continued from page 1... In this article we can only touch on some aspects of Japan vs. West training.
An issue to raise is that of attitude and approach in the dojo. When a Westerner
walks into a karate Dojo for the first time their mindset is not quite the same
as an Asian student who reads the Kanji (Chinese characters) on the door and
understands that Do & Jo combine to mean a place of studying the Way. In the
West students come to understand this over time. I feel that the Japanese
culture is much better at mimicking a taught action than Westerners, and
therefore, there is less tendency in Japan for students to look, question,
re-interpret, and then perform their version of what they saw. The above issues
tend to combine to make the standard of Kyu ranks in the Japanese dojo(s)
better. However, I do not notice such a large difference in ability of black
belt ranks when comparing Japan to the West. It seems that once the effect of
time has allowed them perfect technique through repetition, and gain an
understanding they are studying an art of Do, the same endpoint in ability is
reached regardless of cultural differences. Interestingly, I find European
students faster learners than my Australian or USA students. One of my
University clubs is at a school with a very strong international exchange
program, and therefore, has a make-up of approximately 1/3 of each European,
Australian and American students. The Europeans appear to learn at a faster rate
not so much due to a mimicry mindset (like the Japanese) but rather an
openness to new ways.
Zen in the martial arts is not even mentioned in some karate organizations
in the West and in others it is. In Japan I found it is often not mentioned, or
talked about, but innately exists (as was eluded to in a couple of examples
above). I did have many insightful discussions on Zen over post training
drinks in Japan the place where both in business and the martial arts world,
the heart of matters are really opened up. More on Zen, Japan and Karate is
outlined in our video series.
It is not uncommon for black belts to sometimes travel to Japan and test for
a higher Dan rank. However, testing for black belt is a stressful event even if
you do it in your home town. Imagine if you elected to do all your training in
the West and then travel to Japan for the big day with no real knowledge of the
sensei testing you, the students you will fight, or the Japanese culture. That
is exactly what a number of my brown belts have done over the years. It was a
real testament to their courage to join me in Japan and 2 days later, still with
jetlag, perform their Shodan Shinsa (black belt test). All were nervous,
however, all rose to the occasion and learning occurred from both the involved
Japanese and Western students. In 1997 my first student to perform this task
(Dave Cohrs) obviously had the largest factor of the unknown as to our
knowledge, he was the first Westerner to try it. As is usually the case Dan rank
tests are more about Kata and Kihon than fighting. Within Japan, especially in
the case of Westerners, these are the things under the most scrutiny.
The experiences briefly outlined in this article are now covered in a
documentary series on living, and training in Japan, recently published on the
web in the form of downloadable videos (www.DownloadKarate.com).
About the author: Dr. Jason Armstrong, 5th Dan Sensei Jason Armstrong has a
5th degree black and has been training for more than 20 years. His training
began in Australia, and then moved to the USA in 1991. In 1995 he began regular
travel to Japan and spent time living in Japan for karate. While in Japan he
worked in the corporate environment and ultimately became the CEO of a company
in Tokyo. He holds a Ph.D. in human physiology. Today he has founded Applied Zen
which operates in the USA, and, Australia passing on Japanese karate through
dojos, and through a video e-learning site (www.DownloadKarate.com).
Additionally, his organization (www.AppliedZen.com) provides corporate seminars
on the integration of the Art of War, and Zen into corporate team development,
and business.
Picture: Author Jason Armstrong with Himeji Castle in the background.
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