Autonomy
For us at British Wadokai, and also the many other Wado organisations around the world, autonomy has allowed the flexibility to either retain or change Wado. Ever since Wado was created it has undergone numerous changes over the developing period. However, after the passing of the master-creator, Hironori Ohtsuka Meijin in 1982, many of these changes, I feel, have taken on a much different direction, and have been increased exponentially further over the years by the subsequent autonomous organisations involved.
What autonomy has allowed British Wadokai to do is stop, what we feel to be, the negative changes within Wado. Many other organisations have decided that Wado requires more changes. Either way, autonomy allows this ‘evolution’ to happen. After all - aren't ALL Wado organisations autonomous? Whether the changes are good or bad is only down to the interpretation of those who make those changes; and subsequently pass those changes down to their members.
Just as the world’s football clubs no longer require to affiliate to England, Wadoryu Karate no longer requires affiliation to Japan for ‘authenticity’. Authenticity can very often be a word simply used to implement control or justification of existence (look at the differing religions, for example). We (or most of us) are free-thinking individuals and it’s up to us to allow change, or not. We can join what club we want as much as we can join what organisation we want. We also have the right to create what organisation we want - The choice is ours!
The Japanese' ‘hold’ on Wado (or any other Japanese martial-art for that matter) is no longer an issue (or right) of ownership, just as much as Manchester United has no hold on any of the other world’s football clubs. Wado is not ‘owned’ by a 'mysterious' minority who feel they have the right to dictate what is right and wrong or how Wado 'should' be done, this is the decision for those who practise it (as they themselves have done before). If you practise Wado you possess it and you can do what you like with it. It’s the ‘principles’ of Wado that makes it Wado not those who inherit it; so as long as these ‘wado fundamental principles’ are followed it’s still Wado. What gives the right of one Wado organisation to dictate to others, after-all, they are only autonomous themselves, aren't they?
Wado organisations all over the world can be, and mostly are, run by free-thinking individuals (some are control freaks and others just like to get along): This can be proved by the hundreds (if not thousands) of Chief Instructors that run their own autonomous groups and governing bodies.
Circumstances or choice dictates the direction of any Wado organisation; and as far as British Wadokai was concerned the circumstances of negative politics made us wake up, smell the coffee, and choose the direction we took. We simply walked away to benefit the majority of our members and continue training the way we always have.
Autonomy; allowed ballet and fencing to spread from France.
Autonomy; allowed cricket and football to spread from England.
Autonomy; allowed karate to spread from Okinawa.
Autonomy; allowed British Wadokai to create the International Wado Federation, and its subsidiaries.
Autonomy has allowed me to write this letter.
Gary E Swift 8th Dan Kyoshi. British Wadokai Chief Instructor.
What autonomy has allowed British Wadokai to do is stop, what we feel to be, the negative changes within Wado. Many other organisations have decided that Wado requires more changes. Either way, autonomy allows this ‘evolution’ to happen. After all - aren't ALL Wado organisations autonomous? Whether the changes are good or bad is only down to the interpretation of those who make those changes; and subsequently pass those changes down to their members.
Just as the world’s football clubs no longer require to affiliate to England, Wadoryu Karate no longer requires affiliation to Japan for ‘authenticity’. Authenticity can very often be a word simply used to implement control or justification of existence (look at the differing religions, for example). We (or most of us) are free-thinking individuals and it’s up to us to allow change, or not. We can join what club we want as much as we can join what organisation we want. We also have the right to create what organisation we want - The choice is ours!
The Japanese' ‘hold’ on Wado (or any other Japanese martial-art for that matter) is no longer an issue (or right) of ownership, just as much as Manchester United has no hold on any of the other world’s football clubs. Wado is not ‘owned’ by a 'mysterious' minority who feel they have the right to dictate what is right and wrong or how Wado 'should' be done, this is the decision for those who practise it (as they themselves have done before). If you practise Wado you possess it and you can do what you like with it. It’s the ‘principles’ of Wado that makes it Wado not those who inherit it; so as long as these ‘wado fundamental principles’ are followed it’s still Wado. What gives the right of one Wado organisation to dictate to others, after-all, they are only autonomous themselves, aren't they?
Wado organisations all over the world can be, and mostly are, run by free-thinking individuals (some are control freaks and others just like to get along): This can be proved by the hundreds (if not thousands) of Chief Instructors that run their own autonomous groups and governing bodies.
Circumstances or choice dictates the direction of any Wado organisation; and as far as British Wadokai was concerned the circumstances of negative politics made us wake up, smell the coffee, and choose the direction we took. We simply walked away to benefit the majority of our members and continue training the way we always have.
Autonomy; allowed ballet and fencing to spread from France.
Autonomy; allowed cricket and football to spread from England.
Autonomy; allowed karate to spread from Okinawa.
Autonomy; allowed British Wadokai to create the International Wado Federation, and its subsidiaries.
Autonomy has allowed me to write this letter.
Gary E Swift 8th Dan Kyoshi. British Wadokai Chief Instructor.
