May 26, 2004
Russell gets kilted
A few days ago, my Bujinkan teacher Dale Seago announced on our dojo mailing list that some kilts he owned, including one he'd recently ordered, no longer fit him due to the continued success of Atkins on his waistline. He said he'd like to give the new one away to anyone who'd claim it. I'm a pretty fit guy, but I'm naturally broader-beamed than Dale, and the size he mentioned was exactly my size, so I spoke up for it. Last night in training, I received it:
Dale, last week, on where these kilts can be purchased:
These are modeled on the traditionally-constructed, khaki canvas kilts issued to the Black Watch during World War I. And for $99, you can't beat 'em.
Dale, today, celebrating the continued kiltification of his dojo (a subcultural blend you'll not see anywhere else in the world, folks):
Y'know, there was a time when proper clothing was outlawed, from August 1747 to July 1782. For Russell and the rest, here is a translation from the Gaelic of part of a proclamation that was issued upon repeal of the prohibition:
"Listen Men. This is bringing before all the Sons of the Gael, the King and Parliament of Britain have forever abolished the act against the Highland Dress; which came down to the Clans from the beginning of the world to the year 1746. This must bring great joy to every Highland Heart. You are no longer bound down to the unmanly dress of the Lowlander. This is declaring to every Man, young and old, simple and gentle, that they may after this put on and wear the Truis, the Little Kilt, the Coat, and the Striped Hose, as also the Belted Plaid, without fear of the Law of the Realm or the spite of the enemies."
I hadn't mentioned that the sense of "F-R-E-E-D-O-M-M-M!!!" (Dale's words, channelling William Wallace) which I got after trying on the kilt - and then returning to the bathroom to correct it, having put it on backwards - was fantastic! Yep, it's a man's garment. So, I wore it for the entire training session, leaving my gi trousers in my training bag. And for some reason, I just felt more bellicose, a feeling my training partners got to enjoy. Heh.
Thanks Dale!
Posted by Russell Whitaker at May 26, 2004 01:08 PM | TrackBack[with a deep Scottish brough...]
Lads, we've got to find new names forrrrr these purrrrrses and skirrrrrrts, orrrr we'll neverrrr get into the Mens Club.
Posted by: Curt Howland on May 27, 2004 10:47 AMHow about, Mel Brooks: Wallace, Men In Skirts!
Posted by: Curt Howland on May 27, 2004 10:51 AMYes, but do you go regimental while training?
Posted by: steve on May 27, 2004 02:40 PMThe British media gave quite a bit of coverage to the Black Watch regiment in the early stages of Gulf War II. Anyone know if they've been wearing the tartan over there during operations?
James, I passed your question to Dale Seago, who responded:
"I recall seeing a photo of a Black Watch piper wearing his kilt while playing his pipes in Iraq. Generally today, however, BW soldiers only wear the kilt for some parade and other dress occasions.
If they follow the custom of most other Scottish regiments they'll likely have a tartan flash on the bonnet when in a non-combat field environment, but I'd be surprised if there's a patch worn on the helmet in combat.
Theirs is the oldest registered tartan, by the way, going back to around 1730 -- looks like this:
"http://www.scotlandshop.net/images/swatches/black-watch-mod-200.jpg". This sett or pattern came to be called "the (British) Government Sett".
Members of the Black Watch, the name of the original group of four independent Highland companies working officially for the British Crown in 1729, originally dressed like this:
"http://www.electricscotland.com/history/scotreg/bwatch/bwatch.jpg"."
Hope that helps.
Russell, I always wondered whether there was some Scottish blood in you!
I went to a wedding party last year and a guy turned up wearing a kilt, complete with a superb jacket and a small dirk (knife) tucked into his socks, as is the fashion. All the women went totally mad.
Remember, a true Scot wears nothing underneath the kilt.
Scotland forever!
Posted by: Tom Burroughes on May 28, 2004 01:22 AMAhhh, but you forget that the thing to *really* drive the ladies mad is the accompanying Scottish accent.
". . .and a small dirk (knife) tucked into his socks. .."
Technical/historical note:
This small knife is a sgian dubh, originally a utility knife. The dirk was a sidearm worn as a backup to the broadsword or, among the actual majority of clansmen too cash-poor to own a sword, carried as a primary weapon.
Both the sgian dubh and dirk have become essentially mere pieces of masculine jewelry. For a good example of a circa-1700 style fighting dirk, see this one of mine -- the blade is 13.5 inches and looks to be from a cut-down backsword blade as was commonly done at the time:
http://www.bujinkansf.org/dirks/tartsheath.jpg
http://www.bujinkansf.org/dirks/Tartmhor%20Bare.jpg
http://www.bujinkansf.org/dirks/dsc01473.jpg
http://www.bujinkansf.org/dirks/pommel2.jpg
For further info on weaponry, see my article "THE WEAPONS AND FIGHTING METHODS OF THE HIGHLAND SCOTS" at http://swordforum.com/articles/hes/highlandscots.php
(That's me with a couple of other lads from the dojo in the pics)
Cool, thanks to Russell for posting my item on and Dale for providing some more info.
As for the dirk, here it would be spelt "scian dubh", which translates as black knife. (Pronounced "skee-in duv" for the non gaelic speakers. Pronounce scian as one syllable rather than two).
Posted by: James on May 28, 2004 04:18 PM