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Utsukushii Geijutsu, Yaban ni Gijutsu<Beautiful Art, Brutal Craft>
This was the closest to dancing I would come. I couldn’t see myself,but I had been told that it was, not to brag, awesome. I know that to mewatching someone do a form, someone who was good, was like watching adance. They made you see the opponents they were fighting. I hoped otherscould see the creatures I was fighting. I was picturing seven foot tallgorilla like creatures as my opponents.The thought dissipated almost instantly. As I moved through the Kata,the form, I was focused, but not oblivious. I saw people watching me. Iheard the sound of a car alarm go off in the parking lot. I felt sweatslide down my temples and between my shoulder blades. I perceived all ofit but focused on none of it. The only sound that mattered was the snap ofmy Gi signifying that I had proper speed and power on my punches andkicks. The only sights that mattered were the opponents that I imagined infront of me and to the sides. The only feeling that I paid attention towas my balance and the strength in my stances. Any thought or sensationthat wasn’t critical to my execution of the form was gone before Icompleted the next move.“Eyah!”“Eeeep!”I couldn’t help grinning when one of the watchers was startled by myKiai. I guess they had gotten used to the beginning student’s timid battlecries. I had lost that self consciousness years ago and was able to roar.Step-Block-Punch-Block-Kick-Step-FinishI bowed and took several deep breaths while standing at attention.“Good, very good. You were letting your hands drift when you threwyour last kicks. Otherwise, good job Sempai. Take a seat.”“Yes Sensei,” I said.I bowed and turned to take my seat with the rest of the class linedup against the wall. As I moved back to my spot I glanced at my girlfriendand saw her beaming. I smiled back before turning and kneeling.
 
After all the students had performed a Kata I was called up again. Itwas time for sparring. For the first round I faced one of the higherranking students. We squared off. I rocked my head popping my neck. Heclenched his fists cracking his knuckles. On Sensei’s signal we becamewhirling dervishes. It was nice to not have anyone else on the mat withus. After the two minute mock fight I was hyped.“Good,” Sensei said. “Sempai Cody sit. Rokyu Eric up.”Now I found myself facing the dojo’s newest blue belt.“Now Sempai,” Sensei said addressing me, “You are facing someone at amuch lower level. I want you to react appropriately.”“Yes Sensei,” I said.While I sparred with Eric I looked for openings that I could haveexploited, but instead of instantly attacking I hesitated and attacked ata speed that pushed Eric, but didn’t dominate. This was actually harderthan sparring with someone at my level. After two agonizingly slow minutesSensei ordered us to stop.“Rokyu take a seat. Ikyu Josh, up!”I was going to fight for another two minutes. I began to wonder whatSensei was trying to teach me.Josh outranked me, but I’m a better fighter than him. I don’t saythat to brag. It’s just a fact. After training for so long you begin togauge others. Josh had to work hard and practice endlessly; to me it justcame natural. He had to go through a Kata over and over to get it to stayin his head. Two runs-through was all it ever took me to have itmemorized. After two minutes I was breathing hard, but not as hard as Ishould have been.After Josh sat down I was paired with another beginning student.Ryann, my girlfriend. We bowed and took our ready stances. She preferredto fight in a side horse, almost traditional. I favored something of across between a cat stance, and a natural stance. She, like mostbeginners, fought with her hands clenched in tight fists. It’s a mistakebecause keeping your muscles tight drains energy and slows your movements.When I fought I preferred to hold my hands in an almost Mui Thai style,hands open, palms down and arms slightly extended as if I were appealing
 
to my adversary to calm down. Ryann’s eyes locked with mine for a secondand then she looked away.
Look at me. Look at me
.“Begin.” Sensei’s curt command sent us into motion.Kick-move-punch-move-block-kick-point scored. Ryann grimaced. Iwaited for her next attack.Avoid-avoid-redirect-move-block-punch-point scored. Ryann hissed andshook her head.“Watch my eyes,” I whispered. Ryann looked up into my eyes and Iattacked.Kick-avoid-punch-kick-knee-block-block-duck-sidestep-kick-avoid-block-punch-move-kick-point scored.
Why did you quit watching my eyes? You were doing so well
.Two minutes later Sensei stood.“Good job Ryann,” he said. “Take a seat.”I glanced at the clock. There were only three minutes left before theend of class.“Sempai, face me. Rei.”I bowed to sensei. Now there was no time for any thought critical orotherwise. There was only reaction.Blockavoidsidestep-punchkickblock-blockduckblock-sidestepkickkickkickkneeblock-backstep. Sensei tripped up my foot and sentme falling back. I rolled instinctively and got my feet under me just intime to see Sensei coming at me. Internally I growled at myself for mymistake.Crouchsidestepkick-sidestepblockpunch-punchpunchblock-avoidblock-avoidavoidavoidblock.On and on and on. Two minutes later I think I canremember hitting Sensei once. How many times had he hit me?More than twenty.“Yame,” Sensei called the sparring to an end. We bowed and Senseimotioned for the class to stand for closing. We closed class customarily.I then turned to Josh.“Nice roundhouse,” I said, referring back to our sparring match.
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