Sport vs Traditional Karate
During the years after World War II, American servicemen stationed in Okinawa trained in the traditional art of Okinawan Karate. Most of these servicemen were in Okinawa long enough to gain only a very basic understanding of the art. Upon returning home, these men introduced their interpretation of karate to the American public for the first time. Since then, karate has grown to be one of the most popular sports in the United States. Most people would see this increase in popularity as positive progress in the evolution of karate, but it is not. True to form, Americans have taken an art from a different culture and "Americanized" it beyond recognition. American Sport Karate is the direct antithesis of Traditional Karate in several ways. In Okinawan traditional dojo (schools), a prospective student had to undergo a rigorous selection process. Once accepted, the student had to continually prove his worthiness to train by exhibiting correct attitude. The sensei (instructor) was ever on the watch for any reason to expel the student from training. In the traditional dojo, students had to follow a strict code of conduct and dress. This code included intricate protocol, which taught t
Students are actually rewarded for exhibiting these attributes. he student humility, respect, and manners. Students wear outlandish uniforms of bright patterns and colors in order to fuel their egos. Students were encouraged not to fight unless they found themselves in a life-threatening situation. Once a student enters the school, the instructor employs incentive programs in order to get him to stay. Students had to exhibit honor, sincerity, respect, loyalty, politeness, veracity, bravery and benevolence, the character traits of the samurai code of bushido. The modern Sport Karate school solicits students through advertising schemes, tournaments, and public demonstrations. Daily, mankind strays ever further from the true way. In this way, karateka (karate students) learned to execute deadly techniques to vital areas reflexively -- without conscious thought. Unfortunately, the typical instructor of today pursues wealth and fame, instead of the true value offered by traditional martial arts training -- a healthy mind, body and spirit, along with a calmer and more peaceful lifestyle. There is no code of conduct in sport karate. Popular movies, books and sporting events have led the vast majority to believe that karate and other martial arts are to be used in obtaining money, glory or revenge. For the martial arts to be seen or practiced as anything else does a great injustice to the arts and those who embody them. They are a way of life enhancement for the greater good of society as a whole.
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