American Kenpo
- 1961-1962
- A Dose of Reality
- American Kenpo Forms - A Short Comment
- Explanation of the Crest
- Guru Paul Silva
- Health Compiations
- Knife in Combat, Part I
- Knife in Combat, Part II
- Meeting the Senior Grand Master
- My Philosophy, Part I
- My Philosophy, Part II
- Predatory Violence, you ready!
- Recap of Beltramo Kickboxing Workshop
- Stephen LaBounty Black Belts Family Tree
- The Battlefield
- The Death of Danny Stewart
- The First Sparring
- The Kiai, Part I
- The Kiai, Part II
- The Myth and Reality of
- The Spirit Towel
- Train for All Conditions
- We're Back!!!
- Women in Karate
The Spirit Towel
by Stephen LaBounty (2007-09-25)The spirit towel used in the LaBounty lineage of American Kenpo is one of function as well as tradition.
For over 40 years the motto of this lineage has been "Spirit, Honor, Discipline" taken from the Japanese words of "Seishin, Meiyo, Kiritsu" and used as a description of what should be ever-present on the practitioner's mind.
The Towel is used to bind wounds, protect injuries, wear as a headband or---its most common usage---to wipe the sweat from one's eyes, etc.
The proper way to fold the towel is to first have the Kanji face away from you so that the word "Spirit" is displayed to all present. Then take the left hand and fold one third of the towel to the inner center. This is known as the "Honor" side. After which, fold the right third of the towel to the inner center. This side is known as the "Discipline" side. Once this is done the towel is folded in half representing the Physical and Spiritual aspects of the Art. Some have likened this to the "Tiger and Dragon" symbols so common in Kenpo.
The towel is then placed underneath and then over the belt (Obi) so that the "Spirit" Kanji is visible from the front. It is customary to have the towel on the left side for men and the right side for women. Now the rules are simpler. Do not cover the knot with the towel. Always wear the towel to the front or side unless wearing as a head band. Use the towel freely as it was meant to be, but any blood should be washed immediately from it. This custom is so that the battle that brought the blood forth is to be forgotten and a new training is before you.
The ancient warriors used towels in this manner for cleaning tools, weapons, utensils. But they had a special towel for their battles. It was held in high esteem and accompanied them everywhere.
Just let the cloth remind you that all details matter and should be done with as much spirit as possible, and in honor to self, teacher, system, with the discipline of the strong and not of the lazy or weak.