Saturday, June 29, 2019
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Bunkai as Mario McKenna defines it
Bunkai as Mario McKenna
defines it on his blog at http://okinawakarateblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/bunkai-vs-oyo.html
. “The word "bunkai" does not mean "analayze" or
"analysis" in the strictest sense. It literally means "to break
apart.
I find it interesting how in Japan
Thinking about bunkai as breaking things apart,
Okinawan School Karate
– extracted from Hokama
Tetsuhiro’s “Timeline of Karate History” (translated by Joe Swift)
1901 – Itosu Anko began teaching karate at the Shuri Jinjo
Elementary School
1903 – The Okinawa Prefectural Physical Education
Association was founded.
1904 – Itosu Anko created the Pinan
kata and revised the classical kata of Shuri-te. He also modified the old
style Naifhanchi kata.
1905 – Hanashiro Chomo began teaching karate at the first
middle school.
From the beginning of the year, thanks to Itosu Anko’s
efforts, karate began to
be officially taught as part of the physical education
program at the Teachers’ College and the First Middle School
A karate club was formed at the Naha Commercial school.
1907 – November 28. According to an article in the Ryukyu
Shinpo, a Mr. Maeshiro demonstrated
karate and saijutsu at Nishihara primary School.
1911 – Judo and Kendo were adopted as formal curricula for
physical education in mainland Japanese middle schools and teacher’s colleges.
1937 – March 28: Twelve basic kata
created by the Okinawa
Prefecture
1941 – A committee of karate
specialists was formed by the Okinawa
prefecture to establish the Kukyu-gata.
This committee consisted of Nagamine
Shoshin, Miyagi Chojun, Kamiya Jinsei, Shinzato Jinan, Miyazato Hiroshi, Tokuda
Anbun, Kinjo kensei, Kyan Shinei, etc.
1924 – Funakoshi visited Keio University
1926 – The Karate Research Society at the Japan Dentistry
School
1927 – Motobu Choki created a karate club at Toyo University
Miyagi
Chojun assisted in the creation of a karate club at Ritsumeikan University
1935 - The Ritsumeikan
University
1937 – September 10 The Tokyo Imperial Univesrity Karate-do
Federation formed.
1939 – The Kanto
University
Books and
Publications
1902 – Article “The History of Karate” by Funakoshi Ginchin
in Ryukyu Shinpo
1908 – October. Itosu Anku submitted his Ten Articles of
Karate to the Okinawan Prefecture Board of Education.
1911 – Articke “Karate Club Records” by Yamauchi Moriaki and
Moromisato Choho published in volume 9 of Ryudan.
1913 – October 9-16
Yokoyama Kendo’s article ‘Armaments of the Ryukyuana” ran in 8 parts of
Rkukyu Shinpo newspaper.
1914 – January 17-19 Asato Anko and Funakoshi Ginchin’s
article “The Martial Arts of Okinawa: About Karate” was run in 3 parts in
Ryukyu Shinpo newspaper.
January
21, Dokusho’s article “Bushi Higa” was run in Ryukyu Shinpo newspaper.
1915 – April 20, Tekkenzen’s 26-part article “Chronicles of
the Origins of Budo” began its run in Ryukyu Shinpo newspaper.
1916 – Ishino Ei’s article entitled “Unique Martial Arts of
Karate and Sumo” ran in the ‘Nature and People of the southern Islands ’ magazine.
1918 – Tedokon Junsho penned an article “From the Karate
Club” in Ryulan magazine volume 16.
1921 – Books: “Empty Hand Self Defense” by Hotta Giken
(Seibundo)
1922 – April 24-25.
Article “Okinawan Martial Arts Introduced to Capital” by Tekkenzen in
Okinawa Times newspaper.
Books: “Ryukyu
Kenpo Karate” by Funakoshi Ginchin
1923 – A chapter on the origins of Karate was included in
Majikina Anko’s “One Thousand Year
History of Okinawa”.
1924 – Books: Rentan Goshin Karate-jutsu” by Funakoshi
Ginchin
1926 – Books:
“Okinawa Kenpo Karate-jutsu Kumite-hen” by Motobu Choki.
