Control

Conflict comes down to control. Control of self, control of opponent, the opponents control of self and control of us. What one is willing or able to do results in the kind and level of all conflict. We all have a choice and the stronger we are about ourselves the stronger we are against conflict. Control of situations and/or persons is how we avoid conflict, starting with self first and foremost.

If we both make the relationship with our self strong and impervious to outside influences and stimuli that we have no need to act violently. Loss of control, ours or the opponents, determines this.

If we gain and maintain control of ourselves then how can we enter a conflict or be forced to enter into conflict, situations that lead to conflict and reaction to stimuli that takes us to conflict.

I Ching and many other classics teach us to first see ourselves as we truly are, to learn about our strengths and weaknesses and build a relationship to the self first and foremost before we attempt to achieve balance in life and with others. If we do this then we have the strength and resolve to avoid and deflect all situations and stimuli that could control us.

To achieve control we first must achieve control over our minds. The mind effects the body so the next step is to establish control over our bodies. By achieving this we control ourselves so well that our mind and body CANNOT be controlled by another mind/body, an opponent.

If we control our mind and body then aggression and/or aggressive behavior cannot assume control over us. We have and always will have that control if we wish to have it. Our control is only lost when we allow others to take control of us be it a snarky comment or an overt act perceived by OUR MIND as some slight, etc. See, we control everything. Nothing as to our control be it ours to manage or theirs to mismanage, the control is ours if we practice and train to control ourselves, the mind and body.

We humans find that they do not have control they seek to gain it back yet they tend to seek that ability outside of themselves. Expectations of others is always going to provide us the excuse to remain out of control. Only by seeking help within ourselves can we truly find freedom and control of the mind and body. This is one of the main benefits of martial training and practice!

No where else is it more evident than in martial training then the mind-body relationship to achieve control over the self. Martial arts are geared toward first achieving victory over the self before victory over our opponents. It fails us if we don't establish self control first for to apply martial principles and techniques requires self-discipline and a high degree of self-control. Martial arts will let you know quickly and painfully that you or your associate have lost control, it hurts when that happens.

To affect your opponent is not the point of martial arts, to maintain control of yourself is the corner stone of the martial arts.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

Bushido, A False Sense of Understanding

This is my perspective, my view and mine alone. Recently I commented on a reference to the Code of Bushido with an underlying belief and understanding that it was some code the exemplified the warrior of Japan often referred to as "Samurai." As a result of my comment and some solid references provided by the author of that post I have come to some new beliefs and understandings as to both Japanese Warrior Samurai and the "Code of Bushido."

It would have been nice if the code actually existed during the times of the Samurai but in reality, according to current sources which can change, it was merely a "by word of mouth" passed along at the convenience of the Samurai. It was not a rigid code but one of "flexibility" where the Samurai or military noble warrior could "adjust" it to fit what was perceived at the time as "just warfare" which was open to interpretations at the moment along with the dictates of the Emperor and Shogun, etc. I might add according to the sources extended into WWII.

It was not really a set code of ethics or martial ethics but something that was loosely used where it become subject to corruptions as indicated above and was actually "vague and fluid" depending on any number of ideologies and influences due to perceived level in society and/or nobility, etc.

In reality the code was developed and written by a number of Japanese authors over a period of centuries which at the moment actually served that moment in times current strategic and "political" goals of whomever was in power.

So, in my view if it was not actually written in any concrete form and that form was not available to any of us today we have no real clue as to its validity and use. It was not until Inazo Nitobe wrote his view of it in 1899, i.e. 1900's :-), that it become known and/or accepted by the Japanese and even then because it was written by someone who was not nor had any nobility or warrior experience plus from a religious view that was not readily accepted at the moment was only accepted by the military because they could use it to suit their purposes of uniting Japan and justify the conscription of its people to benefit their actions opening WWII.

Now, to me this smacks of subversion of a code that could have provided ideals of acceptable societal behavior both military and civilian. Even tho our intent in today's martial systems is to use such a code to do just this its historical basis and beliefs are inaccurate to say the least. This does not mean that it cannot still be used to benefit but to believe that this is due to some belief in the nobility of Samurai warriors would be "just plain wrong."

This misconception has created a belief and view of Samurai that only can be exemplified in "fictional characterizations" vs. "reality." As with a lot of historical views it is the victorious who tend to write it with a slant toward their needs, beliefs, etc. so it will live on and propagate through our instruction of the martial arts. It is a glorious and exciting view unsubstantiated by history but what the heck, "It is just so cool!"

Please note the title of the article, i.e. emphasizing "Deceit." Also, it must be noted the basis of the article is referencing the brutality of WWII in relation to Bushido as well as other writings such as the "Hagakure." This post hopefully will inspire the reader to view and read the entire article. Who wants their hero's shot down, not me!

Sources:
Bushido: The Valor of Deceit written and posted on the "military history online" web site and written by Holly Senatore [it should be noted that this post is not endorsed nor validated by Ms. Senatore but merely my interpretations as to the content I read in her article.

Don't be a Hero

Don't be a hero unless you know all the repercussions. Believe me I have come to know and understand a lot of it and it makes me pause and say, "Am I willing to endure it all in the name of a good Samaritan?"

It might have been, at one time, a good thing to be a good Samaritan. It may, at one time, meant that as long as you didn't do something really bad or so far outside the laws you could avoid problems but today, in today's litigious society, it ain't that simple. As Marc MacYoung and Rory Miller have written violent behavior/violence is complex.

If you teach self-defense it is best you know all this stuff so you can make sure that what you teach is best for the student ... and you!

To Cause Harm

The first statement, in part, of the UseofForce.us site on self defense says, "In the United States, it is illegal to harm another person intentionally." To cause harm to another, what could that mean?

I guess we could conceivable cause harm in a variety of ways that may or may not include a physical attack, i.e. punch someones face, etc. but I am not exactly sure.

It makes me wonder just how far a person could take something bringing charges or law suits. It was just an interesting thought while reviewing the site once more.

There is a term, "Imminent harm," "intentional grievous harm," "bodily harm," "risk of harm," and then there is this long and somewhat legal looking site on California law, i.e. California Copes; Penal Code; Section 207-210 that references harm but in a narrow field of kidnapping.

I found specific sites that referenced intentional harm, etc. as to HIV, battery, etc. but so far it is still an elusive definition in regards to the quote from the site. There is also the intent to do harm that allows us to use restraining orders. It states such things as negligence, violation of law, outrageous actions to cause some kind of harm.

Finally I found a site with an overview of "Assault and Battery," which seems to fit self-defense/self-protection, etc. An assault is an attempt or threat to injure another person. A battery would be actually contacting another person in a harmful or offensive manner. Generally the main distinction between an assault and a battery is that no contact is necessary for an assault, whereas an offensive or illegal contact must occur for a battery.

Then we have to deal with assault as to an act requirement, intent requirement and then battery with same. Then it is wide open to interpretation which means it depends on those who bring charges against you as well as the Jury you will face.

Read "this site" for a general overview.

Then when you teach self-defense or simply decide to get involved you may want to first, long before actions are taken, review all the data as to what this all involves then decide if it is wise to act.

Extracting Teeth

Another of my views/theories. I have a feeling that Tatsuo Sensei didn't convey all he wanted for the system. I extrapolate this theory from all the information I have studied over the years where it was often said that when asked most times Tatsuo would not answer be it questions or what ever.

Even if not true, Tatsuo Sensei spoke broken and limited English so even the true meaning may have been lost in the passing of information and knowledge. I have also noted some disparities from one Isshinryu expert to another as well as those who have been interviewed from Okinawa. In all this al lot may have been lost or not conveyed.

Let me also add that many of the Isshinryu'ists here have "patched" the holes with their own input, etc. In our desire to reach new heights in practice it may have produced inaccurate information and knowledge. Example, chambering the fist even with advanced level practitioners and either little or no knowledge of fundamentals/principles that make all martial systems work.

In addition to all this there is always the person interpreting. The recipient of any of Tatsuo Sensei knowledge is influenced by their own customs, beliefs and past experiences, etc. where it colors or possibly distorts that knowledge. This also may be what effected the factions or splits between tribes.

Stand twenty persons side by side with about two arms lengths between each. Go down to one end and whisper in that persons ear a fact then ask them to wait five minutes then turn to their immediate neighbor so it flows down the line and repeat the fact. Every one does it exactly the same way. You go down to the other end and wait so when the last person is in receipt of that fact they can then whisper it to you directly. Guess what, it will not be exactly what you originally said. It will have changed somewhat. Human nature. This is why diligent and continuous ongoing practice and instruction is required. It has to in order to convey the system correctly and accurately.

