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Vol.11

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

FROM THE EDITOR

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

MEMBER PROFILESAngelo Bonanno

Bud MorganSimon Buck

Paco Cayuela

SHIBUCHO REPORTSEuropeU.S.A.Africa

Malaysia

DR. JIM’S CASEBOOKChronic knee Pain

CLUB ACTIVITIESUK Yudansha Gradings.

RokudanWorkshop in Malaysia

TOPICS OF INTERESTThe Ritual of Martial perf.

ISKK PatchGusukuma ShinpanKarate and Crime

Value of Kata

ISKK EVENTS5th Euro SeminarAfrica Workshop

Michigan Workshop2009 Challenge

From the Editor:

Welcome to the 11th issue of the International Seito Karate Kenkyukai Newsletter.

This newsletter is a little late due to a number of demands on my time but at least it is now done. I hope you enjoy it and a big thank you to those who have taken the time to submit articles.

Malcolm BatesEditor

March 2009

Forthcoming Events:

To be scheduled:5th ISKK Euro Seminar

1st Africa Seminar, see details in newsletter.

3rd Michigan Seminar

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Member Profiles

Member Profile Update

By Angelo Bonanno

Born in January/07/1978. Resident in Italy.School teacher of physical education and personal trainer.

I started with Shotokan ryu in 1990, with FIJLKAM (in my city Vibo Valentia), reaching the level of blue belt after three years.From 1993 to 1997 I practiced Kickboxing, with AGKAI (in Vibo Valentia) until the acquisition of the degree black belt 2nd Dan.From 1992 to 1998 I practiced Goju ryu, with AGKAI (in Vibo Valentia) until the acquisition of the degree black belt 2nd Dan.From 1998 to 2003 I practiced Karate Kyokushin Seito (in Lamezia), until the acquisition of degree black belt 4thDan in Seito Karate by Sensei Akahito Hiroku (KKS).In 1996 I was Calabria vice-champion of Semi-contact.In 1997 I was Calabria vice-champion of Semi-contact.In 1997 I was Calabria champion of Kyokushinkai.In 1998 I was South Italy champion of GoJu ryu, specialty kata/black belt.In 1998/1999 I have completed military service in Carabinieri, where I attended a course of "Self defence and technical disarmament".

From 1999 to 2000 I have also practiced Shaolin Chin na (in Catanzaro).In 2000 I became instructor of Shorinji ryu Jujitsu with BAI, and responsible for Calabria of BAI/now branch ofNishihara Cho Honbu Dojo Okinawa & Nippon Koden Fuushi Musoukai, until 2006.In 2003 I became Instructor of Matsumura Shorin Ryu Karate with BAI.Since 2001-2005 I practical Unlimited defence system, with BAI.Since 2001-2005 I practice Iaido and Yang Tai Chi Chuan, with BAI.In 2007 I finished codification of my self defence method, called Taigishin Budo.In 2007 I complete my program of Seito Karate, and in 2009 the International Budo Association issue me degreeblack belt 6th Dan (also recognized by Zanshin Martial Arts International Group and the Anglo TraditionalKarate Association).In 2009 I’m recognized Yudanshakai Member of International Seito Karate Kenkyukai.In 2009 International Combat Karate Union recognize my degree black belt 6th Dan in Seito Karate.In 2009 International Martial Arts Founders Union issue me title Shihan of Taigishinkai Karate.

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Member Profile By Bud Morgan

As of today's writing, this journey has now passed thirty-six years. It has carried me from my childhood into my mid-fifties to date, and I have never loved it more. It has been an interesting journey, filled with the experiences of martial arts from the countries of China, Korea, Okinawa, Guam, Japan, Europe, and America. My parents were a career Military

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family, and I myself joined the US Military upon graduation from High School in 1974. In a large part, this played a heavy influence on how and who I was taught by, and how I trained in the martial arts. At many times I found myself studying alone, or with one or two other's who were also trying to seriously learn karate.

My father was an amateur boxer in his teens and twenties, and spent time boxing for the Army Air Corp, and the US Air Force. He was twenty seven when I was born, and from the time I could stand he played boxing with me, encouraged me to learn fighting skills, including wrestling, and finally introduced me to Sensei Ron Powell at the Little Rock Air Force Base Judo Club around 1972. During this period, and prior to my enlistment in June of 1974, I studied Kodokan Judo at the Base Gym, and Korean Kong Soo Do Karate at the Enlisted Men's Club. Sensei Powell had lived for many years in Japan serving in the Air Force, and had studied at the Kodokan for many years. He sponsored a Japanese exchange student by the name of Akira Tachibana (also a Kodokan Black Belt), who introduced us to Goju-ryu Karate at the Jacksonville Recreation Center during his stay in America. I received my Yellow Belts in Judo and Goju-ryu. The class where we trained Kong Soo Do, was a class for adults, although there were always two or three other teens present during my time there. They allowed us to train with them, though we were told to stay quiet, do what we were told, and to stay out of the way of the adults. They trained very hard, fought very hard, and during most classes someone, if not everyone would bleed. I will never forget that, or the fact that when class ended they all hugged, and proclaimed proudly of their wounds and cuts, with true friendship. They still did not speak much to us, but it was unforgettable none the less. They did not issue rank to kids, and that was fine, as we were just happy to be there.

In June of 1974, I found myself at Ft Polk, Louisiana. There I was to undergo 16 weeks of Basic and Advanced Infantry Training. Within the first week there I was made a squad leader, and met a former Korean ROK soldier, and Tae Kwon Do man by the name of Se Chong Lee, who was a 3rd dan, and one of my squad members. For the next sixteen weeks we trained together along with his brother Han, a fourth dan, and another soldier Kyung Pak, who were also stationed at Ft Polk. When we were to depart ways, him going to California and me heading to Ft Benning for Airborne Training, he presented me with a green belt. In December 1974 I was stationed at Ft Bragg, North Carolina and the 82nd Airborne Division. Quickly locating the available karate men in our 1st Battalion area, we began studying with each other. Around 1976 General Emerson's movement toward the Army's Tae Kwon Do training program started and Jon Petry and myself began teaching for Charlie Company 1/325 Airborne Infantry. In 1977, I married Janet Marie (Takeda) Shellcrosslee, a Japanese/American Army Dependent, whose father was retired from the Special Forces at Ft Bragg.

