> Are we speaking of -do (soft) arts, KaVir? If so, then to
> an extent, yes.
We're speaking of Shaolin kung-fu, which was the original form of kung-fu. Like most martial arts, it incorporates elements of both hard and soft:
> However, I challenge you to show me one 6, or 9, year old
> in Iaijutsu.
I fail to see your point. You implied that Jet Li was inconsequential because he started training at 9, and that supposedly "serious" martial arts don't train those younger than 14. You've also mentioned that you don't consider the "Americanised" versions to be "serious" martial arts.
Yet Shaolin kung-fu - the original kung-fu - trains those as young as 6 (and it's certainly not "Americanised"). Are you now claiming that in order to be considered a "serious" martial art, it must consist entirely of killing your opponent while drawing your sword? (for those who don't know, Iaijutsu is a form of martial arts centered on the use of the Daito, and consists of a simultaneous drawing/cutting motion, followed by ritually cleaning the blood from the blade, and then returning the sword to its scabbard).
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