| "You get out what you put in." We have all heard | | | | everyday occurrence. |
| this truism before. But we sense that one puts | | | | In judo, proper falling was taught with a hard slap |
| effort into one's martial art and gets out | | | | to the mat which stung at first, but which acted |
| something completely different. In a traditional | | | | as a shock-absorber to prevent a more |
| martial art, especially, the benefits may not be so | | | | dangerous sensation. Gradually, the sting became |
| obvious as a plaque, a trophy, a black and blue | | | | inconsequential. The judo custom of accepting |
| badge of courage or the praises of the pugilistic | | | | other students' invitations to randori (freestyle |
| press. What do we get out for what we put in? | | | | spar) placed me into numerous situations of |
| Author's Note: | | | | struggle and falling so that soon no new sparing or |
| In a previous article I have redefined the term | | | | falling experience was too out of the ordinary. |
| classical and traditional to mean different things. | | | | In aiki-ju-jutsu, there was little discomfort in falling |
| When referring to classical arts, I usually mean | | | | initially since rolls rather than breakfalls were |
| arts rigidly taught to preserve the movements | | | | taught first (these had come in reverse order in |
| and methods of old. When referring to traditional | | | | judo). Wrist-releases were taught before basic |
| arts I usually means those arts drawn from the | | | | locks, locks before takedowns, takedowns before |
| classical and adhering to certain virtues of those | | | | throws which require a breakfall. It was while |
| older arts but arts which nonetheless can be | | | | learning locks that I first experienced aiki's variety |
| adjusted to contemporary times. For example | | | | of pain. The locks were, after all, intended to hurt |
| Katori Shinto Ryu is a classical bujutsu while | | | | an antagonist. But in practice, they were put on |
| Shotokan is a traditional budo. However, for this | | | | gradually and I was taught to slap out in |
| article, I have used the terms interchangeably in | | | | submission when it began to hurt. Many students |
| order to avoid repetitiousness. Here I use classical | | | | slapped before they felt any shock at all because |
| and traditional as a unity to distinguish them from | | | | they were afraid. Others tested the technique by |
| non-traditional or sportive forms. | | | | resisting. Neither action was encouraged. Giving up |
| Introduction: | | | | too soon prevented tori (performer of the |
| One man works up a sweat sparring other black | | | | technique) from knowing the amount of pressure |
| belts in preparation for the monthly area tourney. | | | | necessary to put on the lock, and prevented uke |
| he works hard, his skills improve, his lungs | | | | (receiver of the technique) from building a |
| become more efficient, his reactions are honed | | | | tolerance to the pain and simultaneously limbering |
| and his feelings of self-value increase. Another | | | | her/his joints. Resisting with strength similarly |
| student repeats a kata dozens of times adding | | | | prevents loosening of uke's joints and requires tori |
| flourishes and expressions which will catch the | | | | to snap on the move thus taking the chance of |
| judges' eyes. His muscles are worked, his balance | | | | injuring uke. Proper flowing with the movements |
| is bettered and, as the feeling for his form is | | | | was urged, instead. Gradually, I became more |
| firmed, his self-esteem increases. A third | | | | flexible and suffered less, thus, ironically, I could |
| practitioner adds another board to the already | | | | "resist" the locks longer, not with strength but |
| awesome stack in front of him. he gears himself | | | | with superior flexibility. This sort of relaxed |
| up for the break which will certainly astound both | | | | resistance compelled tori to put the technique on |
| the judges and the crowd. He has added power | | | | more precisely therefor improving tori's skills and |
| to his knife-hand strike, taught himself to go | | | | making the lock unexpectedly effective when |
| beyond pain, and thus has increased his sense of | | | | applied on an untrained assailant. |
| self-worth. | | | | Fear and pain, because they are basic to fighting |
| And when each comes home with tangible | | | | situations, are dealt with physically (and thus |
| evidence of how he has bettered himself, he will | | | | mentally) in all martial arts. having gone through |
| be sure that it was all worthwhile. The judges and | | | | this type of training, something happened to me. |
