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ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY

MY (10) FAVORITE ISSHIN-RYU

"MYTHS"

(FIVE NOW, FIVE TO FOLLOW)
 

The following are my own opinions; not to be confused with anyone else's or even with the facts. I try not to ever let facts get in the way of some of my opinions. But it's my story and I'm sticking to it. . . . . . . .

MYTH # 1) KATA AND KUMITE SCORING:
This is a two-for-one myth. At the last two tournaments, the "rules maker" said not to grade a shorter kata any differently than a longer kata. Point bring, that they are all black belt kata and should carry equal value. First of all, the kata themselves are not of equal value in effort, difficulty, or duration. This is generally why we teach them to our students in the sequence that we do. There are no Pinan (beginner) kata in Isshin-ryu. So kata that has been modified or abbreviated (which is all of them) have been used as a staging process for instruction. Do you think Wansu and Nahunchi are as difficult to learn and perform as Kusanku or Sunsu? If so, go ahead and give equal scores. Then you will also be ready to buy in to the other myth; "you don't need to make contact to score." Rules makers, keep telling us these things with a straight face. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause.

MYTH # 2) MANY THINGS I SAY IS DIRECTED TOWARD ONE INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP:
This is the paranoia, or read between the lines myth. Most of my friends will tell you that reading between the lines with me is not necessary. Yes, at times I throw out a hint. But it is a strong hint that is easily recognized. You see, I have this aversion to liable, so I don't print anything that I am not wiling to back up legally and factually. Otherwise, if I think someone is a pimple on the butt of Isshin-ryu I tell them to their face. Most of you have seen me, or heard me do just that. After that, I just zing them a little on my site, so they won't think I've changed my mind. I doubt that the very few people I consider in the pimple category, even read my site, or care what I think. I doubt that they care what anyone thinks or they would get off their pimples and go back to training. . . . . . . Or just get lost. My truth to you is, I like and respect 99% of the people I associate with. That doesn't mean I agree with their methods or politics, but I have known everyone for most of my adult life, and want to keep on knowing them. I look upon them as friends, valued acquaintances, or extended family. Chances are good in this group that someone dislikes someone that I do like, and wants nothing to do with them. It further irritates the ones that don't like each other, if I have anything to do with either of them. I have said before, if I only wrote and associated with people that everyone liked and approved of, I wouldn't have anyone to talk to. Under these circumstances, if I let everyone's opinion of each other influence me, I'd miss out on a friendship with a lot of great people. The truth is that, way down deep in the unscathed part of everyone ones hearts, we know that the reasons we dislike or resent each other are petty and sometimes childish. It is also easier to criticize than to work out your differences. If we would all listen to our hearts, instead of wives, husbands, "trusted" advisors, who are often trouble makers, we would be the kind of leaders we should be. I also keep in mind when I get cranked at some one, that I possess at times, one of the more difficult personalities to deal with than anyone I know. Some how, people just forgive that and treat me and my students well. I fully intend to do the same thing in return. I stopped being a member of any association for the stuff that was, and still is going on over Mr. Longs promotions. I cared for people on both sides and still do. I see each person's side, and some are in fact, are more right than others. But I didn't make the decision to promote any one, and not one has asked me yet if they should keep their promotion. Nor should they ask. This is between them and what they know to be true. It has just been wiser to remain neutral and hold out hope that someday I'll live long enough to for there to be only one side...The ISSHIN-RYU side. I have been asked , how I select the people to write about in my Master's Bio. I write my master bio's about people who contribute. I will continue to select others on that basis. I'm honored to write about the people who have been around for so long and given so much. I know some have fallen out of favor with each others, but it's not a pop article. It is a professional accounting of a masters years of work. Not fan base.

MYTH # 3) SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS BENEFICIAL:
This myth began when Jhoon Ree started manufacturing them from his political strong hold in Washington DC. With it, came other manufactures that lobbied the insurance companies into thinking that it was a danger not to use then. So when you get your insurance, the greatest majority require you to use it in your dojo or pay the price. The worst thing it has done is create a total lack of reality in street fighting. Take off your gloves or shin guards, and hit something as hard as a head or elbow. This will give you an idea as to how it will feel in a real street fight. It hurts more than you realize. Chances are, in a real fight, your body is so soft from the use of padding, that you will break you hand or top of your foot on first impact.. I suggest that you use toughening drills for your body during training. We are stuck with his stuff, so we need to train around it. There is some good, as it has made us a lot better with our hands. Before gloves, few if any of us had combination ability, and a boxer would have eaten us alive. You can also open up more during kumite practice, and protect yourself from white belt shin or knee busters better But I repeat,; take them off and train, and get real some too. Safety gear has especially ruined black belt tournaments matches. Some of the competitors have lost their respect of a bare fist to the nose. You see a lot of charging in that used to not exist. This is partially due to the false courage of protection (and the Shirley Temple rules). I see guys now act like they are going to cry because they have been popped with a padded glove or boot. Try getting it hard in the mush, with a bare hand or foot and the other guy getting a point for doing it. Then look around the ring as everyone laughs and yells, work on that defense!! Gone are the days.

