Copyrights are reserved on all material, writings and photographs!
okinawakarate@hotmail.com
| Glyn Jones Shinkenkan Dojo Blog |
"Keri Keri Keri" |
Over the years I have probably been witness to every conceivable way of executing strikes with the foot, as in kicks. Some methods of kicking are very good, but some other
methods are not so. Upon reflection there is certainly much variety of thought and differing views on how to practise kicks, which is all fine of course. As I say some methods are
and would be very effective and destructive in times of need, whilst others would be nothing less than useless. Well I’m not convinced anyway!
For a Karate Ka to achieve a deeper understanding of their Art and this area of talk as in kicks, they will have to do this by going through their very own experiences and
discoveries, including guidance, visualisation and much regular practise, together with frustration and at times failure. Then hopefully firm belief in their techniques too through an
open minded approach to realistic effective training that has an in Dojo feel for things real. Some areas of one’s Karate understanding can be likened to being in the dark for
many years, where by things don’t always just click or come together straight away; some things may take years to actually come together despite regular practise. Much of this
though is down to the individual and the lessons that they go on to learn, thus combined with the type of Karate guidance that has been received along the way, there is also at
times going to be individuality. Tamaki Sensei for example has a devastating Maegeri/Front Kick that is delivered in a kind of combined thrusting & snapping type action, whilst
Slater Williams Sensei has a Maegeri that is driven from the floor through the calf to thigh at incredible speed with a deadly unstoppable force to match. So two differing variations
of the same kick that are equally matched in effectiveness.
Historical documented research on the Karate of Okinawa, including both the oral traditions and lessons from Okinawan Karate Sensei, all tend to state and indicate that teachers
only practise/d a select few number of kicks, I’d have to say around six or so give or take one or two, thus preferring to work on a smaller number of kicks but working on these to
the point that their effectiveness and ability to apply them was and is without question. In addition to this the preferred target areas for delivering kicks in most cases was to the
more easily assessable middle or lower areas of the opponents body, proof again is to be easily found within the letters left from teachers of old as in our Karate Kata’s. This
though does not mean that high kicking and plenty of stretching was not practiced, on the contrary, as with much practise higher level kicks can certainly be used to effect in
Karate, especially in one’s younger and middle age years. But in true Karate it all comes down to efficiency and effectiveness, where by for the average exponent a low or mid
level kick executed with devastating effect is going to be a lot more applicable, realistic and higher up the scale as far as success goes than a high level head kick.
“The front kick in Goju Ryu Karate is performed a little bit higher than horizontal to the ground and it is aimed straight to the centre of the body. It is
performed by hitting with the ball of the foot and the heel simultaneously. The ball of the foot hits the belly button area while the heel hits the groin
area. This is how it was originally developed but then modified by modern day practitioners”. (Takashi Miyagi Sensei, son of the founder of Goju Ryu Karate).
Various Styles and Sensei do of course have varying preferences on how they wish for kicks to be executed within their training place or Dojo. But what I’m saying and listing here
is a guide on the subject of Karate kicking which has nothing at all to do with Ryu/Style or preferences, these methods and thoughts should be universal and in the thoughts of all
true Karate Ka, those who wish for their kicks to be effective in times of need. Karate is not about the differing ways of the Sensei, the School, the Style, or one Self. What is of
paramount importance is that all have a very deep understanding of and total belief in the methods that they so diligently practise and teach. At times a lack of effectiveness and
understanding is put down to the Art of Karate or a particular Ryu/Style/System. When in truth the fault usually lies with the lack of understanding of the Art by individuals.
My teacher as in Senaha Sensei does in fact have a great little drill for working on the legs and practising kicks. I may actually put a few listed explanation photos together or
maybe some you tube footage put up on here occasionally, but we’ll see…. As an example. Sensei also teaches the Keri Keri Keri set of his teacher Meitoku Yagi Sensei. Sensei
often talks of Yagi Sensei as being an innovator who was always working on putting together new drills and training practises to help improve his own Karate together with that of
his students. One such drill is the Keri Keri Keri, or kicking practise drill, which can be done as a solo Fu Kyu form or set, or in Renzoku with one training partner, or in Kakome
being surrounded by up to 6 training partners.
At the end of the day it’s not just about knowing how to perform or execute kicks, the Karate Ka needs to experience a variety and varying ways to practise them to effect with the
correct flow, timing, distancing and accompanying foot work. I am often agitated when teaching Karate, or shall I say what aggravates me more than any other area, is why some
people do some of the things that they do whist practising Karate. It is all a case of. Just why are you doing that? Surely you know that it would just never work, why just throw out
techniques for the sake of it with little thought. 1 technique performed or execute correctly with feel is better than 100 techniques done or just thrown out for the sake of it. You
see this so often these days with Kata, practising lots of Kata won’t make one a better Karate Ka if the feel and understanding is not there. there are so many that practise things
that just don't make sense from a true Karate perspective.
Remember and be warned! There are some methods of practicing kicks that are likely to be more detrimental to your own health than any possible opponent, especially in the
long term, we will all get body wear and tear with age it's inevitable, but we should all really avoid prematurely putting ourselves on the local hospital hip or knee replacement
waiting list. This must be noted and given serious consideration so please be aware.
Here are a few areas that I have just briefly listed that I believe we should all take in to serious consideration when practising Keri/Kicks or Foot and Leg Strikes.
Effectiveness; A kick must have a total no question effective destruction about it, head flicks and nice looking showy kicks have no part in true Karate.
Naturalness; The body mechanics and natural body motions of the kick must be fully understood so that the transmission of your body’s power can delivered in to your opponent
in a natural flowing way, thus having a maximum desired effect.
Self Health & Injuries; Be sure that the kicks repetitive action in motion is not going to be detrimental to your own health, motions that put repetitive strain on joints or are totally
unnatural to the way the human body moves are best avoided. The two main areas for concern are your knee and hip joints.
Range; An understanding of the effective range of each kick in application is essential. At times you may be to close to the opponent, at other times to far away. This is where
footwork and many hours of partner training is required.
Desired Target Areas; Kicks need to be delivered towards the most easily assessable and most disabling vulnerable targets on the opponent’s body, like the knee, groin and
ribs etc. The targets should already be there pointing at you, you shouldn’t need to be going looking for them.
Foot Strike Positions; The strongest position for the striking area of the foot is to be fully understood and practised, or self injury upon impact may be inevitable, as in breaking
your toes or any of the small bones in the foot.
Rooting & Balance; The rooting of one’s own body during the execution of kicks needs to be practised to the point of perfection to maintain stability in the strike whilst balancing
on the supporting leg. Yes it may only be for a fraction of a second but it is still essential, the same with maintaining a centred balance.
Body Positioning; The appropriate use of the correct kick to deliver depending on the body positioning of yourself in comparison to the body positioning of your opponent. An
opportunity always presents itself yes, but not for every kick or technique as this can be dependent on the opponent.
Speed; Kicks need to be analyzed at varying speeds just like all other Karate techniques, so they need to be broken down and practised both slowly and of course quickly. All
experts in all fields work at slow speed as they perfect form and the correction action.
Thrust/ Snapping or Both; The force action through which the delivery of the kick is executed needs to be known, at times it may be a firm snapping action, at others a solid
pushing thrusting action. Or maybe even a combination of the two. An understanding of the correct feel and muscle tension is also essential here to prevent injuries to the knee
or hip joint. A quick flick is not a true snapping action, far from it.
Kamae and Body Covering; The defensive protective positioning of the hands in relationship to the body, both prior to, whilst executing the kick and there after.
Koshi or Hips; The natural positioning, rotation, loading, thrusting, or pushing forwards of the hip during the action of kick.
Calf to Thigh or Thigh to Thigh: There is either/and calf to thigh, thigh to thigh rolling and knee lifting motions that need consideration, there are of course Sensei and school
preferences again here, but it’s knowing how and why one is doing something that is of most importance.
