**Click title to go to the article
SHUKOKAI - The
Way For Perfection
Eric Tomlinson, 6th Dan, (Chief
instructor, SSU-USA)
Shukokai: The Best Kept Secret in Karate
Edward Ichihara Smith, 4th Dan
(California)
Know Thy Teacher
Jeff Goff, 2nd Dan (Missouri)
The Purpose
of Budo
Edward Ichihara Smith,
4th Dan (California)
First Impressions
Edward Ichihara Smith,
4th Dan (California)
SHUKOKAI - The Way For Perfection
Eric Tomlinson,
6th Dan, (Chief instructor, SSU-USA)
(2004)
I started Shukokai karate
under Sensei Roy Stanhope, Eddie Daniels and Terry Pottage in
Manchester, England in 1971. Since then I have been training in
Shukokai throughout my karate-do life. I trained under Kimura
sensei until he passed away in 1995. Kimura sensei was one of
the most exceptionally powerful men I have ever known. In terms
of techniques, I regard Kimura sensei as the most outstanding
person in the past 20-30 years of karate. His Gyaku-zuki and Mae-geri
were next to none. He was the type of person who stood out because
of his charisma. I benefited from knowing him and from the opportunity
to train with him. Because of the teacher/student relationship
we had, we became very close.
Looking back on my early days in karate in the mid 70s, I worked
very hard to perfect my style to compete in tournaments. I was
just a hungry fighter. All my pains, bruises and sweat were rewarding
as they gave me a great drive for perfection in life. Although
my mind is still willing and continues to push me, my body finds
it physically difficult to attain success. It is difficult for
a man in his mid-50s, with aching arms and hips from years of
training, to continue at peak performance, no matter how much
his mind pushes. As time passes, I must admit that my punches
and kicks are not as fast as they used to be, however I can still
pass these moves on to all of my students because this is one
of my responsibilities. I earned the recognition that I received
through hard work, and now my goal is to help the next generation
have the opportunity to reap the same rewards that I had. I also
wish to keep the high standards and the spotless reputation held
by karate-do professionals for the sake of the future of traditional
karate-do in United States.
In 1996, I moved to the United States. I opened a Shukokai dojo
in Missouri, hoping it would be a small step to promote Shukokai
in United States. In 2002, I joined Shito-ryu Shukokai Union under
Yamada sensei. The same year in October 2002, I met Yamada sensei
for the first time at the European Championships in Manchester,
England. Although Yamada sensei is one of the highest ranking
instructors in JKF( Hanshi, 8th Dan), he is a very humble and
open-minded person. He granted me the freedom to organize the
association within the United States as one of the Union's branches.
In March, 2003, I attended Yamada sensei's seminar and Gishinkan
Championships in Amagasaki, Japan. Yamada sensei and other instructors
welcomed us and showed us the warmest of hospitality, which made
me feel that to be a member of Shito-ryu Shukokai World Union
was a great honor. Yamada sensei's students (even small children)
were well discipline and showed great respect for their sensei
and senpai, which made me realize that this is the essence of
learning traditional karate-do. This is what we often fail to
teach in our dojos, and I believe this is something we need to
improve upon. Discipline and respect should be evident in our
instructors so that this important element is taught to our students.
Yamada sensei is a traditional type of karate-ka and has a different
approach to karate-do from Kimura sensei. They were both Tani
sensei's students, although they applied the fundamental basics
of Shukokai karate with their own interpretations. Throughout
his life, one sought a specific perfection of technique that is
focused on speed and power through the perfect application of
body mechanics. The other saw karate as a lifetime process that
leads a person to become a mature human being. Performing karate
for one's whole life without tearing muscles, excessively pressuring
body parts and causing physical problems later in life is the
goal. To study Shukokai is to study body mechanics in order to
generate maximum power and speed. This is also the point where
my karate-do started and the core of my karate training. I do
not want to lose this basic principle whatsoever.
