The Real Thing

We get occasional inquires as to the type of karate we teach here at the dojo and some times we lose potential students because, I believe, we are not affiliated with any specific style or organization. In karate circles, this is known as ryu, as in GoJu Ryu Karate. You see, “ryu”means system; hence, the Go (hard) Ju (Soft) Ryu (system) of karate is well known and respected. Of course, some folks are looking for a specific style because they want to stick with it, which is totally understandable. But if you follow certain martial arts media posts, you’ll find that there are a lot purists out there who dismiss schools like ours because we’re not teaching the real thing, the true art, etc. Well, I disagree.

All martial arts were developed and streamlined over time; it didn’t just happen. Typically, the founder of a style had experience with several other styles of martial arts, took that knowledge and created his own ryu based on his unique experience. Sure, some of the movements and forms (kata) may look a little different, but if it is effective and does what it’s supposed to do, who cares? Obviously, some people care a lot. Folks like this also get hung up on trivial things like rank, titles and other trappings of martial arts lore that I believe give traditional systems a bad name. Well earned, perhaps.

Let me give you an example. If you’ve been in karate a long time, you’ll know that a true karate system has the “three Ks;” kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite (sparring or practical application). If your system doesn’t have those three elements, you’re not practicing karate as it was intended. I completely agree with that. Where I have to part ways is in the idea that those elements have to be the same as they were (supposedly) a couple hundred years ago. In my own journey, I traveled all over the United States and lived in Japan and in my formative years as a martial artist, I was exposed to several forms of karate as well as other arts and had unique experiences. It is from those experiences and frequently having to train without a dojo, that I developed our system or “ryu.” We have all of the elements that any other karate system teaches; conditioning, customs, courtesies, mental focus, and the “three Ks.” And if you attend one of our advanced classes, you’ll get a pretty good idea of the validity of what we’re doing. Still, I’m sure there are plenty of practitioners out there who wouldn’t step foot in our school. That’s too bad. We can learn from each other.

Sadly, martial arts is not the only area where we see this type of judgment. Over my lifetime, I’ve met many Christians, brothers and sisters of the faith that I follow whole-heartedly, get hung up on philosophies, titles and doctrine. And just like karate, there are certain elements of the faith that must be intact in order to make it whole: Consistent study of and belief in the Bible as the word of God. The belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whose ultimate sacrifice saves us from eternal hell, which is, total separation from God. And once you realize the truth of Christ, you change your way of thinking, start to evaluate your actions and try of live by the faith you claim. Some may refer to this as being, “saved.” In essence, you have to “walk the talk,” similar to following a martial arts path. I guess this is one of the main reasons I appreciate Budo. Like faith, it takes constant practice, suffering and discipline that lead to a healthy mind, body and spirit. For me, the two are inseparable.

But we Christians tend to be a judgey lot some times, not only concerning non-believers but those in our ranks who may believe, but practice faith a little differently than we do. That’s not to say that there aren’t some false teachings out there. That’s why God gave us the ultimate Chiltons Manual. What? I used to love to work on my old jeeps…you know, before computer chips and all that. A Chiltons Manual told you exactly how to fix something, step-by-step. Go “off road” from the manual and eventually your jeep would break down again if it even started at all. That is the best way I can describe how to determine if your faith is on the right track. Go off road, start adding to or taking away from the manual that God so lovingly put together for us and you’re gonna have issues. Jesus even provides the supreme “Cliff Notes” in Matthew 22:36-40: Love God with your mind, body and spirit (study the Bible and apply it to your life). And, love everybody else as well as you can. Don’t judge. (MSG) But what if your church is in your living room among family and friends? What if you don’t play hymns? What if you don’t have a priest or a well-educated pastor to guide you? What if you’re not feeding people in soup kitchens? What if, maybe, you’re just struggling every day to hold on to your faith? Well friend, I got news for ya…we all are. Just like karate, your faith is solid as long as you have the elements we discussed. Doesn’t mean you’re not going to get bruised and bloodied. Doesn’t mean you’re never going to feel pain or fear. It doesn’t mean, you won’t ever question. The fact that you question is very important deepening your faith.

Three souls on crosses up on hill. One did not deserve to be there. Two did. One of the two, perhaps through anguish and fear, hurled insults and demanded miracles. The other guy, who never went to church, never sung hymns or went to confession, never participated in a Bible study…humbled himself and asked Jesus to remember him. Do you know happens next? If you don’t, look it up. Find it, and apply it. That’s the real thing.

Dave Magliano

Tatsu Dojo

Jissenkan Budo

Dojo Cho