Goju no Seimei 2019-1 20190201 - Minaputa no Seimei_2019-1_20190201.pdf · Neko Ashi-dachi is found in many of our Goju-ryu kata and other exercises and like Sanchin-dachi is close

其れは流派ではない ~ 其れは⼈間である It’s not the style ~ it’s the man

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - EDITORIAL Everyone Has the Right to My Opinion

TECHNICAL DIRECTIVE FROM HANSHI IGK Teaching Titles

SENIOR GRADING UPDATE

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING Neko Ashi-dachi

WHAT’S NEW AROUND THE IGK Introducing Goju-kobujutsu

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY An Inteview with YAGI Meitoku Sensei

MINDFULNESS FOR THE MARTIAL ARTS Some ideas on Mind Set in Training and in Life

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CONTACT THE EDITOR AT: [email protected]

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GOJU NO SEIMEI

THIS GOJU LIFE

2 0 1 9 # 1

F E B 2 0 1 7

GOJU NO SEIMEI NEWSLETTER OF THE KOKUSAI GOJU KOBUJUTSU KENKYUKAI EDITORIAL: Everyone Has the Right to My Opinion

In this issue you will find a technical directive from Ceberano Hanshi regarding the rules for the awarding of teaching titles or “Shogo.”

Also, a note on Goju-kobujutsu discussing the content and structure of this IGK sub-art. With luck we will have something similar on Goju-kalis in the next newsletter.

Speaking of Goju-kobujutsu/Goju-kalis, Hanshi and I talked about training and learning and how all learning, martial arts included are a life-long exercise. There is much more to our Ceberano-ha Goju-ryu Karate than the simple “Kicky-punchy” stuff that we all love.

Hanshi wants to see all of his students looking more deeply and more broadly at their training and skills development – to look for the deeper meaning in the movements of our kata, for what lessons can be learned from the kata and other drills of other traditions, for the differences between what the Okinawan’s see compared to what the Japanese see, To see how things change or don’t change by putting a weapon of some kind in your hand. As Hanshi puts it “The progressive teacher survives the elements, the traditionalist hangs on, but at the end of the day the realist is the person who will see the dawn of a new beginning.” There is Could know stuff and should know stuff but this is Must know stuff

Hanshi asked me to remind dojo leaders that 2019 fees are now due.

Finally let me say that this newsletter needs input from all of you. Please send me your thoughts, your essays and articles even what is happening socially around your dojo and particularly your personal “My Goju Life” story to share.

Keep in touch.

My very best regards, Remember, karate is like life. You have to be in it! Train often, train hard, train smart.

Goju no Seimei ~ This Goju Life – 2 – 2019 #1 February 2019 Edition

TECHNICAL DIRECTIVE FROM HANSHI: IGK Teaching Titles

In the budo there is a tradition of awarding Shogo 称号 Teaching Titles to students that

excel in their training, so it is in the KOKUSAI GOJU KOBUJUTSU KENKYUKAI 国際剛柔古武術研究会 International Goju Classical Martial Arts Research Society (The IGK)

From this day forward, 1st January 2019, the following rules apply to the awarding of teaching titles:

Must also have one of: SHOGO MINIMUM

KARATE GRADE MINIMUM

GOJU-KOBUJUTSU LICENSE MINIMUM

GOJU-KALIS GRADE

JOKYO 助教

SHIDOIN 指導員

KYOREN 教練

SANDAN 三段 3rd Dan MENKYO GOKUIDEN 免許極意伝 LAKAN TATLO Lakan tatlo 3rd Level

RENSHI 錬⼠ YONDAN 四段 4th Dan MENKYO HIDEN 免許秘伝 LAKAN APAT Lakan apat 4th Level

SHIHAN 師範 GODAN 五段 5th Dan MENKYO KUDEN 免許⼝伝 LAKAN LIMA Lakan Lima 5th Level

KYOUSHI 教⼠ ROKUDAN 六段 6th Dan MENKYO JIKIDEN 免許直伝 LAKAN ANIM Lakan Anim 6th Level

HANSHI 範師 HACHIDAN ⼋段 8th Dan MENKYO KAIDEN 免許皆伝 LAKAN PITO Lakan pito 7th Level

NOTE 1: Lakan Lakan transliterates as “Nobleman” – the Feminine version is “Dayang” Dayang “Noblewoman.”

NOTE 2: I reserve the right to award Shogo according to other criteria.


SENIOR GRADING UPDATE The following Kokusai Goju Kobujutsu Kenkyukai members passed their examinations for promotion to a higher grade:

Samantha BEAZLEY Grade: Shodan Dojo: QLD-Redcliffe Date: 20171119

Matt KENDALL Grade: Shodan Dojo: QLD-Redcliffe Date: 20171119

David BEAZLEY Grade: Shodan-ho Dojo: QLD-Redcliffe Date: 20171119

Lee BEAZLEY Grade: Shodan-ho Dojo: QLD-Redcliffe Date: 20171119

Deborah BRAWN Grade: Shodan-ho Dojo: QLD-Redcliffe Date: 20171119

Luis F. SOLTREN Grade: Sandan Dojo: Kauai-Hawaii Date: 20171201

Adriano LABRADOR Grade: Nidan Dojo: Kauai-Hawaii Date: 20171201

Rodney WOODWARD Grade: Jun Shodan Dojo: Kauai-Hawaii Date: 20180501

Peter RIOPTA Grade: Hobai Kuro Obi Black Belt Dojo: Kauai-Hawaii Date: 2018090

Hudson J STARK Grade: Jun Shodan Dojo: Kauai-Hawaii Date: 20180901

Daniel E. LEAIRD Grade: Yondan and Renshi Dojo: Purdue Uni-IN-USA Date: 20180407

Libby SIERADSKI-MILLER Grade: Sandan and Kyoren Dojo: Purdue Uni-IN-USA Date: 20180407

