EVERYTHING MARTIAL ARTS: Sh** I learned this week _THE JAPAN EDITION PART 1

Phoenix Carnevale in Tokyo, Japan  Photo by Danny McDermott

 EVERYTHING MARTIAL ARTS BLOG:

 SH** I LEARNED THIS WEEK: THE JAPAN EDITION: 

I am not sure when exactly it happened but at some point early on in my childhood I became obsessed with Japanese culture.  It’s safe to assume it started with my love of comic books.  

X-Men Wolverine Vs Silver Samurai 

Wolverine went to Japan and fought Silver Samurai and became best friends with a female ninja.  It coulda been Wolverine, It coulda been action movies…It coulda been a past life…! Whatever the catalyst might have been, I just knew I loved Japan.  I started Martial Arts in my 20's. My first art was karate under Kaicho Nakamura.  Kaicho and I became very close.  He often cooked a traditional Japanese lunch for himself and his head instructors.  I cleaned the dojo and did the dishes in exchange for tuition. I will never forget our conversations over tea in the middle of the day.  Our dojo was a spiritual place surrounded by all things Japanese.  

Kaicho was proud of his culture and he was happy to share it with this 20-something year old over zealous-American-wise-ass.  Besides just the physical art of Karate, Kaicho taught me the spiritual side.  We focused on Zen Buddhism and the samurai code known as Bushido. We spoke deeply about life and the true meaning of Karate. I try to take these lessons with me in everything that I do.  I consider myself both a fighter and a Martial Artist.  For the spiritual lessons I learned from Karate, I am eternally grateful. 

This Blog is called: Sh** I learned this week.  I will admit that a lot of these facts are things I may have already known but there are so many things I am still learning about Japan and it’s amazing culture. The world is limitless and has so much to inspire you. This blog was inspired by my short trip to Japan.  My favorite comedian, Louis CK has a quote “How can you ever be bored? There’s a big world out there that you’ve seen none percent of”.  I found this so funny and so true. Japan enticed me and left me wanting more. 3 days in Tokyo was not enough. I can’t wait to go back. 

Here are some fun facts about Japan I hope you enjoy. 

The greater Tokyo area is the largest metropolitan area in the world with over 35 million people. Tokyo city has 13 million people in it.

The term karaoke means "empty orchestra" in Japanese. “Kara” meaning empty like Karate “empty hand”.  Kara- empty and Te- Hand. 

A traditional Japanese breakfast consists of rice topped with natto (fermented soy beans).  I love it. 

In Japan, My Cab Driver Hiro told me he was a descendant of the Samurai

Most people think of the Samurai as a small rare group of elite forces like The NAVY SEALS but in reality they were an actual entire social class.  Originally Samurai meant “those who serve in close attendance to nobility.  In time the term evolved to associate with the BUSHI (upper tier warrior class).  In fact at the peak of their power 10 percent of Japan’s population were Samurai. Because of history’s large numbers it is said that every single Japanese person living today has a drop of Samurai blood in them. 

Bushido is a samurai religion based off Buddhism, Taoism and Confuciusism consisting of 7 virtues: Morality, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor and Loyalty.   Bushido dictates that a samurai must strive to better him or herself in a multitude of ways including those unrelated to combat. 

Bushido- the samurai code dictates that the soul of a samurai lay in his sword.

Phoenix looking at swords in Asakusa Tokyo

Historian’s say that the top not was created out of necessity.  The shaved forehead made it easier to don a helmet…

FEMALE “SAMURAI” were called Onna-Bugeisha.   Most history books do not highlight these female warriors but recent research indicates that Japanese women did compete in battle alongside their male counterparts.  DNA found at the sight of the 1580’s Battle of Senbon Matsubaru found that 35 out of 105 bodies were in fact female.   (Coolest fact I’ve read in a long time) 

The naginata is a long rod with a curved blade at the tip. The word "naginata" means, "mowing down sword" or "reaping sword". Because of its versatility and convention, more women have been

Shi by David Mack photo from www.davidmackguide.com
David is Phoenix's favorite artist

attracted to its use. It offers a wide variety of long ranged techniques because of its length. It also proved to be very efficient against marauders who often attacked on horseback. Through its use by many legendary samurai women, the naginata has been propelled as the iconic image of a woman warrior.

Darth Vader’s design was highly influenced by the Samurai helmet. Many helmets also featured ornaments that were attachable pieces, including a mustachioed demonic mengu mask that’s sole purpose was to frighten the enemy.  Samurai armor was designed for mobility.  The armor had lacquered plates of either leather or metal and was carefully bound together. (I think it’s safe to assume Batman stole some ideas from the Samurai as well.) 

