Wax On, Wax Off

Daniel: Hey, what kind of belt do you have?

Miyagi: Canvas. JC Penny. Three ninety-eight. You like?
[laughs]

Daniel: No, I meant...

Miyagi: Daniel-san... karate here.
[he taps his head]

Miyagi: Karate here.
[he taps his heart]

Miyagi: Karate never here
[points to his belt]

Miyagi: Understand?

I was saddened to learn of the death of Noriyuki "Pat" Morita today. Happy Days fans will remember him as Arnold, but probably everyone will remember him best as Mr. Miyagi. He is the reason why I call Daniel "Daniel-san." I loved Karate Kid and was probably one of the few who didn't realize that Mr. Miyagi was teaching Daniel karate from the beginning. The lesson behind "wax on, wax off" hit me at the same time it hit Ralph Macchio's Daniel. What an important reminder that things aren't always as you perceive them to be.