If this were done consistently since Tatsuo Sensei taught the proverbial first generation practitioners then there would be no factions or what I call tribes. We would all be the same Isshinryu and under the same guidance, processes, fundamentals, principles, and so on.

Maybe because it was like pulling/extracting teeth to get info from Tatsuo Sensei the disparities in Isshinryu exist. We won't mention personalities, politics, and power.

On Bushido Code

Recently a great post was discussing the code of the Samurai, Bushido, and I commented on it where the blogger provided me a wonderful pdf document "Samurai Life in Medieval Japan" from the University of Colorado, i.e. www.colorado.edu, site. Some interesting quotes follow with some comments in [brackets] that I felt were interesting in relation to my practice and my system.

Samurai Rules
...

XII. If you have a little leisure, read books. ... . [knowledge is power; learning all we can from all sources is relevant and necessary for a well rounded person and martial artists.]

XV. It is boorish and vile to have no poetic sensibility or skill, ... . [this one also means to me a full understanding of principles/fundamentals and that which can be derived from the studies of the ken-po goku-i and all the ancient classics, etc.]

... First you should become skilled in the essentials, and then practice the standard techniques ... . [since this comes from a Japanese historical source it just goes to show that one MUST become skilled in the essentials. Essentials in my view are the principles/fundamentals of the martial arts. To practice the standard techniques seems to allude to practice of waza, kata, drills, etc. but does not allude to remaining within that area so one could theorize that there is more beyond this level, etc.]
... the “Arts of peace and War, ... ,” ... From of old, the rule has been, “Practice the Arts of Peace on the left hand, and the Arts of War on the right.” Mastery of both is required. [Note: this can also be related to the Isshinryu-no-Megami hand position, i.e. the left hand held down and open in a fashion to indicate peace/peaceful/or art of peace while the right hand in a fist to represent the combative aspects of the system or the practice and study of the arts of war.]

Excerpted from “Hojo Soun’s Twenty-One Articles”

Momoyama Period (1573-1603) is interesting as the Shogun, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, made some major changes, including forcing all non-samurai to give up their weapons ... [I have not verified this yet but this may be around the time the Okinawans were defanged but not necessarily the actions taken by the Okinawan Royalty when disarming its people before the Japanese.]

References
McCullough, Helen (trans.), The Tale of the Heike (Stanford, CA; Stanford University Press, 1990).
Shimizu, Yoshiaki, ed., Japan: The Shaping of Daimyo Culture 1185-1868 (Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1988).
Steenstrup, Carl, “Hoko Soun’s Twenty-One Articles: The Code of Conduct of the Odawara Hojo,” Monumenta Nipponica 29: 30 (Autumn 1974), pp. 283-303.
Suzuki, D. T., Zen and Japanese Culture (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1959, p. 280). Wilson, William Ritchie (trans.), H␣gen Monogatari: Tale of the Disorder in H␣gen (Ithaca,
NH: East Asia Program, Cornell University, 2001). Yoshida Kenk␣, Essays in Idleness, Donald Keene, trans. (New York: Columbia University
Press, 1967).

Habitual Poor Habits

In the book of martial power written by Steven J. Pearlman I quote, "newer students might begin training with less-than-optimal versions of technique. As with teaching students to generate power by chambering punches at the hip, the sacrifice of certain principles often proves temporarily permissible to facilitate coordination and student growth provided that students do not habituate poor habits."

This describes nicely how I feel Isshinryu became the perceived stunted system it is today. I say stunted because in most cases most practitioners have not reached the full potential the system has to offer. I feel that because of the limited time spent by the military and the hurried promotions to black belt Tatsuo Sensei lived up to a part of the quote, i.e. not understanding such things as hip chambering are in reality just a basic, introduction to principles/fundamentals, that never reached beyond this stage. The military left training and practice and because there was no one in the states who had the knowledge or experience it remained under the heading of "traditional or as Tatsuo intended/taught" vs. a beginning to much, much more the system can provide a person.

I suspect but cannot verify that most all martial systems that were originated here by military influences were left at this basic stage for the same reasons. In an effort to provide more they tended to go with what they know, sport and competitions such as tournaments for trophies in sparring as well as performance grade kata once again for trophies and accolades/recognition of peers.

Understand that this is not bad after all, "all bottles are good, they all serve a purpose." I mean that if your intent is such it fits that model than more congrats to you for pursuing that path yet if your goals or model is combative then it may miss the mark. Just something to think about, yes?

We all, me included, have formed unintentional habitual poor habits under the guise of tradition and the adherence to exact system basics leaving out depth and breadth of the system. At least it does not have to remain but can be changed according to the principles of principles, yes?

Comments? Yes? No? Maybe? You tell me, K!

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

Sparring Tactics ...

" ... Tactics taught are usually limited to sparring. ... " - Chiron Blog: Rory Miller

You can add strategy to this as well and that is dependent on the practitioner because most sparring has no real strategy and the tactics are limited to one or two sets of combinations, i.e. maybe a one-two or one-two-three combination at best. Face it most "martial art systems" today skirt the fundamentals/principles and dive right in to those combinations that happen to win trophies and accolades.

It comes down to telling ourselves the story that because we "think" it is or we "think" we are actually practicing something combative that it will be there for us when we actually get into the fray, combative/violent/predatory situations.

Read the Book of Martial Power as the author actually provides some history of how he actually believed what he was taught would be there and came to find that when the proverbial dung hit the oscillating thingy he froze.

I feel that we all pretend, tell ourselves the story of comfort, that what we do is for combat/fighting when it is not. I feel that first the mind has to be focused intently on combative principles and that it must go further into action "combative simulations (Rory Miller:Chiron Blog term), i.e. comsim"

If we bypass the fundamentals/principles of a martial (combative/fighting) system then we are not practicing a combative martial art. If your mind does not actually understand the terms and intent for real life stuff then it ain't getting there.

It reminds me how lucky we all are that we will, in all likelihood, never meet Mr. Violent Predator cause if we did and did not practice with diligent-constant-intent to combative's then we will find ourselves in deep doo doo.

Marines have a strategy and the tactics that go with each combat situation within combat situation. Generally speaking American Martial Arts often don't go that far or even half way. Today strategies are to attend class and get fit with tactics of paying fees and showing up two or three times a week with intermittent absences thinking we don't have to go much further to achieve combat/fighting proficiency.

I started combative's in the Marines. My goal as many Marines was to achieve a higher level of proficiency of hand-to-hand in the remote chance my rifle or pistol stopped supporting my life style. I carried that on in the dojo I used during my career and for time after with other military like minded folks. I still believe that to practice a martial art system is to fight and to have character development and philosophies as a mind strategy to keep it morally acceptable with the extensions into life practice for personal betterment YET ...

I am not a master; I am not a professional; I still practice with combative intent every day; I don't do sports; If I spar with someone my mind is seeing an enemy and my actions are to take it to as close to extreme as I can with out doing drastic damage and that is not even close to actual combative simulations or scenarios that meet the need of professionals.

Get real, look at what you do and find the data and knowledge to see if what you do is meeting the fighting/combative goal of a martial art. Not the only goal mind you but a primary one. Self-analyze your practice to see if it meets and exceeds such requirements of "fundamentals/principles of martial systems" to see where you truly stand.

If you don't care and expect to  avoid all possible combative encounters then don't delude yourself and others by saying what you practice is fighting or combat. Be real with yourself first then do what you should/could do to change your practice accordingly. If it ever gets real you are going to need it to be real!

If it gets real you will encounter "a bigger, stronger and possibly armed person who has taken every tactical advantage" and you will be positioned in a situation to their advantage and if you didn't train like this you are a ghost. Don't believe me. I am not a professional yet they exist and provide great opportunities to train in real life-like combat simulations.

I am ranting as to my view, my perspective, and my beliefs and that ain't a professional expert perspective but one of a novice who is learning or trying anyway. [why I advocate the art of "avoidance and deescalation" over anything physical. If you are not there and not available then you can avoid it all]

Chiron Blog: Rory Miller - "Self-defense and survival are very different animals: primarily mental skills, secondary emotional, and only physical when you really screw up or have a very bad, unlucky day." && "If you teach self-defense, be careful not to compress time.  Long before the bear hug escape or the snap kick to the knee there was likely a better, surer, safer option. ..."

