The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

[Rick Wilson]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.


Not even really sure where this thread is intended to go.

As stated on another post I love to read the history of martial artists and martial arts. It always amazes me that the founders of styles were eclectics. They were the ones traveling around working out with anyone who was willing to share with them. Anyone, of any style or training. Often it was a bunch of guys getting together to bang around and figure out the most effective way to do it.

So how does just a bunch of guys banging around transcend into what is too often a bunch of people entrenched in rank, ritual and inflexibility?

Well, I think that first we must recognize that even before organizations and codification there were political differences, jealousy, open dislikes, and even outright hatred between individuals. I do not want to imply any "golden age" in this post. People are people and as Konishi Sensei (1893-1983) the founder of the Shindo Jinen-ryu karate-do-jutsu tradition stated: "Karate-do aims to build character, improve human behavior, and cultivate modesty; it does not, however, guarantee it." (Page 43 "Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts")

So what happened?

Okinawa wanted to introduce Toudi-jutsu not only to mainland Japan but also into the school systems. All martial systems had to be approved by the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai. The problem was that Toudi-jutsu was something guys did in their backyards. Much of the reason for this was the secrecy in which it had been practiced for many years. In fact, Toudi-jutsu was a common name but often it was just called Te.

When the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai looked at Toudi-jutsu it seemed very disorganized and rather uncouth. They had no standards for teaching, certification or even a common garb to practice in (they simply stripped down to their loincloths when training).

"In contrast to kendo and judo, the original Toudi-jutsu movement during the 1920's and early 1930's lacked a formal practice uniform and had no competitive format. Its teaching curricula varied from personality to personality and there was no organized standard for accurately evaluating the grades of proficiency, nor was there a competitive element to test the skills of the participants." (Page 81 Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts.)

A number of changes had to be made to be acceptable for certification.

One thing that was not "asked" for but implied was the changing of the name Toudi (China Hand). Japan had very strong anti Chinese feelings and this name was not going to make it very popular.

On October 26, 1936 a group of Okinawan masters met (Hanashiro Chomo, Kyan Chotoku, Chibana Chosin, Kiyoda Juhatsu, Miyagi Chojun and Gusukuma Shimpan). They met to discuss the future of their art and the name. From the transcripts of the meeting I infer that while Toudi-jutsu was commonly used they really didn't have any real strong feelings about it. They simply did what they did. The name Karate had been first used in 1905 by Mr. Hanashiro. They seemed to like the surface reference to empty hand and the deeper philosophical reference. The group also discussed bringing Toudi-jutsu into school systems with kata developed for school kids (but retaining the original kata as well). They discussed the problem (we've had it here on the forums) of no common terms for movements making written works less understandable.

The "Do" was strongly suggested by the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai to reflect the desired Japanese philosophy and spirit.

Changes were made beyond the name to move further towards a Japanese martial art. The standard dogi (a lighter version of the Judogi), the obi and the dan/kyu system all from Judo (1907 sashes then belts we introduced by Judo founder Dr. Kano), from kendo came the idea for establishing a teaching and a grading standard along with protective equipment and the ippon shobu concept for testing one's skills in competition.

The introduction of Karate-do into the school systems also had a great effect: New simpler kata were created, emphasis was on the repetition of kata as the principle vehicle to teach large groups, and application was less emphasized.

The intent was to have one unified Karate-do system, however, with the intervention of WW II this did not take place but the balance of the changes are in effect today.

So what are those effects:

The Good:

Without organization nothing can grow and prosper to any true degree of magnitude. Without George Sensei and IUKF these forums would not be. Karate-do is here today for us to learn because it survived and spread beyond Okinawa. The organization of Karate-do, and the systems, is largely responsible for this.

There needs to be a set standard to evaluate peoples ranks or the ranks begin to lack meaning. (I think this is very evident with some of the changes and discussion going on even today about the Dan evaluation process).

Established teaching tools helps pass on the principles of the system (the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai wanted teachers that not only knew what to teach but the meaning of what their were teaching).

The Bad:

The training becomes the way. Teaching tools are fine but they are only tools. Some have come to rely entirely on the preset drills as their only teaching methods. The training and teaching ways that made Toudi-jutsu effective were changed.

