Are We Are Made From Our Experiences...?

Richard Barrett sensei (centre) - and students of the Shinsokai

Whereas Shaw noted that our character is more likely to be molded by our expectations, I've long subscribed to the notion that you are, at least in part, the sum of your experiences; what you expect points to where you aspire to go, what you experience places you where you are. The two locations are, for a great many involved in karate these days, often a long way apart.

The karateka above face a number of different challenges in their yearly calendar of training, and like other authentic karateka, they face them with a sense of welcoming trepidation. Yes, they are happy to be in a position to challenge themselves, and welcome the opportunity to do so; nevertheless, waiting in the wings is the ever present sense of doubt that comes with facing physical and mental discomfort, for in the midst of such challenges it's often difficult to believe they're doing it willingly.

So, do these karateka grow and mature as a result of an expectation that they will accomplish the task ahead, or by the experience of having endured the challenge and successfully completing what they set out to do? Are you not changed forever, even just a little, by everything you experience? I would say "Yes you are!" You may disagree. Still, experience tells me that expectation often leads to disappointment, and with that in mind, I'll stick to experiencing karate as I have done for many years now, in the company of authentic karateka......that way, I know what to expect!

And the end of our exploring will be.....?

Shugoro Nakazato sensei - teaching senior students at the his Shorinkan dojo - Aja, Okinawa

I took this photo, along with a few others, when I visited Nakazato sensei at his Shorinkan dojo back in 2005. Training in the morning class were four of Nakazato sensei's senior students, the most junior of them ranked 7th dan.  I was informed that this class took place most mornings and I have to say, at the time, I was impressed by the seriousness of the training as well as the informality of the atmosphere in which it was taking place. Nothing spectacular went on, it was all kihon, kata, and a little kobudo; watching the student's practise, the thought occurred to me..."At their level, what are they getting from such training?"

As I walked back to my lodgings in Tomari an hour or so later, that famous quote from the writer T.S. Eliot came to mind...you know the one: "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of our exploring will be, to arrive where we started and to know the place for the first time." I've come to appreciate these words in relation to my karate a hundred times, and more, over the years; and I still remember smiling to myself that day, as the penny dropped..."Ah, so that's it!"

I'll end this post with a quote from another, long-dead writer, Rudyard Kipling, who, way back in 1909 wrote; "Funny how the new things, are the old things." 

El Budoka Interview - Pt2

A face only a Mother could love!

For those who are interested, following on from Part 1 of my interview in the Spanish magazine "El Budoka" last year, my publisher has now posted  Part 2 on their web page. Once again, thanks are due to the interviewer, Juan Luis Cadenas de Llano Bajo, for allowing his work to be reproduced in English; and to Blitz Enterprises and Charlie Suriano for the use of this photo.

Karate Came from India...right?

Here's a clip I found, among others, on youtube recently. Unfortunately the vision is spoilt somewhat by stupid advertising, but the footage it's self is worth watching.

It takes no great leap of the imagination to see the similarities between this kind of training and the kigu undo training found throughout Okinawan karate prior to it's move towards sport and commercialism. I'm particularly taken by the natural way these pugilist move, and the lack of any set uniform; all very reminiscent of Okinawan training as little as 60 years ago.

I'm reminded of the saying "Gai Ju Nai Go"...."Gentle looking, but strong." Or perhaps a more apt interpretation here would be..."Easy looking, but difficult."

El Budoka Magazine - Interview Pt1

A photographer's test shot for my book, Shin Gi Tai

The first half of a two-part interview published in the Spanish magazine, El Budoka, last September, has now been reproduced in English on my publisher's web page; "Thank you" Junalu for making this possible!

This year's training, both formal and informal, has already begun at the Shinseidokan. 2012 is set, if all goes according to plan, to see some significant changes for the dojo; all of which will lead to an improved training experience for me, and by extension, the students too. I'll post about events as they happen.

Akemashite Omedeto!

An Okinawan karate dojo - in Spain

As one year draws to a close, and another stands in the wings ready to take centre stage, it is once again time to reflect on the way things have unfolded over the past twelve months. To identify what might have been avoided, what might have been improved upon, and whether or not I could have done better.

Undoubtedly, I could have improved in certain area's, I could have been less lazy for a start, I could have looked for excuses a little less often than I did too; but I'm not one to dwell on what might have been achieved had my willpower been that of a Sage. Nope!...I'm all too human, and though I make no excuse for the excuses I've come up with throughout the year, I recognize my failings, take responsiblity for them and move on, secure in my resolve to do better next year.

I did get to practise my karate in Okinawa again this year, I had another book published, the average monthly readership of this blog grew substantialy, I got to witness the students at the dojo make great progress, I met with Kanazawa sensei again, I attended a karate tournament (Aghhhh....how did that get in there?),  I welcomed back visitors to the dojo who had trained here before, and said hello for the first time to a couple of others.....and....attended a gasshuku with a wondeful bunch of karate-ka.

What I didn't do was, make as much progress in my karate and kobudo as I had hoped for, experience any great sorrow as I had the year before, lost my glasses for more than fifteen minutes, improve on a certain move in seisan kata that has always been difficult for me, or spend any time in the company of those whose negativity outweights my sense of good will toward my fellow man. I plan to do even better in all these departments next year.

To all those who visit this blog on a regular basis, I thank you sincerly for your interest, and for not giving in to the urge to write to me about every little thing you read on here that upsets you. I understand that I can be "blunt" at times, but I never deliberatly set out to insult or hurt anybody with my comments. I am however, continually fascinated by the number of people who assume I'm talking about them in my posts, even when I'm not. To everybody reading this, regardles of anything else I've said here, please, have a safe and positive New Year in 2012, live well, enjoy your training, and be kind to your mother!

.Akemashite Omedeto!

Boy, Did You Get That Wrong!!!



Morio Higaonna sensei - Higaonna dojo, Makishi, Okinawa, 2008.

On a day when many karate-ka give themselves a day-off from training, I think Higaonna sensei will find at least some time to go downstairs to his dojo. In case you don't know, today, the 25th of December, is Higaonna sensei's birthday.  By the Western way of reckoning he's now 73 years old; but you can add another year to that if you're counting age the Okinawan way.

As I spent an hour in the dojo myself this morning, I thought of my former teacher and wished him a long and happy life. For regardless of all the politics that swirl around him and the folks who treat him like a god, he is at heart a simple, quiet, man who just loves to practice his karate. If more of his followers outside Okinawa got down off their self-made pedestals, and adopted the same attitude toward their training as Higaonna sensei does toward his, perhaps they would be better thought of by me then they are.


Masaji Taira sensei - Jundokan dojo, Azato, Okinawa, 2008

Today I also want to let you know more about another former Jundokan student, Masaji Taira sensei. His followers have now set up a web site for their teachers new organization, you can find it here. The site still has a lot of work to be done to get it up and running properly, but at least it's a start; and hopefully, this site will serve to avoid any more confusion in some folk's minds regarding Taira sensei's karate and the karate practised at the Jundokan dojo.

And finally, to the reason for the title of this post. It has to do with the idiot who wrote to me recently, asking why I make so much of the Jundokan and Eiichi Miyazato sensei, who he has never heard of, while I hardly ever write about Higaonna sensei, who everybody knows is the true successor to Chojun Miyagi. Well...I hope my birthday good wishes to the writer's hero has been duly noted; and just to ward off any similarly impending emails from followers of Taira sensei, please take note of my publicity for his new web site. To all those who are big on hero worship.......

Merry Christmas...and a good riddance to all.....Ho..ho...ho!