Words Of Matsumura?

Sokon Matsumura's letter about Martial Arts, written May 13, 1882

To:
My wise and young brother Kuwae Ryosei


You can only understand the true way of the martial arts through determination and continuous training. It is quite interesting to note that the martial arts and the methods of scholarly study parallel each other at a fundamental level.
When examining the methods of scholarly study, we find there are three distinct elements or methods:

The first method is the study of powerful words, skills needed in communication and the pursuit of high-paying positions.

The second method is the study of comparing the wisdom of traditional literature, and instilling a sense of duty by way of example.

Despite the fact that these two methods are both unique, they fall short of comprehending the true essence of the way. They encompass only a superficial comprehension of scholarly studies, so they should be regarded as incomplete.

The third method of literary study is a complete method. By understanding this third method is how we can understand the true way. Some of the things that it teaches us how to do are the following:

(1) To gain a more profound understanding(2) To gain strength from our weaknesses(3) To become more sincere(4) To become more righteous(5) To better control our emotions(6) To have more peace in our homes.

This is a doctrine that can be applied to not only our country, but to the whole world. Therefore, only this study is a complete one.

If we investigate the martial arts, we also see that there are three distinct divisions or elements in them:

The first method, or division, is more like a game of psychology and tactics. It actually has no practical application in fighting, but it is more like pretty dancing. It is quite superficial.

The second method is nothing more than physical exercises. Its only goal is to win. In this there is no virtue. The practitioners of this method are contentious. Many times they bring injury to others and to themselves. Very often they cause dishonor to come upon members of their family.
The third method, in contrast, is always performed with conviction. The practitioners of this third method gain a solemn enlightenment, free of strife and depravity. It promotes loyalty among family, friends and country. It also promotes a natural demeanor, which develops a gallant character.

If you have an unconquerable calmness, you can overcome the enemy without force, with the ferocity of a tiger and the swiftness of a bird.

Some traits of this third method:
(1) It prohibits intentional violence
(2) It rules the actions of the warrior
(3) It edifies
(4) It promotes virtue
(5) It promotes peace among the people
(6) It produces harmony in society
(7) It brings about prosperity

These are called the "Seven Virtues of the Martial Arts." They were taught by wise men, and are contained in a book called the Godan-sho.

Thus, the true way of the martial arts has more than one element in it. A wise man does not need the first or second methods. All he needs is the third method.

In this method, you will find the true way.

This unconquerable strength will deeply influence your judgment in recognizing opportunities and in taking appropriate action. The circumstances will always determine what the correct approach is that you should take.

It might seem like I have no respect for the other two fighting methods, but my conviction is rooted immovably in the doctrine of the third method. I have revealed my words to you. There is nothing left secret or hidden in my mind, nothing held back. If you accept and heed my words, you will find the true way.

Signed:
Bushi Matsumura, May 13, 1882



enjoy, Jim !

A real find.....................

I started out in the Sankukai system, developed by the great Nanbu Sensei and taught to us by Tsukada Sensei and Roger Mills Sensei.

Here is a link to Tsukada Sensei website, and he has posted a fantastic demo of him and Nanbu Sensei working Sankukai karate,

http://www.club-karate.com/karate_souvenirs.html

This is the first time I have seen this footage and I wanted you all to enjoy it as well.

Jim

Friends In Japan - Yamaguchi Sensei

with the late Nishihira Sensei

with kusarigama

The Shoshinkan is pleased to announce our friendship with Yamaguchi Sensei, of Shorin-ryu Matsumura Seito Karate-do, Koseikai. Our hope is that Yamaguchi Sensei will visit England, or I will get to Japan as soon as possible to train.

Yamaguchi Sensei was a long term, close student of the late Nishihira Sensei, and teaches both karate and kobuJutsu of that lineage.

I have regular communication with Yamaguchi Sensei, and a good friend of ours translates for us, so if you would like to contact him please do so via his website (in Japanese) or if you wish via myself (in English please),

Jim

What we do................

Shoshin Shorin Ryu, thats what is registered with the Okinawan Martial Arts Association, that's whats on certificates etc etc.

Shoshin (Beginers Mind) is the name my Sensei has given me (not to be used casually mind, that's just weird, he does it with all the Yudansha at some point), Shorin Ryu is what we do.

Our Shorin Ryu is based on research, teachings and efforts from several key sources, certainly from some significant Shorin Ryu people, and mostly from the Seito Matsumura Shorin Ryu System,

This way theres no lineage claims, no fuss and nothing to brag about, it is what it is and I feel comftorable with that,

If people ask what the system is about I say three things -

1. it is safe to train into old age

2. it is highly functional

3. it is driven by Seito (Orthodox), Okinawan Karate/KobuJutsu principles from Shurite Kata as were handed to us and researched by us over the years.

Yours In Karate,

Jim

Visit To Dentokan At SOAS

Stephen Chan Sensei

Myself and Senior Chris Norman Sensei made a visit to London to train with the Dentokan group headed by Stephen Chan Sensei.

