PDA

View Full Version : Unlocking the mystery of a hidden mask



Jerry Johnson
30th December 2001, 03:35
Often we think of masks as symbols that represent something of the person wearing it. Like props for alter egos, for hiding something, to deceive, and of course the obvious to disguise. What ever a mask is intended for it creates an air mystery, caution and/or curiosity. The reason for me saying this is sometimes I think that Japanese martial arts run along these lines of wearing a mask. I say this based on the saying I have heard that Japanese have many faces. And also the impact Japanese traditional theater had on the martial arts culture. It seems to me that the Japanese martial arts are not with out masks. Which leads me to this, there is this mind set, in some in traditional / koryu arts, both past and present in some of the most skilled practitioners in the arts who have no desire to teach completely what they no to others. This may just be another example of the gap between East and West. Where the west just doesn't get it. Or a case of the East being mysterious and contradicting.

What ever the case, this mind set I speak of exists and is a mystery to us westerners. Many of us can't understand why someone would die and not pass on information. Clearly in the West, it is deeply rooted in us for the master to pass on the knowledge to the apprentice, or to pull the sword from the stone. It is hard for us to fathom the idea of letting something die with one person and for ever be a mystery. For us Westerners is it had to imagine that someone who have no interest in passing down the goods to anyone. Or values and Western experience tells us that it can't all die with the master and the rest of you guys are on your own to figure it out. It just seems to us to be irresponsible.

So, holding out the goods per se by some Sensei's past or present for me is a mask. A mask that I see as being a sort of a death mask. Sorry if that was a little deep for junior. What I mean is the idea of holding out to the end might be to entice students into a mystery or fallacy of insuring immortality or supernatural elevation of that Sensei. A for a Sensei to be a legend of unparalleled abilities in both life and death. Or a mask that is guaranteeing interest in the art and thus stimulating growth and popularity so the art does fade away. Very much so, like the tall tails of some Senseis' having supernatural powers. Or arts being born from the inspiration of gods or demons. Attention getters and B.S. to keep the coming in the doors and inspiring people to keep training. Which for better or worse (i.e. bad budo) is really not what this thread is about. But rather a discussion to explore the possibilities for why the mind set of those Japanese masters of past and present go to the grave with sealed lips.

any takers?

pgsmith
3rd January 2002, 22:39
Mr. Johnson,
It is very hard to comprehend exactly what question it is you are asking since your writing is quite broken and hard to understand. If English is not your native language, I apologize. As far as I can tell, you are asking why some koryu masters would die with their knowledge rather than pass it on. If this is your question, it is really rather simple. If there is no one that wants to make the effort to be able to understand the knowledge, then they have no one to whom they are able to pass that knowledge. It takes much patience and effort and years of training to understand the teachings of any koryu art, therefore it is impossible to pick someone at random and say "here it is".
Cheers,

mmagpayo
3rd January 2002, 23:07
Hi Jerry,

I'll have a try. It might come down to the quality of student the instructor has received over the years. I would assume that some instructors wait their entire lives for a student or students that they feel they can trust to keep the spirit of the art alive. Maybe they are looking for people who are willing to devote their lives to the practice of the art and not to make a living off of it. Just because one wants to learn doesn't mean one should be taught. In the same respect, just because someone is taught doesn't mean one should teach.

Enthusiam is only part of what makes a great student. Natural ability, maturity, intelligence, athleticism, spirituality, morality, cultural awareness, etc. The list goes on. But these are qualities within an individual that only someone who has practiced for years and has devoted themselves to the teaching and dissemination of an art form can recognize. If they don't find someone they feel can represent and pass on this knowledge why teach it to someone of inferior attributes to only have the tradition built on blood, tears, and sweat watered down and diluted by someone who only wanted to learn because they thought it was interesting whether the perseon is from the east or the west.

All you have to do is take a look around. There are instructors all over the place making Japanese sounding names for watered down forms of essentially modern budo opening up dojos all over the US. Suddenly, everyone is teaching some form of koryu. Modern budo has suffered from this western concept of mismashing a bunch of martial arts to make another martial art. We have to keep in mind that the koryu were developed in combat not in sport and that it would be a shame to loose such a treasure to commercialism.

