Okinawan Karate Principles

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Not commonly known or taught, one Okinawan Sensei actually speaks to the fundamentals of Okinawan Karate that makes it the unique martial art of Okinawa Japan. He mentions, through an interpreter, that it is Okinawan principles (we assume in the video that he means Okinawan Karate Principles) where it makes reference to things that actually connect to what I try to teach, “Fundamental Principle of Martial Disciplines.” 

The short clip is from Minoru Higa Sensei of Shorin-ryu where he attempts to convey to us the principles of Okinawan karate, which is also considered the main difference between the karate practiced on Japan vs. the karate practiced on Okinawa vs. Majority of Karate practiced in the West.

The reason I am considering it as a hint toward principles being the foundation and very essence of martial practice is because his examples speak almost directly to principles listed as physiokinetics. He states:

All movements are of small amplitude.

No excesses.

Blocks protect only the body, not the sides.

Movements are small and built around the center of gravity - centeredness.

Big movements are pointless.

Movement is small, tiny.

Movements are short - hara, hara and hara, all movement from the centeredness located around the hara.

When I look at the movements being of small amplitude I consider the principles of, “Simplicity; natural action, economical motion, active movement, natural and unnatural motion. non-telegraphing, kime, yin-yang, zanshin, mushin and so on.”

No excesses is economical motions while small movements around the center of the body covers centeredness and that bigger movements, etc., lean toward force, power and energy bleed off, i.e., if it is wasted it doesn’t reach the target and so on.

Sensei then says, “It is this way of thinking in practice needed to understand Okinawan karate. It is about karate “Principles” with movements, etc., that protect only the body. Anything more is a waste of energy.” It is then left up to us, as long as there is no more explanation forthcoming via media sources, to extrapolate the full meaning he wants us to get, Okinawan Karate Principles. 

These idea’s expressed by a leading proponent of Karate in Okinawa provide the theory that Okinawan principles are those same principles taught as the fundamental principles of martial disciplines, i.e., such as the physiokinetics along with theory, technique and philosophy. This video is the first I have heard from an Okinawan karate teacher that mentions “Okinawan Principles” meant to distinguish its core or essences as perceived in relation with other forms of karate, specifically the larger movement in practice of Japanese karate. 

Lets not forget that a lot of the principles that make karate, karate, are sometimes conveyed in terms not completely explained and understood by the western mind such as:

- Chinkuchi

- Gamaku

- Koshi

- Muchimi

- Kinkotsu

- Tenshin

- Tensho

- Kakie 38 min?

- Tanren

etc.

These terms tend to cover the fundamental principles but in a way unique to the Asian culture and mind. Looking at Chinkuchi it is easy when the characters/ideograms are defined and translated to convey a meaning to the western mind that may or may not actually convey principles, i.e., Chinkuchi is often defined as “Sinew, Muscle and Bone.” 

If you understand fundamental principles you could theorize that sinew, muscle and bone refer to what we americans incorrectly tern as, “Muscle memory” and yet using sinew, muscle and bone we can see readily how that means the body uses sinew, muscle and bone to achieve proper application of principles like, “Structure, Alignment, centeredness, etc.” 

Ambiguities are a cancer to most teachings in martial arts because it is that lack of a fuller understanding leading to a greater knowledge of such disciplines that tends to lead toward a break down in its teachings and its application in reality.

Sensei Higa, in this view, at least hints at and alludes to a more critical way of teaching, learning and applying Okinawan karate, by the teaching, practicing and application of Okinawan Karate principles. The great thing is when the mind is opened to the possibility of principles it leads us toward a more principle based model of teaching (in lieu of the somewhat limited model of technique based teachings currently used), learning and application of principles in martial arts. 

Sanchin is the epitome of Okinawan karate because its practice and the tests it provides teaches the student those Okinawan karate principles. It is the supreme exercise of principles practice and conditioning where the holistic whole of principles is demonstrated. 

More on OKP (Okinawan Karate Principles):

The art of controlling your body with emphasis in the center, centeredness of hara. The arms and legs are like that of branches of a tree, without control of the center, the trunk of the tree, without this control focused on the tanden the use of arms and legs are nothing. The application through arms and legs without the whole body directed from tanden those arms and legs are useless, i.e., whole body applications.

Efficiency is in details, efficiency of principled applications manifested in karate techniques. The details are the principles. How to maximize the body into an efficient tool to apply principles productively, efficiently and with maximize power and force. 

Okinawan Karate, a means to condition the mind and body and spirit through the flames of forging done in the dojo while the actual tempering comes from the exposure of the body, mind and spirit to the heat applied from exposure to the adrenal stress-conditions either by experience in battle or training that provides a close example of the same experience, i.e., adrenal stress-conditioned reality-based triggers in training, practice and understanding.

Atomistic is about principles while technique is about holistic application of principles through techniques. In short, karate is the application of principles dynamically through those applied techniques. Techniques are the conduit of principles holistically applied so that one has force and power to achieve victory over life and death encounters. 

Power and force of karate can only be applied through the movement of the entire body as created through movement in the tanden/hara and that movement comes from legs rooted properly while remaining stable in movement. If legs are used to kick then movement is hindered causing force and power to be lost in applications therefore effort and focus remains on stability, structure and alignments while in motion taking root when necessary to transfer force and power to a target.

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