Over at Martial Arts Planet, Karate-Dragon asked about a central Kempo organization. I had mentioned this earlier here based on a thread at a Kung Fu magazine forum. Karate Dragon Asked:
Has there been any interest in a main organization? Since there are now so many branches and schools that teach the basicsof a system but then have branched off on their own, wouldn’t it be nice to have a central group to work with and perhaps have a governing body for advancements? Also, what do you think about the importance in seeing some of the videos on your site of forms, and knowing that your school does them differently? How do we really know what is right??
And this was my reply:
It’s funny, I posted something about that on my site with limited response comment wise. The big problem I see is that there’s lots of support for a big, all ruling Shaolin Kempo governing body, mainly from people who think they should be the one person in charge of the big, all ruling governing body. There’s too many big cheeses in waiting. I’m trying to do a ‘workaround’ where many of the benefits of the idea – standards, availability of information, sharing of information and training knowledge – are available without being handed down from above. As far as governing advancements, I think that horse is out of the barn. There is a glut supply-wise of 9th and 10th dans, and no shortage of mills handing out paper to those who don’t just print their own, so I’d rather reverse the equation. Since it’s clear that rank is a really iffy standard, then folks will have to be judged independently of that somehow. If those of us in the middle just sort of ‘give up’ the idea of being ‘granted’ rank, and instead try to work on a more standards based meritocracy or something. I don’t know if that will ever work. One of the reasons is that SKK has already speciated so thoroughly. Some folks really like material that I despise. Some have markedly different philosophies. I don’t think we, and I’m quite sure I can’t and shouldn’t impose my will on what is or isn’t ‘teh R34l kempo’. Perhaps there could be a base set of material as a core standard, and then folks should head out in their own directions, but I don’t think it’s much more ‘nail-downable’ than that. Part of the reason many of the ‘variations’ are listed for techniques and even some forms in my archive is to show the variety of interpretations out there. Many of the things I do in my practice, I’m pretty sure very few others do. That doesn’t make them right, or necessarily wrong. I know why I do what I do. That’s good enough for me. I don’t think that variation is bad. I think mindless or purposeless variation is bad. If you’ve adapted something because it makes you more effective, and you know exactly why and how, then more power to you. If your school does them differently (and I do them differently than in the videos kindly provided by Ken Warner), then that is fine, as long as you know why and how. They are just ‘examples’. Forms are tools. They are used to help you be a better martial artist. They are vehicles to teach concepts and techniques. The end goal of doing a form is not to do a form, it is to transfer knowledge, improve attributes, skills, body mechanics or understanding. Then you use it. If you do yours a little differently, but get these results, then more power to you. I hope that made sense, Matt
So any thoughts on a central organization, or my plans to get around the problems surrounding them?
I like the thoughts of a SKK organization. But,,, we have seen different orgs. come and go each using what they thought was a good idea. I liked the pholosophies that a certain SKK organization tried, A group of high ranking instructors from one org. set up a new org. with a group of them all in charge. I think there were 8 or so. That in my opinion should be the right way to go but as Matt has already pointed out, lots of people think its a good idea to start a big group, as long as they are in charge. I am interested to see how the kajukenbo hui situation turns out. Very similiar situation.
The mentioned 8 Chief group splintered into a few smaller groups with most of the Board creating their own systems. Just thought i would finish my first story before the thought of the Hui came into my mind…
Matt, personally I think much of what could be an SKK organization apart from GM Villari has been done by you right here on this web site. Given that most people agree on the basics to a certain degree, by making a site of knowledge here you have answered the most basic need that any such organization could provide: knowledge, leadership and open discussion. People will do what they want, however, with this site up…it gets harder to lie and to fake knowledge and understanding. Perhaps more videos but this place gives SKK stronger legitimacy and standardization without the drama and politics of a figurehead.
my 2 cents
Jesse I like your idea very much, however, history has shown us that Masters are still human and as such ego and $ will break things up…sucks