O

Obi [帯 ] and koma-musubi knot [駒結び]

Obi means "kimono sash; paper wrapper on books, CDs, etc." When you look further to the single character/ideogram you also get, "sash; belt; obi; zone; region." Another source gives the meanings, "a belt for kimono; a belt; a sash; a girdle; a zone; wear; carry; have; be tinged' be entrusted."

The marital art obi comes in many forms but karate and other like systems/branches use a cotton belt that is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide with several rows of stitching that has a special knot to tie it and at least two methods of wrapping and tying the obi around the waist.

Do a google search and then view the wikipedia entry for the obi to find out more. For some particulars on the karate-gi and obi go here and read a post on the subject. http://isshindo.blogspot.com/2011/05/karate-gi-and-obi-wearing-them-etc.html

Koma musubi is the knot I use: Koma musubi (駒結び , square knot, reef knot, literally "foal knot").

The obi knot. I remember the first time Henry Sensei taught me to tie the knot. He had a "vision" as to what it looked like after tying it properly that is not appropriate to this post. The point, like the use of metaphors, it stuck and always reminded me to tie it right, correct.

Not until just recently when someone asked did it occur to me that it may have a name or term in Japanese. The following is what I found on that knot, it is referred to as the "koma-musubi knot (駒結び). The knot description is the only one that actually refers to the belt width which matches the karate obi as 2 inches or 5 centimeters wide. It is only in direct relation to the martial arts that the obi is knotted in this manner and as to other area's of the martial arts such as where the "hakama" is worn do they indicate other variations or knots are used.

It is considered a type of square knot, foul knot, but don't look to the American way to tie a "square or foul knot" as they don't appear the same as this knot for the karate-obi. In the American square knot you can "see" that one half of that knot would some what superimpose over a obi knot. In a view of a foul knot you can also see some similarities.

Finally, the reef knot appears to have more graphics that display the knot in appearance close, real close, to the karate-obi knot - koma musubi. See the two adjacent snap shots.

Regardless, it appears that the koma-musubi knot is the term to use. At least until someone can provide a more definitive definition with an appropriate snapshot of the knot.

In addition, over the years I have found that there are two distinct ways to tie the obi. The one I use fits for the koma-musubi knot but the other I was unable to  see or find a related pictorial with a term.

Okane, jiga, kenryoku to shihai [お金] [自我] [権力と支配]

The first set in brackets that make up the whole of this phrase means "money." The character attached to the kana means, "gold." The second set in brackets of the whole phrase means "self; the ego." The first character means, "oneself," and the second character means, "ego; I; selfish; our; oneself." The third set of characters/ideograms mean  a combination of characters that mean "power and control." The first character means, "authority; power; rights," the second character means, "power; strength; strong; strain; bear up; exert," the third character means, "branch; support; sustain," and the fourth character means, "distribute; spouse; exile; rationing."

This particular phrase is not going to go over well with organizations that govern their respective martial systems. These systems start out with the best of intentions yet evolve into organizations that are run by "money, ego, power, and control." Instead of providing a helping hand to those who have a strong desire to learn and grow within by means of martial arts as well as gain discipline, courage and the means to protect/defend/fight they tend to ask for fees to get to anything that usually has no substance.

This phrase provides through the various definitions of the characters/ideograms the true shallowness of some groups who intended to do the right thing but found themselves sinking into the quagmire of money, ego/pride, power, and control.

Okinawa [沖縄] - The Cradle of Karate

Okinawan, one of the Japanese Ryukyu islands. The two characters/ideograms mean "Okinawa." The first character means, "open sea; offing; rise high into the sky," and the second character means, "straw rope; cord." It is often spoken to actually mean, "a rope in the offing into the sky." If I have it correct Okinawan is the Japanese word for "Ryukyu" which is the Okinawan dialect where both mean a rope in the offing into the sky.

Okinawa is the "cradle of karate." I say cradle because it is where the art was born. It was brought to Japan and it grew into such systems as Shoto-kan Karate, etc. which are extremely Japanese. The Japanese, as is known, tend to take things and make them uniquely their own, the flavor and spirit of the Japanese people.

The significance of this is to find the cultural and belief systems that spawned the art of "Ti or Te," meaning "hand." The influences branch out further into the past than Okinawa and are also connected to other Asian countries with emphasis on China as the major contributor. The Chinese actually established a village where their dignitaries took up residence as was customary between other countries and China who traded, etc. The village was called, "Kume."

