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"Tradition" and "Modernity" |
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“Tradition” is often contrasted with ‘Modernity’. Can we get away from this often simplistic and reductive vision?...
Tradition in the etymological sense The word “tradition” refers to the giving or passing on of something (a culture, a doctrine, customs, etc.) over time, a priori over a long period. (Warning: Latinists should not give the word “tradere” here the meaning of “betrayal”!) Traditional” karate is therefore that which perpetuates both teaching and practice as they existed in the past.
In spirit and form It's not enough to simulate a ritual, or to robotize training patterns, to achieve the status of a school practising the traditional form. The underlying spirit of the visible techniques must be deeply inspired by the spirit of Budo. The martial state of mind, the relationship between practitioners vis-à-vis Senpaï and Kohaï, and the way in which the outside world is viewed, must be forged little by little in the crucible where the teacher has introduced his or her best understanding of the martial art.
Traditional and modern The “traditional” aspect is often mistakenly contrasted with the “sporting” side, either through ignorance or sectarianism. This simplistic cliché is comfortable for those who haven't been able or willing to delve deeper into the facets of the Martial Art. It's perfectly possible to practise “traditional” karate while maintaining the sporting side and engaging in refereed competition, without moving from one world to another. It's not so much the form or type of techniques you perform that puts you in one category or another as the spirit in which they are performed, regardless of the setting you're in. When you practice “Jiyu Kumite” in the original spirit of Budo, you'll achieve greater success in the long term than if you simply aim for short-term sporting performance. Of course, it could be objected that Master FUNAKOSHI was rather opposed to sporting assaults. But this was simply because Gichin FUNAKOSHI feared a lack of maturation of his students in the Budo Way, and that prematurely engaging in sporting confrontations would distract them from the basic path.
A few concrete aspects Within the “traditional” Way, a few aspects are particularly representative of the heritage of past forms. One of these is the “Torite”, required to obtain the rank of “Sandan” (3rd Dan). It consists of two parts:
Practice on the knees, which is unpleasant at first, proves extremely beneficial in terms of the feeling of the “Hara”, since mobility is reduced and it is necessary to look elsewhere than in the legs for the means of moving, dodging, acting, projecting and counter-attacking. Standing practice includes techniques for disengaging, then counter-attacking with arm, body and backhand grabs, as well as strangulation attempts. Tachidori” does not include projection techniques (Nagewaza), which are complementary and the subject of other specific work, just as important. Derived from Ju-Jitsu techniques, projections are an important part of the “Yodan” (4th Dan) examination. |
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