Flashlights in the Goju-Shorei Weapons System

[Katherine A. Wieczerza]

Flashlights in the Goju-Shorei Weapons System

One of the newest additions to the Goju-Shorei Weapons System is the tactical flashlight.

Come on now, you have to admit this is a bright idea…

 

You remember from my previous article that all weapons in the Goju-Shorei Weapons System share two very simple traits.  They have to be something that adds power or leverage (or both) while still being something you can carry with you almost anywhere, and they have to have everyday uses (other than as a “weapon”) in order to contribute to the quality and/or ease of your life.

 

(The STREAMLIGHT ProTac 2AA as you remember is one of my current favorites)

 

(The NiteCore MT2A is my other…)

Since the creation of the system, some 20 + years ago, the three primary weapons have been the cane, the knife, and the fan.  If you’ve ever get the opportunity to visit Soke in Minden, Nevada, you will hopefully be able to peek into the workshop at the back of his dojo (affectionately known as “the Shed”.) It sits right behind his home. In this small space he creates amazing works of art, or as he likes to say “makes some sawdust.” Using all kinds of wood, he designs and creates truly useful works of art that are often sold long before they are created and certainly before I get a chance to try to buy them. I would however be remiss if I did not confess to happily owning “some” of Soke’s masterpieces: canes, practice knives, wooden practice fans, and two sets of matched wooden knives and fans.

 

 

The cane and the knife I understood right away, but I had never had any formal training with the Japanese War Fan – the tessen…

Tessen were folding fans with outer spokes made of heavy plates of iron which were designed to look like normal, harmless folding fans or solid clubs shaped to look like a closed fan. Samurai could take these to places where swords or other overt weapons were not allowed, and some swordsmanship schools included training in the use of the tessen as a weapon.

-- Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook, Secrets of the Samurai: A Survey of the Martial Arts of Feudal Japan, p.296-304

 

Take a moment to look back at the picture with my wooden practice knives and (closed) fans.  A fan, could be carried into places where other weapons could not, and the closed fan could be used like a small club. The actual opening of the fan could be an auditory distraction and the already open fan could also be impairment to vision. The metal tips could even make cuts, that while not being deep, could be painful and cause a great deal of bleeding.  Hmmmm… Unobtrusive, visual impairment/distraction, the ends having edges that could scrape – even cut, and on top of it all being able to be use it like a small club…
You could use the same wording to describe a modern day tactical flashlight!

 

 In my opinion, the description of a good tactical flashlight would include the following:

>>>  It should be small enough to be easily carried and yet long enough
            (approximately 6 inches) so that it extends past your grip
            in order to be used as a striking implement, or to use as a lever.

>>>  Solid construction, again so that it can be used in striking.

>>>  A tail mounted switch is a must for easy activation.

>>> It is helpful to have an edged bevel at the lighted end (but preferably both ends)
            so that you have a scraping/cutting surface.

>>> Finally, even though it does not “blind” someone, as is often claimed,
             a flashlight of at least 100 lumens, will produce a beam that is bright enough
             to induce a reaction when shined in most people’s face. 

 

Take a look at these two pictures. 

        

The only difference in them is the fact that the flashlight has been turned on in the second one. 

The distance and room lighting were not changed. 

If you look at the bottom right edge of the second one, you can make out the white sleeve in its same location…

Impressive, right? 

 

Check back next Wednesday (Goju-Shorei Weapons Wednesdays?) to take a look at some actual techniques with the tactical flashlight.  Philosophically, logistically, and in everyday use, the flashlight has the potential to be a truly useful item that everyone in your family can and should carry.  Bringing light into dark situations, it’s one of the reasons I began martial arts so very many years ago, and one of the reasons I continue to teach.

 

Katherine A. Wieczerza

615-400-6398

 

Director of Goju-Shorei Weapons

www.gojushoreiweapons.com

www.gojushorei.com 

 

Co-Founder / Chief Tae Kwon Do and Goju-Shorei Weapons Instructor

www.ksamartialacademy.com

 

[Stephen Puryear]

I carry a 6" flashlight on a lanyard with me when I fly.  Never been questioned about it even though the front lighted end has the edges sharpened and covered with rubber gasket material.  I hope I never have to use it to defend myself while inflight; BUT, I will if I have to.   Great article; lots to assimilate here.

[Ray A. Fisher]

Soke and Master Wieczerza,

Not only is it a bright idea, it is a great addition to our art. It only goes to show that everyday items can be utilized in martial ways once one truly understands how to move and...how to think outside the box. Thank you for a great article, well written and very illuminating  :)