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Bill Danosky · 12-25-2004, 02:26 PM

I sure do love a katana!

But I find the ethics of Kenbudo are at odds with "my" Aikido. Like many people, I find something appealing about the spiritual facets of the budo ideal. But I practice Aikido because you don't really have to harm your opponent to defend yourself, unless you choose to, for whatever reason.

I'm finding that I'm getting more and more soft-hearted in my old age. Unless there are some very serious mitigating circumstances, I prefer not to have to kill anyone, or really even cause anyone any permanent injury.

OTOH, sometimes a weapon is called for, like in cases of multiple opponents, or when defending against "major" weaponry.

Who has similar reservations? What have you done to find a comfortable compromise between effectiveness and, shall we say "over-effectiveness"?

12-25-2004, 02:26 PM	#1
Bill Danosky Dojo: BN Yoshinkan Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 225 Offline	I don't want to dismember my opponents. I sure do love a katana! But I find the ethics of Kenbudo are at odds with "my" Aikido. Like many people, I find something appealing about the spiritual facets of the budo ideal. But I practice Aikido because you don't really have to harm your opponent to defend yourself, unless you choose to, for whatever reason. I'm finding that I'm getting more and more soft-hearted in my old age. Unless there are some very serious mitigating circumstances, I prefer not to have to kill anyone, or really even cause anyone any permanent injury. OTOH, sometimes a weapon is called for, like in cases of multiple opponents, or when defending against "major" weaponry. Who has similar reservations? What have you done to find a comfortable compromise between effectiveness and, shall we say "over-effectiveness"?