I trained in London for years under Sensei Enoeda and Ohta. Praise, never heard it given to anyone. Ever. Criticism, yes, relentlessly. Not in a bullying or dismissive manner, but with inten to improve. If you want your ego massaged go do something else. It's a Japanese martial art. It's theirculture and philosophy. I still train today, sadly Sensei Enoeda has passed,but Ohta still teaches. Nothing has changed in 30 years. Train hard. Train hard. Train with respect and positive attitude. My 6th and 5th Dan teachers promote a similar but slightly diluted method. They are more expansive in explanation and praise. Which If I'm honest, doesn't always sit that well. I now see part of the art is to maintain healthy ego and keep vanity contained. Western minds often want continious praise and cant cope with constructive criticism. That's my take anyway.
I guess karate must change as generations come go. How today's teens would take to Enoeda class would be interesting exercise. Saturday that I see plenty young people training with Frank brennan quite happily and still training hard so hope isn't list yet.
Long, long ago, I became entitled as secretary of our local karate club. One day, I accompanied our Japanese sensei to the train station. I dared to ask him how he saw my personal progress on the path. He replied very ad rem:
"You are a very good secretary for your club".
I was smart enough to take his sarcastic hint in the right manner and inwardly smiling I continued my path....
I trained in London for years under Sensei Enoeda and Ohta. Praise, never heard it given to anyone. Ever. Criticism, yes, relentlessly. Not in a bullying or dismissive manner, but with inten to improve. If you want your ego massaged go do something else. It's a Japanese martial art. It's theirculture and philosophy. I still train today, sadly Sensei Enoeda has passed,but Ohta still teaches. Nothing has changed in 30 years. Train hard. Train hard. Train with respect and positive attitude. My 6th and 5th Dan teachers promote a similar but slightly diluted method. They are more expansive in explanation and praise. Which If I'm honest, doesn't always sit that well. I now see part of the art is to maintain healthy ego and keep vanity contained. Western minds often want continious praise and cant cope with constructive criticism. That's my take anyway.
Yes, you are right. Isn't it funny how these things happen and how the cultures struggle to line up?
I guess karate must change as generations come go. How today's teens would take to Enoeda class would be interesting exercise. Saturday that I see plenty young people training with Frank brennan quite happily and still training hard so hope isn't list yet.
Long, long ago, I became entitled as secretary of our local karate club. One day, I accompanied our Japanese sensei to the train station. I dared to ask him how he saw my personal progress on the path. He replied very ad rem:
"You are a very good secretary for your club".
I was smart enough to take his sarcastic hint in the right manner and inwardly smiling I continued my path....
So true, always makes me laugh the way some of the Japanese Sensei navigate round these situations