On Former Students

One day I went to class driving over to the Club. A brief drive of two miles. A thunderstorm came up. It was ferocious and violent. There were descending sheets of water. The wind seemed to drive waves of water over the banks alongside the road. I don’t think I had ever seen its like.

 

Then reaching the Boy’s and Girl’s Club it ceased but it knocked the power out and we had to cancel class. There are things beyond our control.

 

Being the instructor seems to mean we are in control. It seems that way for our word becomes the structure of class. However the operating word is seems.

 

For there have to be students. I run very small programs. Normally several times a year, such as during blizzards and family holidays, everyone does the reasonable thing and stays home.  I on the other hand am often in the Club parking lot, waiting to see if anyone shows up, or I am training myself.

 

The first reason I train is to learn, how to use my changing current abilities. I may be the instructor, but I am also the student.

 

Along the way you learn a hard lesson. There are students who train, and then there are those who used to be students. There is no other distinction. Whether they train a week or several decades makes no difference because they no longer are there.

 

Everyone trains because they make a decision to do so, and when the time comes that they need something else to do with their time, they move on. You should applaud their decision to make a choice. I realize that they represent at times years of work, but the important thing is you helped them understand they can make choices, and to do so in their best interest.

 

At that time they become former students. It matters not why, just the observation they are not there.  Very few will take the time to explain.  Decades later if you meet them they may try and offer an explanation. But it matters not. They no longer are there. Reasons matter little.

 

Those that are training are most important, As an instructor they come first, and of course that means you too.

Itoman on Toudi fist types

This morning I was reading from the Itoman Seijin (Morinobu’s) book Toudi-jutsu no Kenkyu translated by
Mario McKenna.

 

In particular I was again struck at the differences between the older Toudi technique selection compared against what we use in today’s Karate.

Several of the fist selections mentioned are seldom discussed. In particular the, Index Finger Fist, the Middle Point Fist and the Two-point Fists

I don’t  suggest they are forgotten but seldom discussed openly. Perhaps remaining on the back burner.

 

The Index Finger Fist if I recall correctly was Motobu’s favorite strike on the Makiwara. I believe it was the technique which he used to end his famous fight against the foreign boxer. This fist can be used in a number of different ways, such as inward or descending. Targets such as the neck or the top of the chest or armpit.  (reference Tomari Rohai kata)

 

The Middle Point Fist is a similar technique, perhaps even more stable. I suspect it was favored for striking into the body mass.

 

Less discussed is the Two Point Fist. I see where it could be used effectively. The striking of two different nearby points would cause great pain especially when striking both at the same time.

 

We should consider their return to our training.

 

Saturday Mornings

40 years ago Saturdays were a very important part of my training.

My wife was coaching a girl’s swim team for the YMCA and I was alone most days. Of course there were the occasional tournaments but the rest of the time I was mostly alone.

 

I would start the day traveling to Wilkes-Barre, Pa and have breakfast at Denny’s with Ernie Rothrock and some of his students and great conversations.

 

Then we would separate, Ernie to his school and morning classes. Me to travel to train with Carl Long (at that time he was teaching a Shorin system in the Shimabuku Ezio lineage). I would go there to train and sweat. And along the way I learned a bit about his system.

 

I remember learning to deliver front kicks from seiza position. Most challenging.

 

I also learned to think outside of the box a bit.

 

Of course our systems had much in common as well as different.

 

One drill in particular stuck with me. Naifanchi Shodan with turns. Placed a different complexion to the kata.

 

You begin doing Naifanchi Kata (Your version), about 1/3 way through the form (after the low block then step across section) You pivot on the balls of your feet when you step out with the right foot. Emding up 180 degrees facing the opposite direction. Then you continue the kata facing the rear direction.. Repeat the step 2/3 the way through the form and then pivot to the front. Then complete the form as normal.

 

The key is to work the turns till they are smooth and do not interfere with the kata.

 

This adds a new dimension to what Naifanchi can be used for.

 

I would work with Carl doing drills, kata and kobudo for about 2 hours in the morning. Then I would travel to Ernie’s school and as the morning classes were concluded  we would spend the afternoon running forms from Kung Fu and Tai Chi till about 3 pm. My classes would be during the week on Tuesdays. Saturdays would be for practice and questions on Chinese systems of training.

 

This lasted for about 3 or 4 years.

 

Then I would travel home. Tired but also invigorated wondering what  I would work on Sunday

I am yet a martial artist.

 

 

Hokama Hokama Tetsuhiro wrote on the Tetsuhiro wrote on the “Eight Important Precepts of Quanfa (from the Okinawan Bubishi)”1. ‘ The Way of Inhaling and Exhaling is Hardness and Softness. In Quanfa (Kempo). Inhaling represents a soft pliable strength whereas Exhaling represents a hard strength. The harmonization of the hard with the pliable is the essence of Karate, indeed all martial arts. Karate contains both Yin and Yang. Proper breathing methods help to achieve the desirable balance between hard and soft, promote a strong and healthy body, amd a fierce and martial spirit.

 

During my recent Hospitalization and Rehab stint I worked on my Tai Chi and various Karate and Aikido drills as I could. I am a martial artist. I am my art. We begin with vigorous training, Hard, Strong Fast. We hear our Arts encompass the Hard and Soft, but that means little. Think on the initial training. Hard. Move Faster, Strike swiftly.