I left the Army in 1978, and trained on my own or with friends whenever possible for the next four years. I met Juan Agoun,

another soldier in the 82nd, a Black Belt in Kempo, and an expert in Shaolin-Five Animals Kung Fu. He was trained by his father and grandfather, and was probably the hardest hitting and kicking individual I have ever met. A few weeks after I began training with him, he gave me a Brown Belt, stating that I was not a Green Belt by his standard, but further along than that. On 12 September 1983, I was tested and awarded the Sho-dan in Shojukai Kempo.

In 1984 I moved back to Arkansas, and tried a brief stint with the ATA Tae Kwon Do Association, before meeting a local Sheriff's Deputy named Scott Parr, a Hapkido Black Belt 1st dan. In January 1988 we formed a partnership and founded the Ki Do Kwan School of Tae Kwon Do, a few miles from the Air Force Base. I was recruited by a Little Rock, Arkansas 4th Dan, Dwayne Hodges, also a Sheriff's Deputy, to join the USA-Korean Karate Association. We affiliated our school with them and I tested for my 2nd Dan, and received my Diploma on the 6th of August, 1988.

During this time, I was able to meet many martial artists, as my school competed in the Arkansas Karate Circuit, as well as other open tournaments. Our hard training paid off, and the school won many awards, including six State Championships. My dream to learn Japanese Karate was made available by meeting one of the founders of the Arkansas Karate Circuit, Sensei Pete Rouse, a Shotokan Black Belt. Sensei Rouse owned the Karate Supply store in Little Rock where I bought most of my supplies, and we quickly became good friends. Both of us would end up serving the County Sheriff as Deputies for many years as Defensive Tactics Instructors, and I would end up serving with Sensei Rouse, who was the Special Response Team Commander.

From 1992-1994, I privately studied Shotokan Karate, although I was still teaching Korean Karate. On 12-12-1994 I was conversion/promoted to 3rd Dan Shotokan-style Karate-do, and I closed the Ki Do Kwan School (leaving my senior student Bob Kinney with my remaining students at his newly opened Dojang), and opened the Shotoshinkai Karate School in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The name Shotoshinkai was given to us by my mother in law, Takako Takeda Shellcrosslee, as we wanted to promote and study Japanese style Karate, but we also wished to include Jujutsu/Judo/Aikijutsu style techniques, and we wished a name that could honor our roots and allow us to study material outside of the mainstream Shotokan syllabus. We followed this path for the next several years, until January 2000, when my father in law was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and my family and I elected to move back to Ft Bragg, North Carolina, in order to be near my wife's family.

The path of Shotoshinkai Karate has been one of much growth for me. Although the separation of a thousand miles,and over ten years of time has caused our karate to now differ in many aspects, Sensei Rouse and I continue to travel, and to train together at every opportunity. We both maintain that karate is a personal journey, and for me it is a journey backwards in time.

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From Sensei Rouse I have received the following Yudansha Certificates:

3rd Dan, dated 12-12-1994, from the United States Shotoshinkai Karate Association (Shotokan Style Karate)3rd Dan, dated 3-20-2001, from the American Shoto-Shinkai Karate Federation (Shoto-Shinkai Karate)4th Dan, dated 3-26-2002, from the American Shoto-Shinkai Karate Federation (Shoto-Shinkai Karate)5th Dan, dated 5-01-2005, from the American Shoto-Shinkai Karate Federation (Shoto-Shinkai Karate)

I have also received certification/homologation Certificates from the following:

4th Dan, dated 4-12-2004, from the organization ISOK, the International Society of Japanese/Okinawan Karate (Karate-do)5th Dan, dated 7-01-2006, from the ISKK, the International (Kokusai) Seito Karate Kenkyukai (Karate-do)

In closing I would like to say that I have studied karate earnestly, and to the best of my ability. I have Honorably served my Country on two occasions, as well as my State and my County. I have also tried to always provide a positive influence on/of karate at all times. That I have only touched on the true knowledge of karate goes without saying, yet it is my inspiration, and keeps me on the path of no end. My only hope is to continue learning, and to continue sharing. The real secret of Karate is in the sharing. Without sharing we cannot be students, nor teachers. As I grow older, I hope to continue learning the true way of Budo, and to honor the heritage of my family, the Takeda family, and all of my teachers, through that learning process.

Respectfully Submitted,

James Lee "Bud" MorganMarch 12, 2009

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Member Profile UpdateBy Simon Buck (BA)

Just thought I'd let you know I passed my Latin course, so it was worth the effort. This also completes my degree with the Open University.

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Member Profile Update

By Paco Cayuela (on behalf of)

Paco has now passed his motorcycle test and upgraded to an Aprilia Pegaso 650 strada.

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Shibucho Reports

Europe:Malcolm Bates

General Activities:Our annual Yudansha grading produced one Shodan and 4 shodan-ho grades.

Development Activities:The next European Workshop is yet to be arranged.

We are reviewing the European structure with a view to appointing another Shibucho.

Jim Neeter is currently training in Italy with sensei Giuseppe Meloni.

Recruitment:We have completed assessment of and recruited Angelo Bonanno to the ISKK. He is our first Italian recruit.

Further research work has gone into other region members (USA, India) as part of our administrative duties.

Tony Baldock (ISKK member) has been promoted from Mudansha to Yudansha on attaining his Shodan grade in November 2008

AOB:The membership cost structure of the shin-gi-tai clubs is under review and we are considering automatic membership of the ISKK after a set period of committed training.

U.S.A:Arkansas - Pete Rouse

No report submitted____________________

Kentucky - Melvin Lewis

No report submitted

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Michigan - Frank Thomas

General Activities:Go no sen, sen no sen, & sensen no sen in depth training.

Development Activities:Possible workshop/clinic with Jim Copeland.

Recruitment:None

AOB:n/a

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Missouri - James Copeland

General Activities:n/a

Development Activities:In conjunction with Frank Thomas, we plan to hold a workshop in the Spring or Summer. ISKK members will be notified shortly.

Recruitment:n/a

AOB:n/a

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New York - Paul Fracchia

General Activities:n/a

Development Activities:In January we held a seminar and presented information on the ISKK. Two people showed some interest but have not yet come back to us for more information.

