The Essence of Your Martial Art

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 3:39pm

The point of this thread is to offer short, concise descriptions of your martial art - not in a paragraph or essay, but in one or two lines.

There's no doubt that it's very difficult to sum up any martial art - genuine or otherwise - in a few lines.

But it's a useful endeavour. Trying to distill your martial art into an aphorism or sentence is an excellent way to identify what's essential, and what's superfluous. If you are a novice, it allows you to focus your attention on what's most important. As a competent practitioner or expert, it enables you to clarify your experience, and perhaps remember why you're doing it (it can get fuzzy over the years).

My sense is that this can be done in a number of ways. For example, you might expect Judo to be something like 'the scientific craft of throwing and sometimes grappling.' But for Kano, the essential principle was 'best use of one's energy'. This encompassed the 'scientific' part, while offering a broader principle for life.

Now, I expect argument - this is par for the course. I also expect stupid or willfully unhelpful posts to be removed. The point is to seek clarity. It may well be that the essences of a great many styles are remarkably similar. You might also find that you realise your own art is silly, and should be replaced forthwith.

I'll start with GoJo-Ryu Karate-Do, which I'm most familiar with.

GoJo-Ryu Karate-Do

Rapid close-quarter stand-up, characterised by alternating softness and hardness, circularity and linearity.

I'm looking forward to seeing more (including critiques of mine). And use whatever format you like - I've just chosen to be pernickety.

**Cuchulain** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 3:47pm

Taijiquan - Sensitivity to react like rubber with the maximum efficiency of body structure and position.

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 3:58pm

Ving Tsun:

Punch.
Punch again.

**sochin101** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 4:01pm

Shotokan Karate-do

Almost exclusively a striking art, Shotokan is best known for the emphasis on strong, deep stances and commited linear attacks.

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 4:12pm

Originally Posted by Tom Kagan

Ving Tsun:

Punch.
Punch again.

Mods, move this idio-...

Oh. Carry on.

**DAYoung** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 4:12pm

Originally Posted by sochin101

Shotokan Karate-do

Almost exclusively a striking art, Shotokan is best known for the emphasis on strong, deep stances and commited linear attacks.

Sounds about right. The most karate-ish of karate.

**TheMightyMcClaw** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 4:14pm

Jiujitsu: Leverage, groundfighting, and live training.

**sochin101** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 4:18pm

Originally Posted by DAYoung

Sounds about right. The most karate-ish of karate.

yeah, I deleted the words "suicidal" "kamikaze" and the phrase "heavy reverse-punch reliance" about four times.

**Askari** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 4:22pm

Jiu-Jitsu:
The Art of adapting to circumstances in order to overcome obstacles.

**Cullion** · Posted On: 10/19/2007 4:23pm

Martial Tai Chi: A sorta mix of boxing and wrestling with a few simple kicks and lotsa odd but difficult chinese callisthenics and a few forms. Does alright in San Shou if you train hard enough.