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.

Kumite: A Story

Kumite:  A Story



What do you think about when you think about Karate?  When I was a child, I used to get all excited when I saw old Kung Fu movies or when there were Bruce Lee specials on during holiday.  All the high kicks, jump kicks, spin kicks and nunchuku kung-foolery had me on my toes and my father had me on lock down whenever I came close to putting my foot through the wall or my mother's favorite lamp. 

Growing up, I had all the delusions of grandeur thinking that I was bigger than myself.  This continuously got worse as I entered adolescence and noticed that I was capable and that I was bigger than everyone else in my age brackets whenever I competed.  The one thing that I lacked was confidence.  If my kumite started out strong and if I had my opponent on the run, I was very hard to beat.  However, if I had made a mental mistake or if I could not figure out my opponent, there were many a time where you could literally see me sink in quicksand and not be able to recover because my self-confidence was shot.

Luckily, I had very patient senseis willing to work with me and found ways for me to work on my self-confidence so that my kumite outings were more consistent with my ability.  However, this did not happen overnight.  My senseis really had to work on my perception on what Karate was really about. 

The problem was that I was a little man trapped in a big man's body... meaning that I wanted to do little man karate in a big body.  It didn't help that my senseis, Takafumi Hamabata (7th Dan Eibu Kan / JKF) and Katsuhide Kinjo (6th Dan Eibu Kan/JKF) are both mid to high 5 feet weighing about 140, respectively.  In contrast, I am 6 feet and weighing in about 250.  Coming from an organization that does not believe in churning out students that are cookie cutter versions of their senseis, I believe it was a major project for the both of them to try and figure out how to get me to become an effective fighter, both in and out of the ring (competitive and traditional).

Looking back, I believe that their solution was brilliant.  Taking a young karateka with self-confidence issues and focusing on a reactive style of kumite so that blocking was a primary factor in the style of combat was their answer to his many Karate issues.  Lessons and drills included many blocking and intercepting drills to negate offensive momentum, working on instinctual training by focusing on timing and jamming techniques, and finally the endless drilling and repetition back and forth on the dojo floor after class until my body learned how to react without having to think (developed mushin and my zanshin through repetition).  While this worked for this Karateka, I yet to test this similar style of training with my kohai because it may not be what is necessary for them.

I now can say that I have taken what was developed and have made it my own. I can proudly say that no one in my dojo has my exact style of kumite... and I can proudly say that my senseis do not want exact replicas of each other either... they would like to see more individual growth like myself and the other black belts in my class.  When I step out on to the floor, I have the confidence to say, "come and hit me... if you can..." and be in position to go toe to toe with anyone.  This is a good feeling to have.

Have you thought about how your senseis have drawn your Karate out of you?  Do you know your own story or are you still currently figuring that one out.  Sit down and think about it.  Your Karate is continuously being developed.  What is your focus?  Traditional or Competitive?  Both?  There is a lot to think about in developing your Kumite.

ps.  While my adolescent training in Kumite was mainly for competition, the training forced me to see application of kata better because of the defensive mind set I was trained with.  ALL Goju Ryu Kata begin with blocks... and that was the start of another chapter in my Karate life.

Gaming and 残心 - Zanshin, a creative conversation.

I recently had a really good conversation with a friend of mine who is an avid gamer.  He is very creative and is very dedicated to his work.  Now when I say gamer, many of you may think video games.  My friend +Jim Sandoval maintains a blog on blogger that covers many different styles of games however he focuses on the lost art of narratives, which in turn is mainly played on pencil and paper with the occasion of some sort of dice rolling. Now as I begin my rambling, you may also be wondering how one of the most difficult concepts in Martial Arts has in common with gaming?  I was wondering the same when +Jim Sandoval approached me and wanted to do a little Q & A. 