The Hidden Fortress directed by Akira Kurosawa

The Japanese movie The Hidden Fortress was the basis for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

Shuriken, more commonly known as throwing stars - were also designed to hit the opponent then bounce away out of sight. This way a ninja could fool an unsuspecting guard or sentry into believing he had been cut by an invisible swordsmen.(One of

I bought some Shuriken home from my trip.
Looks good next to the nunchakus. 

many mental tricks) Another tool used by the ninja was a simple box of crickets. They would carry with them a small box of crickets to cover up any small sounds made by the ninja as he quietly advances on his target. The noise made by the crickets was not uncommon, so they samurai thought nothing of hearing them. 

Stephen K. Hayes told me this awesome fact as well as many other really great facts about Ninja.  Stephen K. Hayes is described by Black Belt Magazine as one of the top 10 living most influential 

The complete Ninja Collection by Stephen K. Hayes

martial artists in the world.  Stephen was one of the first westerners to train in the art of Ninjutsu.  In the 1970s Hayes traveled to Japan to seek out authentic ninja masters. He met and began training under Masaaki Hatsumi, Stephen has written several books on the ninja and spirituality.  It's been an honor getting to know him.  


Women played a very important roll in the ninja clans of the past. Known as Kunoichi, the female ninja could often use their own femininity to get very close to the enemy. Using psychological warfare and mind manipulation as weapons. ( Sounds just like dating..lol )

Kunoichi were trained in a variety of weapons, similar to the ninja, but because of the different situations they would face some smaller close range weapons were used more often. Weapons like blinding powders; poisons, daggers, rope and even the fan were often carried because they could be used at close range.

CHECK BACK FOR PART TWO ...MORE ABOUT JAPAN.  

EMA REVIEWS- ROCKY ON BROADWAY

ROCKY THE MUSICAL IS A WINNER!

Maybe it’s because I’m a fighter, maybe it’s because I am half Italian…I don’t know…but Rocky is and forever will be my FAVORITE movie! 

I believe everything you need to know about life you can find in a Rocky movie.   You watch Rocky when you are feeling down on your luck, Rocky 2 when you are feeling romantic, Rocky 3 when you are losing your edge, Rocky 4 when you are feeling patriotic, Rocky 5 when you are broke and Rocky 6 when you have arthritis.   I love that character so much I even like Rocky 5 and 6.  Maybe this makes you question my judgement but it should make you realize I’m an authority on the subject.  I will tell you this:  when I heard they were doing a Rocky play for Broadway I was not happy. I didn’t want anyone to make a mockery out of that first film.  I really hate remakes of things that are so beautiful they shouldn’t be touched. Rocky captured the heart of a fighter and a broken person's desire for love and acceptance.   I work in the fight business and Rocky is referenced at least once a day.   I got my tickets and I worried. Thirty seconds in my doubts were lifted. I was hooked! 

On Broadway, Tom Meehan’s script follows the movie faithfully.  It captured all the nuances of the 70’s, Rocky’s bad jokes and several moments were 100 percent true to the film (I know it by heart), and the things that were added were brilliant and sweet.  I really enjoyed some of the script changes even though I am a Rocky purist. They worked for the stage and breathed new life into the characters we all love.  

The cast is Great!  Andy Karl (Jersey Boys) as Rocky, captures 1970’s Stallone in an uncanny way. He perfected the walk and just enough of the voice and slack jaw that it seemed authentic without being a bad impersonation of Sly. Anyone who knows the movie well will remember that there’s a part where Rocky knocks Apollo down.  Rocky is so stunned by this he spins awkwardly trying to get to a neutral corner.  The dude playing Rocky captures that spin so well I swear it was cut and pasted from the film. 

Margo Seibert plays Adrian.  They pair well together and the sweetness and tenderness is not lost even though her solo numbers somewhat drag.  Dakin Matthews is Mickey, the old-timer who becomes Rocky’s manager. The actors captured the roller coaster of their initial relationship well.  Terrence Archie plays Apollo Creed.  He might be the sexiest man I have ever seen on stage and his body speaks professional athlete. Danny Mastrogorgio plays Adrian’s brother Paulie. He’s a bit more confident and less brooding than Burt Young’s Paulie. He comes off more as an arrogant jerk than a struggling alcoholic but it still works.

