Go with the Flow

"Fixation is the way to death. Fluidity is the way to life." Miyamoto Musashi

Variety truly adds flavor to life, and that's exactly why Tokoshi Kempo continues to enthrall me. It may not boast the most impressive kicks, nor does it languish with the worst. Kempo has punching, kicking, striking, checking, and grappling in its arsenal; it is a jack of all trades, but what it lacks in sheer power, it more than makes up for with its adaptability and unpredictability.

Yet, individual practitioners can play up to their strengths in their favored ranges. While Kempo is not known for mastering just one thing it is the unique blend of techniques and strategies that keep things interesting. This makes the sum greater than the whole of its parts.

It's like a smorgasbord of martial arts styles, allowing practitioners to sample a little bit of everything. One moment, you're executing lightning-fast strikes from long range, and the next, you find yourself grappling in close-quarters combat. With Tokoshi Kempo, there's always something new to discover - a fresh perspective or an unexpected approach that keeps the journey engaging and endlessly enjoyable. After all, who needs predictability when you can add some spice to your martial arts experience? This paradigm (concepts and meditations) is both physically and mentally applicable.

In the world of Kempo, mastering the art of wielding weapons is like unlocking a whole new level of badassery (a technical Japanese term, I think). Forget about flashy kata like dance routines or choreographed fight scenes; we’re talking about real-life combat skills involving blunt, edged, flexible, or thrown devices that make you look like a ninja without the hot, sweaty mask.

A Kempo master effortlessly twirls a blade with the grace of a samurai, except instead of a katana, it’s lethal slashes and stabs with shorter-range blades. And let’s not forget about projectiles – because what’s more fun than flinging deadly sharp objects at your enemies from afar? From a bo-shuriken to throwing knives, Kempo practitioners master the art of turning everyday items into lethal missiles. It's like playing darts, except with much higher stakes and no room for error.

As for flexible devices, imagine contorting a weighted chain manriki kusari with a reach that is much longer than expected. It’s all about raining down pain on anyone foolish enough to cross paths with a skilled Kempo warrior. It is like you are becoming a character from mortal combat, except nicer and helping people out. This is one of the reasons that so many people in my Mystic Dream Walker series use kempo!