Introduction
While
addressing the problems associated with indiscriminate learning,
turn-of-the-century French Mathematician and philosopher, Henri
Poincare, wrote, "Science is built upon facts much in the same
way that a house is built with bricks; but the mere collection of
facts is no more a science than a pile of bricks is a house" (Poincare
1). I believe that Poincare's observation was not limited to his era
or to mathematics. In fact, I believe it can be likened to the
indiscriminate way in which karate has been learned in modern times.
Despite producing a new era of brilliant competitive fighters and kata
competitors, modern learners continue to learn kata without
understanding the fundamental nature of its defensive themes or
application principles. “This is like learning a song in a foreign
language; unless one can speak the language in which the song is being
sung, the meaning of its words will forever remain a mystery."
The
Old vs. the New (The Art vs. the Sport)
If
there are any doubts about what new athletic heights karate has
ascended to these days, all one need do is attend any local tournament
to see just how many brilliant competitive fighters and kata
competitors the modern tradition continues to produce. There can be no
argument that the karateka of today, when compared to those during the
era in which the tradition was pioneered, have redefined the apex of
physical athleticism. However, one question that begs to be asked is,
"Does the competitive tradition, or its corresponding rule-bound
training methods, adequately address the same defensive issues the art
was originally developed to meet?" I believe IT DOES NOT.
More importantly, however, how many misguided learners actually think
they’re getting the original art when, in fact, they are not?
This
controversy between sporting authorities and advocates of the art
continues on purely because of misunderstanding and inflexible
mindsets. Simply put, failure to recognize the difference between
karate’s original defensive intentions (locked hidden in all the
moves of kata) and modern day training methods (developed by
and for rule-bound based, reverse punch/front kick tournaments) is
one of the biggest conundrums in karate today. While we are certainly
discussing two sides of the same coin, what separates these two
schools of thought is not nearly as important as what could bring them
together. Unfortunately, pride, insecurity and protectionism remain at
the forefront of such resistance.
Neither side denies the fact that most competitively trained athletes
could probably handle themselves adequately in a potentially dangerous
street confrontation. Competitively trained athletes are in great
physical condition, possess an impressive arsenal of impact tools
(kicking, striking & punching) and can quickly muster up an
aggressive behavior. That they are no strangers to mutual
confrontation, means they are better prepared than the average person
to meet an attacker head-on in the street. However,
being seized or tackled (an issue which happens during street
encounters, especially if one decides to resist) requires a
completely different set of application principles and defensive
strategies.
Effectively
defending oneself against the habitual acts of physical violence (HAPV), such as a clinch, tackle and/or a grappling situation that has
gone to the ground, demands completely different training methods than
are found or used in rule-bound (modern karate) training. Ask
yourself this question, “Does my style include effective defenses
against being seized in a bear-hug, put in a head-lock or being
choked to death? Moreover, what the heck do I do when I am thrown to
the ground?”
The
truth is that no one in a real-life confrontation is going to attack you
with a well-controlled reverse punch, nor are they about to stand
still while you perform your secret "pressure-point" knock-out
defense. Someone trying to cause grievous bodily harm is more likely
to provide little or no warning before attacking you, and be brutally
relentless in his or her assault. Believing that the old
one-punch-one-kill theory, held to be gospel in traditional karate
circles, is an effective deterrent is as naïve as believing in the
Easter Bunny or that “chi-based” remote knockouts actually work.
If you are not
among the growing numbers of learners already questioning such issues,
then perhaps this presentation may compel you to note the obvious
differences between the art and the sport. The important thing to
realize when reading this work is to understand that it is not
intended to critique the sport, discredit an instructor, slander a
style or disrespect the Japanese. It is a sincere attempt to draw your
attention to the not-so-obvious-differences that separate the
modern tradition from the old ways.
It's difficult
to move beyond the prevailing mindset that the Okinawan pioneers had
all the answers. I often hear comments like, “Well, that’s the way
Shimabuku did it,” or, “That’s what sensei taught,” or, “It
says so in the book(s).” While no disrespect is intended to any of
the pioneers, and my observations are purely academic, I believe this
kind of blind faith does little to provoke critical thinking.
