Tradition: a dictionary definition.
1. of or pertaining to tradition.
2. handed down by tradition.
3. in accordance to tradition.
4. communicated from ancestors to descendants by word only.
5. attached to old customs.
Modern: a dictionary definition.
1. of or pertaining to present times.
2. not ancient or remote.
3. modern taste, fashion, or practice.
Bloodletting is the withdrawal of a considerable amount of blood from a medical patient, in the belief that it would cure or prevent disease. The two thousand year practice of bloodletting would certainly seem archaic to a modern medical doctor. Although the practice of medicine has evolved from using leeches to aid in bloodletting, the “traditional values” of helping people is still maintained. The evolution of Traditional Karate is similar to this.
On the surface, the Karate that is practiced today has little resemblance to the Karate that was practiced in Okinawa during the 19th century. Listed below are merely only a few of the common differences:
1. The Dogi (Karate uniform), was not worn by the Okinawans. They preferred to practice with no shirt so the observation of muscular contractions, and breathing were visible.
2. The training of Okinawan Karate consisted primarily of the repetition of Kata.
3. Training was not conducted in a group setting.
4. Kata practice was personalized to the practitioners own body structure. Rather than a global standardization.
5. Instructors provided little direction to their students. The expectations were that students would learn through repetition.
6. The Okinawans had no belt ranking system.
7. Okinawan Karate was mainly practiced outdoors, while today we primarily practice on a smooth hardwood floor.
The methods we use to practice Karate today has clearly evolved from Okinawan Karate. This progression is natural and seen time and time again. Today instructors and practitioners of Traditional Karate must understand that although the methods may be different, we maintain the same “traditional values“, as our Okinawan counterparts. This is what separates “Traditional Karate” that is performed in modern times, from the punch and kick sport of “Modern Karate“.
In the next four postings to my blog I will discuss, some aspects of Traditional Karate that are in danger of becoming extinct.
Doryoku,
Scott