Timing; The timing of the delivery of the kick in relationship to the opening that is presented by the opponent or training partner. At times the opening is only there for the blink of
an eye so the opportunity needs to be understood and taken.
Foot Work; The use of foot work as in Ashi Sabaki, Tai Sabaki or Tenshin both prior to unleashing the kick and instantly thereafter is essential. Thus moving in, out, sidewards
backwards and at angles, all must be worked.
Supporting Foot Rotation & Fixation; An understanding of the correct use of the supporting foot is essential to achieve naturalness together with loading the hip in motion
together with being a key factor in flow positioning to be able to generate maximum power. Knee injuries are common through misuse in this area.
Just a kick? There are so many areas when practising Kicks that as true Karate Ka we need to be thinking about, working on and giving serious consideration to. The best place
to do this is of course in the Dojo…… (Thursday 3rd March 2011).
methods are not so. Upon reflection there is certainly much variety of thought and differing views on how to practise kicks, which is all fine of course. As I say some methods are
and would be very effective and destructive in times of need, whilst others would be nothing less than useless. Well I’m not convinced anyway!
For a Karate Ka to achieve a deeper understanding of their Art and this area of talk as in kicks, they will have to do this by going through their very own experiences and
discoveries, including guidance, visualisation and much regular practise, together with frustration and at times failure. Then hopefully firm belief in their techniques too through an
open minded approach to realistic effective training that has an in Dojo feel for things real. Some areas of one’s Karate understanding can be likened to being in the dark for
many years, where by things don’t always just click or come together straight away; some things may take years to actually come together despite regular practise. Much of this
though is down to the individual and the lessons that they go on to learn, thus combined with the type of Karate guidance that has been received along the way, there is also at
times going to be individuality. Tamaki Sensei for example has a devastating Maegeri/Front Kick that is delivered in a kind of combined thrusting & snapping type action, whilst
Slater Williams Sensei has a Maegeri that is driven from the floor through the calf to thigh at incredible speed with a deadly unstoppable force to match. So two differing variations
of the same kick that are equally matched in effectiveness.
Historical documented research on the Karate of Okinawa, including both the oral traditions and lessons from Okinawan Karate Sensei, all tend to state and indicate that teachers
only practise/d a select few number of kicks, I’d have to say around six or so give or take one or two, thus preferring to work on a smaller number of kicks but working on these to
the point that their effectiveness and ability to apply them was and is without question. In addition to this the preferred target areas for delivering kicks in most cases was to the
more easily assessable middle or lower areas of the opponents body, proof again is to be easily found within the letters left from teachers of old as in our Karate Kata’s. This
though does not mean that high kicking and plenty of stretching was not practiced, on the contrary, as with much practise higher level kicks can certainly be used to effect in
Karate, especially in one’s younger and middle age years. But in true Karate it all comes down to efficiency and effectiveness, where by for the average exponent a low or mid
level kick executed with devastating effect is going to be a lot more applicable, realistic and higher up the scale as far as success goes than a high level head kick.
“The front kick in Goju Ryu Karate is performed a little bit higher than horizontal to the ground and it is aimed straight to the centre of the body. It is
performed by hitting with the ball of the foot and the heel simultaneously. The ball of the foot hits the belly button area while the heel hits the groin
area. This is how it was originally developed but then modified by modern day practitioners”. (Takashi Miyagi Sensei, son of the founder of Goju Ryu Karate).
Various Styles and Sensei do of course have varying preferences on how they wish for kicks to be executed within their training place or Dojo. But what I’m saying and listing here
is a guide on the subject of Karate kicking which has nothing at all to do with Ryu/Style or preferences, these methods and thoughts should be universal and in the thoughts of all
true Karate Ka, those who wish for their kicks to be effective in times of need. Karate is not about the differing ways of the Sensei, the School, the Style, or one Self. What is of
paramount importance is that all have a very deep understanding of and total belief in the methods that they so diligently practise and teach. At times a lack of effectiveness and
understanding is put down to the Art of Karate or a particular Ryu/Style/System. When in truth the fault usually lies with the lack of understanding of the Art by individuals.
My teacher as in Senaha Sensei does in fact have a great little drill for working on the legs and practising kicks. I may actually put a few listed explanation photos together or
maybe some you tube footage put up on here occasionally, but we’ll see…. As an example. Sensei also teaches the Keri Keri Keri set of his teacher Meitoku Yagi Sensei. Sensei
often talks of Yagi Sensei as being an innovator who was always working on putting together new drills and training practises to help improve his own Karate together with that of
his students. One such drill is the Keri Keri Keri, or kicking practise drill, which can be done as a solo Fu Kyu form or set, or in Renzoku with one training partner, or in Kakome
being surrounded by up to 6 training partners.
At the end of the day it’s not just about knowing how to perform or execute kicks, the Karate Ka needs to experience a variety and varying ways to practise them to effect with the
correct flow, timing, distancing and accompanying foot work. I am often agitated when teaching Karate, or shall I say what aggravates me more than any other area, is why some
people do some of the things that they do whist practising Karate. It is all a case of. Just why are you doing that? Surely you know that it would just never work, why just throw out
techniques for the sake of it with little thought. 1 technique performed or execute correctly with feel is better than 100 techniques done or just thrown out for the sake of it. You
see this so often these days with Kata, practising lots of Kata won’t make one a better Karate Ka if the feel and understanding is not there. there are so many that practise things
that just don't make sense from a true Karate perspective.
Remember and be warned! There are some methods of practicing kicks that are likely to be more detrimental to your own health than any possible opponent, especially in the
long term, we will all get body wear and tear with age it's inevitable, but we should all really avoid prematurely putting ourselves on the local hospital hip or knee replacement
waiting list. This must be noted and given serious consideration so please be aware.
Here are a few areas that I have just briefly listed that I believe we should all take in to serious consideration when practising Keri/Kicks or Foot and Leg Strikes.
Effectiveness; A kick must have a total no question effective destruction about it, head flicks and nice looking showy kicks have no part in true Karate.
Naturalness; The body mechanics and natural body motions of the kick must be fully understood so that the transmission of your body’s power can delivered in to your opponent
in a natural flowing way, thus having a maximum desired effect.
Self Health & Injuries; Be sure that the kicks repetitive action in motion is not going to be detrimental to your own health, motions that put repetitive strain on joints or are totally
unnatural to the way the human body moves are best avoided. The two main areas for concern are your knee and hip joints.
Range; An understanding of the effective range of each kick in application is essential. At times you may be to close to the opponent, at other times to far away. This is where
footwork and many hours of partner training is required.
Desired Target Areas; Kicks need to be delivered towards the most easily assessable and most disabling vulnerable targets on the opponent’s body, like the knee, groin and
ribs etc. The targets should already be there pointing at you, you shouldn’t need to be going looking for them.
Foot Strike Positions; The strongest position for the striking area of the foot is to be fully understood and practised, or self injury upon impact may be inevitable, as in breaking
your toes or any of the small bones in the foot.
Rooting & Balance; The rooting of one’s own body during the execution of kicks needs to be practised to the point of perfection to maintain stability in the strike whilst balancing
on the supporting leg. Yes it may only be for a fraction of a second but it is still essential, the same with maintaining a centred balance.
Body Positioning; The appropriate use of the correct kick to deliver depending on the body positioning of yourself in comparison to the body positioning of your opponent. An
opportunity always presents itself yes, but not for every kick or technique as this can be dependent on the opponent.
Speed; Kicks need to be analyzed at varying speeds just like all other Karate techniques, so they need to be broken down and practised both slowly and of course quickly. All
experts in all fields work at slow speed as they perfect form and the correction action.
