Yo-no-bi; great article on "Okinawa Karate and Kobudo" blog by Sensei Mckenna.
Money, Money, Money...
Charging for Services. This is my rant and rave on the idea of money in the fighting arts. This is strictly my belief and mine alone. If you take offense it is your problem because nothing I say here is "personal" in nature and is NOT DIRECTED toward anyone or any organization...PERIOD!
If you are easily offended or take homage to money in the fighting arts then don't read this post, PERIOD.
Ok, ready...I do not believe "money" should be a part in any way, fashion, or form in the practice of the "art" of the "Empty Hand" or any other "Way."
I believe the moment we rely on our art to generate money we allow ourselves to "corrupt" the Way. When two persons enter into an agreement that encompasses money then one and/or the other will start to "assume" that certain things MUST be provided. The understanding or contract that involves money can not be detailed enough for the practice of a fighting art that also encompasses the "Way" as in the I Ching, Kenpo Gokui, and the Way as defined loosely by philosophies as we may or may not know it.
I have seen training halls where practitioners discuss such things as how much time is needed to get the black belt. I hear discussions as to specified lesson plans where specific things must be taught to advance to the next level. I have even heard practitioners talk about how they are hurried to a certain level of teachings in order to be in line with other practitioners so they can adhere to specific dates for testing to meet certain projections and schedules that have nothing to do with the practitioners but money, etc.
Now, if you fully understand that what you are trying to do is learn a "sport" much like learning basketball in an organized sport in school with no teaching of the more esoteric philosophies, etc. that I believe are a major part of the "Way" then you may be ok.
If you do want to practice the "way" and in the same breath learn about life, changes, esoteric philosophies to develop the complete person with self-defense then you may want to re-think what you enrolled into because there are not schedules or deadlines in learning how to achieve this level of life.
Most who would hear how I would teach, even saying no charges, they say to me "no way" that is to boring and doesn't get me this or that or its to hard and boring and yadda, yadda, yadda.
I believe that two parties who wish to truly achieve something in the fighting arts and life must come to understand what that entails and the commitment that will take dedication and commitment I have explained in postings on such topics and the "Sempai-Kohai", "Uke-tori", and "Sensei-deshi" relationships.
The moment money enters the picture then things tend to degrade because someone "has to make so much" in order to survive and then in order to go beyond just survival more degradation enters because you may have to sacrifice this or that in order to make it.
Don't get me wrong, I have forked over money in the past. Not much, yet I did go that way when I thought I had to have some sort of validation by either a person or group or association and so on.
Practicing a Way is anything you choose to practice and the only difference is the "intent" of the practice.
You cannot put a price, schedule, date, etc. on the fighting "arts". You should understand that it is the practice and the intent that is important. In truth there is no need for the belts, trophies, certificates, etc. There is only "you" and no one else for you are the only true judge of what and what you are.
The "moment" you decide you "have" to make money or you want to teach for a living you are open to corruption and greed and ...
If you are easily offended or take homage to money in the fighting arts then don't read this post, PERIOD.
Ok, ready...I do not believe "money" should be a part in any way, fashion, or form in the practice of the "art" of the "Empty Hand" or any other "Way."
I believe the moment we rely on our art to generate money we allow ourselves to "corrupt" the Way. When two persons enter into an agreement that encompasses money then one and/or the other will start to "assume" that certain things MUST be provided. The understanding or contract that involves money can not be detailed enough for the practice of a fighting art that also encompasses the "Way" as in the I Ching, Kenpo Gokui, and the Way as defined loosely by philosophies as we may or may not know it.
I have seen training halls where practitioners discuss such things as how much time is needed to get the black belt. I hear discussions as to specified lesson plans where specific things must be taught to advance to the next level. I have even heard practitioners talk about how they are hurried to a certain level of teachings in order to be in line with other practitioners so they can adhere to specific dates for testing to meet certain projections and schedules that have nothing to do with the practitioners but money, etc.
Now, if you fully understand that what you are trying to do is learn a "sport" much like learning basketball in an organized sport in school with no teaching of the more esoteric philosophies, etc. that I believe are a major part of the "Way" then you may be ok.
If you do want to practice the "way" and in the same breath learn about life, changes, esoteric philosophies to develop the complete person with self-defense then you may want to re-think what you enrolled into because there are not schedules or deadlines in learning how to achieve this level of life.
Most who would hear how I would teach, even saying no charges, they say to me "no way" that is to boring and doesn't get me this or that or its to hard and boring and yadda, yadda, yadda.
