Regarding Miyagi

Regarding Miyagi

The Karate-Kid happens to be one of my favorite karate movies for many reasons, primarily because it was the catalyst for me to start karate.  The movie came out in June of 1984; after a year of begging my mom, she signed me up for lessons in May of 1985. It just so happened that the martial arts choreographer of the movie, Pat E. Johnson, practiced under Chuck Norris; and there was a Chuck Norris school (U.F.A.F.) near us.

Many beginners go looking for Miyagi, but find only Cobra Kai’s. 

I read another blog a few weeks back using the Karate Kid movie to discredit all martial arts. It made me sad because with everything he wrote I could just visualize the instructor; and he seemed so similar to some of the teachers I had dealt with coming through the ranks.

There are too many instructors out there that just don’t know how to teach. They run schools, classes and programs with a “fake it ‘til you make it” attitude. The destructive effect this has on martial arts as a whole is a daunting thought. How many young men and women have gone looking for Miyagi and ended up with something far from it?

I don’t intend to address the mystical, Eastern, sage-like philosophical wisdom of Miyagi’s character (although some of it is very effective at conveying what martial arts is). I am talking about what Miyagi offered as a karate teacher: he was supportive, encouraging and caring.  His lessons were tailored to the student, and rooted in simple, effective, traditional movements. He inspired Daniel to try harder, but didn’t build his ego with empty or unearned flattery. Miyagi challenged Daniel’s perceptions of karate and life, and didn’t give him unrealistic expectations.

Many authors I have read lately write as if finding a good martial arts instructor can be a little hard, but with diligence one can find a great traditional teacher in no time.  This is not necessarily the case as many regions don’t have anything but McDojo’s. This leaves a great many students who desire to learn, abandoned to contemporary karate or being put in a position to have to spend lots of money traveling.  Which could be a post for another day?

Over the course of my training I had to travel to train in traditional Budo. I was always surprised when I would seek out a certain teacher for their skill and proficiency. I would travel many miles to train with them. And their students acted as if being taught by a master was fun, but no big deal. Either they took it for granted, or they just didn’t realize how lucky they were.  

A good instructor is something to be treasured. They quite often are the ones who blend in and never make themselves stand out. They rarely teach as their primary source of income, because requiring dedication, respect, and effort to advance ranks is not a profitable business model...Miyagi was a building maintenance man.

If you’re serious about traditional Budo training you need to find a Miyagi. It will be difficult and take a while. But training with the first braggart you come across isn’t going to get you far.  Don’t go looking for a role model; don’t go looking for a father figure. When you do find this person, don’t take them for granted. Do your best to fully understand what they have to offer you.

*Contributions made by my lovely wife Shawndra.

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