Ido kihon questions

I have some questions about Ido kihon and the movement that is done. I was wondering about the use of the following terms. Fumikomi and fumiashi vs. ayumi dachi and ayumi ashi? If we are stepping in Ido, which term is correct when the instructor is asking for the students to step? If we would like the students to retreat or practice stepping back ( I know not sure favorite movement!!) would this be sagari? Sliding in with the same foot staying forward, would be Tsugi ashi?

Sorry I am the only studnet with questions...(^^)

Tolerance and Civility

If adults were just as pure

One of the benefits we gain from Budo is learn to tolerate pain and as an extension we learn to tolerate and be civil to others who may not be as accommodating. We learn to keep a calm mind in difficult situations. If we have mastered the concept of Mizu no Kokoro then we can also diffuse aggravating situations where people with lesser control would resort to verbal and physical violence.

How do we learn anger? Why is it we have to relearn controlling anger and search for purity of the soul?

Infants cry because they do not have the verbal skills to let us know they are tired and hungry. I do not think that comes under the definition of anger. What "soils" us that we learn anger?

Why do we lose tolerance and civility?

I am an avid user of the local YELP for dining information. You may wonder why on an island? You must have already eaten at all the restaurants! (^^) Recently there has been an surging "battle" between writers.

Actually it appears that a handful of writers cause the grief by being vindictive and acid of tongue.

The fact that your identity does not get revealed may contribute to this. The non-attributable factor.

It is very sad to see this happen. Civility goes out the window and mud slinging starts. How anyone can build up so much anger and hate against someone he/she has never met is beyond me.

I hope that as practitioners of martial arts we do not become the same. Unfortunately it does exist in the martial arts communities. ( - -;)

or

Which would you choose?

65th Anniversary of the nuclear bombing of HIroshimat

Hiroshima after the nuclear bomb

Today is the 65th anniversary of the devastating nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. Japan has the sad history of being the only nation in the world to have two cities devastated by nuclear bombs. Some of  you may be asking what does that have to be with this blog?  Well, I believe it is important that our students have knowledge of this traumatic event as well as other disheartening events going on now. We should never turn a blind eye to events that bother us. We need to understand why these tragic events took and are taking place. Perhaps as our students reach adulthood they will be able to take the right path towards world peace.
After all, Budo's true meaning is "Stop Conflict".
What does Budo teach us through our training aside from physical skills? Physical skills without the proper mentality is merely violence. On the other hand righteousness without the physical means to defend it becomes merely words that blow away with the wind. There is always a balance in what we do. Extremes do not accomplish anything.  Extremes end up with sad results such as Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Iraq and Afghanistan. One look at all the "hot spots" right now proves this. That is the reality we cannot turn a blind eye to. None us with children cares to see them in harm's way. That is why I follow the path of Budo.

Images from Summer Gasshuku 2010

Images from Summer Gasshuku 2010



We had a great weekend of Training. I think one of the best parts of Gasshuku is seeing old friends, and meeting new karate-ka from all over Canada and USA. Although we did share the same organizations on the floor we all shared karate-do. Sempai Nick in the center here recieved his Nidan Obi this weekend. He was one of the two karate-ka that graded in the April Shinsa.

Although my days of Jodan Mawashi Geri have seem to pass me by, Sensei Ray seemed to keep his youthful flexibility. We worked on kumite drills on Sunday Afternoon.








Of course there was kihon, and to be honest along with kata was the highlight of my Gasshuku. I am still learning more about kihon. Here Shihan is explaining the uraken and the tettsui, that can be found in our uke. I though much of our time in Hawaii, and Pinan sono san. The use of the uraken and the uke in your opening oyo.