+Jim Sandoval has been working on certain concepts to bring armed and unarmed combat to life in his game and has been studying Eastern Combat Philosophy.  Historically game systems never quite got combat right for the avid gamer/practitioner, like myself, and was left to confusion and frustration at the outcomes.  The nature of these games have recently (well for my circle of friends since the mid-late 1990s) began to focus on more realism and the creative narrative as rules and creative discipline have evolved from the introduction of basic Dungeons and Dragons box sets (modules - OG white box) that were released in 1974.

As a gamer...

• You would roll initiative (to establish combat order)
• Determine your attack
• Roll your dice
• Determine if you hit or miss
• If hit, then apply damage and effects
• Wash, rinse, then repeat.

As you can see above, this has been the basic order of operation (with some creative differences for different game systems) and there is really no room for realism.  Gamers today have also evolved from these types of simple systems and want more.  +Plus Ten to Awesome on G+ or http://plustentoawesome.blogspot.com/ is a good place to start if you are like me, a practitioner of Martial Arts and an avid gamer to see deeper of what a narrative gaming styles can evolve to be, rather than the dry dice rolling paper and pencil RPG.

As a Martial Artist (in a dojo or gym setting... very important... not everyone street fights)

• Will pay respects and bow before squaring off with his or her opponent.
• From the moment of acknowledgement or when "hajime" is announced you are already into Seme (pressuring your opponent).
• Your Seme will lead to adjusting your Ma-ai (distance from your opponent) and will respond on how your Ashi Sabaki (footwork) will kick-in.
• Depending on your Kamae (guard), you may or may not be able to take advantage of your opponents Suki (weakness in guard or open areas).
• If you are trained well enough, the above may be mute as your Mushin (no-mind) has kicked in from "Hajime!" and has become instinctual.
• Highly trained Martial Artists have already developed the "Kakugo" or resolve when it comes to combat and will use it to harness their spiritual (not religious) drive to translate it into executing their techniques.
• Techniqes exchanged will continue unless both opponents "reset" or the aggressor continues a relentless offensive wave of techniques.
• Either way, opponents will have to fight to see who's Zanshin is stronger to see who can control the fight to see who will emerge as victor.

The above is just a fraction of what might shoot through the brain of a Martial Artist if they were analyzing a combat situation. And to differentiate the fact, I mentioned that it was in a dojo or gym setting... real life scenarios are much different as they can lead to life or death/safety situations.

My discussions with +Jim Sandoval revolved around just the basics, focusing on two different Martial Arts (Kendo and Karate - one armed the other not), walking through the combat exchanges (offensive and defensive) and the difference between "action and reaction" or "active and reactive" styles and motions.  Furthermore, we had some deeper conversations about how "situational awareness" in a Western Combat Philosophy was similar to Zanshin, to where I added that Zanshin was "situational awareness with extreme focus" without allowing your focus to dissolve once your have acted.  Eastern Philosophy works off of kanji or Chinese characters a lot and this was important in describing Zanshin to +Jim Sandoval.

As many of us practitioners understand... Zanshin's literal translation is "where your heart/soul/spirit remains." Broken down in Japanese, the first character is "nokoru" or to remain and the second is "kokoro or shin" which is the spirit tied to one's mind. In practice, our Zanshin must be strong throughout executing our techniques and through combat so that we are in focus and aware (in tune) with our on-going situation until we are out of harms way.  Our Zanshin is never in a off position.  Think of it as a proximity alarm that triggers our instinctual training... our "no mind" to protect us from danger.

You may be asking.."how do we train our instincts or how do I develop my Zanshin?"  This, my friend, is  another topic that needs to be addressed when Zanshin can be explored and discussed in its natural form.  I'll put another post up for that specifically.  This post was specifically to show that our traditional training has permeated and has peaked interests in areas outside of the Martial Arts arena and with gaming, MMA, and other industries looking at Eastern philosophies, they will be looking for more explanation or an in depth conversation of how it translates into their world. #zanshin

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.