Sir Richard Francis Burton

Sir Richard Francis Burton – polyglot, explorer, writer, swordsman – perhaps the quintessential warrior-scholar. His life and works are impressive and deserve study. While written in Victorian prose, his work remains accessible and is deeply informed with the experience of a man who has been there, seen it, and done it all. A link to digitized versions of hisContinue reading “Sir Richard Francis Burton”

BOWIE KNIFE

The Bowie knife has a rich history and its lessons can be applied widely. True West Magazine has a good article illustrating the importance of the Bowie. (Master Keating makes his own observations on its history.) I encourage you to watch and learn; better still, seek instruction from its source. Some of Master Keating’s thoughts onContinue reading “BOWIE KNIFE”

TACTICS – BEYOND THE ONE HIT KILL

“There are no primary attacks in a knife fight.” This is an important reminder for Aikidoka who are habituated to the one-hit one-kill training mentality. In a knife fight attacks can be gambits, ploys, set-ups to elicit responses. Boxers must contend with similar complex encounters. Stratagems of deception and non-linear methods of attack are not Aikido’s forte. Aikido’s premise narrows theContinue reading “TACTICS – BEYOND THE ONE HIT KILL”