“Do not put your main purpose in mastering Karate techniques themselves, you should instead study the way of life through Karate.” ?? . Meitoku Yagi (1912- 2003) 10th dan Goju Ryu Meibukan . Meitoku Yagi, was a karate master and teacher. He learned Goju-ryu from legendary founder Chojun Miyagi. On April 29, 1986, Emperor Hirohito named…
Tag: Masters
How can we teach others if you do not truly understand yourself?
“It is possible to learn the technique of all kata in two or three months. But simple ability to repeat them is not the point here. Years of practice and thorough training are necessary for deep understanding and mastery. . Nowadays even children get taught Suparinpei if it is needed for competitions. Well, a child…
I love the term winning or learning.
“Why do I think it is important to study the fighting arts? . There’s a lot of challenges in the life we live. Nothing is easy in life and I think many of us learn very early in life, that failure is something that can destroy a person, or it can teach them a lesson….
Facing the makiwara.
“Facing the makiwara.” ?? . Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan Dojo Okinawa . The makiwara (巻藁) is a padded striking post used as a training tool in various styles of traditional karate. It is thought to be uniquely Okinawan in origin. The makiwara is one form of hojo undō (supplementary training) used by Okinawan…
“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.”
“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” – Japanese proverb ?? . Teachers undoubtedly have the ability to change the lives of their students. Most of us can remember a particular teacher that helped shape who we are today. An inspiring and informed teacher is among the most…
People must pass on the traditions and not lose them.
“I hope that the next generations will not only improve technically but also know how to share their knowledge. People must pass on the traditions and not lose them.” ?? . Teruo Chinen 9th dan Goju Ryu (1941-2015) . . Old-style karate was for use in self-defense in a civilian environment. For karate to be ‘traditional’…
“All fighting arts are fundamentally the same.”
Patrick McCarthy Hanshi discussing the principles upon which Koryu Uchinadi is based. . “..all fighting arts are fundamentally the same because of their common self-defense orientation and shared holistic nature I believe that, in principle, stylistic variations are merely different way of delivering the same message; the message through which to develop life protection skills,…
Knowing when to walk away is wisdom.
“Knowing when to walk away is wisdom. Being able to is courage.” ?? . Seikichi Odo 10th dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate & Kobudo (1926-2002) . In martial arts we are always told never give up, keep going, no matter what. Is this the right attitude? . The problem with persistence is that every decision you make…
You must make ‘mushin no shin’ (mind of no mind).
“You must make ‘mushin no shin’ (mind of no mind).” ?? . Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan . . The word “mushin” is comprised of two kanji characters: 無 (mu), meaning “nothingness”, and 心 (shin), meaning “heart,” “spirit,” or, in this case, “mind.” In this way, mushin can be roughly translated to “nothing mind”…
Stillness is as important as activity and both need to be trained daily.
“It’s no good waiting until you are attacked before training in self defence and it’s no good waiting until you are about to have a breakdown before meditating. . . Good Martial Arts is a toolbox for coping with life. They should train both mind and body. Your physical and mental health should improve with…
“The biggest adversary in our life is ourselves.”
“Know the difference between a catastrophe and an inconvenience. To realize that it’s just an inconvenience, that it is not a catastrophe, but just an unpleasantness, is part of coming into your own, part of waking up.” . . “The biggest adversary in our life is ourselves. We are what we are, in a…
‘To study the old is to understand the new.’
“There is an ancient Chinese maxim which says, ‘On ko chi shin.’ This means, ‘To study the old is to understand the new.’ In short, the ‘Bubishi’ is the bible of Karate tradition – irrespective of modern interpretations – as all ‘styles’ rest upon identical principles influenced only by various interpretations of common knowledge.” ?? ….