To show you what internet discussions used to be like, here is one with Dan Smith from 2004. It shows his response to Chinkuchi questions by Len Sclafani.
Buckle in and get ready for the ride.
In response to Len's questions.
The questions Len asked open up several other doors for discussion. I will
attempt to answer without getting to far off the subject. My responses are mixed
in with the questions.
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 13:54:19 -0500
From: "Lenny Sclafani, DDS"
Subject: Chinkuchi Article
Hi, Dan,
>1. Shitabara means the lower stomach. The emphasis is on the area that
>connects the pelvic girdle. The Okinawan word that could be used is gamaku.
I'm familiar with "gamaku," but just a curiosity----Since "chinkuchi" is a
strictly Okinawan term, why did you choose "shitabara" instead of gamaku to
describe this area?
>>>>
The reason I use shitabara is for emphasis to the lower stomach which there
is no Okinawan word. Gamaku is for the muscles that are not only in the lower
stomach but also in the lower back. The Japanese word that would be used to
describe this area would be koshi. The use of Koshi IMO is over used and
misunderstood in that it also describes the entire pelvic girdle vs. the specific
muscles. While the pelvic girdle is important IMO it is more important to
understand the supporting function of the pelvic girdle as the connection between the
lower and upper body and the bi-ped functions than using "koshi" to describe
the contraction of the gamaku"muscles in the lower stomach and back" and
leading the body with the lower stomach (shitabara). The lower stomach leads and
causes the rest to follow.
Also, in Okinawa during the late 60's and 70's there was a mixture of the
Okinawan dialect and Japanese to describe techniques whereas today it is almost
all Japanese unless you have a teacher who was raised to speak the Okinawan
dialect of which there are few left. Unless you asked you could be using a
mixture and not ever know it which was which. I have been working for several years
with a few senior Okinawan teachers to develop the Uchinan gushi but due to
the lack of words it is difficult to only use the Okinawan dialect.
>2. Jushin is refering to the center of gravity. Movement of the center of
>gravity to cause the whipping aciton from the waist area.
Does this have something to do with Arakaki's "Inner Physical Dynamic
System?" He speaks about this in his book in some detail; I was wondering
if you're talking about a similar thing.
>>>>> I have read sensei Arakaki's book and had some communication with him
and I believe that it is similar but again due to the language barrier I cannot
be certain. I am quite certain the "Inner Physical Dynamic System" and
"Imaginary Center of Gravity" is not the way a senior Okinawan would describe this
effort. Perhaps the same situation occurs with sensei Arakai that occurs with
my teacher and I in that the concepts I understand are put into English that I
can explain but if asked on Okinawa about such phrases they would not be
understood. Word pictures are important in transmitting a physical art but at the
same time you have to see the picture through the eyes or the writer.
I do not think the imaginary center of gravity is an Okinawan concept but
more from Akido. The Okinawan method is not to become one with the opponent but
to separate from the attacker and limit the attacker to single attacks versus a
continuous movement. IMO Okinawan karate's strategy is to move the target and
weapon as far away as possible.
One other point for discussion. I asked this on one of the Isshin lists I
subscribe to, but don't remember the responses exactly; I thought I'd throw
it out here. I've always understood "chinkuchi" to be the Naha-te, or
Goju, method of power generation, as opposed to the "Whipping" system of
power generation espoused by the Shuri-te folks. Since "Shimabuku (ru)'s"
all (Tatsuo, Zenryo, etc) taught Shorin based systems for the most part,
what purpose would you think there would be for incorporating the Goju
method into the Shorin system?
>>>> Chinkuchi is not a term designated to only one system of karate.
Chinkuchi is used in any physcial activity to describe the "perfect" motion combining
the mind, body and spirit. The use of whipping actions versus pushing actions
does not limit the achievement of "chinkuchi".
Your question also brings up the subject of what is Naha Te and Shuri Te? The
use of Naha Te to describe a certain type of karate can be misleading. For
example; Uechi Ryu, Ruei Ryu and Goju Ryu are described as Naha Te. The basis
for the use of Naha to describe anything during the late 1800s and early 1900s
had nothing to do with the particular methods but more that it indicated it was
new to Okinawa. Anything that was old was thought to be from Shuri and new
things were thought to be of Okinawa therefore since the methods of Uechi,
Nakaima and Higaonna were considered to be new they were described to be of Naha or a new thing. Shuri represent the old and Naha represented the new in not only
karate but music, dress, etc. It is quite obvious that Shorin and Shorei Ryu
was practiced in both the Shuri and Naha areas long before the newer Chinese
methods arrived.
A further discussion of the importance of "Chinkuchi" is that through the
proper application of the technique and intention of the mind you will prepare
yourself for the next movement. Without the "chin, chin", springiness derived
from "chinkuchi" the readiness for continuation will be lacking.
Gambatte
Dan Smith
No comments:
Post a Comment