The drills created are very influenced by kendo. Very ritualized. Very formal. Very linear. Not street real.

The study into jiyu bunkai or the discovery of application lost emphasis. I once read an article by a Godan in a system who went to a school and saw a bunkai of a kata that featured an application that was different for one movement than the one he had been taught - "He thought that was probably acceptable." More than one application - wow a real thinker.

The entrenchment of style makes many not even look at other styles or ALLOW their students to look at other styles. The stories are that the old Okinawan masters all got together regardless of "style". They often had numerous teachers (often at the same time in the same backyard). Where did this open mindedness go for some people. For some to go to another teacher or look at another style is to be a traitor. (George Sensei's summer camp is completely the opposite it promotes cross thinking and sharing so all is not lost.)

The influence of the Dai Nippon Butoku-kai was to separate and categorize which seems to have influenced the focus solely on the striking portion of Karate leaving the qinna portions to be lost in some systems.

The Ugly (A personal viewpoint):

The focus on turning their art into an acceptable Japanese System has lost sight for some that Uechi Ryu has Chinese roots.

The emphasis on competitions that reflect only a "generic" karate style loses the uniqueness of the individual traditions.

The addition of "rank" has created an elitist mentality for some. Many enter the martial arts because they reputedly help with self-confidence and improve self-esteem. Those lacking in self-esteem and self-confidence rightfully look for it in the martial arts. Many attain what they are seeking, but others simply obtain rank. Through rank they feel they have achieved something that does just as well as the real thing. Letting people know what rank they are is very important and "rank" in the dojos they belong to is very important. "Rank focus" can ruin the atmosphere of a good dojo.

Instead of following the example of their founders some are entrenched in "this how I was taught" and simply will not review anything with an open mind. Sorry but the founders of most styles never stopped looking for how to do it better. There is an old saying in martial arts: Seek not the path of your master; seek the path your master sought.

Conclusion:

So here is the thing. Karate-do is only around because it finally got organized but with that organization came changes. As you can see some are good and I feel some damage the practice of the art.

What can we do about it?

Support whatever organization you belong to. Train hard in whatever school you attend. Train hard in whatever classes you attend at your school. But, get together in an informal non-rank setting with a bunch of people to bang around with and figure out the most effective way to do it.

While it might seem like it, this is NOT intended to bash the making of Toudi-jutsu into a Japanese martial art Karate-do, much good came of it. Japan was simply making the art its own. With a long successful history of martial arts Japan had an expectation of how they should operate. Their martial traditions were directly linked to their military class and Budo. The informal Okinawan martial art trained in yards at night in secrecy simply wasn't what the Japanese martial artists were expecting or would accept. To promote the growth of their Martial Art the Okinawans needed it to be accepted. Would we have our art today if they had not?

Thanks for listening. As I said I'm not even sure where I intended this to go - comments?

Rick



[This message has been edited by Rick Wilson (edited February 15, 2002).]

[david]

Rick,

Enjoy the post. Good food for thought. No secret I share some of the viewpoints presented.

The only reason I am affiliated with IUKF is George Sensei's commitment to sharing and bringing together folks with desire to contribute and to learn from others -- in and out of the Uechi-Ryu style. Whereas before I felt an "organizational home" was restrictive, I now feel the "home" has something to offer and a base from which to look/explore different concepts.

There are some very open minded Uechi-ka in the IUKF. I love training with these folks.

david

[This message has been edited by david (edited February 15, 2002).]

[Ted Dinwiddie]

Rick,

I have read the same book and come to the same kinds of conclusions.

My journey started in a Shotokan organization; very Japanese, very rigid. The Okinawan Kempo system I study now is very inclusive, much like the guys in the book.

What I notice, though, is the tendency to become a little more rigid as one's own art begins reaching higher levels. Kind of like the rock opera "Tommy". Tommy became "enlightened" by being deaf, dumb and blind and playing pinball. Therefore he'll help everybody become enlightened by making them be unable to see, hear, or speak and giving them a pinball machine. His journey is confused with a method.

The great instructors understand the difference between fundamentals and basic skills and the development of an individual's personal use of them.

