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Welcome to the world of karate history, philosophy, other martial art information
Dear Karate Enthusiast;
The purpose of this newsletter is to pass on historical information, philosophical views and activities of interest to karate martial artists around the world. Please send your article, event or activity with a photo of the instructor and/or event organizer by the 20th of the preceding month to get your information in this newsletter. Please send your text in a Word document. Please send posters and pictures in small jpeg files, thank you.
Instructors, please forward to other karate enthusiasts,
thank you.
Sincerely,
Ray Hughes, Editor
and Volunteer Staff
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Disclaimer: Titles 
One of the most difficult areas that this newsletter has to deal with is the use of instructor titles. We are very sensitive to this issue and do not want to offend or insult anyone. To simplify this daunting problem we will use the following guidelines with the use of instructor titles:
a. The correct title of the instructor(s) must be in the article or seminar information submitted by the author or event organizer.
b. All captions that we place under photos will be:
1. Japanese instructors: Last name followed by the title Sensei.
2. Non-Japanese instructors: The title Sensei followed by the last name of the instructor.
c. Any title and name that is placed in this newsletter by newsletter staff will use the title of Sensei.
We consider the title "Sensei" a very prestigious title
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 | | Robert Hunt |
The Tragedy of Miyagi Chojun
The Karate Tapestry - Part 15
By
Robert Hunt
One of the tragic characters in modern karate is Miyagi Chojun. Venerated today by those who follow his path, Miyagi was one of the first to bring karate out from the shadows. He taught in Okinawan schools after the turn of the century, first under Itosu, by the way. He didn't teach Higoanna's nascent style until later on. Miyagi spent his entire life studying karate in one form or another. He became renowned in Okinawa and a sort of national hero. In the Okinawan language, they called him Busaa Maagushiku, "Miyagi the karate master." He started with Higaonna at 14 years old in 1902. At times, Higaonna went to Miyagi's fine house to teach and stayed for dinner. Born poor, Miyagi was adopted by a wealthy uncle who had no sons. This lucky happenstance afforded him the advantage of spending life digging through karate history, rather than scrambling for a living. It also afforded leave to travel to China and to cobble together his system. Higaonna Kanryo, Miyagi's most important influence, studied in China in the 1870's and 80's, from, he said, a man named Lu Lu Ko (also known as Ryu Ryu Ko, To Ru Ko, Ka Chin Ga Ru Ru and a few other names). This is probably true, although Lu Lu Ko is an illusive character. Higaonna doesn't seem to have made a big deal about studying from him, although Higa Seiko, who studied with both Higaonna and Miyagi, said that, as a boy, he listened to Higaonna tell his uncle (Higa Seihu) stories about studying with Lu Lu Ko. His uncle also said that Lu Lu Ko even visited Okinawa at one point, but there doesn't seem to be any corroboration. Click HERE to read the rest of the article To contact Robert Hunt steelmoon@hushmail.com
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August
 | | Ray Hughes |
Budo vs Sport
The conversation continues...
A by-product of getting old is realizing you've been on both sides of any given argument at one time or another. It's only looking back with 20/20 vision do you realize how many times the wrong point of view was argued. Those mistakes largely made because all view points were not considered. On this topic "Budo vs. Sport," I have been on both sides and have argued passionately each point of view. But it wasn't until I received an article "Budo is not Competition" from my friend Sensei Arturo did I realize I was wrong-on both sides of the argument.
If you have been following the last couple of newsletters you know I have had a friendly debate about the pros and cons of competitive (sport) karate with Sensei Arturo. I started the discussion with the article "Why Karate Students Should Compete." Sensei Arturo sent in a different point of view and then I responded. [Read last newsletter] I am a proponent of competition. Sensei Arturo then sent the article "Budo is not Competition" by Grigoris Miliaresis which articulates the argument against competition.
This article outlines the flaws of competitive martial arts from the perspective of a traditional martial artist. Though I think Mr. Milliaresis is a passionate martial artist, I believe he either doesn't understand all the components that go into competitive martial arts or he feels he needs to raise his perspective by demeaning the other point of view; a common method of argument. I tend to believe it's the former and not the latter. He also might have simple missed the point as I have done.
I started my response by listing all the points he made that showed why Budo is not competition and addressed each one. By the time I finished the last point it dawned on me that I was wrong in my argument. But it also confirmed that Mr. Miliaresis was also wrong from his perspective. I spent a lot of time on that article only to realize I had missed the point, what a waste.
So what was the point?
Next month I will lay out the argument that both sides of this perspective "Budo vs. Sport" are wrong. But please first read the article Mr. Miliaresis wrote "Budo is not Competition." It will help with understanding the layout of my proposition.
So until next month....
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by Dr. Sterk
In my previous article I wrote about how to stop negative and tentative thoughts. This article is about how to best prepare for competition. It's about how to have a PRE-COMPETITION-COMPETITION PLAN.
