Testimonies of Expertise

I just finished listening to a perceived expert on kobudo manufacturer where several statements brought about questioning that type of testimony of expertise. This source went so far as to state he or she was the only one qualified and allowed to manufacture authentic Okinawan weaponry both in the States and on Okinawa. The words that come to mind are boasting and ego. 

First, this person can say this and it cannot be verified. It seems questionable that anyone can be the only one capable to make them according to some unknown Okinawan ancient specifications and configurations. This becomes even more questionable when it is an American who makes such a statement.

One of the explanations of the handling of a sai also came across as mystical and without bearing as to actual physics that falls into one of those categories where one is asked to back it up and they say, can't do that as it is secret and although I am allowed to pass it along I won't and when I die the secret dies with me. Sound suspicious to me. 

This just makes me question and resent that martial arts in the West is driven by such dribble and what makes it even worse is this type of diatribe is sold, bought and believed by unsuspecting individual who have no knowledge or experience to even question such things. 

Now, in defense of my position vs. this person position as a kobudo manufacturer I will say that many of the owners of his/her work will state emphatically that the devices they purchased are quality and durable kobudo weapons. Where I draw the line is when the statement is made that on one else anywhere including Okinawa can make them equal or better because I have heard testimony and have personal experience with my own weaponry that they are also of high quality and durability as well. 

Then we see people speaking toward the credentials as to teaching, i.e. I am the only one allowed to teach the system to students because my sensei is the master of the system living on Okinawa, etc. Just like touting that one is a first generation student of the master so that means they are of some special quality and knowledge yadda yadda yadda.

I try to remember that if one says they are of such and such expertise and then state they hold some special status, level or grade because of some unique unverifiable heritage, expertise, education and experience then I tend to think, "bullshit." 

As you can see, when I encounter this type of thing I tend to get a bit on the soapbox. If I have inadvertently caused anyone to feel a personal attack then I regret that wholeheartedly BUT if the shoe fits .....

In closing, if that particular person had foregone the self-promotional speakese and simply stated that sense with over thirty years of experience with his/her product will testify to the quality, durability and economic pricing would have been believable and acceptable to skeptics such as myself.

My testimony of expertise: I have none that matter to anyone else but me. I have practiced some form of combative system since I was a teenager and first encountered martial arts through the early Bruce Lee movies, i.e. Fist of Fury was the first along with the Green Hornet on television. I have practiced diligently and continuously starting in 1976 then achieved yudansha status under then First Sergeant Warner D. Henry at Camp Hansen Isshinryu on Okinawan in 1979. I have taught, trained and practiced both in a dojo of my own and on my own since that time, continuously and diligently. I have no special heritages and I don't proclaim any special connections to Tatsuo-san of Isshinryu fame nor any other person of the martial arts. I am what I am because of who I am - nothing more and nothing less. I am a martial philosopher for mediocre knowledge, experience and proficiency. That is all folks!