Ellen SUNDEN Grade: Sandan and Kyoren Dojo: Purdue Uni-IN-USA Date: 20180407

Chiranth KISHORE Grade: Shodan Dojo: Purdue Uni-IN-USA Date: 20180407

Daniel ALIAGA Grade: Shodan Dojo: Purdue Uni-IN-USA Date: 20180407

Brian LEMBORG Grade: Hoshou Shodan-ho Dojo: Purdue Uni-IN-USA Date: 20180407


John COX Grade: Shodan-ho Dojo: Purdue Uni-IN-USA Date: 20180407

Sadat AHSAN Grade: Shodan-ho Dojo: Purdue Uni-IN-USA Date: 20180407

Warwick SHEILS Title: Kyoshi Dojo: Canberra-ACT Date: 20180901

David HELENIAK Grade: Junior Shodan-ho Dojo: Canberra-ACT Date: 20180901

Rochana FOOT Grade: Junior Shodan-ho Dojo: Canberra-ACT Date: 20180901

Persia FOOT Grade: Junior Shodan-ho Dojo: Canberra-ACT Date: 20180901

Justin AU Grade: Shodan-ho Dojo: Canberra-ACT Date: 20180901

Emily AU Grade: Shodan Dojo: Canberra-ACT Date: 20180901

Mark HELENIAK Grade: Nidan Dojo: Canberra-ACT Date: 20180901

Bryce MINETT Grade: Sandan Dojo: Kushinkan-VIC Date: 20181117

Michael CORRONE Grade: Nidan Dojo: Kushinkan-VIC Date: 20181117

Jim PANTOPOLIS Grade: Shodan Dojo: Kushinkan-VIC Date: 20181117

Jaxon CHOCHOVSKI Grade: Shodan-ho Dojo: Kushinkan-VIC Date: 20181117


TECHNICALLY SPEAKING: Neko Ashi-dachi John Collett Shihan The following technical note is an extract from the IGK “Dojo Handbook Volume 3 for Teachers” which is currently under development. It describes one senior members views on how to adopt a strong Neko Ashi-dachi 猫⾜⽴ち Cat Foot Stance. This technical note has been

approved by Ceberano Hanshi, however, other teachers may use a different approach.

INTRODUCTION Neko Ashi-dachi is found in many of our Goju-ryu kata and other exercises and like Sanchin-dachi is close to the heart and soul of our Ceberano-ha Goju-ryu Karate.

Getting this posture right, being comfortable in it, allowing it to become natural so that adopting it becomes second nature is critical to succeeding in Goju-ryu karate.

Neko Ashi-dachi does not have to be uncomfortable nor does it have to be exaggerated; quite the opposite is what is required in order to practice long-term without injury.

Moving backwards in Neko Ashi-dachi is the embodiment of the application of the classical power generation methods:

CHIN 沈 TO SINK – TO FALL Sinking is difficult to master because it depends on your natural ability to learn "feeling" or to perceive the opponent's exertion of force. If you master this you can render your opponent completely immobile and put him under complete control. When the opponent moves you simply sink your center into him.

For example, an attacker takes hold of you and you step back into a lowered stance, applying MUCHIME 餅⾝ Sticky or Heavy Hands pulling the attacker forward and off balance.

In 飲 To Swallow – To Inhale Swallow is the exertion of flexible force usually in a circular manner so as to absorb and intercept the opponent's blow by causing it to slide and miss the target, rather than intercepting it by force against force.

For example, stepping outside an attack and turning to redirect the energy of the trust.

While moving forwards in Neko Ashi-dachi is a perfect example of the application of the classical power generation methods:

Tou 吐 To Spit – To Exhale To spit involves using explosive power to strike or push away an opponent with such force that he is defeated.

For example, consider the situation in the example of sink above, once the attacker is off balance and falling forward it is possible to change direction and strike into the attackers forward momentum, thus multiplying the impact of the blow.


FU 浮 TO FLOAT – TO RISE To float is the sudden release of force, explosive energy, which is capable of bouncing an opponent away in full weight.

For example, an attacker grasps your two wrists, you turn your hands to lock the attackers elbows then rise up and lift. To up root the attacker.

POSITIONING THE FEET

Image showing correct foot positioning

The front foot and knee must face forward, that is, toward SEMETE 攻め⼿ the

Attacker

The back foot and knee should turn out about 30o from the front foot.

The knee and foot of both feet must be aligned.

The front heel should be raised, but not to an extreme degree. You must be comfortable in the stance.

The front foot must not be turned either inwards nor outwards.

The front foot should be positioned laterally so that if the foot is swept straight back it will pass just inside the rear heel.

Learn to move into Neko Ashi-dachi by first assuming the MUSUBI-DACHI 結⽴ち Formal

Attention Stance heels together with both feet turned out.

Next, slide the front foot forward about one and a half foot lengths and turning the toes to the front. Now, check the length by kneeling to placing your back knee next to your front foot, the front of your back knee should naturally align with the toes of your front foot.

If all is good, stand and adjust your back foot to the correct, comfortable turn out angle. The 30o angle is a compromise between stabilizing your hip joint and maintaining a balanced stance.

Checking your Neko Ashi-dachi length


Now, raise your front heel off the floor, the gap between the heel and the floor does not have to be large, just enough to allow quick and fluid movement in all directions. Posing with an extreme, hardly held foot position is a waste of your time. Now, rotate your shoulders until your waist is between 30o and 45o to the front and allow your weight to sink towards your rear most buttock and turn your head to the front towards Semete. This should put most, but now all of your weight on the rear leg. Do not over sink or you will de-power your rear leg.

