NORTHERN CRANE

Okinawan Warrior Arts Research Association

(RyuKyu Kenpo Bujutsu Koryu Kyokai)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                       

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OKINAWA MATSUMURA SEITO SHORIN RYU KARATEJUTSU - KOBUJUTSU - KYUSHOJUTSU - HAKUTSURUJUTSU

                                                           

"Karate aims mentally to foster such heart as acts right in the sight of God and men, and technically to have such power as (to) bring any savage beast to one's knees. That is, Karate is perfect when both the mental and the technical is completed together."

Kise, Fusei - Shorinryu Sensei / Hanshi, Founder of Ken Shin Kan Shorinryu Karate & Kobudo Association - Now known as: Matsumura Seito Shorinryu Karatedo & Kobudo Federation


Kise Sensei & Perez Sensei - 1987.

Kise Sensei presents Perez Sensei a 4th Dan Certificate.

         PUNCH      KICK       STRIKE      LOCK      THROW 
         FITNESS  DEFENSE  HEALTH  ESTEEM  DISCIPLINE

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Satonuchi 'Tode' Sakugawa
( 1733 - 1815 )


Bushi Matsumura
( 1797 - 1889 )

Self-defense and much more.

In Japanese, Karate-do means "Empty Hand Path". This "path" represents the stages of mental and physical development through which each student must pass. We believe there is only one way to learn karate-do; through commitment, effort, patience, and self-discipline. There are no short cuts. If you take away the physical techniques from many martial arts, nothing is left. However if you take them away from true Karate-do, you will still find a strong spiritual and moral foundation.

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Nabe Matsumura
( 1850 - 1930 )

Although self defense is the common denominator of all Martial Arts, in the traditional Karate Dojo (school) we learn to avoid physical confrontation whenever possible. This is philosophically as well as in practice incompatible with a "Sport Karate" or competitive program which promotes a  first strike strategy with aggressiveness, therefore the curriculum in a traditional Karate school cannot be competitive or sport-oriented. Only as a last resort is the use of one's martial skills justified. Then and only then...and without any restricting or sport "rules". This is what the tactical and strategic training of authentic traditional martial training is all about. Survival! The ultimate goal is to defeat an adversary without fighting at all. The more advanced one's fighting ability, the greater the need for self-restraint. The student of Karate-do exudes natural strength and confidence, but is above all humble, courteous and respectful of others.

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Hohan Soken
( 1889 - 1983 )

Dedicated practice of Karate-do builds confidence, self-esteem, and self discipline. It provides an enjoyable health and fitness activity for all ages and all levels of physical ability. The training develops flexibility, balance, strength, coordination, and promotes proper breathing and posture. Karate-do is an excellent form of relaxation, stress relief, and weight control. Of course it is an effective means of self-awareness and personal defense.

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Fusei Kise
( b. 1935 )

Phil Perez, Renshi
6th Dan

Our program reinforces the principles of courtesy and respect, not only for instructors, but for peers and most importantly for oneself. In a traditional Karate dojo, participants gain a special sense of achievement and self-esteem. Students learn the principles of leadership, etiquette, self-discipline, and commitment. Academic and or occupational performance often improves as concentration and effort increases. While the physical techniques may rarely if ever be used in real life, Karate-do helps defend practitioners against greater dangers, those of unhealthy stress reducers, such as alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse. In adolescence it also helps prevent unhealthy social behavior due to peer pressure, mass media influences and indiscriminant sexual conduct due to lack of self control or self respect.

The real art of Karate-do is not a sport or merely a means of exercise. It is a physical, intellectual, and spiritual pursuit which is practiced in nearly every country in the world for self defense, health and longevity. Learning Karate-do is learning to face life's challenges and conditioning oneself to truly succeed. Once learned, it can never be lost or taken away.

 

"Amidst the noise and rapid changes of modern society, one can find in karate-do a peace of mind that will never be shaken."

Shoshin Nagamine (1907-1996), Shorinryu Sensei, Founder of Matsubayashi/Shorinryu Karate System

KARATE CURRICULUM

At Northern Crane our Karatejutsu curriculum is primarily based on an active and ongoing research of the Bunkai (martial applications of motions - some quite disguised or hidden) in traditional Okinawan Karatejutsu / 'Karate' Kata (Empty Hand Forms) and Kobujutsu / 'Kobudo' Kata (Weapon Forms). Empty Hand Kata research includes unraveling information from Suidejutsu / 'Suide' Waza (Striking Techniques) Tuidejutsu / 'Tuide' Waza (Grappling Techniques) and Kyushojutsu / 'Kyusho' Waza (Vital Pressure Point Stimulation Techniques) as well as weapon disarming techniques.

