|
I have tried to ignore for
years the most irritating elitism of a small group of people gathered on
certain Internet forums (which I deliberately will not specify at the
moment). I have even tried to join those forums and share some of my views,
soften them a bit, and try to explain to them about some positive evolution
of martial arts which they obviously don't see or understand. It was mostly
useless. I have recently been attacked by them (again) and described as a
complete budo fraud. Needles to say that in the same "package" they accused
and condemned everyone who does the same or similar things like me,
including organizations which I deeply respect and whose member I am - or I
was, directly or indirectly. I will not list these organizations, but they
can be checked on the links of my website.
According to these members of self-proclaimed "Budo Inquisition," all the
organizations where I belong (or have belonged) are doing baffling or bad
budo, are not serious enough, do not have proper understanding of what budo
is, or simply serve to "frauds" like me. According to them, there is no such
thing like gendai jujutsu (which disqualifies all the organizations like
SBC, JJFS, JJIF, USJJF, MAIF, USMAF, AJA, AJJF, IMAF, ESJA, EBC, etc... -
half of America and Europe - who are celebrating 100 years of such
practice), there is no gendai kenjutsu, sport in Japanese sword arts (JSA)
is the worst crime and has nothing to do with "real" (?) JSA, these things
must not be taught by white people and headed by western organizations
(eliminates any credibility to ISCA, ESCU, SBC, KIAI, BZIS, MAIF, etc...)
More - sport judo, karate and similar organizations - especially those in
"smaller" countries like in Serbia - do not do budo as it is supposed to be
done, have little or no knowledge at all, and are basically just playing
"silly games" with what is supposed to be a very serious activity (read:
folklore performance of archaic traditions by physically incapable
demonstrators in japanophile surroundings, with mandatory elements of
nationalism, elitism and religious practice). This eliminates even like JIF,
WKF, ITKF, etc...
Since I really got my cup overfilled with such statements and accusations I
will make a small counterattack and produce some characteristic profiles of
people who spread these nonsense:
1. Koryu God - usually a man (Caucasian) who is either living in Japan or
frequently goes there. Practices some minor style which has total of 10 or
20 practitioners in whole world. Speaks officially on behalf of his Soke and
style, although there are no ways of contacting his Soke (who does not speak
English) through email, airmail, or any other way, except by going directly
to Japan. Often mentions some serious Japanese names of "authentic and
legitimate" organizations where he belongs - or which he runs (blessed by
his Soke). At the same time, no one can really check if these organizations
really OFFICIALLY exist, where are they registered, who are other members,
what are statute and/or bylaws, etc. They always cover behind what is once
smartly described as "feudal democracy in budo organizations"! Even better,
no one can check where all the money they take is going!
Koryu God usually speaks highly of his style, uses all sorts of irrelevant
historical data to make it look more important and regularly neglects the
fact that similar gendai arts have existed for over a century. You can see
him in his pictures dressed in the most traditional outfit with museum
weapons, performing "authentic" kata in some Shinto shrine or on other
appropriate stages. There is no way to see proper translation of "secret
scrolls" or other things these individuals use as proof of their superior
heritage. If, by some chance someone dares to translate such documents
(books, scrolls, or mokuroku - catalogue of techniques), Koryu God will
persuade you it was done without proper knowledge of ancient Japanese
language. If you have 10th Dan in some similar gendai art, and you manage to
perform exactly the same kata which is performed on some rare video of this
Koryu God or his Soke - it will still be a "terrible performance" and you
will be exposed to all sorts of insults. There is absolutely NO WAY you can
escape being called "fraud" or "copycat" - even if you had never claimed to
do any koryu at all. You MUST be guilty: you may have learned some
techniques in local kendo, judo, aikido or chanbara club - never mind! -
since it all resembles the "heavenly-inspired style" of this Koryu God (and
his Soke), you are guilty for "ripping off" their art and you are, by that
logic - an imposter; an ignorant fool who thinks he is doing authentic arts
of feudal battlefield samurai - while in fact you do an ineffective
surrogate created by other equally ignorant people.
Finally, lets mention that this inheritor and guard of "authentic warrior
arts" has absolutely no physical abilities to last even a minute in any
decent kendo, judo or other sparring match, performs flowery kata which are,
in 9 out of 10 cases, created after all the wars in Japan were over, and in
general, has as much ability and chance for survival on some archaic
battlefield as does an average teenager who has never trained any budo at
all. (Since a teenager can at least run and not get a heart attack after a
few minutes of climbing up the hill to meet some fictional "enemy
troops"...).
