September 2010 - Kuniba Kai International
Transcription
September 2010 - Kuniba Kai International
Kuniba Kai Japan Budo International Carrying on the traditions of Shogo Kuniba: Motobu-ha, Kuniba-ha, and Kuniba-ryu Newsletter September 2010 Volume IV, Issue 3 The Kata of Shogo Kuniba* by Judy Kuniba Some shikata caused rather comical situations between Soke and me. For example, there is a kata for eating (tabe kata). We Americans love to go to buffets and pile the food high on several plates. The popularity of this can be observed at any Golden Corral as you watch the sumo waddle past. Since I never heard of tabe kata, I cooked spaghetti for Soke and piled it up on his plate as if he were an American man. He looked at the plate in horror and uttered his soon to be familiar phrase, “phat is this?” It took me a few minutes and some complaining from him to realize that the sight of so much food on one plate was nauseating to him. He literally felt too sick to eat. I learned that to get him to eat, I had to serve him very small portions, arranged as beautifully as an ignorant woman from the hills could, and in small dishes. The Japanese tabe kata includes such things as matching the dishes by color and shape to the seasons, preparing certain foods during certain seasons, and never serving too much at one time. Soke loved to eat a bowl of ice cream each night, but he would only eat one scoop. Now some of you who hosted him at your homes may say any of those things is not true. However, your home was not his home, so the politeness kata kicked in at your house. He would do things and eat things at your home that he would never do at his home. Besides that, I was his wife and supposed to know how he wanted everything done. From an expression on his face, I was supposed to read his mind. Probably, wife kata! Other tabe kata include always leaving a small bite of rice in the bowl for the spirits of the ancestors, never eating rice on the same plate as the other food, and eating only as much as you need at one meal. We Americans tend to eat everything we are served, even when we have to force the food down our throats. We worry about those starving kids in Haiti now, I guess. Soke drove me crazy by leaving a spoonful of food that I had to throw away. He was too full to eat it or as he said, “no need.” The world’s starving children mattered not. 1 Associated with tabe kata is the rice washing kata. Japanese rice is sticky because it has a lot of talc. The talc needs to be washed off the rice before it is cooked. There is a kata for rice washing that builds strong forearms and causes neck vertebrae to ache! Rice is measured and placed in a bowl. The bowl is filled with water, drained, and the hand is held like a scoop as you swish the rice vigorously in a circle with a rotating motion of the wrist. This must be done over and over until the water rinses clear and then the rice must be left for several hours, overnight is good, and then cooked. I swear I can’t tell the difference if the rice is soaked or if it is cooked immediately, but Soke could tell and his famous, “phat is this!?!” comment would make my knees wobble. I said that I became kataized by him and the rice washing kata is one way I was kataized. To this day, it makes me cringe to see someone try to wash rice by simply rinsing it or to cook it immediately after washing. For me that has become shigata ga nai! Further tabe kata include the cutting and arrangement of vegetables on a serving plate, especially for nabe (food all cooked in one pot like sukiyaki) dishes. From Soke, I learned that for one kind of food, you use green onions and for another, round onions. All vegetables and meats in Japanese cooking are cut into small pieces for easy eating with chopsticks. Cooking kata require that the same vegetable or meat have to be cut in a different manner depending on the dish being prepared. Soke informed me that the size and shape of the food gave the dish a different flavor. His taste buds were more refined than my American ones, as we Americans tend to smash everything together. He also would not cook with a utensil that did not appeal to his esthetic sense. My mother had given me a wooden spoon that had gotten too close to a burner and had a black scorch mark on it. Soke would not use that “datty (dirty)” spoon so it got thrown out. Another shikata that always made me chuckle to myself is the denwa (telephone) kata. Whenever a Japanese person would call the house, Soke would use his denwa kata. That meant that he bowed as he talked. He also used the way of speaking, peculiar to a Japanese man which is used to encourage another person to speak. This requires that he say a series of “ahhh, ahhh, ahhaha” over and over. The ahs and the bowing were comical, but perfect, denwa kata for a Japanese. Phone conversations always ended with a formal statement of thanks for the call and best wishes for the other person. One thing was like any male, however. He could talk for 30 minutes and when asked what that was about, assume a pained look, and say, “nothing”. (End of Part III) * A personal account in four parts. Part I appeared in March; Part II appeared in June; and Part IV will appear in the December issue of the Kuniba Kai Newsletter. 