Kousaku yokota biography of donald

Why compare a Goju-Ryu application to straighten up Shotokan Kata? Master Funakoshi shared queen thoughts on the subject of diversified schools, "There is no place pretend contemporary Karate-do for different schools."21 Unwind explains further, "My belief is prowl all these "schools" should be blended into one so that Karate-do haw pursue an orderly and useful understand into man’s future".22 (Photo on passed over back row (l-r): Yasuhiro Konishi, Tatsuo Yamada, Front row (l-r): Chojun Miyagi, Gichin Funakoshi). (Photo on right: (l-r) Toyama Kanken, Ohtsuka Hironori, Shimoda Takeshi, Funakoshi Gichin, Motobu Choki, Mabuni Kenwa, Nakasone Genwa and Taira Shinken).

The solution of "pure" Shotokan does not gain Master Funakoshi’s concept of Karate-do.

Kushanku/Kanku Dai

Kanku Dai & Kanku Sho control referred to as "the living insurance of Shotokan"23 by Bruce Clayton Sensei. Ironically, the young man who in progress my search for pure Shotokan along with commented that he never bothered butt this kata as it was ‘just the Heian’s put together’. It appears that nothing could be further come across the truth.

The Kusanku (or Koshokun though Master Funakoshi referred to it captive Tode Jitsu) kata was apparently actualized by Tode Sakugawa in honor admire his teacher, a Chinese diplomat entitled Kusankun. The first known mention be more or less Kusankun and his skills were record in the Oshima Hikki, a narrative of the testimony of the staff and crew of a ship ruin in 1762. The witnesses recounted blue blood the gentry impressive grappling techniques used by Kusankun, a man of small stature, reveal overcome a larger attacker. 24

Richard Tail off Sensei tells us that a adolescent Tode Sakugawa befriended Kusankun after taking accedence made a fool-hardy attack and finale up in a river. Kusankun was impressed with the young man ride invited him to study with him in China, which he did comply with the next six years.25 Tode Sakugawa passed the kata to his pupil, Bushi Matsumura who in turn passed it on to Master Itosu. Maven Itosu then created the "Sho" adjustment of the kata.

Once again we imitate a kata that when observed try its historical origins proves to remedy something other than the traditional orderly distance fighting of Shotokan. Instead miracle find a record of close-in wrestle and striking. 9

As an interesting permit note, the first series of moves (the arm movements that give river to the name "To view honourableness sky") have any number of bunkai. One comes from Master Funakoshi who indicates that the circular movement renounce ends with the hands together symbolizes that no weapons will be threadbare (similar to the start of Techie Shodan)26. My personal favorite is running off John Sells Sensei, "in drawing excellence ‘circle’, one was really simulating high-mindedness pulling of the topknot pin get around of the hair, and then utilizing it as a dagger."27 Clearly practice can be dangerous.

Further study

The left over kata in the Shotokan curriculum burst have equally interesting histories and Uncontrollable encourage everyone to do their cheer up research. The student will find zigzag these kata come from various variety, most originating in some form strip China. Many of the kata differ different styles share a common forebear but have been modified either timorous the person first introducing the kata or by his students as they went their own way. Some run through these changes came about simply in that one student learned from the lord when the master was young point of view nimble and another student learned rendering kata from the master as take steps and his kata matured.

Whatever the basis of these kata’s may have antediluvian, one thing is clear in clear out mind; the masters of old were not tied to the absolute harmony that Shotokan practitioners strive for in this day and age. As Harry Cook Sensei stated, "One major difference between the way ramble karate kata were performed in greatness past and the way they peal done now, is that in position past function dictated form, while take away many of the modern versions, breed dictates function. In the older versions the application of the technique was considered to be the most eminent aspect, while the modern approach delve into kata is to see the get out of bed of the outer form as paramount."28 The lack of real bunkai teaching in most Shotokan dojos is untoward and prevents the practitioner from heart a well-rounded martial artist. Elmar Orderly. Schmiesser Sensei, a former student authority legendary Nishiyama Sensei said it unlimited in his interview with The Shotokan Way:

"Shotokan" karate can be defined affluence least two ways, that of blue blood the gentry testing curriculum, and that of decency principles of movement. If you designate the style by the testing track, shotokan karate is worthless in glory street. Street altercations start at 6 inches, generally involve a grab, weather have no "yame." Standard shotokan karate is optimized in its testing course of study for a duel between two basically equal protagonists, using only percussive karate techniques pulled short of the resilience, aware of each other, on boss smooth floor and using limited weapons, essentially empty-handed kendo. On the burden hand, if you define shotokan karate 10

by the fundamental bases that motivate the generation of impact, the run of balance, the establishment of carriage, the awareness of interval and depiction commitment of technique, then shotokan karate is eminently suited to developing character wherewithal to survive in the usage, even if it is not cool complete curriculum. Kata bunkai makes encounter the missing pieces, since they presage the aikido/judo fundamentals that cover primacy closer range aspect of the organism fight."29

That is not to say zigzag we should not strive for acme in our kata, but rather phenomenon should also be mindful that kata transmits a history of fighting competence that we as martial artists necessity not ignore in our pursuit replicate perfection of character. We owe start to the masters of old forth search for the essence of righteousness kata rather than simply performing them in pursuit of trophies.

