Awesome photo shared on Darryl Vidal's Facebook page by Matt Kerbyson.
(No info was given on the date or location.)
Oct 31, 2018
Pat Morita !
Awesome photo shared on Darryl Vidal's Facebook page by Matt Kerbyson.
(No info was given on the date or location.)
Oct 30, 2018
Fudoshin
The Concept of Immovability
(by Christopher Caile fightingarts.com)
Fudo is a Japanese term often used in Buddhism, especially in Zen and Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyo) to represent a mental state -- one of immovability, not physically or literally, but in mind, one that is not captured, or moved, or dwells, or loiters on a thought or in a focus - a total unobstructed awareness and focus on everything, thus not moving with, or fixed upon something (limited by a focused attention).
In the martial arts the character "shin," meaning spirit, heart or will, is often added to the root "fudo" to become "fudoshin," a term meaning calm spirit, even when faced with danger, without fear or confusion, that does not dwell or become fixed on anything. This was the highest attainment of spiritual skill only attainable when the mind is totally focused on the totality of sensory input and free of thoughts and emotions - detached but aware and present. A related term "mushin" also is often used to mean "without mind" (not occupied by thought or emotion).
Using the "fudo" root, other related terms include "fudo-chi," meaning immovable spirit or wisdom that can't be influenced, or confused, "fudotai" or immovable body, and "fudoshise" or immovable stance and "fudo-dachi" or "immovable stance" also sometimes referred to as a "preparation stance" (as in the initial and final stance in kata, one that allows the participant freedom of movement and action in any direction).
Many Japanese Samurai practiced Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyo), especially revering the deity Fudo Myo-o. They saw themselves as guardians of order in a nation besieged with disorder just as Fudo Myo-o served as a guardian of Buddhism. Fudo Myo-o also represented the highest attainment of the Samurai state of mind -- the mind that does not move, and the body that is not unsettled even when surrounded by danger. Because of this reverence, statues and brushed images of this deity were very popular. Images of Fudo Myo-o also often adorned samurai armor and weapons.
The concept of "Fudo" is also important to martial artists. The famous Zen priest Takuan in his famous three part treatise titled "Fudochi Shinmyoroku" ("The Mysterious Records of Immovable Wisdom") identifies Fudo-Myo-o attributes as they apply to Japanese (Samurai) swordsmanship. He notes the Fudo Myo-o's grasp of the sword in his right hand, his body standing firmly with mind immovable (detached and not distracted), looking at something but not stopping the mind during a flow of action or combat. He warned the Samurai against stopping the mind on a particular object, emotion or thought, noting that such stopping clutters (stops) the mind, something that curtailed the performance of technique.
The most famous Japanese swordsman known today is Miyemoto Masashi. He too was influenced by Fudo Myo-o. "Fudo" and its derivative concepts (noted above) represent a central concept in Masashi's strategy of combat (that reflect Takuan's tenets), ideas he later encapsulated in his famous text on strategy, "The Book of Five Rings.
Even today many martial artists use Zazen (seated Zen meditation), chants (some derived from Esoteric Buddhism), and other to clear, fortify and purify the mind. Standing and/or meditating under a cold waterfall is another similar practice. Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, is famous for this practice (which he termed Misogi) of ritual purification.
It should be noted, however, that in modern times most martial artists who use these practices do so to enhance their mental and spiritual discipline, and to clarity their awareness and mind, ends that are separate from any religion or religious doctrine.
Modern martial artists also express similar concepts of the immovable mind. Mas Oyama (founder of Kyokushinkai karate and one of my first karate teachers), for example, used to tell me that the ideal karate mind is that of a person who could walk through a burning building without fear -- a very Fudo Myo-o image.
Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura (founder of Seido Karate and my current karate teacher) has said that a true karate-ka must be present in the now, the present moment, totally absorbed in action, mind void of distraction (thought or emotion) and spirit supreme.
