Martial Arts Master?

Question

I've been in the MA since 1967. I have my own definition of what a "Master" is. What do you think a martial arts "Master" is?

Answer 1

I find it easier to explain in other terms. Is a martial artist different from other types of art, in terms of their learning and application I say no.

Someone can have a mastery of the english language, like a lawyer or a politician. A great poet or orator could be said to be a master of the english language, but to have mastered the art would suggest knowing all the words that are used and every phrase and be able to use them, he would be able to talk anyone into anything, which is not possible.

Mastery of an art is possible

To have mastered an art is impossible

A master has control of the tools of his art and implements them to achieve a many desired responses.

Answer 2

I would take Joshua and bunminjutsu's answers and merge them together.

I would have to say that a Master is exactly that, someone who knows enough to know that they have barely scratched the surface. To truely know that, and portray that ideal, not just show it for the self-gratification in the awe of others, is a respectable master.

We all spend our entire lives looking for something, not knowing entirely what it is, but sometimes having a good idea. And when we reach that point that we thought we were searching for we find that there's more beyond this spec we've so diligently hunted.

I like to follow that age old adage "One door closes and another one opens up". This really defines for me what the search for greater understanding is.

Somebody who has stayed on their path keeping all of the doors OPEN (remembering but not reliving the past) and humbly forging onward is worthy of being called a master.

I believe that to say no one can become a master is a bit much. Though I also believe becoming a master is not something anyone can do, and it is especially difficult to become one. I also believe that a master can be of anything, from undrewater basket-weaving-to Taiji. Striving to understand every thread of that passion leads one to becoming a master.

Just my humble opinion

Answer 3

WHEN YOU COME TO THE REALIZATION YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING AFTER YEARS OF TRAINING

It is mainly a term of respect after long years service to their art.

Answer 4

Master is a teacher of teachers. A firm enough grasp of an art or subject to be able to impart it to others so they will become experts. If they are of good character  the will be humble and shun the title.

From Webster we get the following:

One with control over the action of another or others.

The captain of a ship.

One who employs an apprentice

An employer

The owner or keeper of an animal

The owner of a slave.

The head of a household

One who defeats another.

This definition in Websters goes on for nearly A quarter of a page.  Master is a broad name encompassing many traits in regard to how the title is being used.

My first definition I feel is in regard to what I think is a Master in the Martial Arts. Some feel that there should be a linage requirement as well. I'm holding out on that one for a while as I'm not convinced it is as important as some though it has weight.

Edit:

A true Master realizes that he is always becoming a master and never finished. We are always mastering ourselves.

Answer 5

a "master" is one who serves the art--either by teaching or providing information to those people unrested in learning. to one never truly masters the art one masters oneself--and then serves the art.

And proficiency in the art is a must.

Answer 6

"He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still" -Lao Tzu

I honestly do not feel that being a master has a whole lot to do with how good you are in any given style, or how tough you are, or how many applications for this motion you know. To me it really has nothing to do with how you can control others, but how well you control yourself.

I think being a master has more to do with how you conduct yourself, and how you treat others, and where you are at as far as liking who you are. I have known men that never had an ounce of Martial Arts training in their life who I would consider closer to what my defintion of a master is then many "masters" that actually train martial arts.

I feel that "master" is more about who you are, and how much you give to others, then what you can do.

Answer 7

Are we this tough on a "Master Mason" or a "Master Sergeant" or even a "Master Electrician"?  I would think not.  If a man's trade is a "Single Martial Art" or if he has vass knowledge of serveral different Martial Arts and he's been at it long enough to competently teach others his same craft all of a sudden he's not a "Master"? why would this make sense?  Why should he be afraid of what he knows and his craft as well or even any title that comes with that?

Seems very foolish to me that a true "master" wouldn't have confidence in what he knows let alone be afraid of his well deserved title of "master".

