BRUCE CALKINS & THE EAGLE FEDERATION

[arnisador]

I can't believe that so many people are willing to judge his knowledge and ability via Internet postings.

I've learned a lot from people with minimal English language skills (and in some cases, minimal literacy in any language).

The Soke title is obviously a case of inappropriate use of the title. Of course, people here are giving him a hassle because the org. judged his skills via webcam or video...and then are turning around and judging by text here. Hypocrisy, anyone?

Let's focus on the things that are demonstratively wrong. Anyone who thinks they can judge martial arts skills by writing ability is as guilty of making rash judgments as those at the Eagle Federation.

By the way, I'll be in Buffalo (actually, West Seneca) Thursday--Sunday of next week at Tim Hartman's school, where I'll be hitting Kaith with a stick.

 

[tshadowchaser]

Be sure to hit Charlie ( grimfang) at least once also.

For those that don't know he is my kid

 

[Tgace]

For all we know, Ashida Kim is an excellent fighter with superb skills. Even if that were true though....ya know what Im getting at?

 

[arnisador]

Be sure to hit Charlie ( grimfang) at least once also.

I didn't know he was coming--that's great!

 

[arnisador]

For all we know, Ashida Kim is an excellent fighter with superb skills. Even if that were true though....ya know what Im getting at?

Yes. But--he's actively defrauding the public on a large scale. I'm not willing to draw the same conclusion here based principally on a misused title and some questionable dates of training.

 

[Tgace]

True..I admit that Mr.Calkins, based on his posts sems like a "nice guy" his viewpoint is positive and not partaking of the "martial fantasy" of being a super ultimate killing machine.

 

[BruceCalkins]

For all of you with kind comments... Especially MartialMan.. Thank you.

Tonight I am feeling quite proud. I went to "The Battle Of Buffalo" and my student did great. We came home with a 2nd, 3rd and two 4th places. Now these are students with little tourniment experience. Most of them have joind my school Between Dec 2004 and March 2005. So they hold White belt and Yellow Belts.
I had the honor of working with some of this areas finest Martial Artist. Sensei Hutch, Shihan Everage, Sabom-Nim Ron Cain and many others. The Compitition was fantastic. I will try my best to be there July23rd. The only thing that might keep me back is Cash... I am on a very limited income and sometimes Bills are relentless. I truly do want to attend it sounds fantastic. I even have talked to some of my students if they would like to attend because of their love of cross training. I will be able to answer as many questions as I can there and maybe even demonstrate the Lu Ling Sao.. and make the Chop Sticks spin :idunno: .. I'll try that way it is in person not on a video.
Also I have an open door policy for our school any Student or Instructor in the area or one willing to stop in is welcome in our school. Just be ready to take over for part of class to share your style.
We just had interest from a Man they Call "Superman" a 2004 Champion Forms Practitioner. He was at Particko's and now Battle of Buffalo and he lives in Canada but asked permission to come on down some time to work with our students.. He said" There is some real talent there and he feels that they can really go far in the compitions. And he would love to help train them. WOW that blew me out of the water.
Well I am getting blury eyed. No Sleep last night an the Battle in Buffale all day.... YAWNNNNN..

 

[47MartialMan]

Again, I must state that his (Bruce C.) maybe of desired recogonition. That he has certain beliefs and mind-set passed onto him. Thus, he will need to adjust.

For sure, he ought to dislodge and/or no longer post affiliation with such questionable and contriversial people, sites, and organizations. I would like to see him change his outlook-if possible. However, back to the old atheist/theologian and pro choice/pro life dispute, some people are affixed to their reality or beliefs.

I dont question his skill or ability.

 

[BruceCalkins]

If anyone would like to see some of my newest action shots and some of the ideals of my training. I am newly listed at...

www.martialartsphotography.com

I have a short photo part talking about the ideas of head control to control the body.

 

[Don Roley]

Anyone who thinks they can judge martial arts skills by writing ability is as guilty of making rash judgments as those at the Eagle Federation.