We recieved a very friendly welcome and were put through the paces working Kihon, Kihon Kumite, Kata and Tonfa.

More details of this excellent dojo at - http://www.dentokan.org/V3/EN/Index.htm

Unfortunatly I will not be able to re-visit more than 1/4ly but I look forward to these sessions in the future and getting to know the group better.

Thankyou Chan Sensei,

Jim

RyeTe In Uk !

Early Picture Of Oyata & Logue Sensei

I had the absolute pleasure of attending the sunday training (3 hours, £15!) organised by Terry Wingrove Sensei, at Zoltan Sensei Brighton dojo.

Jim Logue Sensei is a 9th Dan Senior personal student of Oyata Sensei, RyuTe and family art.

1st important thing is Logue Sensei was an absolute gentleman, very softly spoken and open. His skill and application was of an extremly high level, as was his knowledge.

Basically we worked a variety of painful/effective applications from the Naihanchi and Passai kata, and also explored body mechanics (keep it simple!), a great emphasis was placed on 'body change' (using weight shift to a kosa dachi) which illistrated a couple of very interesting distance and timing concepts.

One major thing was really enforced (again) for me, is that that Tuite/Kyosho comes from chin-na, something I have now confirmed from several senior instructors, from different Okinawan Ryu.

A superb training oppertunity, and im very sad I couldn't make the 2 sessions held on the saturday at Bisham Abbey.

Here is some footage of Oyata Sensei for your reference -

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=oyata

whilst todays seminar was not a 'knockout' day, kyusho was implied at all stages, certainly reinfocing the important elements of accuracy and skill IMO in RyuTe.

For more information on RyuTe visit -

http://www.ryute.com/

Jim

Tai Chi Practice

Master Cheng Man-Ch'ing

(1901 - 1975)

A local class is being set up to learn the 37 step form, enjoy and relax with some chi gung/breathing methods leading to meditation practice.

Myself, and some of my students will attend, but also partners, friends etc etc this is to be a non 'martial' class, with a health based approach.

My thanks to Hunn, my acupuncturist who is taking the class for us. This should be every friday evening, more details to follow soon.

Limited numbers for this so let me know if you are interested.

Jim

BUDOSAI - RESOUNDING SUCCESS
An eclectic mix of instructors and students from 12 countries converged on the National Sports Centre Bisham Nr,Marlow, Bucks over the weekend of 3/4/5th Aug and with instructors from Japan,Okinawa & China the three day BUDOSAI event covered 5 disciplines(Karate,Aikido,Iiaido,Jujitsu & Wushu) and was a first in respect to getting these particular masters on the same mat.

The line-up of masters included Morio Higaonna (together with assistant instructors Tetsuji Nakamura & Eric Higaonna), Shinyu Gushi (with assistant instructor Makoto Fukumoto),Yukiyoshi Marutani, Kando Shibamori (assistant instructor Tibor Rostas), Pan Cheng Miao, Pan Qiong Qi, Chen Jian Feng (assisted by Martin Watts), Alan Ruddock, Alex Da Costa, and additional assistance from senseis George Andrews and Tony Christian plus instructors from CYBERBUDO. Also attending the event from Los Angeles was David Chambers publisher of Classical Fighting Arts magazine and his daughter Alexandra.

I attended this event, it was a fantastic weekend, I will be there next year.

visit http://www.cyberbudo.com/ for information on events organised by the CYBERBUDO group.

Jim

Events And Friends Of Shoshinkan

Over the last 18 months we have held several day seminars and invited many friends, my thanks to you all for your support of the dojo.

I have stopped the seminars this year to focus on my own weekend training, but am missing them so will arrange some dates for next year, details to follow.

Jim

Some Members Of Our Dojo

Our dojo is a small one, long may that last! We generally have 3-6 students train each session.

However we are looking for a few more students aged 16 plus to join us for long term training in classical karate.

I have decided that for this year we will remain with just thursday group sessions, however Roger Sensei dojo is avalaible 3 times each week, go visit!

Please remember private training is avalaible, a £5 donation to dojo funds is the cost currently.

Jim

Karate - My Art, is a very interesting compilation and translation of Motobu Choki O'Sensei works, presented by Patrick & Yuriko McCarthy.

If you have a genuine interest in 'old style' Okinawan Karate then this small book is an absolute must have!

Avalaible from here - http://www.koryu-uchinadi.com/motobu_choki_book.htm

McCarthy Sensei does a wonderful job in giving us a glimpse of the good stuff!

Jim

Okinawan Information Links

Love it or hate it Youtube allows many of us to see and hear things we other wise never would, please take a look at the various RyuKyu clips avaliable at -

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=search_videos&search_query=ryukyu&search_sort=relevance&search_category=0&page=1

for lots of historical and current okinawan news and information visit -

http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/eng/ryukyu/

a good place to start gettin ginformation on the Historical RyuKyu Kingdom Period is here -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%ABky%C5%AB_Kingdom

Jim

Okinawan Cultural Events In UK !

