How Many Kata?

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A question bantered about the internet about mastering kata, i.e., is it better to master six kata as to depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and proficiency as to mastery or is it better to learn a slew, i.e., twenty or more kata, of kata superficially yet beautiful as to presentation. Then there is the often asked question relating kata to ability in self-defense. 

Focus is so heavy on kata as to quantity vs. presentation vs. application we fail to recognize that it is not a matter of how many kata we learn or how well we understand those kata. We fail to realize that we don’t have to actually learn one or even one hundred kata but what we actually need to learn are those principles found in all kata regardless of its origins, i.e., as to a personal kata by an individual to those of a system or style created also by an individual perception and perspective, etc. 

All basics, both upper and lower; all kata, regardless of style such as Isshinryu, Gojuryu, Shorinryu and so on and all drills contrived from kata and basics are all based on and rise up from principles such as, “Theory, Physiokinetic, Technique, Philosophy, Self-Defense and Chemical Cocktail.” This with a strong emphasis on the physiokinetic principles of, “Breathing, posture, triangle guard, centerline, primary gate, spinal alignment, axis, minor axis, structure, heaviness, relaxation, wave energy, convergence, centeredness, triangulation point, the dynamic sphere, body-mind, void, centripetal force, centrifugal force, sequential locking and sequential relaxation, peripheral vision, tactile sensitivity, rooting, attack hubs, attack posture, possibly the chemical cocktail, Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat].”

There is an old story of a student who was required to practice certain basic fundamentals of an art form for years. The student was learning about the art of telling a story. He got a bit disappointed that he was not taught other stories so he finally got to a point where he just quit. He was traveling the roads when he stopped at an Inn to beg for food and drink. There was a round of story telling occurring at that Inn and he was asked if he knew a story to tell. If the story was good he would be fed and given drink. The young student told his story. During the telling the room got very, very quiet, i.e., as if a hush of emptiness enveloped everyone so that they could hear every word, syllable and nuance of the telling. When the story finished everyone within hearing simple sat with dumfounded looks of surprise and satisfaction. The Inn keeper immediately brought a plate of his very best along with the most expensive drink he stored at the Inn and simply placed them reverently in front of the student. The student thanked him profusely and asked what was the matter as the atmosphere had changed significantly after his story were told. The Inn keeper simply stated, “We have heard from a Master story teller.” Needless to say, the student was totally taken aback but then realized that his teacher’s methods were in and of themselves masterful and the student realized why he was required to practice the same story over and over again toward certain foundational principles rather than many, many stories. The master was providing the student with those principles that would provide a masterful story regardless of what story was told. The student finished his meal and drink, excused himself to all those at the Inn and especially the Inn keeper and sped off back to the Master where he requested he be allowed to continue his studies.

As can be seen it is not a matter of what kata or how many but how it is told. If the foundation is solid and the principles mastered then no matter what kata or basics or drills practiced all would show mastery regardless. Any kata, basic or drill learned would be learned rapidly and the underlying mastered principles would make that kata, masterful. 

Herein lies the secret to kata and to how many one should learn. Learn the principles and practice those principles and no matter the system, the style of the individual kata - all will be as if a master was demonstrating the discipline. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Time in Grade Requirements in Karate

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"Time in Grade" is an American military concept added to karate by those military students and is not and was not a part of Okinawan Martial Art until the Japanese Dan-i belt system arrived in Judo and adopted by Funakoshi Sensei. There is not definitive evidence that the dan-i system had any kind of time in grade requirements. The influences of the American military tho work heavily on the rank time in grade model along with some services requiring actual job defined tests, etc.

No where else have I experienced time in grade than as a Marine on active duty where one’s time in grade along with time in service would contribute hugely toward promotions in rank. The Marines were a dominant force of reckoning in Okinawa mid to late 1950’s. Stories have been told of how certain military students would impose certain ideas on Sensei and those Sensei readily adopted them if for no other reason than a means to keep military special services contracts on the table. One Sensei I am knowledgable of actually flourished under military contracts after WWII ended. 

It wasn’t all that late after the 1950’s that both “Time in Grade and Time in Service” became the defacto means to award rank in karate using the dan-i system as a model. Add in the requirements to learn the basics and kata, a certain amount of kata per rank level, and - Whalla! - you have a money making rank and test system for martial arts. 

TIG/TIS models actually detract and diminishs traditional karate practice. Even so, the Okinawan Sensei adopted the practice simply because it worked as to the commercial needs of the community. Now, in our modern karate world, folks travel at great cost and over long distances to get the “Authentic Okinawan Approval” for rank (often after a short seminar like visit rank and awards are handed out). 