I think you are partially mistaken. I believe it is very easy for someone to sound kind of like they know what they are talking about by parroting, cutting and pasting things from more knowledgeable people. So it is hard to tell if someone is any good based on what they write. But sometimes people make statements that indicate that they have no real understanding of the subject matter.

For example, if someone wrote the following, do you think they knew much of anything about knife combat?

But my favorite way to use a knife it to give it to my opponet. It limits his movement and gives me a clear line and target to defend against. Most street fighters with a knife don't throw punches and kicks so I limit them to their attacke and just keep my eye on the knife.

I would say that the writer knew nothing about the realities of knife combat. I would not have to see them in action to make that judgement. I would have to see them in action to say that they were skilled, but if they wrote the above I could say they were not skilled.

And of course, if someone makes repeated mistakes about things like what sticky hands is for, weapons the ninja used, etc and then made a very public display of not accepting their mistakes and instead insisted that he was right, do you honestly think that they have the type of attitude that would allow them to reach a level of mastery in the martial arts?

 

[arnisador]

I would say that the writer knew nothing about the realities of knife combat.

True. But especially as a FMA practitioner, I've met many people who are very, very good at say JMA or KMA, but who know nothing about what the knife can do. They believe in treating the weapon as an extension of the hand, often in a far-too-literal way, and are very surprised to learn how snakey it can be. My point is, you can be very very good at what you do but still be clueless about other things. Am I agreeing with you or disagreeing with you? I'm not sure.

As to the type of attitude that would allow one to reach a level of mastery in the martial arts...come on, you've met the same people I have, right? Technically very skilled, able to kick well above their heads or whatever, but with a very surface understanding by our standards. Who am I to say that they're wrong in thinking that a punch is just a punch, a kick is just a kick (as Bruce Lee said)? I agree with you, but is our philosophy objectively right, or just one way to approach the arts?

I'm saying, there's no way to really know until you see them live.

 

[BruceCalkins]

I think you are partially mistaken. I believe it is very easy for someone to sound kind of like they know what they are talking about by parroting, cutting and pasting things from more knowledgeable people. So it is hard to tell if someone is any good based on what they write. But sometimes people make statements that indicate that they have no real understanding of the subject matter.

For example, if someone wrote the following, do you think they knew much of anything about knife combat?



I would say that the writer knew nothing about the realities of knife combat. I would not have to see them in action to make that judgement. I would have to see them in action to say that they were skilled, but if they wrote the above I could say they were not skilled.

And of course, if someone makes repeated mistakes about things like what sticky hands is for, weapons the ninja used, etc and then made a very public display of not accepting their mistakes and instead insisted that he was right, do you honestly think that they have the type of attitude that would allow them to reach a level of mastery in the martial arts?

You know this guy just does not like to admit he may have made a mistake. I have stated that I will be glad to try to prove or explain in person every aspect of what I have said in July... As for the tools the Ninja Used..... That is a ever changing fact... Some claim that the Ninja were Samurai that worked as assasins. Others give the story of the farmers protecting their family and land. I have even heard of Ninja Monks. I'm sure that there is some truth in all of these stories. Hey Don.... Do you want to hear some thing that will blow your mind out of the water....??? You will never guess what I Saw today... A Tae-Kwon-Do Black Belt doing a form with a Bo Staff....... WOW Not A Bo Staff... That is a Traditional Japanese Weapon......... Oh wait amin....... The Chinese used long sticks to cary water... And might have learned how to defend with themmm. But A Korean Style Using a Japanese Weapon...... Impossible you might say..... Impossible like the was Ninja may have picked up a few things after going through a Samurai's Traditional Home..... Hey what are these... Sticks with a string in the middle..... Oh well. I can't pick them up they are traditional Japanese and a Ninja would never tuch such a thing..... Give me a break... They would use and train with what ever they found as a Tool...... That is why it is called a tool.

