In Search of The Ultimate Martial Art – Part Four

The Four Arts

“I have not invented a ‘new style,’ composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from ‘this’ method or ‘that’ method. On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds.” – Bruce Lee

Martial Artists have long debated the question, “Which style is the best?”  The truth is that each style has something to offer.  They are simply different expressions of the whole Martial Arts pie, which can be pieced together by following The Ultimate Martial Art Formula.

By analyzing Martial Arts in this fashion, it does however become possible to slice the pie into four distinct pieces with each being an “art” in itself.  The reason is that Martial Arts techniques can be differentiated based on the distance involved. That seems to be the key distinguishing factor – the distance required to execute the technique – because although every technique has both its advantages and disadvantages usually their effectiveness is directly related to the distance of the opponent. In applying this underlying principle, it is possible to separate techniques into four distinct categories, each based on the various reaches of the human body, starting with the feet and working inwards towards the torso.

The first category therefore would have the distance of feet to hands.  This distance encompasses all striking or punching, kicking and blocking techniques. It is distinguished by techniques which cause the greatest amount of impact on the opponent.  Many styles of Karate primarily utilize this category of techniques.  The more force that is used the “harder” the style.

So, talk fails and the other guy gets upset past the point of rationality and throws a punch.  The fight has now started.  [Note that most fights begin at this distance.]  If you are skilled at striking techniques, then you may want to keep the fight at this range.  Or, if there are multiple attackers, there is a definite advantage to not getting tied up with one opponent while his friend walks up and clubs you on the head.

However, if the opponent is equally or more skilled at the feet to hands distance, but weaker at others, you may want to close the distance.  This is the point at which the next category begins.  This category has the distance from ankles to wrists, and includes all closing or angulation and parrying techniques. It is distinguished by techniques which avoid the impact of strikes and tend to close distance. This category of techniques is primarily utilized for transitioning to and from other distances. Many styles of Kung Fu use a great deal of these techniques. The less force that is used in its techniques the “softer” the style.

Consider the situation where you are getting pummeled because the other guy is a better striker than you, or maybe your hand is broken and you are unable to throw an effective punch.  At any rate, you have come to the conclusion that in order to have any chance of surviving, you will either have to run away or get inside the distance of his strikes.  If you decide to close this distance, then you will need to move into the ankles to wrists distance without getting knocked out.

Once you have made it through the ankles to wrists distance, you will then arrive at the favored distance of most Aikido practitioners, which is knees to elbows.  This category includes all grappling or locking and throwing techniques. [Note that knee and elbow strikes are also included in this art since, although they involve heavy impact, they are only utilized in close combat and usually while grabbing the opponent.] Techniques which seek to alter the motion of the opponent by circling his body until superior leverage is established are what this category is distinguished by.

The reality of combat is that the human body is very resilient, and it can be very difficult to strike somebody who is trying to avoid being hit in the middle of a frantic confrontation.  Furthermore, the chaos of a real fight usually leads into desperate grappling, or onto the ground.  For this reason a Martial Artist must be proficient at the knees to elbows distance if he plans to survive.

The fourth category exists at the distance of head to torso.  This is the fine art of control and includes all of the techniques for gaining a dominant body position. It is distinguished by techniques which seek to overcome the opponent and render him incapable of continuing to fight. It may look similar to the previous category, but it differs in that it requires little or no distance.  There is no particular traditional style which specializes in these techniques; however, many examples can be found in both Jujutsu and Tai Chi Chuan.

Ultimately, it is only through the art of control that conflict is truly resolved. Although, it could be argued that knocking the other guy out is an effective way to end a fight, such a solution is only temporary. For, what happens when he wakes back up? True resolution is only achieved through controlling the opponent at the head to torso distance. And it is only in this way that a fight can be avoided to begin with.

A key question to consider is: CAN A MARTIAL ARTIST BE EFFECTIVE AT ANY OF THE FOUR DISTANCES?

