Weekend Kobudo Training

On Saturday October 26^th, Jason and I took off early in the morning and made a drive up to Northfield, Michigan to the Weapons Connection Dojo of Peter Carbone Sensei. We had a great day of training on BO Kihon Buri, Kihon Gata, Tonfa Kihon Buri, and then we worked on the Tanbo. After training we went out to dinner with Mr. Carbone, Mrs. Carbone and his student from India, Latheef.

No I didn’t take any pictures of the trip and Jason and I talked about the fact that we were both so busy working the material that neither of us really thought about it.

Remembrance

Yesterday was the 60th Anniversary of the passing of Goju-Ryu Karate Founder; Miyagi Chojun Sendai.

Yesterday, I did something that I do not normally do, I stayed home sick from work, I just did not feel well at all. However, I still managed to go to the dojo and practice the four kata developed by Miyagi Sensei. Sanchin Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ichi, Gekisai Dai Ni and Tensho.

Every year on Miyagi Sensei birthday and the anniversary of his death, I try to remember him and dedicate my practice to him. I never meet him, as he had passed away before I was ever born, but as the founder of the karate that I practice, I feel that it is important to pay homage to such a great man.

After 60 years since his passing, there are hundreds of thousands of people practicing the karate of this man, I wonder how many of them took the time to remember him.

MJ

Small Rant

A long time ago, knowing martial arts meant learning how to defend yourself on the street or on the battlefield; but not anymore. Methods that were originally developed to kill your enemy before they killed you have been watered down into either nonsense, daycare centers, or into sports that are fun to play. Modern karate has become a sport, using techniques which win championships at competitions, where rules and regulations prohibit the use of real, effective techniques. Don't get me wrong. I love marital arts. I continue to train in many martial arts but most martial arts do not address the key elements of proper self-defense. It is only training and conditioning method for self-defense. In real life there are simply no rules, regulations, or referees that are required in a combative sport, when you are being attacked in the street there will be no referee present, who shouts 'STOP' and those elements are not going to be there when someone is trying to kill you in a dark alley or even your own home.

I truly hope that no one ever finds themselves in a situation where you need to use your martial arts training to defend yourself, only to find out it didn't work.

You have to incorporate the often forgotten and neglected reality aspects of the martial art that karate was once intended to be, sometimes you have to stop drinking the kool-aide and take responsibility for your own training.

MJ