Blog Posts

Taekwondo Is Just Karate

1/9/2022

Author: Bret Gordon

Here come the pitchforks! A few days ago, I published an article on "Made Up Martial Arts" which discussed the very arbitrary method of categorizing and naming styles of Okinawan martial arts leading to the conclusion that really all styles are made up. Earlier today, I added the following to the end of the article:

"Another example of a 'made up' martial art is Taekwondo. In the 1950s following the Japanese occupation, nine kwans (schools) of Korean Karate were in existence. They all used either Tang Soo Do (Tode-Do 唐手道), Kong Soo Do (Karatedo 空手道) or Kwon Bup (Kempo 拳法) to describe their respective styles.

The Korean government, wanting to regulate martial arts, ordered the kwans to unify and come up with a new name for what they taught to remove the connection to Japanese and Okinawan martial arts, and so the name "Taekwondo" was coined and they formed the Korea Taekwondo Association. They created the Palgwe and KTA yudanja forms to separate themselves from their predecessors, and later replaced the Palgwe series with the Taegeuk forms simply because they still looked 'too Japanese.'"

Let's explore that a little more....

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Writing Your Own Scrolls?

1/7/2022

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Author: Bret Gordon

American Yoshinkan Makimono

About a year ago, I posted a picture of two scrolls (Hiden Mokuroku and Hiden Okugi) we use in American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu that were carried over from our Daito Ryu origins. Admittedly, they are issued more for nostalgia and preservation than anything else as we do not teach from them, but they are still a cool reminder of our past and foundation.

Immediately, someone unfamiliar with the traditions of Daito Ryu jumped on to say that I wrote them and they're not authentic scrolls. They're absolutely right! But that's how it's supposed to be...

In Daito Ryu, the tradition of students writing their own scrolls goes all the way back to Takeda Sokaku, who first disseminated the art to the public (and many believe to be illiterate). An article from noted Daito Ryu practitioner and historian Guillaume Erard goes into detail on the subject (click here for full article):

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Should Certifications Be Displayed Publicly?

1/6/2022

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Author: Bret Gordon

In an old article of mine, "The Purpose Of Certification," I discussed the various types of certifications (rank, titles, and licenses) used in the martial arts. I broke down what each one meant and how they were generally earned. Essentially, certifications recognize progress while licenses grant authority. The question that comes up, however, is if these credentials we work so hard for should be displayed publicly. Some like to equate them to professional diplomas and licenses like doctors or lawyers display in their offices, and to a certain measure that's true. A martial arts school, like a doctor's office, will often display their various credentials on the wall. That's really the only place they belong, or maybe in a folder tucked away (where most of mine are).

Unlike professional licenses though, martial arts certificates are a private matter. They are for the recipient alone. They have no meaning outside the style or organization they were awarded in, and so there is no purpose in publicizing them for the world to see. If anything should be displayed at all, it is the Menkyo (teaching license) as that is really all that matters because that lets the reader know exactly what the instructor is authorized to teach. Even then, however, it should only be shared with students of the art because they are the only ones it matters to.

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Made Up Martial Arts

1/5/2022

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Author: Bret Gordon

Okinawan Newspaper Featuring Karate Day

Awhile back, Jesse Enkamp put out a video called "Why ALL Karate Styles Are Fake" detailing how the numerous styles of Okinawan and Japanese karate came to exist. To summarize, in 1927 when Kano Jigoro visited Okinawa and the local martial artists put on a demonstration, in order to hide any connection to China during this highly nationalistic era they decided not to say this was a demonstration of Tode 唐手 (Chinese Hand) and instead referred to their respective demonstrations by the region of Okinawa the individual practitioner was from (Naha, Tomari and Shuri).

However up until this point, it was considered all the same art with different flavors based on individual teachers. One can argue that's all a style is anyway, but is that enough to formalize it as an independent martial art? Unlike Japanese martial arts, which have been divided into formalized styles as early as the 15th century, Okinawan martial artists all traveled and cross-trained to pursue their personal growth as practitioners. Even today, there is a spirit of unity among karate practitioners, culminating in the annual Karate Day celebration (commemorating the 1936 meeting when prominent Okinawan masters came together and officially adopted the term Karate 空手 to describe their art, along with the adoption of the kyu/dan rank system, shogo titles and competition format to conform it into a Japanese martial art).

