[TheForge] Shortcut Sword?

[Demon Buddha]

On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 08:34:13 -0500, Bruce Freeman <FREEMAB@pt.fdah.com> 
wrote:

> Better than that - a "laser sword"  A round rod of Lucite with one of
> those $2 flea-market laser pointers rigged up in the handle.  Might need
> a drop of Duco cement to optically connect the pointer to the Lucite.

	Best yet, do not set a child's mind to regard weapons as toys.
	If the little bugger wants to learn about swords, teach him.
	In old Japan, young bushi (samurai) began their martials arts
	training with the sword.  The Japanese were very smart about the
	value of begining with he real thing rather than with substitutes.
	Unlike idiot American martial arts that start people out on empty
	hand techniques because they are "safer", the Japanese put live
	blades into the hands of their four year old sons and either they
	learned how to remain focused or someone had to clean their sword.
	What's even more amusing is to watch Americans training in Japanese
	arts, most particularly jujutsu, with empty handed techniques.  Every
	technique in jujutsu is derived from a sword technique in some way and
	degree.  In order to execute such techniques correctly, one must be
	familiar and proficient with the sword technique first.

	I'm not a real big fan of toy weapons.  It sets up a very unfortunate
	psychological position in kids that I believe is detrimental to them
	and in some cases eventually to others as well.

	Just another plugged kopek's worth from Vancouver.