Myself and various friends visit a London University to attend gatherings of Okinawan people and their family's and friends. The focus is on music, sanshin practice.

The music was very interesting, a very casual approach and very much a social occasion. Obviously alot of skill is involved with this instrument, I particulary enjoy the singing!

We discuss many aspects of Okinawan culture, history and traditions and are honoured to be part of the group.

Towards the end we are sometimes asked to show some of our karate,

Our particular thanks to Hisano and James who I have spoken to for a while to arrange these meetings, I hope to attend each 1/4.

If you would like to join us please contact me to discuss arrangements, we also tend to train somewhere, visit the local Oriental bookshops and blag our way into a rather nice library!

Jim

WHAT DO YOU HIT ?

Here is a picture of the 2 main pieces of kit that I hit, regulary!

The first is a hanging natural rough cotton 'sand bag', simply about the size of a human head and filled with coarse sand. I use this to train the weaker hand formations (ippon ken's, nukite, leopard paw etc etc) and as it simply adjusts in height also my toe kicks, it has movement and extra weight is added as I progress, I am loking to prgoress to small pebbles one day, maybee.............ouch!

The 2nd picture is of course the makiwara, 'the' classical Okinawan training device used to work the basics, my good friend Jon at www.makiwarapost.com built this for me.

I use many different strikes but my regular focus is on the punch, the makiwara forces me to work 'form' and ensures my body is in correct alignment to deliver efficient power, a secondary benefit is the conditioning of the fist - a serious consideration for the safe application of our karate.

I do work the standard heavy bag also, it is a great device for power generation and should not be neglected, but I sincerly feel that it is just part of a rounded training program.

SO JUST HOW OLD IS OKINAWAN KARATE ?

A Chinese man named Kung Kusanku taught 'Tode' Sakugawa the kata, known as Kushanku.

This kata was first demonstrated publically on Okinawa in 1761, thus making the Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate system around 250 years old - for me, ask anyone else and they will of course have their own awnser!

It should be noted however that in 1392 the Chinese mission (36 family's) was established in Naha (Kume village), this is the original source from which the Chinese fighting traditions were systematically transmitted in Okinawa. (making Okinawan 'Karate' over 600 years 'old').

If one is looking for the Chinese 'origin' of our art, then I take the 950 (Tang dynasty) as my 'loose' reference, ie making the our art over 1000 years old, this is my assumption that our art is indeed the Okinawan presentation of the early long fist Arhat Boxing of the Shaolin order, combined of course with many other things, over time (inc White Crane Boxing much later).

Interestingly much of the karate in the Western world is very much a more modern product mainly developing in the 20th century as a budo pursuit, often sport led and designed for the modern world, some say that the new art doesn't retain the function of the old art - and I agree...............

VERY SPECIAL BOOK !

One of the most significant things I have learned from my Senior's is to treat our karate as a true life preservation system.

The begining of this process for me was to purchase The Okinawa Way/Program book and begin to try and understand it's truly life saving contents.

If you do nothing else buy this book, study it's contents, act on the information given!

It gives solid practical methods of obtaining excellent physical, mental and spiritual health - now that is 'good old' karate.

The Okinawan people live long, active healthy lives and we can learn much from their culture and lifestyle,

CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS INFLUENCE ON EARLY SHORIN RYU?

Here are some shots of Chinese martial artists, it is generally accepted that early Shorin Ryu had significant influence from China. Hard evidence is hard to come by of course as things change with time and cultures, the different interpretation of the same art between practitioners makes 'direct' comparison difficult at best.

I find this area of research really interesting and if nothing else it tells me to mainly look to China rather than Japan for 'old' style karate. Of course the art was 'formed' by Okinawans but who taught them?

I see movements from Chinto, Kusanku, Naihanchi, Hakutsuru and Passai in these pictures, not exact but remarkably similair.

Of course I am just a part time enthusiast, far better martial artists are looking at this aspect with much greater resource, I welcome their published work as it becomes avalaible.

What do you think about this topic?

HEAVY CONTACT KUMITE ?

I beleive that heavy contact sparring was part of 'old' style Okinawan Karate. this picture shows Mabuni O'Sensei (Shito Ryu) in bogu.

You can train 'hard' and avoid serious injury. It is of course one component of the Kumite we train.

Without Kumite I beleive we lose an important element of karate.

Jim

HOHAN SOKEN O'SENSEI - KOBUJUTSU

Here we see the late Master with the weapons used in his Seito Matsumura Karate system.

I train and teach a limited kobudo element at our dojo, covering sai (Metal Trunchons), Bo (Long Staff)and Ken (Sword).

Weapons practise is very much part of old style training.

We also work defense against knife and clubs for practical self defence work.

Jim