Our Karate Dojo is therefore not merely a place where self defense information is disseminated, but an association of individuals committed to the research and practice of authentic ancient Okinawan battlefield tested survival techniques. In essence we are a 'Bujutsu Kai' (Warrior or Samurai Arts Society) Research Association or Society dedicated to the study of Okinawan Samurai Fighting Arts. 

THESE ARE THE FIELDS OF STUDY RESEARCHED AND TAUGHT:

SUIDEJUTSU: Striking Arts

SUIDE KIHON: Basic Techniques (Kihon atemi waza)

  • stances

  • stepping patterns

  • breathing pattern

  • punches

  • redirections/blocks

  • strikes

  • kicks

  • iron body - hardening techniques (Korte Yate)

SUIDE IPPON KUMITE: One Step Defense Training

  • Progressive (experience level appropriate) prearranged defense training with a partner against strikes

  • Progressive (experience level appropriate) prearranged defense training with a partner against kicks

  • Kata Bunkai Analysis

TUIDEJUTSU: Grappling Arts (Tegumi / Jujitsu)

TUIDE KIHON:  Basics (Tegumi Waza)

  • Grabs

  • Rolls

  • Falls

  • Kick Defenses

  • Takedowns

  • Throws

  • Joint Locks

  • Chokes*

  • Okinawan wrestling (tegumi) techniques (waza) & ground fighting

TUIDE IPPON KUMITE: One Step Defense Training

  • Progressive (experience level appropriate) prearranged defense training with a partner against grabs

  • Progressive (experience level appropriate) prearranged defense training with a partner against strikes

  • Progressive (experience level appropriate) prearranged defense training with a partner against kicks

  • Progressive (experience level appropriate) prearranged defense training with a partner against joint locks / throws / chokes.

  • Kata Bunkai Analysis

KYUSHOJUTSU: Pressure Point Striking Arts*

  • Five Elements (Acupuncture Theory)

  • Yin/Yang - Comparative Analysis

  • Shichen (24 Hour Element Striking Theory)

  • Meridian & Tsubo Identification (Acupuncture Point Locations & Elements)

  • Kata Bunkai Analysis

  • Dim-mak (poison hand)*

        ***See chart below***

KOBUJUTSU: Traditional Weapon Arts*

BO: Long Staff

  • Bo Kihon

  • Bo Ippon Kumite

  • Bo Tai Bo (2 man Bo Kata)

  • Bo Kata Bunkai Analysis

SAI: Iron Truncheon

  • Sai Kihon

  • Sai Tai Bo/Katana

  • Sai Kata Bunkai Analysis

KAMA: Sickle

  • Kama Kihon

  • Kama Tai Bo/Katana

  • Kama Kata Bunkai Analysis

TUNFA: Wooden Baton

  • Tunfa Kihon

  • Tunfa Tai Bo/Katana

  • Tunfa Kata Bunkai Analysis

NUNCHAKU: Wooden Flail

  • Nunchaku Kihon

  • Nunchaku Tai Bo/Katana

  • Nunchaku Kata Bunkai Analysis

KATANA (KENJUTSU): (Japanese Sword Arts)

  • Katana Kihon

  • Iajutsu (Sword Drawing)

  • Katana Kata

  • Katana Bunkai Analysis

TANTO (TANTOJUTSU): (Japanese Knife Arts)

  • Tanto Kihon

  • Tanto Disarms

  • Tanto Fighting Strategies

  • Kata Bunkai Analysis 

MATSUMURA SHORINRYU KARATE & KOBUDO KATA TAUGHT AT NORTHERN CRANE:

Traditional Karate Kata is the time proven method of imparting the most sophisticated techniques and information in a Karate System to a student.  Therefore it is at the heart of Karate training. Kata training also trains the mind to stay in the moment so it is vital for survival in combat.

