Are we practicing Bujutsu or Budo? Does it matter?

Are you practicing karate as Bujutsu or Budo?  Do you care?  I hope you do.  I believe it does matter and we must ask this question to all karate practitioners and instructors.  Unfortunately, many of them do not care.  Even if they do, they either fail to understand the differences or they are too lazy to research about these concepts.

Let’s look at the popular reasons for the people to pick up karate and practice:

• Self defense

• Health/physical conditioning

• Stress reduction/mental wellness

• Competition/tournaments

All these reasons are good and respectable ones.  We must not pass the judgment on any of the reasons and to regard any of them is better than the others.  Though I am glad to see the people practicing karate for whatever the reasons, I have a strong concern with the current trend of tremendous amount of participation in the tournament activities, especially by the children and the youths.  In fact too much emphasis is put on winning.  The participants are told to do whatever necessary to win the matches.  The things they are encouraged to do are to use only the certain techniques that are easier to score, to bend the rules, to do illegal things (by hiding them from the judges), to change kata moves to look “fancy”, etc.  Their ultimate goal is to win without paying much attention to anything else and that is the essence of Bujutsu, martial arts.  The 16^th century Japan was in a war period and they cared only the best swordsmanship in order to survive in a battle.

Well then, what is different between Bujutsu and Budo?   I believe a half of the problem comes from many of us not having clear understanding of the differences between the two terms and concepts.  Most of us consider them as same or believe that they are inter-changeable.  This is the gravest misconception and it is where the serious problem begins. (read more...)

 

 

Shihan Yokota has published numerous articles and books:

Shotokan Myth #3 Silent Kiai

When we think of Ki-ai what do you think?   If you are an old guy or a gal like me you remember that funny sound Bruce Lee made.  An amusing story from the past involves the men’s after shave called Hai Karate.  If you remember this then you must be at least 50 years old.  This product was advertised on TV in the 60’s and possibly in the 70’s.  Here is what the announcer said:

ANNOUNCER: “Hai Karate aftershave is so powerful; it drives women right out of their minds. That’s why we have to put instructions on self-defense in every package. Hai Karate, the brisk splash-on aftershave that smoothes, sooths, and cools. Hai Karate, aftershave, cologne, and gift sets. Hai Karate, be careful how you use it.”

Then there is a skit with a guy who has to fight off the girls who would try to grab him after using this aftershave.  Some of my friends must have believed that I needed this because for several years, each Christmas I would receive numerous bottles.  I really appreciated their genuine interest to help me out but I had to toss most of them because I could not use them up if I had lived to 100 years old.  Besides I did not like the smell.  I knew the aftershave would surely drive the girls wild or rather; it would have surely driven them away.

I also have a very memorable incident with ki-ai which I would like to share.  I started karate 46 years ago (1963) in Kobe Japan.  Thanks to the following experience in my very first class I still clearly remember that wonderful day.  I can vividly picture this senpai, Tanaka (not the famous JKA sensei) in front of me.  He stood a little over 5 foot but he was a towering figure to us.  He slowly stepped up to the new students (me included of course).  We were brand new, excited and were dying to learn those deadly techniques.  He said very nicely, “You boys (no girls dared to join as it was thought to be too rough, but that was exactly the reason why I joined) have to learn how to say Osu.”  As the readers know, Osu is a very convenient word in Japanese that can be used for meaning “yes”, “no”, “maybe”, “I will try”, “right”, “sure‘ or whatever.  It could mean almost anything and, we were always happy to use it as we could sound like a tough karate guy.  So, we all said “OSU”!  The senpai then said “What?  I can’t hear you!”  So we repeated with a louder voice but that still did not please him.  He then said “you guys just don’t have spirit”.  “You are going to learn how to Ki-ai today and you will learn to show your spirit.”  Then, he gave a real LOUD Ki-ai which pierced through our bodies and sent shivers down our spines.  Then he smiled and said “OK boys you will Ki-ai without stopping until I return.”  We thought he would return in a few minutes but he did not come back until the end of the class, 2 hours later.  We were yelling “Ya” or “Tou” or whatever the Ki-ai we thought cool (we didn’t know Bruce Lee yet).  The senpai’s word was the command (plus he was looking at us from the other side of the dojo) so none of us would stop.  After 30 minutes or so we started to cough and lose our voice.  At the end we could hardly make any sound at all.  We left the dojo very quietly that day.  Incidentally, all the brand new students except one did not come back after the first day.  That was his way to separate the normal people from the crazy one (me).  My voice was gone for several days but I showed up at training the very next day.  I could only whisper on the following day and my mother did not seem to mind as the house was quiet for a change.  Thankfully the senpai did not ask me to Ki-ai on the second day but my training did not get any easier either.  He now told me to stay in Kiba dachi for 2 hours.  He kept on saying, “Lower! “.  When my legs gave out and I fell down, I guess I was too “low” so he said “Get up”.  It went on like that (very simple exercise but very looooong) and I am sure you can guess how the rest of the Japanese way of training or breaking in the new student went on.  I am still not sure if that senpai really knew what he was doing or if he was simply too lazy to figure out a more sophisticated training.

