Seen several times on several forums lately:
“Hi, I am a newer student and want to know more about the concept of ABC”
“Newer student, we are more experienced than you, but do not understand ABC either and thus cannot properly answer your question. However rather than admitting that or keeping quiet, we will just say that ABC has no bearing on your training at the low level you are currently at and demand that you shut up and be happy working only on the material we do have some degree of understanding with and like it. Thank you for your understanding” (repeated in various permutations for several pages)
Whenever I see such threads recently, I am reminded of a time several years ago when I had the pleasure of meeting the late headmaster of a certain ryu, and watching some of their training. At one point I asked the headmaster about a certain movement I had noticed and what its meaning was. Her response was simple, honest and to the point. “Actually, I don’t really know why we do that.”
very, very explanatory !!!
I’ve seen a few of those types of responses on the Kendo forums as of late.
While it’s okay to put that qualifier there so the beginner that’s asking the question can concentrate on what’s more pertinent to their training at that point in time, I think the whole, “You don’t need to know that,” thing only serves to stifle what could otherwise lead into intriguing discussions from the members of all experience levels.
We may not have all the answers. Heck, we may not have the answers that the original performers of the budo had intended. But that’s what makes budo so beautiful, the differences in our ways of life and methods of training can wield some interesting hypotheses.