Martial Arts for the 21st Century

Goju-Shorei Weapons?

So you start off learning to use a cane? You mean, like a walking cane? Yes!

(Thank you for your uke services Master Kooyman!)

(Pictured below are a few of the canes I own)

Do you have to limp when you carry it with you?

No.

I often carry it with the crook draped over my forearm or shoulder.

If you need to use it as a walking aid, then use it!

If you don’t, then the objective is simply to have it on hand.

One of our newest additions to the System is a tactical flashlight that will fit in a pocket or a purse.

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

We also work with knives.

(Some of my collection)

To me, Goju-Shorei Weapons System "weapons" all share two very simple traits. First of all, it has to be something you can carry with you almost anywhere. Think about the kind of items you can carry into places like a school or a hospital or a bank or a restaurant or even on a plane. Being able to carry it around with you makes it much more likely to be around if needed. Secondly, it has to have everyday uses (other than as a “weapon”) so that it contributes to the quality and/or ease of your life and therefore again, you are more likely to have it with you when needed for self defense.

The “Go” in Goju-Shorei, means “hard/external” techniques and as this relates to our Weapons System, it means that the chosen weapon needs to be able to do damage. It must be effective and functional in physical confrontations. The item should be something that adds power or leverage (or both) to our offense and also strengthen our defense.

“Ju” means “soft/internal.” Weapons in our System must have worth or value as a tool in our everyday life – in our regular activities and endeavors.

“Shorei” means “clear spirit” and refers to the proper attitude one must have in order to learn and train in the System. Have you ever heard the saying that “if all you have is a hammer – every problem ends up looking like a nail”? If the items we train with are things that are only useful in physical confrontations, won’t most situations tend to end up looking like things that need to be solved that way? Also what is your mind and spirit feeling when you handle something that is only designed to injure or kill something else?

One of the things I appreciate most about Goju-Shorei Weapons is that I train with items that can be used to cause great damage, but that is NOT most people’s first thought when they see my cane, or flashlight, or pocket knife. The same consideration goes for me personally with my other martial arts training. There is no way that I want people to look at me and think “weapon!” – but I take great comfort knowing that I absolutely can be… if needed.

The Goju-Shorei Weapons System is absolutely a traditional weapons system when you look at the root of why those weapons were chosen to begin with. People used what was available; things that were a part of their everyday lives. If we follow that “tradition” then we need to make use of what is available NOW. The Goju-Shorei Weapons System’s techniques are designed to work with a variety of impact "tools", edged weapons , and even empty handed with adjustments being made for targets and range. Practicality and adaptability are at the heart of this fun, useful, and challenging martial art.