I believe that two parties who wish to truly achieve something in the fighting arts and life must come to understand what that entails and the commitment that will take dedication and commitment I have explained in postings on such topics and the "Sempai-Kohai", "Uke-tori", and "Sensei-deshi" relationships.
The moment money enters the picture then things tend to degrade because someone "has to make so much" in order to survive and then in order to go beyond just survival more degradation enters because you may have to sacrifice this or that in order to make it.
Don't get me wrong, I have forked over money in the past. Not much, yet I did go that way when I thought I had to have some sort of validation by either a person or group or association and so on.
Practicing a Way is anything you choose to practice and the only difference is the "intent" of the practice.
You cannot put a price, schedule, date, etc. on the fighting "arts". You should understand that it is the practice and the intent that is important. In truth there is no need for the belts, trophies, certificates, etc. There is only "you" and no one else for you are the only true judge of what and what you are.
The "moment" you decide you "have" to make money or you want to teach for a living you are open to corruption and greed and ...
Japanese Language
Kanji are ideograms: a graphic character that indicates the meaning of a thing without indicating the sounds used to say it.
Katakana and Hiragana are phonograms: any written symbol standing for a sound or syllable or morpheme or word.
You could derive the letters of your name with katakana while you can derive idea's or meanings with kanji.
This short post is to emphasize that you may want to use Japanese and Kanji in your training hall as well as web site, blog, and handbook but do so with a caveat that what is provided in those formats are open to incorrect or inconsistent interpretation because it takes a lifetime to achieve proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Japanese.
I use it and it is merely a method of training for my mind. Exercise of the ole gray matter is important; like your muscles if not properly exercised and properly nourished it will atrophy and you lose it, literally. Once the brain matter becomes dormant rarely can you get it back.
In this always go back to English when training and practicing with other participants. Always provide the caveat that what is provided in this complex language may be incorrect and to be aware and open to Japanese people provision of correction. It ain't as easy as you might think.
So use it, enjoy the learning process, and always revert to English. We are not Japanese and unless we have spent a considerable amount of time immersed in Japanese culture and way of life, with guidance from Japanese, we are still English speaking Americans.
Leaning this complex language takes Japanese their entire young adult lives in school, i.e. what amounts to our grade school, middle school, and high school. So don't let your ego override your kiester, temper it.
Katakana and Hiragana are phonograms: any written symbol standing for a sound or syllable or morpheme or word.
You could derive the letters of your name with katakana while you can derive idea's or meanings with kanji.
This short post is to emphasize that you may want to use Japanese and Kanji in your training hall as well as web site, blog, and handbook but do so with a caveat that what is provided in those formats are open to incorrect or inconsistent interpretation because it takes a lifetime to achieve proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Japanese.
I use it and it is merely a method of training for my mind. Exercise of the ole gray matter is important; like your muscles if not properly exercised and properly nourished it will atrophy and you lose it, literally. Once the brain matter becomes dormant rarely can you get it back.
In this always go back to English when training and practicing with other participants. Always provide the caveat that what is provided in this complex language may be incorrect and to be aware and open to Japanese people provision of correction. It ain't as easy as you might think.
So use it, enjoy the learning process, and always revert to English. We are not Japanese and unless we have spent a considerable amount of time immersed in Japanese culture and way of life, with guidance from Japanese, we are still English speaking Americans.
Leaning this complex language takes Japanese their entire young adult lives in school, i.e. what amounts to our grade school, middle school, and high school. So don't let your ego override your kiester, temper it.
Why So Many Kata in the Beginning
Learning the physical aspects of the fighting arts does not take much. One who is semi-athletic can learn all the required physical aspects of the fighting arts in a short period of time. One can actually earn a black belt level leaning only the physical.
You might say, not in my system! Well, I am speaking strictly from the point of view in regards to how the Marines earned Sho-dan back in the day on Okinawa. Here is what I believe happened. There is no proof and if you ask the first generation practitioners of Tatsuo Sensei they will say I am way off-base. Anyway...
In the beginning there were only Marines (a few other services of course but for this narrative it was the Marines). Marines, on the whole, server about thirteen months of duty on Okinawa. Yes, there were exceptions, there are always exceptions.
Marines fell in love with Isshinryu and thus spurred the contracts to teach through the special services system. This was a boon for Tatsuo Sensei and his family especially since those were hard times, those early years, i.e. fifties and before. Marines like titles and the black belt was a symbol that the Marines could get their teeth into so the goal was to get that black belt. This is not much different than today's practitioners where getting a black belt seems to be the "goal" of training and practice (lets not forget the trophies, titles, etc.).