1930 – Kyan Chotoku penned an essay on karate training
1932 – February “Karate Breeds Humility and Virtue” by
Funakoshi Ginchin in Kobushi newsletter volume 5.
Articles:
“Karate” by Shimabuku Genpatsu in ‘The Okinawa
Guide’
“Martial
Arts and Magic in Ryukyu” by the Fuyu in ‘History’
1933 – August 15 “Karate Kempo” by Mutsu Mizuho”
“Weapons
Prohibitions and the Development of Kenpo in Ryukyu” bu Iha Fuyu in Public
Debates on History #21.
1934 – March, Miyagi Chojun penned “Karate-do Gaisetsu”
October,
Mabuni Kenwa published “Seipan No Kenkyu”
Books: :The
Study of Karate-jutsu” by Itoman Seishin
1935 – Books: “Karate-do” by Shiromura Kainan and Ijima
Manji in ‘Southern Islands ’
December
10-18: “Talking of Karate: Origins, Traditions, Evolution and Masters” by
Hiagonna Kamesuke
Books:
“Karate-do Kyohan” by Funakoshi Ginchin
“Watashi no
Karate-jutsu (My Karate-jutsu) by Motobu Choki
1936 – Takara Akio: published “Ryukyu Kempo Karate Jutsu no Hanashi”
1937 – “Karate-do Taiken (Encyclopedia of Karate-do)” edited
by Nakasone Genwa.
1938 – “Bushi Matsumora” by Matsumora Kojin
“Kobo Kenpo
Karate-do Nyumon” by Mabuni Kenwa and Nakasone Genwa.
“Karate-do
Hanshi (Talking of Karate)” by Nakasone Genwa
1941 - Articles :”Budo
as a Way of Life: Karate-do as a branch of Japanes Bushido” by Mabuni Kenwa
“My Budo
Autobiography” by Yoshimura Jinzai” in the monthly Bunka Okinawa Magazine.
1943 – Books: “Karate-do Nyumon” by Funakoshi Ginchin
1944 – “Books “Tales of Martial Arts Secrets” by Nakasone
Genwa
“Miscellaneous
Thoughts on the Martial Arts” by Itoman Seishin
The Meeting of Okinawan Karate Masters in 1936 Translated by Sanzinsoo
The Meeting of Okinawan Karate Masters in 1936
Remarks: This is a part of the meeting records. It appears as an appendix in the book, "Karatedo Dai Hokan" written by Kanken Toyama. Pages 377-392 (Tsuru Shobo, 1960).
The Meeting of Okinawan Karate Masters in 1936
Date and Time: October 25, 1936 (= 11th year of Showa Era) at 4:00 p.m.
Location: Showa Kaikan Hall, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
The Organizers: Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper Company
Attendees:
Karate Masters:
Chomo Hanashiro
Kyan Chotoku
Choki Motobu
Chojun Miyagi
Juhatsu Kyoda
Choshin Chibana
Shimpan Gusukuma
Chotei Oroku
Genwa Nakasone, Karate Kenkyusha (affiliated with Shudokan of Kanken Toyama)
Guests:
Koichi Sato, Manager of Educational Affairs Department
Zenpatsu Shimabukuro, Director of Okinawa Prefectural Library
Kitsuma Fukushima, Regimental Headquarters Adjutant
Eizo Kita, Chief of Okinawa Prefectural Police Affairs Section
Chosho Goeku, Chief of Okinawa Prefetural Security Section
Gizaburo Furukawa, Supervisor of Physical Education of Okinawa Prefecture
Sei Ando, a writer
Choshiki Ota, President of Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper Company
Kowa Matayoshi, Chief Editor of Ryukyu Shimpo
Zensoku Yamaguchi, Director of Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper Company
Tamashiro, a reporter of Ryukyu Shimpo
Nakasone: When karate was first introduced in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, "karate" was written in Kanji (= Chinese character) as "Chinese Hand". This name sounded exotic, and gradually accepted among people in
Chomo Hanashiro: In the old days, we, Okinawan people, used to call it "Toodii" or "Tode", not "Karate." We also called it just "Tii" or "Te." It means fighting with hands and fists.
