Karate, as it is practiced in modern times, is absolutely nothing like the Karate invented centuries ago. There are many reasons for this phenomena, cultural, historical, vested interest, and on and on. This article will pin point the exact reasons the art of Karate has changed, and why it is considered a failure in the eyes of many people.
Karate was developed to defend the king of Okinawa. The techniques gathered together were specific in their intent, and that intent was shaped by having to deal with a variety of soldiers and weaponry. Interestingly, Karate had very little to do with blocking and striking, though that can be considered as valid, and more to do with disarming and maiming.
The Japanese eventually forced the King of Okinawa to reside in Japan, where he was treated like a guest, but was still nothing but a prisoner. With the king gone, what reason did the bodyguards have to teach and pursue their art? Thus, lessons were taught to children to give strength and good health, but the maiming and butchery of the pure art was left out.
Eventually, Karate migrated to Japan, where it proved not only adequate, but more than comparable to the arts of the Japanese. One must take into account, however, that the Japanese had stolen the king of the Okinawans. Thus, if the teachers of Karate even knew the true art, would they teach the people who had stolen their king?
The next step in the evolution of Karate came when the Americans conquered Japan. They did this by dropping an atomic bomb, and now we have the same scene as described in the last paragraph. One has to ask whether the Japanese, if they even knew the true art, would teach the people who had dropped an atomic bomb on them.
Now the art reaches America. It is commercialized, dumbed down for children, and geared around tournaments. People are more concerned about belts and the latest fight night than they are about the knowledge potential of the art.
Finally, the art starts to fail. People refer to MacDojo’s in disgust, and the brutality of MMA, at least workable, is held up to the light. Yet, I ask the question…what was the original art?
What is that art that was invented to all manner of warriors and weaponry in defense of king and country? What is that art that explores the human soul and reveals the depths of the true artist? I say it is still present…the true student just has to be willing to look for it and work for it.
Al Case has researched martial arts for over 4O years, and has been a writer for the magazines since 1982. If you want to explore his theories concerning what has been to Karate, and what to do about it, visit him at MonsterMartialArts.com. A free ebook is offered on the homepage of the site.
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