Martial Arts Ethics
It comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me and who chances to read any of my essays or articles that I am...
The Effectiveness of Taiji in Combat
In my previous articles, Earning a Black Belt and The Sparring Dilemma, I discussed how mastery of the martial arts involves learning how to...
Giri: Rising to the Occasion
There are a number of Japanese words that have found their way into the American vernacular through the martial arts. One of the concepts...
The Sociology of Martial Themes
What if there was a way to describe martial arts in a whole new light? My perspective may change how think about styles and systems, irrespective of tradition.
Haiku for Miyamoto Musashi
Dedicated to the Book of Five Rings
one hundred haiku
Musashi your voice is mine
I am your wisdom
In this brief volume I have created a series of...
Judo and Education
Over a century ago, Japanese jujutsu men from various ryu or schools, often competed against one another and sometimes fought boxers and wrestlers in...
HONOR in Judo and in Life
Virtue is the fount whence honor springs. ~ Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)
A salient feature of the samurai’s code of conduct was honor. Usually regarded as...
Draw Him A Cat
A rich man, fond of felines, asked a famous Zen ink painter to draw him a cat. The master agreed and asked the man...
Stay Resolute, Calm and Confident Against Your Adversary
It has been my experience in life that, with a few notable exceptions, whenever a bully is confronted with a resolute calm, confident adversary,...
Knowledge and Judgement in the Martial Arts
Knowledge and judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from good or bad judgment regarding life situations, which leads to evolution over time. That’s how...
Traditional Battles Effectiveness
Traditional Martial Arts Versus Reality Fighting
Back in the 1970s when I began kickboxing, I had to explain to people what that sport was. They...
Realistic and Practical Martial Art
If a system is a practical martial art, it must be lean, simple and incorporate natural movement. Complex techniques are nice for demonstration but...
Martial Arts And The Freedom To Play
Freedom to Play is vital to my enjoyment of martial arts.
You might find this is a puzzling, challenging, or controversial statement.
I know that many...
Renshi, Shihan, Hanshi (Oh My)
There are teachers, sensei and masters out there in every shape size and variety. They teach some of anything and everything an aspiring martial...
Thou shall not kill . . .
You have heard the commandment, "Thou shall not kill." With few exceptions, however, most major modern translations, and all Jewish translations of the original...
The Courage of Self: Be Who You Are and Strive To Become Your Best
Be who you are and strive to become your best with that as a foundation. With a good foundation there’s no limit to what you...