*Translator’s note
Pronunciation for the Kanji written as "Chinese Hand" has two ways:
1) Toodii or Tode (Okinawan dialect)
2) Karate
Pronunciation for the Kanji written as "Empty Hand" has only one:
1) Karate
Ota: We, too, called it "Toodii" or "Tode."
Shimabukuro: Mr. Nakasone, I hear nowadays people call "Karate-Do" for karate. Does this mean people added the word "Do" (= literally means the Way) to the name "Karate" for emphasizing the importance of spiritual training like Judo and Kendo?
Nakasone: They use the word "Karate-Do" in the meaning of cultivation of the mind.
Ota: Mr. Miyagi, do you use the word "Chinese Hand" for karate?
Chojun Miyagi: Yes, I use the Kanji "Chinese Hand" as most people do so. It has minor meaning. Those who want to learn karate from me come to my home and say "Please teach me Tii or Te." So I think people used to call "Tii" or "Te" for karate. I think "Karate" is good in the meaning of the word. As Mr. Shimabukuro said, the name "Jujutsu" was changed to "Judo." In
Oroku: Mr. Miyagi, did you go all the way to
Chojun Miyagi: At the beginning I had no plan to practice kungfu in
Oroku: Have there been our own "Te" here in our prefecture,
Chojun Miyagi: There have been "Te" in
Kyoda Juhatsu: I agree to Mr. Nakasone's opinion. However, I am opposed to making a formal decision right now at this meeting. Most Okinawan people still use the word "Chinese Hand" for karate, so we should listen to karate practitioners and karate researchers in
Chojun Miyagi: We do not make a decision immediately at this meeting.
Matayoshi: Please express your opinion honestly.
Chomo Hanashiro: In my old notebooks, I found using the kanji (= Chinese character), "Empty Hand" for karate. Since August 1905, I have been using the kanji "Empty Hand" for karate, such as "Karate Kumite."
Goeku: I would like to make a comment, as I have a relation with
Ota: Mr. Chomo Hanashiro is the first person who used the kanji "Empty Hand" for karate in 1905. If something become popular in
Nakasone: So far the speakers are those who have been living in
Sato: I have almost no knowledge about karate, but I think the word "Empty Hand" is good, as the word "Chinese Hand" is groundless according to the researchers.
Furukawa: The kanji written as "Empty Hand" is attractive for us who came from outside
Nakasone: This time, I would like to have a comment from Mr. Fukushima, the Regimental Headquarters Adjutant.
Ota: There is no one who do not like the word "Empty Hand" for karate, but there are people who do not like the word "Chinese Hand" for karate.
Chojun Miyagi: Well, when I visited
Shimabukuro: Here in
Nakasone: I think we have almost made clear about the name of karate. Now we would like to discuss about the promotion of karate. It is regrettable that karate is no popular in
Furukawa: There are a lot of Ryu or styles in karate now. I think we have to unify them at any cost. I hear there are small differences between Shuri style karate and
Chojun Miyagi: I agree to your opinion. With regard to Kata of karate, I ever submitted the opinion with explanation to the headquarters of Dai Nippon Butokukai (= national fighting arts association), when its
Ota: How many karate organizations are there in
Chojun Miyagi: There are Okinawa Branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai, Physical Education Association of Okinawa Prefecture and Physical Education Association of Shuri City.
Ota: Mr. Chibana, how many students do you have now at your karate dojo?
Choshin Chibana: I have about 40 students at my karate dojo.
Chojun Miyagi: There is an opinion insisting that there are two Ryu or styles in karate, namely, Shorin-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu. I think such an opinion is wrong or false, as there is no evidence at all. However, if we have two styles in karate, we can categorize them by their teaching methods. In one style, they do not even differentiate between Fundamental Kata (= Kata such as Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi) and Kaishu Kata (= Kata other than Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi). They teach karate unsystematically and unmethodically. In the other style, they differentiate between Fundamental Kata and Kaishu Kata clearly. They teach karate systematically and methodically. My teacher (= Master Kanryo Higaonna) taught me karate in the way of the latter.
Ota: Karate masters we know did not go to
Choshin Chibana: Our teacher taught us Naifanchi as a Fundamental Kata.
