This blog post may not see the light of day right now, and may not be included in my grade (my presentation is tomorrow after all), but I write it for those who are going to be in the WISE program next year. I would like to say two things before I get into anything else. Firstly, I do not regret taking WISE, because it presented to me a problem, a task, which forced me to push myself and consequently I have grown as a person. Secondly, it just feels like the right way to end my senior year, the way being doing something that I love and am passionate about for a grade. The final presentation may be a little rough for me, but it will be a valuable experience.
This last year of classes at IHS went a lot more quickly than I ever anticipated. It feels like just yesterday I was starting the year and it was "back to the old grind." To think that tomorrow is my last day of classes as a high-school student is a scary thought. It makes me wonder where the time has gone.
Time is the most important resource that one can have. Specifically for any potential WISE students, managing it will be a great challenge. If done correctly, then everything will hopefully fall into place, but there is no guarantee.
At the beginning of my project, I recognized my lack of discipline as I slowly sank into "senioritis" and just plain laziness, and I had originally hoped that it would help me deal with that. I was wrong. Thinking back now, all my project did was present me with work that I had to do, like any class at school, and it has changed me, for the better I think. My point, for next year's WISE students, is that you are responsible for yourself and your project. The second semester project can be done well, or it can be done minimally, just passing the requirements and "avoiding detection" as needing to go in for extra help and guidance. I advise against the latter, as your project will not turn into what you need it be for your presentation, nor what you need it to be to grow as a person, unless you put in the time, the work, and the effort. Trust me, it shows.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Founding Principles
Seido was founded on three important principles, those being respect, love and obedience.
Respect - Kaicho Nakamura writes that through respect, a person will be forced to treat everyone of his peers "courtesy and equanimity." He goes on to write that if one lacks respect outwardly (towards others), it is a result of a "lack of respect for [oneself]." One of his major points with this principle is that if one lacks respect then they find it extremely easy to harm another person. This is because they are viewed as another, separate, entity, completely different and unrelated to oneself. This distance is caused by a lack of respect and should be avoided.
Love - Through respect lies the second principle, love. The word love itself is used completely inappropriately in our culture today. Kaicho writes that love grows out of respect. If one does not respect those that he or she loves, then it is probable that one will do those people some manner of disrespect, which goes against Kaicho's definition of love.
Obedience - Lastly, obedience constitutes one of the most important parts of life. People every day are obedient regarding the rules and the manners in which they are supposed to behave. Specifically, a karateka must obey his parents. Through obedience, humility is fostered in a person which is a valuable characteristic to have in regards to martial arts.
( All information found in Karate: Technique and Spirit )
Respect - Kaicho Nakamura writes that through respect, a person will be forced to treat everyone of his peers "courtesy and equanimity." He goes on to write that if one lacks respect outwardly (towards others), it is a result of a "lack of respect for [oneself]." One of his major points with this principle is that if one lacks respect then they find it extremely easy to harm another person. This is because they are viewed as another, separate, entity, completely different and unrelated to oneself. This distance is caused by a lack of respect and should be avoided.
Love - Through respect lies the second principle, love. The word love itself is used completely inappropriately in our culture today. Kaicho writes that love grows out of respect. If one does not respect those that he or she loves, then it is probable that one will do those people some manner of disrespect, which goes against Kaicho's definition of love.
Obedience - Lastly, obedience constitutes one of the most important parts of life. People every day are obedient regarding the rules and the manners in which they are supposed to behave. Specifically, a karateka must obey his parents. Through obedience, humility is fostered in a person which is a valuable characteristic to have in regards to martial arts.
( All information found in Karate: Technique and Spirit )
The Spirit and Moral Values
After all I have read for my project, especially the works by Kaicho Nakamura, the spirit of the karateka (Karate practitioner) is stressed. One of the more important attributes that a person can have is the non-quitting spirit. Kaicho explicitly states that Seido Karate seeks to create this spirit in each and every karateka.
There are also major moral values associated with Karate. They are, according to Kaicho Nakamura, rectitude, heroism, universal love and compassion, courtesy, truthfulness, and devotion and loyalty.
Rectitude - In this situation, rectitude refers to "making the right decision in every situation and doing it without wavering."
Heroism - It has taken on a different meaning in this time period, but involves risking the stuff that is important to us for something more than ourselves.
Universal Love/ Compassion - Compassion is the way in which karatekas carry themselves, specifically expressing their compassion towards others.
Courtesy - One should demonstrate courtesy consistently and regularly, which means that they are respectful and compassionate in their everyday interactions.
Truthfulness - It is important to be truthful in every way, meaning that one does not equivocate, especially in relationships which benefit from truth and trust.
Devotion and Loyalty - According to Kaicho Nakamura, these two attributes are major parts of one of Karate's founding principles, which is obedience. He states that "a student should be absolutely loyal and devoted, first and always, to his family."
( All information found in Karate: Technique and Spirit )
There are also major moral values associated with Karate. They are, according to Kaicho Nakamura, rectitude, heroism, universal love and compassion, courtesy, truthfulness, and devotion and loyalty.
Rectitude - In this situation, rectitude refers to "making the right decision in every situation and doing it without wavering."
Heroism - It has taken on a different meaning in this time period, but involves risking the stuff that is important to us for something more than ourselves.
Universal Love/ Compassion - Compassion is the way in which karatekas carry themselves, specifically expressing their compassion towards others.
Courtesy - One should demonstrate courtesy consistently and regularly, which means that they are respectful and compassionate in their everyday interactions.
Truthfulness - It is important to be truthful in every way, meaning that one does not equivocate, especially in relationships which benefit from truth and trust.
Devotion and Loyalty - According to Kaicho Nakamura, these two attributes are major parts of one of Karate's founding principles, which is obedience. He states that "a student should be absolutely loyal and devoted, first and always, to his family."
( All information found in Karate: Technique and Spirit )
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Self-Defense Techniques
While I previously mentioned ideas about self defense before, specifically with the "Bucking Horse" story, I have never really described what exactly I am referring to when I mention practicing it. It is referred to "ippon kumite" in Japanese, which translates to "one step sparring." This title is very fitting as all of the self-defense "techniques" I know involve one step. To help visualize what exactly is being done when someone is performing "self-defense techniques" it is often easiest to picture a kata, or form, that only lasts one step. The differences between kata and ippon kumite are numerous so it is important to not get them confused.
Ippon kumite is only one of many types of kumite. The other part of my project that has to do with kumite is "sparring." Sparring is a very general term that applies to practice fighting, and the more accurate term for the "sparring" sessions I had with my father is "jiyu kumite." Jiyu kumite translates to "free fighting." This "free fighting" simulates what an actual fight scenario might be like. Jiyu kumite is one of my favorite parts of my training.
Ippon kumite is only one of many types of kumite. The other part of my project that has to do with kumite is "sparring." Sparring is a very general term that applies to practice fighting, and the more accurate term for the "sparring" sessions I had with my father is "jiyu kumite." Jiyu kumite translates to "free fighting." This "free fighting" simulates what an actual fight scenario might be like. Jiyu kumite is one of my favorite parts of my training.
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