilities against other people in their class. I can understand this line of thought. It’s like two people doing the same job but with one getting paid much more than the other. It doesn’t seem right.

Often, the fact of the matter is that while both have the same title, one may go the extra distance. You don’t know how many times I have seen students complain that someone started training months after them, but that person is now passing them in rank.

This is a tale of two students. One young man and one young woman. The young man began training two years ago, the woman began training about 14 months ago.

The young man, we’ll call him George, attended class weekly trying to learn lessons as they came. Every once in a while he would ask his seniors a question or two, try out the lessons at home and, when possible, attend a second class during the week. He enjoyed the training, even if some days the lesson eluded him. His goal was to advance in rank and attain a black belt.

The young woman, we’ll call her Susan, also enjoyed class. She joined to learn how to protect herself but found that the training offered her more. She came to every class that was offered, sometimes even when she was sick. Arriving at the dojo, she bowed at the entrance and immediately started stretching. Class started and she listened intently and asked questions when appropriate. Her goal was simple – learn something new every class and try to move more smoothly than she did at the previous class.

It was very apparent to all the students and instructors that Susan was moving more smoothly each week, though she didn’t see her own progress so clearly. She received several ranks and, in truth, was moving well along. As time passed, George seemed bogged down in his own thoughts. He missed more classes than ever and his steam was running out. He seemed destined to quit.

My story is similar to George’s. There are people ranked higher than me who haven’t been training nearly as long. While that may cause a moment’s pause, I usually shrug it off. Their rank is a reflection of THEIR journey – not mine. It doesn’t matter to me in the least.

There’s an old martial arts proverb that says “With one eye fixed on the destination there is only one left to guide you along the journey.” If you’re going to learn, you have to free your mind of desire and let the lesson be the guide.

David Carradine & Kwai Chang Caine

Joe — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:00:59 +0000

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.

If you think you might like to own the DVD:
[amtap amazon:asin=B00013F38K]

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.