 

In time we may learn various systems of Force Enhancers to improve our performance. They may or may not encompass the same ideas, but they are a means to get faster, strike harder.

 

Since the onset of my disabiling Neurothapies 4  years ago I have been exploring many if the softer uses of Isshinryu and my other arts.

 

For example what is the least amount of force to conclude an attack.

 

I should explain what I mean by softer arts. IMO there is no hard or soft, just names. A soft technique strikes just as deep as a hard one. In my Aikido studies of pre WWII Aikido while the movements are of flow and appear soft it is PAIN that makes them work, as well as skill. The Pain of perhaps the instant fear if the impending pain makes one flop or move with the movement. What appears soft is in fact very hard.

 

In my 35 years of work on Tai Chi the flow and combined breahting make the flow appear effortless when the opponent is unbalanced

 

Of course that is also good Karate.

 

I worked up a version of Seisan kata using wooden dowels in my hands to add shock replacing the sting I no longer had. Akin to the Techu/. The technique modified to use the short cutting edges for effect.

 

I spent a great deal of research into the Kamae of SunNuSu kata. Especially on how the simple act of rising is a deflection on it’s own.

 

One of the close body variations of the Mawashi Uke found in Sanchin Kata yet works well.An Indonesian variation on the theme, which is used to break arms. Truly the Tora Guchi or Tiger’s Mouth.

 

My frailty is a reality. But my art or it’s study in not ending.

 

I am a martial artist. I play by my own rules and I can bite.

“The Essence of Naha-te” by Joe Swift

It in my distinct pleasure to introduce you to the book, “The Essence of Naha-te” by Joe Swift.

 

When you consider the growth that ‘karate’ has had world wide since WWII to expand to the entire world, one of the things that frustrates us is there is so little source documentation from those earlier years.

 

Of course then training was private, a sort of class privilege, and most information was passed orally by the instructor. There was not a great deal written on Karate until the 1920’s onward.

 

Joe Swift, who began In Isshinryu in NY State, minored in Japanese in college, Relocating to Kanazawa later, then he started studying Mushikan (also a Naha-te derivative system), visiting Okinawa, and working with Many Japanese instructors in many styles. He became known for assisting with translations of earlier documents, to many friends.

 

This book represents almost a 30 year study of what documentation was available. It is not large but IMO farily explains the roots of many modern systems (such as Goju, Toon and Uechi)

 

I see it as a personal explanation of the Naha-te tradition.It does share how some first saw Naha-te traditions. Helping us understand those earlier years. Back when the Toudi (earlier Karate traditions) were not about belts, rank but intense training.

 

A solid glimpse into the past.

 

Most insightful into those traditions.

 

 

It was almost 30 years ago when I met Joe-San over the internet. We used to chat nightly. I think he had fun explaining how I did not know Japanese and how I could put my foot in my mouth from that lack of knowledge. It was he who first asked me to translate some French documents, beginning my own brief foray into translation. He certainly helped guide my own thinking.

 

One day. On a visit to his parents, he even came to visit. That was a great day.

 

I believe this book will be invaluable to you. Whether your art is in Naha-te tradition or not.

 

Joe-san Swift performing Tensho kata in Derry, NH.

There and Back Again.

 

Proof of the holes in my head But I don't know the old guy (Grin)

 

In a very real sense the soap opera continues in my life.

 

I fell a few weeks ago, my physician just retired ( deservedly so) and I fell starting my PC. Nothing known broken. However I fell a few weeks before and must have hit my head causing a bleeed. But through the week I continued to fall and decided to use my neurologist visit upcoming to see what he recommended.

 

My wife notice my left side was weaker and finally did not feel my family could safely move me. So called for an ambulance. I was CAT scanned and it was seen that I had old blood on my brain.

 

They sent me to Boston for a neurosurgeon, as I required two holes drilled into my brain (*not fun)  to release the blood and pressure. Interesting. That almost immediately released the blood pressure and I started getting better. 

 

Of course you are mostly helpless. After a few days feeling better I was sent to rehab at the CMC in Manchester NH. And there I got superb treatment.

 

 

The treatment was intensive and good. It helped. I also supplemented it with Tai Chi and various karate drills while I was seated. Even doing some Tai Chi after 2 days. There is no question the Core training I had always done was assisting. Many of he drills were similar to some extent.

 

While my speech improved, my core problem stems from the Neuropathies I have endured for years. The Therapy did help, though II still am hard to understand, my wife can understand me better some times.I shared that I had been writing as a hobby for years. Sharing the Ung poetry which I wrote for the fan fiction work in “New Blood”. It fit my needs so I tried to recite what I wrote during training.

 

I have used my modified Tai Chi (Yang Style),Sanchin kata,, Seiuchin Kata, Eagle Claw Chi Kung drills, Jing Do training, Indoneasian Arm Breaking techniques with speed seated, Multiple Striking  movements As well as other movements. Never give up.

 

Of course I am weak and a bit unstable, but I am about 80% of where I was.

Never stop.

An intreaguing similarity

You might find this interesting. Mario McKenna demonstrates the difference of kicks from old style Naha-te, both in the Toon-Ryu tradition and the Goju tradition.

 

 

You might notice the similarity of the Toon tradition to the Isshintyu front kick in SunNuSu (Sunse).

 

Gives one pause to reflect.