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.

When challenged Kyokushin does not show his back (Oyama Sousai)

こら！いい加減にせーや！喧嘩売ってるんかい！

     My wife, Yachiyo works in a very competitive world of property sales involving Japanese clients.  As anyone knows it is a world of " No sales, Out the door." On top of that, the sales division is paid solely on commission with no hourly wages. Once again, "No sales, No income."  On the average,  she goes to work by 0700 and returns at 1900 for a 12 hour work day. From my point of view,  sales demands considerable mental strength as you deal with a variety of clients. Some are great, come act as though they are bonafide Yakuza!
妻のやちよは競争が激しい日本人をクライアントにしている不動産ぎょうであり。誰でも知っているようにこの業界は「売れなければクビ」の世界である。その上にセールス部門はコミッシイオン制で「売れなければ収入ゼロ」で時給は無い。平均朝七時に仕事場に行き、帰宅は夜の七時。１２時間勤務である。自分の視点からではセールス業様々なクライアントを扱うのでメンタルの力を大分要求あれれる。良いクライアントもいれば、ヤクザになりきっているのもいる。
     I think mental fatigue/stress is harder to recover than from physical fatigue/stress. But work is not done when I pick her up at her office in the evening. Once home, she hits the PC and phone emailing and talking to  her clients. Due to the time difference, to catch a client in Japan at a reasonable hour, requires her to make the call past midnight Hawaii time. This makes it early evening Japan time. It is a demanding job even  without co-workers attempts to mess with and obstruct her sales efforts. I truly believe her Karate training has made her tough enough  to live such crazy hours!
メンタルの疲れとストレスは肉体の疲れとストレスよる回復が’難しい。彼女の場合帰宅しても仕事は続く。帰宅して直ぐにPC や電話で日本に居るクライアントと連絡がある。時差があるので日本との電話は真夜中過ぎでないとクライアントに都合の良い時間にならない。日本の夕方早くになる。それでなくても大変な仕事だ。それにの関わらず同業者からの妨害や嫌がらせはキツイ。
空手のおかげで彼女はそのような苦労を乗り越えている。
     Yachiyo has always been at the top or top 3 in Sales and Marketing.  Her awards overfill the living room. Naturally, there are those who are not happy with that. Some actually connive and try to drag her down. They have all failed as her sales record speaks for its self. She has always been the epitome of Budo principles in dealing with such underhanded actions by spiteful co-workers. Like water, she has successfully diverted any head to head conflicts, like the pine tree she is rooted solid in her work ethics and skills and stands strong against the storms cast against her. Budo, to stop conflict. I can truly say she has done that.
やちよは常にセールズやマーケチングではトップ又上位に入っている。リビングルームには数え切れない褒章の盾などがある。そのなか、彼女の実績を良く思わない同業者がいる。彼はは実際いろいろな嫌がらせで彼女を引きずりおろそうとする。全部失敗に終わっている。なぜなら彼女の’実績があるからだ。それに彼女は武道で習った精神と心構えがある。水のように上手く流したり、松の木みたいに根をしっかり作りどんな煽りにでも自分の仕事に対する道徳と技術で不動のままでいる。武道は戦いを止める。彼女はすれが出来る。
     However, as Oyama Sosai once stated, "Kyokushin wa urareta kenka ni senaka wo misenai" Kyokushin does not show his back when challenged. Of course, Oyama Sosai also stipulated that if at all possible try to settle the differences peacefully. A recent incident has made me step in and advise Yachiyo not to hold back but to counterattack 10 fold. I felt that "enough was enough" and now it was time to take action.
しかしである、大山総裁が言われたように「極真は売られた喧嘩には背中を見せぬ」もある。
無論、大山総裁は出来れば無闇な戦いをせずに穏便に収めるとも言っている。つい最近起きた件で自分はやちよに耐えずに反撃する事をアドバイスした。もう「いいかげんにしろ！」の枠を超えて攻撃のみと自分は判断したからである。
Of course, in the end,  it will be up to the company's Human Resources to officially take action. But at least Yachiyo will have gotten her "licks in" and I can guarantee her attacks are accurate and  painful. (^^)
最終的には会社の人事部が正式に行動をとるのだが。まー１０発も仕返しができればいいとおもっう。彼女の攻撃は的確で痛い事は自分が保障する。
     The point of this entry is "When do you take off the gloves?" When do you stop bearing the unbearable?
When do you stop suffering the pain? It is relatively simple when it comes to physical violence, you do not need to ponder. You react in the most efficient manner to protect yourself , your friends and your loved ones.
You do this with the "Use of Force Pyramid" ingrained in your mind. Appropriate level of response. But how do you deal with non physical harassment such as Yachiyo has been subjected to? Yes, there are rules and parameters set out by HR for such things. But HR is not the one at the receiving end.
今回のブログのポイントは「何時立ち向かうのいか？」「何時絶えるのをやめるのか？」「何時痛みをこらえるのを止めるにか」肉体暴力に関しては簡単である。直ぐに対応する。一番てきした方法で自分や家族、友人を守る。適切なレベルで対応する。しかし非違肉体暴力はどうなのだろう。無論人事部に元ずく規則や方針はある。しかし、受けているのは本人であって人事部ではない。
     Now, I ponder if I gave Yachiyo the right advice. (**:) Well it just shows my Shugyo is not complete.
I kinda feel sorry for her antagonists though, they really don't know that they have done. As Admiral Yamamoto stated after the attack on Pearl Harbor, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."
今になってやちよに適切なアドバイスをしたのかと考える。自分の修行が足りないのを痛感する。
但し相手がかわいそうである。ふふ。真珠湾攻撃に関して、山本五十六元帥が言った「われわれは眠っている巨人を起こし、恐ろしい程の決意を持たせた」だと思う。