Bubishi vs. Book of Martial Power (BOMP per Mokuren Dojo Blog Author :-)

The Bubishi is considered, at least from my point of view, as the Bible of Martial Arts. This is a book that contains topics related to Chinese Boxing, generally speaking. It supposedly contains material on philosophy, strategy, technique, etc. yet it does not really promote a fundamental view that is non-specific to a system since it is derived from Chinese boxing.

The fact that it does contain technique specific data for a Chinese boxing view I feel it is limited yet still a valuable text to study. It just does not speak neutrally to martial arts like the I Ching to the changes of life, earth, man, heavens, Universe, etc. where its interpretations can be utilized at any time, any time period and with any culture. It is close in my opinion yet still lacks total neutrality of application.

I am finding one book that does seem to transcend system specificity in other writings. I have only one other document that I feel transcends specificity that being the ken-po goku-i. I have been able to apply that to not only karate/karate-do but to other more philosophical/esoteric matters in life. I guess that is my litmus test, i.e. can it be used for growth, etc. in all facets of human endeavors?

I have been following Patrick Parker Sensei blog Mokuren Dojo as he has posted on BOMP or The Book of Martial Power by Steven J. Pearlman so I don't want to duplicate the excellent work he is doing ergo a post on this book as "my book or my bubishi of martial fundamentals/principles."

I equate it as superior yet not to the Bubishi because in my humble opinion Pearlman Sensei has done what I have wanted to do for as long as I have been writing, i.e. to compiles a book like source that will be usable by anyone regardless of the system. Like most martial arts books I was unable to do so and like so many it becomes a book on the system that makes it relative to that system with little ability to pass over to other systems.

The fact that he has been able to keep the entire book pretty much generic so it can be used by all martial systems it seems to me to fit the goal of the Bubishi far better than the Bubishi.

Needless to say, I do recommend this book. I find it an absolute necessity to anyone taking up a martial art whether it be sport oriented or combat oriented.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

Teaching Fundamentals and Principles

I will stretch a bit and say that I would, teaching fundamentals and principles of martial systems, use the book by Stephen J. Pearlman, The Book of Martial Power, as a guide book. It is so much information that it warrants continued review as each subject is taught. There is so much more that covers such subjects as body mechanics, power generation, etc. that it cannot be missed as to its value to any practitioner whether they instruct or not.

After reading a few more chapters it brought to my attention just how incomplete my instruction was on such subjects. I am only thankful that regardless of that short coming most of my dedicated students at least learned some of this stuff. Again, in hindsight, it would have been wonderful to have discovered this about twenty or twenty five years ago.

I am thankful to receive more clarity and new knowledge even this far down the path. Just goes to show once again you CAN teach and OLD DOG new tricks.

Haughty

Defined: "Arrogantly superior and disdainful ... having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy."

Attitude mean a lot. One's attitude can mean the difference between good-n-bad with a lot of degrees between one extreme and the other. Good to me is the far end called "Yin." Bad is the opposite end called "Yang." I speak of this as haughtiness is the Yang to Humilities Yin. The balance point or closer to the Yin of Humility seems a better path.

So many new principles have been added to my view of the martial arts that this one point seems important when I tell you that some comments I have fielded from various martial yahoo groups amount to a defined arrogant attitude. This disappoints me a lot because it also means that this person may never truly go beyond the unmovable point they set within themselves.

I believe that all martial training is to be tempered with those traits that provide us the means to control and use the dangerous/lethal aspects of martial arts. It is ok to have a bit of pride in what you do yet when you let it create a superior/arrogant demeanor then the person and those who follow lose. Maybe not now, but you can bet with that attitude the time will come when someone will place a new paradigm roughly upon them.

To me a chief fundamental of self defense if you go with the avoidance aspects is humility with confidence leaving antagonistical attitudes where they do no harm then this is important to cultivate as one progresses. 

Am I incorrect in my assumptions?

Triangular Guard

As an example of what I mean when I said, in my post, "Learning is Never Ending," and in "Something New Every Day," as to Perlman Sensei's book I discovered a good example of the issue of knowledge.

In 79 Henry Sensei taught us a fundamental/basic kamae, i.e. seisan stance and both arms up, extended with fist/hands meeting in the middle out at chest height. I remember asking why because it looked a bit unusual and did not fit the idea I had as to a good fighting stance where previously I was led to believe we assume a naihanchi side stance to reduce body area or targeting opportunities.

He didn't really explain it all that well yet because it was referenced as the ideal posture to assume as taught by Tatsuo Sensei, the founder of the system I practice, we just accepted it and moved on. Thirty plus years later I read the chapter, "The Triangle Guard," twenty-one and realized that statement, "Oh crap, that is what he meant by assuming that stance/posture/kamae!" You know, one of those "oh shit, that is it" moments.

If I had a bit more detailed explanation as is provided by Pearlman Sensei it would have become more alive for me and as I passed along what I learned from Henry Sensei it would have better satisfied the learning and practice of my students.

It just goes to show two things, always ask questions and don't take "because I said so or because that is the way the master taught it" as an answer. Sensei owe it to their students to either give a satisfactory answer or say, "I need to research it and I will answer your question at the next session." You can put in  the quotes any response you would be comfortable with, yes.

Another idea just occurred, just because it doesn't look cool or it isn't what you see Bruce Lee doing does not mean it has no value or application.

Point: Due to the new view and knowledge of how to explain a front snap kick I now "see" things I either didn't perceive although they worked or it was never explained adequately to me and I accepted it merely because it worked for me. I can now "see" more in my practice than before simply because someone finally explained it fully and completely to me. If I had been in receipt of those explanations in the stages I propose to instruction then it might have built to a fullness as I progressed but then again it is never too late. It feels good to now see the complete picture and that opened the door to other theories and perceptions that can and will explain even more. I just can't express it more how important it is to seek out and gain the knowledge to "make it work."

It also made me think that not gaining the correct and full explanations may have been one of the many reasons why "patching" was implemented. Marc MacYoung and Rory Miller introduced patching as a lack of knowledge where someone tries to adjust something so it works but it does not work as it could or should, i.e. muscling it vs. using fundamentals and principles, etc.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

Blog Adjustments

Just to let you know that all my blogs have been "moved" into one account. I had them set to particular email accounts that would differentiate each accordingly but for efficiency I transferred all four blogs to the one main account so you might see some of my profile stats different, i.e. now under isshin.do.karate@gmail.com mail account, etc.

Everything else remains intact as do the actual historical postings, etc.

Thanks,

Charles J.

The "EYES" Must See

Note: I felt that this was also related to my recent posts on this blog.

I can be stubborn where once I learn something that really resonates with me with emphasis on my practice of karate-do I tend to resist any attempts to refute that premise even when it is incontrovertible truth. I have since found that this is a crippling trait that I now try to avoid at all costs. It assumes that my findings are the final answer when in reality all answers are subject to "change."

In this light the ken-po goku-i's reference in line seven also can mean to "see" truth; to "see" beyond our limited understanding of things; to "see" that all idea's and answers to all things are subject to the same laws that govern the Universe, i.e. constantly changing; fluid. We must "see" ourselves for what we truly are so that we don't color our view with preconceived notions and idea's that we tend to make intractable so we remain inflexible; a path to disaster and stunted growth both personal and in martial training.

Seeing all sides is to "see" all sides. Don't limit your interpretation and application of this to just what you literally see to all sides of your physical presence. Step outside the box, see all sides!

Something New Every Day

It is amazing that I can learn something absolutely new and still see that it was there all along but because I didn't have some frame of reference I failed to see it in that particular light. I say particular light because I feel we all know some of this stuff yet fail to bring it to the forefront of our minds because that reference point fails to surface and point the way.

Today, I see something that I find "critical" to the practice of martial arts, any art. That one thing that seems to provide a connection to all things but tends to fall away because of many factors of which one is simply not seeing it for the shadow we ourselves cast over it.

Let me say that all martial arts are good. They all serve a purpose. The specifics of a system are more in line with creating its unique personality that tends to fit individual personalities. I like Okinawan Isshinryu because the aspects unique to that system speak to me individually. You might practice Kung Fu, one of its many flavors.

So, what are the unifying aspects of all martial arts that connect us all universally? One is basics, the introduction to the system. This does not change. The next are the fundamentals of martial systems, they also do not change. Lastly, for now anyway, are the principles of the martial arts, they also don't change. I can add, for this moment till I study it a bit more, that both principles and fundamentals meet or converge.

I will quote Sensei Steven L. Pearlman from his book, "The Book of Martial Power." In chapter one, "The Nature and Importance of Principles," he gives a definition as follows:

Principle
- A "fundamental" law or truth upon which other techniques and actions are based;
- The natural way a thing [such as the human body] operates; and
- A philosophical or moral tenet.