| the crowd have conferred visibility on his | | | | There was an overflow into daily life. Things still |
| accomplishments. As for the losers, they have | | | | hurt, to be sure, but now I knew that they could |
| not done all that work in vain. But they must join | | | | be dealt with, first by accepting pain, then by |
| their cousins, the traditional (i.e. non-tournament) | | | | gradually getting used to it in order to ignore it. |
| martial artists who train like they do, but seek | | | | After doing this successfully a few times, I could |
| only personal verification for the values. The | | | | treat fear as I had pain, "Forgetting fear but |
| sports-oriented practitioner may profit as much | | | | never disregarding her." This attitude, in turn |
| from his practice as the quiet traditionalist, but the | | | | reinforced my confidence and self-respect. |
| traditionalist (whether karate-ka, aiki-student, or | | | | ADVANCED ATTAINMENTS |
| judo-player) aims at different goals. The sportster | | | | Holistic Emphasis For the experienced, more |
| often asks the judges for confirmation. The | | | | benefits await but, due to the lack of an holistic |
| classicist somehow seems satisfied without asking | | | | emphasis, many lifetime practitioners become |
| a soul. | | | | disenchanted with what they thought were |
| For the sincere martial artist who seeks personal | | | | advanced attainments in the martial arts: strong |
| benefits from training, both accustomed | | | | determination and the martial spirit (dealing with |
| accomplishments and, at a later stage, some | | | | the fact of one's own death.) Feudal samurai (the |
| advanced attainments are possible...and without | | | | misunderstood ideal of many martial artists) were |
| satisfying a board of seniors who are less attuned | | | | expected to blindly obey and to die even kill |
| to his personal values than is he himself. The | | | | themselves, when ordered to do so. (Although |
| consequences of classical training are there with | | | | the self-sacrifice of the samurai is the extreme |
| or without trophies. All one has to do is recognize | | | | example of this, similar but less radical obedience |
| them. | | | | was expected of the Korean Hwarang and the |
| Exercise, especially exercise which uses all the | | | | Chinese monks.) For years, the long-time student |
| muscles of the body, which builds strength, | | | | will look upon these qualities as courage, manliness, |
| flexibility, and aerobic efficiency is healthful and the | | | | or moral rectitude, then, seasoned in the arts but |
| proper use of the muscles develops coordination, | | | | unconditioned by an oriental upbringing, they will |
| good posture and thus physical grace. The | | | | doubt their own judgment and/or that of their |
| exercises used in the martial arts are movements | | | | stylistic ancestors. Blind obedience and |
| which can also be used to defend oneself. In the | | | | self-sacrifice seem distasteful and totally out of |
| fertile soil of self-defense, martial artists toil with | | | | place in a peaceful, modern society. |
| the tools of exercise. What grows is the flower | | | | I came to these conclusions rather early in my |
| of coordination and health. Within this flower are | | | | martial arts career, after about ten years, but did |
| the seeds of a new garden, the non-physical | | | | not want to lose respect for the ideals which had |
| values: pride, confidence, and self-actualization. | | | | profited me in so many ways. Hence, I set the |
| ACCUSTOMED ACCOMPLISHMENTS | | | | following precept for myself: |
| Confidence: Pride in Practice It is taken for | | | | Understand the history and traditions of a style |
| granted even by non-martial artists that | | | | but do not be a slave to them, and The final |
| self-defense ability can work toward producing a | | | | purpose of all the arts is self-development. |
| healthier self-image. Self-image is a combination of | | | | I began to break down the "courageous" qualities |
| one's ability and one's self-value. Bullies often are | | | | of the samurai in order to see how one could |
| persons who know their physical abilities but doubt | | | | replicate them without being totally self-sacrificial |
| their value. Their marks are persons who may | | | | or unthinking. |
| know their value but doubt their physical abilities. | | | | Determination To the soldier about to face |
| For them, self-defense balances the scales. It | | | | possible death on the battlefield with a clear |
| gives the former scapegoat confidence in his | | | | mission in his mind, determination is imperative. He |
| ability to protect his values. | | | | must tell himself that his loved ones, his way of |