OK, you’ve heard enough funny stories about Ki-ai.  Now more serious stuff… There are many articles on Ki-ai and most of the authors stressed the importance of doing Ki-ai and how to do it.  Some explained the meaning of Ki-ai and the others showed the relationship to breathing.  If that is the case, then you will ask why I am writing this used up and uncontroversial subject.  Well I am one of those people who do not like to take things for granted.  So today I want to take up the challenge and ask “Is ki-ai really important?” and “Is ki-ai necessary in karate training?”  You might say, “You must be crazy to challenge these things.”  Maybe the readers are correct and I may fumble nicely with this subject.  But I think it is a good exercise to investigate instead of just believing something because many instructors and the “experts” say it is so. (read more...)

 

 

Shihan Yokota has published numerous articles and books:

Winners of the All Japan Karate Championship KATA PT. V

Years 1998 to 2004 MALE/FEMALE KATA Division

Year	#	DIVISION	1st	2nd	3rd
1998	41ST	MEN / WOMEN	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / FUJIWARA MIYOKO	IZUMIYA SEIZO / GUNJI MIYO	TANIYAMA TAKUYA / NAKATA TERUMI
1999	42ND	MEN / WOMEN	TANIYAMA TAKUYA / FUJIWARA MIYOKO	IZUMIYA SEIZO / OSHIMA HITOMI	TAKAHASHI SATOSHI / NAKATA TERUMI
2000	43RD	MEN / WOMEN	TANIYAMA TAKUYA / NAKATA TERUMI	IZUMIYA SEIZO / GUNJI MIYO	SHIINA KATSUTOSHI / OSHIMA HITOMI
2001	44TH	MEN / WOMEN	SHIINA KATSUTOSHI / NAKATA TERUMI	TANIYAMA TAKUYA / HIRAYAMA YUKO	TAKAHASHI SATOSHI / AZUMA CHIHARU
2002	45TH	MEN / WOMEN	TANIYAMA TAKUYA / NAKATA TERUMI	SHIINA KATSUTOSHI / HIRAYAMA YUKO	KOBAYASHI KUNIO / OSHIMA HITOMI
2003	46TH	MEN / WOMEN	TANIYAMA TAKUYA / NAKATA TERUMI	KOBAYASHI KUNIO / OSHIMA KAORU	UBUKATA KOJI / ARAGAKI MISAKO
2004	47TH	MEN / WOMEN	SHIINA KATSUTOSHI / NAKATA TERUMI	KOBAYASHI KUNIO / ARAGAKI MISAKO	TANIYAMA TAKUYA / HIRAYAMA YUKO

Downloadable Kata Posters at KarateCoaching

Did you know that as a KarateCoaching member you can download our Karate Kata poster series. These posters are the perfect handouts for your kids classes. Sign up at KarateCoaching.com and you will find them in the instructor corner. We offer all Shotokan Heian Kata as downloads. Those downloads are great tools for any Karate instructor.  KarateCoaching is the world's biggest and most unique Karate database with many karate tips, ideas, information and tools that you need as a student, instructor or athlete. 

Shotokan Myth #2 Hangetsu – A missing link to Naha-te Karate

In the #47 issue (May ’96) of Shotokan Karate Magazine, late Steve Cattle wrote an article on this kata, Hangetsu. It was a needed and educational article. The title was “Hangetsu the neglected kata” where he pointed out that this kata was most unpopular.  He claimed, “I feel it is a very neglected kata, generally because of the difficulty in performing the turns, the stance and its lack of beauty”.  He concluded that the biggest reason why this kata is unpopular to the difficulty of turns and its stance, Hangetsu dachi.  “The difficulty is in the turn, which is why I think it is neglected in competition as well as the actual stance difficulty”.   I agree with most of his claims but I am afraid he has missed some key points.  If you investigate the origin of this kata, you will discover the hidden history and the deep mysteries behind this unique kata.

