Self Defense: Are we teaching False Confidence?

According to some of my readers, this subject is a pretty sore one. Most of the conversations that I have had are from those who took a basic course in Self-Defense at a local Y or a community center and found that the drills and techniques that were taught were useless when they were actually put to use.  (No offense to those who teach at the local Y or a community center... I help out with my organization and we teach out of a community center.)  The common story goes like this.

Ms. "A" notices that there have been an alarming increase in violence targeting young women and decides to take a self-defense course to familiarize herself with techniques that might help save her life.  The first few classes begin with promising lectures along with warm-up excersizes and simple scenarios.  As the classes progress, Ms. "A" has learned some basic punches, basic kicks, and some basic releases from arm grabs and attempted choke holds.  On top of that, she was introduced to the use of pepperspray and equipped herself with a "rape" whistle just in case she was being chased by an assailant.  Nearing the end of her self-defense program, she was introduced to stress management letures and more advanced scenarios, such as, actually facing against an assailant, which was her instructor. These advanced scenarios taught techniques such as eye gauging, groin strike, etc. and took many hours of drilling.  Completion of the course required demonstration of all the techniques learned, again being able to demonstrate against the instructor.  Ms. "A" finished the course with flying colors but felt that some lacked.  A few days later, she asked her boyfriend to act as an assailant and attack her.  Her boyfriend quickly overpowered her and this confirmed her lacking feeling.

If this story seems pretty similar, then we do have a problem.  Even for those training in the arts for many years, if you are not able to effectively use what you have learned then we haven't developed the ability to apply our training, which can already be contributing to a false sense of confidence.

How do we overcome this?  It is easy to say... "I know I can apply what I have learned..." but can you truly?  Unless tested, like those I have spoken to you here through either Google + or through my blog, through the School of Hard Knocks or School Yard/Neighborhood Justice, how do you really know that you can apply your techniques outside of the dojo?  Realistically, most common practitioners don't.

That's not a bad thing.  Depending on your system, such as mine... Okinawan Goju Ryu... Chojun Miyagi's philosophy was based on Funakoshi Gichin's famous philosophy... "Karate ni Sente Nashi" or in plain english... "There is no first attack in Karate." is taught until your ears bleed.  The reason why we focus on Kata and on bunkai is due to this original philosophy. The study of bunkai is what allows Goju Karateka to develop the ability to effectively apply in a real life scenario.  I believe this to be true in ANY Japanese Martial Combat system.  A simple system without the backing of repetition and understanding of muscle memory and execution is not going to be effective.  A self-defense cirriculum that is open to any Joe or Sue off the street may be more detrimental to them, especially if the courses are not backed up or supported with supplemental training of some sort.  Even in the Military or Law Enforcement, while they are taught basic hand to hand and self-defense while they are in Basic Training, there are other supplemental training that is available to them as they progress in their career.  For example... MCMAP for the Marines, which stands for the Marine Corp. Martial Arts Program and individual training incentives for Law Enforcement (to include Judo, MMA, Karate, etc. to become an instructor within the Law Enforcement agency).  For those... it is a matter of life or death... not some practice dummy.

This issue is something that hits the core of some practitioners.  Most of us don't go looking for a fight.  Some of us had to learn in order to survive. Some of us were encouraged to test our ability... but is that the correct way to teach especially if we are trying to develop someone's ability to defend themselves?  What is the correct way?  IMHO it is all relative to the person willing to learn.  It is a combination of more smarts than actual physical ability... especially in this day and age.  To me the wisdom of Miyagi Chojun rings true when I look at self defense... "Karate ni sente nashi..." Through this concept you learn restraint, control in difficult situations, and one can hold their head high knowing that in any situation they made the correct decision.

Now you might wonder how I got all those concepts from just that one simple phrase.  Simply, the phrase's meaning is deeper than one thing.  If I were to explain the literal meaning, then most believe that Karate to be a passive combat system, not believeing in offense and concentrating in defense.  However, traditional practitioners understand that this is not the case.  For most traditional practitioners... Defense is Offense, timing is everything, and this give you the advantage in most cases.

1.  Learning Restraint

From a Goju Ryu perspective, understanding that all Kata begin with blocking, symbolizes the fact that our forefathers understood that our ryuha focused on the ability to react against aggressive attackers, such as the oppressive Samurai from mainland Japan. Learning and honing ones skill to wait for the aggressor to make the first attack, a Karateka can read their oppenent and take advantage of their movement in mid-strike to move in to finish their opponent.  Some practitioners equate this to hesitation but I look to it as a strategic strike.