Note: See bibliography below and get a copy, well worth the cost and effort.

Body mechanics, fundamental that transcends a particular system and encompasses all of them.
Momentum, fundamental that transcends a particular system and encompasses all of them.

Just two samples of what I see as both fundamental and a principle as defined above. As he explains this is the principles that allow all the different and varying systems practiced doable as long as one takes the time to learn the principles/fundamentals that give the system its "oomph!"

So, because I seek knowledge from any and all sources. Because I just happened to read the "Mokuren Dojo Blog." Because Patrick Parker Sensei decided to write posts on this books content I found another library addition that helps be believe and strive to open my mind and allow many new concepts and things, although they were always there, by turning on another light to illuminate the many paths we have available in our pursuit of the way or karate-do for me.

Even in the many factions of Isshinryu, regardless of beliefs and arguments that differentiate them, these truths, principles, remain identical in all factions, tribes, or systems; your choice of naming.

Bibliography:
Perlman, Steven J. "The Book of Martial Power: The Universal Guide to the Combative Arts." New York. The Overlook Press. 2006.

Caveat: I reserve the right to be incorrect on this so expect me to change as I read and go on... ;-)

Details

Something we strive to learn up front then forget about once we can actually do it while retaining the details in the application. Some details are pertinent to the application while others are just distractions. Knowing the difference is an important detail.

CB Radio Era

I am reminded sometimes of that era of "Smokey and the Bandit" where Burt Reynolds through the movie spurred the huge sale of CB Radio's. It also spurred the every day person in their car to mimic the big truckers and the lingo of the radio much to the chagrin of real truckers who had to tend with all the traffic while performing cross country hauling of American merchandise.

This is what I think of every time I see someone assume some Japanese sounding term or name to call themselves to form some newly perceived ultimate traditional martial system. I say this with a smile as I am a person who has done some research and experimentation using Japanese, Kanji characters, and so forth in my attempts to understand what is being conveyed from the older practices newly translated. Example is my recent posting on the characters vs. the full English translation of the ken-po goku-i.

In jest I once took a Japanese name for a forklift company I saw on a billboard and used it to promote/test levels of knowledge and understanding, i.e. the name was "Kumatsu forklifts" of which I once used, "Kumatsu," to name some obtuse kata that I am sure was made up by someone who didn't really know anything about karate/karate-do. Funny, people took me seriously.

"10-10 we down we gone bye bye!" CD lingo, movie generated sound bytes, for good bye, signing off now. Sounds cool but means nothing and is an irritant to those who actually use the radio's, back in the late seventies, for business and more serious communications.

I like playing around with kanji and trying to figure out if I can actually put it together right but seriously I prefer in most cases to use English explanations to convey idea's and intent a bit more accurately.

I guess it is part of all the glamour some tend to seek out by taking what they perceive is some exotic form of exercise. Break-break-good buddy, got your ears on? Funny I even remember that CB crap.

Frame of Reference

In order for the mind/brain to do something it has to have some sort of frame of reference. It does not have to be exact but something that will allow the brain to piece together some response for the mind-body to take or not take. Training is supposed to provide a frame of reference for the karate-ka to achieve some proficiency.

Sometimes we find ourselves rejecting something because we don't have or cannot create some reference point that corresponds to what we already know or have learned in other settings, we refuse to allow a reference to achieve its goal because our brain's monkey mind tells us that does not compute even if it does and would work.

Basics, fundamentals, kata, kumite, and so forth are tools that build on our references and if done correctly will not be rigid to one but allow the brain to do what it does best, take the many options and form a action or response that has a frame of reference to that training and if realistic and done well enough overcomes the monkey mind and acts.

In order to understand those experiences most karate-ka have never experienced cannot truly understand fully what that particular experience will effect as to the mind. There are some things that will cause us to freeze or act inappropriately for the event simply because it cannot fathom what is happening and thus no frame of reference nor an ability to break out of the freeze, etc.

It is imperative that training and practice break out of the comfort zone and seek out those chaotic events that can be induced in training much like the military and police, etc. where their training must be such that it programs the mind with reference points that can be enacted until the mind truly achieves some experience in real time.

This is a discussion that has and will go on for a long time for today's martial systems simply due to a lack of understanding and a frame of reference for most that will allow the brain to reach beyond the comfort zone and seek out knowledge and experience, of a sort with out actually getting it live, that will provide the programs, those modules that are pieced together by the main brain program, so that it can provide action instantly.

Does this make sense?

p.s. education + experience is the formula to = frame of reference ...

Learning is Never Ending

I am currently reading through the book I found through Mr. Patrick Parker Sensei's blog, "Mokuren Dojo." Search through his blog site for the titles that have "BOMP" in them for his postings.

I remember at my start as a black belt that I knew a lot and I still understood that I had a lot of learn yet till in this "later years" I never fully realized just how important all that hoopla I got as a young person was so relevant, eduction. I sometimes in early years felt that once I learned something specific it was pretty much written in stone. I also fell into that mode of refuting any idea's or comments that went against that belief and understanding almost to the point of ignoring irrefutable proof of my wrong vs. a right or better yet my inaccurate vs a more accurate piece of knowledge.

The book is, "The Book of Martial Power," by Steven J. Perlman Sensei. I like hard covered books so spent the extra as I suspected, rightly so, that is would be a important and permanent library addition. The paperback is only $12.21 on Amazon also well worth the cost.

I am barely 3/4's the way through it and find so much it is mind boggling. I can only say thanks to Mokuren Dojo blog, Parker Sensei, for discussing the topic as I may not have found it otherwise.

It comes down to seeing things from a view that says, "hey, I didn't know that," to "hey, that is why I do that," to "hey, what a great way to explain it," to "I have so darn much to learn still," and many other ways to look at the value of today's materials.

I began seriously in the seventies and must say that as time has passed the quality and value of the material on martial arts has improved regardless of either the sporting aspects or the commercialism. There are those who took the time and energy to rediscover the basics, fundamentals, and principles of martial systems that for our time now can be conveyed in many different forms from the likes of Mokuren Dojo to Perlman Sensei's book to others such as:

Warner Dean Henry, Patrick Parker, John Vesia, Sue Wharton (SueC), Mario McKenna, Rory Miller, Marc MacYoung and his wife's animal list, Arcenio Advincula, Gary Henry, Charles Goodin, Dojo Rat, Rob Redmond, Tris Sutrisno, Lawrence A. Kane, Dave Lowry, Elmar T. Schmeisser, James Legge, Richard Wilhelm, Loren W. Christensen, Nancy Sherman, Gavin DeBecker, George Mattson, Michael Clarke, George Breed, Patrick McCarthy, Nicklaus Suino, Angel Lemus, P.M. Forni, Jill Bolte Taylor, H. E. Davey and so many more in books, blogs, DVD's, VHS, and other media provide insights that a martial artist can learn from and attain more knowledge even if they cannot directly participate in the training and practice of all these fine martial artists.

All I can say is that my current reading material has gone further than my meodicre writing and teaching abilities that it is inspiring. In the commercialized world in which we live it is critical that the few like these folks insist on taking it further and farther than just learning enough, to seek out more, and more, and more is wonderful.

Thanks to everyone, everyday! This gives so much more meaning to the maxim that one who wishes to truly follow the way will never stop learning their entire lives. It is so true for me.

Note: If you see a name you do not recognize then take a look at my library list at the bottom of this blog to find the book in question. As to DVD's and so on, google it!

Kata Particulars

Mentioned this a few times and believe wrote a post on it, kata is not supposed to be static. Yes, in the beginning to build a blueprint one follows the systems basic/fundamentals yet there comes a point when you have to go outside the box, that comfort zone of where you feel you can do it with out thought. A common mistake when discussions of mind-no-mind come up. Being able to perform a kata with out thought is merely dancing. Remaining stuck in the basics of a kata are stifling.

The particulars of a kata are those that provide the brain/mind a means to reference it or its individual parts to construct on the fly an appropriate response be it verbal or physical. The brain does not file whole thoughts and idea's into a memory slot. Those entire memories are fragmented and stored where ever the brain stores them according to the process you use to learn it, i.e. like association which is a bunkai to a stance and technique, so you can begin to understand the repetitive practice need in karate-do.

Kata have stances that vary along with techniques unique to some particular strategy/tactic of combat yet it is not exclusive. If it were, as it is practiced today, then you would learn about every conceivable fighting/combative situation and never be hit BUT it is complex and there are zillions of variances to it so kata in that light would be totally inefficient but if you take the road to beyond the basics/fundamentals of the system, kata, etc. then you can see how the  brain works with pieces so if a new event occurs the brain can pieces together a response. The brain is something miraculous.

