Posted on April 17, 2009 - by tokugawa
Interview with Hohan Soken
The date of the interview was September 10, 1978. The interview was conducted in Spanish to the great annoyance of Kise. Soken spoke excellent Spanish due to the fact that he had lived in Argentina for over twenty-five years. I should also make mentioned that I was a Spanish language translator for the Pentagon for two plus years and worked in Washington, D.C., hence, I am familiar with the language.
Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa
The animal techniques of Uechi ryu (1)
Uechi Kanbun, an icon in Okinawan karate history, introduced Uechi-ryu karate to Okinawa. The Okinawan Prefectural Government recognizes Uechi-ryu as one of the three major roots of all Okinawan karate along with Shuri-te and Naha-te. Uechi Kanbun spent thirteen years in China mastering a quanfa style called Pangainoon (half-hard, half-soft). He taught the style, later [...]
Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (1)
LETTER 1. – Kata & bunkai In response to some of the post on bogus bunkai and some Okinawan instructors and dojo not having bunkai that seem to be anything but block/punch. I would agree that there are dojo on Okinawa that fall into the above category. Please remember that we are discussing human beings [...]
Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (2)
LETTER 2. – Kata & bunkai I certainly did not mean in my post to give the indication that all Okinawan schools did not continue to practice bunkai as an integral part of their training. I wrote that there are schools in Okinawa just as any other place in the world that do not have [...]
Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (3)
LETTER 3. – Are there blocks in Okinawan kata? I remember when this no block question in karate began in the mid 1980′s. As I recall it came about when people started being exposed to the Okinawan kata bunkai and finding out that not all blocks were for just blocking. It is my belief that [...]
Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (4)
LETTER 4. – About Hakutsuru kata. Michael , you are right about Matayoshi teaching a Hakutsuru kata. The name is Kakuken. Even though he reserved the kata for some of his senior kobudo students in that he did not teach karate at all in his dojo. His comments still stand, ” the crane is for [...]
Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (5)
LETTER 5. - About kata practice. It is hard to disagree with most of what has been written about this subject but I have a few comments that I hope will be helpful. I agree with Shogiki’s comment about having “faith” in practicing the kata. Faith is defined as hope in what is not seen. [...]
Posted on December 26, 2008 - by tokugawa
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (6)
LETTER 6. – About Tegumi. I think that many people are off on a tangent concerning grappling, Te Gumi, Toide, etc., etc. etc. when analyzing Okinawa karate. I understand the need some people have when they consider having to grapple with someone and the Okinawan kata takes provides for this but not in the way [...]
Bubishi
Kihon kumite
First learn how to use your fist. This is easiest. Always aim at opponents nose. It is not necessary to deliver most powerful punch in your life, too much power will only make you miss your target. Use direct (not roundhouse), quick and precise punch. Use kake-uke (parry and grab) block to catch opponents arm and then pull him in to make your punch more devastating. Use natural stance shizen-dachi.
Bubishi
Prearranged fighting (kumite)
Kumite (sparring) is form used to practice techniques of kata, under more realistic conditions, in which by prearrangement between participants, one applies offensive and the other defensive technique. There should be no corrupting influence on one’s kata from sparring practice. (Gichin Funakoshi).Tsunami dojo uses three different kinds of kumite.
Bubishi
Old wisdoms
Dojo Kun Kokoro to waza to karada o kitae nintairyokuo yashinao, koto ga Uchinan Koryushu no honshitsu de aru. THE ESSENCE OF UCHINAN KORYUSHU IS PERSEVERANCE IN THE TRAINING OF SPIRIT, TECHNIQUE AND BODY. Words of Wisdom: Let anger be your enemy. Remember, an empty vessel makes the most noise Patience is the foundation upon [...]
Bubishi
Supplemental exercises
Hojo undo is supplementary exercises where one uses various implements and aids to encourage and develop ambidextrous physical strength, stamina, muscle co-ordination, speed and posture. Hojo undo is not practiced merely for the development of physical strength, but rather it has many other benefits associated with its consistent practice and logical approach. There are various implements that should all be used to aid your all round development. The ones that I will concentrate on are the makiwara (striking board), chi-shi (weighted lever), kami (gripping jar), tan (barbell), sashi (weights) and tetsu geta (iron clogs). This is by no means all the implements that one can use, there are others as well. The benefits of this type of training are enormous, however they have to be practiced consistently and correctly.
Bubishi
48 techniques (part I)
In self-defense, you can easily gouge opponents eyes with your fingers. This is done with your front hand, because you can cover more space with your front hand.
Tips: Don’t be stiff. This technique does not require any power. Speed and accuracy are all you need.