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Fighting With Aiki

1/3/2022

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Author: Bret Gordon

Internal martial arts have always enjoyed a state of prominence in combative efficiency. Historically, Aiki Jujutsu is derived from weapon retention methods taught to the Imperial Guards of Aizu Domain and the validity of these arts can easily be seen in the blade. However, that is not where their viability ends.

Last year, we launched a new video mini series entitled "Fighting With Aiki" to promote our method of adapting classical martial arts for modern fighting in American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu. In this video series, we break down some of the classical techniques of Aiki Jujutsu to show how the biomechanics and principles can be applied for self protection. The goal of this series is to encourage the greater aiki community to evolve in order to meet the demands of the modern martial artist. Episode 1, Aiki Sage, is shown below. For all six episodes, please click here.

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New IJF Rules Further Strip Down Judo

1/2/2022

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Author: Bret Gordon

A few days ago, the IJF released a video (see below) explaining their new rules for this upcoming Olympic cycle. Yet again, they continue to strip down the complete art of Judo by banning another throw, the reverse seoi nage (also called Korean seoi nage). Even worse, not only will the technique not score an ippon but the competitor will receive a shido (penalty) if used. To quote Shintaro Higashi, "It’s really unfortunate that yet another dynamic judo technique has been banned and will therefore no longer be practiced in judo. The reverse seoi was one of the coolest techniques in modern competitive judo. It will be missed." Inevitably, judoka will stop practicing this technique along with the rest of the kinshi waza (banned techniques) simply because they cannot be scored with in competition, leading to yet more watering down of the art itself.

Decisions like this reaffirm why I am glad to belong to an organization outside of the Olympic NGB system, USA Traditional Kodokan Judo, which is dedicated to preserving the complete art of Kodokan Judo instead of what is currently allowed in competition, as well as the Seikan Judo & Jujutsu Association which is the new umbrella organization run by Steven Hatfield and I to oversee all of our Kontei Judo and Gojeon Yudo affiliate schools.

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"Aiki Secrets" Book Series Review

1/1/2022

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Author: Bret Gordon

As a subject matter expert on Aiki Jujutsu, I was asked to review the first two editions of the "Aiki Secrets" book series written by Bill Dockery, student of Tomiki Aikido and Yanagi Hara Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, with the help of Chris Parkerson and Joel Copeland. This series provides cutting edge information regarding the transmission of "esoteric" training practices, breaking them down to their fundamental principles of physics and biomechanics. I've published these reviews on my Facebook page in the past but as this blog site gains a lot more attention, I thought it only appropriate to include them here too. It's also a great way to start the New Year, promoting positivity and improving the quality of information readily available on high level martial arts. For more information on this highly informative series or to purchase your own copies, please click here.

"I want to highly recommend this book by Bill Dockery. It breaks down in unique detail many of the core principles of applying Aiki, explaining them in ways that will benefit all practitioners regardless of their current development of the connected body. Mr. Dockery was able to put into words the principles many of us in the internal community express unconsciously, leading to a greater understanding of the biomechanics and kinesiology of our art. Whether you study Aiki Jujutsu, Aikido or any of the other internal martial arts, this is a book you need to add to your collection."
Originally published December 31, 2018

"It's been my pleasure to read Bill Dockery's second installment in the "Aiki Secrets" series. It's clear that the author has progressed significantly in their journey and understanding of aiki since the first volume, which already was a solid foundation, and I greatly appreciated the references to Chinese internal arts as it mirrors my own studies into the universal principles of internal power. As an Aiki Jujutsu instructor, I highly recommend this book for the advanced martial artist looking to gain insight into how to manifest aiki. This book, along with Mr. Dockery's first volume, are both honored editions in my collection."
Originally published January 28, 2020

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Fantasy, Narcissism And Lack Of Honor In NGBs