2.  Control in Difficult Situations, generally speaking...

As a Karateka, we are responsible for our actions at all times.  Sometimes we forget that.  Given time, we may be forced into a situation where we must act regardless if it is negative or positive.  Learning restraint is a key factor in learning to control ourselves in certain situations.  Regardless which avenue we choose, the point is that we did not let our emotions control our actions and that by controlling ourselves we did not make an escalating situation any worse.

3.  Knowing That You Made The Correct Decision

Learning restraint and not letting emotions control your actions are two key aspects of knowing that you handled yourself in the tradtion of a true Karateka.  A true Karateka does not have to falter to ego or has to prove that he or she is stronger than your opponent.  The main point is that in any given situation you are able to act with a good head on your shoulders and resolve issues than cause them.  You may use your fist, you may not... I don't want to sound cliche but if you do use your fists then I hope its the last option available.

I believe that these three points above need to be understood by a practitioner before teaching or learning self-defense. Self-Defense is not just a series of moves and techniques but a whole different frame of mind.  Powerful emotions may fluctuate, such as Fear or Anger, which can affect the practitioner's motives and disrupts the "calm mind / no mind" mushin of a true practitioner.  In a sense, we can not teach confidence no matter how hard we try.  The practitioner must acheive that on their own.  Like the story of Ms. A... through her own experiences she must find her own way of training to make sure that it is effective and useful to her. 

Confidence is only gained through a succession of defeats and successes.  Without defeat one cannot appreciate success, yet alone build on each success that one has acheived.

For those ups and downs... in training!

Kay

Terminology: Translation Tribulations

I can already tell from some of the responses on Google+ that there are many non-Japanese practitioners who are frustrated with trying to learn a new martial art yet alone trying to learn with instruction in another language.  Wether that be Japanese, Chinese, Korean, English, Spanish, etc... I agree it can be a tweek to your brain.  Being Japanese born in the United States I can atest to that.  However, there is hope... and trust me... by learning the native terminology will also help you understand the deeper meaning of your style.

Now... first off, I know I do this all the time... there is really no mysticism behind deeper explanation.  Most of the time, we complicate things ourselves and when we train hard and ask questions of our senseis, we see that the answer/explanation is really deep but simple. 

My sensei gave me a really good example... A sensei's job is to carve or mold his or her students.  Look at a marble worker for example. He starts off with a large slab of marble and begins by using a large hammer and a large chisel to get the intial shape he wants.  Gradually, the tools become smaller and smaller until he shifts to precision tooling so he can begin to work on definition.  Our senseis are doing the same thing to us, kicking our butts with basics, gradually feeding us knowledge so that we can grow with our training, and finally working our minds and flushing out minor details with the execution of our technique.  In essence, our senseis are carving us and molding us to become better Karateka.  However, they don't have all the answers... some of the answers we have to explore and find ourselves.

You ever wonder why sometimes you try so hard to understand a concept, let's say being able to work your core, hips, and the ability to translate that into powering your techniques, and in the beginning learning how to work them is absolutely frustrating.  Asking questions isn't helping and the more you think about it the worse it got (maybe this example was just me...haha).  However, one day that light bulb goes off in your head (literally) and for some reason it makes complete sense.  Not only did it make sense but the execution was a lot easier.  I know that this has nothing to do with the title of this blog... however the spirit behind it is very much connected to it.  This is because sometimes we are not meant to try and comprehend the technique first... we must train and learn with our bodies... think of it as conditioning.  I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this but you hear some teachers say sometimes "just do as I say."  I'm not defending this kind of teaching but sometimes we need to just mimic and just try to understand the mechanical components first before we get to the explanation... again... first we crawl, then we walk, and eventually we learn how to run... life's natural progression.

Now getting to the translation piece...

First of all, most of us thought... "how are we going to learn all the basic dojo terminology" rather than "how am I going to survive my future training..." especially those training in the traditional arts with native speakers teaching the courses.  Everything from counting, commands to be at attention, at the ready, to commands to stop, names of stances, and techniques.  Very overwhelming for anyone coming in with no foreign exposure.  First we might scramble and ask sensei if there is a packet or a cheat sheet you can use to learn the terminology. Next, ask our senpais for help, search the internet... and then finally... most of us either give up or for some of us lucky ones it just sinks in.

While I know it is a bear... it is important to learn the native terminology... especially if it is a Japanese art.  The terminology is based off of the Kanji or Japanese Characters which is based off the Chinese Character system to which some of the depth of the meaning comes from.  Take the characters at the top of this blog post.  That reads "ZANSHIN" which is literally translated as "where the heart remains." To us westerners this might not make any sense.  However, with your sensei constantly repeating its meaning, gaining experience, and constant immersion/training of your art, it starts to make sense.  Of course, you will need to have the drive to learn... when and if you do accept it then it will go off like a light bulb in your head and you will have one of those "ah-ha" moments and kick yourself because of the simplicity.  This "ah-ha" moment has been a reoccuring theme in my own training.