My goal is for Shito-ryu Shukokai Union USA to take the Shukokai
techniques I earned from Kimura sensei such as kick shock, recoil,
dropping the body weight and so on, and merge them with Yamada
sensei's knowledge and experiences in developing a mature human
being by following the traditional karate-do philosophy. In other
words, I want to see SSU-USA benefit from both sensei and develop
karate-do of exceptional quality.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Yamada
sensei and Kamohara sensei (Chief Instructor, SSU-Europe) for
their encouragement and generous contributions. I also wish to
thank the members of SSU-USA for their support in striving to
establish a new and highly respected association in United States
of America.
Fighters World 1980, UK 
Summary
Eric Tomlinson of Bolton S.K.F. looked in impeccable form as he
worked his way through the eliminations, with his unique way of
maintaining concentration this avid counter puncher looked set
to take the Middleweight section. In a fierce two fight bout with
Kobi's David Quinn, the first fight ended in a two Waza-ari draw;
the second fight Tomlinson won after an unfortunate face punch
from Quinn was deemed excessive.
In the fourth fight, S.K.F. star Eric Tomlinson met young Neil
McFadgen whose tenacity earned him a Waza-ari, though Tomlinson
won the fight two-one.
[At Digbeth Civic Hall, Birmingham]
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The
Best Kept Secret in KarateShukokai: The Best Kept Secret in
Karate
Edward Ichihara Smith, 4th Dan (California Instructor)
(2003)
If one were to mention “Shukokai” in Japan or in Europe,
the response would most likely be a favorable mix of recognition
and admiration. It’s well known that among karate-ka on
the other side of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Shukokai has
been a respected and formidable force over the past 25 to 50 years.
So why is it that even among traditional Japanese stylists in
the USA, the name Shukokai draws a blank?
The History of Shukokai:
Shito-ryu 101
Although the name Gichin Funakoshi is one of the most recognized
names in Japanese martial arts history, another equally respected
yet lesser-known peer sowed the seeds of modern karate by not
only influencing Funakoshi’s development of Shotokan but
more importantly, developing his own unique style. Kenwa Mabuni,
a police officer in Okinawa, was known to all as an accomplished
martial artist who diligently studied and trained under several
of the most notable martial artists of the region. He eventually
developed a universal style by accumulating a vast reservoir of
knowledge and skill from several schools including Shuri-te, Naha-te,
Tomari-te and even Fukien White Crane style from China. He then
named his new style Shito-ryu after his two most influential teachers,
Anko Itosu and Kanryo Higashiona - the most prominent and accomplished
masters of the day. In fact, Itosu named Mabuni as the rightful
successor to his system. Due to Mabuni’s technical mastery
and diversity, he was regarded as a living encyclopedia of kata
(forms) and their bunkai (meaning/application of the techniques).
It was not uncommon for other high level instructors to consult
him regarding advanced matters of technique. Among the sixty-plus
kata that form the backbone of Shito-ryu, several are specifically
designed for Kobudo (Okinawan weapons). Mabuni was, in every sense,
a “Renaissance Man” of the warrior arts.
The genisis of Shukokai
Among Mabuni’s talented deshi (personal student / protege),
a young college student with Goju-ryu roots quickly rose to prominence.
Chojiro Tani not only excelled in the Shito-ryu ways but, through
diligent study of physical mechanics, developed his own unique
version of Shito-ryu that prompted Mabuni to endorse it as Tani-ha
Shito-ryu (Tani’s sect of Shito-ryu). In 1948, this sect
was officially named “Tani-ha Shito-ryu Shukokai Kempo Karate-do
Renmei” or simply “Shukokai” (“Training
Together Group”). Shukokai proliferated among the college
teams in the Osaka and Kobe regions of Japan and eventually, due
the high degree of tournament success, became identified as a
competition oriented style. However, for those who made Shukokai
their way of life, Tani’s concepts and techniques of bio-mechanics
were not only applicable to competition but also in real self-defense
scenarios. Tani based his evolution of karate on three simple
yet profound core principles:
• Avoid unnecessary movement
• Avoid unnecessary force
• Use the whole body
Students who trained diligently under Tani’s guidance discovered
that by applying these three principles from a higher more mobile
stance, they were able to harness both speed and power to utilize
signature concepts such as “Hip Double Twist” and
“Kick Shock”.
