Sociology, psychology, and Anthropology in Karate

I have noticed some articles available on the internet disparaging the concept of including various Japanese rituals such as bowing, sitting in seiza, mokuso, sempai/kohai relationship, and other such things in a North American Karate club. The main idea that these articles are saying is that since most North Americans are not Japanese we should not try to imitate them, but to show respect in a "Western" manner such as shaking someone's hand, or calling out "yes sir" instead of "Osu".

In my past, before I became a mother, I took some years of University courses in Sociology, Psychology, and Anthropology. From what learning that I have acquired during those years, I would say that Japanese rituals help create a "sub culture" in the dojo. What I see happening within North American Martial arts is a creation of it's own cultural mores, and norms which is based on Japanese traditions, but has become it's own entity.

What are Cultural mores, and norms?

"Organizational culture embraces such
organizational needs as common language, shared concepts, defined
organizational boundaries, methods for selecting members for the
organization, methods of allocating authority, power, status, and
resources, norms for handling intimacy and interpersonal
relationships, criteria for rewards and punishments, and ways of
coping with unpredictable and stressful events (Schein, 1985a).
This shared culture helps to create solidarity and meaning and
inspire commitment and productivity (Deal, 1985).

Culture may operate both consciously and
sub-consciously in the organization (Rousseau, 1990; Schein, 1984,
1985a, 1985b; Wilkins & Patterson, 1985). At the surface level,
culture can be observed through examination of behaviors and
artifacts, including such things as the physical setting, rituals,
languages, and stories. At a slightly deeper, less conscious level,
organizational culture is defined by the unwritten rules and norms
of behavior, often conveyed by stories, rituals, language, and
symbols. At the deepest levels, often totally sub-conscious, lie
such things as the fundamental assumptions and core values of
individuals, groups, and the organization (Connor & Lake,
1988). It is at this deepest level that the organizational culture
can be most tenacious and most powerful (Wilkins & Patterson,
1985)."
http://cnx.org/content/m13465/latest/

Martial arts has developed this kind of "world" where we all know that you have to do something special if you arrive late to the dojo. We all know that training involves the spirit, and by Kiai-ing with our technique we are showing forth strong spirit. These, and other concepts, are taught to us by our experiences as we train. Following the same norms, and mores helps create unity of purpose, and a feeling of belonging to the group. This is why so many different groups in our society pick a club name, a club crest, a club motto, a club handshake, a club uniform, etc. You need only think about the variety of clubs out there and you can see that each one has it's own culture built by the same interests, words, understandings, etc. A skateboarding club will have it's own actions, terminology, way to dress appropriately, and "inside" jokes.

I would offer that to do something as mentally challenging as practicing such a physical activity as Martial arts we need to create a different culture than the one in which we are comfortable. The rules, and expectations HAVE to change to allow us the freedom to learn how to break an arm, tear out eyeballs, crack ribs, etc. Doing such violent actions (even if we do them only in theory) is not normal in our everyday life. We need to be brought out of the what is "normal", and enter a place where we focus on our techniques with full attention, learn what we need to learn, and still use control so not to cause harm.

As an example, notice how the Military has created such a culture within itself. Standing at attention, shining one's boots, Yelling out "Yes sir!", speaking when spoken to, etc. These special values, and understandings allow the soldier to learn what it takes to be able to fight as a unit such as obedience to command from a superior officer. A Martial arts instructor also needs this kind of authority over the students to be able to stop a potential outbreak of severe physical interaction. In self defense, and fighting practice, aggression can be released too strongly, and the safety of the participants could be in danger.

Walking into a Dojo, and having to adapt to all of the new rules, and expectations helps form a Martial artist into new norms, and mores. Many white belts walk into a Dojo with a previous mental picture of what consists of training in Martial arts which is usually built within them by the various movies, and t.v. shows that they have seen. Suddenly faced with something that is very similar to the Japanese/Chinese/Korean traditions, but is outside of their normal behaviour helps them to transfer, and learn new skills.

In my opinion, adapting to such unique things as responding with "Osu", Kneeling in Seiza, the Sempai/Kohai relationship, and other oriental aspects of our training is very important, and even necessary to help with feeling unity with others in our organization, and with training in warfare.