[Anfester]

This dichotomy which you mention Olaf is, I think, neatly summarised by the two concepts "ai-uchi" and "ai-nuki". Some branches of the Itto-ryu emphasise(d) "ai-uchi" as the ultimate technique, IOW, it doesn't matter if you get killed, so long as you take your opponent with you. The Yagyu-Ryu on the other hand, emphasised "ai-nuki", or "mutual escape". Rather than a stalemate ending in both bushi dying, it can end in both bushi surviving.

This is that grey area where Technique flows into Worldview and vice versa. Or to put it another way, what should we make of what we learn? How should we apply it in life? It depends partly on the psychology individual and partly on the

Re jukendo: I have to disagree with you there. I don't think you can say jukendo is any more or less 'offensive' than kendo. How is bayotting someone in a stylised fashion any more warlike than cutting someone in half in a stylised fashion?

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