You must ensure that the feet and knees of both legs are in alignment with each other and that they don’t turn in or out beyond the orthodox angles. This is especially the case with the front foot. The positioning of the feet has a cascading impact on the knees, hips and spine so be sure that the feet are not over rotated.

Some students; because of their age and/or due to medical conditions they may have can experience significant discomfort when they attempt to adopt this posture. Discretion is paramount with these students, it is better to have them training than to drive them away by trying to enforce a posture that causes them pain or discomfort. IF THE STANCE FEELS FORCED AND ISN’T COMFORTABLE IT PROBABLY NEEDS ADJUSTMENT.

You should now find yourself in a comfortable Neko Ashi-dachi that allow for rapid movement in all directions and particularly allow for rapid kicking with the front foot. In addition, making it difficult to attack the groin with an attack such as KIN-GERI ⾦蹴り Thigh

Kick.

FORM OF THE KNEES As mentioned above, turning the feet in cascades up the body and causes the knees also to turn in or out.

It is not necessary to force the knees to turn in further than they will naturally turn as a consequence of the positioning of the feet. Simply let your weight naturally sink a few centimeters and tension your calf and thigh muscles to provide structural support to your knee joint.

Image highlighting the areas of knee strain due to over turning

Foot turned out exposing the groin Foot turned in straining the knee


Foot (and body) facing Semete

FORM OF THE HIPS, WAIST, BACK AND SHOULDERS The hips and shoulders should be turned about 30o to 45o away from the front balanced either side of the angle between the front and back feet, while the head and particularly the eyes remain facing Semete.

The back should be as close to vertical as is possible, thus providing an axis from the head, through the body and into the floor centred on the back leg and ensuring a clear passage for both breath and energy to circulate.

Image showing the curving of the spine

FORM OF THE HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDERS Draw the chin back to flatten the cervical curve.

DO NOT tuck the chin in, while this will flatten the cervical curve it will also drag the head down and force you to look down.

DO NOT tilt the head back as this will expose your chin and increase the cervical curve.

As discussed above the shoulders should be turned. The shoulders should also be pulled back to remove the natural “rounding” across the shoulders.

All of the above actions combined will bring about a small flattening of the spine, over time the posture will come to feel comfortable and natural and will have a positive impact on your overall heath and well being.


Chin being tucked in Head being tilted up and back

Chin being pulled to the back

FORM OF BREATHING The form of breathing for Neko Ashi-dachi, like all postures and movement in Ceberano-ha Goju-ryu karatejutsu is different from the chest breathing that we normally do, instead, we breathe with the abdomen, what is sometimes called “Belly Breathing.”

In the abdominal breathing, the diaphragm rises and lowers deliberately to a greater extent, so that the vital capacity of the breathing taken will increase correspondingly.

When inhaling, the pressure inside the lower abdomen will increase and the abdomen will expand to form a round shape; thus, the diaphragm will be lowered and the muscles of the abdomen will be relaxed.

Instantly, we can feel that the intake of air is directed down to the SHITA-HARA 下腹 the

lower abdomen. At this moment, our internal energy will be reserved, ready for discharge.


When exhaling, the pressure inside the lower abdomen will decrease and the abdomen will contract; thus the diaphragm will be raised and the muscles of the abdomen will be tightened. At this moment, the reserved energy can be discharged. The key to breathing this way is to focus on keeping the shoulders stable not rising and to allow the breath to sink down into the shita-hara.

Abdominal breathing cycle

Beginners may find it difficult to master the technique of abdominal breathing. In this situation, it would be easier for them to exercise abdominal breathing if they lie down comfortably on a bed, relax their bodies, and try to feel the way of abdominal breathing, see the section below on practicing abdominal breathing.

The correct way of breathing has to be coordinated with the pace and rhythm of body movements. It has been said that, “Exhaling is substantial, inhaling is insubstantial.” The effects of substantiality and insubstantiality are the natural feelings of our bodies and they are the outcomes of breathing governed by our mind. The basic principles of applications are: inhaling when reserving energy, pulling hands, opening arms and raising bodies; exhaling when discharging energy, pushing hands, closing arms and lowering bodies. It can be said that “breathing accords with patterns of movement.”

In the practice of Goju-ryu karatejutsu, you should breathe in with your nose and breathe out with your mouth and nose; but never breathe in with your mouth. The breathing should be made longer and deeper than a “normal” breath. The pace of breathing should be slow, even and smooth to achieve calmness and gentleness.

You should never unduly hold your breath. Moreover, in every breathing cycle, always breathe out all the air in our lungs and breathe in fresh air thoroughly. After a long time of practice, the vital capacity of your lungs will be increased and the cycle time of your breathing will be lengthened. At this stage, your movements will become smooth, gentle and yet full of energy.

PRACTICING ABDOMINAL BREATHING A simple exercise to learn how to breath is as follows:

1. Lay on the floor, relax and breath normally

2. Place your hands onto your abdomen so the you can feel how it expands and contracts

3. Breath in slowly through the nose allowing your abdomen to expand and watching that your chest doesn’t rise

4. Breath out through your mouth allowing your abdomen to contract

Don’t force the expansion and contraction of the abdomen, just let it happen.


FORM OF ENERGY In the Asian traditions Air Breath Blood and Energy Qi/Ki/Prana are considered as the same basic thing, only differing in density. With this in mind when executing Goju-ryu karatejutsu it is important that you should make the flow of energy part of how you work the various postures.

