Over the years, I have met many Martial Artists. Some I have known on a personal basis, but sadly very few began the Martial arts with the right attitude, determination, and loyalty. In contrast, many struggle to overcome the obsession for rank and titles, inflamed by their overinflated egos.
This obsession degrades the very foundation and philosophy of what the Martial Arts once stood for.
Over the years, I have watched as many practitioners and teachers who have lost their way, forgetting the honor that it was to be called “A Martial Artist” in decades past.
“A Martial Artist’s Self-worth is frequently based on their false feelings of worth in their skills and achievements.”
Those who have this type of attitude want the recognition of saying that they are “Martial Artist” but do not truly understand what it means to be one.
So what makes a real Martial Artist?
One must be skilled in warrior arts such as karate-Jutsu while maintaining balance in body, mind, and spirit as in the ways like Karate-do. Doing what is right in any given Martial Arts situation or otherwise. By continually looking inward to eliminate character flaws, finding ways to improve one’s self-worth, and seek positive action in all relationships with others.
“ Morihei Ushiba” Stated.
“Iron is full of impurities that weaken it; through forging, it becomes steel and can be transformed into a razor-sharp sword. Human beings develop in the same fashion.”
Most Masters that have come and gone would be sorely disappointed that many ego-pumping teachers have watered down the essence of what they passed on, just to see it being replaced with a false sense of self-worth; these very people can’t “walk the walk” so to speak.
According to my research, rank and belts did not exist in Karate before 1922. On April 12, 1924, Funakoshi awarded seven of his students the rank of Shodan. At the time of bestowing rank upon his students, Funakoshi himself held no belt rank in Karate or any other Martial Arts system.
Most Martial styles don’t have rank at all. A practitioner’s hands did all the talking.
It was said that Chojun Miyagi believed in awarding ranks to no one. He believed that once Dan ranks in Karate are awarded, it will inevitably lead to trouble. Miyagi Sensei believed that ranking systems would lead to discrimination within Karate, and Karate-ka would be judged by their rank and status, not their character.
Chojun Miyagi was right, and now commercialization and politics have further eroded the Martial Arts. I don’t see an attitude change in those that are part of these problems because ego and greed stand in their way.
Martial Art studios are more concerned about selling parents on a $135 a month class for 3-4 years and having nothing to show for it except to pay an additional cost for a test/belt. Most of these students have had little or no quality training. All they can do is flash around a belt. These schools are more of a daycare than a Martial Arts school, and the people running them know this is immoral. This is complete and utter theft, and any schools that operate in this way should be shut down.
For those willing to face the truth and have the desire and insight to change, drawing from the roots of what made our past masters so great. Use the following as a guide:
ONE: Get rid of your ego and hypocrisy. This attitude has no place in Martial Arts.
Two: Has money become the motivating factor over quality and ethical training? “Let your morals be your guide here.”
Three: Ranks and titles should not be given or received until proper technical skills are met, mental discipline has been demonstrated, followed by character and integrity.
When it’s all said and done, it boils down to your own self-development.
I was asked here recently if Richard Baillargeon ever had an LLC. The answer is NO.
Mr. B incorporated NKJU. INC/LLC are very similar in how they operate. Mr. B’s Inc. was created on February 13, 1985, Number J502308, and has long since been dissolved.
“Legal definition of Dissolved.” To dissolve an LLC/Inc. It means ending the business as a legally recognized entity, and if the administrative entity is dissolved as a corporation, the entity can’t continue doing business.
In that case, the entity and its owners and managers can run into various legal problems.
This includes the following: People who act on the entity’s behalf may be held personally liable for debts or obligations incurred while dissolved. Once an entity has been dissolved, this creates a break in interstate commerce.
“A new Trend.” Some misguided practitioners lately have been saying a Martial Artist should have professional status as a Ph.D. MA, MS .etc. and are proclaiming they can grant such status. Herein lies the problem with these people not understanding that the tiles I just mentioned are strictly used in Academia.
People making these claims are illegitimate and cannot award you a professional degree. Do not fall for this ruse.
Academic as defined by the Collins English Dictionary. The term “Academic” is used to
describe things related to the work done in schools, colleges, and universities, primarily work, which involves studying and reasoning rather than practical or technical skills.
Before you put out any money to these people, you should get all the information they require and the State from where these degrees will be mailed from.
Send this information to the Department of Education in that State and ask if what they are offering is legitimate and recognized in Academia.
You will find out it’s all a fraud. Many of our Asian Masters had little or no formal education. Yet, they were able to inspire the very essence of the Martial Arts that we have today not only in their students but in their community as a pillar of morality, strength, and honor.
To think Martial Artists need an “Academic” degree to be recognized as a professional in Martial Arts is ludicrous. By saying so, we denounce our Asian master’s lineage and legacy and the credibility of those that preceded them.
To have someone give me a degree to prove what I am is to belittle those menjos given to me by my instructors.
Body mechanics Challenge. I would ask everyone to do a straight punch only, no other move from your hip, palm up. Look at every motion and explain to me how many distinctive moves you made. Many instructors show a punch block, etc. but do not understand the mechanics behind the actions.
Until you do, you will never understand how any technique should work.
Please email me with your answer!
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Fear is just excitement in need of an attitude adjustment.
Kaicho, Roy D. Davis III
NKJU ® National Karate Jiu-Jitsu Union and National Karate jiu-jitsu Union Int. 2691 Worth County Line Road Albany, Georgia 31705 davisroyiv3@gmail.com
February 2021 NKJU® Bulletin
NKJU ® & NKJUI® is a USPTO registered trademark owned by Roy D. Davis III. Any use of this name by any person, organization, company, or association with the marketing or sale of any products and services without the owner’s permission violates the US Trade Mark Act.
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