If one is
capable of thinking “outside the box” it quickly becomes apparent
that seizing, grappling and other related habitual acts of physical
violence are the contextual premise of kata. When this defensive
context is realized, five things become apparent: 1. The anatomical
attack location is identified. 2. Its associated tool of impact is
revealed. 3. The angle of energy transfer is established, and, 4. The
direction of that energy transfer is also established. The 5th
element of the formula is the intensity of energy transfer, which is
determined by circumstances and outcome. This is why it is so
important to seek out the oldest or most original kata, as the modern
interpretations (shite-gata: i.e. standardized kata for competitive
purposes) have been altered for their outward appearance and not inner
defensive value; Form not function.
Knowing this truth, it should then come as no surprise to learn how
& why modern karate's newly established rule-bound outcomes
necessitated the development of corresponding training methods to
support the competitive arena in which they would be used. By
understanding how the defensive objectives, originally used by
progenitor pioneers, were so diametrically opposite to the rule-bound
outcomes on which modern karate was/is based, I hope that it will
become crystal clear to readers not only why old-school training
methods were/are so different, but also why they have all but
disappeared: Koryu
Uchinadi represents our campaign to revive the best of these old-ways.
Historical
Pretext
It
has always been the structure of the human body, its unique functions
& common anatomical weaknesses which have ultimately dictated how
seizing & impacting, along with the corresponding biomechanics
which support the transfer of both low intensity and higher velocity
kinetic energy, best impedes motor performance; the dispassionate aim
of self-defense. Despite what is being taught by a myriad of different
schools, styles and systems throughout the world today, these
principles are irrevocable and must be completely understood by all
before the art can ever be mastered.
Based upon this
universal truth, man has continually pursued different ways through
which to improve his understanding of these immutable principles of
self-defense. Through generations of empirical observation spiritual
recluses in the monastic sanctuaries of ancient China were able to
identify and catalogue no less than 36 different habitual acts of
physical violence (i.e. standard forms of attack) that plagued the
plebeian society in which they dwelt. From these offensive themes came
as many as 72 different variations surrounding confrontation and the
subsequent struggle, which often ensued. Resolved to living in
harmony with nature & their fellow man, spiritual recluses
embraced pacifism and believed that if and when the ego could be
controlled, the need for physical violence could be reduced to a
chance encounter. Hence, the remarkable training methods they
developed (despite the combative ways that may have been used during
certain periods of Shaolin history) were governed by the non-lethal
defensive outcomes they sought to achieve.
Built upon
immutable anatomical principles and corresponding laws of nature, a
plethora of individual techniques were configured into 18 composite
exercises (hsing in Mandarin, Chinese; kata in Japanese) which came to represent the Shaolin
standard through which a total of 108 offensive themes could be
effectively countered. Historically, this phenomenon represents
the foundation upon which karate unfolded.
Kata is the
inter-related thread from which the fabric of all karate traditions is
woven. Ritualized physical emulation is a mnemonic concept, which
evolved before written language, and has long served many ancient
cultures as the most effective way through which to persevere &
pass on important ideas. Profoundly influenced by the culture in
which such a phenomenon evolved, training methods ultimately came to
reflect the signature characteristics of those people who
popularized such practices. However, at the core of such practices,
the offensive themes are always exactly alike. Varying ways of seizing
& corresponding tools of impact can address a whole plethora of
habitual acts of physical violence because the human body is unique.
However, nowadays, this fundamental message has been long forgotten
due in large part to the ambiguity of its evolution, as well as the
emphasis placed upon the competitive arena and those training methods
which support its rule-bound outcomes.
