WORDS WORTH THINKING ABOUT

From Secret Tactics, Lessons from the Great Masters of Martial Arts

Kazumi Tabata

The most important factor in studying the martial arts is not merely to understand, but to transcend rational and technique. Mastering both of these concepts is necessary and, like the two wheels of a cart, neither will be useful if one is missing.

The Book of Seven Masters by Yagyu Tajimanokami Munenori

The philoshophy and secrets of strategy

The ultimate purpose of practicing swordsmanship is to make the art thoroughly a part of oneself. It is necessary to achieve a state in which one is able to use optimum techniques reflexively and unconsciously. One can accomplish this by learning to cope with every possible circumstance. When wielding the sword at the enemy, do not allow your soul to attach itself to the technique. If the soul is attached, the enemy will have the opportunity to strike back and cause you to lose. When the sword is wielded, do not think about whether you have killed our opponent, but rather strike with all your might. Do not allow the enemy to raise his face.

When the outward appearance is spirited, the inner self is calm; when the outward appearance is aggressive, the inner self is defensive; thus, make the state of inner self the opposite of the outward appearance. Through continuous practice, the outer and inner selves will become one.

No matter how splendid one's technique, if one's soul has attached itself to that technique, then one cannot win. It is important to practice without attaching one's soul to thoughts of striking or thrusting.

The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate by Gichin Funakoshi

#1 Do not forget that karate-do begins and ends with REI

Along with judo and kendo, karate-do is a representative Japanese martial art. And as with its fellow martial arts, karate-do should begin as it should end – with rei.

Rei is often defined as "respect" but it actually means much more. Rei encompasses both an attitude of respect for others and a sense of self-esteem. When those who honour themselves transfer that feeling of esteem – that is, respect – to others, their action is nothing less than an expression of rei.

It is said that "without rei there is disorder" and also that "the difference between men and animals lies in rei." Combat methods that lack rei are not martial arts but merely contemptible violence. Physical power without rei is no more than brute strength, and for human beings it is without value.

It should also be noted that although a person's deportment may be correct, without a sincere and reverent heart they do not possess true rei. True rei is the outward expression of a respectful heart.

All martial arts begin and end with rei. Unless they are practiced with a feeling of reverence and respect, they are simply forms of violence. For this reason martial arts must maintain rei from beginning to end.

Words worth thinking about...

STANDING AND GROUND TECHNIQUES In Japan we define Nage-waza as standing throwing techniques and Ne-waza as the set of ground control techniques which include:

Osae-waza: immobilisation techniques
Shime-waza: strangling techniques
Kansetsu-waza: Armlock techniques

In Japan it is indisputable that standing techniques prevail over those on the ground, and in Europe it is the same. Ground Judo (Ne-waza) is secondary to standing Judo, all fighters prefer this fight and try to get victory through a projection. They don't like fighting on the ground, but I don't approve of this conception at all! Judo is practiced standing and on the ground, indifferently and without any discontinuity. There is only one Judo that a good fighter must practice in full, namely the Judo standing and the one on the ground, without any distinction.

M. Kawaishi - My Secret Method of Judo, 1964