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Zen Beikoku Bujutsu Kyokai
                 全米国武術協会
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You've Been Brain Washed...

1/18/2017

1 Comment

 
Author: Bret Gordon
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One of the most frustrating things I've encountered is when I try to help someone, yet they are stuck in their ways and are too close-minded to try anything new. I find this most often when they belong to an organization that their instructor has told them is the "best" and "highest level" of their art. We're going to examine that statement but first we must agree upon what an organization is and what purpose does it serve.

There are a few different types of martial arts organizations out there. Some, like ours, are multi-style organizations that seek to offer a home for independent martial artists, or those who have been separated for whatever reason from their previous instructor/organization. More often than not, these organizations are paper mills whose sole intention is to sell you documentation and boost your ego, while lining their pockets. What separates the US Association of Martial Arts, along with our affiliates such as the World Organization of Mixed Martial Arts (WOMA) and the Ryu-Sakura-Do Karate Federation (RSDKF), from the others is that while we do offer various levels of certification, paper is just a cool side effect of membership. Our main purpose and mission is to offer our members additional training, and provide avenues for them to network with other members to expand their circle with like-minded practitioners. No, I am not trying to sell you on the USAMA. I'm simply trying to make a point. 

The most popular type of organizations are the system-specific governing bodies. These are organizations usually established by the founder or directors of a particular system, and their purpose is to oversee that particular art (or branch of said art). For my system this organization is the International San Budo Federation, and it is in my by-laws that anyone claiming rank or license in the art of San Budo Sogo Bugei that is not affiliated with the ISBF is fraudulent. However, with an art that has been around for multiple generations and has seen numerous splinters before such an organization was established, the same authoritarian statement can't be made. Since 60% of all martial artists in the world practice Taekwondo, let's look at the Kukkiwon. 

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The Kukkiwon was established in 1972 by the Korean government to function as the World Headquarters of Taekwondo, an art created by the same entity to force the numerous kwans (which functioned as independent systems) to unify under one banner. Now, some practitioners refused to unify and instead set up parallel organizations around the world to govern their own system of Taekwondo (or Tang Soo Do in Hwang Kee's case). The most popular is the International Taekwon-Do Federation, established by General Choi, yet there are numerous others including the American Tae Kwon Do Association, Taekwondo America, International Taekwondo Association, and many more. That doesn't count the numerous smaller organizations in the various countries around the world who fall under one of the major organization's banners. So while the Kukkiwon holds the monopoly on Taekwondo in South Korea, it is certainly not the only organization out there. 

In the article, "Understanding Taekwondo Politics," I stated that the Kukkiwon was the sole source of legitimate Taekwondo in my opinion. But that is my opinion, which I can probably attribute to having started my martial arts career in a Kukkiwon school. If you ask a practitioner of ITF, they will tell you that since General Choi is often credited as the founder of Taekwondo, that his organization is the sole source of legitimate Taekwondo and that the Kukkiwon (Korean government) tried to steal it from him. While I disagree, they do have a point. 

So in reality, I can't say that the Kukkiwon is the sole source of legitimate Taekwondo. Therefore, I'd like to amend my statement to say that the Kukkiwon is the sole source of legitimacy for Kukki Taekwondo, the art as practiced in South Korea and regulated by the Korean government. But there in fact numerous "styles" of Taekwondo now, and it is unfair and blatantly incorrect to make such a definitive statement that they all should fall under the Kukkiwon when in reality the art they teach is not any similar to Kukki Taekwondo as it is to any other empty-handed striking art.

But my initial reaction, the underlying belief that Kukkiwon certification carries more weight than any other Taekwondo organization, is the result of brain washing. Too often do instructors of a particular organization ram it down the throat of their students that their organization is the most legitimate, in essence creating a cult-like devotion to said organization. The argument for Kukkiwon certification is that anywhere you go in the world, your black belt will be recognized. But what does that even mean?

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Rank recognition is a fallacy, a marketing ploy to get you hooked. Essentially, they're saying that no matter what school you walk into in the world, you'll theoretically be allowed to wear your black belt. That is the most asinine statement I've ever heard. You're basically saying that should you relocate and enroll at a martial arts school that doesn't teach Kukki Taekwondo, that new school will still honor your divine piece of paper and bring you into their school as a black belt with all of the privileges of such. What?!?! In truth, a Kukkiwon black belt is only transferable to the Kukkiwon school. So when that student relocates and finds out that hard truth, rather than having the humility to put on a white belt and learn something new they usually search for another Kukkiwon school. No matter what rank you hold, when you visit another school you should be prepared to wear a white belt. Martial arts is about humility and respect, not about the colorful piece of cloth wrapped around your waist. But now regardless of where in the world that student is, the Kukkiwon can still collect their fees when that student tests for their next Dan rank. Great scheme, isn't it? 

You've been brain washed. You've been manipulated in believing that piece of paper is worth more than any other piece of paper. It's not your fault, we are all brain washed at some point. No one wants to believe that what they've worked for is meaningless, or at least not as highly coveted as they once thought.

