Big Shots

Karate associations are funny beasts.

Typically, they are established, and then they grow. They develop sub groups and satellites, and spread geographically.

A good example is the Japan Karate Association. It started in Japan, and sent instructors out into the world to found satellite groups.

Members are pretty much considered foot soldiers in a semi-military, top down organization. Loyalty to one’s superiors is a given.

Sometimes one of the sub groups decides to separate. The ISKF is a good example. It was founded in 1977 in the USA as a part of the larger JKA. In 2007, it decided to go its own way. When it did, several of its top people removed their own organizations from the ISKF, to maintain their links with the ISKF’s superior federation the JKA.

Who was letting down whom? I wonder if any who left the ISKF after the ISKF left the JKA so they could remain with the JKA lost any of their people back to the ISKF.

This kind of thing happens all the time. Anytime an association looks like it is big and healthy, it’s probably about to collapse.

A couple of decades ago the JKA branch in BC melted down. We were attached to the JKA through a federation headed by Nishiyama Sensei. Differences arose between what he wanted, and what we were doing. He effectively said it was his way or the highway. I do not think any clubs accepted his ultimatum. We fractured.

Some formed into a group called ShotoCanada. Some contacted and joined the ISKF. Some formed into NASKA, which maintained its links to the JKA. I was part of NASKA.

I don’t know what causes this instability. I’ve never heard of any big divisions in the badminton community. Hockey doesn’t do this either.

Perhaps it has to do with the extreme respect given to instructors in Karate. Higher rank brings even higher levels of respect. It is really quite unbalanced.

To me, loyalty goes both ways. The key is not the Sensei, the association, or the high-level instructor. Loyalty is due to the student. I would walk through fire for my students.

It can be as small as listening to them when they question things, or as big as arguing with an examiner during an exam. If an association were short changing a club of mine, I’d leave it in a heartbeat. There are always other associations, and a club without one can work just fine. Students are people. People who have put themselves into their Sensei’s care. The main one looking out for them is their instructor.

I think this gets lost sometimes.