Also, we as westerners have to remember that the koryu is an intrinsic part of the Japanese culture, that is uniquely Japanese bound by honor and tradition. The Japanese have National Living Treasures who embody the spirit of their culture as it was passed down to them from centuries past. We have nothing that can equate. We in the western world really have no concept of what honor and tradition truly means in the Japanese sense unless you've been born and raised in a traditional Japanese setting. You may be hard pressed to find Japanese who are ideals of what we think Japanese should be except for maybe in Kyoto. We can only make assumptions to try to understand their psyche.

Quite honestly we are lucky to have the few Americans who traveled overseas who have devoted their lives to the practice of koryu and who were priviledged enough to study the koryu in the natural setting under teachers who have earned the right to be called masters in the forms that they teach. It is their responsibility to pass on the information as it was passed on to them. To have the right to be choosy of the individuals that they teach and not give in to commercialism. Teach because you love to teach and not because you need to make a living. There are better to ways to earn a buck.

If you visit most modern dojos of modern budo today you will find a breaking from tradition from the way the martial art was taught to the respective sensei twenty years ago. There are only a few individuals who would probably endure the trials that many of these teachers may have gone through in this pay as you go now now society.

Studying in Japan for four years and reaching the equivalent knowledge of a nidan or sandan doesn't qualify anyone to be an instructor of anything unless you are still under the direct supervision of your instructor in Japan, frequently visiting to hone your art and keeping an open dialog amongst yourself, your students, and your instructor. This opinion actually goes for all dojos teaching a Japanese form of martial art. Maintain the ties you have to Japan, the traditions and the dojo etiquette. Understand and pass this knowledge along with the techniques. For what is a Japanese martial art without the Japanese. My point here is to stress the teacher student relationship. That dojos with a Japanese background should continue to maintain their ties with Japan. A teacher is only a master in his own mind if he cannot be judged or evaluated by his peers or by his teacher because there is always something that needs to be learned and relearned no matter how many years one has studied in anything.

I would think there is a reluctance to teach westerners the koryu which for the most part are uniquely Japanese. There is a mindset that we westerners do not have that evolved over the centuries of isolation and the incorporation of ch'an or zen as it is known today within the Japanese culture that we as non-Japanese cannot comprehend hence our questions about why the Japanese do this or that. There are modern commentators on the Japanese psyche that are saying the Japanese populace is losing this elusive quality as Japananese culture embraces the values of the west. And if you ask a master of koryu about the quality of student within his own culture you may get an answer similar to the opinion that I have stated. The past cannot be relived, but it can be experienced in what remains as long as what is taught remains intact. Thousands have died to bring into the modern world a taste of the past. Respect that.

Mark Magpayo
New York/New Jersey

Chidokan
5th January 2002, 23:39
The problem is nowadays people dont study hard or sincerely enough. In the U.K. the number of people who seriously study are also few and far between, and the same goes for Japan. Lets face it, if you lived there you would be hammering on your instructors door every day wouldnt you!!
If you go to Japan you will find an initial reluctance to teach westerners, however when they see you are genuinely interested and work hard you will get taught.
From personal experience, my Japanese sensei ( now nearly 90) complains that the younger Japanese generation is not interested in traditional martial arts and that the future of koryu will be in the West. Last time I visited, the english senior students were taught to a high level, and the japanese students were basically left in the corner to get on with it.
One problem seems to be the fact that Japanese in general cant imagine a westerner even wanting to do a martial art, let alone being good at it! If you dont believe me, tell the next Japanese visitor you see who does not do MA, what you do and your grade, then look at their faces!
It does help if you are introduced by someone who has a good reputation in the MA world in Japan though, we got into some very traditional (iaido) dojos and were really well treated, with really senior sensei willing to show us their techniques and asking to see how we were getting on.
One more thought: I nearly gave up trying to teach one guy a particular point of a technique. In frustration I looked round at my sensei and it suddenly dawned on me... if I have 25years on this student and think he's incapable of learning, what must it be like for my teacher who has 40 years on me? Why should I expect to be taught a final level of secrets! Bear in mind a Menkyo Kaiden certificate (grand master level) says "well done on reaching this level... now go on and train harder to understand what you are trying to learn".
:smilejapa

Tim Hamilton

Spiritwinds
10th January 2002, 05:28
Very well said Mark!

red_fists
10th January 2002, 05:46
My 0.2 cents.

