On The Dojo Floor

Today on the Mokuren Dojo blog Patrick Parker Sensei speaks on ranking for higher levels or grades in the martial arts. I liked most of what he uses. It made me think of that old maxim, old as in the last thirty-five years, "Show me on the dojo floor, etc." I have since changed my perspective as to what one would "show on the dojo floor" actually means.

I also believe that most of the technical of a martial art is up to the 3rd Dan level and after is more in line with other criteria - subjective criteria. I also believe one must remain an associate/assistant instructor until they reach San-dan and from San-dan to Go-dan act as Sensei of a dojo with periodic check-up's from a more senior instructor just to keep things "frosty."

Now, with that said and taking into consideration what Mokuren's blog post states I would still want to see what a person does on the dojo floor. I would then adjust that perception of reality to take into consideration various factors such as age, health, etc. I feel anyone who gets on the dojo floor must be in good health and in some level of appropriate physical fitness. Being fit and leading are important for the dojo floor is where everyone practices and learns. Everyone who practices and learns is a potential instructor if only by their actions. Those who observe those actions are potentially being instructed by the person practicing,

I do mean that even if the instructor cannot keep up with younger folks they still inspire by the enlightening perfection of fundamental principles applied in a somewhat effortless manner. I also mean that the example set is not just as to the actions of the individual. It is also the manner and physical presence of that person. Their demeanor, physical presences, manner, morals, etc. all will be on display in every single thing done by them whether spoken, action, or written - in all things of that person and related to that person.

I also believe wholeheartedly that once achieved always earned. If a person of any level confronts some physical obstacle it is not that they cannot get on the dojo floor. It is what they do with that obstacle. There are mental and physical things beyond our control and how we handle those is important. If one allows themselves to lose this level of personal heart then get off the floor. We as higher level Yu-dan-sha have a responsibility regardless of whether actively teaching or not. Teaching goes on regardless. It happens in every day life. It is that thing a person detects when they meet and sometimes cannot put their finger on just what it is - yet it is there none the less.

My favorite example is an article in the San Francisco Chronicle long ago about a Judo Instructor of high level who mostly sat on the side observing. She would detect something and then rise up, reach out to the person, and then "teach/mentor/instruct" them in the "proper way." She was in her nineties. Her spirit spoke volumes and every one of every age knew it instinctively. This is a higher level. Higher level person. Higher level example. Higher level Yu-dan-sha. Higher inspiration to all martial artists.

She may not have spent time on the dojo floor working with the others - she spent time on the dojo floor that was perfection in application of instruction. She had enough intestinal fortitude and ability to mentor skills appropriate to here level, ability, mental/physical capability/ability, etc. Truly inspirational.

In closing, on the dojo floor means to me that one be physical fit, healthy, and willing. Dignity and example are the criteria for any level of grade. Spirit and wholehearted effort are the rules. To achieve this on or off the dojo floor speaks volumes as to the person and their practice.