Shukokai Beyond Japan
The growth of Shukokai could not be contained to Japan, so in
the early 70’s a few of Tani’s more talented Deshi
journeyed to Europe. This elite cadre was joined by a man well
known for his ability to generate tremendous punching power. His
name was Shigeru Kimura. Having won the World All-Styles Championship
at the age of 21 and the All-Japan Championships twice, Kimura
was the logical choice to serve as Shukokai’s newest ambassador.
Traveling through South Africa, Europe, Scandinavia and the British
Isles, Kimura propagated his unique and effective Shukokai techniques
and gained a loyal following rarely seen in modern times. He introduced
several technical modifications to Tani-ha Shito-ryu that were,
in a word, revolutionary. Of all the instructors hailing from
Tani’s dojo, Kimura became the most prolific in starting
and resurrecting karate clubs and/or inspiring others to join
Shukokai. In 1971, he set his sights on the United States and
eventually settled in New Jersey where he established his new
headquarters. There, Kimura continued to develop the theories
and practice of karate biomechanics. Tragically, Shukokai was
dealt a devastating one-two punch with the passing of Kimura in
1996 and Tani in 1998. But it cannot be disputed that both Tani
and Kimura’s legacy would have been a source of great pride
for Kenwa Mabuni.
Shukokai Today
Chojiro Tani said “One makes his own karate”, therefore,
he never governed his organization with an iron fist and granted
senior instructors permission to form their own Shukokai groups.
These groups never strayed too far from the master and frequently
invited Tani to attend tournaments and/or instruct at Gasshuku
(gathering for special training) throughout the world. Following
the untimely passing of Tani, the Shukokai organization began
to splinter with several groups forming organizations independent
of the other groups. The master’s death created a void with
no unifying leader. In an effort to maintain unity and preserve
Tani’s teachings, a general congress of high-ranking Shukokai
instructors was convened in Japan on June 28, 1998. It was decided
that Haruyoshi Yamada, the most senior instructor within Shukokai,
would be elected to serve as President and Chief Instructor of
the new Shito-ryu Shukokai Karate-do Union worldwide. Several
groups throughout Europe soon followed suit to unite under the
new banner. In June of 2002, Shito-ryu Shukokai Union USA was
formed under the leadership of Chief Instructor, Eric Tomlinson,
6-Dan. Tomlinson, a veteran of the British national team, trained
extensively with Kimura in England and is therefore well versed
in ways of Shukokai. Currently, SSU/USA is represented by schools
in Missouri, New York, California and Florida. Tomlinson believes
that other Shukokai groups or individuals will seek to affiliate
with this highly respected international organization primarily
due its focus on maintaining the original focus of karate training
over politics.
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Know Thy Teacher
Jeff Goff, 2nd Dan (Missouri Instructor)
(2004)
If you are a parent considering
martial arts training for your child, or an adult considering
the same, it is an imperative that you invest the time and energy
to fully investigate a potential instructor, his/her dojo, associations
or affiliations. This is a particularly important process for
the parent seeking to enroll their child into a martial arts programs.
Children are especially vulnerable to misguided teaching, because
they automatically assume the instructor is correct in all things
pertaining to the art, and they readily emulate their example.
The instructor, for better or for worse, will become a tremendous
influence in the young student's life. The parent needs to be
certain that this person is aware of their position as a role
model, and accepts the responsibility that goes along with it.
Adults seeking to train in martial arts should also seek out an
instructor/training program that is in full alignment with their
character and personal goals. Otherwise, they will become quickly
disenchanted and break off their training, denying themselves
of an excellent resource for personal development. Martial arts
training can be a fantastic way to maintain a healthy body, mind,
and spirit, while learning practical self defense in an increasingly
dangerous world. The benefits can be enjoyed by children and adults
alike. However, it is critical that they know the instructor's
personal philosophies, his/her goals and expectations. If the
school is affiliated with a larger association, what are the association's
philosophies? A prospective student would not be out of line to
ask for a copy of the association's bylaws, or to spend time talking
to current and former students. Former students can be a very
valuable resource, and most will be very cooperative in discussing
their training. If they are hesitant, then that alone would be
cause for concerm. Once the student has gathered all the information
they can, then an enlightened decision can be made on where to
invest their time, energy, and money.
