Thank you. Before I could not understand your criticism but now I see things in a whole new light. That is of course what learning is about. And I am well knowledgeable of "bunbu". I was thought it was the twin ways of the pen and sword but that the same thing you are saying. However, I have already took these into consideration and since this issue of my spelling aroused when I spelled a Japanese word wrong it seemed you got picky. Not to start any thing but alot of people make spelling mistakes. But enough about that let me talk about culturalistic Japan some too. I loved Japan and lets see I have a bit I want to share. Hmm lets see how to aproach... when you guys train do you train first your how do you say external or internal. What I am saying is do any one here do any traing of the chi or Ki, for it a Japanese site. OK wait I know that if you train in external arts then you will be naturally strengthening your internal abilities but i guess you already see the question thank
you. We are the same in so much yet different in so many aspects. GOD BLESS ALL
peace
Notes to James and to Yami here:
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 07:51:19 -0800 (PST)
From: james wilson <
johntwo8@...>
Subject: RE: Japan eras
*snip* HAHAHAHA its amazing how we can all be talking about swords and stuff
and my spelling some how becomes a topic. Hmm... ... GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
*snip*
James, this is not all that amazing. One of the ideals of the samurai was
_bunbu ichi_ (I've also seen that transliterated as _bunbu no ichi_, and if
any of you who're moderately fluent in Japanese can tell me which is more
correct, I'll be most grateful.) This has been translated as "pen and sword
in harmony."
You see, it is not enough to know how to swing a sword. Even if you regard
your blade with the deepest respect, even if you practise endlessly, that is
only a beginning. You must also attain some cultural accomplishments: to
be able to compose poetry, say, or to draw well. A samurai who couldn't
exhibit basic literacy would not have been well regarded in polite society.
Something for you to consider. When you're spelling your steel 'steal,' it
is a natural reaction for literate people to disregard or discount your
input. It's hard to take seriously the input of anyone who's a native
English speaker and still can't manage to express himself better than you
seem to be able to do.
Now I'm not saying this to insult you, but to suggest that you may want to
take even more care in improving your spelling and grammar skills. To
teach, you must first learn. And - since you mentioned being of African
descent - bear in mind that you're in a country that still has a vicious
tendency to regard you as somehow not as smart as some other guy whose only
virtue is that his skin is lighter than yours. (I don't think I'm telling
you anything you don't know already, but I want to be clear.) You're
fighting stereotype, and to do that you must excel in everything. They used
to say much the same of women: to earn half as much as a man, a woman has
to do twice as well... So I'm not talking about race here, but about
prejudice... and about feeding prejudice through any appearance of ignorance
or incompetency. Sure, your spelling is no worse than many folks I've seen
posting online... but your heredity and your choice of profession put you in
a spotlight that will, in many eyes, magnify every error you make. You may
well find - in fact, I profoundly hope you do find - that being able to
spell and punctuate may make the difference between being able to find
yourself a teaching job and being unable to find a school that wants
anything to do with you.
I encourage you to grow into your pride. Keep working on turning "some how"
into "somehow," "steal" into "steel" - the spell-checker won't catch those,
but you need to. And study the correct usage of apostrophes: you're really
weak on those. Our country needs good teachers, not more functional
illiterates.
May the gods bless you also. I call particularly on all deities who value
knowledge and literacy to smile upon you and lead you on in the ways of
truth.
Yami Murasaki <
Yami_Bara@...> wrote:
*snip* The way you're saying thw sword is a part of
you. That's exactly how connected Samurai were with their swords. It's
wonderful someone else thinks that way! Now I don't feel so alone!
~Yami
Yami, for what it's worth, you are far from alone. Probably a third of my
students over the years have regarded their swords in something of this
light. And every serious sworder I've ever known , European and Oriental
stylists alike, has done so. I don't think you can practise for long (at
least not with any decent piece of steel) without coming to understand
something of the individual characters and distinctive personalities of
swords. It is not coincidence that so many swords, all over the world, have
been given names.
Gereg
>From: james wilson
>Reply-To: samuraihistory@yahoogroups.com
>To: samuraihistory@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: RE: [samuraihistory] Japan eras
>Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2004 09:16:19 -0800 (PST)
>
>
>Hmm lets see I dont just feel my sword is just a piece of steal. I feel
>like its a part of me that needs attention just like a close realative. I
>believe that my sword is as strong as me and it can match my capabilities
>if need be. It may not be all that to any one else but it smells good and
>mackeral or wonderfull I view my swords as a lot more than just tools. GOD
>BLESS YOU ALL.
>
>peace
>
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