 

[47MartialMan]

I think you are partially mistaken. I believe it is very easy for someone to sound kind of like they know what they are talking about by parroting, cutting and pasting things from more knowledgeable people. So it is hard to tell if someone is any good based on what they write. But sometimes people make statements that indicate that they have no real understanding of the subject matter.

For example, if someone wrote the following, do you think they knew much of anything about knife combat?



I would say that the writer knew nothing about the realities of knife combat. I would not have to see them in action to make that judgement. I would have to see them in action to say that they were skilled, but if they wrote the above I could say they were not skilled.

And of course, if someone makes repeated mistakes about things like what sticky hands is for, weapons the ninja used, etc and then made a very public display of not accepting their mistakes and instead insisted that he was right, do you honestly think that they have the type of attitude that would allow them to reach a level of mastery in the martial arts?

This makes logical sense.

 

[Don Roley]

You know this guy just does not like to admit he may have made a mistake.

Excuse me, are you saying that I am flawed because I do not admit making a mistake? I think you should consider just how hard you are holding and arguing over the points you are doing instead of admiting you are mistaken and learning from the experience. How can we help you if you let your need to appear knowledgeable in front of others stop you from growing like that?

I have stated that I will be glad to try to prove or explain in person every aspect of what I have said in July... As for the tools the Ninja Used..... That is a ever changing fact... Some claim that the Ninja were Samurai that worked as assasins. Others give the story of the farmers protecting their family and land. I have even heard of Ninja Monks. I'm sure that there is some truth in all of these stories. Hey Don.... Do you want to hear some thing that will blow your mind out of the water....??? You will never guess what I Saw today... A Tae-Kwon-Do Black Belt doing a form with a Bo Staff....... WOW Not A Bo Staff... That is a Traditional Japanese Weapon......... Oh wait amin....... The Chinese used long sticks to cary water... And might have learned how to defend with themmm. But A Korean Style Using a Japanese Weapon...... Impossible you might say..... Impossible like the was Ninja may have picked up a few things after going through a Samurai's Traditional Home..... Hey what are these... Sticks with a string in the middle..... Oh well. I can't pick them up they are traditional Japanese and a Ninja would never tuch such a thing..... Give me a break... They would use and train with what ever they found as a Tool...... That is why it is called a tool.

Perhaps if you had more experience in martial arts you would realize that a long stick is found in every culture. It is even found in English martial arts and mentioned by George Silver. But things like nunchaku, kusarigama, chakram, etc are all found in very limited areas. Quite simply put, the nunchaku was never used by the ninja. There have been no examples found, it was not used in the area they lived as an agricultural tool, there is no mention of it in their books and it is not taught by actual ninjutsu traditions in Japan.

Please take a look at what you wrote at the top of this post and then take another look at the way you refuse to admit that you were mistaken about the ninja using nunchaku. If you set your ego aside, then perhaps we can start to help you gain some understanding of ninjutsu.

 

[47MartialMan]

A.) You know this guy just does not like to admit he may have made a mistake. I have stated that I will be glad to try to prove or explain in person every aspect of what I have said in July... As for the tools the Ninja Used..... That is a ever changing fact... Some claim that the Ninja were Samurai that worked as assasins. Others give the story of the farmers protecting their family and land. I have even heard of Ninja Monks. I'm sure that there is some truth in all of these stories.


B.) Hey Don.... Do you want to hear some thing that will blow your mind out of the water....??? You will never guess what I Saw today... A Tae-Kwon-Do Black Belt doing a form with a Bo Staff....... WOW Not A Bo Staff... That is a Traditional Japanese Weapon......... Oh wait amin....... The Chinese used long sticks to cary water... And might have learned how to defend with themmm. But A Korean Style Using a Japanese Weapon...... Impossible you might say.....


C.) Impossible like the was Ninja may have picked up a few things after going through a Samurai's Traditional Home..... Hey what are these... Sticks with a string in the middle..... Oh well. I can't pick them up they are traditional Japanese and a Ninja would never tuch such a thing..... Give me a break... They would use and train with what ever they found as a Tool...... That is why it is called a tool.