2 “Each Kata is a self-portrait of the performer.” Shogo Kuniba Shogo Kuniba Making Kata List Chesapeake, VA September 1974 Ink Drawing by Shogo Kuniba 3 Report from Israel by Shihan Eran Bernstein In April, we had our annual instructor’s class for all our Dojo Sensei and Sempai in the Hombu Dojo in Nazareth. Kata and Bunkai were practiced. Israel Kuniba Kai Instructor’s Class In June, we had our national tournament with more than 500 students – only Kuniba Kai Israel members; it was in Nazareth. Israel Kuniba Kai Championship 4 In July, the Israel Kuniba Kai Gashuku was held at “Nahalal" with 80 senior students from all Kuniba Kai Israel Dojo. Kyu tests and a kumite class were conducted. Israel Kuniba Kai Gashuku ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kuniba Kai International Registry This is to inform you that the Registry has been taken off-line for an indefinite period. It is undergoing purging and revision. Suggestions for improvements are welcomed. Begin thinking Italy 2011 A Kuniba Kai International World Tournament is being planned for next year in Brascia, Italy. Consider making this trip of a lifetime. See Calendar on page 24. 5 Naples (FL) News By Shihan Lynn Kureth On August 14th I had my 4th annual "End of Summed" beach workout. This is for the students and families who trained during the summer months. My student enrollment drops off about 1/2 during the summer months. 2010 "End of Summer" beach workout. Naples, Florida I also recently named a satellite dojo. The students have taught there for over 12 months and have proved that they can transfer their knowledge to the next generation. Their name is "Wansenshi dojo" meaning peaceful warrior. Recently promoted: Stacey A. Hurley - Shodan, Karate; Anthony Iamurri - Nidan, Karate; Jose Arias - Shodan, Kobudo. 6 Shihan Kureth training with his students at Ave Maria University Renshi Villarreal Starts After School Karate Program After joining the Kuniba Kai and meeting some of the teachers that have their own After School Karate programs (e.g., Renshi Jim King and Kyoshi Darren Myers) Renshi Filipe Villarreal started his own program in the southern Illinois area. It is only 3 days in but looks promising. He is hoping in time he will get enough students to bring Kyoshi Myers, Kyoshi Estes, Hanshi Herndon, or even Soke Kuniba into the southern Illinois area for Seminars. Renshi Villarreal with News Students 7 New Kyoshin Kan/Kuniba Kai Dojo by roving reporter Renshi Lenny Jordan, having recently joined Kuniba Kai following a period of time as an associate member, has opened a new dojo in Cartersville, GA. Not new to the Kuniba family, Renshi Jordan trained under the Seishin Kai of Shogo Kuniba during the late 1970s through the late 1980s. He formed Kyoshin Kan in 1982 as a grouping of dojo headed by his students in VA, WV, and FL. Renshi Lenny Jordan (L) with assistant Kaye Matthews Kyoshin Kan Dojo Recent Promotions at Kyoshin Kan 8 Special Training (GA) Kyoshin Kan Dojo hosted a special training event on Saturday, September 11, 2010 in Cartersville, GA. Originally intended to be a Kuniba Kai mini-summit and gathering of Shihan, a recent injury of Soke Kozo Kuniba’s foot prohibited travel to the event. Alternate plans were put into place. Hanshi James Herndon conducted this special training for members of Kyoshin Kan as a review and refresher of Motobu-ha Shito-ryu technique. Attendees at Special Training Hanshi James Herndon Renshi Lenny Jordan Shihan Mario Nozzarella Shihan Brice Van Ausdal Shihan Lynn Kureth Shihan Gene Williams Shihan Bill Giessuebel Kaye Matthews Krystal Holland P.J. Purcell Philip Rosi Jim Sermania 9 Physical Prowess, Emotional Fragility by Hanshi James Herndon I am writing this article as a psychologist, more so than as a martial artist. However, these two identities no doubt shape my viewpoints in equally compelling ways. What follows are my opinions and observations. No offense is intended. Just ponder what I’m saying and if it