White Crane Snow Tiger News June 2009
www.yamazato-videos.com www.worldbudokan.com
Under the Italian Sun- Martial arts in Italy
More on the Origins of Hakutsuru Kenpo Kata
Summer Camp!
Yamazato New Releases
http://www.worldbudokan.com/video/ISKKFSummerCampMPEGPromo.ht
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb_IC0ur0-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fITIHlUwsg
Greetings fellow martial artists! Here is an update and some recent
news!
Under the Italian Sun Martial arts in Italy
I was recently invited to go to Italy by our ISKKF sensei there and
teach a series of seminars. Sensei Mirko Mori, 5th dan Alberto Doni, 5th dan
and Claudio Lastrucci, 2nd dan
are the senior ISKKF instructors in Italy. Ive been to Italy many times
before but it is always a pleasure to visit this beautiful country. Its
friendly people, wonderful culture and incredible cuisine are second to
none in the world. After a quick nine-hour flight from Atlanta to Rome I
arrived in sunny Italy. Then it was a short ride to the town of Greve in
Chianti. Chianti is a region in Tuscany. Yep! Thats where the wine of
the same name comes from. My hosts treated me like royalty and set me up
with my own private villa in the mountains. The area around the villa is
known as Montefioralle named
after the castle there. I stayed in Casa
Forseco just outside the
castle walls. This would be an incredible vacation for anyone. For lucky
me, its just my job! Apparently, Sting the singer has a place close by.
I was tempted to put my head out the window and say, Roxanne! You dont
have put out the red light! but thought better of it.
The next day the senior instructors and I trained in hakutsuru kenpo in
the garden next to the villa. This style has a different feel than
shorin ryu karate. It is a combination of power and speed but with
limited kicking and is a close range system. Its definitely Okinawan
karate but with a Chinese flare. The idea of the system is that it is
based on pure self-defense and not tournament play. Hakutsuru kenpo
presupposes you are close to your opponent [as in an actual
confrontation] so kicks other than front kicks are seldom used. At this
range (maai) front kicks to the groin are most effective. In
fact, the front kick to the groin is often used to set up multiple
pressure point strikes after its execution. We performed a number of
repetitions of the kata hakutsuru so and ton, sanchin, paipuren and
tensho. We did body conditioning drills some from Okinawa and a special
one from Yong Chun village in China. These limb knocking drills
including leg kicks are designed to make your arms and body hard as a
rock. But this is not accomplished without some pain initially in the
process. Further, in hakutsuru kenpo the techniques and applications of
the kata are designed to shut down the opponent and set him up for
multiple pressure point strikes.
The following day we trained in shorin ryu in the garden dojo. We
practiced seisan kata, chinto and kusanku. We worked advanced bunkai
applications contained in these kata with emphasis on defending against
multiple attackers. These techniques included, blocking, counter
punching, kicking and joint-locking with throwing techniques. The
throwing techniques look like jujitsu but are actually Okinawa tuite (twisting
hands), a form of grappling contained in these kata. The main concept
used in tuite is
hip rotation and not hip throwing as in judo and jujitsu.
Later that day while sightseeing we visited the house of Amerigo Vespuci.
Vespuci actually named the U.S. America in 1507. It wasnt Christopher
Columbus as you history buffs well know. We stumbled onto this house
quite by accident. After training in the morning in the garden dojo, we
had lunch then went for a walk. It is customary in Italy to take a walk
after a meal (It. passeggiata) in order to aid digestion. While
walking through Castello
Montefioralle and doing a
bit of sightseeing sensei Mori met an old friend who turned out to be
the caretaker of Vespucis house. This house was actually Vespucis
country home and vineyard. Vespucis main residence was in Florence. We
got a special tour of the place and were told the house was actually
sold out of the Vespuci family in 1820 but the [new] owners still
maintain it as an historic building. The house has a series of lavish
apartments. It has two floors and an incredible view of the surrounding
mountains of beautiful Tuscany.
The following day examinations were held for the students and
instructors. The belt testing was done in the garden dojo of the villa.
