Budo & Loyalty

Budo & Loyalty

     I recently was made aware of an article from a former student who has excelled to great heights in Karate-do.  At one time he was considered the “golden child” and the one who would carry the torch when I am no longer here.  Unfortunately the article was one that glorified his accomplishments and offered a fabricated tale of his training and karate history.  He made no reference to the truth about his having trained under my hand and starting his Japanese Shotokan training under my guidance nor did he reference his rankings of dan gradings to his current state of 6^th Dan having come from me and my sensei.  He has become somewhat now more of a pain in my side and a black eye in the history of students who have been given their birth and introduction to Japanese Karate-do through my efforts and teachings.

     After speaking with several high ranking friends in the Budo community I have found that this any more is becoming more common place than not and it saddens me because those who are sincere in their efforts are hurt because of their sempai who have cause their sensei to no longer give more than just the common knowledge and certainly not trust the those who would attempt to befriend the sensei. Those who are deserving of their sensei’s teachings and the depth and breath of their knowledge would be held back and have to work extra hard to earn the right to be taught the most treasured secrets.  Loyalty is a serious word and trait that earns great rewards but how can a sensei be sure of a students intent when others have betrayed their trust previously?  It is hard to know who to give your full attention to and who to simply teach standard karate.  It is sad that when a sensei hopes to find that handful of students to which everything can be taught and he/she must hold back know being sure of their actual intent. Finding the trust in that they will be loyal once you have given them the secrets and knowledge is hard.  Loyalty is shown through actions, not words.  Words are easy to say, actions are proof in the pudding!  I reward loyalty but still I am cautious at my age. Sadly I will not be able to pass everything I have learned in the pass 47+ yrs of study until I find that “loyal” few.  I will continue to hold back until then.  Tell me, who can I trust???

Humbly,

Kyoshi

Bushi Matsumura (Karate history)

Sokon 'Bushi' Matsumura

Sokon Matsumura (1792-1887) was the forefather of Shorin Ryu.
Matsumura was recruited into the service of the Sho family (Royal family of Okinawa) and eventually became the chief martial arts instructor and bodyguard for the Okinawan King. At some point in his career, approximately 1830,  he went to China and studied the Shaolin style of Chinese Kenpo (fist method) and weaponry. It is also known that he traveled to Foochow in Fukien province, China on numerous occasions as an envoy for the Okinawan King. After his return from China he organized and refined the Shorin Ryu system of Okinawan Karate.
Matsumura is credited with passing on the kata or formal exercises of Shorin Ryu Karate known as Naifanchi I & II, Bassai Dai, Seisan, Chinto,  Gojushiho (fifty-four steps of the Black Tiger),  Kusanku (the embodiment of Kusanku's teaching as passed on to Tode Sakugawa) and Hakutsuru (white crane). The Hakutsuru kata contains the elements of the white crane system taught within the Shaolin system of Chinese Kenpo. Another set of kata, known as Chanan in Matsumura's time,  is said to have been devised by Matsumura himself and was the basis for Pinan I and II. Matsumura's Ryu has endured to the present day and the above mentioned kata are the core of Shorin Ryu Karate today.
Matsumura was given the title  "Bushi"  meaning warrior by the Okinawan King in recognition of his abilities and accomplishments in the martial arts. In fact,  Matsumura fought many times but was never defeated.  His martial arts endeavors has been the progenitor of many contemporary karate styles, Shorin Ryu,  Shotokan Ryu,  and Shito Ryu,  for example. Ultimately all modern styles of karate that evolved from the Shuri-Te lineage can be traced back to the teachings of Bushi Matsumura. This includes Taekwon Do (Korean Karate).

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Karate-do

    I attended a small KOJF Shiai in Lousiville Ky and sharing a good time with some of my seniors.  Have what I felt was a constructive meeting regarding "Rules of Conduct" that have been set for KOJF that should prevail throughout everyday life as well. 

    I have two senior students take their exam for Nanadan.  The effort was great and performance of waza was good as well.  Both men were in their early sixties which made it even better to watch.  All in all it was a good weekend.
Two weekends prior we had a visit from our Sri Lanka Shibucho chief instructor/representative Mr. Anto Dinesh Sensei and at that time he was awarded his Godan (5th Dan Black Belt).  He is one of our best international representatives and has the strongest of ethics and character befitting a karate instructor of his caliber.

