Tuite Amongst the Masses

  I spent another day made up of video perusing. On this excursion, I choose to only seek out examples of Tuite (more often “torite”) as they are presently being taught by various systems. I was only disappointed in what I found, not how much.

    

  The majority of what's being taught is often similar (visually) to what we teach, though there are numerous differences in the execution of the techniques.

    

  The biggest mistake being made, has to do with the dorsal folding of the hand/wrist. This was a common mistake made when Taika first introduced his techniques to westerners. When the technique is applied in this fashion, the uke only bends forward (at their waist). It does nothing to prevent them from retaliating (with counter-strikes), and/or escaping. It's additionally based upon the physical strength of the tori.

 

  These weaknesses are (obviously) being missed (or are possibly being ignored). I think that when being shown these techniques, people have tended to only view the results (of that techniques application), without consideration of how those results are attained (and preventing all the possible ways it can be countered).

   

  Additionally, there seems to be a fixation on simply having some form of grappling and wrist/arm manipulation techniques being shown. Most appear to be (unnecessarily) elaborate, usually containing numerous (often confusing) motions that don't really serve any real purpose, other than making the technique's application longer, and more confusing.

  

  I've viewed those persons performing the techniques who were ejected from the RyuTe association, and I see now why Taika wasn't concerned about their expulsion. They perform these techniques with those same faults that I've listed above. 

      

  Not surprisingly, these same individuals are promoting themselves as being tuite “experts”, and are conducting seminars to profit from that claim. Oddly, they've offered none of these (at least publicly) in the Kansas City, Mo. Area. Granted, none of the RyuTe schools would have anything to do with them, but there's plenty of non-affiliated schools in the area.

   

  Both of the other major Okinawan kempo (spin-off) groups are based locally (seeing as how they're lead by people who were kicked-out of the RyuTe association, LOL). They both are lead by individuals who promote themselves as having been Taika's highest student (at the time of their expulsion,LOL), although neither were!

   

  Interestingly (or not), they've all (self-)promoted themselves (and anyone else who would follow them) to higher (if not the highest) dan ranks that they felt were required for them to sell their wares. They choose to now use the various colored belts for Dan ranks which Taika has forbid to be used in his association because he felt they bred Ego! (guess he got that one right on the mark! LOL).

    

  I read a blog that was talking about when Taika passes. That author's contention was that if there were no RyuTe instructors/schools local to them, that these individuals may be the best alternative. Having now had student's who came from both of these individuals, I would definitely argue the case against that choice.

   

  Between the Dillman debacle, and the expulsion of numerous individual's, it's becoming more and more difficult (in many areas) to locate qualified and knowledgeable instructors of RyuTe. There are numerous wanna-be's and an equal amount of flat-out imposter's who are promoting that they are teaching Taika's system (or some equivalent).

  

  I've felt the most pity, for those who chose to follow Dillman. He had no idea about how/why Tuite worked (much less how to perform it), so his students abilities were crippled from his lack of knowledge. He built his own little empire around the TCM nonsense (which provided plenty of excuses for when the nonsense he taught didn't work). His groups reign of existence lasted only about 15 years. It still exists in small pockets, with even smaller groups of followers. Eventually, those followers will move on (to something that works) and he will become a passing footnote (of no significant importance except as an oddity of the time).

   

  I've mentioned before the origin of the word Tuite, which is why I find it so amusing that so many systems now offer it (and promote it as having always been a part of their system). I find it especially amusing that various Korean MA schools are now offering it (and of course claiming that it was always a part of what they teach).

   

  I guess what bothers me the most, is that students/instructors aren't researching what's being taught (as/for Tuite). So many of the inadequacy's that I see in what's being taught, are (pathetically) blatantly obvious, and could be corrected very simply and with minimal effort.

  

  When I've confronted those instructor's about these technique deficiency’s, the excuses they offer are legion (and prepared). I've watched numerous videos that explained how tuite was only to be used as a softening application, much like a strike would be. They often provided no follow-up motions (to neutralize and/or restrain the opponent), and if/when they did, it was some unnecessarily elaborate (and pointless, IMO) technique. These usually had the look/feel of an MMA type of application (all show, no go, LOL).

  

  Over all, my recent observance of the industry (as it were, LOL), has only shown (me) that it hasn't changed much since the last time I looked. I still see the same nonsense that's always been there (and no doubt always will be). Not that I'm surprised, only disappointed that people haven't chosen to investigate/research the subject for themselves, they only wait for someone else to do so. 

   

 The biggest problem that I see (with that philosophy), is how will they know which viewpoint is correct? (if either).