Recruitment:n/a

AOB:n/a

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North Carolina - Bud Morgan

General Activities:We have just begun starting over, and as such I have a young 25 year old Brown Belt, by the name of Tommy Davis, who is a Shorin Ryu Kobayashi practitioner, who is my first senior aged student I have worked with since my surgeries. My grandson Alex, and his young friend round out the start of our group as we try to begin teaching again.

Development Activities:None

Recruitment:Yes, definitely hope to bring aboard Mr. Davis right away, as well as any other adults we meet.

AOB:Working on establishing a Dojo at a very nice local Center, which is very nicely equipped with wooden as well as sprung and padded floors. I hope to report success in the near future in obtaining this Dojo, as it will certainly lead to direct membership opportunities. As I am unaffiliated with any large governing body, I will ask every member of my Dojo, to become an active member of the ISKK.

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Ohio - Dwight Holley

No report submitted

Africa:Len Els

General Activities:n/a

Development Activities:ISKK workshop is being planned and the details are included in this newsletter.

Recruitment:Ian Liebenberg has joined the ISKK and a further 3 members are being motivated currently.

AOB:n/a

Malaysia:Pak Wan

General Activities:None

Development Activities:See details of the Malaysian workshop later in this issue.

Recruitment:None

AOB:None

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Dr Jim’s Casebook

Chronic Knee Pain

By J.S. Copeland, D.C.

Chronic Knee Pain in Karate training.....

Some typical knee problems that arise from the deep stance training in styles such as Shotokan, may have a number of complications, but the main issue is this:constant flexion of the knee as in zenkutsudachi, places abnormal forces on the tendons , ligaments and joint surfaces. This alone is not so bad if you train a couple of times a week, but with some karate enthusiasts who train 5 or 6 times a week on a hard wooden or tile floor, the chances of degenerative change are increased 3 fold.

Once the damage of decades of training has been done, we can only minimize that damage and degeneration by training less and by reducing the stress on the joints involved. One way might be to wear athletic shoes while training...shoes with supports in them to help prevent more stress on the feet themselves. Another point might be to lighten the stance by not flexing the knee so far when in zenkutsu , kiba dachi or kokutsu dachi.

Another suggestion, and I know many who have done this, is to switch to smaller stances or even practice the older shorter styles such as Matsumura Seito, or Shudokan .

Applications of cold on the painful areas on a regular basis can help with swelling and inflammation, but if you don't reduce the stresses on the involved joints, relief will be brief.

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Club Activities

Shin-gi-tai Karate Clubs

Yudansha Grading

BY: Malcolm Bates

We hold annual black belt gradings in November and in 2008 we had 5 students invited to attempt achievement of this grade. 3 children (under 16) and 2 adults.

The results were:Tony Baldock – ShodanJames Weber – Shodan –hoJoe Bartholomew – Shodan-hoJordan Halls – Shodan-hoFraser Inglis – Not successful

The process we use is that if a student is not successful in attaining their Yudansha grade then the club seniors will work with them and regularly review within the class until such time as we have agreement to their promotion. This avoids duplicate costs for students and places an emphasis on the seniors to ensure that students are properly trained and prepared for the grade.

The ISKK members who attempted Shodan grade were;

Tony Baldock:

Receiving his Shodan grade from sensei Malcolm.

James Weber:

Receiving his Shodan-ho grade from sensei Malcolm.

In addition, the following juniors were awarded their Shodan-ho grades:

Joe Bartholomew:

Jordan Halls:

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Karate Grade - ROKUDANSubmitted By: Len Els

Shibucho – South Africa

An article from the Edmonton news in Canada.

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Workshop in MalaysiaBy Pak Wan

A KARATE WORKSHOP WAS HELD IN DARUL EHSAN CLUB KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA ON 22 MARCH 2009.

It was attended by karate practitoners from the Seiken Karate Academy - an affiliciation with Karate No Michi, Kusano-Ha Kenpo Karate (WKKA), Kanazawa-ryu Shotokan Karate-do (SKIF).

The workshop is conducted by sensei Ridzuan Md. Zain. In this workshop, it was elobrate about the the application and the implementation of the Gohon kumte, Sanbon kumite into the kihon katas.

Group photograph

Warming up

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Attacking to the vital part – the back kidney areas

The similarity of the 3rd. Sanbon kumite and Heian Nidan kata

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Topics of Interest

The Rituals of Martial PerformanceANTHROPOLOGICAL VIEW OF MARTIAL ARTS

By: Angelo Bonanno

Conducting a review of the literature on the "ritual" you can collect various considerations on its significance; it can be interpreted as a stage of evolution of organisms, the balance of various elements of a work or a system of dynamic diachronic and synchronic actions and experience of an individual or a community. This suggests that the term "ritual" has been defined in various ways so that it’s very mean or anything. The rite is a representation of social and cultural processes (R. Grimes), the same world and the social interaction are full of ritual acts (E. Goffman).

All this leaves us to think that the society, daily life, our interactions with other individuals, are all interwoven with models, activities and experiences that simultaneously encode and transform the culture and same society. These elements have an outlet pragmatic in which those performances are: theatre, novels, dance, poetry, cinema and sports. This last can fully enclose within it the sense of the word performance in its extensive translations, particularly when you take into consideration certain sports that are inherent in certain cultures, for their symbolic, ceremonial and traditional. It’s the case of oriental Martial Arts.

The martial art was, until the postwar period, only military discipline and study of the self defence, today it has enteredfully a part of sporting activities, undergoing several changes but logically, while maintaining its primary purpose and its rituals, its own oriental culture. The martial art with its two faces, as the physical and spiritual discipline, is largely a sense of ritual. It reflects what is the function of ritual for social integration, the strengthening of common values (V. Turner), with its military discipline and religious, it has provided to the oriental people (particularly the Japanese) a ring of cohesion achieving continuity of social structure, on top of each conflict. It was a real "functional unit" as exercising a real influence on individuals (Radcliffe-Brown); yet, his very performative aspect was and is linked to the social structure of the country, people organize their lives basing on individual and collective values that are present in the "martial ritual" V. Turner).

The martial art as "art" is an activity that through the ingenuity and culture tends to represent the physical and

spiritual beauty and achieve certain effects, in fact itself is an activity shrouded in an instrumental language of "symbols".Bow when you greet the Sensei or between pupils or before entering the Dojo, do the workout in a sequential order, engage in combat techniques in a particular form (Kata), then "explode" in a

shout (kiai) all the energy focusing when you perform certain techniques, and many other methods of training are symbols of that complex language.

