The Shinken Dojo 真 剣 道 場

Much has been written about the similarities and may I say differences between Traditional Karate and Competition Karate, at times they can even overlap. Most of the time though it is all down to just a few basic factors. Depth of understanding and one’s approach to their Karate training, and most importantly of all, mindset. I like the way that in this clip Meitestsu Yagi Sensei tries to make a clear honest distinction between the two. Thus by showing how even members of his own Dojo and family can at times train in Kata with a totally different purpose and differing emphasis in mind. Personally, at times I feel that Karate Ka can hide behind the practices of either way. Doing a Karate that is poorly understood and rough technically isn’t an excuse for saying it’s Traditional Karate, no more […]

Anyone who has trained seriously in Karate for a number of years, or even decades, will naturally make observations. Personally, I feel that generally there is a difference between Okinawan and Western Karate Ka if physical and technical differences are put to one side. I would say that most Okinawan Karate Ka tend to be more modest and humbler, there by talking their Karate training down, this in comparison to many long standing Westerners who often tend to talk their Karate up. To expand on this a little further I will re live just a few of the many situations whereby I have experienced Karate humility on Okinawa. The original Dojo wooden plaque or Kanban stood at the entrance of Senaha Sensei’s Dojo in Tomigusuku for around 30 years (As in the photo above alongside a young Senaha Sensei). This […]

Whilst in Okinawa last year I managed to visit a few other Dojo whereby I would be respectful courteous and quietly observe with interest. Those that may wonder why I did not turn up with my gi to train are not familiar with being an inner student of a Sensei on Okinawa and the protocols it contains. Plus, I was training once if not twice a day anyway, so my body and brain was already being fried for sure. Regardless, I still met some wonderful Karate Ka and learned much from observing too. One of the Dojo that I visited was the Meibukan of the late Meitoku Yagi Sensei that is located in the Kume district. Training is now headed by his two sons. As in Meitatsu and Meitetsu, with each heading their own group of students by teaching on […]

I’ve seen much written on social media of late regarding the inheritor of the Goju Ryu Karate system of Chojun Miyagi Sensei. There have been friendly discussions, posting of supposed proof to support ones favour, disagreements, and even debates to the point of people falling out. In many cases though people look at things from how they wish to see them, from the setting of their own personal experiences, or they are a little biased to the point of being blinkered. Which is fair enough I suppose. However, if you look at the grey rainy sky for long enough it will change into being blue sunny and more to our liking. But is the sunshine of today the true sky of yesterday… The thing with Karate is that you can have the best Sensei and lineage in the world, but […]

I read an article recently by Victor Lopez Sensei titled “Practice and Shut Up”. A great heading for sure and these are sentiments that I strongly share. What surprised me a little was that the article was not centered around people’s lack of training but on varying aspects of Japanese Budo and the depths of understanding that can be achieved through training in Karate regularly. Lopez Sensei had no need to say anything about the heading at all, it is a case of you will either be practicing regularly and consistently to achieve these levels of understanding, or you will not. If you wish to talk good Karate then do just that. However, there are few circumstances where by we personally gain anything by talking. With Karate it is quite simple, all you have to do is shut up, stop […]

I’ve seen much Kata over the years, in most cases though something doesn’t seem quite right. Regardless of style or system practiced, how precise the Kata looks or even how many deadly application the Karate Ka may know. If there is no true feeling or depth of understanding then all is pretty much useless. Yes different Dojo will have their own ways of doing things, but often people will hide behind this just as they do having trained for many years, holding a high grade or making claim to lineage. Imitation and talking things up won’t get you anywhere regardless of who one is able to convince. A Sensei with a true understanding of Kata will be feeling it and living it, as there is so much going on that they will be thinking about through out each Kata that […]

Around 25 years or so ago I read a book that has probably had more influence on my Karate than any other that I have read prior or since, and I’ve read hundreds. What may be surprising to many is that this book not only has no relationship to Karate, but I wasn’t really into what was being depicted either. The book was written by a bodybuilder, as in the six times Mr Olympia Dorian Yates. My curiosity in the book at the time was varied. Firstly, I was interested to learn how to get into the best physical condition possible to enhance my Karate, even though I had no desire to be or look like a body builder. Secondly, how did this normal guy from Birmingham in England go on to become the best in the world at what […]

The Kyudokan Dojo of Minoru Higa Sensei is situated in the Makishi District of Naha. It can be a little difficult to find at first even with directions, as just like many of the Dojo on Okinawa it is hidden away amongst the alley ways of family homes. What I always found of interest is that the Dojo’s of two of the most well known teachers on Okinawa of differing schools, as in Minoru Higa Sensei and Morio Higaonna Sensei. Are both within a two minute walk and street of each other, to the point that many Karate Ka would probably unknowingly pass one Dojo whilst visiting the other. In many ways this quiet unknowingness is a characteristic of the true Karate teaching ways of Okinawa. Even though many Goju Ryu exponents will see the Shorin Ryu Kyudokan way for […]

Conversations with Senaha Sensei have recently been featured in the Ryu Kyu Shinbun (Okinawa Newspaper). I’m sharing parts of it here as it may be of historical interest, plus there are many fine words of advice spoken. Senaha Shigetoshi Sensei (79 Years Old) was a longtime student of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Master Meitoku Yagi Sensei (1912 – 2003) who was an intangible cultural heritage of Okinawa. “A mans word must be kept to the end” Ikigai means commitment or an oath. I learned this value from Meitoku Yagi Sensei when I was around 19 years old, whereby a verbal promise made by a man should be the same as a formal contract. You should always keep your word and keep your promise! After training Sensei would seat everyone in a circle in the Dojo and begin discussions. This taught […]

A Sensei of Karate who has practiced, refined and taught their Karate for many years… What would they/you actually leave behind as their/your legacy!? 1. Students that trained with you during your initial early years of teaching.2. Students that trained with you during the later years.3. Students that were of varying levels of understanding and ability in different areas of Karate training.4. Students that were of varying ages and maturity.5. Students that trained with you regularly over many years.6. Students that trained with you irregularly over many years.7. Students that go on to teach your teachings to the letter exactly.8. Students that go on to develop and expand on your teaching methods.9. Students that pass your teachings on at a much lower level of understanding.10. Students that take your teachings off into a totally different direction to your ideas and […]