Karate's Golden Age?

[isshinryuronin]

I just came across an ad on the internet for a book, Karate's Golden Age 1968-1986. This brought a smile to my face as I started in 1966. So, in what age did I begin training - the Bronze Age??? I can only imagine the author was referring to the "Commercialization Age" or maybe the "Amateur Competition Age." If 1986 was the end of the Golden Age, what age are we in now? Kids Day Care Age, or Professional MA Age? I felt no need to look further into his claim.

The true "Golden Age" of karate, IMO, was 1910-1940. This was the time of the greatest change and development in the art. It was in this period that the art was popularized and made accessible to everyone rather than just law enforcement types. Styles evolved such as shorinryu, goju ryu, wado-ryu and a number of others, along with changes to kata to reflect each style's ideas. Gi's, ranks and belts were introduced, as was competition. It was a most dynamic time.

How do you view the "Golden Age" in your art and what age are you in now?

 

[skribs]

How do you view the "Golden Age" in your art and what age are you in now?

I think the "golden age" of Taekwondo is behind us, but it's not in dire straights either. Taekwondo is incredibly popular worldwide, although mostly by kids and seniors. Luckily, those are commercially the best age groups. Kids are always going to need martial arts, and I find it easier to teach kids a martial art that can largely be practiced in lines and formations, as opposed to martial arts that require you to partner up or work on your own. Seniors typically have a more stable career and are less likely to move around, are more likely to commit long term to something than someone in their 20s.

Right now BJJ and MMA seem to be the most popular...and I'm part of it. I recently moved to central Texas, which has become the mecca for BJJ in recent years. I picked a good time and place for it.

If there was a golden age for Hapkido, it's long gone. I don't know that it was ever very popular to begin with. It has no sporting component, no international organization, no real standards or even identity. It could be a TKD-esque thing, could be a more defense-focused version of Aikido, or anywhere in-between.

 

[Same Trick]

Lucky me, I stepped in to karate right there in the mid of the golden era, the time when one would get whacked by the shinai the sensei kept at hands if students performed poorly, when real knives where used in weapons self defense training(ok, that was I jujutsu class). That was the era Karate was the king of the exotic martial arts hill, every one wanted to be karate, KungFu called itself Karate, some were less respectful judo for example stole the Karate-chop and called it Judo-chop but everyone new the truth anyway so it was ok.


Anyhow, I started karate in 1978 I was 12 and I can only say it was 100% a great time

 

[Gyakuto]

I started Karate in 1981 and felt it was very much the tail-end of the ‘golden age’ where the mystique and exoticness of the martial arts was evaporating, not least thanks to the publication of books on the subject, occasionally authored by occidentals, the easy availability of American magazines with some information and unbelievable amounts of merchandise advertisements (that couldn’t be shipped to the U.K.). Indeed, US magazines seemed to be essentially advertisements rags with a few articles thrown in, which were split and finished at the end of the all the adverts! Good ol’ consumerism. Karate, at least, was becoming affected by sports methods (ballistic stretching = bad, static stretches = good, makiwara out, heavy punch bags in). It was a curious time but I’m very nostalgic for them.

On holiday, I saw a girl wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with ‘Surely Not Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting?’

Our current age? We’re in the ‘Age of the McDojo’ (often being taken seriously)…

 

[isshinryuronin]

the time when one would get whacked by the shinai the sensei kept at hands if students performed poorly, when real knives where used in weapons self defense training

In the old days we used "martial" methods to teach MA. But the students then expected it. Wouldn't fly today.

‘golden age’ where the mystique and exoticness of the martial arts was evaporating,

This is a good point. The perceived "golden age" was in that time frame 1968-86. Karate was exploding in popularity, yet the mystique was still present up till the early 80's I'd say. TMA became part of our culture, from entertainment to sports and other areas as well.

I suppose there were two golden ages: One art-based in the 1920's and 30's as I described in the OP, and another that was culture-based in the late 60's to early 80's, brought to an end due of oversaturation.

American magazines with some information and unbelievable amounts of merchandise advertisements

The early years of Black Belt magazine (and to a lesser extent, Action Karate) were aimed at the serious TMA community and were a wealth of information and education with a minimum of advertising. This dramatically changed when it (and other mags) became more of a general interest magazine with little to offer besides ads.

 

[Gyakuto]

In the old days we used "martial" methods to teach MA. But the students then expected it. Wouldn't fly today.

Crikey, you have to ask permission to touch a student in order to alter their posture, now. Perhaps it’s the right thing to do…

The early years of Black Belt magazine (and to a lesser extent, Action Karate) were aimed at the serious TMA community and were a wealth of information and education with a minimum of advertising. This dramatically changed when it (and other mags) became more of a general interest magazine with little to offer besides ads.

Oh I didn’t know that. The UK’s best martial arts publication was editor Terry O’ Neil’s ‘Fight Arts’. It was a bit Shotokan-heavy because of Terry’s background, but the articles were brilliant. I actually buy old copies from Ebay when I want a nostalgia trip sitting on the toilet and the goddess (of the toilet) Cloacina has forsaken me despite my incantation-

Oh Cloacina, goddess of this place,
Look upon thy supplicants with a smiling face.
Soft and yet cohesive let their offerings flow,
Neither rashly swift,
Nor insolently slow!