Don't be afraid to ask about the meaning behind a certain term or don't be afraid to ask to have it written down for notes.  Its better to ask and learn gradually than just dismiss the terms and/or learn it just in english. (us JAs - Japanese-Americans have Engrish or Japlish which is a type of pigeon english however even then it doesn't work as well as understanding the concept coming from the native language)  When you can understand the depth of terms such as Zanshin, Shin Gi Tai, Mushin, Ki Kan Shin, etc. rather than literal translation, it opens up a whole new dimension of your training.  Thinking and doing, philosophy behind different Master's approaches to Karate... especially Funakoshi Gichin with his famous quote "Karate ni Sente Nashi."  To explore and do research on these terminologies by learning them in the native tongue first, I believe will help you understand the system and philosophy better rather than taking it for granted and you will see that it will help your physical training grow more deeply.

Open your mind and explore.

In translation.... Kay.

The Senpai / Kohai Relationship... How does it work?

+Tony Vivolo asked me if I would do a piece on Senpai/Kohai relationships and how they are really supposed to work. This is a very good topic and I'd like to share with you what I know.

This system has actually been around in Japan since before the Segoku Period in Japan however it is not something that we are not familiar with.  In other parts of the world, there are Master and Apprentice examples that go back as far before since trade and commerce have been in existance. While the system is a lot different than the Senpai/Kohai system today... however the roots are not that different.

Modern day Senpai/Kohai system actually was improved and put into effect by the Shimazu Lords of the Satsuma Government (Kyushu - Kagoshima, Southern Japan) during the Meiji Period.  While there was a Master and Apprentice system in place for those who were born into a family within a certain trade (higher status trade such as swordsmiths, tea ceremony masters, caligraphy, ikebana, etc.), for lower castes... including Lower House Samurai, there really was no "mentoring" system that was different from the period's Master and Apprentice system.

With trade bearing from Okinawa, China, Korea, and with the Black Ships arriving along with the already existing Portuguese and Dutch, the Satsuma Government had already been working towards modernizing Japan, of course without the permission of the Shogun Family.  A good modern day interpretation of the incidents leading up to and through the Meiji Revolution and Restoration is a NHK period drama called Atsu-hime... which showed the political maneuverings of Shimazu Lords to get Japan to open its borders and catch up with the rest of the world. 

Due to southern Japan modernizing quickly, using the encroachment of the west as an excuse, they needed to be able to teach people very quickly on how to adapt and learn about western technology and ideals.  The funny fact is that this started mainly in the lower house samurai ranks becuase they were the ones who were the main work horses for the house lords.  In order to teach the ways of the new world quickly, the older and more experienced members would take it upon themselves to teach and mentor the younger inexperienced members coming on or those coming of age.  This broke all sorts of rules of ettiquette, however, with the Satsuma Government becoming more and more open minded to open trade and worldly views, while it took some time eventually this bode well with  lower castes as it helped to facilitate a core group of leaders who would not have come into their own if the strict Japanese caste system were to be in place. Famous pioneers such as Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi, and Sakamoto Ryoma are big players during this period of those who came from lower houses ended up as national leaders.

Today, the Senpai/Kohai relationship has been ridiculed by some modern day Japanese saying that it is a archane practice... however, it is still heavily practiced in virtually every social strata starting from Junior High to the work place.  Generations still give way to those who came before them because they feel that they can learn from those who are more experienced. The system has also given into some abuse of those who realize they can use the system to control their juniors. Juniors are reluctant to oppose because they don't want to stick out as a troublemaker. (Deru Kugi wa Tatakareru... the nail that sticks out gets hammered)

The abuse of this practice is something I highly oppose because it can lead to hazing and a brutal continual pattern that we have seen here in the United States, for example the Greek Franternity/Soroity system utilized by Universities and Colleges.  Also... we have seen this in High School sports programs such as American Football.  Currently, in Japan with the issues of bullying, we do hear about the abuse in the Junior High and High School systems.  Some of this does carry over to martial arts or sports especially when a Senpai has the authority and the strength to back it up... looking to abuse not foster a brotherly relationship.

