A student recently asked me why Okinawan Karate became the dominant martial art in Japan, when the Japanese had their own Martial Arts. The answer to this query comes from an historical incident. And, the answer uncovers something rather silly about human nature.
If you've ever seen a Chop Sockie Kung Fu flick, the story will invariably turn to the infamous western boxing match. Boxing matches of this type did occur a hundred years ago, though the results weren't always as the films would have you believe. Indeed, the whole concept of inter racial boxing matches merely takes advantage of the common mans need for myth and legend, and a way to bolster up a sagging belief in self.
That said, one of these infamous contests did happen in Japan around 1921. An Okinawan, Choki Motobu, was visiting Japan. He was of royal Okinawan descent, had been a ruffian in his youth, but had studied much Karate over the years.
Motobu was not too successful at business, for accounts have it that he was unemployed and broke. A friend, possibly to garner him some money, convinced him to enter a Western Boxing contest which had offered to 'take on all comers.' Motobu was fifty-two years of age at the time.
Reports of how the contest proceeded vary. Some have Motobu evading the taller Russian boxer during the beginning rounds, then pouncing in and knocking out the Russian strong man with one powerful Karate Fist. Other accounts claim Motobu kicked his opponent in the groin, and when the pugilist bent over in agony, Motobu delivered an illegal strike.
Whatever the truth, Motobu was victorious, and the crowd went wild. The press, anxious to report on this vindication of the oriental race, searched frantically for an image to run with the headlines. They came up with an old file image of an Okinawan fighter who wasn't really a fighter...Gichin Funakoshi.
Thus, the story of why Japan became enthralled with Karate may have more to do with illegal strikes, bad reporting, and a people in need of a superior racial identity, than with any superiority of art. That said, this writer makes no indictment of Karate, nor does he hold any martial art over another. That is not the point to be made in this article.
This is merely a lesson in history and folly, and a revelation concerning mans poor image of himself, and how that image can be exploited. When you hear somebody claim that one art is superior, one should consider the tale of Motobu Choki and why Japan chose Karate for their 'national art.' And that is the tale behind how Japanese Martial Arts were replaced by a
One Punch Karate Mistake.
