OFF I GO!

The day has finally arrived! (^^) Off to Japan I go! Hope to be able to post on the blog during my stay.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that North Korea is just puffing hot air as usual and not start fireworks.
Every day will be hectic!

Sleep

Drink

Eat

Practice?????

Hina Matsuri (Girls Day)

Typical Hina Ningyo (Girls day dolls) Modern

Upcoming March 3rd is Hina Matsuri aka Girls Day. The purpose of the celebration is to hope that the girls in the family will continue to grow up healthy.  There was an ancient custom in Japan called Nagashi Bina, where girls would breathe on paper hina dolls, run it over their bodies to rid of impurities ands then place the doll on little boats and float it out to sea, taking all the bad things with them.

The custom of displaying Hina Dolls which continues today started in the Edo period, circa 1600s to 1800s.

Girls Day is also known as Momo no Sekku (festival of peaches). The peach blossoms projected the images of good feminine qualities of serenity, elegance and poise.  The dolls became part of a dowry gradually becoming elaborate and expensive. I shudder just thinking of how much my daughter Michele's set cost!!!

A doll set is bought for the first born daughter and is passed on to their daughters. Sisters are not privy to a complete set of dolls, only partial.

There is also a superstition that removing the dolls late will make it difficult for the daughter to get married!

The dolls are usually set up in February after Setsubun and displayed until March 3rd. 

Back in the old days.

Conratulations to Tamura Sensei and his students of Gitokukai Hawaii

Last Sunday on Feb, 13, 2011 the All Hawaii Winter Open Championships were held at Palolo Gym/.
Tamura Sensei and his kids did very well with all participants taking home trophies. The results as as follows.
Congratulations to all! (^^) 
Tamura Sensei is slated for the AAU Nationals to be held in Florida this year.

　Team 形（David,Tokio,Isabel)　Intermediate Class、1st　
　Indivisua l形
　　Yudai Nagai　7 Yrs 1st
　　Noah　Otani  5Yrs 1st
    　Elle 　Otani　6Yrs 1st
　　Isabel Freeland　8Yrs 3rd
　　David　Ohara　9 Yrs 3rd
　　Takeshi Tamura (Sensei) Adult 3rd

Individual 組手
　　Yudai　Nagai　1st
　　Noah Otani　　3rd
　　Elle　Otani　　1st
    　Isabel　Freeland  3rd
   　Tokio　Hamamoto 3rd


On March 6,  a good friend of mine Hayashi Sensei of Arahan Taekwondo Dojo in Tokyo and her students will be entering the All Japan Taekwondo Poomse (Kata) Championships. I am certain Hayashi Sensei and her students will do well. I hope to report on the tournament from Japan.  Hayashi Sensei is a Gold Medal holder in International competition as well.  If I could kick as well! (^^)

Chinese mothers are Superior (^^)

Chinese Mother and Child in traditional clothing



       I just finished reading Mary Chua’s “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”. Very interesting to say the least. My curiosity was raised by a Wall Street Journal review entitled “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior”. Eye brows raising title isn’t it? Of course there was also a deluge of comments pro and con sent to WSJ which in itself was very interesting. I’ll let you read them yourselves. Junin Jushoku 十人十色　（＾＾）

     Being a law professor at Yale, Mary Chua definitely is no dummy. Although a 2nd generation Chinese American, she is quite immersed in Chinese traditions. Her husband is Jewish which makes it more interesting. Naturally their two daughters are raised with both Chinese and Jewish influences. Another interesting situation.  This blog isn’t about the very interesting multicultural life of a upper echelon American/Chinese/Jewish family.  My interest is in the “training/educating” of her two daughters.

Let me excerpt some lines from the book (You should really read it. Fascinating )
A typical weekend schedule.
Saturday:
1 hr drive (at 8:00 a.m.) to Norwalk CT
3 hour orchestra practice
1 hr drive back to New Haven
Homework
1-2 hrs violin practice
1 hr family fun activity (optional)
Sunday:
 1-2 hrs violin practice
2 hr drive to New York ity
1 hr lesson with Miss Tanaka
2 hr drive back to New Haven
Homework
  or
      "All the same, even when Western parents think they're being strict, they usually don't come close to being Chinese mothers. For example, my Western friends who consider themselves strict make their children practice their instruments 30 minutes every day. An hour at most. For a Chinese mother, the first hour is the easy part. It's hours two and three that get tough."


Now just from the excerpts above you get an idea what it must have been like for a pre-teenager with Amy Chua as her mother.

