Observation then Action/Doing

The Japanese have a built in dislike of detailed instructions about how to do things; they regard such instructions as patronizing if not insulting. It is up to the individual Japanese to discover what is going on and how things are done, first by observing and then by doing. This follows the stories I have personally read, heard and experienced where the sensei often sat on the side lines and observed.

Tatsuo-san, and those who trained under his tutelage, often spoke of his sitting, smoking and drinking tea on the porch while watching students practice. He would sometimes get up, go to a student and demonstrate what he wanted. I heard he would do this "three" times max and then if you didn't get it tap you on the head and make some statement as to your intelligence and walk away leaving the student to figure it out on their own.

I have read instances similar to the last paragraph in publications on the more traditional or classical fighting arts where sensei, Japanese and Okinawan, would use the observation and doing model to teach-instruct-mentor-tutor martial systems.