It has come to my attention that there seems to be a question from our wider public, or at least those that I have spoken to, that seem to wonder what training Bujutsu would be good for. I use the term “Bujutsu” loosely to refer to all martial arts in general terms, there is after all more than one.

It was while writing my thesis(which is on this subject) that I was told that I should stop trying to sell what it is good for and write more like I don’t know. This I must say is difficult; I have been in training since I was 8 years old and know how this had helped me.

Granted I had started in Karate and ended in a Bujutsu (traditionally based mixed martial arts) style, the journey still held great growth as a person. As martial artist from any art, we tend to understand that Bujutsu training hold great benefit, physically, mentally and even spiritually. I would like to however point out what I have come to term traditional and non traditional Bujutsu. 

I read a book that said that we should be careful how we termed traditional, as traditionally a Sensei in olden days would sit in one position and not move but simply observe. There was not grading system, it was just good or not good. Students trained in what ever clothes they wore in daily lives, the picture of Bujutsu training in any instance we see today didn’t exist till sometime after. If I remember correctly, it was Kyoshi Funakoshi who was given credit for creating the first grading system, and this was some time after World War 1.

 This is not what I mean by traditional, I instead take a more contemporary interpretation, which means I refer to traditionally based Bujutsu arts as arts which teach and instructs precepts of Budo and Bushido. Traditional Bujutsu (martial arts) instruction can be characterized by a substantial emphasis on the psychological, spiritual, and nonaggressive aspects of the art and the more modern Bujtusu (martial arts) tend to underemphasize these aspects and focuses instead on competition and aggression. The example that always springs to my mind is the rise of MMA, and though the practice of this does still challenge students, it creates the idea that what it is all about is cage fighting, especially to the public eye.

I encountered this when students come to the point where they are expected to grow their character as Bujutsu students, and would come to a screeching halt. Wanting only to engage in sparring and competition.  As an instructor I find that I am constantly having to fight the media induced view and ideas about martial artists, and the now competition side of it too. Instead of choosing to grow as individuals or martial artist, students look for a quick fix, some flashy techniques and to be able to beat someone into submission.

I will now as I usually do, put stuff into headings to see if this makes sense:  

Benefits of Bujutsu

What are the benefits some will say to me?? Well lets start with saying that it is a good activity that gets the blood flowing and tends to include fitness levels. I cannot think of one dojo that I haven’t trained in that didn’t expect some level of physical fitness, and I have also always loved it.  Although, this a big subject and I will not get into the finer points of martial philosophy right now.

Bujutsu in the traditional sense will also offer a philosophy of life, and every school will take this from different aspects of budo or martial philosophy. I personally have encountered and teach aspects of Zen, Bushido code, Confucius philosophy and am still learning many many more. This will shape a Bujutsu mind, and as someone who has been learning, studying and practicing Bujutsu since 8, I can honestly say that this hold great promise of character growth. This has sadly however been down played.

Many students don’t see this as necessary anymore, they usually only want to look flashy or scary. Which leads me to the next point, a Bujutsu school of any art, should actually encourage and teach non violence. We study conflict and acts of violence so we don’t have to partake in any such acts, and this should be encountered in syllabuses. This is important so students of any age can learn that walking around thumping people just because you can is not okay.

Where as there seems to be an expectation that it is exactly what a martial arts student should be able to do. As an instructor I feel it my purpose to train, philosophise and prepare students for life and moments that can seem out of place. I find that there are far too many instructors who make outwardly claims and then do nothing to further support students on their journey.

So to bring it back, the benefits are to put it very simply, a journey of character growth and development, and activity and identity that is unique to be part of, and an uncanny quiet confidence that lets students know that the worst can come but they can face them head on.  The benefits go far beyond a few simple words, and often to know these you must be in Bujutsu to find them, especially since this part of the journey can be so very unique for every student.  

