#fear does not exist in this dojo

[hauntingofhouses]

(concept art of young taigen - source ; art credit: @abigaillarson)

i cannot get over this concept art of young taigen. god.

just look at this angry bratty boy, too many feelings that he doesnt know what to do with! an abused 9 year old kid in poverty always playing with sticks in the dirt, obsessed with greatness and dreaming to escape his decrepit village—and he does!

he does escape. he runs away. this angry little boy, all claws and teeth and biting words uttered with a lisp, going on the run into a world he's never seen before until he makes his way to kyoto. and knowing him he probably forced his way in to be accepted by the dojo, growling and kicking even as he's thrown out, back into the streets, too stubborn to take no for an answer and never knowing when to give up.

taigen calls mizu a dog, weak, an orphan, a scrawny street urchin. but i can't help but think that he feels so bold to use those words because he had them spat at him too.

because taigen had the idea of "this is how the world is" beat into him from birth. he learned quickly that if you couldn't beat the world you could join it. but that meant losing your way, your values, your principles. and isn't that what true honour is? not just titles and status and glory?

we don't get to see what taigen, as a child surrounded by peers encouraging and goading him on, would've actually done if that meteor hadn't fallen right in front of them at that very moment. would he have really tried to throw that stone on mizu, killing her? we don't know.

but we do see what taigen (his true self, with no one around) does, when presented with the same opportunity. when mizu passes out in front of him, unconscious and near death, vulnerable, the path to restoring his honour lays itself out for him on a silver platter. and he wants to take it, wants to kill mizu, to claim what is his and return to kyoto and get back everything he'd worked tooth and nail for. he feels like it's what he should do. but he doesn't.

and later, again he is presented with the chance to betray mizu, likely offered by heiji shindo to get his rank reinstated within the shindo dojo. and again, taigen doesn't take it. he refuses. "stupidly loyal," fowler calls him later. loyal, like a dog.

because now, pulled away from the sneering looks and jeering words of people around him, telling him that this is what the world is, taigen had met ringo and mizu, two outcasts who refuse to follow a predetermined path to greatness. and so inside something blooms in him. something like hope. a chance to live in a world that doesn't kick you down every chance it gets, to live in a world where genuine kindness and and love and friendship and even weakness is possible, allowed to simply exist without fear.

because he'd been running away from the very idea of it the whole time. when he ran from kohama, he never looked back, never wanted to remember what it was like to be a child, afraid and hungry and angry and hurting, without the words to make sense of it, desperately wishing for something. something more. he doesn't know what. but he hears stories of great swordsmen and decides, yes, this must be it. this is what i want: glory, greatness. the twisted seed gets planted and thrives in this barren land.

and when he returns to kohama with mizu and ringo, he at last is forced to stop running. he must face the child within him again, and he tells that child to put down the stones in his hand, tells him to stop barking at anything that moves or looks at him wrong.

the child drops the stone, and taigen buys dumplings instead, gives them to mizu. the child within him, wide-eyed at the prospect of friendship, moves him to pick up a hammer and toss it to mizu. he's smiling inside even as he does it; giggling like a kid hiding a silly prank. as soon as mizu drops the hammer after him, he leaps at her, tackling her to the ground and they wrestle and laugh unbridled like two children playing while the adults aren't around to barge in and yell at them.

and then his gaze catches on mizu's lips, he stares into mizu's eyes, a sparkling blue, inviting like the open sea in good weather.

it's a man's desire that takes hold then, the child in him sinking away again, and he curses himself for it, because it ruins the moment.

everything goes to shit from there, and then it's back to being a man, back to putting on his grown-up's armour to play hero.

it fails. the shogun dies. fowler's beatings reopen all the wounds left by heiji shindo's torture. "honour is meaningless," mizu tells him. "nothing comes from being a samurai but death."

the words follow him, and he follows the words.

as everything burns down, he runs, leaving the fire behind him, and sees akemi, as well as the verdure of spring behind her, calling him. he does not hesitate then to hold his hand out to her, inviting her to come with him. "i don't want to be great," he says. "i just want to be happy."

what is happiness to him? perhaps he doesn't know it yet, or perhaps he does. but really, i believe happiness is what the child in him always wanted but never received. happiness is a home.

[miyagi-hokarate]

(Shows up late with boba tea) WHAT A SEASON AMIRITE FELLAS?

Random assortment of season 6 part 1 thoughts:

(tl;dr: not a lot of satisfaction with this season for me. Lots of spoilers and sarcasm under the cut ahfksjfjdkg. )

we still haven't gotten that goddamn fun Lawrusso spar 😩

Okay jokes aside, I'm...not a fan of this season :/

A lot of things felt off, like the characters (more on that specifically later) to the plot progression

Of the things I liked, Sam and Tory's developing relationship — especially them having a dialogue together — was incredibly refreshing and felt good to see grow!

Tory's character in general surprised me and it felt much stronger than in previous seasons!!! Of all the potential flashbacks, a Tory-centered one was serendipitous

I also liked that Robby won the role of being team leader!! Much of his character had been centered on guidance, both receiving and giving it, and it makes the most sense narratively to give him that ultimate chance to prove himself as a leader, being one who is meant to be one half to represent the skill and prowess of his dojo

As FRUSTRATING as some things were; Daniel and Johnny butting heads, Devon doing everything in her power to earn her spot in the Sekai Taikai (even resorting to cheating), Tory lashing out after the loss of her mother; these were all to me understandable conflicts that didn't feel forced or like pulling teeth (especially Tory. I'm so sorry girl 🫂)

RETURN OF SHAWWWWN

DUTCH MENTION!!!!!!

AISHA MENTION!!!!!!

Okay...hater moment fr now...

A lot of everything else I have some problem with or feel strongly indifferent to; the Sekai Taikai (but there's no stopping that, so I'm just :/ whatever), Mr. Miyagi's secret, Daniel and Johnny butting heads (yes, I know, repeating myself...), Johnny in general, everything about the fucking baby, everything about Sensei Kim and her students. Arhagrggagrggfhgh

AS I FEARED, I'm not a fan of the contents and fallout of Mr. Miyagi's secret box. Oh great, Mr. Miyagi's dark secret was that he committed crimes and was involved with the Sekai Taikai or something. What shock. I can't believe Mr. Miyagi hurt people and hide that from Daniel. Can you hear my thick and heavy sarcasm.