Thrust/ Snapping or Both; The force action through which the delivery of the kick is executed needs to be known, at times it may be a firm snapping action, at others a solid
pushing thrusting action. Or maybe even a combination of the two. An understanding of the correct feel and muscle tension is also essential here to prevent injuries to the knee
or hip joint. A quick flick is not a true snapping action, far from it.
Kamae and Body Covering; The defensive protective positioning of the hands in relationship to the body, both prior to, whilst executing the kick and there after.
Koshi or Hips; The natural positioning, rotation, loading, thrusting, or pushing forwards of the hip during the action of kick.
Calf to Thigh or Thigh to Thigh: There is either/and calf to thigh, thigh to thigh rolling and knee lifting motions that need consideration, there are of course Sensei and school
preferences again here, but it’s knowing how and why one is doing something that is of most importance.
Timing; The timing of the delivery of the kick in relationship to the opening that is presented by the opponent or training partner. At times the opening is only there for the blink of
an eye so the opportunity needs to be understood and taken.
Foot Work; The use of foot work as in Ashi Sabaki, Tai Sabaki or Tenshin both prior to unleashing the kick and instantly thereafter is essential. Thus moving in, out, sidewards
backwards and at angles, all must be worked.
Supporting Foot Rotation & Fixation; An understanding of the correct use of the supporting foot is essential to achieve naturalness together with loading the hip in motion
together with being a key factor in flow positioning to be able to generate maximum power. Knee injuries are common through misuse in this area.
Just a kick? There are so many areas when practising Kicks that as true Karate Ka we need to be thinking about, working on and giving serious consideration to. The best place
to do this is of course in the Dojo…… (Thursday 3rd March 2011).
Keri (Geri) / Foot or Leg Strike
Keru the Japanese Verb to Kick 蹴
Keru the Japanese Verb to Kick 蹴
"Previous Blog Posts” |
| I have moved all of my old previous Blog Postings off the site to other pages to save them taking up to much space here. If anyone does wish to read any of these please just feel free to e mail me for the page links. Kind regards Glyn. |
"The Karate of Chojun Miyagi Sensei" |
As a Karate Ka practising and researching the training methods as passed on by Chojun Miyagi Sensei one can so easily become self absorbed in belief that there is a set
distinct way of performing or practising Goju Ryu Karate. There are in fact many exponents who sadly disregard any of his other training methods and teachings that are not
At the time of Chojun Miyagi Sensei’s untimely death in 1953 he certainly left behind him a wealth of knowledge, in many ways though this knowledge was spread out over a
number of students on Okinawa, this being over a good many years too. Also, things Chojun Miyagi weren’t kept to his newly named Goju Ryu way of Karate either,
research will show that a vast amount of Miyagi’s advanced Karate was passed on through his Senior student Jinan Shinzato Sensei down through the Yuchoku Higa
lineage. Some students quite obviously certainly had more exposure to the teachings of Chojun Miyagi than others.
Now if you are or were a Sensei of Karate and you practised, refined and taught your Karate for say over 40 years. What would you actually leave behind as your legacy?
1, Students that trained with you during your initial early years of teaching.
2, Students that trained with you during the later years.
3, Students that were of varying levels of understanding and ability in different areas of Karate training.
4, Students that were of varying ages and maturity.
5, Students that trained with you regularly over many years.
6, Students that trained with you irregularly over many years.
7, Students that go on to teach your teachings to the book exactly.
8, Students that go on to develop and expand on your teaching methods.
9, Students that pass your teachings on at a much lower level of understanding.
10, Students that take your teachings off in to a totally different direction to your ideals and beliefs all together.
11, Students that only trained with you for a few months or years.
12, Students that stayed loyal and trained with you for many many years. In Chojun Miyagi's case; Higa, Yagi, Miyazato & Toguchi come to mind here.
13, Students that go on to have a large following of Students.
14, Students that go on to have a small following of Students.
15, Students that knew your Karate training methods inside out, who you shared your advanced teachings with.
16, Students that in truth had very little understanding of your personal Karate at all.
Yes it sure is a mine field isn’t it? We certainly need to look at things Chojun Miyagi with an open mind, not a closed one, especially if we are ever going to truly understand
the teachings that he left behind.
One Student of a Student who truly went out to study the teachings of Chojun Miyagi was Shinjo Masanobu Sensei, a well renowned and highly thought of Okinawan Karate
exponent who's Karate training was born in 1953, the year of Miyagi’s death. He went out of his way to seek out and train under a variety of long standing students of
Chojun Miyagi Sensei without bias, just so that he could truly absorb and get to the deeper levels of understanding of the Karate of Chojun Miyagi Sensei. He did train more
so under the guidance of Toguchi and Yagi Sensei’s as is well documented, but they were not the only one’s that he sought guidance from by any means I believe.
This footage of the late Shinjo Masanobu Sensei practising Miyagi’s Karate on Okinawa is a fine example as there is so much that we can learn from viewing this.
The first and most obvious is what excellent physical condition Masanobu Sensei was in for his age (Strength Wise). There is also the pureness of the training; it’s not
false, fancy, form or grade based or done for show for that matter, it’s just pure raw Karate training with much hard work and sweat. The training is not rigid or over
robotic. The breathing is not over forced, regimented or unnatural either, as is often practised by many Goju exponents these days, it is more in resemblance to how a
weight trainer will use timing to naturally breath in and out, to pull, push and to prepare. There are of course many other points to note but I’ll leave it there……
Lastly, we have to accept the lesson here that no matter how strong physically and well conditioned one may seem life can at times be cut so cruelly short, as was the
case for both Chojun Miyagi & Shinjo Masanobu Sensei’s. Tomorrow is not guaranteed! So we need to relax more, live our dreams and enjoy things whilst we’re here.
The balancing out of hard work with a stress free life style is something we should all be trying to emulate through the eating of good quality food, enjoyable socialising
and regular exercise.
Looking at training in Karate and following the Okinawan ways as a way for self preservation and a long healthy life is a good base for us all.
(Monday 7th March 2011)
The first and most obvious is what excellent physical condition Masanobu Sensei was in for his age (Strength Wise). There is also the pureness of the training; it’s not
false, fancy, form or grade based or done for show for that matter, it’s just pure raw Karate training with much hard work and sweat. The training is not rigid or over
robotic. The breathing is not over forced, regimented or unnatural either, as is often practised by many Goju exponents these days, it is more in resemblance to how a
weight trainer will use timing to naturally breath in and out, to pull, push and to prepare. There are of course many other points to note but I’ll leave it there……
Lastly, we have to accept the lesson here that no matter how strong physically and well conditioned one may seem life can at times be cut so cruelly short, as was the
case for both Chojun Miyagi & Shinjo Masanobu Sensei’s. Tomorrow is not guaranteed! So we need to relax more, live our dreams and enjoy things whilst we’re here.
The balancing out of hard work with a stress free life style is something we should all be trying to emulate through the eating of good quality food, enjoyable socialising
and regular exercise.
Looking at training in Karate and following the Okinawan ways as a way for self preservation and a long healthy life is a good base for us all.
(Monday 7th March 2011)
Shinjo Masanobu Sensei
"Inside the Dojo" |
Karate is of course about the training that we do inside the Dojo, well in most parts anyway. To others outside of our Sensei to Student relationships and personal Dojo’s thus
has little meaning. However, yesterday evening we had a video camera at hand in our Dojo so I thought that I’d put a few clips on my blog here, nothing special or fancy of
course, just basic in Dojo Karate training.
The first clip is of myself trying to talk and explain things at the same time as I demonstrate, something that I don’t actually like doing, I prefer to actually just practise and train
hard with a training partner, thus concentrating solely on what I and my training partner are doing. But needs must at times of course when teaching….. The second clip I am
filming as the guys pair off and work on things as a group.
There are of course many training drills that we practise as a Dojo, especially as far as variations in hooking hands practise goes, so please don’t think that this is one way or a
set way or anything like. This method just allows you to work around the hand rotations and push, pull, attack, defend, turn, unbalance or ground your training partner. To
acquire an understanding of rooting, sticking, protective covering and feel is a must here, together with hand to eye and body coordination of course.
