Who will save our beloved martial arts?

Folks,



I have just returned after attending a mixed martial arts event, headlined by Frank Shamrock and Phil Baroni. Now for my money, I did get about 13 fights, and that is a good thing. Overall, I would say that I enjoyed the event. One of my favorite fighters finally won a belt ( Murilo Rua) and he even impressed the crowd with his newly acquired English skills.



But, as I have noted in other posts, the event had its down-side. There were more tough-guy poseurs, tatooed knuckleheads, Ring Girl wanna-bes, and all around riff-raff than you could shake a stick at. Milling around the HP Pavillion in San Jose, were a bunch of people "representing" their schools like a bunch of adolescent gang-bangers in hostile territory. Nobody really smiled at anyone other than those who they knew, or students from the same school. While there were no fights that I know of, the attitude of many of the people were similar to those were just aching to show their fighting skills if the opportunity came about.



I have spoken at length to a lot of people about the history of martial arts, and its future. Do not get me wrong. I believe that in some capacity, the authentic martial arts will continue to thrive. I just believe that with the way martial arts are being marketed( and NOT marketed as the case may be) they will only occupy a cult following if something is not done quickly to revive its image.



Right now, with the loss of interest in boxing, and the steady rise of mixed martial arts, traditonal martial arts need to step up BIG time. Right now, a paradigm shift if occuring, and if we do not do something QUICLY, we will regret that fact that we did not. Mixed martial arts is now on cable, the athletes are being covered in the mainstream media, and what are we seeing? Oh yes, tattoed tough-guys with no respect for tradition and ( more often than not it seems) foul mouths. Not all mind you, but the tough guy "image" is in full effect.




We traditonalists can take advantage of what is going on in the martial arts world. Not in attempts to exploit anything, but to make the world sit up and realize why the world needs us. Now that Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, and a host of other mainstream media outlets are taking notice, we traditionalists need to" step our game up." The mantra of mixed martial ats is " we use what works in a real fight." The mantra of traditional martial arts has always been about "developing yourself as a complete person." To be scholars as well as warriors should be the goal of any traditionalist martial artist worth their salt. While that can manifest itself in a number of ways, the goal is always the same. To show respect, honor, integrity and compassion for humankind.

So as I was sitting there at the event I said to myself," Self, what things can we do to improve our IDENTITY in the modern world." Notice that I said identity and not image. Identity is what you TRULY are. Image is what you want people to THINK that you are. Chuck Norris and his World Combat League is a step in the right direction. But for me, I think that there is already an event, while no longer televised will represent modern budo perfectly. The event is one you already know. In one word: Shidokan.

For those who do not know, the Shidokan has been called the "triathalon of martial arts." The event has changed a little bit, but the original rules would be perfect. 3 rounds of bare-knuckle striking. The participants wear a gi in the traditional fashion. It includes no clenched fists to the face, but leg kicks, and knee strikes are a staple. 3 rounds of total body kickboxing. For most that means Thai style kickboxing, where elbows are allowed as well as strikes to the face with 10 ounce gloves. Knee strikes are also allowed, and the gi is not worn. The last 3 rounds include an MMA segment. That means the rules of MMA apply: Total body submission throws, full body striking, and a vast array of throws. Between the 3 sets of rules, almost all of the traditional techniques are represented for the masses to see and appreciate.
I think that a massive surge in traditional martial arts would occur if people had a chance to see and appreciate the skill level of the competitors.

I can hear it now," but what about weapons?" Come on folks, I have you covered. I am not going to suggest the often hokey, unrealistic routines that are so common in local tournaments. I am talking about the traditional kata performed with authentically weighted weapons. Not that day-glow graphite stuff that has infested modern tourneys. I mean wood, steel and rattan folks. Nothing that glows in the dark, sparkles when you swing, or clacks loudly because it is hollow. No way! I dont want gymnastics, I want precision. I dont want to see anyone twirling a sword, I want technique. Nothing impresses the layman/person more than an authentic display of expertise.

And as a pinch of reality, perhaps a real live exhibiton by the Dog Brothers. For those who dont know who they are, they are a group of stick fighting specialists who encourage live training, with weapons while wearing minimal protective equipment. Feel free to Google them.

Lastly, I want you to remember, the battle for acceptance is on. Mixed Martial Arts is the new kid on the block. The tradtional martial arts have existed for almost the entire span of humankind. We are here to stay folks, now lets go get our respect!!!