This is an article from the past, but still informative and relevant...


What Fudoshin isn't...and other things you wont find here.
Darren Ball - Nidan. 2/3/03

A single art

Fudoshin is a system based on warrior training principles. The philosophy we embrace is that of the Bushi of ancient Japan. This word simply means 'warrior' and refers to all fighting men and women, including the class known as the Samurai. The Samurai's un-armed combat is usually referred to as Jujutsu. Actually, Jujutsu is in itself a concept of fighting which in general was applied to the warriors of ancient times. Our system is conceptually based, rather than technically based. This means that the concept of philosophy behind the training is focused on as being more important than the technique. 

As far as the techniques are concerned, you will find elements of Jujutsu, Judo, Karate, Aikido and usually many others. We use these systems to complement our philosophy of training in all areas of combat. You will find that all Martial Arts have similar concepts and are generally linked in their basic philosophies. This is the Fudoshin way. To study the arts in this way is to embrace the most ancient of combat training principles; if it works, use it. The Samurai did not care who owned a type of technique, or what school it was from. If it saved their lives, it was worth learning. Also, studying the concept rather than one particular style enables us to understand more about Martial Arts as a whole and we can become a more complete, true student of the Martial Arts. 

Many styles have different things to offer as well as their fields of specialty. At Fudoshin, we study areas of combat using techniques from multiple styles so that we may better understand the sciences of combat and the philosophy of Martial Arts.

These days when it comes to giving to charity there are always so many options. There are thousands of registered charities whose objectives are noble in helping out those with lesser fortune than ourselves. I oftentimes find myself thinking 'Why don't they all band together which would generate greater earning and marketing power and help more people'. The reason, of course, is politics. Certain people are motivated more by some things and less by others, and that is what having the freedom to choose is all about. I personally donate to a charity every month. I do this because I am passionate about their particular goals and objectives, but it doesn't mean that I feel less about other charities whoa re fighting other kinds of poverty, cancer ro child abuse. I also donate my time at the Dojo in order to try and stimulate, what I see as, a lacking area of personal and social development in the community.

 Charity, however, has become a word that is associated with various groups and organisations that, for some reason that escapes me, seem to be more interested in signing you up for a regular donation rather than being able to accept a once-off donation as well. I, for one, would like the freedom to choose whether or not I can contribute this one time or make a regular donation. Charity, it seems, has become a subscription service.

 Charity is an act of kindness. It is not something we do to allay our conscience. If there is no feeling behind it, or true meaning should I say, then the point is negated. Honour is another word that is either not used these days, or not used well. To be honourable is to be true to one's self (see previous post) as well as supportive. It is to be charitable. Down at the Dojo, I see a variety of personalities amongst the students, friends, parents, teachers and carers. Although not all of them are registered, training members, they all form part of our club. With the recent gradings, many issues have come to the surface. Some good, and some unfavourable. I am looking forward to the day where the Dojo can truly operate as one, with all members having similar goals and perspectives. One of mutual support rather than competitive attitudes. In Martial Arts, when you bow to your partner, you are trusting them. You are allowing them to use your body for the purpose of bettering themselves through training. This is something you do willingly, deliberately, because you care for their progression. As a result, they bow to you as well, returning the favour when it is your turn. 'Working together for mutual harmony/benefit' is a famous maxim in Martial Arts tradition, and it is something that should be embraced by all people at our club.

 As an experiment, ask yourself when was the last time you did something truly for someone else, with no hope or thought of anything in return. This is the attitude of a Sensei and his students, but maybe it should be the attitude of all peoples involved with Martial Arts.

Today is a very special day for Fudoshin. It marks the birthday of our founder, Robert Lawrence. After training extensively throughout Japan, Korea, the United States, France and in the U.K.; Bob Lawrence formed Fudoshin as an amalgam of his training. His motivations for doing this were that too many clubs, associations, organisations and instructors were embracing modern concepts of Martial Art which seemed to focus on competitions and gradings (i.e. belt-chasing). He could not find, any longer, anyone in his area of the U.K. teaching the Bushishin, or warrior spirit, the way he was taught it by his masters in Japan.

Robert Lawrence, in founding a system, is considered the Ryuso of the Fudoshin Combat System (Fudoshin Ryu). As the system grew larger in the form of more Dojo in more areas in and around south-east England, he also formed the Association of Oriental Fudoshin Arts (making him the Kaiso - or founder of a group/organisation). After a few years of operation, this soon became the British Fudoshin Association, with Soke Lawrence as the chairman/president (Kaicho).

Every year, on this day, we try and remember Soke Lawrence specifically in the form of training hard. We try and touch the essence of what he believed in so much - the truth of Martial Arts. As our Soke says to us often, "Only a true attack warrants a true defence", which send us down the path, what is the truth? What is this 'true way' that so many styles profess to teach, fewer styles profess to search for, and even fewer actually achieve?

The 'true way', or Seido, of Martial Arts is an entirely relative concept. Some people say that it relates to the most ancient of traditions. Sometimes this means that the ABC sword school is more 'true' because the XYZ school is 100-years younger. This, in my opinion is petty and politically motivated slander. What makes a style, a technique, a sensei or a student 'true' is in how that person or technique is applied. If there is any doubt in ones mind about the focus, power (both internal and external) and commitment one puts into any action or thought, then it is not a true technique.

  Unfortunately this leads some to believe that in order for a technique to be 'true', it must be done as fast and as visually powerful as possible, and that unless it could kill a man, or break through 4 inches  of wood. Nothing could be farther from the 'truth'.

 Shakespeare was on to something quite profound when he wrote "To thyne own self be true" (Hamlet), and the same goes for the spirit or 'truth' in Martial Arts. When we enter a Dojo, we are leaving all worldly thoughts behind us. All of the bother, stresses and anxieties of our daily lives behind us. The Dojo is a sacred place, a very special place. Not because it has the spirits of the ancestors residing in it, or something magical because of the 'energy' that goes with the name Fudoshin. There is no special qualities about my belt, my sword or my Dojo that make them more mystical. The thing that makes them special, or 'true' is what I myself do with them. I make my training special. I make my belts special. My sword, my spear, my club, my teacher, my students and my Dojo. They are special because they are special to me. Much is the same with the often elusive 'truth' we are searching for. It is nowhere external to be found, but it resides inside each of us, waiting to be awakened. How to awaken it? Now that is something for your Sensei to worry about, and something for the student to look forward to.