Other aspects of the system as a detriment to the spirit and traditions of karate, if there is such a thing, we can perceive how tying criteria like TIG/TIS tends to give a student a perception and perspective that, “Doing the minimum” will mean black belt, etc.

As to time and service requirements, they are pretty much arbitrary as to dojo and governing org with money as the driving force, if you can get away with it and for higher fees it will be so.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the then fledgling yet rapidly growing sport industry.

TIG and TIS (service actually being time spent in the dojo, practicing and training, between each level or grade to qualify for the next level) are not actually meant to be a part of a classical and traditional way in the study. It should not be forgotten that before Judo and Funakoshi, with friends, adopted and introduced the dan-i system it was not a part of Okinawan Karate or Te/Ti. In the effort to gain the Japanese approval and to have their unique system of empty or open hand defense accepted as a martial art they had to adopt and make these distinctly Japanese models a part of their systems and styles.

In truth, Ti is a civil fighting system with contests much like the modern sports of today and it was also a civil form of defensive fighting in its times. As to martial history and connectivity Ti is not martial. One Koryu Sensei stated about karate:

“Don’t assume that we are talking about one culture being better than another. Don’t believe that this mentality, of completely destroying an opponent, means that Japanese martial arts are the ‘real thing’ any more so than any other martial or combat art. Different arts address the differences in cultures and countries, circumstances and histories. There is no point in making comparisons.”  - Dave Lowry, “A Perfect Strike in the Japanese Arts (Black Belt Magazine)”

“Karate is not a martial art, as we have discussed before. It was not practiced by a martial class. It was not created to kill instantly, to devastate. It had different goals and a different approach. When it was introduced to mainland Japan, it’s early pioneers there worked tirelessly to make it respectable and accepted, and that meant making it ‘Japanese.’ That is how we got ideas like ikken hisatsu, or ‘killing with a single strike,’ which were not a traditional part of Okinawan karate.” - Dave Lowry, “A Perfect Strike in the Japanese Arts (Black Belt Magazine)” 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Things are a Changing in the Martial Arts World

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At least some space is being used to hint at other things regarding conflict and violence, and its ramifications outside the physical, is being given at least “Lip service,” in magazine articles. I say this because except for the books from pioneers such as Marc MacYoung, Rory Miller and others this last months edition of a martial art mag had an article about the civil liabilities from using self-defense. 

The article, “Civil Liability in Self-Defense,” by Frank Gannon appeared and provided what I would call a teaser article that stresses that our actions in self-defense extend way beyond the proverbial normal self-defense classes model. If this is the beginning and becomes a trend I will galdly begin once again to take martial arts mags more seriously, i.e., if they begin to present more in the subject of MA and SD in the fuller spectrum I have begun to understand and embrace for MA-SD training, practice and applications. 

I may have missed things over the years but if I am right then we can attribute this paradigm shift to those professionals who have made such a concerted effort to bring the truth to the masses. Some of those professionals are listed in the bibliography that follows. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Use of Force Options

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I was reading Mr. MacYoung’s wall, i.e., read it HERE , when it occurred to me that in martial arts do they teach, “use of force options?” I understand that some will teach force options but do they actually teach the use of those force options in self-defense. 

You would think so but it occurred to me that use of force options as it was once thought of in my studies may actually extend beyond those force decisions and options I have studied to date. 

When I think of it as a subject of self-defense I think beyond “Technique Based” self-defense training that seems to be the mainstay of most SD courses. Do they actually teach how to choose and apply the various levels of force options available to practitioners toward self-defense? I think of, “Force options as awareness first and foremost leading to avoidance leading to escape-n-evade leading to deescalation leading to the actual physical levels of force to apply in stopping damage leading to the actions one takes when all the other options are exhausted. 

It can be argued that what I present are not actually force options but I tend to think one of those force options is to determine whether “Force as in Physical Force” should be used. This is where this article is headed, i.e., “Do the martial arts or self-defense models in general address these aspects of force options?” If not then we are limiting a practitioners options to those that rely almost exclusively on physical force options and applications. 

One of the recent idea’s I have written about in my articles is, “Multiple Methodologies [actual tactics and attack methodologies of impacts, drives (pushes), pulls, twists, takedowns/throws and compression, etc. are best for stopping a threat].” This concept of multiple methodologies is a principle I added to physiokinetics because it involves any and all techniques that would accomplish the principles toward the use of impacts, drives, twists, etc. It is about not relying on just a singular tool that may or may not prevail but any method of attack/defense that would get-r-done. 

