Katana Question

[gr455h0pp3r]

What are some good reasons to study Japanese Sword Arts in general, some universal reasons which are beneficial to the practitioner?

[Charles Mahan]

Trying to talk yourself into it?

[cguzik]

Cool Popeye-like forearms?

[Jeremy Hulley]

Cuttin' Stuff...

[gendzwil]

The chicks. It's all about the chicks.

[cxt]

Other than sheer enjoyment at the practice I'd say you would have about as many reason as you have people.

[DDATFUS]

The chicks. It's all about the chicks.

I don't know... the cars and money aspect of it appeals to me just as much.

[Jeremy Hulley]

Cool clothes......and the cute barista next door....oops that's my inside voice...

[gendzwil]

I don't know... the cars and money aspect of it appeals to me just as much.Once you've got a garageful and you've finished your daily moneybath though, it really is the constant barrage of hot chicks that keeps you motivated. They all want to see my sword.

[kdlarman]

Don't listen to these yahoo's. The reason is simple. It gives you an excuse to tell the wife about why you really need to buy that sword you always wanted. "Really, honey, I need it for class."

Better than wasting your money on loose women and cheap booze... Give it to me instead... ;)

Seriously, I think most think way too hard about why you do something like this. You do it because you want to. You do it because you get something out of it. You don't need more of a reason than those.

No one ever asked me why I liked playing tennis. But say you train with swords and they ask you why... Why do people run around a court in tiny shorts whacking a tiny ball with snowshoe? Simple. It is fun. It is challenging. You need something to challenge your body and your mind. Find something that speaks to you and do it with a sincere, focused attitude. Be it tennis or swords...

[Chidokan]

:D Where else could you get away with telling people you have a three foot long weapon? It also explains away the really baggy trousers....
That's actually going to be on my new club t-shirt....and it'll be the reason why young ladies will continue to flock to my dojo. :D I feel a new thread coming on...

iaido T-shirt slogans...How about:

Is that a sword in your obi or are you just pleased to see me!

My weapon is three feet long.

see new thread in the lounge....

[kdlarman]

"Excuse me while I whip this out..."

[pgsmith]

It gives you an excuse to tell the wife about why you really need to buy that sword you always wanted. "Really, honey, I need it for class."
Not to mention the excuse for hanging around drinking. :)

[kdlarman]

Hmmm, about 2 weeks ago when I got home after midnight on Friday (class ended at 9:30) she asked if I went to that class because of the class or the beer and thai food later...

Of course my answer was that it was also the thai waitresses...

My wife doesn't have much of a sense of humor at midnight... ;)

[Ron Tisdale]

So I'm guessing you slept on the couch? ;)

B,
R

[kdlarman]

Nah, but it was quite cold that night...

[Neil Yamamoto]

I've seen stories of men like Tohei who melted the snow around them meditating.

I've seen stories of women who can freeze everything around them, well, anything masculine anyway.

This perhaps is a feminine meditation practice? I wonder since there are the outsward signs of staying very still, immune to any form of physical stimulation from you, totally oblivious to speech or distraction. It seems to go across all cultures as well.

If one makes the correct comment however, it provokes sudden violence, so there must be a martial tie as well. Is there any budo known for throwing whatever is close at hand at someone for innocent comments like "That waitress at the Thai-Japanese-Chinese-Italian-German-Irish pub- sure is cute" and "Yeah, your butt does look big in that."

Back on topic. Train because it stimulates some reaction in you to work hard and enjoy the people you are with for no tangible reward. You get to hang out with some really cool people who drink alcoholic beverages. You get to meet cute waitresses with charming accents who bring you alcoholic beverages. It stimulates your interest in things foreign to your everday life. It stimulates you to read, research history, and gives you some physical, mental discipline and reinforces your emotional being and positive sense of self by being criticized harshly and encouraged by your sensei at the same time.

But most of all, train because as Keith says, it's an excuse for a night out with your buds.

Besides, When you claim yours is 28" long and you need both hands to keep it under control, it will be true. :)

[pgsmith]

Nah, but it was quite cold that night...
Lucky you! My wife is the violent type. Whenever I make a comment like that, I have to immediately tighten up as I know I'm fixing to get a shot to the short ribs. :)

Of course, there are problems with training. Like developing a taste for good sake, and then not being able to find it down here in Texas! And you can't order it on-line from here either! :(

[Brian Owens]

"Excuse me while I whip this out..."
Blazing Saddles fan?

[SeventhSentinel]

Lucky you! My wife is the violent type. Whenever I make a comment like that, I have to immediately tighten up as I know I'm fixing to get a shot to the short ribs. :(

Yup I'm right there with ya. cept my girl is japanese and barely 5 foot. kinda puts her shots a bit below the ribs.

[Andy Watson]

Coz cutting choppy slashing maim burn pillage destroy must put small people in macerator running down street naked with katana cut their heads off and suck out the marrow thrusting stabbing killing decapitating disemboweling arrive in shopping mall covered in blood with weapon in hand screaming and running and hacking with people screaming and bleeding laughing excited red mist feeling very excited whirling blade hacking and slashing more and arrive at convent very excited blade in hand running hacking slashing cutting chopping maiming burn destroy.

Need I say more?

[Chidokan]

but apart from that...not a lot really.... :D :D :D

[urbalte]

I think Andy Watson's answer pretty much covered it.

[Sukeyasu]

Put down the _Ulysses_.

[taken67]

Of course, there are problems with training. Like developing a taste for good sake, and then not being able to find it down here in Texas! And you can't order it on-line from here either! :(

I am shocked and appalled at this statement. There are plenty of good sushi restaurants that serve many different types of yummy sake. ;) In fact I just heard that Dallas has the largest number of restaurants per capita in the country! There's bound to be a place for you!

This thread is ridiculously funny BTW.

[Norbert Funke]

Like developing a taste for good sake, and then not being able to find it down here in Texas! And you can't order it on-line from here either! :(
Paul, there is actually a good liquor store in Plano. It took me almost a year to find it. They have a decent collection of Sake (not great, but decent). I prefer the cold/chilled ones, such as Hakushika.

[Neil Yamamoto]

Originally Posted by pgsmith
Of course, there are problems with training. Like developing a taste for good sake, and then not being able to find it down here in Texas! And you can't order it on-line from here either!

http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/LegInfo/Wine/Default.htm

As all powerful diety of the food and beverage, especially ADULT beverages, I bring news which may be helpful. Depending on how tight this is being interepreted, you may be able to order sake online for shipment to Texas now.

This ruling on the link above is pretty recent May 2006. So Paul, if I was you, I'd check with Bev-Mo and High Times in CA to see if sake is classified as a wine. Gee, High Times is right down the block from the Senpokan in Costa Mesa for next time you visit Big Tony. Same exit off the 55, only you turn left across the 55 instead of heading right to the dojo.

And Paul, as an uncouth barbarian, you should be more on top of local liquor laws. For shame!! :rolleyes: :)

[Steve Wallisa]

After further review by Senpokan according to the BevMo website sake is listed under wines. Now off to High Times for further analysis.

[Johnny Yuma]

Paul--

I thought that since it was fermented from a grain, and not a fruit, it is considered malt liquor. Sake's manufacturing process precludes it from being considered "wine" to the US gubmint and even Texas.

[Neil Yamamoto]

Yes, technically, sake is a type of beer -malt liquor, splitting hairs on that end really in my book, but is usually referred to as a rice wine.

It doesn't really matter how it's classified technically though, since I went to Bevmo's website, selected Texas as a shipping destination, and it cleared as OK to ship there in the shopping cart. If it wasn't able to ship to Texas, it would have popped up with a not able to ship notice.

If they have done their homework on Bevmo's side, pretty sure they have since they face stiff penalties if they don't, it's good to go.

I love High Times, great selection and good prices! Almost end of work day for me, I'm ready for a Cuban Rum mojito.

We now return you to questions about sword thingies.

[bushidobluer6]

Lucky you! My wife is the violent type. Whenever I make a comment like that, I have to immediately tighten up as I know I'm fixing to get a shot to the short ribs. :)

Of course, there are problems with training. Like developing a taste for good sake, and then not being able to find it down here in Texas! And you can't order it on-line from here either! :(


Paul,

If you are truly "jonesing" for sake, and nothing you have found quenches your thirst, perhaps I can assist. My father-in-law makes regular trips to Japan for business and leaves in two weeks. I just asked him to pick up "something good" so I can use the new sake set I got for Fathers Day.

Let me know!