“Hey! Adrienne!”  Catchy title and song, but today’s note is probably not about what you’re thinking it’s about, haha.  I did want to expound a little on developing one’s eye, and the tiger mon is an iconic one that is universally recognized as a symbol of the Shotokan style of Karate-Do, so the title is still fitting.  One of Master Funakoshi’s early supporters in spreading the Okinawan art in Japan was a famous artist, Hoan Kosugi.  He encouraged the Founder to write a book on Karate-Do and promised to design an appropriate cover for the book. The tiger symbol was the result.  Why a tiger?  I’ve heard several different stories: one was that the Founder used to walk up a winding mountain trail on Mount Torao, so called due to its resemblance to an undulating tiger tail; another was that the book was to be a master text for Karate-Do, therefore, a Tora No Maki and a clever pun on the word Tora.  In any case, this enduring image has represented our art across the globe, from its earliest days.

Speaking of art, there is a college degree that not too many people possess.  Did you ever hear of a Bachelors of Fine Arts or BFA? No?, Well it’s awarded to various university disciplines that involve not just in music and art, but different areas of design.  Anyways, while I hold a Masters in Public Administration, my underlying bachelors degree is actually a…BFA in Urban/Regional Design.  Sensei Peter also earned a BFA, as did my old partner at the SKC, Sensei Paul.  I believe that Sensei Allen and Sempai Robert hold both Masters and Bachelors degrees in the Fine Arts.  Hmmm…coincidence or perhaps denoting a kinship among all arts, design and martial.

Well, enough about the tiger, I really wanted to discuss a bit about the eye. In Karate-Do as in many things in life, one of the things that begins to develop in the practitioner is an eye that can appreciate good Karate-Do.  He or she may never become an expert, but after a while, good/not-so-good technique becomes increasingly visible and obvious to them.  This eye is no different than football fans (even those who never played the game) or ice skating fans  (who can barely skate) or dancing (with the stars) fans who never dance, being able to see what’s going on and discerning who’s really excellent at the activity.  Every one of you, whatever your natural abilities are,  whether old or young, no matter how proficient you become; will gradually be able to differentiate between good and poor technique.  For instructors especially, part of the skills we need to cultivate, is to be able to see the nuance of each student’s practice of the art – what mental and physical obstacles they are working to overcome in pursuit of their full potential – and what we can say and/or do to help them over a bump in the road and over to the next one.  However long you train and perhaps teach, you will constantly be developing this eye for the art.  As I mentioned, it’s one of the first things that develops (without us realizing it) and ironically, it’ll be the last to go…long after the winter years strip away the physical speed, strength and flexibility of youth; you will still retain this enduring gift from Shotokan – the eye of the tiger.

Wow, sounds kind of mystical and serious eh?  Well, on a lighter note – the one weakness in developing an eye of appreciation for good Karate-Do is…it is very difficult to “see” oneself – unless someone videos you.  Sensei Peter, Wayne and myself were all very fortunate in that we spent our formative years, training in a dojo that was literally lined with mirrors.  Thus, we could always see how well….or poorly we performed all of our techniques, basic and advanced.  Morever, we could see how we looked next to our peers – some of the finest karateka anywhere.  For some of the karateka, the first time they ever view themselves in a mirror or on video they’re shocked at what their technique looks like.  Now, I don’t want all of you to rush to the mirror and try to see what your technique looks like (it’s often better to live and practice in our mind’s eye, haha).  However, as a self-teaching tool, it sometimes help to have a family member or friend, do a short video of you executing technique just for reference.  You’re not practicing narcissism.  After all, think about how you’d feel, all dressed up, going to a party…not knowing that there was a big Alfalfa-type cowlick in your hair or perhaps some nice green spinach showing in your teeth each time you did a beautiful smile?  On the other hand, many folks will find that they look better than they thought and be surprised at how much progress they’re making.