ALL YOU CAN EAT AT BURGER KING!!! (^^)

Can you believe an "All You Can Eat" deal at Burger King?
ええええ！？？バーがキングでワッパー食べ放題？

Yup, in Japan they have an "All You Can Eat" deal going on! (^^).

そー。日本でワッパーの食べ放題だとか。

Of course, there is catch to it. There is a 30 minute time limit based on your time of purchase of a Whooper Meal and you need to eat everything first (meal set) before you can get another Whooper. 

無論制限付き。最初のワッパーミールを買ったから３０分以内。メールを全部一人で食べあげてから次のワッパーがもらえるとか。

Any challengers?
挑戦者いまっかー？？



Reality/Aliveness training

Aloha and Good morning! (^^) Another fine Sunday morning in Hawaii. Just got back from dropping off "Da Boss" at work and the usual visit to the Farmer's Market for this week's vegetables. Got to support the local farmers!
Today I want to touch on the different styles of teaching. My teaching methods have evolved over the 40 some years of Judo and Karate. My military and LE experience definitely had an impact on my teaching.
In recent years you see a lot of hype using terms such as "reality based"; "live or aliveness" in an effort to pitch their particular style of martial arts. Many, not all, often pooh pahs so-called "traditional martial arts" as being far removed from "reality" and are basically useless. Many of these "gurus" of "reality" and "liveliness"
claim (note: I am not questioning their bios) having trained in a  traditional style and found it lacking.
I have to chuckle at such statements. They definitely did not train under the "traditional" instructors I grew up with.
First of all, I need to have the readers understand my basic premise of Budo. "Futatsu no Hoko wo tomeru" or to stop conflict. Through training in your chosen martial art or for that matter, any non-martial art such as Tea Ceremony, Line Dancing, Spelunking (I still remember the "panic" when I got stuck in a narrow passage way of a cave, Gahahaha), etc. you develop of sense of confidence and also the ability to respect others and to understand that nothing is gained from violence, hate, bigotry and jealously. In extension,  you follow a peaceful life and naturally do not get into situations that may harm you. Yet, in times of emergency you have the confidence to deal with issues and resolve them in a peaceful manner.
Some may say "You must be dreaming! Get real!" Well, aside from situations dictated by my military and LE careers, I have never really had the need to resort to my martial arts training.  The only injuries I received was from line of duty. So back to the topic of "aliveness/reality styles of teaching"
Way before BJJ or MMA became popular my Judo Sensei, Sakabe 8th Dan, would at times take us aside and show us the "dark side" of Judo. The techniques banned in modern Judo competition or perhaps we should call it the "roots of Judo". The various joint locks and chokes, methods of entry and escape. Perhaps his experience in the Japanese Imperial Navy had something to do with it. So when I read articles on BJJ and MMA I chuckle again. (^^) After all, BJJ origins stem from Judo/Jujitsu. I recall being at Narita International Airport and over hearing a young Japanese Judoka stating that he was flying to Brazil to learn BJJ. Hmmm. I guess there are not many Sakabe Senseis left in Japan?
When I trained in Okinawa it was certainly "alive" as it is popularly called these days.  Now I am not talking about "yakusoku kumite" or pre-arranged sets. The kicks were low and always aimed at the knee joints or groin. Head shots, well, lets just say it was yourresponsibility not to get hit. Way before Kyokushin gained popularity "full contact" existed in Okinawa. So once again I chuckle when I read comments with regard to  the "lack of reality" in traditional arts. Did you know the ankle hold/break exists in Heian Four and Five katas? Try it during a kumite session one day and you will see how much more you need to practice your kata! (^^)  Now that is what I would call aliveness training, applying techniques from kata into jiyu kumite.
One big gripe I have with Kyokushinkai. They popularized the phrase "Jissen" 実戦 or "Real Fighting".
This phrase I feel is too misused.  After all, what is Jissen. Certainly the style of Kyokushin tournament fighting is far cry from "Reality". Reality is the environment we place ourselves in, not the martial art.

Hanmi position in punches and blocks

I have been very interested inthe Hanmi postion as aposed to shoulders square to shomen on the execution of chudan tsuki. When I first started to train we stood with our shoulders square and our tanden under and facing shomen. From my training in Flynn, Shihan’s dojo I thought I understood that during blocking the body should be hanmi, and that the body should be "less than hanmi" for the tsuki, but not square to the shomen. From my last trip to Vermont, I took away from the first night, that during the third phase of the punch, Tomari-te, we should be very close to square, using the hiki-te to draw us back and also stabilize. I was wondering how you “stood”, full hanmi, less than hanmi on tsuki, square on tsuki?

I am thinking as I am teaching this last night...that this shomen vs. hanmi position may very some with time in karate-do. I am thinking or seeing that punching for the new student comes from power of the upper body, and that as we age it must come form koshi and the lower body. When I first introduce hips to students, I see far to much "gyration" in the movement. How I am losing my hips, and asking there role in the movements of karate?