Kata particulars are not written in stone. Although the fundamentals of the system should remain intact it does NOT mean that it remains intact as you progress but becomes a living thing coupled with realistic training and practice achieves great things; or not.

A good example that has seemingly taken over a kata in practice is the "timing" issue. My perception of timing is different from others. Others tend to look at it as the time it takes to perform the kata where a particular time is provided much like the start/stop point of embusen where a person has to stop at the allotted time for a particular kata. Time over or under is used to reduce scores. This seems sporting but not realistic to effective use of kata for combative purposes.

Timing to me is what is needed to apply effective technique at a particular target point using a particular stance and technique finding the vertical axis target point and meeting it effectively and optimally to not get hit and take out the ability of an attacker to continue doing damage. There is an effective timing, much like in music, and a rhythm that can be applied to ensure it is done according to the fundamentals, i.e. momentum, distance, pose, posture, effective body alignments, etc.

Something to consider, something to think about, something to contemplate; don't you think?

Another issue to me is "rushing." Watch a kata and sometimes you see it as if the person is working extra hard to get it over with. Listen up, the most wonderful part of kata practice and training is finding the rhythm and timing according to the many facets of bunkai interpretations leaving a limiting concept of overall time constraints out of the picture entirely. It is done when it is done. It has a purpose, fluid and changing, so let the life of kata come forth and create itself in real time. It may be why Tatsuo Sensei was known to do kata a bit differently each time, it was a living thing he was connecting to his body and mind.

A symbiotic relationship development process! After all, many lost effectiveness can be attributed to a rush with basics, fundamentals, and kata training and practice. This could be many, many posts, you think?

We Want to Feel Special

I have come to the conclusion, for today and this moment anyway, that uniforms, patches, belts, titles, and other stuff in karate is simply our strong desire to be special. We all want to be unique in some way which is funny because in general that leads to trends.

A trend I personally find kind of "interesting [being kind here]" is this fad of wearing really baggy pants down around your hips and below. I watch guys walking around as if they have something caught up their backside, you know a bit like the Charlie Chaplin walk. This trend got started in an underwear ad, i.e. Marky Mark at the time did an ad with no shirt and his pants down enough to display the upper half of white skivvies.

It seems we have no limits because I have even viewed sites that actually have a mock up of a uniform with indications as to where all the patches are to be placed and in one there is almost nowhere on the uniform that does NOT have some patch showing.

Ok, you saying, who the f*&^ are you telling me yadda yadda yadda. I once held that patches and titles were acceptable in my instruction and practice. I had the Isshinryu patch over the heart and then I added one for being in a tournament referee's certification org, the association patch and then another set of patches for the shoulder with some kanji that had some special "warrior quote." I been there, done that and now realize just how stupid I was going there as it did not do anything but get a few laughs from folks I respected.

I also feel that our need to stand out and feel special carries forth to our "great need" for external validation from guys who we think are the end all experts and authorities on the art of karate and other martial systems. In reality I discovered those who were really, really experts and authorities on their respective systems didn't go with this stuff.

Yes, again I went this way as well so I speak from "personal" experience. I joined two different Isshinryu orgs in those early years, i.e. early 1980's, only to discover that if I looked beyond the fluff it became political/control with a lot of money driving it forward. I came to know that if I did not spend my money to attend sanctioned seminars or buy their karate/martial gear/uniforms, etc. or I didn't participate in their sanctioned events, i.e. tournaments, etc. I could not qualify for any promotions and then only if I paid the fee. Let me tell you, even then, the fees were pretty big when you consider your paying it for a piece of paper with some guys signature who has never seen you, instructed you or even worked out with you to see if you could actually, "do it on the dojo floor!"

Am I getting cynical in my old age? Guess so or maybe I am finally growing up a bit. Now, now, if you take offense remember this is me and my view so don't personalize it. Yet, if you do maybe you should take a closer look at yourself.

Super Grand Master of Masters of Okinawan Karate, Kobudo, Iaido, Kendo, Kenpo Gokui, Budo, Bushido with a red belt with darker red stripes to indicate my high status mucky muck title and position in the world of Martial Arts.

- Like my title ;-)

Inspired by Mario McKenna Sensei blog post, "More Useless Titles." 

Economy of Motion

Less is better! Often the comment, as to Isshinryu, is that it works with out those wind up type techniques seen sometimes in kata competition and sport training facilities for sport karate. One is flashy to impress and the other is to economize energy and provide less detectable technique.

Tells are those actions that are more detectable to an opponent. Tells are a term used for sparring and competitions but as to fighting I am not sure I would waste precious moments trying to determine if the attacker is projecting some "tell" that I can use against them. In my very limited experience fights, not necessarily violent predatory stuff, of the socially driven kind tend to go very fast once it goes physical. The only tell I want to see is when the attacker enters my clear zone, i.e. gets in range.

Regardless of tells the goal in a fight first is to avoid it, second is to not get hit, and third is to act the moment your perceive they are in range, if you can, which could be done visually or when the first strike rocks your boat.

Economy of motion is finding that equilibrium between the motion of say a strike to the power needed. You do not put anymore motion in the arm for a punch then is necessary. You let your body mass, momentum, bring the power to the table and the hand and arm move only so far. Look at it like a piston in an engine. When it cycles through the four strokes there is a point where the compression is the highest and the power generation the greatest. It does not fire until it gets to that point and the stroke if to long or to short diminishes power, ask any one who has raced cars on a quarter mile.

To much movement provides to much time for the attacker to turn your lights off. It can take you to far out of range and you will lose effectiveness and so on. A lot of Isshinryu kata teach to cock the hand for a strike all the way back to the waist. This is ok for basics or intro to the system and instruction in form and movement yet there comes a time when that is no longer valid.

The best example I can provide for Isshinryu practitioners is the story of the vertical fist. Originally all Okinawan karate used a twist motion/punch where it came all the way from the waist and then all the way to full extension with arm locked and fist moving from vertical to horizontal. Yet, when you watched those same practitioners in kumite they all dropped the twist punch and tended to always punch with a vertical fist. In addition they seldom held the fist at the waist for a strike nor did they drop it back to the waist when punching. The hands/fists remained up in front, naturally held, to protect and to punch.

It is a great system to teach the basic and fundamentals of any system but one must graduate to a more efficient process, i.e. reduce unnecessary movement/motions, etc. Watch the old, old boxing matches of the early nineteen hundreds like Max Schmelling and Jack Dempsey and you will not see Mr. Dempsey dropping his hands back to his waist to knock out someone in the ring.

Lousi L'Amour hits at this as well in his biographical book the wandering man. He too was a fighter of sorts. Be mindful of how you do kata and how you apply karate techniques in kumite, sparring, practice, training and see if you have any disparities. Remember that kata and basics are the blueprints but to build the entire house takes a bit of adjustment as you go along to make sure the building is cost effective.

Isshinryu-no-Megami Hands

One hand is open and one is closed into a fist. What is the symbolism of this? The right hand is closed to represent the hard aspects of our style. It also suggests that we have the ability to defend ourselves if required. The left hand is open to represent the softer aspects of our style. It represents peace and tells us that we have no weapons and we strive to avoid trouble.

In the book, "Japan: Strategy of the Unseen", by Michel Random the quote I am referring to is as follows: "The open palm of the Buddha’s represents the Extended, the Infinite. A closed fist represents only itself."

The open palm as stated above tells us that our training is not a goal but a life long endeavor that is never over or you could say infinite in its nature for training and practice takes us all the way to our transition to the Tao.

The closed fist represents only itself might suggest that lost path, the closed mind, the trap that our ego puts on our mind and thus into our bodies. If we close our minds to the possibilities of what life and practice have to offer then we close ourselves to the possibilities that are afforded to us in our journey to enlightenment.

The open hand and closed fist also represent the "in-yo" or dualism of nature that must become one or the Tao of life. All things begin and end with one.

We can also say that the open hand represents the state of mind we must all maintain in our practice as well as in our lives. To keep our minds open to all of life's possibilities and use the singular practice of the way of the empty hand as our guide in reaching out to the stars.

Lastly, I also feel it signifies the maxim of soft-to-hard:hard-to-soft applications. I believe this is symbolized because it provides a maxim that applies to all technique applications depending on the targeting. A punch involves the closed fist and punching with the fore-knuckles, i.e. karate punch, and a strike involves the open hand such as a slap to the head, an open handed back hand to the face, or the use of the open hand, the elbow, the forearm or both elbow and forearm. The soft-to-hard:hard-to-soft maxim means use a hard, fist, against soft targets; a soft, strike/slap, against hard targets.

