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by HoshiZora San |
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St Paul said: "When I was a child, I was through a child's eyes. Now that I am a man, I see through a man's eyes". The same can be said of Karate. As a beginner, I saw through a beginner's eyes. Now I am a (insert your grade) I see through a (xxx) Grade's eyes. Children as they grow, develop an understanding of the world based upon their experiences and what is passed down from their parents. This state of learning carries on right into adulthood. (Some would say we are never too old to learn) Karate Ka are just the same. Beginners have an understanding of the moves based upon personal experience. This is backed up by tuition from their seniors but, no amount of tuition can make up for practical, physical experience. For example: You are describing a Karate punch to someone who has no knowledge of the Martial Arts. How would you explain, without demonstrating the move, how to punch? As the beginner progresses, the techniques become more and more complex and the basic techniques that are still practiced are refined further. This learning programme can be compared to the structure of the Onion. Being able to stand, move, punch, block and kick could be the outer layer. The largest surface that must be peeled back in order to progress further. The next stage in the process is in the application of each technique. Every technique has an application and a certain use. Beginners are taught that the moves are either blocks, punches, strikes and kicks. They are also taught how to apply them in that way through Kumite. True practical application of the moves come through the practise of Kata. Again however, there are layers within each Kata. The Beginner starts with the most basic of understanding. Basic blocks, punches and strikes are put together in a set sequence. In order to teach Karate to ever increasing numbers, Master Itosu, One of Master Funakoshi's Instructors, devised the Heian Kata in 1905 to allow the safe application of Correct Technique so that Karate could be introduced into the School Physical Education Programme. By peeling back the layers of Kata, we find at the first level, a basic sequence of techniques with a practical beginning, middle and end. At an intermediate level, you should have discovered that Kata allows for the full freedom of expression of your technique and, by this stage, it is hoped that the Karate Ka is beginning to discover that the moves can be used for more than one purpose. At advanced level. You discover that the Onion has even more layers. In fact the possibilities are endless. The Chinese have a saying: "In order to learn a Martial Art, it will take you three lifetimes". This is true of the possibilities that exist. It doesn't mean that you will never be able to master the Art but, it does mean that the opportunity to learn more will never be exhausted. In his 20 precepts, Funakoshi stated that "Karate is like a kettle. It must be heated constantly or it will cool". This means that you must be serious in your desire to learn. You must also train as often as you can. If you forget a move or a combination, you should do all that you can to remember it or, seek out the instructor who taught it to you. As Kanazawa Kancho has said many times: "If you know 80% of Karate but forget 1%. All Karate is Lost". In other words, Once you peel back the layers of the Onion, you cannot put it back onto the Onion. You must use it. This doesn't mean that you should not prepare or sample the same meal every now and then. (There are plenty of Onions to make soup!) It means that you should use your Karate to keep yourself from forgetting. So, to Paraphrase a well known lovable, Green Ogre: Ogres and Karate are like Onions..........They all have layers! And Karate is definitely not like Perfait! Keep Training. (HoshiZora means "Starry Sky". The Kanji used however, if reversed make up the phrase "Empty Mind") |