Flaming Waterdrops

Repetition, Individuality, and the Formation of InFi Repetition is a fundamental part of the learning process. Every martial art and combat sport system uses it as a core teaching method — and for good reason. This principle is widely accepted and understood. But it raises an important question: To what extent can repetition shape our individual style? The answer: Only partially . Because repetition — no matter how intense or prolonged — can’t completely override our natural endowments. Your InFi (Individual Finesse) is deeply rooted in who you are. Training can shape and refine it, but it can’t erase it. The Illusion of Uniformity Imagine a group of people practicing the same movements repeatedly — a karate team performing synchronized katas or Shaolin monks drilling the same techniques thousands of times. Now picture yourself as their assistant or instructor. You know each person well. One day, they all wear identical uniforms and masks. Suppose their height and body type are also s...

(karate) InFi by Tanaka Have you ever noticed that many karate practitioners' styles look completely different in a real fight compared to traditional karate? Have you ever observed that during spontaneous free fighting, it's nearly impossible to guess a competitor's traditional style—unless it's already known? Isn't it interesting how the structured, classical styles often seem to evaporate in real combat? The reason is simple: unpredictable situations are the domain of InFi . No external system has dominance over the power of InFi in that space. My friend John once said that the body reacts naturally using movements and techniques that have been instilled over time. That’s true. It’s the result of learning—repetition creates automatic reactions. But does that directly connect with the personal style I’m talking about? Yes, but only partially. Part of an individual's style is learned—copied or invented—and the other part is inborn. I would say the base of a...

Creating our individual style is a natural process. Everyone develops their style automatically. This statement is general but can be applied to any specific field—martial arts, combat sports, and self-defence are no exceptions. People who practice fighting are constantly creating their own fighting styles. They are, consciously or unconsciously, the creators of their unique approach to combat. Whatever one is learning, only a part of it will truly be absorbed. Another part will be automatically rejected by the self. Moreover, every absorbed element is filtered through a person’s individuality. The evolving individual fighting style becomes distinct from the traditionally practiced style. In other words, by practicing conventional techniques, one is also developing an invisible, personal fighting style—what we can call the InFi style. For example, someone studying Wing Chun kung fu or Kyokushinkai karate is guided by teachers and improved within the framework of tradition. At the same ...

DO YOU HAVE A FIGHTING STYLE? WHERE IS IT FROM? What would your style be if you grew up in a forest, constantly under attack, forced to defend yourself without anyone to follow or learn from? Your style would be your own—an invented, individual fighting style.