     I sometimes (more often when I was teaching Judo) see the same intensity in parents who have their children learn martial arts. I often wonder who the child is practicing for. Himself or for the parents? I am sure the parents do it thinking it is “for the good” of the child. Hmmm I wonder how the child feels.

      I am a staunch believer that martial arts is beneficial to the development of a child. But it is only as good as the input and control of the parents and instructors Everyone has heard the term “Little League Daddies/Mommies” or ”Backstage Mommies” I often think that these types of parents do it for their own ego. At times it may be a quest by the parents to bathe in the glory of their children of titles the parents themselves could not achieve. In extreme cases, the child and parents end up in misery. Now that is not the goal of martial arts.

Anyway, please take time to read the book. I think you will find it very interesting.

Which path are you taking with your child?

護身術-Goshinjutsu-Self Defense-What is that?

Typical image of Self Defense

     

      How many of you started any martial art for the sole purpose of self defense? How many of you have had to actually use anything you've learned in an actual confrontation. I hope that most of you have not experienced the need to do so. One, you may be in for a major shock! Or Two, you may be thankful for the days you've sweated in the Dojo. There are too many variables. "Reality training", "Alive training" exponents often pooh pah traditional methods of martial arts training. On some points I may agree. They often like to point out that in traditional martial arts training, it takes a long time before anyone is capable of mastering any technique and use it effectively. Perhaps true, I have posted in the past about a Nidan who was attacked and killed by a sexual predator. But does that mean karate is ineffective? I should say not. It is case by case. We cannot paint it with a broad brush. Some hold disdain for Kata and promulgate "drills". Where is the difference? To me "drills" are a version of kata. They teach you certain physical movements in response to a predetermined attack. No different from Kata, just shortened.


     On the other hand,"instant" SDF courses are not what they are built up to. Just like all those commercials for fitness in the media which display perfectly sculpted bodies using gimmick tools and exercises, have viewers believing that their own bodies will achieve the same results. What they fail to understand is that those models put in hours of sweat and dieting to get those bodies. I feel it is the same with all those SDF courses out in the market. None of those "teachers" gained their skills instantly. If they had actually trained in something, I would guess that they paid their dues in "sweat" and are now trying to collect some dues. This topic has been around as long as I can remember. (^^)

     As we can see in reports from Afghanistan and other spots of violence, all the mental and physical skills training don't save an elite soldier from death or injury. You can prepare all your life, but fate or destiny may make it all null in one instant by an IED, RPG Rocket or bullet. There are those who are "blessed" or "lucky" go through their entire lives without injury or sickness, other experience multitudes of anguish and pain that last a lifetime. It does not matter whether to have trained all your life in meditation or any other skills, when your time comes it comes. I have no other answer to that but I can accept that. However, it is different to allow yourself to become unhealthy, overweight or underweight, to indulge in excessive drugs or alcohol or to put yourself in harm's way by recklessness. You have the innate power to choose and make your own life. This is where your Shugyo makes a difference. Something an instant seminar that cannot give you.

       So why bother with Self Defense? Can’t we get through our lives without learning such physical skills? Is it a necessary component to being observant, making sound judgments and living in peace and harmony? Is it critical to know how to disable an attacker? What about tolerance and civility?  Can’t we get the same skills by reading "Dummies Guide to Mental Awareness"? Perhaps. But, you need to be able to read first. (^^)

      Sometimes we all live in a mystical world of martial arts. We think that by training in martial arts it gives us some sort of key to awareness and purpose in life. That Western and , Eastern philosophies, Bruce Lee's proverbs, the mystery of Ki will open the gates to peace and calm that we seek.. Let us not deceive ourselves. (^^)If you REALLY WANT TO you can get all the peace and calm you desire by disappearing into the mountains and severing all contact from modern civilization. Of course that would require you to shed all the modern conveniences and life styles. Don’t forget to have minimal survival skills! Are you willing?

     I was once asked by a Jehovah's Witness how can I be a Christian and still follow Eastern Philosophies and practice Martial Arts? WhaaaaaT??? Is this a Koan? Where is the difference? Christianity, Buddhism. Taoism is all about the "self" and how you strive to attain the "best" that you can be. No. no, not the Army Commercial of "Be the Best You Can Be" Don't all philosophies and religions try to show you a path to take towards self realization? Don't all of them point to a way to handle your weaknesses, doubts, guilt and all the other "stuff” that falls on our shoulders?

     Isn't that what Self Defense is all about? Knowing what you are about and the choice of accepting it or changing it. Just like Peace, Self Defense begins within.

