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T H E O N LY M A G A Z I N E D E D I C A T E D T O A L L K A R A T E K A
TRADITIONAL
KARATE Vol. Vol. 22 22 No. No. 1 1 October October 2008 2008
How to pass the most difficult
gradings in the world Visit the Traditional Karate magazine website at www.karatemag.co.uk
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The most difficult grading’s
in the world... and how to pass them
Karate-do Federation 7th Dan Mr. Masataka Ohshita MA gives his 10 tips for passing J.K.F Dan gradings The Dan Grading system of the Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF) is, especially at its highest ranks, notoriously difficult to pass. The procedure is much more difficult than, for example, the grading of Shotokan, Shito, Goju and Wado styles in Kaiha or Ryuha. It is also hard to understand how one actually goes
about attempting to pass the test, and so many candidates grope their way around never quite knowing what to do or the best way to prepare. As for me, I passed the JKF tests for 4th Dan, 5th Dan and 6th Dan at my first attempt (4th Dan = the rank of 4th
Degree Black Belt) and the 7th Dan on my fourth try. Now, after a lapse of several years, I practice very hard every day to pass to the next level and become 8th Dan. From my own past experience, I am going to tell you what you need to do, and how best to practice, in order to pass the JKF high rank grading tests. Super sense of super human First of all, you have to understand and appreciate who the JKF adjudicators actually are. All of the adjudicators who examine 6th Dan, 7th Dan and 8th Dan tests are masters who hold 8th Dan of JKF and have qualified as Supreme adjudicators of the federation. Some might say that these masters are not ordinar y humans - they are super human, masters who have completed long and arduous work to reach the ranking of 8th Dan and become JKF Supreme adjudicators. Consequently, there are only 4 such people in all of Japan. I have been fortunate enough to have met these masters, and have practiced with them at seminars, and I can truthfully say that they are all first class people who have superlative physical and mental attributes. Though they are between 60 and 70 years old, it is no exaggeration to call them “super human” and younger people cannot hold a candle to them. So, when these masters examine you, you will not pass any test if you do nothing more than normal practice and you should never forget that it is impossible for you to try to hide your faults from them. It is vitally important that you heed this advice. As for me, when I was 16 years old, 36 years ago, I met Mr. Haruyoshi Yamada sensei (He holds 8th Dan and is the eldest Supreme adjudicator of JKF). After I graduated from university, at 22 years
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of age, I went to the United States to teach Karate. I taught Karate to the US Army, at University, at High School and at my gym for 3 and a half years. When I came back to Japan, then aged 26, I started to try to take the Grading Test of JKF under Yamada sensei. ITEM NO.1: If the master corrects you, immediately make the correction. The Sensei (Master of Karate) has thousands of students in Japan, so he does not have the time to correct individuals for the same thing over and over again. When the Sensei corrects you, you must make a note of the fault, check it, and adopt the correction perfectly when the Sensei next looks at you. If you do not correct yourself after the Sensei has repeatedly told you to do so, it will be impossible for you to pass the JKF Grading exam. ITEM NO.2: You must enter all Kata tournaments. You need to continually enter, and try to win, all Kata tournaments beginning with city tournaments, moving up to state level and then, finally, national competitions. It is said that the Kata for tournaments and Grading Tests are different: in the tournaments you only need to attract the judges and audiences in order to win but, for the Grading Tests, you have to also understand what all the techniques mean, and the purpose of the techniques of the Kata. However, if you attempt all of the tournaments, and do your best to win, the amount of time that you spend practising will increase, as will your motivation to practice hard. You will also gain valuable experience if you are accustomed to being watched by tournament audiences, and your increased confidence will attract those that are watching you perform your Kata.
and to improve one’s timing using all Kata techniques; also very interesting to study other Budo to get increased pluck, courage and power. By doing this, I am sure that you will learn things that you did not know before and will discover things that you never knew existed.
