Kata Bunkai is like Tofu

  When (any) two martial arts practitioner's get together, they will often compare the Bunkai of each. What is being shown, is what each practitioner feels is the most appropriate explanation (for themselves) in regards to the motion being illustrated.

  

  Each student of a martial art, doesn't study that art for the same reason. Many do so for sport, many also do so for exercise. I do so for Life Protection. What many interpret as bunkai, for my purposes would only be Bullshit. That doesn't make what they do wrong (necessarily), it's would just be wrong to/for Me (and what I teach).

   

  When student's ask me about the bunkai for a particular kata motion, I have to consider several things. First, what concepts, techniques and motions do they know that can be related to that motion, and how are they doing the motion.

  

  It should be clear to the reader (here), that there are numerous possible answers for every motion (no matter how small). For beginning student's, I (attempt to) keep the answers I provide, to being simple motions/techniques. Though sounding (somewhat) deceitful, it's actually a more accurate response (for the student).

   

  Somehow, person's have gotten the impression that every motion in a kata represents some elaborate/technical motion that only the divinely bestowed will understand (eh, ..not so much). Though numerous charlatan’s attempt to give the impression that that's the case, and they are the only way to gain this information, it isn't.

  

  Taika has said, each person will determine what the motions of the kata represents, to themselves. The bunkai and techniques that he teaches us, is from what his interpretations (from the kata motions) were. He doesn't say another interpretation is wrong (necessarily), but he can defend the logic/reason for his interpretation (and argue/debate why another isn't correct). 

     

  As student's of RyuTe, we study Taika's interpretations of the kata motions. We use them as guidelines for further research of those kata. The techniques that we are shown, we use for understanding how/why the body does/doesn't move.

  

  It isn't the quantity of techniques that are important, it's the quality of those techniques. Those motions are also (constantly) being improved. I've stated before, how techniques that were taught in the early 80's, when compared to how they are being performed now, are very different. Not because of a change of technique, but because of a change in the execution of that technique.

   

  Much of that change, comes from the study of kata. The culmination of the numerous minute motions made during the performance of kata, will (directly) effect the way one performs technique.

   

  This is why I consider kata Bunkai to be like Tofu. It depends on what you add it to, that determines the taste (result). If you view your bunkai as representing sparring, what you'll see, is sparring techniques. If you view it as being evasion techniques, that's what you will see. The difficulty comes when you attempt to justify those beliefs to anyone else.

   

  Any bunkai you present, has to be able to withstand the scrutiny and criticism’s of the rest of the martial arts community and/or your individual peer group. When Taika first came to the United States, NOBODY was teaching the kind of material that he was. Now (it seems like) EVERYBODY teaches tuite (as if they can even translate it, LOL), and kyusho. The biggest difference between Taika's and theirs, is the fact that he doesn't need to hide behind TCM, and whatever other nonsense they use to make excuses for why their versions don't work.

   

  Very often the results of the numerous bunkai that I've seen, turn's out to be also (like Tofu can very often taste), like Shit. 

 

It's All Going To Hell!

(and other forecasts of paranoid Doom & Gloom,.. update at 11 )

  Wow, I just finished reading a post that was absolutely filled with general assumptions and (the ever popular) knee-jerk reactionary responses. Equally surprising, was that it was from England. When I read it, my first assumption was that it was from some radical Right-wing American! LOL.

   

  This individual was crying (OK, lamenting....) over the corrupted youth of today, and how they have no respect for their seniors, blah, blah, blah. (Gee, I've never heard of that happening before). He also went on about weapons, and how the law is (obviously, LOL) tilted in favor of the criminal.

   

  There were numerous additional tidbits of “society gone bad”, but they all were summarized by how you (or your children) should attend this guy's martial arts classes (huh?, ..who da' thunk?).

    

  By chance, I had recently made passing mention (in a blog), of how martial arts advertisements in G.B. Weren't (quite) as bad as they are here (in the U.S.). Guess I just hadn't seen them.

   

  Regardless, this individual brought up commonly (miss)used statistics and assumptions regarding criminals, and criminal behavior. He was even pushing the previously discredited (American) L.E. Report about how often “fights”, go to the ground.