I can not get the youtube to show on the blog entry...but please look at Kagawa, Sensei at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdIJVDKJ_Os&feature=related

Keeping a straight face （＾＾）

Keeping a straight face is hard to do! (^^)

I recall being at a demonstration in Japan. The Yokohama Dojo gave a demonstration of our karate style. Naturally from a staunch Japanese traditionalist point of view our style may have appeared to be rather lacking in strict decorum. (^^)

A group from a relatively well known traditional style did theirs with their Shihan, a very elderly gentleman, in presence. Everything was done with a military like discipline and cadence. It was almost like watching a drill team without the precision on occasion. After all, kids will be kids. At one point, Shihan got up from the VIP table and  berated his students. Hmmm. I guess he was not pleased with students movements. The Shihan then personally took over the demonstration without regard to his instructor in charge. Well that is his style.  His students accepted it and carried on. I won't do it, just like I won't hit my students with a shinai as an  incentive, but that was the Shihan's way. So be it. But, the funny part was when the Shihan tried to communicate in English (the demonstration was being done by a US base group). His commands and movements didn't match. I forgot what the command was, but, the students responded correctly but the Shihan wanted a completely different movement and would berate the students.  No one volunteered to correct the Shihan's English and we all  pretended nothing was out of the ordinary.

 Following this, a very unique Tai Chi instructor gave a demo. Well, he first sang a song dedicated to his Tai Chi Founder and to say the least, it was not comfortable to my ears nor to anyone else in the gym. Yachi and I were seated at the front table along with other instructors. Naturally I sat there with a stoic face. Out of the corner of my eye I could see that Yachi was having a hard time keeping from cracking up. Further down the table I could see only one more stoic face, the previously mentioned Sensei. Across from me I could see my students losing the fight at self control. After the singing the instructor did a form and a break was called. All my students ran to the locker room and released their pent up laughter which resounded in the gym. Fortunately the Tai Chi instructor was out of the area. After the demonstration was finished for the day, I gathered all my students and admonished them for their behavior. Now I will admit I was flabbergasted as much as my students were with regard to the singing. But, I felt that it was from the bottom of his heart and pure in intention. No one has the right to laugh at that. Rather we should show respect for his efforts in expressing his thoughts about his instructor, even if it  takes discipline and self control that of a high Dan holder.  Even then it would have taken tremendous amount of  control. (^^)

Respect for other martial arts

Uchimata Throw (inside thigh throw)
Can you feel the impact when the guy lands on the mat? (^^)

I have a confession to make. (**:) I troll the many martial arts websites and forums on the Internet. Sometimes I find gems but alas more often than not the forums are filled with spite and belittling of martial arts which are not the commentator's own. BJJ vs Judo, Karate vs Tae Kwon Do, MMA vs traditional MAs, etc, etc. I am always saddened to read these commentaries full of hate and spite. It would seem that these type of commentators haven't received the basic of basics in martial art training. I, for one, will not have any of  my students have that type of mentality.
告白しなければならない。インタネットで武道サイトやフォーラムをトローリングしている。その中で良い物を発見するが、大体は投書者がやっている武術以外のものに対して嫉妬や軽蔑的投書が多い。BJJ対柔道、空手対テッコンドウ、MMA対古流武術等等。このように憎しみや軽蔑てきな投書は悲しい限りだ。投書者は武道に基本の基本をまだ学んでいない。自分の生徒にはそのようメンタリティを持ってもらいたくない。

It is good that one has pride in what he practices. But when that pride makes him blind to all else then his shugyo is for not. I have been very fortunate that all my instructors taught me to respect others regardless of their art and or technical skills (remember the pointing the finger?) How can we pursue the goal of Budo when our minds and souls are filled with negative thoughts and feelings?
人は自分が稽古をしている術に誇りを持つは良い事だと思う。しかしその誇りによって自分以外の修行が見えなくなった時それはすでに修行ではなくなる。自分は幸いに教えを受けた先生達からは常にどんな武道を修行していても、そして技術がどのようなのかを関係なく尊敬するようと学んだ。（指さしに話を覚えているかな？）自分の心と頭がマイナスな考えと気持ちが充満してたらどのように武道の目的を追求できらだろうか？

