Karate

 

 

Written by Guss Wilkinson 2000

 

Karate can be divided into three basic categories: sport karate, traditional karate and self-defense orientated karate (all of which contain many sub-categories).

 

I would very much like to emphasize, at this point, that what ever the reason and focus of your training: the most important thing is that you enjoy what you do. This writing is not an attempt to knock other styles, it is merely an attempt to explain the reasoning behind the way our style has developed.

 

Very briefly, sport karate concentrates on aesthetics. In sport karate, judges and referees are called upon to decide who looks as though they would have won a fight. 

 

In competition kata - the best looking mover will win.

 

In my opinion, karate is not about aesthetics - it is not important to look good, it is sufficient merely to survive. In my experience, any technique that looks good, probably won't work (a fact that the film industry has chosen to ignore!). 

 

This is why I don't really think that true karate should be called an art. I would prefer it to be called a "science"; and like any science, Martial Arts should be approached in an investigative and skeptical fashion.

 

I am afraid that I also believe that a lot of today's "traditional styles" have also, to a very large extent, lost the plot. Traditional styles can often focus on rigid military style discipline that is enforced upon their students. There can often be a heavy focus on ceremony and a wholesale "buy in" of the Japanese culture (or Korean, Chinese etc, depending on the art).

 

With this, I mean that teacher/student hierarchies are encouraged, grades are considered a rank and/or a reward, students are discouraged from questioning their superiors who may insist on being addressed by their titles.

 

Who in their right mind would pay to have this inflicted on them? 

 

A lot of people I'm afraid. The most dangerous consequence of this is that as the wisdom of of the elders may not be questioned, techniques are not allowed to be adapted or changed and the style risks stagnation. This is why a lot of the techniques within katas  have become unworkable.

 

There is also, quite often, great shame associate with defeat or "failure" which is why it is relatively rare in traditional styles to see teachers sparring with their students.

 

I know that the above is a gross generalisation, but I am trying to make the following point:

 

I believe that top quality martial arts can be taught in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Yes, a phenomenal amount of discipline is required to reach black-belt and beyond, but it is self-discipline, not enforced discipline.

 

I believe that teachers are human beings (who smell when they are on the toilet) not gods with magical powers who have a monopoly on serenity and the meaning of life.

 

Masters are often portrayed as wise old beings who are regarded as having all the answers to life's problems - but, believe me, I have met a lot of very skillful but extremely thick black-belts.

 

I believe that karate is a science that should constantly be changing, adapting itself to every individual that learns it. The techniques within must be constantly questioned and replace when better ones come along.

 

Most importantly, there should be a free and unhindered exchange of ideas between student and teacher. Students should be respected as individuals and grades should be treated as a tool for learning, not a rank or a reward.

 

Karate should be fun, not a sacrifice.