Mu-Gen and Karate History
The history of oriental martial arts is lengthy and complicated. What follows is a brief overview.
India may be considered the birthplace of the martial arts. It was from India that Master Monk Ta Mo (Bodhidharma) traveled to China in the sixth century A.D. While at the Shaolin temple, Ta Mo created an exercise system to improve the physical health of the monks, and with this, the oriental martial arts were born! From there, a nearly infinite number of systems spread and developed in many locations over various times. Each region and ethnic group had its particular hybrid.
Modern karate developed in Okinawa during the last few centuries. The common people were oppressed and forbidden to have weapons. They developed very effective defense methods as protection from their samurai overlords and outlaws. Chinese techniquest were improved and modified to suit their situation. Everyday tools became used as weapons.
Early in the 20th century, the Japanese military government selected Grandmaster Gichin Funakoshi to develop a program and teach karate-do throughout Japan. It was during this time that Zen and spiritual concepts were added to the art.
Funakoski's karate style is known as Shoto-Kan. Other styles developed as various masters modified and improved karate according to their own concepts. Some styles emphasize forms, other styles focus on combat. Each school practices different levels of fighting contact. Contact can range from no contact (stop/go) with protective gear, to continuous hard contact without protection. Mu-Gen practices all types, but primarily uses continuous sparring with light to medium contact.
Mu-Gen means "no limits". We embrace all styles, adapting, modifying and improving. There is a formal training Syllabus, which changes and evolves when appropriate. Modifications are made only after careful consideration of the black belt committee, and sometimes, consultation with other masters.
The American martial arts pioneer Grandmaster Warren Siciliano established our school (Martial Arts Academy) in 1964. He developed Kara-Do Karate. Upon his death in 1975, Master John Artemik continued the school. Over the years, many skilled practitioners from a variety of the arts contributed to the system, until the art was no longer strictly Kara-Do.
In 1987, and after incorporating many improvements into the system, Grandmaster Artemic retired from teaching martial arts. He and his wife Angela (also a black belt) created the Academy of Healing Arts. Master Mitchel D. Mandel was appointed to direct the Martial Arts Academy. During 1997, Master Mandel was awarded the title of "Shi-Han", Grandmaster.
Shi-Han Nikki Mandel is the current Directing Master of the Mu-Gen karate system. Shi-Han Nikki's extensive, advanced training with several Chinese Tai Chi Masters led to the incorporation of vital elements of energy training into the Syllabus. This energy, known as "ki" in Japanese and "chi" in Chinese, has been incorporated into our style, which became known as Mu-Gen in 2002. As a formality, we add Karate-Do after our Mu-Gen name to honor the traditional roots of our karate heritage.
Several other highly accomplished martial artists are also involved in the direction of the Mu-Gen karate system. Of particular merit are Sensei Anton Phillips, Co-Director of the Lake Worth Martial Arts Academy, and Sensei Bruce Eleshewich, who has been a Mu-Gen and Bushi-No-Ryu practitioner for more than 15 years.