All of the participants did well. In Italy people take their martial
arts very seriously and train hard. It was a hot day but everyone
persevered and received their promotions. Sensei Mirko Mori and sensei
Alberto Doni were promoted to 5th dan
in both shorin ryu and hakutsuru kenpo. They both received renshi
certificates as well. Sensei Claudio Lastrucci was promoted to 2nd dan
in shorin ryu. Tomasino Gai, Paulo Veri and Donatello Montenari were
promoted to 1st dan
in shorin ryu karate.
That evening we had a special celebration for the new black belts and
the instructors who all received higher grades. We dined on an outside
leaf-covered terrace at La
Castellana restaurant
with a view overlooking a gorgeous valley and the mountains of Tuscany.
Our first course was an antipasto of meat and cheeses from the local
region. Then we had a special dish called pappardelle
con cinghiale. It consisted of a special pasta noodle and wild boar
meat from the local area in a rich sauce. Its rustic and wild taste
conjured up a certain irresistible primal sensation that was immensely
satisfying. It was incredible! Somehow we got the last bottle of a rare
vintage of outstanding chianti. It was a dry wine but with a rich and
deep velvety presence that danced across ones tongue all the while
accompanied by a lively bouquet. It was not unlike a barefoot young
maiden who danced about in a forest meadow in the early morning mist.
Yet this playful vintage preserved an air of sophistication. Feeling a
little guilty about being in this fantastic place and enjoying this
wonderful food and wine I thought about the Buddhas words and my Zen
training, The Buddha said, All life is suffering. Suffering is caused by
desire. The cessation of suffering is based on the extinguishment of
desire. This is accomplished by following the eightfold path. These are
the Four Noble Truths. The Buddha also said, Eat your meal just prior to
the point of satisfaction. But the Buddha wasnt in Tuscany eating this
kind of abundant and incredible Italian food. Ill suffer when I get back
to the states and order a Dominos pizza and have a glass of milk with
it!
Incidentally, in the early 1970s I trained in goju ryu with sensei Ken
Ogawa (1949-1982). He was a student of Morio Higaonna and had come over
from Japan to teach. At that time for some strange reason I had a
fantasy about fighting a wild boar with a sword (keep in mind this is
1973 and were watching Bruce Lee movies, etc.). Being a kind of modern
day samurai Ogawa sensei thought this was a cool idea! My strategy was
to use ashi waza (footwork)
and taisabaki (body
shifting) to move out of the way of the boars charge. At the last second
I would then administer the coup
de grace and cut his head
off with the katana. I trained for this but never actually did it and
its probably just as well! Even though Ogawa sensei and I worked on a
taisabaki drill called turning leaf, wild boars and their tusks dont
know about taisabaki! Better I should eat one in Tuscany where someone
else has administered the coup
de grace for me.
The following night we had a jujitsu seminar in Prato just outside of
Florence. Actually one half of the seminar was karate and one half was
jujitsu. There is no question Shotokan is alive and well in Italy. These
folks are all well schooled in the basics and Shotokan but seemed to be
lacking in other areas of the marital arts. Of course thats why I was
there. This group had a limited knowledge of how to apply joint locks,
pressure point techniques, etc. We covered such basic things as kamae
and maai in kumite along with a number of drills and kata. The jujitsu
part was a review of basic wristlocks and takedowns. Everyone enjoyed
the session and took something away that enhanced their personal growth
in the martial arts.
We did another seminar in the Ki dojo in Florence. This is an aikido
school mainly but many other martial arts are taught there. It is an
excellent facility with all the conveniences of a modern health club. We
covered rohai kata and naihanchi kata with applications and bunkai as
well as the Shorin ryu two-man yakusoku kumite.
We also had a full day of seminars in another dojo in Florence. The kata
hakutsuru so and ton were reviewed along with seisan and some hakutsuru
kenpo kata. We practiced the yakusoku kumite two-man sparring kata
unique to hakutsuru kenpo. I also did a special demonstration of
suparinpei hakutsuru. This is simply performing suparinpei kata and
Kumemura hakutsuru kata back to back or as one long kata. This is
similar to practicing O naihanchi, i.e. naihanchi shodan, nidan and
sandan as one kata. Who needs tai chi?
