The Shinken Dojo 真 剣 道 場

One of my favourite Japanese proverbs is “Seven times down, Eight times up” or “Fall (Get Knocked Down) Seven times, stand up (Get back Up) Eight”. Personally, I feel that this saying not only epitomises the teachings of Karate and Budo but life too, because at times of struggle and hardship no matter how difficult things are a more positive way of thinking is crucially important for coming back from adversity. This being the case, whilst in Okinawa, Japan during the Autumn of 2013 the renowned Karate Sensei and calligrapher Tetsuhiro Hokama Sensei when he asked me what I wished for him to brush scroll for me. These words were chosen not cheaply or randomly, but for very good reason and with deep meaning so that they could hang at the front of my Dojo wall for all who enter to be constantly reminded of their value. This saying also acts as a reminder of words that my father would often say to me. He used to say “Where there is a will, there is a way” and also “Anyone […]

As a Karate Ka in search of the depths of Budo we naturally cross the paths of the other Martial Arts that have risen from Japan. Be this to seek further knowledge or guidance specifically or merely just as an observer our Budo paths will most certainly cross. Generically speaking of the other Arts, be it Judo, Ju Jutsu, Kendo or Aikido we rarely think of them or speak in terms of style… Yes, maybe a teachers lineage or specific back ground is spoken of but that’s a different thing all together. We tend to think of say Aikido as Aikido not in terms of styles. However, with Karate these days it either seems to be all about the style that one practises, or Karate Ka going on about having no style or system at all, when in reality just like when we look at the other Arts our focus and basis of training should be on the teacher and the quality of training or teachings that we are studying and is taking place within the Dojo. “We must not […]

The most powerful weapon that we have as human beings is the brain. For many though within the Martial Arts the mind actually becomes detrimental to ones understanding, study and progression. Why? Well as humans we often tend to think that we know best or come to conclusions very quickly without researching subjects or seeking out the facts. In many ways Sigmund Freud and then others like Abraham kind of came to the conclusion that we are all psycho analysts by nature, and as a practising Karate Ka I see this clearly on a daily basis. A problem is we ALL instantly absorb information regardless of where it is received, and then we start to come to a self conclusion, and shall I say at times belief. You only have to watch the news channels on television that are full of propaganda whilst being rife with bias to know this to be true. And… Yes the Martial Arts are just the same, or full of Kuchi Bushi as they say in Okinawa, with most, but not all, of the bull […]

組手 Kumi Te or the meeting of hands is in many ways a more modern interpretation of an old Okinawan training practise called Ti Gumi (Te Kumi) the characters have been reversed and for many the characteristics have changed too. What I have noticed over the years is that very few Karate Ka in the West fully understand the basis of the teachings of Kumite in a way that they tend to in the East. Many Karate Ka just see Kumite as sparring, I’d say free fighting but much of that to be seen these days is far from anything to do with fighting. Most may practise the fundamental Kumite’s too, like Ippon, Sanbon, Gohon, however many still do them all with the same feeling, body dynamics and timing, regardless of believing or saying otherwise, the only main difference really is in the numbering or stepping. Or, everything is about blocking and countering. Now don’t see this as a critique of these Kumite drills, as I actually endorse them as they have many benefits. A workman shouldn’t be blaming his […]

Having now set foot back in England I am reflecting on my recent time and experiences on the island of Okinawa. Even though I already had plans to visit Okinawa again this coming November with some of my students over here in the U.K. Many may wonder then why I made a last minute decision to jump on an aeroplane and make the 12,000 mile round trip. Yes the flight prices and accommodation were cheaper than ever, plus I was owed a vacation. The answer though is a simple one; To spend time with my Sensei… The true Karate of Okinawa is based on a close teacher to student relationship; a mutual bond that is based on loyalty, honour and respect. This is a lesson that I learned many many years ago, in that to truly understand any art, be it Karate Judo or whatever, this closeness and personal guidance is paramount. My father always used to say to me that if it wasn’t possible to become close to a Teacher/Sensei, then seek out another teacher. Also, that one must […]