This generation
has seen the growth of a number of independent movements aimed at
re-discovering the original purpose of kata. The International Ryukyu
Karate Research Society is one such movement dedicated to
re-discovering, analyzing, improving and imparting the original
principles on which kata is based. The emphasis on the modern
competitive aims & objectives has given birth to corresponding
training methods with aims and outcomes unlike those for which kata
were originally derived. Such modern training is therefore not the
original practice or purpose of this tradition. Koryu Uchinadi has
rediscovered the practical two-man drills (tegumi), which actually
link fundamental technique to its original defensive themes and
corresponding principles of application. Through lengthy historical
analysis the Society has discovered that this kind of training more
closely resembles the early practices used in old-school karate thus
bringing the learner closer to understanding the defensive themes
present in kata.
It
is through studies like this that the Society has discovered how &
why the original art of karate has become all but obscured. In this
field of research, we’re unique.
Tegumi
What's
the sense of learning a whole new vocabulary if one cannot yet write
the alphabet? If karate was compared to the English
language, we could say that kihon waza could be likened to the ABC's.
Based upon this assumption, it would be fair then to compare kata with
sentences & paragraphs as they are built in the same way. If that
comparison holds any weight, then bunkai-jutsu would have to symbolize
the meaning of such grammatical compositions. Carrying the example a
little further, we would still need a way in which to conjugate the
tenses and impart grammatical principles; Tegumi, a lost practice in
modern karate, is a classical practice which links basic technique to
its defensive theme & application principles. The
“secrets” contained in kata are represented by our ability to
interpret the building blocks of the paragraphs – the meanings of
the phrases and sentences which make up the paragraphs. These
“building blocks” in fact represent the systematized responses to
acts of aggression formulated by the Monks of Shaolin.
Instructional DVD's Now Available
Moral
Philosophy
Karatedo
cannot exist without a body of moral philosophy to govern the behavior
of those who embrace its empowering practice. Learning karatedo
without its corresponding philosophy creates a terrible imbalance,
which is usually reflected in attitude, character and behavior.
Spiritual
Introspection
One
can never get beyond the immediate results of physical training
without looking inward. Karatedo teaches that the source of human
weakness is internal, not external. Hence, the journey must always be
inward, not outward. Discovering that the source of human weakness
lies within reveals the location where our personal battles must be
first fought and won before inner-harmony can ever be achieved and the
living of daily life improved.
Fundamental
Principles
The
fundamental principles upon which the theory & application of
karatedo rest can be explained in both Western science & Eastern
tradition. This, for the most part, makes up the pedagogy of
Koryu Uchinadi©, and, to quote Motobu Choki, it is what the Society
refers to as "Our-Karate."
Training
Methods
Training methods must always reflect its corresponding outcomes, or an
imbalance is bound to materialize. Aims and objectives must be
supported by corresponding training methods. The training methods used
in Koryu Uchinadi focus upon application principles and link
fundamental technique directly to their corresponding defensive
themes.
Acknowledging
its Parts Helps Better Understand the Whole
Karatedo can be many different things to many different people, and
embraced in many different ways. We believe that by recognizing its
parts the ambiguity in which the art is shrouded disappears and one
can better understand the whole. The Society holds the position that
karatedo can be 1. An interesting alternative to conventional Western
physical fitness, 2. A challenging rule-bound sport, 3. A form of
self-defense limited only by one's understanding of its defensive
themes and application principles, 4. A way of improving daily life
(i.e. a ritualized empowering defensive, holistic and therapeutic
tradition punctuated with moral philosophy, and highlighted by
introspective practices as a single study,) & 5. A rewarding and
meaningful occupation.
Stereotyping:
"Dispelling Myths"
One of
the greatest myths that exist in Karate today is the belief that the
Okinawan/Japanese pioneers of modern karate were omnipotent & knew
everything there was to know about the Chinese art (Ryukyu Kenpo
Toudi-jutsu) they reinterpreted. The plain truth is that they did not.
One needs only to study the true history surrounding this phenomenon
and its subsequent evolution, and then compare & evaluate these
legacies, in order to discover the limits of their independent
interpretations. However, we in the West love to hear the stories of
the little old-master etc. Moreover, in nearly forty years of
training, it has been my experience that Western learners tend to
place their Japanese/Okinawan teachers on pedestals that they would
never even consider for occidental counterparts. Another of the
biggest myths perpetuated in karate today maintains that, "If
you're not getting it from a Japanese/Okinawan sensei, then
you're simply not getting the "REAL McCOY" and
that's simply NOT TRUE!