I don't know if the rest of the fandom had learned to love the Big Twist or whatever, but I still don't see that box as anything more than a cheap plot twist. Its existence is practically pointless with what we, the audience, and Daniel know about Mr. Miyagi; we KNOW he's already hurt people in his dark and mysterious past, even people who may not have deserved it. He was drafted into war by the US army because the country would rather Mr. Miyagi would die as a soldier than live as an American for god's sake. Mr. Miyagi is already weighed by the horrors of his actions — actions Daniel himself had learned that didn't make Mr. Miyagi a villain, or a hero, or a tale of woe; they were all done by a man who was human, who made mistakes and who felt regret in his actions. Am I shocked that Mr. Miyagi could have committed crimes in the interim years between internment and The Karate Kid? No, but it feels transparent that the purpose of Mr. Miyagi's box has more to do with the twist of him participating in the Sekai Taikai than anything as profound as what has already been Mr. Miyagi's backstory introduced in The Karate Kid

What is there to say about Daniel and Johnny that hasn't been said already. This is like their hundredth karate divorce. Pick another method of foreplay it's getting old

There were parts that I actually commend Johnny for reacting maturely for; cooperating with Daniel and Chozen about the dojo name; keeping his temper in check when the realtor insults him; but MAN does no one fumble the ball as hard as Johnny does otherwise. Not all of it is painfully incomprehensible, but Jesus what was up with him this season. You have a baby (💀) coming your way. Act like it

Speaking of the baby 😒 I still don't like it. It just...it's still such a disappointing way to try and progress the characters of Johnny, Carmen, Miguel, Robby, etc. That opening shot of that fucking onesie was despicable. It's watching Miguel and Robby smile and laugh through this wackass development still. It's watching Johnny seemingly preparing for a growing family in spite of the countless evidence to everything that would make him ill-prepared. It's the fact Carmen is stuck being Mom of Miguel, Love Interest of Johnny, and now Mom of this new kid. Carmen ESPECIALLY gets the short end of the goddamn stick in terms of characterization regarding this, because she barely has any 😩😩 I know it's too late to be complaining about this baby but AUGH. I hate this

Another thing I hate is how WEIRD Cobra Kai is with its Asian characters — with Sensei Kim, Master Kim, their students, and (I can't believe I'm saying this) Kyler in particular. The show has always had this problem, with the double standards of Kyler stuck as a static bully character while others are allowed to grow nuance and development and abusive Dragon Lady Sensei Kim, but the introduction of Korean Fu Manchu in the form of Master Kim and a mass of intimidating and equally nameless karate students training ruthlessly in the blue-tinted woods of South Korea really hammer in the odd racial subtext

In a similar topic, did anyone else find it incredibly weird how Kyler was made to eat off the floor by those frat bros? I don't know if I'm reading too much into it, but it felt uncomfortable on such a different level than any other method of bullying shown in the show. It's never said why the frat bros target Kyler so much, and the only difference I could really make of is how Kyler easily defers to follow if in the face of aggressive leadership. And that he's Asian

I fucking hate that US flag mohawk and I am so mad that Eli is allowed to represent Miyagi-Do Karate in that goddawful thing I am being so serious right now

I'm sure I have other thoughts floating in my head that I can't recall, but here these are ahfjakdhjajd. I wish I could say I'm excited for part 2 arriving this November, but in much of the same way, the strongest emotion I feel is Dread

[bearsinpotatosacks]

Richie says that ‘fear does not exist in that dojo’ and all I can think is how he was prescribed Xanax in season 1 for ‘anxiety and dread’ and then it’s never mentioned again. But it makes sense, he realises he’s good at something, that he likes doing something and makes it his purpose, he makes FOH his safespace where he’s capable and genuinely confident and respected and it’s messed with and taken away. We see him wear down in season 3, he gets tired in a way we’ve never seen much before, we see more of the Richie we see outside of work, when he’s on the phone to Eva or calling Tiff. And it’s something to be said that in season 3 his whole deal is trying to sort his life out outside of work because it’s probably easier to put stuff away when you spend most of your time at work and work is some kind of safespace for your self esteem because you know your stuff there. 

But it’s also something to be said how this melds together and we almost see a warped version of who he was when we were introduced to him in season 1. He’s comfortable at the Bear now, like he was comfortable at the Beef, but his personal life is messed up and it’s getting harder to separate feelings outside and inside work. He’s angry in season 1 and resistant to change because his entire life has changed over the last 6 months. He’s tired in season 3 because he’s trying to change and become a better person but things are constantly changing around him so he doensn’t know the parameters. FOH is changed, the menu’s changed, his safespace is changing and becoming somewhere he’s not comfortable with but instead of being angry (he’s angry at Carmy but that’s personal that bleeds into personal when they’re arguments kick off) he’s tired because it’s happening again, his life is changing and seemingly getting worse (if we go on the assumption that the review was bad and Jimmy’s funding is going) again and he doesn’t know if he can keep up anymore

[sheinthatfandom]

It’s Double or Nothing weekend and you know what that means……. MY PPV HOPES AND PREDICTIONS!!!! Cause you know I’m super fair impartial and unbiased just like our wonderful EVPs😇

Under the cut cause it’s a lot

Yellow is who I want green is who I think will be booked to win

Now for the buy in they only added this photo

Which is beautiful and Imma share it so

Thunder Vs Deonna: I got no clue honestly. I’ve missed the build up to this. If this is an ongoing feud give it to deonna with shenanigans if this is gonna pave the way for a title end run than give it to thunder

Orange vs Trent: I want orange to win he’s lost everything in his mind doesn’t see that he still has people around him who cares to him he lost Chuck and so he’s lost it all. This is his widowers arc and with callis pushing him a win can make Don act as though he’s the reason for the win and get in oranges head even more. Trent has been winning and this could be another mail in the pushing Trent coffin to aim him toward eventual gold.