Interestingly, a Martial Artist will find that the transition between distances, especially if the opponent is not being a stationary target, is quite enlightening.  The point is that a Martial Artist must know skills at all ranges of a fight. This allows one to have a better understanding of how different techniques fit together, and ultimately makes it possible to master all of Martial Arts. For, The Ultimate Martial Art would not be limited to any specific style; it would instead be able to be effective at any distance.

Category One Distance: feet to hands Art: striking Techniques: punching, kicking and blocking	Category Two Distance: ankles to wrists Art: closing Techniques: movement and parrying
Category Three Distance: knees to elbows Art: grappling Techniques: locks and throws	Category Four Distance: head to torso Art: control Techniques: body positioning

Note: These four categories refer to unarmed combat.  Weapons could be considered a separate category unto themselves, each with its own specific range.  For instance, knives and sticks reach beyond hands and feet, whereas guns have an even greater range.  The truth however is that weapons are an extension of the body, and the same principles apply.

In Search of The Ultimate Martial Art – Part Three

“The true science of Martial Arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.” ―Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

The Physics of Martial Arts

The first problem encountered in following The Ultimate Martial Art Formula is that there is no comprehensive or universal terminology in Martial Arts. Karate describes their techniques one way, Aikido another way, Kung Fu another way, and so on. This is truly idiotic when one considers that the techniques being described are all related to the human body and the physical universe, and the terminology of these things should be agreed upon.

I suppose that there will be some who would disagree. They might insist that people must learn how to say “front kick” in Japanese so that they can keep with the “tradition” or that there is some mystical knowledge to be had by learning the terminology of the Shaolin monks. But, such think will more likely lead to ignorance rather than enlightenment. 

The point here is that the laws of Physics are the same no matter what country or time period you hail from, so why shouldn’t the science of Martial Arts follow suit? Because, so long as we live on this same earth, and have these same bodies that are affected by the same laws of the universe, all of Martial Arts will also be based on these same principles.  Indeed, the science of Martial Arts could be considered a branch of Biomechanics, which is an application of Physics to the human body. 

As such, the entirety of Martial Arts can be examined and organized based on the laws of Physics. While I wouldn’t expect anyone to be a Physicist in order to study Martial Arts, as that would defeat the purpose, I do believe that a Martial Artist would need to understand the basics of bodies and motion in order to master them.

For instance, one can study the mechanics of the body or the effects of forces upon it.  For the sake of demonstration let’s use the example of an incoming punch.  A Martial Artist would consider the distance and power of the punch. He would then calculate the proper counter-technique, and as long as he executed it with enough counteracting force, it would succeed.  This is how most of the technical aspects of Martial Arts can be conveyed and studied. 

One can also study the motion involved with each technique.  A Martial Artist would perceive the direction and speed of a punch, and would be able to redirect or counter it using his own motion.  At this point structure and size (for example the weight and strength of the opponent) matter less, as it only takes an ounce of pressure to deflect a ton of force.  This is mainly how Martial Arts techniques are applied at a practical level. Indeed, it could be said that Martial Arts is entirely concerned with the handling of the motion of bodies.

One can also become proficient in the dynamics or causes of motion.  In the example above, the Martial Artist would seek to understand that which drives the punch and would most likely respond by moving out of the way. No effort at all would be necessary to defend against the attack, as the force of the punch would be irrelevant.  When applied to Martial Arts this aspect of the technology would be mostly concerned with the intention behind techniques, and would likely solve the mystery of “chi” without the mysticism attached.

Note that none of the terminology used in the above examples is uncommon or obscure. The purpose is to simplify rather than over-complicate. This allows for Martial Arts to be taught as a science, something that can be observed and understood and applied to real life, rather than a mere philosophy or bunch of techniques.  This is the realm of The Ultimate Martial Art. 

In Search of The Ultimate Martial Art – Part Two

“Seek not to follow in the footsteps of men of old; seek what they sought.” ―Matsu Basho

The Breakthrough

I believe that is possible to master all of Martial Arts – Karate, Kung Fu, Jujutsu, you name it.  Don’t believe me? Well, keep reading….