(Monday 14th March 2011)
has little meaning. However, yesterday evening we had a video camera at hand in our Dojo so I thought that I’d put a few clips on my blog here, nothing special or fancy of
course, just basic in Dojo Karate training.
The first clip is of myself trying to talk and explain things at the same time as I demonstrate, something that I don’t actually like doing, I prefer to actually just practise and train
hard with a training partner, thus concentrating solely on what I and my training partner are doing. But needs must at times of course when teaching….. The second clip I am
filming as the guys pair off and work on things as a group.
There are of course many training drills that we practise as a Dojo, especially as far as variations in hooking hands practise goes, so please don’t think that this is one way or a
set way or anything like. This method just allows you to work around the hand rotations and push, pull, attack, defend, turn, unbalance or ground your training partner. To
acquire an understanding of rooting, sticking, protective covering and feel is a must here, together with hand to eye and body coordination of course.
(Monday 14th March 2011)
Show your support & raise much-needed funds for the people of Japan. Proceeds* from these special-edition T-Shirts benefit the American Red Cross - Japan Earthquake and
Pacific Tsunami.
I have always been a firm believer in “Action’s speak Louder than Words”. So with the terrible events caused by nature that are going on over in Japan at the moment it
certainly would not hurt us as Karate Ka to do our little bit to help out. I have just been notified that Café Press are doing a Japan Relief Aid T Shirt with 100% of the profits I
believe going to this good cause. Plus for a few pounds you get a nice T Shirt to wear too.
Please click here or on either of the T-Shirts to go to the Cafe Press web site page; JAPAN DISASTER RELIEF AID T-SHIRTS
Pacific Tsunami.
I have always been a firm believer in “Action’s speak Louder than Words”. So with the terrible events caused by nature that are going on over in Japan at the moment it
certainly would not hurt us as Karate Ka to do our little bit to help out. I have just been notified that Café Press are doing a Japan Relief Aid T Shirt with 100% of the profits I
believe going to this good cause. Plus for a few pounds you get a nice T Shirt to wear too.
Please click here or on either of the T-Shirts to go to the Cafe Press web site page; JAPAN DISASTER RELIEF AID T-SHIRTS
"Japan Disaster Relief Aid T- Shirts" |
During the early hours of today in England we moved our clocks forward an hour in time. This act may seem a little strange to others, but to us English it was done for good
reason during times of war but more to do with longer day light time, now though it actually feels quite good as we now instantly gain an extra hour of light on an evening
during the summer months, whilst being a firm sign that the warmer weather is now upon us. On the down side of things there are of course some who complain about losing
a mere hour in bed. The good thing here though is that we will gain this hour back in the autumn, which is all quite confusing I know. Time can in fact be a strange old thing
and in many ways it can have a significant impact upon our lives, to the point that if we allow it to our lives can in fact be ruled and maybe even spoiled by thoughts of time.
Many words just like the following are often spoken; “When the time is right I’m going to move away from around here”, “In a few years time I’m going to visit Okinawa to train
in Karate”, “When I retire I’m going to cruise around the world”, “Next year I’m going to get fit and in better shape”. “By the time I’m 60 I will have my house paid off and then I’ll
take things easy”. Where by in reality these words are often spoken with genuine intent, but actually just end up becoming time talk or a distant dream that for one reason or
another will rarely ever be fulfilled.
We can and should all make good use of our time on earth as it is very very precious, we all certainly waste a lot of time, we even get lost in it or maybe even lose it
altogether, the same as remembering past times or researching the past times of others who have gone before us, together with looking to plan our future time wisely too. But
at the end of the day with time we just can’t stop it or get it back either. I’d say that almost everyone who has walked the earth before us or is still with us and is of a late
elderly age, would give anything to have their time again.
This time for me is one area where by the people of Okinawa are so different to most. There’s a well known time saying on the home of Karate known as "Okinawa Time", of
which there are a few varying interpretations to the meaning, but the main theme of things is that there is time and there is Okinawa Time (no not the pop band either). On
main land Japan the people are very strict and in many ways controlled by time, but in Okinawa the pace of things is so different as things go by what they term as “Okinawa
Time” of which they are very more relaxed generally and don’t get so stressed out by the clock, in many ways you can expect people to be late to social events and it’s no big
deal. In the same way that they will do things but don't stress over doing them now. However, bad time keeping for classes or meetings is frowned upon so please don’t
misunderstand me here. There's even a time for Okinawa time...
The way of the island people is that they make such excellent use of their time; they enjoy it to the full and use it wisely. They rise early in the mornings and lay late in the
evenings, whilst they work hard to a late age as they still go about their daily chores, whilst finding time to look after and visit family members, all being done within a relaxed
stress free kind of way, which we all know is not easy by any means. Whilst not only finding but making time to consider their bodies own well being as they balance out hard
work with regular socialising and physical exercise, together with local activities like Karate and dance. You will often here it mentioned in Karate talk that all the Okinawans
seem to do is party and Karate, and Karate and party they do…. Anyone who has ever visited Okinawa for training will know to well that time and training is no issue, entering
the Dojo as arranged at say 9am then training until the Sensei decides to stop is the norm, be it 12pm, 2pm or even 5pm, that's just how it is and it's no big deal.
Many put the excuse of time in the way for not doing many things (like practising Karate) when in reality that’s all it is, an excuse. We’ve certainly all wasted time in the past;
including having our time wasted by others too, especially as a teacher, wasting time on poor students or surrounding ourselves with negative people is a downwards
direction for sure. But I think that as we get older we all tend to become wiser in these matters by being more careful whilst both respecting and appreciating life a little more,
especially if we’ve lost loved one’s, I know I do and I’m only 42, I say only… The people of Okinawa have so many lessons they can teach us, no not just on the Karate front
but on how to enjoy and live our lives to the full. In many ways they are a rural unique born people that have not become accustomed to the frantic turmoil of many modern
day big city life styles, thus preferring to embrace and retain the slow pace of time and life style, whilst being surrounded by nature’s beauty. A combination that is conducive
to living a good, long, and healthy stress free life.
The next 12 months or so my time is certainly going to be quite busy as I have more than a few things to sort and plan out, so I for one have to be extra careful to make sure
that I use my time wisely as I give it much more serious thought and consideration…There’s the relocating with my family to the South West coast of England. The setting up
of a new small private Karate Dojo for my own personal training, together with a list of other things...
Oh and lastly I intend to keep my blog going and keeping those interested up to date on training and development, but only time will tell as they say…
(Sunday 27th March 2011)
"Okinawa Time" |
I recently received a courtesy letter from Sensei in Okinawa, the contents of which are of course private. His final words though did send out a strong, significant and
motivational message that should relate to us all. The so simple but ever so meaningful “Ganbatte Kudasai” is all that was and is needed to encourage students.
頑張ってください (がんばってください) Ganbatte Kudasai; Do your best, please.
Thus of which can of course be interpreted in a variety of ways, but a true Karate Sensei will both encourage, push and motivate students to try hard and do their
best, (and more) all of which is of course so significant within our study of Karate. As doing our best is what we should all be striving to do, be it in the Karate Dojo as
we train physically, or how we conduct ourselves as we go about our daily lives. As at the end of the day, to do our best is all we can really do, but the reality is and
how the message truly relates, is that to do our best is what we should all be doing. Our Best!
I do of course have many personal notes on both guidance and instruction received from Sensei, together with his historical thoughts and views on a variety of
aspects on Okinawan Karate, and of course on Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate too. This of which all comes from Sensei’s over 50 years experience of first hand
exposure training in his native Art of Karate on, directly on his home land of Okinawa. There is just so much written and spoke about on Karate away from the island
that just doesn't either relate or wash with the true Karate men of Okinawa. Sensei does of course have a life times worth of lessons that need to be passed on to
his students, in many ways before all is lost and it is to late. This being the case I thought that I would put up a few of Sensei’s wise words on the blog for all to see.
