The Lighter Side

Stories, anecdotes and jokes from our readers that illustrate the humorous side of the martial arts.

The Kimono

A couple of years ago we were honored to host a highly distinguished Japanese martial arts teacher in our New York dojo (school). After a long practice, students, family and their guests gathered outside the dojo prior to going to dinner. As we stood outside, our guest watched one of our new dojo students showing public affection with his girlfriend. (In Japan displays of public affection are not considered appropriate formal settings.) He said nothing. But a year later, on a follow up visit, this teacher asked me if the two had gotten married.

"No," I said, "They broke up."

"Hmm," he said.  "If you are not going to buy the kimono, then don't wear it in front of us."

– Submitted by Deborah Klens-Bigman

Deborah Klens-Bigman Ph.D.

Deborah is a Jun Shihan (associate Master) of Shinto Hatakage Ryu Iai Heiho, a style of Japanese Swordsmanship.

She has also studied, to varying extents, kendo, jodo (staff), kyudo (archery) and naginata (halberd). She received her Ph.D in 1995 from New York University's Department of Performance Studies where she wrote her dissertation on Japanese classical dance (Nihon Buyo).

Her article on the application of performance theory to Japanese martial arts appeared in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts in the summer of 1999, which has been translated into several other languages and reprinted several times. She has also been a frequent contributor to FightingArts.com.

Recently she relocated to beautiful West Virginia where she is continuing to practice jodo and iaido. She is married to artist Vernon Bigman and lives in a small house with a cat who really owns the place.