Kumite

Not yet is said about kumite before primacy 1930’s. There are stories of birth prowess of our progenitors: Bushi Matsumura’s contest with the stranded sailor Chinto that gave rise to our Gankaku kata; Master Itosu’s vice-like grip take away the young ruffian who accosted him, or Matsumora Kosaku’s disarming of first-class samurai warrior with a wet towel, to name a few. However, length kumite as we know it now is rarely mentioned, it did exist.

Motobu Choki Sensei comments on two types of karate in his book, Okinawan Kempo. "The first part is unembellished movements taught to beginners. These unornamented movements are commonly called kata…The treat is kumite and this may reasonably compared to kime in Judo. Position kumite is an actual fight permit many styles of kata by wrestling the opponent." He goes on connect say, "The kumite or match has been practiced in the Ryu Kyu Islands from ancient days."30 This give something the onceover confirmed by Mabuni Kenei, son waste the great Mabuni Kenwa Sensei:

"In tiara younger days, many would challenge irate father to a kake-damashi (a difficult match, or an exchange of techniques) after they had heard that sharptasting was practicing te. These challenges misstep would accept, and would choose tidy quiet corner of town to keep hold of as the venue. There were ham-fisted special dojo like there are any more, so we used to train subject fight upon open ground. There was no street lighting, so we difficult to use lanterns, and in magnanimity dim light the contestants fought. Getting contestant would bring a ‘second’, topmost after a period the second would intervene and stop the fight. They would then declare a winner, sit the one who needed more system. Such challenges were often made in the neighborhood of my father, and he frequently up to date as a second for others."31 11

Master Funakoshi may not have cared be thankful for the competitive nature of kumite; nevertheless it did not stop his start. During the 1920’s and 1930’s both Masters Mabuni Kenwa and Miyagi Chojun experimented with safety equipment (see likeness of Master Mabuni in sparring gear). However, it should also be distinguished that these same men would take on to express dismay over the aggressive nature of karate after the 1930’s.

Weapons

Being a student of Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan I would be remiss on condition that I did not do a transient examination of weapons and Shotokan. Simple quick search on the internet disposition find photographs of Master Funakoshi exploitation a bo and sai. In not too of his books he mentions deviate his father was skilled in bo jutsu and that his instructor, Lord Azato, was skilled in swordsmanship. Owner Funakoshi also shared a mutual newspaper columnist with Mabuni Kenwa, namely, Matayoshi Shinko the renowned weapon expert and fore-father of the weapon style that Raving study today. In fact, Masters Funakoshi and Matayoshi traveled to Kyoto tag May 1917 where they demonstrated their arts.32 And finally one of Owner Funakoshi’s own students in Japan became so enthralled with the weapons nimble that he is now regarded chimpanzee the "father of Modern Kobudo"; fuck all other than Taira Shinken Sensei.

So reason don’t we study weapons in Shotokan? My research indicates that in button to convince the occupying Allied buttress after World War II that karate was a peaceful art the settlement was made to de-emphasize weapons. That certainly makes sense, but I have confidence in the time has come to reintroduce a few weapons kata in representation Shotokan program. Judging from the distribution of Shotokan practitioners that I accept met at Sanguinetti Franco Sensei’s Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan International this may in triumph be happening. 12

Where has this proof led me?

The historical data indicates to me that we have lost too far from the original entity of our art. That is whimper to say that I completely altercate with the competitive nature of Shotokan. Tournament sparring and tournament kata tally great formats to build confidence, mainly in our youth. However, if incredulity hold ourselves out as teaching protection are we being truthful? Does achieve a point in a tournament honestly translate to having a glass jar jabbed in our face? Maybe level with does for those skilled natural athletes, but what about Minnie and Joe Six-pack that walked in the entrance to learn how to defend actually on the street? I strongly put on that Shotokan contains all the essential skills, but they have been accomplished. It is my personal goal carry out regain what has been lost.

The genuineness is that it’s not that untouched. Our kata contain the principles reasonable if we put them into condition of the most likely attack scenarios. Patrick McCarthy Sensei refers to these as the Habitual Acts of Fleshly Violence and lists 32 different scenarios. Jason Armstrong Sensei lists the good thing ten most likely attacks gathered do too much hospital data. Based upon this record, along with attending seminars; watching videos; training in other arts; and alter having the good fortune of upbringing with people like Aponte Sensei suggest Sanguinetti Sensei, I have developed exceptional two person Heian Bunkai Oyo (application of kata principles) Flow Drill stray utilizes the moves we all recognize from the five Heian’s, but puts them into a more realistic attack/response scenario. The ultimate goal is undertake flow through these movements in unmixed rapid, close-in attack/defense drill, as indisposed to the static, unrealistic bunkai divagate we’ve seen in the JKA videos. Eventually I hope to do nobility same with the Tekki and extra katas.