Iwgp championship- Mox vs takesita: I do not know the new Japan rules I know many fans are angry but I also know many fans just hate aew so I can not take what’s said in good faith. Also kayfabe is still alive and well so even the stuff wrestlers say I’m like…. Your company did this books this and signs off on it so I’m gonna assume this is kayfabe world building. That said this isn’t for the belt but for a future opportunity for it against whoever is champion after moxs next title defense. So I’d love for it to be Takeshita one the loss won’t hurt mox 2 Takeshita was with ddt not new Japan but callis was and possible is still working with new Japan so more possible story lines and opens up konosuke to start feuding with new Japan guys who are now angry at this opportunity and give him feuds for forbidden door and rebuild him as a powerhouse for when he gets aew gold.

Aew/roh tríos championship- Bang bang gang va death triangle: I know I know okay aew loves death triangle lenta and fénix are an incredible team and pac is a beloved monster I get that. I see the vision aew wants me to see BUT bang bang gang is fun and they’re my silly little gremlin guys and they just beat the acclaimed to get all these belts and now they use the little wagon to wheel it all down to the ring it’s hilarious it’s fun and I need more fun in my wrestling. Plus the boys are doing so well in their promos now like no let them keep cooking. They can even win by shenanigans I’m FINE with that. In fact I’d prefer it. Let my goofy guys win PLEASE.

Ftw championship- Hook vs Chris vs shibata: I want shibata but wil also take hook. I hate that an I hate the learning tree gimmick he needs to go home for 6 months and give me a fucking break. Shibata should never lose he is literally THAT wrestler THAT mf! Matter fact let Joe interrupt and take the Ftw belt. Now no one gets it.

Tnt championship- cope vs black: between the misting the blood cope becoming more and more unhinged he’s gonna win this and idk if he’ll join job/take it over if black doesn’t resign OR and this is my hope he makes his own spooky group pr does his own spooky thing and be a fucking nightmare to the “normal people” roster and the house can win just by him and his spooky existing again kinda like skye

Aew international championship: strong vs Ospreay: did you see that promo? The only way he doesn’t win (and I say this because I am traumatized by the fed) is if it’s to punish him for talking bout/defending ricochet. But tk has never given me a reason to think he’s that damn petty and if anything he’s proven unable to pivot from his original plans.

Aew women’s world championship- Toni vs deeb: she’s got no character, she’s wishy washy on the character she does have, she has no crowd support, she’s got no charisma, and every time she mentions having a fucking dojo I fear what her husband is doing to any young girls she brings around him. This Toni’s it’s not even a question. And instead of these useless boring feuds they need to bring back Toni’s movies and build Mariah up as a serious contender if we really aren’t gonna have hayter come back before all out. And build up both thunder and deonna over again and show them on dynamite and collision cause I don’t watch rampage. Also it’s the women’s world championship and it’s not even in the triple main events

Anarchy in the arena- elite vs team aew? I see the vision I know what they were going for I appreciate the Jackson’s and tk for always trying to see the best in people but the moment ftr was the chosen first members of team aew they lost me. They got me back with Bryan (creator of bcc and part of the committee who freed up from the punk fuckery) and then eddie ( who I wonder if he actually knows wrestling isn’t real sometimes) but now idk someone said if Andrade and Cody were available they woulda been added to team aew and honestly I see it. The legitimacy lost with ftr is staggering. It’s probably gonna be ftr but I really hope the elite win and clean that loss from all out.

Tbs championship- willow vs mone: I get it Mercedes is the bigger star hell she’s one of the biggest stars in the world so why wouldn’t you put the belt on her? Especially the tv title and have her on screens every week and too busy to go after the main title. But… I like willow better and I’d like for her to be able to say to Mercedes I beat you twice now bitch and stokely to try and do the nana dance before kris hits her with the belt. And then Mercedes can go be ceo with the elite.

Aew world championship- swerve vs Christian: my champion is black and that ain’t changing!

[senstrike]

girls go insane when they remember “fear does not exist” is not only a karate dojo battle cry but also a tender affirmation of love and friendship in a moment of emotional vulnerability (i’m girls)

[maguro13-2]

What happens after the release of Warioware's new game?

Wario : What a day for a vacation after the release of Warioware Move It. I just hope that Waluigi suspect that he supposed to lookout for the house. Well, at least we're back at our hometown of...

*RECORD SCRATCH*

Wario : What the...?!

(We show the ruins of Diamond City after it was completely destroyed)

Wario : Oh no. Diamond City. My beautiful hometown Diamond City! What happened?! Who destroyed the beloved hometown of me!?

Waluigi : Hey, Wario. You cameback from your vacation with the crew. Something went wrong.

Wario : Oh my God! Waluigi! Waluigi! speak to me, man! What happened here?!

Waluigi : I knew that something bad happened to Diamond City, and it was attacked by an invasive group that really knows to the wreck the place.

Wario : That's impossible! *BOING* WHAT THE F***?! (Sees Ashley's mansion covered with graffiti and toilet paper) Ashley Mansion has been vandalized! Covered with graffiti and 4-plys of toilet paper! Nooooo!

Red the Demon : Who's gonna clean up this mess they caused?! *BONK* Hey, isn't that...

Dr Cryor : My lab! My lab! What happened to my lab!? It's gone! It has all our inventions and gadgets!

9-Volt : And all our collection of video games have been samshed! I play smash in our entire lives and now i’m never gonna play!

Jimmy T : Club Sugar's washed up and done for!

Mona : My restaurant, Mona Pizza, is ruined!

Kat : Our dojo has been destroyed!

Orbulon : At least my spaceship is fine.

Dribble : Not quite tho. (Orbulon reads something on the back of his ship) Look at the back of your ship.

Orbulon : What's this? "Wowie Zowie, Orbulon! Your ship looks incredible and is the shape of an animal that eats or smells nothing but...PORK BUTT"!? [Furious] Why I ought to...

Wario : Who really done it this time!? Who would go and wreck the entire place!?

Talking Flower : Hey there, garlic-eating man that runs a microgame company. Nice place you got there.

Wario : You! So you're the one that ransacked my hometown didn't you after we went on vacation for the exercise classes! How can you even think about destroying one's property!? One's property!