   

  Possibly because I instruct, and hang-out around “cops”, I'm more sensitive to statistic quoting when it's being used to justify some Right-field opinion (especially if/when the person pushing it, seeks to make a profit from it's acceptance).

    

  I have many problems with schools that attempt to scare people into wanting to attend classes. #1, it's just deceitful. Though learning to protect themselves, is commonly quoted as being the excuse for people use for attending a M.A. Class, Fear, is a more accurate description.

   

  More often (and more accurately) than not, that fear, is completely unjustified (and/or greatly exaggerated). I believe that if the aforementioned individual had been here (in the U.S.), he would of no-doubt (in my mind) been running a CCW (Concealed-Carry Weapon) Class (for firearms). Every piece of propaganda that he promoted, was based upon the same fear driven nonsense that those individual's here are following (and doing so in droves, LOL).

    

  Before anybody starts Peeing their pants about my anti-Concealed Carry statement, there's a few technical considerations to be made here. That statement is in regards to Missouri's CCW laws. They SUCK, and they were put-in by Amateur wanna-be Idiot's. I've bewailed elsewhere about the many, many things that were done wrong with those laws here (in Missouri) so I won't bother to readdress them again (and FWI, I'm also an ex-gunsmith and IPSC competitor).

    

  The desire to be efficient at protecting one's self, is a legitimate concern. Though no one can plan when or if they may be assaulted, one can have a plan for if that occurrence should happen.

    

  When persons approach me about studying, I usually ask them why they want to (and I'll ask them several different ways). What (eventually, LOL) comes out (from males), is that they always just thought it would be cool. This, I can relate to, LOL. For females, it's usually some event (be it to themselves, or someone they know) that prompts them to consider being able to protect themselves.

  

  What I tell either (male and/or female), is that it's a lot of work (on their part). No one else can do (any of) it for them. The study of Te, is an individual endeavor. Everyone progresses at a different rate/speed (their own). When they do learn something, the only person that's made learning that ability possible, is themselves.

     

  Now when all the marauding communist zombies begin their attack, just remember to duck and cover!  (because the only thing that will stop that sh&zbit!, is gonna be one of dim thar A-Bomber's! so stay under your desk) and keep abreast of the latest anti-zombie tactics illustrated on Walking Dead!

Mixing Sushi, and Fried Chicken....

  Having reviewed the general membership of the association (via the RyuTe website and viewing the listed web pages), I find it interesting that there are a number of Dojo that (still) teach another system in addition to teaching RyuTe.

   

  I find this extremely odd. I mean, I understand the need to generate funds to pay the bills, but beyond the instruction of children, why would you bother? (with those other systems). 

     

  I'm sure there are some who would read this and determine that I am being (extremely) biased. They would of course be correct, I am biased (and hold no reservations about being so). But beyond that bias, I've seen no system that compares to RyuTe (as far as self-and/or Life, Protection). If my interest was in “Sport” Karate, then I would have an only limited interest in RyuTe (it's a poor choice for training in that field). 

     

  The vast majority of RyuTe Yudansha are, and have been, converts from other systems. They commonly held some Yudansha level rank in those systems. This means that they didn't “come-up” through the Mudansha ranks in RyuTe, and (therefor) weren't exposed to the same training that would (usually) be received from having done so.

  

  When interested students observe these person's classes, they see what those instructor's have always taught (IE. Their previous system's teachings). People will tend to not change the little things in their instruction methods. They commonly don't (yet) realize that those little things, are what makes all the difference (in what's learned). 

     

  For example, they continue to have student's tuck their hands at their sides (when performing punching strikes). They have student's perform kicks and strikes the same as they always have taught. They haven't abandoned their previous teaching/learning methods. 

      

 Many of the individual's who have been expelled from the association, likewise never modified their prior (to beginning RyuTe) teachings (to emphasize the RyuTe methodology) Mostly, because they never had gone through learning those teachings methods themselves (being “bestowed” with their ranking when they joined the association).