MYTH #4) OUR MASTER RANKING SYSTEM MAKES ANY SENSE.
This is the grayest area in the martial arts. Isshin-ryu didn't invent the ranking system, but it didn't take long for it to do to us, what it has done to others. The all out quest and soul swapping for rank, has gotten to be like dope. I see good, successful people, out pimping for rank, like it defines their whole being. They say it doesn't matter, but obviously it does. They go from association to association until they find someone to promote them. They are sad and pathetic. Some associations have you go before their board for your first master’s rank. After that, can anyone tell me what the criteria for promotion is, and why if you don't use it, you shouldn't lose it? I know some associations that do watch this carefully .But it only takes a couple of poorly led associations, to flood the system with these bottom feeders. After Roku-dan in some associations, it is a beauty contest. Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose rank is also. Why else would one guy who has contributed nothing, except service for his own personal gain, be the same rank as say, "Snake Smith" who is legendary in his reputation for fighting and teaching. There is no answer that is printable. This is only one example. Bet you can think of more. Soooo! , if this method is good for the goose, why is it wrong for the gander? I'm talking now about this; "I'm senior to him" argument. I would have to say that, the sheer inconsistency of promoting masters would rule out any argument or comparison as to who is senior. . This senior mentality came with the military background of the men that put this all together. It was their culture and their way of producing a ranking order. As long as you have basic guidelines and criteria for Dan promotion, (as most do from 8th kyu to Sho-dan), and strong unbiased people to institute them, then perhaps longevity, or time in grade, would mean something. Each master rank should be tested and evaluated by a credible association or group of high ranking Dans. I use the group of high ranking Dan’s example, to keep associations from controlling all rank promotions. It gives all an alternative to having to belong to an association for rank. Or, having to adopt their politics for rank. Without that system in place, then let it be like real life and business. Here longevity and seniority means nothing, unless you are producing results. Even in the military you can be passed over for lack of productive leadership. But not in some of the area's of "good old boy Isshin-ryu". If you just show up and hang out at the tournaments for enough years, keep your mouth shut, and don't make waves, you will get your rank. You don't really need to bring any students or even stay all day.you just pay your dues on time, and hang out with the right people. When I feel a judgment of someone is necessary, I use this criteria. Was the guy promoted by a credible Master or association, with a record of good promotions? Is he (they) still serving the goals of who promoted him (them)? Are they producing good students, and still training themselves? Are they using deeds not words to define their career? I don't care; and I drill it in my students head not to care, what the person's rank is. . . . . And sure as hell not to worry about "who's senior". They hurry to orei to whomever they observe, working and leading, and avoid the rest. I remember being on the board that promoted Mr. Long to Ku-dan (9th). There was a great deal of deliberation, as some were concerned about what the rest of the Isshin-ryu would think. So some voted (secret ballot) no. Mr. Long told me that he would not accept it unless it was 100%. So I had to run between him and the board until we could go 100%. That took another meeting at my business place in Greenville SC, with an open vote before it passed. I have documentation of all that, and a letter I wrote the other board members, that I will share with you in the next article. But now days, you walk in to a tournament, and every other master you shake hands with is a Ku-dan or above. That's just the way it is. Doesn't mean we don't necessarily deserve it. We've all been around teaching for thirty to forty plus years. I respect what we do, but come on, it isn't like we are teaching how to cure cancer here. Yet some place the same emphasis on it, and as I said, pimp their little hearts out over rank. Realistically speaking, I think that rank doesn't mean what it used to because, most of us who have the top ranks now, were the baby boomers of Isshin-ryu. No one except the original leaders (Masters Long, Nagle, ect.), had any masters rank at all. I can remember seeing few if any red and white belts at tournaments, and never a red belt. Now the years have passed. We are the next generation, and we have the rank. I feel that the guys I know deserve their rank (some more than others). It just looks and seems different because none of us have the image, clout, or posture, that the afore mentioned original leaders had. Compared to the original group, we are a pretty distant second. I for one, don't mind always being in the shadow of the first group. Although frankly, I think we have a lot of Masters that have just as much or more knowledge, and are superior teachers to many of the first group. The problem is, we are not in their class as leaders as yet. Until we are, we all need to wear these masters’ belts with a little less swagger.