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http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=60
Oct 29, 2018
Oct 28, 2018
Oct 24, 2018
Oct 23, 2018
A ronin life
A short Ronin life, a long list of bloody deeds, a force of nature.
from the Samurai Tears tumblr page
Oct 21, 2018
The Seven Spears of Shizugatake
The Seven Spears of Shizugatake (賤ヶ岳の七本槍 Shizugatake no shichi-hon-yari) were mounted bodyguards for Toyotomi Hideyoshi at the battle of Shizugatake in 1583. At the decisive moment in the battle, Hideyoshi ordered them to leave the position and charge at the opposing army of Katsuie Shibata. After Hideyoshi gained control of Japan, many of the members were promoted to Daimyō.
The Seven Spears of Shizugatake were the following Samurai:
Fukushima Masanori (1561–1624)
Hirano Nagayasu (1559–1628)
Kasuya Takenori (1562–1607)
Katagiri Katsumoto (1556–1615)
Katō Kiyomasa (1562–1611)
Katō Yoshiaki (1563–1631)
Wakizaka Yasuharu (1554–1626)
Fukushima, Katō Kiyomasa and Katō Yoshiaki were given large benefices by Hideyoshi, 240,000 Koku in Owari Province, 195,000 Koku in Higo Province and 100,000 Koku in Iyo Province, respectively. Rest of the members remained as a small retainer of some thousands Koku.
At the Battle of Sekigahara and Siege of Osaka, all betrayed Toyotomi Hideyori, the son of Hideyoshi, and took the part of Tokugawa Ieyasu. After the foundation of the Tokugawa shogunate, they or their successors were ousted from their territories, except Hirano.
Oct 19, 2018
My eyes
My eyes have seen into the souls of an uncountable number of victims. I am my own spirit animal.
Oct 18, 2018
Oct 17, 2018
Oct 15, 2018
Oct 13, 2018
Bathed in blood
check out this Antony Cummins video for a little explanation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M36NStS-Lqc
Oct 11, 2018
The original Ninja Warrior
I was so into this, the original Ninja Warrior (known as Sasuke in Japan) which used to be aired on the old cable channel G4.
G4 was awesome, on Saturdays they had "Movies for guys who like movies" which usually consisted of action movies from the 80's.
When they would do their Ninja Warrior marathons I was glued to the TV.
Good times for sure.
Oct 9, 2018
Oct 7, 2018
Oct 5, 2018
Ninjutsu and ninjutsu organizations
(martial.arts.tripod.com)
What is ninjutsu?
The martial art known as Ninjutsu is very secret, with a very clouded history. The history isn't documented all that well, as most of what is known about the martial art is that which has been passed down from generation to generation. There are a lot of historical records that state families from the Koga region as being the creators to this very secret style.
Over 70 different Ninjutsu Ryu have been identified and discovered over the years, however most of them have died out. A majority of them were created around a set of specific techniques and skills, although when those skills of a specific Ryu were no longer needed or wanted, the Ryu seems to die out and fade away from existence.
The art of Ninjutsu is best associated with the ninja's from ancient Japan. The ninja's are well known all around the world, for their stealth and very secreted life. The ninja is known to have went through very tough and demanding training, which hardly anyone really knows about. Those that were actual ninja's are either dead, or not allowed to let anyone know their true identity.
During the 1980's, when the ninja trend really hit the United States, the instructors of Ninjutsu popped out all over the place, making black a very happening color. Years later, the trend seemed to die out, and there aren't that many people trying to learn the art.
In regards to the art, the term of Ninjutsu doesn't actually refer to any certain style, but rather a group of the martial arts, with each one having it's own view that's expressed with each of the different Ryu. The Ryu vary, meaning that one may focus on one certain physical dynamic, while the next may be focused on redirection.
What many people aren't aware of, is the fact that Ninjutsu involves both unarmed and armed fighting skills, along with philosophy, strategy, and history. There are a few dojo's that offer the art, many of them being quite comprehensive with the way they teach.
During combat, Ninjutsu focuses on distance, posture, and flow. Stylists are taught to react to every movement, and respond in ways that will place them in the advantage position. From being in a position of advantage, the stylist can effectively change the outcome of the encounter - quickly going from negative to positive.