    

  Taika had the regrettable habit of allowing newly converted student's to retain their prior rank. This (in turn) allowed a number of (we'll say) not so deserving individual's to procure undeserved rank, without having (actually) learned/experienced the RyuTe methodology of application that would of been subsequently procured.

    

  The majority of those individual's have since been purged from the association (and of course have since then also promoted themselves to higher “Dan” levels, including 10^th Dan, LOL). Even the most recently expelled hadn't attended any training in 10 years! Yet, they still “claim” those 10 years as having been time training with Taika?

   

  As far as retaining the instruction of a prior system (when the instructor has theoretically converted to RyuTe), I am at a loss. I don't really understand why. It would seem far more practical, to teach RyuTe, and offer those “sport karate” classes (as being optional) for those so inclined.

   

  RyuTe offers a “Sport” (Bogu) Kumite competition (though not everybody may be up to/for it, LOL). I (personally) don't participate in it anymore, or even instruct that manor of practice (I recommend to my students whom to go to in order to participate in it). It's focus isn't Self/Life Protection, so I don't want to waste my own (or my students) class time in regards to it.

   

  For those who transition to RyuTe, I only suggest that if they want to become proficient at RyuTe, they will have to abandon their prior methods (before they can become proficient at it). 

 

Prioritize Your Focus

  When I watch student's practicing our defensive combinations, I often see/hear student's complain about how they can't “catch/block/deflect” the aggressor's hand. This is a common difficulty for student's. I tell them to think of protecting themselves (instead of the aggressor's hand) as they perform the defensive motion (whatever that may be).

    

  Student's regularly attempt to (visually) focus upon whatever the aggressor is doing at the moment. At first, one would believe this to be a good thing (but not necessarily). The attempt to do this, is a re-active action. By attempting to do this, you are trying to play catch-up to every action the aggressor makes. Your defensive actions must become preventative (so those aggressive actions can't/don't occur to begin with).

    

  Taika explains it as when you “bat” a fly away from your face, you don't focus all your attention upon the fly. Your attention remains upon what-ever your doing at the time. An aggressor's hand, is like the fly, it's (often) too quick to see (hence, we focus upon the arm that's attempting to make that hand, strike us). The arm move's much slower, and less than the hand does (during any strike).

   

  When student's complain that an aggressor's arm moves too fast (to be struck), we show them that it doesn't (really) move that much at all. The hand, motions a great deal (and quickly too). But the arm (that actually makes the hand reach it's destination), doesn't traverse that much distance (nor at as great of a speed).

    

  This doesn't mean that the student doesn't (still) need to be quick with their own strikes (against that aggressor's arm), only that they don't need to spread their attention out over a larger area than is necessary.

    

  Taika says that we spend too much time practicing to protect the face. Protecting the face, is something that comes naturally. One should focus upon protecting the body (for/during practice). These strikes are far more difficult to defend against (yet we continually focus upon protecting the face).

   

  Because of this type of focus (upon the face), the protective strikes (commonly called “blocks”, LOL), are usually performed too high (and are often done above the stomach level!).

    

  As we attempt to prevent an aggressor's strike from impacting upon our body, we should be focusing upon our own body (it's where our concern generally lies anyhow). Protect those parts of the body that will disable you if/when they become damaged/injured.

    

  People (very often) are under the mistaken belief that RyuTe doesn't believe in preventing an aggressor's strike from hitting them (when re-phrased, that's exactly what they're saying, LOL). RyuTe's focus, is upon injuring the (aggressor's) arm that's attempting to injure us. There is a (huge) difference between those two statements.

    

  As student's (and actually, all of us) learn more, our priorities of focus (each individually) are modified accordingly. As you become more proficient with newly learned actions, you'll begin to incorporate those actions into your defensive repertoire.

     

  Practice those motions that you do poorly, and/or have the greatest concern for (and the least ability with). It serves no purpose to emphasize practice upon those skills which come easily to us or that we are already proficient at. Focus your practice upon those motions that don't come as naturally or easily (to you).

 

Cover Motions

  RyuTe often utilizes arm motions that intend to redirect an aggressor’s limbs. These motions are often made whether the aggressor has made the (specific) attempt yet or not (as they additionally serve other purposes as well).