fits, accept it or change it if you’d care to. Many people enter the world of Budo for reasons of personal power. Whether willing to admit it or not, seekers of martial skill must consciously or unconsciously have battle in mind. It may be a battle against the self; or, it may be a battle against society. In either case, skills are sought that will assure victory. Physical strength and technical mastery are by-products of training in Karate-do, Judo, Iaido, Kendo, Kyudo, Kobudo, etc. Belt attainment generally signifies accompanied growth in skill and technique. Over time, practitioners become formidable. Ironically, with the increase in ability seems to come the decrease in threat or challenge that might have initiated the training. The more one can do, the less one has to do. Confidence apparently radiates to reduce danger. This is as it should be. Highly trained masters need not fight. Nothing to prove. Sure, there are always those who can claim to be “meaner and badder.” So what? Some might conclude they are dumber, as well. Smart people do not seek to get the stuffing knocked out of them. If ultimate fighting is your thing, you can have it. So called mixed martial arts appear more likely as mixed-up martial arts. They seem to be devoid of the essence of Budo, which is character development, evidenced by humility, courtesy, patience, benevolence, rectitude, and justice. Bragging rights do not fit in here. There is one area where some mixed fighters do tend to excel over other pure-bred Budo masters. That is in their mental toughness. You don’t often hear the UFC fighter whining and complaining about pain. They can take it. Similarly, such people tend not to be cry babies. That would be incompatible with their image of toughness. Then, why is it, I ask, that so many high ranking martial artists (meaning Budoka) seem to be whiners and complainers? Look around. Without naming names, I can see many notable leaders in Budo organizations who act like little children emotionally. They think petty thoughts and blame others for their own shortcomings. They gossip, bad mouth, and speak ill of others who should be respected as peers or superiors. They belittle themselves as they demean others. Surely, all the psychological 10 and philosophical training that accompanied the physical training should have brought their emotional development up to the same level as their technical skills. But, somehow, we see in many cases grown men acting like little boys. Apparently, the training did not have its intended effect. Why is it that strong, powerful, skilled, high ranking martial artists all too often are so emotionally under-developed? Words hurt them. Old insults fester into paranoid delusions about vendettas and get in the way of any and all future collaboration. They refuse to grow up and let go. Rather than having thick skin, they seem to have open wounds waiting to be hit by anyone who comes too close. I think it’s time we all take a hard look in the mirror. Who is it looking back? Is the reflection consistent with the illusion/delusion nurtured in our mind? Are we really Budo masters? Or, are we little boys pretending to be grown (mature) men? Physical skill does not make one a grown up. Emotional maturity trumps the physical, when it comes to wisdom, compassion, and a life of peace and psychological integration. The journey of life should teach us something. As we age, we should mellow. We should be able to bear injury and bear insult. Things that used to hurt simply shouldn’t matter anymore when life is put into perspective. Moving forward means letting go of the past baggage and accepting the now as it is. I challenge all Budo masters who read my words to embrace the path that puts self-development (body, mind and spirit) at the forefront of training. Self-development should bear fruit in the quality of life that ensues. As a measure of success, personal contentment should increase and difficulties with others should diminish. The well-adjusted person can laugh at him/herself, can maintain lasting and fulfilling relationships, can find dignity in being non-confrontational, and can find value in being of service to others. Now, if anything I said offends you, let it go. Be Budo. 11 Estonia Summer Camps by Rein Rebane This year was a little bit different from the last 5 years we had camps in this beautiful spot in southern Estonia, for our dear Renshi Ky Buon could not attend; and thus, we invited some instructors from outside Kunibakai to visit us. So we had two camps - the first for the younger ones and the second for older students. The latter was visited by