| The martial arts allow a person to feel good | | | | life, indeed his very moral essence depends on his |
| about himself by earning his way. His | | | | mission. he must not value himself too highly lest |
| achievements produce pride since they are a | | | | he endanger the mission in order to save himself |
| direct display of his abilities. it used to be this way | | | | and thus jeopardize those things for which he |
| outside the dojo, but no longer. A job promotion | | | | wants to stay alive. He grits his teeth and, trying |
| often means as little as a grade promotion in | | | | to put thoughts of death aside, he gets on with |
| school. Sometimes it is earned but as often it is | | | | the job. |
| attained through subtle manipulation, less than | | | | The solder's actions are necessary but not |
| subtle dishonesty, or just sitting there long | | | | desirable; few would choose to be in his situation. |
| enough. Aggressiveness, which used to be | | | | But his ability to get the job done improved by his |
| thought of as a virtuous trait, has turned into | | | | determination is what is laudable. |
| rapaciousness. Self-interest has become egotism. | | | | In times of peace, it is difficult to simulate a real |
| Earning one's way has been converted to getting | | | | life-or-death situation, but this is what many |
| one's way. The oriental martial arts try to avoid | | | | martial arts schools try to do. Traditional karate |
| this. Confidence produces a personal pride and ca | | | | schools, especially, may emphasize hard |
| itself work toward self-protection. Muggers (and | | | | (supposedly non-contact) sparring in order to place |
| bullies) do not want to test that person who | | | | the student into a threatening situation and thus |
| seems alert and confident, purposeful and relaxed. | | | | test courage and determination. The fighter is |
| Picture a child cowering in the corner of the | | | | supposed to think, "Nothing can defeat me. I'll die |
| schoolyard or an adult nervously circling around | | | | first." This "hard" determination is an expression of |
| street toughs who are gathered near her auto. If | | | | extreme self-confidence and pride and as such is |
| the bully or the tough wants to take action, these | | | | valuable as a motivating tool, but it is also |
| will be their most likely targets. There is no | | | | unrealistic. One is defeatable and one will accept |
| guarantee against being mugged. it can happen to | | | | submission rather than death, at least in most |
| large, tough, confident policeman as well as small, | | | | cases even if only to re-engage the fight at a |
| frail, insecure grandmothers, but personal attitude | | | | later time. "hard" determination should be used as |
| can have a strong bearing on whether or not a | | | | are all ideals. We do not expect to achieve them |
| persona is considered a likely candidate for an | | | | in full, but how great are our accomplishments |
| easy fall. | | | | when we try! |
| Yoshimitsu Yamada, Aikido Shihan, student of the | | | | After Lulu Ko assumed the chairmanship of his |
| founder Morihei Ueshiba and head of the New | | | | school..., there was held a big festival which |
| York Aiki-kai takes a morning jog in Central Park. | | | | everyone...wanted to see. He found so many |
| A short, stout oriental in a warm-up suit with a | | | | people in attendance that he could not see the |
| bulge in the back pocket looks like easy prey to a | | | | stage.... |
| Big Apple picker. When assaulted one morning | | | | So Lulu Ko looked back and saw a big pine tree. |
| Yamada Sensei does not react with violence or | | | | he walked to the tree and placed his back against |
| panic. he simply looks his assailant in the eye and, | | | | it. Whereupon, with his back muscles which had |
| insulted, says, "Do you know who I am?" The | | | | been well developed from years of practicing the |
| easy pickings suddenly do not seem so easy to | | | | Sanchin exercise* , he climbed up the tree.... |
| the mugger and he flees. | | | | Master Uechi said, "Can you believe this story?" |
| It is hard to fake that kind of confidence. Oh, one | | | | The students replied that they could not believe it. |
| can walk though The Commons with one's back | | | | With that the Master conceded...that the legend |
| straight at a leisurely but not-to-leisurely pace, | | | | could have not possible basis in fact. "However," |
| never twitching to look at the invisible assassins | | | | he said, "just think if someone believed this.... What |
| which are sure to be around each tree, but will | | | | goal might he reach by simply training for it, |