Personalities add spice to the mix. Motobu Choki learned Te by peeking through the fence as his father taught his older brother. He would then go into town and try it out. He was a formidable fighter. (Interestingly, as an older man he was dedicated to kata.) Funakoshi Gichin practiced under some of the most eminent masters on Okinawa at the time. He was instrumental in the systemization of Karate for the school system and public consumption. The two men disliked each other strongly. Motobu thought Funakoshi looked good, but couldn't fight. Funakoshi considered Motobu a ruffian.

In general, the Japanese considered, and still consider to some degree, the RyuKyuans "rednecks", if you will. Despite the prodigious knowledge and skill they possessed in the fighting arts.

The unique position of Okinawa, geographically and culturally, contributed much to its fighting arts.

------------------
ted

"I learn by going where I have to go." - Theodore Roethke

[Bill Glasheen]

Rick

I always enjoy when you come by and ramble. It reminds me of my U.Va. days where we'd get together after every workout (after a quick shower and a brew/food run) and ramble on about anything that came to mind. Often it was mindless, but sometimes the chemistry was good and the learning was significant.

I have a few comments here.

First of all, I want to add some corrections to your terminology, which is otherwise quite good. You use the term Toudi-jutsu, and speak of the change to karate do.

I believe the proper term is to de jutsu. How to de changed to kara te is quite interesting. To start with, there are both kun and on pronunciations of words in the Japanese language. This is because Japan had a spoken language first, and later adopted the Chinese character system (in combination with the phonetic hiragana) to create their written language. Along with the characters that had Japanese words associated with them came a kind of bastardized pronunciation of the Chinese word. The former became a kun rendition of the word, and the latter an on rendition.

To de is the on pronunciation of two characters that translate as China hand. The kun pronunciation is kara te. Another character that is a homonym to the kara character that translates as China is a character that translates as empty. Now add in a little bit of nationalistic sentiment, and one can see how tode became karate over time - written with an entirely different first character. So...any of you folks that want to speak of Okinawan and Japanese "traditions" in karate need to understand a little bit of history... The world is full of people and groups that want to put their own personal stamps of approval on a group or process.

One cannot divine the meaning of a body of martial material without studying history to add a bit of perspective. The work that changes the status of seniors (alive or gone) from legends to mortals only adds to the body of work we have. All tools have value, but tools need to be used properly. And for every task, there is a tool or set of tools that best accomplishes the desired end. In the end, we all are best equipped when we have a toolbox, and not a single device for achieving all that we desire. And in the end, good houses are built by teams of people, and not a single individual that is a jack of all trades but master of none.

To me, knowing the real truth about our origins doesn't tarnish the goods. To me, it makes me appreciate it all the more for what it really is.

As for me and the rank situation, I'm still waiting for the approval of my title as Grand Poobah...

- Bill

[Rick Wilson]

Thanks for the comments David, Ted and Bill.

Bill:

I had always heard To de or To te as well. Patrick McCarthy used the spelling Toudi (still China hand), so I went with his. The meeting discussed the writing of the terms from "china" hand to "empty" hand just as you have stated.

I have a friend who through his Taiji teacher is higher up the generation scale for Qigong than I am, he keeps trying to get me to call him Grand Master . My friend Tony says I am not allowed to tell him that the term sempei (originally a University term not a martial one) does not change even if you leave training (it is related to when you began not rank). You see we think he would then want to be called our Great Grand Master .


Glad you like my ramblings .

Rick

[kickgirl]

Interesting stuff, I myself am not a practitioner of the Japanese arts. I just want to suggest some intersting study for folks interested in "old" martial arts. I study Muay Thai kickboxing, it is a 2000 year old martial art native to Thailand. Look that up for interesting reading, it differs from karate etc. in that there are no forms, or philosophy, just one person learning from another. I love it.

[Bill Glasheen]

Wow, kickgirl, 3 posts on 3 threads in a half hour! Welcome aboard.

I'm a little curious about your documentation of Muay Thai's 2000-year-old history. If you have any sources, I'd love to see them.

Please drop by a Uechi school some time. I've seen much that is likeable in Muay Thai - the infighting, the elbows, knees, the no-nonsense approach. It's a body of knowledge that is very compatible with what many of us work with each day. Obviously something that's been around for 2000 years is going to be plagiarized a bit if it's worth its salt.

What brings you by this neck of the internet woods?

- Bill