Ota: Mr. Motobu, who taught you karate?
Choki Motobu: I learned karate from Master Itosu, Master Sakuma and Master Matsumora of Tomari village.
Ota: I thought you created your own karate on your own without learning from karate masters.
Choki Motobu: (laughing) No, I did not create my karate on my own.
Nakasone: Now we know every karate masters have agreed to the plan to establish a karate promotion association. As Mr. Furukawa told us the necessity of founding a karate promotion association, we think the other people also seem to agree to this plan. So we would like the members to start the preparation for establishing it.
Sanzinsoo
Labels: Chojun
Miyagi, Genwa
Nakasone, Juhatsu
Kyoda, Kanken
Toyama, MEETING
OF OKINAWAN KARATE MASTERS IN 1936
MEMORIES OF MY TEACHER, CHOJUN MIYAGI Translated by Sanzinsoo
MEMORIES OF MY TEACHER, CHOJUN MIYAGI
(Full Version)
by Genkai Nakaima
Remarks: This is a translation of the original article "Chojun Miyagi the Karate Master. His kindness is infinite. He preaches morality." written by Mr. Genkai Nakaima which appeared in the local monthly magazine "Aoi Umi" No.70 February 1978 issue (pages 99-100) published by Aoi Umi Shuppansha. This special issue featured Okinawan karate masters. The magazine was already discontinued. The original Japanese title is "Ontaku Muryo, Ningen No Michi Wo Toku Bujin Miyagi Chojun".
Translated by Sanzinsoo
One day in the spring when I had just moved up to the second grade of middle school, my classmate, Bunshun Tamagusuku said to me, "Why don't we learn karate from Master Chojun Miyagi?" He had been asked by his uncle, Jin-an Shinzato. Those who were asked to learn karate from Master Chojun Miyagi by Jin-an Shinzato were Tatsutoku Sakiyama (his name at that time was Tatsutoku Senaha), Kiju Nanjo (his name at that time was Kiju Azama) and me.
Jin-an Shinzato was my next door neighbor. He had already graduated from Naha Commercial High School, so he was my senior. He resided in a rented house of Mr. Yukei Kuniyoshi.
In the evening Shinzato wearing white bandage around his neck appeared in front of the wooden gate of Mr. Kuniyoshi's rented house. Bunshun Tamagusuku, I, and sometimes Tatsutoku Sakiyama, got together there.
Shinzato hung from the bar of the wooden gate and pulled himself up until his chin was above the bar. He showed us how high his chin was above the bar. He demonstrated us many repetitions of chin up. He also taught us one arm chin up.
Later we often got together at the school playground of Naha Jinjo Koto Shogakko (= an elementary school) in the evening. We enjoyed doing various exercises on chin-up bars or horizontal bars. Thanks to Shinzato, we could perform Giant Swing, Backward Giant Swing, Somersault and other advanced techniques.
Before long, Jin-an Shinzato enrolled in the police academy.
The four of us, Bunshun Tamagusuku, Tatsutoku Sakiyama (= Tatsutoku Senaha), Kiju Nanjo (= Kiju Azama) and I (= Genkai Nakaima), decided to learn karate from Master Chojun Miyagi.
I had to ask for permission of my father first. My father was ten years old when Shuri Castle was occupied by Japanese troops, Ryukyu Kingdom was abolished and became a prefecture of Japan in 1879 (Meiji Era 12). He was three years old when Japanese Government established the Ryukyu Clan as an initial step in their program to abolish Ryukyu Kingdom and establish Okinawa prefecture in 1872 (Meji Era 5).
Because my father was born in such a time of transition and the ancestors of our family had come from China, our family did not allow him get an education of Japanese system called "Yamato Gakumon", so he did not go to school. However, he built up a powerful and flexible physique because of the hard work. I heard he was a strong Okinawan style sumo wrestler. He was very delighted when I received a big prize at athletic meeting.
It was Spring in 1923, I was 15 years old, when I told my father that I was going to learn karate from Miyagi Sensei (= Master Chojun Miyagi). He said to me "It's great if you learn from Bushi Miyagushiku (=Miyagi the Karate Master)!" and gave me permission. At that time Miyagi Sensei was already famous for his karate, so my father thought he was an ideal teacher for me.
We, Kumemura community people in Okinawa, were proud of Chinese lineage. We believed our ancestors came from China to Okinawa, so we highly respected not only Chinese literary arts but also fighting arts. As to literary arts, we established a school, "Meirindo" which was something like a college today, where the youth were educated. As for fighting arts such as karate and Bo (=staff fighting), I think we practiced individually in accordance with each physical strength and other conditions.
According to a program of the cultural festival at "Meirindo" school, there were performances of Bo (=staff fighting), Tesshaku or Tiechi (=Sai), "Sesan", "Chishokin", "Tohai" and "Suparinpe". Most performances of karate were the same as what Miyagi Sensei had taught us.
Well, lessons by Miyagi Sensei began. We had lessons three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, after school from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Miyagi Sensei's home, not at Dojo (=a training hall) like these days. Some time later, quitted my classmate, Bunshun Tamagusuku whose uncle was a famous karateka Jin-an Shinzato, so remained three members: Tatsutoku Sakiyama whose family name at that time was Senaha, Kiju Nanjo whose family name was Azama at that time, and myself.
The process of our training consists of the preparatory exercises, the supplementary exercise and the foot movements of Sanchin.
According to the explanation of Miyagi Sensei about the preparatory exercise, by doing physical exercise, we can prepare for the formal karate training such as Sanchin and other Kata exercise. It also has an element as a warm-up.Another meaning of the preparatory exercise is building up our physical strength by training all the necessary muscles so that we can use the muscles in any situation. In short, we build up karate body by the preparatory exercise.The supplementary exercise is a kind of training mainly for learning basic technical components of Kata. It helps us to understand science and logic of karate, and at the same time, our skill of karate will be created with the development of our athletic ability and physical strength.
In this way, we can lay the foundations for karate by doing the preparatory exercise and the supplementary exercises.
Miyagi Sensei told us various stories for two or three hours after the practice was over. The topics of his stories were not only technical matters of karate but also the general world affairs, the present situation of karate circles, the origin of karate, his studying attitude toward karate and Buddhism, karate and Okinawan traditional performing arts, and so on. At that time we were just junior high school boys, but Miyagi Sensei preached to us about the truth of karate, the soul of karate master, the Way of karate, namely the Way of man or morality. I still remember his bright face with sharp eyes in which I find the true karate master's love and kindness.
Now I will tell you some of Miyagi Sensei's words as follows.
"If you practice only Sanchin all your life, you do not have to practice any other Kata. Sanchin is so essential and important." One day I asked him, "How many times do you practice Sanchin to think that you performed well?" He replied, "I think I performed Sanchin well only once out of 30 times practices." At that time he was young, 34 or 35 years old. His words are still impressive to me.
"The hand position at the ending of Sanchin is the same as that of a Buddha statue." Miyagi Sensei often told us this story. I think the hand position at the ending of Sanchin is the most beautiful expression of praying. In fact I saw the same hand position of Buddha statues in some temples.
"Goju is the willow tree blown by the strong wind," said Miyagi Sensei. The strong wind blows the willow. The willow never resists the wind, just remains passive, but will never be broken or destroyed. In this way we take advantage of the opponent's strength flow. It is a secret of the arts that we have to master through the practice.
I think it was 1926 when the National Athletic Meeting was held at the Outer Garden of the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo. Miyagi Sensei's disciple, Mr. Jin-an Shinzato participated in the Meeting to perform karate as a classical fighting arts. At that time he was suddenly asked by an official of the Meeting, "What is your style's name?" then he replied "Goju-ryu style." Later he explained this matter to Miyagi Sensei and Miyagi Sensei approved it. Since then we call ourselves Goju-ryu.
I asked, "Sensei, do you have eyes in the back of your head? They say that even if we follow you secretly and quietly, you immediately notice us and turn around quickly to find us." Miyagi Sensei replied, "There is no one who have eyes in the back of his head. However, when I walk along the road, in some cases I feel something strange. I think it is the so-called sixth sense."