After the seminars we got to do some sighting seeing. We went to a place
off the beaten path and the usual tourist destinations in Florence. How
many times can you look at the statute of David and the Ponte Vecchio
(the old bridge across the Arno River in the center of Florence)? This
was my fourth trip to Florence so Sensei Alberto Doni and Sensei Claudio
Lastrucci organized something special. We went to a place back in the
mountains northeast of Florence called Badia
di Moscheta. This is a
thousand-year old monastery that is now a museum and restaurant.
We decided to have lunch there and our first course was ravioli stuffed
with creamed potatoes. Our second course was dino (deer
meat) in an excellent mushroom sauce. Finally we had lemoncello to
cleanse the palate. This is an alcoholic drink made from lemons and
sugar and is rather satisfying after a big meal. As we left the
restaurant, I extended my compliments to the chef. I told him I was a
fan of Monica Bellucci (The Matrix Reloaded) after seeing her on Italian
TV the night before. We instantly bonded and he offered us a local drink
called 100 herbs. Alberto Doni sensei said he was able to discern 99 of
the herbs after tasting the concoction but wasnt quite sure what the
last one was. Hmm
When leaving this restaurant we noticed a fresco on the wall of the
restaurant that had an Italian saying, La vita e come il vino. Devi
assaggiarala goccia a goccia. Life is like wine! You must taste it one
drop at a time.
The following day I was on my way back to America and bid my Italian
hosts and students farewell. I thanked them for their great hospitality
and was satisfied that our hard training not only preserved the
traditional Japanese martial arts in Italy but also laid the groundwork
for the future. I look forward to returning to Italy again next year for
more great martial arts training with accomplished and enthusiastic
black belts and more incredible wine and food!
More on the Origins of Hakutsuru Kenpo Kata
(Excerpted
from the soon to be released book, The Way of White Crane Karate)
There
is no doubt that kata are the heart of karate. The kata are the formal
solo exercises that define each style and more specifically the
hakutsuru kenpo style. Kata have sometimes been referred to as shadow
boxing but they are much more than this. Kata are the primary training
methodology used in karate. More importantly, kata serve as a dictionary
of fighting techniques, which have been tested in combat.
An important aspect of training in kata is bunkai. Bunkai,
sometimes referred to as oyo,
is the interpretation of the practical application of kata movements. In
addition to the techniques contained in kata such as, punching, kicking
and blocking, the bunkai of
kata contain a grappling art known as torite or tuite,
literally meaning twisting hands. The tuite applications
of hakutsuru kata incorporate both throwing and joint-locking
techniques.
Another aspect of training in kata is the use of kiai.
A shout or kiai is
used to release spiritual energy (ki).
A kiai is
used in conjunction with a powerful technique to harmonize or maximize
ones strength while executing the technique. A kiai point
in the kata signifies delivering the coup
de grace or
the final blow to the enemy. Most kata contain one or two kiai points.
The OHKA kata syllabus reflects elements of the kata of Goju Ryu karate
and other Naha-te forms as well as the original Chinese influences. The tensho kata
in OHKA is practiced exactly the same as in Goju Ryu. This is to honor
Miyagi sensei for his brilliance in creating the kata and for his
dedication to karate. Sanchin is
practiced in OHKA as two kata, hakutsuru so andton or
white crane number one and number two. These kata reflect their Chinese
origin without Higashionna senseis changes. They are derived from
Gokenki the Chinese white crane master who lived in Okinawa from about
1912. The thrusting movements of these sanchin-type
kata are performed with open hands. The kata are also performed with an
artificial or forced breathing method similar to Goju Ryu but without as
much intensity. In China sanchin is
practiced with an artificial breathing method similar to Goju Ryu but
with shallower breathing and with a more staccato breathing rhythm.
Within the curriculum of OHKA the beginning movements of the kata seisan and sanseiryu are
performed with open hands similar to Uechi Ryu. This again is a
reflection of their Chinese origins. Further the OHKA kata syllabus
includes Higashionna sanchin. This version is longer than Miyagis
sanchin in that it turns around (180 degrees) and repeats the standard
three-step series of thrusting techniques after the initial series of
three techniques. It concludes with a final 180-degree turn and repeats
the three-step series of thrusting techniques a third time. An aspect of
sanchin is to teach rooting or firmly gripping the ground or floor with
the feet. Additionally, sanchin teaches concentrating the ki in
the tanden in order to release it with a powerful strike or block.
