Japanese Karate-Do

Walking through the door, Jake was ready. This was his first day of class and he was ready to fight. Being a little early, he watched as the current class went through their last set of drills and exercises. 

He noticed that during the sparring session, no one was trying to really destroy their opponents. For a karate class, that seemed strange. Based on what  he saw in the movies and in books, Jake had always assumed that during the fighting part of class, the goal was to take the opponent out and destroy them.

Class ended with everyone sitting on their knees. Their was no movement for several minutes. Then suddenly, someone called out a command in a foreign language. And in unison, the class repeated a series statements,  bowed a couple of times and got up.

Jake entered the training area. The new set of students entered and greeted him, taking him completely off guard. He thought that there would be hostility among the other students as each tried to out do the other for the top spot in the class. 

The senior student finally said to line up and Jake found himself at the far end of the line. "So there is some type of ranking order." Jake thought.  Another command and the line of students bowed and lowered themselves into the position on their knees like the previous class had done at the end of their class. Then the command was given to "close your eyes." Jake was confused. "What was this; A special training at the beginning and end of class?" Jake was ready to move on to the real stuff - the fighting. 

Jake's attitude is somewhat common, when someone from the West goes into a traditional karate school. The West is a society that likes to do things fast. Instant gratification is one of its themes and a sign of the impatience that it breeds. Jake didn't understand that true martial arts isn't about fighting, even though that is a main component of it. True martial arts is about becoming a better person. It's about "seeking perfection of character."

One of the great benefits and hidden secrets of practicing traditional martial arts, and in this case Shotokan karate, is that it demands and develops patience, dedication and discipline. There's not the quick learn how to beat someone to a pulp and you're a master mentality. Sometimes, that seems to be the case in martial art schools where the focus is simply on fighting. And that mentality is promoted through the media.

Traditional martial arts takes a person into another culture. It is a culture where respect and honor for one another; especially the instructor, as well as oneself are vital to their survival as a student. It is a culture that seeks to train body, soul and spirit. So, for someone coming into a traditional martial art school, doing things like bowing, spending a few minutes in meditation and cleaning the training floor, may not seem practical and in keeping with the "combat art" of martial arts.

But the longer you're a part of it, the more you come to learn and understand that combat is a more than just defeating an external opponent. It's about conquering internal foes in order grow into a better all around person. And, lessons learned inside the school of  traditional martial arts are able to be carried outside of the school and applied to everyday life.

Jake found that throughout the class, the instructor explained the reasoning behind the different techniques and exercises. He pointed out that each student is a partner in one another's growth - not an opponent to destroy. 

Finally, after spending time in meditation, Jake slowly rose from the position on his knees, soaking wet with sweat and with a little better understanding and an appreciation for what it means to be in a traditional martial arts class. He realized that being a true martial artist is not a quick fix and there is so much to learn that it really is a lifelong journey.