   

  Though it would be easy to categorize these motions as (being) “blocks”, to do so would be misleading. Their intent is not to Stop (“block”) anything, they redirect.

  

  If you were to call them anything (else), a parry would be closer to being properly descriptive than anything. The only fault that “I” have with that name, is that it tends to give the impression that the motion (only) tosses away the aggressor's strike.

   

  The motions that we call “Forearm Strikes”, are what most systems call “Blocks”. Those motions are taught to our students for use as striking methods upon an aggressor's (attacking) limb. Though some will argue that this is a (boring) matter of semantics, accurately descriptive verbiage makes a difference (in how something is perceived).

   

  The motions that are taught as Cover Motions, come in two flavor's, Inside and Outside. These could be described as being Clockwise and/or Counter-Clockwise (which IMO, are more accurate, but are a little burdensome). Much like how our forearm strikes are distinguished, Inside, refers to being towards the center of the body, and Outside refers to being away from, or Outward from the center of the body.

   

  These motions begin at the performers side (arm hanging naturally). The motion begins with the hand crossing in front of the tori's groin area to the opposite hip, and then rising until it is at chin level, it will return back across the front of the tori's face/chin and then lower (returning to it's original position). The entire motion (initially) is done with only moderate flexion of the elbow being done (keeping the hand extended, and forward of the tori). These circular cover motions are used in forward, and reverse/rearward applications as well.

  

  As well as providing the user with arm momentum for redirecting and suppressing an aggressor's strike attempts, these cover motions are easily transitioned into striking and/or grappling applications.
Preferably, as/when contact is made (with an aggressor's striking arm), that contact is made as close to their shoulder as possible. This allows for the tori's hand to (both) motion the arm away from it's intended target, and to slide down the arm towards the wrist/hand (for manipulation purposes). 
  
 Keeping this contact in mind, it's important that the tori not "swing" their arms (widely) to either side when initially making these motions. The tori's (deflecting) arm will raise straight up/forward (towards the uke). motioning to either side, is the equivalent to "winding-up" (and serves no purpose).

  

  I have mentioned before that students are often stopping (freezing) during their technique practice. Part of that, comes from the use of limited motion techniques (strikes/blocks). The student only concerns themselves with making the attempted strike (not what they will do afterwords). When doing so, they often have to (consciously) think about what to do next (and therefor letting the arm lazily return to it's prior position).

  

  The use of these circular cover motions, allows for constant motion to be made (difficult for an aggressor to keep track of), and greater opportunities for manipulation and counter-striking applications to be performed.

  

  As well as providing greater opportunity for technique, these motions allow (if not mandate) the user to be relaxed. By being relaxed, greater speed is available to be utilized (a necessary ingredient in any defensive tactic).

What Do Your Defensive Motions Prevent?

  I recently asked some student's to show me their preferred (favorite if you will) defensive strike (“Block”). The majority stated that an inside forearm strike was usually preferred, but some leaned towards the outside forearm strike.

   

  Now contrary to (popular) belief, I didn't ask this question to put anybody on the spot. I asked it to get a idea of their perspective on protective motions (in general). As students, when we're shown a motion, we tend to view that motion/technique as being (somewhat) Iconic. As if they were set in stone, and it would be some form of blasphemy to deviate from that initially shown form.

    

  Kihon (basics), are just that, basics. They teach a fundamental motion and/or manor of performing that motion. That doesn't mean that they are (always) the end-all only way of performing that motion.

    

  When I received their answers to this question, I asked how it prevented/protected them from other types of strikes? (I know, a rather unfair question, LOL). The point (of my question), was to illustrate their own (self) limiting of their practice.

   

  When students are taught/shown an individual forearm strike, that motion is not the end-all motion of defensive tactics. It is intended to be utilized with additional motions (either by the same arm, or in conjunction with the other arm/legs.

    

  If you motion an arm (either) upward or downward, then across, and down or up, which type of forearm strike (block) have you performed? You've done all 3 (in one motion). Because these motions were taught individually, does not mean they can/should only be performed in that manner.