To understand the hakutsuru kenpo karate kata as a training methodology
it is necessary to go back to the point in Okinawan martial arts history
where these kata developed. Kata was the principal means of instruction.
Knowledge was transmitted from generation to generation in this way. In
the past, before karates veil of secrecy was lifted, martial arts
training had to be conducted with the utmost secrecy. No written records
were kept. Therefore, a kata or pattern of movement was the perfect way
to remember and practice individual techniques. The head of a family or
village elder [in either China or Okinawa] usually carried out
instruction. In most cases, the teaching would be based on an
established family tradition of martial skills indicative of a
particular village. Usually, the village elder would come from a long
line of experts. Kata were literally inherited from ones ancestors.
Most of the kata we have today in the hakutsuru kenpo karate system come
to us from various sources. The masters such as Ryuryuko, Higashionna
and Miyagi are just a few. Additionally, Chinese masters such as Gokenki,
Waishinzan, Ason and Iwah are credited with adding to the kata of
Naha-Te that ultimately became known as Okinawa white crane karate.
These forms have been traced back to the early and latter part of the 19th century.
Since then, the kata have been modified and evolved into the
sophisticated traditional forms of karate used today.
The basic forms of the system include hakutsuru so & ton, Higashionna
sanchin, tensho and paipuren. These are all forms of sanchin or what is
known in the particular parlance of karate as three-step kata. This is
because each form begins with three steps that include blocking and
thrusting with each step. Further, the correct procedure for the
execution of sanchin is to tense the muscles of the body [especially the
abdomen] while exhaling and relaxing the muscles while inhaling. These
kata emphasize the basics and are a set of very elementary forms.
However, it can be argued that sanchin is an advanced kata in that
although its design and pattern of movement is simplistic, it is
difficult to perform it correctly since a high level of skill is
required. It is a unique training methodology derived from the southern
Chinese schools of chuan
fa (way of the fist) from
Fujian province. It emphasizes body conditioning and strength building
using dynamic tension. Sanchin also emphasizes the development of
forceful movements by using the concept of ki (intrinsic
energy/life force) released through breathing or respiratory exercise.
It was designed to help a weak person become strong and develop a strong
body. This concept is inherent in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and
is the foundation of qigong, which
suggests that the movement of ki throughout
the body [along the meridians] is controlled by the mind and that
coordinated physical movement along with breathing will result in
enhanced power. Additionally, the training methodology advocated by
sanchin necessitates the absorption of blows to the body with ultimately
no ill effects. In the parlance of Chinese kung fu circles this is
referred to as iron shirt and the forearm conditioning is known as Iron
Bridge. The Okinawan reference to this is kote
aite, literally bringing the wrists together or forearm smashing.
Typically this takes three years of training to perfect. The time in
training to perfect this can be reduced by weight training in
conjunction with the sanchin exercise. It should be noted that Miyagi
was a strong advocate of weight training. His idea was that by the use
of resistance exercise the effects of sanchin could be speeded up
resulting in less time to achieve the full benefits of the exercise.
Traditionally, the preferred method was to train sanchin without weights
[as Higashionna advocated] and simply wait the three years to achieve a
natural and therefore a longer lasting full development.
A rumor that circulated in Okinawa some years ago was that, Sanchin
kills! This refers to the notion that sanchin practice raises the blood
pressure to the extreme and therefore can cause cardio related
physiological damage. There has not been sufficient medical study and
empirical research to substantiate this. As with any exercise program a
common sense approach is advised. In other words, Dont overdo it. The
Buddha said, Choose the middle path.
In the Bubishi text sanchin is referred to as paipuren or eight
surreptitious steps. But there is no doubt the author is using a martial qigong exercise
for ki and
power development and accurately describes the movements of sanchin.
Perhaps the author chose the name paipuren and the number eight to
associate this kata with Taoist numerology to give it more significance
and link it to this esoteric philosophy. This is not unlike pakua or
eight-diagram palm. This soft Chinese style uses Taoism as its
philosophical basis. It uses trigrams organized into a set of eight
three-line groups. However, the paipuren (sanchin) described in the
Bubishi is different than Ryuryukos Whooping
Crane paipuren kata. This
kata is also part of the OHKA system. Its unusual breathing method
begins with inhaling and concentrating the ki in
the tanden. This is referred to as a tiger (tora) movement. Then ki is
channeled out to the vital points as one stretches out his arms during
the performance of the kata as if a crane is spreading its wings. The
channeling of ki during
the performance of this kata is symbolized by the crane (tsuru).
Finally, air is expelled sharply with a forceful rasping sound as ones
arms fold inward. This movement is characterized by the dragon (ryu)
spitting out its energy.
Both sanchin and tensho emphasize a dramatic deep breathing method that
acts a respiratory exercise. Breathing out or ibuki breathing
is considered a yang movement
while breathing in or nogarebreathing
is considered a yin movement.
The sanchin kata in particular uses dynamic tension or isometric
muscular contraction to enhance the development of power. Additionally,
the goal of isometric muscular contraction in the sanchin kata is to
produce an overall body hardening and to develop a resistance to body
blows as previously mentioned. The method to check for progression in
this exercise is called shime. This
requires testing for
muscular tension and hardening by being struck at various locations on
the body including arms, stomach and legs. The
name sanchin means three battles or conflicts and implies that through
training in sanchin a unity of body, mind and spirit is produced. The
hakutsuru so and ton kata are not to be considered lesser forms when
compared to sanchin. The benefit of these kata is the application of
tension accompanied by a sudden or quick release to execute blindingly
fast thrusts. This training methodology enhances the conversion from
tension to the fast twitch muscle reaction necessary in karate to
produce speed. Tensho is considered a hard kata akin to sanchin.
Supposedly this kata was originally done softly but because it had a
feminine characteristic it was later changed [by Miyagi] to a hard form.
Miyagis original concept was to have one kata totally hard (sanchin) and
one kata totally soft (tensho).
Seisan, sanseiryu, seiunchin, seipai and niseishi kata represent the
intermediate kata of hakutsuru kenpo karate. These forms although
appearing to be rather fundamental contain some very effective sparring
and self-defense applications. Seisan is a very old kata and traces its
origins back to China. It features open hand techniques and joint kicks
for close-in fighting. Seisan kata has a high degree of sophistication
with regard to pure self-defense and human psychology in it has
movements in which blocking the opponents second punch is implied. Seipai
places emphasis on body twisting movements while niseishi opens with a
reverse punch and has bunkai to deal with two or more opponents.
Sanseiryu means thirty-six and features a double kick that can also be
practiced as a flying kick. Seiunchin is an old kata whose exact meaning
has been lost. It uses deep breathing and abdominal tension and relies
mainly on shiko dachi or the horse stance. The kata is unique in that it
only uses hand techniques. The exact origin of seipai and seiunchin are
unknown. Some authorities have suggested Higashionna introduced these
kata but others have said Miyagi introduced these forms. Still others
have suggested that Miyagi learned these kata from Kuniyoshi Shinkichi.
This seems more likely in that the time line is correct and Kuniyoshi
was part of the Sakiyama lineage of Naha-Te. When Iken Tokashi sensei
was interviewed by the author in October of 2008 he said, We do not know
who introduced these forms. We do not know if it was Miyagi sensei or
not but we are working on finding out.
According to Chinese tradition, the kata sanchin, seisan and sanseiryu
can be thought of as a set of kata. The ideology is that sanchin is
practiced with full power for the development of strength, seisan is
practiced with utmost speed and sanseiryu is practiced with both speed
and power. In this way the martial artist realizes the ultimate in
physical attributes and skill development.
The advanced forms of hakutsuru kenpo include suparinpei and Kumemura
hakutsuru. The Kumemura hakutsuru kata is sometimes referred to as hohouken meaning
crane fist and was originated by Gokenki. It has both internal and
external strength movements. It features complex maneuvers including
balance maneuvers, one-legged stances, evasion tactics, tiger postures,
defenses against two attackers, throwing techniques and quickly
delivered front kicks and spear hands. While the spear hands contained
in the kata are indicative of the Chinese style its strong fore fist
punch combination is indicative of the Okinawan style. The inclusion of
strong punches in this kata could possibly be due to Gokenkis exposure
[as the designer of the kata] to the Okinawan style while living in
Naha. Additionally,suparinpei hakutsuru can be performed by the advanced practitioner of
hakutsuru kenpo. This is simply performing suparinpei kata and Kumemura
hakutsuru kata back to back or as one long kata.