Not private ones’s of course out of respect, but a few of his words that have already been openly and publicly documented in various places before.
“When breathing (In Sanchin Kata), it is absolutely forbidden to exert excessive strain”.
"I've experienced the development of Okinawan Karate for the last fifty years. Presently, the nature of Okinawan karate is obscured by sport karate,
school karate, and the styles presented on the mainland Japan. These days, it would seem that no mind is paid to social obligation or honour and there is
little real depth or personality to the craft (Karate, Ti) anymore, such a sad time".
“The teacher and the student relate’s to each other on the basis of loyalty and honour”.
"It is time that the spirit and technique of Okinawan karate should be propagated. Also, it is time the younger generation should inherit this spirit and
technique. The present state of karate is that kata are carried out step by step, and the techniques hidden within are not known. Instead, all that is
cared about is a "pretty" kata, speed, and competitive vigour".
“Karate is not about Winning, it’s about not Losing”.
“It will be a pleasure if our successors in Karate can find guidance from learning about the path our ancestors walked”.
(Shigetoshi Senaha Sensei).
(Wednesday 9th February 2011).
"Wise Words from Sensei” |
“Me wa shiho wo miru wa yosu”. "The Eyes do not miss the slightest change". |
Look Eye. Always Look Eye! These are of course the wise words spoken by Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid movie (No not Chojun Miyagi Sensei). Words from a movie they
may be, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t have deep meaning and significance to exponents of Okinawan Karate. There are certainly many Karate Ka that either don’t
understand this concept or they totally disregard the use of both training the eyes and understanding their value. I’m not going to advocate or recommend that Karate
students should all take up a fixed stare whilst training, or say that they should always look in to the eyes of their opponent or training partner. No! But it is a start I
suppose…
The students of my Dojo are probably a little sick of hearing my voice as I constantly remind them to keep their heads up and their eyes focused in concentration. To the
point that understanding how to use our eyes is of paramount importance, so important in fact, that to lose sight of what is going on around you, or to lose ones sight
altogether will inevitably mean that you will lose the fight. This being the case, the eyes need to be trained regularly and prepared just in the same way we train other parts
of our body. I must emphasize here though that training the eyes always was and is an important element of Karate training on Okinawan. So, just because you don’t
practise eye training methods as part of your Karate training, or you don’t know of any methods, or you have never been shown any Karate eye training methods, this does
not mean for one minute that they are not contained within, taught, or practised by many of the older Sensei & Dojo’s. A perfect case of; “There are no secrets in Karate,
just things you haven’t been shown yet”.
“Your eyes never lie and will see things before they happen. If you train your eyes properly you don’t have to worry about the techniques which
may come. You will have already sensed and seen it and automatically you will take measures to block and counter”. Yagi Meitoku Sensei.
The Eyes are one of the main senses of the human body. Within medicine the eyes are believed to reflect the state of the mind, together with the vitality of the person.
Within the fighting arts simplistically we use our eyes to see with, so if this sense is taken out or disrupted one will most certainly be in distress or deep trouble, as this will
significantly hinder our natural ability to defend ourselves or take control of a situation. As human beings we actually have several acute senses that we quite naturally
depend on working together in unison and without conscious thought, in confrontation situations though our eyes are singularly the sense that is probably of the upper
most importance to us over others, (don't misunderstand me though here), but as mammals the eyes are our main fight predatory sense or instinct
With all of the above in mind and looking at things deeper from a fighting arts perspective, we need to understand that the eyes and brain work together as one, instantly
taking in images and flipping them around within the brain analysing the information received, so we can then act upon the data received at an instant. Seeing in many
ways is even more natural than breathing, in that you don’t have to think about it, it just happens.
“Never close your eyes; no matter what kind of a punch is coming at you, and no matter what kind of punch you are throwing. After you develop
the habit of watching punches, you’ll discover that even though your eyes are focused on one threatening fist, you’ll be noting from the corners
of your eyes every other move your opponent is making”. Jack Dempsey.
The ideal visual fix often spoke about in Karate training, is usually to focus ones eyes solely on the opponents face or maybe his chest area. However, if you focus your
eyes on your opponent's face, you will fail to notice other things he does. If you watch out for his punch, you will not see his legs. If you watch out for his kick, you will miss
seeing his arms and fists. In reality there should be no definite focus or visual fix. I have even heard stories of Karate teachers putting a mark on each wall of the Dojo so
that when their students change direction during Kata they can focus on this spot. Sorry but this is just so wrong for so many reasons.The Karate Ka actually needs to see
all that is going on as much as possible, including the possibility of attacks from other sources. A known concept is to get a visual feeling that you are looking at your
opponent from a distant, rather than near him. A good start though is to concentrate fully, stay aware, and focus on the opponent or training partner as an whole, but not
being fixated. The key though is having full and total visual awareness. Thus of which can then be relayed back to the brain and acted upon, or hand to eye coordination as
it is more commonly known.
The 7th line of the Kempo Hakku a favourite poem of Miyagi Chojun Sensei says; “Me wa shiho wo miru wa yosu”. “ The Eyes do not miss the slightest change”.
For the record; Chojun Miyagi Sensei most certainly worked his eyes. There are also versions and variations of Miyagi Sensei’s Yobi Undo preparatory exercise that have
been passed on to teachers and Dojo’s on Okinawa that still incorporate eye training drills. I also do the same when doing preparatory exercises at our Dojo. I may actually
take a few photos and post explanations on these in a future blog post, together with varying training drills, but we’ll see....
Within our study of Karate in relationship to the eyes, there are 3 areas that we should be concerned with; fight visualisation, eye defences or protection, and eye strikes.
1, basically this is what I’ve spoken about above, as in the use of our eyes to relay messages within an open field of vision for use within confrontation. Keeping your head
up most certainly gives one a wider field of vision. This can be proven by a simple test. Drop the head right in to the chest. Now get some one to bring a hand over the top
of your head until you can see it. You will find that the hand will come almost right over to the point of the nose until it is seen. But once the head is raised the vision totally
opens up again like an arc. Also, an attacker won’t usually stop just because you tuck your head in to cover up as you lose vision and cower; actually he will more than
likely up his intensity of the attack. Remember; if you can’t see an attack coming, in most cases you can do very little or nothing to avoid it.
2, the defence of and protecting our eyes in a confrontation is then of the upper most importance, as both the vulnerability and value of our eye's is unparalleled. Any
foreign body directly touching them, as in a finger strike, will cause immediate watering and maybe temporary blindness too, which again relates to all of the above. Quite
surprising how many Karate Ka train with so much intention and thought on what they can do to a possible attacker, with little consideration that he can so easily do the
same and more to you. As my Sensei says “Karate is not about winning, it’s about not losing”. There are also many fighting strategies and techniques to be found within our
Katas that I have been advised of by Sensei, that are aimed solely for usage in darkness, with little or no light, Which certainly makes sense if old Okinawa with little lighting
is taken into consideration, it's then all about the senses of feeling and hearing of course. But again another subject to possibly cover…
3, attacking the eyes of a vicious attacker, I’m not going to over elaborate here, as posting reference to nasty techniques on the old www is not my scene. However, there
are several moves to be found both within Okinawan Karate training that incorporate such practises; there are of course the usual thumb eye gouges that are often seen.
Not forgetting the at times hidden 5 fingers shooting that can be seen in Katas like Saifa and Sesan which are a well known characteristic of the Chinese Arts. Proven by
many sources that Chojun Miyagi Sensei was more inclined to hide the techniques like thus within his Goju ryu in comparison to say the Uechi ryu Guys.