Bibliography:
Sutrisno, Tristan, MacYoung, Marc and Gordon, Dianna. "Becoming a Complete Martial Artist: Error Detection in Self Defense and the Martial Arts." Lyons Press. Connecticut. 2005.

Impressive: Impressions

Humans can be easily impressed. I have practiced karate-do for about 35 years. One guy said, "Wow, that is impressive. I bet your good and have a high rank!"

Truthfully, just because I have practiced for 35 years DOES NOT MEAN that I practiced correctly. It does not mean that I am good and it does not mean that I have a high rank. It sounds impressive maybe but really?

I hear of folks professing that they have multiple black belts in multiple systems. Sounds impressive. Is it really? I have walked by a local dojo in my town and observed many trophies and many accolades in writing on the walls with pictures. Impressive isn't it? Is it really?

What is impressive regardless is anyone who follows something over a long haul. In that light my statement of 35 years is impressive but it does not mean anything more than I am persistent, diligent, and highly motivated toward my system. It does NOT mean I can fight, defend, instruct, etc.! If you had been under my tutelage for all 35 years and knew me and my training personally you might be able to say I can do this or that but that is still subjective.

I can post with the best of them. I can post stuff that sounds correct and applicable but it does not mean that I am capable of applying it. There is only one way anyone can determine that and that is to train and practice side by side with me for a considerable period of time. I can impress the dickens out of someone with one or two visits but does that really mean anything and is it really impressive?

I can look good doing kata and you may be impressed yet can I do anything else? Impressions and impressive actions and deeds are subjective for if I were impressive to you the next guy might say, not impressed.

It use to be that a person said he was a black belt that it WAS impressive. Today, the way McDojo's and so many other systems push out black belts that when someone professes to be one I am not impressed one bit but will get that way if they can get out on the dojo floor and demonstrate to my idea of black belt over a period of time, that then impresses me.

Is being impressive or conveying an impressive thing really impressive or just posturing to be special and god like in the eyes of the uninitiated, i.e. an ego trip. If I say I am a certified expert instructor would you be impressed or would it impress you more to have experienced my instruction and come away satisfied with what you learned?

We humans are easily impressed.

Isshinryu's Main Goal

This goal is simply the intro to the system, there are so many more steps and the goals are fluid; they change as we progress!

"Isshinryu's main goal is to perfect of oneself through physical and mental development. As students learn they acquire self-confidence, serenity, and humility." - Vertical Fist Web Site "What is Isshinryu Karate?"

I keep researching this one as it would connect to the "spirit in which Tatsuo wanted" us to practice his system. [oh, this statement also falls under the heading of, "How would I know if this or that is the intended spirit of Tatsuo Sensei?"] Yes, anyone who practices "any system" of karate or martial art can, if they have that intent, acquire self-confidence, serenity, and humility. Where I have a bit of difference is in saying, as if they heard it from Tatsuo Sensei's very lips, that Isshinryu's main goal is to ...

Is it, in my somewhat humble opinion Isshinryu's main goal is to teach us out to compete in sport karate, to fight in the so called school yard scuffle, i.e. the social monkey dance. You can, it the intent is there, achieve both a better physical and mental fitness but as to the main goal, not to me. It is more of a side benefit of practicing.

Isshinryu's main goal, main purpose, what was taught to military on Okinawa in the late fifties and sixties is to fight and to win what Tatsuo Sensei called "karate matches." Well, actually the silk certificate of promotion says on some, "I also recognize him as 6 dan due to his success in the karate matches in which he participated." Success may or may not mean to win.

So, I will amend my view. I believe the main goal of Isshinryu is to participate in and be successful in karate matches, learn the basic's of the system, and to continue the practice and study of Isshinryu after the one year tour/return to the states. This is what many of the so-called first generation students as well as the silk certificates indicated. He may or may not have wanted us to pursue the esoteric side of Tatsuo's customs by the receipt of a silk copy of the ken-po goku-i.

In reality above and beyond my statement of the goals all else is simply self indulgent egoistic posturing to feel good and to be perceived as something special above others.

Isshinryu Statements of Fact - NOT [or maybe]

"All stories have a beginning; over time it becomes difficult to remember which version is the truth." - Gronski.org "Origins of Shaolin Kung Fu: History of the Various Forms [http://blog.gronski.org/]

In Isshinryu, as with other martial labeled systems, sometimes oversteps its intent simply because one cannot "prove" the validity of such statements that I am providing in the following post. In my efforts to provide a more accurate, to me and my view that is, picture of the system I would say about the following:

"Isshinryu stresses proficiency with both hand and foot techniques, making it he most versatile form of Karate because you have no weak points."

[In some factions/circles they also profess that the system has an equal number of both hand and foot technique in kata which is not accurate. Do your own count if you practice the system or just call up a kata on Youtube and do a count. In all likelihood you will find a lot more hand stuff then kicks, etc. unless you wish to hide this fact under the guise that the other foot waza are secret/hidden bunkai ;-).  I would also ask how anyone can say that Isshinryu is the most "versatile form of karate" with out some sort of research done by an authoritative and scientifically driven organization. Don't folks tend to scream when banks, retailers, and so forth fail to provide the truth in their advertisements but when karate dojo put it out we assume its accuracy and don't question its validity?]

"Isshinryu is the most realistic style of Karate, stressing close-in techniques necessary for "street fighting" where you haven't time for elaborate time consuming wind-ups of other styles."

[The "most realistic style of karate?" Really, who says so and who says they are the ultimate authority. I might have said that I believe it to be the most realistic to my practice but then again I am not trying to irk out a living by the volume of members, etc. Who says Isshinryu is for street-fighting? I can say that it has that potential depending on intent of instruction as long as the person instructing has adequate credentials and experience in violence, etc. I can say most of Isshinryu is for sport, not street.]

"Isshinryu is the most sensible form of Karate, ... "

[Sensible to whom? In my view all systems are good, they all serve a purpose. If you practice Isshinryu most likely you chose it because it or the Sensei fit some perceived need or notion that fit your comfort zone, body style, personality, etc. I can say that I believe most folks regardless of the system of practice can say that theirs is the most sensible, for them.]

"Isshinryu is more adaptable to the American physique and temperament than other more rigid styles because the Okinawa, masters designed it to follow natural body movements."

[Yet, all systems of karate and/or other martial systems are practiced by Americans. Is this saying they had a more difficult time learning their systems than those who learned Isshinryu because their systems are NOT adaptable to American physiques and temperaments? Poppykosh, all systems are good and they all serve a purpose. If it does not follow natural body movements then they require a contortionist to do them. There are adjustments in all physical activities regardless so once again in my opinion, poppykosh!]

"Isshinryu will put you into better physical shape because it " provides you with an aggressive exercise program that will, improve your muscle tone, flexibility, speed, and wind."

[Ok, I can buy this a bit simply because most every dojo, Isshinryu or otherwise, do lots and lots of strenuous activity as warm up and basics. All physical activities that require us to get up off the couch and move are beneficial and will contribute to health and fitness. In my humble opinion it is NOT an aggressive exercise program, it is a budo or fighting or combative system originally but I guess now that it is a sport system it is different.]

In closing, I feel personally it is important to do our best to remain true to the spirit of karate-do, to Tatsuo Sensei's intent for Isshinryu, and to the culture and customs the Okinawan's developed through out their long history. Truth in how we "see," "speak," "act," and "instruct" or system is an important consideration. I try to look at what I broadcast so I can try to pass along accurate stuff. I often ask that if errors or omissions are discovered to provide corrective and constructive feedback/comments and I will make a change.

Some of these quotes are meant to be conveyed as the unique traits of the Isshinryu system and since I have found those traits to be less than accurate I can only say the only "original defining characteristics unique to Isshinryu" at its naming are the vertical fist, the thumb on top of the vertical fist, and the muscle forearm block. I would add that this is important that these particular features/traits, etc. were applicable in the late fifties but today are not exclusive to Isshinryu anymore because many have adopted this stuff.

Think of it this way, just because you say it; just because no one can disprove it; just because no one can connect it to some rule, law, or government requirement does not mean you should use it, say it, write it, or advertise it. It may attract the uninitiated; it may sound cool; it may look cool with graphics YET should you use it?

