Why?
Well, why not?
IT WAS TRAINING and nothing else. I grappled him because I wanted to know what he is capable of, and I saw opportunity to learn from it in a training environment. Now I know what a MAA can do, and I take responsibility for MY own training. I think walking away without a scrape; injury or need for ice, is winning.
Didn’t Soke say “Play with the opponent”?
Didn’t Takamatsu sensei said “What really matters is guts”?
I’ll let you on to a 2000 year old secret-YOU are responsible for your own training. -Not Soke, not me, not Bruce or your Shidoshi.
December 17, 2007 at 5:22 am
Well put. I’ve never heard it put that way before but I guess it dosn’t get any more true than that. I am responsible for my own training. Thanks. >}:O)
December 17, 2007 at 7:13 am
Thank you very much for taking the moment to respond Doug.
Your Taijutsu was undeniably effective. Your choice for going in is what I suspected.
And the lesson,, well thats clearly outlined in your last 2 sentences.. An important and often neglected reality..
Thank you.
December 17, 2007 at 7:54 am
My own response to some of the “keyboard warriors”:
http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1357129#post1357129
Doug, I think you and Bruce both did very well. I’ve known you literally since you began your training in the Stockton, CA dojo. I’ve watched your development in Japan as I’ve checked in over there periodically; I know what you’re capable of; and from the “reality based” perspective of one who protects others for a living I’m very satisfied with what I saw from both you and Bruce.
Excellent job, both of you!!
December 17, 2007 at 11:58 am
yes, we need guts and we need test our skils from time to time. we, in bujinkan, cant hide anymore behind the “bujinkan is nor sport”, “we can put our fingers in his eyes” and etc. MMA fighter also can do that, eve better because of the experience in fight.
it is time to test our skils like takamatsu sensei. it is time for randori with difirent arts. if we cant win in sparing, we cant survive od the streats.
greetengs and respect for doug. it not litle thing to fight with best fighters today (MMA/UFC).
December 17, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Doug, nice job. It reminded me of our old Stockton days.
December 17, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I think your willingness to let go of the sword was a great example of mental flexibility Doug.
You gave it a shot. Nice effort ! And I’m sure you learned from it.
December 17, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I’m jealous…….good training……
Hey Mr. Wilson, do you remember any specific moments of the match and what the flow was at that time?……I’m quite familiar with the flow being different from what the tv makes it look like…….
December 17, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Good Job!!
We are the ones responsible for ourselves and no one else!
The only way we learn is through adversity.
December 17, 2007 at 5:17 pm
I’ve watched the episode maybe 6 times now and really enjoyed it. I think everyone had a good attitude and the matches were a fair contest. Doug, I think your movement looked awesome.
I think it is funny people want to make so much of this. Way blown out of proportion. Doug, I guess you were justified when you said in an earlier blog that you were afraid people would look at the episode a some sort of litmus test as to whether Bujinkan is an effective fighting art. Obviously that was not the point of the show or the contest.
I guess it is a clash of MMA/aliveness folks who want everyone to believe they have all the answers and a significant number of Bujinkan folks who think that once they achieve a certain rank they should be undefeatable. Both points of view are seriously flawed in my opinion.
December 17, 2007 at 7:04 pm
After having read the myriad of threads throughout the internet I feel compelled to applaud your display on the show in question.
It takes guts to step out of your comfort zone and to put yourself out there the way you did during the ‘challenge match’.
‘Why not’ indeed?
~ Rob
December 17, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I finnaly saw it and it was very amusing. Especially the challenge. i believe the dexterity (many aspects) of what we do makes us very versitile and it showed. looking at the expressions on the opponents faces gave a whole different perspective to the meaning life or death. if taking their fighting spirit works this easily just imagine if we were as proficient like our bujin ancestors that did fighting for a living full time. As for the grappling good call on testing his ability although he maintained some composure but his mind was taken from the fight. i believe in real battle doug would have easily taken the best advantage and took appropriate action. wich shows our warrior lessons from the hombu are well taken. praises to the both of you
ninpo ikkan
December 18, 2007 at 12:47 am
most importantly was the kyojitsu involved in the episode.
