In order to live a life of peace and harmony, one must be well-prepared for conflict. Conflict is an inevitable part of lifing. In any conflict, the person who is better prepared and can keep a cooler head will always prevail.
Learning strategy, the Way of the Sword, is essential to attaining the proper state of mind for dealing with conflict of all kinds, whether violent or non-violent.
Kendo - The art of japanese sword fighting
I have been studying Kendo (literally: the way of the sword) under Renshi 7-dan Jeffrey Marsten Sensei and 6-Dan David Yotsuuye Sensei at the Bellevue Kendo Club since the end of 2000. I am a member of the All-United States Kendo Federation and Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation.
Sun Tzu - The Art of War
The classic text on strategy, conflict, and success and the oldest written work on military theory. Sun Tzu outlines all of the essential attributes and ways of great warriors.
Principles of War - Carl Von Clausewitz (external link)
Another classic text on conflict, this one by a great Prussian military theorist.
Miyamoto Musashi - A Book of Five Rings
Musashi was a renowned sword master, strategist and artist in 17th century Japan (the "Samurai" film trilogy, sometimes referred to as "the Japanese 'Gone With the Wind'", is the dramatized story of his life). Musashi fought and won more than 60 duels during his life, and became quite famous for his sword technique. This book contains his classic exposition on strategy and Nitto Ichi Ryu (two-swords, one-style) sword fighting.
John Keegan and the Face of Battle
What motivates men to take up arms against one another?
Firearms & Firearm Safety
I am a staunch supporter of the right to bear arms on philosophical grounds. However, firearms can be extremely dangerous in the hands of those who are untrained in their use. I think everyone should familiarize themselves with firearm safety.
Fencing - The European Martial Art
I have also been learning the art of foil and epee fencing since I was in college. Since taking up Kendo, I haven't pursued this much, but I still enjoy it immensely.
FLOTILLA™ - Generic Rules for Naval Combat
I created this simple little simulation game to amuse my kids by staging sea battles on the kitchen floor. As it turns out, the set of rules I compiled (liberally borrowing from several other game systems that work well, while eliminating much of the extraneous complexity) makes for an entertaining and reasonably realistic game.
Kajukenbo - The Art of Dirty Street Fighting...
My wife has been studying this eclectic martial art, originally created in Hawaii in 1947 as a combination of Tang Soo Do Karate (Ka), Judo and Jujitsu (Ju), Kenpo Karate (Ken), and Kung Fu (Chinese boxing, hence: Bo). It also includes techniques from the Phillipino art of Kali (knife fighting and escrima), and is explicitly developed to be an effective practical fighting style (hence the bit about "street fighting"😉. Kate has been compiling a history of this relatively new, and uniquely American, fighting method.
in Bogu
Chudan no Kamae (centered stance)
eh...............?