    I believe that we have renewed our intention and resolve to build an even stronger core group in KOJF for the sake of traditional Shotokan Karate-do.  Within a few weeks one of our highest ranking females out of the International Hombu in Ohio, Amy Schwartz with give birth to her first child.  She is a Yondan(4th Dan Black Belt) and assistant instructor at the Hombu, and the editor of the KOJF International Newsletter.  We are all wishing her an easy birth and extremely healthy child.  We look forward to her return to the dojo after much needed time away for the birth of her first child. 

     In the coming furture I have been asked to travel to share my Karate-do knowledge in additional seminars as well as my knowledge of Ryukyu Kobudo.  Look for some future postings related to this.  Please feel free to contact me for any additional information regarding KOJF(Karate of Japan Federation) and the soon to be completed secound book, "The Blueprint of Karate" due to be completed this fall.  Until the next posting, when training use the phrase... "Ganbatte!" 

Humbly yours through karate-do,

Dwight Holley sensei

                       Special Notice!!!!

 

The date of this training has been changed to June 11th (Sat) due to schedule conflicts. This is open to all CSK/KOJF members and non-members. This is a must attend seminar with some high level training. You will not be sorry you attended.
This training will be intense. Bring your hand towel and notebook.

   "Shut up & Train / High level kata"

 

 

 

 

Place: Cincinnati Shotokan Karate-do Dojo(KOJF Hombu)
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Date: June 11th, 2011
Fee: $20
Subject: Advanced Karate/ High Level Kata
Instructor: Dwight Holley, Kyoshi 8th Dan Karate-do

*Bring your hand towel to wipe your sweat and video camera to document your training. All KOJF/CSK black belts are expected to attend. You will not be sorry you attended. This is serious training. This will be one to remember and help you advance your karate skills. Please RSVP due to limited space.

• Contact: cincinnatishotokan@yahoo.com
• Phone: (513) 385 - 4830

Karate publication "Hidden Secrets of Karate" now available~

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Founder U.S. Chito-Ryu

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Ordering Info

Price: $19.99 plus $4 shipping in the U.S.

Cincinnati Shotokan Karate-do
9244 Colerain Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45251
Phone: (513) 385-4830
email: cincinnatishotokan@yahoo.com

Coming to Amazon.com and Borders Online in the near future!

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Special Announcement! 

Shotokan Karate-do Seminar

 Andre Bertel Sensei, 6th Dan from New Zealand!

Date: August 27th & 28th
Location: 10490 Taconic Terrace, Cincinnati, OH 45215-1123
                       (Beautiful large traditional Japanese Karate dojo)
Time:  1st session: 1pm to 2:30pm
            2nd session: 3pm to 5pm
Fee:    1st session:   $50 in advance/$65 at the door
            2nd session: $65 in advance/$75 at the door
(Note: both sessions $99 in advance/$130 at the door)

Hosted by: Karate of Japan Federation, USA Honbu
Dwight Holley, Chief Instructor

* RSVP required due to limited space.  Deposit required of $50 by May 31st to reserve your place.
*Send check, money order or call with credit card information to:
Cincinnati Shotokan Karate-do
9244 Colerain Ave
Cincinnati, OH. 45251
(513) 385-4830
email: cincinnatishotokan@yahoo.com 

Unfortunately New Zealand suffered a very large earthquake over 6 on the ritchtor scale and suffered many casualties.  Sadly they are in the midst of the worst event in recent history of the country. This is important because our friend Andre Bertel Sensei of Asai Ha Shotokan ryu Karate-do lives there and nearly escaped injury with his wife as they were driving along the motorway. We thank God that the news of his safety rings through and hopefully the damage to his family and property I hope is minimal.  I am sure he will further inform everyone in time but they were without power for quite few hours. 

Should he need any assistance I am sure he will reach out to all of us as I have sent an email sharing our concern.  I will try to keep everyone abreast of their progress as I am certain it is available with the news cast.  Our prayers are all with him and his family. Osu!