CURRICULUM VITAE Masataka Ohshita MA M.A. English & English literature Education English Teacher of Ashiya International High School Japan Karatedo Federation 7th Dan Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union 7th Dan Chief Director of Shitoryu Shukokai Karatedo Union, International Division for 30 countries Headmaster of Ashiya Uni Karate Club Headmaster of Ashiya University International High School & Junior High School Karate Club Headmaster of Saint Thomas University Japan Karate Club
ITEM NO.4: Practice starts at 5o’clock every morning. “Start your practice from 5 o’clock every morning.” I learned this phrase from a 8th Dan Kendo Sensei and you should put this idea into practice. Get up at five o’clock in the morning, start with some running and then do some basic practice and Kata. You should follow this series of exercise every morning before you go not get tired even from seven hours of to work and, during working hours, you daily practice. should try to make time for some additional practice, too. After you finish ITEM NO.5: your job, you must also do some thorMuscle mass, muscle strength and ough practice before going to bed. By explosive power. doing a five kilometer run in the morning, and another five kilometer run in the As you grow older, the more you will need to practice weight training. When evening, you can build up your body, you are young, you will have sufficient strength and stamina and then you will natural destructive power and explosive
ITEM NO.3: Research in other Budo. The JKF has a special requirement about its Grading Test: a student must spend 5 years of “discipline time” after passing the 5th Dan before taking the test of the 6th Dan, 6 years after passing the 6th Dan before taking the 7th Dan test and a further 7 years after passing the 7th Dan before taking the test of the 8th Dan. So, in order to take a high rank Grading Test a student must spend long periods of discipline time and practice very hard for many years. It is a good idea to practice and study some other Budo during this long discipline time. It is, for example, beneficial to use this time to learn things such as better eye contact, posture and body movements WWW.KARATEMAG.CO.UK TRADITIONAL KARATE 119
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power but, as you get older, you will gradually lose these powers unless you do some training with weights. When you start weight training, you should begin with light weights at first so as to build up your muscles, while paying attention not to damage your body, and increase your efforts slowly. Whether you pass or fail the examination will be largely determined by the explosive power of your Kata. ITEM NO.6: Wear some extra weight during practice. By depriving the freedom of your body to move by using extra weights, you will be better able to execute techniques and increase your explosive power. However, if you suddenly put some extra weightload on your body during practice, your body may be damaged. You need to get your body used to an increasing weightload a little at a time whilst continuing to
practice basic exercises and Kata repetition. You can try wearing a heavy weight on your back, but the most important place to strengthen your body is in the waist area, so wearing a flexible weight around your waist which fits well and allows for free body movement is perfect for training. For your hands and feet, use the appropriate weight straps. ITEM NO.7: Naturalization through conditioning. Naturalization through conditioning is the process through which we are able to change our physiology by utilizing our environment and circumstances. In practical terms, the more that you practice your Kata, the more your body will adapt to the changing conditions and improve accordingly. My sensei, Mr. Haruyoshi Yamada taught me that, “You must practice your Kata three thousand times a year.� As two kinds of Kata are
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assumed to be single-unit, you must practice both of these a total of 6,200 times in a year - 10 units a day almost every day, except Sunday. ITEM NO.8: Makiwara. A person who has completed consistent hard practice develops a special aura. Though we cannot see it with our eyes, we are able to feel this special something through increasingly hard practice. By punching Makiwara, you can increase your concentration and your power. Zen temples use special incense sticks which burn for 40 minutes, and those 40 minutes are a single-unit for doing Zazen. By punching Makiwara for 40 minutes, you can get the same effectiveness as from the practice of Zazen. You should punch Makiwara for 40 minutes (about 1,000 punches) whilst concentrating your spirit calmly. It is
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important to understand that the purpose of punching Makiwara is not only for training your fists, but also for developing one’s mind and spirit. ITEM NO.9: Make a video recording of your Kata. You need to record your Kata onto video by yourself. Though other people might try to help you by pointing out your mistakes, you can only really rely on yourself. Set up a tripod, switch it on by yourself, and do the Kata exactly like you would for an examination. Next, check your Kata by yourself, and try to find things that you need to correct or change. If you find something wrong, you must correct yourself carefully. Make sure that you record your Kata from all four directions: the front, back, right side and left side, and repeat this process over and over again until everything is prefect. You will probably find that after you have corrected one fault, another will appear this is to be expected. ITEM NO.10: The eccentric & the unusual. If you worry about what other people think, you will never pass the examination. If you want to pass, you will have to do so many different things that other people around you might start to consider you as somewhat eccentric or unusual. This is understandable as, to most normal people, what you have chosen to attempt is both amazing and uncommon. Whether you pass or fail the examination will, to a large part, depend on whether or not you care how other people think. The examiners of the test who hold 8th Dan and are Supreme adjudicators of the JKF are not ordinar y people - if you want to get closer to them you must learn to willingly accept that you are going to be regarded as eccentric or unusual by other people.