I will leave you with something that James East mentioned to me in Okinawa a few years back. His words were to this effect “To those Karate Ka who feel that the eyes are
not an important part of Karate training, get them to try and move their head swiftly to the right whilst looking swiftly to the left”!
(Wednesday 1st February 2011)
may be, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t have deep meaning and significance to exponents of Okinawan Karate. There are certainly many Karate Ka that either don’t
understand this concept or they totally disregard the use of both training the eyes and understanding their value. I’m not going to advocate or recommend that Karate
students should all take up a fixed stare whilst training, or say that they should always look in to the eyes of their opponent or training partner. No! But it is a start I
suppose…
The students of my Dojo are probably a little sick of hearing my voice as I constantly remind them to keep their heads up and their eyes focused in concentration. To the
point that understanding how to use our eyes is of paramount importance, so important in fact, that to lose sight of what is going on around you, or to lose ones sight
altogether will inevitably mean that you will lose the fight. This being the case, the eyes need to be trained regularly and prepared just in the same way we train other parts
of our body. I must emphasize here though that training the eyes always was and is an important element of Karate training on Okinawan. So, just because you don’t
practise eye training methods as part of your Karate training, or you don’t know of any methods, or you have never been shown any Karate eye training methods, this does
not mean for one minute that they are not contained within, taught, or practised by many of the older Sensei & Dojo’s. A perfect case of; “There are no secrets in Karate,
just things you haven’t been shown yet”.
“Your eyes never lie and will see things before they happen. If you train your eyes properly you don’t have to worry about the techniques which
may come. You will have already sensed and seen it and automatically you will take measures to block and counter”. Yagi Meitoku Sensei.
The Eyes are one of the main senses of the human body. Within medicine the eyes are believed to reflect the state of the mind, together with the vitality of the person.
Within the fighting arts simplistically we use our eyes to see with, so if this sense is taken out or disrupted one will most certainly be in distress or deep trouble, as this will
significantly hinder our natural ability to defend ourselves or take control of a situation. As human beings we actually have several acute senses that we quite naturally
depend on working together in unison and without conscious thought, in confrontation situations though our eyes are singularly the sense that is probably of the upper
most importance to us over others, (don't misunderstand me though here), but as mammals the eyes are our main fight predatory sense or instinct
With all of the above in mind and looking at things deeper from a fighting arts perspective, we need to understand that the eyes and brain work together as one, instantly
taking in images and flipping them around within the brain analysing the information received, so we can then act upon the data received at an instant. Seeing in many
ways is even more natural than breathing, in that you don’t have to think about it, it just happens.
“Never close your eyes; no matter what kind of a punch is coming at you, and no matter what kind of punch you are throwing. After you develop
the habit of watching punches, you’ll discover that even though your eyes are focused on one threatening fist, you’ll be noting from the corners
of your eyes every other move your opponent is making”. Jack Dempsey.
The ideal visual fix often spoke about in Karate training, is usually to focus ones eyes solely on the opponents face or maybe his chest area. However, if you focus your
eyes on your opponent's face, you will fail to notice other things he does. If you watch out for his punch, you will not see his legs. If you watch out for his kick, you will miss
seeing his arms and fists. In reality there should be no definite focus or visual fix. I have even heard stories of Karate teachers putting a mark on each wall of the Dojo so
that when their students change direction during Kata they can focus on this spot. Sorry but this is just so wrong for so many reasons.The Karate Ka actually needs to see
all that is going on as much as possible, including the possibility of attacks from other sources. A known concept is to get a visual feeling that you are looking at your
opponent from a distant, rather than near him. A good start though is to concentrate fully, stay aware, and focus on the opponent or training partner as an whole, but not
being fixated. The key though is having full and total visual awareness. Thus of which can then be relayed back to the brain and acted upon, or hand to eye coordination as
it is more commonly known.
The 7th line of the Kempo Hakku a favourite poem of Miyagi Chojun Sensei says; “Me wa shiho wo miru wa yosu”. “ The Eyes do not miss the slightest change”.
For the record; Chojun Miyagi Sensei most certainly worked his eyes. There are also versions and variations of Miyagi Sensei’s Yobi Undo preparatory exercise that have
been passed on to teachers and Dojo’s on Okinawa that still incorporate eye training drills. I also do the same when doing preparatory exercises at our Dojo. I may actually
take a few photos and post explanations on these in a future blog post, together with varying training drills, but we’ll see....
Within our study of Karate in relationship to the eyes, there are 3 areas that we should be concerned with; fight visualisation, eye defences or protection, and eye strikes.
1, basically this is what I’ve spoken about above, as in the use of our eyes to relay messages within an open field of vision for use within confrontation. Keeping your head
up most certainly gives one a wider field of vision. This can be proven by a simple test. Drop the head right in to the chest. Now get some one to bring a hand over the top
of your head until you can see it. You will find that the hand will come almost right over to the point of the nose until it is seen. But once the head is raised the vision totally
opens up again like an arc. Also, an attacker won’t usually stop just because you tuck your head in to cover up as you lose vision and cower; actually he will more than
likely up his intensity of the attack. Remember; if you can’t see an attack coming, in most cases you can do very little or nothing to avoid it.
2, the defence of and protecting our eyes in a confrontation is then of the upper most importance, as both the vulnerability and value of our eye's is unparalleled. Any
foreign body directly touching them, as in a finger strike, will cause immediate watering and maybe temporary blindness too, which again relates to all of the above. Quite
surprising how many Karate Ka train with so much intention and thought on what they can do to a possible attacker, with little consideration that he can so easily do the
same and more to you. As my Sensei says “Karate is not about winning, it’s about not losing”. There are also many fighting strategies and techniques to be found within our
Katas that I have been advised of by Sensei, that are aimed solely for usage in darkness, with little or no light, Which certainly makes sense if old Okinawa with little lighting
is taken into consideration, it's then all about the senses of feeling and hearing of course. But again another subject to possibly cover…
3, attacking the eyes of a vicious attacker, I’m not going to over elaborate here, as posting reference to nasty techniques on the old www is not my scene. However, there
are several moves to be found both within Okinawan Karate training that incorporate such practises; there are of course the usual thumb eye gouges that are often seen.
Not forgetting the at times hidden 5 fingers shooting that can be seen in Katas like Saifa and Sesan which are a well known characteristic of the Chinese Arts. Proven by
many sources that Chojun Miyagi Sensei was more inclined to hide the techniques like thus within his Goju ryu in comparison to say the Uechi ryu Guys.
I will leave you with something that James East mentioned to me in Okinawa a few years back. His words were to this effect “To those Karate Ka who feel that the eyes are
not an important part of Karate training, get them to try and move their head swiftly to the right whilst looking swiftly to the left”!
(Wednesday 1st February 2011)
The expression that one is a Karate Sensei is well known by all who practise Karate, unfortunately though this is where the understanding can end, as both the word
Sensei, its true meaning and standing is seldom fully understood. Sadly these days the title Sensei is often thrown around cheaply to the point of being abused, I
accept that at times this is due to cultural misunderstandings, as this obviously happens more so outside of Japan and Okinawa. At others times I’m afraid this is down
to watered down karate transmission, ignorance, or may be even inflated egos.
If one is to absorb themselves deeply in to the art of Karate then surely they need to attain a true understanding of the Sensei and Student relationship. In fact it is a
necessity! A connection that is firstly born through the embryonic process of Dojo initiation as the Sensei will go on to form a close bond with his students that makes
the term Sensei of major importance to all serious Karate Ka, so significant in fact that this union of loyalty and respect is unwavering and in many ways irrelevant to
others outside of this relationship. I often refer to the close Sensei to Student relationship as one being inside the family, but that’s for another time, it is something you
need to have experienced to fully appreciate.
