Xue Sheng
All weight is underside
I once posted a similar thread in regards to CMA bashing, and some of this comes directly from that post and since I see this old tired argument popping up again I wanted to post this. I am seeing a resurgent of the “my martial art is better than yours” argument again and this generally boils down too the equally as old and tiresome MMA vs. TMA argument and I have to say is enough already, but this may be just me.
My original style was from Japan (Jujitsu), my second was from Korea (TDK) and now all I do is from China. I personally believe all the martial arts are good arts to train whether that is CMA, JMA, FMA, MMA, KMA etc.
To me some of the comments against MMA and TMA show a complete lack of understanding of either beyond minimal experience or it is based on the fact there are forms in some TMA styles the person once saw or heard about, or MMA fights in a ring and has to follow rules. Neither means a thing about the ability of the practitioner to actually be able to fight by the way.
I can sum up my feelings on it in one Chinese metaphor, "duì niú tán qín" this translates to "like playing the lute to a cow." And this basically means that this argument, at least to me, makes about as much sense as playing a lute to a cow and expecting a reaction. It is like two people sitting at a table trying to have a conversation when 1 speaks only Chinese and the other speaks only English.
Comparing styles is one thing, comparing applications or approaches to a given situation are also good, we can learn that way. But coming out and saying my style is better than any one else’s or this style is best is confrontational and just plain arrogant and it shows an incredible lack of understanding. And what some fail to see is it always boils down to the same thing every single time “my style is better than your style”, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, repeat several hundred more times.
And just to give some idea of what is actually being said when someone says my martial art is superior, better, best, or all others are inferior I decided to post a partial list of the TMA of China, Japan and Korea If you want a more complete list of World wide martial arts go here and get a better idea of how ludicrous a statement that actually is.
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-martial-arts
As I said I am only posting a partial list of Chinese, Japanese and Korean since those seem to be the most compared
Chinese martial arts
Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang), Bajiquan, Black Tiger Kung Fu, Chaquan, Chin Na, Chou Jiao, Choy Lay Fut, Ditangquan, Dragon Kung Fu, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Emeiquan, Fanziquan, Five Ancestors, Five Animals, Five Family, Fu Chiao Tiger Claw, Gou Quan,Hsing Yi (Xingyi), Houquan (Monkey Fist), Huaquan, Hung Gar, Hung Fut, Hu Quan, Jing Wu Men (Jing Wu), Jow-Ga, Iron fist or Iron palm, Iron shirt, Lau Gar. Leopard, Liu Shing Ch'uan, Liuhe Bafa, Long fist, Mei Hua Quan, My Jong Law Horn, Northern Praying Mantis, Pak Mei, Paochui, Phoenix, Piguaquan, Choy Gar, Shaolin Quan, Shuai Chiao (Shuaijiao), Shequan, Southern Praying Mantis, Tai Tzu Chang Chuan, Tang Lang Hu Shi, Tantui, Tien Shan Pai, Tompei Quan, Tongbeiquan, Turtle Kung Fu, White Crane, Wing Chun, Wudangquan, Xinyiba, Xin Yi Liu He Quan, Yau Kung Mun, Yiquan, Zuijiuquan
Japanese martial arts
Aikido, Aikijutsu, Atemi, batto jutsu, Bajutsu, Bhakti Negara, Bojutsu, Bujinkan, Genbukan, GKR Karate, Iaido, Iaijutsu, Jujutsu, Chanbara, Jojutsu, hakko ryu, Jinenkan, Judo, Karate, Kenpo, Kendo, Kenjutsu, Kokondo, Kyudo, Naginata-do, Ninjutsu (Ninpo, budo taijutsu), Okinawan kobudo, Ryu no ashi, Samurai bushido, Shintaido, Shintai Do, Shinwa-Taido, Shorinji kempo, Shotokan, Sumo, Taido, Yabusame, Yosekan bajutsu, Zen Kyo Shin
Korean martial arts
Geomdo, Bonguk-Geomdo, Jundo Hapkido, Han Mu Do, Gjogsul, Hapkido, Haidong Gumdo, Hoi Jeon Moo Sool, Hup Kwon Do, Hwa Rang Do, Kuk Sool Won, Kumdo, Kwon Pup, Kyeoktooki, Kyuki Do, Soo Bahk Do, Ssireum (Korean Sumo Wrestling), Taekyon, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do
Now I personally do not know all of these arts and I doubt anyone does. So tell me without knowing all of them how can anyone say that my art or style or any martial art or style is the best?
To end yet another of my rants my previous Sifu of 12 years (ex-Sifu actually) of Yang/Tung Tai Chi said pretty much the same thing my last weeks at his school. He stated to me that his Martial Art (Yang Style Tai Chi) was superior to all others and that any other style was far inferior and not worth studying.... I didn't agree with him either. It is one thing to be proud of your chosen art it is another to be arrogant about it.
