The Rise and Suppression of Karate in the Soviet Union
Karate’s emergence in the Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s
Karate's emergence in the Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s was a fascinating episode in the cultural history of the USSR. As the Soviet Union increasingly engaged in cultural exchanges with other countries in 1960s, karate began to slowly make its way into the country. This period was marked by a growing interest among Soviet citizens in various aspects of foreign cultures, including martial arts. However, the government maintained a cautious approach, wary of any activities that might undermine socialist ideals or encourage dissent.
By the 1970s, karate had gained a modest following among Soviet citizens, particularly among the youth and in major cities. This new sport for the country attracted both adults and children, as it had a certain mystery and a special philosophy. Everyone became interested in what it was. It became fashionable. Movies appeared, like 'Judo Genius,' for example.
When karate just started to develop, there was a mass exodus from boxing and judo sections. In karate, unlike them, there were not only physical workouts but also creativity, and most importantly — ideology. Initially, even the coaches were not sufficiently familiar with it. Thus, a major problem was the lack of good instructors.
Then foreign senseis began to come to the USSR from both Asia and Europe. It is known that Bulgarian mentors were popular, although their professional suitability raised and still raises questions. Most likely, they simply profited from the indiscriminate Soviet people. Besides Bulgarians, there were Poles and Dutch, but the most famous foreign karateka who lived in the USSR for a long time and led training was the Japanese Tetsuo Sato. He was trusted more than others, largely because of his origin. In Moscow, Sato had several schools. Over the years spent in the Union, he trained not just a dozen athletes, but especially became famous for working with children of diplomats and military personnel. Ordinary citizens, not distinguished by talent and high incomes, continued to work under the guidance of domestic coaches.
Threat to State Security
The growing popularity of karate in the USSR eventually began to frighten the authorities. Groups were simply uncontrollable, and senseis had too much authority among students. People came to the sections seeking support, as party organizers and youth mentors were not very effective as moral tuning forks. The Soviet government's concerns about karate during the 1960s and 1970s can be understood in the context of its broader approach to controlling societal influences and maintaining ideological purity. Karate, originating from outside the socialist world, particularly from Japan, was seen as a potential threat for several reasons.
Promotion of Individualism and Non-Soviet Ideology
Karate, like many martial arts, emphasizes personal discipline, mental strength, and individual prowess. These principles could be interpreted as promoting individualism, which was in contrast to the collectivist ideals central to Soviet ideology. The government feared that karate might encourage a mindset that prioritized personal development and achievement over collective goals.
Formation of Disciplined, Potentially Rebellious Communities
The disciplined nature of martial arts training could create tight-knit communities with a shared sense of purpose and identity. In the eyes of the Soviet authorities, such groups could become breeding grounds for dissent and resistance against state policies. The physical and mental training involved in karate also meant that practitioners could potentially pose a physical threat if they chose to rebel.
Influence of Foreign Culture and Ideas
The Soviet Union was often wary of foreign cultural influences, seeing them as potential vehicles for ideological contamination. Karate was not only a physical discipline but also carried with it elements of Japanese culture and philosophy. The government feared that exposure to these ideas could lead to an erosion of socialist values and increase the appeal of foreign lifestyles and ideologies.
The official Ban
Banning is often simpler than regulating. In November 1981, Article 219 of the RSFSR Criminal Code was amended to include 'Illegal teaching of karate' under the chapter 'Crimes against public safety, public order, and health.' The logic behind adding this to Article 219, concerning 'Negligent storage of firearms,' is unclear. The amendment stipulated that unauthorized karate teaching, especially after prior administrative punishment for similar offenses, could lead to imprisonment for up to two years or a fine. Repeat offenders or those gaining significant material benefits faced up to five years in prison, possibly with property confiscation.
The article was hastily crafted and overlooked several aspects. Initially, it seemed to penalize only unauthorized karate teaching, implying that only underground training was illegal. However, by 1984, no Soviet commissions issued karate teaching licenses, effectively making all karate teaching illegal. The law's focus was on instructors, not students, allowing training and sparring to continue unofficially. In practice, however, the law was interpreted as a blanket ban.
