01/09/2007 In Knowledge Base by andy
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Taido’s hokei is more than a complex series of techniques. It’s the reflection of Taido’s principles and philosophy in a physical format. The hokei is a chance for us to express our own interpretations of Taido’s theory. The art of hokei lies well beyond the ability to simply perform the designated techniques in sequence and without errors. It’s the culmination of physical training and contemplation of Taido’s methods in outward expression of each of our personal approaches to Taido.
Rules for Hokei
yooi to hosshin - preparation and starting spirit
Hokei requires the highest focus. Before even beginning, it is important to take a few moments to clear your mind of anything that is not essential to the performance of your hokei. Prepare yourself for battle against the imaginary opponents you will be facing. At this point, reality exists only within the hokei. Foreign stimuli cease to be until after the hokei is over.
Taido’s hokei is more than a complex series of techniques. It’s the reflection of Taido’s principles and philosophy in a physical format. The hokei is a chance for us to express our own interpretations of Taido’s theory. The art of hokei lies well beyond the ability to simply perform the designated techniques in sequence and without errors. It’s the culmination of physical training and contemplation of Taido’s methods in outward expression of each of our personal approaches to Taido.
Rules for Hokei
yooi to hosshin - preparation and starting spirit
Hokei requires the highest focus. Before even beginning, it is important to take a few moments to clear your mind of anything that is not essential to the performance of your hokei. Prepare yourself for battle against the imaginary opponents you will be facing. At this point, reality exists only within the hokei. Foreign stimuli cease to be until after the hokei is over.
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01/09/2007 In Event Log by andy
I recently returned to Atlanta from Leiden, Netherlands, site of the 2007 International Taido Friendship Games and European Taido Championships. The five-day event comprised two international tournaments and three days of seminars. There were also plenty of chances to meet new people and get to know them by eating, drinking, and playing Taido together. It was crazy good fun.
I landed at Schiphol entirely clueless as to what the week would have in store for me. This was my first trip to Europe and my first meeting with many of the European Taido members. I’ll say up front that I was not disappointed with the quality of character or technique demonstrated by the various national delegations. I even managed to learn a few things.
Things I learned in Holland:
- Holland is magic. Really. A good bit of the country used to be underwater, but it isn’t anymore. If that doesn’t constitute something special, I don’t know what does.
I recently returned to Atlanta from Leiden, Netherlands, site of the 2007 International Taido Friendship Games and European Taido Championships. The five-day event comprised two international tournaments and three days of seminars. There were also plenty of chances to meet new people and get to know them by eating, drinking, and playing Taido together. It was crazy good fun.
I landed at Schiphol entirely clueless as to what the week would have in store for me. This was my first trip to Europe and my first meeting with many of the European Taido members. I’ll say up front that I was not disappointed with the quality of character or technique demonstrated by the various national delegations. I even managed to learn a few things.
Things I learned in Holland:
- Holland is magic. Really. A good bit of the country used to be underwater, but it isn’t anymore. If that doesn’t constitute something special, I don’t know what does.
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11/09/2007 In Experiments / Ideas by andy
One of the really cool things about Taido is Shukumine’s understanding that the measure of a martial art is in the behavior of its practitioners. Outsiders will judge Taido by the things they see Taido black belts do. Shukumine always taught that Taido should serve us in society as well as in combat.
As a young man, I remember hearing him speak about the necessity of equaling our Taido achievements in society. He told us once that a Taido black belt should be a black belt in his career as well. He said a school-age student should study his courses and practice Taido with the same degree of commitment and attention. A business person should apply Taido’s philosophy in negotiations (some business schools require students to read Musashi’s Book of Five Rings). In short, we should be applying the lessons we learn in Taido to our daily lives in society as well. What I’ve been thinking over the past few years is that, maybe we should also start applying the lessons we learn in society to Taido.
One of the really cool things about Taido is Shukumine’s understanding that the measure of a martial art is in the behavior of its practitioners. Outsiders will judge Taido by the things they see Taido black belts do. Shukumine always taught that Taido should serve us in society as well as in combat.
As a young man, I remember hearing him speak about the necessity of equaling our Taido achievements in society. He told us once that a Taido black belt should be a black belt in his career as well. He said a school-age student should study his courses and practice Taido with the same degree of commitment and attention. A business person should apply Taido’s philosophy in negotiations (some business schools require students to read Musashi’s Book of Five Rings). In short, we should be applying the lessons we learn in Taido to our daily lives in society as well. What I’ve been thinking over the past few years is that, maybe we should also start applying the lessons we learn in society to Taido.
Continue Reading...