Now, just before I offend anyone with my comments, or am branded
something I am not, let me clarify my point: "In my opinion"
no one race or nationality has a monopoly on understanding or teaching
this art, least of all the Japanese. Yet, in the same breath, no
one is saying that there are no great Japanese/Okinawan teachers.
However, isn't it about time that we recognize the excellent
occidental teachers who have discovered new paths of understanding
where our oriental teachers could not? Anthropologist Joe Campbell once
said of this kind of stereotyping, "An oriental expert of an
oriental tradition will, by virtue of his race/nationality, always
command more respect in his field than his occidental
counterpart." The truth is that mastery of this art
transcends race and nationality, (and) this is the message we need to
convey rather than perpetuating a myth to the contrary.
"The
skill of any able teacher lies not necessarily in the transfer of
information but rather in awakening the mind of the learner."
Every generation produces innovators who, in an effort to keep their
traditions a living experience for the people they serve, reinterpret
the immutable principles upon which they rest. By doing so, more
innovative 'methods' of imparting the same principles (&
accomplishing the same outcomes) are established. Such a
phenomenon is surely the product of humanity and not any one culture.
Styles,
Sport and the Old-Ways
As
a veteran open-competitor, field-researcher, published author and
professional teacher, I see modern styles, the sport and its original
old-school infrastructure as interrelated parts of a larger whole. I
have spent years studying and developing a simple way through which to
integrate these universal principles into the infrastructure of any
dojo curriculum. What makes learning the defensive themes and
application principles so comprehensive is that there is no negative
impact upon the signature characteristics of one's style. That way the
threat and fear commonly associated with change is removed and a
learner can better understand their own kata.
The Society is genuinely committed to making this information, which
might otherwise remain hidden as it had from me for so many years,
available to anyone who has a genuine desire to learn.
Learning
to Fish for Yourself
When
I think about the negative influence that protectionism &
political animosity has upon learners, who might otherwise have
arrived at different outcomes knowing the truth, I am reminded of an
interesting story that I would like to share with you.
The story is about the villagers of an ancient kingdom who were
completely dependant upon the local governor for their daily
sustenance. Each day, for generations, the head of each household was
required to go to the governor's mansion with their tribute and in
return receive a fish or two to feed their family. Sometimes it
was never enough and yet they had to make due with what little they
received. Families who sought more or complained were often
punished and ostracized. As long as anyone could remember the governor
and his ancestors had always maintained total control over
his people in this way. One day, a traveler from a far away land
appeared in the village. Sympathetic to their problem the stranger
promised to teach the villagers how to fish for themselves. When the
governor was informed of the man's intentions he publicly laughed and
ridiculed the traveler saying that such an idea was preposterous.
Privately, however, he ordered his men to do everything possible to
prevent the stranger from accomplishing his mission. When the
villagers finally discovered how to fish for themselves, they became
independent and stopped paying un-necessary tribute. However, because
the governor & his ancestors had been the rulers of the village
for so long, no one ever challenged his authority and just accepted
that it was the way things were meant to be and continued to support
him. However, when it was later discovered that the governor had, in a
self-serving effort to protect himself & his position, secretly
tried to slander & ostracize the traveler, the villagers lost
respect for their leader and withdrew to establish their own village
elsewhere.
When the
governor lowered himself to such depths he caused the villagers to
question his integrity. By not challenging his actions, the villagers
would have been left with no other alternative but to question their
own integrity!
Origins
of Mind-Set
Molded
by time and shaped by experience, it's certainly no secret that
martial artists have varying ideas about what's what & who's who.
In fact, to say that some martial artists are opinionated would only
be to state the obvious. Let's not forget that special interest groups
and the old-boy network are just as much a part of this tradition as
they are to politics. After all, the martial arts are big business
these days. Amidst the workings of this wonderful tradition, woven
firmly within its political fabric, there exists a particular mindset that
not only impedes the learning process; it undermines karatedo as
an art.
