warriors
What Does A Samurai Do When He Loses His Job?
I just finished watching the George Clooney movie “Up In The Air” and somehow I asked myself what a samurai would do if he were to lose his job.
Well, first of all I believe there is this fascination for samurai in general.
So, what actually is a samurai?
Samurai is a term for the so-called military nobility during pre-industrial Japan (yes, there was such a thing!).
By the end of the 12th century, only 10% of the total population were considered samurai who served in the middle and upper echelons of the warrior class.
Samurai followed the Bushido or “Way of the warrior” and basically they were loyal to their master unto death.
But what happens to a samurai who loses his job resp. master?
He becomes a so-called “Ronin” whose main motivation is no longer honor and duty, but money and survival.
A modern-day depiction was put on display in the 1998 Robert De Niro movie “Ronin“, also starring Jean Reno.
Several former special forces and intelligence service agents team up to steal a mysterious suitcase while dealing with shifting loyalties and alliances.
The movie’s trademark is the jaw-dropping car chases like this one:
USMC Teaches UFC Combat Outside The Octagon
I guess you can say that UFC fighters are somewhat like modern-day gladiators.
Just a couple of days ago I stumbled across something I think you’re going to like.
Several UFC fighters and UFC President, Dana White, travelled to the United States Marine Corps’ MACE (Martial Arts Center of Excellence) and they couldn’t have been more impressed with what they saw and experienced first-hand.
The U.S. Marines at Quantico, who are true warriors in the true sense, put their amazing skills on display.
It sure was an adventure for the UFC guys and I pull my hat that they got out of their comfort zone and tried some stuff they don’t normally do on a daily basis. Kudos!
“One mind, any weapon.”
The Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Whenever I put The Week In Review together, I become aware how fast time flies by.
Let’s enjoy the limited time we have here and make a difference in somebody’s life.
Hard to believe, but true: Ultimate Fighting Championship Is Gearing Up for their 111th event!
Did you know that UFC1 took place over 15 years ago? On November 12, 1993 and the overall winner was BJJ legend, Royce Gracie.
Fast-forward to March 2010: UFC 111 Main event GSP Vs. Dan Hardy. This will be the Welterweight title fight between “The Perfect Fighter” from Canada and “The Outlaw” from Great Britain.
Let’s foil attacks on girls and women and teach bad boys a lesson! Urgent appeal to girls and women: Learn Self-Defense!
This is one of my all-time favorites: Check it out now! Reminder: Italian Female Karate Champion Defeats Mugger.
Alright, so you got all the moves, but … Do You Really Have A Combat Mindset and Do You Really Have A Combat Mindset – concluded?
With all the buzz about Academy Awards, aka Oscars, I thought it might be an interesting approach by introducing the “Scottish Warrior Who Won 5 Oscars“.
There you have it again: The Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
I would love to hear from you, so don’t be a stranger!
Tune in tomorrow, when I ask the question ” Whatever happened to …..?”
Scottish Warrior Wins 5 Oscars
Do you know who I’m talking about?
You got it.
The Scottish warrior, William Wallace, depicted in the movie Braveheart.
In 1995, Mel Gibson’s epic/drama film, which he produced and directed as well as starred in, was nominated for a total of 10 Oscars.
The movie did pretty well and actually won 5 Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture and Best Director.
Mel Gibson plays William Wallace, a Scottish warrior, who became a force to reckon with, during the First War of Scottish Independence from England around 1300 by opposing King Edward I of England.
After Wallace’s execution, the Scots eventually gain independence in 1314. The movie did a rather good job of showing the long and yet determined struggle to attain freedom all packed in 175 minutes.
At the end of this epic movie you too will be shouting, “F-R-E-E-E-E-E-D-O-M!”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im3S8PRWjeg[/youtube]
“They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom!”
Is this what being a warrior is all about?
Let me know what you think.
New Zealand’s Maori Haka Get Warriors Ready For Battle
Haka is considered the traditional dance form of New Zealand’s Maori.
Usually a group performs this posture dance which contains vigorous movements and stamping of the feet accompanied by shouting.
The All Blacks rugby union team has made a certain type of haka very popular.
However, this might have led to certain misconceptions.
I found out that haka are not exclusively war dances and they aren’t performed only by men. Sometimes they are performed by women, mixed groups, and some even by children.
In these cases, they are performed for amusement, as a hearty welcome to distinguished guests, or to acknowledge great achievements or occasions.
War haka (peruperu) were originally performed by warriors before a battle, proclaiming their strength and prowess in order to intimidate the opposition.
Haka has become an integral part of official welcome ceremonies for distinguished visitors such as foreign dignitaries.
According to reports the first New Zealand rugby team to tour overseas, namely in Australia in 1884, performed “a Maori war cry” or haka before each of its matches and it has been a tradition ever since.
Enjoy the video with the All Blacks and their version of haka:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMCAV6Yd0Y[/youtube]
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