Reference kata: Passai, Kushanku
Bubishi
48 techniques
This chapter is inspired by ancient okinawan manuscript – Bubishi. This doesnt mean that I will demonstrate exatly 48 techniques. Title is same as title of similar chapter in Bubishi. Goal of this article is to show wide diversity of karate techniques – strikes, kicks, joint locks, throws, chokes and holds. Furthermore, if we only analyze one technique, there are many variations depending of style, tradition or teachers point of view. Here is my point of view, based on many years of practice, research and seminars. I will recommend to you all to read Bubishi and Funakoshi’s Tote jutsu. It is also very useful to see some video tapes as Chin Na, Okinawa Karate, Goju ryu, Ryueryu and Okinawan karate masters.
Bubishi
Pinnan katas
Pinnan katas Source 1: “Seibukan katas” by Kim Mitrunen & Tommi Prami Itosu Anko, who was a sensei to schoolchildren, developed this series of kata. Itosu took elements from different kata, Kusanku for example, and incorporated them in the series of forms. It is interesting to note there is mention that elements of the old [...]
Bubishi
Pasai kata
Pasai kata Passai kata bunkai – demonstrated by sensei M. Stanic Source 1: “Katas of Shorin ryu Seibukan” by Kim Mitrunen & Tommi Prami Passai is an age-old form, and one of the oldest versions of this kata is Seibukan’s Oyadomari Passai. Passai is often explained as a low light or night fighting kata, because [...]
Bubishi
Useishi kata
Useishi kata Source 1: “Katas of Shorin ryu Seibukan” by Kim Mitrunen & Tommi Prami This kata is sometimes referred to as the drunkard form, because it contains movements where the kata performer mocks a staggering move. As a result of this unorthodox and crafty technique, Gojushiho is noted for techniques that throw the opponent [...]
Bubishi
Chintou kata
Chintou kata Source 1: “Katas of Shorin ryu Seibukan” by Kim Mitrunen & Tommi Prami Chinto is one of the treasures of Seibukan. This version of the kata is taught only to Seibukan family members. It was favorite kata of Kyan Sensei, and is undoubtedly a Sukunaihayshi kata. It is taught at a higher level [...]
Kobudo
Weapons (kobudo)
There are 4 kinds of Bo or Kon used in the system, San Shaku or Jo Bo, Roku Shaku, Kyu Shaku and Eiku or Suna Kake no Kon. The Bo is the main stay of Ryukyu Kobujutsu attributing 22 kata to the syllabus and its usage and posture is almost the same as the sword. The Roku Shaku Bo is the predominant kind of Bo used and attracts the main interest by practitioners. Its length is 6ft, or as is sometimes customary, cut to the height of the user. The wood used is usually Red Oak or White Oak and the Bo is tapered from the tip ends for better blocking and smoother usage. The weight is dependent on the wood used and is a critical factor for students, too heavy and the techniques become cumbersome, too light and there is not enough power. The weapon is classified as a synthetic one and attracts the greatest distance training between opponents. It magnifies the areas of development needed with empty hand and encourages Tai Sabaki/Yoko Sabaki at all times. The practitioner is taught to hold the weapon initially divisible by thirds and then openly encouraged to develop a more flexible holding style allowing full use of the weapons potential distance .
Articles Kobudo
The kata of okinawan Isshinryu
Since its official announcement in 1956, Okinawa Isshinryu Karate Kobudo has spread throughout the world, with dojo in most continents. There have since been many books, articles, and videos published on the system in the English language. However, more often than not, these materials utilize the same sources for their research, with little, if anything written based upon research of primary materials, that is, Japanese language books on karatedo by Okinawan researchers.
Articles Kobudo
The animal techniques of Uechi ryu (2)
KICKING TECHINQUES Kicking in Uechi-ryu karate differs from many other styles. The front-leg snap kick is the only kick used in the katas brought from China. It is found in every kata of Uechi-ryu except Sanchin, which contains no kicks. The front-leg kick, like the lead hand punch, is the first line of defense, as [...]
Articles Kobudo
Chojun Miyagi on technique
Chojun Miyagi April 25,1888-October 8th, 1953 ‘Do not be struck by others’ ‘Do not strike others’ ‘The principle is the peace without incident’ Chojun Miyagi was born April 25th 1888 in Higashi-Machi (Naha-shi) Okinawa of a wealthy family who’s business was import/export primarily pharmaceuticals. Originally Chojun Miyagi was born as Miyagi Matsu however his name [...]
Kobudo
Sai jutsu
The Stories and Practice of the Okinawan Sai by Saiby Toshihiro Oshiro and William H. Haff Any penetrating review of Okinawan weapons history is a mixture of hyperbole and fact. Most modern martial arts students have been taught that Okinawan kobudo developed as a result of the Okinawan samurai being stripped of their weapons at [...]