"We should always be cautious when we turn at the corner of a road, walk along a rainy street and climb up and down a ladder etc. It will become useful for self-defense if we have practiced karate sufficiently hard and are accustomed to being cautious. As the result of a long time training of karate, we can obtain the so-called sixth sense and can notice if someone is following."
"Studying karate nowadays is like walking in the dark without a lantern. We have to grope our way in the dark." said Miyagi Sensei. He also told me, "There are so many things in karate which does not make sense and there are a lot of things I cannot understand. Therefore, while our grand masters are still alive, we have to see them and ask many questions. I think it is still very difficult to find the answers even if we did so." I ever went with him to homes of the grand masters, Chomo Hanashiro Sensei and Itosu-No-Tanmee (=Itosu the Old Master) to hear their stories of karate.
In 1926 (the last year of Taisho era), karate masters got together and founded a club to research karate on the south side of Asahigaoka, Wakasamachi, Naha City. The masters who participated in the club were:
Chojun Miyagi, Juhatsu Kyoda, Ume of Motobu, Saaruu of Motobu (= Choki Motobu), Kenwa Mabuni, Taizo Tahara, Shinpan Gusukuma
On the first day and fifteenth day of each month, they worshiped Bushin or the God of Martial Arts. Tatsutoku Sakiyama (= Tatsutoku Senaha), Kiju Nanjo (= Kiju Azama), Kogyu Tazaki, Kamade Yagi (= He is now in South America), Seiko Kina and I (= Genkai Nakaima) also went to the club and got training in karate there.
Miyagi Sensei approved the change of writing "karate" in Kanji (= Chinese charcters) from "China Hand" to "Empty Hand". The kanji for karate: "China Hand" gradually was changed into the kanji for karate: "Empty Hand".
Like Jujutsu became Judo, he devoted himself for evolving karate from "karate" of a fighting art to "Karate-Do".
When Master Jigoro Kano of Kodokan judo visited Okinawa in 1925 (= Taisho 14), we demonstrated Goju-ryu karate for him at a public hall in Naha City. Miyagi Sensei himself explained it to Jigoro Kano. The friendly meeting of Kano and Miyagi, the two founders of martial arts, must be bright light for Karate-Do and good fortune for the development of Judo.
"Kenkoku Taiso" exercise was created in Japan during World War Two. In fact, the "Kenkoku Taiso" exercise consisted mostly of Kata of karate, so it might be a variation of karate.
As far as I know, Miyagi sensei has never tried to show off karate. Therefore, we also never talked about karate both at school and outside school. We bore firmly in mind that we should not show karate to other people in public.
When the high-ranking judo instructors of Kodokan came to Okinawa on the way to Taiwan, they asked us to show them karate. Tatsutoku Sakiyama (= Tatsutoku Senaha), Kiju Nanjo (= Kiju Azama) and I (= Genkai Nakaima) demonstrated karate at the judo training hall of Second Middle School. After the judo instructors left the school, Miyagi Sensei visited Sochoku Nakachi, a teacher of Second Middle School, and asked him “How was the karate demonstration by my students?"
When Prince Takamatsunomiya visited Okinawa, Miyagi Sensei appointed me to show him Sanchin as a representative of Goju-Ryu. I performed Sanchin only wearing a pair of pants just like a daily practice. Miyagi Sensei did not demonstrate karate.
The rhythm of karate drawn in the air is the wisdom of the blessing from the heaven. It is same as the rhythm of traditional Okinawan dance or Ryukyu Buyo.
Let’s continue walking and groping in the dark to succeed the great works Miyagi Sensei left us.
POSTED BY SANZINSOO AT 11:50 AM
LABELS: CHOJUN MIYAGI, GENKAI NAKAIMA, JIGORO KANO, JIN-AN SHINZATO, MEMORIES OF MY TEACHER CHOJUN MIYAGI
Saturday, June 22, 2019
On the Possibility of the Death Touch
The existence of a Death Touch has generated many magazine articles, books and even movies on the topic. I just found this article in my archives. Whether you believe it or not, there are individuals who seem to possess skill beyond most of us, I suggest you keep that in mind, and being skeptical is not a bad idea either.