Are you all confused with my ramblings? Not to worry. That is why to train or shugyo. (^^)

AUMMMMMMM.

Fufufu. It has been that sort of day for me. Peace be with you!



BY REQUEST! The "PE-PE" incident. Legends of Yokohama Dojo (^^)

Typical Yatai or Outdoor Stand

My dear friend and fellow Budoka Tony requested additional information with regard to the "Pe-Pe" Incident. This incident is one of many that is still passed on among Yokohama Dojo members as a story not to be forgotten. By the way, Pe-Pe 「ぺっぺ」is the sound of spitting. It is commonly seen when someone is about to take on a humongous task. He/She spits on their hand as if getting the spirit going! (^^)
Let me preface this by stating that Yokohama members are "gentlemen/lady drinkers" (those that do drink).
There has never ever been an altercation or argument due to partaking of alcohol in the history of Yokohama Dojo. Our motto has always been "Everything in moderation, including moderation".
With that clarification taken care of, let me say that it would perhaps take a case or two of sake or sochu to alter the personalities of the members. Especially the Chorou Group 長老(Seniors). They are the type to have an all-night session and be at their work desk bright eyed that morning. Responsibilities are never forgotten.
No such thing as hangovers....(**:)  Now the story begins.

I believe it was a chilly night sometime in late Autumn as I recall all of us having coats on. The adults planned a get together as usual and an Arabian restaurant had been selected. Why Arabian? Well, there was a belly dancing show included and from a martial arts perspective we needed to have a "Mitori Keiko" 見取り稽古that is watch and study. (It is something I use with the Pokemons when I want to cut down the numbers of Pokemons to observe at one time, 4-5 moves while the rest observes) The belly dance has an intriguing portion where a very large saber is balanced in the dancer's hip while she dances. It is also balanced on the top of her head while the hip rotates at moderate speed. Now that is balance and muscle control. The hip shaking is not as easy as it seems as some of our members found out. (^^) By seriously can any of you balance a saber on your hip and gyrate your hips? There is something to learn there.

Saber Dancing

Well, Mitori Keiko aside, along with the "Arabian Dishes" a drink called "OUZO" was served. (^^!) Now

it is not something a novice drinker can take on. Comparable to Russian Vodka or Appalachian Moonshine it is very VERY POWERFUL! Naturally Yokohama members drank it like water. I cannot recall exactly how many bottles were consumed. The fact that the clear liquid turned white when water (?) was added added to the joy of consumption.

The dinner show went well and in typical Japanese style it was decided to head on to Part Two of the evening. With no casualties going up the stairs to the street level. Kyon Kyon Senpai suggested we stop by a Yakitori Yatai she knew of which was just down the road! And off we went!

This is were the tragedy or rather fun starts. Fufu (^^)

SO....we reached the yatai. A typical yatai seats only 4-6 customers at best.  So some of us stood behind the ladies. OF course, we had our female members seated. The owner or "Masuta-" (Master) of the Yatai wasn't too much into working that night, so Kyon Kyon Senpai took over the yatai. Now cooking up BBQ food with considerable amount of alcohol in your system is a chancy affair to say the least. Of course Masuta was more than glad to let KK take over (they knew each other as KK was a regular customer) as he was going to make money without working up a sweat. Well.....there is spice called Shichimi "七味 which contains several spices and is "spicy". KK picked up the can and started to sprinkle the yakitori.......(**#) the top fell off and the BBQ sticks were immersed in the spices!!!!!! KK calmly took the sticks and shook the spices off and did a "Pe-Pe". Of course she really didn't spit onto the sticks.....but no one could verify that.......But karate brothers and sisters do not let down one of their own. Into our stomachs it went. I also believed KK served out some soup dish as well. Ingredients unknown.  All ended well as KK was placed in a cab and taken home by one of the ladies. (^^) KK claims to this day she doesn't remember anything after leaving the Arabian restaurant.

Yakitori BBQ sticks

The deadly Shichimi Spice! (^^)

I believe I did not go straight home after the Yakitori Stand. The neon lights were calling! (^^)

Ahhhhh. Those were the days, my friend, we thought it would never end .................

Who sang this song?????



Happy Valentine ! (^^)

This cartoon was done by a good friend, cartoonist and karate Instructor Mark Cook. He is the one that did the ones on Yuta a while back. Please check in on his blog site "The Daily Oldman" for some good laughs! For Yokohama Dojo Students, you may find American humor puzzling. Just as we find Japanese humour puzzling. (^^)
How many chokos did you get? White Day is found only in Japan! There is no such day in America!
Gahahahaha

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

CHU!!!