As you breathe in feel imagine/visualise a flow of energy entering your nose then flowing over the top of your head and down your spine to the shita-hara located at your lower abdomen.

As you breathe out feel that energy flowing up your abdomen and chest then out your mouth, thus making a closed loop that is made up of your body and the greater world outside your body.

PROCESS FOR ADOPTING NEKO ASHI-DACHI When you first learn Neko Ashi-dachi it can help if you think your way through the steps to assume the posture:

1. Set your feet and knees

2. Set your back, chest, shoulders and head

3. Rotate your hips and shoulders

4. Turn your head to face Semete

5. Drop your weight – ALLWAYS DROP

6. Breathe!


MOVEMENT IN NEKO ASHI-DACHI When moving in forward Neko Ashi-dachi you should do it in the following way:

1. Un-set your front foot by dropping the heel to the floor and turning the heel out 30o

2. Step forward with the back foot to the new forward point

3. Sink your weight into Neko Ashi-dachi

When moving in backward Neko Ashi-dachi you should do it in the following way:

1. Stepping backwards, first un-set your feet

2. Draw your front foot back to the new rear point

3. Adjust the turn-out of your new back foot

4. Straighten your new front foot

5. Sink your weight into Neko Ashi-dachi


WHAT’S NEW AROUND THE IGK: Introducing Goju-kobujutsu

Hello all, as you may have heard on the grape vine, Ceberano Hanshi has asked me to develop a GOJU-KOBUJUTSU 剛柔古武術 Goju Classical Martial Art syllabus for the KOKUSAI GOJU

KOBUJUTSU KENKYUKAI 国際剛柔古武術研究会 International Goju Classical Martial arts Research Society (IGK) to allow his karatejutsu seniors to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the Northeast Asian martial traditions.

With the support and permission of my jujutsu teacher I have agreed to develop the Goju-kobujutsu syallabus.

Before I tell you a little about Goju-kobujutsu I thought I had better tell you a little about myself so that you understand why Ceberano Hanshi has entrusted this task to me – feel free to skip over this next part.

I began learning martial arts in 1962/63 and as is often the case with kids just entering their teen years that first decade of training was wide, varied and pretty much a waste of my time, although it did keep me off the street!

Master RB LEA

In 1972 I had the very good fortune to meet my current Jujutsu teacher, now Professor of the Tradition, Master Raymond LEA.

I have trained with Master LEA since that time in the HYOU-HA BANKOKU JUJUTSU 豹派萬國柔術 Panther Lineage All Nationsor International Jujutsu

and KUATSU 活⽣ Traditional Method of Resuscitation and Treatment in Japanese

Martial Arts of the late PROFESSOR KAM HOCK HOE (HOE Kam Hock 和⽢福教

授) 1903-1990

Master Kam 1974

• In jujutsu under Master LEA I currently hold 2013 the MENKYO SOUDEN 免許相伝 Transmission from a senior master of the tradition

license as well as HACHIDAN ⼋段/捌段 Black Belt 8th Dan

For your information there are two levels above this, MENKYO OKUGI-KAIDEN 免許奥義皆伝 Complete Transmission of the Inner Mysteries of the Tradition and DENTOU

NO KYOJU 免許伝統の教授 Professor of the Tradition which is common to jujutsu and Kuatsu


• In Kuatsu under Master Lea I currently hold 1976 the KUATSU SENMONKA 活⽣⾨家 Kuatsu

Specialist license

For your information there are two levels above this, KUATSU KOMON 活⽣顧問 Kuatsu Advisor and DENTOU NO KYOJU 免許伝統の教授 Professor of the Tradition which is common to jujutsu and Kuatsu

• In the Hyou-ha Bankoku Jujutsu of the KOKUSAI JUJUTSU KENKYUKAI 國際柔術研究會 International

Jujutsu Reseach Society under Master Lea I have the teaching title of SOUDEN SHIHAN 相伝

師範

I commenced training formally in Goju-ryu Karatejutsu somewhere between 1980 and 1985 in the old Canberra Goju-kai dojo of Peter SHEILS Shihan. • In Goju-ryu karatejutsu under Ceberano Hanshi I hold 2011 GODAN 五段/伍段 Black Belt

5th Dan • In the Karatejutsu of the Kokusai Goju Kobujutsu Kenkyukai I have the teaching

title of SHIHAN 師範

NAKAYAMA Sensei

In addition, over the years I have trained with a number of skilled practitioners, for example, in Tang Soo Do 당수도 Way of the

Chinese Hand Moo Duk Kwan 무덕관 Hall (Dojang) of Martial Virtue under the late Robert CAPUTO Sa Bom Nim 사범 님 Master Instructor and Shotokan松濤館 Karate-do under the late NAKAYAMA Masatoshi Sensei 中⼭

正敏 1913-1987 of the Hoitsugan dojo 抱⼀龕道場 and the Japan Karate

Association ⽇本空⼿協会 Nihon Karate Kyoukai (JKA)

HAMADA Hanshi

• In Japanese Karate-do under HAMADA HiroyukiTesshin Hanshi of the DAI NIPPON BUTOKUKAI ⼤⽇本武徳會 All Japan Martial

Virtue Society (DNBK) I Hold 2012 Godan 五段/伍段 Black Belt 5th Dan


WHAT IS KOBUJUTSU? This is an interesting question and has to be put into the right context, hence our addition of the prefix “Goju-.“

Some people, mostly in the west, but not exclusively so, think this is an alternative name for “Kobudo” as it appears in “Ryukyu Kobudo” 琉球古武道 Old Okinawan Warrior Way to the best of my knowledge, this is really only the case with the Okinawan weapons arts of the Ryukyu Kobujutsu Hozon Shinkokai 琉球古武術保存振興会 The Society for Promotion and

Preservation of Ryukyu Classical Martial Arts founded by the late INOUE Motokatsu Hanshi 井上元勝 1918-1993 which organisation strives to preserve the weapons arts of TAIRA Shinken Sensei 平信賢 1898-1970

INOUE Hanshi

INOUE Hanshi was also the founder of YUISHINKAI 唯⼼会 Karate. Yui Shin Kai is interpreted as “in the pursuit of the understanding of Budo, only the heart, spirit and mind exist.” Yuishinkai karate is an amalgam of Goju-ryu karate and Shorin-ryu karate.

