I have recently been reading a lot about the classical Japanese martial arts, the so-called Koryu arts. I think there are a lot of similarities between these arts and the traditional Chinese arts. Not in the techniques, but rather in the mindset.
I found a brilliant interview with Toby Threadgill who heads a classical style of jujutsu. Here is the link:
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=702
I highly recommend it. He touches on a lot of topics that are just as relevant to Chinese arts, particularly as studied in the west, and particularly in light of the MMA revolution.
One part really struck a chord with me, which is this excerpt where he talks about some of the reasons why people study a classical art as opposed to a modern one.
For me, this is precisely why I have a love for traditional Chinese arts. *Not* because being older makes them supposedly "better" or "deadlier". It's simply because of the sense of being part of something much larger than yourself.
Mr Threadgill's point of view seems to be one end of a spectrum. I guess the other end would be Bruce Lee, who said something like, "Man, the creating individual is more important than any established style."
My question is this: how important do you feel this to be? Is being part of something larger than yourself something that you value as well? Or do you believe that the most/only important thing is how well you can fight with it?
I found a brilliant interview with Toby Threadgill who heads a classical style of jujutsu. Here is the link:
http://www.aikidojournal.com/article?articleID=702
I highly recommend it. He touches on a lot of topics that are just as relevant to Chinese arts, particularly as studied in the west, and particularly in light of the MMA revolution.
One part really struck a chord with me, which is this excerpt where he talks about some of the reasons why people study a classical art as opposed to a modern one.
Studying the history and lineage of the art, realizing that you are actively engaged in a knowledge tradition that has been passed from generation to generation, all this is a very fascinating and rewarding endeavor. It makes you part of something much larger than yourself.
For me, this is precisely why I have a love for traditional Chinese arts. *Not* because being older makes them supposedly "better" or "deadlier". It's simply because of the sense of being part of something much larger than yourself.
Mr Threadgill's point of view seems to be one end of a spectrum. I guess the other end would be Bruce Lee, who said something like, "Man, the creating individual is more important than any established style."
My question is this: how important do you feel this to be? Is being part of something larger than yourself something that you value as well? Or do you believe that the most/only important thing is how well you can fight with it?