Talking Flower : Oh yeah. That would be my buddies that is really liking the town that existed in the Super Mario verse, hope that we didn't mind turning this town into a tourist trap you know.

Ashley : Oh, really? How can you expect from a talking idiot like me? If you really destroyed the place we lived in, that's on you for your flower buddies, I would definitely granting someone to hell for that matters.

Talking Flower : Wowie Zowie, Ashley! I guess your much of an edgy person than you think. I guess my buddies will have to prove to the talking of your gothic life.

Ashley : Oh is that so? You and what army?

Penny Crygor : Ashley, no! Don't ask him that!

Talking Flower : What army? What army? How about this army!

(The Warioware group are surrounded by an army of talking flowers)

Ashley : Oh crap.

Penny Crygor : Never ask the questions "who and what army"!

Talking Flower : Sorry, Wario. Guess we misfortuned about your hometown being a total wreckage we caused. So sorry for having this way in a fairly manner, I'd might say. We did make the people of Diamond City go crazy and caused chaos all over it. What are you gonna do now, you garlic greedy goomba?

[DBZ SFX : POWERING UP]

Wario : [chuckles] If you're really that clever for a talking flora garbage, then I assure one thing that you'll never like it....

Talking Flower : [cower in fear] W-W-W-What's that?

Wario : It's called "You're missing the point".

Talking Flower : Wowie Zowie! Holy sh****t! Is he doing the Vegeta Sacrifice thing?! WOWIE MOTHERF***ING ZOWIE!!! He's absolutely to go Kamikaze attack on us!!!

Mona : Wait. He doesn't remember doing that! He's going to kill us all if he does that from Majin Buu!

Ashley : Majin Buu? What Majin Buu? What are you ...(now realizing) Oh God.

Wario : [furiously] RRRAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHH!!

[DBZ SFX : ENERGY EXPLOSION]

Wario : Well, I guess that's taking care of that. At least that we all had a great vacation.

Talking Flower : Oh really? That was really quite a performance back there! I never thought you were able to pull off that stunt like that!

Wario : You! How are you still alive?! I just had you blown away in a kamikaze style!

Talking Flower : Oh I don't know. The truth is we all died because of you! At least it's nice in here that they had to chain us up for destroying the super Mario Universe.

[It is revealed that the Warioware crew except for Ashley and Talking Flower are in Hell, being chained up]

Mona : Nice going, Wario! You brought us to a place where bad people had to suffer and tormented.

Red the Demon : Oh hey, this is where I originally came from. My dad works here and he's the demon king.

Ashley : What a surprise, I granted everyone and including kids in hell. Am I the only one that is smart enough to do this?

Wario : [to Waluigi, laughs nervously] Sorry about that, Waluigi. At least hell isn't so bad after the Vacation.

Waluigi : Oh no, it's a way better vacation over here, in hell of course! Well, you can say Warioware has been a major asset to the Super Mario Universe that has been like this for 23 years.

Red the Demon : Oh, hey, look my dad's coming to meet. Hi, dad. These are the guys I work for.

Wario and Waluigi : His dad?!

Wario : Ashley, you don't mean that Red's father is...

Ashley : True that. He's the demon king, ruler of hell.

Wario : Oh boy...

[Red's father appears to be a muscular demon king]

Waluigi : Wow! I never seen a demon who's that ripped.

Penny Crygor : Totally. Hello, father of Red the Demon. We are currently in hell for no reason, I'm Penny Crygor and this is my girlfriend, who she granted us in hell.

Talking Flower : Oh boy.

Red's Father : ....So, you just had to go Kamikaze on the planet, didn't you?

Wario : [in sniper's voice] Ah...piss!

Talking Flower : [sarcastically] Wowie Zowie, man. [In a sly look] Wowie-Zowie.

[Iris shot]

Ashley : It took me years to grant someone to hell for this.

[Iris out]

~ DON'T GO KAMIKAZE ON THE PLANET ~

[adversarialharrow]

Awareness in the Art of War and The Power of Humility

In the tranquil sanctuary of a small dojo, where light filtered through shoji screens and the scent of polished wood filled the air, Sensei Takashi prepared for his afternoon class. Today’s lesson would transcend mere techniques of karate; it would delve into the deeper philosophies of awareness and recognition, essential tenets not only in martial arts but in life itself.

As the students gathered, a diverse tapestry of eager faces and contemplative expressions emerged. Sensei Takashi, embodying calm authority, welcomed them with a gentle nod. “Today, we will explore a profound truth: that awareness is the key not only to mastering martial techniques but to navigating the complexities of existence.”

He motioned for his students to form a circle, creating a space of shared energy. “Awareness,” he began, “is the art of perceiving the world without distortion. It is being present in each moment, understanding that our surroundings and interactions shape our experiences. In martial arts, this awareness allows us to see beyond the physical; it opens the door to understanding our adversaries.”

He invited two students, Hana and Riku, to the center. “Hana, step forward. Riku, approach her as if you intend to strike.” As Riku advanced, Sensei Takashi encouraged Hana to engage her senses fully. “Breathe deeply, and attune yourself to his movements. What is his intention? What energy does he project?”

Hana stood firm, her posture embodying both readiness and calm. Riku felt the shift in her presence��a recognition of his own intent. “Do you see?” Sensei Takashi prompted. “Awareness transforms fear into understanding. You are not merely reacting; you are anticipating the flow of energy between you.”

He turned to the class, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the uniqueness of each opponent. “Each person you face in life, whether in the dojo or the world beyond, has distinct strengths and weaknesses. To truly understand them, you must cultivate a keen sense of observation. This is not just a skill; it is a philosophical stance.”

As students began to spar in pairs, Sensei Takashi moved among them, offering insights woven with wisdom. He observed how some students fell into predictable patterns, their techniques effective yet limited. Others, however, adapted fluidly, responding to the subtleties of their partners’ movements.

“Good!” he called out to Mei and Ken, who were engaging in a spirited exchange. “You wield your strength with an understanding of its impact. This is the essence of respect.”

“Excellent!” he encouraged Mei and Ken. “Mei, notice the way Ken holds his guard. Acknowledging this is not merely a tactical advantage; it is an opportunity for connection and understanding.”