This is why I wanted to consider extending what may or may not be understood as regarding force options and decisions that go beyond mere physical force used appropriately to restrain or stop attacks. Teaching “Use of Force Options” seems to me to include a type of force that does not yet require a physical force level appropriate to any physical force applied in an attack. 

In self-defense you want to not just use your fists, for karate-ka, but other options that are better suited so in our creation of a proper mind-set and mind-state we need to think, consider and utilize our minds to the extent that our use of force options include the non-physical application of a type of force that promotes what I wrote about in this article above. Look at it as using a more psychological form of force to get-r-done (“The force be with you!”).

Bibliography (Click the link)

Why "Technique based" training is not sufficient to staying in the SD Square. “Don’t assume that we are talking about one culture being better than another. Don’t believe that this mentality, of completely destroying an opponent, means that Japanese martial arts are the ‘real thing’ any more so than any other martial or combat art. Different arts address the differences in cultures and countries, circumstances and histories. There is no point in making comparisons.”  - Dave Lowry, “A Perfect Strike in the Japanese Arts (Black Belt Magazine)”

“Karate is not a martial art, as we have discussed before. It was not practiced by a martial class. It was not created to kill instantly, to devastate. It had different goals and a different approach. When it was introduced to mainland Japan, it’s early pioneers there worked tirelessly to make it respectable and accepted, and that meant making it ‘Japanese.’ That is how we got ideas like ikken hisatsu, or ‘killing with a single strike,’ which were not a traditional part of Okinawan karate.” - Dave Lowry, “A Perfect Strike in the Japanese Arts (Black Belt Magazine)” 

“Karate tends toward one option, the fist. The fist not being the best tool even for karate, empty hands.“ - unknown

Ken Ki Tai Ichi

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Ken: Depending on the characters used it can mean, “in addition or concurrently; matter or item; sword or bayonet or swordsmanship [剣]; prefecture; authority; ticket or coupon; sphere or circle; strength or firmness or armor; Fist [拳],” or a few other translations according to the character/ideograph. In addition its use can be related to any number of area’s within the Japanese domain according to where one is and what culture is dominant, etc. In this use, article, Ken is used to denote both the sword and the fist.

Ki [気]: Also according to what characters/ideographs are used this can mean, “Spirit or mind or heart or nature or motivation or essence, etc.,; tree or wood or timber; yellow; account or history or record,” and so on but for this article is means, “Spirit (mind, heart, nature, intention, etc.).” 

Tai [体]: Tai also comes in a few different flavors but for this article it means, “Body, physique, posture, shape, form, style, substance, identity, reality.” 

Ichi [一]: Ichi as well has a variety but for this article it means, “One (best in; the most (…) in (where adj follows).”

This article is derived from an article presented by Dave Lowry in the most recent edition of, “Black Belt” magazine. Normally, I will see the BB mag on the shelf, pick it up and flip through to see what content it has and then most of the time put it back. This is one month where I actually forked over some bucks to read several of the articles if for no other reason then to see what they said regarding the articles topics.

First is, “A Perfect Strike in Japanese Arts,” by Dave Lowry.

Second is, “Dave Grossman on the Psychology of Combat.” by Mark Jacobs.

Third is, “Martial Arts Books that made History,” by Dave Lowry.

Fourth is, “Civil Liability in Self-Defense,” by Frank Gannon.

This article is on the story by Dave Lowry as listed first above, i.e., the story is about striking as it pertains to the phrase, “Ken Ki Tai Ichi.” I provided separate definitions at the start of the article just to get that stuck in the background of your mind while you read on.

 I can say that I have studied and learned a great deal about martial arts, academically speaking since I have not met or trained with Mr. Lowry, from his writings both in his monthly article in BB and more so in his books found and available from Amazon. This phrase is a new one for me and it can be found more from the practice of the sword of Japan, the Katana in Kendo or Iaido, etc.

As I ready Mr. Lowry’s article it occurred to me that what he was presenting was a means to describe, historically speaking as to terms, etc., the use of fundamental principles to achieve that perfect strike.

Perfect Strike, is not one of those things you can master toward its application every single time but is rather a goal to achieve for the make that perfect strike is one of those things practice and training are about. When you begin to learn and understand what it takes to achieve that perfect strike you find there are so many variables that can bleed of energy resulting in a loss of force and power in a chaotic environment called combat, fighting and self-defense it is a wonder systems like karate ever truly work. 