It is my humble opinion that those who abuse the system do not understand the system's true intent.  In Karate we have this system because we use it to push each other.  Kohai's should have the will to try and exceed their Senpai however should still have the respect for their Senpais if they do exceed their Senpai's ability.  The Senpai should push their Kohai to exceed them and should applaud them if they do so.  The ability to share their knowledge and build cameraderie is the beauty of the Senpai/Kohai system.  The ability for Karateka to be able to push and support each other is my understanding of the true intent behind the system.  This system transcends being an instructor or a master because somewhere in the world there is someone who knows more and has more experience than you do.  Somewhere in the world, there is someone who is quicker and faster than you.  How do you become better, it is to rely on your seniors, your peers, and your juniors, regardless if you are a 8th Dan Hanshi and the founder of your system. 

In martial arts... no one is self made.

Kaishugata and Timing Part 2

Kaishugata and Timing Part 2



In part one, I asked three questions... 1. Do you know what the objective of the kata is... What does the name of the kata mean? 2. How can I apply my techniques to meet that objective... Does the execution of my technique do the kata justice? and 3. How can I make the kata mine... Do I understand the objective and understand the bunkai of the kata?

These three questions have been the focus of my training for the past few years when focusing on kata.  While continuing to practice the basics or kihon of my style, I've really needed to look at the bunkai to understand how my kata is developing... and trust me it is not pretty.

In the past few of years, I've had a pretty enjoyable time working on my required katas. I would say they are my favorite within my style.

1. Sanseiru = San Dan Kata = 3rd Dan Requirement
2. Shisochin = Yon Dan Kata = 4th Dan Requirement
3. Seipai = Go Dan Kata = 5th Dan Requirement

These kata are the precursor to the most challenging katas within Goju Ryu, which are, Seisan, Kururunfa, and Suparimpei (Pechurin).  However, these katas above (besides Seiunchin) tested your abilitly to comprehend advanced bunkai in Goju.  Once you are able to break down the katas and understand their purpose it is very enlightening and will help you when you go to execute said katas.

While there are many interpretations of the katas above, I'd like to share some thoughts on them through my experience.  PLEASE REMEMBER... I am not stating that my interpretations are the end all... if my interpretation conflicts with what you are taught on the above said katas... please do take my interpretations with a grain of salt.  We as karateka evolve through our own experiences and I just hope my insight gives you another perspective.  Also... while there are a lot of kata explanations out on the Web... 2 sources I would recommend for the essence of Goju Kata explanation would be 1. The Goju Ryu Bible (green book) issued by JKF Goju Kai and 2. www.gojuryu.net. In the event you can not find either two... then Wikipedia and http://www.uchinadi-kan.org/kata/katalist.html have also a good listing and explanation of the 12 Goju Ryu kata.

*Kata List Picture Credits to http://www.uchinadi-kan.org/images/500_katachart.jpg

Sanseiru - 36 Hands - 三十六手

To me, this kata represents the ability to limit the mobility of my opponents.  The introduction of "kansetsu geri" is very significant because it is a very devastating attack for having the potential of being able to destroy joints and break bones. However, in order to execute such techinque in this kata requires correct posturing, stance, muscle tension, and the ability to quickly rebound from said technique and change directions.  Unlike Sanchin or Tensho, you'll have to be able to "pop" and "lock" in order for the kansetsu geri to be effective.  Many practitioners like to really show off their kick but most tend to "over thrust" and therefore find themselves in an awkward position when they move to turn.  Biggest problem is that their "jyohanshin" (upper body) and their "kahanshin" (lower body) are not in sync and the flow of the kata suffers from it. (mainly from not being able to properly use their core and their hips)

Shisochin - Four Directions of Conflict - 四向戦
The look of simplicity of this kata makes it the perfect kata to test future instructors to see if they have managed to master basic enbusen and attack angles. This kata heeds no yield to the practitioner.  It gives your instructor all the angle he or she needs to see you as clear as day.  Challenging points where hip rotation and core strength are a key are on both front and back progressions of the ura kake uke and the lower harai uke. Challenge comes from transitioning in zenkutsudachi (leaning forward stance)... where many people end up in kokutsudachi (reverse leaning forward stance) or a zenkutsu that is too long or one that the embusen is way off.  If this happens then the ura kake uke and lower harai uke can not easily progress to the grab and breaking of the arm.  Again, "jyohanshin" and "kahanshin" must be in sync in order for timing to come together.  This is a definite must if you understand the bunkai to this section of the kata. NOTE - One of Miyagi Chojun's favorite kata.

