The Manriki-Kusari

Friday Knight News

"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." Yogi Berra 

Reading quotes like this one from Yogi Berra when I was young, made me wonder if he really was a yogi and not a baseball player. Some people thought that he was a bit crazy, but most of my students thought that I was crazy too. That might be because of my enormous respect for the manriki-kusari, and the use of it in practice. Fear struck the hearts of my students after they witnessed the potential lethal applications of the manriki-kusari. Their opinion about me being crazy was readily accepted after my insistence that they to would learn these skills.



I never felt that just having my students learn how to twirl the weighted chain around was sufficient. Many of the men that taught me how to twirl the chain had never used it to strike anything solid. I found out quickly where theory and practice parted ways. The reason why I train with the manrik-kusari daily is due to its versatility. The manrik-kusari is not just a twirling and striking weapon, it works great as a grappling and throwing weapon as well. I love using it as a throwing weapon and have knocked 3-5 inch chucks of wood out of a 4x4 wood post with it. I understand that at one time in Japan they were used to take out the legs of horses, effectively taking out the power of the cavalry.  It is also a very clandestine weapon as it is able to conceal its reach and when wielded properly it seems to appear out of nothingness.



As most people do not carry a weighted chain around with them, the notion about it being impractical in our modern world also often arises. Still a modern belt and especially one with a large belt buckle can easily be substituted toward the application of manrik-kusari techniques. However, the manrik-kusari holds great potential for teaching too. This allows for more leeway in favor of keeping the manrik-kusari on the practical and useful side of the argument. The manrik-kusari uses subtle shifts between movements, which will help with throwing techniques that are necessary at higher levels of jujutsu and aiki related skills. These are dealing with aiki age and aiki sage wave forms, although they can be taught with other weapons and even empty hands.

There is a fine line between skillful manipulation and practical application of technique. Starting out with a knotted rope is a safe way to begin learning this weapon. Still one needs to graduate to full power weaponry to develop a warrior mentality. The timing one uses with the manrik-kusari is critical, and it also teaches the importance of awareness. Part of the potential of working with a death dealing weapon is that it goes a long way toward building maturity and authority with your techniques. This too is another portion where theory and practice interplay with each other. It seems that it still comes down to your individual perspective.

"Excellence is not a skill, it's an attitude." Ralph Marston 

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.