‘So that’s how they think’!
One of the most useful ways of gaining insight into traditional Japanese martial art training.
In the entire sphere of traditional martial arts practice, if you want to really understand what’s going on, watch out for this moment. It’s easy to miss it.
If ever you find yourself coming out with, “So that’s how they think”, you are definitely on to something, never ever let it pass you by.
The examples I am thinking of (based on my own experiences) are the ones where, you are shown something or something is explained to you that completely derails your little trainset. This might be a technical thing, a mindset thing or even a cultural thing. It then becomes like a glitch in the matrix, blink and you will miss it, or, foolishly, you might even choose to ignore it or dismiss it as an odd quirk… opportunity lost.
Who are ‘they’?
Let me start with who the ‘they’ are in the heading.
‘They’ are more likely to be considerably further on down the martial arts path than you are.
‘They’ are probably (but not uniquely) native to the relevant culture.
‘They’ are the authoritative agents and representatives of our art, the insider luminaries who are culturally embedded and as such, dyed in the wool.
Also, ‘they’ are not necessarily contemporary to us. The information that flips the switch for us might come from an indirect source, might be second-hand, might come from an aural tradition.
And what of the information itself?
There are a couple of ways of unpacking this (relating to the nature of the information revealed). One is to recognise when the information creates a mind-shift, one which perhaps completely overturns something you thought you’d previously understood. Now this might be a dramatic revelation, or a subtle shift in perspective, but whatever it is, you are not the same person afterwards.
Two areas where this might apply.
For me, I can think of two distinct zones which have prompted me to think, ‘So that’s how they think’. I won’t offer specific examples, because I think that it would be irresponsible of me to deny my readers these valuable opportunities of discovery by presenting them to you on a plate. Self-revelation, originating from your own efforts of rigorous and disciplined observation (and practice) have far more value than things that are spoon-fed to you. Basically, you earned it.
The two areas are:
Structural (relating to ‘systems’).
This is when something is shown or explained that reveals elements of the inner-workings of the particular martial arts system that you are involved with. Often this supplies you with a kind of master key that unlocks many doors, and your map expands dramatically (see my blogpost, ‘How detailed is your Wado map?’ https://wadoryu.org.uk/2022/07/16/how-detailed-is-your-wado-map/ )
Of course, you can get similar insight by looking at systems that are closely related to your own system. Thus, Tai Chi people could gain something by examining the organisational methods employed by Hsing-I or Bagua Zhang schools. Or, if you are involved with Japanese Budo, closely examine the thinking behind related systems or disciplines. Note that I am not referring to the actual nuts and bolts of technique. Technique can give you a granular view of what’s going on, which would supplement your overall understanding of the structural aspects, like the over-arching principles and mechanics. However, I think that if you wrap everything up in technique alone you become lost in the detail.
Instead, try focussing on things like; the pedagogical approaches, or the other parts that act as the glue to hold everything together and make it a cohesive entity?
Cultural.
Often, we confuse ourselves by transposing western models of thinking and operating on top of oriental models. For convenience and to be specific, I will refer to Japanese cultural models. For westerners that is a tough cultural challenge (and, I suppose it’s the same the other way round).
What makes it even more demanding is that it is impossible to un-weave and analyse the cultural tapestries that developed over hundreds if not thousands of years. In Japan the traditions and practicalities that make up everyday life going back generations are interwoven with mythology and the spiritual and religious dimensions.
Of course, it’s not unique to the Japanese; try unpicking the western European cultural and religious conventions that are still in existence, even though religious observances have shrunk dramatically in recent generations. For example, in the UK we still celebrate religious traditions that are pre-Christian in origin. The baggage from that also spills over into the way we think and also the way we speak. You don’t have to go far to look for it.
But in Japanese Budo/Bujutsu, the application and appreciation of these cultural influences often throws up some profound lightbulb moments. One piece of information looked at in the right light can cause something in your head to click into gear and the cogs might become momentarily derailed before sliding you into a fresh and illuminating train of thought. But you have to have the curiosity in the first place. You also have to be prepared to really interrogate what you are doing, and go beyond mere ‘surface’.
The lightbulb moments.
I think it’s healthy to recognise and celebrate these moments, because that leaves you open to even more profound mindshifts and revelations.
Also, I don’t think of this as just a cerebral thing. If it just stays in your head it has no practical and developmental use to you as a martial artist who is supposedly on a journey of technical and practical growth, it turns it into pure academia. Martial arts is all about doing, but these lightbulb moments help you to see the interconnectedness of everything you do and make real leaps forward, empowering your training and overall effectiveness.
It’s a choice.
I sometimes wonder how often people unthinkingly blunder into their own systems, and never really question the design or motives behind the structure, the benefits of that come from applying the, ‘So that’s how they think’ mentality.
Of course, I am fully aware that for some this just doesn’t apply. Maybe they are content to tootle along, quite happy in just working with the material they have available to them; one class a week, a good work out, lots of sweat, go home with a contented glow. That is fine. It’s not my job to convince anybody.
Main image: Sculpture of the monk Chōgen in his final years. Japan, Kamakura Period, around 1200 ce.