Seipai - 18 Hands - 十八手
My favorite kata. While it was said that this kata was developed in China by masters who wanted to weed out "technique thieves" by developing advanced kata, I can see why because you may easily learn the steps to this kata but may never know the depth of it.  This kata has many favorite techniques of mine, including multiple releases or escapes from being grabbed, not a groin strike but a "love tap" to the testicles, an arm break or submission from a standing position, and a finishing take down move.  However, but as I mentioned before, you would never understand that these techniques are incorporated into this kata without studying the depth and is carefully hidden within the "steps" of this kata. 

This kata focuses on embusen as well.  Without your embusen and the proper flow of kata (will be discussed along with go-rei (counting) in Part 3) it is very hard to get the timing of these techinques.  Again, upper body and lower body must be in sync (start to see the pattern??) in order for the techniques to be viable to ebb and flow.

I was told many times when I was younger that when I practice that "jyukusei ga tarinai" (and even now at times) meaning that I am not practicing with feeling, with intent, or application.  This means that I was only practicing the steps.  I'd be tired and only wanting to complete the kata so that I could go home.  That is when my senseis would push me.  They would come out and force me to think about the kata rather than to just think of the steps and that alone would help me get through the kata. 

***Warning*** I would urge caution if you are to use this methodolgy for your junior students... meaning becareful if you are going to criticize them for only practicing the steps.  They are still coming into their own... most just trying to memorize the steps... unless they are preparing for purple belt, brown belt, or Junior Black Belt... then hence they should start to understand bunkai and be able to execute the kata with intent and application.

With the requests coming through, this post looks like its going to be a continual thread.  In Part 3 I'll focus on counting and try to explain how the flow of katas is hard to teach for some instructors. 

Fatherhood and Training

How do you balance 1. Work, 2. Being a Father, and 3. Your Training?  This is a delicate equation that I am trying to balance and I am miserably failing on this account.  Let me tell you for any of you first time fathers out there you are definitely going to have to choose your priorities.  For myself, I have been concentrating on the first two priorities and thus have created this blog to fulfill at least my continuous training of the mind.  While, currently, I am not able to attend the dojo much due to my current obligations, I keep connecting with my dojo and the ever so humble and accomodating Karate Community to keep my mental training going.  But this is a big problem for me and I know it will be for you future Karateka fathers out there.

I had a good chance to connect with a good Karate brother of mine, +Johnpaul Williams, who is my sounding board when my head gets too loud.  He has 3 kids and has been training as long as I have.  My question to him was "how do you do it?"  His answer was simple... "just take him with you." I just laughed because the answer was just that simple.  It made sense but I'll have to find another way to get around the second issue I have.  Logistics.  I live in Anaheim, CA.  About five minute to Disneyland and about 2 miles west of Angel's Stadium. I work in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles.  My dojo is at the +East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center (#ESGVJCC) which is located in West Covina, CA.  You Los Angelinos know what kind of traffic I have to contend with especially if I work a nine to five type of schedule.  It's not a friendly commute. Sigh.

My son Nathan, just turned 17 months, and I know I'll get some support if I took him to the dojo (which I need to find a way before my wife goes crazy)... but right now isn't the best time.  We're working on his potty training, he's staring to learn how to speak, and we are trying to keep him on a strict sleeping schedule.  My dojo opens it doors about 7:30pm and if we are willing to work, Hamabata Sensei will work us until we drop or he tells us to go home.  As you can tell, this would not be the ideal condition for an 17 month old child.  In turn, I think my wife would give me hell.

So I continue to look for options to balance out the 123 equation.  Eventually I will have to teach my own son or send him to Sensei Grandpa (Sakaue Sr.) for personal training before I get him in the dojo by 6 or 7... we're still a few years out.  You can see the big picture that I am faced with.  I know eventually I will figure it out but if you, those in the real world, have faced this challenge... I am all eyes and ears and would like to know your solutions.  So you dads out there... please hit me up and give me some ideas!  ONEGAISHIMASU!!!

In training and fatherhood.

Kay

Shihan Menkyo - Masters Licenses... Are they truly what we think they are?

Recently, with my Blog going live, I have been getting a lot of questions through personal email channels asking about Shihan Menkyo or Master's Liceneses.  The inquiries have been eye opening to say the least and I hope I can shed some light from one who has been educated in the process of how and when they are awarded.

Now before I go any further, I would like to explain and express that this post is NO way in ANY shape or form disrespecting any practitioner who was awarded a Shihan Menkyo.  I just hope that they hold themselves to the level of professionalism, dedication, and example that the licenses represent and were developed to uphold.

So now we've got that out of the way...

What exactly are Shihan Menkyo?  Well most practitioners wonder what a Renshi, Kyoushi, and Hanshi mean and scratch our head when someone calls themselves a Shihan.  First let me tell you, Shihan and Shihan Menkyo stand apart... while they are similar they are used differently.