Jun-Shihan Venyamin Garmayev from Moscow, Russia and Mr. Aleksander Lanberg of Estonia. Mr. Garmayev is from Shitokai Russia, 5 Dan, and world champion in Kata (Shitokai). He showed in outstanding ways how the body should work in performing Kata - the hips, legs, etc; the tension and relaxation principle and taught us a new Kata, Matsumura Bassai. Mr. Lanberg is the leader of Estonian Shorinryu Federation, 4 Dan, and specializes in Kumite. Everybody loved that military style Russian hard way of teaching and learned a lot. There were about 80 attendees at the camps and the weather favored training outside and enjoying a swim in the river. The camps lasted for 6 and 7 days, respectively. We had a grading test at the camp for Kyu levels. Hopefully some brown belts can try for the Shodan testing in the camp we are looking forward to – at Täby in August. Next year I hope Renshi Ky Buon can come to us again give a chance to our other Swedish friends to come along and enjoy Estonia! Summer Camps in Estonia 12 Soke Kozo Kuniba in Hungary Through arrangements made by Shike Giacomo Spartaco Bertoletti of Italy and the WASI organization, Soke Kozo Kuniba visited Hungary in July as part of the events held in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary Hungarian Ju Jutsu Federation. Kuniba-soke demonstrated and taught his version of Goshin Do, despite a broken and painful foot. Accounts indicate that his teaching was well-received. Kozo Kuniba & Rony Kluger 25th Anniversary Hungarian Ju Jutsu Federation 13 Kuniba-soke participated in promotion and award ceremonies, adding the Japanese touch to the festivities. Menjo and Awards 14 Sweden Summer Camp by Kyoshi Darren Myers Beautiful, historic Stockholm was the backdrop for the 2010 Sweden Kuniba Kai Summer Camp. Over 75 participants traveled from all over Sweden, Estonia and the USA to train in all aspects of the Kuniba arts. Renshi Johan Backteman and Renshi Ky Buon Tang worked hard to organize a great camp. This year’s event was hosted by the Taby Dojo of Stockholm, a Wado Ryu dojo that has worked closely with Renshi Backteman and Renshi Tang. The facility was first class and provided a great deal of space for the event. The weather was extraordinary for the entire time in their beautiful country. Special guest instructor this year was Kyoshi Darren Myers, USA Honbucho from Virginia. An intense schedule of training classes was arranged which kept all of the instructors very busy for the four day camp. Kyoshi Myers, Renshi Backteman and Renshi Buon held classes in Karate kihon, kumite, kata and bunkai, along with Iaido, Kobudo and Goshin Do instruction. Several other instructors helped by adding other aspects into the training from knife defenses to competition kata and more. All of the instructors kept the students training hard and wanting for more. Kyoshi Myers shows how it’s done 15 Sweden Camp Attendees After the event, Renshi Backteman took Kyoshi Myers for a tour of beautiful downtown Stockholm. The attractions were incredible with historic sights on the waterfront, highlighted by a march of the Swedish Royal Guard on horseback down one of the main streets toward the King’s castle. Special thanks to the instructors, the Taby Dojo, Johan Brinkenberg and Birgitta Lindblom (who were wonderful hosts) for an unforgettable Kuniba Kai experience. Sites of Sweden 16 Suparinpei on the Web One of the lesser practiced Kata in the Kuniba Kai syllabus is Suparinpei. Shihan Nawal Datta*, India Honbucho, has recently posted a video on the web of himself performing this rather long Kata. http://www.voobys.com/video/video.php?q=karate+do+shi+to+ryu+kumite &id=jXDYWEBqZcM&pos=10 It is important to note that this is a freelance version, not sanctioned by the Kuniba Kai International Technical Committee. While instructive in its own right, it is not to be taken as the official version taught in Motobu-ha Shito-ryu. There are numerous other video clips of Suparinpei on You Tube. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oknyJULJtwY Just remember, the only authorized version for performance within Kuniba Kai is the one that Soke Kozo Kuniba endorses. As an optional advanced Kata in Motobu-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do, not that many Yudansha practice this Kata. -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/The name “Suparinpei” is composed of 4 characters, namely or “su” from the Japanese word “itsu” meaning “one” (the character is a formal way of writing the number in legal or official documents); or “pa” meaning “hundred”; or “rin” meaning literally “zero” or “fragment” but used in this context in the same way as the conjunction “and” would be used in English 4; and meaning “8”. Accordingly the name means simply “108”. As with Sanseiru, Seipai and Seisan it is customary in Okinawa to add or “te” meaning “hands” at the end so that the name means “108 hands”. It is generally accepted that Kanryo Higaonna brought the Suparinpei kata back from Fuzhou where he learned the form from Ryu Ryu Ko, and that Higaonna then taught the kata to Chojun Miyagi.1 1 Source: http://www.traditionalfightingarts.com/karate_suparinpei.htm 17 India News *Shihan Nawal Datta (India Honbucho) recently passed his first attempted exam for judge-AKF at the Junior & Cadet Asian Karate Championship 2010 in Hong Kong. His achievement in this regard has given lot of strength and reputation to Kuniba Kai India in the All India Karate-do Federation. Shihan Nawal Datta (above) and Medal Winners (below) 18 Silver Medal for Jose Iglesia In July, at the USA Karate National Championships (Greenville, SC) and team trials, Jose Iglesia, a Kuniba Kai Karate-do Nidan and student of Sensei Rafael Martinez of New York, managed to win a silver medal in the +84KG Elite Kumite division. This division was to decide the USA’s 20102011 national team pool. After winning a numerous set of grueling pre-finals matches Jose fought a dynamic match for the gold but came up short. Jose’s Silver medal secures his position to represent the United States at the 2011 North American Cup, Pan American Karate Championships, and possibly the 2011 Pan American Games. Ippon! 19 When asked about his results he said: “I’m very happy with my performance, but I feel I still have much developmental training to do and I can’t wait to get home to New York and get back to work, I have a full 2011 season and a full 6 months to come back significantly stronger”. Jose also describes the unparalleled support he receives from training under Sensei Martinez to be the backbone of his success as a karate athlete. Aside from karate Jose will also be enrolled as a senior at the City University of New York’s Hunter College. We predict that he will have an exceptional competition season ahead of him and has a very bright career as a Karate athlete and representative of the Kuniba Kai. Congratulations! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Program Ad Kyoshi Darren Myers placed the following ad in the July 2010 USA Karate National Championships tournament brochure. Great PR! 20 Budo Communion by Kensei Tsuruoka We often hear it said that the Kai is a family. How is that so? When like-minded people come together to share in self-development pursuits, they forge a bond that is as strong as any biological family; sometimes even stronger. Relationships are built through hard training and common adversity. The following calligraphy expresses well the idea of Budo family. "Through the warrior’s way we find our family communion". Translated by Paul Dal 12/3/09 The term Communion is derived from Latin communio (sharing in common); a joining together of minds or spirits 21 Budobituary Masaharu Sakimukai (Friend of Shogo Kuniba) SAKIMUKAI Masaharu 'Soke' Sakimukai--- Soke, Grand Master Masaharu Sakimukai, 67, who established Chintokan Karate-Do has passed away peacefully in Jacksonville, FL, on Saturday, July 10, 2010. He was born January 25, 1943 in Kagoshima, Japan. Soke devoted his life to living and teaching the Japanese martial arts way. He was first introduced to Judo by his father at very young age and he began his formal karate training at age 13. In 1962, at age 19 he established his first Chintokan dojo in Osaka, Japan. After expanding to nine Chintokan dojos in Japan, in 1980, he moved his family to Newark, DE, USA. Within six years, he quickly became a prestigious International WUKO Judge. As an International WUKO Judge, Soke supported the International Karate-Do competitions worldwide for many years. He also practiced and taught Iaido and Jodo and held 9th dan, 'Hanshi' title for both arts. He received Menkyo Kaiden from Mugai Ryu Iaido and Menkyo from Jodo. Soke leaves behind his beloved wife, Takako, of forty-three years; and their two children Yoshihito and wife Miwa of Jacksonville, FL; and grandson Sean; Masakazu and his wife Haruyo of Torrance, CA; and grandson Len. He also leaves behind his students and the martial arts community; his two brothers Mikio and Hiroshi; nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be held 11AM Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park. FL. Family members will receive guests prior to the service on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 from 5PM-7PM at the funeral home. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion/obituary.aspx?n=masaharu-sakimukaisoke&pid=144063139 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles McCallister (Student of Lenny Jordan) Charles B. McCallister VIRGINIA BEACH - Charles B. McCallister, 50, suddenly passed away Aug. 16, 2010. He was born in Charleston, W.Va., to the late Sandra Braken Jennings and William E. "Jack" McCallister. He worked at NAVSEA Dam Neck as a systems engineer for nine years. Prior to that he worked with Raythem Systems as an electrical engineer and was a graduate of West Virginia University Institute of Technology in electrical engineering. Charles attended and was active in the fellowship of Virginia Beach Community Chapel for more than 20 years. He had many talents ranging from amateur photographer, sound engineer, real estate investor, communication design, to owning and operating McDigit Enterprises. Charles was known for his integrity, generosity and gentle spirit. 22 A Primer of Kuniba-ha Karate-do by Hanshi James Herndon A Primer of Kuniba-ha Karate-do, originally published in 1984 under the guidance of Shogo Kuniba, has been re-printed. When Shogo Kuniba took up residence in the USA in 1983, he began to call his style of Karate (viz., Motobu-ha Shito-ryu) by another name to distinguish between the Japanese version and the American (Western) version. Kuniba-ha Karate-do is, however, synonymous with Motobu-ha Shito-ryu, as the calligraphy on the cover illustrates. A Primer of Kuniba-ha Karate-do contains more than 200 pages of text, figures and photographs. Figures are Kanji prepared by Shogo Kuniba representing the many technical, philosophical, and psychological concepts of Karate-do. Photographs were professionally taken and feature Shogo Kuniba in Karate-do technique poses, as well as samplings of Kobudo and Goshin Budo. The book is indexed by subject and prominent names in the history of Kuniba-ha Karate-do. A glossary is included. I believe all those who have been influenced or inspired by the teachings of Shogo Kuniba will find the book of value. To order a copy, send $45.00 (US), plus shipping and handling, to PO Box 540296, Orlando, FL (USA), 32854. Pay Pal accepted: DrJHerndon@aol.com Destination Asia/India Middle East/Africa Europe/Scandinavia South America/Caribbean North America/Canada Shipping & Handling $17.00 $17.00 $17.00 $17.00 $10.00 23 Upcoming Worldwide Events 2010 Date Event Contact Oct Solintex Tournament Venezuela Nov Kyoshi Estes Israel Clinic Kyoshi Yovany Aguero nintai@cantv.net Kyoshi Lewis Estes lewise44@aol.com 2011 Date Event Contact TBD Kuniba Kai World Tournament Brascia, Italy Shihan Giacomo Spartaco Bertoletti gsb@publicationspromotion.it [Please send corrections and additions to Information Director] The 20th WKF Senior Karate Championships The 20th World Karate-do Federation (WKF) Senior World Championships will be held 27-31 October 2010 in Belgrade, Serbia (Sport Venue Beogradska Arena). Renshi Ky Buon Tang will be there from 25-31 October 2010 coaching the Swedish team for Kata. It will be exciting to see how far the Swedish team can get in the competition. His goal will be to try to win as many matches as possible and then, with any luck, win one or two medals. See: http://www.wkf.net/ for further details. Next Newsletter Submit news items and other information now for next Newsletter, which will be released early December. Deadline November 15, 2010. Each issue, we’d like to highlight members and dojo from around the world. So, along with information updates and articles, please send digital photographs of camps, clinics, tournaments and promotions. 24 Invitation to Join Kuniba Kai If you are a practitioner of Motobu-ha Shito-ryu, you are invited to join Kuniba Kai. The Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF)* has recognized only Kuniba Kai as the organization authorized to teach Motobu-ha Shitoryu Karate-do, the style of the Kuniba family. No other claims to the style can be substantiated. From Soke Kosei Kokuba (Kuniba), through Soke Kosho (Shogo) Kuniba, to Soke Kozo Kuniba, the style continues to evolve. Keep current and in the mainstream by joining Kuniba Kai. Be part of the new history. Contact the Information Director for further details. *Website for Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF): http://www.karatedo.co.jp/jkf/jkf-eng/e_index.htm Kuniba Kai Japan Budo International Newsletter, September 2010, Volume IV, Issue 3 Editor: Hanshi James Herndon, Kaicho Kuniba Kai International HanshiHerndon@gmail.com www.kunibakai.org 25