| this pseudo-confidence come through to the | | | | compared to other people who just laughed about |
| attacker as the real thing? In other words, does | | | | it and did not train."4 |
| one look like one could handle the situation if need | | | | "Hard" determination can be dangerous if taken |
| be? Confidence is a personal refusal to panic. The | | | | too literally but can serve as strong motivation |
| martial arts build that confidence. | | | | when tempered with "soft" determination. Some |
| Self-Actualization: Mind-Body Harmony In the Asian | | | | judo and many karate specialists have |
| martial arts, as in many other physical activities, | | | | experienced only that training which relates to |
| conscious deliberation is too slow to be effective. | | | | "hard" determination. Other judo-ka and most |
| Therefore, in order to develop instantaneous | | | | aikido-ka, on the other hand, know only "soft" |
| reactions, one must train, usually by constantly | | | | determination: "Since the mountain is bigger than I, |
| repeating techniques. The result is reaction without | | | | I will go around it rather than through it." Much |
| interfering rationality. I welcomes this plunge into | | | | more realistic a viewpoint, this type of |
| a-rationality in my initial martial arts training. I | | | | determination is akin to not making waves and |
| already possessed a reasonable ability to | | | | that is precisely its weakness. It is one thing to |
| intellectualize, so this discipline was valuable to | | | | avoid conflict wherever possible but it is another |
| balance my deliberate side, but not to | | | | to avoid possibilities wherever there is conflict. It |
| overshadow it. | | | | is wise to circumvent the mount, but not to take |
| My early experiences with judo, ju-jutsu and | | | | too many detours. Detours often lead to mazes |
| karate typified the a-rational approach. The | | | | more difficult to negotiate than an entire mountain |
| repetition melted me into a state of mu-shin | | | | range. Too much avoidance of the difficult results |
| (no-mind) and allowed my body to "absorb" the | | | | in an attitude of insecurity. |
| techniques. This was not really mind-body | | | | Even Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido and a |
| harmony, but the intentional numbing of the mind | | | | very religious man who taught a relatively |
| to teach the body. It was like learning to swim by | | | | defensive martial art, was not above mixing the |
| being thrown into the lake, or learning to ride a | | | | hard and the soft. One of his students was having |
| bicycle by trail and error. | | | | a very difficult time off-balancing a bigger student |
| Intelligent people, whether or not they give their | | | | in the kokyu-ho (breath-exercise) kneeling drill. The |
| mind over to mu-shin during practice, often reflect | | | | idea is to tip the partner up and tilt him over. |
| rationally on this a-rational exercise after a | | | | "Sensei," the student complained, "he is too |
| work-out. Zen-Buddhists may not advocate this, | | | | strong. I can not budge him." Indeed the man was |
| but I think it is essential to the development of a | | | | enormous. Ueshiba calmly took the student's place |
| well-balanced martial artist. I have known far too | | | | and allowed the giant to grasp his wrists. Suddenly |
| many practitioners, who after years of a | | | | Ueshiba's knee smashed into the man's chest at |
| a-rational training, can perform techniques | | | | which time he was easily tipped up and tilted onto |
| excellently but cannot analyze or adjust their | | | | his back. "I'm not having any trouble," the master |
| movements to new circumstances or strategies. | | | | said. Regardless of one's art, it is important that |
| Rationality has its place as well as a-rationality. A | | | | the quality of determination be looked upon as a |
| punch may be a purely a-rational reaction, but the | | | | mix of hard and soft. Idealism, whether of |
| strategy which sets up the opening for the punch, | | | | courage or passivity, must be balanced by reality. |
| the choice of training used to perfect the punch, | | | | The Martial Spirit That soldier on the battlefield |
| and the decision of when, where, and how much | | | | about to face possible death holds everything as |
| to train the punch are all rationally derived. | | | | important. When death is close, even poverty is |
| A rigidly a-rational approach to martial arts training | | | | wealth. Everything is important, but in order for |
| would be akin to making football players excellent | | | | this soldier to live, nothing can matter but his |
| tacklers runners, blockers, passers and receivers, | | | | fighting. yet if his fighting is everything, depth of |