Shihan - 師範
The biggest misconception is that the title Shihan is regularly given out to someone who has earned a certain Dan.  In Japan, there are no entitlement issues because to receive a Shihan title is special... it is usually conferred upon you becuase you are an all around model sensei, usually hand picked to succeed or be a contingent successor of the kaiha or ryuha. The Shihan title is usually reserved for the highest ranked dojo sensei who can "educate" (there is a huge difference in the actual meaning behind educate and "teach") not only technique but can be the example not only in the dojo but in life.

Shihan Menkyo are usually used as a tool by Ryuha and Kaiha to setup a legitimate succession plan and are usually hand picked by the Soke (founder) or the surviving successors to keep organizational structure alive.  Most of the time, those with Shihan Menkyo titles will be those instructors who are at the highest ranks/quality and for SMALLER kaiha's (not ryuha) there are usually only one of each. (Hanshi, Kyoushi, and Renshi).

While most of us here in the United States look at Shihan Menkyo as one of the highest awards given by a certain Ryuha or Kaiha, the spirit behind, not the award, or more so the spirit behind the conferrment is what they stand for.  The Japanese sometime explain the awards with a little more flash than they should be because it is very difficult to explain what I am about to explain in english.  Sometimes, you are told that you are receiving the award (in reality it is a conferrment) for just your contribution however, this goes beyond what you have already contributed... but what you will continue to contribute for a lifetime.  In turn, it should represent the continuing hard work, continuing dedication, and the contiuous ability to lead by example.

Shihan Menkyo and their Meanings - Conferrment Responsibilities

Renshi - 錬士

"熟錬した人。  訓練したした人"

Renshi is a title that is conferred upon an instructor who has trained rigorously and thouroughly. A Renshi continually trains hard with the dojo members being an example for the Kyoushi, especially when the Kyoushi needs an example for the dojo student body.  A ryuha or kaiha acknowledges the contributions that the instructor made not only to his seniors but as a benchmark to his students and kohai.

Kyoushi - 教士

"技術を身につけて教える事の出来る人"

Kyoushi is a title that is conferred upon an instructor who has committed the technique to the body and one who can teach (not educate... big difference) others. A Kyoushi has gone through the thourough and rigorus training and has close to flawless technique.  Committing a technique to body is only done to through the countless hours of repetition under a Hanshi level instructor and building the highest level of muscle memory in order to teach the same technique according to the Hanshi's instruction (not abandoning his own interpretations) for the sake of the organization.  Usually a Kyoushi will become a Hanshi's right hand man and will be his tool to set an example for the dojo student body.

Hanshi - 範士

"技術の手本に成る人。模範になる人"

A Hanshi level instructor is one who has the ability to use the techniques he has learned and "educate" others while being example for the dojo student body.  While a Renshi still trains and the Kyoushi teaches, a Hanshi "educates" by showing examples of technique, opens the minds of karateka by introducing his or her interpretations of the set cirriculum and how they relate to traditional training.  Anyone can teach a technique but Hanshi's should have the continual ability to eductate a karateka so their karate grows and evolves.  This title conferred for the HIGHEST level of instruction... and it is recognized by the governing body... never self-proclaimed.

While many have observed their instructors rank progression and the conferrace of Shihan Menkyo, the one aspect that must be considered is that the recipients must continue to grow and be humble.  In the homeland (Japan), while there are many sensei who achieved Karate greatness, in my experience, I have NEVER heard of an instructor refer to themself as a Shihan or by their Shihan Menkyo title.  Even the great senseis just refer to themselves as just "sensei" and respect the Senpai/Kohai system and respect the honorifics they use to speak to someone of higher stature.  Like the Japanese language, certain main topics are just understood and there is no reason to highlight what is already known.

Here in the United States, it is pretty difficult for me sometimes because I do not see the reflection of the spirit of the Shihan Menkyo in some of the practitioners I have met. Most are self-proclaimed without the knowledge of how the Shihan Menkyo System or the Dan system works. (Are there such things as 9th Dan and 10th Dan?  That's for another post) and do not understand that it is not title that is simply given out, that it is a conferred by a larger group that recognizes the talents and contributions made to the organization(s).  This could be partially be at fault of cultural incompatibilities or the lack of translators that have the experience... but any sense I have seen this go to many instructors heads rather than remain humble and continue the legacy that they had started.

While I still respect them and hold them to esteem, I just bite my tougue hope someday, if I am ever conferred with the GREAT responsibility, that I can be that example for my karate flock.

Until then keep practicing hard to become the example!