The definition of ken-ki-tai-ichi that I derived from Mr. Lowry’s article is, “One’s weapon in a perfect alignment with one’s spirit or energy and one’s body culminating into one holistic application in a coordinated action applied at the same time and moment.” Mr. Lowry simplifies it into, “One’s weapon (Ken, which can be written to refer to a sword or a fist but which really applies to any weapon), one’s spirit or energy and one’s body must all be ichi - ONE. All must be employed in coordination and at that the same time.” 

What I appreciated about Mr. Lowry’s article is its reference to one of the principles you read and see and hear in almost all martial disciplines, i.e., “Yin-Yang,” where he also writes about the other side of ken-ki-tai-ichi in that one must destroy an adversary’s application of ken-ki-tai-ichi. I liked his references to, “Making the perfect strike, one that destroys not only an adversary’s attack but also his will to fight and his physical ability to do so.” 

When I think of this phrase it reminds me of principle based training with a goal of learning and applying principles that bring together into one the spirit, body and mind of the practitioner to reach the goals of self-defense. The ability to apply balance, structure, alignment, etc. into that one holistic application using any appropriate technique through proper tactics and strategies so that the most force and power are applied to any given situation and moment toward success in defense. 

The entire theory of practice is achieving “one wholehearted” mastery of one’s discipline regardless of its cultural connections along with individualized interpretations so that it uses principles that transcend such trappings. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

http://leshazlewood.com/2008/08/05/kendo-and-ki-ken-tai-ichi/

https://montymaxwell.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/ki-ken-tai-ichi-2.pdf

A Lot of Shit out There

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I do a lot of research, research to add to my knowledge base focused on martial arts, self-defense and some other more archaic stuff such as WWII Raiders and Camp X shenanigans. In that search for more I sometimes come across what I would call, “Crap - a lot of shit that is out there.” Shit that just don’t ring true. 

Today, while searching out materials on a subject matter I plan to use for some fictional writing I came across a book. The book about a system of martial art with proclamations that warranted some extra effort to validate. This article is about doing the research because even when something seems real often it turns out to be “Shit.”

The very first alarm went off when this book made a statement that even during my time in the military and through the study of some military information never once rang out as used to describe military training, tactics and strategies - even if it might be a part of the special operations of the military. 

First, the statement used the term, “Science,” to describe it but not one iota of information as to what that science is or was could be found. In addition it turned out to be a term often used in modern times to “Attract fish.” I means like “Phishing attacks” through emails, etc. Then the next phrase also triggered warning signals, “all out hand-to-hand fighting.” Just what the hell could that possibly mean because it comes across as vague and unassailable if for no other reason than it describes nothing that would fit reality. 

The very next statement normally would have said, “Stop, don’t walk but run away from this shit.” The statement tells the reader  that this system is a study of an art and a science (bells going off all over the place; trigger words to gain attention and actually say nothing but use the readers imagination and unconscious mind to pull them toward the sugar) of personal combat - wait for it, it is coming up real soon now - “TO THE DEATH.” 

Then they profess connections to WWII special ops, to things line the “Samurai Society,” “Connections to societies of different nations,” “A connection to some archiac society with a term used in the name,” “An american version of all those societies,” and finally to make an Asian connection since this is a martial art, “A Samurai Ju-jitsu Society,” and so on.

The author even used qualifications derived from his supposed membership of a most esteemed military service along with expert certification at a time in the late sixties that actually had no such certifications - the certs were created in the more modern version of a military martial arts program. 

To put the cherry on the top of this mess we also were told that the original person who created this most deadly death dealing system who is dead and who created this system for the Canadians who trained their commando’s in it were “So Deadly” the government destroyed all traces of the system so it could not be published, etc. the plates and transcripts, but you can find a copy of the original book plus American versions that say the original is not available on Amazon. 

As you can see at least in this one instance “there is a lot of shit out there,” and we tend to eat that shit up in bunches. It is like using statistics to bolster your view, perspective and agenda but none of it is validated through scientific studies, research and data yet it fools us into thinking this stuff MUST be true cause the stats say it is so. This is the same method used when terms, words and phrases are used to bait people into buying their shit. This is also why I advocate researching data no matter its sources because you never truly know. 

Oh, and the person who actually made significant contributions to special operations of WWII and are still studied today actually come from a person named, “William Ewart Fairbairn” who taught commandos and spys at Camp X or STS - 103. The guy mentioned in this most deadly system could not be found anywhere except on the sites that promote this most deadly system, ain’t that interesting. 

