What Am I Gonna Do?

Question

I've noticed recently that whenever I train with weapons in my style of karate, I have a tendency to do a little extra. I start spinning them, twirling them; It's like they have become a part of me and the scary part is that it feels so fluid and I get a lot of compliments, but I know it's not in the curriculum. I wanna say that it's mushin, meaning "no mind", but i feel like it's insecurity on my part and that i wanna show that I am more than capable of handling weapons, but I don't want to come across as a show off. Anyone feel this way, too?

Answer 1

I've studied Kali and I've experienced something like that during my training. It's basically what I call "getting a feel for your weapon". It's when you've handled a weapon for so long that you feel like it's become a part of your body and feel more confident and attuned to it to the point where you're no longer consciously thinking about trying to control it and basically just follow the weapon's flow of movement and use your hips and footwork to generate power leaving your arms free to relax and go wherever the momentum of the weapon takes them. I guess some would call this showing off, but it call also be just simply expressing pleasure and delight in movement. As long as you don't overdo it and make a grand show of it, it wouldn't hurt to break your rhythm and try some fluorishes to break the monotony of your drills. Besides, in the old days, flourishes like those were also used by the old timers as a distracting technique to confuse or intimidate the opponent.

Answer 2

The question is :- are you doing the "twirling etc" to gain the compliments, or are you just very good with the weapons.

If you're not happy with yourself over this issue, I should talk it over with your sensei. Try entering a few 'weapons kata' competitions to see how you shape up.

At the end of the day, the traditional karate weapons should be considered as extensions to your karate training.

Let's be honest, you're not going to be carrying a Bo, Tonfa or Nunchuka to the pub/nightclub/work etc (unless you are really stupid), but you will always have your "empty hands" weapons.

I say concentrate on the Karate, but then what do I know? I'm only a beginner - I've only been training for 37 years. ;-)

Answer 3

Hi there

Just because its not it the Okinawan Kobudo syllabus doesn't mean that its not in other Japanese styles. Just compare the forms from Okinawan Bo to Kukishinden Ryu Bo. You wont believe the difference. You have to train for yourself and expand on things that you think will help you develop better. In class stick to the syllabus by all means and honor whatever your instructor tells you. But if you want to develop your own way of practice then do so. There's nothing wrong with spinning the BO (BO furi gata). Just don't do it just for showing off. It has a real fighting application too. You can also spin the BO and throw it at attackers whilst its still spinning. But these things need to be studied in a safe and instructed manner.

Learn the techniques you feel will help you to grow.

There's more to Bo Kata than Shuji No Kon Sho, waza and kihons. You have to fight with it. The only way you can do this is to make it a part of you.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 4

If you think that you might be showing off, then you are.

A concept of void mind, to me, primarily says that you perform your actions without thinking them: your technical response is automatic. A person operating in this state is not flipping their weapon around uselessly or otherwise goofing off, which it sounds like you're doing.

Remember: every technique has a purpose. If you perform a technique that is empty, it isn't because you are "one with the weapon" but rather because you are bored, unfocused, or showing off. If you want to show people that you are capable, then you should practice your techniques.

Furthermore, that you are even considering what other people think of your skill, on an aesthetic level, indicates to me that you are entirely missing the point of "no mind."

Focus on your training and you'll be fine. Don't spin your weapon around like a doofus.

Good luck.

Answer 5

There's nothing wrong with showing your skills as long as your not seeking aproval from people, cultivate the attitude that you are doing this for your own meditation and challenge and for the enjoyment of whoever is watching, that attitude is a big difference from "Im doing this so people will like me and be impresed at how much better I am than they are"

Answer 6

The hell with the curriculum it's called unorthodox,and that is how change comes about.Do what you must to perform the Kata correctly then expand your mind.

Answer 7

Don't worry.
Just let it flow.
You know you're not trying to show off, so if you like weapons, continue doing weapons.
Maybe even do a kata with weapons.
You can show that you're able to do it without showing off.
Good luck.
[:

Answer 8

the only weapons that im intrested in mastering are my hands...so the answer is no..could you imagine seeing someone trying to spin their hands?