the way i picture it, he is walking on a even path not needing the bo's support when suddenly..... it might be difficult to toss a bucket with the way he 'whips it out' . do try walking in the woods with your bo. you can easily cross small stream beds in a single bound and lower yourself off precipices with ease. handy tool that!

I am posting my video of Soke doing the Essentials and Intuitive Set. The video's I have posted here are representative of what I recorded while Soke lived with us. I am posting them to ensure that all of you that learned from him or from those he taught will have an opportunity to get to know him a little better. I regret that the quality is not up to even home movie standards and that I didn't take more. Please enjoy them. I am posting these with the hope that they will begin a discussion that all will contribute to so that all may develop a deeper understanding of our art.
Both Bob and I recognized that I represented a branch of the Isshin Shorinji tree that would not bear fruit ie I would not teach. So my value to the system is indeed limited. I do feel however that my friend left these tapes in my care to ensure that all of you would have them. I am sorry that I can not provide Urashi Bo. I managed to mess the original up beyond recovery. It was Soke's feeling that Urashi was the least important of the bo forms as the two I have posted contain the concepts taught in Urashi. The Urashi Soke did in 2000 was the Urashi I learned in the late 60's then did in Isshin Ryu under Grand Master Best and in Okinawa. I hope others will be able to provide information on this form as well as the jo forms I failed to record. I wish you all well.
Russ

Here's a question:

We used to wear these two patches on our gis. Did Soke Murphy design them? Did he ever discontinue using them? (I assume so, since I heard he eventually had students wear street clothes during classes. Please feel free to clarify or correct that statement!)

Some of the symbolism in the patches is obvious— the use of the Tao, for example. But what symbolism is perhaps less overt? Why the use of brown (two shades, no less) in the first logo, for example?

Insights, please!

i do know that the yin and yang is offset in the circle to imply movement. he later drew a patch with a white dragon holding the yin yang sphere upon a blue background . there is a second head at the end of its tail. the American Bushido group

as i was saying, the american bushido group worked out in black combat fatigues with an eagle's head for an arm patch. the three apprentices and a few others trained in street clothes in keeping with the idea that wherever the martial arts spread, people practiced in the attire of that region. another may know better but soke was a visual artist and i believe the patch was just supposed to 'look sharp'.

Carl,' I hope you are successful in attracting positive input to this thread.I intend to offer a few tidbits of history I have with Soke and our system.
Jim S.

I'd be really curious to see some of those other patches.

yes cris, it may take a couple days but it shall be done. there is also an interesting karate international patch buried somewhere which may have been my fathers. i think its in the attic with my ninja outfit.

Chris,
In addition to the one you posted, following are a few of the patches associated with our system or that Soke designed.