In the Blink of an Eye

From that 1995 clinic with Sherman Harrill in 1996 I just captured 87 screen prints from one small section of the clinic. It was where he was describing different methods of striking (in part) and he went through instance after instance during that explaination.

 

But one of them sticks out to me. It was probably only seconds of that time, but it was also revealing why I felt an affinity to what Sherman was showing us.

 

Back in 1978, walking one morning when I was a new black belt, I remember trying to work out what karate striking could contain.

 

One of the things I came up with was that a strike could be harder if you held onto the person at the same time you struck.

 

Here Sherman was showing that. Of course if you blinked you missed it, for there was much, much more  that day. 

 

Sherman Harrill and Tom Chan

Just a brief moment in time, one that also has great value.

Sanchin the Personal Journey

Back about 1978 Charles Murray taught me Sanchin kata.

 

Over the years for many reasons it became a most personal journey.

 

I remember when a martial artist which I held in high esteem, told me that Sanchin had no applications with its study. Instead it was just for health.

 

Result – I began to see Sanchin as a toolbox to break down any attack. And I began to use the Sanchin techniques in that way.

 

Then several students with a Uechi background, shared the Ueichi Sanchin practice as they had studied it with me. A very different approach to the same concept, normal breathing and faster speed for the kata.

 

Result for the next 28 or so years I kept them separate practices for me.

 

However, I found I liked the cleaner energy release of the Uechi Sanchin.

 

So the day finally came, I started doing my personal variation on Sanchin.

 

One day in 2014, alas into my disabilities, Charles was visiting to train with us. I did Sanchin, as I was personally doing it, alongside with his Sanchin kata. The one he originally taught me.

 

I do not teach my practice, it is mine alone. I did have Charles share his Sanchin with my students. For it is the standard they follow.

 

However, to this day I do what I do. My own variation on Sanchin.

 

Among the changes is the manner in which I perform the Mawashi Uke in the form. First, the opening movements are used to peal away an attacking arm, then the strikes as I do them are using the thumb knuckle as a striking object into the neck and the groin.

 

 

Then we have Charles showing his Mawaski Uke technique in his Sanchin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Finally both of us are performing our Sanchin kata at the same time.

 

So I am what I am.

A possible negative return for the knee strike in Wansu Kata

Of course this is not Isshinryu, but I have always felt in this counter throw by Mufine Sensei of Judo there is also a lesson for us.

 

His attacker uses a motion that looks very like the knee strike from Wansu in this attack, This might be a caution how the movement could be used against you if you do not strike accurately or as intended,

 

The knee lift, possible knee strike is shown in the 2^nd photo.

Every motion can be countered.

 

 

 

 Something to think about.

A memory from "The Karate Kid"

Daniel: You mean there were times when you were scared to fight?
Miyagi: Always scare. Miyagi hate fighting.
Daniel: Yeah, but you like karate.
Miyagi: So?
Daniel: So, karate's fighting. You train to fight.
Miyagi: That what you think?
Daniel: [pondering] No.
Miyagi: Then why train?
Daniel: [thinks] So I won't have to fight.
Miyagi: [laughs] Miyagi have hope for you.

 

 

Fujian He Quan

A  Chinese form that resembles Uechi-ryu Seisan.

 

 

A move through time

This morning began when I noticed a discussion beginning about a movement Chosen Chinaba did in his version of Kusanku kata.

The discussion went on to discuss changes in hand position. And where and who made those changes.

 

This started me thinking about the same thing in Isshinryu and the Isshinryu I teach.

 

So to begin I grabbed some screen prints of Shimabuku Tatsuo made in 1958.

Then looked at the 1966 version.

 

To contrast it might be fun to look at how the Shorinju_Ryu does it, They were also descended from Kyan Chotoku. And their founder trained alongside Shimabuku Sensei, who had been his senior under Kyan.

Then to understand what was transmitted to me, the closest I have is what Charles Murray was doing here about 1981

So on to how that translated into what I was teaching in 1992. This is my student and friend Young Lee

 

 

It is only fair that I include Charles Murray from 2014 too.

 

 

 

 

Then what time does to your understanding, here is what Young Lee was doing in 2014.

 

 

Interesting, Things do move in time.