A man can be a master at anything that he passes along, in kinship to others, especially when what he's passing along a fighting art that may save a life out on the streets at any given time.

Humble is fine, but falsely modest is sicken when people get too carried away with it to a sense that they refuse a mere title bestowed upon them out of pure respect for their accomplishments and deeds.

A true master passes along, not only self-defense, but also virtues for his students to take to heart and hopefully pass on to the next generation as his students become older and wise enough to see the forest through the trees.

Set an example and live by it ......others will follow!!

Answer 8

Great question

1) A master never refers to him/her self as master and is embarassed if others refer to him/her as such.

2) A master has been teaching at least 25-30 years

3) A master holds the highest standards and has developed / promoted several quality instructors

4) A master cares more about training than making money

5) A master is always striving to improve their own skill, and those of their students

Answer 9

Demura Sensei is technically the master of our style. people call him that, he doesn't like it, but tolerates it. to me, he isn't master until he can learn no more, and that's when they close the casket. I dont mean this in disrespect, but even Demura Sensei isn't perfect, and continues to amaze me each time I get to train under him.

Answer 10

In my system, we define "Master" as a Sifu (Jau Gow lvl 6) who has brought a student to Sifu level, or has been a Sifu for over 25 years.  Grandmaster is one who has a student reach Master or 50 years.  

Honestly, our Grandmaster still says that his Kung Fu is lacking.  It just goes to show that you can learn all of the forms as they have been taught over hundreds of years, but individual "Mastery" is relative.  

When compared to my students, my Kung Fu is superior.  Compared to my Sifu, my Kung Fu is inferior.   Compared to Sigung, my Sifu's Kung Fu is lacking.   Kung Fu is a lifetime journey to which we all (hopefully) aspire.

I think the definition that Bluto gave:

a master is someone who has a firm grasp of a particular system-

Is pretty accurate to my view.  Though I do disagree that a true master is one who needs to be able to communicate the art to other people (IE, teach)

As for what it means to be a Master,  as me in a 100 years or so, and maybe I would have gotten there.  (probably not lol)

Would like to hear what it means to you, since you have been doing MA for so long.

Answer 11

I'm not too hung up on this term.  People often confuse the definition of Master as in, Master over people, instead the other definition referring to skill, i.e. (he has mastered that language, he is a master craftsmen (carpenter), he has a Master's degree in business administration).

For me, you can never master anything until you master your self.  

There is also a difference between being a master, and being perfect or invulnerable.

I believe my instructor is a "Master" at his art.  I believe his older brother is a "Grand Master".  

With the definition being: a person eminently skilled in something, as an occupation, art, or science: the great masters of the Impressionist period.

James

Answer 12

a master is someone who has a firm grasp of a particular system-

this is as it relates to a specific system- you can' "master" (become proficient in- ie: be able to use in fighting) traditional juijitsu for example.

you cannot understand my take on it without also understanding what a martial artist and fighter are as well because they are all somewhat interconnected.

someone who is a "martial artist" studies the fighting arts and becomes competant in each "mastering" different ones AND adding to them.  this describes why one can be a "master" in judo, but a novice in say arnis/escrima and is still a "master" and a martial artist.

IMO- a true martial artist is a competant fighter who can or could at one time fight (obviously if you are 90, you are still a martial artist but you just can't physically be active). AND has not only "mastered" or "become a master of" one or many styles- but is constantly looking for ways to improve thier own understandings and skills by adding things to the style itself or by just making themself more "well-rounded".

a fighter by contrast is someone capable of taking what they know and applying it- you MUST be a fighter before you are a master or martial artist- if you can't fight, or never could- you are neither (thats like a pianist who couldn't even play piano).

so a master- IMO is someone who has become competant in a particular style, but it doesn't address the concept of bieng a "martial artist" which IMO is someone who has mastered a style or styles and IMO you can't really modify a style until you understand it enough to use and apply it and understand the basic principles behind it well enough to try to combine it or "do something better" thus master it.