Now, this article has been mostly directed toward the Kukkiwon but they are just one of many examples. When joining an organization you need to ask yourself something. What does that organization do for you? Every organization in the world can print you off a pretty piece of paper that looks really official, but certificates are only as valuable as the respect you have for the person signing it. Otherwise, it's much cheaper to go to Lowe's or Home Depot and pick out wallpaper. How does being a member of that organization help you as a practitioner? As an instructor? As a school owner? If you can't answer that question with something that's not superficial, you're in the wrong group. Sorry.


To make matters worse, the guy on the street trying to rob you doesn't care what organization you belong to. They're not going to shove a gun your face and then change their mind when you say, "But wait! I'm Kukkiwon certified!" They're probably going to pistol whip you. The true benefits of martial arts are not measured in paper and belts. They are measured on the mat, in the amount of blood, sweat and tears you've shed over the years. How hard are you really training? Are you truly prepared to defend yourself and your loved ones? Have you only learned counter attacks, or have you truly studied the intricacies of self defense and survival training? No amount of paper, belts or trophies will save your life. That is up to you.

​
www.triomartialarts.com
www.clermontselfdefense.com
www.clermontselfdefense.wordpress.com​

1 Comment
Ahan link
10/2/2019 03:19:50 pm

Kind Sirs and Distinguished Ladies:

On Okinawa we understand many of these things and their associated challenges. We understand that many of our arts get washed up on the beaches of many foreign countries like so much driftwood. We know that.

Related to it we have certain unspoken and unwritten guidelines on such things. Teachers pass on, doctors tell people to stop doing what they are doing, all sorts of things happen to traditional teachers.

If a person wishes to visit a traditional school there are some old protocols that if followed open doors.

If a person has been awarded a particular belt, they absolutely should bring it, along with their "do-gi" with them meticulously washed, folded, and ready to be presented if they wish to bring it if they intend to visit a dojo as a guest to observe.

Here is something that foreigners do that drives many of us up the wall. Here goes, "Sure, I'll go put on my gi."

He is done, finished, he might even get into the school, but what a lousy start.

1) Here we have two, and there is no other way of putting it, two lingering "body sounds" in the room:

They are taught to say it, but in polite society in Japan, "gi" means "underpants." "But they don't teach that!" Bingo, they don't, but they don't because they don't have to. Yet, there are even teachers who after hanging out with foreigners a lot, might even say it. But, put them on a plane and take them to Tokyo and have them say it there, and it will be considered "rough around the edges."

What does that sound like? Well, in standard, Tokyo Japanese, which a significant number of Okinawans stumble with, is sounds like Mr. Nakamura, who at the church picnic in front of the women says, "Oh, you want to see me hit stuff, I'll go put on my jock-strap."

Before leaving for Japan or Okinawa, leave the word "gi" in America or wherever.

Next:

2) The person assumed they didn't have to request permission to put it on.

Still, look for the time when the master of the school asks:

The master of the school very well may request to see a kata. The reason is very simple. In Confucian "physics" the person who has "travelled the farthest" at "that" moment is the most honored guest.

Thus, there is absolutely nothing wrong with bringing your belt and "dogi," but do not under any circumstances wear it unless invited to, and if invited, confirm by requesting from the headteacher permission to get "properly attired."

Once properly attired, and standing at the correct spot, ask where it is, and then there, give your best, best, best bow. Do it SLOWLY, HANDS OPEN, (CLEAN HANDS), and then after:

The individual must: introduce themselves:

1) Name their ryuha, then their teacher's full name, give just the town/village where they studied, and then, LAST NAME FIRST, then their private name.

2) Bow again. Pause.

3) Then ask this in the appropriate local language:

"Would the master wish to see a kata of (teacher's name)?"

If you have made it that far, it very well could be a yes.
Do it, and most importantly, fill the room with your teacher's spirit.

Finish, bow to the master, bow to the dojo, turn, and go get undressed.

It doesn't matter what kata. The entry, of the entry, of the first kata for the worse karate system in the universe will be greeted respectfully if introduced and presented that way.

After, DO NOT REQUEST to be a student. In your best street clothing, nice dress or shirt and tie, wait to be invited to sit by the teacher. You very, very well might be invited to "have a seat."

The whole periodic chart of the Daoist and Confucian physics that are going on with this would be a MA thesis on Confucian order.

Later, if an offer is extended, some schools will require the person to grab a white belt and start all over again with pounding sand "his way." True.

However, presented this way, telling a person to remove their "belt," is also insulting a "teacher." That is really, really "uncool."

Accordingly, if the individual in question is invited to be a member of the school, the courtesy to the invisible teacher, if that kata genuinely reflected the skill level of that grade, the kata more often than not "stands."

What happens then a significant number of times is that the person is invited to train for "the next grade up." It happens.

The manner has two key points: 1) Request if the teacher would like to see your teacher's kata. If the teacher says, "Hai," or something like it, then that would make you a kind of "representative" of your original teacher, wouldn't it?

2) If he / she says yes, then you must ask the next question, do you have permission to get "appropriately dressed?" Think Confucian for a moment. Put into that situation, it is the teacher who you are asking permission to put that on, for "just that moment."

IF, you are really jumping from something like "Happy-Harmonious Tai Chi Butterfly" to "Dragon-Hippopotamus Ryu," for your safety, th

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