“To judge the personality of an individual we only teach part of the
technique, then they will adjust it to their own Way and reveal the true heart
of their karate.”
“What influence has Syuri-ti had on Goju ryu?” From a conversation with Higa
Kiyohiko at his home during the summer of 2017.
During the Taisho Era (1912-1926), Miyagi Chojun, the founder of Goju
ryu karate, travelled with his brother disciple Teruya Kamesuke to the home of
Motobu Choyu, seeking instruction in his unique method of torite
(taking hands). At that time Motobu Choyu was considered the most noted
bujin of Okinawa; his family having been instructors to the Royal House for
over 400 years.
Choyu himself had received instruction since childhood from a number of
prominent bujin in the capital, most of whom had served at Shurijo palace in an
official capacity before the dissolution of the monarchy. These included
Matsumura Sokon, deshi of master Sakugawa, Matsumora of Tomari and Itosu Anko,
as well as from his father Choshin Motobu.
Teruya was a deshi to Higashionna Kanryo and also a close neighbour to
Uehara Seikichi, Choyu shinshii’s deshi; they knew each other very well.
However, Kamesuke never really established a group of his own and so today he
is not known.
When Miyagi Chojun arrived Choyu agreed to only teach them in a particular way “Watch one, feel one, do one.” This method is less frequently practiced these days but serves as a means of guarding a style’s particular methods.
Choyu shinshii would first show the technique against a trainee, then
apply one so they could feel it, then he would watch them do one on each
other. He always taught a different technique, never the same thing twice,
so as to make it difficult to learn. When they ‘felt’ the technique it was
always too late and they were thrown.
Between them they hatched a plan. Teruya would watch Miyagi being thrown
and pay particular attention to Choyu shinshii’s technique. Then, when they
returned home, they would continue to practice together and try to replicate
the feeling of success.
Motobu
Choyu once told
Uehara: “Miyagi is very powerful and should not teach
his nage-waza to others as it could be dangerous for them to learn.”
He went on to explain that, “If you teach techniques easily the people
might see a wrong Way and use them to do harm. So to judge the personality of
an individual we only teach part of a technique, then they will adjust it their
own Way and reveal the intent of their karate.”
This episode reminds me of the time I was introduced to a teacher of
Motobu Udundi. He told me to grab him anyway I chose, however no sooner had I
grabbed him then I was thrown. The harder I tried the further I was tossed.
What struck me most was the peculiar feeling I experienced. It felt as though
there was no resistance whatsoever, as if I were holding an empty shirt to hang
on the line.
In that episode it was the same as that described with Miyagi and Choyu.
First I was shown the technique against another trainee, then it was applied to
me, then I had to practice with the trainee to get it. No technique was shown
twice as it was our first introduction. For the longest time the method eluded
me.
I
understand this too well. From Charlie and then most of the others I trained
with I learned how to learn forms very quickly, even after one viewing. For
example when I went home I would make extensive notes in my own shorthand with
accompanying diagrams
Of
course that was the not the only way I was trained. But it occurred often.
So
that became my standard.
When I
trained with Ernie Rothrock it was not how kung fu applications worked. But
when I saw him do something neat, with his students, I would do the same to
remember it. And I did.
Then
when training with Tris Sutrisno, it was much the same. He would show me
anything, forms, applications. Really neat stuff and when going home I would
make notes and remember what I had been shown. Most often for one time.
Years
later I would show I was teaching that
to my students, and he could not having shown it to me.
I
stayed that way anytime I would see anything unique.
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