Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)
FIRST, (this is my opinion and mine alone) to really set this to bed all that is needed is submission of recommendation of the person into the IHOF, gather enough support within the Isshinryu family/communities and then the IHOF board could properly consider it and act accordingly. The rest is just an exercise in perception, opinions and assumptions regardless of any one person’s practice of martial arts.
First, let me just say, in my mind as I visualize it the IHOF (Isshinryu Hall of Fame) program is meant to be for those who study, practice, train and apply the Isshinryu system from Okinawa... what ever form that takes BECAUSE we already know and can see that between the five main branches of Isshinryu, i.e.,
- Nagle Sensei
- Mitchum Sensei
- Long & Wheeler Sensei'
- Armstrong Sensei
- Advincula Sensei
there are both subtle and obvious differences in how they manifest what they feel is Isshinryu Karate from Okinawa as created by Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei.
This is NOT about how true one is to Tatsuo-san's interpretation and creation from his time in the dojo and it IS about how each of the five, and their successive transmissions to those who would follow, interpret and practice their Isshinryu.
The idea and theory herein this article is they are and do practice Isshinryu. Even one of the five who teaches a variety of other concepts and systems of martial arts like that of the knife makes sure that they differentiate and separate that from what they teach as Isshinryu. As we already know, teaching side dishes of martial systems supplements the Isshinryu system while, in these particular instances, the Isshinryu system remains pure in that its essence remains even when it diverges from the exact last time Tatsuo-san taught it to others.
The IHOF question posed on one FBWall was why a particular person was not being nominated or recommended or inducted into the IHOF. The immediate answer by one karate-ka was, "He left Isshinryu to pursue his own version of martial art." Nothing wrong with that because the objective of any martial art is to transcend that of the sensei and reach higher and to allow change appropriate to the time, environment, cultural social influences and in our case as Americans, the legal system when used for self-protection.
Here is why the person making the approximate statement on the one who "left Isshinryu" is true, correct and accurate.
It says in the IHOF site the following criteria is met fundamentally to qualify for an "induction recommendation." Make sure you visualize the word, recommendation, because these criteria are not what makes a person an inductee.
- Uninterrupted in Isshinryu karate for at least 20 years;
- It depends on what the IHOF considers uninterrupted in Isshinryu because many diverge into other martial arts so a true definition is warranted for this particular criteria.
- In my mind, it is an uninterrupted dedication and practice and training and application of the Isshinryu system regardless of other side dishes of martial skills because in the end I perceive it as a litmus test of one’s knowledge, understanding and application of Isshinryu whether pursued as Tatsuo-san pursued his efforts or using others and other skills to test and manifest proficient, efficient and proper application of principled methodologies, etc.
- Then we need to ask, “When you say twenty years do you mean a calendar year or an accumulation of time in effort of Isshinryu twenty because many put in a few hours a day and week because of other responsibilities where accumulation of uninterrupted years can be interpreted in a variety of ways.
- Roku-dan or higher;
- Seems straight forward as a minimum rank, grade or level.
- Here we may want to go back to the first item, roku-dan from, through and by the Isshinryu communities because many attain rank, etc., from others so…
- Held the position of head sensei of the dojo;
- Dai-sensei position as a minimum holds as well.
- Here we may want to go back to the first item, roku-dan from, through and by the Isshinryu communities because many attain rank, etc., from others so…
- Traveled for express purpose of promoting the Isshinryu system;
- Many, even those who diverge from Isshinryu to create and teach their own system, style, are no longer doing a promotion of the Isshinryu system because one should not have to name their own when the Isshinryu title, history and traditions are adequate for these purposes, right?
- Held in high esteem as an ambassador of Isshinryu outside the Isshinryu communities;
- To be an ambassador holds heavy meaning and is dependent on how that is defined by the IHOF and its family.
- much like in political arena’s, to be an ambassador you must be a, “person who acts and representative or promotor of a specified activity,” and in this instance it is specified as “Isshinryu” and how can you be the ambassador when you diverge from Isshinryu by naming it and the collective other arts and skills to be named as something other than Isshinryu?
- It is SPECIFIED in most of the criteria that to warrant and earn a place in the IHOF you must be all or mostly in and of the Isshinryu system.
- Held in high regard by non-martial artists as well as those within the martial communities;
- this is generic enough to be all martial arts and not just in Isshinryu.
- Promote unity within Isshinryu without self-promotion and/or self-gain in a neutral way;
- In this particular criteria the person mentioned who diverged from Isshinryu to create his own system or style is perceived by many as self-promoting egoistic self-gain in status, fame and money rather than the promotion of unity through self-less effort, etc.
- Held in high regard as to humility, modesty and honor by all;
- The person in question to this thread discussed here demonstrates in many ways a lack of humility and modesty as seen by his media presence and perceived character, etc.
- this is generic enough to be all martial arts and not just in Isshinryu.
- Known to step up to the plate without prompting to assume responsibility in leadership;
- can’t really say much because this as with some others is a criteria that speaks to all martial arts leaders everywhere.
- this is generic enough to be all martial arts and not just in Isshinryu.
- Acts in all things with a higher level of integrity, dignity, honor, humbleness, etc;
- this is generic enough to be all martial arts and not just in Isshinryu.
- Known as one of character and personality that inspires and leads others to follow the way as karate-ka and member of the Isshinryu family.
- this is generic enough to be all martial arts and not just in Isshinryu.
A theme runs through all of the above and that is being an active member of the Isshinryu community in a variety of ways. If one deviates from Isshinryu than the only honor one can expect from the IHOF is some sort of honorary recognition and that is not presented and discussed in the IHOF communications that I can read, see or determine.
In the end, the person who deviated from Isshinryu by discarding not just the name, an important heritage part of the system, and using it to promote one’s self-proclaimed system means they don’t practice the Isshinryu system, they are USING it instead to promote something else so it does not qualify entry or induction into the IHOF.
In closing, to really set this to bed all that is needed is submission of recommendation of the person into the IHOF, gather enough support within the Isshinryu family/communities and then the IHOF board could properly consider it and act accordingly. The rest is just an exercise in perception, opinions and assumptions regardless of any one person’s practice of martial arts.
For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)
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