So then, what constitutes a good instructor? Obviously, they must
have extensive experience and knowledge of their particular style
or styles, and a demonstrated ability to impart that knowledge
to others. But even more important is their character and personal
philosophy. He/she must be a mature person of sound character,
possessing the ability to identify and reinforce positive attributes
in each student. Mr. Haruyoshi Yamada 9th Dan and Director of
the Shukokai Gishinkan, and Chief Instructor for the Shito-ryu
Shukokai Karate-do Union, is quoted as saying "Being a karate
instructor, one has to have one's own philosophy. This is how
I want to be and this is my goal." Even in his mid 60's,
Sensei Yamada trains among his students, providing not just instruction
in technique, but helping them to grow into people of virtue.
Sensei Yamada is an amazing man, one of the highest ranking members
of the Japanese Karate-do Federation, yet humble, honest, and
forthright. He is an exceptional example for his students, and
is uniquely qualified to hold the title of Chief Instructor for
the Shito-ryu Shukokai Karate-do Union (SSU). His personality
resonates throughout the SSU worldwide, and his influence can
be seen in Western Europe, the UK, and in the recently organized
SSU-United States of America.
So let's assume that the student candidate has done their homework,
and the potential instructor has passed muster, but his/her dojo
is a member of a larger association. How does this affiliation
impact the dojo? What benefits are there for the individual student?
Since I am most familiar with the SSU-USA and have found it to
be extremely beneficial at the club and individual level, I will
share a bit about its structure, to be used as a model for comparison.
To begin, the SSU-USA is one component in the worldwide Shito-ryu
Shukokai Karate-do Union (SSU), headquartered in Amagasaki, Japan.
As mentioned earlier, the entire association is under the guidance
of Mr. Haruyoshi Yamada, 9th Dan. Sensei Yamada trained directly
under the late Soke Chojiro Tani, who created the variant of Shito-ryu
Karate known as "Shukokai". After Soke Tani's passing
in 1998, Sensei Yamada was elected as the chairman of the newly
formed SSU. Embracing the variety of a worldwide student base,
and recognizing the benefit of self-government, he organized the
association in true union style, allowing each country to establish
individual bylaws and philosophies.
It is the reponsibility of the chief instructor in each country
to maintain the high quality of instruction that he has set forth.
In addition, Sensei Yamada has established standards for training
and advancement, which are published in the grading syllabus used
by all member dojos. This eliminates ambiguity and inconsistency
in grading requirements, so every student knows what skill must
be mastered for advancement.
The SSU-USA was formed in 2002 under the direction of Mr. Eric
Tomlinson, 6th Dan and Chief Instructor for the USA. Sensei Tomlinson
has been training in Shukokai since 1972, and in addition to training
with Sensei Yamada, he has trained with many other extremely talented
Shukokai sensei, such as the late Shigeru Kimura, Eddie Daniels,
Roy Stanhope, and Terry Pottage. Sensei Kimura had a profound
influence on his karate, especially in the area of body mechanics
and generating explosive impact. It is Sensei Tomlinson's goal
to combine the Shukokai techniques he acquired from Sensei Kimura
with the traditional pholosophy of Sensei Yamada, to produce an
exceptional quality of karate-do. In addition, Sensei Tomlinson
strives to maintain a high standard of integrity, not just for
himself but for every instructor in the SSU-USA. Many instructors
eventually rise from the student ranks, but it is not unusual
for Shito-ryu dojos from other branches of the style to apply
for membership in the association. In these instances, Sensei
Tomlinson personally interviews the chief instructor of the prospective
dojo, both by telephone and face-to-face, to ensure that they
are of good character, have a solid Shito-ryu background, and
have personal philosophies that are in alignment with both his
and Sensei Yamada's. In this way, he takes personal responsibility
for the quality of instruction in the SSU-USA. The association
is governed by its own bylaws, which were drafted by the Technical
Committee in cooperation with Sensei Tomlinson. The SSU-USA also
maintains a very informative website, with information about Sensei
Yamada and Sensei Tomlinson's vast experience and philosophies.
