I am beginning to understand why some folks tend to say that Tatsuo Sensei named the style of Isshinryu vs. actually creating the style. I had to allow my mind to view "creation" vs. "evolving" it. If you take a literal look at Isshinryu you find that it is comprised almost exclusively of kata from other styles which are, of course, simply individualized creative efforts vs. creating new stuff. In that light all hand combative systems in all probability fall into this same form of evolving.
Isshinryu is the evolvement of a system already proven into his personal philosophical style. It is a creation of sorts but I tend to actually consider it a means of taking something already tried and proven and modifying it to suit Tatsuo Sensei so when he felt he had evolved it enough he "named it." He personalized it and it became our style of Rhukyu-te, the system itself.
Of course, we can split hairs on this if we want. I think to create something means to create something new and never before experienced in life. That is just me tho. It may be that one says they "created" something to satisfy pride and ego feelings, i.e. see, I am something special because I "created" something. I think Tatsuo Sensei branded his practice which is "like" a personal creation of sorts but not actually creating a new unique style. Yep, many will vehemently deny and argue this point. Good, as long as it gets folks to "think!"
A martial arts "style" is at the bottom, a training method after all.
ReplyDeleteRick: I am not getting your meaning in the comment, can you elaborate on it?
ReplyDeleteFighting is a pretty problem domain. Consider yourself ages ago, sitting on a rock somewhere, thinking about how you’re going to deal with it.
ReplyDelete“Anything goes,” but it’s hard to conceptualize everything you’re likely to encounter. You take a look around and make a survey of the reasonable limits. You might be attacked by a half naked savage swinging a tree branch, or maybe an armored assailant wielding a three foot long razor blade.
Given some thought, you come up with ways you might conceivable be attacked in your circumstances and how you might best deal with those attacks. At this point, a theory of combat (for your situation) is born.
Now you come up with practices that can help you implement that theory of combat in a real situation. Not being stupid and employing the scientific method, you train some young guys with these exercises, send them off to fight some other young guys and take note of the results.
Some things work, some things don’t. You update the training practices with what you’ve learned and your “style” begins to be handed down through the generations.
Another guy sitting on a different rock whose perspective on the world is a little different goes through a similar experience.
You have some best practices, the other guy has some best practices and a third guy comes along. He observes what you both are doing and maybe even trains with both of you for some time, then adapts the theory of combat each of you has developed, picks what he deems “the best of the best” and goes his own way.
A martial arts style is at the bottom line a training method for putting a theory of combat into practice.