Knowledge and Judgement in the Martial Arts
Knowledge and judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from good or bad judgment regarding life situations, which leads to evolution over time. That’s how...
Filial Piety
No one uses the phrase “filial piety” outside of a dojang. Why, then, do we? When I asked myself that question, I didn’t have...
Centering
Physically centering can save our lives in a confrontation. It can help us diffuse, deescalate, walk away from, or if necessary, physically deal with...
Why Not to Fight
I’m a minister and a pastor. I’m not supposed to advocate violence, yet I teach combat. I have on occasion taught the rare self...
LOYALTY in Judo and in Life
Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable, than loyalty.
Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC)
After having lived in Japan for some time, one comes to...
Becoming A Man
Becoming a man doesn’t happen by accident. It isn’t by coincidence or happenstance. It is a choice and it requires constant conscious effort. It...
Accepting Funakoshi’s Challenge
My favorite Gichin Funakoshi quote is: “Everything you encounter is an aspect of karate: find the marvelous truth there.”
By Thomas A. Newnam ~ Did...
Promote Peace: Harmony and Unity in the Martial Arts Community
Anyone who knows me knows that I promote peace, harmony and unity in the martial arts community. Since the martial arts became popular in...
Key mind sets and attitudes in advanced martial artists
What are some of the key mind sets and attitudes to be found in advanced martial artists?
"What you do speaks so loudly that I...
Is There Life in the Martial Arts After Old Age?
I have been on this martial art journey for about sixty one years. Since I didn’t start at birth most of you would have...
The Black Dragon Fighting Society, Origin and Operations
The Black Dragon Fighting Society can be traced back through Chicago to Japan; From Japan to China; From China to Mongolia. The IFAA Black...
The Truth About Martial Arts Training in Japan
The following observations are from the late Arthur Tansley, the noted martial arts photographer who lived in Tokyo for many years.
Note: Words like sensei...
Martial Arts Myths
The martial arts myths that really irritate me the most revolve around fighting and self-defense, and students regularly ask me about these. I've listed...
What is Traditional Karate?
The title of this article is "What is Traditional Karate?" And that may seem like a strange question for a traditional karateka to ask!...
Judo and Education
Over a century ago, Japanese jujutsu men from various ryu or schools, often competed against one another and sometimes fought boxers and wrestlers in...
Thoughts From A Martial Arts Journalist
I consider myself a martial arts journalist and I take my job very seriously. For me, the job of a journalist in the martial...