    

  When I point this out, I'm often told that I would be wasting movement, if I did all those motions (together). Really? Perform an inside forearm strike, then perform a downward forearm strike, then perform an upward forearm strike. After having done this, then perform one, inward sweeping motion that progresses down and let it circle back up to end in front of you, which motions were smoother, and faster? (and which of these motions protected you from different types of threats more completely).

    

  Taika says that “we” (meaning “us” students, LOL) are like children when we've been shown a technique/motion. We perform that motion a thousand times, but never work on how to apply it? We are taught a milking punch, but we understand that just moving one's wrist back and forth, doesn't do anything (until it's done at the end of a striking motion performed by the arm).

    

  The same problem occurs in kata practice. Students are consistently pausing during the performance of their kata. The (main) purpose of kata practice is the performance of motions (not necessarily techniques) in order to make them more natural when they are utilized. By including those (their own) pauses, they are creating the situation to occur during (actual) execution of those techniques.

    

  This is something that I (myself) am constantly monitoring (in my own kata execution). It's a big reason that Taika has us do application versions of the kata. This pausing contributes to how people come up with these odd (more like stupid) versions of bunkai that they present. They didn't even consider practicality when determining those techniques.

   

  If you take a student, and throw 10” (lightweight, LOL) plastic balls at them (without any other training), they'll learn to bat them away (similar to how a cat does). This is a natural motion. If you (progressively) decrease the size of those balls (to golf ball size), and have the student intend to hit them away (using any/all of the forearm primarily to do so) while doing so, you'll start to have a student who will now (begin to) use full-range covering motions (in deference to the aforementioned stuttering strikes/blocks). 

   
 While performing these actions, it makes the student's defensive strikes more natural and more inclusive (covering a greater range).

 

Footwork and Efficient Delivery of Momentum

  For a strike to be delivered to it's intended target with it's maximum potential, it must be delivered as efficiently as possible. Though numerous components could be accredited with achieving this goal, the most obvious would be the motions made by the arm. Those motions are commonly practiced, and easily understood.

In RyuTe, we teach student's that the hand should remain relaxed (either hanging at one's side, or set to the front of the body, just below the ribs). While the hand raises and motions towards the intended target, it will remain loosely closed.

    

  As it extends towards the target, the back of the hand will tense and the focus is centered upon the knuckles contacting the target. The Fingers remain relaxed throughout the impact.

   

  With only limited practice, one can learn to extend the striking arm with minimal wasted motion (that doesn't distract from the intended direction/target). The majority of a student's practice should be spent on combining that motion with the remainder of their body's motions.

    

  Although it doesn't always, efficiency can be correlated to expediency. Having efficiency with our body motion allows us to concentrate on the arm motion, knowing that the full potential of our body mass will be utilized.

   

  Momentum is the motion of a body (or system), equal to the product of the mass of a body and its velocity. More simply, momentum is the continuing result of your bodies weight (mass) combined with the speed (velocity) that it is being propelled at. 

    

  It's very common for student's to interrupt their limbs momentum by pausing during the motions application (practice). We constantly remind our student's that they will perform, as they practice. If/when a student consistently pause during a practiced motion, they will most commonly do so when implementing it during an actual defensive situation.

  

  Student's will usually (first) attempt to increase the speed of their practice in order to do this. More commonly though, the result is only a sloppier execution of the techniques.

   

  As long as the desired motions are done fluidly and without pause during their execution, as well as being done with speed, then there will be a minimum loss of momentum. Part of that attempt is accomplished through performing correct body motion. Correct motion (in this case) means efficient motion.

   

  Basic motion starts with the tori turning the opposite foot (#1) slightly (to the outside of the intended direction) approx. 30º (outward), along with lifting that heel (about the distance of a thickness of a piece of paper). The striking sides foot (#2), should slide in (towards the opposite foot) and arcs, passing beside and beyond the other foot.   

  

 

 As that foot passes by the rear foot, that rear foot will pivot (on the ball of that foot) inward to approx. a 30º (inward) angle. As the forward foot reaches it's desired position (#3, pivoting inward 30º as the rear foot did), the rearward foot will additionally slide forward a few inches. This should happen in conjunction with the strike landing upon it's target.

