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Traditional
Martial Arts
by Jim Barry
The word "traditional"
means many things to many different people when it comes to the martial
arts. To the martial arts historian, traditional would only apply to
battlefield weapons techniques using a spear, long, short sword, bow,
and more. Some believe that relatively new arts - some less than one
hundred years old - are traditional. Which is it?
It depends on the
individual’s perception of how long it takes to establish a tradition,
thereby all that is subsequent to that is in the traditional category.
Additionally, it depends upon how the particular art has been preserved
over time. Although an individual can trace his martial arts lineage
back several hundred years, this does not mean that the art is still
practiced in the same way today. Are the training methods utilized or
the actual physical techniques themselves what validates a martial art's
claim of traditionalism? With so much obvious question as to which arts
are traditional, which are hybrid, and what is legitimate in general, we
must understand how ALL of these systems we started.
Originally, all
martial arts systems were the culmination of practical battlefield
techniques used by soldiers. Yes, I said it - ALL MARTIAL ARTS ARE
HYBRIDS! Because actual combat is the best test of a martial arts
effectiveness, anything that did not work was discarded.
Conversely, techniques and training methods discovered outside of any
particular system that were found to have real combat value and
application were added. This was a matter of life and death to these
soldiers, their families, and masters. Because the techniques practiced
were by necessity as realistic as possible, only techniques that could
actually be used for their specific combat situations were retained. An
example of this would be a soldier wearing battlefield armor which would
diminish or eliminate the value of certain types of techniques such as
striking to the body, kicking to the head, etc. Tactics of practical
value in combat would take into consideration many factors, such as the
type of terrain on which the battle would be fought, the types of
weapons that would likely be used, and of course, the armor and dress of
each warrior. No consideration was shown for what a system was called
and/or where the techniques came from - the only relevant thing was
whether or not it worked!
Throughout history
these martial systems evolved and adapted to suit ever changing combat
scenarios. It was (and remains today) imperative that a system of combat
be applicable to the specific situations that are likely to be
encountered, and due to the great variation in terrain, climate,
weapons, etc. many different options were put into practice - eventually
leading to more changes that in turn led to countless diverse styles.
In time, the
sporting aspect of the martial arts came to prominence. This element of
the martial arts is very popular today and according to some, is largely
responsible for the demise of practical defensive tactics. The question
is often raised, "How can you possibly have reality in your martial arts
if everything you practice must be safe enough for competition?" A
competition in which techniques deemed too dangerous are prohibited for
the safety of the opponents is no longer martial arts, but mere martial
sport. Warriors have for thousands of years sought to dominate their
enemy by removing his will and/or ability to wage war - which means the
enemy must either be injured to the point that they cannot continue, or
they must be killed. In light of this, it seems fairly obvious that
techniques that are not dangerous (i.e. those that do not injure or
kill) will not stop an attacker.
As in the past, if
one of the main goals of martial arts training is to be able to
effectively stop an aggressor, then the training system must be
conducive to defending against modern day attacks.
Wielding the katana
in forms competition is useless when it comes to protecting yourself or
others from a mugger or street thug - after all, who carries a sword
with tem? yes, many of the movements and skills learned in properly
using the sword can be applied to empty handed combat, but if true
street self defense is the goal, why take such an indirect path? By the
same token, although an individual is able to win trophies in empty
handed competition, this does not necessarily equate to that person's
practical self-defense ability. There is nothing wrong with practicing
the martial arts to preserve tradition, just as there is nothing wrong
with sport competitions - but if the tactics applied are not
practical in today’s society, they are not self defense!
It is extremely
common today to find individuals bickering over what is legitimate, or
what is traditional, or what is practical for self-defense etc. Every
instructor in the martial arts has their own beliefs as to what really
works and what does not. Unfortunately, most of these opinions are from
individuals that do not have any real experience or evidence pertaining
to the effectiveness of what they teach (especially to modern day
threats). The highest degree of caution is advised when studying any
martial art that cannot prove its effectiveness in real combat, if
indeed self defense is your goal. Too many instructors use the tired
explanation that says, “Our techniques are too deadly to really
practice!” Unfortunately students of these schools have based their
self-defense abilities and indeed, their lives (if ever attacked) on
techniques that they BELIEVE are valid but they have never really
practiced. Furthermore, no one in their dojo has ever used any of these
said techniques for real, including the head instructors.
Do the techniques
practiced in your school work in the 21st century? If they work in the
21st century, does that mean they are not traditional, since they
probably differ from what was commonly practiced 200 years ago?
Whether these
techniques worked hundreds or even thousands of years ago is irrelevant
to your survival in today’s society.
Contrary to what
many people might think, it is my belief that if you practice your art
with modern day threats in mind, and practicing realistic techniques to
neutralize these threats, this IS in the true sprit and tradition of the
martial arts. Traditionally, martial arts were practiced because they
allowed the individual to survive a physical confrontation based on the
combat methods of the day - if we wish to do the same in the 21st
century, what has really changed?
(Sensei
Barry is SMAA Kyoju Dairi for the Southeastern USA and operates
Budokai South in Aiken, SC)
Donn Schucker, Executive Director
P.O. Box 2171
Florissant, MO 63032-2171
Phone: (314) 606-7306
Email: ds@smaa-martialarts.com
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