Ranks and Titles, Where Egos Roam.



      Ahh, Ranks and Titles...a world where Ego reigns supreme. In the military it is quite simple to understand. Your responsibilities are clear cut. If your superior is down then the next in line takes over. You basically get promoted on your performance. A private is a private, with the least amount of responsibilities, per say, just listen to orders and get it done. There is always someone with higher rank monitoring you. So, a  pretty easy life (in the sense of responsibilities) You do what is demanded of you.

     Now in the martial arts, the world of rank and titles gets rather convoluted. It is a world where one day you are a student, the next day you can become a "grandmaster" of your own organization. There is no one to supervise you. Don't like the organization? You can quit and join a different one, even maybe get a higher rank. You can even outrank your former Instructor!

      I sometimes ponder over my own rank certificates. All of them are from legitimate organizations. The highest being Godan. The lowest being Sandan. Now I am not affiliated with any those organizations, I run my own non-profit club for the love of sharing what I know to others without the the politics and egos that affect many organizations. I have been very fortunate to have solid people join me and they are now continuing the Yokohama Dojo in my absence. I am also surrounded by my "Pokemons" and their loving parents here in Hawaii. So what am I,  in terms of rank and title? I do not belong to any of the organizations that honored and blessed me with their ranks and certificates. So I do not feel that I should carry that rank onto my current Dojos. However,  I am the head honcho or poopah. That is clear. Unless Yachiyo gets hungry for rank and power and overthrows me (**;)

     I am also still a student wandering the path of Budo. So in essence will always a shoshinsha or beginner. Oh well, better to just train along with my Pokemons! (^^) My title will be henceforth "Grandpa Pokemon" Hmmmm sounds a lot better than Senpai, Sensei, Shihan dai, Shihan, Kyoshi, Renshi. 

 Hey, William, your new title will be "Dr. Pokemon" ! Correction, for the time being "Intern Pokemon" You still have two years of med school left. Hurry up and graduate, I need a doctor that won't charge or ask for health insurance!!!!!

      I understand that in the past there were no rank belts in karate. The current system is based on Kano Sensei of Judo. I can understand why it was implemented, but is it really necessary? Even in Japan, it has just become a tool to charge students promotion fees and add to the Dojo or organization coffers. At the same time,  I can also understand it takes money to run an organization, especially the bigger it gets. At that stage it has become a business, you need to have an accountant to run the Dojo. I always felt that a Dojo Head should have an accountant, who is not a student, maintain the books so that the Head can concentrate on teaching. I sincerely believe that most of the problems that plague bigger or even smaller organizations is $$$ and egos. It seems as though it is always camouflaged with rhetorics of differences in philosophy or wanting to seek the true Budo, etc., etc.  Then those groups after awhile experience the same breakaways. Again the same rhetoric. Let us not fool ourselves, it is $$$ and EGOS. Things that in a perfect world should not have a place in Budo. Alas we do not live in a perfect world. But we can try.

     One thing I really do not care for is the gold striping on Black Belts. Why is there a need to advertise what Dan you are? We are never finished with our Shugyo. We are always a Shoshinsha each step of the way.

      A Black Belt, in my mind, signifies that you have just entered the long road of shugyo in your chosen art. There is no end. So, why decorate your belt? Even without a belt we know who our Senpais and Senseis are, much less the top man of the Dojo. If you do not know who the head poopah is, you're in trouble or as we say here in Hawaii "Deep Kim Chee".
    When I think of it, the civilian world is no different! Gaads, CEO, CCO, CAO, CFO, Marketing Executive, Special Assistant to the Vice President, Senior Technical Representative, Shuseki, Shunin,
Torishimariyaku, Shacho, Joseki Shingkan, etc., etc., ect., (**#) Who are you????
     Oh well, enough rambling for now. Yokohama Dojo, please use the free translator on the Internet! Don't know when I'll get to doing it! (^^)

Have a good day y'all. Still snowing in New York? How about Yokohama? Hawaii is in for some more squalls for the weekend. 
Take and his kids are prepping for a tournment coming up. Yachiyo has started weight training. 
Gaaads! I'd rather have her just use the sauna. No need to add power to punches and kicks. (**;) 

Yokohama, looking forward to an early Hanami Season opening! Have the Blue sheets ready! Shinrin Kouen or along Nakamura River by Hinode Cho? Will we have a reenactment of KyonKyon Senpais "Pe-Pe" incident at the Yakitori stand?  Ummmmm Just as BG information, our illustrious Kyon Kyon Senpai, one evening took control of a yakitori stand and did the cooking. (The owner preferred standing by and take a smoke break) "Pe-Pe" is the sound of spitting. The defense rests its case. (^^)

My mind is in Japan already!

