“Friendship and cooperation are the most important part of karate.” – Seikichi Iha 10th Dan Shorin Ryu Shidokan . Nothing feels more disappointing than watching your peers get promoted ahead of you – especially if you’ve been training the same amount of time or even longer. . Instead of throwing in the towel, or…
Tag: Masters
“Blocking with one hand and then countering with the other is not true bujutsu.”
Prior to karate’s Japanification and move to a more sport oriented system, Okinawan karate (Tode, Te) was created for self-defense, or self-protection. One of Okinawa’s greatest fighters, Motobu Choki stated that; “Nothing is more harmful to the world than a martial art that is not effective in actual self-defense.” . Today’s concept of blocking with…
“..it’s not just about doing techniques, it’s also about training your heart and character..”
“When you practice karate of course you train the body, but it’s not just about doing techniques, it’s also about training your heart and character to be kind to people.” – Takehiro Gaja 9th dan Uechi-ryu . . The practice of martial arts is deeply rooted in philosophy, tradition, and culture. It teaches not only…
“Kata without bunkai is like a ‘shamisen’; Nice sound, but empty on the inside.”
This week we were asked if we could grade someone to “Shodan” (a non member), who was a fighting champion, won many awards and championships, but did not want to do kata. . Kata is a library of self-protection techniques in Karate. Each kata creator encoded their specific knowledge into the motion of the kata…
“Karate is not something so simple as to teach only fighting.”
“Karate is not something so simple as to teach only fighting.” – Kanei Uechi 10th dan Uechi Ryu (1911-1991) . . It is important for every student to be a good listener in the dojo. Much of what you will have to learn will be presented verbally, as well as demonstrated by your teachers. ….
Oku myo zai ren shin. “Practice with a good heart.”
Okinawan Karate Pioneers: Meitoku Yagi (1912-2003) learned Goju-ryu from its legendary founder Chojun Miyagi. . In 1963, Meitoku Yagi (often referred to as Dai Sensei Yagi), most senior student of Miyagi Sensei, was chosen by Miyagi Sensei’s family to receive the Menkyo Kaiden (naming him official successor of the system) along with the masters karate…
“Traditional karate does not depend upon youth and speed for its effectiveness.”
“Traditional karate does not depend upon youth and speed for its effectiveness; its strength comes from experience and hard training. In traditional (dento) karate people get stronger as they get older.” . Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan . . People in Okinawa live longer than almost anyone on earth. This Japanese region…
The great master Itosu Anko studied Karate very hard.
Okinawan Karate Pioneers. Chibana Choshin (1885-1969) . The great master Itosu Anko studied Karate very hard. He was not only a great Karate expert, but a scholar and excellent calligrapher. I first visited Anko Itosu in 1899 and asked him to teach me Uchinan-no-te [old name for Karate]. . Twice he refused me, leaving me…
“Sanchin is the basic and also ultimate Kata of Goju-ryu.”
Sanchin (三戦) is a kata of Southern Chinese (Fujianese) origin that is considered to be the core of several styles of traditional karate. It is the basic form of “Tanren – 鍛錬” (training) that Goju-ryu (Uechi-ryu and Isshin-ryu too) basically is built upon, and is the foundation of their karate training. . The name Sanchin,…
“Okinawa traditional karate is budo.”
“Practicing karate improves your lifestyle through health and mental stability. Okinawan karate focuses on developing mental strength and willpower. There is no end in the journey of learning true karate.” (End quote) – Ippei Yagi 8th dan Meibukan Goju Ryu . . Learning anything requires commitment and the ability to push through the uncomfortable feeling…
“My mission is to teach the true meaning of Okinawa karate.”
Whether you practice karate for fighting, competition, reality or self-defense, if that’s all you want from training then that is your choice. However, you could be missing out on all the other aspects that the traditional martial arts have to offer. . Since ancient times, the Ryukyu Kingdom has built an attractive traditional culture. In…
Take notes. Practice what you’ve been taught.
When I learned martial arts in the 70’s and 80’s I went to lessons, took a notebook and took notes in my own way. Then when I went home I would practice from those notes I had taken earlier. The notebook went with me everywhere, and whenever the opportunity arose I would open it up…