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Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa

Makiwara


Makiwara is a punching board. It is a piece of equipment essential in toughening the hands, strengthening the wrists and giving training in hand techniques. A makiwara consists of a straight board with the top portion fitted for punching. The board itself is made from a seven or eight foot long four-by-four, cut diagonally so that the very top is about half an inch thick. Traditionally, the striking surface of the makiwara consisted of a bundle of straw with rope tightly wound around it at the top foot of the board. A piece of sponge rubber, two inches thick, four inches wide and one foot long, covered with canvas or leather, is widely used. Anything that cushions the shock of impact can be used. For example, a tightly bundled t-shirt attached with duct tape would work just as well.Regular use of a makiwara will develop strong technique and is an excellent way to get the feel of karate techniques applied to an actual target, rather than into the empty air. It gives practice in focusing, muscular control, breath control and as a by-product, will toughen the skin of the knuckles and other striking points. Because it is difficult to master the technique of focus (concentration of strength at the moment of impact), many karate experts feel that the techniques of those who don’t use the makiwara are bound to lack power.

How to make and install

Dig a hole in the ground three or four feet deep. Place the wide end of the board in it so that the top is at a height near the top of your chest. Pack the bottom of the hole with stones, bricks or concrete. Place 2 two-by-fours as shown in the diagram to brace the makiwara. Fill in the rest of the hole with dirt. The top of the board should move five or six inches without exerting too much pressure. Having a board too flexible is better than not flexible enough. Attach the striking surface near the top of the board so that the center of the striking surface comes to a height even with your solar plexus.

How to use

The makiwara is used mainly for practicing hand techniques, although foot techniques are sometimes practiced as well. Ideally, a second, more sturdy makiwara would be used for foot techniques. Pay strict attention to good form, including proper balance and hip rotation. In most cases, the point of focus is about two inches on the other side of the board when it is stationary. At the point of impact, sharply let out a short breath, breathing in while withdrawing. This gives good training in breath control. In hand techniques, take care to strike correctly with the knuckles of the fist while keeping the wrist straight. There will be a tendency for the hand to glance off at first, but constant practice will correct this. Beginners should start with 20 to 30 punches per hand and slowly work their way up. Makiwara training may cause injury to certain individuals. Makiwara usage is not recommended for adolescents while their bones are still developing. The bones in a young person are not hard enough to withstand the stress placed upon them by this type of training.



Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa

Rare photos of master (Articles) (1)

Gichin Funakoshi rare photos

How to Make a Fist

In these photos Funakoshi shows how to
make a fist, nukite and nippon-nukite

Basic stances

Heisoku dachi, Hachiji dachi, Zenkutsu dachi, Kokutsu dachi, Nekoashi dachi, Naihanchi dachi & punching.

Throwing techniques

Nejidaoshi, Kusariwa, Taniotoshi, Yaritama, Kubiwa, Nodo-osae

Images taken from Nando Balzaro Karate club (Italia) official web site.

Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa

Rare photos of master (Articles) (2)

The Twenty Precepts

by Gichin Funakoshi

1. Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy.

2. There is no first attack in karate.

3. Karate is an aid to Justice.

4. First control yourself before attempting to control others.

5. Spirit first, technique second.

6. Always be ready to release your mind.

7. Accidents arise from neglect.

8. Do not think that Karate training is only in the dojo.

9. It will take your entire life to learn Karate; there is no limit.

10. Put your everyday living into Karate and you will find Myo (The subtle secrets!).

11. Karate is like boiling water. If you do not heat it constantly, it will cool.

12. Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose.

13. Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones.

14. The battle is according to how you move guarded and unguarded (move according to your opponent!).

15. Think of your hands and feet as swords.

16. When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you.

17. It is your behavior that invites trouble from them.

18. Beginners must master low stance and posture; natural body positions are for the advanced.

19. Practicing a Kata is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.

20. Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, stretching and contraction of the body and slowness and speed of techniques.

Always think and devise to live the precept every day.

Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa

Rare photos of master (Articles) (3)

Master Funakoshi katas


Pinan nidan

Pinan sandan

Pinan yondan

Pinan godan

Naihanchi nidan

Naihanchi sandan

Pasai

Chinto

Wanshu

Jitte

Jion

Seishan


Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa

Rare photos of master (Articles) (4)

Pinan shodan

Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa

Rare photos of master (Articles) (5)

Naihanchi shodan

 

Posted on December 5, 2008 - by tokugawa

Higashionna Kanryo

by Travis Cottreau

The exact dates that O-Sensei began training with Higashionna Kanryo are uncertain. His training with Aragaki Seisho (1840-1918) stopped between 1912 and 1914 and he started training with Hanashiro Chomo (1869-1945) around 1914. Death dates for Higashionna are varied, anywhere in the range of 1915 to 1918 are quoted in various history books, and probably no one knows for certain. However, we can figure out from the dates that O-Sensei was with Higashionna for only a few years at most.

Higashionna is a very famous karateka, made so mostly by one of his students, Miyagi Choyun, the founder of Goju Ryu, one of the most popular styles of karate worldwide. Miyagi and O-Sensei trained together under Higashionna and remained friends until Miyagi’s death in 1953.

Kanryo was born at Nishimura (West Village), Naha in March, 1853, the fourth son of Higashionna Kanyo, a high ranking Bushi who didn’t fare well financially during the final absorption of Okinawa into Japan and the abolition of the Bushi and Samurai classes. Higashionna’s father was forced to ship firewood for a living from the Kerama Islands to Naha in a small junk. The poverty of Higashionna’s family meant that his education was neglected and Higashionna was likely unable to read or write.

(more…)


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