Okinawan Bushi [沖縄 武士]

The characters/ideograms mean "Okinawa Bushi." The first character means, "open sea; offing; rise hight into the sky," the second character means, straw rope; cord," the third character means, "warrior; military; chivalry; arms," the fourth character means, "gentleman; samurai."

An honorific title/term used to refer to a karate practitioners who was respected and revered not only for his superior martial arts skill, but for being a civilized, principled gentleman as well.

Kakure [隠れ] Bushi [武士] is a hidden bushi, one who never tries to let himself be known as a karate practitioner.

Tijikun [節] Bushi [武士] is a knuckle or fist bushi, i.e. a karate practitioner who has large, grotesque knuckles and is known for fighting skills only. The worst type of bushi as he is most likely to harm others, and in the process, impugn the reputation of all other karate-ka.

Kuchi [口] Bushi [武士] is a mouth warrior, one who pretends to be well trained by bluffing.

Uhu [豊] Bushi [武士] is an honorific term for one who was the greatest among certain schools or styles of karate.

These titles are strictly honorific conveying respect. They are only used by others. These terms seem to be reserved for leading karate experts of the 19th century or earlier.

Okinawa Karate Kata [沖縄空手型]

The characters/ideograms mean "Okinawa empty hand form/model." The first character means, "open sea; offing; rise high into the sky," the second character means, "straw rope; cord," the third character means, "empty; sky; void; vacant; vacuum," the fourth character means, "hand," the fifth character means, "mould; type; model."

It has been said about Okinawa Karate kata, "You cannot properly perform a karate or kobudo kata unless you know the story or the purpose of the specific kata to be performed. The kata is a metaphor of the culture. A kata has a history, a narrative and a theme. Without understanding the purpose of a kata you are only mimicking without depth. Worse, you may be corrupting the true intention of the kata with your own interpretation instead of the original interpretation." - unknown author.

In response it was said, "I believe this is true to a point but I also believe one must not get mired down in what is right and what is wrong and by whose perceptions and the context of the present time vs. the times to which we attribute the birth of kata.

Knowing the past is important. But knowing the present is also just as important. If nothing else knowing the origins will allow you to make those necessary changes (necessary, not just for changes sake) to ensure what you do for self-defense, defense or even combatives are relevant to this times self-defense, defense, and combatives.

The world is not simply a repetitive one where nothing changes and advancements are not created.

It is best to know the past and purpose of things so you have a foundation to create the new and relevant. Sometimes this is a very simple adjustment and sometimes it is a vast change.

Kata is a symbol and metaphor but of fighting, combatives and defenses while those are driven by cultures, beliefs and perceptions as to the context of things so that makes them unique to the creator. Use this to achieve mastery of a system then make those changes necessary for our times and needs but remain diligent to the past while knowing the present.

Point in support, there are a variety of methods that are used in the practice of Isshinryu. You have the Harold Long interpretations, you have the Steve Armstrong interpretations, you have the Don Nagle interpretations and you have the Advincula interpretations. All these find karate-ka will say they learned their interpretation directly from Tatsuo Shimabuku sensei and I believe they did BUT there are differences. Oh, and don't forget the Harold Mitchum interpretations.

All these fine karate-ka spent time and a lot of effort, sweat, and blood studying under Tatsuo-san. Yet, they teach it differently here to their dojo under their perceptions, context and cultural belief systems. Does this mean only one or maybe two or three are the only ones teaching it correctly or even right? No, they all feel strongly they learned the kata and all the other basics and fundamentals of Isshinryu the creator of the system and they are all correct as they teach it now.

Remember, being right is not just being right. It is a matter of the time you trained, who you trained with and the culture, beliefs, perceptions of each person or individual as influenced by the time, the culture and ethnic groups, the power relationships, the perceiving person, the sensory input modes, the perceptions of perceptions as to truth and accurate facts, and both the internal and external environments and now we add perception of movement; perception of body language which includes facial expressions, etc.

Also, as said by Suzanne Robertson of London, "people are influenced and constrained by their own knowledge, experience, imagination, and attitudes."

A point to be made for the past is delving into the cultural content of those symbols is one of the gateways to understanding Okinawans, Japanese and Chinese.