KUMITE: Free Sparring (continuous)

  • Always on a 12'x12' matted area

  • Targets restricted for lower ranks

  • Light contact (Light Sparring Gear)

  • Heavy contact (Heavy Sparring Gear)*

  • Medium contact with grappling ( Light Sparring Gear)*

ZAZEN: Zen Meditation Technique*

SHIATSU: Traditional Okinawan /Japanese Futon Massage*

MODERN WEAPON DEFENSE & DISARMS*

  • Knife

  • Stick & Baseball bat

  • Gun

* Taught at appropriate experience level
 

SHORT HISTORY OF OKINAWAN MATSUMURA SHORINRYU/HAKUTSURU KARATEDO

 

It is estimated that probably 90% of American karateka know little, if anything, about their art other than the physical aspects. Most of those karateka seem content merely to practice karate and have little interest in studying the origins of their art. At Northern Crane Martial Arts Association we are of a different mentality. While we enjoy the physical aspects of karate, we also have a burning desire to learn the history, philosophy, theory and origins of our art. Generations of secrecy have placed a veil of mystery around the history and origins of Okinawan karate. To a certain degree this veil of secrecy still exists. This, coupled with a general lack of written records, has created a void of information on the early days of RyuKyu martial arts. What little information we have has come to us through scattered bits and pieces that somehow have come into the possession of modern karate historians or from an Okinawan Sensei. Nevertheless, any attempt to write on Karate history will leave many stones unturned, and the following is no exception; a lot of questions are left unanswered.

 

EARLY HISTORY OF OKINAWAN KARATE

Early Okinawan karate or tode (tuide & suide) as it was called owes its origin to a mixture of indigenous Okinawan fighting arts and various “foot fighting” and empty hand systems of southeast Asia and China. The Okinawans, being a seafaring people, were in almost constant contact with mainland Asia. It is quite likely that Okinawan seamen visiting foreign ports of call may have been impressed with local fighting techniques and incorporated these into their own fighting methods. Interest in unarmed fighting arts greatly increased during the 14th century when king Sho Hashi of Chuzan established his rule over Okinawa and banned all weapons. More rapid development of Tode followed in 1609 when the Satsuma clan of Kyushu, Japan occupied Okinawa and again banned all weapons. Thus Tode or Okinawa-te, as the Satsuma clan soon called it, became the only means of protection left to the Okinawans. It was this atmosphere that honed the early karate-like arts of Okinawa into such a weapon that they enabled the island people to carry on a guerilla-type war with the Japanese Samurai that lasted unto the late 1800’s.

So, Tode or Okinawa-te developed secretly to keep the Japanese from killing the practitioners and the teachers of the deadly art. Tode remained under ground until early 1900 when it was brought into the Okinawan school system to be incorporated into physical education methods.

 

DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEMS OF KARATE

Chatan Yara was one of the early Okinawan masters of whom some information exists. Some authorities place his birth at about 1670 in the village of Chatan, Okinawa; others place his birth at a much later date. In any case, he contributed much to Okinawan karate. He is said to have studied in China for 20 years. His kata, “Chatan Yara No Sai,” and “Yara Sho No Tonfa,” and Chatan Yara No Kon” are still widely practiced today.

Most modern systems or styles of karate can be traced back to the famous Satunuku Sakugawa (1733-1815) called “Tode Sakugawa.” Sakugawa first studied under Peichin Takahara of Shuri. Later Sakugawa went to China to train under the famous Kusanku. Kusanku had been a military attache in Okinawa. Upon master Kusanku’s return to China, Sakugawa followed him and remained in China for 6 years. In 1762 he returned to Okinawa and introduced his Kenpo; this resulted in the Karate we know today. Sakugawa became a famous samurai; he was given the title of Satunuku or Satonushi; these were titles given to samurai for service to the king. Sakugawa had many famous students; among them were:

1. Chikatosinunjo Sokon Matsumura (Bushi Matsumura)

2. Satunuku Makabe (Mabai Changwa)

3. Satunuku Ukuda (Bushi Ukuda)

4. Chikuntonnoshinunjo Matsumoto (Bushi Matsumoto)

5. Kojo of Kumemura (Kugushiku of Kuninda)

6. Yamaguchi of the East (Bushi Sakumoto)

7. Usume (old man) of Andaya (Iimundun)

Sakugawa contributed greatly to Okinawan karate; we honor him today by continuing many of the concepts he introduced. Sakugawa’s greatest contribution was in teaching the great Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura. Bushi Matsumura (1797-1889) studied under Sakugawa for 4 years. He rapidly developed into a Samurai. He was recruited into the service of the Sho (king’s) family and was given the title Satunuku, later rising to Chikutoshi. At some time during his long career Bushi Matsumura was sent to China to train in the famous Shorinji (Shaolin Temple). He is alleged to have remained in China for many years. Upon his return to Okinawa, Matsumura established the Shurite that later became known as Shorinryu.