An area of Karate that has always raised debate is the effectiveness of Kata through studying possible applications, the naming is irrelevant regardless of if people call things Imi, Oyo or Bunkai. For most Karate Ka there are two schools of thought, whereby some Karate Ka will do their applications whilst firmly keeping the form that the kata dictates, others will totally deviate from the form or techniques of the Kata to make things work, sometimes to the point that the Kata teachings or moves are totally unrecognisable, at times resembling a scrappy mess. Generally speaking I don’t fully agree with or use either of these approaches when it comes to Kata effectiveness. In the work Budo Masters “Paths to a Far Mountain” by Michael Clarke.  Eichi Miyazato Sensei a direct student of Chojun Miyagi raises a few points that many Karate Ka seem to be unaware of or if they are aware then they certainly seem to disregard something of major importance to their study. “I want to warn people not to get the two things mixed up; kata […]

Regardless of our differing approaches, experiences and viewpoints on Karate, the art has so many valuable lessons to offer us all. But… Only if we have the humility to take them on board. I have had a few people of late asking me my thoughts on different teachers, schools and their training methods. Why this is I am little unsure as in truth I prefer to just concentrate on my own Karate, maybe they presume that I am going to be critical of a Karate that is different to my own or whose basis isn’t traditional or modelled on that of Okinawa or Japan. Whereby in reality nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, I am a firm believer in that “Good Karate is Good Karate”, regardless of school or style. “If you live a good life and be a nice person, you will also attract and become surrounded by nice people also”. Meitoku Yagi Karate as an art has many elements to it, some of which have travelled well, others not so, other parts have been modified to […]

I woke up this morning realising that my body was feeling the demands from last nights training session. In truth I smiled to myself as I realised that after all these years of training in the Martial Arts I’m still experiencing that same old feelings that I first did. Even though I had entered the Dojo with just a handful of personal students yesterday evening, and being their Sensei it was my job to guide them, I do not enter the Dojo to make the numbers up or to just give out orders! Yes of course there are spells when I correct and look over students. If students practise Kata, then I practise Kata! If students practise Kumite, then I practise Kumite! However, if I’m there to lead them, then lead them by example and from the front I will. “Karate is about training, but many forget”. Brian Hinchliffe Sensei One of the things that differentiates the Dojos of Okinawa compared to those in the West is the number of seniors who are in the Dojo training regularly. Yes, training […]

I started my training as a youngster in the rough and tumble art of Judo under the tutelage of my father. I also had my grandfather and uncles teaching me the family tradition of fist fighting, or shall I say the not so fun joys of the good old days. Then over the years and decades my direction in the Martial Arts naturally changed and evolved. I took up Japanese Karate in my early teens whilst going on to study the more authentic Okinawan ways of practising Karate. The details and the training that I have done and presently do though is of little importance to others really. The point I am making is this… Even though my training over the years has been very demanding physically and most certainly differing from art to art, I am of the firm belief that the biggest tests and challenge that a Karate Ka or Martial Artist will ever face is not a physical one, but a mental one. I have never in all my years of training come across anyone who is […]

There seems to be a lack of respect or appreciation these days for past Teachers or Sensei that have taught or guided people along the way. If someone has been your Sensei or Mentor for a period of time then one should be grateful! Even though my training in the Martial Arts has inevitably changed over the years, I am as deeply appreciative and respectful as ever for the teachings that I have received from each and every one of my Sensei. The many lessons in both Budo and life that I have learned from each of them and the precious time and teachings that they have so selflessly shared with me has been invaluable, and I will always be thankful and in debt to them. I don’t throw the term Sensei around lightly either like some do, no I don’t. I would say that unless you’ve been a close inner student of a Teacher for anything less than say five years, then they are not really your Sensei. Also, to call a Martial Artist or Karate Ka a Sensei […]