The music is not entirely Bill Conti’s score even though you can expect to hear some familiar melodies from the original films.  Some of the songs fall flat, I could do without Mickey’s musical number, Adrian’s solo numbers drag a bit but she has an extremely pretty voice and it captures the characters mousiness.   Without revealing too much I will say this… there’s an Apollo-Creed-1970’s- moment with some dancing girls and some outfits that put Diana Ross and Beyoncé to shame.

Now lets get to the most impressive thing about this musical_ THE SET DESIGN!  

The scenes in the gym are great.  Of course its stage combat so it’s doesn’t look 100 percent real but it’s pretty damn good. And I am shocked they found musical theatre actors that physically look like fighters. There was one dude so massive I was like “is that Allistair Overeem”?

The recreation of  the museum steps, the streets of Philadelphia, his crappy apartment, the neighborhood, the meat locker, the reporters and commentators at a fight event….I could honestly go on and on but I don’t want to reveal too much.  There were several moments I said “wow” out loud and prompted the Shut-the-F-up-half-turn- from the guy sitting in front of me.  Let me put it to you this way- if this show doesn’t win something for set design I will be furious.  I may actually watch the Tony’s this year!  It was a really fun night out reliving some of the heart and soul of what made Rocky touch people so genuinely.  I could say so much more but I will just say – Go buy a ticket. 

EVERYTHING MARTIAL ARTS___FITNESS___EXERCISE,YOUR MIND and WORDS OF WISDOM FROM RAKIM ALLAH

                                             EXERCISE FOR INTELLIGENCE 

My favorite Emcee is a guy named Rakim.  I was fortunate enough to meet him and speak to him on several occasions.  When you get to meet your idols you don’t take it for granted.  I have always listened intensely to things Rakim had to say.  He's very wise, very poetic and a huge fan of the combat sports.  We got along instantly and I always look forward to our chats.  He told me he rarely gets writers block.  In an old interview, he said if he can’t think of anything he just goes out into the world and starts living.

As some of you know, I am working on getting back to stand up comedy.  Last week I had writers block and I thought of RAKIM.  I figured, okay-  nothing gets my brain going more than exercise.  So I had to go back out into the world and train.  It really got me thinking though,  so many people have to perform and be creative at work.  My question is: how creative can you be often starring at a computer screen and 4 walls? 

Many people sit sedentary for 40 hours a week or more. 

Endurance and resistance training are proving to be the dynamic duo that build and rejuvenate the body from head to toe. Studies have shown that improving your physical fitness can help to improve your mental fitness.

Aerobic exercise has been shown many times to improve cognitive function, but a recent study shows that strength training can improve executive functions. Executive functions are important because they are a mental ability that helps us make decisions and do several things at once (like driving). They’re associated with how quickly you perform mental tasks such as multi takings, decision- making, and problem solving.   It explains the old expression “go take a walk!”. 

Think about! When you are boxing the very mitts you hit are called FOCUS Mitts!  You are working on hand-eye coordination and cognitive function.  How much better have your reflexes become after training to fight or for any sporting activity.  New Yorkers who go to the gym are less likely to get thrown by the inconsistent walking pattern of a tourist.  I said thrown off…notice I didn't say annoyed.  LOL 

Regular exercise has been proven to be more effective than brain games, super foods, supplements or any other method used to keep the brain sparking on all cylinders.

Consistently exercising doesn’t just reshape your muscles but it helps reshape your mind. One of the most exciting changes that exercise causes is a process called Neurogenesis.  Neurogenesis is the growth of new brains cells, something that until recently wasn’t thought possible. Scientists believe that through physical exertion new brains cells are produced, possibly by increasing the capacity of capillaries serving the brain so there is increased blow flow.  With increase blood flow the brain receives more oxygen, which accelerates cell growth and repair.  Now getting kicked and punched in the head….well, that will have to be for another article. 

The human brain is able to continually adapt and rewire itself.  It’s NEVER too late. Even in old age, it can grow new neurons. Severe mental decline is usually caused by disease, whereas most age-related losses in memory or motor skills simply result from inactivity and a lack of mental exercise and stimulation.  Inactive individuals were twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's, compared to those with the highest levels of activity (exercised vigorously at least three times a week). In other words, use it or lose it.  No matter what your fitness goals, your brain is the 3 lbs you never want to lose.   So the next time you're stuck with a thought, an idea or a problem you wanna “work out”  go work it out at the gym. 

I start to think and then I sink into the paper like I was ink
. When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines
, I escape when I finish the rhyme, I got soul  _ RAKIM