I
don'tthink anyone has to study political science or epistemology to
understand how & why special interest groups, with their
self-serving agendas, contrive & perpetuate such preconceptions.
Greed, profit & control has long provided ample motivation for
such behavior, even if it does come gift-wrapped in sheep's clothing.
I suspect the reason why otherwise decent & honorable people
continue to support such nonsense is purely naivety, fear or both.
Enthusiasts who simply take things at face value or accept the word of
self-serving cynics have long occupied this tradition.
After
years of searching it became evident to this writer that the answers I
sought could not be provided from these "accepted authorities.”
No longer willing to tolerate, 1. Political manipulation, 2. Emphasis
on personal servitude, 3. Widespread narrow-mindedness, 4. Ignorance,
5. The old-boy network, 6. The special-interest group and closed-door
mentality, and 7. Out-dated teaching methods (I am not referring to
accepted traditions but rather unsound & incoherent practices), I
stepped outside those circles in an effort to seek out the true
history, evolution and technical application of karatedo.
Migrating
to & residing in Japan for so long, my efforts in the field
brought me into personal contact with the most recognized &
accomplished authorities of karate & kobudo. At the time, no other
researcher had successfully attempted an undertaking of this nature.
While I cherish the valuable moments & wisdom many authorities
unselfishly shared with me, sadly, it also became quite evident from
which source the narrow-mindedness had originated.
By
publishing the deductions of my independent studies, I began to
cultivate an international following of like-minded enthusiasts. These
new and important theories compelled many enthusiasts to question
existing "truths" and look more deeply into the history and
technical theories of our tradition. In doing so, by questioning
existing "truths" I openly challenged the old-boy network,
special-interest groups and closed-door mentality. I never thought for
a moment that introducing my theories, within this highly political
landscape, would be easy or without adversity. I was right.
Having
become a victim of groups or individuals who defend opposing
suppositions, I can only now truly appreciate the enormous resolve
early pioneers must have had when introducing their teachings into a
far more inflexible landscape than what presently exists. Nestled
comfortably in ignorance & greed, the weapon of choice, in this
surreptitious conflict, is sophistry "the practice of using
arguments that seem believable but are actually false &
misleading" and innuendo. What objective does any of this
warrant, the non-believer asks? Simply put, the objective of this
effort is to cast doubt and discredit any source that challenges the
veracity of unchallenged authority. Of course, this especially
includes the control & power of the old-boy networks and
special-interest group mentality.
Amidst
the most common preconceptions I have had to contend with over the
years are:
1. If
you're not with OUR GROUP (or one that we condone) you're
nothing and will never amount to a hill of beans, and we’ll make
darn certain to perpetuate this conviction wherever our special
interest group can levy influence.
2.
If you question OUR authority (even though we don’t have the
answers!) we'll ostracize you (usually behind your back, of course) and
make darn certain to perpetuate this conviction wherever our special
interest group can levy influence.
3. Only
WE are the experts, or those that WE support, so why
even bother trying to be something you can never be? And we’ll make
darn certain to perpetuate this conviction wherever our special
interest group can levy influence.
4. If
you didn't learn it from US, you're a fake, phony and fraud and
we’re going to discredit you everywhere our special interest group
can levy influence.
5.
"Because master so & so told me so...it MUST,
therefore be true! However, even if it isn’t we’re still going to
use it against you because, “How could you know more than MY
MASTER?” Incidentally, we're going to make darn certain to
perpetuate this conviction wherever our special interest group can
levy influence.
6. If you’re not OKINAWAN or JAPANESE, what could you possibly know
about karate or kobudo? We’ll make darn certain to perpetuate this
conviction wherever our special interest group can levy influence.
7. If
your group is not HEADQUARTERED in Japan/Okinawa, like ours is, then
you’re simply not “authentic.”