Even though Shuri-te and Naha-te do not share the same kata, Hangetsu (Seisan/Seishan) is one exception.  This kata is found in almost all styles including Wado, Shito, Goju, Uechi, Shorin, Ryuei, etc.  I will attempt to put the facts together and make necessary comparisons to come up with the answers to many questions.  By sharing those findings, I hope the readers will come to a new appreciation and understanding when he/she performs this unique and valuable kata.

There is another article that is definitely worth reading is found in the issue #49 (Nov ‘96). The title is “Inside Tension Stances” and the sub title, “Sanchin-dachi, Neko-ashi-dachi, Hangetsu-dachi” by John Cheetham, the chief editor of this magazine. It is a 3 page article explaining whata those inside tension stances are and how they are constructed. It touches the subject that is not frequently touched and I recommend all Shotokan practitioners to read it if they have not. Unfortunately, the detailed information of Hangetsu dachi and it s very uniqueness were not mentioned or described in this article. However, I can not blame the author at all. He probably has a set of all karate textbooks such as Dynamic Karate, Karate-do Kyohan and Best Karate, but he can find only the steps of Hangetsu kata and not much else. In fact, we can find very little information on how to do this kata properly or on the details of Hangetsu dachi. The author wrote, “ – hangetsu dachi is described in most books and by most instructors as a longer version of sanchin dachi with all the same points as sanchin.” That is how it skips the detailed description of Hangetsu dachi.  I will attempt to bring out the hidden facts from the history and the comparison of this kata with the other Ryuha (styles) to fill the gap in this article. (read more...)

 

 

Shihan Yokota has published numerous articles and books:

Book announcement: Re-print of Karate Do Kyohan by Gichin Funakoshi

I am very proud to announce that KarateCoaching has access to the new re-print of Master Funokoshi's original book Karate Do Kyohan. KarateCoaching is working in cooperation with Tokon Martial Arts to fulfill your orders immediately. We can only highlight what a treasure this book in its full print is (not the shortened version that was published in the past) but we also need to mention that copies are limited so we highly recommend to place your order immediately as long as stock is still available.

Please order through the website of our partner Tokon.com

 

This classic Shotokan Karate Master Text has been printed for the explicit purpose of providing an exact reproduction of the complete original 1935 Japanese publication, preserving a historically accurate archive replica in the English language, that now can be experienced and enjoyed by all who can appreciate its significance.

This legacy, as is the true goal of Karate Do, is meant to be experienced with mind, body, and Spirit. Master Funakoshi's message is transmitted in these pages through philosophical thought, physical and mental practice methods, and most importantly, with manifest image. Each photograph of Master Funakoshi not only demonstrates the exact form and method of each technique, but is also an archetypal key to the spiritual path he followed and exemplified.

This book is a comprehensive guide for the study of karate and is credited as the foundation document of the modern day karate movement. Inner strength and personal character development are stressed through an active daily regimen of physical exercise and martial technique.

Kara-te Do Kyohan is Master Funakoshi's gift to mankind. An informed study will reveal that his focus in life was to share his knowledge and the benefits he acquired and experienced through a life of conscious self-discipline rooted in the principles of Karate Do.

Gichen Funakoshi (1868-1957) was born in Shuri, Okinawa and, as a boy, began training with Yasutsune Azato (Shuri-te) and Yasutsune Itosu (Naha-te). Through many years of diligent practice these two styles were blended and became what is known today as Shotokan Karate.

