An Aikido/Chin Na story

 

Back in 1985 my wife and I moved to NH because of a new job for me.

A friend from another karate system in NH invited us to a clinic where Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming was one of the presenters. My friend specifically wanted to see his Chin-Na in action.

 

My wife was a new black belt then, and she trained with anther friend from Pa, who included aikido training alongside his karate.

 

As the clinic progressed, my friend from NH was working with my wife on a technique similar to an outer wrist wrap control. But he was having a difficult time trying to understand how to do it.

 

Dr. Yang was working the floor helping people, when he noted my friends difficulty. He stopped to help and asked my wife to do the movement on him so my friend could see what occurred.

 

My wife did the wrist rap, quite effectively. Now Dr. Yang was very experienced and I note how enlarged and red his wrists were from constantly doing Chin Na.

 

So when Maureen wrapped his wrist and applied sudden sharp pressure, Dr. Yang went promptly to his knees, the threat of impending pain drove him sharply down to avoid the pain.

 

Of course it was humorous to see my wife put him down.

 

But that is not the end of  the story.

 

My friend a little later contracted with Dr. Yang to teach several long term clinics on Tai Chi and Chin Na.  Work did not make it possible for me to attend, but my wife signed up for both.

 

The first one was the Chin Na clinic.

 

And the second she walked through the door Dr. Yang recognized her and proclaimed. “Not her she broke me last time.” Which was him being funny.

 

My wife continued to last both classes which went on for months.

Each night after her Chin Na training she would come home, I would by then be there, and she proceeded to practice on me. 

Oh how painful that was. I learned a great deal about Chin Na that way.

Okinawan Kobudo Traditions

 

The average Okinawan probably did not clamor for karate was because they had so much at their hands they could use for defense.

 

When you go back to the time before 1900 when karate was Toudi (or whatever name you wish to use) toudi was a tool of the Okinawan samurai for use in their positions. Some were guards on ships, some were guards of the king. Their toudi was a tool they were trained in for use in their positions, likely not their primary function either.

 

The rest of the Okinawan people lived very different lives. Some were in agriculture, some were fishers, And every home had kama for their gardening. They worked with their hands, and always were surrounded by the tools they used. It has been documented the villages had their own kobudo traditions, not used the same way in toudi.

 

Toudi was not specifically developed for use by the Okinawan Police.

 

Should a situation requiring self defense occur the people most often had tools at their hand that could have been used defensively. Not that was a common occurrence, but as different villages did develop different kobudo traditions, there had to have been a need behind that.

 

In the 1900s Taira Shinken was known to have gathered those traditions together for use with his students. Some of that he also shared into the developing karate. Other kobudo traditions also developed in Okinawan samurai traditions for use within Toudi.
 

All I am trying to do is put things in perspective.

 

For the Dan other possibilities for Chart I

 

The only Chart 1 and Chart 2 I have used are the ones I originally learned in the Salisbury Dojo of Tom Lewis. I never trained with anyone outside of  Lewis Sensei's organization in Isshinryu on the charts by what I was originally shown. Never attempted to learn any other versions from movies or YouTube,

 

‘But now thinking on the underlying principles that are shown on Chart 1, I can see some other  possibilities that would be useful for dan training. I see no value showing them to kyu students, they have enough to do with the original versions. But considering some flex about the underlying principles makes them quite credible dan training drills

 

Original Upper Body Combinations

Original Upper Body Combinations

 

1. RFF Right Punch
2. RFF Right Uppercut
3. LFF Right Punch
4. LFF Right Uppercut

 

 

5. RFB Left Low Block, Right Punch
6. RFB Left Side Block, Right Punch
7. RFB Left Arm Block, Right Spear
8. RFB Left High Block, Right Punch
9. RFB Left Open Hand Block, Right Uppercut
10. RFB Left Bridge Strike (Nose), Right Punch

 

11. LFF Left Low Block 5 Punches
12. LFF Left Side Block 5 Punches

 

13. LFF Right Roundhouse Punch, Left (Same)
14. LFF Left Open Low Block, Right Shuto

 

15. Break Bear Hug

Note that this does not attempt to address everything possible. For example many Isshinryu (and I am one) first parry the strike with my right palm setting up the following left side block, then the right hand chambers before the strike. This is just one example of things to consider

 

Now consider a basic analysis of the principles in use.

 

I.                   The first set of principles show Interior Basic Attack moving into the attacker.

II.                The second set of principles show Interior Counter attack moving away from the attacker

III.             The third set of principles show Interior Attack Overload moving into the attacker.

IV.             The fourth set of principles show more Complex Attack moving into the attacker.

V.                The fifth set of principles show Rearward defense from an attack from the rear.

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While these are extremely valid use of basic techniques, they are at the same time limiting other useful principles. For one thing the idea of counterattack does not mean they are done with two beats, instead they could be simultaneous block-strikes while moving away. Nor does the idea of a block limit the use of the block from being a strike and in effect a double striking combination. Those are also practices that should be considered in practice.

 

But the thing I notice is that they are done straight in or straight backward from the attack. Where a more advanced principle of defense is not being practiced.

 

Another set or drills seems called for. A set of the first 14 not changed just first a shift to the side when the attack is initiated and then performed on a 45 Degree Angle across the attack.

 

Another potential to explore is the Attack Overload, where so many strikes are thrown that sooner or later one scores to eliminate the threat. Consider again striking on the 45 Degree Angle. Tom Lewis demonstrated a different version, where the strikes work the centerline down the body. While theoretically possible to block them, in reality extremely difficult.

 

1.      RFF Moving forward on a 45 degree angle of attack Right Punch

2.      RFF Moving forward on a 45 degree angle of attack Right Uppercut

3.      LFF Moving forward on a 45 degree angle of attack Right Punch

4.      RFF Moving forward on a 45 degree angle of attack Right Uppercut

 

 

5.      RFB Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left Low Block, Right Punch

6.      RFB Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left Side Block, Right Punch

7.      RFB Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left Arm Block, Right Spear

8.      RFB Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left High Block, Right Punch

9.      RFB Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left Open Hand Block, Right Uppercut

10.  RFB Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left Bridge Strike (Nose), Right Punch

 

11.  LFF Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left Low Block 5 Punches

12.  LFF Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left Side Block 5 Punches

 

13.  LFF Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Right Roundhouse Punch, Left (Same) The strikes can be delivered at an angle.

13+ 45 Degree Angle. Tom Lewis demonstrated a different version, where the strikes work the  centerline down the body. While theoretically possible to block them, in reality extremely difficult.

 

14++ 45 Degree Angle. Tom Lewis demonstrated a different version, where the strikes work the center line down the body. Strike to the throat, the solar plexus and the groin of into the thigh While theoretically possible to block them, in reality extremely difficult.

 

14.  LFF Shift to the side and then counter on a 45 degree angle with Left Open Low Block, Right Shuto The strikes can be delivered at an angle

 

15.  Break Bear Hug

One option to consider is the way Sherman Harrill used the left arm/hand to first touch the attacker’s arm, leading their mind, distracting them to weaken their grip and then striking back with the other arm elbow.

 

There are of course many variable targets for thse ‘blocks; and  ‘strikes’. Do not limit yourself to just one option.

 

Other possibilities exist.

 

One should consider you might make a mistake, for that is the constant in life.

 

Consider when you step forward with No. 6 RFB Left Side Block, Right Punch . Upi step outside of the strike, placing yourself in the Exterior Line of Defense.

 

In such a case you just raise your left open hand, the one you cross before a block. That motion deflects the strike away from your centerline as the arm raises.

From there you deliver your left outside block to slide along the Exterior of their arm. As this occurs your right hand chambers.

Then if they are stepping forward with the right foot, you punch down into their upper thigh muscle into the bone to drop them

Or if they are stepping forward with their left foot they you can punch into their lower abdomen, Alternatively into their right of left hip at the joint formed where their leg joins the hip, on even into their groin.

 

This is but one set of possibilities. It is just the simplicity of Chart One does not stop you from developing other training possibilities.

 

I would suggest the dan consider addressing this.

Then there were the times class had snow days

My adult students were all smarter than I was, every time.

When I lived in Derry, New Hampshire, a reality year to year was there would be huge snowstorms. I am referring to those storms of a foot of snow or more.

Every time, we did not connect via phone. So every time I would somehow drive over the Boys and Girls Club, in that snow, just in case someone showed up. I am referring to the early Saturday morning 8 am classes for the Adults.

And every time all of them were smarter than I was, keeping safe, staying home. Which is what they should have done in any case.

For my first 5 years there I would go inside the club and train, then leave through the snow.

Time passed and I guess I got a little, very little, smarter. I just waited in my car from 7:30 to 8:00 am then would leave to go home. At times the snowplow for the Club parking lot would show up and then I moved my car around while they plowed the lot.

I never got smart, always showed up just in case anyone wanted to train.

Now in the desert of Arizona, there is no snow here, my wife’s idea.

No question she was/is/always will be smarter than me.

But every time I hear about another storm, all those waiting times come back to my mind.

More on one Mabuni Seienchin Kata Application

When I shared this example from Mabuni Kenwa’s book “ From GOSHIN KARATE KEMPO Defense and Attack”         Published in March 1934. It was just one example of what he labeled as bunkai for the kata Seiunchin.

 

http://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2016/04/from-application-potential-to.html

 

He did not intend this book to be a textbook for students. Rather as the book was published in Japan, I highly doubt it was intended for Okinawan’s at all. Nor was it written for the general Japanese populace. Rather it’s intended audience was probably for those who had seen karate demonstrated and more for the university leaders and the Japanese martial leaders, considering where Funakoshi and Mabuni put their efforts.

 

He was surely attempting to show kata had a self defense use with appropriate study. So he kept his examples simple, not necessarily showing everything.

 

Then when I translated a French edition of that book, I was of course captured to try and work out what was shown. And as I have written, it was Sherman Harrill who found the key for that use.

 

The Shito ryu Senenchin has a definite similarity to the Isshinryu Seiunchin kata. Enough I never worried about the differences, I was not attempting to be Shito ryu after all, just attempting to discern what I could from  what Mabuni wrote.

 

And it is interesting, especially that it was probably Mabuni who popularized the use of Bunkai, or in his context ‘.

 

But I located a video of Shito Ryu students showing the bunkai for Seienchin, and it is much the same as Mabuni originally wrote.

 

Of course I have no idea if it was as he was originally shown by his teacher Hiagonna  Kanryo or his friend Miyagi Chojun. Or was it something they created over time because of that book.

 

I am going to share some screen prints of the section of the kata, It is different from what Mabuni wrote. Of course that  does not invalidate what Mabuni was attempting to show.

 

How we interpret what was written in the past is often difficult.

 

How much or how little?

 

When Okinawa began to share karate with youth through school programs, much of what was shared rested on new basic kata. Then when Okinawan’s in Japan began teaching 4 year elective programs on karate in the Universities, they based much of that instruction on those same basic kata.

 

The point I am trying to make is those programs were at best 4 year focused after school programs. Unlikely daily in nature, and if the students used what they gained they probably would enter traditional dojo programs to continue their studies.

 

Youth in school were really not being shown karate for self defense as the primary need. In fact part of the focus originally was to enable them to work in groups to better withstand military training. Likewise in Japan those programs were based on the reality that after 4 years the members would graduate, many of them into their lifetime careers away from their University. Again the idea was they would gain something from the discipline, from the physical development that would carry on into their lives.  But I really doubt that they were driven solely from self defense.

 

Shift in time, shift in place to today where you live. When I taught youth the areas I lived were relatively safe (of course not totally safe), and then I was teaching the young. Which means even with great training what they could accomplish against an adult would then be limited.

 

I never divorced the idea that karate could be a means for self defense, never hid anything from them, but I did not make kata application study a focus of their training either. In fact from the beginning, when I first taught someone to strike, I also explained the non-striking hand moving to chamber could also become a rear elbow strike at the same time. It just is that they were made to understand every movement they learned could be employed many ways, but that was a study they would begin after shodan.

 

The town in which I lived had a 0 tolerance policy on the student employing violent methods on each other. Meaning both the attacker and the defender were in the wrong.

I explained clearly to the kids that meant they could not defend their self. But I knew in such cases they individually would have to decide how to respond. I made sure they had a selection of tools enabling them to make such a decision.

 

Before I go further, in  my 35 years teaching, I never had a student misuse their karate knowledge.

 

For I made them aware of several things. If ever they did misuse their karate, I would hear about it sooner or later, and if I heard about it from anyone else, they would be out of the program forever. I freely extend my trust one time, but if it is abused I don’t extend it a second time. A Rule I lived by.

I also made it clear is anything happens always tell an adult (a parent, a teacher, a neighbor) and if they don’t believe you keep telling another adult until someone does believe you. Of course I always included myself in that chain.

IMO, kyu students, youth or adult, need their time on developing more technique, power, focus and stronger stances. Not detailed study in the use of karate, and that is how I taught.

 

But at the same time I always recognized that the potential existed where the might use karate. So I focused them on several small sets for blocking and striking, grab defense, kick defense. Then as they got more advanced I introduced them to the Sutrisno family aikido sets, where the primary focus was not on the aikido, and associated karate, but how to enter the space an attack offers and then use that space to work to conclude the attack.

 

My focus was just to have high level performance on those sets by Sho-dan. At which time things would change to another level of learning.

 

The problem of course is how much knowledge is too much knowledge for the student, And the other side of the problem is how much is too little knowledge for the student

 

There is no simple answer for that. You have to read the threat level of your area and decide how much or how little to teach.

 

In that karate was never really designed to be a short term study, providing in the long run they are guided to get the real McCoy, it likely doesn’t matter where they begin.

 

Another past post I made addressed just this topic.

 

http://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2016/03/punching-and-kicking.html

 

An elbow striking drill remembered

I remember back when I ordered some Panther videos, they included a short on to become a trailer of their other videos. And I remember that short some of what was shown was of Higaonna Morio.

 Now this is ancient history, long before youtube was a thought.

 

In that trailer Hiagonna Sensei performed a brilliant empi striking exercise. One I have not seen since, But allow me to recreate it from my memory.

 

1.      Right Foot Forward as he delivered a right inside empi strike, then reverse the strike with a right outside empi strike on return.

2.      Right Foot Forward as he delivered a right inside empi strike, then reverse the strike with a right outside empi strike on return.

3.      Right Foot Forward as he delivered a right inside empi strike, then reverse the strike with a right outside empi strike on return. Follow with a left inside empi strike, then reverse the strike with a left outside empi strike.

4.      Right Foot Forward as he delivered a right inside empi strike, then reverse the strike with a right outside empi strike on return. Follow with a left inside empi strike, then reverse the strike with a left outside empi strike. Follow that with a right descending empi strike.

5.      Right Foot Forward as he delivered a right inside empi strike, then reverse the strike with a right outside empi strike on return.

 

Unfortunately my memory cannot be sure of the series, this is the best my memory can do.

This is Young Lee showing an elbow striking sequence similar to the above.

  

 

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Higaonna performing a similar elbow striking sequence