It depends on what a secret means?
Is it a secret move, such as
using the Ippon Ken instead of
the Tsuki in a Goju kata?
Or might it be a secret way of using a technique from what
others observe?
Might it be a secret kata?
Perhaps a methodology for examining a technique expression
application potential.
Or the existence of an applications potential?
It may be the use of a movement point of a form for an
entirely different movement study?
Or the understanding by hiding or changing a form indicates
later who copied the form, and/or might be used to ‘set up’ a counter sequence
for anyone doing so?
It might distract those questing for secrets, to not realize
what the art is for?
Ot the knowledge in a clinic setting that you might show
anything, and the participants don’t understand what else is involved to really
learn the moves so it becomes ‘Technique of No Technique’.
Not too distant a time a secret was the performance of a
kata, such as never seeing Goju Kururunfa,
or Suparinpei. Where today with YouTube everything seems to be seen??
Or it may be knowledge those YouTube video’s show so little.
Not the layers of instruction you move through to get to that level of
performance, nor the levels of training to move past that level of performance
nor even where you are aiming for?
The fact is we are human nothing is lost, as what one can
think of, at some time another can think of.
Unless it is a secret.
Of course it also is a test, What does your personal
integrity mean?
2 comments:
Perhaps ‘secret’ is to charged a word for the way many systems were passed.
Should we consider a better term, like ‘reserved’? That signifies those training practices might have been taught only when in the instructor’s experiences the student was appropriately prepared for those studies.
Those systems which I have trained that ‘reserve’ their training for appropriate student development do have a ‘secret’, one that moves across the board. That there is a synergy that requires the development of the whole system of training to express those teachings. Appropriate force enhancement isn’t a question of one application, one new form or weapons study or perhaps a new principle.
As a general example there is the issue of ‘spirit’ and the student. The instructor’s decades of development from actually believing the form makes many applications inappropriate for the student who hasn’t reached that level of execution. Those applications are ‘reserved’ for those who have those years. To share them when the student does not have decades of makiwara behind them, and true belief in the technique to perform it without changes less important. So those movement applications are not shared until the student develops. The student then is a participant in the knowledge release. If that knowledge becomes lost because of students inactions (Advertent or inadvertent) that is the natural progression of time, imo. Sharing to any who don’t fully possess those skills is in itself surety that it won’t propagate them.
Other arts are family traditions. Why should others outside of that tradition possess that training? If you aren’t there, does your need require them to bend to your wish? In many senses you don’t even know what that tradition requires. Back to the synergy issue. The skills are often all requited.
Let me provide an example. One of my friends spent over spending 25 years learning Faan Tzi Ying Jow Pai. If you are familiar with Chinese systems many of them possess components of training such as Chin Na (grappling techniques). Though seemingly similar to potential karate applications, it is often very different. Ying Jow Pai specializes in Clawing technique with the full hand. But the key is the claw they use becomes a force enhancer to the locks employed. Effective as with decades of work the claw is most akin to use of the hand like pliers. The pain from the grip enhances the movements. The use of the grip is seen in claw like marks remaining behind for weeks where applied. But the key is, first 10 beginning studies of the Chin Wo, decades of form study, supplemental drills, multitudes of weapons systems, two person forms and unique sparring practices all combine together to make the claws fists so effective. Even the two person forms contribute multiple layers, both how to use the claws offensively and the countering of those techniques.
Trying to understand a tradition and picking and choosing it should be saved still means the loss of the larger synergy.
So ‘secrets’ can often be misunderstood. That is why I suggest a change is appropriate.
Respectfully submitted
Gerry Schiela a friend had a discussion on Facebook about this and with his permission I am sharing this.
Victor Donald Smith Gerry, let me try "The fact is we are human nothing is lost, as what one can think of, at some time another can think of." There is nothing so unique that in time it can't be re-imangined. It just may be unlikely it will be anytime soon. Sort of the million monkeys before a million typewriters will eventually type the complete Shakespeare in order. Though it require a million million years. Perhaps an unproven theory but based on logic I follew.
Gerry Schiela Thank you. I guess I disagree with you there, and with Huxley, as some moderns statisticians would.
The question of Infinitely possible vs. statistically probable would be a sticking point for me.
As far as secrets, I think this is how many arts have degenerated to the point at which they are in--however, it seems also to be a matter of chaining societal concerns.
If it were as simple as writing it in a manual and putting that manual away in a box, well then that would be a simple solution. I think it is far more complex than that.
Could much of it be recreated? Sure, given enough time and nearly identical circumstances, but it is the variability of the circumstances for a collective cultural experience in conjunction with the length of time itself that make up the complexity.
THEN you also would need to recreate the collective cultural experience of all of the cultures which were either assimilated or diffused etc.
On the plus side of things, body mechanics are body mechanics, but the variety of mechanics are impressive, based in ideological bias and cultural preference.
To wit, take for instance one of a certain person's "secrets" about raising the heel that we just had a few different discussions in various ways on here.
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