Anyway, this stuff could be legit but as long as the tactics are used to emphasis, embellish and dramatize the system to mislead those seeking knowledge of fighting, combatives and most important self-defense it warrants at the very least skepticism and at best running far, far, far away. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

p.s. come on, you can trust me and what I write cause after all I are a uber-master-expert in the most deadliest of all martial arts guaranteed to be the most uber-effective fighting and self-defense stuff in the whole wide world you can possibly study and learn. It will save your life after all ;-)

Survey of a Sort

Hi, 

First, to all who read my mindless meanderings I wish you a very “Happy Thanksgiving!”

Second, this is a sort of survey if you will. Do you run a dojo, martial arts training hall? If you do, does your state and/or city require you obtain a business license, sellers permit and/or tax use permit, etc.? 

Thanks,

Charles 

Okinawan Karate Principles

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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.

Bibliography (Click the link)

Ti or Te - Understanding Its Use

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In recent postings about the naming of Okinawan Karate, i.e., as named initially “Ti,” then “Toudi,” and then “Karate (using charcters meaning China Hand) and finally in the early 1900’s as Karate (using characters meaning empty hand) I wrote about the use of karate for, “Karate.” In recent video presentations on karate from an Okinawan Karate-ka of note it presented the why of calling this system of defense, “Ti/Te.” The following are my personal thoughts on what this karate-ka mentioned being the essence and principles of Okinawan Ti/Karate. 

Read also “Why Karate? (Why Empty Hand) http://isshindo.blogspot.com/2014/02/why-karate-why-empty-hand.html

In the old days if you go down to the ground in traditional karate it meant death. Today it means winning or losing, not death. In self-defense death returns to the realm of possibility therefore foot techniques are meant to remain controlled below the waist, etc., maintaing stability, structure and control of your body. 

Historically the system was referred to as Ti (te in Japanese) because it was known that in combat the fist was of primary importance and that legs allowed take downs meaning death. The importance of hands in karate for combat in life and death situations made it critical and higher in importance thus the naming, Ti. Hitting with hands, etc., is more important than kicking ergo naming of karate. 

The true importance of legs in karate is not kicking, it is about stability, balance and rooting when applying hands in combat. Due to the importance of life and death struggles the feet keep the balance, the stability of the body and the overall structure and alignment that provides application of principles necessary to achieve power and strength when hitting. Loss of balance and structure meant going to ground and in a life and death struggle - you face death.

This means the true nature of karate is not about hands and feet, it is about the utilization of hands through a body applying force and power through it and the arms to the hands whether empty fists or fists with weapons are applied. In truth kicks were meant, in combat, as finishing techniques applied to an adversary who was taken down to the ground because they lost structure, balance, centeredness, etc. allowing leg techniques, closer to targets of a person on the ground, while maintaining upright structure, balance and ability with hands now in wait for the next attacker. 

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 (ergo, why the system is referred to as Te/Ti, the hands are primary fighting tools while the legs are more supportive/enhancing tools). 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.

Making the assumption that the original “Name” for the indigenous hand fighting system of Okinawan is “Ti/Te (for hand)” and that the above explanation for using the “Hand” as a designation for this system it actually makes sense. Explaining the distinctions down to this level, i.e., using hands dominantly with the body vs. the legs, actually helps to understand the roots and beginnings that made Ti, Ti! Now I feel comfortable calling the system or style I practice, Ti/Te or even Karate (still don’t like the use of empty here vs. just hand) with a stretch in understanding the distinctions. 

Bibliography (Click the link)

Aging Martial Artists - New Blog

Link to right of page. Click photo for larger view.

Yudansha and Kata

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In a recent posting somewhere out there is iKarate land it was asked, “ … a style where you learn all the kata prior to or upon becoming a Yudansha?” Interesting, but that is a whole nother subject - Isshinryu seems to be one of those styles that at a minimum require one learn, superficially, the movement and patterns of all the “Open Hand Kata” to receive a black belt. There will be some argument over that one in the Isshinryu community. In this I don’t count the kobudo kata.

There in lies the rub to such a question because to gather appropriate data I would have to define the style as to all the kata within and that would include all the kobudo if for no other reason that kobudo is considered both a separate system as well as an intricate part of the empty hand systems.

Then I would have to differentiate between systems, i.e., karate vs. kobudo vs. iaido vs. judo vs. jujitsu, etc., then I would have to differentiate between systems and styles that may not even have kata. The list goes on ….

