KIAI Instructor Interview--Srdjan Ilic
This article is the latest in a continuing series of interviews with the various Instructors within KIAI
KIAI: How old
were you when you start training in the martial arts, and what made you start?
Srdjan: Well, I was 15 years old and I had started with Wing Chun at first. I was at first interested in ninjutsu, but there were no ninjutsu clubs at the time, and somehow I entered the Wing Chun club. After learning only one strike and few hundreds of blocks within three months of training, I left Wing Chun. Being displeased with this, I have started with Judo, but it either didn't satisfy me - for it was too focused on a close distance combat.
In summer of 1992 I met Ivica Zdravkovic while walking on the hill outside Pozarevac
(Serbia). I saw two guys in the woods (Ivica and his student) doing judo techniques
on the grass. But, aside from throws and locks, they were also exchanging karate
blocks, strikes and kicks... I stopped watching. While the weaker of them (who
was apparently a student) was trying to perform certain technique (which I considered
to be bad) I made some loud comment on it. Then, the second guy (Ivica sensei)
said: "If you know how to do it, come and show it." So, I experienced
all 40 Gokyo throws on the grass, and I felt like being hit by a train.
While standing up - very slowly - all in bruises, I was asked from thus guy
"What actually interests you?" I responded: "Japanese swordsmanship"
"Well - he said - look at that black bag, there are two wooden swords,
get them and come here." I brought the weapons, he showed me Chudan no
kamae - and what happened next 10 minutes wasn't so nice thing to look at. I
was trying unsuccessfully to block his strikes - and he kept on hitting me.
After being all covered in bruises, I was told: "If you are really interested
in learning something, come again tomorrow." Tomorrow morning the world
looked like a very painful place to me. But, out of malice, I have decided to
return - and so the story begun.
KIAI: What made
you start practicing sword arts?
Srdjan: I realized that sword arts are the core art of budo.
KIAI: Did you
ever have the chance of actually using your martial arts--especially your sword
art?
Srdjan:In a real situation - no. Actually, I have used only principles - not the techniques. I used those principles of budo while being in war (Serbo-Croatian war, 1995). Basically, bushido and most of budo principles can be applied to the real situation in which I was - and, unfortunately, I was recruited sniper...
KIAI: Are you
a full time instructor, if so, what are the benefits and challenges?
Srdjan: I am not a full time instructor, but I would like to be one.
KIAI: If you
had the chance to start all over again, would you choose to pursue the martial
arts?
Srdjan:
KIAI: How many
times per week do you train?
Srdjan:
KIAI: What do
you think of under age (juvenile) black belts?
Srdjan: I think it is bad. Kids should not be given black belts. Anyone with less than three years of practice and at least 16 years of age should not be permitted to wear any belts, especially in kenjutsu.
KIAI: What is your opinion of competitive (sport) martial arts?
Srdjan: Basically, I don't think combat sports are bad. But i see a huge disaster inside these things because today's combat sports are very far away from the principles on which they were based many years ago.
KIAI: Do you think the general public is misled about the ability
and practicality of budo due to the media’s portrayal of martial arts and martial
arts entertainers?
Srdjan:
KIAI: Do you think events like the “UFC,” etc. hurt or help martial
arts?
Srdjan:
KIAI:
Do you think the non-tangible benefits of budo like self-confidence, self-relSrdjance,
self-respect, discipline, leadership, maturity, etc. are as important to young
budoka as the physical ability to defeat or control another person in today’s
sometimes deteriorating contemporary society?
Srdjan: These additional benefits are even more important than the pure physical skill!
KIAI: Where are martial arts, in general, heading?
Srdjan: Generally, if people continue with competitions like these, it will repel new practitioners - and in time, all competition organizations will disappear - and then the only remaining ones will be the non-competitive independent closed-type schools, which will gather only those interested in true martial arts.
KIAI: What, in your opinion, is the greatest detriment to the martial
arts?
Srdjan: Competitions, Hollywood production of cheap action movies and great lack of true masters opposed to enormous number of charlatans and self-proclaimed "masters".
KIAI: In your
opinion, what is the ideal age to start martial arts training?
Srdjan: Twelve years of age.
KIAI: What is
your favorite part of training in Japanese swordsmanship?
Srdjan: Kenjutsu sparring (no protective equipment, with bokken).
KIAI: What are
your opinions and thoughts regarding tameshigiri, and do you practice it?
Srdjan:
KIAI: What do
you think of kendo’s “armored philosophy” versus chanbara’s “padded way”?
Srdjan: I don't have any special opinion on this.
KIAI: Do you
own an authentic Japanese made shinken, if so, how does it compare to the modern
shinken sold today?
Srdjan:
KIAI: What do
you think of the many modern martial art systems that are trying to copy the
ancient ryuha?
Srdjan: There are probably some good modern systems that are copying the old ones - but I am against the policy of using the old and fake ryuha names. I lost a lot of my time and money on checking some sites of some fake "ancient styles". I have received a message/advertisement today that Shoto Tanemura has founded "a new koryu karate"!!!??
KIAI: Do you
think it is necessary to have at least a basic understanding of the native language
and culture of the country of origin for the martial art(s) you train in?
Srdjan: Definitely yes!
KIAI: Srdjan, thank you for taking the time to share some of your vast knowledge and experience, we wish you the best in your on-going Budo training.