I had a very interesting discussion with my buddy over a delicious Japanese dinner on the subject of martial arts. This led to trajectories on the difference in Chinese and Japanese opinions about ‘aesthetics’ and ‘value’, as well as their differences in culinary emphasis.
It’s interesting how many of the Chinese martial arts are extravagant, with boisterous movements and wide-angling strikes, sweeps and kicks. Even with the more rooted Southern stances, they are not as reserved as the boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, or modern Karate stances. Perhaps due to my influence from one semester of boxing and two years of Goju-Ryu, I see this more as a hindrance than a boon. My own stance is usually very tight, mobile, and subtle. I’ve noticed that Goju, deadly as it may be, is not ’spectacular’ in the layman’s sense: many styles, like Taekwondo and even Judo, look more impressive than it.
Nevertheless, the Japanese seem to have traditionally prefer the understated and elegant, and this is reflected in their culinary cuisine as well as many of their martial arts. Chinese love colours: they love a smashing rainbow of tastes and sensations; they will purposely overwhelm you with it. And this is also an interesting aesthetic expression.
Aesthetics are often part of martial arts – although this is more of necessity in their historical context than merely a development from culture.
Interesting observation. THanks for sharing.
No worries.
Very intresting and observant.
There are a number of problems with what you’ve proposed here. First off, it’s unclear what you mean by aesthetics, but it’s mos likely not the true meaning as posited by philosophers such as Kant and Baumgarten. Second I would check my facts before making a distinction between Chinese and Japanese culture. Japanese have drawn from China a number of times ranging from the importation of Tang court music (gagaku or Imperial court music) to the incorporation of Neo-Confucian ethics in the Edo period. That very understaed sense of beauty that ou’re tauting might very well be Chinese in nature. Before you go any further I might suggest reading Pierre Bourdieu’s “Distinction” and get an better understanding of what’s behind that sense that Japanese martial arts are better than Chinese. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.