Chugoku Shukudo, Torakichi, Seahorse, Kougen, Zucchero, Moss Burger, Sekiya!







Just for you, Tony! (^^)

Japanese graduation outfit for the ladies!

     The traditional outfit for graduation ceremonies. I don't have the history of the clothing, but I do recall seeing a photo of my mom when she graduated from Waseda University. She was in Western style clothing !! Gahahaha.
      An interesting tidbit, she was one of nine of the very first group of females that were allowed to enter the University. Until then its was strictly male. Definitely a pioneer for women's rights in Japan. I see very little of the haori, hakama for men. It's  usually suits.
      As far as Michele is concerned...........(**;). I seriously doubt she would don a kimono for graduation.
I do not think it has changed but, she has an aversion to skirts and other "girly" clothing. It has always been jeans and T-shirts for her. If my memory serves me correctly, I know of only two times she has worn a skirt!
Once for Junior High graduation and yup, the other, High School Graduation! Hmmm. At least she helps keep costs down! (^^)
     Well, miracles may happen. She may dress up in her mom's kimono. That would definitely be "must preserve" shot in my camera. We'll see what happens.
     Heavy squalls in Honolulu today. Good thing the carnival ended yesterday.
     Time to clean house! More laters.

Punahou Carnival

Punahou Carnival at night.

Punahou Carnival is one of the three main events on Oahu. The other two being the Honolulu Marathon and State Fair.  I can remember catching a close to two hour bus ride to get to the Carnival way back in the old days. Heaven forbid missing the last bus back to Wahiawa! A very long and dark hike through Sugar Cane and pineapple fields. (^^)
According to its website, the carnival began in 1932,  during the Depression and Academy students hosted an "Oahuan Campus Carnival" to raise money for the yearbook and they raised $240 for the Oahuan.
In 1936, the carnival was orgainzed by the the PTA and the junior class. The tradition of the junior class running the carnival continues to this day.
The Carnival offers something for all ages and the crowds gather at the start and continues into the late evening.
Now, I live right across from Punahou School and watch the flow of foot and car traffic. Parking is a premium and all the condos in the area have watches to prevent illegal parking on its property.
A usual less than five minute drive to get home from the nearest main intersection now takes over half an hour! Gahahaha. And that's fromm morning to 11PM at night.
Tonight I'l teach my karate class and go eat out and take my time to return. Maybe do some karaoke!
Need to practice for my trip to Japan. (^^)

Tony's Homework

As always Roushiichi, my homework is never complete. Now you will find this humorous my dog did eat my new copy of The way of Kata, by Kris Wilder, Sensei. Yeap the dog ate my homework Sensei!!

To the homework:

The first throw Ukigoshi or Ogoshi from the elbow block and “jump” on Pinan sono san or Heian san. This one is much like the oyo you taught in Hawaii….now I know in the okuden that the embusan is abandoned and the attack may be from any angle . Thus here, the attacker would be from the rear, or the front… much like your bear hug attack from the rear, using the empi elbow stricks/blocks?? Or so my thoughts were this morning. We also kind of learned that the elbow now would still be used to break the balance of the attacker, as we perform the hip throw. I am now thinking, post workout an nap ( old warrior secret weapon )that I could of used the elbow sitting low as tori attack from the side. Sit in deep kiba dachi no kamae, bump and scoop the attacker of his feet into uki Ogoshi, I found this from an Aikido Uki Ogoshi … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDtdTsCZXxA.

Now to the Ouchigari after the crescent kick and elbow strike, you did not say what kata, but I think I can only find the combo in Pinan sono Go…we worked on ouchigari with that in mind. My ouchigari, looked more like a rabbit hopping on a injured leg… But Jim did pair it with O Soto Gari, and things moved forward and back…. Still need more practice…

I did not know that you worked with Uechi Kanei, that is Jim’s first style Uechi, I have learned something of the fish tails from watching Konchin: http://fileserver.uechi-ryu.com/videos/kosuke_yonamine.wmv. I thought of Take, Sensei. What a interesting and difficult form. I think they call the block Koi no shippo uchi, “koi” I remember from Hawaii so I know that I got fish, but I have not found the kanji to investigate more. I know you will have the answers, maybe, it will be shippo=tail, thus fish tail uchi?? That must have been another wonderful experience and to get to the Konchin kata you must of spent a d good deal of practice time Okinawa. You always have new ones for me my friend.