Tatsuo Sensei arranged his structure to provide a means of awarding black belts, i.e. sho-dan. He understood the desires of the Marines who attended the Honbu dojo and that making the Marines happy and satisfied he needed to award the level yet he also felt it important that the award was warranted.
In some places learning the basics and one to three kata can qualify you for sho-dan. This would include bunkai, the gokui, and may other more esoteric learning vs. strictly the physical. Tatsuo Sensei understood this and a lot more so to allow a one year turn around for black belt he focused first on the physical and for those who chose to go beyond the mere physical to levels higher than sho-dan he provided the Kenpo Gokui and many of his quotes in training. Those provided a key to another door to go beyond the mere physical.
Few chose this path simply because it meant leaving the glorious physical in the back seat.
Only a few really chose to go beyond that which strokes the ego, i.e. higher levels and that stuff that didn't involve belts, trophies, certificates, and the accolades not to forget titles such as "master" or "Kyoshi", "Hanshi", etc. which really feed the ego more than represent any "real" accomplishments.
(CAVEAT: I realize this statement may offend and some might misunderstand that this is close minded or they will think I am full of s%^# but understand this is just my observation from my viewpoint which is not worldly, etc.)
We also forget that Tatsuo Sensei understood better than any of us did at that time and even still today that earning sho-dan, first level black belt, was not this significant milestone but just a way for the Sensei to tell a person that they have gone the distance to be considered, finally, as a serious student. Sho-dan is the first level of being a real "deshi!" and is only the very beginning. All the rest before was creating a solid foundation to work from in real training and practice.
The Marines got the physical which was important for the Warrior in them and they got the coveted black belt. They also got the keys to the next level but many forgot them in the rush to return home, open a dojo, and gather as many adoring students as they could to pay the rent, etc.
The few who got the keys and actually opened the door are few and far between. Those are the true descendants of the Tatsuo Sensei lineage. Much like the Marines, i.e. "The FEW, The PROUD, The MARINES!" for there are only a "FEW," "PROUD," and "TRUE" descendants of the Isshinryu that Tatsuo Sensei built.
You might say, not in my system! Well, I am speaking strictly from the point of view in regards to how the Marines earned Sho-dan back in the day on Okinawa. Here is what I believe happened. There is no proof and if you ask the first generation practitioners of Tatsuo Sensei they will say I am way off-base. Anyway...
In the beginning there were only Marines (a few other services of course but for this narrative it was the Marines). Marines, on the whole, server about thirteen months of duty on Okinawa. Yes, there were exceptions, there are always exceptions.
Marines fell in love with Isshinryu and thus spurred the contracts to teach through the special services system. This was a boon for Tatsuo Sensei and his family especially since those were hard times, those early years, i.e. fifties and before. Marines like titles and the black belt was a symbol that the Marines could get their teeth into so the goal was to get that black belt. This is not much different than today's practitioners where getting a black belt seems to be the "goal" of training and practice (lets not forget the trophies, titles, etc.).
Tatsuo Sensei arranged his structure to provide a means of awarding black belts, i.e. sho-dan. He understood the desires of the Marines who attended the Honbu dojo and that making the Marines happy and satisfied he needed to award the level yet he also felt it important that the award was warranted.
In some places learning the basics and one to three kata can qualify you for sho-dan. This would include bunkai, the gokui, and may other more esoteric learning vs. strictly the physical. Tatsuo Sensei understood this and a lot more so to allow a one year turn around for black belt he focused first on the physical and for those who chose to go beyond the mere physical to levels higher than sho-dan he provided the Kenpo Gokui and many of his quotes in training. Those provided a key to another door to go beyond the mere physical.
Few chose this path simply because it meant leaving the glorious physical in the back seat.
Only a few really chose to go beyond that which strokes the ego, i.e. higher levels and that stuff that didn't involve belts, trophies, certificates, and the accolades not to forget titles such as "master" or "Kyoshi", "Hanshi", etc. which really feed the ego more than represent any "real" accomplishments.
(CAVEAT: I realize this statement may offend and some might misunderstand that this is close minded or they will think I am full of s%^# but understand this is just my observation from my viewpoint which is not worldly, etc.)
We also forget that Tatsuo Sensei understood better than any of us did at that time and even still today that earning sho-dan, first level black belt, was not this significant milestone but just a way for the Sensei to tell a person that they have gone the distance to be considered, finally, as a serious student. Sho-dan is the first level of being a real "deshi!" and is only the very beginning. All the rest before was creating a solid foundation to work from in real training and practice.