Those that practice the martial art of Ninjutsu are instructed and trained to use their entire body for everything they do, which provides the most leverage and power. Ninjutsu is well known in Japan, and for good reason. It is a very secretive martial art, yet very powerful. The techniques can be used or self defense, along with stealth. It can be a great martial art to learn - if you can find a dojo that teaches it.
What is ninjutsu?
The martial art known as Ninjutsu is very secret, with a very clouded history. The history isn't documented all that well, as most of what is known about the martial art is that which has been passed down from generation to generation. There are a lot of historical records that state families from the Koga region as being the creators to this very secret style.
Over 70 different Ninjutsu Ryu have been identified and discovered over the years, however most of them have died out. A majority of them were created around a set of specific techniques and skills, although when those skills of a specific Ryu were no longer needed or wanted, the Ryu seems to die out and fade away from existence.
The art of Ninjutsu is best associated with the ninja's from ancient Japan. The ninja's are well known all around the world, for their stealth and very secreted life. The ninja is known to have went through very tough and demanding training, which hardly anyone really knows about. Those that were actual ninja's are either dead, or not allowed to let anyone know their true identity.
During the 1980's, when the ninja trend really hit the United States, the instructors of Ninjutsu popped out all over the place, making black a very happening color. Years later, the trend seemed to die out, and there aren't that many people trying to learn the art.
In regards to the art, the term of Ninjutsu doesn't actually refer to any certain style, but rather a group of the martial arts, with each one having it's own view that's expressed with each of the different Ryu. The Ryu vary, meaning that one may focus on one certain physical dynamic, while the next may be focused on redirection.
What many people aren't aware of, is the fact that Ninjutsu involves both unarmed and armed fighting skills, along with philosophy, strategy, and history. There are a few dojo's that offer the art, many of them being quite comprehensive with the way they teach.
During combat, Ninjutsu focuses on distance, posture, and flow. Stylists are taught to react to every movement, and respond in ways that will place them in the advantage position. From being in a position of advantage, the stylist can effectively change the outcome of the encounter - quickly going from negative to positive.
Those that practice the martial art of Ninjutsu are instructed and trained to use their entire body for everything they do, which provides the most leverage and power. Ninjutsu is well known in Japan, and for good reason. It is a very secretive martial art, yet very powerful. The techniques can be used or self defense, along with stealth. It can be a great martial art to learn - if you can find a dojo that teaches it.
(Japanese kanji for shinobi (ninja)
There are three major ninjutsu organizations that teach ninjutsu around the world.
They are: the Bujinkan, the Genbukan, and the Jinenkan
Bujinkan, headed by Masaaki Hatsumi
Genbukan, headed by Shoto Tanemura
Jinenkan, headed by Fumio Manaka
Oct 4, 2018
Jade Xu
Xu Huihui (Jade Xu) is a Chinese martial arts actress and multiple World Wushu Champion. She most recently performed in Cirque Du Soleil's Las Vegas show One.
Born in China, raised in Italy and now living in the United States, Jade Xu is an international martial arts icon and aspiring actress who combines natural beauty, incredible talent and cultural diversity.
Check her out at www.jadexu.com or follow her on Facebook.
Born in China, raised in Italy and now living in the United States, Jade Xu is an international martial arts icon and aspiring actress who combines natural beauty, incredible talent and cultural diversity.
Check her out at www.jadexu.com or follow her on Facebook.
Oct 3, 2018
Immortal Tiger Kenpo Karate
Why Shaolin Kenpo
Shaolin Kenpo is a style that is highly practical for self defense application. Every technique learned has a real world application. Shaolin Kenpo also works on your core strength, balance and attention to detail.
Lineage - I teach the Shaolin Kenpo Karate style as taught to me by Bill Grossman's School of Kenpo Karate. (Bill Grossman -> Rick Alemany -> Ralph Castro is my lineage)
http://www.immortaltiger.com/
