Are they not allowed to grow?

Question

I teach Kenjutsu, and have broken from normal practices. I have studied the Kata of many different styles, and have come to my own conclusion of Kenjutsu. I am not satisfied with mearly mastering the Kata passed down. We have Randori frequently, but it is not mearly a competition of existing methods. We each have our own strategies in that complement who we are. There are no ranks and no tests other than how we are progressing. I have tried to incorporate the quick thinking neccessary for battles into Randori, with great results for those I teach. Is this wrong? I have come under a lot of criticism from others who think I should preserve an existing Ryu. Kenjutsu Ryu evolved over many years to make up for the changes in battle. Even though using a sword in battle no longer happens, does the evolution have to stop? If we forget how the techniques were meant to be used, are we not mearly mimicking the styles? Can we truly appreciate the hard work of past masters by mimicking?

Answer 1

at the end of the day, it is about what works and what does not work. all techniques and applications, if it does not work in real life, then, it is a waste of time.That is why copying techniques is not good enough, you have to understand and apply them.

So, whether the techniques is passed down from the previous masters or that you invented them. Just test it out on the battle field, if it works, then, it is a good techniques. You can use wooden stick and wear protections. That is how the creators of techniques started, they have a concept, they create the technique, they trained it to become 2nd nature, then, they test it on sparring partner and then, tested it on the battle field with life and death situation. If it is a bad technique, they will take it to the grave with them.

Answer 2

I do not see anything wrong with changing what you are doing, as long as you no longer call it what it was. It has changed, and needs to be seperated from the original lineage.

I do not know if I am misreading you, but unless you are 80 years old and have been training since you were 5, you have not mastered the existing kata.  A single kata will take a lifetime to master.-Almost any Okinawin Master would say this.

Edit- travis I was not saying that you were claiming to have mastered it, which is why I put I hope I am reading this worng, but the way you phrase it in your question "I am not satisfied with mearly mastering the Kata passed down.' could be taken for such.

Answer 3

I understand your question, and here is how I see it.

Yes, we can appreciate and respect the past work of masters by learning from them and practicing their form - it is a great honor to have your ryu be trained in by numrous students across the world. Aside from that, mimicking is how you learn in the beginning - it's the basic stepping stone that we never truly step past becuase there is always something to be learned from watching another. Do I believe that Kenjutsu should stay as it is? In some respects, yes. There are basic steps and foundations that have been improved upon to near perfection as the lives of those using it were in danger in every instance in which a katana was drawn from its saya. Should we change the form in our different and more modern time? No. I don't believe so.

However -

Every single person will perform an exact kata differently, their feet will fall in a slightly different way, and their attitude and spirit will differ, making the same move, strike, or parry seem different. Should we refrain from developing new styles of kenjutsu? No, absolutely not. To allow an art that so many gave their lives to improving to die would be a far greater dishonor than simply mimicking the movements with little heart or endeavor. But consider this -

Respect, which is clearly what you are seeking for how and what you teach, is earned through years and years of hard work and demonstration of practice. It's not something you're going to begin doing and suddenly be respected for. Pursuit and fabrication of a new art that you intend not only to practice, but to teach, is a long and hard fought battle that ENDS with respect, not something that is given respect along the way.

Do what you believe is right and never stray from that path, for a swordsman without heart and resolve is no swordsman at all, and that, my friend, is a the greatest dishonor of all to any past swordsman.

Peace and respect.

Answer 4

In a way If you understand the Kata and its application and the nuance of it's limits. How it is used to go from one move to the next as needed, Than I think it is good not to be dogmatic. I like to compare and introduce new and fresh ideas into classes of higher rank students. This keeps them fresh and helps them to have an open mind. I do however insist that they learn the traditional moves and the applications as a priority. Discipline is required to teach the student the importance of knowing an entire system well before trying to absorb another and meld them together.

To often a student abandons one art to pursue another only to abandon that one and so on never being good at anything only because they are undisciplined and bored. Their cup is to easily filled with thin broth. They think because the can handle a poorly trained opponent they are an expert capable of heroic feats. When the truth is the are masters of nothing not even themselves.

I don't know you, your art or anything about you and this is not meant to be about you. I take what you say at face value and assume your good faith. I hope you do not fit the description aforementioned. I want to implore you to encourage your students to understand that self discipline and commitment are paramount in life. And if our art is not about life than we have failed.

Answer 5

If you have broken from normal practices then you are no longer teaching Kenjutsu, but something else...

If you are a teacher, you should already know this.

If you want to modify it, you will have to give it a different name.

Answer 6

No, I don't think that the "discipline" on martial arts is an absolute.  It, to me, is ever growing.  Look at the Grayce family and what they have done for Jujitsu.  I think we do MA an injustice by not evolving.  The whole idea is to grow......"ever better" if you will.  Keep focus, but improve.