Message in Hagakure (RTK interpretation)

葉隠 Hagakure

名人も人なり、われも人なり、いかで劣るべき


This proverb can be found in “Hagakure” which some refer to as the “Bible” of the samurai.

Hagakure, 葉隱, which is often referred to as the “Bible” for the samurai or warrior, is a collection of commentaries by Yamamoto Tsunemoto (, June 11 1659 - November 30, 1719) of the Nabeshima Han (clan) which is now Saga Prefecture.

As usual, I will interpret this proverb in my own simple thinking. Scholars may not agree to my interpretation. It would behoove the readers to read Hagakure for themselves and to come to their own understanding. I believe in the saying “ 十人十色”　Ten people, ten colors. We will always have different interpretations. What is important is that we retain the tolerance and ability to understand each other’s interpretations. After all, some think that Blue Cheese is great while others get sick just thinking about it. (^^)

Back to the proverb. In any confrontation it is only natural to think that the person with superior skills and mental training will be the victor. Not only in combat, but in any other crisis situation, internal or external. So what makes the difference between overcoming a situation  and being overcome by the situation? Is superior training the only key?  In actual combat or serious situations, when faced with “real” dangers what makes the difference in life or death? I believe it is the innate spirit that dwells in each and every one of us to overcome adversity. Whether it be Sensei, Senpai, CEO, Special Agent in Charge or the local Hell's Angels rep, we are all human (人間).  What makes a difference is the “spirit” or "driving spirit" 気迫 kihhaku with which we confront our adversities or take on our missions or tasking.
"Dam the torpedoes, full speed ahead!!"

I think this is what “Meijin mo hitonari, waremo Hito nari, ikade otosubeki” is conveying.

Neko chan Ganbatte! You can do it!!

猫ちゃん　頑張って！やればできる！！

Quick pictures from New York

Roushiichi, Just took a shot out the door hear at home, want to show you the snow we have got in New York, that little black dot in the middle of the picture to the left is my mail box, the post if 5 ft. and its 1 degree as I am writing you...

The second photo is from our Kagami Biraki, Kevin, Sensei has typical look on his face, when I set out the mochi...Jen and I made Ichigo daifuku, Mochi with anko....then Jen found a new daifuku, its call peanut butter cup daifuku. Its kind of East meets West...but she tells me she found this daifuku in Bubishi under "medicinal cures"....Told her I would ask the master if He had ever heard of it...(^^)