Mechjunkie

dude dont get mad but i drew your"anouther kamen rider"pic and i think i might put it up hear but dont worrie im not takeing any credit for ur awsome desighn, the only thing im taking credit for is that i slightly modified the blade, i gave him a henshin belt and i gave him a name "kamen rider storm" tell me what u think...anyways i hope u dont mind.

Like I said, I just find the intracacy both fascinating and useful. It's rare perspective, apparently. It makes it difficult for me to find training partners. But I can't let myself not practice down to the last detail. If I do, it just feels incomplete to me.
But that certainly doesn't apply to everyone. Nine out of ten people at my dojo would agree with your perspective.

Sure, I'll check it out, thanks for the link. As for me, I don't. I tend to keep my training very private. Of course, I'm kind of a private person like that in rl most of the time anyway.

I disagree there. Martial arts DOES go in depth in certain ways that aren't quite as simple as all that. That's a matter of perspective. As for myself, I prefer complex arts. Because (again, this is only me) when the art is complex, you're forced to learn little intricate manuevers that can make something like a punch ten times more effective, and you would never have realized. (even if the intricate moves themselves are of no use, their mechanics are very useful) People DO tend to perceive martial arts as mystic, though, you're right. Once they find out it's not, they decide the martial way isn't for them. It all depends on what you want to get out of the art.

Mastery is a relative term, though. 'Mastery' to some people is getting a black belt. 'Mastery' to others is being a Grandmaster. Still others think 'Mastery' is just the peace of mind you get knowing that you could defend yourself. Defining 'mastery' is something that I think every truly serious martial artist is confronted with eventually. For myself, it means I've mastered the disciplines of the art according to rank. Rank is not an indication of the usefullness, nor the completeness of your knowledge in my opinion. Like I said, I've seen unqualified idiots as black belts. To me, 'Mastery' is self-satisfaction that you understand your field as much as you yourself possibly can. That's not to say there's not more to learn. You can 'master' an exercise or kata without 'mastering' the art. But that's getting deep into the philosophical end, and as Hagakure points out, at my age it's close to pointless to philisophisize(sp) due to inexperience. My knowledge isn't close to complete yet anyway.

This is where the 'purity' comes in to play for me. Most katas or exercises are infinitely complex, no matter how simple they seem on the surface. There are different things to consider. For example, explanations. Why do you block here, rather than dodge? Or why strike with a punch when a kick is more powerful. Analysis is something that a lot of people overlook imvho, and that's why practice becomes stale so quickly. If you look at it as 'just moves', then that's all they are. But if you look at the merits and faults of those moves, they become much more interesting (but less difficult to 'master' ;) )

I see what you're saying, but I don't think practice is meritless. Even if it's an elbow or groin kick, there are always elements that can be improved upon. Muscle memory and relfexes are only developed through physical repetition.

But that's my opinion; nothing concrete.

I would think that a martial artist who aims to master his art would focus first on basics, then second on asthetics. Looks DO count in my opinion- but, for me, someone who would defend others, practical use would come first. The most basic punches; rudimentary kicks; anything that can be useful. With my style of training (not a dojo style, just my personal choice), I'll take the raw basics, then add shine; repeat until I've got a refined technique.

Practical arts: Kali, Jeet Kun Do, AikiJujitsu. Those are my top three. There are plenty others. But those are the ones from the top of my head.

Finding a reputable instructor is hard. I got lucky on my first try. And this instructor has a lot of supporting instructor's who are really very good. I looked at other dojos, and I found out later that they were uncertified. That doesn't mean they don't have their merits. Some uncertified dojos are uncertified because they believe in the purity of martial arts, rather than the capitalist system most dojos are affected by. (Most are just greedy idiots, though).

I've been developing my own system of martial arts for a couple years now, based on fundamentals. That's what it ultimately comes down to when you refer to mastery imvho.

What's too bad is the lack of serious dojos in the US. I'd love for there to be the hardcore training that there used to be. And especially arts like Ninjutsu, which is only more or less myths in the US. I think that's because the only way to test your mettle in combat is MMA, or most martial artists won't even look at that.

Hey, whatever works for you. I'll admit I'm much more toward the end of 'purity in the martial arts'- but that's only when it comes to the arts themselves. If me ripping off Rock Lee works in a sparring match, I'll do it.
The arts I take happen to come together nicely to cover each other's blind spots, which is just a lucky bit of serendipity. I need to take up something else once I've advanced a little further in what I've already got. I don't like martial knowledge to stale. It's a difficult thing to keep in practice, which is sad. There just aren't enough dedicated people to train with anymore. My dojo is mostly a bunch of 'Saturday Morning warriors' that don't make any real effort at all. Easily half the black belts don't deserve their ranks.

so wat up btw and how u no i was on this site long ?

so i made good idea yes _ ok me well start that to any other thingys?

hmm, ya know, thats a great point!
thats a great advertising point of this site!

we could tell them that this site is completely devoted to fanart so more ppl will see your pic that are in to fanart, as opposed to general art fans that aren't so interested.

yeah

i got a DA but i just never used it coz it just sucked compared to this site.