PS... good talk with my Karate bruddah +Johnpaul Williams. I will have a part 2 of this topic about how you can over do it by calling your senseis by their Shihan Menkyo titles or Shihan... pretty good insight for next time.

三戦 - The Three Battles (Sanchin)

三戦 - The Three Battles (Sanchin)

Goju training is deeper than you think.  Even as we train, we may not know the how deep our technique goes.  Kata Sanchin is one good philosophical example within the Goju discipline and maybe I can help you understand why Sanchi is so important.

Sanchin is traslated into "3 Battles."  The three battles in Goju is the representation of the continuous battle between your body, mind, and spirit.  While Kata Sanchin has zen buddhism (zazen to be specific) aspects of training, it is practiced not only to strengthen the "GO" or hard aspect of Goju but bring the three elements of training together in alignment.

Breathing, posture, muscle tension, basic technique, stance, and movement... there is a lot to deal with when practicing Sanchin.  With help from your senpais and your sensei, working to improve your muscle memory in the correct fashion will help you develop your body.  The mind and spirit are another story. 

I have always equated the development of my spirit to the development of my self-confidence.  I have always looked at the improvement of self-confidence to be the culmative successes of short-term and long-term goals. These successes, no matter how small or how large, affect who we are and affect our perspective in life.  Our failures only amplify the successes we achieve. 

Your mind is the hardest to develop.  For practitioners, this is undoubtedly the most frustrating to develop as well because it ties both your physical attributes as well as your spiritual ones.  Our mind, our consciousness, is the start.  How many times while training have you thought, "wow... I would like to learn that technique?" And how many times have you gathered enough courage to attempt that technique only to utterly fail in your first attempts? 

This is becuase our minds are the gateway to bigger and better things.  When our minds touch something that touches our heart... then passion is born.  When passion is born... we physically get involved.  As a good friend told me... this is a cycle... Wash, Rinse, Repeat.  This cycle, regardless if you succeed or fail, is one of the most natural cycles that we as humans face.  It applies to many different things and can be experienced at different levels of intensity.

While it is easy to "ingnite" your mind through passion, keeping or maintaining that passion is the hardest to do.  This is where it gets difficult to train your mind. We have a natural tendency to travel the path of least resistance and find ways to make things easy for ourselves.

Thinking, moving, and developing your personal faith (religious or just personal resolve... doesn't matter) is easily done when focusing on the aspects individually.  Even when praticing Kata Sanchin, it is very simple to learn, memorize, and understand the basic concepts of this basic kata.  However, the Kata does not come "alive" until you have learned how to bring all the aspects together.  Kata Sanchin teaches us this and was developed as such. 

While Kata Sanchin has the most simplest of movements in all 12 Goju Kata, It is definitely the most difficult technically.  This is because of the demands on the body.  Simple (basic) movements means that the karateka must show his mastery of the techniques.  With demostrating mastery of basic technique, your body and breathing must be in sync with the natural flow of the Kata.  Any practitioner will tell you that this more difficult that it seems and can be quite frustrating as many have experienced light headedness from trying too hard.

There are many aspects beyond what I have explained above that need to be mastered by the body (zazen) and the body alone. The mind and spirit fall into balance when that can be accomplished (which is developed simultaneously).  You cannot make progress with Kata Sanchin unless you hone all three aspects together.  It is the continuous battle between the three aspects that helps us find our own unique equilibrium. 



Why do I study Karate?

While my direct instructor pulls lineage from Yamaguchi Goju Ryu and Toguchi Shorei-kan, I have been very lucky to be studying under Takafumi Hamabata (Eibukan 7th dan, Kyoshi) as he has been able to pull in his experiences with both aforementioned lineages of Goju Ryu Karate along with JKF Goju-kai standards, and Eibukan; under the tutelage of Yoshihiro Hisanaga (Eibukan Soke / Kagoshima Goju Kai - 8th dan, Hanshi).

I began my Karate journey January 1st, 1990 - 22 years ago.  It was an odd morning, as I remember curled up in a warm bed.  There was a heavy marine layer that built up along the foothills of the Angeles Crest and I recall heavy moisture in the morning air.  As I heard Rose Parade announcer blaring from the TV in the other room, I'd figured that the rest of my family was immersed in eating Osechi (traditional New Years food) along with Ozoni (either made from vegetables and chicken/seafood or sweetened red bean and rice cakes) while watching the parade coverage before the Rose Bowl game came on.

