Introduction

                              Welcome to my blog - Sensei’s Ramblings.

    This is a blog about martial arts, particularly Japanese jujutsu. However I may be reflecting on many topics, from martial arts to music, philosophy to politics, from the perspective of an American Sensei. 
   What is Sensei? A teacher or professor, in Japanese, “one who has gone before”. Sensei is the title of a teacher of a Japanese martial art. I am a lifelong student and teacher of Jujutsu, the traditional Japanese Warrior art of unarmed self defense.



Ron Small, Sensei - WMJS

    What does it mean to be a warrior?
    A warrior is a person who prepares for and engages in warfare or fighting, not for personal gain but in the interests of his or her community. A warrior defends the people, territory, and way of life. These attributes distinguish a warrior from those who fight for personal motivations, such as money or power. Ideals such as sacrifice, courage, loyalty, and honor are often associated with the warrior.
    In feudal Japan the Warrior class was called Bushi, their code, Bushido - the Way of the Warrior. Samurai were warriors in service, soldiers in the armies of one or another warlord. In war times fighting was their life. In peace times, preparation, refining their combat skills, training in the classical combat arts, of which Jujutsu was the art of unarmed combat.
     Today the warrior’s enemy may be belligerents, states or people, or metaphorically, disease, poverty, or injustice. Soldiers may be warriors, but so may doctors and nurses, lawyers and police officers, politicians, and teachers. 

       For us, warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to protect the elderly, the defenseless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity. (Attributed to Sitting Bull)

   The Warrior is the providence of those in need. He is eyes for the blind, strength for the weak, a shield for the defenseless. He rises by lifting others. Bending over the fallen, he stands erect.     (from Ingersol’s - the superior man)

    Just as not all warriors are soldiers, not all soldiers are warriors. What distinguishes the warrior? That he places social interest over self interest. The warrior chooses his Way. He knows what he is doing, and why. He accepts responsibility for his actions. We can all be warriors, preparing ourselves for, and living a life of purpose.

    A warrior is a man, or woman, of action, guided by reason, controlled by his/her will.


Saiko Shihan Frank J. Goody Sr
A great warrior, and a great Sensei.