The Marines got the physical which was important for the Warrior in them and they got the coveted black belt. They also got the keys to the next level but many forgot them in the rush to return home, open a dojo, and gather as many adoring students as they could to pay the rent, etc.
The few who got the keys and actually opened the door are few and far between. Those are the true descendants of the Tatsuo Sensei lineage. Much like the Marines, i.e. "The FEW, The PROUD, The MARINES!" for there are only a "FEW," "PROUD," and "TRUE" descendants of the Isshinryu that Tatsuo Sensei built.
Interesting Quote
"Kata are not merely treated as basics put together in a pattern to be performed only with attention to outward form but are regarded as reference tools for learning fighting strategies." - OSLO BudoKan Karate Web Site
Kumite, the prearranged drilling that constitutes the basics of fighting are drawn from first the basic kicks and punches we first learn in the training hall but also from the various kata. It is impossible to make all the possible techniques work ergo why it is stressed that one focus on one or two kata vs. trying to assimilate all kata.
If one is to teach then learning all the kata and bunkai are important but remember that although one can teach them all it is best if the one or two main kata are used to develop fighting techniques.
The importance of teaching many kata is to provide practitioners a means of choosing the one or two kata that become a part of their developing fighting art personality. Something they can use to continue to grow and flourish. This is an important distinction that many lose site of in the bustle and hustle of earning belts, titles, trophies, and all the trappings of the commercialize world of "Martial Arts!"
"It is not the quantity but the quality!"
Kumite, the prearranged drilling that constitutes the basics of fighting are drawn from first the basic kicks and punches we first learn in the training hall but also from the various kata. It is impossible to make all the possible techniques work ergo why it is stressed that one focus on one or two kata vs. trying to assimilate all kata.
If one is to teach then learning all the kata and bunkai are important but remember that although one can teach them all it is best if the one or two main kata are used to develop fighting techniques.
The importance of teaching many kata is to provide practitioners a means of choosing the one or two kata that become a part of their developing fighting art personality. Something they can use to continue to grow and flourish. This is an important distinction that many lose site of in the bustle and hustle of earning belts, titles, trophies, and all the trappings of the commercialize world of "Martial Arts!"
"It is not the quantity but the quality!"
Gradual Growth
I stress the need to build a solid foundation in the basics, that which is practiced for life and I say that there is only one way to achieve a level of proficiency and understanding which is in accord with nature, the natural way of things. To try and circumvent this process leads to a lacking in proficiency and thus in life.
I came across some quotes in the I Ching that express the need to follow the laws of nature.
"Wood above, Mountain below. It denotes a tree that is growing gradually to its height on a mountain. When the trunk of a tree grows upward above the ground, its roots develop deep underneath the earth. This progress upward and downward growth are in positive proportion. In this way, the tree remains strong, firm, and stable. This is the wisdom of nature. Weeds grow fact; they are neither strong nor stable."
Gradual development is the "cornerstone" of the fighting arts that encompasses both the physical and spiritual. Much like practicing kata with out bunkai and visualization. We see etymologically in the gokui references to the cycles and processes that are natural and in equilibrium with the Tao or the Universe so those who take this seriously travel the same path in practice and training.
Trees whose roots fail to develop properly into the earth are easily uprooted while tree that has found balance in gradual growth finds their foundation or root system to be deep, strong, resilient, and healthy.
Those who take the natural path of the fighting arts develop wholeheartedly while those who insist on the short path end up quitting when it no longer suits their egoistic needs.
Which path do you follow?
I came across some quotes in the I Ching that express the need to follow the laws of nature.
"Wood above, Mountain below. It denotes a tree that is growing gradually to its height on a mountain. When the trunk of a tree grows upward above the ground, its roots develop deep underneath the earth. This progress upward and downward growth are in positive proportion. In this way, the tree remains strong, firm, and stable. This is the wisdom of nature. Weeds grow fact; they are neither strong nor stable."
Gradual development is the "cornerstone" of the fighting arts that encompasses both the physical and spiritual. Much like practicing kata with out bunkai and visualization. We see etymologically in the gokui references to the cycles and processes that are natural and in equilibrium with the Tao or the Universe so those who take this seriously travel the same path in practice and training.
Trees whose roots fail to develop properly into the earth are easily uprooted while tree that has found balance in gradual growth finds their foundation or root system to be deep, strong, resilient, and healthy.
Those who take the natural path of the fighting arts develop wholeheartedly while those who insist on the short path end up quitting when it no longer suits their egoistic needs.
Which path do you follow?
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