For me, the similarities of Isshinryu in lieu of the differences come from the dedication to the "essence" that is Isshinryu. This essence can be seen in all variations of the system. The similarities are far more important than the differences!"

Okugiden [奥義秘伝]

The characters/ideograms mean "secrets; mysteries; secret formula; essence; esoterica (of an art, martial arts, etc.)." The first character means, "heart; interior," the second character means, "righteousness; justice; morality; honor; loyalty; meaning," the third character means, "secret; conceal," the fourth character means, "transmit; go along; walk along; follow; report; communicate; legend; tradition."

The transmission of the deepest secrets of karate. This alone leads to misunderstanding because in real life there are no secrets, just facts not yet known to an individual or group. When someone takes information and hides it deliberately from another person or group they are tying to keep that information secret. If it is given to another person or group then it is not secret but just information.

If some information is secret then it was meant to not be known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others. If that is so then if it is released to anyone for any reason it is not a secret.

What is meant by okugiden is one is to receive information that may have been held back or meant to be released as a specified time say in the level of training and proficiency of a person or group. It would be misleading to say it is something special being released only to a chosen few.

Regardless, the term is used to explain why someone may not be in receipt of some information and as to the martial arts it may be some information or technique that would be held until one reaches a certain level of expertise because of its complexity or because some other reasoning exclusive to a person or group, i.e. a dojo, style of martial system. Sometimes it is held to ensure the protection of the person or others until a certain level of maturity is detected from the person to receive such information.

Sometimes the use of the term "secret" is used to separate one group from another as if they are special and unique, a trait of the ego, pride and the monkey brain of humans.

Receiving okugiden simply means you have matured enough and reached a level of knowledge and proficiency in a martial system that you are prepared enough to receive new information that will build on your current levels, etc.

You don't teach a novice those aspects of a martial art of the level black belt. You have to use baby steps working your way diligently along the path one stepping stone at a time allowing absorption and experience to build sufficiently.

Okuri-rei [与礼]

The characters/ideograms mean "bestowed bow." The first character means, "bestow; participate in; give; award; impart; provide; cause; gift; godsend," the second character means, "salute; bow; ceremony; thanks; remuneration."

This term is part of a pair of terms, i.e. uke-rei and okuri-rei, that are symbolic of the relationship one acquires and develops over time training in martial arts such as karate-goshin-do. It is what makes budo, Budo. Much like the inherent need for humans to band together in groups for survival this is a banding together at a deep level for survival that is both in a group and a singular way.

It is a fluid way for two persons to provide an intense training and practice model that takes them both to a level that relates to real combatives, to conflict and to the civil art of self-defense or self-protection. It is the only sure way to train and practice toward reality and the balance remains tenuous so that each person has to work diligently to remain balance between to little ineffectual training and practice to the opposite of to brutal and dominant training and practice.

Okusetsu [憶説]

The characters/ideograms mean "speculation; hypothesis; surmise; conjecture." The first character means, "recollection; think; remember," the second character means, "opinion; theory; explanation; rumor."

Speculation is a part of the martial philosophy as a sort of principle when the discussions arise as to lineage. Okinawan martial arts, karate, has to rely heavily on speculation with a good dose of the time, the culture and ethnic groups, the power relationships, the perceiving person, the sensory input modes, the perceptions of perceptions as to truth and accurate facts, and both the internal and external environments and now we add perception of movement; perception of body language which includes facial expressions, etc.

This means that people are influenced and constrained by their own knowledge, experience, imagination, and attitudes. It is a matter of their internal model of perceived reality inflected by current culture and beliefs, i.e. local circumstances and needs. We have to remember that ever person thinks on a different cultural channel and more so when the cultures are separated by such vastness as East vs. West.

When we rely heavily on hear-say and circumstantial evidence, i.e. those personal perceptions, etc. then we are then unable to verify and validate for authentic. For a fact, especially a historical fact, to be substantiated it must have more than mere hear-say, etc. It takes more than merely sitting around discussing a subject as if what is said is historical fact. This is why speculation is important in martial arts discussions of lineage.