I honestly wish I could say that this was my final word on the subject, but I am sure this argument will just repeat itself over and over like a broken record.
My original style was from Japan (Jujitsu), my second was from Korea (TDK) and now all I do is from China. I personally believe all the martial arts are good arts to train whether that is CMA, JMA, FMA, MMA, KMA etc.
To me some of the comments against MMA and TMA show a complete lack of understanding of either beyond minimal experience or it is based on the fact there are forms in some TMA styles the person once saw or heard about, or MMA fights in a ring and has to follow rules. Neither means a thing about the ability of the practitioner to actually be able to fight by the way.
I can sum up my feelings on it in one Chinese metaphor, "duì niú tán qín" this translates to "like playing the lute to a cow." And this basically means that this argument, at least to me, makes about as much sense as playing a lute to a cow and expecting a reaction. It is like two people sitting at a table trying to have a conversation when 1 speaks only Chinese and the other speaks only English.
Comparing styles is one thing, comparing applications or approaches to a given situation are also good, we can learn that way. But coming out and saying my style is better than any one else’s or this style is best is confrontational and just plain arrogant and it shows an incredible lack of understanding. And what some fail to see is it always boils down to the same thing every single time “my style is better than your style”, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, repeat several hundred more times.
And just to give some idea of what is actually being said when someone says my martial art is superior, better, best, or all others are inferior I decided to post a partial list of the TMA of China, Japan and Korea If you want a more complete list of World wide martial arts go here and get a better idea of how ludicrous a statement that actually is.
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-martial-arts
As I said I am only posting a partial list of Chinese, Japanese and Korean since those seem to be the most compared
Chinese martial arts
Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang), Bajiquan, Black Tiger Kung Fu, Chaquan, Chin Na, Chou Jiao, Choy Lay Fut, Ditangquan, Dragon Kung Fu, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Emeiquan, Fanziquan, Five Ancestors, Five Animals, Five Family, Fu Chiao Tiger Claw, Gou Quan,Hsing Yi (Xingyi), Houquan (Monkey Fist), Huaquan, Hung Gar, Hung Fut, Hu Quan, Jing Wu Men (Jing Wu), Jow-Ga, Iron fist or Iron palm, Iron shirt, Lau Gar. Leopard, Liu Shing Ch'uan, Liuhe Bafa, Long fist, Mei Hua Quan, My Jong Law Horn, Northern Praying Mantis, Pak Mei, Paochui, Phoenix, Piguaquan, Choy Gar, Shaolin Quan, Shuai Chiao (Shuaijiao), Shequan, Southern Praying Mantis, Tai Tzu Chang Chuan, Tang Lang Hu Shi, Tantui, Tien Shan Pai, Tompei Quan, Tongbeiquan, Turtle Kung Fu, White Crane, Wing Chun, Wudangquan, Xinyiba, Xin Yi Liu He Quan, Yau Kung Mun, Yiquan, Zuijiuquan
Japanese martial arts
Aikido, Aikijutsu, Atemi, batto jutsu, Bajutsu, Bhakti Negara, Bojutsu, Bujinkan, Genbukan, GKR Karate, Iaido, Iaijutsu, Jujutsu, Chanbara, Jojutsu, hakko ryu, Jinenkan, Judo, Karate, Kenpo, Kendo, Kenjutsu, Kokondo, Kyudo, Naginata-do, Ninjutsu (Ninpo, budo taijutsu), Okinawan kobudo, Ryu no ashi, Samurai bushido, Shintaido, Shintai Do, Shinwa-Taido, Shorinji kempo, Shotokan, Sumo, Taido, Yabusame, Yosekan bajutsu, Zen Kyo Shin
Korean martial arts
Geomdo, Bonguk-Geomdo, Jundo Hapkido, Han Mu Do, Gjogsul, Hapkido, Haidong Gumdo, Hoi Jeon Moo Sool, Hup Kwon Do, Hwa Rang Do, Kuk Sool Won, Kumdo, Kwon Pup, Kyeoktooki, Kyuki Do, Soo Bahk Do, Ssireum (Korean Sumo Wrestling), Taekyon, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do
Now I personally do not know all of these arts and I doubt anyone does. So tell me without knowing all of them how can anyone say that my art or style or any martial art or style is the best?
To end yet another of my rants my previous Sifu of 12 years (ex-Sifu actually) of Yang/Tung Tai Chi said pretty much the same thing my last weeks at his school. He stated to me that his Martial Art (Yang Style Tai Chi) was superior to all others and that any other style was far inferior and not worth studying.... I didn't agree with him either. It is one thing to be proud of your chosen art it is another to be arrogant about it.
I honestly wish I could say that this was my final word on the subject, but I am sure this argument will just repeat itself over and over like a broken record.