A.) Bruce if you are directing this as insult, as a high-level martial artist, you should maintain. Of course, many (and I) do "loose it" from time to time. Try to refrain from returned "attacks". If you do refrain, will make you look better here. And most stories do not hold much truth. Many are legends and "stories" told via a reconteur for entertainment.

B.) This will not blow my mind given that many in the US, especially tourney competitors use any weapon for competition. So it is not surprising to see any martial artist from one style using a weapon from another origin. Many use sub-standard weapons or fashioned ones (such as long wood dowels for staff, shiney tape or colors, and gymnastics with a weapon) to get the edge of flashy twirls and flashy effects. On occasion when I was a judge a tournies, I would request to judge weapon forms competition. Before I gave the "go ahead" for a competitors to start, I would ask them to give me the history or short detail of the weapon that they were about to use. So far, not one before me doing those times, and different time intervals, could tell me.

Also, you say a Korean martial artist using a Japanese weapon may have not been a true Korean martial artist. thus leads back to people using weapons from other orgins like those using terminology as well.

C.) Not sure what you mean by this.

1.) Are you stating that Ninja Assasins sneaking in the home of a Samurai, would pick up items such as weapons?

2.) Are you saying that sticks with a string, aka nunchakus, were in the home of a Samurai?

3.) Are you saying that Ninja would not pick up traditional Japanese items/weapons?

4.) Are you saying that the Chinese were the only ones to use a yoke?

Please...to other members here, do not post any info or influences that may not have Bruce post in earnest of this particular post. In other words, lets wait to see his response.

 

[BruceCalkins]

A.) Bruce if you are directing this as insult, as a high-level martial artist, you should maintain. Of course, many (and I) do "loose it" from time to time. Try to refrain from returned "attacks". If you do refrain, will make you look better here. And most stories do not hold much truth. Many are legends and "stories" told via a reconteur for entertainment.

I am just trying to post with out every word being doubted and attacked.. I do not know Don and I would be more than pleased to know him but he seems only to want to try and make me look foolish. He has no proof of my ability but his statements make him look like he;s known me for years and I am a Fake. I'm not and That is why I keep trying to answer the same questions over and over. I have not changed my answers because they are the ones I learned over the year si have trained from several instructors and others and I believe in them.

B.) This will not blow my mind given that many in the US, especially tourney competitors use any weapon for competition. So it is not surprising to see any martial artist from one style using a weapon from another origin. Many use sub-standard weapons or fashioned ones (such as long wood dowels for staff, shiney tape or colors, and gymnastics with a weapon) to get the edge of flashy twirls and flashy effects. On occasion when I was a judge a tournies, I would request to judge weapon forms competition. Before I gave the "go ahead" for a competitors to start, I would ask them to give me the history or short detail of the weapon that they were about to use. So far, not one before me doing those times, and different time intervals, could tell me.

I had this same converstation today with one of the judges.. I was asked to judge a triditional Japanese Weapons form and the student was using a Bo at first then he did a second form with a staff. In both he had releases. I made comment that there were no releases in traditional forms that this was in approprate. They all agreed and the student was asked to do a different form. Also The Tae-Kwon-Do guys using a Bo is like a Isshin-Ryu Man using a Chinese Broad Sword. "Wrong tradition...."


Also, you say a Korean martial artist using a Japanese weapon may have not been a true Korean martial artist. thus leads back to people using weapons from other orgins like those using terminology as well.

C.) Not sure what you mean by this. Just that there are No Traditional Korean Tae-Kwon-Do Forms that any of the judges were aware of that used these Japanese Weapons.

1.) Are you stating that Ninja Assasins sneaking in the home of a Samurai, would pick up items such as weapons? I ment this as a statement that while in the Samurai's home to kill him... If the Ninja found a Great Japanese Katana I bet they would bring it home and use it... Even though it is not a traditional Ninja Sword.

2.) Are you saying that sticks with a string, aka nunchakus, were in the home of a Samurai?

