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Post by randomnobody on Apr 22, 2009 6:36:29 GMT
Tom, that is your opinion and while I personally agree with sone parts it bears noting that we conprise a minority in that view. Not many see these arts as grounds for discipline etc. but as something cool to learn and show off, as a...oh wow there's that word you used...performer.
The analogy still holds weight, mind, as the fact remains that live blades are in use. If you mean to imply that any ramndom Joe could pick up a sword and chop a cigarette out of somebody's mouth as a "performer" and that would be okay with you, as opposed to this very simple cut against a much larger target being held much farther away from any part of the body, then I would have to wonder about you.
Likewise, if a person were to sincerely believe in the absence of form or what have you as their best method, then that is their thing and they are allowed it. How he initiates, carries out, and finishes his cut is for him to decide and as we can all plainly see, it all went well. He was obviously balanced enough and obviously moved the sword through an arc that caused no harm to the other person. Whether you believe so or not, the facts are that he did not slip, fall, lose his grip, or mis-swing. Might not have been the prettiest swing, but I'd say I've seen you pull off some ugly cuts, too. Hell, I've had more.
Clearly there are "thousands" of people who believe this person is doing things right, versus five who disagree.
I think it's well past time to move on now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2009 7:45:54 GMT
Actually Tom, I don´t really approve of that video either. Now I can tell those cuts are angled MUCH safer and they are stable cuts. But I don´t like video where your average Joe can go oh cool, try it at home and kill somebody because they can´t tell that.
As for Mr. Parks video...the fact he got LUCKY and didn´t cut that poor fellow´s arm off does not mean he did good...or even okay. I fell from a 8 story tall tree when I was a kid with nothing but scratches. Don´t mean that it´s a good idea to fall from a 8 story tree...just that I got lucky. Don´t confuse luck with skill. As for the safety precautions...umm what?!? What safety? That angle of the cut was probably the second worst choice. The only way he could have done worse was to cut straight down as he stepped in. Stepping into the person holding the mat is so monumentally unsafe that I have no idea where you got the idea that he was doing anything even remotely safe.
As far as formless martial skills...well I have no problem with formless martial arts. I have done enough different fighting over the years that I pretty much do fight formless...but what he does is not formless martial arts. It is uncontrolled and mindless. Compare this to how Bruce Lee was fighting where he was very controlled and always very aware of his actions and their consequence. People confuse formless martial arts with the empty mind and in their confusion apply both. If you truly believe in the formless style, you should always be thinking, analyzing and be in control so you can apply the most effective action into use. The empty mind principle is the complete opposite where you don´t think. You let your muscle act as they now how to on their own from years of training a form. If you apply neither, your just getting by on natural skill...which is what Mr .Parks is doing...and I do have to admit that he does have quite a large amount of natural skills.
And finally there are thousands if not tens of thousands who disagree with Mr. Parks...not just us. Especially since some of videos have been proven as fakes (like some of the throwing videos, you see him hold up one spike...but you hear multiple klanks of metal hitting the ground if you amplify the sound). Or videos that just make no sense whatsoever...like his drawing a sword from the back video where he says you can do it because you can pull the saya down as you draw. Course in his example he has the saya in his hand instead of strapped on. Because if the saya was actually strapped to your back you could not do that. See video below for an example of that lack of thought...amongst some other things.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2009 8:28:37 GMT
How about everyone has their own opinion, goes home, and cuddles it, okay?
Nah, that sounds too sarcastic...Just, hold your opinion. You're not going to change anyone's mind. This arguments gone on long enough. If you must continue, take it to PM or something...
Friends, kay? ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2009 9:25:03 GMT
I won't get into the safety aspects or anything, i feel plenty has already been said in regards to that. What i find odd is: It wasn't much of a demonstration was it? I mean, to me that looks like a half roll...? He's not testing a tanto, he's testing a daito. Where's the test? From what i can see of that sword (from where they are advertised) it looks like its plenty capable of some decent cutting. So, how about seeing some decent cutting? Frankly, (and not to sound like a knob) i didn't find that video impressive at all. I felt like others here in regards to the shameless promotion & the lack of safety. In a nutshell - it didn't make me wanna buy a sword. It made me wonder why they were only cutting half a roll with it like its a beast. But, oh well... Nothing to lose sleep over. ;D EDIT: FWIW, i know i'm late in this... But i was going to post this after (not at) #31. But the thread appeared to be dying so i didn't. Now that i noticed it was still going (at least until Marc closes it) i thought i'd toss my change in the well.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Apr 22, 2009 11:25:15 GMT
I can understand Cold Napalm's reasons for not liking Mr. Urso's video either but at least any casual observer can see that Mr. Urso displays a great amount of skill that should cause a person to say something like: "gosh, I can't move like that at all that guy is really good, I don't think I can do that." ok I know there are plenty of people out there who are immune to such common sensical musings but I think those people are probably Darwin Award candidates in waiting anyway.
Random, my point about a performer was certainly not that any random Joe can pick up a sword and cut a cigarette out of someone's lips but rather that a performer practices one trick until that trick is perfectly repeatable but may know nothing at all of the proper use of the weapon involved AND that there is often a TRICK or deception involved in performer tricks. many of the amazing circus trick one sees done are nowhere near as amazing as they look once you know the trick. it's rather like magic that way. not what it appears. someone who tries to repeat a circus trick without knowing the proper trick will be doomed to failure all the time.
yeah, I have had many, many off balance cuts but I have never been seen cutting a target from someone's hand or cutting toward a person at close range. I mean hey, go look at our sword safety 101 thread and count how many of those tenants were violated or blatently ignored. doesn't the sword safety 101 thread mean anything anymore? if it does then wouldn't we who support that agenda of safety be hypocrites for supporting this video as well? I think so.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2009 13:53:24 GMT
Chosen Ninja Quick Sword Back Draws...I have a new hero folks! Are you with me?
I wish that other video was still up; I'd like to see what the fuss is all about. I get it, but still would like to see it.
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Apr 22, 2009 15:37:44 GMT
Clearly there are "thousands" of people who believe this person is doing things right, versus five who disagree. . If we take this thread , and the you tube video comments (now deleted) as a crossection of the community at large, we are loooking at only one or two folks that agree with his actions.... and the VAST majority that are appalled by it. Frankly, this is the TRAINING section, not the ENTERTAINMENT section.... and i don't think you'll find one in a hundred martial artists who will approve of a damn thing in that vid.... in fact if I had saved a copy of it , I 'd bost it at e-budo and the JSA section of SFI just to see..... None the less... it is MY contention that it is a grossly unsafe and irresponsible act. You are testing the quality of an unknown sword that you do not own and you take a swing at another human being with it.... !!!! WTF that is so irresponsible..... Thread locked in 5-4-3-2-1....
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