Final chapter of Hanshi Nakazato's book. Effective way to improve Karate.

 

Bob Herten                January 21, 2015  

 

 

Final chapter of Hanshi Nakazato's book.

Effective way to improve Karate.

 

In Karate, the most important thing is kata and the first priority is to thoroughly and reputedly practice Kata. In Shorin Ryu, as the next step, we practice arranged sparing. Yakusoku Kumite. Then, after we completely master Yakusoku Kumite techniques, we move to free sparing, Jiyu Kumite. However, without mastering Kata, it is really difficult to control opponent during sparing. As all sports have their own rules and principles, martial arts has it's own way to fight based on it's principle. I would really like you to understand the meaning of Katas, which are treasure houses of martial arts techniques, and also keep practicing Kata until you fully understand and master them. I believe this is the best way to be strong in free sparing.

Following is the procedure which Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan is adopting for training.

1. Kihon Dosa ( basic movement)
2. Ido dosa (Moving basic)
3. Kogeki Waza (Offensive techniques)
4. Uke Waza (Defensive techniques)
5. Oyo Waza (Application techniques)
6. Jiyu ippon Kumite (One strike free sparing)
7. Jiyu Kumite (Free sparing)

 

In Kata we practice pre-determined offensive and defensive techniques by ourselves. On the other hand, in Kumite we practice these things by two. Kata and Kumite are two wheels for Karate and the most essential training methods. During Kumite, two people make "tusuki", "uke", "kime" one after the other, and we learn "appropriate distance", "good tension and focus (Kai no jitsu), "precise techniques" through those offense and defense . And also, we learn fighting strategy and build guts through that training. However if students begin Jiyu Kumite without completely mastering Katas, they have injury soon and can't improve their Karate as well.

By the way, in order to train our body, there are several traditional training tools and each of them has a unique training purpose. The most popular training tool is Makiwara which is for training of Tsuki, Keri, Empi, Shuto, etc. In my dojo, to hit makiwara is a part of everyday training menu. Similarly, we used to use Kame to train gripping and hip power. nowadays, we also use sand bag for practice of Tsuki and Keri. We are trying to train each part of our body using those training tools, considering advantage of each tool. We are making our best effort to train our body, to be able to fully utilize it under any circumstances.