It might also be that no suitable japanese Student shows up and the Sensei might not be willing to let the art leave it's native Country even though a suitable non-japanese is available..

When passing the art to a non-japanese there is always a danger of the Person leaving Japan and with that the Koryu has been uprooted and transplanted.

Jeff Hamacher
11th January 2002, 08:43
Mark,

i think you make some excellent points and i must admire your idealism and obvious enthusiasm for japanese classical martial arts. thanks for a most engaging post!

the only thing i might say in response is that i caught a very faint scent of Nihonjinron in some of what you wrote, and i would beg to differ on a couple of points. i believe there are Living National Treasures in societies around the world, whether they hold such an official honour or not. such remarkable human beings are not found exclusively in japan.

codes of honour or tradition are also not unique to japan. in reading several on-line articles about Nitobe Inazo's Bushido i've learned that the mythical "Way of the Warrior" is not that dissimilar to the Chivalry of European knights, for example.

in support of what you wrote, it goes without saying that Living National Treasures or "Bushido" (whatever that might actually have been) represent certain vital and distinct aspects of japanese culture. along with the distinct components of every society or culture on earth, those of japan are very much worth protecting. hopefully, both japanese and non-japanese can find ways to cooperatively sustain those invaluable traditions.

Ginzu Girl
11th January 2002, 20:19
Hi Jeff,
What's nihon jin ron? Thanks!

mmagpayo
11th January 2002, 21:41
Hi Jeff,

Thank you for pointing out the scent of "nihonjiron." You are quite right in that assessment. At times I get carried away and I defend the culture as if it were my own. It probably comes from reading books like Taiko, stuff from Tanazaki, Takuan, etc. Either that or experience from a past life. My schooling is in Asian Studies and my focus is/was on the Japanese culture. Being non-japanese it is strange how you can take aspects of someone's elses culture and make it your own. Thank you for pointing that out.

I agree with you that honor and tradition existed and exists in other cultures and that there are national treasures in all cultures. In this respect I definitely displayed nihonjiron. It isn't that I am unaware of other cultures, it comes from a respect for a culture that I admire. I find it strange that the idyosyncrocies of the Japanese culture and mindset that make the Japanese martial arts unique and special in the martial arts world are the same idyosyncrocies that seem to piss people off. As I stated in my last blurb, simply respect them and their wishes. It is their culture and their tradition. Let them do with it as they please.

Here in the west it is always I want I want. When we don't get what we want we rant and rave like a bunch of children, calling people names, etc.

Think of it this way. If an instructor doesn't wish to teach you. You are no worse off than when you started. Simply, look harder for someone who will and ask yourself can I really dedicate my life to the pursuit of studying a koryu because there are other martials that are readily accessible with very good teachers who are willing to teach. Martial arts such as kendo and aikido still retain the spirit of budo as do others and there are many good instructors that have established/transplanted themselves in the west. For one you will have a warmer reception and will have someone who has grown used to the west and our way of thinking.

Hopefully, it cannot be said that I am one of those westerners that is more Japanese than the Japanese.

Thanks again for your point of view.

By the way I also minored in middle eastern studies, so you don't want to get me started on that.