EDIT: I don't think the aspect of "teaching" comes into it at all.  teaching and being able to do something are two totally different skillsets- one might be a great boxer, but would make a poor coach.  one does not have to or might chose not to teach. that has no bearing on whether they have mastered a system or not- a figher or martial artists skill is not determined by the number of students they have- other wise mcdojo tkd would be the best system in the world- which we know it is not. (not getting into style bashing- said MCDOJO tkd, substitute mcdojo karate if you like or old people in the park tai chi).

Answer 13

That's difficult to answer, but I'll give it a go.

A real "Master" should have a full understanding of their martial art. Nowadays, they'd be expected to hold a belt or have some other kind of proof of it, but because of McDojos and bad instructors, belts aren't always reflective of a martial artist's ability. Training for a really long time doesn't automatically make someone a Master either. It's the quality of the training that counts. For example, if someone trained dedicatedly under a good Master for 50 years, and learned their art in all it's entirety, and someone else trained for 50 years in a Mcdojo, it's clear who would still be better at their art.

Ideally, a Master should have a good understanding in all aspects of their martial art. This would include philosophical concepts as well as the ability to understand and use the techniques they've learned effectively in a fight. I say philosophy is important because the achievement of mastering a martial art would be wasted on someone who takes advantage of it to intimidate and overpower other people. After all, if you saw some loudmouth on the street trying to start a fight just so they could show off their fighting skills you wouldn't think much of them. Even if they were a really good martial artist, you wouldn't call them a "Master". A little modesty goes a long way. Unfortunately, this is something that even a martial art can't teach some people.

To a martial arts student, a good Master has the ability to teach them properly. This means they would have to be able to explain how to execute moves in a way the student understands and also be able to explain the techniques and concepts used in the martial art properly. A little enthusiasm would help, because nothing's more boring than a dull teacher who visibly doesn't care about what they're teaching you. Also, if they don't care, they're likely not to correct any of the little mistakes you make durng your training, and they might just leave things out 'cos they can't be bothered teaching them. Someone who has an interest in their art would be a good teacher, and, even if they hadn't learned all the techniques from their own Master, they would go and find out more about their ma from others.

Although it's good to know more than one martial art, it's not a good idea to be a jack of all trades, master of none. It's possible to master a couple of martial arts with years of hard work and dedication. I would never train under someone who's spent their whole life scratching the surface of lots of different martial arts, but never truly dedicated themselves to one.

To sum up though, as a martial arts student, my definition of a "Master" is someone who's not only talented and dedicated to what they do, but also a good, understanding teacher who enjoys teaching and communicating with their students.

EDIT:

I agree with Bluto that "a master is someone who has a firm grasp of a particular system". But I'm also talking about a "Master" in the sense of someone who teaches others martial arts. Examples of who I mean are people like Chen Xaioxing and Chen Zhonghua. Both are Masters of Chen style tai chi, and they are also brilliant teachers. For those who can't understand Chinese, they teach the movements and techniques through actions and correct them by physically placing them in the right position. It's difficult to describe the level of communcation they have with their students.

To clarify what I mean, because I'm a student, to me, a good Master is someone who is not only highly proficient in their art, but can also teach what they know to me and allow me to fully understand it.

Answer 14

Interesting question- I've often wondered about what exactly constitutes a "master" of the martial arts.

When I think of a master I think of the likes of  Morihei Ueshiba (Aikido), Yamaoka Tesshu (Kendo), Masaaki Hatsumi (Bujinkan), Mas Oyama (Kyokushin Karate) and Bruce Lee (Jeet Kune Do).

I suppose I see a master as someone who is the "father" of a popular style that has stood the test of time. Someone who has dedicated their life to the enhancement of their art and who seeks to help others learn.

Just my opinion though :)

Answer 15

A fantasy. NO ONE is a MASTER!