Details of the JKF Grading Tests The rank (Dan) of the JKF is acknowledged as the best ranking system in Japan. Other ranks of, for example, Kaiha or Ryuha (Shotokan, Shito, Goju and Wado styles...etc) are not officially useful and, therefore, everybody who has positive and constructive ideological purpose to their karate will try their hardest to succeed, and improve their rank, within the JKF. For the tests from the First Dan to the Third Dan, you need to do two Katas (Forms) and you also need to do Kumite (Fighting) with two different persons, but you do not have a written test. For the test for the 4th Dan, 5th Dan and 6th Dan, you need to do two Katas and Kumite with two different persons, and you also have to take a written test. The Kumite is tournament style but, of course, if you lose you will also fail the exam. However, even if you win the Kumite, the manner in which you have won is the most important consideration. The tests for 7th and 8th Dan have no Kumite you must perform two Katas and take a written test. The examiners of the test consist of seven judges, include four major styles (Shotokan, Shito, Goju and Wado ) and are elected representatives of each style so as to be impartial.
In conclusion The JKF Grading Tests for high ranks over 6th Dan are held only once a year. Each year, about 80 people take the test for the 8th Dan, but only one candidate or nobody at all, will pass. A further 80 or so take test of the 7th Dan, and only four or five of these will pass. Of the 100 people attempting the 6th Dan, only seven or eight will be successful. We can estimate the ratio of successful applicants at less than 10 percent; it is, therefore, very difficult to pass the Grading Test of JKF and also very hard just to take the test. The test for 6th Dan and 7th Dan is held only once a year in Osaka or Tokyo. To take the test, you will need about \100,000 ($926) to cover the cost of transportation, accommodation and the Grading Test fee. The test of the 8th Dan is held only once in Tokyo, so additional monies may be required. It is much better to try to pass the exam at the first attempt: doing very hard practice and struggling through difficulties is much better than suffering the mental and physical pain of failing the exam. You must believe within yourself that you can open the gate and pass the exam by making a powerful, single-minded, focused effort.
Qualification requirements of JKF Official Grading Rank Test First Dan for youth Second Dan for youth First Dan Second Dan Third Dan Fourth Dan Fifth Dan Sixth Dan Seventh Dan Eighth Dan Ninth Dan Tenth Dan
has youth 1st Kyu has youth 1st Dan has 1st Kyu has 1st Dan has 2nd Dan > 2 years after 3rd Dan > 4 years after 4th Dan > 5 years after 5th Dan > 6 years after 6th Dan > 7 years after 7th Dan > 9 years after 8th Dan > 10 years after 9th Dan
under 16 years old under 16 years old over 16 years old over 16 years old over 18 years old over 23 years old over 26 years old over 36 years old over 43 years old over 50 years old over 50 years old
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The 29th BWKS National Championships Date: Venue:
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The British Wado Ryu Karate-do Shikukai association would like to invite all Wado style athletes to our annual tournament. WKF based rules will apply with first round repechage for all junior and senior events. All competitors must have valid licences (with insurance cover) to be produced on the day. Entry Fees: Spectators:
£8 for first event, then £6 for each additional event entered £3 for adults, £2 for juniors
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For an entry form or further information please contact Bill Mossman by eMail at w_mossman@blueyonder.co.uk or by telephone (evenings and weekends) 01245-601677 BWK001/01
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The Hikite
Controversy Vince Morris BA (Hons.)
In all of my advanced training seminars, I tend to create a little controversy when I insist that the use of Hikite, (commonly referred to as “withdrawing hand”, but see later) as practised by far the majority of Shotokan stylists, is simply wrong, and, moreover, dangerous!
the other top sensei I ever trained with also taught it as the standard pattern when reverse punching or delivering a blocking technique.
Eventually, however, my logical brain intervened and forced me to address three questions regarding the withdrawal of one hand in order to simultaneously punch with the other:
My first inkling that it - maybe - had a few drawbacks was when during my competitive career I ended the day with the odd black eye!
1. What if my opponent was training just as fiercely as I, and was just as fast, or - a troublesome thought - faster?
I get a range of reactions, from: “I was taught this way, and it must be right!” to “It never really felt right to me, but I did it because I was told to by my sensei!”
Initially, of course, I simply put this down to my not being fast enough to deliver my punch and also block or deflect my opponents punch correctly. So my training concentrated upon developing as fast hand techniques as was possible.
The fact is, I also did it for many years, because Asano sensei and all
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2. What evidence really exists for performing this action with any significant benefit? And finally: 3. Which other successful fighter do I know who also does this technique?
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Now, don’t get me wrong. I know there The third point is easily answered. are some superbly fast fighters in the There are few - if any - examples of competitive arena who consistently score anyone who engages in regular comon opponents using gyaku-zuki with bat espousing the exposure of the head hikite. I even managed it myself upon by withdrawing the non-striking hand! occasion. However, to address point one, as you work your way through the The following comments were made by field of competitors, it becomes increasDr William Durbin in the recent ingly difficult to score convincingly with International Seito Karate newsletter: this technique, and the number of ai“In many of the tiger strikes, the uchi scores called (simultaneous strikes) Chinese tend towards both hand strikincreases as the number of opponents ing simultaneously, while the remaining become closer to your own Okinawans are more inclined to strike skill and speed levels. with one hand so that the entire power of the body could be generated in the The answer to point 1 is simply that strike. One of the misconception curthe outcome will depend upon:(a) who rently being stated today by some a different opinion as simply not being is actually faster, and (b) the tactics martial artists, is that the retracting well enough trained is insulting and used to set up the opportunity for the hand of Okinawan Karate was notharrogant. punch. Therefore, (a) is not under my ing more than a mistake, or a method control, (b) is. This might not be so used to teach beginners, that had no The fact is, the Chinese didn’t do it, the very bad in shiai, but in a self-defense validity in real combat. This is very far Okinawans changed it and the situation this could be disastrous! from the truth. The returning hand Japanese refined it, and they seldom along with the torque of the body that ever had to use it in reality! No Boxer, Point 2, what evidence is there that a should accompany it is in fact an no MMA fighter, no thug in the street significant benefit accrues from using excellent way of generating power in ever uses this method, because, in the this withdrawal hand, depends entirely actual combat. Many have missed the real world, it is a stupid technique. upon what one considers as a signifitiming and rhythm necessary to make cant benefit: the ability (supposed) to the actual use of this skill possible and It may add torque to a punch, but let throw a marginally quicker punch, so deride it. However, before anyone me hit you without using hikite and see compromised by exposing the head to ever discards such excellen t techif you can tell the difference! It also a simultaneous counter blow, or hitting niques, they need to train hard in their exposes the head on each and every someone hard in a real fight without use and discover the validity for themoccasion - and removes one weapon so offering up one’s head. selves and not allow others to make from your defensive arsenal. It also the decisions for them.” takes that fist away from the enemy, There is no doubt that Shotokan, for and thus away from any effective conexample, places great emphasis right Well, I wonder to whom the good tact with the opponent. from the very start of one’s training on Doctor is referring as “some martial using the withdrawing hand to aid the artists”? I could go on. For example, some of generation of torque (thus force) to the the few photos we have of Master punching hand. In the seminal work Anyway, the whole piece is full of Funakoshi himself show him using hikite “Dynamic Ka-rate” (M. Nakayama. innuendo and supposed knowledge, to pull an opponent onto a punch from Ward Lock & Co. London 1967 ed.) it and it just cannot be allowed to stand his other fist - just as - years later - we is explained: “To increase the speed of unchallenged! see Master Nakayama doing the same a punch, make use of the reaction of thing. Or were they both wrong too? the opposite arm. The faster you Dr Durbin makes the case that the They hadn’t found the “timing and retract (it) the more speed and power original Chinese martial technique rhythm necessary” I suppose! will be evident in your punch.” (P.100) was modified into the ‘chamb ered fist’ at the hip that we currently see in To underline the point, I refer the readWell, that seems fairly evident then, most karate, because it allows the er to Master Funakoshi’s own descripbut no, it isn’t quite as simple as that. entire body to add torque (thus tion of Hikite in his book: „Rentan power) to the punch, and accuses Goshin Karate Jutsu_ first published in Nakayama sensei was really the first of those who question its purpose in March, 1925. In the section entitled: the post Funakoshi-age sensei, with the combat as having “missed the timing „Hand Techniques._ he describes task of spreading the emergent sport of and rhythm necessary to make the Hikite as: “Here the meaning of hikite, karate throughout the world; the actual use of this skill possible. or pulling hand is to grab the oppoemphasis now is essentially upon pronent’s attacking hand and pull it in moting a sport form of the original mar- I suppose the die-hards have to make while twisting it as much as possible so tial art. However, even within the pages some sort of a case, but believe that his body is forced to lean against me, of this book, it is significant that when some of us have probably thrown the defender.” depicting the application of a techmore „traditional’ gyaku - zukis than nique, the withdrawing hand is occaDr Durbin has had hot dinners, in the (Page 48) I don’t think this can be sionally seen in its original function. Dojo, in the shia-jo, and even in real much clearer, can it? Not “withdraw(P.241 - Nukite) (P.124 Age empi) life! To blandly accuse those who hold ing hand” but “pulling hand.” WWW.KARATEMAG.CO.UK TRADITIONAL KARATE 125
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Frankly, we can see here Master Funakoshi employing at least 2 Rules of Combat: Unbalancing the attacker and using a grab and pull to increase the power of his own punch! Now, the piece also implies that the Dr. is speaking from a position of knowledge, and that he has experience of using hikite to add torque to a punch in real combat. Hmmm. Perhaps - I don’t know what experience of real combat, as opposed to dojo sparring the good Doctor actually has, but if indeed it were such a
great practice, to expose your head each and every time you throw a counter-punch, then please point out to me the boxer who uses it successfully. Or the MMA fighter who uses it successfully, or even the street fighter who uses it successfully! It is a nonsense! Yes, in a vacuum, or in a carefully controlled Dojo environment, at beginners level it is possible to add a little more power to a reverse punch by rapidly withdrawing the front hand to add more torque to the blow. However, there are two things to remember.
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The first is that whilst it may be possible to add a little - at beginner’s level to a punch, it is not necessary, as with correct training and practice one can punch just as hard without pulling the protecting hand back to the hip. It is simply a matter of training. The second point is that in a real fight, one has to balance any slight increase in power to be gained by taking away the protecting hand with the fact that, by so doing, each and every time you expose your head, unprotected, to your enemy’s strikes.
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WHAT A GREAT IDEA! As I write I received an email from a Black Belt in another Dojo who writes: “I was also in a tournament a few months ago where I received probably the hardest chudan strike I had ever received. I was advancing and simultaneously struck my opponents head, I threw a lot of my weight into the punch and he had planted and delivered a solid counter. Surprisingly all I felt was some discomfort (with only mild competitive adrenaline), my punch had landed solid on the side of his head, he took a second or two to shake it off and re-turn to the ring center, where he was awarded the point (and the match).
geting any vital points at all. Indeed, many karate-ka seldom hit anything with full power as a matter of course in regular training! Added to the equation is the fact that many of the so-called defenses do not even counter from a tangent, but from directly in front of the attacker. Now a head punch directly from the front may or may not stop the attacker, it will be a matter of luck. Delivered from a 45 degree angle to the points on the side of the jaw it will - on the other hand - have a very good effect! However, the chudan punch will most probably not do anything at all; and this is probably the most delivered punch with hikite that these styles practice (and.. as you know.. under As you can see in this instance deliver- stress you will do what you have the attacker into an arm-lock, it can ing a hard punch to the body did not practiced most to do!) seize the opponent’s clothing and pull stop a stunning punch to the head! him into a counter-strike, it can grab I make it a common practice on my and unbalance an assailant. - all in Some of the Dojo members and I seminars to invite anyone to punch me line with the original purpos e of the have just returned from watching an chudan for as long as they like and as martial art. MMA event, during which one of the hard as they can. (You can see a video fighters kept committing the cardinal of this in the 2nd Kissaki-Kai Web TV In Dr. Clive Layton_s book: “Training sin that everyone who trains under download to be found on the new with Funakoshi”(Kime Pub. England me will recognize, he dropped his website : www.kissakikai.com). 1992. P75) In his own words: “A right hand every time he delivered a Frankly, it is a waste of time! So, not synthesis of information about right roundhouse kick to his oppoonly is hikite as a method of punching Gichin Funakoshi,” the following nent’s thigh. I had just mentioned with gyaku-zuki not good practice, the passage illuminates this original that he was not defending his head very punch itself is not the “ikken concept: “ I remember well that the by doing this, and, right at that hissatsu_ (one strike one kill) technique Master would mostly block then moment, the other fighter waited for it purports to be. There are many more grab with the same arm, pulling and the kick and immediately struck him effective strikes in real self-defense sitthereby unbalancing his opponent. in the head with a left cross, knockuations, which is what karate was He would often comment on the ing him unconscious! What a good originally devised for, which are hard- value in karate of having a strong idea that was! ly practiced seriously at all in these grip. The opponent’s position was sport dojo. thus far more precarious, not only It seems to me that instead of recogbecause the means of escape had nizing that the system that he currentTake a look at all the old ways of been severely narrowed, but ly trains in (at least I assume he delivering blows with the hand, for because the counter was delivered trains) is engineered for sports and example: single finger strikes, middle as the opponent’s body was being not for reality, and fixing it, Doctor knuckle strikes, knife hand strikes, first shifted, the weight thus acting in the Durbin attempts to defend the indeknuckle strikes, palm-heel strikes....the master’s favour. I believe he learned fensible, and ends up attempting to list goes on