Friday, August 30, 2019

For Those About to Test...

Testing for rank promotion is stressful, especially if you are going before the National Test Board at the Honbu Dojo.  They even have a bucket standing by for those who are unable to, well, keep it inside.  Visualization and positive energy are the keys to keeping your stress emotions in check.


Jesse Enkamp explains how to do this here.



San Chin kata from Jesse Enkamp, vol. 3

San Chin kata from Jesse Enkamp, vol 2

San Chin kata from Jesse Enkamp, vol. 1

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Ukemi (Breakfalls)

This is something which we do not do very often, so many of us may not be as proficient as we might like to be.  What's so hard about falling down?  You just let gravity take over!  Well, yes, if you don't mind being injured by the ground AND your opponent.  The video is a few minutes long, but it is worth watching as an introduction for beginners, or as a refresher for more advanced students.


From the Karate Nerd:





Thanks, Tim.

And now for something (not) completely different...

This is one of the 13 or so versions of Potsai, called "Passai" here.  The video is from Akamine Karate Dojo, which teaches Shorin Ryu.  This is a little more complex than the Chito Ryu verion.  The man's kime is astounding, which is why it is included here. 




Niseishi Dai

Here are two examples of the kata Niseishi Dai.  The first is Yasuhiro Chitose on 8mm.  There are a couple of breaks where the film has been spliced together.  The second is Jean Noel Blanchette.  It is important to note that the rhythm, timing, and speed of these katas is a little different from the way that we do them now.


NB:  Jean Noel Blanchette made the drawings for the Niseishi Kaisetz and Hen Shu Ho posters that hang in our dojo, and many of the illustrations in the USCK manuals.








Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Rohai Dai

Once again, old 8mm of Yashuhiro Chitose doing Rohai.  No sound, of course, and the framing is not the best.  Rohai Dai is the test kata for Brown 2.




Potsai...

..or Passai, or Bassai, however it should be spelled.  Not the best example, but a Chito Ryu example of Potsai.  Note that a couple of elements are missing or blurred.  This is the test kata for Ik Kyu.




Monday, August 26, 2019

Sochin

This is the Ni Dan test kata...




Ryusan

This is part of an old 8mm film showing Yasuhiro Chitose performing several katas.  I am not proficient in this kata, but from what I know this looks correct.  Ryusan is the test kata for Yon Dan.





Shi Ho Ware

Not a bad example of this kata.  A couple of the four punches in shiko tend to flick out a little sideways, and the "hidden technique" tetsuis at the end are not so hidden.  Otherwise, it's pretty good.  The hip is there, which is essential.  This is the Green 2 test kata.




Thursday, August 22, 2019

Chokusen

This kata was developed by Hanshi William Dometrich, from his time as a police officer in Covington, KY.  The story goes that the "in-line" kata was his imagining a fight in an apartment hallway.  The embusen is only front and back, nothing to either side.


Disclaimer:  The man performing the kata is no longer associated with the USCK, and the video is not well shot.  However, the demonstration of the kata is good, probably the best available on youtube.




Sakugawa No Kon Sho

This is a good example of the kata Sakugawa No Kon Sho.  It is slow enough that all of the moves including the hand changes are noticeable.  I do not know about the ippon ashi stance at the end, however.






Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Masters of Okinawan Karate, vol. 4: Takeshi Tamaki

Good insight in this episode.  Tamaki sensei advises to always be considering bunkai, and to visualize yourself against an opponent when practicing kata.  See if you can figure out which kata he demonstrates...


(Hint:  It has a reinforced spear hand strike, as the picture below shows)



Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Self-Defense in the Real World

We all train for various reasons: physical health, personal/spiritual improvement, or any other reason beyond just learning how to fight.  Karate is a fighting art, however, and the primary purpose for its development was to provide the practitioner with an effective means of unarmed self-defense.  This means being able to apply what you learn in the dojo to protect yourself and others from violence on the street.


Iain Abernethy has a good article about two things criminals know about violence that you should know too.


Knowing these two things will greatly enhance your ability to apply your training should the need arise.  After all, what is the point of studying karate if you can't use it?

