Tag: training

Judo

“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” Matthew 11:29

Many popular activities trace their origin to Japanese culture which is certainly true of jῡdō. This well-known martial arts sport was established as recently as 1882 by Jigorō Kanō, a Japanese educator and athlete. Often referred to as the “Father of Jῡdō,” Kanō incorporated various ancient self-defense techniques to create the present form of jῡdō which is now standardized throughout the world. He also coined the term jῡdō (柔道) for his new sport, which means “gentle way” because instead of employing weapons in combat, jῡdō is centered on using an opponent’s strength as a tactical advantage. The basic object of a jῡdō practitioner is to throw an opponent to the ground or subdue them through various grappling techniques. The inclusion of the Chinese character 道, normally translated as “way” or “road,” indicates a deeper philosophical nuance of the sport where the participant focuses not just on improvement in athletic skills but also on mental, emotional and moral growth. This holistic approach to training has obvious appeal to the Japanese psyche and accounts for the sport’s rapid growth and popularity in Japan. 

Jῡdō eventually became an Olympic sport in 1964. Japan immediately dominated, winning a total of 84 medals following the sport’s inclusion. At the most recent Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan amassed twelve medals in jῡdō, nine of them gold. Jῡdō athletes now traditionally wear a white uniform known as a jūdōgi which was also developed and standardized by Kanō.  

Although Japan still dominates the sport of jῡdō in competition on the world stage, the number of actual participants in the sport in Japan has declined precipitously in recent years to such a degree that France has taken the lead on an international level. Japanese children in particular have been dropping out at an alarming rate due to the excessive pressure to win, the frequency of injuries in the sport, and its extremely intense training regimen. Some fear that the sport known for being the “gentle way” of athletic competition has lost its way as the goal of winning at all costs has eclipsed the more subtle values envisioned by its founder.

At first glance it seems to be a contradiction in terms to label a sport that involves the defeat of an opponent as being a “gentle way.” But in comparison to some of the other martial arts that train their acolytes in the use of weapons and teach them to inflict pain, jῡdō does seem to offer a less violent alternative in its techniques and objectives. This description of the sport reminds us that “gentle” is a somewhat relative term and the key to understanding its intended meaning depends significantly on the context.

Jesus’ followers are also called to adopt a gentle way as we are instructed in Ephesians 4:2 to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Obviously, such a challenging mandate has nothing to do with combat procedures but rather, points to a lifestyle that should characterize God’s people as they seek to flesh out His heavenly values within earthly relationships. Fortunately, we have a sterling example of what such spiritual combat looks like in Jesus Himself, who beckoned us to “learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.” (Matthew 11:29) There is truly a gentle way for us to master that honors God and accomplishes His eternal purposes.

Teachers

“Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people.” Ecclesiastes 12:9

Teacher

In 1984 a surprisingly popular film, The Karate Kid, hit the theaters with a unique storyline centered on a confused American teenager who was trained in karate by an older Japanese man using rather unconventional methods. While the movie was certainly entertaining, it had an additional impact of introducing the Japanese concept of “sensei” to American culture. In his role as a sensei, Mr. Miyagi passed on his knowledge of karate to his young apprentice, who in turn slowly grasped not only martial arts skills, but how a Japanese sensei is quite different from a normal teacher. In general terms, a sensei is used as a title of respect for someone who has accumulated extensive training and knowledge in a particular skill or art form and then passes on that expertise to a willing learner.

The literal translation of sensei (先生) is a “person born before another,” which gives way to the wider meaning of “one who comes before.” This broader application of the term implies a mutually understood relationship where one member is regarded as a superior and the other as an inferior. This disparity in status is not grounded in intrinsic worth, but rather, on the possession of certain skills, experiences and knowledge. When the word sensei is actively employed across various social, artistic, religious and financial constructs, it usually includes doctors, pastors, musicians, traditional craftsmen, politicians, martial arts instructors, experts in tea ceremonies and, of course, educators.

The opposite word for sensei is deshi, who is regarded as the student or apprentice in the instructional relationship. However, there are times when these relational or social lines are not clearly fixed but are contingent upon peculiar circumstances. For example, when we studied at our organization’s Japanese language school, we respectfully referred to our teachers as sensei. But if the teacher was a Christian and we attended the same church, he or she would dutifully acknowledge us in public as sensei because of our pastoral training and position. We were both sensei, but only within certain contexts. In the course of ministry, we sometimes pushed back against this somewhat artificial divide when applied to clergy and laity. We frequently encouraged church members to drop the honorary suffix of sensei when referring to us but due to deeply established patterns, many found such changes to be very difficult to implement. Perhaps The Karate Kid best captures these traditional nuances in a couple of widely used quotes by Mr. Miyagi who attempts to explain his sensei role to his new pupil in fractured English.

“No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher. Teacher say, student do.”

“We make sacred pact. I promise teach karate; you promise learn. I say, you do, no questions.”

Inherent within the concept of teacher in nearly every culture are the elements of instruction and authority, which are embedded in a mutually understood relationship. This important role can then be readily applied to God Himself who is depicted as a teacher by the patriarch Job in confronting the criticisms of his so-called friends (Job 36:22). Since God is the Creator and sustainer of this universe, it naturally follows that He is uniquely qualified to instruct us in how to successfully live within His perfectly established parameters. However, God also chooses to delegate this role to others who can instruct us in godliness based upon their understanding of His Word and their spiritual character cultivated in their personal walk with God. Among these recognized sensei in the Bible is the one who is aptly referred to as “the Teacher” in the Book of Ecclesiastes and commonly identified as King Solomon. (Ecclesiastes 1:1) Solomon certainly had authority as the King of Israel, but his deep understanding of the things of God and his willingness to pass that wisdom on to others set him apart from the other kings who followed. Sadly, Solomon eventually disqualified himself as a teacher as he strayed from the precepts he had taught others. We must choose our sensei carefully and follow in God’s ways.