Whether from observing something like the Okinawan forms, the systems of Shaolin derived Kung Fu, or simply from the martial art you yourself train in, what purpose did the originators of the various branches of martial arts have in concealing applications in katas and various other tricks.
It would also be interesting to hear people’s thoughts on whether they believe this should apply to the modern world or how one should adapt it to the modern world.
Bujinkan, Bak Mei, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Tai Chi Chuan, Ninjutsu, Aikido, Hapkido, and so on.
Great stuff. As I heard mentioned before, a lot of questions asked in the Martial Arts section is done so from a beginner’s perspective. Thus people get a lot of basic questions that sound the same.
I’m trying to see what more advanced knowledge or history I can discover. I’ve heard tidbits here and there, but not as much as this concentrated material in the answers here.
@OC: I would apply the knowledge of balance I obtained in my training. Conceptually or intellectually, they are the same, but the way they are trained is not. Thus all that matters is which training model I attempt to use. One always gets better results from the training model they have trained in, rather than somebody else’s that they have not encountered.
@Liondancer: Surprise is indeed a tactical force multiplier. It is also a state of mind. Many people do not train to force their minds to make decisions faster, but rely on reflexes or body speed. On strategy, Miyamoto Musashi once let the public hear that he always came late to duels. Then on one duel, he came early and attacked first, because he suspected the guy had brought “friends” along. I think in that duel Miyamoto didn’t even use a shinken, sharp sword, but an oar he carved out from the boat he used.
@Jim R: I heard that the more advanced tier of martial arts were to counter other martial arts. In this sense, security and information gathered on style techniques became rather important. So long as people are left guessing, they won’t be certain what the best course of action is.
@Cobra:I think training students in basics for 1 year was also an additional level of protection. A stranger is someone that is not immediately trusted, because he isn’t vouched for by blood or personal relationships. So 1 year is a good time period to do a background check and to see how he interacts with other people.
As society becomes more secure and more free, freedom of information allows for more productivity when security is no longer as much a concern.
Btw, people were rather poor back then. So if people wanted to sell martial arts secrets, they would have to also sell the skill (mercs). Cause stuff on paper is worth nothing without the weapon.
@J: The security situation was definitely something I can understand. To give a modern comparison, people now a days don’t worry about putting up Facebook pages and linking to all their friends.
@Pugpaws: kata has one aspect I found of especial note. It was that you could slow it down to a snail’s speed. From the material I have used, my own training, and looking at what Cheng Tai Chi Quan has done, training slow can produce speed. The elements are rather complex. Due to its seemingly counter-intuitive logic, I don’t think most people would even think of this idea when observing kata. There is too much philosophy that teaches people to use strength and muscle through things rather than knowing the truth of the situation. Without knowing the truth, people do a lot of trial and error. Related to tension in sparring.