Masters of Okinawan Karate, vol. 3: Koichi Nakasone


Monday, August 19, 2019

Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate

From Gichin Funakoshi's book, the twenty principles are:


  1. Remember that Karate-Do begins and ends with Rei (courtesy).
  2. There is no first strike in Karate.
  3. Karate stands on the side of justice.
  4. First know yourself, then know others.
  5. Mentality over technique.
  6. The mind/heart must be set free.
  7. Calamity springs from carelessness.
  8. Karate goes beyond the dojo.
  9. Karate is a lifelong pursuit.
  10. Apply the way of Karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty.
  11. Karate is like boiling water: without heat, it returns to its tepid state.
  12. Do not think of winning. Think, rather, of not losing.
  13. Make adjustments according to your opponent.
  14. The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness (weakness and strength).
  15. Think of [the opponent’s] hands and feet as swords.
  16. When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies.
  17. Kamae (ready stance) is for beginners; later, one stands in shizentai (natural stance.)
  18. Perform kata exactly; actual combat is another matter.
  19. Do not forget the employment or withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique.
  20. Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful in your pursuit of the Way.

Reccomended Reading Update

Here are some additions to the recommended reading on the sidebar:


  • The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate:  The Spiritual Legacy of the Master by Gichin Funakoshi
  • Break the Box of Karate by Jesse Enkamp
  • Dynamic Stretching and Kicking by Bill "Superfoot" Wallace


Thanks, Tim.

Masters of Okinawan Karate, vol. 2: Yoshitsune Senega


Friday, August 16, 2019

Okinawan Diet

From Karate by Jesse, a.k.a, The Karate Nerd.
If you want to maintain good health into old age, be more Okinawan. That is, practice karate, and eat a diet low in calories but high in nutrition.  And remember "hara hachi bu."
Hara what?  Read more here:

Bowing

F.J. Lovret, a martial arts writer, composed the following which is found in all of the USCKF student manuals.
"Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy" is a saying of Gichin Funakoshi who is known as the Father of Modern Karate. To instill this into all karate students, they are taught and required to bow from both a standing and a seated position.
Just as meditation has no religious significance, the bow as used in karate training also has no religious significance. A bow is an oriental form of courtesy similar to an American handshake or a military salute. To bow to another is to politely show your respect. When the other person returns the bow they return the respect that you have bestowed upon them.
Karate is a martial (military) art and the karate school, just like the military, have what is known as the "Chain of Command."   If you have any military experience you should have no trouble understanding this principle. You initiate a bow to your senior and return a bow from your junior.  You talk respectfully to your senior and abruptly to your junior. You obey your senior and order your junior. Everything is either uphill or downhill.
A martial art bow (karate, judo, kendo, etc.) Is different from a regular Japanese bow among civilians. Due to the intensity of the art of karate the rules tend to be more rigidly enforced than in regular Japanese society. Bows are stiffer, more militaristic, and the rank distinctions are more obvious.  If you have ever been a member of a highly disciplined organization such as the U.S. Marines, you will fit right in. Just apply the same rules of behavior. For those of you who never been in the military here are some guidelines:
1.  Bow to the sensei upon every meeting.
2. Bow to your seniors upon meeting them for the first time each day.
3.  Respond to any instruction from a senior with "ous" and a bow.
4.  Never question any statement from a senior.
5.  Remember a senior does not ask a junior to do something, he tells him.
6.  When in doubt BOW.
HELPFUL HINTS
Never set in a position on the training area or mat that is senior to be spot occupied by your senior.  Buy a senior spot I mean one that is closer to the [kamiza] or upper side of the mat or training area.
When lining up for class, sit in order of rank. If there is someone to your right, make your line straight by lining up on the same board they are on. If you are in the second row of KYU ranks (white, yellow, orange, green and brown belts) you should be standing behind someone who is in the first row, well leaving know empty spaces to your right.

San Chin kata

This is a good example of San Chin kata,  but you have to watch closely as the camera angles change...


Okinawan Karate Masters, volume 1