this strategy from Master Itosu.” perpetuate a design flaw that in any real situation could be disastrous to None if any are allowed in competiSo, get real.. The use of hikite as havthe poor student who relied upon his tion, nor practiced frequently in the ing the primar y function of adding advice in any real defensive situation „traditional_ (read „sport_) Dojo. Why torque to a punch is simply another where-in stunning the attacker takes not? Aha! At last grasshopper - indeed symptom of the move so denigra ted by precedence over style! why not! It could be, of course, that all Master Funakoshi himself , of the shift the old masters were foolish, or hadn_t in emphasis away from practica l I will, in passing so to speak, point trained enough - and that all these defensive waza towards the sports out that anyway, gyaku-zuki as delivtechniques were useless! combat arena with is protective blanered by the majority of the Japanese ket of rules and referee! style based exponents, is far from Or...Just maybe..sport and rules got being the best defense against most involved somewhere along the line Do I hear the last bellows of a real attacks! By far the majority of and real defensive techniques got lost! Dinosaur? these deliver what they consider to be a powerful gyaku-zuki at targets Hikite - in its original inception - can Vince Morris BA Hons. 8th Dan. named all-encompassingly _Jodan_ serve very useful functions in real August 2008 (c) New Jersey. or _Chudan._ without specifically tarcombat: it can grab a limb and pull info@kissaki-kai.com WWW.KARATEMAG.CO.UK TRADITIONAL KARATE 127
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Power & Performance
in the Martial Arts
By Paul Perry
Paul Perry is and always has been one of my favourite Shotokan karateka and it was a pleasure to be asked to review Volume 1: Basic Techniques in what will be a 4-part DVD series entitled ‘Power & Performance in the Martial Arts’. This first volume covers some of the basic punches and blocks of Shotokan karate choku-zuki, gyaku-zuki, oi-zuki, gedan barai, age uke, soto- and uchi uke. The second volume will look at kicking and stance techniques. Volume 1 opens with Paul performing what is described as a tai chi kata (sic) and while it is very interesting to look at, one cannot help but wonder what it is doing in this treasure trove of classic karate technique. The ‘kata’ is followed by a group question and answer session where we get to meet Paul’s four/five helpers. As an introduction it’s interesting but again, largely unnecessary. Why do I say this? Because at 170 minutes, the DVD is very much on the long side, and could use a focused script (to condense down and pick
out the relevant issues), preplanned positioning of the people used in the various explanations, and less repetition. Knowing that one should push weight to the outside edges of the feet during a basic stance is to know a common requirement of a stable stance, and there is no need to reintroduce the concept as brand new with each and every different technique demonstrated. I thought the little animated man in the split screen shots interesting, but it didn’t really tell me anything worthwhile about muscle sequence and involvement. No matter how accomplished you are, there is much to learn from this DVD. Indeed, every classical Shotokan karate teacher will find their knowledge deepened through a close study of Paul’s analysis. Particularly interesting for me was the way he explains the kinetics of stepping fluidly and powerfully from one stance into the next. And when you see him perform the movement, you can see why he deserves his 8th dan.
Paul spends a lot of time showing how to test a stance from a static format, and this is fine for classical karate, but of doubtful application beyond that. I watched again in wonder as the basic karate blocks pay little attention to the critical notions of inside- and outside gates - but that’s a shortcoming of this martial way rather than a failure of Paul’s understanding of that way. However, I must say that I’m surprised that a man as skilled and knowledgeable as Paul doesn’t suggest ways of making these blocks close off the opponent rather than simply divert his/her technique. This, I think, would fit in well with his stated notion of evolution in practice. I mean, he does it with the stances, so why not with line? Maybe a fourth DVD, Paul? Watch this long DVD in easy to digest segments. Have a voice recorder to hand, or jot down points you want to follow up because there will be a lot of them! Basic Techniques by Paul Perry is an essential reference source for classical karateka.