So, I would rephrase that question to, “In Okinawan karate does your system or style ask/require you learn all the kata prior to or upon becoming a Yudansha?” In Okinawan karate that would mean both open-hand and kobudo - a lot of kata. I also would assume and suspect that none of the Okinawan systems or styles require all of the kata to achieve black belt. Too many use various kata, both open and kobudo, to be required for the rankings from kyu to several levels of dan-sha. 

Then I would address the reasoning why any or all kata are a prerequisite to dan-sha in any system or style. Add in what it means to learn a kata vs. knowing a kata vs. understanding kata, i.e., where you relate that knowledge and understanding toward applications, not necessarily directly derived from but more about a holistic one where it is applied dynamically, etc.

All too often “Learning a kata” is defined more as learning the patterns. Most of the black belts I encountered in my early days only knew those patterns while things like principles along with a certain rhythm, cadence, etc., were pretty much unknown, not acknowledges and seldom taught along with the what, when, where and why of that learning. I have practiced and trained and taught for over twenty-five years and only in the last ten years of my thirty-nine years of study have I finally begun to understand kata and its purpose along with principles, etc.

In lieu of “Learning Kata” to achieve dan-sha status and recognition I would recommend using the prerequisite of knowing, understanding and applying the fundamental principles of martial disciplines as the thing to “Learn” to achieve dan-sha recognition.

Oh, then there is the whole definition and meaning of the dan-i (dan-sha) system and that one can be debated for decades and still not get to a consensus accepted by all the martial community - oh, shit, wait a minute as that debate has already gone on for about forty or more years already!

Yeah, take out the technique based model of teaching and put in a principle based model to teach martial arts, that would be a solid universal way to rate one as a black belt - all other things considered and all participants reaching a mutual consensus on those areas too. 

Ok, I know, the current model is so entrenched that the technique based teaching regimen will endure for decades to come so in lieu of trying to convert it would be beneficial and acceptable if principles based training were at least added into the current model as another part of teaching martial arts especially as it is applied to fighting, combatives and self-defense. I can dream ya-know!

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p.s. then there is a teaching model for the more modern martial artists where focus on intangible requirements like philosophy and application in real life is used, i.e., understanding and application of the philosophical teachings through ken-po goku-i and other ancient type learning's. 

Falling - Beware and Be Aware of Gravity

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I wrote an article recently on gravity in self-defense/martial arts but one aspect that is of importance not just in those arena’s but in the arena’s of health, well-being and most important of all, “Longevity,” came to mind. As coincidence (co-incide) there was an article I read early this morning on the dangers of falling after reaching into the, “Winter Years (> 60 years),” regarding loss of balance, etc. resulting in one “Falling.”

Note: Personally, I have to add in the ramifications and obstacles that come from suffering a major “Vertigo” incident. 

As a martial artists who has a modicum of inexperience in judo it occurred to me that it might just be possible and beneficial to use, “Falls from martial teachings,” to combat falling. Falling means gravity and as many of us in martial arts as well as in self-defense know gravity is a major player especially when fighting and/or defense results in deaths, usually from falling and hitting head against very hard objects. 

I don’t have the skill sets to teach but I have come to consider strongly learning how to fall again and to practice falling so that both my age and my vertigo, if that causes me to fall, can be mitigated as to injuries, etc. by proper falling through lessons, in falling properly. I would ask the many Judo and Jujitsu practitioners out there reading this to test this theory out and post as to how it may or may not actually work.

When I read the article on falling it provided many reasons as to why falling occurs. The mainstay of why tends to be the fitness and movement agility levels of those who pass into those winter years. For instance, as a sufferer of polio my legs lean toward certain obstacles and difficulties resulting in my making a concerted effort to walk, climb and work out certain ways. The methods I use help keep my hips, legs, knees, ankles and feet a bit more flexible and in the process contribute toward maintaining balance even under the issues from having vertigo, i.e., vertigo leaves the brain to reprogram and that takes time and concerted effort - the effort is the brain having to make a more conscious effort to maintain balance and as we age that makes the effort more taxing, i.e., you get tired mentally and that mental fatigue can cause the vertigo to disrupt balance resulting in a fall.

As we martial artists age we benefit from a life time of training and practice as it applies to balance, structure and movement. Those are traits that will benefit us when we begin to reach higher age in those winter years. Even with vertigo I find my training actually made a huge difference, in my mind, in my overcoming the effects of vertigo. I still swerve and stagger when the day is long and fatigue increases but if not for my efforts in physical fitness, through martial arts, etc., I suspect my mobility and stability would be much worse. 

As I consider this aspect of life I consider how I can once again make use of controlled falling, not falling as if thrown or taken down in a fight or for self-defense but simply falling properly when balance is disrupted, regardless of the reason, so that I can personally avoid or at least lesson possible injuries from, “Falling.” 