Joseph Svinth
12th January 2002, 00:59
Outside fantasies, you can't have just the good in a culture and still have the same culture. So, to be properly Japanese, I suppose you also need to hang out in those bars where they hand out the flashlights so you that you can get a closer look at the strippers. You need to like dyed-blond teenagers on six-inch heels. You need to actively support the deforestation of Indonesia and Siberia. (BC and the US finally got tired and said no. Mean North Americans, not wanting to clearcut old growth so Japanese could have floors. Indonesians are nicer, not caring about the clearcutting of their forests, thus not forcing the Japanese to use washable rather than disposable chopsticks.) And there is nothing at all wrong with needing a breathing mask as you walk down the street: to paraphrase Apocalypse Now, I love the smell of smog in the morning, it smells like progress.


***

BTW, Nitobe's bushido sounded a lot like chivalry because his explanation was based on Muscular Christian descriptions of Western chivalry. "Nitobe was not even aware when he wrote the book that the term bushidó existed: he thought he was coining a new word, and he expressed some surprise several years later when a Japanese pointed out to him that the word actually existed in Tokugawa times!" (From G. Cameron Hurst's article at http://ejmas.com/jalt/jaltart_hurst_0501.htm ; see also Karl Friday's article at http://ejmas.com/jalt/jaltart_friday_0301.htm .)

Cady Goldfield
12th January 2002, 01:27
Also to be "truly Japanese," you have to insist upon being able to get whale meat, even if it means pretending that the whales, ordinarily protected by international laws from hunting, were "gathered for data" by "scientific research vessels."

Jeff Hamacher
12th January 2002, 04:06
Originally posted by Ginzu Girl
What's nihon jin ron?
it can be roughly translated as "Theory of Japanese People", but it might more accurately be rendered as "theories of Japanese uniqueness." it is this dubious concept that has been used to make all kinds of ridiculous claims such as, "foreign-made skis won't work on japanese snow", or "to foreigners, the sound of a woodpecker pummeling a tree is noise, but to japanese ears it is music." it also continues to support the terrible fallacy that the japanese have a particular affinity for nature and the environment. natural imagery may be a fundamental component of various cultural pursuits (poetry, tea, etc.) but just reading the posts from Joseph and Cady (thanks for the input, gentlemen) should blow those silly delusions out of the water. HTH.

Ginzu Girl
14th January 2002, 21:18
Thank you Jeff.:D

Well, I obviously have the authority to speak on these matters since I have the lineage, mon, and alcohol-intolerance to back me up. Besides, my Mom says it's all true! ;)

I'm afraid this "japanese uniqueness" thing runs very deep in the hearts of nihonjin. I was only partially kidding about my Mom. I grew up hearing this sort of thing directly and indirectly. The standard seems to cut both ways in that the Japanese believe that people from other countries have their own unique and genetically permanent qualities. The logic runs something like. . ."Well, we are uniquely Japanese, just as are you uniquely American. Naturally, you can never be me, just as I can only be better than you."

There are many Old Country traditions I value. The belief in racial/cultural superiority however, is not one of them. :rolleyes: :smash:

P.S.--Oh yeah, that closeness to nature thing. It also means leaving your trash along the hiking trails in the "sacred " mountains, such as Fuji San and De Wa San Zan. Banzai!

Jeff Hamacher
15th January 2002, 04:23
in an attempt to drag this thread back towards its original topic, i wondered if we mightn't sum up some of the last few posts with a sort of conclusion (of course, further insights are more than welcome!).

perhaps even more than the so-called "modern" martial arts, the so-called "classical" martial arts impose a certain set of demands upon the potential student, demands which may seem at times to be unreasonable or backward. the excitement or thrill of learning can be offset by the obligation to suck up haughty behaviour from one's seniors. the joy of discovering all the beauty and depth of these traditions can at times be overshadowed by the frustration of endless repetition. i think that Joe put it best when he said that you cannot separate "good" and "bad", or hand-pick only what you like and leave behind what you dislike. the culture (of both japan and its classical martial arts) is a package deal.