| but never giving them signals in the huddle nor | | | | concentration can produce a sort of paralysis. he |
| playbooks to study. Cranial calisthenics and | | | | must concentrate on fighting (not on flowers or |
| corporeal contemplation should occur in equal | | | | birds) but must not focus on any part of fighting, |
| proportions. The practitioner can then begin to | | | | nor indeed on the absolute necessity of winning. |
| draw mental lessons from physical action as well | | | | He must remain alert but not tight, relaxed but |
| as physical lessons through intellectual exertion. It | | | | not lazy. he must have hard determination but |
| is this mutual interchange that produces the | | | | know when to soften it. Things matter, but they |
| distinct satisfaction of applying, in balance, one's | | | | cannot matter too much. |
| entire being. | | | | For the time in which he is dealing with imminent |
| An Example of the Process: Dealing with Pain and | | | | death, and desiring a continuing life, his mind goes |
| Fear | | | | into mu-shin and he reacts with mizu-no-kokoro |
| Fear is heightened by pain, pain is increased by | | | | (mind like water and tsuki-no-kokoro (mind like the |
| fear. Danny was a judo student of mine who was | | | | moon). Both suggest calmness and reflection, not |
| so afraid of falling as a beginner that he would | | | | intellectual reflection but reflection of action. Water |
| tighten up, grit his teeth and take a terrible fall. he | | | | is disturbed not willfully by its own action but only |
| was so intimidated by possible injury that he | | | | by the action of external stimuli, then returns to |
| actually contributed to it. To make things worse, | | | | placidity; meanwhile the moon shines above, |
| he had a legitimately low pain threshold, so that I | | | | seeing all, but remaining undisturbed: mid like |
| could not truthfully say to him that there was no | | | | water, mind like moon. |
| cause for alarm. The pain and fear may have | | | | The warrior cares about life by not caring about |
| been "all in his head" but it was nevertheless real | | | | death. He does not desire to die but he cannot |
| pain and fear. he had not invented it, but he had | | | | afford to be obsessed with living. He must simply |
| exaggerated it. It took Danny a long time to get | | | | be, determined, but nevertheless flowing with |
| over this because at that time, I had not | | | | fate. He may not believe that he is predestined, |
| developed a way to help him deal with an | | | | but he must assume for his own relaxation and |
| exaggerated but natural reaction. I did not realize | | | | efficiency, that he is. |
| that the way was implicit in the method of nearly | | | | And so, after the battle is over, he realizes that |
| every martial art. | | | | he has experienced a mind-body harmony which |
| We are all apprehensive of the unknown to some | | | | has balanced hard and soft determination, zeal for |
| extent. We reason that there is a 50/50 chance | | | | life and acceptance of death, as well as all the |
| that the unknown may bring something | | | | elements of his training. |
| unpleasant. What is worse is knowing only a little | | | | If a martial artist experienced the hard-to-describe |
| about what lies out there, but nothing at all about | | | | state of mind of the battlefield trooper, it is a |
| how to deal with it. More frightening that The | | | | desirable achievement, but it is useless unless |
| Unknown can be The-Known-but-Unexperienced, | | | | properly understood and properly put to work off |
| especially when we are certain that we cannot | | | | the battlefield and out of the dojo. Determination |
| deal with it, that the odds are more than 50/50 | | | | hard and soft, stoic acceptance of death in order |
| against us. Of course, our lack of experience is | | | | to live, and an appreciation of personal values can |
| what makes us so sure that we cannot cope, yet | | | | be the epitome of the martial spirit, reserved for |
| to get experience we must cope. So, we tip-toe | | | | those with sufficient experience, but it must be |
| into the darkness, hoping to find a light-switch | | | | framed by a well-balanced philosophy of the |
| before an edge of broken glass finds our bare | | | | martial arts which encompasses more than |
| feet, the better to now the room next time. | | | | fighting. The personal values of determination and |
| Few of us are experienced in pain. And those of | | | | the martial spirit are available to modern martial |
| us who are, are experienced in only specific kinds: | | | | artists, but only if they use a little mu-shin, a little |