There are also links to SSU organizations around the world, and
it doesn't take much effort to appreciate the remarkable continuity
that Sensei Yamada has achieved within the association. There
is ample information for the prospective student to learn about
and understand what the SSU-USA is all about.
| To put it in a nutshell,
the SSU-USA benefits its students in many ways: |
| |
Honest and strong leadership
Philosophies that uphold the tradition of 'budo'
Direct association with Japan and top Japanese instructors
Excellent Shukokai pedigree
Powerful and practical techniques
Quality instruction
Extensive cooperation between member countries around the
world
Consistent training standards
Readily accessible information about instructor philosophies,
organizational structure, club location, etc
|
These very tangible benefits, combined
with instructors dedicated to the organizational mission, assure
the student will grow in both ability and character.
In summary, training in martial arts, whether Karate, Kung-fu,
Tai Chi or other traditional form, can be a tremendous tool for
developing and maintaining a healthy body, a keen mind, and a
determined spirit. But what should always be a positive experience
can quickly become destructive if the passing of knowledge is
entrusted to immature, self-serving, or domineering instructors.
Do not allow your martial arts experience, or that of your children,
to lead down this path. Take the time to find a great instructor,
supported by a fantastic association, and you will enjoy a healthy,
fun and enriching pastime for many years to come.
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The Purpose of Budo
Edward Ichihara Smith, 4th Dan (California Instructor)
(2003)
Introduction
Everything - every word, every action, every inanimate object
– has a purpose. It’s usually best to avoid absolutes
such as “always”, “never” or “everything”
but dwell on this concept for a moment and I challenge anyone
to find the logical or intuitive flaw. Influential decisions by
world leaders, scientific advances and parents have obvious purposes
but so do seemingly insignificant things. Each grain of sand supports
or rests upon another grain of sand in order to form the beach.
A silly phrase uttered by a child cause laughter and a feeling
of well-being for those who hear it. A fish eats other fishes
and is itself consumed at a sushi bar. Determining if the purpose
has value to man is not the issue therefore identifying the purpose
can be difficult. Violence too, has a purpose.
Those who dream of a better world denounce violence and say that
violence has no purpose and is counter-productive to life. On
the surface, this may seem a naturally logical point of view,
however, I contend that violence is a natural state of being,
inherent to and inseparable from our world and lives. The fish
that ate the smaller fish did it violently, the Hawaiian Islands
are being created by violent volcanic eruptions and birth is a
violent transition from the safety of the womb into a cold, bright
world. Violence is neither good nor bad; it simply exists. However
violence should not be confused with cruelty. The uninitiated
public automatically equates the martial arts with violence however
the apparent parallels do not belie the complete truth. For those
who only know of martial arts from TV and movies, the martial
ways may seem unnecessarily violent, fantastic or mystical. In
addition, the explosion of popular martial arts in the United
States has produced a hybrid known as sport karate. Each of these
incarnations is an abstract caricature and none truly personifies
Budo. So if we know what Budo is not; the question then becomes
“What is Budo and what is it’s purpose?”
Budo Defined
Written in Kanji, Budo is made up of two characters. The first,
Bu, is translated to mean “martial” or “warrior”
and the second, Do, means “the way” or “path”.
Therefore, Budo is not (as many non-Japanese tend to believe)
another way of saying martial arts but the spiritual, emotional,
physical and mental state necessary for one to live as a warrior.
The warriors’ purpose, as defined by the Samurai or Bushi,
was a singular, unquestioning loyalty and a lifetime of service
to ones lord based in Honor. So what is Honor? To some, honor
means that if someone wrongs you, you are justified in seeking
revenge or to “save face”. To others, simply telling
the truth or repaying debts makes one an honorable man. According
to Major Forrest Morgan in his book Living The Martial Way, honor
is the fundamental component of Budo and is composed of three
other virtues: Obligation, Justice & Courage.
Obligation is the foundation upon which Justice and Courage are
based. As the Bushi were obligated to serve their lords, we, in
the twenty-first century, have our “Giri”as well.
