I have been a martial artist for 12 years now, and it has been a fundamental part of my life. There are all of the elements common to any martial art: the discipline, the respect, the joy of teaching and learning, the pride in seeing other students grow, the hard work and the sweat, the moments of frustration and the moments of revelation. These things comprise much of what the martial arts represent to me, and they are unrelated to style. I had the opportunity during college to head our martial arts club, and, as a neutral ground where martial artists of very different styles could exchange knowledge and ask questions, it was remarkable. I recall once having a black belt in a Korean style and another in a Japanese style both teach me one of their basic forms, and the three of us discovered that the weight distribution on our backstances was very different. Another time a local Kung Fu school offered free classes at my gym, and I found that those techniques and stances were often 180 degrees opposite many of mine. Yet both were effective – two different and opposite approaches which produced the same result.
Like many, I knew little of the differences in styles when I joined. My initial selection involved leafing through the yellow pages, sitting in on classes from the different schools available, and choosing the one which seemed the best fit. Whether it was a true Okinawan martial art or a martial art with Okinawan elements was insignificant. And now, 12 years later? Still insignificant. The pedigree may look nice hung on the dojo wall, but I am more interested in who is teaching me now, and what he is teaching me. It is analogous to rank certificates. We have all encountered black belts with only 1 year of training, as well as 21 year old masters. Yet still entire styles get judged on pedigrees and ranks.
I have studied Goshin Jutsu at a medium sized school in northeastern Pennsylvania since 1988. I did not meet Master Durant before he died in 1991, and cannot offer any data about him or the history. I can, however, offer my opinions about Goshin Jutsu. I’ve seen my share of competition over the years, and I’ve seen Goshin Jutsu students excel in tournaments, especially in kata. It seems hard for me to believe that Goshin forms could be as poor as described yet consistently be rated highly by non-Goshin judges in competition. Is the contention that American judges of all styles are incapable of judging form? As for hip rotation, it is fundamental. I’ve seen and felt the difference between techniques with and without hip rotation; it’s something taught from day one and refined constantly as you progress. I understand the impact which properly relaxing and tightening has on a technique such as a punch. To say that there is no hip rotation in Goshin Jutsu is absurd to me.
It seems to me that Mr. Allgeier had some unfortunate experiences with a particular instructor, left Goshin Jutsu, found another style, and that style was a fit for what he wanted from a martial art. The techniques for him in Shotokan clicked and made sense. In my case the techniques of Kung Fu did not click, personally, but I don’t think that has anything to do with their validity. Kung Fu was not my fit. One of my best friends has studied Kung Fu for 15 years now, and it does click for him. Having sparred with each other, discussed techniques and forms, we’ve both developed a respect for the validity of the other’s style.
I have no objection to Mr. Allgeier’s inquiry into the history of Goshin Jutsu. I think an objective discussion is healthy. Certainly it would be interesting to prove whether it has Okinawan origins or is a martial art influenced by Okinawan techniques. And interesting is as far as it would go for me – I have already stated my feelings about pedigrees. But what I do find objectionable is that this has been extrapolated to ‘all Goshin Jutsu schools and teachers are a cult and a sham’. It also seems to me that all the discussion around the technical inferiority of GJ techniques is no more than a variation of the too-often spoken phrase ‘my style is better than yours because…’
As always, our classes are open for anyone who has interest or questions. I recommend those with questions actually watch a class before making up their minds based simply on what they read on a website. I can recommend some excellent GJ schools. The school where I study has a website at http://duffeeskarate.com. A previous post has mentioned the RealVideo clips located there from one of our summer demonstrations. Although the clips are available, I still encourage watching a class and talking with students for a more complete picture. After all, it’s not as if breaking flaming boards is part of a normal karate class. Demos are intended to be entertaining and attract interest – not teach the subtleties of the martial art.
I wish Mr. Allgeier continued luck with his new style – it sounds like he has found his fit, and I encourage others with questions to speak to some GJ practitioners to have a more balanced picture of what the style represents.
Sincerely,
Shawn Falchetti