Like other Science, Martial Science deal only with what is proven fact in Martial Arts. By fact, Sifu mean what actually work against what in reality does not. Many styles all over world tied up in ideas and theories. Some theories are hundreds of years old, others are new. One theory, very popular, is that one martial art better than any other; Karate man say Karate best, Judo man say Judo best, Tai-Chi actually mean "King Martial Art", but Martial Science teach us first principle that Martial Artist himself must be the best; style not really matter. Weak Martial Artist cannot become strong by claim him style better than any other. Strong Martial Artist recognise strength in other styles; Tae Kwon Do very good for kick, Judo very good for grapple, Kendo obviously very good for sword.

To win sword fight, Karate man must first learn use sword; to win boxing match, Judo man must first learn punch. Obviously, to win at wrestling, Tae Kwon Do man first must learn wrestle. To win in real fight, Martial Artist must be prepare to use all weapons of him body and mind, as well as all weapons of him environment, to win.

This second principle of Martial Science; there is no right or wrong Martial Art, there is only what works and what does not. In real fight, there are no rules; style not matter in real fight, and man cannot say “Hey, you cheat” if him lose. Art of War teach us that there is no cheat; there is only strategy.

Third principle Sifu will explain is that Martial Science not just about fight; Martial Science about whole world, everything in world; principles of leverage the same whether man use sword or dig with shovel. Human anatomy and biology not change between eat food and win fight; Martial Artist who understand anatomy make better technique than man who think it all work like magic. Martial Artist who eat well and exercise have strong body; Martial Artist who eat burgers and never go to gym get fat. This is Martial Science. Martial Science also about way people think; way man think in fight the same as way man think rest of the time; same habit of thought, same brain, same emotional reaction. So to understand man in fight, Martial Artist also understand way man think whole time of his life. Martial Science all about way of nature, natural way to fight, natural way to live; nature been around for millions of years, so nature oldest teacher of all. All best masters in history ever learn from nature first and other teacher second. Nature. Martial Science not just concerned how young man win in fight; Martial Science concerned with how man live his life and survive many years, even into old age. Obviously, old man not as fast or strong as young man; if old man can win fight against one, two, three or even more younger man, then old man must use strategy and better knowledge. All this is Martial Science.

Miyamoto Musashi say that true mastery not learn from teacher or book; real Martial Artist only become master by learn from nature and himself. Yagyu Munenori agree, and so do Ninjas.

Finally, ancient Kenshi Banzo in old Zen story live in mountaintop. Student of Banzo say; “If I train every day, how long until I am master?” Banzo say ten years. Student then say, “What if I train twice as hard? When will I be master then?” Banzo say twenty years. Student finally say, “What if I train day and night and think of nothing else? How long must I train then?” Banzo say; “The rest of your life.”

This is Zen Koan, like a riddle, but Sifu think answer pretty obvious.

The World Shall Hear From Me Again!

Ken mean "Sword" in Japanese. Do mean "way". Ken-do mean "Way of the Sword". Today, Kendo is popular fencing style in Japan and rest of world. Kendo-ka fight with shinai, which is bamboo sword. In time gone by, Kendo practiced with Bokken, which is heavy wooden sword. Change in Japan culture make change in practice of sword fighting; ancient samurai fight with real sword and call them style "Ken-Jutsu". Jutsu is Japanese word also mean "Way", but meaning subtle different from "Do". Do-style Martial Art value principle of Aesthetic, Morality and Practicality. This mean most important that Martial Arts look good, second important that Martial Artists be good people, third important that Martial Art be good fighting style. Jutsu-style Martial Art value same principles, but in different order; to Jutsu Martial Artist, most important that style work and is effective in fight; second important is that Martial Artist be good people; what Martial Art look like third least important thing; if work, then is good.

Change from Ken-Jutsu real sword fighting to Ken-Do fencing sport is all about change in Japanese culture. Invention of gunpowder change status of sword; contact with outside world change status of sword; change of Japan from Samurai to modern era complete change of many martial art from Jutsu to Do style.

Today, Kendo practice for reason of personal development and spirituality; in past, Ken-Jutsu practice for purpose of protect own life and life of others. Japanese symbol for warrior show man break spear, protect child. This mean Japanese warrior is man who put end to conflict and suffering; war make warriors, but warriors not make war. True warrior understand words of Master Yoda when him say “Wars make not one great.”

Modern Kendo is sport and philosophy. Learn Kendo teach about philosophy of sword and samurai, but not necessarily about how win real fight. Kendo use bamboo sword and wear armor; Ken-Jutsu use real sword and wear only kimono. Ninja sword-fighting style called Ken-Po. Po also mean "way" in Japanese, but it mean subtle different from Jutsu and Do. Modern Ken-Po use wooden bokken and wear no armor, embrace cheating and no system of score by points. Science of Martial Arts teach us that history help understand present day; Kendo man who understand history and development of him style will not be angry to admit that Kendo not combat style. This not detract from Kendo as excellent style learn about sword and good morality.

The World Shall Hear From Me Again!