These coded symbols according to "life experiences" are intended to evoke, arouse and tame violent emotions, fear, pain, love, inner peace, psychological safety, involving the whole person in its physical and spiritual (V. Turner), committing all the senses and the actions and allowing it to develop its own "codes sensors" (Lvy-Strauss).

A Budoka when try a training session or even in one of the many exercises thus making a performance, tends to represent something, he has a intention and produces certain effects. It draws on what the "turneriana" definition that the . In addition, the martial arts can also be seen as a (M. Singer), precisely because it’s composed not only of language but also of mime, dance, training combined in different ways communicate culture of the oriental people.

To close this brief reflection on “the ritual of martial performance" you can stop on an anthropological concept which is key based in a sense the role of ritual in both the social structure in which individual formamentis. You must understand that it’s the conduct of our models, our guide that we allow them to become part of our heritage of ideas, to live and socialize (F. Murphy). This creates a continuous flow of transformation both in people and in society and in this flow is the "chaos", the disconnection but there is also the voltage to the order and harmony (F. Moore).

Precisely for this dynamic tension is responsible all kinds performative, the martial art as such directs the person to the

order of ideas, trying to remove the chaos; this was also the basis for training of Samurai in the Middle Ages.

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He could not afford in a clash of delay, his reaction and the technique should be clear and free of any uncertainty, otherwise the result of the conflict would be for him death; avoid this was only possible sweeping away the chaos of mind.

From this perspective the performance in general and then the martial becomes "reflexive" because it allows the man to reveal himself to his nature, embodying his way of thinking, acting, sharing with others individuals the same substance (T. Schwartz). This is the ritual of life and through its actions, the performances; it may be discovered within ourselves and can be transferred from one individual to another through the passage of history and cultural processes.

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ISKK Patches

Submitted by: Bud Morgan & Malcolm Bates

One of the duties of the administration team is to deal with group identity and some time ago we held discussion on the topic of batches and Bud Morgan kindly arranged a proof of the proposed patch.

In order to take this to order state we need commitment form members as to how many patches they would be prepared to buy. The cost will be $4.00 posted to USA members and a little more for people outside of the USA to cover international postage costs.

Patches will be posted to Shibucho only to help minimize costs to the ISKK.

Please can all members commit to a number of patches as we need to order a minimum of 100 and need to work out the costing of each patch more accurately. If we can sell all 100 it will keep the unit cost lower for members._________________________//__________________

Gusukuma Shinpan (Shuri-te)

by Ernest Estrada, Okinawa Shorinryu Kyoshi

Submitted by: Bud Morgan

One of Yasutsune "Ankoh" Itosu's students was Gusukuma Shinpan (1890-1954) who was also a peer of Chibana Choshin. Gusukuma, also called Shinpan Shiroma by the Japanese, is virtually unknown due to the fact that he was a very quiet individual who was not interested in spreading the art that he so loved. His only concern was to teach good karate and hence only had a few dedicated students.

Shorin-ryu Training In The 1950'sAlthough a peer of Chibana Choshin, very little is said about the master technician, Gusukuma Shinpan. He began teaching shortly after WWII and was close friends with Miyagi Chojun, Kyoda Jyuhatsu and Kyan Chotoku. He taught regularly at Shuri Castle and had a dojo at his home in Nishihara City. He was a school teacher by profession but his first love was Shuri-style karate.

One of his former students was Iha Seikichi (who presently resides in East Lansing, Michigan) who often talks about his teacher. The following are some thoughts concerning how it was like to train in the l950's under Gusukuma:

Training under Gusukuma-sensei was very strict and traditional. It was a lot of self-training where he would watch to see how hard you wanted to learn. All students would first become an apprentice student and help clean the dojo for six months to a year. They could watch training but could not take part in receiving instructions.

When Gusukuma-sensei thought that they were ready, he would then tell them to join in. Sensei never actively taught but would have the senior students do all the teaching. Sensei would only teach the top two or three students and then have them pass on the knowledge. This was a very traditional way of teaching.During class, sensei would evaluate every student and advise them of their weaknesses. He would allow each student to demonstrate two kata for him while he watched. Sensei would then tell them that they needed work on their stances, or their power, etc. They would then train themselves based on sensei's evaluation. Sensei would

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sometimes show a student a technique and then say, "Ha, I showed you something! You are very lucky I did this! Now go train!!!"

Gusukuma-sensei would personally teach the top two or three senior students and it was then their responsibility to pass on the methods to the rest of the students. One senior would always be there to teach while sensei observed or trained by himself. Sensei was about 5'1" and weighed about 125 pounds. He was extremely strong and trained his fists and toes on the makiwara everyday. He believed a karate-man must be able to generate power equivalent to three times their own body weight with either fist or foot. Needless to say, the students were constantly repairing the makiwara punching boards.

If a student did not train hard, Gusukuma-sensei would tell him that he should leave and come back when he was ready to train. If the student continued with this attitude, Gusukuma-sensei would tell him not to come back unless he was serious about learning and training. Sensei was hardest on students that did not listen. He had a good memory and would often tell a student to work on his punch or kick or kata. If the student did not do this then sensei would bring it to their attention and kick him out of the dojo for wasting his time by not listening.

Makiwara TrainingAll styles of Okinawan karate-do stress the importance of the makiwara board. It is said that training with the makiwara develops power through concentration of technique. This ability to "focus" is external power developed internally. Through constant training with the makiwara the student starts developing confidence in their technique. They see that it is stronger than those that have just started and find that through this confidence they are really able to punch and kick harder.

This is the usual difference found in Okinawan karate as opposed to the others. Their focus is on power - and the power is extracted from the makiwara. A lot of people can look good punching the air but their power can be seen as lacking or in some cases, non-existent. So, through makiwara training, one can readily see the power generated by training with these ancient pieces of equipment.

Gusukuma Shinpan stressed and possessed great power for a man of his size (approximately five feet tall). He believed in being able to hit the makiwara with the equivalent of three times your own body weight. So, if one weighed approximately one hundred pounds, Gusukuma felt that this individual must be able to hit with approximately three hundred pounds of force.

Gusukuma strived to developed this kind of power with both hands and both feet. He kept this level of power through training with the makiwara board and striking it approximately 300 times per day with each weapon. He was a firm believer that a measure of a karate person was in their ability to produce this kind of power.

Teaching MethodsGusukuma's teaching methods consisted of kata, kata and more kata. He believe that kata provided the foundation of the body and spirit. He said that the Japanese sword is sharp and beautiful but that in order to get to this end (that is, sharp and beautiful) it must be pounded and tempered with the sweat of one's body. So the teacher must do the same to the student. If the student is dedicated to the hard training of Okinawan karate, then he can be molded into something sharp and beautiful. After all, Okinawan karate-do, if done correctly, is "sharp and very beautiful" to watch. And like a sharp and beautiful Japanese sword, it is also very deadly.

TechniquesIn the kata kusanku-dai, in the kick and the drop down technique, Gusukuma stood supreme. He could kick and travel about eight feet before he dropped down.

Gusukuma changed a number of Itosu's kata and techniques to coincide with his own personal "enlightenment." He stated that this is a common practice by all karatemen and that it is merely based on human nature to try and improve what one has learned. Gusukuma Shinpan had no fingernails because of his constant practice of the spear hand technique (nukite) on the bamboo bundles that he used as training aids.

The Bus DriverIn Okinawa, one of Gusukuma's students was a bus driver. One time a drunk got on board the bus and started to cause trouble with the passengers by trying to pick a fight. The student yelled at the drunk, "do you really want to fight?" The drunk was quick to take up the challenge and demanded to fight now. The student then said that he would be more than glad to show him his fighting prowess. At this the drunk became very angry and demanded that the driver open the door so that they could go at it. When the door opened the drunk stormed off and readied himself by taking off his coat. As the drunk got off, the student just simply smiled, quickly closed the door of the bus and drove off with the drunk in hot pursuit. After a several hundred feet run, the drunk fell and threw up on himself. The driver had nothing to prove to the drunk or to himself. All the passengers laughed and told the bus driver that he had used good strategy.

Gusukuma's FamilyGusukuma Shinpan has three sons and one daughter that are still alive today. During WWII he received a severe concussion from the American bombing that continued to bothered him for the rest of his life. He use to have severe headaches centered around the back of his right ear. The first son is presently a school teacher, the second son is handicapped from falling three stories on his back and his last son is presently a fireman. None of Gusukuma's sons have equalled their father in his karate skill but the first and the third son are strong enough to teach. None do.

DyingGusukuma Shinpan always told his students that he would

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refuse to become bedridden or get to a point where he could not take care of himself. On the day of his death, he taught class and trained for two hours. He ate a light dinner and went to bed early. Three hours later, when his wife checked in on him, they found that he had died in his sleep. That day his students stated that Gusukuma had spoken of his own death. He had said, "My body is strong but everyday my will gets even stronger. I will pick my day and die at peace with no long illness or discomfort for my family. Wait and see."

Gusukuma The TeacherGusukuma Shinpan was a school teacher and very educated while Chibana Choshin never finished high school. He saw the practice of karate as a hobby and never accepted payment for lessons. It should be noted that the common way of paying an instructor during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s was to bring food for all to share after training.

Guskuma's Trip To JapanJust before the war and when Gusukuma Shinpan was in his prime he vacationed in Japan and saw a martial arts demonstration. He watched a group of female yari (spear) experts who had a dojo by his home in Tokyo. He was so impressed by their focus that he decided to take lessons in the yari from the female Sensei.

Gusukuma then went to her dojo and requested lessons. He also stated that he would only be in Japan for about three months because he was a high school teacher in Okinawa and that he had to return to teach. The teacher then gave him a wooden yari and showed him how to perform "nuki" (a spear thrust). He was then told to practice for about two or three hours.

Gusukuma continued to go to the dojo every day for three months and the only technique he practiced was the "nuki." Just before he returned to Okinawa, he asked the Sensei if he was doing well and whether he should practice other techniques. She replied that he was doing well but that he needed more practice before he could learn another technique. He then asked her what was the average time it took to go on to another technique. She replied, "about three years."

At the end of his stay in Japan, Gusukuma once again approached his Sensei to advise her he was returning to Okinawa. He thanked her for her time and stated that he would continue to practice and would be back next year.

She then took a long look at the great Gusukuma and said, "I'm glad that you'll continue to practice. We all need to do this in order to learn the WAY. Thank you for your efforts and good-bye." She then walked away.

Gusukuma's ConsiderationsGusukuma Shinpan often spoke of the eight considerations in kicking and the four considerations of the punch.

Considerations for kicking:1. When kicking in kata or kumite, the back must be straight

and true so as to allow you to punch if blocked.2. The quickest kicks are of the snapping variety.3. The kata kicks are performed with the toe-tipped foot.4. The most important kick is that done to the chudan (middle) area.5. Consider the knee the "hinge" of the kick.6. The ankle must be strong in kicking as the wrist is strong in punching.7. The leg is loose and flexible while the toes are tight. Just like a punch, the arm is loose while the fist is tight.8. When kicking, kick with both legs.

Considerations for punching:1. The large knuckle finger and the thumb squeeze the index finger in a good fist.2. In making a strong fist, the index finger is folded first.3. Punching is done with a loose arm and tight fist. 4. You strike with the index knuckle first.

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Karate vs Crime

Submitted by: Len ElsShibucho – South Africa

Joe Pretorius, school principal and student of KARATEKA40, was recently shot in his driveway and is in ICU fighting for his life. He was seeing his daughter off at night when two thugs attempted a high-jack. Joe defended his daughter and was rewarded with a bullet in the neck. The thugs fled without the car. Joe’s daughter is seriously traumatized.

In today’s society, especially so in South Africa, crime is a household word. Rape, murder and robbery are frequent topics in the daily newspapers. With the upgrading of security at homes, house robberies are the latest crime wave. Why bother with alarm systems when you can overpower the occupant’s in person whilst the alarms are off, force them to open the safe where most keep their guns and even commit a rape or two in the process. Imagine having a braai (barbeque) with friends on the patio and the next moment being confronted by six armed men…

Therapy and professional counseling for the victims in order to help them to cope with their trauma seems to be the obvious solution. But is it the only solution? I would submit that karate is another method that can be just as effective. I do not advocate martial arts as a method of revenge. It is not only the physical side of

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karate, but more importantly the spiritual side that can assist in the healing process.

