Karate Kid - A major disappointment

[f.Channell]

This is an interesting blog calling the blurring of Karate/Kung-fu insulting.

http://taejoonlee.com/ethics/the-karate-kid/

[Bill Glasheen]

This is an interesting blog calling the blurring of Karate/Kung-fu insulting.

http://taejoonlee.com/ethics/the-karate-kid/

Fred

Dr. Lee's idea is on the surface a good one.

It is imperative that we as Asian Americans as well as any ethnic group support each other in destroying racial ignorance and educate the people to respect our differences.

And then he goes and butchers it - again and again and again.

I have had the privilege of being able to travel to many countries throughout the globe. Each country I have been to all had the similar martial arts history. Judo was first introduced along with Jiujitsu, and then came Karate, which was the byproduct of Japanese imperialistic regime during the early 1900s and lasted until the end of WWII. Then came along Kungfu as well as Tae Kwon Do in the 70’s.

He keeps doing this. He saw the f-ing movie, and STILL calls it a JAPANESE art.

Residents of Okinawa are a distinct ethnic group. Genetically speaking, they're actually closer to Chinese than Japanese. But as a group, they represent a unique ethnic cluster.

They do not like to be called "Japanese." They resent it when...

the different Asian races [are] all clumped together

Got it, Dr. Lee?

Miyagi: Karate come from China, sixteenth century, called te, "hand." Hundred year later, Miyagi ancestor bring to Okinawa, call *kara*-te, "empty hand."

Daniel: I thought it came from Buddhist temples and stuff like that.

Miyagi: You too much TV.

The sink here was calling the bathtub white. Ironic, isn't it?

So why did this happen? I have my thoughts...

I lived through these prejudiced times, growing up in Orange County and let me tell you, it was not pleasant.

<Sigh...>

Vive la difference!

- Bill

[Bill Glasheen]

So I posted this...

William Glasheen, Ph.D. says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
June 16, 2010 at 8:16 pm

Dr. Lee:

I'm with you in your general sentiments. And then you go and butcher it all by referring to karate as a "Japanese" art. Again and again and again...

Judo is a Japanese art/sport. Jujutsu is a Japanese art. Aikido is a Japanese art. Sumo is a Japanese sport.

Kara-te started in OKINAWA. It was the mix of indigenous tegumi and to-de or China hand. It ultimately was re-named kara-te or empty hand to nationalize what had evolved on the Ryukyu Islands.

Okinawans are an ethnically distinct group - actually genetically closer to Chinese. They do not like to be called "Japanese" any more than you want to be called the same, Dr. Lee.

Yes, people like Funakoshi brought the art over to Japan and made it their own. That happened (and is still happening) in America as well, although the concept is now passe. These days the nom du jour is MMA. What-ever... But it in no way makes karate "American."

Sincerely,
Bill Glasheen
Kyoshi Nanadan
Uechi Ryu Karate (et al)

I'll be curious to see if he lets that post go through.

- Bill

[f.Channell]

True Bill,

But was he generalizing the Okinawans as Japanese? They have been part of Japan for over 100 years. Are you a Virginian, Southern or American? (I know your a stealth Conneticut yankee) It is likely that the first exposure to Karate ocurred on mainland Japan immediately after the war, even Kanbun was there at the time.
Had a Uechi Kata even been performed yet on Okinawa?

F.

[Bill Glasheen]

Fred

The distinction matters to those who live on Okinawa - the birthplace of karate. It's a distinction not lost on a generation of servicemen who lost their lives there during WWII, and subsequently served there while graciously being accepted as martial students by the residents.

This would be more akin to calling me black because I grew up in a neighborhood that turned all black. While I'm not at all offended by that (much to the chagrin of some rednecks I worked with on summer jobs), it's just a bit odd. Yes, we were all Americans and even all Virginians. But ethnically and culturally we were different. Ethnically I'm Irish/Lithuanian and they were the mongrel result of African enslavement. Culturally? Well I'm a better dancer and extremely comfortable in black settings because of the experience, but I'm still not black. Honorary maybe...

- Bill

[Victor Smith]

Of course it's started.

Driving to work in Merrimack this morning, always passing many MA store front schools on the way, I saw a giant banner advertising "Become the next Karate Kid".

[f.Channell]

The kind of students they will get will last about 2 months.

What is disappointing is that Karate, Kung-fu, Tae kwon do are all perceived as the "same difference" by the public at large. This movie proves that.

F.

[Glenn]

Of course it's started.

Driving to work in Merrimack this morning, always passing many MA store front schools on the way, I saw a giant banner advertising "Become the next Karate Kid".

I noticed the other day that a local TKD school put some brochures in my son's daycare saying the exact same thing..."Become the next Karate Kid".