Early reformers in martial arts like Taijiquan (Wile 1996) and Jujitsu sought to shore up their own national identities by asserting that they brought a unique form of power to the table. Rather than relying on strength, they would find victory through flexibility, technique, and cunning (all yin traits), just as the Chinese and Japanese nations would ultimately prevail through these same characteristics. It is no accident that so much of the early Asian martial arts material featured images of women, or small Asian men, overcoming much larger Western opponents with the aid of mysterious “oriental” arts. These gendered characterizations of hand combat systems were fundamentally tied to larger narratives of national competition and resistance (see Wendy Rouse’s 2015 article “Jiu-Jitsuing Uncle Sam” Pacific Historical Review, Vol. 84 No. 4, November, pp. 448-477).
Shidachi appears to have had little actual familiarity with Western wrestling. It is clear that his discussion was driven by nationalist considerations rather than detailed ethnographic observation. And there is something else that is a bit odd about all of this. While technical skill is certainly an aspect of Western wrestling, gaining physical strength and endurance is also a critical component of Judo training. Shidachi attempted to define all of this as notbeing a part of Judo. Yet a visit to the local university Judo team will reveal a group of very strong, well developed, athletes. Nor is that a recent development. I was recently looking at some photos of Judo players in the Japanese Navy at the start of WWII and any one those guys could have passed as a modern weight lifter. One suspects that the Japanese Navy noticed this as well.
There have been some very impressive players here in Japan who fought larger opponents in the old open weight divisions (they no longer exist in the big shiai). This was certainly a testament to their skill and training. Indeed, a smaller opponent could beat a larger and well-trained adversary. However, what I started to hear from old timers, coaches, and even some better commentators, was that those who competed in this way burned out a lot faster. Injuries were more common, as was general wear and tear. I think this is one place where we can see yet another difference and danger to competing up the scales.
MaartenSFS wrote:I have found that size/strength has a big advantage in armed fighting as well. I can beat everyone that I've met pretty much every time except this guy that has been training MA as long as me and is the same height as me but is much heavier and more aggressive than me. My greater skill in swordsmanship can only bring me up to his level at best.. If he were unskilled I'd destroy him, though. It's just a sad fact of reality. I make him work for it, though, and we usually end up both "dying".
GrahamB wrote:
or do I mean David vs Goliath? Again, that's some great marketing from Christians
middleway wrote:I think Type of Skill is paramount when thinking about skill. If we say that 'skill' is one aspect that will allow a weaker smaller person to overcome a larger person, we must then ask the follow up question, what kind of skill? Not, all skills are equal when it comes to fighting
middleway wrote:Yes it is. Note that to overcome doesnt mean to oppose, or even to use the same type of thing. Does the melon peel overcome the force of the person stepping on it? Yes.
But i think there is something else to this discussion asside from 'skill'. It is how the trained body can help us against greater, more classical strength, or body mass. There are things you can do with the body that completely negate incoming forces during exchange, even with huge guys. I wouldnt necissarily call the trained body a 'skill' per say, it is more of a 'state'.
What are peoples thoughts on this?
middleway wrote:Yes they do of course, The discussion was more related to how they matter, and if there are ways people think consistantly negate them
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