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Tools of The Trade By Albie O’connor Shime Waza
Choking Techniques Pt.5
Defences and escapes Cautionary note: - Please take care should you practise the techniques in this article as injury may occur through missuse. This article is aimed at serious and responsible martial artists. Any defence you use must be with reasonable force and be reasonable to the circumstances.
sure, and grab your opponent’s arm (Photo 17). By pulling the arm and turning your body (Photo 18), you can throw your opponent to the floor (Photo 19) and now be in a position to make impacts or to restrain your opponent (Photo 20) Thanks for Dean Boswell & Martin Wallis for their assistance. For further information on karate, Kobudo or seminars please contact: - SKK/IOKA, 33. St. James Avenue West, Stanford le Hope, Essex SS17 7BB. Phone 01375 640609 Email kobudo@blueyonder.co.uk Website www.sessenryukarate.co.uk Photo 11
The following techniques are practised by having your partner on their knees. This method is safer as you will feel your partner drop should they pass out. All students should have been instructed and acknowledge that they understand the practise of “tap-out”. Should you feel any discomfort you should immediately tap your partner who should then ease the pressure of the choke, strangle, joint-lock or pressure point. The following applying of the demonstrated chokes have been published in part 1. The attacker begins by pulling their hand across your throat from the rear (Photo 16). Turn your head, to ease the presPhoto 12
Photo 13
Photo 14
Photo 15
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The Way Of Sanchin Kata By Kris Wilder
Part 12 - The Mind
T
his is the 12th and final of several articles investigating Sanchin Kata, its origin and application to traditional karate. This material consists of excerpts of various sections from the book The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power by Kris Wilder. The goal of these articles is to illustrate some of the methods of training Sanchin kata and making the knowledge of the past masters relevant and meaningful for modern karateka. The Mind Philosophers and psychologist have argued the nature of the human mind for centuries. One version of the definition or concept of the mind is the substantial view. The substantial view makes the argument that the mind is its own entity, which stands alone from the brain. The idea of the mind being different from the brain was championed by Plato. The premise of this view is that the mind is the seat of consciousness and the brain the interface by which the mind exerts its will. The other view of the mind/brain or brain is the functional view. This view holds that the mind is really just a label used to order an assortment of mental functions that don’t have a great level of commonality other than the brain is aware of them. This design was advocated by Aristotle. As discussed at the outset of this book, recognition of the mind/body connection is critical to the understanding of Sanchin Kata and to the martial arts in general. This mind/body connection is worth the effort to pursue diligently. There are four levels of brain activity: beta, alpha, theta, and delta. Brain waves are scientifically recorded by measuring the fluctuating electrical impulses in the brain. Beta waves range from 14 to 30 cycles per second. Such pulses are indicative of a person who is fully awake, alert, excited, or tense. Alpha waves run from 8 to 13 cycles per second. They are characterized by deep relaxation, passive awareness, or a composed state of mind. Theta waves range from 4 to 7 cycles per second. They are indicative of a person who is drowsy, unconBrain wave frequency chart
scious, or in a state of deep tranquility. Delta waves run from 0.5 to 3.5 cycles per second. They are characterized by sleep, unawareness, or deep unconsciousness. The first two levels, beta and alpha, are the ones we are concerned with in martial arts. The brain discharges beta waves when we are awake and intentionally focused; we are alert, ready for action, even irritated or afraid. This is because we are in an active mind state. Beta is not as useful as alpha to the martial artist, however, because it is about thinking and thinking quite frequently gets you hit. The alpha state is indicative of physical and mental relaxation, the relaxed, but alert mind. It is usually achieved during meditation. In the alpha state we are aware of what is happening around us yet ultra-focused in our concentration; this can be referred to as the creative state. The professional athlete would call it being “in the zone,” or being “in the flow.” We have all heard of athletes that, even in the face of great impediments to their game such as the flu, an injury, or some personal tragedy, have excelled beyond what was expected. A large part of their success and performance directly results from an ability to shift into an alpha state of consciousness during competition In 1984 Marcus Allen won the National Football League’s Super Bowl XVIII Most Valuable Player award. In interviews after the event he spoke about being in the zone. I paraphrase his comments, but he knew that the day was different outside of it being the National Football League’s Super Bowl. He spoke of how the other players on the field seemed to move in slow motion and he had insight to what each was going to do next. It truly was an experience that goes beyond the words to explain it. A guess on my part would be that you, the reader, have experienced incidents of non-lucid, that is to say incidents not easily understood, or maybe intelligible. action yourself, spontaneous and unique. It could have been a potential car accident, the dropping of a knife while cooking, playing music, or a sporting activity. Non-lucid action is that time when you, like Marcus Allen, felt in control, yet part of something bigger and time was experienced differently. One of the benefits to training in martial arts is the ability to switch between beta (waking brain waves) and alpha (or ‘the zone’) brain waves. Multiple studies have shown that worldclass athletes, no matter what their sport, have the ability to switch their brain waves almost instantly from beta to alpha. In martial arts this sort of thing is demonstrated all the time. Breaking techniques are a good example. Concentration begins as the hand moves into chamber. By the time a practitioner’s fist strikes the board or the brick, his or her mind is fully in an alpha state. The target shatters effortlessly. A traditional martial arts concept, zanshin, involves the brain in an alpha state. Defined as “continuing mind,” zanshin is a state of enhanced awareness that should exist just before, during, and after combat. A practitioner in this state should be hyperaware of his or her surroundings and prepared for anything. He or she is working in an alpha state. A refined sense of zanshin can even help practitioners avoid conflict altogether. The Mind: Test It I Controlling the body has often been encapsulated in the phrase, “Mind over matter.” The overt point of the statement is that the mind, under proper attitude or intent, can control the body. This time we are going to use the body to control the mind. Standing in sanchin dachi, with your hands at your sides, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Close your eyes and roll them to the top of your head and hold them in that position for a couple of seconds. Note the sensation in your brain. Keeping your eyes closed, quickly return your eyes to the forward-looking position and again note the sensation.
