November 28 1999 Hello All, It is almost December. I have had a really tough November. I appear to be getting stronger each day but the progress is very slow. I hope all is well with you. Train with diligence, tolerance, patience and an upright state of mind. Live with honor, love, compassion and a…
The first level of training in Aoinagi is considered gyo training. This is for all students up to and including many of the black belts. Certain black belts want to get more out of the art and ask for the training of the samurai or Shugyo (severe) training. This is the bushi level stemming from…
Here is a thought provoking question which is very appropriate for beginner student as well as advanced shugyo. It was posed by Scott Krohne and has caused me to reflect for several weeks before attempting to answer such a modern-world question. “Another topic that perhaps you could say a few words on is that of…
I just got this e-mail from Julie Evans, an attorney specializing in family law and a member of the Redlands Aoinagi Karate dojo. It is very entertaining and so I send it on to all of you. There is no need to read it if you are not interested in a laugh and a little…
Dear Peter and other karate-ka, Peter Gold of the Redlands Dojo asked this question. I don’t know what the first question was or if I responded to it at some earlier time. At any rate here is a question about the differences of kata and kumite and the proper use of formal structure and pragmatic…
Kihon Stagnation “Ah, Why Must We Do Basics?” Almost any student who has trained in karate for any length of time learns that there are three basic physical components of karate training. These are named kihon, kata and kumite. Students beginning karate training are usually introduced to kihon as the basics of that training. The…
No First Strike? “Karate ni sente nashi,” means “in karate there is no first strike.” This statement figuratively means that the karate-ka does not initiate violence. Karate was always and a defensive martial art. The initiation of a strike is offense and thus is contrary to the defensive attitude of the well-trained karate-ka. Before conflict…
Dear Bushi, Peter Gold from Redlands Dojo wrote to me the following questions: Dear Sensei, • I hope you are feeling OK after your treatment on Thursday. Jack and Scott were asking me if I had heard anything about how you were doing. Some of us were a little reluctant to call for fear they…
Dear Karate-ka, Peter Gold, who teaches the 8:00 class at Redlands Dojo wrote to me about the Kosokun Dai. I answer his question by reference to several other kata including Kosokun Sho, Kosokun Shiho Sho, Kosokun Shiho Dai and Junihoshi. Do not be disturbed that I handle these kata as if they were one. That…
4 The Theme of Niseishi Dai (Nijyushiho): If Arakaki had created nothing else in his lifetime he would be considered one of the greatest martial artists of all time. But he created more kata with deep esthetic value than what I can even believe. Not only did he create the Niseishi but also the Unshu…