Kyan Chōtoku on training

The following is from "What to know about karate training and what to know about fighting," by Kayan Chōtoku. The translation from Japanese is by Patrick and Yuriko McCarthy, in McCarthy sensei's excellent book: Kensei Kayan Chōtoku: The Man and his Art.  

NB:  Kayan Chōtoku was a teacher of O'sensei Chitose.

Mental and spiritual discipline is vital to developing one's fundamental disposition. If it is neglected and training only focuses on physical technique (the body, hands, and feet), the effort is worthless.  This fundamental truth must be understood in order that the practice of technique develops the mind and body.  Simultaneously, one can behave, be calm, alert, brave, Etc.

1. The aim of martial arts is to prevent violence, foster humility, and learn self-defense. This is why martial artists should behave, be modest, and loyal.
2. The martial arts cultivate the ability to react at just the right moment using the body and mind in unison. Those who misuse their skill, or are arrogant, poorly influence their community.  Such behavior is not appreciated by anyone and only harms one's own character. 
   There was a wise old saying worth remembering: "A clenched fist should be like a hidden treasure up one's sleeve; it remains a secret until someone comes looking for it."
3. The purpose of karate is to condition the body, cultivate the mind, and nurture the spirit.
4. Effective posturing is made possible by sinking one's "qi/ki" into the "daniten/tanden," being careful that it does not rise up your body. However,it is important never to be overly rooted in one's stance.
5. Kata should be practiced with the same resolve as if facing an opponent.
6. Footwork, body movement, and impacting are all actions which should always be deployed quickly. However, remember that functionally effective footwork and body movement requires one to stay on their toes (balls of the feet).
7. Understanding the application of  kata establishes clarity between the upper, middle, and lower target zones, otherwise one's effort is in vain.
8. Makiwara practice is essential in order to develop powerful tools of impact. Yet, powerful techniques are useless unless they are supported by rapid hand and footwork. Therefore, power and speed are like the wheels of a wagon; one cannot function efficiently without the other.
9. One's body, perception, and spirit must be constantly trained.

No secrets to boiling water

 "What is the secret to success in martial arts?"

or,

 "How do you get a black belt?"

The answer to these questions is not whispered to a trusted acolyte by a grandmaster in the inner sanctum.  It is not to be rummaged for in dusty and disintegrating parchments.  It is not buried treasure or a revelation from God.

There is only one true answer:  Training time on the deck.

The time you are willing to spend on the deck, sweaty and exhausted.  Sometimes bleeding, crying, or vomiting.  It is not glamorous.  

Consistent attendance and diligent training will allow anyone to make Dan grade.  There are great personal rewards which may be achieved in the martial arts if one can subdue the ego, be willing to make mistakes, be an active learner, and submit to an old and esoteric tradition which seems shrouded in mystery.  Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to make the commitment to consistent training.  

Karate is like boiling water; without constant heat, it eventually returns to its tepid state.

                    - Gichin Funakoshi 

Ashi Sabaki - Jesse Enkamp

 

Beginner's Mind, 初心

 "Shoshin" is the Zen Buddhism term for retaining the spirit of openness and lack of preconceptions of a beginner or novice.  To not think of oneself as an expert, but to remain receptive and open to new learning and new experiences even when one achieves an advanced level of practice.  Many consider this to be essential in subduing the ego, a fixed and conditioned state that we subconsciously and reflexively impose upon ourselves.  By keeping the ego in check, and using the ego as a detached observer or advisor, we can achieve a more peaceful mental state and begin to integrate that peacefulness into our relationships with others.

This is an important concept in martial arts.  While we are studying how to fight, and we know from childhood that fighting and violence are wrong, we are learning to become more peaceful within ourselves.  It is very easy for someone to develop an inflated ego as higher rank is achieved.   Keeping a beginner's mind helps to prevent this, and leaves the door open for new learning in addition to new ways of thinking about old ideas.  There is always something new to discover.  

Consider a kata, even a "beginner" kata.  With experience and training, a beginner kata can be performed without really thinking about it very much.  But try to imagine an opponent, what that opponent may or may not be doing against you, and how you react.  Have you thought of everything?  That is difficult.  While some ideas may be more valid or appropriate than others, keeping your mind away from preconceptions helps to give a new perspective to your thinking.

Kihon Katas

"Kihon" means basics.  In Chito Ryu Karate Do, we have "basics" kata which are intended to be tested at the "two" level:  Green 2 (go kyu), Brown 2 (ni kyu) and Black 2 (ni dan).  They are not intended as a historic recording of a system or set of moves open to interpretations of application, but a linking together of basic techniques in which the student must demonstrate competence according to rank or grade.

