Sorry, no One Point Lesson this week.

Had to attend wife's awards ceremony tonight. No time to do a video.
奥方の表彰式のためワンポイントレッスンは出来ませんでした！

This week's One Point Lesson (^^)

     Yachiyo was able to finish work in time to make it to practice!! (^^) Tonight we took the opening movements of Saifa aka Saiha from Goju Kai and Kyokushin and compared them. Naturally depending on the movement the application changes.

First, the opening movements of Saiha by Tamura Sensei and Yachiyo

Goju Kai's basic application of the movement by Tamura Sensei.

Kyokushin applicaiton by Yachiyo

     One of the important things we all learn from doing the applications of the Katas are that depending on the angle, positioning and opponent's attack, the movement may not work as planned. (^^) It is imperative in your training to try out the various angles and attacks and see if the movement is applicable. Just a change in grip can greatly affect the waza/technique.

     Also remember to include non-complaint drills to the movements so that we do not get fooled with our own effectiveness of the waza. Compliant drills have its purpose and is an important step in learning the waza and application of movements and should not be left out of the training program.

Side kick drill

       It is important that this drill is done slowly so that you can work on your balance, muscle control and accuracy of your side kick. The same drill can be done with all othe kicks. Caution: when you do the applicaton of the side kick defense against the gedan mawashi, be rest assured your thighs will be hurting from the impact. Be prepared for the pain. Aginst a high mawashigeria side kick to the stomach is effective.

A good speed reaction drill also. The key is to counter when the attacker raises his knee to chamber.

Have fun training! OSU!

This week's One Point Lessons (^^)

      I fired Yachi as photographer after last week's debacle. (^^) Lesson learned. Don't let someone else do things you can do yourself. Gahahahaha
     The first OPL is directed towards beginners. It is a Ido Drill using Shikodachi and Zenkutsu dachi. The primary focus is in the hip movement. Of course other Kihon movements such as Hikite and proper alignment of the stance is also emphasized. Mahalo to Sensei Tamura and his student Rei for their assistance.

    The second OPL is for advanced Students. Tamura Sensei performs Shisochin. The basic Bunkai from the Kata is the elbow joint break. It is done in the tradaitional (classical) format as well as in Shinzentai format drill.  Included at the end of the video is a basic use of Koken aka Chicken Beak against a thrust and wrist grab.

         Please remember that there are other applications for the waza. The important thing to think about is "why Shikodachi and the dropping of the hips" and also "why go forward" in reacting to an attack. By undestanding the "whys" I believe it makes your Kata better and not as Oyama Sosai used to say "a dance".

The Myth of Kihon 基本幻論 (Tongue in cheek version)

   

The other day Tamura Sensei and I were discussing competition karate and how it really doesn't resemble any of the kihons and most of time goes against the grain of theories espoused in kihon. Then what is Kihon?  A classic example is the Zenkutudachi, we are taught from the beginning the the rear heel has to be flat on the ground, Don't raise the heel, you'll lose the power and tension for propelling yourself forward.
Hmmmm. Then in the shiais, what do we see? A lot of bouncing around and heels off the ground. What gives? (^^)  How many fighters do we see in Full Contact fight in zenkutudachi? Why bother with Zenkutudachi, except for Kata purposes? Why not do kihon in kumitedachi? What is the purpose of teaching certain methdology only to throw it out the window when it comes to fighting? Builds up power, balance,etc.? Isn't it quicker with High Impact Interval training and other types of modern sports training? Hmmmmm.
    The partial conclusion we came upon was that kihon and competition karate are two separate animals.
An interesting article was in the July issue of  JKF magazine. The current Kata champs are Italians (team and individual). They DO NOT DO Kihon as we know it. NO stationary Kihon, NO Ido Kihon! They go straight into movement activities, not necessarily "pure karate" movements. Then into Kata and even then they skip the Heian series completely!  What happened to the theory that Kihon was the base for Karate, the progression of Sonoba Kihon, Ido Kihon, Kata and Kumite? Is the traditional way of doing Kihon unnecessary? The Italians clearly separated classical karate with competitive karate. According to the article the Italians do honor and follow the traditional karate values as well. So its not like they threw everything aside for competition's sake.
      I can also say that we are taught that the traditional methods build up the strong base required to move up the ladder so to speak and perhaps it is true. At least I have been brought up with that thought. Do I think different now? Hmmmm.  (- -) Should I change the kihon curriculum to Kumite Dachi and concentrate on the jab, cross, hook and upper cut much like Daidojuku aka Kudo? I can still teach the use of the hips and shifting of the body weight so that it adds power to the punches.  I can teach kicks from the the kumite dachi as well, why waste time in the traditional Kyokushin style of holding the belt at the side or front? Now, rest assured, there is a theory behind holding the belt during kihon. But if I were to follow the Italians footsteps, why bother? Now we must also remember the article was just a small part of their training and it is based on competition.
      I have a long Judo background. What is Judo Kihon? Kuzushi, Tsukuri, Kake and Nage. Most Judo programs progress from Uchikomi, Nagekomi to Randori (Sparring, for lack of a better word) In all phases, the actual movements of the throws are done. In  my opinion, there in lies the difference in Karate Kihon and Judo. Whether it is in a Shiai or Kihon the basic movement and applications are the same. Sure there a variations but the basic theories of Kuzushi, Tsukuri, Kake and Nage remains in the application. At least not as different as in Karate.  So being a Devil's advocate, why isn't Karate the same? I know I am over simplifying the issues here. (^^) One reason I can think of is that in Judo you are always, aside from grip battles, hanging on to your opponent. You have constant contact so the applications do not change when executing waza. I hope that the readers get a feel for what I am writing. 
   Now the big question.  Am I going to change Kimura Dojo's training methodology? I doubt it. I like the way I do things right now. I may borrow some ideas to keep the training varied. But the traditional kihon will stay. After all, it has served me well all these years. (^^)



