Shindokan Dojo/Black Bear Traditional Martial Arts Center conducted an embu (demonstration) on May 1st on the green by the Mystic River in beautiful, historic downtown Mystic, Connecticut.
The first portion of the embu was performed by youth who comprise the Black Bear Traditional Martial Arts Center Demonstration Team. The children, ranging in ages from 6 to 15, provided an excellent demonstration of traditional Shorin-ryu Reihokan Karate-do and Kobudo. This is especially significant, given our era of so-called “martial arts” studios” in which authentic, traditional martial arts for children are eschewed in favour of over-hyped, pretend martial arts (using the terms “martial” and “art” very loosely here) that are nothing more than flashy, glorified acrobatics and dance routines in silly looking, multi-coloured and multi-patterned circus outfits. These forms of “Rah-Rah-ryu” (not intended as an insult to cheerleading in any way, but martial arts should never be presented in a way that confuses the two!) amount to nothing more than mere toys, just like their glow-in-the-dark “staffs” masquerading as the bo of the dignified warrior of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
It is therefore very refreshing to see enthusiastic but disciplined youngsters, clad in the simple, dignified white do-gi of traditional Karate-do, correctly demonstrating the etiquette and skills of authentic budo with vigour and sincerity. It is also a testament to the heart and skill their teacher, who, along with his dedicated assistant instructors, transmits the art of Shorin-ryu Reihokan Karate-do and Kobudo just as he himself pursues his own studies; with an uncompromising commitment to the Way.
Seeing the youth of Shindokan Dojo/Black Bear Traditional Martial Arts Center demonstrate their arts with confidence and skill; seeing them show their budo, their hearts, to all in attendance, filled me with hope and joy. As one of my teachers recently said to me, “it is from small seeds that big trees grow”. And it is youngsters such as these, rigourously pursuing the true heart of Karate-do, which give the world much to be hopeful for.