Being a Dan grade or the wearing of a black belt does not make one a Sensei, this is a misconception that is widespread along with the belief that earning a black belt
or a base level in Karate, as in a Shodan, allows for the instant accompanying title of Sensei. These days we often see Dojo’s that have six or more black belts who are
all referred to as Sensei, or maybe even a newly awarded 8 year old black belt who is called Sensei by lower grade adults, all of which makes little sense. Visiting Japan
or Okinawa for training with the idea of stepping in to a Dojo whilst presumably holding either a Dan grade or Sensei status would certainly raise an eye brow or two, or
a broad smile at least. In truth you would probably just be corrected by the Dojo seniors in a stern kind of way, in reality though it would show ones lack of
understanding or respect on such matters.
“I spent as much time with my Sensei (Azato & Itosu) as possible, and from them I learned not only Karate but a great deal else besides”.
Gichin Funakoshi Sensei.
The misuse of Japanese honorific titles is wide spread in the West. To be fully aware of the usage of the word Sensei one needs to firstly examine the meaning behind
the Kanji characters that make up the word itself.
先 Sen This means, before, previous, preceding or precedence
生 Sei This means, life or birth
The two characters Sen & Sei together broadly mean "A person or one who is born before" In Japanese society it is often used when showing respect to someone who
has achieved a high level in an art form or holds a position of high social standing, as in doctors, teachers or lawyers. You do though have to watch how literally you
take this meaning as the born before is not always as it seems, as is not necessarily used because one is an elder, a Sensei may then of course be younger than
oneself. A good way of looking at things is that a Sensei is one who has preceded you and gone there before, thus having vast previous experiences in a way or field of
expertise that you also wish to follow or maybe receive some guidance in. They have been there before you, have a deeper understanding, whilst being wiser,
knowledgeable and more experienced.
There are then varying questions to be asked upon the usage of the term Sensei. When is one a Sensei? When is one not a Sensei? How does one become a
Sensei? What are the requirements of a Sensei? Will all Senior Karate Ka become known as a Sensei? Of course there are varying answers to these questions too.
My own Sensei as in Senaha Sensei, mentions that one can not really be a Sensei if they do not have any direct students of their own. He likens this to being a parent,
saying that you can not really be a parent if you do not have any children. In the same way that there is a close bond between a child and it’s parent, the child is
guided, respects, obeys, and also learns from the life experiences of the parent. In the same way that becoming a parent is a daily learning curve that requires difficult
decisions and with time one usually becomes more accustomed and better at, due to experience, being a Sensei in many ways is just the same. The more children one
has the more difficult the task is, just like having more students of course.
My first requirement of students is that he has good character. He must prove his honesty and dedication to the art of karate and to me. The
most important aspect of the training in karate in my school is not the final destination (the goal, the black belt), but the journey itself (the
training). During the 1950’s on Okinawa the karate training with Meitoku Yagi Sensei along side Sensei Yushun Tamaki , was very intense,
strict, and powerful. (Anthony Mirakian Sensei 9th Dan Meibukan)
My personal belief is that when the time is right for a Karate Ka to teach it will happen quite naturally, it shouldn’t be pushed or rushed in to. In many ways my own role
as a Sensei to a few Students certainly came through need more so than any wish or desire, personally I just wish to study and train, practise and concentrate on my
own Karate. Teaching is in fact an area of my Karate that I do question regularly, teaching Karate to others is not a decision that should be taken lightly or without
much deep thought and consideration as it holds a profound responsibility, to the point that it can be very draining indeed. To be honest I’ve never came to a
conclusion on if I’m either any good at teaching, or if I really enjoy it.
One only as to research and look at the history of the Karate men of Okinawa or even the students of Chojun Miyagi Sensei to see that most of the long standing ones
weren’t over keen to teach themselves, they just wished to study Karate under the guidance of their Sensei. I may be a Sensei to my students but for me I am more of
a student to my Sensei and the art of Karate itself. When I visit Okinawa I have seniors or Sempai whom I train both under and alongside but what may seem strange to
some is that they are not a Sensei, even though they hold senior grades and levels of say 6th 7th or 8th Dan with 30 to 40 years or more of vast experience and
regular training behind them, unusual to understand in the west it maybe, but not so in Okinawa. If I was living in Okinawa that’s how things would be for me too, why
would one truly wish to teach when they still have so much to learn themselves under Sensei who have truly been there before? However, due to where one resides, as
myself being in England, my circumstances are different as students can be both valued training partners together with our way of giving a little back to the Art of
Karate. If transmitted correctly and done to the best of ones ability, offering and passing on the same guidance in Karate to a few others is I suppose the least I or we
can do.
The role of the Karate Sensei is immeasurable to the point that it is difficult to truly put things in to words. A Sensei is certainly Not a coach, just the same as I don’t
believe that all Karate Ka are either destined or capable of being a Sensei either. A Sensei will be firm but fair, a communicator and at times a negotiator. There is a
required balance between guiding others and doing the same oneself, as in leading by example, be it physically, mentally and morally. I’ve heard it said that a Sensei is
a living source of the Okinawan Karate tradition, a highly skilled teacher with leadership qualities that others wish to follow, whilst having techniques that are poetry in
motion with form, being firm, flowing and effective. Do all Sensei have these qualities, I for one am unsure if I do, but all I can do is do my best? A Sensei must certainly
be their own person and individuals for sure; I for one have never actually came across two Sensei who are the same. As an example, I seldom give out praise to my
students, friendliness, encouragement, guidance and motivation yes! But not praise no as I feel it is not needed in the Dojo, maybe the odd word of “good”, but for me
that is enough and all that is needed. Karate I believe is about destroying ego not building it up. But again this my way, others may believe and do other wise and be
correct too.
I must also say that it is not unusual for a Karate Ka to have either one or a few Sensei over a life time of study. Gichin Funakoshi Sensei was well known for having
studied under lots of Okinawan Karate teachers; however, the training didn’t conflict but complemented his Karate, something that I think is misunderstood that I’ll cover
in another post one day. He did though only really refer to Azato & Itosu as his Sensei. I for one can personally see where he’s coming from here, as even though I
have worked with and trained with many Karate exponents over the years, there are only a few who I regard as being my Sensei. I also believe that a student will be the
representative of his teacher’s Karate, so of course this measurement is not one of quantity in students, but the quality. So of course the more students that a Sensei
has who then go on to represent him, the more difficult it is going to be to get a true reflection of that Sensei’s Karate. The Goju Ryu of Miyagi Sensei again proves
this… These is why just like many past and present day Okinawan Karate teachers, I also have no desire to have lots of students or ones that are a poor reflection of
my own Karate.
“After executing a kata, I would await Azato Sensei’s verbal judgement, it was always tense. If he remained dissatisfied with my technique, he
would murmur, “Do it again,” or, a little more!” a little more, a little more, so often a little more, until the sweat pored and I was ready to drop: it
was his way of telling me that there was still something to be learned, to be mastered. Then, if he found my progress satisfactory, his verdict
would be expressed in a single word, “Good!” That one word was his highest praise.
Lastly, If you happen to be lucky enough to be a part of a quality Karate Dojo and have a true Karate Sensei who is one of deep understanding and knowledge. Then
please do look after him or her, as in today’s day an age they are so scarce it’s unreal. I would also advise those who are serious about studying Karate to go out of
their way and seek out a true Karate Sensei. You make the effort as it will be truly worth it.
(Monday 4th April 2011)
Sensei, its true meaning and standing is seldom fully understood. Sadly these days the title Sensei is often thrown around cheaply to the point of being abused, I
accept that at times this is due to cultural misunderstandings, as this obviously happens more so outside of Japan and Okinawa. At others times I’m afraid this is down
to watered down karate transmission, ignorance, or may be even inflated egos.
