As my daughter finished her senior year in high school, she earned her black belt in our blended school of kenpo, kickboxing, and self defense. At college, she moved right into jitsu. As I understand it, it's Japanese jitsu but with a Canadian and Scottish accent (ie her instructors are from Scotland but have been living in Canada?). Whatever the origin, she has now been on a series of...
Three ways to stand in karate kata positions (that is the, the ready posture) are musubi stance, heisoku stance and hachiji stance. While advancing during kata there are naihanshin stance, sanchin stance, shiko stance, neko-ashi stance, sagi-ashi stance, zenkutsu stance, kokutsu stance, kosa stance, choji stance and renoji stance. Hachiji stance has both inside and outside hachiji stance, renoji stance......
Training with Friends I'm going to be away from my desk, and computer, for a couple of weeks: until the end of the month actually. When I travel I always like to leave the Internet behind, and as I don't carry a phone around with me (smart or otherwise), then my opportunities to see what's happening in hyper-space are few and far between. Perhaps it's an age thing, but I actually prefer to spend the...
One of the truths you hear about self defense is anyone with a knife or scissors is dangerous. Well I agree with that but I have never thought that a little 4″ blade makes someone invincible! While I will grant that if you have to defend against someone with a knife – you might […]...
Masaji Taira sensei - training at the Jundokan, c2008 A few weeks ago I got together with an old karate friend of mine, Paul Enfield; we hadn't seen each other for 26 years, but we picked up pretty much where we left off. Paul and his lovely wife, Michele, who I met for the first time, were visiting Tasmania for some R & R after two weeks of training with their teacher, Taira sensei, at a number...
A likeness of Higaonna Kanryo sensei Keizu, or lineage, is an element of karate and kobudo that, while important on one level, is of no importance at all on another. The deciding factor here depends on what your involvement with karate and/or kobudo is. If all you're trying to do is gain rank, run seminars, or bask in the glory of what a great fighting man you are, then the people who came before...
Naihanshin & San Chin : KOWAKAN DOJO Primary Menu Search Dojo Schedule Contact us KOWAKAN DOJO Okinawa Karate & Ryukyu Kobudo in Vancouver You are here: Home ∼ Naihanshin & San Chin Naihanshin & San Chin Published by M M on May 13, 2014 Leave a response Originally Published in Mabuni Kenwa & Nakasone Genwa’s Kobo Kenpo Karatedo Nyumon , 1938, pp. 99-101 A distinguishing feature of the kata Naihanshin...
Miyagi Chojun sensei in a relaxed mood, surrounded by his kigu Have a close look at Miyagi sensei's face here; do you think he knew how famous he was going to be after he died? Do you think he had any idea of the things that would be done in his name? Do you think he knew any of the people who today claim to be his "successor"? Our sense of "self " comes, in part, from our sense of who we are not....
After kobudo training with Akamine sensei - Shimbukan dojo, 2013 It's a common enough statement to hear when first time visitors arrive at the dojo..."You're lucky to have such a nice dojo in such a great place." Yes indeed, that's me...lucky, lucky, lucky! When I first entered the Higaonna dojo in Makishi back in 1984, I don't remember ever telling him how lucky he was to have a nice dojo...
: KOWAKAN DOJO Primary Menu Search Dojo Schedule Contact us KOWAKAN DOJO Okinawa Karate & Ryukyu Kobudo in Vancouver You are here: Home ∼ Kotekitae and Modern Karate-do Kotekitae and Modern Karate-do Published by M M on May 6, 2014 Most students of Okinawan Karate-do know the pain, effort and sweat associated with the routine of kotekitae. Kotekitae is a common training method used to strengthen...
I spent today digging a ditch and laying a drainage pipe - not that anyone will notice! All of last week I spent most of each day in front of the computer working on the final chapter of my new book; but this week I'll be outside each day, doing the things I need to do before winter arrives. One of the choirs that needed doing was to put a twenty-meter drain in place in front of the dojo; because...
To my amazement when looking for a video on the topic of fighting fair – I did not find one. I mean that is the most important question if someone challenges you to a fight – right? I mean it is not self defense and you can back down… but say you think the […]...
Goju-ryu founder Miyagi Chojun had several senior students that carried on his legacy. The most prominent were Higa Seiko, Miyazato Eiichi, and Yagi Meitoku. In his later years, Yagi Meitoku published his autobiography in 2000 Japanese entitled, “The Life Drama of the Man, Meitoku”. In it he recounted his life including time spent learning Karate-do under Miyagi Chojun. The following......
Like all classical Okinawa Karate-do systems, Tou’on-ryu emphasizes the fundamentals; not just their repetition but their quality. In fact, it is very strict about adhering to them. So much so that I dare say that many Karateka would be bored stiff at a typical practice. Under Kanzaki sensei a typical class would start with group Sanchin kata followed by open... Read more → ...
When I owned my karate school, one of the neighboring businesses was a biker bar. One of their bartenders and I were talking about karate one day and he made the remark that if any karate guy messed with him – he would just use his gun. I retorted that would be fine if […]...
Eiichi Miyazato sensei - Chojun Miyagi sensei There are a number of photographs like this one in existence; they show my teacher, Eiichi Miyazato, with his sensei, Chojun Miyagi. What they don't show is two people fighting, nor do they depict two people sparring; what they do show (IMO) are two people practising karate together...all be it in a stylised way for the camera. A recent...
Why Kids Should Be Different Kids, since the dawn of time, or at least the advent of fashion, or maybe toys, have felt a need to conform or fit in. They want to dress alike, own the same toys, just be like the rest. This continues on through high school as they struggle to […] The post Be Different And Be Glad! appeared first on Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate . ...
L - R: Me, the late Gibu Sokuichi sensei, Miguel Da Luz...circa 2010 Talk to the "average" traditional karate teacher today, and they will tell you that karate begins and ends with courtesy, that no matter how good your physical skills may be, nothing is more important than the way you conduct yourself in daily life; and if you let them, they will drone on about the character building...
In the photo above you can see the late Uechi Kanei demonstrating a fighting posture from Uechi-ryu. But take a closer look at the photo. What else can you see? Many things I’m sure, but did you catch the position of his shoulders? See how they drop and appear somewhat rounded. This is referred to as “Kotsukake” in Japanese. “Kotsu”... Read more → ...
I remember as a kid talking to a Tang-Soo-Do 3rd Dan Black Belt, the old, “What would you do if?” questions. and he told me if I tried to throw a punch, we would break the arm with out outside chop and then break my neck with a chop. He said if I tried […]...