| banging a thumb, bumping a knee, breaking a | | | | rationality, and do not see the goal too narrowly |
| bone, or receiving a concussion. All of these are | | | | nor hold it too tightly. |
| transient. The pangs are felt, endured, and pushed | | | | Self-defense ability, coordination and health come |
| aside, but often with the wrong attitude. We do | | | | from many types of martial arts training. Sincere |
| not forget them, but we try to. Few of us use | | | | personal effort regardless of immediate reward |
| suffering as a tool unless we are athletes. We do | | | | also produces confidence, pride and |
| not test ourselves with discomfort or even say | | | | self-actualization - the less tangible trophies of |
| to ourselves, "Well, if I can endure that, my next | | | | classical training. After years of sparring other |
| painful experience will be nothing!" Instead, we try | | | | black belts, repeating kata, or breaking boards, |
| to forget and thus we are just as afraid of the | | | | the traditional trainee regardless of belt-level, |
| next ordeal (since we never can completely | | | | certificates, plaques or prizes, can attain a special |
| forget) and so it is just as painful. | | | | sort of determination and the calm intensity |
| Not so in the martial arts. First there was | | | | known as "the martial spirit." Training is the |
| beginner's distress: fear of embarrassment (which | | | | blueprint by which one builds oneself. If the martial |
| is actually fear of failure.) It was an insignificant | | | | artist is to create himself as his own work of art, |
| discomfort which went away rather quickly for | | | | he will certainly set short-term, tangible goals for |
| me since I soon realized that the other students | | | | himself, but will not lose sight of those goals which |
| were concerned with their own techniques, not | | | | he may never completely attain, the |
| mine. The physical workout was tough for a while | | | | consequences of his own method of training. |
| on muscles which were not used to this sort of | | | | Footnotes |
| movement: a second, equally minor sort of pain | | | | |
| no more unique than that which would accompany | | | | 1. Mitchell, Joni, "I Think I Understand", Clouds |
| any new form of exercise. Then, Challenge Time! | | | | album, Warner REPRISE records. |
| In karate it came with basic ippon kumite (one | | | | 2. I do not imply here that there are no causes |
| step sparring) in which I had to test my blocks. I | | | | worth dying for but that they do not appear at |
| was to strike my opponent's attacking weapon (a | | | | regular intervals like auto-inspection, nor should |
| hand or a foot) in defense. Will I miss, will my | | | | they be determined, as were the samurai's, by |
| partner hit me? If I panic I will get hit, so I'll block. | | | | Big Brother or other servants of mankind. |
| OW! Blocking can hurt! The affliction was mentally | | | | 3. I once knew an Israeli child who would, in fact, |
| exaggerated because it was sudden and had not | | | | rather die than submit. he was admired for his |
| been experienced before. But now I knew that I | | | | determination, but think how wasteful it would |
| could block a basic attack and that I could tolerate | | | | have been if school toughs took him at his word. |
| a modicum of pain to do it. I worked on the block | | | | Evidently, he had been conditioned with a |
| so that it would be performed with better timing, | | | | war-time mentality which was almost perverse in |
| better angle and thus minimize the pain. In doing | | | | peace-time America, not to mention dangerous. |
| so, I delivered hundreds and hundreds of blocks | | | | Sanchin (three conflicts) is the name of a basic |
| which made the throbs almost anachronistic and | | | | kata in both Uechi-ryu and Goju-ryu karate, as |
| therefor nothing to get panicked about. Gradually | | | | well as other systems. (The LuLu Ko mentioned |
| new unknowns were put into the sparring drills so | | | | might well be Woo Loo Chin, the Chinese |
| that I had to face new fears and more risks. The | | | | instructor of Kanryo Higaonna who in turned |
| attack might be high, medium or low level, or | | | | taught the founder of Goju, Chojun Miyagi.) |
| come from an angle. Perhaps there would be an | | | | 4. NAUKA national News, Official Publication of the |
| attack and a follow-up, or a two person attack. | | | | North American Uechi Karate Association, Vol. 3, |
| Occasionally I would get hit, but I could slough it | | | | No.1, March 1, 1979, from an address by Master |
| off. I was used to a little pain, after all, and seeing | | | | Ryuko Tomoyose. |
| a threatening fist coming at me had become an | | | | |