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Alpha eye roll beginning in natural position
After allowing your brain to clear, roll your eyes upward again. While holding the position, sense the brain shift; this is the alpha state, the creative state. Releasing, feel yourself settle back into the beta state. You can now move at will from beta to alpha and back by using the eye roll. A common example of the body controlling the mind is the athlete that gets a season-ending injury. Depression often follows because of the loss of a goal, team comradeship, or simply disappointment. If you think back to a time when you were injured and unable to participate in the training at the dojo you may have well experienced such an occurrence bringing on a level of depression. Conversely, an example of the mind controlling the body is when you get a good word from a friend, a co-worker or superior, which results in minor, but positive changes in the body. You may walk faster, be happier (which translates to physical manifestations such as muscle relaxation and better breathing), or even just sit straighter in your chair. All of these are positive manifestations of a thought from one person, made into words, projected through the air and into your brain where the sounds are translated to words and then ideas and they change your body in a positive way.
Alpha eye roll with eyes rotated upward
About the author Kris Wilder started practicing the martial arts at the age of fifteen. Over the years, he has earned black belt rankings in three styles, Goju-Ryu karate, Tae Kwon Do and Judo, in which he has competed in senior national and international tournaments. He has had the opportunity to train under skilled instructors, including Olympic athletes, state champions, national champions, and gifted martial artists who take their lineage directly from the founders of their systems. Kris has trained and taught across the United States, in France, Canada and Okinawa. He is the author of “Lessons from the Dojo Floor.” (Xlibris 2003), co-author of the “The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide to Deciphering Martial Application,” (YMAA 2005) and author of “Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power.” (YMAA 2007). “The Way to Black Belt: A Comprehensive Guide to Rock Solid Results” (YMAA 2007), co-authored with Lawrence Kane, is scheduled for a November 2007 release. He can be reached at: Kwilder@quidnunc.net
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Federation of English Karate Organisations International In direct membership to the World Karate Confederation and English Traditional Karate Body
Federation of English Karate Organisations In direct membership to the English Karate Governing Body
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If you are a 3rd dan or above with a group of at least 100 members then join a truly democratic long established organisation but still retain your independence. Each Association has a representative on the Federation Council to form the Federation policy. You decide on the future direction of Karate within the Federation. You elect annually the Executive Committee for the day to day running of the Federation. Smaller groups also catered for. No interference in running your own group - Freedom to conduct your own gradings - All grades recognised - Dan grades registered, recognised and certificated - All your training premises covered for £5,000,000 public liability - Full insurance cover for all registered members - Instructor/Coaching/Assessor qualifications - To be able to work within the law we have CRB Disclosure - NSPCC endorsed Child Protection policy document - National/International Refereeing courses and qualifications Junior & Senior National/International - National Children’s Championships - National Senior Championships - Plus local championships with member groups etc
Federation of Martial Arts. Many karate groups also train in other Martial Arts including Kick boxing, the FMA offers the above benefits to those members with membership to FEKO Int’l or direct membership to the FMA for non Karate groups For further information contact Alan Carruthers FEKO Secretary 198 Meadow Road, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 1JR Tel/Fax 0115 9250167 E-mail mail@feko.co.uk Web site www.feko.co.uk BUT001/01
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