The media, a major propagator of state ideology, joined in denouncing karate. Japanese martial arts were linked to chauvinism, and instructors were accused of being spies and promoting extremist views. This sentiment was echoed in various publications, including an article by Alexander Yevfarestov in 'New Time,' which absurdly connected karate's political leanings to Chilean dictator Pinochet's martial arts rank.
'Soviet Sport' newspaper contributed significantly, portraying karate as militaristic. When readers questioned this stance, the editors maintained that the State Sports Committee's karate ban was justified, refusing further debate.
Similarly, a 1986 article in 'Man and Law' by V. Strelkov presented karate as an ideology contrary to Soviet values, emphasizing aggression and blind obedience, potentially leading to violent behavior.
The resilience
The resilience of karate enthusiasts in the Soviet Union, who continued their training despite government suppression, is a testament to their dedication and passion for the martial art. These individuals navigated a challenging landscape, marked by risk and the need for secrecy, to keep their practice alive.
Karate practitioners often organized clandestine training sessions, sometimes in remote or unlikely locations to avoid detection. These could be in basements, secluded parks, or even in private homes. The risk of discovery was always present, but the desire to train and preserve their art form drove them to find creative solutions.
To circumvent government restrictions, some enthusiasts disguised karate practice as other, more acceptable forms of practice, like hand-to-hand combat or sambo. This often required modifying their training to not appear overtly like karate, thereby maintaining the essence of the art while avoiding government scrutiny.
Given the scarcity of formal training resources and the language barrier (most karate literature was not in Russian), enthusiasts often relied on piecemeal information. They studied karate through whatever books or magazines they could find, sometimes translating foreign texts with limited knowledge of the language.
The resilience of these karate enthusiasts had a lasting impact. When the political climate in the Soviet Union eventually changed, these underground practitioners were instrumental in the resurgence and formalization of karate in post-Soviet states.
The show trial
Valery Gusev, a renowned karate and kung fu expert, was the sole individual prosecuted under Article 219. Gusev, who had achieved considerable success in martial arts from an early age, was notably talented in karate. He had the privilege of being trained by the Japanese instructor Sato, which later led to his role in training other instructors. While Gusev did make some money from this, financial gain was not his primary motive; his true passion lay in mastering karate and he dedicated many years to this endeavor, even during the ban period. The KGB recognized Gusev's exceptional skills and potential value, but when he declined to train the militia and KGB personnel, his refusal marked him as a state adversary. His arrest followed shortly after this refusal. Gusev's decision not to cooperate with the authorities made him an ideal target for prosecution, particularly since he was earning from his training sessions, charging 10 rubles monthly from each student.
Adding to the complexity, Gusev faced charges under another law, Article 218 ('Illegal carrying, storage, acquisition, manufacture, or sale of weapons, ammunition, or explosives'), stemming from an incident a year prior to his arrest. During a trip to Riga for a masterclass, Gusev brought a Japanese blade with him. Despite having properly packed and prepared the blade for transport, he was interrogated. This incident was later used against him in court. Gusev was initially sentenced to four years' imprisonment under Article 219, with an additional year added due to the charges under Article 218.
Post-Soviet Resurgence
The ban on karate in the Soviet Union was not lifted uniformly across the entire country at a specific date, as the regulation and attitude towards karate (and other martial arts) varied over time and across different regions within the Soviet Union. The official stance on karate softened gradually, particularly in the late 1980s, coinciding with the period of Perestroika and Glasnost under Mikhail Gorbachev's leadership.
Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness), which began in the mid-1980s, marked a significant shift in many Soviet policies, including those related to cultural and sporting activities. This period saw a relaxation of the restrictions on various forms of expression, including martial arts like karate. It was during this era that karate and other martial arts began to emerge from the underground and gained more official recognition and acceptance.
However, it's important to note that even before the ban was officially lifted, karate was practiced covertly by enthusiasts in the Soviet Union. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the Soviet Union was nearing its dissolution, karate clubs started to operate more openly, and the art form began to integrate into mainstream sports and physical culture.
Practitioners of Russian martial arts, like Systema or Sambo, sometimes cross-trained in karate to enhance their skill set, leading to a blending of styles and techniques.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the newly independent states formed from the former Soviet republics adopted their own policies regarding martial arts. In many of these countries, there was a significant resurgence in the popularity of karate, leading to the establishment of national federations, increased participation in international competitions, and a general flourishing of the sport.