2. Informed Layman - does not train in the same, or similar, arts or sports,
but "reads a lot." He spends hours, days, and months behind his monitor and
knows what is "truth" and what is not. Usually very young (no more than 20
or 25), but already "experienced" on these forums, with several hundreds or
even thousands of "smart posts". Mostly makes his posts right after the
Koryu God, with the following typical content: "I agree", "I was just about
to tell the same", "Yeah, you're right, this guy sucks!", etc. Informed
Layman is usually completely uninformed about most of the organizations that
gather gendai arts and sports, usually has never even seen any of the people
or organizations he is criticizing, and would not be able to differ lousy
from superior techniques in a million years, unless they are "explained" by
Koryu God - whose opinion he highly respects and trusts: it like an ultimate
dogma.
Informed Layman is also full of bitter jokes and "subtle" insults, and thus
he cures himself from all sorts of frustrations, which provoked him in the
first place to participate in discussions about the things which he
absolutely doesn't know and are not of his concern.
Informed Layman will often quote "classical" budo scholars, to tell you some
trivial definitions, which he understood most literally and holds on to them
despite the fact that most of such definitions have been outdated for
decades. He is easily recognized for he practically never comments on your
posts, he does not even read them, and he will never send you a personal
message or email since he cannot communicate without support from Koryu God.
When alone, he is absolutely helpless to defend any of "his" opinions and
superficial claims.
3. Gendai Expert - mostly comes from judo, kendo or aikido background.
Denies any legitimacy to gendai "jutsu" arts and sports. Loves to think that
his budo "art" is also a form of koryu - but carefully watches not to step
on any toes of Koryu God and his Soke. Frequently even knows Koryu God
personally - having trained with him in some kendo club or similar place.
These people are always connected, and they mostly come from same country.
You will hardly ever find a Frenchman on their forums, or anyone from
organizations like those mentioned in the beginning of this article. Such
people simply don't even care.
It is obvious after only a few posts that these Budo Inquisition members
make a very coherent group. They don't have anything smart to talk about -
since they all "share" same opinions. That is a result of their constant
hanging together on their beloved forum - where they spend more time than
with their families or in their clubs. So, while they don't have anything
new to say to each other (speaks enough of their "active" life in budo),
they can hardly wait for some "stray cat" to walk into their trap.
Gendai Expert believes strongly there are only two organizations that are
legitimate when it comes to his arts (and related arts): the organization to
which he belongs and some koryu group ("organization") which reanimates
koryu from which his gendai has emerged. All the rest are frauds or are just
playing games. Very concerned about the "decline" of martial arts, would
gladly forbid all the others to even think of budo, less to organize in
associations or to have their independent grading commissions. Respects
Japanese sensei and organization only when it suits him. Same as previous
profiles, he believes only Japanese-based or Japanese-headed organizations
are competent enough to create policies of budo. However, if there is such
an organization which disseminates grades and knowledge in a more liberal
way than it is approved by this Gendai Expert, he will instantly put such an
organization on his "black list." He hates the fact that some people do
something as equally good as his art, but are independent in their
organization. He likes the idea of absolute global control over millions of
budo practitioners from one country (Japan), or even better, from one single
organization. He hates "innovations." He believes he and a few rare people
only, really understand the "message" sent to the world by the creator of
his system. He deeply believes there is a very profound and complex
metaphysics within the body arts that he does. He insists that the budo arts
improve moral character of the people who practice them, but constantly
proves just the opposite by uncontrollable insults and offensive attitude
towards all who don't share his Expert opinion.
4. Phantom - has no clear public profile, nobody knows where he is from or
what he trains. Appears now and then, usually only when there is a big
"witch hunt" going on and someone is already "condemned" by their
inquisitional "community". One of those anonymous faceless mentally deranged
persons who simply likes to throw stones on others. Considered a valuable
audience by Koryu God and Gendai Expert. Not so "informed" like Informed
Layman, but contributes to the cause.
I wish you good luck if you face these people. Then again - did any good
luck help all those poor souls who suffered from a similar medieval
Inquisition? No.
So, you better avoid them. Unless you meet them outside their digital world,
in which case I gladly recommend what a good friend of mine once told me:
don't argue, just beat the s*** out of them. In the dojo, in a tournament,
or wherever normal people prove their abilities, skills and knowledge.
That might help... Or maybe not?
Ivica Zdravkovic, MD
www.budo.co.sr |