   

  Depending upon the individual circumstances, the stance could be performed in a more shallow manor with the rear foot's shuffling motion traveling a greater distance (to come to rest directly behind the forward foot, a.k.a. The RyuTe shuffle punch). The essence of these (types of) strikes, is performing only forward motion (by any part of the body) while executing them. 

     

  Though often done in conjunction with a forward (hand) punch, it can also be done with a reverse punch (as is done in Seisan kata). Seisan kata is actually a perfect example of forward (only) motion with a punch. In this case the forward hand performs a forward motion while the reverse arm is punching. This is done 3 times at the beginning of the kata's performance.

  

 Though each can illustrate an individual technique, the three can also represent a (single) technique's execution. This was described by Tashi Logue once. The three strikes and steps, were explained as not (in every bunkai) representing forward motions, but three motions being performed consecutively (essentially, in place).

   

  Footwork does not only include motioning the performer forward or back. I could example numerous technique applications where the tori never moves from the initial location, yet performs several stance changes.

 

  Footwork is about directional motion, that motion is made in the direction that best aids the application of a technique. Usually, that motion is being done to apply body weight to an application (be it the body weight of the tori, or that of the uke). Sometimes it's to weaken the aggressor's position.

 

  Regardless of which, or how it's being done, it's a relevant part of any/every technique application.

In Your Face

  I was reading an article (written by an individual who was “kicked out” of the RyuTe Association). Like so many others, he was pontificating over how Taika had taught him, the “secrets” of RyuTe. He further elaborated how Ryukyu Kempo is the (exact) same as what is being taught in RyuTe. These are both commonly made statements (at least by individual's who were kicked-out of the RyuTe Association). And equally as common, is the fact that neither is (in any way) accurate, or truthful.

  

  This is the equivalent of saying “All martial arts systems are the same”. In many general aspects this could be considered truthful, but when the details are (actually) compared, the differences become readily apparent.

   

  When Taika began teaching his system, the martial arts industry was (already) in a routine of mundane manners of practice. These usually amounted to either no kata practice at all (claiming it was only “traditional”) or kata without any useful application, and an increased focus being made upon “sparring”. Neither of which served any purpose for a student's Life Protection abilities.

  

  It was at this time (late 70's, early 80's) that Taika began having seminars to demonstrate his interpretations of kata, and to illustrate how other systems had been missing (in his opinion, LOL) the obvious purposes of kata.

  

  During that time, It was common for Taika to award a yudansha rank to new students who claimed that they wanted to study from him (usually one-level above their ranking in their prior system). Unfortunately, many Persons were commonly being awarded rank levels that were (far) beyond what their abilities actually were. Those same individual's rarely continued any affiliation (much less study) with Taika. That fact, in addition to a desire to disassociate himself with the Ryukyu Kempo name (and those individual's), led to his decision to change the name to RyuTe and to begin teaching “his” system (instead of the generic “kempo”).

  

  Many of the instructor's who remained in the RyuTe system had attained their (original) yudansha ranking in their prior system. They hadn't learned the required (basic) motions in the same manner that they should have, and were now supposed to be, being taught (to their student's). Many of these instructor's continued to teach motions the same way, as they always had (incorrectly), and didn't seem to realize it.

  

  Many continued teaching the same “sport” kicks and applications as they always had, and didn't seem to notice how hypocritical those teachings actually were. It's those individual's who did so, that make these completely inaccurate claims (about Ryukyu Kempo being the same as RyuTe).

 

  Because of this instructional gap, there is often a degree of inconsistency between what is taught to students at different levels of learning, and/or between different instructor's. If an instructor hasn't weeded-out those irrelevant motions/techniques, then students may become confused from what's being taught.
   

  I've heard instructor's who (want to) blame Taika for these discrepancy’s in the manner's of a technique's execution (been there, done that). Having personal access to a (Large) collection of video footage of Taika, when confronted with claims of “Taika showed it different”, I can pull up multiple examples of him doing exactly what he say's you should be doing (even though he may of not said so at the time). Taika teaches by example, if you ain't paying attention, that's not his fault (so don't blame him).
   