December 18, 2007 at 4:48 am
Doug,
You mentioned that were a lot of negative comments regarding what you and Bruce did on the Human Weapon show. I haven’t seen any here on your website, so I image these comments are coming from other areas. All I can say is you both did a great job.
I’d like to make a few points clear:
1. First and foremost, it was a TV show–it’s purpose is to be entertaining for the majority of it’s viewers.
2. Poetic license was taken to the extreme in some instances (see point 1). That is show business.
3. It was clear during filming that you were both training, and working to make things as interesting for the show as possible (per the instructions you were given). Of course it is difficult to continue going at 75% when the hosts started going all-out, although I saw you both trying. I don’t blame the hosts, this is what they are used to doing, and in high-stress, defensive situations, one repeats what one knows.
4. It was not a place for showcasing our abilities, it was a format for the hosts to be showcased.
I hope that explaining my experiences here might help clear things up a little. Again, you both did a great job–thank you. Few are the number willing to give up their creature comforts and native homes to live and train in Japan full-time with Soke. Fewer still are those who have done this, and acheived the level of skill that both Bruce and you have. They know who they are, as do many of us who only train sporatically in Japan. We are all lucky to count you (and the others) amongst our Buyu.
-Yost
December 18, 2007 at 7:30 am
Doug,
You, Bruce and Yost did a fantastic job on the show! The spirit the 3 of you showed was well representative of the BJK and we should all be proud.
Thanks to all 3 of you for your efforts not only on the show but when you translate for Soke and other Japanese Shihan in training. Keep up the great work and again… THANK YOU!
December 18, 2007 at 8:50 am
Hi there,
I can only underline what has been said before. I decided to not have a look at HENKA, MAP or Kutaki before having seen the show in order to enjoy it from a objective point of view.
Now, after having watched it twice, I can only underline what has been said before: GREAT JOB! One can only congratulate Doug, Bruce and Yost for what they have done.
Having seen most of the Human Weapon episodes, I was wondering how they could apply the format of the show to the Bujinkan (as they always travel the country visiting different teachers - which is not possible to this extent with us) and have to say that even if many different “Ninja Masters” have been found which I have never heard of, the result is very nice - given that we are really talking about the entertainment machinery here.
In Germany, two documentaries have been produced (also visiting Japan - maybe someone remembers the guys filming at the Honbu) and compared to Human Weapon, the outcome was quite poor (at least one of the two - the other one being more precise).
I can only repeat: Nice job indeed…
Regards from Germany,
Stefan
Bujinkan Sakura Dojo Munich / Germany
December 18, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I’ve just seen the episode and thoroughly enjoyed watching the Bujinkan bits, especially the few precious seconds of wisdom from Soke’s private session with the Human Weapon hosts.
Without repeating anything else mentioned, I also saw a great feeling of martial spirit throughout the show - both from the Bujinkan seniors and the Human Weapon hosts. Everyone showed great spirit, humility and a great attitude to learn and train, and I think that itself is a wonderful thing.
December 18, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Just watched the episode, and never comment on internet boards, but really wanted to in this instance.
Your pace stayed constant, the host sped-up his defence everytime. If you really attacked his face the wrestle wouldn’t have happened.
Great job!
Darren
December 18, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I admire your spirit as you were probably “volunteered” to host this visit by the TV folks. Ignore the critics and know you were a good host and put it out there for all to see(what we didn’t see was the inevitable “set-up” for the filming(75% etc….). You were not directed to or even have the martial freedom to really hurt the opponent. People forget that . What happened was glorified sparring and not a “real” fight. It was for entertainment of TV audiences and was a training opportunity for the people envolved ,and ,by no means was a “real world confrontation” between MMA and Budo Taijutsu. You’re desire to close with your opponent (trained in another system) was bold( would have loved to see his eyes when you dropped the sword and closed on him), and ,undoubtedly gave you some training insights into MMA techniques done by a guy who outweighs you by 100 pounds and has a foot in height on you. In a real “challenge match” and with a guy that big-regardless of training experience, it’s 2X4 time. We all recognize that we would never fight an opponent by mirroring his technique-we do it our way. People who would draw any conclusions about anything are naive and just don’t get it-so forget them and know we support you—as we all keep going.