All the talk about "what if a judoka fought with ...or a kung fu practitioner met up with a samboist" is nonsense in my mind. Each of us chose a martial art because it provided us a path for whatever our goals are. For some it may be becoming a Champion in the Octagon ring, so others it may be to gain skills to become more self assured, to others if may just a recreational fitness program. For what ever reasons anyone may have it was their choice and hopefully it is satisfying their chosen path.
柔道家がだれと戦ったら。。。クンフーがサンボと戦ったらなどの話はノンセンスだと思う。
我々一人一人何かの目的で武道を選んだ。ある者にはリングの中でチャンピオンになるため、ある者は自信を持つ為、ある者には単なるレクリエーシオンフィットネスの一環として。どの理由にさよそれは個々の決めた事であり、運よければ選んだ道を全うできる。
I recall many moons ago, when I was still teaching Judo in Hawaii, one of my students who was a karate instructor asked me to visit his club and run his students through some judo practice. Apparently some of his brown belts were getting "cocky" about their karate skills and were pooh pahing Judo and other martial arts. Long story short, they were beat with just the ukemi, breakfall exercises. If any one has experieneced a regular Judo practice (a proper one), break falls are a given and if you are not used to it it takes a heavy toll. As the students were novices in Judo I naturally made sure that they were abe to take a fall before we moved on to anything else. This was followed by "uchikomi" or fitting exercises where you execute the form of a throw but not throw. This is to make adjustments in the off-balancing, placement of the body and balance. Now, pulling someone to off balance him requires the use of different muscles compared to hitting and kicking. Then comes nagekomi or the completion of the throw follows. Now throwing is exhausting but for beginners it is taking the fall that is exhausting. Get thrown, get up and get thrown again.
Needless to say, the brown belts quickly learned not to make derisive comments about another martial art they never had done before. Mutual respect.
大分前になるが、まだハワイで柔道指導してたとき、生徒の一人が空手指導をしてて、彼の生徒に柔道の手ほどきを頼まれた。それは彼の茶帯の生徒の中に自分達に空手に自惚れて柔道とか他の武道を貶す様になったからである。
話を短くするが、受身練習だけで彼らはばてた。通常に柔道稽古を経験した人には分かるが柔道には受身がつき物。そして慣れていないと大分来る。
皆柔道初心者だたので受身がちゃんとできるまでやらせた。それから打ち込み、投げ込みと続いた、体重を引く筋肉と突き、蹴りに使う筋肉は違う。まして投げるよりは投げられて直ぐに立ってまた投げられるのもしんどい。
まー。茶帯諸君たちは他の武道を批判する事はなくなった。お互いに尊敬の意を持たなければ。



心の内濁らず、広くして、広き所へ知恵を置くべきなり

Hmmm.I really need to get rid of my propensity for being a glutton for punishment. Sigh, perhaps its comes with having chosen a full contact style of karate, not to mention the years of being thrown around in Judo.
If you will recall I had written a short blurb on Kokoro 心and the difficulty of really translating the meaning.
Well, this time I offer you a blurb from the "Gorin Sho Mizu no Maki" 「五輪書　水の巻」by Miyamoto Musashi.  It is probably wise to say you would be better off reading a translation of the Gorinsho. I am pretty sure that there are many on the Internet available. For what its worth, I offer my interpretation.
First, the phrase
心の内濁らず、広くして、広き所へ知恵を置くべきなり
Kokoro no uchi nigorazu, hirokushite, hiroki tokoro e chie wo oku bekinari.
Whew, A mouthful isn't it? (**;) Well her goes my translation (no guarantee for accuracy)
Keep your soul from getting soiled, make your knowledge broad and encompassing.
Hmm, confusing. Well lets do it like Kata and break it down. A verbal bunkai, if you will.
Kokoro no uchi nigorazu. To me this equates to Fudoshin, the immovable spirit or soul. Not to be sidetracked by unnecessary thoughts. In facing an opponent your spirit/soul should be clear and focused.
You spirit should not move before the body.
Hirokushite, hiroki tokoro ni chie wo okubekinari . Once you have control of your soul/spirit, then you have the base from which to face the realities of "now". In other words be able to observe and dissect your current situation and be able to make right decisions.  By constantly "polishing" your knowledge and spirit, you then you can face your adversary better prepared.  In short, know your enemy.
So, how does this all relate to our Budo training. After all we are not in the era of slicing each other up. Or are we. Just replace all those things in your daily life that pops up and you find yourself scrambling to make things normal and right. I would dare say, Fudoshin will take away all those anxieties and pressures. (^^)
Like Kata I am sure there many other interpretations of his phrase by Miyamoto Musashi, but I thought I'd share with you mine. Thanks for reading!

Finger pointing

There is something about pointing a finger that is uncomfortable.

Everyone has experienced having a finger pointed at them. I would say that it is not a comfortable feeling.

Like any activity involving children, there are times when conflict arises and more often than not when an adult steps in, or in our case, the Sensei, both child would have their fingers pointing at each other and placing the blame on each other. (^^).  Well, kids will be kids. I, personally, do not expect them to be like angels 24/7, nor do I want them to be like robots. Fufu. Karate changes with each individual. It changes on the mood and mental condition at the time of practice. That is all natural and part of our training is to control those emotions and face whatever conditions that may be disturbing us. We have the option of reacting negatively or trying to resolve the issues in a positive manner. Budo training provides us the tools to act positively.

So, when kids get into an argument, I have them point their finger at each other and ask "How many are pointing back at you?".  The answer always comes back "3". Then I explain to them whenever they point their finger at someone, they must first ask themselves, "What did I do?" Everything has an action and reaction. I have them take a break and reflect on their own behavior rather than on the other child. It is not easy for children to do that. I know. Fufu. But I try to instill in the children the concept of being responsible for their own actions and behavior, so that when conflict arises, which it does, they will reflect upon themselves.

Hopefully none of the children will ask me about the thumb. (^^) I'll think of something sooner or later!