Okinawan martial arts have no documented facts that support such hear-say as depicted in many conversations. It is a matter of how the culture and beliefs of Okinawans are and in most cases these types of discussions are just discussions or the people would have provided documentation of historical facts - which they are unable to do. This leaves them with only hear-say and circumstantial evidence of word of mouth to base their martial history unlike the Japanese who are obsessive in their documentation of historical lineage, facts and knowledge with one exception. The Japanese tend toward adjusting such things to suit the moment so they too suffer from questionable historical facts. Regardless, their methods are more acceptable and sustainable under scrutiny.

As long as martial history and lineage are subject to only recollections and remembrances also subject to human frailties, etc. and as long as we have only speculation, hypothesis, and personal conjecture we will never have acceptable and sustainable historical facts to lead us in our studies, etc.

Then remember there are cognitive biases that affect how history is not only written but interpreted as time flows forward. As humans we are all individually susceptible to such biases that hear-say becomes even more questionable supporting that it is all circumstantial in nature and always open to fallibility.

Okusoku [憶測]

The characters/ideograms mean "speculation; guess; supposition." The first character means, "recollection; think; remember," the second character means, "fathom; plan; scheme; measure."

Lets add this one to kaigi and sotei or skepticism and assumptions. We use all this information to speculate as to how things work and what we can do about such things. This ties into defensive strategies. The more information gathered the better the speculative reasoning, i.e. our assumptions and their effect on our actions along with skepticism in validation.

Omote [表] Ura [裏]

Omote, the characters/ideogram means "surface; face (i.e. the visible side of an object); front; outside; exterior; appearance; public; cover; foreground." Ura, the characters/ideograms mean "bottom (or another side that is hidden from view); undersurface; opposite side; reverse side; rear; back; inside; out of sight; behind the scenes; opposite; inverse."

Omote and Ura are also significant cultural words, terms or ideogram/character's that help us understand the culture and beliefs that are the foundation of many aspects of the martial arts.

In the martial arts I refer to those obvious things as omote and those things often revealed in addition or underneath the obvious things as ura. It is the obvious, the practitioner, who looks within the reflective mirror to display the inverse or back; behind things to see what is underneath or undersurface of the obvious things.

You can also symbolize omote-ura by the Tai Chi symbol, i.e. the yang-yin.

I quote, "In the martial arts, omote refers to the techniques that are officially recognized as being characteristic of a given system, style or branch school. In signifying the surface, the term omote always presupposes that which is underneath the appearances. To every omote there is a corresponding ura, "behind" or "the other side (as in the reflection of the mirror - a Shinto icon in Japan)."

I quote, "To learn, practice and apply martial arts requires it be transmitted by following both sides, omote and ura. The main substance, the fundamentals, of the system, style or branch is provided solely through the visible forms and formulas, so the transmission relies on what is not visible from the outside, the ura."

Omote-ura model is about what is obvious vs. what is considered underlying the obvious especially since this model is a yin-yang of martial disciplines. It is often misunderstood to mean both what is obvious and what is hidden, i.e. where hidden infers or implies secrecy (secret). This is just not true.

The Ura is actually the follow-on inter-connectedness of the obvious application toward extended applications, etc. to fully implement the system toward its ultimate goal. Look at Omote-n-Ura as the need to see both sides of the coin, i.e., like seeing the yin and the yang of things. It is about seeing that which you don’t know so you can understand the things you do know and grow from there as a natural stepping stone toward proficiency and mastery.

In regards to the marital disciplines the best term is to use “Hyouriittai.” This is about “Balance!”

Hyouri [表裏]

The characters/ideograms mean, “two sides; inside and outside.” The first character means, “surface; table; chart; diagram,” the second character means, “back; amidst; in; reverse; inside; palm; sole; rear; lining, wrong side.”

Hyouriittai [表裏一体]

The characters/ideograms mean, “The two views (of an object) referring to the same thing; being inseparable like the two sides of an object, i.e. where one side is viewable while the other is hidden. The first character means, “surface; table; chart; diagram,” the second character means, “back; amidst; in; reverse; inside; palm; sole; rear; lining, wrong side,” the third character means, “one,” the fourth character means, “body; substance; object; reality.”

OnKo Chishin [温故知新]

The characters/ideograms mean "developing new ideas based on the study of the past; learning from the past." The first character means, "warm," the second character means, "happenstance; especially; intentionally; reason; cause; circumstances; the late; therefore; consequently," the third character means, "know; wisdom," the fourth character means, "new."

