Honor, A Lost Art??

Honor, that word long associated with warriors. Is it still alive in the modern world? I believe it can be, but needs a lot of work. The tirades and flat out rude behavior shown at tournaments and other martial art gatherings would make many an old warrior cringe. Whether samurai, american indian, or any of the many other old class warriors. Honor was a sacred thing.

Not today, many so called modern day warriors seem to have forsaken this time honored tradition. Bushido, not even known or taught to many today, was the way of the warrior. Protect the old, sick, and weak seems to have been lost in antiquity. To learn to lose with dignity, although very hard at times, especially when a loss may be due to bad judging, must be taught to all students. All black belts, but again any warrior that calls himself master, should possess this quality that sets him or her apart from the common person. Respect is a cornerstone of the martial arts. The bow had, and has a place in modern martial arts. It is not an instrument of worship, it is a sign of respect. Many of the schools today do not follow this tradition. Slowly the arts start to degrade.

I believe todays warriors are probably, at least the better ones, superior to the warriors of old. We are larger, stronger, and have more techniques. Add to this a modern master trained in the better techniques of many styles and you have the potential of a super athlete. Records in all sports are falling every year, this means the athletes are improving year by year. However the one thing failing in the martial arts is honor. In business today a mans word can no longer be trusted to bind a deal, no honor exists. Do not let the honor disappear from this sport. A sport it is, ever since the killing was outlawed, like it or not we now have the sport of karate, Tae Kwon Do or whatever discipline we study.

Honor and loyalty, I believe, are the two most important aspects of our sport. Let the skill of fighting and forms take a back position to these most noble words. I would much sooner have a loyal and honorable student, than a fierce fighter that I could not trust at my back. Honor is instilled by the master or instructor, train your students by example. The disciple will follow you, teach with honor, be that person that can be looked up to. Do not be one to bring disgrace to your school or sport. In the future the honorable masters or grandmasters will, I believe, be remembered with the awe and respect they deserve. The masters and instructors that have let their honor lapse will be forgotten. This I believe has happened in the past, as it will in the present and continue in the future.

I say to all people in positions of authority, have your honor and respect. It will be delegated downward, with or without your help. Remember, you are the future of our disciplines, make it an honorable one!!