The Secret Scrolls - 5/9/02

 From an old Pleasant Isshinryu discussion group I ran on Yahoo Groups decades ago.                                    

Skipper wrote: 

The reason they became known as the secret scrolls is because they were the last thing taught. The instruction was based on a Marine Tour of duty. About 12 to 14 months. So, most marines took a few months to find a dojo which left them with only about 12 months to learn. Many never came back so they missed the end of the curriculum. 

I'll include a photo of the karate numbers.

Harrill Sensei replied:

After reading Skipper's post I thought I might add some to this. 

When I arrived on Okinawa, I was put in the same Q~Hut with some Marines already taking from Sensei at the Agena dojo. They took me under their wings and on one of their trips to the dojo I inquired as to where they were going in the late afternoon and evenings. They invited me along and introduced me to Sensei Shimabuku. 

To make a long story short this gave me an early introduction into the dojo with men already there.  As the new member to this group of three I was the on duty punching bag and when they were working on the kumite, they used me. I had learned the kumite before I had learned all of my katas. As AJ has stated many never learned them and only copied them from the dojo wall.

I have made it a requirement for anyone working with me that they are to know and teach the kumite as taught by Sensei Shimabuku. Only after learning as taught by Sensei should alternate ways be taught. I have no problem with alternate teachings as long as the person lets people know this up front.

One of the three was Charlie Conners who you will see in photos with AJ doing the Kumite. If I had not of been with these men, I might not have learned the Kumite. 

With the early start and with their help learning the katas I feel this gave me the opportunity to do something's that I would not have otherwise. I feel where things became so divided was when people started telling stories about what they did on Okinawa. 

I cannot speak for anyone except myself, but I must have been in another dojo because I never seen it. 

There were a lot of people who say they were close to Sensei, maybe so but the question was asked of myself and Gary Baker at a seminar last weekend. Were you close to and friends with Sensei Shimabuku? Both of our replies where he was Sensei our teacher that was it. 

I guess where I am headed is that stories were told that made Shimabuku seem way more than what he was. 

This helped with the high ranks that were brought out and history was changed. People still stay loyal to their Senesis and the stories they told. 

Egos is what caused the division not what was or was not learned at the dojo.

SJH