Should My Kama Have Holes? (Exploring Form and Function)
Kama are one of the classical weapons of Okinawan Kobudo. They are short sickles that have been developed from agricultural tools into cringe-inspiring weapons.
As time has passed, these simple implements have diversified and can now be found in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and capabilities. Because of this new diversity, martial artists can be easily confused and bewildered by the options available to them.
One artist in particular asked: “Why do some kama have holes in the blade? Does it make them faster or better?“
This inspired me to take a look into the development of the weapon, and offer up some explanation as to where the kama came from and how you can discover the appropriate style for you.
Check it out:
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What Are Sai Good For Anyway?
As you may know I help the KD team when it comes to matters of traditional martial arts. It’s a great pleasure because I get to answer questions, talk about weapons and stuff…basically the things us martial arts geeks do anyway.
Every now and then we get a question that inspires me to dive a little deeper into the matter and explore the concept in question. User TheShadow1928 asked a short and sweet one: “What are sai good for anyway?“
At first you might laugh a little…but then you might stop and say: “Yea, what ARE sai good for?”
In this video I dive into the background of the weapon, how it was useful to the Okinawans who created it and how it can still be useful in modern society. Check it out!
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2010 – Lived Once, Ichi-Go
As New Years hits we are presented with a bittersweet moment where we reflect on things past and look forward to the future. What was in 2010 will never be again, for better or worse.
A significant part of Budo is coming to grips with mortality and learning how to make decisions, and once made moving forward strongly and bravely so as to better confront the next challenge. It’s with that in mind that we should look back fondly on 2010 no matter the circumstances, knowing we can grow and learn from every experience.
As time continues to march, I’ve sometimes wondered if my love for the martial arts would wain. Over the past decade or so my involvement with the arts has, like a steam engine, slowly built in strength and speed. What was once an average 3-day-a-week activity has turned into a life pursuit, one which I have carefully intertwined into my every day dealings. My work, my writing, my training, my reading all revolve around finding slivers of growth, and helping others find theirs as well.
I’ve learned to build in breaks and purposefully put down my training, even if for just a few days. Even so, there’s always that concern and wonder if one day I’ll find myself falling out of love; when I’ll wake up and not want to touch a gi. So far, after 15 years, it has not happened. Not even close, actually.
It’s beyond my full understanding but the arts have a way of becoming the best part of you, if you let them. Letting go of them would be letting go of Ikigai.
It’s with that I wish you a 2011 filled with strong spirit, so that you may overcome your obstacles and achieve those goals which will help you make the world a better place.
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Discussing now…
(May 17, 2013 2:03 PM)
Thanks for reading Mark! I actually don’t think we are disagreeing here.
...(May 16, 2013 12:10 PM)
Very well articulated post.
I agree with you on certain points but I believe
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