If one is to absorb themselves deeply in to the art of Karate then surely they need to attain a true understanding of the Sensei and Student relationship. In fact it is a
necessity! A connection that is firstly born through the embryonic process of Dojo initiation as the Sensei will go on to form a close bond with his students that makes
the term Sensei of major importance to all serious Karate Ka, so significant in fact that this union of loyalty and respect is unwavering and in many ways irrelevant to
others outside of this relationship. I often refer to the close Sensei to Student relationship as one being inside the family, but that’s for another time, it is something you
need to have experienced to fully appreciate.
Being a Dan grade or the wearing of a black belt does not make one a Sensei, this is a misconception that is widespread along with the belief that earning a black belt
or a base level in Karate, as in a Shodan, allows for the instant accompanying title of Sensei. These days we often see Dojo’s that have six or more black belts who are
all referred to as Sensei, or maybe even a newly awarded 8 year old black belt who is called Sensei by lower grade adults, all of which makes little sense. Visiting Japan
or Okinawa for training with the idea of stepping in to a Dojo whilst presumably holding either a Dan grade or Sensei status would certainly raise an eye brow or two, or
a broad smile at least. In truth you would probably just be corrected by the Dojo seniors in a stern kind of way, in reality though it would show ones lack of
understanding or respect on such matters.
“I spent as much time with my Sensei (Azato & Itosu) as possible, and from them I learned not only Karate but a great deal else besides”.
Gichin Funakoshi Sensei.
The misuse of Japanese honorific titles is wide spread in the West. To be fully aware of the usage of the word Sensei one needs to firstly examine the meaning behind
the Kanji characters that make up the word itself.
先 Sen This means, before, previous, preceding or precedence
生 Sei This means, life or birth
The two characters Sen & Sei together broadly mean "A person or one who is born before" In Japanese society it is often used when showing respect to someone who
has achieved a high level in an art form or holds a position of high social standing, as in doctors, teachers or lawyers. You do though have to watch how literally you
take this meaning as the born before is not always as it seems, as is not necessarily used because one is an elder, a Sensei may then of course be younger than
oneself. A good way of looking at things is that a Sensei is one who has preceded you and gone there before, thus having vast previous experiences in a way or field of
expertise that you also wish to follow or maybe receive some guidance in. They have been there before you, have a deeper understanding, whilst being wiser,
knowledgeable and more experienced.
There are then varying questions to be asked upon the usage of the term Sensei. When is one a Sensei? When is one not a Sensei? How does one become a
Sensei? What are the requirements of a Sensei? Will all Senior Karate Ka become known as a Sensei? Of course there are varying answers to these questions too.
My own Sensei as in Senaha Sensei, mentions that one can not really be a Sensei if they do not have any direct students of their own. He likens this to being a parent,
saying that you can not really be a parent if you do not have any children. In the same way that there is a close bond between a child and it’s parent, the child is
guided, respects, obeys, and also learns from the life experiences of the parent. In the same way that becoming a parent is a daily learning curve that requires difficult
decisions and with time one usually becomes more accustomed and better at, due to experience, being a Sensei in many ways is just the same. The more children one
has the more difficult the task is, just like having more students of course.
My first requirement of students is that he has good character. He must prove his honesty and dedication to the art of karate and to me. The
most important aspect of the training in karate in my school is not the final destination (the goal, the black belt), but the journey itself (the
training). During the 1950’s on Okinawa the karate training with Meitoku Yagi Sensei along side Sensei Yushun Tamaki , was very intense,
strict, and powerful. (Anthony Mirakian Sensei 9th Dan Meibukan)
My personal belief is that when the time is right for a Karate Ka to teach it will happen quite naturally, it shouldn’t be pushed or rushed in to. In many ways my own role
as a Sensei to a few Students certainly came through need more so than any wish or desire, personally I just wish to study and train, practise and concentrate on my
own Karate. Teaching is in fact an area of my Karate that I do question regularly, teaching Karate to others is not a decision that should be taken lightly or without
much deep thought and consideration as it holds a profound responsibility, to the point that it can be very draining indeed. To be honest I’ve never came to a
conclusion on if I’m either any good at teaching, or if I really enjoy it.
One only as to research and look at the history of the Karate men of Okinawa or even the students of Chojun Miyagi Sensei to see that most of the long standing ones
weren’t over keen to teach themselves, they just wished to study Karate under the guidance of their Sensei. I may be a Sensei to my students but for me I am more of
a student to my Sensei and the art of Karate itself. When I visit Okinawa I have seniors or Sempai whom I train both under and alongside but what may seem strange to
some is that they are not a Sensei, even though they hold senior grades and levels of say 6th 7th or 8th Dan with 30 to 40 years or more of vast experience and
regular training behind them, unusual to understand in the west it maybe, but not so in Okinawa. If I was living in Okinawa that’s how things would be for me too, why
would one truly wish to teach when they still have so much to learn themselves under Sensei who have truly been there before? However, due to where one resides, as
myself being in England, my circumstances are different as students can be both valued training partners together with our way of giving a little back to the Art of
Karate. If transmitted correctly and done to the best of ones ability, offering and passing on the same guidance in Karate to a few others is I suppose the least I or we
can do.
The role of the Karate Sensei is immeasurable to the point that it is difficult to truly put things in to words. A Sensei is certainly Not a coach, just the same as I don’t
believe that all Karate Ka are either destined or capable of being a Sensei either. A Sensei will be firm but fair, a communicator and at times a negotiator. There is a
required balance between guiding others and doing the same oneself, as in leading by example, be it physically, mentally and morally. I’ve heard it said that a Sensei is
a living source of the Okinawan Karate tradition, a highly skilled teacher with leadership qualities that others wish to follow, whilst having techniques that are poetry in
motion with form, being firm, flowing and effective. Do all Sensei have these qualities, I for one am unsure if I do, but all I can do is do my best? A Sensei must certainly
be their own person and individuals for sure; I for one have never actually came across two Sensei who are the same. As an example, I seldom give out praise to my
students, friendliness, encouragement, guidance and motivation yes! But not praise no as I feel it is not needed in the Dojo, maybe the odd word of “good”, but for me
that is enough and all that is needed. Karate I believe is about destroying ego not building it up. But again this my way, others may believe and do other wise and be
correct too.
I must also say that it is not unusual for a Karate Ka to have either one or a few Sensei over a life time of study. Gichin Funakoshi Sensei was well known for having
studied under lots of Okinawan Karate teachers; however, the training didn’t conflict but complemented his Karate, something that I think is misunderstood that I’ll cover
in another post one day. He did though only really refer to Azato & Itosu as his Sensei. I for one can personally see where he’s coming from here, as even though I
have worked with and trained with many Karate exponents over the years, there are only a few who I regard as being my Sensei. I also believe that a student will be the
representative of his teacher’s Karate, so of course this measurement is not one of quantity in students, but the quality. So of course the more students that a Sensei
has who then go on to represent him, the more difficult it is going to be to get a true reflection of that Sensei’s Karate. The Goju Ryu of Miyagi Sensei again proves
this… These is why just like many past and present day Okinawan Karate teachers, I also have no desire to have lots of students or ones that are a poor reflection of
my own Karate.
“After executing a kata, I would await Azato Sensei’s verbal judgement, it was always tense. If he remained dissatisfied with my technique, he
would murmur, “Do it again,” or, a little more!” a little more, a little more, so often a little more, until the sweat pored and I was ready to drop: it
was his way of telling me that there was still something to be learned, to be mastered. Then, if he found my progress satisfactory, his verdict
would be expressed in a single word, “Good!” That one word was his highest praise.
Lastly, If you happen to be lucky enough to be a part of a quality Karate Dojo and have a true Karate Sensei who is one of deep understanding and knowledge. Then
please do look after him or her, as in today’s day an age they are so scarce it’s unreal. I would also advise those who are serious about studying Karate to go out of
their way and seek out a true Karate Sensei. You make the effort as it will be truly worth it.
(Monday 4th April 2011)
" The Sensei of Karate" |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Ryusyokai 琉 翔 会 Shinkenkan Karate Dojo 沖縄空手道場 |