Children in Bujutsu

This is a subject that I have learnt in some instances to approach carefully. Many of the very traditional instructors seem to think that teaching martial arts to children is firstly a bad idea simply because they can then take it out on their peers and secondly because it’s a money making ploy.

I have over the years to a certain extent agreed with the idea of who would be affected by young children learning martial arts, and whether they end up being the bully. However, I also think that this can be an excuse for some instructors to hide behind. Children can be taught, but it does take energy. Children being taught must firstly be taught what would almost be a more watered down version of what other kids would be taught till they are old enough to understand some of the bigger concepts and techniques.

This even includes having a grading system available to them that is specifically aimed at encouraging their development. This also means that young children (from about 4 years) also do not have the same physical requirements that older children would have. They are there to learn the character development and sense of participation and community, and learn a sense of personal achievement when they do attain a grade.

I do however think that sometimes we take some of it for granted and will give grade to a student when they should now be graded, and I have encountered various reasons different sensei’s have done this including loosing fees. I think it is important to remember that failure is part of life, the same way consequences are. No one likes to fail, and I certainly do not like to see my students fail, but sometimes it is exactly the kick in motivation they need to knuckle down. And this is very different for every student, sometimes it is even easier to simply to let them know that will not be grading because of attitude or actions in class.

Teaching children should be fun for them and you, they should learn social skills, physical skills and agility (including right form left), and should above all achieve a sense of being able to handle that infamous bully. It is also important to talk about stranger danger, but encourage young children to seek adult support and help from those they trust. As a sensei, you can even become that one person they turn to.

The second negative of teaching children is the idea that it is only a money making ploy. There is unfortunately some that do exactly this, but this is where parents need to be vigilant in choosing their school to ensure that it is exactly right for them.

However otherwise, I think this is rubbish. As an instructor overall I instruct students to be helpful in and out of dojo, and actually for no other reason. Granted fees still apply, but I pocket none of that and I have even gone as far as allowing some students to grade for free because I can see hardship in their lives. I know several other instructors’ who do the same too and are usually as appalled as I am to encounter the opposite.

There is however a few bad apples that get us labelled as money mongering and trying to create little fighting monsters. This is not true, and it is so very important for parents to be vigilant when choosing a school or art. When I finished writing my thesis on this very topic, I’ll write another article.     

Black belts

I only write about this because black belts are so easily attainable. I say this because I know and have all my certificates and old belts from when I was a yellow a belt, but it is amazing how many sceptics will say to me that they can just as easily buy a black belt.

So they big thing about a black belt is the way they think and act. We train, sweat and even sometimes cry to get the right to wear the belt. If you are for instance talking to a possible instructor and you then ask to see his certification, and the only story he tells you is that he got his black belt from a master in Japan, then be worried.

The world they way it is now, means that all black belts should have their certifications, all of them. Including their black belts, student grades and instructors’ licence. As a consumer or a parent enrolling your child, you have every right to ask, and it is prudent that you do.

There are international societies that instructors could easily register with, or at least a national body. The least an instructor should be able to tell you are the detailed history of where their school has come from. Also look out for claims of brilliant and death defying achievements rates, more often that not these are the schools that have high fees and teach high impact competition arts, far less the traditional approach.

One thing I find important about black belts is also respect among one another. Sometime when joining a dojo as black belt I am asked to remove my belt simply as a statement of non recognition. A black belt who has done the training in one art is no different to the black belt in another art. It is important to respect the rank between black belts, of either the same or different schools, how else can we teach respect to our students if we do not model it.  

 

When Bruce Lee was asked to talk about teaching Jeet Kune Do, he said,

“That it can be taught, but should not be standardised”

This is an idea I relate to all Bujutsu, to teach, but not standardise it into one neat little square. I allow a student to become apt at what they can do, instead of trying to get them to kick a high target or break countless boards. Most students can do exactly what is prescribed, but we must be open to different abilities.

Bujutsu is an amazing gift, the benefits of which can be unexplainable in words. It is above all a way of life and path worth following.