Giri is the moral obligation to fulfill one’s duty. Society
is composed of an endless cycle of debt and repayment. We are
obligated to our families to be responsible and loving husbands,
fathers or sons. We are obligated to be efficient for our employers
and supportive to our colleagues. We, as instructors, are obligated
to our students to teach correctly in a patient yet disciplined
manner. Those of us who have chosen to accept the ways of karate
as the focus of our lives carry many obligations and it often
seems impossible to repay them all. Yet, as we live a life of
Budo, we continuously take steps of repaying our obligation as
we impart this concept to our students.
The second tenet upon which honor is based is Justice. Justice
is acknowledging and doing what is right. Studying and training
in the martial arts develops the mind and body to act and react
to threats with potentially devastating results. Possessing the
power to maim or kill is a tremendous responsibility to bear.
There are many who use their skills to benefit themselves at the
expense of others. These bullies who injure, intimidate or cheat
others ultimately reveal that they acted without a sense of justice
and are therefore, not honorable.
The final tenet essential in defining honor is Courage. Courage
is the inner quality that motivates one to do whatever must be
done despite the personal risks. Courage isn’t exclusive
to the battlefield or in the midst of a catastrophe; it can appear
in the form of defending another’s reputation even at the
expense of your own. There are many ethical yet unpopular causes
that need the support of courageous people to effect a positive
social change. There are countless numbers of people who contemplate
and agonize over doing the right thing but there are relatively
few who take action. In summary, for one to live the way of a
warrior, whether in combat or in battling the demons of daily
life, one must be honorable by maintaining an obligation to justice
and practice it through acts of courage.
Purpose
The origin of martial arts is lost in the mists of time and frequently
myth and legend have replaced historical fact. However it is undisputed
that all systems, schools and styles shared a common purpose:
the need to defend oneself and loved ones from predatory individuals
or groups. The innovators and masters of the fighting arts knew
that cruelty must be discouraged as the practitioner attains a
formidable degree of power. It was not sufficient to possess the
skills to inflict pain and death without accepting a moral code
to restrain unnecessary violence. Honor isn’t required for
aerobic kickboxing, stunt work or building a franchise chain of
karate “studios” and therefore the purpose of Budo
cannot be found there. I contend that the purpose of Budo is primarily
to train an individual to effectively defend oneself and their
loved ones from harm. In order to accomplish this, one must be
able to accurately analyze and avoid danger prior to invoking
one’s fighting skills. Only when all other options, such
as retreat or negotiation, are unavailable or have failed should
one resort to immediate and decisive physical action. It then
becomes paramount to keep in mind that once the danger or threat
has been eliminated, any further action can be viewed (legally)
as an assault. Within the definition of honorable self-defense,
one accepts the obligation of preventing harm, exercises the courage
to carry out any and all appropriate responses and utilizes justice
in the application of the response. It is relatively easy for
one to lash out violently but it takes true strength of character
to do the honorable thing. If one neglects or rejects the process
of strengthening one’s “inner self” while strengthening
one’s “outer self”, one cannot claim to practice
Budo.
Conclusion
To some, the practice of martial arts is a lonely endeavor. Long
hours devoted to the pursuit of technical perfection and physical
prowess while neglecting family and friends is often seen as the
essence of the warrior ways. Although such dedication is very
admirable, the price of disconnecting from one’s fellow
man is isolation. If the ultimate purpose of Budo is to make society
better through the proliferation of honorable individuals, it
cannot be accomplished in isolation. I have trained in a number
of martial art styles. I have worked in jobs where the potential
for physical assault was a constant threat. I have competed in
tournaments. I have taught karate to children and adults. From
my life experiences, I have come to recognize that my path is
constantly evolving. Whether in or out of the dojo, the guiding
force remains the same. Budo, the warrior’s way; the way
of obligation, the way of justice, the way of courage - the honorable
way.
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First Impressions
By Ed Smith
It’s a rare event when high ranking karate instructors from Japan venture to the USA for a Gasshuku (multi-day special training). It’s even rarer when that instructor is the leader of a large and well-respected international organization. But this is exactly what happened in Long Beach, California, August 2006.