 

A Look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

Winners of the All Japan Karate Championship KATA PT. IV

Years 1988 to 1997 MALE/FEMALE KATA Division

Year	#	DIVISION	1st	2nd	3rd
1988	31ST	MEN / WOMEN	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / MIMURA YUKI	IMURA TAKENORI / NAKAMURA YOKO	KAGAWA MASAO / KONO KEIKO
1989	32ND	MEN / WOMEN	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / MIMURA YUKI	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / NAKAMURA YOKO	KAGAWA MASAO / KONO KEIKO
1990	33RD	MEN / WOMEN	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / MIMURA YUKI	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / NAKAMURA YOKO	IMURA TAKENORI / AKIYAMA MIWA
1991	34TH	MEN / WOMEN	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / MIMURA YUKI	IMURA TAKENORI NAKAMURA YOKO	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / GUNJI MIYO
1992	35TH	MEN / WOMEN	IMURA TAKENORI / NAKAMURA YOKO	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / KONO KEIKO	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / GUNJI MIYO
1993	36TH	MEN / WOMEN	IMURA TAKENORI / NAKAMURA YOKO	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / GUNJI MIYO	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / AKIYAMA MIWA
1994	37TH	MEN / WOMEN	IMURA TAKENORI / NAKAMURA YOKO	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / GUNJI MIYO	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / OSHIMA KAORU
1995	38TH	MEN / WOMEN	IMURA TAKENORI / NAKAMURA YOKO	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / GUNJI MIYO	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / NAKATA TERUMI
1996	39TH	MEN / WOMEN	IMURA TAKENORI / NAKAMURA YOKO	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / GUNJI MIYO	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / NAKATA TERUMI
1997	40TH	MEN / WOMEN	IZUMIYA SEIZO / GUNJI MIYO	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / NAKATA TERUMI	TERASHIMA HISASHI / OSHIMA HITOMI

Shotokan Myth #1 Hikite

A good hikite is necessary to make a powerful punch.

Hikite is a Japanese word consisting of 引 “hiki” meaning pull or draw and 手“te”, a hand.

When I started karate training in 60’s, my first instruction was given by a senpai and he showed me how to do chudan zuki from a natural stance.  I never forget him, Kato senpai.  He was barely 5 foot tall but was as fast as a lightening (as I remember him doing Enpi).   Anyway, Kato senpai said “Put your left hand out and set your right fist at your right hip. OK that is where you start a punch.   Now, draw your left fist to your hips very quickly and at the same time you punch with your right fist, like this.”  He showed me the impressive chudan seiken zuki several times in front of me.  Though it looked quite simple and easy to imitate, I found the turning of a punching fist was difficult and so was drawing the other fist to the hip (hikite).  He explained “You need to pay more attention to your hikite than to the punching fist.  The faster and stronger you draw your hikite so will your punch become”.  As it was my first day at karate training, his statement made a big impact in my head.

A few months later, when I learned a kihon kumite of 5 attack (Gohon kumite), I had a problem with hikite again.  As we all know after the fifth block the defender needs to throw a counter punch.  As a defender, I kept my blocking hand out (rising block, down block, etc) as I delivered a counter punch.  My senpai said “No! No! No!  You need to do your hikite as you counter punch.  Your punch will be much stronger with a strong hikite”.  I thought I did a good counter punch but, no hikite was a big mistake which I had to correct.  To be honest, it was difficult not only because the coordination of two arms but more so because I was afraid to lower my block hand from jodan age (rising block) as the opponent’s fist was near my head.   I feared that his fist might hit my face but I later found the opponent was nice enough to hold his fist above my head.

I suspect this kind of experience described above is very common for most of the people when they start karate training.  I must emphasize that the correction and change forced by that senpai were right thing to do and I would have done the same thing in the same situation.  In punching with a hikite two arms move to the opposite directions simultaneously.  This process must become as natural as two feet move in harmony while you are walking.  If you drag one foot behind and try to walk with only one foot, it will not be a smooth walk and the movement is not natural.  Walking mechanism is very natural to us and hikite mechanism can also be natural to karate-ka after a year of practice.  After it becomes a part of your natural move, no one thinks too deeply about it and you will have a powerful punch accompanied by a good hikite.  Here one has mastered a karate technique.  This is great.  We are all happy.  Now I can almost hear you say, “Well then, what is the problem?” (read more..)

