History and Philosophy
Published coverage, practical guides, and follow-up reads collected in one place.
From ancient battlefields to modern dojos, these articles explore how martial arts traditions were shaped, why certain values endure, and how philosophy influences training, discipline, and mindset today. Readers can use this section to compare origins of different styles, understand the meaning behind rituals and ethics, and make sense of how historical context affects present-day practice. Whether weighing a new path, refining personal principles, or seeking deeper perspective beyond technique, this collection offers useful context that sharpens understanding. Start exploring the ideas and stories that continue to shape martial arts.
Did the Samurai Actually Live by Bushido: Separating Edo Ideals From Battlefield Reality
There are really two samurai in the popular imagination. One is the calm, death-ready warrior who lives by an iron code. The other is the political retainer, ta…
The Ethics of Hitting First: Preemption in Martial Traditions
I once heard a new student ask after class, If martial arts are about peace, why do some systems teach you to strike first? It is a fair question. Dojo walls of…
Tao of Jeet Kune Do as a Working Notebook: How Bruce Lee Composed a Modern Philosophy
I once watched a young fighter copy combinations from a famous book onto index cards, then try to force them into sparring rounds. It looked sharp in the mirror…
Bushido Reexamined: Meiji Mythmaking or Enduring Martial Ethic
During a classical jujutsu session, a student once asked me if bushido was a real warrior code or clever marketing from a later age. As someone who lives at the…
Kano Jigoro’s Educational Project: Judo, Citizenship, and Mutual Benefit
By Alexander "The Scholar" Kane I remember watching a young judoka freeze in randori when a partner came in with a committed shoulder throw. The instinct was to…
Silat and Adat: Martial Practice as Community Mediation in Maritime Southeast Asia
I first saw a mediation begin with a bow. In a West Sumatran village hall, two men stepped onto a woven mat while elders watched. A guru adjusted their sarongs,…