  Over the years I've encountered instructor's who've chosen to limit (if not restrict) what is shown to their student's. I've never understood this mentality. Some claim it's done for safety concerns, and some over reasons of student maturity. I find neither of those “reasons” to be justifiable for limiting a student's level of knowledge. Properly applied instructional methods will negate any detrimental tendency's in either of these area's of concern.

             

  Most of those instructor's (within the association) that fell into that category, are no longer within the association. When Taika does actually “pass-away”, I'm sure that every Low-life martial art's wanna-be on the planet, will crawl out from what-ever pile of shit that they've been living under to claim that “they” posses the (true) secret teachings of RyuTe and/or Taika.

     

  Hopefully there will be (enough, LOL) honest student's of Taika to dispute all the interloper's who are not who/what they claim to be. My only concern at present, is that not everyone (within the association) is even aware of the reason's why many of these individual's were kicked-out (and Taika forbids any public discussion of those reasons).

   

  No matter, if/when any of those individual's should make any “claims”, there is more than enough evidence to provide to dispute their legitimacy (If, they so choose to push the issue, LOL). 

 

WTF?

  I guess my ability to be amazed by people's behavior will never be quelled. My teaching associate was recently contacted by an individual (an ex-student) wanting to “talk” about how come he disappeared (with no explanation) a few years back. I had pretty much just figured him to be (yet) another student who choose to move on, and I had left it at that.

   

  Well, with him recontacting my associate, I decided to do a little investigating. Low-dy, Low-dy! Seems as though this kid has up and got his own self his own place (well, he sub-lets space from the local “Unity Village” church(ish) Group). He's become a “Zen” Master (got his-self a certifimakation and everything).

    

  Now all of that is just fine by me (I'm not really that interested, when approached with those ideas, I usually find that the individual has their own issues that they're dealing with, and are just looking for company during that experience), but what I didn't find favorable, was his quoting (as if they were his own) statements made by Taika.

    

  He's chosen to call what he's (now) teaching, as being “Life-Protection Arts” (sound familiar?). He's officially tagged some Korean name upon it also, but makes a point of emphasizing the “LPA” when discussing what he teaches. Through mutual acquaintances, we've already encountered his instruction of technique being incorrectly shown, so it makes me wonder how he feels he is qualified to instruct any of those techniques.

     

  Of course the technique he showed the individual was presented as being one of his techniques. If “that's” supposed to be an example of his “Master Abilities”, he's going to have numerous problems as he proceeds.

   

  His “Face-book” page lists his having a “5th” dan in 3 korean martial arts, and a 4^th in another, along with Yudansha ranks in 4 more! (and now he's a “Zen” Abbot / Priest), and NO, RyuTe isn't listed at all (mostly because he didn't really “rank” in it except for “kyu” ranks). oh yeah, he's only 21/22? nice collection for 14 years of (supposed) “study”. Am I saying he's a “fake”,.......no, I'm not. No more than any other quasi-religious-wanna-be-type/martial arts instructor that's out there today. Is he qualified to teach any of the very few RyuTe techniques that he picked-up from us? NO FUCKING WAY (Just sayin'). As for the other stuff?, don't know, and don't care.

   

  As for his knowledge of the other styles? Who knows (or cares?), he's been careful to avoid any direct association to us or RyuTe (though he display's Oyata's Calligraphy in the location and in photographs hung at the location where he's teaching at). To me, he's making a very lame attempt at an association (he's even teaching at a building where Taika used to teach, LOL).

    

  I find it interesting that his previous learning has all been Korean MA based, but everything I've seen is Okinawan and/or Japanese? I realize that everyone loves to push the “everything” came from China idea, but I don't really buy it. The (latest) big claim being that Tuite is nothing more than Chin-na. I might of (at one time, like before I knew any Tuite) believed that, except that I've never seen any Chin-na that I have believed could not be more easily accomplished with Tuite. I've never really warmed-up to the Korean systems (to me their all alike, too much like the Japanese systems that they were all derived from, so why not just practice them?). 

