First

Musashi cuts ass! It's a pity he's not required reading in fourth grade.

This sword grip is also excellent for a grip on someone's collar in a Judo throw. The 'chop a 2 foot cut starting at their neck/collarbone' stroke is also a good motion for a shoulder throw. So these sword techniques can also be used in everyday life.
I think it would suck to be a soldier in the days when they used swords, axes or other carpentry tools. What if you got killed by a guy with a dull weapon or just not good at chopping things up? I think bullets and bombs are much cleaner.

"Holding the Long Sword"

Uh, Huh huh huh!

I think I need to spend some more quality time with the husband... Might get my mind out of the gutter....(face turning red)

[looks at Lokidoki's comment and slowly backs out of the room]

Hey! There's no Frank J afterthought after the Ronin Thought, they're the best bits!

Sorry Josh no need to run off!

Just saw the RTOTD title and had a 'Bevis and Butt-head' moment. You know.. He, he... Frank said "Holding the Long Sword!" (he, he, he)

And then I remembered.... I work third shift, I never see my husband anymore... Damn I need to find a new job that involves working daylight hours.. I REALLY miss Mark! 3rd shift totally bites!

Anyway, I'm harmless if creepy. No Fear..

BTW, discovered last night 101.5 in NC gets the Michael Savage show 9pm-ish on the east coast. Neat! Never heard his stuff before last night, but he's listed in the "Dude of the Week" archives at jerseygop.com.

I've already told those guys the need to add Adam Baldwin to the Hot Brainy Dudes list....!

Anyone think I should suggest Frank too? Or should I leave that honor to SarahK?

Frnak,
You aught(sp) to enjoy the M-W Word of the Day.
I saw it and thought of my favorite Ronin.

The Word of the Day for Aug 17 is:
tartar \TAR-ter\ noun

1 capitalized : a native or inhabitant of a vast historical region in Asia and Eastern Europe roughly extending from the Sea of Japan to the Dnieper
*2 often capitalized : a person of irritable or violent temper
3 : one that proves to be unexpectedly formidable


Example sentence:
On the basketball court, Nate was a Tartar whose undisciplined behavior often got him in trouble with the referee.

Did you know?
Originally, their name was "Tatar," not "Tartar." Since at least the 1200s, the Tatar people have lived in Asia and Eastern Europe, and they were among the fiercest fighters of the Golden Horde of the Mongols. In the 13th century, they rode with Genghis Khan and became the terror of their day. Their name, "Tatar," is believed to come from Persian or a Turkic language, but in Europe it was associated with "Tartarus," the Latin name for the part of Hell reserved for the punishment of the wicked. Because of that association, English speakers began calling the Tatar people "Tartars." Over time, "tartar" came to be used for anyone considered as ferocious or violent as the Tartar warriors who had once ransacked the ancient world.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

So what's the difference between "play in the hand" and "pliability is a living hand"? Sounds like a blatant contradiction to me.

"When you take up a sword, you must feel intent on cutting the enemy. As you cut an enemy you must not change your grip, and your hands must not "cower"."

Awesome.

Think of the weapon as an extention of yourself. Adaptation is the key.

Play is looseness, lacking control. Pliability is flexibility, firmness and control without stiffness or rigidity.

The sword is the soul of the samurai.

The M1911A1 is the soul of the ronin.

Continue to gather ammunition and weapons in military calibers.

Reflect upon this and ponder.

In short, "Hold your sword like you would your dick."