Here's what the world famous golfer, Mr. Jack Nicklaus once said, "Before every shot I go to the movies inside my head. Here is what I see. First, I see the ball where I want it to finish, nice and white and sitting up high on the bright green grass. Then, I see the ball going there; its path and trajectory and even, its behavior on its landing. The next scene shows me making the kind of swing that will turn the previous image into reality. These home movies are the key to my concentration and to my positive approach to every shot (Jack Nicklaus 1976)" Jack once said that hitting a good golf shot is 10% swing, 40% stance and setup, and 50% the mental picture of how the swing should occur. So what Mr. Nicklaus states is the Visual Imagery and Positive Self talk are key ingredients to a Pre-competition plan.
Chris Evert was a very famous world tennis champion. "Before I play a match, I try to carefully rehearse what is likely to happen and how I will react to certain situations. I visualize myself playing typical points based on my opponent's style of play. I see myself hitting crisp, deep shots from the baseline and coming to the net if I get a weak return. This helps me mentally prepare for a match, and I feel like I've already played the match before I even walk on the courts (Tarshis, 1977)" to read the rest of this article
to read the rest of this article
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me or contact me by email. I'll do my best to answer all your questions and concerns.
Thanks
Sam Sterk, Ph.D.
Peak Performance Plus LLC
www.peakplusaz.com
Email: peakplus@aol.com
480-767-0956
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Aug
In Memoriam
We recently lost two great masters.
Master Jiro Ohtsuka
Jiro Otsuka was born on February 24, 1934 in Tokyo, Japan. He graduated from Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan, receiving a degree in Economics. Otsuka and his wife, Aiko have three children: Kazutaka, born in 1965, a daughter Riki, born in 1967 and younger son Michi, born in 1968. Kazutaka has trained in Iaido, Judo and Wado and is pre
sently the chief instructor at the main dojo in Tokyo, Riki has trained in Iaido and Wado.
Jiro began his training in Wado Ryu karate at the age of fifteen. He has trained in Iaido, Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Kenpo, Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu and Wado. A unique feature of Wado Ryu is that the position of Grand Master is still handed down from the current Master to the next generation family member who is most deserving of the title. This hereditary system was once prevalent in ancient Japan but is not seen today.
In 1982, upon the death of his father, he took over as head master and president of the International Wado Ryu Karate Do organization. He also assumed his father's name. His commitment is "To strive to achieve his father's greatness." His number one concern for the future of the martial arts, is that, we need to develop more students of character. Under his supervision there are presently over 1,000 dojos, with a membership of 40,000, throughout the world.
Master Ohtsuka passed away June 27, 2015.
Master Toru Arakawa
9th Dan Former Chair of the JKF Wado Kai Technical Committee Below content was taken from Manchester JKF Wadokai Canada
Below is an old interview done with Arakawa sensei, the leading instructor of the JKF and Wadoryu style of karate. He began his training in 1950 at the Nihon University karate club which was formed in 1945 by Wakabayashi sensei. Over the years, this club produced a lot of very talented karate-ka, many of who took up positions overseas in the 1960's and 1970's when karate was just becoming established in the West. Arakawa sensei was amongst the original three instructors who presented Wadokai karate during a tour of Europe in April 1964. He took over from Wakabayashi sensei as the Secretary General of Wadokai at the end of 1962, continuing in the role until 1979 and in doing so became the longest serving Secretary General. He has played a leading part in the Japan Karate Federation (JKF). In 1982 he modelled the kata for the first JKF Shitei kata book (standardised approach of eight kata, two from Shotokanryu, Gojuryu, Shitoryu and Wadoryu). His role as a Director in JKF has seen him travel all over the world to well over 50 countries teaching authentic karate. Today, he still teaches in Shibuya, Tokyo as well as visiting some university clubs and teaching at seminars both in Japan and overseas. The standard of technique in his dojo is as you would expect, extremely high and there exists there an atmosphere of serious karate training which has to be experienced to be appreciated. Master Arakawa passed away June 20th, 2015 Master Arakawa Interview
Editor's Note
I was fortunate to be able to have trained with both of these great masters. I am very sad.
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Aug
Martial Art Humor
We all need a little humor in our life. If you have a joke, send it in.
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Aug
 Zen Stories
Maybe
There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "May be," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," said the farmer.
We all need a little Zen in our Lives. If you have a story, please send it in. |
A good battle plan that you act on today can be better than a perfect one tomorrow.
Gen George S. Patton
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WIKF Advanced Training Course
Hosted by
Butch Balingit 7th dan Chief Karate Instructor Florida Eric Masino Chief Instructor, American Sports karate
August 7-9th, 2015
Naples, Florida
For additional information click HERE
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Other Seminars and Events
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2015 Japanese Karate Tournament Schedule 2015 USA Click HERE
August 8/9 Nikkei Games Rod Kuratomi
Long Beach, CA www.nikkeikarate.com
8/15 Wado Kai Karate-Do World Cup Nagoya, Japan September 9/18 Chandler Jr. Cup Karate Championships Marlon Moore/Ray Hughes
Chandler, Az USA Karate AZ rhughes@usakarateaz.org
9/18 Top of Texas Karate Championship Lee Gray
Amarillo, TX USA Karate sanction lee-gray@sbobukan.org
October 10/24 North Fork Championships Rick McGavin
Grand Junction, CO 970-527-5477
December 12/26-1/5 2016 The 13th Pan American Maccabi Games
Santiago, Chile
Dr. Sternberg skusajka@aol.com
Caren Lesser lesserc@bellsouth.net
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