In martial arts disciplines the phrase is used each year to make note of what we have trained and practiced over the last year so we may develop new ideas based on those studies for the new year. It is said in the Asian culture that one should always consult their past if they want to learn about the future. It is the Asian version of learning from your past so as to not repeat it (more toward mistakes being repeated) with the stress being on what you can learn from it or what you can teach yourself, etc.

On Ko Chi Shin is described by Patrick McCarthy, "Studying the old to better understand the new." In todays world of martial arts there are really no excuses as the sources are plentiful for learning about our past be it personal or historical to the system or style of your discipline.

In the martial arts world the legendary, at least in the majority west, Funakoshi, Gichin Sensei stated, "Gain new insight by studying the past," or Onkochishin. On Okinawa in the mid fifties and later sixties into the seventies Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei would always present silk certificates and state that one must learn about the culture of the Okinawan's to understand karate. It could be interpreted as saying one must learn from studying the past as the past comprises the Okinawan culture and beliefs. Maybe it is a stretch but for me it fits.

To truly study an ancient traditional/classic system such as karate or Okinawan Ti as with any other discipline you should spend time researching the past along with the present in order to create a future.

A term meaning, to study the old to understand the new. This is part and parcel with Kyudo Mugen or the way to the study is endless. It is taking the past where the knowledge allows us to augment the present thereby creating a future that carries itself to eternity.

This maxim is crucial to learning a martial art such as karate. It is by learning how and why along with when and where a martial system was created and used that helps us to understand it and then bring it from its ancient origins into the present and thereby creating an environment of teaching and learning that promotes its continued growth and existence for the future.

Osae [抑え ]

The character/ideograms mean "control; check; pressure; rear guard; weight." The character means, "repress; well; now; in the first place; push; shove; press; seal; do in spite of."

The art of touch, to control the opponent or attacker by pushing, shoving and/or pressing in order to control, check or guard using weight and technique. Tactile approaches to martial systems, i.e. actually hands on tuite or manipulation or osae, i.e. pressing in a conflict. We can also press for advantage using our mental faculties as well. Our will for instance and our physical pressing with vigor and determination can be a mental pressing causing the attacker to give up, etc.

Osaeru [押さえる ]

This set of character/ideogram and kana means "to pin something down. to hold something down; to hold something back; to stop; to restrain; to curb; to seize; to grasp; to arrest; to govern; to suppress; to catch happening; to determine (important points); to find (proof); to understand." The character/ideogram means, "push; stop; check; subdue; attach; seize; shove; press; seal; do in spite of; weight."

This even exemplifies osae to the ninth degree. No need to explain as the meaning of the kanji/kana speak well to the martial applications and just remember that this also goes toward the art of avoidance, i.e. everyday encounters to conflicts of all kinds.

Oosouji [大掃除]

The characters/ideograms mean "major cleanup; spring cleaning." The first character means, "large; big," the second character means, "sweep; brush," the third character means, "exclude; remove; abolish; cancel; except."

The O'souji is about ending out the year by performing a cleaning, it is the line between the currently ending year and the next year. It comes from the traditional cleaning of shrines by priests the last of each year. The event is called "susuharai," and is performed as a greeting to the gods in the new year and the cleaning of the years accumulation of dust, etc. It welcomes for the new year the god Toshigami, the god of shinto, with respect.

Otagai [ 御互い] ni rei (each other)

The characters/ideograms mean "mutual; reciprocal; each other." The first character means, "honorable; manipulate; govern," the second character means, "mutually; reciprocally; together."

The term when used with "ni rei" means to bow to one or each other and is often used in dojo where etiquette is followed with one of the steps being a bow to each other in respect for what you have done, what you will do during this training session and for what you do in life.

Otashi geri []; squat kick ball of foot

Oto jikan [応答時間]

The characters/ideograms mean "response time." The first character means, "apply; answer; yes; OK; reply; accept," the second character means, "solution; answer," the third character means, "time; hour," the fourth character means, "interval; space."

Oto jikan or response time is that time comprised of both han'no jikan and undo jikan, i.e. reaction time + movement time. When speaking of the OODA, i.e. observation, orientation, decision, action, model we are actually speaking of the oto jikan or response time.

When speaking of oto jikan we are also speaking of the ability to increase our speed. Often speed is thought of as a muscle response, i.e. the hand moves at the speed of light from a ready to a contact for damage time. It takes more than just that movement and if your muscles are not quick twitch type then it becomes even more important to understand the entire process.

Observation and Orientation are involved with reaction time, i.e. the time to see, hear or feel the stimulus. Part of orientation is to discover the danger/no-danger aspect where you determine if there is a danger to you. The decision comes from the answer to the orientation stage or level. If a decision is made that one is in danger then the person must continue with orientation to choose instinctively the action necessary and then make the decision to use said action which moves us into the action stage.

When the action is implemented you get the response time or oto jikan. This is that physical action time where the brain sends the signal to the body part to be used, the muscles responds and the part then "starts" to move all the way through to the "end" of the move where the fist, foot, etc. makes sudden impact with the targeting.

Then to add to this mix the mind also must orient and decide on targeting which in turns changes which technique or action is taken due to the choice of the targeting. As can be perceived by this exercise the less time spent on the stages or levels of the OODA or the han'no, undo and oto jikan the greater the speed, etc.

How do you reduce reaction time, movement time and overall response time. First, recognize the OODA loop/Oto Jikan model and train/practice to remove as much of the time it takes to achieve completion/success as possible. Start with mind training by achieving a mental ability to self-talk as you train and practice so you can maximize the links from mind to body.

Second, find those sections that are more complex and reduce them back to simplistic and natural or associated closely with natural movements, etc. reducing the time the mind spends on orientation and decision, etc.

Third, take this effort and train in reality so that you can even achieve the ability to "skip" some levels, i.e. for instance when in a social conflict when the adversary is still using his talking stage you act thus skipping your going through the OODA levels to reach action.

I took an on-line test for response time and found that fundamentally if you repetitively test yourself with the same test your reaction, movement and response time's improve. I started out with a time of .263 and after five times ended with a .256. Both are pretty good especially at age fifty-eight/nine. Even this simple and not so scientific analysis tells martial artists that repetitive reality based training can build an overall holistic speed that will benefit in self-defense situations.

Finally, these types of things can also achieve faster response times where one can avoid dangerous scenarios/situations - yes?

Otonage [大人気]

The characters/ideograms mean "adultness; maturity." The first character means, "large; big," the second character means, "person," the third character means, "spirit; mind; air; atmosphere; mood."

Otonage or maturity is a requirement to learn a form of budo like karate-goshin-do. It is imperative that the senior members of the dojo have otonage in huge amounts. One who is otonagenai or immature/childish tends to misuse and be misused in martial arts. The seriousness and danger of martial arts in general require that one be vetted by the sensei or senpai to assure a proper level of otonage.

Otonagenai or immaturity tends to lean toward what one can gain for themselves, it promotes a type of dominance and control that fosters improper attitudes, and it provides a means of becoming just the opposite of what is intended for those who take up budo, to become a contributor to society as a whole.

It is the aim of budo first and foremost to provide the individual the means by which they can protect themselves but is is balanced by the wholehearted effort to develop a mind, spirit and body that will overcome the tendency toward a more violent way.

Entering the dojo is a choice to put away childish things and work to more adult, mature and trusting things.

Oushi [奥旨]

The characters/ideograms mean "deep truth; deep knowledge." The first character means, "heart; interior," the second character means, "expert; clever; will show a liking for; purport; relish; delicious."

A spiritual, metaphysical, philosophical aspect to the martial arts. It speaks here more toward the deep truth underlying all martial systems and deep knowledge is more a part or parcel to that deep truth. Oushi or deep truth is alluded to in the ken-po goku-i of the karate-goshin-do practices, i.e. the Ti or Toudi of Okinawan Karate.

In a more direct manner look at oushi as a means of presenting and/or discovering the true depth of knowledge that is the foundation to any and all martial systems, their practice and especially their applications in conflict. Conflict simply because all martial arts, karate included especially today, are a matter of a physical interaction that can, is and does result in levels of damage, i.e. both physical and psychological.

Look at the various aspects and levels of violence taught by professionals such as Rory Miller and Marc MacYoung, to name just two, where that knowledge speaks to how one would apply their more physical side, i.e. karate in self-defense. This deep truth about violence, which most ignore or refuse to acknowledge because it does not suit their belief systems, when missing from the equation would result in more damage than may be necessary in a violent confrontation where one is required to defend themselves.

Oushi is speaking to all the various facets of martial system which does and must address the violent nature of the systems in defense, in life and in budo.