After a period of practice, Sensei Takashi gathered the students once more. “Let us reflect. What have you learned about your partners? How has awareness influenced your practice today?”

Taro, a thoughtful student, raised his hand. “I realized that when I focused solely on my own techniques, I missed opportunities to connect with my partner. I was so absorbed in my own actions that I failed to see the broader picture.”

Taro spoke more, his voice thoughtful. “I realized that while I can be powerful, I must also be mindful of how I use that power. Disrespecting others diminishes my own character.”

“Exactly,” Sensei Takashi affirmed. “The staff represents our potential. When wielded with remorse for any harm it might cause, it becomes a tool for growth rather than destruction. Awareness transforms strength into a force for good.

“Awareness is an ongoing journey—a practice of being. It is about recognizing that every interaction holds the potential for growth. The more you understand the nuances of your partner, the more effectively you can respond, not just in combat, but in the tapestry of life.”

As class drew to a close, Sensei Takashi offered one final insight. “Remember, martial arts is not merely about combat; it’s about understanding our roles in the world. The staff teaches us that with power comes responsibility, and with responsibility, the need for respect. “Remember, martial arts extends beyond the physical realm. It is a path of self-discovery, where understanding oneself leads to a deeper comprehension of others. The journey inward enhances your awareness outward.”

The students bowed, their spirits enriched by the day’s reflections. As they departed, the sun cast long shadows across the dojo floor—a reminder that every moment is imbued with the potential for awareness and insight. Sensei Takashi smiled, knowing that today, his students had taken a step closer to becoming not only adept martial artists but also wise navigators of the intricate dance of life.

[cecilburton1]

Cecil Burton on Karate and Emotional Balance - Finding Harmony in a Hectic World

Cecil Burton - Rockford City in Illinois

In our contemporary, bustling society, achieving a sense of harmony and emotional stability often appears daunting. With the perpetual pressures of professional commitments, familial responsibilities, and daily obligations, it's not uncommon to feel swamped and detached from our own essence. Yet, there exists a martial art that has been empowering individuals to foster internal balance for hundreds of years: Karate. As Cecil Burton emphasizes, this time-honored practice does more than merely enhance physical prowess—it nurtures the mind and soul, creating a path towards tranquility amidst disorder.

Karate is more than just a physical exercise; it is a way of life. Rooted in Japanese tradition, this martial art emphasizes the importance of emotional and mental balance as much as physical prowess. In a world that often seems to prize power and competition, Karate's philosophy encourages its practitioners to focus on self-improvement, self-control, and respect for others. It's a journey of personal growth that extends beyond the dojo (training hall) and into daily life.

The core principle of Karate revolves around self-mastery. This martial art starts with the fundamental element of "kata," a set of choreographed movements that forms the basis of training. These carefully crafted sequences impart not only physical maneuvers but the principles of equilibrium, rhythm, and mental concentration. Kata is performed repeatedly by practitioners who aim for perfection - a concept that transcends flawless execution and encapsulates understanding the harmony between mind and body. As Cecil Burton knows too well, this facet of Karate is its essential nature.

One of the key aspects of Karate is its emphasis on emotional control. In the heat of battle, whether it's in a tournament or a real-life self-defense situation, keeping a cool head is essential. The discipline teaches individuals to manage their fear, anger, and anxiety, and channel these emotions into focused, deliberate action. The goal is not to eliminate these feelings but to harness their energy and use them in a constructive way.

In the practice of Karate, the journey towards mastery is a long and committed one, requiring persistent dedication and effort over the span of years. This gradual progression instills a sense of patience and humility within the practitioners, thereby reinforcing the significance of consistent hard work and perseverance. This ethos stands in stark contrast to the prevailing culture of immediate gratification in contemporary society, where the propensity often leans towards seeking quick fixes and shortcuts. As highlighted by Cecil Burton, Karate embodies the antithesis of this culture.

Respect is another core tenet of Karate. In the dojo, practitioners bow as a sign of respect to their instructors and fellow students. This simple gesture symbolizes the humility and recognition of the knowledge and experience that others bring. Beyond the physical training, this culture of respect encourages empathy and understanding, fostering emotional intelligence.

The emphasis on respect extends to the practice of sparring or "kumite." In Karate, it's not about defeating an opponent but testing one's abilities and learning from the experience. Through controlled sparring, practitioners learn to read their opponents' movements and emotions, enhancing their ability to adapt and respond effectively. It's a valuable skill that can be applied to real-life situations, helping individuals navigate conflicts with understanding and empathy.

Karate also promotes mindfulness, which is an essential component of emotional balance. When practicing kata, the focus on breath control and body awareness promotes a meditative state that clears the mind of clutter and stress. This mindful approach extends into daily life, helping individuals stay present and centered amidst the distractions and pressures of the modern world.

In the modern world, maintaining emotional stability is crucial, given the influx of information, workplace demands, family responsibilities, and the rapid speed of life. These factors contribute to heightened stress and emotional upheaval. As Cecil Burton articulates, Karate provides an avenue towards calmness, equipping individuals with the methodologies to navigate stress and preserve emotional balance.

In the dojo, practitioners learn to face their fears, embrace challenges, and cultivate resilience. This is a valuable lesson for anyone trying to find balance in a chaotic world. Rather than succumbing to stress and anxiety, Karate teaches us to confront our fears head-on, to overcome them, and to grow stronger as a result.

The philosophical underpinnings of Karate, rooted in the ancient wisdom of the East, are more relevant than ever in our contemporary lives. The discipline teaches us that emotional balance is not about erasing our emotions but about understanding them and using them as a source of strength. It's about becoming the masters of our own emotions and using them to drive positive change in our lives.

In a world where many are seeking quick fixes and shortcuts to happiness and success, Karate stands as a testament to the enduring value of slow, deliberate progress. It reminds us that true mastery of our emotions, like martial arts mastery, takes time, effort, and dedication.

So, as you navigate the chaotic waters of the modern world, consider the lessons of Karate. It's not just a physical practice; it's a journey of self-discovery and emotional growth. Through the mastery of oneself, the cultivation of emotional control, and the practice of respect and mindfulness, Karate offers a powerful path to finding harmony and emotional balance in a hectic world.

