|
Martial Arts Traditions and Customs By Dan Jones
As a martial artist we are different from other people. I know in a world of political correctness it is more in style to say we are all the same, but we’re not. As a Karateka, (one who studies karate), we are bound by honor, rules of conduct, an oath and traditions. This is what sets us apart from others in our society, it is our own culture. But how does a new member entering this world know what these customs are? Many traditions and customs that are followed today in most traditional schools are not even written down. Some of these traditions have been passed down from instructor to student for centuries. Other traditions come from customs originating from the temples in China where many of the arts were born and therefore have a religious background. Some may be simply to show respect or to humble ourselves and to help direct us down the path to enlightenment. Sometimes it’s hard for a new martial art’s student because they are not familiar with these customs and therefore they feel awkward or appear to be disrespectful because of their lack of knowledge. Others don’t understand the reason for the custom and so they don’t see the rational for following the practice. Generally, the norm has been to learn these “rules” by watching intently and mimicking the instructor or other higher-ranking students. This, however, does not address the concerns of the critic, cynic or curious of why we do some of those “weird” things we do. Some the customs listed here have no documented history. Others were passed to me by my instructor as they had been given to him. Yet others may seem like common sense. You may have even heard of additional origins or reasons for the customs stated in this article. My intent was not to provide undisputable documented history. Rather it was to simply provide my understanding of some of the traditions and customs for those who may not have been exposed to the reasoning’s or culture of martial art traditions. For instance the custom of bowing:. Bowing is a cultural tradition from the Asian history of the Arts. It is used in the martial arts as a greeting, to show respect and as an expression of humbleness. Generally, in styles that have their origins in the Okinawan Arts this is done from a standing position with the legs together and heals touching. (In some schools if the heals are not touching it is considered an insult along the same lines of displaying the middle finger.) This display of respect is even extended to the dojo workout area itself. This is why you will see karateka bowing as they enter or leave the school, or even the gymnasium where a tournament is being held. The deeper the bow the more respect that is being displayed, so on very formal occasions, such as a last bow to a master who has passed away, you will see a kneeling bow. The kneeling bow displays the highest possible level of respect because you are bowing as deep as possible. Bowing to fellow martial artist in public is still practiced. However, many have adopted a handshake in conjunction to a slight bow as not to draw unnecessary and unwanted attention. Turning away while you adjust your gi or belt: This situation happens most frequently after a good sparring match or other physical activity, your belt, or obi, may come untied or your karate uniform, gi, becomes disheveled. This is similar to keeping your shirt tucked in and comes from the pride of presenting ourselves in a respectful and professional manner. Turning away from others while making the adjustment (s) is good manners. Turning away and kneeling after injuring an opponent: Only done in tournaments, not during a street altercation! If you injure someone during a tournament it is customary for you to go to the opposite side of the ring, turn away from your opponent and kneel. One explanation I heard on this custom was this was a display of your shame for hurting someone and provided you the opportunity to reflect on your inability to control your attack. Obviously, it also permits the official’s time to attend to the opponent. Senior student: Generally the highest ranking student in the dojo and usually the student who has been studying under the school’s head instructor or master the longest is known as the “Senior Student”. The “Senior Student” is second in command and, much like the word of the head instructor, his or her direction is never questioned. The Senior student has authority to speak for the Master, and therefore this title holds a tremendous amount of respect. Hierarchy: In a karate school what the sensei says is the law. It is not a democracy. This history comes some from the martial or military background of karate but also from the ancient times that if you questioned the master and insulted him it was legal for him to literally remove your head from your shoulders. This also has more current applications. Although, you should never do anything that you deem morally wrong, this custom of following unquestioned direction from your instructor is a form of discipline. Many consider the discipline that emits from the practice and study of the martial arts is the reason for its survival and the survival of its practioners against insurmountable odds. You must also display trust in what you are being taught. If you continually question everything your instructor tells you, you may be sending the signal that you don’t trust your instructor’s abilities. A sensei should never be addressed by their first name. A sensei should be addressed only by their appropriate title, i.e. Sensei, Master, Mr. Miss, Mrs., etc. unless told otherwise. In addition, in some systems only the head instructor of a school is addressed as sensei, (“Master” if the sensei is ranked 6th degree black belt or higher), but traditionally, all black belts are addressed as sir or ma’ma by kyu ranked karateka. Removing shoes before entering the dojo: This is an Asian cultural tradition with practical application of keeping the floor, lined with tatami mats, clean and pure. It is also a display of respect but also permits the karateka to see and demonstrate correct foot positions for kicking. Some schools even provide buckets of water outside the dojo’s entrance for the student to wash their feet before entering. Since most of us now wear shoes while in public the “rule of thumb” I tell my students is if the shoe permits you to bend your toes then bend your toes. If the sole is thick enough that your toes can not bend then more than likely the sole is strong enough to protect your toes when you kick. Requesting acceptance into the school: By all rights, customs and traditions a student should not be choosing the school they want to study in and then simply plop down the money. Instead the potential student should request the master accept them as a student. The master should then decide if he wishes to recognize the student. If accepted the student should pledge an oath to follow the teachings of the master. This can be done verbally or in a written request. Challenge matches: You don’t hear about this happening very often anymore, however, in the late 1960s and in the 1970s it was not uncommon for the sensei of one karate school to go to another karate school and publicly challenge the instructor to a no-holds-barred fight. This was simply done by the sensei walking into the school, usually not bowing to demonstrate his disrespect for the school and instructor, and announcing to the head instructor, “I challenge you!” This was done in hopes of taking the instructor’s students away by showing them he was the superior instructor and practiced the superior style. This is actually the reason for many schools closing during that time. Once a challenge was made it was standard protocol for the challenger to fight the senior student of the school first. This was to see if the challenger was worthy to fight the sensei. Only if the challenger could beat the senior student would the challenger be permitted to fight the sensei. These competitions were held without hand, foot or head protection and were full contact. To turn down a challenge was a disgrace and dishonored you, your students and your style. There was a positive aspect of the challenge match. The threat of the challenge match also kept some of the fraudulent instructors from opening schools because they were afraid they might be challenged and beaten up. These are only a few of the martial art’s customs. Other traditions and characteristics or codes which set a true karateka apart include; not lying, cheating or steeling; displaying respect to everyone; doing what is right even if it’s not popular; being honorable and in control at all times; being trust worthy, disciplined, willing to help others who can not help themselves; defending others who can not defend themselves and living the life our creator would want us to live. Most of these “rules” to live by can be found in the Bible, The Code of the Samurai, and Grand Master Shimabuku’s “Code of Conduct in addition to other references. This is not to say we all display these qualities all the time. But as karateka we strive for perfection in every move we make while at the same time admitting we have not attained that perfection. Karate is more than learning how to fight, it is a way of life. CODE OF CONDUCT By Grand Master Shimabuku We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm, unshaking spirit. We will pursue the true meaning of the martial way so that in time, our senses may be alert. With true vigor, we will seek to cultivate a spirit of self-denial. We will observe the rules of courtesy, respect our superiors, and refrain from violence. We will pay homage to our creator and never forget the true virtue of humility. We will look upwards to wisdom and strength, not to seek other desires. All our lives through the disciplines of karate, we will seek to fulfill the true meaning of..." the way. "
|