For your information Ceberano Hanshi has a long-standing relationship with the Inoue family and I recall that INOUE Hanshi and Julian MEAD Sensei, INOUE Hanshi’s United Kingdom Shibucho, visiting our Canberra IGK dojo many years ago.

More generally, in my view, kobujutsu is an umbrella term that covers those NIHON KORYU BUDO 古流武道 Classical Japanese Martial Arts that can be considered to be SOGO BUDO 総合

武道 Holistic or integrated martial arts in other words martial arts that include more than a single discipline.

WHAT IS GOJU-KOBUJTSU? OK! So, what is Goju-kobujutsu? We kind of know what it isn’t so what is it? In other words what have Ceberano Hanshi and the Collett been up to?

Like Goju-kalis which other senior people with expertise in Ceberano Hanshi’s SINING SA PAGTATANGGOL SINING SA PAGTATANGGOL Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) are working on. Goju-kobujutsu has been developed to provide IGK Karateka with a broader, deeper view of the martial arts in order to enhance the skills that they have acquired from their karate training.

Let’s first look at the course structure and certification process.

The entire course structure consists of ten MENKYO 免許 Licenses. This is so there is no confusion. It will not be possible to have a dan grade in karate and a dan grade in Goju-kobujutsu, no confusion, no mis-matching or over-lapping.


For now, only five of the menkyo have defined technical content. When I started on this process I suggested to CEBERANo Hanshi and Master LEA that the course should be structured along traditional lines as follows:

REIGI-SAHO: COURTESY 礼儀作法

CHOSEI SHUHO: PREPARATORY METHODS 調製⼿法

JUNBI UNDO: Preparatory Exercises 準備運動

UKEMI-WAZA: Falling and tumbling techniques 受身技

YAWARA SHUHO: METHODS OF FLEXIBILITY 柔⼿法

NAGE GIHO: Throwing Skills 投げ技法

AIKI GIHO: Entering to control Skills 合氣技法

JIEI SHUHO: SELF-DEFENCE METHODS 自衛⼿法

HAZUSHI GIHO: Avoidance Skills 外し技法

KOUGEKI-UKE GIHO: Skills for receiving an attack 攻撃受け技法

TENSHIN GIHO: Footwork Skills 転進技法

GOSHINJUTSU 護⾝術 Slelf-defence

SUDE KOGEKI 素⼿攻撃 Self-defence: Unarmed Attack

BUSO KOGEKI 武装攻撃 Self-defence: Armed Attacker

JOKYO-TEKI JIEI 状況的⾃衛 Situational Self-defence

OSAEKOMI SHUHO: METHODS OF CONTROL 押え込み⼿法

KATAME-WAZA: Joint and limb locking and holding techniques 堅め技

KEJIME-WAZA: Constricting blood and air flow Techniques ⾎絞め技

KUATSU SHUHO: RESUSCITATION METHODS 活⽣⼿法

KUATSU: Northeast Asian Methods of Revival 活⽣

OUKYUTEATE: First Aid 応急⼿当

KEIKETSU O MITSUKERU: Point Location 経⽳を見つける

HAKUDA KENPO : Lethal Atemi or Striking 白打拳法

BUKI HEIHO: WEAPONS METHODS 萬國武器兵法

JOJUTSU: 100cm – 120cm Short Stick Art 風歌杖術

NAGAMAKIJUTSU: 150cm Bladed Stick Art ⾧巻術

Some of these methods are taught explicitly, while others are “hidden” within other skills along the way.


This may seem like a lot of work, and it is, but it builds on what you know from your karate training, as a result it is less than you might think. For example, the first five licenses include twenty-one nage-waza or throwing techniques, compare this to Hyou-ha Bankoku Jujutsu which requires around one hundred and five throws for a basic black belt.

So, let’s look at the course structure: • The course structure is similar to but not identical to that of the Kokusai Jujutsu Kenkyukai

• Each license requires between three and five TANREN SHUGO 鍛錬集合 skill sets

• Each Tanren Shugo consists of seven methods or techniques

• In the third, fourth and fifth licenses in addition to the Tanren Shugo students will learn a short Jojutsu/Nagamaki kata and associated paired exercises

• In the third, fourth and fifth licenses in addition to the Tanren Shugo students will be required to complete a course in Kuatsu

OK, “So what are the licences?” I hear you say: MENKYO OKUIRIDEN 免許奥⼊伝 Entry into the tradition

Three Tanren Shugo consisting of around twenty-one plus skills: • Ukemi-waza 受け⾝技 Breakfalling and Tumbling techniques