in a similar vein, a major point of frustration for many non-japanese in japan is the apparent "arbitrariness" ("arbitrarity"?) of the decision-making process. where a stereotypical "westerner" wants things to run on fixed, absolute principles, the japanese tend to work things based on context, or on what i've read as "rationalistic" thinking (people more interested in this should look into writings by Gregory Clark). in the world of japanese martial arts and particularly classical martial arts, whatever the senior person says goes, and it's not the junior person's place to respond in kind. in practice, of course, things vary, but in essence seniority decides everything. if a teacher rejects a student's application to join their dojo, that's the end of it. and bear in mind that even linguistically, one is "allowed" or "given permission to join" a dojo; one does not, as in the western "service industry" model, "join" simply of one's own volition.

if a teacher of a japanese classical tradition decides that no applicant meets their standards than they are within their rights to just let that tradition die, as sad as that may seem. everything i've read about japanese koryu bujutsu suggests to me that teachers are not first and foremost concerned with profit or "extending their downline network", they want suitable candidates to become their students. it's quality, not quantity, and if you can't get quality, forget it. if a teacher just doesn't like an applicant's "vibe" that can be enough to convince them to send back a polite refusal.

i am singularly unqualified to answer Jerry's original question as to why a teacher, a custodian of some cultural tradition, would let it slip into memory rather than take even one student to keep it alive, but i suspect i have one possible response. if an unsuitable candidate is given responsibility for the survival of such a tradition, it cannot be expected to remain intact. once the content of that tradition becomes corrupted, it can be said to survive only in name, and what's the value in that? remember what Christ had to say about the salt having lost its saltiness? it's not that different than TV networks or cartoon artists cancelling shows and strips at the peak of their popularity in order to avoid the long, awful slide into nonrelevance.

fire back at will.

charlesl
15th January 2002, 05:39
mmagpayo wrote:
Here in the west it is always I want I want. When we don't get what we want we rant and rave like a bunch of children, calling people names, etc.

So, an example of nihonjinron would be assumption that the Japanese "I want I want" is so much different from the Westerner's "I want I want"?

I mean, really, you guys should see my wife's Coach bag collection. It's unbelievable. And before I met her, I'd never even heard of the Coach brand.

Speaking of brands, one of the things that always shocks me when I see it are the English words that Japanese will use for brand names, or just print all over the product. The current leader was a brand of jeans I saw in Tokyo called "Crotch".

-Charles Lockhart
Honolulu, HI

Cady Goldfield
15th January 2002, 12:45
Originally posted by charlesl
The current leader was a brand of jeans I saw in Tokyo called "Crotch".

-Charles Lockhart
Honolulu, HI

Which reminds me of a website...

http://www.engrish.com/index.html

Joseph Svinth
15th January 2002, 15:39
Jeff --

There is a strong sense of invented tradition to the whole thing, too. The imperial family dating back to hundreds of years before there are any reliable records, for example.

Walker
15th January 2002, 17:04
“The Yamato Dynasty” by the Seagraves is a great illustration of the way “tradition” can be used as power. It is a fascinating look at the use of the imperial family and the workings of political power in modern Japan.
Check it out.

Jerry Johnson
23rd January 2002, 23:06
I would like to thank everyone who answered to this topic. It has developed into a very good thread because of those who contributed, in my opinion. Because this thread easily could have gone sour. I would to express by gratitude to those who addressed me with great responses that contributed greatly to the thread. I personally enjoyed the thread. I feel if there was an archive for good threads I would hope this one would be considered because of the great responses and contributions made. For me it was a great read. Thank you.


Also I would like to address a point made that relates to the topic of this thread. That is what I will call the passing of the masks. I use this phrase to as not to offend anyone. What I mean is many who do martial arts fall in love with it and thus tend to emulate the culture into their daily lives. A point Mr. Svinth had made, and I paraphrase, that with the "good" there is "bad". A"Dark Side Of The Moon" in a way. People tend only to see a narrow scope of a culture when enamoured with it. Love is blind, I guess applies for many of us. But, they don't or don't want to see the bad side, or the reality. i.e. as pointed out in Mr. Svinth's response.