Judo's Uchikomi Practice


Enjoy some good Competition!

I would guess that Karate's Yakusoku Ippon Kumite would be the closest to Judo's uchikomi.In the sense that the Uke does not resist.

Some hard hitting competition.

How did you learn Kyokushin Kanku Kata?

Konnichiwa Roshiichi:

I have been working on the Kyokushin version of Kanku. My question was about the hand that does the kake uke towards the end of the Kyokushin Kanku kata. Is the kake uke done with the same hand or the opposite hand that is doing the yon nukite? I learned it with the opposite hand. Although I have also noticed a couple of other small differences, in other versions of kanku. For example the number of moroashi dachi/shuto gedan berai, might also call them age ushiro geri/shuto gedan berai moves that are done? I learned the kata with 3 steps up, 3 down. I know that the kata came from the Shotokan Kanku dai kata, but I have to say that the Kyokushin version is far from its parent kata. What would Funakoshi, Sensei and Oyama, Sosai say?

I have seen 3 steps up 3 steps down, opposite hand for yon nukite.

(Mastushima, Shihan) IKO Mastushima.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAJH_I5LWEA

I´ve seen 3 up, 4 down, same hand for yon nukite IKO1 (Matsui, Shihan) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QztMXiUtuF8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mw6hZcz5B0&feature=related

and 4 up, 4 down, opposite hand http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=U5YCzl7Ip_g WKO Shin Kyokushin (Midori, Shihan)

Post Training in New York

Suki and I were at my sister's home this weekend after training. Many of the kids and Ladies from bootcamp were there. It was a great time...The way of Jita Kyoei showed strong and true this month in New York. Together we morned the lost of a great friend, and we learned of new challenges to your training. We also have gained three new members. Through it all there was each other, and still a better understanding of "mutual welfare and benefit". I often train with something from my time in Hawaii, and today it was the shirt that Suki is covering.

I have been working on Kyokushin's Kanku dai Kata for about three weeks personally, and in Vermont we learned a kata new to me called Sushi no Kon kata, we are studing the Matayoshi school of Kobudo. I sure am a white belt in Kobudo. If you are interested, there is a nice website for: Matayoshi Kobudo.

Gomen nasai! No One Point this weekend (**#)

Tamura Sensei and I did an awesome performance tonight. Definitely an Oscar winner for Best Documentary. Alas, the photographer pushed the wrong button and all that was recorded was the conversation that took place after the demonstration! So sorry!  Now it is time for some domestic discussion.

田村先生と二人で最高の演技を今夜した。絶対にドキュメント部門でオスカー物。

しかし、しかしである、録画担当が作動を間違えたので録画せきたのは演舞後の会話だけ。誠にすみません。これから夫婦会議。。。。。。。

Me: Whachha mean the button was green! Red is Record!!!
僕：なにがボタンが緑だっただよ！赤が録画だろうが！！

Wife: Green is always "Go" and Red is always "Stop"! Not my fault the video camera is backwards!

妻：緑はいつも「ゴー」で赤はいつも「止まれ」 でしょう！カメラが逆なのは私のせいじゃないわよ！

Me: How about a roundhouse kick into your noggin! Eh!

僕：何ー！！上段回し蹴りでも叩き込もうか！おら！

Wife: Fufu. How can you say that!You can't lift your leg that high!

妻：ふふ。足上がらないのによく言うわ！

Me: ..............................................................

僕：。。。。。。。。。。。

GOOD NIGHT! OSU!