Here are Bushido’s Eight Virtues 1. Justice Justice is the Highest virtue of Bushido. Course of conduct to do what is right regardless of cost, without justice neither talent or learning can make the human into a samurai. 2. Courage Bushido distinguishes between bravery and courage: Courage is worthy of being counted among virtues only if it’s exercised in the cause of Righteousness and Justice. Courage is doing what is right. To know what is right and do nothing is cowardice. 3. Benevolence or Mercy Someone with the authority over others and the power to kill is expected to demonstrate equally extraordinary powers of benevolence and mercy: Love, affection for others, sympathy and pity, are traits of Benevolence, the highest attribute of the human soul. IV. Politeness Discerning the difference between obedient, attentive and politeness can be difficult for casual visitors to Japan, but, courtesy is rooted in benevolence: Courtesy and good manners are a distinctive Japanese trait. But Politeness should be a show of respect for feelings of others, not a fear of offending or breaking rules. V. Honesty and Sincerity True samurai disdained greed, and lack of honesty and integrity. Honest with yourself and others. Thus talking about money showed poor taste, Bushido encouraged thrift, not for economical reasons so much as for the exercise of abstinence. Luxury, waste, gluttony was thought the greatest menace to manhood, and severe simplicity was required of the warrior class. VI. Honor Though Bushido deals with the profession of soldiering, it is equally concerned with non-martial behavior: The sense of Honor, a vivid consciousness of personal dignity and worth, characterized the samurai. He was born and bred to value the duties and privileges of his profession. Fear of disgrace hung like a sword over the head of every samurai … To take offense at slight provocation is riddiculous and shameful. To embrace the unbearable and find peace. VII. Loyalty Always remain loyal to those to whom you are indebted: Do not allow others to speak badly of those you care about. Loyalty was the most distinctive virtue. In Bushido Honor and Loyalty assume paramount importance. VIII. Character and Self-Control Bushido teaches that men should behave according to an absolute moral standard, one that transcends logic sometimes. Right is right, and Wrong is wrong. And its not about to blurred lines, arguments, debates or justification, know the difference and draw a line in the sand. Finally, it is parent's obligation to teach his children moral standards through the model of their own behavior: The first objective build up Character. Prudence, intelligence, and dialectics were less important. Action speak louder than words. Choosing compassion over confrontation, and benevolence over belligerence, it demostrates ageless qualities of the Samuarai. Today these lessons are more timely then at anytime. In traditional high quality Karate and Jiujitsu schools around the world they still try to pass these powerful lessons. Character-Sincerity-Effort-Etiquette-Self Control Manners and respect are of the highest importantance. Kyoshi Riedmiller The Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe
Ne waza or Ground fighting is essential in self defense.
So why are so few Karate practitioners not being taught basic Ne Waza or ground fighting skills… When I was coming up in Goju Ryu Karate as a teen, my instructors would stress learning judo for throws and groundfighting. Ok, so the following week I started Judo too, and they were right of course, it made me a far better, more well rounded Martial Artist and Karateka Even if the purpose of Karate is to finish an opponent with a single blow and never go to the ground. It's pretty bold to think no one could take you to the ground and frankly a little foolish. Ground fighting is just what it sound like, its fighting on the ground. It involves key control postions, escapes, joint locks, chokes, strikes, sweeps, etc.. Today, most quality martial arts and self defense systems include ground fighting to some degree, and you see it effectively used in combat sports; like MMA, BJJ and Wrestling. The Military and Law enforcement always train and use in their tactical training For a Karate, Kung Fu, self defense system, really any stand up practitioner, to remain ignorant about ground fighting is foolish. Every modern martial artist should learn basic takedowns, sweeps, falls and throws and of course ground fighting. Plus its great for your fitness level. 9 out of 10 fights go to the ground! Do the math! Why? Because because of Ego's and low quality, unquailified instructors that don't know any better. McDojo's, Fad based gyms trying to teach self defense, etc. Most of these places are out for a quick buck and they just never learned, so why teach it. Many folks don’t even know how to fall down, let alone stand up, correctly! I'm not trying to pick on anyone, folks just don't know about, what they don't know about! But, If you are ready to add some ground fighting to your toolbox, make sure you find a high quality instructor. Regrettably there are far more unqualified than qualified, do your research. You need to learn the best ground fighting techniques for Karate, that are truely effective, not sport or rolling or stupid fancy techniques that would never work in a real situation. If your close to our Dojo drop in and learn some practical Ground Fighting, it will make your art even better. If you live to far away, schedule a seminar for your Dojo, you'll have a great time and learn real skills. It will be EXACTLY what you need to know about ground fighting; surviving, escaping, defending, and regaining control of the situation and either win or get the heck out of there. You see, according to Helio Gracie the goal is not to fight on the ground, that's the worse case scenario, you didn't trip, you got knocked on your a**. From a self-defense perspective, that’s very dangerous and will only get worse if you don't know what your doing. So train with the worse case in mind, prepare in advance. Plus its exhausting if your unskilled, you may only have 30 to 60 seconds of breath before you are completely exhausted trying to fight for your life.
Sensei Riedmiller |
AuthorKyoshi Charles Riedmiller 7th Dan Head Instructor/Owner Summit Martial Arts Delaware, Ohio and has over 45 years experience in the Martial Arts, he started training in Goju Ryu karate and Judo at age 13. He been training in Goju Ryu & Shorin Ryu Karate, Kobudo, Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido for over 4 decades and BJJ for over 20yrs with Professor Pedro Sauer. He has been dedicated to teaching authentic, high quality Martial Arts his entire life. Sensei Riedmiller has taught thousands of Military, Law Enforcement, pro-fighters/champions and martial art students of all ages. Archives
September 2023
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