[47MartialMan]

Originally Posted by John Takeshi

Why not open your mind further and see that fables and "untruths" centered around martial arts are a part of martial arts altogether. Every gym has it's "I wouldn't mess with that guy" kind of figure; and I'm sure most people have stories to tell about that "never mess with him" kind of guy. And I'm sure, depending on who does the telling, he begins to do things he never did, say some things a bit wiser than he said, and pretend to a wit he didn't possess. Untruths.....I'm guessing that you mean "fantasy-based MA" like the wrist lock of death, etc, and applications that are more difficult and subtle (Dim Mak) than tournament and ring-based punch A, block B, kick C, shoot, guard, punch, triangle, etc.

Who cares? It's part of the tradition, and it doesn't have to conform to your standards. Why don't I do groundfighting and your reality-based MA? I do, a little. As much as I've been taught and feel the need to do. I'm not going to step into an iron cage, so I don't need a shootfighting, BJJ game plan. And I seriously doubt I'll have to face a BJJ master in any mugging scenario or home invasion any time soon. Meanwhile, I hope all of the home invading BJJ criminals are practicing for a scenario where they enter the home of a man trained in the art of stealth, swordfighting and the katana. Do you think they're ready?

Meanwhile, I'll follow the philsophies of my teachers, teach others the path, and hopefully increase their self-confidence, self-knowledge, health, and happiness. Tell me: do you do the same? I hope you do.

Maybe I'm not the one with a skewed perception of what is real and what is just a phantasm of a threat? LOL......

Well, your post was looking ok until your last tag line. Wass that line really neccessary?

As for Tan Tui, I thought it was Northern, though I disassociate it from Shaolin.