Victims of violent crime suffer spiritual damage. Anger, fear, denial, depression and feelings of powerlessness are common emotions following an attack. Martial arts offer not only physical revival but also a profound philosophy that serves as a code to live by. Many of us can testify that after a bad day at work, an hours sweat in the dojo results in the frustrations been vented and one feels revived and relaxed. On the spiritual side, the Dojo Kun has become a way of life to many of us.

Martial arts teach us to deal with rage/anger (the most common emotion after a criminal attack), improve self confidence and give us a sense of achievement. Anybody who has successfully achieved a belt promotion will testify to this sense of achievement.

As a further plus, martial arts might even assist in overcoming a future assailant. It will definitely restore ones sense of self esteem. It is a proven method of building character.

________________//________________Making Sense of ‘Sen’

By Frank Thomas

You may have heard of these expressions:go no sen

sen no sen

sen sen no sen

Basically, "go no sen" means to respond to an attack --then counterattack. Someone attacks you and in response, you block then counter attack. First the attack and then the response. There is a delay of several microseconds. Someone walks up to you and without warning pushes you. You catch your balance just in time to see a right punch coming. In response, you block with your left hand. This is go no sen.Go no sen drillP1 = Tori, L.F.K.

P2 = Uke. L.F.K.

Action: Perform 1 step"Sen no sen" means a simultaneous response. Someone

attacks and you counter at the same time. There is no gap.

Sen no sen drillP1 = Tori, L.F.K. (Left Front Kamae)P2 = Uke. L.F.K.Action: Sliding elbow, Manji dachi, Outward block w/punch, & etc.

"Sen sen no sen" basically means a preemptive movement or technique. The opponent is about to attack and you prevent it. This may seem to violate the maxim that "Karate ni sente nashi" -- "there is no first attack in Karate," but really it does not. It all depends on how you look at it.Sen sen no sen drillP1 = Tori, L.F.K.P2 = Yoi position w/both arms behind back & hands in a loose fistAction: P2 will make a tight fist w/ both hands

P1 will counter attack if tensing of Magic Triangle** is observedMagic Triangle** = An equilateral triangle that covers the area of the head and both shoulders.

Examples:Viewed as part of the ebb and flow of the confrontation, the "sens" begin to make more sense.Actually, we use many techniques that would be classified as sen sen no sen. For example, when we enter and strike to the face, we also trap or pin the opponent's leg. He has not even thought of kicking yet, but you have prevented it.You are walking along a dimly lit street and see someone lurking in the shadows ahead. You cross the street and walk around the threat. Wouldn't this be sen sen no sen? Of course! You have preempted the possibility of the attack by avoiding contact.A person calls you an idiot. Rather than lose yourtemper and react, you remain calm. You diffuse the conflict. Sen sen no sen again?In most of our kata, the first movement is a block andthe second movement is a strike of some sort. You block and then counterattack. This seems like go no sen. But what if the block breaks the attacker's arm or disables it? Then it is preemptive as well as defensive. Thus, even a sequence that appears to be go no sen, can actually be sen sen no sen, especially as we advance in our training.

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ISKK Events

ISKK Europe Seminar # 5

By: Malcolm Bates

Unfortunately this seminar had to be postponed by Steve Langbridge but a new date will be advised shortly.

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South African Workshop #1

BY: Len Els

THE INTERNATIONAL SEITO KARATE KENKYUKAI

(ISKK)TOGETHER WITH

KARATEKA40PRESENTS:

A Saturday morning gasshuku with Eddie Dorey Sensei where five disciplines will be demonstrated. The purpose is for those attending to get an idea of the five arts and then decide whether they want to enroll for one or more full courses (normally 12 classes per course).

No martial art background is needed for any of these disciplines, although a martial art background will definitely be to ones advantage. All these disciplines are street-wise.

Sensei Eddie is well known in martial art circles. He holds a seventh Dan in Shotokan Karate (Tokyo graded) as well as a second Dan in judo (South African Champion in both). He is also an AMOK instructor and an expert in both empty hands defence and weapon handling.

The disciplines are:

1. AMOK Knife Fighting2. The Four Themes empty hands concept of Prof

Tom Sotis (Founder of AMOK)3. Chin Na ( A Kung Fu style aimed at finger,

hand and joint-locking techniques)4. Nunchaku5. Escrima (Stick Fighting).

Entry fee is R200.00 per participant. The date and venue will be set after the size of the group has been determined.

LEN ELSISKK SCHIBUCHO, SOUTH AFRICAINSTRUCTOR, KARATEKA40082 9230603

2009 Challenge

To: All Members of the ISKKFrom: Bud Morgan, Godan

ISKK Admin Team

RE: Membership Challenge 2009 and Beyond

Hello To All,First and foremost I would like to

thank you all for joining and maintaining your membership within the ISKK. Over the last few years we have grown slow but sure, exactly as we had hoped to do. Our members can be confident that we only recruit and accept karate-ka that are, and can be quality Members.

Some of you may know and others may not, that the majority of Administrative duties fall into the hands of a few, and those who do the tasks readily accept their post for what it is.

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As we venture forward into 2009, I would like to ask of you, in fact I would actually challenge each of you as members, to help us with one goal. Find us "One" good member for each year, that you can sponsor, or recruit, that will provide us the minimal growth needed to defer the cost of Web Hosting, and other minor costs that are associated with any venture. Doing that will potentially make us capable of continued, but selective growth, which is our greatest asset, yet it will enable us to further provide support services far beyond what we can do now.

This will allow growth from within, which is the best growth possible. If every member is a referral, how important does this become to other potential members. The growth doubles each year, but within the standards set by the members themselves. The $45.00 membership fee is for Life, as you all know, and would make a great gift to one of your students, or you could simply recruit one new member per year. This gift back to the ISKK would be priceless to our group, and would insure our continued presence for ever.

Many of you have already accomplished this task, and I applaud you all for the efforts. I myself have a member in the works as we speak, yet I know I must do more.

Won't each of you take on this challenge, not just for this year, but for every year to come. It is truly a small task, which will provide huge benefits to our group.

Thank you again for your service, and your continued support.

Bud Morgan

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Value of KataBy: Pak Wan

Oyo-Jutsu : Perspectives on the value of kata

There are many differing perspectives on thevalue of kata in regards to the acquisition of effective goshin-jutsu (self-defense techniques), and fighting skills in general. Some preach that kata is the very heart of karate, yet others view kata as a complete waste of training time. In my opinion, for what it’s worth, both of these perspectives have merit. It completely depends on ‘what is insinuated by kata’, and more importantly, ‘how physical kata training is approached’. I will not address the academic study of kata here, because I believe this ‘must only exist to support physical training’ (either to enhance one’s own ‘physical’ self-workout, or improve the coaching methodology for the benefit of others).

Let’s not deceive ourselves! Is kata training essential to learn how to fight?

If we are completely honest, regardless of how “traditional” we are, it is clear that kata is not a prerequisite for street-fight/defense effectiveness. Besides being commonsense, this is undeniably proven by the fact that there are countless effective martial artists, who do not include kata training in their respective regimes. So since kata is not a ‘must’ to develop fighting prowess, why do the various ryuha (styles) bother with them? And more importantly, why in so many cases, do they claim that kata is the nucleus of training? To fully understand and explore these questions, we firstly need to understand why kata was initially developed.

The history of kata

Obviously the old masters thought that kata had a very useful purpose, otherwise they would not have devised them (not to mention, create so many kata). It is said that martial arts experts engineered the various kata, to record and

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summarize their key combative techniques, principles and tactics. They did this, so that their martial knowledge could be passed down to future generations. My Sensei, Tatsuya Naka claimed that ‘’each kata, is in fact one complete martial arts system, in itself’’, for example, the Nijushiho (Niseishi) style, or the Sochin (Hakko) style. He also claimed that originally, the kata were a mixture of various fighting systems, not limited by the modern definition of karate. This modern definition has been dramatically influenced by sports karate, and also by the attempt, to ‘distinguish’ karate, from the other martial arts, such as jujutsu and muay thai. Not to mention ‘socially establish’ karate as a clean ‘gentleman’s’ punch/kick art. Of course, in reality, fighting is fighting, regardless of martial art, style or anything else. The history of the various eclectic kata verifies this, and in doing so, cleverly demonstrates that ‘cross training’ is certainly not a modern concept.

Was kata an effective means of preserving techniques?

In my opinion, regardless of stylistic variations, by the likes of masters Nakayama Masatoshi, Funakoshi Gichin and Funakoshi Gigo, it is undeniable that kata was a successful means of preserving the respective knowledge (of the past well-known exponents). Generations later, us modern karateka, still have records of these highly refined techniques, and strategies, encrypted in our kata. Likewise, Asai Sensei of JKS, who recently passed away, left us his special techniques and concepts, in the kata he himself designed. Certainly there is less chance his karate will be forgotten because of these kata, so there we have a modern example!

Let’s win some plastic trophies by looking pretty!

Unfortunately, overtime, and as a result of sports karate, kata has drifted away from being viewed as a record of lethal combative methods, for real-fighting/self-defense. Instead, it is now ‘generally considered’ as an athletic or aesthetic pursuit, which has little or no relationship to hand-to-hand combat. Regardless of how kata may be perceived in the year 2008, people, who have the wish to

study bujutsu (martial art) karate, can still do so, via the kata. This is because kata provides a tangible connection, back to karate as a fighting art, as opposed to being a sport (or even being tightly defined/labeled as “karate”). It is here that we can access not only the modern ‘standard’ karate techniques, but also a huge syllabus of cavity strikes, head-butts, eye rips, ground-fighting maneuvers, chokes, joint dislocations, bone breaks, escapes, takedowns, throws, and all the other elements that make it a “complete” self-defense system.

So how do I utilize kata for martial training?

To practice karate as a martial art, one needs to actively study the kata, as opposed to just performing them, as precise technical routines. My personal belief is that without indepth study of oyo-jutsu (application), kata practice loses all meaning. In the case of you wanting to learn karate for self-defense, and you are not working on ‘partner-kata’ (addressing realistic scenarios), you are completely wasting your time. And by merely practicing your kata to look nice, you are doing nothing more than sports karate, which offers nomore protection than a gymnastics floor routine (that is, gymnastics offers balance, agility etc.., which is often the ‘practical’ justification for kata, within traditional karate circles). Not practicing street effective applications from your kata, with a partner or partners, does not suffice as as an authentic martial art.

Kata is the original syllabus

Always keep in mind that kata is a record of fighting styles that combined to form, what is now ‘labeled’, as karate. So kata is in fact, the ‘original syllabus’. It is well documented, that the old masters usually only trained between one and three kata. Surely, if this was merely in the exact performance of the outward motions, they would have trained numerous formal exercises. We must also question, why was it regarded, that individual kata were ‘complete fighting systems’? Let’s face it, without kata we would have no syllabus to work with. Everything that the past masters discovered, engineered, learnt, used and taught would be lost.

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Kata is the holistic syllabus of karate, and in order to have a system which is not grossly inadequate, for self-defense, we must ‘physically research’ this system.

Karateka ignoring the lessons of the kata

The techniques and strategies of competition karate are undeniably inadequate for practical use, outside of the tight confines of the sporting arena. Sadly many karateka ignore the lessons of the kata, and therefore inadvertently practice karate as a partial fighting art. What alarm’s me the most, are instructors, who train and teach karate in this incomplete way, yet at the same time, boast that their dojo teaches practical self-defense. Worst still is that they practice similar bunkai (analysis), to that demonstrated in Nakayama Sensei’s ‘Best Karate’ book series. To be fair, they sometimes have more ‘innovative’ applications, but they are a hardly streetworthy. But I guess, that is where they can always use the ‘great karate excuse’. ”I am not allowed to use my karate for fighting”. Sadly, traditionalists are the often worst when it comes to realistic training, as they are too busy being pompus about Japanese affiliations, dan grades and the like. In my opinion, any karate lesson which does not include a portion of practical self-defense, is pointless. There is no need to go outside of the Shotokan syllabus here, but merely go inward, and utilise the lessons encrypted in the kata.

Just as a side note here: Going by comments from Asai Sensei, I believe that the bunkai sections, in Nakayama’s Sensei’s wonderful ‘Best Karate’ books, were for ‘analysing’ the respective kihon in the kata. They were not the oyo-jutsu (application techniques) being taught at the JKA Honbu.