Best wishes Bob Thomas
December 18, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I’ve only really seen the challenge bit, and I loved it. I think that both you and Bruce did yourselves proud, and I agree: “Why not?”
Play, right? :o)
Justyn
December 20, 2007 at 5:51 am
Great job, Doug! It was clear that you were purposely trying to make it interesting for the audience. Certainly, you could have just stood back and kept cutting wrists all day to “win,” but you instead threw in everything but the kitchen sink!!!
You had bo furi, hasso no kamae, ichimonji no kamae, shuriken + sword, bo + sword, bo defense against shuriken, and even ken nage + muto dori. Really creative stuff that was fun to watch. (Nice distancing and footwork as well, btw.)
Overall, it was clear to me that you were “playing” with your entire arsenal of techniques and skills. You represented the Bujinkan well, imo.
As for the criticisms of you going in H2H on your opponent (who happens to be a pro MMA fighter)…oh, well…stuff happens.
LOL!
It certainly looked like you just decided to “ad lib” at that point; you weren’t doing it for points, given how you needed the blade to score points. Everyone was surprised, especially your opponent! Had only you had your Spider-co?
It’s funny, but the people who are criticizing your decision to go in are not looking holistically at the full array of stuff you brought to the table. Dropping your weapon and going in was just one more thing in your long inventory of interesting decisions. It reminded me of the times when Soke calls someone out and keeps saying, “One more! One more!” each time demanding something different but still on target. That feeling was very clear to me….
While your opponent was just looking to stay alive, you were picking and choosing from a wide array of things. Your freedom of choice was clear–you were not simply focused on “putting the pointy end in the bad guy.” Great job!
It looks like you had a lot of fun. And it looks like the hosts of the show were good blokes who enjoyed themselves as well. I loved the big guy dive rolling for his sword in his bout with Bruce! And to think that he had only just learned rolling in the previous day or so! Great fun!
Thanks for putting yourself out like this to the world. You did well. And now you’ve got some TV footage to show the grandkids some day.
All the best!
-ben
December 20, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Doug, [and Bruce]
Well done!! Well done!! And well spoken. This blog and the Human Weapon episode have been a topic of much fruitful discussion and training at the “Bujinkan Abi Dojo Oro Valley Shibu.” Abi is well, very busy, and I talk to her at least twice a month.
I have used the show and this blog to help the guys see what is important and what is not, to help develop their BS detector, and as Hatsumi Sensei wanted all along, to help them become men of virtue, honor, and integrity.
Best of the holidays to you and our “family” at the Hombu,
Thank you for your help to us….
Stu
December 22, 2007 at 10:24 am
I can’t agree with some of writings (gems and so on) but you did what you thought was appropriate to your situation. It’s your life. Let the Mo-Fos scream. Everyone knows that they surely must have done better.
Gambatte.
December 25, 2007 at 5:13 pm
I have to say that the show really missed out on an opportunity to seek out the truth on Ninjutsu. I know that it’s TV, but a great deal of knowledge of who the Ninja really are did’nt get shown because of the entertainment considerations, but I guess that’s the “kyojitsu”- LOL.
I think our Bujinkan guys more than held their own, and I am even more prouder of our art!
Luis Acosta
Yondan
Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu
December 26, 2007 at 2:57 am
Having studied with both Doug and Bill I can tell you that any doubters of the Bujinkan are mainly ignorant about what it takes to actually win in a situation. It’s more about escape and waiting for the right move to present itself then it is to assume you can simply think about what you want to do it and do it….or not being seen at all.