Just an example of the things they might have found.. I know that the Nunchuckus were flails used by farmers in Okinawa Japan and used as weapons because Weapons were against the Law. and I know that these would not be found most likely in the home of a Samurai.. Just an example...

3.) Are you saying that Ninja would not pick up traditional Japanese items/weapons?

I'm sure they would pick up what ever they found for sale or use... If they found a Sword or a Set of Sai.... No one could be sure what they would do.. Unless you lived in Fudal Japan

4.) Are you saying that the Chinese were the only ones to use a yoke?

Of Course Not... But that was a lot like the Japanese Bo...... eventhough the Chinese used it.....

Please...to other members here, do not post any info or influences that may not have Bruce post in earnest of this particular post. In other words, lets wait to see his response.

Just making observations...

 

[47MartialMan]

1.) I am just trying to post with out every word being doubted and attacked.. I do not know Don and I would be more than pleased to know him but he seems only to want to try and make me look foolish. He has no proof of my ability but his statements make him look like he;s known me for years and I am a Fake. I'm not and That is why I keep trying to answer the same questions over and over. I have not changed my answers because they are the ones I learned over the year si have trained from several instructors and others and I believe in them.

2.) I had this same converstation today with one of the judges.. I was asked to judge a triditional Japanese Weapons form and the student was using a Bo at first then he did a second form with a staff. In both he had releases. I made comment that there were no releases in traditional forms that this was in approprate. They all agreed and the student was asked to do a different form. Also The Tae-Kwon-Do guys using a Bo is like a Isshin-Ryu Man using a Chinese Broad Sword. "Wrong tradition...."

3.) Just that there are No Traditional Korean Tae-Kwon-Do Forms that any of the judges were aware of that used these Japanese Weapons.

1.) Where has he stated that you were a liar (using this word) or not where you are from?

2.) You, of all people, should not judge what is traditional, when you venture off and misuse tradition yourself. Do not construe this as accusations against your ability.

3.) Tae Kwon Do and other Korean arts were heavily influenced by Japanese arts. Will it be totally inappropriate to see Japanese weapons as well as Japanese forms used in it?

 

[Don Roley]

Just an example of the things they might have found.. I know that the Nunchuckus were flails used by farmers in Okinawa Japan and used as weapons because Weapons were against the Law. and I know that these would not be found most likely in the home of a Samurai.. Just an example...

(section ommited.)

I'm sure they would pick up what ever they found for sale or use... If they found a Sword or a Set of Sai.... No one could be sure what they would do.. Unless you lived in Fudal Japan

Mr Calkins, the ninja would no more have found a nunchaku or sai in the house of a samurai than they would have found a Glock 17. They were not used to flail rice in Japan. Do you understand the difference between Okinawa and Japan? I have assumed that you did, but your above quote seems to say that you think that ninja were from Okinawa.

 

[47MartialMan]

Mr Calkins, the ninja would no more have found a nunchaku or sai in the house of a samurai than they would have found a Glock 17. They were not used to flail rice in Japan. Do you understand the difference between Okinawa and Japan? I have assumed that you did, but your above quote seems to say that you think that ninja were from Okinawa.

Yes, I am a bit confused. However, read more of his post above my previous.

He has a strange way to convey what he is thinking to what he is actually writing.

For example-his statement;
Just an example of the things they might have found.. I know that the Nunchuckus were flails used by farmers in Okinawa Japan and used as weapons because Weapons were against the Law. and I know that these would not be found most likely in the home of a Samurai.. Just an example...kinda contradicts itself.

Using this, he is aware that nunchakus may not have ben found in the home of a Samurai. Though previously he used it as a example of something to be found.

In such a case, he was better not to use a particular example, per nunchakus, thus he should proof read via clicking "Preview Post" his post before clicking "Submit Reply".

 

[Don Roley]

I admit that trying to figure out what he is saying is difficult. But the idea he will not let loose of is the one of ninja using nunchaku. That seems pretty clear, it is incorrect and he it is dificult to help him if he is not willing to discard this idea and learn from his mistake.