Break the Bones

"HONE O ORERU" is a Japanese term that translates literally as "BREAK THE BONES". It is an essential concept of true SHUGYO and a central theme of a true Budo Dojo. What this term means at it's essence has EVERYTHING to do with the forging of an iron will and a determined resolute SPIRIT. Hone O Oreru epitomizes the nature and purpose of true Budo as expressed in physical "keiko" or training.

Hone O Oreru is an admonishment to constantly strive to TRAIN HARDER. To train until "ONE'S BONES ARE BROKEN"! What does this truly mean? And what does this "teach us"? On the foundational level it forces us to endeavor fully with all our physical powers to "go the extra mile". To squeeze every last drop of blood, sweat and tears from our training, to fulfill a mandate of absolute accomplishment! To train with such dedication and single minded purpose that we are assured of having given our all. To train HARDER and then HARDER again and again until OUR BONES HAVE BROKEN! This is of course a metaphor, but its central message is clear, do NOT accept anything less than a fully honest, totally dedicated striving for accomplishment. More often than not, excuses are simply lies that we tell to ourselves to abate the sharp sting of acknowledging our OWN shortcomings.

On a different level we can apply HONE O ORERU to virtually any aspect of human endeavor. From pursuing an education, to raising and fully providing for our family and loved ones, from being a true, honest and abiding friend through both good times and bad, to comforting, caring for and loving an aged and dying parent, from writing the "great American" novel to seeking a cure for cancer, ALL these require a dedication and single-mindedness of PURPOSE that exemplify HONE O ORERU.

To give ones ALL, and NOT to half-step, backslide, regret or give in to fear, failure or excuse is the ONE lesson that lies as the cornerstone of ALL great accomplishment and human achievement. To do a "thing", anything, with all of one's heart and soul is to touch, even briefly, the essence of our creation, the core of our humanity.

ANY undertaking only becomes worthwhile and POSSIBLE when we are willing to accept "Hone O Oreru" as our chosen path for achieving our goals and ideals.

Another important thing to consider when understanding Hone O Oreru is the inherent aspect of "RISK". To strive for a goal, either in life or in training, with such ferocity of determination that we are willing to "break our bones" in the process is to FULLY accept and FACE the RISK of truly fighting to attain our goal. In this ever increasing climate of politically correct namby-pamby "feel good" mediocrity (aka "steaming pile of bullsh#$") the central message of Hone O Oreru is that GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS entail by their very NATURE, GREAT RISK!

We all have a limited amount of time as we pass from cradle to grave. We can easily harbor or rut ourselves in that which is safe, content, familiar, and mediocre OR we can live FULLY and ROBUSTLY! Actively embracing and even openly welcoming HONE O ORERU as OUR STANDARD in the pursuit of GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.

NONE of us have any choice in the FACT that one day we will ALL be, as Willy the Shakes so eloquently put it, ?.. FOOD FOR THE WORMS. BUT we DO have a choice as to how we walk our walk until that fateful day when Mr. Reaper does knock soundly at our door. And THAT does, dear ones, make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

HONE ? O ? ORERU may very well be the key!

©2005 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl's ranks and honors:

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

---

What To Expect When You Least Expect It

The time you will be attacked you will most likely... Read More

British Aikido Board National Nepotism Seminar

For many years The British Aikido Board (BAB) have shown... Read More

Learning the Modern Dynamics of Judo

You may have the erroneous idea that force is not... Read More

Samurai Armor Part 1

The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in... Read More

The Fallacy and the Myth

It's always amusing when "know it alls" dismiss certain methods... Read More

Regular or De-escalated

We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There... Read More

A Samurais Power Is In His Little Finger, Not His Samurai Sword

In the 12th Century the Shogunate was formed. The head... Read More

Tae Kwon Do As A Means To Stay In Shape

Becoming a martial artist is a fanatastic method of fitness.... Read More

Dermot Michael (Pat) ONeill

Dermot O'Neill was born in 1905 in County Cork, Ireland.... Read More

Safety Awareness & Self Defense: Circle of Safety

Safety Awareness & Self Defense is the responsibility of each... Read More

How to Become A Modern-Day Ninja Master

The ninja were a military order in Japan. Most people... Read More

Is it a ?Hurt? or is it an ?Injury?

My father fed me this line every time I felt... Read More

Judo Nagewaza (Throwing Technique) In The Street

How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting?... Read More

New Book: Positive Aikido

A new book with a practical look at Aikido and... Read More

Generating More Power from Hip Rotation - Lessons from Martial Arts

One of the important lessons of Martial Arts training is... Read More

Martial Arts and The Bible

As a Christian and a martial arts student, I have... Read More

How to Select Your Martial Arts and Self Defense Equipment

The most common place to buy martial arts or self... Read More

Martial Arts

Traditionally, people trained in Martial Arts in order to utilized... Read More

Tai-Chi for the Masses--and Others

Kuang Ping was the T'ai-chi set favored by Yang Lu-Chan,... Read More

How to Relax During a Fight

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but... Read More

Break the Bones

"HONE O ORERU" is a Japanese term that translates literally... Read More

A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an... Read More

A Great Question!

It's a question that we went back and forth with... Read More

Martial Arts Strength Training

According to various sources on the internet, a 1996 article... Read More

The Test

"Will this work so that I can use it instinctively... Read More

Makiwara Training

Shigeru Kimura Sensei 9th Dan Tani-Ha Shitoryu Shukokai had a... Read More

COMBATIVES A Rose by Any Other Name?....Part 2

The advent of World War One (the war to END... Read More

Applying Law of Gravity to Judo

In judo it is important to throw your opponent by... Read More

John Styers

Most people have only been exposed to John Styers work... Read More

Martial Arts and The Zone

On the occasions you delivered the perfect strike; blocked without... Read More

Fairbairn on the Fairbairn Method

Something for our shooting "enthusiasts" -PRELIMINARY STATEMENTBackground:"Prior to my association... Read More

COMBATIVES? ...... Don?t Tell Me. I Know What That Is! (Part 1)

"Combatives" from the root word COMBAT ? "to fight in... Read More

Martial Arts Sparring and Training Protective Equipment

The benefits of Martial Arts has always appealed its practitioners.... Read More