Navigating life's hurdles and uncertainties, we are often reminded by Karate that the essence of real strength does not reside in physical might, but in inner equilibrium and emotional fortitude. As we traverse the intricacies of today's world, the guiding principles of this long-established martial art present a beacon of hope, offering a way towards tranquility amidst turmoil. As Cecil Burton underscores, the principal value of Karate lies in its ability to balance the mind, body, and emotions in the face of adversity.

[hauntingofhouses]

BRB thinking thoughts about Taigen's character, the TaiMizu ship, and a big chunk of fandom's perceptions regarding both those things.

(Inspired by @farintonorth's post related to this topic that just got my brain going brrrrr)

OK so let me just... start off by saying that I think that reducing stories to their tropes is seriously detrimental to the way some people are interacting with fiction, and while that honestly warrants its own post about the subject, I wanna talk specifically about how this affects the way some people in the fandom talk about Taigen and TaiMizu.

Because yeah, tropes are useful shorthand to refer to certain dynamics or archetypes etc, and they are indeed the building blocks to any story. But in a well-written story, characters and their relationships, actions, and motivations, are much more complex than just tropes. Because in a story that has characters who are more than just cardboard cutouts, their behaviours, backgrounds, motivations and all of that, are inseparable from the context of the overall story they exist in.

So like, sure, you can say Mizu and Taigen have an enemies-to-lovers or rivals-to-lovers dynamic. I also use those terms because it's easier. But I also think this is where things start to get a bit twisted, especially from an intertextual sense. Because "enemies-to-lovers" is also commonly used to refer to other ships in other media, whereby it tends to be rooted in an imbalanced power dynamic, such as oppressor-oppressed and bully-victim.

And while that's a whole can of worms that I won't be getting into because it can quickly derail into a whole separate sort of fandom discourse, I'd just like to make it clear that Mizu and Taigen, in particular, do not have an imbalanced power dynamic. They are not bully-victim or oppressor-oppressed. The only understandable reason why someone might actually think their relationship is imbalanced is if

A) they only watched the first episode, or

B) they cannot grasp the slightest bit of nuance in a character, or

C) they're being obtuse on purpose simply because the Mizu/Taigen relationship, or Taigen's character in general, just doesn't suit their tastes.

While yes, Taigen, along with his whole gang, had bullied Mizu when they were children, that dynamic does not exist between them whatsoever in adulthood. Whatever imbalanced bully-victim power dynamic that had once existed between them was decisively ripped apart the moment Mizu beat him in that duel in the dojo, and then completely obliterated by the end of the season.

Mizu is not a defenseless victim at Taigen's mercy. Mizu can beat Taigen's ass any time she wants (and she DOES, repeatedly in fact), and could even kill him if she felt like it. She taunts him openly and without fear ("I like your hair"; "I can beat you with any weapon you choose") and all he does is bark back, because that's pretty much all Taigen ever does. Time and time again, he yaps about how much he wants to kill her, but time and time again, his actions prove that all of it is just an empty threat. Because though his words say "I hate you", his actions demonstrate the complete opposite. He's shown how protective he is of Mizu, how unhesitatingly he sacrifices himself up for her, how loyal he is in enduring days-long torture to not give up information about her, how even when near-death and in pain, he's still willing to keep standing back up so he can fight by her side and help her win against her enemies.

And Mizu is not an idiot! She sees that too. She does not see him as a threat, an enemy, or even a bully. Especially not by the end of Episode 3, and definitely not by the end of the season. When she finds him in the dungeon in Episode 6, she smiles from relief, and doesn't think twice to take him with her. Mizu finds him, at best, an annoyance, or at worst, an infuriating hindrance on her quest for vengeance. Which is why, when Taigen is about to say, "It's a shame our duel's set for tomorrow; I have to kill you before you get your revenge," Mizu whacks him on the head without a second thought before he can even finish his sentence, and leaves him lying unconscious, face-down, in the snow.

And this further emphasises how he does not hold any power over her. There is no abusive power dynamic between them. She is more powerful than him, he knows this, and all he's ever done after they've met up again in adulthood is get his ass whooped by her, get mad about it and pester her and follow her around, get his ass whooped by her some more, and put his life on the line to protect her.

"OOoooOOoooH b-but he called her a demon at the end of Episode 7 and threatened to kill her again!!!" Oh my god. He called her that because he's calling her out on her selfishness to stay silent about her knowledge of Fowler's plans to attack Edo. Because to him, loyalty and honour as a samurai is more important than anything. So in his own brash-and-immature Taigen way, he felt betrayed that Mizu did not hold the same principles. That's why he got angry. He wasn't even that mad about letting Akemi get dragged off by the Tokunobu guards. It was about saving the Shogun and the Shogunate as a whole. That's why the first thing he does in Edo is not find Akemi, but try to warn the Shogun about Fowler's attack.

Look, I'm not defending his stupid ass, of course. Because calling her a demon especially after their cute little wrestling time was obviously rude and inappropriate, especially since words like "demon", "monster" and "Onryo" have had such a deep effect on Mizu throughout her life, and continue to contribute to her self-hatred. But like? That's the fun of realistic and flawed characters, and realistic and flawed relationships. They're not perfect, and it's why we as an audience root for them, wanting to see them work through their shit and find a way to prevail despite it all.

Also, him saying that was in the heat of the moment. He was angry, he felt like his initial belief of who Mizu was—a strong and loyal samurai, just like him—was shattered, and so he lashed out. Was it rude? Definitely. Was it immature of him? Yes, incredibly. But it's also very much in line with his character, because even though he's grown a lot over the course of the season, the show isn't over yet, so obviously his character arc is just beginning, as that is also the case for the other three main characters: Mizu is beginning to accept herself, Akemi is beginning to grow into her position of power, Ringo beginning to train under Master Eiji, while Taigen is beginning to simply be a better person.