 

 

Shihan Yokota has published numerous articles and books:

Winners of the All Japan Karate Championship KATA PT. III

Years 1978 to 1987 MALE/FEMALE KATA Division

Year	#	DIVISION	1st	2nd	3rd
1978	21ST	MEN / WOMEN	OSAKA YOSHIHARU / KAWASHIMA HIROMI	YAHARA MIKIO / OSAKA KEIKO	NAITO TAKASHI / MORIYA HIROKO
1979	22ND	MEN / WOMEN	OSAKA YOSHIHARU / KAWASHIMA HIROMI	OCHI HIDEO / MORIYA HIROKO	ISAKA AKIHITO / HAYAKAWA KEIKO
1980	23RD	MEN / WOMEN	OSAKA YOSHIHARU / KAWASHIMA HIROMI	YAHARA MIKIO / MORIYA HIROKO	ISAKA AKIHITO / YAMAMOTO KIKUE
1981	24TH	MEN / WOMEN	OSAKA YOSHIHARU / KAWASHIMA HIROMI	YAHARA MIKIO / MORIYA HIROKO	IMURA TAKENORI / HASHIGUCHI YUKO
1982	25TH	MEN / WOMEN	OSAKA YOSHIHARU / KAWASHIMA HIROMI	YAHARA MIKIO / MORIYA HIROKO	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / HASHIGUCHI YUKO
1983	26TH	MEN / WOMEN	OSAKA YOSHIHARU / MORIYA HIROKO	YAHARA MIKIO / YAMAMOTO KIKUE	FUKAMI AKIRA / EBIHARA FUMIYO
1984	27TH	MEN / WOMEN	YAHARA MIKIO / NAKAMURA YOKO	KAGAWA MASAO / YAMAMOTO KIKUE	KOJIMA HIROMI / EBIHARA FUMIYO
1985	28TH	MEN / WOMEN	KAGAWA MASAO / NAKAMURA YOKO	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / YAMAMOTO KIKUE	KOJIMA HIROMI / EBIHARA FUMIYO
1986	29TH	MEN / WOMEN	KAWAWADA MINORU / NAKAMURA YOKO	IMURA TAKENORI / TANIZAKI TAKAKO	OTA YOSHINOBU / EBIHARA FUMIYO
1987	30TH	MEN / WOMEN	KAWAWADA MINORU / NAKAMURA YOKO	AIHARA TOMOYUKI / MIMURA YUKI	HASHIGUCHI YUJI / MARUYAMA HIROMI

(https://mclaneedgers.com/)

Nunchaku, an unique weapon & its benefits to Karate

The nunchaku (ヌンチャクin Japanese and 雙節棍in Chinese) is a traditional weapon of the Kobudo and consists of two sticks connected with a short chain or rope.  I do not believe further introduction of Nunchaku is necessary as it became very popular among us by the Kung Fu movies in 70’s stared by Bruce Lee.

Out of a dozen or so different kinds of Okinawan Kobudo weapons such as Nunchaku, Sai and Tonfa, Nunchaku is most popular or known by the public.  Less known factor is that Nunchaku can produce the most dynamic and versatile techniques among the Kobudo weapons due to its construction of having two sticks joined by a chain or a rope. The quick swings and striking motions are very sexy and many people remember the fight scenes of Bruce Lee.  One can spin Tonfa pretty fast but it cannot beat the speed of Nunchaku.  Sai can be a deadly weapon with its sharp end as it can spear through just about any protectors, but the destructive power of Nunchaku at a full impact of said to be over 500kg is far greater than Sai or Tonfa could produce.  Not only it is fast and destructive but also it has another very exciting characteristic; flexibility of two sections. I am not saying Nunchaku is a better weapon than Sai, Tonfa or other Kobudo weapons. Just as one cannot say a certain style of karate is better than another, different weapons have their own particular uses and advantages thus cannot be compared by a simple set of observations.   It is very unfortunate that modern day Shotokan (at least from what I know of) has dropped Kobudo from its regular training.  I do not know the situation regarding this subject in other karate styles such as Shito-ryu, Goju-ryu and Wado-ryu, so I will discuss this subject only referring to Shotokan style organizations.  There was a justifiable reason (at least then) why Kobudo was dropped but I will not go into this historic aspect of karate even though it is a very interesting subject.  What I want to mention here today is that karate definitely lost a very effective and useful training tools when the masters decided to drop Kobudo from its regular syllabus.  I do not think they were aware at that time of the seriousness and the amount of handicap and disadvantage this omission would bring.  Shotokan style now is said to be very linear and lacks circular movements.

However, this claim is not true as one can observe the kata like (read more...)

 

 

Shihan Yokota has published numerous articles and books: