09/09/2025
-The epidemic of made up styles and self promotion-
This is a somewhat controversial topic and is often spoken about by many practitioners on social media and differnet blogs and podcasts. The irony is many who poo poo on organizations and people who “self promote”, are likely in a lineage that’s guilty of the same issue.
Every where I look I see organizations that pop up offering to give you rank or offer membership for a small fee. Most of these are by individuals who created their own system and organization. But let’s be frank, most systems were created by someone or some group of individuals and many of these have existed for years. Some of the more popular ones?
American Kenpo/ Kajukenbo/Aikido/ Tae Kwon Do/ Judo/ Brazilian JuJitsu and JKD are all relatively new martial arts systems, that were created by their founders from other systems they studied. And don’t get me started on the multiple AikiJujitsu and Jujitsu systems! That being said however, even Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu (Which I study) is really a creation of Sokaku Takeda Sensei. And I challenge anyone to show me documentation that state’s otherwise.
Now the primary difference between arts that have lasted the test of time and have grown significantly since there original creation, is that many follow sound principles and concepts that utilize applicable techniques in combative situations. And they were likely developed by individuals who were exceptional martial artists. No one will deny the skill and knowledge of people like Morihe Ueshiba, Jigoro Kano, Ed Parker, Helio Gracie etc etc. This is why these systems have become known world wide.
Many organizations or new systems that are created today however, are by individuals who are either disgruntled former practitioners of other arts, people who don’t want to do the actual work involved in attaining rank and knowledge in one system that takes many years of diligent study, or those just looking for accolades and praise for being something their not.
Some of these people go around collecting as many certificates, many times in other made up arts (paper chasers) to get a resume showing they have expertise in multiple systems, which shows they have the pedigree to create their own art.
It’s an endless cycle that has been around for years, it’s just more noticeable now because more and more people with little to no skill are proclaiming themselves masters of some martial art no one has ever really heard of? And worse yet, some are claiming advanced knowledge in legitimate arts they haven’t really studied from a reputable source!
So how do you avoid being part of this epidemic? Make sure whatever art you study, that there is a good curriculum with high standards in order to progress in that system. For those that have trained for years and have a firm grasp on fundamentals of martial arts, don’t accept rank from organizations that you’re not affiliated with or arts you really haven’t studied. Even “honorary rank” is problematic to some extent. I’ve been solicited by other systems to be given rank in arts I know nothing about, and have politely declined. How can I be certified in something I spent no time training?
Train with reputable instructors and organizations. Organizations and instructors who are well known in the martial arts community, are your best bet to be associated with. Organizations that issue high ranks and teaching certifications in a short period of time, (less than 5 years) should be looked at skeptically.
So this is an issue that will not go away, just make sure you educate yourself before you get involved with a group that may have a bad reputation, or is just a pyramid scheme to make money off of as many new members as they can get.
But remember, before you criticize or attack an organization that is a “made up art” or is headed by someone who self promoted, do some research on your own lineage to see who your teachers trained with and who issued their certifications. Because you may be guilty of the very same thing as the individual or group you are attacking. 🙏