Beyond our student manuals (please ask if you don't have one!), there are some online resources available at Black Belt Wiki with pictures, written descriptions, and videos: 

https://blackbeltwiki.com/chito-ryu-katas

A word of caution:  some of the video demonstrations are better than others.

 

You may also want to look at the Beginner Manual from the International Chito-Ryu Karate-do Federation of Australia.  Please note while this organization has "Chito Ryu" in its name, it is in no way affiliated with USCKF.  Some of the information is a little different than what you will see in our manuals, especially the descriptions of ranks and grades.  That said, the section with Kihon Dosas and Kihon Katas provides photographs which may be easier to understand than the line drawings in our manuals.  The link below is for a PDF (about 3.5 MB)

www.chitoryu.com.au/resources/pdf/ICKFA beginner manual v5.0.pdf

 NOTE - Some important differences are: 

• Belt ranks:  We do not have blue or purple belts, and we only use stripes on green and brown belts.
• Test Katas:  We use kata, not kihon kata or kihon dosa for testing.  While you may be asked to perform one of these during a test, it is not a specific requirement.
• Kihon Dosa Ichi:  We do outside blocks (uchi uke), and our shiko dachi is off-line (hanmei)
• Kihon Dosa Ni:  We do inside blocks (soto uke), and shiko dachi hanmei
• Nijushichi Te Waza:  Similar to our San Ju Ko, with these exceptions:  We have a head-level knife hand strike (jodan shuto uchi), mid-level fingertip strike (chudan nukite), and NO palm-heel strike (teisho zuki).  All techniques are performed in uchi hachi dachi for our style.  It is also important that proper eye vectoring is used, something not shown in this case.
• Kihon Kata Ichi:  Similar to Kihon Dosa Ichi, we do outside blocks rather than inside blocks.

 If you can keep these points in mind it will avoid confusion.

 

 

 

 

Motivation, Training, and Success

The following was sent in by Kohai Tim, who holds a Dan rank in the Isshinryu style of Karate.  Isshinryu is a traditional style, just as Chito Ryu, so the ideas presented here are absolutely compatable and transferable:



Isshinryu Training and Motivation to Succeed, By John E. Hughes


People have built-in feelings and perceptions regarding Karate training, exercise, and the ability to learn.  Most Americans are brought up to want to succeed quickly.  Karate is an art that is taught using a number of methods.  Some dojos test the student at regular intervals, fees are paid and the student is promoted.  In other dojos, the student signs up for a period of time and at the end of the contract, the student is granted the promotion.  Also, there are training methods where the student trains and when the level of proficiency is attained, the student is promoted.  THE TRADITIONAL ART DOES NOT GURANTEE PROMOTIONS [emphasis mine].  It does promise to help the individual improve physically, mentally, and emotionally; if the student trains properly.

Training methods are learned at the hands of a qualified Sensei, whose attitude, encouragement, and teaching methods help the student to identify the skills, abilities, and values needed to learn.  Motivation is the heart of learning and is dependent upon the purpose for learning.  The nature and extent of the desire to learn will influence the degree of motivation.  The degree of student motivation will determine the extent of personal involvement and help to create the persistence to overcome difficulties and frustrations. 

Motivation and learning are experienced intrinsically and extrinsically.  Extrinsic motivation comes from outside the individual.  The incentive may be to gain prestige, approval, or promotions.  Intrinsic motivation is derived inside the individual due to the enjoyment of the art for its own sake. The individual derives enjoyment, relaxation, physical benefits, challenges, and an expression of “Self” from the study of the art.  Intrinsic motivation does not depend upon what rank a person is but upon the values and abilities that the individual achieves.

To learn, a person must be patient.  To learn, a person must know that there is something to be learned; knowledge to be gained.  The person must add enthusiasm and the will to learn.  Karate is a progressive art.  One starts training with the basics and then proceeds through kata.  The ultimate goal is for the student to gain an understanding of how one’s body, mind, and spirit may be strengthened.  To this end, direction and guidance are added by the Sensei, while motivation and dedication are added by the student.  With continuing effort and desire, the student will be guided to understand what is required to become a “true” Karate student, who is a credit to the art.

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I would like to add here that just as successful training requires intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, one's training should never be limited to what happens inside the dojo.  External learning must also take place, including solo practice (this is where kata are particularly useful) and non-physical study, i.e., reading and watching videos.  If you are a reader of this blog, you probably realize this already.  To be successful in your Karate training, regular dojo attendance must take place.   For a deeper, more meaningful, and more internalized experience DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF to the two or three hours you may spend at the dojo each week.