“Have you ever thought what’s the point of all this?” I was asked after training on the second night sitting in our Airbnb. We spend thousands of dollars each year to go to Okinawa only to be told to move a finger slightly to the left, or your foot a little to the right. Why is it that we go on this voyage year after year? Simple, it brings a smile and a need to pee my pants feeling of joy every time. Having said that, we pay our yearly dojo fees along with OGKK Branch Dojo affiliation costs, yet we don’t charge anything to our own students. Who would be insane enough to spend so much hard-earned cash and pass on this intangible world heritage for nothing? Probably us, but why?
Hard to say, but let’s investigate shall we. Firstly self-improvement - I guess due to the high expectations we have on ourselves and obsession with wanting to improve, no amount of praise about the way we do karate will ever suffice (nor is it needed or wanted). There is always room for improvement if we are willing to make room and understand what it is we need to improve on. That’s probably why I often find it challenging to have any respect for a large chunk of karateka out there around the globe…. Nowadays, everything is a god damn business, but how much karate do they really know? What do these instructors or schools actually have to offer? Would they be upset if their club or ryu-ha died out? Or would less students joining their club bring about a deeper despair?
How about the passing of knowledge for free? Let’s say there was a camera enthusiast taking Asian-level photos of us, however, does not share. Fine, keep my mug in your self-relief folder and have it to yourself. Why hold all that good equipment and sexy snaps only to keep it to oneself? Or let’s say a mate who has just bought a top of the range wine brags about it and drinks it all alone. What’s the point of boasting when others cannot experience it? It seems both in the karate and business world, (though they might as well be one now) people only know what they want to know and do, however the last thing on their minds is to let anybody else know unless financial compensation occurs. In contrast, I feel it is a necessity to spread the skills and knowledge we have gained over the years to those who are willing and eager to learn. Something worthy of sharing and preserving does not belong to anyone person.
We don't just accept anybody into our dojo, but to those we do - we not only want to pass on what we know and have experienced, but would hope for them to create their own paths in their karate journey and surpass our own understanding.
So back to the original question, What's the point of it all? Don't think I've really answered anything have I? Ummm sorry - dunno 🙃🙃🙃
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