What to Know about Training by Kyan Chotoku

 

 

The article about Kyan is found in this book.

My wife and I did our own translation of the Kyan Chotoku - Mutsu Mizuho 1929 interview, from the original Japanese publication ["Kenpo Gaisetsu"] which we published in a book [with the assistance of my friend and colleague, Joe Swift] several years ago entitled, "Karate, My Art," [A compilation of articles, interviews, photos and commentary on and by Motobu Choki, including his 1926 and 1932 publications]. I am enclosing a part of our translation for your records.

What to Know about Training
by Kyan Chotoku
Trans. Patrick & Yuriko McCarthy c. 2001

Teaching should take place in the following order: It is important to explain
what karate is and what it is not. Then, what one should know about physical practice should follow this. Posturing, forward and backward foot movement should then come next. Gradually evasiveness can be also introduced. Teaching how to use the clenched fists, striking with the elbows and kicking with the feet along with deflection, trapping and blocking, follow this. When these points are learned satisfactorily, kata can then be taught. When one is proficient at kata sparring can be introduced.

In the past, sparring was often dangerous because there was no protective
equipment used. Because of this, it has, therefore, become necessary to wear protection on key parts of the body, like they do in bayonet training
(Juken-jutsu). Using this kind of protection and rubber hand pads on the
clenched fists will help reduce potential injury associated with the practice.

Except for what I already mentioned above, and the use of a makiwara, there's really no other special training equipment required to learn/teach karate. Moreover, training partners and spacious facilities are not required, either. These are some of the advantages of learning/teaching karate.

In short, these principles should be kept in mind during regular training as
conditioning the body improves strength & flexibility for punching, kicking and mobility. Observing these principles during the course of practice over a long period of time one will naturally discover the essence of training and finally understand how it can be adequately applied to fit the circumstances.


Mental & spiritual discipline is vital to developing one's fundamental
disposition, if it is neglected and training only focuses on physical technique (the body, hands & feet) the effort is worthless. This fundamental truth must be understood in order that the practice of technique develops the mind and body (hands/feet). Simultaneously, one can behave, be calm, alert and brave etc.


1. The aim of martial arts is to prevent violence, foster humility and learn
self-defense. This is why a martial artist should behave, be modest and loyal.

2. The martial arts cultivate the ability to react at just the right moment
using the body and mind in unison. Those who misuse their skill, or are
arrogant, poorly influence their community. Such behaviour is not appreciated by anyone and only harms one's own character. There is a wise old saying worth remembering; "A clenched fist should be like a hidden treasure up one's sleeve; it remains a secret until someone comes looking for it."


3. The purpose of karate is to condition the body, cultivate the mind and
nurture the spirit.


4. Effective posturing is made possible by sinking one's "qi/ki" into the
dantien/tanden being careful that it does not rise up your body. However, it is important never to be overly rooted in one's stance.


5. Kata should be practiced with the same resolve as if facing an opponent.


6. Footwork, body movement and impacting are all actions, which should always be deployed quickly. However, remember that functionally effective footwork and body movement requires one to stay on their toes (balls of the foot).


7. Understanding the application of kata establishes clarity between the upper, middle and lower target zones; otherwise one's effort is in vain.


8. Makiwara practice is essential in order to develop powerful tools of impact. Yet, powerful techniques are useless unless they're supported by rapid hand and footwork. Therefore, power and speed are like the wheels of a wagon; one cannot function efficiently without the other.


9. One's body, perception and spirit must be constantly trained.


What to Know about Fighting


I cannot emphasize the importance of first trying to evaluate the opponent's
strengths and weaknesses in order to establish your strategy. If attacked by a more powerful opponent one should shift their attention to defensive strategy.


This way the attacker is compelled to use more strength. This is the opportunity to seek out the "suki" (unguarded moment) and exploit it. This is how to best use the opponent's force.


Less powerful opponents can also make worthy defensive fighters as they're
evasive and use many techniques. One must be careful not to attack thoughtlessly against such fighters and make good use of your hand and footwork. Letting an opponent inside is one way of setting up an immediate counter attack. However, remember that taking or giving the initiative means you that must always be prepared for the unexpected.


Never quickly or forcefully attack an opponent thoughtlessly. Agile fighters can often perceive the intentions of hand and foot movement and counter-attack quickly.


You should be careful to never telegraph your intentions or let your opponent read your body language. Irrespective of the opponent's strength or power, try never to move backwards more than three steps.

During a fight you must pay close attention to defending the centre-line and not be caught off balance by starring at an opponent's feet or eyes. You must be especially careful not to get hit in the vital organs, grabbed or have the testicles seized when attacked. Also, it's not always wise to use too much force in defensive technique, as movement tends to become slower, which also reduces the possibility for quick reaction or taking advantage of an opportunity.


If you seize an opponent's wrist, garment or arm be certain to maintain a
pliable strength all the time being prepared to exploit his reaction. This way
you can maintain control of the opponent's movement.


