Expert: Colin Wee - 2/23/2007

Question
ia a dan grade holder of jkai do u think that sports karate has decreased the traditonal karate spirit thatis we used to learn kata and some basic techniques only and not street fighting techniques

Answer
It's a little hard to understand with clarity what you are asking. But let me try.

In an interesting book I read several years ago 'Shotokan's Secret', author Dr Bruce Clayton talks about how Okinawan arts were developed as a bodyguarding system in order to protect Okinawan royalty from all manner of threats - armed and unarmed. Such a precursor of karate was a take no prisoners system. It generated linear power, fought in a team based environment, and helped capture or save people according to strategy.

The "some basic techniques" according to this research are powerful techniques that broke bones, tore through ligements and either used these destroyed bodies as shields or flung them into other opponents. This is much more involved than the usual "basic techniques" that karate studies hold onto - block, strike, maybe some tai sabaki.

So, in part answer to your question, the traditional aspect of karate practice does get you somewhat closer to the 'Okinawan way', though of course may be a more clarified system that can be enjoyed by a greater age range.

Now, getting to the part of your question where you use the keywords 'Sports Karate'. Many people are concerned about the degeneration of Shotokan karate into a sports based activity. However, this was the intention of the authors and developers of Shotokan karate. They wanted this new system to be used through the tertiary educational institution to help develop the nation's health and fitness. Heians for instance was revised so that children can practice them - without the special effects of bones breaking, joints tearing, etc.

Anyway, such a sportive element is a very positive development for a martial arts practice. A lot of research, development, and constant striving adds to the progress of a martial arts. There are of course detractors that say this dilutes the essence of the martial art.

However, if you are one to think that you need to reach out to embrace more of the traditional essence of your style, as I sometimes do to my own art ... then you need to firstly ask yourself the objectives of your own practice - what is it that you want from your style. No one school can possibly offer you everything ... with your 'action plan' you are now able to search for schools that may complete your training or development.

In terms of street fighting ... it's very difficult for an instructor to teach something that they do not know. Or if they do know, something they can't communicate because they're not skilled in using kata or drills or exercises to teach their personal experiences. Or to talk about their personal experiences.

To end off, you seem to hold the traditional karate spirit in high esteem. What is this spirit you are trying to crystallize? Is this something that you have felt? Is this something that you have come into contact with? If you feel that there is something lacking in your current organisation, then you should search for another instructors or another group of practitioners that more closely resemble your ideals?

The essence of Okinawan arts must have surely been about survival and conflict resolution. Threats change. Adversity is mercurial. You need to meet this changing landscape. That surely must be one of the greatest lessons that you can draw from karate? Theory and application, right? You've got the theory, but there is a multitude of possible bunkai. Why? Has someone told you there is 'legitimate' or 'traditional' bunkai? They're off their rocker I say. Application is about 'applying' ... not about crystallizing a method to react to the opponent. :-)

Keep up your efforts Rajat!

Regards,

Colin