Ok, someone said, "It isn't going to hurt anyone and it is only a small little white lie anyway." NOT, if you say you are the ultimate course in self defense; you learn my system and can defend anyone against anything. Then your former student gets into a physical altercation, gets hurt, hurts their attacker, etc. gets arrested, gets sued, and so on don't you think a good attorney/lawyer is going to use this to help defend their clients actions and when done in criminal court the others family is going to sue you in civil court? Yes? No? Maybe?

Why study the Chinese ancient classics?

We practice Okinawan Karate, yes? So, a good question is why would we want to study the ancient Chinese classics? In a nutshell to understand the customs of the Okinawans and especially the fighting arts of karate we would want to study the classics because Okinawan's are a product of the Chinese influences and they also studied the classics, the customs, the courtesies, etc. of the Chinese.

The Chinese as to historical data received the greatest influences from them and worked diligently to assume and practice them in a unique Okinawan fashion.

With out going into more depth I would express my answer here through my study of Isshinryu karate-do. Isshinryu is a fairly young Okinawan system but the creator, Tatsuo Shimabuku Sensei, did study the classics such as the Chinese I Ching and Bubushi, which is a tome on Chinese boxing.

He also presented early practitioners a copy of the ken-po goku-i on silk in kanji/English. The significance here is it is derived from his studies and influences from earlier masters of Okinawan karate who also derived these from the study of Chinese classics with an emphasis on the Chinese version of the bubishi.

Do you have to study them to practice/learn/instruct karate in any of its forms? No, you do not yet I firmly believe to achieve greater depth and breadth and understanding and applications you should study them. I firmly believe they are the Yin side of that coin, yang being the physical practice of karate. It will provide guidance and balance in your studies and practices where they will become most influential when you actually take up the instruction of karate-do.

Something one who studies a martial system should consider. You might want to remember that even the Japanese studied the classics and then incorporated what the felt was pertinent into their customs, etc. Everything Japanese/Okinawan were influenced by Chinese connections.

On Training and Practice

The information processing that the brain must perform to initiate a voluntary movement can be divided into three steps. The first step is to select an appropriate response to the current situation, out of a repertoire of possible responses. This response, which corresponds to a particular behavioral objective, is determined in a global, symbolic fashion.

The second step is to plan the movement in physical terms. This step consists in defining the characteristics of the selected response as the sequence of muscle contractions required to carry it out.

The third step is to actually execute the movement. It is in this step that the motor neurons are activated that trigger the observable mechanics of the movement.

In light of what we now know about the sequence in which the motor areas of the cortex are activated, we can deconstruct the classic sequence "Ready? Set. Go!" in terms of localized activity in the brain.

In the "Ready?" phase, the parietal and frontal lobes become active first, with a contribution from the subcortical structures involved in vigilance and attentiveness.

The "Set" command then activates the supplementary and premotor cortical areas, where the strategies for movement are developed and maintained until the "Go!" signal is given.

The "Go!" signal may come from an outside source, as it does in an actual race [fight?], or it may come from inside the person doing the running [fighting], who decides for himself or herself that all the conditions are present to start running [fighting-defending-protecting].

The "Go!" command then applies information from subcortical structures such as the basal ganglia that will influence Area 6, and then eventually the primary cortex, which will cause the action to be carried out.

In a nutshell this is the process the brain uses, naturally and according to DNA and mother nature, to achieve "correct" application of the "correct" response to stimuli. Upon reviewing this and other data on how the brain works pulling actions in response to stimuli, what actions are pulled, why they are pulled and how we get those that are appropriate to actually go to accomplish a task. In our case, karate, the right moves to not get hit.

As I study this and associate it, encode it, with other studies to include study/practice of karate I can see why repetitive training along with as realistic practice that can be done is imperative to encoding things that will work over the flight-n-fight response which for most folks is freeze or freeze-n-run responses.

Another notable training maxim is to train as close to natural physical responses as you can. If you are a neophyte you may instinctively raise your hands in front of you when some fear inducing stimuli is encountered, i.e. seeing an object coming swiftly toward your face. If you train to raise your hands instinctively and then encode/add a simplistic technique to it then it will be more likely to actually work.

What is described above is pretty much set in the mind and to either enhance natural movement with more effective movement or change it a bit to fit your system takes hard sweat equity work over time, diligent time, and continuous diligent practice time.

http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/index_i.html

Training vs. Reality: Training for Reality

Training is not reality but reality can be and is training. I say training is not reality because intent although to take you as close as you can is not real life violent encounters. The mindset alone negates this because no matter how close you get training to reality the mind still knows subconsciously and consciously that this is not real.

The reverse can affect someone who actually has to deal with violence on the street, the mind tends to tell someone who has no experience that this is not real, it cannot be happening to me and can cause us to "freeze." So I can extrapolate as to my theories on this area.

There are training scenario's that can at least push a person into a fear factor with adrenaline dumps, etc. After all, fear can be induced either by some danger or some perceived danger. The mind does this to us as a part of our survival instincts from thousands of years in the survival game.

Our minds piece meal data together quickly and that sometimes fools us until the brain can analyze it a bit more ergo why somethings tend to get our emotions going only to find out a minute later we were mistaken. Normal stuff, everyday stuff.

The idea like most training, i.e. military, is to induce stimuli that can and does take you as close to reality as possible with out actually endangering life and limb. Injuries, of course, expected but not a cause of either life endangerment or possible crippling effects, hopefully.

If you do a bit more review on the material I provided on the brain and the various functions you can see between the lines on possible tools to help you and your mind to achieve the ability to turn it on when encountered. It is like Rory Miller's permission to "go" or to "go for it" so a person does not restrict thier actions when needed.

All this is fine and dandy but then again no matter what you do and how close to reality your training is you will never truly know if it works until the first time you have to trigger permission to "go" and to "act" instantly or as close to instantly as humanly possible. That is the crucial point from my perspective, will your mind and your instincts as mother nature provided allow you to "go" to "act" when the rubber hits the road.

Of course, this discussion has, is and will always be there. Last remark, remember just because it might not work one time does not mean it will not work the next time. Sometimes it happens where nothing works then it suddenly works the next time. Self-analysis will help discover the reality of why it did or did not; be brutally honest with yourself. I believe that is why Mr. Miller likes to use in seminars the "AAR's" or after action reports so the group can analyze actions and discover flaws, etc.

Yes? No? Maybe?

Caveat: Remember I am not an expert, I no longer work in a job that requires this (Marines), and I no longer feel I am proficient enough in self defense so take it in, analyze it, see if it works for you and finally validate it from those professionals who do this daily.

Kata or Embusen or Kata

I can only answer this in a theoretical setting. The reason is there is "no data or historical documents/documentation" to provide us an answer. It is a very good question tho and I am going to answer it only from my personal views and knowledge, as minimalistic as that is.

The kata came first. My belief is that those who came before, the creators of karate as derived from the original indigenous practice of toudi or ti, pulled together their techniques and along with their studies of the Chinese arts of the fist, Chinese boxing, they created their kata.

Lets take it back a bit and try to understand how karate came to be. Okinawa had some form of fighting system which came to be known as "Ti" which is Okinawan dialect for Te or hand if you will. It is also believed that it was referred to as "toudi" or a type of wrestling/grappling/striking system [this is arguable/debatable of course].

The Okinawan's relied heavily on trade with other countries for their livelihood. Their primary sources and influences were Chinese. The trade and exchange with the Chinese is well documented in the only English history book we have and other information/documentation is simply hypothesis by Americans, etc.

The Chinese influences permeated all aspects of life on Okinawa barring the one trait that seems to be exclusive to them, their gentlemanly nature; their peaceful way of politeness and decorum they expressed to anyone and everyone be they friends or conquerors.

The Chinese influences were very strong regarding Okinawan fighting systems in that Chinese boxing was a part of the relations both countries enjoyed for many, many years. We hear stories of Okinawan's traveling to China to learn Chinese boxing which we call "kung fu."

The Chinese already had patterns for practice which we call kata so that in all likelihood influenced Okinawan masters of their systems to incorporate these patterns of fighting into a "kata." We may have found if it were actually documented that they were not called "kata" then but some other Uchinaguchi term, i.e. this is the Okinawan dialect of language.

The Chinese had a name they called the forms or rather the movements, i.e. "Eighteen Movements of Lohan (Order 26). These techniques are thought to be the basis of the modern martial arts and the true origin of Shaolin Kung Fu," as stated here, " http://blog.gronski.org/2010/12/origins-of-shaolin-kung-fu-history-of-the-various-forms/ "

So, regarding karate of Okinawa, the kata came first and the patterns of movements where embusen are formed by the practice came to be and who knows when those lines or blueprints of kata came to be called embusen. I can extrapolate that it might have come from Japanese influences but suspect it actually came from the implementation of the "sportive aspects" and the "implementation to school systems" effort.