If some of you MMA guys doubt what I am saying, watch Fedor fight. Fedor uses a lot of natural techniques in his training and is prepared to deal with what ever circumstance occurs in the ring…Euriah is the same way…very skilled technically but also have the ability to let things take a natural course…the key is to be able to escape…not so much what happens when you get into trouble but whether you stay in that position or not…which is success is usually measured by the ability to escape and counter.
I left the Bujinkan because I wanted to compete against some of these guys and see how well my invested time in the Bujinkan payed off. The guys I sought out were some of the real UFC guys that weren’t fighting the single match 3 min rounds with gloves (watch the first couple of UFCs) like today’s Boxing Scored and sanctioned UFCs.
Anyway I chose the Lion’s Den when it was in Lodi California after I got and open invitation from Frank Shamrock…Ken had gone to WWF by that time. Anyway my first night training they naturally stuck me with the lower levels…by the end of the night nobody wanted to train anymore with me and I got the instructor(s) attention…in which their comments to me were “you have great style” and “you will be dangerous” I am assuming they were thinking about the ring..having not known anything else about my past…either way I took it as a compliment…and eitherway the only reason they said what they said is because I got out of anything they were trying to put on me during the 45 min free wrestling session.
What I saw in the videos of Doug is clear victory when he came down with a direct hit on top of the head and many other lethal hits…not just regular hits to other body parts but lethal. Just because he got thrown to the ground doesn’t mean anything…how many guys have won from the guard position after having been thrown to the ground. How many times have the judges given a round to a guy because he escapes from a bad situation such as being pounded while he is in the guard…..it’s the same reason you get points in wrestling for an escape…it proves a point.
December 29, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Hi,
Just to point out - The HW hosts, in competition, have also tied the world Savate champion and beaten a Sambo competitior after only practicing their arts for a few days. Both of these arts are extremely effective and practical arts used by MMA’s all over the world. These arts are all about the sparring and their competitiors were beaten. Considering that, our guys did GREAT! Congratulations.
January 3, 2008 at 1:52 am
I just saw the challenge and enjoyed it a lot. Great and playful sportsmanship by all the four of you! And the surprise grappling-attack by Doug demonstrated both guts and showmanship.
Cheers from Sweden
January 4, 2008 at 12:09 pm
A good question you could ask yourselve, would the opponents (from the show) have done the same if it would have been a fight with real swords. It is easy coming in to attack knowing that you won’t get hurt or even possibly die. In that matter I think Doug and the other guy fighting did very well.
Happy newyear to all.
January 7, 2008 at 1:43 am
r u going to post ! I need more japan info!!AHH
January 12, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Not to change the subject, but are any of you familar with Hatsumi’s paintings? I was watching something on youtube, particularly something about Obama(hopefully the next president) and there was a picture behind him that had the bujin kanji. It’s time frame 3:14. Was this something he did? I thought the timing was interesting. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boiJmnUivjw&feature=related
January 14, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Hi Doug. Just watched that Human Weapon episode yesterday and I did like what I saw, even if I don’t know a thing about bujinkan, really. I heard you don’t even do that kind of competitions, but you still were good, and the other guy too if we consider your lack of experience in this kind of games you know. And grappling with that MMA-guy, I think you have improvising and curious spirit in this fighting thing and I think it’s good to have. Even if he threw you, that wasn’t a match, rather a good training lesson via nice game, right ? Experience gained.
PS: I had this funny idea, next time try to hide a dagger into your sleeve while grappling, and stab him when you find an open spot. Hehehe. I would like to see how that works. Improvisation, ideas, managing, you know ?
It really looked like a fun excercise
January 18, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Doug, I think you did a great job! It was very inspiring!
Be safe,
David
February 13, 2008 at 10:37 am
Since you already had him with the sword, I think it was a good idea to see how it would go without one. Well done pushing yourself.