The first question that most people tend to ask is “Which style is the best?”  The answer is ALL of them, and NONE of them.  Contradictory?  Well, that is the problem.  In order to comprehend the complete body of knowledge of Martial Arts it would be necessary to study everything.  That is because each Martial Arts style is specialized and comprises only a portion of the greater body of knowledge available.  There is no comprehensive system that has it all.  In fact, I challenge anyone to make such a claim.  The closest that I have found is probably Aikijutsu, which is basically a suppository of battle-tested techniques compiled by Samurai over hundreds of years. 

However, even if you were able to get your hands on every technique that ever existed, the problem is that it isn’t organized in any way that makes sense or can be easily studied.  All you would have is an overwhelming sea of information.  What you need instead are the core concepts or the boiled-down fundamentals that exist within all of Martial Arts.  This would be the senior technology – this would be the Ultimate Martial Art, from which all others styles can be derived.  But what is it?  Where can you learn it?  The truth is that it has never existed…until now!

THE BREAKTHROUGH IS SCIENCE.

In order for there to be an art there must first be a science. The Ultimate Martial Art is therefore derived by a process of deductive research in order to establish the science of Martial Arts. This formula would provide the only route to an actual technology of Martial Arts:

1)    A comprehensive list is made of all the known techniques.
2)    All duplicate or extraneous techniques are thrown out.
3)    Any blanks are filled in by interpolation.
4)    These techniques are categorized based on common concepts.
5)    The fundamentals common to these techniques are isolated and codified.
6)    These fundamentals are organized and applied as a technology.
7)    This technology is constantly re-evaluated as to its effectiveness in actual combat.

These directions are so simple that people might say, “I knew that.” And they probably did, but their specific Martial Arts system has most likely not followed the essence of this methodology. The reason for this is usually one of two things.

First, most Martial Arts systems are “closed”, which means that they have very little interaction with other systems. They often protect their knowledge from outsiders and are fixed in their methodology. Typically their techniques are not tested against those outside of their system. Now, while it can be important for a particular Martial Arts system to be taught with a specific method, the fact remains that if it is too closed it will not include certain concepts and techniques vital for a complete technology.

Second, the majority of the combative systems such as Brazilian Jujutsu contain samplings from all kinds of other Martial Arts systems but no specific method for study and application. This is the eclectic or “open” system. Although, this is usually the best method to develop an effective fighting style, it is often confusing and even dangerous to learn, and is typically lacking in fundamentals.

The ideal Martial Arts system on the other hand would be “dynamic”, which means that it has the ability to grow based on fundamental principles.  It is founded on a science that is codified and studied as a complete technology, and can be applied to all of Martial Arts. This would be the result of following the above formula, and is what I consider The Ultimate Martial Art.

In Search of The Ultimate Martial Art – Part One

Introduction

I have spent the better part of my lifetime as a Martial Artist in the attempt to achieve a dream.  That dream is:

KNOWLEDGE AND MASTERY OF THE FUNDAMENTALS THAT UNDERLIE AND THEREFORE UNITE ALL OF MARTIAL ARTS.

And furthermore, I have the purpose:

TO PASS ON THESE FUNDAMENTALS TO ALL THOSE THAT SHARE THIS DREAM.

First off, I would like to give a little back history so it is possible to fully appreciate where it is that I’m coming from.  When I was about five, I started learning a form of Jujutsu from my father.  I enjoyed wrestling about and I’m sure that my father liked passing on a tradition. The main thing that I took away from this early training was an ancient Martial Arts saying, which my father constantly preached to me.

“A student must practice the basic forms of an art a thousand times in order for the movements to become natural.  In order to master an art, a student must practice the basic forms ten thousand times. Only then will the sacred principles emerge.”  

I do not know where this proverb actually came from.  You will find versions of it spoken by just about every Martial Arts master. Bruce Lee probably summed it up best when he said:

“I do not fear the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

After being thrown to the ground about a hundred times I got the picture.  I also fell in love with Martial Arts, and have ever since been in the process of trying to master it. 