• Uke-waza 受け技 Techniques for receiving an attack

• Nage-waza 投げ技 Throwing techniques

• Osaekomi-waza 押さえ込み技 Controlling techniques

• Goshinjutsu: Sude Kogeki 護⾝術: 素⼿攻撃 Self-defence: Unarmed Attack

• Goshinjutsu: Buso Kogeki 護⾝術:武装攻撃 Self-defence: Armed Attacker

• Goshinjutsu: Jokyo-teki Jiei 護⾝術:状況的⾃衛 Situational Self-defence

MENKYO OKUDEN 免許奥伝 Internal Transmission Four Tanren Shugo consisting of around twenty-eight plus skills: • Ukemi-waza 受け⾝技 Breakfalling and Tumbling techniques








MENKYO GOKUIDEN 免許極意伝 Deep Transmission Four Tanren Shugo consisting of around twenty-eight plus skills: • Ukemi-waza 受け⾝技 Breakfalling and Tumbling techniques







• Seiki no Jo/Seki no Nagamaki 正氣之杖/正氣之正氣之 Jo/Nagamaki of Consciousness

• Kuatsu Shinnyu course 活⽣新⼊ Kuatsu Initiate

MENKYO HIDEN 免許秘伝 Secret Transmission

Five Tanren Shugo consisting of around thirty-five plus skills: • Ukemi-waza 受け⾝技 Breakfalling and Tumbling techniques







• Ishin no Jo/Ishin no Nagamaki 壱⼼之杖/壱⼼之⾧巻 Jo/Nagamaki of Whole Heartedness

• Kuatsu Kyoka course 活⽣許可 Kuatsu Disciple

MENKYO KUDEN 免許⼝伝 Oral Transmission • Five Tanren Shugo consisting of around thirty-five plus skills: • Ukemi-waza 受け⾝技 Breakfalling and Tumbling techniques







• Daichi no Jo/Daichi no Nagamaki ⼤地之杖/⼤地之⾧巻 Jo/Nagamaki of the Solid Earth

• Kuatsu Kyoren course 活⽣教練 Kuatsu Practitioner

MENKYO JIKIDEN 免許直伝 Direct Transmission

Personal Research and as directed by CEBERANO Hanshi

MENKYO KAIDEN 免許皆伝 Full (Outer) Transmission Personal Research and as directed by CEBERANO Hanshi


MENKYO SOUDEN 免許相伝 Transmission from a Senior Personal Research and as directed by CEBERANO Hanshi

MENKYO OKUGI-KAIDEN 免許奥義皆伝 Full (Inner) Transmission Personal Research and as directed by CEBERANO Hanshi

DENTO NO KYOJU 免許伝統の教授 Professor of the Tradition

THE LOGO SHOWN ON THE CERTIFICATE

The logo shown on the sample certificate below was developed specifically for Goju-kobujutsu.

It is not a badge. It will only appear on certificates and documentation associated with Goju-kobujutsu.

The writing at the top transliterates to “International Goju.”

The writing at the bottom transliterates to “Kobujutsu.”

The seven “point” object in the centre is intended to represent the seven parts of Goju-kobujutsu described earlier in this text.

GOJU-KOBUJUTSU CERTIFICATION When you have demonstrated proficiency at a particular license level you will be able to have a certificate presented as proof of the licence. Each certificate will itemize what was covered by the course.

The certificate will look something like the image at the end of this article.

WHEN WILL GOJU-KOBUJUTSU BE TAUGHT? I expect that I will start teaching the first Goju-kobujutsu course around the middle of 2019.

WHO WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN GOJU-KOBUJUTSU? Initially Goju-kobujutsu will be taught to people holding Shodan and above.

I expect that once they are comfortable with the syllabus individual dojo will likely teach some of the Goju-kobujutsu techniques to a wider range of students.

That said, license certification will be restricted to certified black belt holders.


A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT THE KOBUJUTSU TECHNIQUES FEAR OF THROWS: Most people worry about being thrown, that is a quite natural thing to feel, however if you are shown how to fall with safety you will very quickly gain confidence and stop worrying.

PEOPLE ARE HEAVY AND HARD TO LIFT AND THROW: All of the throws included in the Goju-kobujutsu courses are what are loosely called “hand throws” and are non-weight bearing.

THROWING METHODOLOGY: Just like with karatejutsu, Footwork is often the key to successfully throwing SEMETE 攻め⼿ the Attacker – when you are learning a throw pay particular attention to any discussion about footwork.

DOING BREAKFALLS IS CRAZY, THROWING YOURSELF ONTO THE GROUND – WHAT IS THAT ABOUT: I agree, it does seem crazy, however, let me tell you that in over fifty years of training I can guarantee you that the most important skill I have learnt is how to fall safely! Ever stepped on black ice? So long as you learn the few rules of safe falling they soon become second nature and it becomes a non-problem.

SELF-DEFENCE TECHNIQUES: Generally, you will be shown two or three “orthodox” techniques from the obvious but unexpected to the more subtle but hopefully not too complex. You will also be expected to find more options for yourself. I am more interested in function rather than form - we are all built a little differently so small variations to the orthodox method are OK so long as you understand and are ably to teach your dojo mates the orthodox method.

TWO SETS OF WEAPONS KATA: It’s OK. Both weapons use the same, almost identical movements. The kata are short and the method is relaxed, looking for free flow rather than great power – the power will be there when you need it.

WANT MORE INFORMATION If you have any questions or suggestions etc my contact details are at the beginning of this text.


SAMPLE CERTIFICATE


A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY: An Interview with YAGI Meitoku Sensei

Following is an account of an interview with YAGI MEITOKU ⼋⽊明徳 1912-2003 held in 1989.

YAGI Meitoku Sensei was a senior student of the founder of Goju-ryu karate, MIYAGI CHOJUN 宮城⾧順 1888-1953 AKA Bushi Miyagushiku. He began his training with MIYAGI Sensei in 1926 at the age of 14. In 1963 MIYAGI Sensei's family presented YAGI Sensei with MIYAGI Sensei’s KEIKOGI and OBI 稽古着 and 帯 Uniform and Belt.