Most who refer to embusen tend to connect it to the tournament efforts for start/stop and evaluation grading in competitions.

So, what do you feel is the source and purpose of embusen? The one caveat I would express here and all the time is all information must be taken as theory simply because very little was actually documented for historical purposes.

I my humble opinion documentation of any kind concerning karate did not come to fruition until the late 1800's but more in the 1900's after WWII. 

Purpose of the Embusen Line

It is another tool to teach the fundamentals of the system. I would suggest that it is a tool that promotes memory lock, i.e. when you associate something with something else that relates to where it reinforces then the memory becomes stronger and easier to reconstruct.

Embusen is that line that also provides guidance as to proper stance to the technique associated with it. Each technique has a specific stance, posture, pose, etc. that maximizes that techniques application. When you follow embusen it provides a means to indicate if a stance is properly assumed or not which affects the applied technique. A blueprint if you will.

It also provides you a means to orient the body to the proper directions, stances, postures, and application of techniques for range, targeting, etc. If you are not orienting your body and direction properly it will show in the initial stages by a loss of proper embusen. You can say it teaches using movement and kamae to cover distance and to gain proper distance to target for the particular technique in the kata.

Once a person learns the fundamentals of the entire kata and set of kata then is the embusen still as important? Less so as the practitioner progresses there is going to be changes and adjustments to suit that particular individual due to many factors such as size, weight, leg length, arm length, etc. which affect momentum, distancing, focus, range to target, etc.

Embusen is the signature of the base gross movement of kata and can be tightened as progress is made until its need and purpose no longer exists. This can happen quickly or in years depending once again on the individual.

Yes? No? Maybe?

Once you achieve proficiency you have to remember strict adherence to embusen means you lose the ability to adjust both stance and technique as it relates to the present moment stimuli. Remember in real fighting  you are going to adjust many things according to space, environment, surrounding stuff such as rocks, uneven ground, parked cars, and other obstructions to include the difference between a bit of distance that separates to close up body contact fighting.

You need to adhere to learn but have to adapt when required by the current present moment situation, etc.

I remember watching a practitioner working on Chinto-no-te but kept ending up facing the wrong way and applying a technique ineffectually. I kept an eye on the practice/struggle and it then dawned on me, they are not working or using the embusen; they were not taught what it is and how to use it, etc.

Notes:

- It was argued that embusen plays no role in applications. [not exactly accurate: embusen does play a role for it provides a way to "see" how a kata moves, transitioning between kamae, proper stance to application of waza, etc. Ergo it does play a role but not what most think.]

- It was also argued that it has no significance to kata bunkai. [not exactly accurate: In its usage as a tool to the kata as explained fundamentally it does provide guidance in applying bunkai correctly and efficiently.]

- It was also argued it applied to the teaching of body movement. [Hm, yes and no depending on what you mean by body movement. As to changing and transitioning so that your body mass remains directly behind the direction you move in relation to the application of a technique to create momentum along with range and targeting and such things as focus of application to the vertical axis then it works as it should. It provides a basic/fundamental view or blueprint in learning, practicing and applying various techniques with a caveat that this is a fundamental learning system that will be less stringent as one progresses.]

- Embusen is a tool or strategy for instruction in kata, etc. but also a tool as described above in applying karate to various scenario's in preparation for street protection, combative applications, and fence.

Caveat: one must know how to measure the embusen line to accomplish all the goals of its intent. I would bet that most if not all including Okinawan Masters do not have the dimensions of the line for each kata. It still serves a purpose to orientation, etc. but as to exact stance positions and distance moving in any direction, etc. having the ability to actually create the embusen, for each individual according to height, etc., is difficult or impossible. I suspect it all got lost because it was not transmitted to most, if not all, American Service Persons due to a variety of reasons. Can you recreate it? Possibly.

Note: One statement I read on embusen as to Isshinryu, "To make it work, remember that all steps in kata are adjustable." This made me stop and think to myself, this is backwards sorta. In my view steps should not be adjusted to fit embusen to make it work because returning to the exact start point at the end is achieved by setting proper stances in relation to the techniques and those other factors that make technique effective and powerful. The embusen should work regardless of the person's leg length, their height, and other body factors that differ from person to person. It is a good idea that a part of kata training is to learn the embusen pattern of the kata and then work out the measurements necessary to achieve a proper stance to waza, etc. In my view this is how we associate things to achieve a solid memory and encoding of kata, kata waza, and how it all applies to varying stimuli in combative situations.

Note: I quote another reading, "All things being equal, the person closest to the start of his kata will win in a kata contest." This is of course secondary simply because this involves competitive forms of a tournament. To me this is applying embusen to achieve a pretty form that impresses judges for trophies. The real value in this is the effects felt when competing as they simulate some of the effects one feels to fear, anxiety, etc. in other situations. There is good and not so good in all things, i.e. all bottles are good, they all serve a purpose!

Note: Another quote I wanted to express "my very personal view on," is, "It is important to stay in your embusen in a dojo other wise you run into another practioner." I am not actually disputing this or the other quotes but today this may or may not actually apply and in the end it should not be a focus of great concern as it is not to me a primary goal of this tool of practice and training. To me embusen in relation to others during practice in a small space tends to overshadow the true instruction which is to remain mindful and aware of your surroundings and while performing/practicing kata your awareness, not embusen, should alert you when you are coming into another's space, i.e. a collision is immanent with another, etc.

Note: I would wholeheartedly agree that embusen's start/stop point in most cases being the "one" point is important to both proper execution of kata but more so as to its relation to Yin-n-Yang, i.e. the ken-po goku-i and its connections to the teachings of the Chinese ancient classics.

Note: It was posed once, by another and by me in a post of mine, that embusen actually spell or represent something like a kanji character. I suspect, but cannot prove, this is another American creation. When looking for reasons to express as to why one practices or even learns about something like embusen it is sometimes patched or filled in on the fly to create a more alluring reason why one would bother learning about, researching on, etc. a particular subject or practice such as embusen. My view, in does not matter as long as you and your readers know it  is a theory or hypothesis so all who read of it can be inspired to go find answers and learn more.

Question: Which came first, kata or embusen? Good question, so look for my theory/hypothesis in a blog post. :-)

Lineage?

I may have posted on this before. I read a blog today that spoke of this topic so it kind of spurred me to give my "opinion." I still don't really understand why folks tend to speak of linage as if the closer you are to the founder of a system the greater your teachings and knowledge. It is like, to my mind at this moment, saying because I studied directly under Tatsuo Sensei I have some insight and ability to teach/practice/instruct that others are missing.

This brings to mind the ken-po goku-i silk certificate Tatsuo Sensei provided early practitioners. Today, much like lineage, it seems to denote some special status that I cannot fathom. I would look at the silk certificate literally as a keepsake that has value only to me and to him yet to take it further seems ludicrous because its perceive importance tends to loose steam when you find out the holder has no clue to its purpose, meaning, relation to Tatsuo, and to the spirit/custom/beliefs of the founder even if that is important.

Maybe I feel this way and spout of like this because I can't say that I studied directly under Tatsuo Sensei, etc. Maybe it has something to do with "family connections" such as family history and lineage. Knowing one's history can tell that person a lot and even provide them some means of knowledge that helps them in their current life yet in reality it means something of significance ONLY to that person, no one else. It does not provide some special status either, just a way to learn of our customs, history, family, and past. We can and do learn from our past YET once again it does not indicate some special status in society.

In reality, what you currently know and practice is of greater importance. It is meaningful to you, the practitioner, and your Sensei, no one else. Just because your Sensei studied under so-n-so and his so-n-so under another back to the founder. I can say emphatically that I have witnessed at least one person who studied under Tatsuo Sensei directly, sorta, that because they lack the ability to "teach/instruct" and they are missing the "basics-fundamentals" that what they passed on is not really what Tatsuo Sensei passed to his so called first generation American students.

Then again  cause I can't lay claim to a special lineage it could mean I am just jealous. But, then again, it is my blog and my opinion and if your not agreeing then either leave or comment or just do nothing and disagree or agree as you wish ... cool!

Oh, you want my lineage? Ok, Warner Dean Henry, retired Marine Sergeant Major who studied martial arts since the mid to late fifties. He introduced me to Isshinryu and I have never looked back since. I once asked if he studied under Tatsuo Sense and only years later did he tell me, "The ole man always sat on the side drinking tea while I worked out with senior Marines." Ok, cool, now I are special too, yes? ;-)