I spent my teen years learning Okinawan Karate from one of the Old Masters. [Note: By “Old Master” I am referring a founder of one of the traditional Martial Arts systems, such as: Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido; Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan; or Yip Man, founder of Wing Chun.]  I was taught countless forms and a few basics such as how to breathe and how to generate power.  However, some time after getting my black belt, I eventually realized that all my years of karate training had little actual use in a real fight. So, I started training in Muay Thai, and then Brazilian Jujutsu, and soon found myself gladiating in an octagon. Needless to say, those were the dark years of my art.  However, I did learn some valuable up-close and personal lessons about what a real technique looks and feels like!

It took a real butt-kickin’ before I came to terms with the fact that I wasn’t going to become a true master through combat alone.  So, I fell back on my previous training and started practicing fundamentals again.  I decided that I would approach them from the viewpoint of how to make them actually work.  After a while, I started to realize that the Old Masters just might have had something. 

The purpose was rekindled to resolve the Martial Arts puzzle.  Eventually, I did figure out how it all fits together. Now it doesn’t matter what “style” I call my art, because all styles follow the same principles.  Now it doesn’t matter as much how hard I train or how many repetitions I do, it only matters whether I train the right way.  I can honestly say that I am now on the path to what I have always sought as a Martial Artist — The Ultimate Martial Art!

Be Your Own Master – The Ultimate Martial Art

“Knowledge in martial arts actually means self-knowledge. A martial artist has to take responsibility for himself and accept the consequences of his own doing.” –Bruce Lee

The biggest problem with almost every Martial Arts school is actually the Master.  All too often you find Martial Artists discussing with great reverence and pride who their Master is as if that defines what kind of Martial Artist they are! The reasons for this are two-fold: the student lacks confidence in his own abilities, and there has been no other way to learn Martial Arts other than by being taught by someone who claims to be an authority.  Although this can be a valid way to learn something, especially if the instructor is a good teacher, there is one fatal flaw.  What happens when the Master dies?  Where does all his knowledge go?  To the grave with him, that’s where!

You see, the Master has been the downfall of every Martial Art to date.  The master was the only one who knew everything.  He was the “authority” who imparted his knowledge upon the students, and the role model by which every student defined everything they were doing.  And while the students were all busy trying to duplicate what the Master was showing, their execution was imperfect because they lacked his breadth of experience.  They tried to remember what they were told, but they were only told a fraction of what the Master knew.  Then the Master past away, as all masters eventually do.  And in order to keep the spirit of the Master alive, the students began to tell stories of how great he was, and how mystical were his abilities.  Because, to them it really was a mystery how he did what he was able to do.

Then, one of the students, hopefully the one with the most teaching ability, picks up the torch and continues to instruct the other students in what he was taught.  The problem is that his knowledge is incomplete.  And there is a good chance that he never really understood the art to begin with.  So what does he do?  He begins to alter it, to add to it his own techniques, etc., in order to “complete” it or “improve” it.  And if he happens to be worried about his own self-importance, he’ll do this just so that he can be unique or stand out.

Multiply this by many generations and you can see how Martial Arts, as is was originally intended, has almost become lost to the ken of man.  This has led us to such things as Tae Bo and Mixed Martial Arts.  Don’t get me wrong, Tae Bo has its value for cardiovascular training, and many MMA practitioners are excellent fighters, but these endeavors are not really Martial Arts.  They are exercise systems or sports.  There’s a big difference!

So what is a Martial Art?  According to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary the definition of “art” that would be applicable to Martial Arts is: “the systematic application of knowledge or skill in effecting a desired result.”  The result we are trying to achieve in Martial Arts is a resolution of conflict.  [See “The Art of War“]  Therefore, the technology of Martial Arts would encompass all of the techniques for resolving conflict.

It is not something mystical.  That is to say that as a technology it is something that can be observed and understood and applied to real life. It is only the ignorance of the self-proclaimed “masters” that make it not seem so.  For, I guarantee you that it will not be mystical when a punch is flying toward your face and you do not absolutely KNOW what to do.  It will be very real indeed.

So, Martial Arts must first be based in reality.  Because, so long as we live on this same earth, and have these same bodies that are all affected by the same laws of the universe, all Martial Arts will also be based on the same fundamentals as Physics.  That’s the key.  Feet are feet, and hands are hands, and motion is motion.  There may be infinite ways of manipulating these things, but the fundamentals remain the same.