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Situational Awareness

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First, define situational, i.e., situational means, “manner of being situated; location or position with reference to environment; a place or locality; condition; case; plight; the state of affairs; combination of circumstances; Sociology. the aggregate of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors acting on an individual or group to condition behavioral patterns.”

Second, define awareness, i.e., awareness means, “knowledge or perception of a situation or fact (consciousness, recognition, realization, etc.); concern about and well-informed interest in a particular situation or development (understanding, grasp, appreciation, knowledge, insight, familiarity and cognizance.); the ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects, thoughts, emotions, or sensory patterns. In this level of consciousness, sense data can be confirmed by an observer without necessarily implying understanding. More broadly, it is the state or quality of being aware of something. In biological psychology, awareness is defined as a human's or an animal's perception and cognitive reaction to a condition or event.”

Third, lets see what comes up when we try to define situational awareness, i.e., “the ability to identify, process, and comprehend the critical elements of information about what is happening to the team with regard to the mission. More simply, it's knowing what is going on around you; the perception of environmental elements with respect to time or space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status after some variable has changed, such as time, or some other variable, such as a predetermined event; being aware of what is happening in the vicinity, in order to understand how information, events, and one's own actions will impact goals and objectives, both immediately and in the near future. One with an adept sense of situation awareness generally has a high degree of knowledge with respect to inputs and outputs of a system, i.e. an innate "feel" for situations, people, and events that play out due to variables the subject can control.”

Talk about a mouth full, it helps to understand why this particular term used in self-defense teachings can stray far and away of what one would really need to be situationally aware when in situations that could lead to violence. When discussing situational awareness the student must also understand things like, “Situational understanding, assessment, mental models, and Sense-making.”

Situational Understanding: In the context of military command and control applications, situational understanding refers to the "product of applying analysis and judgment to the unit's situation awareness to determine the relationships of the factors present and form logical conclusions concerning threats to the force or mission accomplishment, opportunities for mission accomplishment, and gaps in information".

Situational Assessment: it is important to distinguish the term situation awareness, as a state of knowledge, from the processes used to achieve that state. These processes, which may vary widely among individuals and contexts, will be referred to as situational assessment or the process of achieving, acquiring, or maintaining SA." Thus, in brief, situation awareness is viewed as "a state of knowledge," and situational assessment as "the processes" used to achieve that knowledge. 

Mental Model: Accurate mental models are one of the prerequisites for achieving SA. A mental model can be described as a set of well-defined, highly organized yet dynamic knowledge structures developed over time from experience. Experienced decision makers assess and interpret the current situation and select an appropriate action based on conceptual patterns stored in their long-term memory as "mental models". Cues in the environment activate these mental models, which in turn guide their decision making process.

Sense-making: situation awareness is about the knowledge state that's achieved—either knowledge of current data elements, or inferences drawn from these data, or predictions that can be made using these inferences. In contrast, Sense-making is about the process of achieving these kinds of outcomes, the strategies, and the barriers encountered;  Sense-making is viewed more as "a motivated, continuous effort to understand connections (which can be among people, places, and events) in order to anticipate their trajectories and act effectively", rather than the state of knowledge underlying situation awareness; Sense-making is actually considering a subset of the processes used to maintain situation awareness; In the vast majority of the cases, SA is instantaneous and effortless, proceeding from pattern recognition of key factors in the environment; Sense-making is backward focused, forming reasons for past events, while situation awareness is typically forward looking, projecting what is likely to happen in order to inform effective decision processes.

Situational Awareness is a critical decision-making state of mind. It is not a constant state but one that is usually triggered by instincts developed through experience, training, practice and understanding so that a trigger event will turn on SA and that will allow the operator to achieve proper defensive states to achieve goals be it civil self-defense for a non-professional to proper tactical and strategic goals for the professional. 

What constitutes the atomistic of SA comes from implementation of the other related concepts, i.e., SU, SA, MM and SM as described above. Each environment, each social group dynamic, each social belief system and so on dictates in any given moment what happens and what should be done to achieve goals, i.e., restraint or defense, etc.

As can be seen just in this short terse article the concepts toward awareness in martial arts training for professionals or civil self-defense can be complex. It is imperative students of MA-SD be exposed to, trained in and application of awareness if for no other reason then to identify the road markers that broadcast danger is down the road and it involves violence. It also speaks to how a person should become aware of themselves and as to their thoughts and actions according to any given moment because a lot of violence can be avoided by that type of awareness, i.e., in any given situation having an awareness of our own monkey’s, the monkey’s response and making a conscious decision to ignore the ego emotional monkey crap and make good decisions, etc. 

