Karate, the Bad Word

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Karate seemingly does not hold any real value in today's world. Karate, at one time, was the catch all term for anything martial coming from Asian martial arts. They even used the title "Karate Kid" for the latest instance that is actually about Kung Fu. Ok, Kung Fu using the original Karate Kid's theme and scripts. 

Does anyone actually use the term karate anymore. I know in some circles it is used and yet the majority of martial terms used by the general public are now attached to MMA or BJJ, etc. 

I have heard, read and observed those who practice karate when asked what martial art they practice will often use some other term in lieu of karate to answer the question. I am a martial artist who practices Isshinryu or Goju or Shorin or Wado even when the other person knows that these systems/styles are karate. 

At one time, in the early seventies and maybe early eighties when someone said they practiced karate others would be curious and sometimes impressed since in those days, and earlier, a karate-ka held a mystique that said this person is a fighter, a karate fighter. In those days the tournament circuit was bigger and attracted a large crowd of viewers as well as competitors. I remember looking up tournaments for karate and their would be this long list in the Bay Area of California but today not so much - with the karate title in it anyway. 

I have read posts that really good karate sensei would actually suggest one not mention they do karate in any way because the term has turned into a bad word. People frown and grin and sometimes laugh when a person says, I practice karate. 

People don't look for karate classes anymore. They look for MMA or BJJ or what ever the current craze of so termed martial arts is being taught and practiced. It seems like we are into the flavor of the month martial arts craze. I doubt most even remember that MMA actually means Mixed Martial Arts. Even martial arts are getting a bad name even tho it is the basis for everything in the current craze. 

Even when you append the prefix of traditional or classical to either martial arts or karate the general consensus seems lacking. In the early days when you said martial arts or karate, etc. the eyes would open wide, there would be an Ohhh and an Ahhhh and the posture and demeanor of the person hearing you profess your karate expertise would show respect and admiration. Not today, not by a long shot. 

The only time I see karate attached to respect and admiration is when it is attached to an established and respected martial arts training hall. Even then, it is a small circle who hold that karate in high esteem. 

Karate, the bad word. Such a shame the systems have allowed such a great discipline and way of life become known as a big joke. When you pump out black belts faster than a rabbit has bunnies you tend to lower the standards. Even today in our eSocieties we still cannot come to a unified consensus on what it means and what it takes to achieve a black belt. Maybe that is the real problem, that black belt. Then the question arises, what do you use to determine when someone achieves a certain level of proficiency and expertise? 

It seems the reasons all fall back to the age old problems of power, politics and money. The moment any or all of these come into play the discipline that it breaches tends to start falling from grace. It becomes corrupted, corroded and ineffective except in the realm of pride, ego and a lack of esteem. 

I participated in the down fall of karate and other perceptions over the years. Even tho I have turned my perceptions and practices around back to that more traditional or classical model it does not mean even my contributions during those early years, 70's on, didn't contribute to the downfall of karate. That is too bad but ....

It is not too late. There are a lot of traditional/classical martial artists out there. There is a ton of periodicals, books and video's out there to inform and educate on the more traditional/classical way of karate or martial arts. When properly taught and trained and practiced it opens a huge path toward a far more enriching, exciting and life changing discipline. I look at it like the way some feel about the games of both football and golf. Both, in the best of them, tend to lead with a philosophy that is similar to classical/traditional martial arts. A good example is the old television show "Friday Night Lights." It has its philosophy as to how football teaches the players about the way to live life and so does the traditional/classical martial arts when seen in the same light. 

Give it a try and lets see if we can turn around the misconception and bad perceptions of karate. In my book it is worth the journey. After thirty-seven years of training and practice I still enjoy my daily training sessions. I still see things that I had not seen before and I constantly make adjustments as I learn new things every single day. Life is like that, karate-do is like that, martial arts are like that - a constant flow of information both new and old that provides impetus for change. Change is good, it keeps you frosty.

Try it, you will like it! - Says Mikey ;-)