Haruyoshi Yamada, 9th Dan, is the World Chief Instructor of Shito-ryu Shukokai Karate-do Union & Chief Instructor of the Gishinkan, his chapter of Shito-ryu Shukokai Union. Yamada, Hanshi was a lifelong pupil of the late Chojiro Tani (the founder of Shukokai) who was a direct student of Kenwa Mabuni, the originator of Shito-ryu. Yamada Sensei is also ranked 8th Dan and has the designation of Supreme Judge
in the Japan Karate Federation. Although Yamada Sensei makes it a point to travel throughout the world to teach seminars, this was his first visit to the USA.
The backdrop for the Gasshuku was the annual Nikkei Games, Budo Tournament held each year in the expansive California State University at Long Beach Pyramid. This unique event is different from all other Karate tournaments due to the fact that there is a Judo & Kendo tournament occurring simultaneously. The organizers agreed that this would be a fitting event to welcome Yamada Sensei – and they were right.
Yamada Sensei was accompanied by Osamu Ishitobi, 7th Dan who acted as translator and uke. The first of the seminar series was a special introductory seminar the evening of Friday the 11th. Yamada Sensei elaborated on the techniques and deeper meanings of Shito-ryu shiteigata, Bassai Dai and Seienchin. The seminar was open to all styles in order to compare and contrast as well as to communicate the Shito-ryu “feeling”. Despite some difficulty with the language barrier, attendees went away with a greater appreciation for these two staple kata.
Saturday, August 12 brought a day-long schedule of seminars. Two internationally known and respected local sensei, Fumio Demura and Tak Kubota were on hand to present their seminars as well. Demura Sensei began the day by introducing “Chair Defense” (defense from a chair not decking an aggressor with a chair). I, for one, had never considered some of the techniques and skills introduced by Demura Sensei and enjoyed it thoroughly. Next Yamada Sensei presented a kumite seminar stressing natural motions and soft deflecting techniques aimed at setting up responsive strikes. Applying these concepts and techniques will positively alter anyone’s fighting game. Finally, Kubota Sensei presented the world famous Kubotan defenses. Who could guess it was possible to create so much pain from a five-inch stick? By the end of the day, whether you attended one, two or all three seminars, you felt that your really expanded your karate knowledge.
The following day was tournament day and the Nikkei Games Karate Tournament was pleased to have Yamada Sensei attend considering his long travel schedule and two previous seminars. However, following the tournament, Yamada Sensei suggested that a fortunate few gather at Prince Loefler’s dojo for an impromptu seminar. The program included Pinan 1 – 5 and Nipaipo. Among the attendees were Eric Tomlinson (Shito-ryu Shukokai Union USA Chief Instructor), Shigako Tomlinson, Malesu Okaditse (SSU Botswana Chief Instructor), Chris Pontashego (SSU Botswana / Mens Black Belt Kumite Gold Medalist), Prince Loefler (Instructor, Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu) and myself. It’s a rare thing when an instructor of Yamada Sensei’s caliber essentially conducts class on the spur of the moment – you don’t think twice before accepting the invite.
Following a day of sight-seeing and rest, Yamada Sensei was the guest of long-time friend & fellow sensei, Eliseo Sandoval Tuesday, August 15. The Chief Instructor of Shuko-kai International’s Tiajuana branch of was a most gracious host. Following a short driving tour of his city and an authentic Mexican lunch, we proceeded to a local radio station where the radio host interviewed Yamada Sensei live. We were told that the station’s signal could be heard as far east as Arizona. That evening, the seminar was held under the lights of the local soccer stadium field. The warm summer sea breezes & clear night sky provided the perfect ambiance for some rigorous kumite drills. There is something invigorating about training under the stars. The trip back to Long Beach seemed longer than the trip to Mexico but all arrived safe and sound, tired but no worse for the wear.
Yamada Sensei returned to Japan two days later. I learned, through Shigako Tomlinson, that Yamada Sensei had a wonderful time and came away from his first trip to the USA with a very favorable first impression.
( For more information about Shito-ryu Shukokai Union USA or the Nikkei Games Budo Tournament, access the following websites: www.shito-ryu-shukokai-union-usa.org and www.nikkeigames.org
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