Naturally, quick hands are a necessary requisite for effectively attacking one's opponent. However, if you miss the intended target in the midst of an attack there's no need to fall back and try again. After achieving such close proximity to your opponent just continue freely attacking different target zones with your hands and feet. Even without using full power you can still gradually wear down an opponent this way.


It is not necessary to use your hands in defense of an opponent's kicks. They
can be trapped, thwarted, or even swept away by your own leg while
simultaneously countering with your hands. In case of the opponent falling or being knocked down, be careful not to rush in carelessly and be caught off guard.


Even if the opponent seizes your foot or leg, you can take advantage of it by
quickly stepping down and into him, reducing the risk of injury. However, be very careful of this situation if the ground conditions are bad as you could fall down yourself.


Be careful not to be caught off guard by an opponent's clever deception. For
example, don't be fooled by someone pretending to grab with their hand only with the intention of actually kicking with their foot. Conversely, the opposite can also be used; the kick can be used to cause a response for the purpose of being exploited by the fist. Listen and react to voice and sound, and never be caught off guard.


If confronted by several opponents at once be careful not to grapple with them. You must keep your distance in order to maintain the advantage. If someone attacks from the right, shift to the left. If you have to defend yourself from the front be careful not to overlook the opponent behind you. This is the only good way to deal with multiple opponents.


These are essential issues at the forefront of fighting, however, please
remember they're just one example. In other words, the differences in martial arts are truly endless and mysterious. Therefore, don't solely rely on written materials. The best way to master the art is to train diligently and enthusiastically. Perhaps after lengthy study, you may achieve enlightenment.

Translator's Notes

[1] Pp 236-241 of the second edition of Mutsu Mizuho & Miki Nisaburo's 1930 publication entitled "Kenpo Gaisetsu."

[2] It should be noted that the ideogram being used for karate throughout this work is written as China & hand: A term once commonly used in old Okinawa to describe Chinese quanfa/kenpo.

[3] In Japanese history the Oei Period was 1394-1428 & the Eikyo Period was 1429-1441

[4] "Sei" means right, correct, fair and or pure; Ki" means unusual, strange,
unexpected and or not true. Confusing at it may seem, Kinjo Hiroshi helps us better understand them by comparing the terms to budo-related Omote (outside) & Ura (inside): The surface of things and the unseen or unexpected
 

Tanpenshu

The book is 143 pages, wire-ring binding, with good quality paper. The font looks to be about 10 point. Lots of B&W photos and calligraphy, some by  Funakoshi.

Available from International Ryukyu Karate Research Society, PO Box 420,  Virginia, Brisbane, 4014 Australia. IRKRS member price: US $19.95. Non-members,  $21.95. Prices include shipping by airmail, which if memory serves runs about US  $6-8, so the price isn't as steep as it sounds.

Structure:    The book consists of articles by and about Gichin Funakoshi.

-- Funakoshi, Okinawa no bugi, recollecting the words of Azato Ankoh (published
in Japan in 1914)
-- Sasaki G., Secret Fighting Techniques (1921 newspaper article introducing
karate to the mainland of Japan)
-- Funakoshi, Introducing Karate to the Mainland (Feb 1934)
-- Funakoshi, Azato Ankoh, A Short Story about My Teacher (1934)
-- Funakoshi, Stillness & Action (1934)
-- Karatedo (unknown publication date)
-- McCarthy, P. Extract from Bubishi that Funakoshi used in three of his
publications: 1922, 1925 & 1935.
-- Itosu, Ten Articles (1908)
-- Matsumura, Seven Virtues of 'Bu' (1882)
-- Noble, G. "Master Funakoshi's karate" (mid-1980s, Fighting Arts
International; reprinted Dragon Times 1990s)
-- Funakoshi, "Shoto's Twenty Precepts"
-- Chronology of Funakoshi's career
-- Postscript, Pat Zalewski
-- Index

Impressions

Proofreading and such is good, and there are only a couple typos.


From a content standpoint, if you have been collecting material for years, then  probably you have seen most of what is here. But if you haven't, well, then this  gives you easy access to lots of previously hard-to-get articles.


For myself, I hadn't seen the 1921 newspaper article before, and the way it was  written has made me wonder if the idea of introducing karate to Japan in the  early 1920s wasn't the furor over Jack Dempsey and his million-dollar gates.


(You could still buy a heavy cruiser or a submarine for a million bucks back
then.) Karate as a uniquely Japanese form of boxing, as it were. Kind of a full  circle, if this is true.


 
Victor:

For what its worth, my Tou'on-ryu teacher, Kanzaki sensei, was adamant that karate could not be studied from a video or book. In fact he and Kyoda Juko (Kyoda Juhatsu's son) were outraged when Murakami Katsumi published his kata text book with the Tou'on-ryu Pechurin kata in it - complete with errors :-)

Given the complexity and subtle nuances of karate, I can understand the Okinwan teachers initial contempt for Higashionna and Mutsu's texts and Mutsu's visit to Okinawa for research. Karate is best taught in small groups with a lot of one on one attention to personal detail - this is where we see the term "kuden" come into play.

Cheers,

Mario McKenna