    

  Every time I interact with “Chinese” stylist's, I only encounter simplistic applications, that have moderate (at best) results. For all the claims of origination, I only encounter second-rate applications. The Korean system's are even worse. Everything Korean appears to be Re-worked Japanese subjects, which are re-worked Okinawan methods (which when one is talking about Te, we're usually talking about Okinawan Te).

    

  Admittedly, when/if compared to having no knowledge, any of those systems would most likely be better than nothing. But living in a time when the ability to compare exists, I don't understand the reluctance to study techniques that actually work (and/or not go ahead and abandon those that don't work.

  The individual in question, I have no real problem with (as of yet, LOL). What he does is his business, but don't expect a Glowing review if I'm asked for an opinion about any of it.

Focus of Study (minor vent)

  I was listening (OK, eavesdropping, LOL) to another individual “pimp” their MA school to a prospective student the other day, and the whole thing just struck me as being equivalent to a prostitute bargaining on the price for their “services to be rendered” (which IMO, amounted to the same thing happening to the client/John).

    

  They had set rates for their regular MA classes, and optional prices for if you wanted something special. These could include personal (1 on 1) classes, or specialty courses (a weapon, a kata, sparring etc.). they even offered (separate?) self-defense classes (WTF?). If you felt that you were a slovenly out-of-shape couch potato, they even offered “kick-aerobics”, all of which were available (individually) for a nominal fee(s) Golly-Gee!

    

  I have nothing against anyone running a store-front Dojo. I do have (more than a bit of) a problem with someone doing it as their only means of income though. Those whom I've known (who have done so) have inevitably turned into total douche-bags.

   

  The situation I'm in now (where I additionally teach) is one of the only (feasible) situations that I can agree with. The school owner has a REAL job, and he runs the school as a “side-venture/interest”. He has mentioned to me on several occasions, that the school (and the kid-friendly system that's also taught there) helps pay for his RyuTe habit.

   

  His school's survival is not based upon “selling” RyuTe to keep the door's open (good thing too, LOL). RyuTe is not the public friendly system that everyone flocks to for fun and family entertainment.  When I began teaching there, we had approximately 14 student's, we're presently at 8 (which is actually closer to what I would consider a standard class to be for this market).

   

  For all the Talk about how much everybody wants to learn this system, very few ever continue beyond a month or two's training. Is it too violent, or does it cause too much injury to the student's?

 No, it doesn't. I honestly believe that if it did, it would have a greater following. Not that I would care for the individual's who would choose to follow that sort of instruction (or the instructor).

    

  RyuTe requires that the student use their brain. It points out the obvious. It demonstrates what constitutes a natural motion. In it's simplicity, it's confusing as hell, LOL. With time, all of these become easier to deal with, and to understand how they are applied. But the majority of student's, don't think that they have the time.

   

  They do (of course) have time to waste working on “sparring” (because it teaches them how to take a punch/kick, LOL) rather than learning how to negate that same strike to begin with. It teaches them how to maintain their breathing for 5-6 minutes (because that's how long a “sparring” match can be), rather than how to end a confrontation in 5-6 seconds, because that's how long you'll have in reality if your attacked by someone who wants to seriously hurt you. It will teach you how to win awards, because those are important when your laying in a hospital after your face has been maimed by someone who chose you to prove that they are a bad-ass to their buddies.

   

Sparring just has so much to offer. (drip, drip, drip, ...so goes the sarcasm)

   

  When one studies RyuTe, they can expect to experience frustration, a general feeling of humility, and the occasional sense of stupidity. Along with these emotional responses, the probable physical reactions will include soreness experienced in the hands, wrists, arms, chest, thigh, legs and feet. The possibility of an occasional soreness in the neck region has also been reported.

   

  Over-all, these final reasons are more than enough to dissuade the average student from even wanting to start (much less continue) a study of RyuTe. You would obviously be better served if you went to a school that offered all that other stuff separately (that way, you can pick and choose, since your already an expert, now get to your sparring class! LOL).