8. Be
careful down there because the MASTER could fall off the
pedestal we've put him on and squash you :-) <Just
testing to see if you’re still reading this page>
9. We'll
continue to vigorously cultivate our nepotistic chokehold,
self-serving double standards & hidden agendas hoping that you'll
be unable to rise above them. If you do, however, then it will be
necessary to distance ourselves from you in order that our smear
campaign might have a more effective impact on discrediting you. We’ll make darn certain to perpetuate this conviction wherever our
special interest group can levy influence.
Amidst
this pretence, I found it particularly disturbing that one could be so
seemingly respected & admired when supporting this or that special
interest agenda only to be slandered, discredited & ostracized by
the same group for discovering & siding with superseding truths. I
wonder if that is what compelled Bushi Matsumura to say, “To
all those whose progress remains hampered by ego-related distractions
let humility, the spiritual cornerstone upon which karate rests, serve
to remind one to place virtue before vice, values before vanity and
principles before personalities?"
It
is apparent to me that our tradition is plagued by the very
philosophical issues it seeks to eradicate. As deeply as I search, I
simply can find no honorable qualities with the inflexible mind-set
mentioned above. However,
I did find the following example quite amusing, especially when
related to the narrow mind-set so prevalent in the so-called martial
arts.
Genesis
of Policy
"Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang
a banana on a string from the ceiling and place a set of stairs under
it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to
climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all
of the monkeys with ice-cold water. After a while, another monkey
makes an attempt with the same result - all the monkeys are sprayed
with ice-cold water.
Pretty
soon, when yet another monkey can't resist trying to climb the stairs,
all the other monkeys aggressively try to prevent it. Now, turn off
the cold water, remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a
new one. The new monkey
sees the banana and immediately wants to climb the stairs. To his
surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. He tries
again and is attacked again. He realizes that if he tries to climb the
stairs, he will be assaulted.
Next,
remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new
one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous
newcomer too, takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Again,
replace a third original monkey with a new one. The new one makes it
to the stairs and is attacked by all.
Two of the four monkeys that beat him up have no idea why they
were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating
in the beating of the newest monkey.
Why
not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been
around here!
Wasn't
it the late Bruce Lee who said, "What would it be like if we only
ever did what our critics would have us listen to or believe?"
Thank
you for supporting IRKRS/KU-based seminars & research. If you are
interested to learn more about us please
click
here, visit our
web site or contact any one of our friendly representatives.
Patrick McCarthy
Standing together in support of common goals
Notes
Note #1: It
is simply preposterous to think
that all Okinawan or Japanese karate/kobudo teachers are incompetent,
because they're not, and no one is saying
anything of the sort. However, assuming that nationality or lineage
alone makes a master is simply not true and perpetuating this myth
impedes the learning process. I remember Grandmaster Nagamine Shoshin,
one of Okinawa's greatest pioneers of karate telling me, "We
have just as many fakes, phony's & frauds right here in Okinawa,
as you do in the West."
Note
#2: When
discussing eclecticism and change within the modern landscape of
karatedo, the notion of revisionism is usually greeted with a fairly
pejorative reaction. Such recourse, however, is not completely
unexpected. Many organizations that employ esoteric, ambiguous or
dictatorial practices use such recourse in order to counter criticism
to de-legitimize/discredit anyone arguing a different point of view.
There is nothing new about such tactics and many old professions have
long used them. It should come as no surprise to see the same things
occurring within Karate. In fact, you would probably expect it even
more considering the way in which certain individuals have been
deified by the followers of certain traditions, and the considerable
financial interest tied up in marketing their wares and status quo: If
you control the license to practice or levy influence in special
areas, anyone operating outside that license must be observed as a
threat.
Note
#3 If
you have a concern about something someone else told you, especially
if it casts doubt on someone's character or credibility (whether it be
the detractor or the intended victim), which is too often the case in
our tradition, I hope you'll remember the monkey story and not
hesitate to ask for verification rather than simply accept it as
truth. Lest we be no better that the culprit, please remember,
there's always two sides to every story.
|
®
