Respecting the Art Form - - Chief Instructor's Blog July 2010

In Gichin Funakoshi’s, The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate [1], his first principle is “Do not forget that Karate-Do begins and ends with rei”.

He states that “Rei is often defined as ‘respect’, but it actually means much more. Rei encompasses both an attitude and respect for others and a sense of self-esteem.” He goes on to state “Combat methods that lack rei are not martial arts but mere contemptible violence” [1].

One reason we bow is to show respect. In our Club we bow at the beginning and end of each class to show respect for the Instructors and our fellow students. We bow to our partners before sparring and other drills to show respect for one another. We bow when we enter and leave the dojang to show respect for the space we practice and learn the techniques. As a side note, in Japanese art forms “Rei” is used as the command to bow.

I believe that one of the reasons martial arts masters used to be very selective in the students they took on to teach was to ensure they presented a sense of respect. For some masters, teaching their style was handing down “secrets” from a family or lineage. For many reasons for many years, martial artists trained secretly and in private. There were many instances where students were turned away from masters. To continue to train, students were obedient, and respectful. Not just respectful of to the instructors, but respectful of the knowledge that was shared with them.

Today, it is easier to find a martial arts school or club to learn from. The information is more open, but it is still a privilege to learn the information. Martial art students still should demonstrate respect: respect for the information and the training they receive by being responsible in how they use the art form as well as practicing the knowledge they have been handed.

To properly respect martial arts, students should strive to master all the techniques no matter how trivial they may seem. The information provided in martial arts training provides information and skills which can have deadly results if used improperly or with the intent of being deadly. Therefore it is crucial students should respect the information provided to them from their Instructors and practice what they have been taught diligently, seriously, and respectfully.

At our Club, the Instructors will provide training at a level appropriate for you, based on your skill set and experience. Appropriate also means you are ready to learn new information because you have gained appropriate proficiency in the techniques and forms you have been taught to date. We want to make sure you are ready to understand and respect any new material but also respect and understand the material you have been taught . In this perspective, we do hold back some information until you have shown you are ready to respect it.

Respecting it means not only respecting the use of it, but also respecting those that you train with, respecting the Instructors that provide the information, and respecting the information provided.

Regards,
Kelly

“All martial arts begin and end with rei." ~ Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), founder of Shotokan Karate, from his book “Twenty Guiding Principled of Karate”

References:
1. The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master by Gichin Funakoshi