That morning, my father, Masato Sakaue (Eibukan 5th dan, Renshi - RET) threw a Karate Gi at me and told me that I was going to start my "training."  Now mind you that, I had been immersed in Kendo under the tutelage of my uncle, Masataka Sakaue (Covina Kendo 6th dan) for six years at that point and now THAT training was over.  According to my father, Karate was going to be my path. When you are 12 years old, you do not really understand much.  Heck when I was 6 years old and thrown into Kendo... I didn't know anything at all.  However, it took almost another 6 years of training for me to understand and accept my "path" in life.

In 1996-1997 I received my Shodan... during my pre-yudansha training I worked hard on my kihon, most of the time coping with my time between playing high school football, wrestling, and just being a teenager.  Per my senseis at the time, competition was mandatory to test our skills outside of the dojo regardless if we won or lost as pre-requisite qualification for intra-dojo ranking, especially for black belts. The other pre-requisite was to compile a essay justifying your reasoning of why you study Karate. While these are not mandatory for other dojos or for even JKF / JKF Goju kai, it was mainly adapted so that one could understand that his or her Karate is effective in practical / simulated use.  Our senseis didn't care about the points... they cared about developing quality karateka.  The first was no problem.  I liked competition and I like taking what I learned in the dojo and applying them in free form competitive kumite.  However, the latter, I had trouble with.  How do you express yourself when your path was laid down in front of you to follow? 

Sixteen years later, I find myself asking the same question and in another capacity.  Why do I study Karate?  Sixteen years ago, I don't think I could have told you.  I think I was still in the experimental mode.  I thought it was fun and competitive but lacked the depth of knowledge to explain the reasoning why. Today I can explain it very simply.  I study Karate because I like it.

I like the people who I train with.
I like the people who train me.
I like the depth of Goju Ryu Karate.
I like the connection that Goju Ryu Karate has with my family and my family's history.
I like that Karate has developed me as a person.
I like that Karate keeps me connected to my cultural roots.

The list goes on and on.  If I can pass any of the "likes" above to anyone who wants to learn or who wants to be apart of the Eibukan Family, then it is worth my travel as a karateka.  There is no other reason for me to study Karate.

The Path. Choose Wisely.

Most karate practitioners may not know beyond the basis of their own dojo or ryuha / kaiha.  However, that is to say that many karateka yet to master their own style before pursuing another.  While I have dabbled in many different types of martial arts, I am one of the philosophy that one style is enough regardless of what strengths or weaknesses may lie in the foundation of the style.  The depth in technique and philosophy alone can be studied a lifetime and depending on your instructor and your development complete mastery can never be achieved.

That is what the "DO" in Karatedo, Kendo, Chado, Sado, Judo, etc. represents.  The continuous path of which the practitioner chooses to study the depth in length.  The "kanji" or the Chinese character represents this by bringing two distinct characters 1) longevity and 2) Neck to describe the spirit behind your training.  It is training that you are willing to pursue with your neck stuck out in a vulnerable fashion representing that it can be cut at any time. (Sorry for the Samurai reference).

Many traditional karate practitioners may ask... what does Samurai and Bushido have to do with Karate?  Especially when known that Karate comes from the oppressed Okinawan regime by the Satsuma Government predating the Meiji era.  The founders of Eibukan feel that while Bushido and Karate were formulated at different times and for different purposes, the ideals behind the 7 precepts are valuable to any karateka.

Eibukan and Bushido:  How they tie together

1 – GI (Justice / Moral Righteousness): A Karateka should deal openly and honestly with others and cleaves to the ideals of justice. Moral decisions do not come in shades of gray, only right and wrong.

2 – YUU (Heroic Courage): A Karateka should never fear to act, but lives life fully and wonderfully. Respect and caution replace fear.

3 – JIN (Benevolence / Compassion): A Karateka should take every opportunity to aid others, and create opportunities when they do not arise. As a powerful individual, a Karateka has a responsibility to use that power to help others.

4 – REI (Respect / Polite Courtesy): A Karateka has no reason to be cruel, and no need to prove his strength. Courtesy distinguishes a Karateka from an animal, and reveals one’s true strength.

5 – MAKOTO (Honesty / Complete Sincerity): A Karateka’s conscience is the judge of his honor. The decisions he makes and how he carries them out are a reflection of his true nature.

6 – MEIYO (Honor): When a Karateka has said that he shall perform an action; it is as good as done. He need not make promises; speaking and doing are as if the same.

7 – CHUUGI (Loyalty / Devotion / ***Duty***): A Karateka feels responsible for his actions and their consequences, and is loyal to the people in his care.

***One should reflect upon the samurai’s loyalty to his lord and understand that it was unquestionable and unquestioning.***

(Outdated… however the spirit of this is what helps us understand CHUUGI)