Personal Reflections
When I first imagined writing an article on women in karate, I envisioned something to the effect of the first women to make their mark in karate, history of the daughters, wives, mothers, who they were and are, and other affiliations of karate history, etc. The evolvement of women in martial arts became to be because of need and circumstance. The women had to defend their families and villages for themselves while their father, husband and brother samurais were at war. The need to defend is a strong innate power in a woman. The women being left behind during wartime lead to a necessity to know defending moves by using martial arts. The earliest written accounts of martial arts were dated in the early 1600’s when Japan occupied Okinawa. The Japanese then began to document the skills of the Okinawans. Any documentation of women in the arts is difficult to find dating so far back. But we know from history that the women were a definite silent partner in training of martial arts in the early years.
As I started to gather information on this topic, I began reading many essays, articles and facts about women in karate. I could write something straight forward and factual of the progression of women in the art and it would be dry but very informative and factual. But as I read words written by so many different women, I decided to take a different approach to my writing. I have learned so much more than only the facts of the women in karate during my research. This has become a realization of common thoughts many women share in their training. I would like to express my feelings on being a woman studying martial arts and how I have found similar opinions from other women dedicated to their art.
My first article that I read was from a woman in the Midwest that began taking karate almost by default because of a lack of a fitness center in her area. As she began, she explained how karate came very difficult to her. All her moves had to be learned over and over again and studied to become part of her training. Nothing came natural to her. She did not have the natural talent but still pursued. I can very much relate to her hard work of learning her art. Many women do not have the natural sporting ability that seems to be ever present in the men that surround us. Participating in a male dominated sport, being a woman makes it even more difficult to be perceived as “good”. Already a step behind our male counterparts sometimes in ability makes studying karate even more intimidating for women. How difficult it is to try to learn an art that we may have our own physical disadvantage to contend with. Can we be trained to be better?
Another item that came up in my reading was the fact that many women in karate now started their study late in their life. As women are busy in careers and family, timing for a pursuit in a personal interest was seemed to be placed on hold. After all, women are taking care of families and or careers during their younger years. Not to say that men are not pursuing their careers and providing care for their children, but it’s very common to have a release of going to the gym or karate or a physical outlet to maintain a healthy lifestyle also at the same time. It may take longer for women to be able to study, but I see longevity in the training of those who choose to pursue. I personally fall into this category as I did not start my studies until after I was 35 years old. I had many years of interest in the art, but could not pursue it until that time. When are you too old to begin studying? I don’t believe that you are ever too old and that age should not be a factor to stop you from starting your training.
Are all these issues strikes against a woman that wants to study karate? And it continues. The reason for taking karate is different and personal for us all. Some men take karate to enhance their sporting career. A natural transition, you would think. What a gift to have talent in so many different physical areas! I have also seen men study karate for the “fight” part of it. This is the wrong reason as far as I’m concerned. This is totally missing the entire purpose and reason of studying karate. What happened to the inner peace and calmness?? What happened to the balance and respect?? Women seem to study karate not only for fitness but for defense. This reason, either for themselves or for caring for their families, is a very driven cause. There are no mistakes in defending yourself or children in a harmful situation. Because of life circumstances, women find themselves alone in travel for career, caring for children or going out for a pizza and a beer. I have been alone traveling for my career and really did not think too much about it. As I started my family, my instinctive defense took over my caring for my children. Being a single mom only intensified it. I have seen what I could do with just adrenalin on my side, imagine if I studied karate? I was in the circumstance of watching a car back up into a stroller that I was pushing my child in. Pure adrenalin, thank god, gave me the strength to push the car away from my child. The innate defense in a woman’s character for her children is not something to be reckoned with. Imagine the situation for a woman trained in karate. There is something not to be contended with!
And the most important reason for me, as a woman, to study karate? My personal safety is at risk because of my gender. Unfortunately, I am considered the weaker sex and there are many that still prey on that issue. I am a very social and friendly person and will often start conversations with people wherever I am. I want to be regarded as a person first, then a woman. Obviously, there are some people that cannot distinguish between being kind and something more. I never want to be at a disadvantage because I am a woman. Not fair. I want to be able to take care of myself and karate allows me to do this. Along with obvious things you can do for your safety, as being aware of your surroundings, karate is by far the best asset you can have on your side.
My journey in studying karate I feel has just begun. I hope to be studying for many years to come. The reasons of fitness and strength, the fact of not starting earlier, obvious safety and defense issues have made my training all that much more valuable to me. And yes, I’m still that friendly woman sitting next to you. Don’t be afraid and come talk to me. I won’t bite, but I can hurt you if I need to. Promise.