Do kata have any value within a self-defense training regime?

There are essentially two types of kata, solo kata, and as mentioned above, kata you perform with one or more training partners. In Shotokan karate, the majority of practitioners associate the term ‘kata’ with ‘solo kata’ training. Partner kata is now more commonly referred to as ‘partner-drills’. It’s widely accepted that these partner drills are valid

training methods, for the development of practical fighting skills. But solo kata training is justifiably questioned more ruthlessly, in regards to the development of practical fighting prowess. It seems to make much more sense to practice techniques with a partner, as opposed to performing them on your own, in a seemingly dance-like routine. Insofar as martial arts training is concerned, partner drills, including sparring, are undoubtedly more effective than solo kata practice. So why bother practicing solo kata? Here are my five main defenses for solo kata training: Firstly, without solo kata, we would have no syllabus, and therefore, no access to the refined knowledge of past exponents. Secondly, solo kata is useful when we haven’t got a training partner (we can do solo kata anywhere, and at any time). Thirdly, we can perform ‘all the techniques’ in solo kata with maximum snap, even the most lethal techniques and maneuvers can be done with vigor(no need to seriously maim our training partners! You can go full-power in solo kata). Fourthly, solo kata makes self-training highly motivational (what I call ‘the fun factor’). And lastly, they physically condition your body whilst rehearsing the combative principles (original syllabus) in the respective kata you are training.

Solo kata is inferior, but still extremely valuable

Essentially, if training in traditional karate for martial purposes (fighting/self-defense), solo kata practice compliments the overall training regime. Solo kata will greatly enhance your compliant and non-compliant partner drills, literally bridge the gap between kihon, kata and kumite, and certainly develop your ability to protect yourself. Nowadays solo kata is so often criticized as a being an ineffective alternative to partner drills, and in actuality, as said above, this criticism is valid. Like it or not, solo kata is an ‘inferior alternative’. However, those who make this criticism, and try to avoid solo kata training all together, are misunderstanding the role of kata within the complete training routine. It is also my belief that without solo kata training, what we practice historically loses its connection to karate. Therefore if we take this path, we cannot honestly call what we are doing ‘karate’. From a pure

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bujutsu perspective, this of course is completely irrelevant.

Conclusion

By this article I am not suggesting that karateka should neglect their kihon in favour of application, as the two must co-exist. As commonsense dictates, without solid kihon, and the ongoing development of ones kihon-waza, nothing is possible. Refining ones basic actions is literally endless, unless you have come straight out of Plato’s ‘World of the Forms’ into the material world. Experienced karateka must not be stagnant by merely perfecting outward form. This ok at at low kyu level, but once people get to senior kyu levels, they should have ample skills for personal protection. I’d like to conclude, by saying that the kata of JKA style Shotokan-ryu, that is, its applications, make it a complete martial art. Study and more importantly, physical practice of oyo-jutsu will fill the wide gaps found in the standard Shotokan syllabus.

Submitted by,

Sensei Pak Wan- with consent from Seiken Karate Acadamy

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Kenkyukai Statistics

Discussion group membership remains at 34, although a few are not ISKK members and will be removed in due course.

Postings to the discussion group were at one of the highest since we started with 164 but this reduced to 45 by March.

It is important to note than many discussions between members take place off line as focused topics are agreed. The discussion group is an open forum and a good place to start a topic.

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Membership

The Kenkyukai now has 32 members, distributed in the following regions.

European Membership

We have one new member, Angelo Bonanno, who has joined the Euro Region in Italy bringing this region’s total membership to 17.

The edition number indicates which newsletter contains the member’s most recent profile.

In the Euro group we currently have;Malcolm Bates (Shibucho)George Bishop (Shihankai)Frank Probin (edition 4)James Neeter (edition 10)Len NormanJames Weber (edition 3)Paul Davis (edition 5)Tony Baldock (edition 7)Steve LangbridgePaco Cayuela (edition 8)Russell Dewhurst (edition 9)Amanda SmithDavid HartSimon Buck (edition 9)John BurdettDavid AbrehartAngelo Bonanno (edition 11)

African membership

We have one new member, Ian Liebenberg, who has joined the Africa Region in South Africa bringing this region’s total membership to 4

Current Africa Group members are;

Len Els (Shibucho)Tony DifilippoSolly PokroyIan Liebenberg

Malaysian Membership

We have two Malaysian members;Ridzuan Md. Zain (Shibucho)Chepto bin HJ. Sumadi

U.S.A. Membership

One potential member is currently under assessment by the administration team.The 9 members in the USA, are;

North Carolina:Bud Morgan (Shibucho) (edition 11)

New York:Paul Fracchia (Shibucho, Shihankai) (edition 10)

Ohio:Dwight Holley (Shibucho, Shihankai) (edition 9)

Kentucky:Melvin Lewis (Shibucho)

Missouri:Jim Copeland (Shibucho) (edition 10)

Michigan:Frank Thomas (Shibucho) (edition 9)

Arkansas:Pete Rouse (Shibucho)

Oregon:Michael Taylor

Texas:Rick Wiederman (edition 10)

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Database Access

Members’ access to the database was 16 in march after a slack period at the start of the year.

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Website Activity

The average access to our website continues to grow and taking the past 14.5 months, we have an average of 88 visits to our website each month. A steady increase.

The following web site enhancements have been applied;

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1. Various minor cosmetic changes have been made.2. Added newsletter 10 to member’s index link.

We need to update our DOJO list and I would appreciate all members e-mailing me the detail of any classes they currently run stating dojo address, contact number , times of lessons and of course what you teach._______________________//_______________________

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The ISKK welcomes articles that contribute to the understanding of theory, research, history, and practical application of orthodox karate. We encourage contributions from all members,

instructors and students alike.

We welcome multidimensional articles that include sidebars, photos, art work, and/or illustrations. Editorial content will promote the core ISKK values of member participation and

stylistic diversity.

Please send your articles to malcolmbates@seitokarate.com

DISCLAIMER. The views and opinions of Letter writers and authors of Articles are not necessarily those of the Editor or ISKK.. The publication therefore accepts no responsibility for any critical statements or sentiments, technical or medical opinions contained in their editorial.