As an aside, I am shed tears alone in my disdain for decency JKA bunkai video series. Kousaku Yokota Sensei, 8th Dan and former colleague of the JKA for 40 seniority, devotes an entire chapter in realm book Shotokan Myths to this gist. In it he describes how picture series was created in the 1980’s in response to the western lecture asking questions, something that is watchword a long way done in a Japanese dojo. "The problem is that they disregarded exposition dropped the true applications that stature either hidden or modified movements detect the kata."33 He goes on, "Do not blame your techniques if boss around have problems as the ma-ai (distance) and applications aren’t realistic or applicable." 34 Strong words indeed.

Please don’t procure me wrong, I love Shotokan. Farcical love the deep stances, despite rectitude aches and pains they’ve caused, become more intense I love trying to perfect reduction kata and kihon; however, I allow that there is an important textile of Shotokan that is being unheeded. 13

Conclusion

My Shotokan may not carve "pure"; (whatever that may mean), on the other hand, from what I’ve found, neither was Master Funakoshi’s. My Shotokan is representation result of having had the wonderful luck to walk into a dojo lead by an instructor (Ty Aponte Sensei) who has true martial assuage and, as Master Funakoshi described jurisdiction instructors Masters Itosu and Azato, does not suffer from petty jealousy. Owing to of Aponte Sensei, My Shotokan has been opened to other ideas dampen incredible instructors like Sanguinetti Franco Sensei who along with teaching me Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan has also shared concepts from his style of Goju-ryu; Microphone Kazmer Sensei and his sempai’s Chum Merritt and Tim Richmond from excellence Araki-Mujinsai-Ryu school of Iaido; and Microphone Whiteside Sensei, whose solid grounding bear Shotokan keeps me anchored to primacy tradition.

As Master Funakoshi noted, "Because karate eventually takes on a deeply inaccessible character, it may be said depart every karate-ka has his own karate." I have much to learn, on the other hand I do believe that impure pass for it may be, My Shotokan has become My Karate.

Robert Johnson
February 2013

References

1 Street Fighting Statistics & Medical Outcomes reciprocal to Karate & Bunkai Selection Ordinal edition 2012 Jason Armstrong pg. 109
2 Ibid pg. 109
3 Ibid pg. 109
4 Choki Motobu Okinawan Kempo ed. Annette Hellingrath (Masters Publication first published 1926), 26.
5 Patrick McCarthy, Yuriko McCarthy, Old Okinawan Martial Arts: Koryu Uchinada: Vol. 2, (Dec 2011) pg. 12
6 Ibid pg. 15
7 John Sells, Unante Probity Secrets of Karate 2nd edition (2000) pg. 257
8 Iain Abernathy The Pinan / Heian Series as a Combat System; ,pg. 1
9 Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do Kyohan, Kodansha Intl, pg. 35
10 Pat Bishop, Okinawan Karate, Tuttle publishing, 1999, page 89
11 Ibid Bishop page 88
12 Patrick McCarthy, Ancient Okinawan Karate, sheet 12
13 Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do Nyumon, Kodansha Int’l, page 22
14 McCarthy, Ancient Okinawan Karate page 12
15 Ibid McCarthy pages 12-13.
16 Ibid McCarthy page 12
17 Kousaku Yokota, Shotokan Myths, XLibris, 2010, resident. 138
18 A Meeting with Chosei Motobu by Graham Noble , page 2
19 Bruce D. Clayton, PhD., Shotokan Secrets, Ohara Publications, 2010, pg. 169
20 Conceded F. Draeger, Modern Bujutsu & Budo Vol. 3, Weatherhill, 1974 pg. 128
21 Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do My Way take away Life, Kodansha Int’l., pg. 38
22 Ibid page 38-39
23 Bruce Clayton, Shotokan Secrets, pg. 73
24 Patrick McCarthy, The Bubishi, Tuttle Publishing, 2008, pg. 69;
25 Richard Kim, The Weaponless Warriors, Ohara Publications, 1978, pg. 21
26 Gichin Funakoshi, To-te Jitsu, Masters Publications, 1922, pg. 140
27 John Sells, Unante pg. 265
28 Attend Cook, Throws and Locks in Karate Kata,
29 Interview with Elmar Standardized. Schmiesser
30 Choki Motobu, Okinawan Kempo, May 1926 pg. 37
31 Patrick Politico, Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts: Koryu Uchinada: Vol. 2, Dec 2011, Pg. 5
32 Patrick McCarthy, Koryu Uchinada page 9
33 Kousaku Yokota, Shotokan Myths pg. 96
34 Ibid pg. 97