On that note, when speaking of Taigen's immaturity, I think that's also one of the main things that people tend to gloss over when it comes to his character. Because when you boil everything down to its bare essentials, Taigen is, essentially, a boy. I've talked about this before, but to reiterate, Taigen very much behaves like an unhealed child. Even as an adult, he is insecure, prone to throwing tantrums, and is desperate to latch onto some material goal in hopes that it will make him feel better—initially he was chasing status/glory/greatness, and then when Mizu tells him that "Nothing comes from being a samurai but death," he immediately decides he wants to run away with Akemi in hopes that he will be happy.

And it's a big step, acknowledging that he doesn't truly want greatness, but had always just assumed it was his only path to a good life. But it's clear he still hasn't really figured it out. Because if he did run off with Akemi to get married and live in the countryside, he still wouldn't be happy. Because he still doesn't know who he really is, or what it is he really wants. Marriage at this moment is the last thing he needs, and as he is now, he would be a pretty awful husband. A simple life would be good for him, but would he be good at a simple life, when he still has so much he needs to work through?

So anyway, what I'm getting at here, is that he's trying and he is learning and growing. So yeah, he is flawed, but honestly? So is Mizu. And the funny thing is that they're flawed in very similar ways.

Because Mizu is also an unhealed child. That's why she's so angry all the time. That's why she pushes people away. That's why she, just like Taigen, is so happy when given the chance to playfully wrestle in the forge, laughing and rolling around like children without shame or pretense.

Again, this shows there is no imbalance between them. They had grown up together as peers from the same town. And while Taigen had had the upper hand back then, because he'd had a gang of other kids with him, that is definitely not the case anymore. Today, they are equally flawed, equally strong, equally skilled swordsmen, and equally bull-headed.

However, yes, Mizu is definitely leagues more mature than Taigen. But she still holds a lot of childhood wounds that mirror Taigen's own. And we see this especially in relation to her mother. Similar to Taigen who had an abusive and alcoholic father, Mizu's Mama was an opium addict and had hit her, berated her, had shaved her head without her consent as a child, and as an adult, had constantly emotionally manipulated and guilt-tripped her. Mizu's love for her Mama was what had driven her to a path of vengeance in the very beginning. And when she'd found out Mama was still alive, she had wanted nothing more than her Mama's love, and it was this alone that pushed her to agree to the marriage with Mikio in the first place. And now, knowing from Fowler that her birth mother is someone else entirely, is what makes her agree to keep him alive and haul his ass to London to seek answers.

Thus, integral to Mizu's self-hatred is also Mizu's intense longing for love and family. Just like Taigen, whose pompousness comes from his insecurity about being the son of a poor fisherman, Mizu's goals are also shaped by who her parents are. Remember, her vengeance is not against just anyone who's corrupt or evil, but specifically against the men who she believes had assaulted her mother, the men she believes had made her a monster, the men she believes had abandoned her to die and continue to try to kill her. Her vengeance is against a father, on behalf of a mother. In The Tale of the Ronin and the Bride, Mizu is not merely the Ronin, the Bride, or the Onryo, but also the Child.

This is also why Ringo is so good, not only for Mizu, but for Taigen as well. Ringo is wise and caring and considerate, but above all, he is in tune with his inner child in ways that Mizu and Taigen are not. He is always earnest and positive, he sees the world with childlike wonder, but is not naive or blind to its ugliness. His whole life has been a battle. Ringo brings out the best in Mizu, consistently acting as her moral compass and conscience, and Mizu's choice to save Akemi in the final episode is only because she promised Ringo that she would. Because it's the right thing to do. Ringo inspires her to be a better person, and to think outside of her narrow-minded goal of revenge. At the same time, Ringo also brings out the best in Taigen. While at first Taigen had looked down on both Mizu and Ringo ("Half-limb to a half-wit"), by the end of the season, he's proud to have Ringo as a friend and ally, he listens to Ringo's advice ("What would Master do?"), and asserts to the fucking Shogun that Ringo is a worthy warrior to have by his side.

Okay, I've gone on a bit of a tangent here, but my main point is that Mizu and Taigen are incredibly similar. They are equals. They are both flawed, unhealed children who are chasing some impossible outlandish goal in hopes that it will fill the void in their hearts. They also both have a long way to go in terms of character development if they were to ever build a healthy romantic relationship (either with each other, or even with anyone else). So while I believe things will be rocky (because duh, it's a story, we all live for the drama, etc), I think with Ringo's help, they'll get there eventually.

[daniiel-la-racist]

Hi, does anyone know which streaming service has The Karate Kid? Thanks in advance

[hashbrown-incorrectquotes]

Fear, Pain, Defeat: [exist] 

Kreese: 

[senstrike]

( fear does not exist in this dojo. ) kreese laughs like a bruise, like a bite, laughs with all the bitter force of a man used to getting his way. with a tap of his finger, burning ash falls to the ground and dies. ‘i don’t need you distracting my students.’ he thinks he’s seen this before: the last thing he needs is his boy distracted by a larusso again. ( the past flashes red hot, burning cheeks and bleeding knuckles. ) — he keeps his cool. ‘it’s a waste of time. of everyone’s time.’ eyebrows raised a fraction, a knowing nod in the direction robby’s vanished. ‘besides …’ kreese smiles and sucks on his cigar. the end burns bright and hot as blood. he breathes out smoke and the farce of grandfatherhood. ‘i don’t want you getting hurt.’

what a joke. she wonders if it's just a cobra kai thing, the way he talks like he's a cartoon character. ( johnny's the same way : larger than life, that is, animated like a crude mtv show. mr. kreese is more of a ... hmm, maybe an anime villain? god knows she's gotten enough of that through demetri. ) her heart is shattered, but she refuses to let it show. she has her mother's resolve, if nothing else, the way she peers up at him, unfazed by the snake - sharp grin or the bloom of smoke. ' you think i should? ... what, you're afraid of competition? ' poking the bear ... rattlesnake, as it were. she's not afraid of him.

[dirtysheer]

Keith Newman is the host of Crap Radio on 89.3 FM WCSB Cleveland Sunday Nights/Monday Mornings at Midnight ET.

[nvarchive]

tags

[nvtm1]

004.

