I ran across some great stuff, fodder for my posting cannon. Charles C. Goodin Sensei wrote the editorial in this latest issue. I pulled, extracted, some excerpts (redundancy here yea), that I felt spoke to me. The italics are the heading within the article. I hope to inspire a reading of this periodical.
Brothers and Sisters
Okinawa is more of a horizontal society based on mutual respect and assistance. To symbolize this with a representation in the dojo the students don't line up but rather form a circle, including Sensei, and bow to each other as a sign of mutual respect.
I called this "ritsu-maru" where I called this out and everyone would then form a circle, all of us, and then go through our rituals before start of the session. I am glad to see that this mimics the customs Okinawa dojo are using - some anyway. Long ago while studying the ken-po goku-i, the I Ching and other classics I realized that the circle was a dominant feature in many explanations and it occurred to me that it put everyone, at least at the start and end of dojo sessions, on the same respectful level regardless of level, grade or rank.
It also supports my theory that the more regimented aspects came about due to military participation in sessions, i.e. Marines love discipline and regimentation as well as other military systems. I understand the Japanese Budo or Bushido influences when karate was implemented into the school systems which is a bit more regimented and disciplined also provided influences in this direction.
I remember my experiences in Okinawa along with those my Sensei presented me on one of our many discussions in Isshinryu where Tatsuo Sensei really didn't require much more than bow when you come in, dress if not already and just begin practice/training. You came and went on a as you could basis with no formal sessions with designated times and dates, etc. A lot less regimented ....
Culture
If you want to understand karate, you should study the culture that produced it. The genealogy of karate begins in Okinawa. Your karate family tree took root and is still growing in Okinawa.
This was the statement presented by Tatsuo Sensei when a Marine completed a tour and told Sensei they were leaving. Initially Tatsuo Sensei would create silk certificates of high dan rank, which changed as time passed, and when presenting to those recipients were told, "After fifteen years of practice you can claim this rank."
Kenkyukai: Meaning "study group." A good word to use in lieu of "forum."
This term, a new one for me, is also well associated with the Okinawan feeling of ritsu-maru. It would suit my dojo far better if I and all American dojo took up an attitude of being a study group that studies martial arts, i.e. Isshinryu or any system.
Okinawa
When you first arrive on the island of Okinawa you might say to your host, "I have come to learn from you. Please teach me. Please let me know if I am doing anything wrong. If so, I am only doing it that way because I do not know any better. Please correct me and do not hold back."
Dozo, onegaishimasu: The "u" at the end is silent here. This generally means "please, teach me." The above quote is a "Okinawa way" to first learn from their Sensei or when your arriving to a host's even in just a travel thing. When you visit and learn about their customs, as asked by Tatsuo Sensei all the time to his early students, you will realize that this exemplary politeness is indicative of their very nature.
The difference I see between the shorter statement used at the start and end of all sessions in the dojo and the longer and most applicable polite expressions are one is used initially upon meeting an Okinawan such as a Sensei for the first time. This is emphasized more when your arriving as an experienced karate-ka. Once done, it is done and the shorter version is appropriate to all start/end dojo sessions.
To my view other than learning the customs of our karate heritage we can learn a great deal about courtesy by this statement alone. It tends to speak volumes to the Okinawan peoples.
Learning Together
We can learn together. The basis for our relationship is learning and that come from one thing - training. You lean by training and by training you learn. To learn of the Okinawan culture you can say that your are "Okinawan by Affection."
Learning together does not equate dominating each other as may be perceived in American dojo, training halls or fitness physical martial arts centers. I liked the idea that one who participates in leaning the heritage of Okinawan karate can become "Okinawan by Affection" for it is a form of affection one meets when they get off that plane and are first introduced to the people of Okinawa. A humbling experience even in 1979 when I spent a year visiting all parts of the island with my friend, fellow Marine and Sensei.
The real shame of this is almost all Isshinryu'ists here in this country will never take the time to learn about a wonderful culture and people of Okinawa. They will instead remain doggedly attached to the inaccurate stories told by others.
Bibliography:
Goodin, Charles C. "A Radical Approach to Karate." Classical Fighting Arts, October 2011: pg 9.
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