Without these fundamentals, Martial Arts may seem like a giant jig saw puzzle, too vast to ever piece together.  The truth however is that you don’t have to.  There are only a few pieces that are of senior importance.  And if known, the rest of the pieces all fall into place by themselves.  There will be no missing piece in what you know, and there will be nothing you cannot instantly understand and use.   Because you will now be able to see the whole picture.

These are the truths that any real master absolutely knows.  He has honestly studied and practiced these fundamentals until they have become a part of him.  They are the keys that unlock everything else in which he chooses to study.  And I’m not talking about anything mysterious, I’m simply talking about the basic laws that underlie all of Martial Arts.  Sure, the Old Masters may have called them by by different names.  But, they do exist, and they can be codified, and understood, and practiced.  These basic truths would be The Ultimate Martial Art.

It is with the knowledge of these that a true master creates and perfects his own Art.  For, on observation, that is what separates a true master from one who is merely pretending.  He is able to create.  He is able to adapt.  He is not restricted by what he has been taught.  He is his own master.

And you can be your own master too.  You can have the utter and total confidence of knowing how to resolve any conflict.

THERE WILL BE NO MYSTERIES, NO HOLES IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

Karate and Kung Fu are great, and so are Aikido and Jujutsu, and every other Martial Arts system. But they are all just pieces of the greater pie!

You want the whole pie?

Learn The Ultimate Martial Art.

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Mr. Nagano has studied martial arts for over thirty years.  He is the founder of Kyokudo Bujutsu – The Ultimate Martial Art. However, he does not nor will he ever claim to be the Master.

The Art of War

“The art of war is of vital importance. It is a matter of life and death, and a road to either safety or ruin. Hence, it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”  –Sun Tzu

Before we embark upon the study of martial arts, a.k.a. “the art of war,” we must first grapple with the idea of what war represents. It usually brings to mind images of violence and destruction. However, must we be warmongers in order to study the art of war?

Most would agree that war is undesirable. However, what does one do when threatened with a life and death situation? Well, the wrong thing to do would be nothing! That would be a fatal mistake.

The fact is that even in the modern world of the United States a violent crime is committed every 5.5 seconds [1]. That’s over 5.7 million instances every year! And there are no less violent criminals today than there were at any other time in history. This isn’t to be alarming; it is just to illustrate the truth of the world we live in. It would be a lie to promote otherwise. Because, martial arts are just as valuable today as they were in Feudal Japan, and will continue to be right up until we achieve the goal or every warrior, which is Peace.

But, how does one achieve peace through martial arts? This is the question that every warrior has struggled with the moment he stepped off the battlefield, his enemies lying dead behind him. How can an art of violence become an art of Peace? The answer lies in the true purpose of a martial artist, and that is TO RESOLVE CONFLICT.

This is reflected in the Chinese character used to represent the concept of “martial”. It is a composite of two ideograms meaning “to stop” and a weapon held for a charge or a “spear.” Together this illustrates the basic idea envisioned for anything martial, and that is “to stop the spears,” or to resolve conflict.

And how does one achieve this resolution? The key is communication. This may seem like quite a diversion from martial arts but indeed it is not. Conflict is essentially a disagreement or a lack of communication. Therefore, communication and martial arts cannot help but be intertwined. Though this creates quite a dilemma for those who seek to communicate only with their fists, a true martial art is foremost an art of communication.

And should a threatening situation occur, and you are forced to use your art…. Do not hesitate to harm someone in a just cause! But, only do so in an effort to resolve the disagreement. This should be the ethic of a true martial artist. If you believe otherwise and are not willing change your mind, then you may want to consider a different art and forgo any illusion of creativity.

An true martial artist would not necessarily avoid conflict, because he would be an expert at resolving it – this is his calling. Whether a simple argument, or a life and death situation, he would have peace within himself and would always communicate and put harmony into the world. 

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[1] Criminal Victimization 2001. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice.