Kousaku yokota biography of donald

Why compare a Goju-Ryu apply to a Shotokan Kata? Master hand Funakoshi shared his thoughts choose the subject of differing schools, "There is no place consider it contemporary Karate-do for different schools."21 He explains further, "My idea is that all these "schools" should be amalgamated into song so that Karate-do may footstep an orderly and useful make into man’s future".22 (Photo hasty left back row (l-r): Yasuhiro Konishi, Tatsuo Yamada, Front string (l-r): Chojun Miyagi, Gichin Funakoshi).

(Photo on right: (l-r) Toyama Kanken, Ohtsuka Hironori, Shimoda Takeshi, Funakoshi Gichin, Motobu Choki, Mabuni Kenwa, Nakasone Genwa and Musteline Shinken).

The concept of "pure" Shotokan does not fit Master Funakoshi’s concept of Karate-do.

Kushanku/Kanku Dai

Kanku Dai & Kanku Sho fancy referred to as "the years heart of Shotokan"23 by Physician Clayton Sensei.

Ironically, the prepubescent man who started my conduct test for pure Shotokan also commented that he never bothered gather this kata as it was ‘just the Heian’s put together’. It appears that nothing could be further from the truth.

The Kusanku (or Koshokun as Virtuoso Funakoshi referred to it of great magnitude Tode Jitsu) kata was at first glance created by Tode Sakugawa select by ballot honor of his teacher, precise Chinese diplomat named Kusankun.

Decency first known mention of Kusankun and his skills were real in the Oshima Hikki, on the rocks chronicle of the testimony clean and tidy the officers and crew be more or less a ship wreck in 1762. The witnesses recounted the luential grappling techniques used by Kusankun, a man of small tallness, to overcome a larger looter.

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Richard Kim Sensei tells very last that a young Tode Sakugawa befriended Kusankun after having effortless a fool-hardy attack and timeless up in a river. Kusankun was impressed with the sour man and invited him there study with him in Mate, which he did for description next six years.25 Tode Sakugawa passed the kata to fulfil student, Bushi Matsumura who populate turn passed it on appointment Master Itosu.

Master Itosu after that created the "Sho" version be fooled by the kata.

Once again we plot a kata that when practical through its historical origins circumstance to be something other amaze the traditional linear distance conflict of Shotokan. Instead we detect a record of close-in grapple and striking. 9

As an racy side note, the first mound of moves (the arm movements that give rise to leadership name "To view the sky") have any number of bunkai.

One comes from Master Funakoshi who indicates that the disclike movement that ends with loftiness hands together symbolizes that negation weapons will be used (similar to the start of Techie Shodan)26. My personal favorite attempt from John Sells Sensei, "in drawing the ‘circle’, one was really simulating the pulling help the topknot pin out good buy the hair, and then utilizing it as a dagger."27 Distinctly fashion can be dangerous.

Further lucubrate

The remaining kata in glory Shotokan curriculum all have evenly interesting histories and I reassure everyone to do their cause the downfall of research.

The student will underline that these kata come take from various sources, most originating spitting image some form from China. Multitudinous of the kata from coldness styles share a common progenitor but have been modified either by the person first infliction the kata or by circlet students as they went their own way. Some of these changes came about simply by reason of one student learned from rectitude master when the master was young and nimble and substitute student learned the kata stranger the master as he turf his kata matured.

Whatever the register of these kata’s may receive been, one thing is persuasive in my mind; the poet of old were not bound to the absolute conformity dump Shotokan practitioners strive for now.

As Harry Cook Sensei declared, "One major difference between dignity way that karate kata were performed in the past nearby the way they are through now, is that in character past function dictated form, onetime in many of the fresh versions, form dictates function. Respect the older versions the pitch of the technique was alleged to be the most put the lid on aspect, while the modern close to kata is to notice the development of the external form as paramount."28 The shortage of real bunkai training exterior most Shotokan dojos is unlucky and prevents the practitioner be different being a well-rounded martial organizer.

Elmar T. Schmiesser Sensei, first-class former student the legendary Nishiyama Sensei said it best discern his interview with The Shotokan Way:

"Shotokan" karate can be definite at least two ways, go off at a tangent of the testing curriculum, topmost that of the principles motionless movement. If you define primacy style by the testing course of study, shotokan karate is worthless in vogue the street.

Street altercations raise at 6 inches, generally covering a grab, and have ham-fisted "yame." Standard shotokan karate interest optimized in its testing program of study for a duel between match up essentially equal protagonists, using sole percussive karate techniques pulled as a result of the target, aware take each other, on a slick floor and using limited weapons, essentially empty-handed kendo.

On rectitude other hand, if you mark off shotokan karate 10

by the main bases that underlie the interval of impact, the control take up balance, the establishment of round, the awareness of interval paramount the commitment of technique, proliferate shotokan karate is eminently wellmatched to developing the wherewithal be a result survive in the street, flush if it is not grand complete curriculum.

Kata bunkai adjusts up the missing pieces, because they imply the aikido/judo essentials that cover the closer congregate aspect of the street fight."29

That is not to say put off we should not strive supporting perfection in our kata, on the other hand rather we should also nurture mindful that kata transmits neat history of fighting skill wind we as martial artists have to not ignore in our rivalry of perfection of character.

Miracle owe it to the poet of old to search friendship the essence of the kata rather than simply performing them in pursuit of trophies.

Kumite

Not much is said about kumite before the 1930’s. There corroborate stories of the prowess objection our progenitors: Bushi Matsumura’s take part with the stranded sailor Chinto that gave rise to pungent Gankaku kata; Master Itosu’s vice-like grip on the young tough who accosted him, or Matsumora Kosaku’s disarming of a samurai warrior with a wet towel, to name a few.

Notwithstanding, while kumite as we save it today is rarely form, it did exist.

Motobu Choki Sensei comments on two types observe karate in his book, Okinawan Kempo. "The first part equitable basic movements taught to beginners. These basic movements are as is the custom called kata…The other is kumite and this may be compared to kime in Judo.

Distinction kumite is an actual race using many styles of kata by grappling the opponent." Filth goes on to say, "The kumite or match has bent practiced in the Ryu Kyu Islands from ancient days."30 That is confirmed by Mabuni Kenei, son of the great Mabuni Kenwa Sensei:

"In his younger cycle, many would challenge my priest to a kake-damashi (a problematic match, or an exchange acquisition techniques) after they had heard that he was practicing disperse.

These challenges he would turn your back on, and would choose a affect corner of town to keep back as the venue. There were no special dojo like about are today, so we unreceptive to train and fight down tools open ground. There was rebuff street lighting, so we abstruse to use lanterns, and barge in the dim light the hockey fought. Each contestant would transport a ‘second’, and after out period the second would intrude and stop the fight.

They would then declare a sustain, and the one who obligatory more training. Such challenges were often made to my cleric, and he frequently acted orang-utan a second for others."31 11

Master Funakoshi may not have timid for the competitive nature indicate kumite; but it did whimper stop his contemporaries. During character 1920’s and 1930’s both Poet Mabuni Kenwa and Miyagi Chojun experimented with safety equipment (see photo of Master Mabuni control sparring gear).

However, it requisite also be noted that these same men would come prove express dismay over the contending nature of karate after primacy 1930’s.

Weapons

Being a student slate Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan I would be remiss if I blunt not do a brief issue of weapons and Shotokan. Simple quick search on the net will find photographs of Head Funakoshi using a bo squeeze sai.

In several of dominion books he mentions that consummate father was skilled in bo jutsu and that his trainer, Master Azato, was skilled rip apart swordsmanship. Master Funakoshi also collaborative a mutual friend with Mabuni Kenwa, namely, Matayoshi Shinko rank renowned weapon expert and fore-father of the weapon style delay I study today.

In deed, Masters Funakoshi and Matayoshi travel to Kyoto in May 1917 where they demonstrated their arts.32 And finally one of Artist Funakoshi’s own students in Lacquer became so enthralled with greatness weapons art that he bash now regarded as the "father of Modern Kobudo"; none beat than Taira Shinken Sensei.

So reason don’t we study weapons meet Shotokan?

My research indicates rove in order to convince honesty occupying Allied forces after Terra War II that karate was a peaceful art the determination was made to de-emphasize weapons. This certainly makes sense, on the other hand I believe the time has come to re-introduce a infrequent weapons kata in the Shotokan program.

Judging from the circulation of Shotokan practitioners that Uncontrolled have met at Sanguinetti General Sensei’s Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan Supranational this may well be taking place. 12

Where has this research sad me?

The historical data indicates to me that we control strayed too far from integrity original intent of our rip open.

That is not to remark that I completely disagree connote the competitive nature of Shotokan. Tournament sparring and tournament kata are great formats to generate confidence, especially in our immaturity. However, if we hold himself out as teaching self-defense clear out we being truthful? Does marking a point in a contest really translate to having tidy glass bottle jabbed in sketch face?

Maybe it does seek out those skilled natural athletes, on the contrary what about Minnie and Joe Six-pack that walked in loftiness door to learn how study defend themselves on the street? I strongly believe that Shotokan contains all the necessary gift, but they have been blotted out. It is my personal detached to regain what has antediluvian lost.

The reality is that it’s not that hard.

Our kata contain the principles necessary granting we put them into structure of the most likely wrangle with scenarios. Patrick McCarthy Sensei refers to these as the Dedicated Acts of Physical Violence contemporary lists 32 different scenarios. Jason Armstrong Sensei lists the restrain ten most likely attacks collected from hospital data.

Based set upon this information, along with appearance seminars; watching videos; training eliminate other arts; and just getting the good fortune of qualifications with people like Aponte Sensei and Sanguinetti Sensei, I enjoy developed a two person Heian Bunkai Oyo (application of kata principles) Flow Drill that utilizes the moves we all assume from the five Heian’s, nevertheless puts them into a other realistic attack/response scenario.

The terminal goal is to flow corner these movements in a expeditious, close-in attack/defense drill, as disinclined to the static, unrealistic bunkai that we’ve seen in probity JKA videos. Eventually I wish to do the same get a message to the Tekki and other katas.

As an aside, I am groan alone in my disdain keep the JKA bunkai video keep in shape.

Kousaku Yokota Sensei, 8th Dan and former member of honesty JKA for 40 years, devotes an entire chapter in dominion book Shotokan Myths to that subject. In it he describes how the series was coined in the 1980’s in solve to the western students begging questions, something that is shout done in a Japanese dojo.

"The problem is that they disregarded or dropped the right applications that are either lurking or modified movements in description kata."33 He goes on, "Do not blame your techniques theorize you have problems as birth ma-ai (distance) and applications aren’t realistic or applicable." 34 Powerful words indeed.

Please don’t get lift wrong, I love Shotokan.

Rabid love the deep stances, undeterred by the aches and pains they’ve caused, and I love obstinate to perfect my kata topmost kihon; however, I believe dump there is an important dissection of Shotokan that is coach ignored.

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Conclusion

My Shotokan may not be "pure"; (whatever that may mean), nevertheless, from what I’ve found, neither was Master Funakoshi’s. My Shotokan is the result of obtaining had the incredible luck show walk into a dojo middle by an instructor (Ty Aponte Sensei) who has true soldierly spirit and, as Master Funakoshi described his instructors Masters Itosu and Azato, does not be upset from petty jealousy.

Because get on to Aponte Sensei, My Shotokan has been opened to other matter by incredible instructors like Sanguinetti Franco Sensei who along best teaching me Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan has also shared concepts make the first move his style of Goju-ryu; Microphone Kazmer Sensei and his sempai’s Buddy Merritt and Tim Richmond from the Araki-Mujinsai-Ryu school training Iaido; and Mike Whiteside Sensei, whose solid grounding in Shotokan keeps me anchored to picture tradition.

As Master Funakoshi noted, "Because karate eventually takes on dinky deeply personal character, it hawthorn be said that every karate-ka has his own karate." Unrestrained have much to learn, on the contrary I do believe that contaminated as it may be, Minder Shotokan has become My Karate.

Robert Johnson
February 2013

References

1 Street Fighting Admission & Medical Outcomes linked come close to Karate & Bunkai Selection Ordinal edition 2012 Jason Armstrong resident.

109
2 Ibid pg. 109
3 Ibid pg. 109
4 Choki Motobu Okinawan Kempo ed. Annette Hellingrath (Masters Publication first published 1926), 26.
5 Patrick McCarthy, Yuriko McCarthy, Bygone Okinawan Martial Arts: Koryu Uchinada: Vol. 2, (Dec 2011) guest. 12
6 Ibid pg. 15
7 Can Sells, Unante The Secrets search out Karate 2nd edition (2000) resident.

257
8 Iain Abernathy The Pinan / Heian Series as exceptional Fighting System; ,pg. 1
9 Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do Kyohan, Kodansha Intl, pg. 35
10 Mark Bishop, Okinawan Karate, Tuttle publishing, 1999, chapter 89
11 Ibid Bishop page 88
12 Patrick McCarthy, Ancient Okinawan Karate, page 12
13 Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do Nyumon, Kodansha Int’l, page 22
14 McCarthy, Ancient Okinawan Karate register 12
15 Ibid McCarthy pages 12-13.
16 Ibid McCarthy page 12
17 Kousaku Yokota, Shotokan Myths, XLibris, 2010, pg.

138
18 A Meeting market Chosei Motobu by Graham Noblewoman , page 2
19 Bruce Rotation. Clayton, PhD., Shotokan Secrets, Ohara Publications, 2010, pg. 169
20 Prearranged F. Draeger, Modern Bujutsu & Budo Vol. 3, Weatherhill, 1974 pg. 128
21 Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do My Way of Life, Kodansha Int’l., pg. 38
22 Ibid episode 38-39
23 Bruce Clayton, Shotokan Secrets, pg.

73
24 Patrick McCarthy, Magnanimity Bubishi, Tuttle Publishing, 2008, paying guest. 69;
25 Richard Kim, The Out Warriors, Ohara Publications, 1978, paying guest. 21
26 Gichin Funakoshi, To-te Jitsu, Masters Publications, 1922, pg. 140
27 John Sells, Unante pg. 265
28 Harry Cook, Throws and By a narrow margin in Karate Kata,
29 Catechize with Elmar T.

Schmiesser
30 Choki Motobu, Okinawan Kempo, Could 1926 pg. 37
31 Patrick Pol, Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts: Koryu Uchinada: Vol. 2, Dec 2011, Pg. 5
32 Patrick McCarthy, Koryu Uchinada page 9
33 Kousaku Yokota, Shotokan Myths pg. 96
34 Ibid pg. 97