In closing, there are a variety of awareness concepts that should be made part of self-defense martial arts training or self-defense training all used to set off your spidey sense so you can actually avoid violence, etc.

Read more about awareness HERE:

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p.s. Hey, nobody said this shit was easy and if they did you need to walk away and find someone else to teach you. 

Kengaku [見学]

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The characters/ideograms mean, “Inspection; study by observation; field trip.” The first character means, “see; hopes; chances; idea; opinion; look at; visible,” the second character means, “study; learning; science.”

‘kengaku’ literally meaning to ‘look (見) and learn (学)’ or perhaps better translated as ‘study through observation’.

Other meanings according to the characters used:

[建学] foundation of a school

[研学] Study

[兼学] Concurrently studying the teachings of two or more different schools or sects. 

In a martial discipline we study fundamental principles even in a philosophical sense such as the sub-principle of yin-yang. Yin is the softer side while yang is a harder side so that one trains, practices and studies both physically and mentally. In simpler terms one actually studies and learns from “Doing,” while on the more yin side one actually studies and learns from “Observation.” When you begin you will be provided a, “Dojo Kun,” and one of the precepts is about seeing all things in all directions. 

Kengaku from the ken-po goku-i is about seeing all things in all ways to include our studies of others while practicing and training martial arts. It is especially and critically important for the new student who first comes to observe then joins but then continues that observation “Seeing” so they continue to learn and grow, to improve.

One of the more cultural aspects of martial arts in Asia is the acceptance and understanding that in all dojo one is, “Expected,” to come to practice and observe even when unable to actually participate on the dojo floor. The concept in the Asian culture of, “Shi-kata,” is based upon such observations so that harmony may be maintained by avoiding such disturbances that can come from questioning things. 

Kengaku is about the observation of your dojo-mates be they senpai or kohai or sensei so that one may improve from understanding those perceptions and perspectives displayed through a physical manifestation in things like basics, kata, drills and even kumite. 

Kengaku is considered one of those mental disciplines that provides the practitioner a discipline uniqueness toward learning that involves or encompasses one sitting in a meditative state of mind alert and aware of what is transpiring during training even when not actually participating, an observer. This provides the practitioner with a study that is challenging and used to enhance and supplement hands-on tactile and visual study and practice. 

It is not about perfection but about improvement and this presents the practitioner the opportunity to also participate not just physically but through such observations of others while they practice. This is just one meaning from the goku-i when, “seeing all directions, etc.”

When I tell folks about Kengaku I instill in them that this concept is at the heart of practice, training and most important of all the actual applications. It is an attitude and mind-set/state toward constant improvement through observation: observation of self through media and mirrors; observation of others both senior and junior; observation of the actions and deeds as modeled in the dojo; observation of individual interpretations; observation of the application of the fundamental principles that are the foundation of all martial disciplines, etc.

Kengaku is another more esoteric terminology meant to convey a sense or essence toward study, practice and application of martial disciplines regardless of symbolism, system or style designations or even personal interpretations for to master a martial art is to make it your own from a diligent, disciplined and philosophical means. 

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Learning by Video’s

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Well, it depends really because the use of video’s is actually an excellent tool to teach, learn and practice martial arts. There are some restrictions to this, of course, such as to how long one has already studied and their capacity to see the atomistic in the video along with a full understanding that video’s, even those providing various angles, still frame and thereby hide things that must come from a qualified and experienced teacher.

I didn’t start the study of video’s until well into my career studying Okinawan karate but when I did I took the view that neither my practice nor the video presentation was a “Right or Wrong” way of doing kata and karate. 

I spend my study time on video’s trying to see, even with the limitations of video viewing, specifics that would come out from the point of view the video presented to me and I add that I have this distinction of ability to see very small details. 

Regardless, using video’s at the lower learning levels is a mistake even if one has a very astute eye for details because of what you don’t know and what you don’t know you don’t know. That takes a qualified and experienced teacher.

When your teacher gets you to a certain point through progressive operant conditioned practice and training then the study of other disciplines and perceptions can be augmented and enhanced by the study through video presentations. 

Then it comes down to the ability to distinguish between video’s with value and those simply created to make money. Look at it as the difference between the study of a documentary film vs. a fictional drama sci-fi type film. One is entertaining while the other focuses on facts and results of reality-based life. Big difference!

Bibliography (Click the link)