This romanticism of the martial arts I feel is both good and bad. What ever the result or cause it affects the way we see martial arts and it's culture and others. It effects what we communicate to others as well. One person is lucky to have a good experience while another is less fortunate, and depending on who you run into can shape the who way you feel about what you practice. It is a strong influence on how you perceive martial arts. Whether good or bad, there is clearly a huge gap in "factual" information on traditional arts, to get good and correct information and experiences is difficult. As for the bad information it is boundless and available as the corner liquor store.

Therefore, my question is who do we blame for the lack of correct information on traditional culture and arts. And do we blame and ostracize those who spread bad information. And where do we get the good information from? Finally, do the newbies, who have not yet become jaded or enlightened, deserve a harsh and brutal wake up call?

mmagpayo
25th January 2002, 03:26
Hello again,

I'll have a go at it once more. I personally have never been to Japan for an extended period of time other than various stopovers on my way to some other eastern location. However, that doesn't mean my experience w/ Japanese culture is limited. I live in and around one of the greatest cities in the world in which if you wanted to you could immerse yourself in the study of Japan or what have you. Although other people may not have such easy access to various cultures, the knowledge you seek starts w/ the web. Next, your local book store or an online bookstore can be an invaluable resource. The individual can get a Japanese pen pal. Do language exchange. Knowledge doesn't stop if one is willing to seek. Of course there is nothing better than to totally immerse oneself in the culture. To do so would mean to go there. Hopefully, with some guidance.

As for me there was always a desire, but never the opportune time. Next year I have promised my dai shihan in shakuhachi that I would accompany him and some of his other students on tour throughout Japan which he organizes yearly to meet Aiki Reibo, the Japanese National Living Treasure in shakuhachi as well as the son of his own instructor, the late Kurahashi Yodo and to tour what remains of the feudal culture of Japan. I find my instructor to be a valid guide because he was opportune enough to live and study his art in Japan gaining recognition here and abroad. He has practiced his art for over 30 years and has been acknowledged by the current Kurahashi Yodo from his sensei's school as a grand master as well as a grand master by Aiki Reibo, the National Living Treasure. I am fortunate to be a direct student of this master and hopefully will remain his student for the duration of my life. I mention him because he has kept up the ties with the home of the art that has provided for him and his family as well as the love and respect he has for the art's development and cultural ties. People like him are hard to find, but they exist and when found can share insights into a culture few have experienced.

For me this opportunity to travel to Japan has been a dream that I will finally fulfill because it not simply a vacation, but a celebration and immersion into feudal Japan, since it encompasses visiting martial arts dojos and sumo stables, etc. Though I had always wanted to do an extended stay in Japan, family obligations and other personal pursuits have always taken precedence. Even if I had the opportunity I don't think it would equate to what I will experience with an expereinced guide.

But for most there are student exchanges and language teaching jobs. Most people have heard of JET and information regarding that program is readily available on the net.

Having opportunities like this or making opportunites for yourself is how you experience the culture. Also trying to meet people who experienced what you want to experience and meeting people of the culture to share your thoughts and your views will help you formulate a healthy understanding of the culture as it is currently and what it once was.

It has been my luck to find and meet Japanese instructors in the martial arts who have spent many years in the study of their respective martial arts all from adolescence to late adulthood establishing themselves by winning championships and other acolades, but retaining the humility to remember what their sensei's use to tell them when they practiced a particular waza over and over. To see the look in their faces when they remember what their instructors did to them and knowing full well that if they did to you what was done to them you would probably quit is very evident and enlightening. Even the occasional outburst or chastisement once they have gotten to know you gives you a glimpse of a culture far different from our own.

Formulate your own ideas what ever they might be and be prepared to defend them because there is always someone with more knowledge or a different take on things. If you are wrong, your wrong. The important thing is whether or not you feel comfortable with what you think is right.

As for bursting newbies bubbles, I don't think it is anyone's place afterall we live in the land of the free thought and free speech. Those seeking for the so called "truth" will eventually find a compromise because there are no real answers to any question simply what you as an individual can feel comfortable accepting. I don't know if I strayed off track, but this at least is my two cents.


Mark Magpayo
New Jersey/New York


:D