Summer Camp 2009! No more beatings! Ready for Fun!
Last years camp was no doubt both spectacular and extraordinary! We will
be doing it again in 2009. Unfortunately we are limited to only forty
(40) people this year. We could rent a bigger space but in order to keep
this great event in the mountains and at the Honbu dojo where your cabin
and hot tub are right next to the dojo www.whisperingridgecabins.com we've
decided to limit the number of attendees. So in order to guarantee your
spot this year sign up now and reserve for this years camp. Its only
$50.00 to reserve your spot.
Total cost is $449.95. This includes food, lodging, entertainment and
training!Call
1-888-299-YAMA (9262). Weve already signed up almost everybody we have
room for. So sign up now to guarantee your reservation at Summer Camp!
Camp will be July 31st, August 1st &
2nd
News Notes
-
Martial Oceans will
be hosting another great cruise Next year in the Caribbean. July
17thh July 24th 2010. In
addition to Great
Martial Arts Training, Mondo Silente Dive Team will
be there as well. Looking for more people to dive with us! For more
info Contact sensei Tony
Calvino 1-877-773-2790. Register
today!
New Titles from Yamazato Productions:
$29.95 each FREE SHIPPING! Call 1-888-299-YAMA (9262) or www.yamazato-videos.com
Just
released! Shorin
Ryu Karate Ken Sei Dokukai! Vol I & II
Makiwara
Power Make
your fist hard as a rock and break anything! Learn real Makiwara
conditioning! Makiwara
Power shows
you how to effectively and safely train on this ancient training device
along with supplementary training methods that will make you hit hard &
fast!
Karate Power Strength
& Conditioning. Yes! Size does
matter! This DVD shows you how to build real karate power through hojo
undo or supplemental
training exercises with weights and other great karate strength training
devices & methods.
Just
released! White Crane Speed
& Evasion Vol. 9 Sanchin, Snake & Crane!
Black
Belt Bo Kata Vol I Shushi no kON Sho & Dai Choun no Kon
COMING
SOON!
MMA
Modern Warrior! Vol I, II & III Featuring Josh Usera
Vol
I Stand Up! Vol II On the Ground Vol III Ground & Pound!
White
Crane Speed & Evasion Vol 10 The final volume in the Hakutsuru Kenpo
series
Hakucho,
Kumemura Hakutsuru, and more!
Black
Belt Bo Kata Vol II Sakiyama no Kon & Arakaki no Kon
Photo
Gallery:
Montefioralle Villa in Greve, Tuscany
Mirko Mori (L) George &
Alberto Doni The
Garden Dojo
Training
in the Garden Dojo
Cheers, after black belt gradings!
All the best to you in martial arts! Anyone
interested in membership in the Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo Association/Shorin
Ryu Karate/Jujitsu/Sword or any of our other marital disciplines check
out the new website and/or
contact me. Both the ISKKF and OHKA are traditional Okinawan martial
arts organizations. All our certificates have the Royal
Seal of the Ryukyu Kingdom and
the Sho
Dynasty,
the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom. This seal represents the
authority of the Okinawan king and commemorates the dynasty that existed
during the 1600 and 1700s, the early days of karates development on
Okinawa. The ISKKF and OHKA have this unique distinction. Anyone
interested in having one of these unique certificates please contact the
honbu dojo.alexyama@mindspring.com www.worldbudokan.com.
Sincerely,
George
George W. Alexander, Hanshi 10th Dan
President
Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo Association
International Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo Federation
Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu Federation
World Budokan Kendo Federation
Yamazato International
180 Yellow Jacket Drive
Reliance, TN USA 37369
Tel. 423-338-4972
Toll Free 1-888-299-YAMA (9262)
Fax 423-338-5651
www.yamazato-videos.com