12/31/2021

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Author: Steven Hatfield

The selling point of many schools is this certification. The backing of a national governing body gives a school many advantages, but none of them are really needed. To be seen as a "real school," it has to be a member, and if you aren't, you're excluded from many things as the governing body holds a monopoly over that martial art form. Whatever they say becomes the standard as if they can't get something wrong. It's about money in the end. A school pays fees for certification and to do certain things, or have a certain prestige, only to pull in more customers. Then the organization intentionally goes after startups or smaller schools without certification that places their students first. Those who may not want to submit to the shadow council's yolk, which limits expression and innovation in favor of holding the only path to “accreditation”, are pushed aside. Is this how it works?

A school with NGB backing grows this narcissistic virus, an air of superiority that they sell to their customers. (I say customers because that's what people are to them, not students, family or even dare I say friends). They sell the fantasy and do the bare minimum for their customers or community (while asking for more money). You won't fail your rank test because of sloppy technique or lack of knowledge, but you will think you're the next Karate Kid. Do they even care about those they teach?

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The Different Paths Of A Martial Artist

12/30/2021

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Author: Steven Hatfield

I've been involved in martial arts for as long as I can remember. I started studying around the age of 4 or 5 years old, and officially since the age of 10. I first started under my grandfather and his friends, learning a mix of things ranging from Japanese Goju Ryu to Aiki Jujutsu and whatever else they would throw at me, while also studying American Hanki, Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do under my father.

Most of my training was done at home, some self-taught, but mostly by family and family friends. I studied freestyle kickboxing with our neighbor Jason. There was an apartment next door, and there was a large circle in the grass left by a long-gone pool. Those interested would meet up and use that as our daily sparring ring. It was just what we did as friends before the internet and cell phones. There was me, of course, along with Kaleb, Otis, Beetle, Caleb, Sam, Brandon, Kato, Andrew, and John John, just to name a few. We always had family friends who would come to show off their skills and just have fun. Those like Neal and Frank are of note, but there were so many more. That backyard was our first dojo.

Martial arts! This vehicle was fully loaded and gassed up, ready to take us in any direction we chose. Be it sport karate, traditional martial arts, or MMA. The world of martial arts was wide open. The problem is where these paths lead. Thinking back to that dirt ring... I remember them as the best days of my early life, and that inspired me to write this opinion piece based on my observations of how things have been the last few years.

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The Troll's Playbook

12/30/2021

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Author: Definitely Not Bret Gordon

So, you want to be an internet troll. The martial arts world is full of them! Not only do we have your everyday, garden variety troll that leaves ignorant comments on videos saying "that would never work in the street," we also have entire social media groups dedicated to the lofty pursuit of trying to ruin other people's livelihoods and reputation. Of course, that is the level of trolling you aspire to so let's dive into just exactly how to be one!

In order to determine if you're even cut out for trolling, we should do a quick personality test. In 2014, a team of researchers led by Erin Buckels, of the University of Manitoba, published a paper called "Trolls Just Want to Have Fun." Sadism, the tendency to derive pleasure from causing others physical or psychological pain, was one of the most robust of the personality traits linked to trolling behavior. “The associations between sadism and GAIT scores were so strong,” the authors conclude, “that it might be said that online trolls are prototypical everyday sadists.” So if this sounds like you, keep on reading!

First and foremost, you must do all of your most damning work under a pseudonym. Preferably get yourself a VPN too, so the articles you write cannot be traced back to you. This way when the people you have stripped everything from come looking for you, you're safe in someone's basement. While you occasionally leave supportive comments on your own articles under your real name, turning the comment section into a schizophrenic echo chamber, make sure anything that can truly be used against you in a defamation suit is hidden away by your fake identity.

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USAMA BLOG

Taekwondo Is Just Karate

Writing Your Own Scrolls?

Should Certifications Be Displayed Publicly?

Made Up Martial Arts

Fighting With Aiki

New IJF Rules Further Strip Down Judo

"Aiki Secrets" Book Series Review

Fantasy, Narcissism And Lack Of Honor In NGBs

The Different Paths Of A Martial Artist

The Troll's Playbook

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