My Hand is my Sword: A Reality Check

Friday Knight News

"The sword has to be more than a simple weapon; it has to be an answer to life's questions." Miyamoto Musashi

Have you heard a martial artist issue the statement, that their hand was their sword? More likely than not their statement is linked to the concept of ikken hissatsu (one strike destruction or annihilation), it is also known as one punch, one kill. Of course, no martial artist really believes that they can bisect the body of an attacker with their knife-hand. To cut an opponent down you need a good sword and not a replica katana. It would even be dangerous to try test cutting (tameshigiri), with a replica katana, as the steel could shatter sending steel shards everywhere. Still learning how to use a sword has many benefits and it enhances both striking and grappling unarmed applications.  

The sword teaches many lessons. 
James Williams demonstrating a Bugei Trading Company 5160 blade.

Most every fight that I have been involved in breaking up on the street, hasn't followed any sort of sportsmanlike conduct. The participants all have a tendency to acquire a weapon at some point during the encounter to gain the advantage. So, without a doubt while the ikken hissatsu statement is an intimidating motto, is it even metaphorically true? I believe a lot would depend upon your training and your target selection. On top of that, the ability to break bricks might help, but it does not guarantee your success in a fight. On the other hand if you can perform well with test breaking (tameshiwara), and you know the anatomical weak points to strike, you have greatly increased your odds of success. A black belt is wrapped twice around your waist to symbolize the mind and body bound together as a unit. Any martial artist engaged in weaponless combat that has the ability to render a stack of three un-spaced concrete blocks (8 x 16 by 2 inches), with a single strike, can be considered a dangerous person in a fight. If you cannot do this, then maybe you should consider using a force multiplier (a weapon of some sort). Even if you have this ability, a weapon is still a good idea; everyone has off days after all.

Iron Palm 4 Blocks

(One more than I've done on this kind of break, my respect to the "Iron Lotus Society")

Generally speaking, it is difficult for one martial artist to knock out another martial artist with similar physical characteristics and training when they both know what's going on. This is even more so when you apply the limitations of safety regulations and good sportsmanship. The street has no such limitations. At one time wearing a black belt indicated that an individual was mentally and physically tough. Times have changed and with it many dojos have lowered their standard on physical fitness as well as the mental determination necessary to uphold the old standards. However, this isn't the case with every martial art school, even with systems that do not utilize a black belt as a symbol of achievement. It is often necessary for individuals who are hurt, injured, outnumbered or physically outclassed to have something to fall back on. Even if you cannot carry a weapon with you it is easy to learn how to adapt a substitute.

Drawing of the first known western quick draw, Wild Bill Hickok & Davis Tutt July 12, 1865.

What is important is that the practitioners of whatever art they have trained in has the ability to stop a fight, or end an encounter in a single moment. I've seen successful completions of this ability by mental assertion alone, which basically amounted to being calm in the face of danger and not backing down. One such encounter had a martial artist (a student of mine), procuring supplies during a natural disaster. He had waited his turn in line to purchase what he had needed and was confronted by a group of three men who demanded that he turn over his goods to them. The martial artist who had sustained an injury could not physically match these three larger armed men. Still he possessed the steadfast resolve to do what was necessary for his family. He only had to reveal the butt of his pistol from under his jacket to dissuade the aggressors. These men had also been armed, but they recognized the resolve of a warrior and backed away. This shows that it is the confidence in your training that matters, this is why weapon systems are still extremely practical. The physical traits and warrior's weapon skills both help develop the mental resolve necessary to survive, but it is still nice to have them both in combination.

"Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay it's price." Sun Tzu 

My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)

Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past. 

Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)

The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.


Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)

Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.

Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)

Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.


Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)

Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.

Jace Lee and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6 

Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.