Thursday, October 3, 2013 by C. Michial Jones
A long time ago, “knowing martial arts” meant one thing: knowing how to survive a battlefield or a street encounter. It was a life-and-death education. Today, that reality has been largely obscured.
Methods originally developed to stop an enemy before they could kill you have been watered down. Some have become glorified daycare centers; others have been refined into “sports” that are fun to play but strategically hollow. Modern Karate has become a game of tag, utilizing techniques designed to win championships under strict rules and regulations. These very rules prohibit the use of the most effective techniques—the ones that actually matter when your life is on the line.
Training vs. Reality
Don’t get me wrong. I love the martial arts. I continue to train in multiple systems, and I value the discipline they provide. But we must be honest with ourselves: Most modern training does not address the key elements of proper self-defense. Traditional dojo training is often just a conditioning method. In real life, there are no rules. There are no regulations. There are no referees. When you are being attacked in a dark alley or surprised in your own home, no one is going to shout “STOP” to reset the match. The “fair play” of the tournament ring is a dangerous illusion when faced with a predator who intends to kill you.
The “Kool-Aid” of Modernity
I truly hope that no student of mine, or any reader of this book, ever finds themselves in a situation where they must use their training to defend their life—only to discover in that split second that it doesn’t work.
We have to stop “drinking the Kool-Aid” of the commercialized industry. We must take individual responsibility for our training. This means:
- Acknowledging the Gap: Recognizing that “winning a trophy” and “surviving a mugging” are two entirely different skill sets.
- Re-evaluating the Techniques: Looking at our kata and drills not as dance or sport, but as a library of combat solutions.
- Embracing the Unpleasant: Training the forgotten and neglected aspects of the art—the eye gouges, the throat strikes, the groin kicks, and the psychological awareness required for high-stress environments.
The Responsibility of the Practitioner
Karate was once intended to be a weapon of self-preservation. If we lose that intent, we are just playing a game.
It is the responsibility of the Sensei to keep the “Budo” in the training, but it is the responsibility of the student to stay grounded in reality. Take your training seriously, but never mistake the dojo for the street. One is a place of learning; the other is a place of survival. Make sure your “Karate” works in both.
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