MYTH #5) TOURNAMENTS ARE FUN:
I can't say that there is not some fun to them, or I would give them up all together. When I can, I still fully enjoy the fellowship of friends and their families, that I don't see except at tournaments. But for me, a tournament is another day at the office and them some. First of all, I work my student’s butts off as well as my own, before a tournament. They would think I had lost my mind if acted like when we got there that It didn't mean anything to me. No one wants to socialize and enjoy friends more than I do. But it is not a social event for me. It is a competition, involving present students, former students, and yes, friends. One big change is, we used to fight it out then socialize. Now everyone tries to get both in at once, and it only works for those who have the time for it. I don't!!. I bring too many students, and owe them my full concentration. This is a small but telling situation for a lot of the sensei's. If I bring thirty and you bring two, or none, our stress level is going to be a lot different.. Also, there are the different philosophic approaches those who bring students have. Many of us see the day and the desired end result, differently. I attend tournaments for the following reasons: 1) To increase school unity. 2) To put the students in a training atmosphere you can't duplicate at the dojo. 3) To support friends and introduce my students to important people, and the outside world of Isshin-ryu. 4) To give them an opportunity to make a name for themselves in competition. I submit to you that, the way people remember you as a competitor, will determine how you and your students are treated, long after your competitive days are over. There are some exceptions, but not many. This is a warriors world and mentality, and always has been. That aspect of your reputation in the Isshin-ryu community either helps or hinders all other judgments of you. 5) To win!! I don't let them or me off the hook by minimizing the importance of winning. I want them to feel pressure. I want them to feel the sting of defeat and the exhilaration of winning. I want their senses to be aroused in a memorable experience that they have the opportunity to control. That is what the whole message is about. General Patton in his famous speech to the invasion forces said, "Americans love to win." "It is un-American not to want to win." My sentiments exactly. Yet losing is a great teacher if you teach the proper attitude about it. It is an opportunity to test your resolve and everyone needs that to keep experiencing life. There are however, factors beyond the competitor’s control. The people that you dread to see judge. At every tournament, they are there, giving you an ulcer and driving your student’s nuts. They arrive just in time having no students, no dojo, out of shape, and out of touch. While the competitors get better they just get worse. But on they go, massaging their ego's as a judge, at the expense of some poor hard working competitor and their hopeful sensei. . There is no Master Long to scare them away from the tournaments; there is no one that takes an aggressive approach to the problem. So to protect your students, you are too often compelled to scream at these clowns, just to keep them on their toes. You also have the spectators, which grow worse every year. This is because we have more kids now and the instructors can't control their moms and dads. Also because the tournaments are closed, it is getting to be us against us. Isshin-ryu brother against Isshin-ryu brother. Not only that, but the tournaments are getting smaller, so the same competitors dominate tournament after tournament. Without realizing it, this has created rivalries that have caused strained or lost friendships. I could have never foreseen this happening before, and unless steps are taken, it will only get worse. In this "take sides" mentality we have developed since Master Longs death, it has reared it's ugly head even among long time friends. After rank envy, it is the second biggest reason for hard feelings. The tournaments are no longer fun to the greatest majority of the people. At least that is what many of you write and tell me. What is the answer? Start with some obvious things. Associations, and tournament directors should encourage "ALL" Isshin-ryu people to attend. If you have people fostering separatism, then tell them not to come. We make that very clear at the Dragon Jam. There are three large, successful, Isshin-ryu associations within hours of each other. Yet no one supports the others tournaments or shiai's. Mainly because they either don't get invited of know they aren't welcome. Taking students to tournaments is hard enough without getting the cold shoulder to boot. The only time they come together is the hall of fame tournament which is becoming an annual reason to get together and gossip or argue. If you can't reciprocate with each other, then consider opening the tournaments up. We can handle the bad actors and would be fun to do so. Mr. Long put an end to open tournaments. That was before everyone went their separate ways and we would up with the same 150 people at every tournament. Allow sensei's to coach their fighters from the side lines. This is the most antiquated bull crap rule I know of. No other sport or competition prevents coaches from coaching their people during the event. I mean the opposition can hear what you are yelling too. It's not like you are sending in some secret play that makes it unfair. Somebody came up with some "cutesie saying" to the effect that, if they are not ready by their match, it's too late to help them. Bunk!! Tell that to a coach in any other competition and he will tell you that half the coaching is done during the event. It's just too lame to try to justify. It's just another excuse to not change anything for fear more work will come with it. Coaching relieves frustration. It keeps you off the judges case. Make yelling at the judges a point for the opponent, much like a technical foul. I'll probably be the first one to get a technical, but it is still a good rule. Appoint tournament chief referees .Give them some teeth to award technical foul points, and disqualify people without prejudice, or change judges and referee's around. Assign them certain rings to oversee, and let them work. Have the overseer's rate their officials later, and send it in to the tournament director. Put a Willie Wilson, or Joe Laney, or Phil McElroy, or Butch Hill, or David Gabbard type out there, and there will be peace in the valley. Then let the Ju-dans over see the whole thing. Maximum accountability for everyone. Once at a tournament in Dalton as a chief referee, I disqualified a fighter and temporarily disqualified his whole school. His school was hosting the tournament so the host sensei settled them down quick. I also stopped a match with James Ogle, and threatened to disqualify him if then girlfriend, Angie, didn't stop yelling at me. It didn't cost us a friendship, but Angie has never let me forget it. Sorry Angie!! I had to tell that story. Besides James won anyhow. You knew he would. The tournament hosts are great, hardworking, people. . They pour heart and soul into the day. They truly want you to have a good time and have fun. They are crushed when things go bad. If they get discouraged and stop having tournaments we have no where to go. So let’s get behind some progressive steps to ratchet things up again, and have some fun doing it. Right now, the whole concept is out dated and due for an over haul. What worked for us isn't working anymore, and we owe it to the next generation to fix it.