John
Kerker recently shared some videos about how he strikes the Makiwara and that
certainly brought back memories. (I will be sharing John’s videos with his
permission).
When
I began my Isshinryu studies Lewis Sensei had a makiwara in his dojo, but I do
not recall ever being instructed to use it. There were so many things to learn,
I really never got around to it back then.
I
did hear a story about the training in Agena that Master Shimabuku did not want
the Marines training there to strike the walls of his dojo. He even had a sign
to that effect placed on the wall… Roll forward many years and Charles Murray
eventually shared a movie about his training in Agena in 1972 and there was a
photo of that sign in the movie.
Part
of the reason I did not get around to exploring the use of the makiwara was
that fist protection gear came to be used for our sparring.
I
had just received my green belt in Isshinryu when relocating to Scranton Pa for
work, and having to switch systems to Tang Soo Do as that was all there was
there, I started over learning another art. The school had several good
makiwara that almost on one ever used, so after class I began a regular
striking regime. About 15 to 30 minutes striking after each class.
As
time went on my striking knuckles somewhat flattened, but no calluses appeared.
What I did discover was that as my fingers clenched at my fist when I struck
the makiwara, gradually I began to form calluses on the inner pads of my palms.
I continued that practice for the two years of my contract.
During
that time I was very lucky to resume Isshinryu training with Charles Murray but
as we trained in the basement of the Church he was pastor in, makiwara was not
possible.
I know he trained in Salisbury with Lewis
Sensei and as a new black belt was able to train in Okinawa with Shimabuku
Sensei for two years. I also knew that he did train in the Agena Dojo where
there were several types of Makiwara.
Yet
the last year of my contract for TSD training, I was also training in Isshinryu
with Charles. But though training with makiwara at TSD, we never discussed it
with my Isshinryu training.
When
he returned to the USAF and I was on my own I began a program for youth through
the Scranton Boys Club and there was no possibility of makiwara there in any
case. I literally visited one dojo or another for 5 years to be able to train
alongside adults. As it turns out none of them had makiwara training either. In
fact in my area the only school which used kumite in training, while I was
there, was the Kempo Goju of David
Brojack. They were the only people that I could fight with. And they often
remarked at the sting of my strikes. That led Dave to remark one time that I
had the strongest strikes he knew of. Now I was far from a good fighter so I
did not pay much attention to that remark…
I
remember one time I was fighting at a tournament and I lost my fight. I too
often went to the body when my opponent would go for my head, and though the
strikes were simultaneous the judges would most often score the head strike
being what they would observe. Later in
the locker room while changing I remember my opponent telling me I really
nailed him and how that hurt.
I
came to realize that two years of makiwara work had made my strikes harder and
that made the difference. And the manner
in which the makiwara change my fist remained with me for decades.
Now
training the young and training adults at the Boys and Girls Club of Derry NH
from 1985 on, again a makiwara was not possible there for any of my students.
Personally
I do not believe Makiwara training is appropriate for youth. I have read too
many articles making that point, such that striking could be detrimental to
growing bones of youth. I also remember discussing this with a student who was
also a Surgeon and my doctor, and he agreed.
Then
in 1995 I began training at times with Sherman Harrill, who had at least 40
years of work with the Makiwara, and had occasion to feel the power of his
fists from constant Makiwara work. He impressed on me that, often he discussed
at how powerful the use of the makiwara was in training.
My
opinion is that one does what one does.
Makiwara is a force enhancer to strengthen one’s karate. But it is not
the only force enhancer. I believe karate can be very successful in many different
ways of training. I do believe all
things being equal makiwara offers superior value for the karate-ka. Unfortunately all this are not always equal.
When
that is the case other ways to produce superior results must be used,
If
anything there is so much warp and woof to what is possible to develop superior
karate, that one must consider many possible ways.
So
let me share those videos of John Kerker delivering Isshinryu strikes on the
Makiwara.
John
Kerker on Striking the Makiwara
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojCZLm4XgZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kPtOG9TxSc
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