YAGI Sensei is the founder of the MEIBUKAN BRANCH 明武館 House of the pure-minded warrior of Goju-ryu karate.

YAGI Sensei was interviewed by Paul Babladelis Sensei.

Babladelis Hanshi is the Honbu-cho of the Kalamazoo, MI USA branch of the SEKAI

GOJURYU RYUSYOKAI 世界剛柔流琉翔会 World Goju-ryu Association.

The Sekai Goju-ryu Ryusyokai was founded by SENAHA SHIGETOSHI SENSEI 瀬名波重敏 a student of YAGI Meitoku Sensei.


The interview:

PB: Sensei, can you please identify yourself.

YM: My name is Meitoku Yagi. I was born March 6, 1912. I'm retired.

PB: Sensei, what was it like to train with MIYAGI Sensei?

YM: We did many, many repetitions of yobi undo drills, that's why sensei had so few regular students. Yobi undo drills are basic conditioning exercises that can be extremely demanding. Each student would count for 100 repetitions of a single drill. Sometimes everyone would have to count for 1,000 repetitions. After a year or two most students would leave because there was easier training elsewhere.

My father tells a story about how demanding training was. You know that to use a traditional Japanese toilet you have to squat. The students in Miyagi's classes were so sore that they had to hold a rope from up above in order to lower themselves to use the toilet and then pull themselves back up again.

PB: Were you one of MIYAGI Sensei's first students?

YM: Yes, but Sensei already had some students when my grandfather took me there: HIGA SEKO ⽐嘉世幸 1898-1966, NAKAIMA GENKAI 仲井真元楷 1908-1984 The Man who did not Understand Giving Up, AZAMA KIJU AKA NANJO Kiju, SAKIYAMA TATSUTOKU AKA Senaha, maybe five or six in all. But all of these students only studied four kata: Sanchin, Seisan, Seiunchin and Tensho. These kata are called the Kaishu forms but the kata Seisan and Seiunchin were actually considered the training kata of Goju-ryu. These are very important kata and must be thoroughly studied to understand Goju-ryu. When I was in the fourth year of junior high school, which would be the first year of high school now, Master Chojun Miyagi told me that he would begin teaching me all of the kata of Goju-ryu: Kururunfa, Seipai, Shisochin, Saifa, Suparinpei. I was among the first to begin learning all of these kata, before that time sensei had not taught them.

Okinawan karate Kenkyu Club about 1920

MIYAGI Chojun is seated at the centre of the second row


PB: Can you tell us about sanchin training.

YM: Sanchin training. Yes, in the early days many students came to sensei to train. He would train them very hard for three to five years before he taught the kata sanchin. Many of the students left before they even learned sanchin but if they stayed he then began to teach them kata sanchin. He would only teach them kata sanchin and this went on for two or three years. It was hard training. Many students left and went looking for another dojo.

PB: What was your relationship to YAMAGUCHI GOGEN? ⼭⼝剛⽞ 1909-1989 Founder of Goju-kai

and Ceberano Hanshi’s teacher

YM: Before the twenty-fifth anniversary of the death of sensei, YAMAGUCHI Gogen Sensei and IZUMIGAWA KANKI Sensei 泉川寛喜 1908-1969 Founder of the Senbukan Dojo came to my dojo in Okinawa to receive instruction in kata. This was in March of 1978. YAMAGUCHI Sensei studied with sensei for a short period of time and represented him in mainland Japan. IZUMIGAWA sensei was a student of HIGA Seko Sensei and began studying with him after the war. There was no training during the war. IZUMIGAWA Sensei taught in Kawasaki City, Japan. Both wanted their kata to coincide with the Okinawan kata. When I used to go to Tokyo I would go to YAMAGUCHI Sensei's dojo and teach Okinawan Goju-ryu to his son and daughter. I should say that both have now past away but if you study in their respective dojo you can have confidence that you are learning the advanced methods of Goju-ryu.

PB: What happened when the war came? It must have been difficult for MIYAGI Sensei and you as well.

YM: During the war Sensei went to the northern part of Okinawa. I went to another island which is part of the Ryukyuan chain. There was no karate training during the war.

PB: Where did MIYAGI Sensei teach after the war?

YM: Sensei taught at his home, outside in his yard. He would occasionally go to the Butokuden in Naha, but he didn't teach regularly outside his own personal students.

PB: I understand you have MIYAGI Sensei's belt and uniform?

YM: Yes, the Miyagi family decided on presenting to me the uniform and belt of the Master. After Sensei passed away his family members had a meeting to decide who should be his successor. They made their decision and formally presented his belt and uniform to me. I displayed the uniform and belt at the 33rd Anniversary Demonstration.

YMT: The belt and uniform both are embroidered with "Miyagi Shihan." It was a treasure of the Miyagi family and it was given to my father by the Miyagi family.


PB: At your Meibukan dojo you have introduced some new kata. Can you tell me about these kata?

YM: I introduced the kata Tenchi in 1985. All together I plan on introducing four new kata into the Goju-ryu system (the four kata introduced to the Meibukan are: TENCHI 天地 Heaven and Earth, SEIRYU 青⿓ Azure Dragon, BYAKKO ⽩虎 White Tiger and SHUJAKKU 朱雀 Vermillion Bird.) Each one will represent a direction of the compass and this will be my contribution to Goju-ryu. In the old days Sensei often taught in two ways. One, the beginner’s way, was with no understanding of what they were learning. And last, for the advanced student, was a complete understanding of what they had learned. He would very rarely give insights or meaning to the kata that he taught until the student showed mastery of the form through hard and consistent training.

PB: Can you tell us about MIYAGI Sensei's family.

YM: Yes, Sensei had four boys and five girls. Tsuru was the oldest daughter and first born. She was a classmate of mine in school.

PB: Did MIYAGI Sensei award you your black belt?

YM: Sensei never awarded anyone a black belt. He was in the process of formulating requirements for the black belt but he died before he completed this.

YMT: But my father did receive the actual belt worn by MYIYAGI Sensei. So, you can say that it was the first and only black belt given by the family of MIYAGI Chojun. Everyone in Okinawa knows this and accepts the fact that my father is the heir of MIYAGI Chojun Sensei’s Goju-ryu.

PB: What does the future hold for Goju-ryu?

YM: When Sensei taught karate, he taught all students the beginner’s way. He had very few advanced students but many came and learned the beginner’s way. After a period of time, these students left but only with the beginner’s way of doing things. It is my responsibility as senior to teach the advanced way to the world. This is my future and my intention. Goju-ryu is now world-wide. These methods must then be passed on world-wide.

YM: YAGI MEITOKU

YMT: YAGI MEITATSU ⼋⽊明⿓ is YAGI Meitoku’s eldest son and current headmaster of the Meibukan

PB: PAUL BABLADELIS Sensei the interviewer


MINDFULNESS FOR THE MARTIAL ARTS Some ideas on Mind Set in Training and in Life

The following describes briefly the various states of mind that a martial artist must strive to achieve throughout life both inside the dojo and outside in the word.

These states of mind are mostly a by-product of diligent training over a long period of time, however, an understanding of them up front can’t hurt.

Note that there is no suggestion of negative thoughts.

SHOSHIN 初⼼ BEGINNER’S MIND

The state of shoshin is that of a beginner’s mind. It is a state of awareness the remains always fully conscious, aware, and prepared to see things as if for the first time. The attitude of shoshin is essential to continued learning. Don’t expect to be taught. You must “steal the techniques for yourself.”

The student must play an active role in

every class, seeing with a beginner’s mind, in order to steal each day’s lesson. The student must play an active role in every class, seeing with a beginner’s mind, in order to steal each day’s lesson.

ZANSHIN 残⼼ LINGERING MIND

The spirit of zanshin is the state of the remaining or lingering spirit. It is often described as a sustained and heightened state of awareness and mental follow-through. However, true zanshin is a state of focus or concentration before, during, and after the execution of a technique, where a link or connection between semete the Attacker and torite the Defender is preserved.

Zanshin is the state of mind that allows us to stay spiritually connected, not only to a single attacker, but to multiple attackers and even an entire context; a space, a time, an event.


MUSHIN 無⼼ Mind of no Mind

The state of mind known as mushin has been defined to be “No mind, a mind without ego. A mind like a mirror which reflects and does not judge” or perhaps simply as an “unfettered mind.” The original term was “mushin no shin”, meaning, “mind of no mind.” It is a state of mind without fear, anger, or anxiety.

Mushin is sometimes described by the phrase, “mizu no kokoro,” which means, “mind like water.” The phrase is a metaphor describing the pond that clearly reflects its surroundings when calm, but whose images are obscured once a pebble is dropped into its waters.

In a practical sense mushin describes a state of mind that is calm and aware.

FUDOSHIN 不動⼼ IMMOVABLE MIND

An unshakable mind and an immovable spirit is the state of fudoshin. It is courage and stability displayed both mentally and physically. Rather than indicating rigid inflexibility, fudoshin describes a condition that is not easily upset by internal thoughts or external forces.

It is capable of receiving a strong attack while remaining composed and balanced.

It receives and yields lightly, grounds to the earth, and reflects aggression back to the source.

KOUKISHIN 好奇⼼ INQUISITIVE MIND

Not unlike shoshin, the beginner’s mind, koukishin is a state of mind that has you always interested, always inquisitive about what is happening around you, always and everywhere, not just in the dojo. You will learn many lessons about life and about the martial arts in all kinds of unexpected places. You must take the time and make the effort to look.


HEIJOSHIN 平常⼼ PEACE OF MIND

Heijoshin is the by-product of a person’s complete inner being. It can only be achieved by refining the whole inner essence and this can only be accomplished if one’s intellect, emotions, and character are developed in balance. Heijoshin literally translated means constant stable spirit.

Such a translation hardly does it justice.

To achieve heijoshin as a martial artist requires a lifestyle of discipline, effort, sacrifice and commitment. Such a commitment to developing excellence of character is what sets the martial artist apart from most people in a confused and unhappy society. As we discover, the true nature of martial arts training leads us to a fuller understanding of the nature of life itself. With this understanding comes peace of mind and true and lasting happiness.

SENSHIN 先⼼ ENLIGHTENED MIND

Senshin is a spirit that transcends the other states of mind. It is a spirit that protects and harmonizes the universe. Senshin is a spirit of compassion that embraces and serves all humanity and whose function is to reconcile discord in the world. It holds all life to be sacred. It is the Buddha.

Fully embracing senshin is essentially equivalent to becoming enlightened and may well exceed the scope of daily training.

However, the other spirits are attainable to any serious student through awareness and hard training. Embracing these states of mind can reward the student in countless ways.

Senshin should be in your heart, in every person’s heart, it is what you must strive to achieve not only in your training but in all you do.

Documents

Goju no Seimei 2019-1 20190201 - Minaputa no Seimei_2019-1_20190201.pdf · Neko Ashi-dachi is found in many of our Goju-ryu kata and other exercises and like Sanchin-dachi is close