Look At This!!!

[Travis Morris]

www.aikijiujitsukungfu.com

Just look at the site. Then post opinions

[bobO]

GROAN, I remember this guys posters on the telephone posts down at the train station in Ronkonkoma. What can one say to this? The disturbing thing is this guy is probably making money. I think I beat him up once in high school. Too sad.

[jwilliams]

Did he start this after watching the Karate kid and thinking the Cobra Kai was the place to be? Let's just change the meaning of everything, Samurai and like bobO said he's probably making money.

[Dotanuki]

OMG!!
Travis!
You found one of my old posters!!=)):karate:=))

[mancosbob]

Looks like a lot of talk, a lot of pain, but no heart. I'm 3000 miles away, and I can get that 'creepy vibe' via my flat screen. :evilbat:

The first thing I thought of was the bad guy dojo in that first Karate Kid film...even before I scrolled down the thread. Like jwilliams and bobO said; he probably makes money feeding off of fear of those who have no idea how to survive. I might be wrong, maybe it was just the photo's and the fonts, but I felt something...not good....about what I saw.

[jwilliams]

Looks like a lot of talk, a lot of pain, but no heart. I'm 3000 miles away, and I can get that 'creepy vibe' via my flat screen. :evilbat:

The first thing I thought of was the bad guy dojo in that first Karate Kid film...even before I scrolled down the thread. Like jwilliams and bobO said; he probably makes money feeding off of fear of those who have no idea how to survive. I might be wrong, maybe it was just the photo's and the fonts, but I felt something...not good....about what I saw.

I think your instincts are right on.

[goose710]

Having read the nonsense about "the Hunt" i was wondering how'd they feel when i pumped two 45 cal. slugs into their center mass?? that plan to "hunt" a student seems like doomed to failure, i wouldn't hesitate if i felt threatened. (course i wouldn't parcipitate in such madness) hogwash and nonsence you want adventure go to irac
goose710

[bobO]

Yup a lot of bad juju there. Goose, don't wanna tell a guy what to do,but it's two to the body, one to the head, makes a fellow very dead. I would do the hunt just so I could sue the jerks, must be a hell of a release form.

[Dotanuki]

No joking around this time.
Actually I have seen a lot worse than this, around here.
This is actually a form of a cult, with the martial arts as a basis.
Whether it is martial arts, new age thinking, new religion, a cult is a cult.
It is there to promote the cult leader and his ideas, period.
There are many hard core cults in the martial arts, just as dangerous as any religious cult.
Normally I believe if you can't say something positive, you shouldn't say nothing at all.
.................................................. .............................................
This time I will make an exception.
When a person develops an interest in something, they should do research on the subject, not just take the word of their instructor. Very often you will find the background on these cults are so laden with fictitious statements that it is not hard to expose them for what they are.
Although I have noticed even in legitimate endeavors, very often the instructor's/guru/whatever are using their position to pick up women and/or ego gratification.
So how to judge?
Well most of the older members on this Forum already know just by being on this Forum.
If you should meet Buddha along the road during your travels, slay him.
You can only find truth/enlightenment/the true arts, within yourself.
No master can grant you enlightenment!!!
The only problem is sometimes younger people can easily be influenced by these situations, hopefully they will read statements such as this to help them along their path. Young people are very intelligent, especially when presented with the right information. Nanshoji is proof of this.
As I have always said, you have a mind.
USE IT!!!
Don't let other people dictate your thoughts and actions, I truely believe inherently/instinctively we know inside what is right and wrong.

[jwilliams]

Don't let other people dictate your thoughts and actions, I truely believe inherently/instinctively we know inside what is right and wrong.

I agree. As we read or study anything, we have "gut" feelings that something just feels right or is familiar, and usually our gut is right. That is the concept behind "no mind". We tend to mess things up when we overthink things as opposed to meditation. Intellectual methods alone are not sufficient to arrive at the truth.

[RedZorak]

My God, the man can't even spell Sensei right...

[Travis Morris]

This is actually a form of a cult, with the martial arts as a basis.


This was the response I was looking for. It is just that. A cult. People around here get brain washed by this. It is a shame. Part of his advancement is for you to get the school symbol tatooed to your body. As you move up in rank, you add more or fill it in. For those that dont, you must wear a mask and not show your face.

This is sick and twisted. Its a shame. It reallys takes away from the "real" martial artists.

My God, the man can't even spell Sensei right...

Ignorance is bliss???:-?:-?:-?

[Dotanuki]

What makes you think schools like this don't exist in Japan? [they do!]
At least they don't have to worry about spelling.

What would you tell someone who just spent maybe 4 years at this school and got his blackbelt and found out the truth about his style.
That he wasted his time?
He should have done more research , it was his own fault?
Just keep lying to himself and keep doing what he was doing?
Attack everybody else and say they are just jealous?
Give up and quit on the arts because you were fooled?

Or just take whatever you learned and try to apply whatever is salvageable to the real actual study of the martial arts.
I have seen legitimate martial arts that were no better than what we viewed here.
Years ago, if this guy showed up at tournaments with hundreds of students in tow, tournament after tournament, the powers in charge would kiss his a$$ trying to influence him. Then talk about him behind his back. I imagine it is no different today.
What is the difference if the instructor was from a legitimate ancient koryu, then had sex with underage students [hopefully girls]. Demanded the students to obey his commands unconditionally, because this is the way they did it in ancient Japan [they really did]. I hope everybody sees where I'm going with this.
Being legitimate is not always synonamous with what is right.
Being from a legitimate school don't necessarily mean you will become superiorly skilled either.
Also a fool with a skill, is still a fool, even if that skill is legitimate!
Is there an answer to this conundrum?
I don't have one!
All I can say is, to your own self be true.

[bobO]

Dotanuki, I love you man. Not in a prison kinda way, Just what you say gets to me, I'm not gonna say to much cause I just put my foot in my mouth, but you are right on. And this is what I have tried to do over the decades. And I'm not saying this has made me a "bad" dude, but the bad don't F$%# with me.I think if most kids went to an old school Dojo they wouldn't last an hour , and mommy and daddy would be suing every body.

[mancosbob]

Here is my scenario for the hunt. You have graduated the school, and some buddies take you out to celebrate. The bottom line here is, they will send somebody you trust to help take you and put down your guard. Somehow, you have a police confrontation that night and all your gear is ripped off by the planted cops; that is when you are taken some place and begin the ordeal. If they don't do that, they will be facing guys with attitudes and guns, not so good all around. They will find a way to get you unarmed, alone, and freaked out, probably using buddy or paid cops to do so; someone that a honest person would never think of busting a few caps at.

Your big disadvantage is not knowing where real life and their student hunt thing, take diverging paths; unless you have that special sense that gives you early warning, you will not react properly in time. Or you might wind up in a gun fight with a real cop, not too good either really, they tend to frown on that.

After that, they can do whatever they want to you, just like the real bad guys, your only real security would be to have your own team 'special oops' keeping you under discreet surveillance at a reasonable distance 24/7. They will be your only hope, depending on how crazy these guys get.

In the broadest of strokes, that is how I'd expect them to play it anyway.

Of course, I'd never put myself in that position; I've been there for real, the only thing that saved my sorry butt was having one or two well placed friends who sandbagged the 'kitchen help' for me, when it was time for hammer fall. I am only alive today by the grace of God; and more than once too! Thank you Lord! :Praying:

[Dotanuki]

Tiny little print and green too!
As I get older I notice my eyesight is fading, and colored print gives me major headaches.
I find your posts very interesting, but you are killing me!
On this Forum, you can post in any manner. I just wanted you to know the effect it was having on me.

[mancosbob]

Tiny little print and green too!
As I get older I notice my eyesight is fading, and colored print gives me major headaches.
I find your posts very interesting, but you are killing me!
On this Forum, you can post in any manner. I just wanted you to know the effect it was having on me.

Is this better my friend? Sorry! I have eyes that kept me from my dream of being a Railroad Engineer, so I figure if I can see it, its okay. My glasses are starting to look pretty thick as I blew past 50, but thanks to modern lens materials I do not have those coke bottles yet. Funny thing was, I could still shoot pretty well; my M1A had NM sights and that made all the difference on earth. ;)

[Brian Brazier]

This reminds me more of Karate Kid part 3 (I think) the one where he steals the Bonsai tree, then joins that militant dojo. I am sure there is some form of MA there but it gets tangled up in all the rest of their BS and ends up looking really hokey.

[jwilliams]

Dotanuki,
I'm not sure I know where you were going with that but I can feel kinda bad for the students, those that have no choice on where to go for training, but I don't think it would take 4 years and a black belt to figure out that that place and sensi ~X(were screwed up. Like you said to thine own self be true. If a student were in touch with any part of the universe I think he would walk out fast. In Flashing Steel he talks about the messed up notion of martial arts that many people have. Places like this strengthen that notion. If someone had only ever seen this place what would they think of the martial arts and martial artists? Am I close?

[bobO]

what gets me is this is long Island, where there's a dojo on every corner. this is a place that caters to the ego. pure and simple and very very sad. Travis, I bust on my friends about Tai Zen being a cult, If master Tague says the sky is green every one just falls in line. But that old man can really move, something to see really.

[Dotanuki]

j,
Most people join schools like this not for the martial arts, but for the same reason you join religious cults or gangs. They are looking for direction, and trying to find it everywhere but their own heart. It is much easier for many people to have someone tell them what is right and wrong and how to think.
The point I was making also, was legitimacy.
Schools or religions that are cults are easy targets for attacks and contempt.
But bad things happen in places that are supposed to be legitimate.
A cult minister with a underaged harem, or telling his followers when to drink the kool aid.
A Catholic priest having sex with his young altar boy, telling him it is what God wants. [sorry Catholics, just an example].
Both are just as wrong as the other.
I have seen many legitimate martial art schools where the instructors spend way too much time hitting on their female students, whether they be single, married or underaged. What does this have to do with their teaching the martial arts? I know of one who got one of his 16 year old female students pregnant, when the father came looking for him, he tried to commit suicide by shooting himself in the stomach. He missed.
If I would of known, I would have helped him by being his second in seppuku.
But first I would have "helped" with his belly cut [kicking and screaming, no doubt]
When I was young I wanted to go and 'turn out' phoney schools, my instructor laughed and told me they would just make me look like the bad guy.
I realised as I got older, that if I tried to physically stop all the phonies, it would be like the ending of Jet Li's "The One". An eternity in Hell, fighting one worthless a$$hole after another until the end of time. [although now that I think of it, that don't sound so bad after all] [joking?]
I have been very fortunate in my life, I have done things most people only dream about, my life story would make an excellent movie, although most people would swear most of it was made up [it wasn't]
I have met many martial arts masters in life, and was able to train with "generations" of instructors. But 'ALL' of the most memorable ones had nothing to do with skill in the arts, but rather their behavior and how their examples in how they conducted themselves was everything I wanted to be.
I have met some very famous masters that were A-holes, and even though their physical skills were amazing, I only remember them as a A-holes.
I have also met an old master [now dead] who was the epitomy of everything the martial arts stood for. Yet on elite Forums they try to portray him as a phoney and charletan [easy to do when you can't defend yourself, dead]. None of the attacks had to do with skill or attitude or behavior, but lineage.
So as I said, You have a mind, it was given to you to use it, how you do it is up to you.

[jwilliams]

j,
I have met many martial arts masters in life, and was able to train with "generations" of instructors. But 'ALL' of the most memorable ones had nothing to do with skill in the arts, but rather their behavior and how their examples in how they conducted themselves was everything I wanted to be.
I have met some very famous masters that were A-holes, and even though their physical skills were amazing, I only remember them as a A-holes.
I have also met an old master [now dead] who was the epitomy of everything the martial arts stood for. Yet on elite Forums they try to portray him as a phoney and charletan [easy to do when you can't defend yourself, dead]. None of the attacks had to do with skill or attitude or behavior, but lineage.
So as I said, You have a mind, it was given to you to use it, how you do it is up to you.

My idea of the martial arts is exactly as you say, it should develop character first. Without it, physical skills, while noteworthy, are a shallow reflection of a true human being. As a person ages physical skills diminish, but the character you've built remains. I join with bobO as my respect for you grows as I read your thoughtful and informative posts. I may not always agree with everything everyone says on this forum, but it is a great place to exchange ideas.

[bobO]

Dotanuki, I always look forward to you input it makes me wince sometimes but that just means I'm paying attention. These things are what I have seen that just take the heart out of me, the sensei that gives his whole class looking at himself in his wall to wall mirrors. The 7 year old kid that is only learning aggression, the teacher who dresses up like Attila the Hun and hangs out at the dairy queen with the 15- 16 year old girls, it goes on and on. I have had other teachers to whom I will always be grateful, who taught me ego is the enemy, that hands that hurt must also be hands that heal(Dotanuki, I bet you know where I got this from), that love and compassion are the highest ideals, not murder and mayhem. That the greatest skill is not to be able to kill a man with one blow, but to control him with the least amount of damage to all party's involved. to defeat an opponent with out shaming him. To live your life like there will be an accounting at the end. To LEARN zen and Buddhism, not as religion but as a way to improve your self, to become a Superior man not just a Superior fighter. One reason I've always admired M. Ali. Dotanuki, next time I drive to kansas, I'm stopping by and bringing some sake, and you can tell me some story's

[Tony Ferrill]

Holy Moly!this has been a great thread-thanks to all.
I've had some experience with these commando cults when the "Patriot Movement" was going on.Amazing what lonely and depressed people will do;a lot of the dumb stuff I heard before I beat feet was put forth by Feds-you can bet this place has an eye on it,too.
I had some concern about the dojo I train in,not for the reasons in this clown's adverts,but over the inclusion of children in the training.I have since gotten over that,it has actually helped develop the compassion towards folk that was beginning to form in my heart.And I certainly can't malign the training,as I rationally measure my own and others progress in the last year.
Dotanuki-san,I am glad to have started my serious training at a later age,as I can just see me doing the chasing down and confronting these sort of people in my past-hardly useful or wholesome for anyone's sake!
LOL I actually have tattooed my school's seal on my left forearm,not because anyone told me to,but rather because of the motivation it gives me to train and do my very best in all areas of my life.
I have learned that the martial arts are for life and living.As Grandmaster Wally Jay said,"The object is not to see how much damage you can inflict upon your opponent,but how little you can hurt him and still control him".
Thanks,guys!
Respectfully,Tony

[Dotanuki]

Dotanuki, next time I drive to kansas, I'm stopping by and bringing some sake, and you can tell me some story's

Bob,
That's sounds great to me!!
I would love to have you see the Dojo in person, you just better not tell me it is an scarey/dangerous location and your mom won't let you come. [inside joke!]
Seriously , I really would like that to become a reality [especially the Sake part].

[bobO]

Hey the way my daughter keeps popping out baby's it shouldn't be long. I was walking down to the docks one night with a girlfriend, when she asks if we should be worried about the bears, I told her,"Honey the scariest thing in these woods, has it's arm around you".< that's a kurganism.

[FrozenIpaq]

This is the American way ;)

My karate school was a traditional Tang Soo Do school where we learned all the techniques, forms, numbers (1-10 for counting out loud) in Korean...but those people coming to the school were not interested in this. Sadly this is what Americans want to hear and read, ads like the one you posted (thread creator).

I hate it when someone takes martial arts and makes it into a business. Our instructor's business motives are quite visible at times and that irritates me more than anything that he is using Martial Arts in this manner.

Someone looking to start a business will do whatever necessary to succeed, even if that means disgracing tradition.

[Jason Moore]

I sometimes think about this when I am doing promotions and videos about the swords I sell. I am always hoping that people are not offended that I am making videos and cutting with swords even though I have not been trained. Then I think... if I was a consumer, would I want to see videos of the swords I was interested in buying? Hell yea! I know the arts can be a touchy subject and I try my best to take the attention off of me and put it on the sword, but I refuse to stop when some people genuinely like my videos.

[FrozenIpaq]

I sometimes think about this when I am doing promotions and videos about the swords I sell. I am always hoping that people are not offended that I am making videos and cutting with swords even though I have not been trained. Then I think... if I was a consumer, would I want to see videos of the swords I was interested in buying? Hell yea! I know the arts can be a touchy subject and I try my best to take the attention off of me and put it on the sword, but I refuse to stop when some people genuinely like my videos.

I genuinely like your videos. It's not like you are claiming to be really good at cutting or are trying to show off (like some Youtube videos I've seen). I think it'd only be offensive if you were doing a public demonstration to demonstrate skill rather than product (you're demonstrating the product, not your skill) and lacked any proper skill or training, you seem to know your products well so kudos to you!

[Jason Moore]

Thanks alot. I always appreciate when someone knows what I am trying to show. Beleive me, if I had the time, I would take some classes and then show some skill. :duel: