Macho in the Dojo

I’m known for ‘old man rants’, but this is not one of them. This is an ‘observation’ how things change over time.

At my sensei’s dojo and mine for many years, there was the macho idea that males didn’t wear anything under their gi jacket. Females, for obvious physical differences, would wear a shirt or body-stocking under their jacket. This would occasionally verge on bullying, when seniors would harass a T-shirt wearing young man: “Whaddar ya? Sum kinda gurl?” In recent years I’ve picked my battles, mentioning that females wore shirts but males routinely didn’t. I wouldn’t push the issue and I wouldn’t let seniors make a big deal over it. I’d rather the student felt comfortable training than feeling pressured by someone into quitting over a shirt.

An interesting development the past few years is that many old-time traditionalists who would mock others for wearing a $3-$4 undershirt under the jacket now ‘equip’ themselves with $30-$40 Under Armor under their jacket. Years ago males were ridiculed for wanting to feel comfortable while working out; today’s tough guy doesn’t want to chafe.

Please hold your negative comments. I’m not calling Under Armor wearers wusses. I’m just ‘observing’ how the idea of macho in the dojo has changed over time.

RIP Mike Davis

I sent out two Facebook ‘friend requests’ a few weeks ago to longtime Black Belt Academy classmates: Ken Muller and Mike Davis. Ken accepted my request a couple of days ago and gave me the sad news that Mike passed away June 10, 2015. Kenny and Mike started training together, came up through the ranks together, made Black Belt together – you get the idea. They were both good at kata, strong fighters; some considered them the ‘twin towers’ of the dojo. Mike visited my Westbury dojo, sat on a Shinsa examination board, and offered keen insights to my students.

Mike Davis joined the NYPD in July 1984, working his way up to gold shield detective. He was a first-responder for the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Mike retired in July 2004, and then joined an insurance firm in December 2007, becoming assistant vice president, US facilities and security.

Unfortunately, Mike developed a 9/11 related cancer. From what I gather, complications were rough. Even so, Mike showed strong will and good spirits, often kidding around, right up to the end. Rest in peace, my friend.