ot: fifth degree

Dan,

Hatsumi sensei wouldn't give a damn. I really don't care about arguing either, but everyone who's spent any time researching will definitely know that none of the teachers in the "X-kans" (Bujinkan, Genbukan, Jinenkan) suddenly popped up during the Ninja Boom of the '80's, as such posers as Ashida Kim, and others whose styles suddenly "became" "ninjitsu".

John Shirley
 
John, Good point, and....Oh heck ya!
There is no comparison, I agree. In fact I thought I tried to clearly differentiate that. There is also much to be said about valid technique. But as to the appelation "Koryu" In many circles that dog just won't hunt.

And Ashida Kim?...ahh your killing me....:D
It's like the Aikijujutsu copycats who arose out of thin air in the 90's.

Danny, Your time in Japan is great.
"Nuff said?"...well not really.
There are several Koryu teachers in the west now as well. Some of them are quite excellent. Everyone still goes back though. Japan is still the key but many will tell you that it is the interest of those outside of Japan that have made a difference in-country.


Cheers
Dan
 
I was only trying to share a personal achievement with my friends in the HI cantina.
The thread was full of love and good feeling until you posted that strange message.
This thread is now going nowhere good and I hope Rusty deletes the whole thing.

I will be more careful in the future about what I share concerning my martial arts life precisely because of people like you.

Please try to be more supportive and join in the fraternal atmosphere of the cantina.
 
Danny-- don't sweat it, man. I think your accomplishment is great, and so do a lot of other people here. I am one of those people who falls into this category: "Most of those reading don't know squat about Koryu and are not involved" so I can't comment on all the rest, nor would I really want to even if I did know :rolleyes: :barf:
--Josh
 
Danny, I don't know anything about martial arts, other than several of my friends over the years have known something. But I know a little about firearms, and then are places I could go where too much time would be spent on relatively meaningless distinctions, this round vs that, this weapon system vs that...luckily, among most 'gunnies' we just love the principals and mechanics so much we don't sweat the rest.

You told us about an accomplishment that meant something to you and that is good enough for me.

just ditto what Josh said.


munk
 
Danny:
CONGRATS!!!!!!! Godan is basical the singular (out side of training with Hats that is) major goal to all practisioners.
Gotta say it again CONGRATS!!!!

For those not to familiar with DR (not just a MA "Master" ) Hatsumi or the Bujinkan, Togakure Ryu. Well lets just say that before this "Kimmy" dude, there was Steven Hayes...Guess where Steven Hayes learned from???

Whats even cooler (if what I've been told is right) Hayes left Hats on a good note, and they still have a good note. Which speaks HIGHLY on both persons!

Also for those not in the *know* Godan is considered the hardest dan to meat. I will let Dannie fill you in on the requirments...IF he decides too.

Side note: Danny JD hasnt called me yet, he's doing the Chinese boat tour right now, so I have no answer yet on if Abie is married. But to my knowledge she aint.
 
Thank you JJW.
I will tell them anything they want to know about the godan test, at least as much as I understand.
I passed it, but I dont really know how.
It is a mystery to us all...
 
Danny I don't know a thing about the martial arts so I can't speak from a position of authority but I will say don't let the naysayers get you down.
You gave up your life, family, friends and Freedom to travel to a country with customs and traditions foriegn to ours to pursue something you believe in deeply. To me that alone gives you an advantage over anyone that has trained with the absolute best teacher in this country no matter how high of honor they may have achieved. It pales next to your accomplishment!!!!
Not many have the courage, discipline, or deep seated belief to do such a thing. Good On You!!!!:D
 
:cool: :D ;) :rolleyes:
Sorry! The above was for Danny, I didnt mean it as any thing more than the "mystery".

OOPpS I just MOveD
 
Danny

Yvsa said what I was about to type after reading down through this thread.

I, too, know very little about martial arts. Your accomplishment is in the fact you did something many will never do.

Whether you studied under the greatest teacher in the world or the worst is secondary and not relevant in my opinion.
 
LEt me tell you something, living here is not easy.
The image most Americans have of japan is soooooo wrong.
ITs not because were stupid, the Japanese government spends a majority of its time and money trying to convince the rest of the world how nice it is here.
The fact is that this is a third world country that looks like a first world country.

My students are lazy and disrepectful. (they allow cellphones in class!) The teachers dont care If I teach english well, they only seem to care about whether i attend meetings they know i cant understand (high speed japanese) or whether I attend their 85$ a person drinking parties twice a semester.

Doctors dont have to keep up with new methods, once you finish college, thats it!

Open sewers, no insulation in the walls, salmonella, ecoli, schoolgirl prostitution epidemics, racism, nationalism, this country has all of the problems you find in other countries in this part of the world.

the difference is they spend TOO much time and effort trying to convince their own people and everyone else that it isnt so. That this is a crime-free society that is safe and clean and happy.

It's all B.S.


Let me recommend a book to anyone interested:
Dogs and Demons by Alex Kerr.

:barf:


For me, I would live in hells deepest hottest hole to study with Hatsumi Sensei.
So, whats a girl gonna do ?:D
 
Ummm on a happy note.
I bet you its warmer in Japan than in Canada.:eek:

Danny were all on your side. I have never been to Japan, but several folks I know have been there. I dont think I could last a week there. I like red beef to much, and I dont have the coin to aford even the bad stuf there.

Again Congrats, and may God walk in your shoes.
 
Originally posted by DannyinJapan
LEt me tell you something, .............
Click to expand...
Interesting... :eek:
Surprising... :confused:
Sad... :(

Explains a few things.

It's good to follow your dreams when you can.
 
Originally posted by DannyinJapan
I received my Godan menkyu today.
I thought I would share it with you guys.
I dont really have many other people to share it with.
A godan menkyu is a fifth degree black belt certificate.
I dont know how I got it, but here it is!!!
Im not fishing for compliments, I just wanted to show you part of the life of a "professional" martial artist.
(That is, I moved to japan, left my family, left my job, left my friends, and I spend all my free time and money studying martial arts with the worlds' greatest living martial arts instructor.)
That piece of paper has cost me more than half as much as my college degree did and taken twice as long to acquire.

My Certificate from Hatsumi Sensei
Click to expand...

You left your family: does that mean you left your dad and mom, or did you leave your wife and kids?

Thanks.

Don
 
I was single when i left, but I met and married a japanese girl last year!

The town I moved to in japan had one english speaking foreigner - me.
 
What was it like being the only "barbarian" in that town? Did they stare, point and laugh until they got to know you?

People still point, stare and laugh at me and I was born here. :( :rolleyes: Maybe it's the bag I wear over my head.
 
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