[queencvbra]

ㅤㅤㅤIT'S ALL TORY EVER WANTED. To belong somewhere; not to a place, but to people. To be able to look around and think yeah, this is her family. She thought that could be Cobra Kai, for a time. Now it's just a building, just a group of people wouldn't give her a second thought if she hadn't brought home a trophy for them. Everyone that matters to her has left. All except Kenny, who's gotten wrapped up in the rush of power and become more distant from Tory because of it. There's nothing keeping her here except Kreese's promise of setting things right.

ㅤㅤㅤHave you considered that, perhaps, they weren't your friends to begin with?

ㅤㅤㅤHis question goes unanswered, but her face says enough, eyes distant as they drop to the counter-top. ( Yes. She's considered it too many times, and she's found some truth to it for most of them. ) ❝ They didn't leave because of me, ❞ she muses. But they didn't stay for her, either. Not too long ago that would have made her angry. It did for the longest time, but now she's glad they left while they still could. Hawk? Robby? Everyone is safer away from this place. She would be, too, but she has a job to do before she can follow them out. Or, that's what Kreese has told her. And she knows he's wrong; she's not better off without them, but all she can do is nod in false acceptance. ❝ Maybe you're right. ❞

ㅤㅤㅤEmpty glass placed back onto the counter, her hand waves away the offer of a refill from the barista, a heavy scoff at the mention of a certain teammate. ❝ Kyler Park is a joke. He would do more harm to the dojo than good if given that much responsibility, ❞ Tory says without hesitance, easily one of the most honest things she's said over the course of their entire conversation. She has no issue expressing her distaste for Kyler, teammate or not. It's not like she said it in front of the whole team, anyway; not like how Kyler tends to degrade everyone else openly. He can talk a big game, but at the end of the day, he's too much of a coward to back it up. Tory eases slightly as Terry continues, a degree of pressure alleviated at his assurance. She may not be good at getting people to like her, but getting them to fall in line? That, she can do. The only problem is she doesn't want to anymore. Not for Cobra Kai. Unfortunately, the choice isn't hers to make at the moment. ❝ You want me to get them to fall in line? Step up or step out? I can do that. Just hope you're ready to see a bunch of teenage boys cry. ❞

ㅤㅤㅤTory falls back into that rhythm fairly easily. Being a little soldier. A loyal second, or even third at times, happily sidestepping when there was someone more deserving. That's the easy part of this charade, because that's who she's been for so long. Her demeanor changes ever so slightly, reclaiming the edge she'd pushed away. ❝ Show me, ❞ she responds, stepping away from the bar to follow her sensei up the stairs to his office. Her nerves are still on fire, fear solid in her chest, but she swallows it down. Fear does not exist in this dojo.

ㅤㅤThere isn't a day that goes by where the ideals of a select few aren't prominently imposed onto others, some approaches starker than comparable demands within echelons of influence. It's a pervasive factor of life and while Silver spoke of imparting lessons of the real world within the walls of the dōjō, this was unfortunately bundled in like an unwanted fast-food chain's kid surprise. Despite having numerous students pouring into the expanding franchise, the flagship still comprised of a core group from John's prior selection process, ardent little soldiers who were ever so keen to please ( in general ) and maintain their place - athletic capability wasn't necessarily synonymous with compassion, and given the sheer heights in which the man wanted them to achieve, that wasn't exactly fundamental.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ"And it shows. Look how far you've come," Silver remarks with an encouraging smile, expression lightly maligned by the faint furrow of his brow, features taut in spite of the sentiment being genuine alongside some of the misgivings in which they both shared. But there's a sharp narrowing of his eyes with the girl's subsequent addition, features rearranging with lips pursing and quirking to the side with an emphatic shake of the head. Some could mistake the combination of mannerisms as Terry losing his patience, yet the contrary was true, pulling from years of personal experience where he had witnessed similar sentiment first hand - he understood all too well that regardless of the countless waves of success and accolades that a person could possibly achieve, it's human nature to want to belong, to envelop oneself in the intrinsic security that comes with the acceptance from peers ( that is, those who selectively deserve to be graced with one's company ). A scant yet incisively bemused huff is expelled, as if balancing and sizing up the pros and cons of either side of an argument worthy of his time, fingertips gingerly gesturing towards the teen.

ㅤㅤ"Have you considered that, perhaps, they weren't your friends to begin with?" A mind's eye inevitably visualises a number of individuals over the decades who seem to fit the bill, backstabbing good-for-nothings ( the irony ) whom he had lost countless hours of sleep over, least of all his supposedly good friend and captain - a small forced chuckle laced with a venomous tinge of bitterness emerges, words rigid in their adamant conviction. "A lot of people are prepared to tow the line, but once someone steps ahead to buck the trend--- disrupts the flow and starts to actually accomplish something? It's only then that their true colours are revealed." Index finger pressing into the surface of the counter, Silver's frame scarcely moves but the slightest inclination of his visage brings with it an impending means of gravity, placing emphasis on his upcoming advice as syllables draw low. "Take it from me, kid - don't take it to heart. Focus on yourself. You're better off without them."

ㅤㅤㅤㅤThere's a slight sense of unease by the younger's persistent circling around this particular topic, pondering over whether or not modesty was in fact playing a heavy-handed role in all this, or if there was genuine curiosity in place, attempting to look past the more abrasive manner in which she raises the concern. There's a lift of a brow, the motion coinciding with surrounding skin to crease into an echo of his chagrin. "And who would you suggest - Mr Park, perhaps?" The response is delivered frankly but there's a slight upward curl at the corners of the sensei's lips, the aforementioned bullheaded teen's reputation preceeding him as not being the most patient or amiable with others, the likes of which making Nichols here relatively saintly. A hand is briefly raised in a bid to stop Tory's speech mid flow, voice cutting to the core of his intentions. "You've already earned everyone's respect. So take the preconception that I want you to be liked, and place it at the door. That isn't the aim here, and they don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. I want you to do what you do best---"

ㅤㅤThere's an exasperated shred of doubt in place as to whether their Champion is wrapping that pretty little head around his words, but Terry's also mindful that they aren't alone, their ongoing conversation commencing to garner attention from some of the other mentees currently in practice. Standing upright from the seat, there's a shift in the man's stance as he beckons for her to follow, taking the staircase leading towards his office. "I think I have just the thing to put your mind at ease."