"The Ways of All Asian Martial Arts are One"
By: Anthony DiFilippo September, 2001
--Jujutsu is karate without kata, Karate is Jujutsu without application and both are Quanfa developed in unique cultures different from where it originated -- source unknown now hold on and don't get perturbed by this statement. I know we are all brought up to believe that Jujutsu is a throwing art, karate is a percussion art, Quanfa is an art of Chinese Monks and "our system" is the most effective but if we look closer into this maxim perhaps we can come to understand the universal truth that all Asian self-protection arts are really one and the same.
Self-Protection: Arts Webster's Dictionary defines self-protection as defending oneself or someone/something that relates or belongs to oneself. When society’s moral principles begin to erode and its ethical and coercive authority begins to deteriorate or when individuals or groups calculate that the potential gains of ignoring society's rules exceed the costs of living within them, then the potential for unprovoked violence is certain and hence the need for a means for individuals to protect themselves is born. This is true today as it has been since the dawn of time and reasonably accounts for the birth of the self-protection arts. In 1934, before traveling to Hawaii, Goju-ryu founder Miyagi Chojun summed it up best when he Wrote; "Regardless of where and When the self-defense disciplines first unfolded, we can only conclude that they ascended along side of mankind since ancient times resulting from the animosity inherent in human nature."
Defensive Themes: On a physical level and at their core Karate, Jujutsu, Quanfa, Hapkido, Banshay, Bersilat, Muay Thai, Mano de Mano, sambo, Greco Wrestling, Boxing, etc. are all methods of self-protection. Based upon brutally effective but simple methods of obstructing the bodily function of another human being these arts (regardless of how they are practiced today) are composed of manipulation and proper positioning of joints to cause pain or control the attacker; applying pressure to the different muscle groups in order to help maneuver the attacker; twisting, striking and squeezing muscles to create pain and control the attacker; restricting or cutting off air entering or leaving the lungs; restraining the blood flow from an artery or vein to render the attacker unconscious; striking or pressing vulnerable points of the body to stun, create pain and control the attacker; and throwing a person to the ground. This is a comprehensive repertoire of defensive methods to protect oneself from any type of attack.
Application Principles: Given this description, we find that all self-protection traditions are based on universal principles and laws applicable to the human body, human biomechanics, levers and energy transfer – no more and no less. After all a punch and kick is the same whether a karateka, jujutsuka, Quanfa practitioner or street fighter applies them, our joints bend in specified directions and pain does not discriminate. "It has always been the Structure of the human body, its unique functions & common Anatomical weaknesses that best impedes motor performance" Patrick McCarthy Training Methods All self-protection traditions, in whichever country they may be embraced or by whichever name they go by, by their very nature, focus on defensive applications linked to varying types of violent acts. In order to become proficient in self-protection, one must recreate the violent acts being defended against and understand and apply the defensive themes and application principles. This requires functional application based two-person drills better known as futarigeiko, Kumite (tegumi), sparring, etc. supplemented with exercises to build strength and endurance.
Delivery System: The progenitors of these self-protection arts have spent life times researching and testing various self-protection techniques in an effort to root out poorly-designed techniques and incorporate effective techniques in their training methods and learning templates to pass down to subsequent generations. The training methods focus on the execution of the defensive themes and include varying ways of employing the hands and arms; feet and legs; head and torso. As well as ways of generating force by proper movement of the body, balancing and unbalancing and receiving or evading an attack. These training methods and learning templates have been designed to provide the learner with models to learn the application principles inherent in the techniques and extrapolate greater lessons therein for use in any situation.
Moral Philosophy: WA (Harmony) KEI (Respect) SEI (Purity) JYAKU (Tranquility), these four principles guide all Asian self-protection arts and signify the traditions highest ideals as they are the important principles of humanity. In the hustle and bustle of everyday activities, it is valuable for each one to take time and ponder upon each principle and utilize it for one's spiritual cultivation. Thus, through the practice of the Asian self-protection arts, one can acquire peace of mind, and contribute to the establishment of societal peace.
Spiritual Introspection: At the basic level, the Asian self-protection arts teach how to protect ourselves and loved ones from physical dangers whether they come from a bodily assault or other parts of life that may cause physical harm. In addition, the training process incorporates moral and ethical guidelines and helps us learn to avoid life's obstacles, recover easily from falls, and overcome insurmountable odds in order to continue to live happily and without fear. Our training in karate reminds each of us of our own humanity, the importance of improving the quality of daily life and our responsibility to contribute to the welfare of society.
Styles and Systems: If all Asian self-protection arts impart universal principles and laws applicable to the human body, human biomechanics, levers and energy transfer that allow the defender to employ brutally effective but simple methods of obstructing the bodily function of another human being for self-defense through systemized pedagogical training methods and a reproduction system that are punctuated with moral philosophy and methodical introspection - then why do we have so many "styles and systems?"
a. My journey and research in the Asian self-protection arts leads me to conclude that styles and systems reflect only three things;
b. An individual's understanding (or lack thereof) of Anatomy and Physiology, Human Biomechanics, and Applied Science;
c. Varying methods of imparting these principles; and the culture in which the individual was/is indoctrinated. (To quote Joseph Campbell), "Every generation produces innovators who, in an effort to keep their ritualized practices a living experience for the people they serve, reinterpret the common principles upon which they rest. By doing so, it is not necessarily new rituals created, as it is more innovative ways of imparting the same principle."
Conclusion: Despite the claims that one style or system is different and or better or stronger than another, we can readily see that regardless of what style or system it is, they must all adhere to certain universal principles based not only on science but also on a body of moral principles -- Philosophers have always said that "martial arts are a path.. Any path not paved by physical conditioning, moral philosophy or methodical introspection leads nowhere."
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