Home from 2010 Shihan Flynn's Summer Gasshuku

I am home from 2010 Summer Gasshuku. I was able to train with Raul Dueno, Sensei Miguel Rios, Sensei Hugo Perez Sensei, John Kalaisopoulos, Sensei Nick Savery, Sempai and Gennadiy Ravvinand Sempai all who brought students to Vermont this year for Tom Flynn, Shihan and Toni Flynn, Sensei’s Gasshuku. Just like to mention that I have listed only the shidoshi here, but the Gasshuku is an excellent example to the Zen philosophy. Except for myself, everyone is my teacher. As testament to these shidoshin, I am always impressed with the physical abilities and kindness shown by all karate-ka at Gasshuku. Shihan this year had a back to basic theme. Shoshin no morderu, was alive and well in Vermont this weekend. In Shihan’s words, kihon! In karate there is nothing else. There are no advance techniques, there is only refined kihon. Karate like the onion has layers; advanced grades are simply a few more layers into the onion. Pictures and detail will be on its way in future post. I have much to catch up on, now that I am back home.

Training for FUN (^^)

At Kodokan circa 1956. Training with a smile. I enjoyed and still enjoy training.

  Now, the body is less flexible, stamina reduced and reaction slower but training is still FUN!

Most people see Martial Arts as synonymous with "discipline". Images of stern faced children lined up responding to the instructors and moving in a "disciplined" manner are certainly in people's mind. One mistaken move and the shinai comes crashing down. Children moving like robots. "Suck it up!" "Drop for push-ups" I wonder if this is what parents are seeking, not to mention the children themselves.

Growing up in Judo I never once experienced such "discipline". I grew up having fun and enjoying going to class. Was the training slack? No, it was hard especially for me growing up with equilibrium problems and a mysterious (back in 50's) heart ailment. After all who likes being thrown around squished down on the mat. But never the less, I had FUN! Somehow along the way I learned self discipline and the spirit of Jita Kyoei. The important thing was that it was not forced upon me, it was something that grew up with me. It has stayed with me for 54 years since my first day at Kodokan when I was 6 years old.

As an adult I practiced under a different sort of discipline. The kind of discipline you need because your life depended on it due the nature of your job. The kind of discipline I do not think children should have to go through. I believe children should enjoy what they do. If they enjoy what they do whether it is school, church, family and or sports they will learn discipline naturally.

Training Navy Security Police with my good friend Fukushima Sensei. We all had fun too! Especially with compliance techniques. Amazing how one finger or shin on the right spot makes you do what you are asked to do!! (^^)

Competitive spirit is healthy and serves the purpose of having a goal and mastering the discipline required to reach the goal. However, once they lose sight of the fact that they can only reach the goals due to the presence and help of others, then competition loses its value.
In addition our children must not lose track of the real purpose of Budo.

Different type of training! (^^) With Navy EOD getting a bird eye view in a SPIE rig circa 1990 (?)
I think I am second from the bottom, frantically waving my arms ! I distinctly recall the waist  harness being slightly off and provided me with immeasurable pain during the ride. Gahahahaha.

Literature

Literature is a good source for learning about different cultures. Summer vacation is an opportune time to dig into a book. Naturally, being able to read the book in its original language is the best, but alas many of us have not had the opportunity to study another language. We must rely on the translation.
I have a dream of mastering Chinese so that I can read the Chinese classics in its original form. I have slowly plodded along on in my Chinese studies. Luckily, Japanese also uses Chinese kanji so I can get a grasp of what the content is, but I can not gain the full flavor of the words.
I recall taking a translation course in which we had to translate a Japanese novel. I believe it was
Fumo Chitai by Yamazaki Toyoko. 不毛地帯　山崎豊子。The first chapter takes place in Osaka (not really sure if my memory is correct) so the dialogue is in Osaka dialect or Kansai Dialect. The dialect has its distinct flavor which is difficult to express in standard English just as it is muzukashii (difficult)  to express a Southern drawl in Standard Japanese. I would venture to say there will always be something that cannot be clearly translated.
What would Kesshinkai or Makiki Dojo recommend for reading to the kids in Japan ?
Likewise, what would Yokohama recommend for New York and Hawaii?
I could do this myself but this blog is for members of our Dojos. As such, I would love  to see our students take an active part. (^^)

PS: Feel free to leave comments!! This blog is for all Dojo members, gets lonely when the only comments are from Sensei Tony, Shihandai William and myself!! (^^) As much as I enjoy their comments.