Shorinryu is the Okinawan pronunciation of the Chinese written picturegram characters (kanji) for shaolin in Chinese. In both languages shorin or shaolin means “pine forest.” Ryu simply means “stream” as in a mountain stream or a stream of though or method of teaching such as those of a school.

Bushi Matsumura lived a long and colorful life. He fought many lethal fights; he was never defeated. He contributed greatly to Okinawan karate. He brought the “Hakutsuru” (White Crane) concept to Okinawa from the Shorinji in China. He taught many students and indeed many modern karate systems trace their lineage back to Matsumura. He passed on his Menkyo-kaiden (Certificate of Full Proficiency), the complete secret Hakutsuru style only to his grandson, Nabe Matsumura.

Nabe Matsumura brought the old Hakutsuru secrets into the modern age. His name does not appear in many karate lineage charts. He was alleged to be very strict and preferred to teach mainly family members. Not much information on him is available; his date of birth and death are unknown. He must have been born in the 1850’s and died in the 1930’s. He was called “Old Man” or “Nabe” and is said to have been one of the top karate masters of his time. He passed on his Menkyu-kaiden to his nephew Hohan Soken.

Hohan Soken was born in 1889; this was a time of great social changes in both Okinawa and Japan. The feudal system was giving way to modernization. The aristocracy was forced to work beside the peasantry. Hohan soken was born into a Samurai family; at an early age he chose to study his ancestral art of Shorinryu under his uncle, Nabe Matsumura. At the age of 13 young Soken began his training. For the first 10 years Hohan Soken practiced the basics of Shorinryu. At the age of 23, Soken began learning the secrets of Hakutsuru. So proficient did Hohan Soken become in the art that his uncle, Nabe Matsumura passed on the Matsumura Shorinryu style’s Menkyu-kaiden to him.

In the 1920’s Hohan Soken emigrated to Argentina. He remained there until 1945. It is not clear why he moved there but while in Argentina he made a living as a launderer and photographer. Upon his return to Okinawa, the Matsumura Seito (Orthodox) Shorinryu Karatejutsu and Kobujutsu style returned also. Soken saw that karate had greatly changed; sport karate had all but replaced the ancient methods. Soken did not change; he valued himself as the last of the old masters. He refused to join some of the more fashionable karate associations. He stayed with the old ways and did much to cause a rebirth in Kobudo and the old Shorinryu ways. Master Soken retired from karate in 1978. For many years he was the oldest living and active karate master.  Master Soken passed away in 1983.  

CURRENT STATE OF SHORINRYU KARATE

Sensei Kise's organization is considered to be the authorized inheritor of Soken Sensei's family Art Form. However, upon close inspection of the information (kata/waza/bunkai) given by Soken Sensei to his most advanced students, Okinawan as well as American, there is great dispute in the Shorinryu Karate community in general as to the validity of that assumption. Many are professing that Soken Sensei's original Art Form has been severely "watered down" by Kise Sensei's curriculum, especially since the mid to late 1990's when his son Isau Kise started to take control of the organization. Under his directorship the organization has quickly been transitioning towards a more "Sport" oriented version of the ancient art that was passed down from Soken Sensei. This, most likely purely for profit. 

Sensei Perez started training in Karate in 1966 and in Shorinryu in 1984. He started teaching Karate in the Spring of 1986 at the request of Kise Sensei's Shorinryu organization. Sensei Perez left Sensei Kise's Matsumura Seito organization in 2000 because his interests were in a different direction than that Kise Sensei's organization was pursuing. He studied with Chuck Chandler Sensei until Chandler Sensei's death in 2009. Chandler Sensei was a student of both Kise and Soken Sensei as well as the chief and senior student of Takaya Yabiku Sensei, himself a senior student of Soken Sensei.

The following interview with Hohan Soken was made by Ernest Estrada Sensei:

The following interview was conducted at the Kadena NCO Club located at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. Present were Soken Hohan and one of his senior student, Kise Fusei. Soken is a Shihan 10-Dan in Shorinryu Matsumura Seito Karate-do. His Honbu dojo is located at 104 Gaja, Nishihara City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

The date of the interview was September 10, 1978. The interview was conducted in Spanish to the great annoyance of Kise. Soken spoke excellent Spanish due to the fact that he had lived in Argentina for over twenty-five years. I should also make mentioned that I was a Spanish language translator for the Pentagon for two plus years and worked in Washington, D.C., hence, I am familiar with the language.

Interviewer: Sensei, can you please identify yourself.

Soken-Sensei: My name is Soken Hohan and I was born on May 25, 1889. I come from (I live in) Gaja Village, Nishihara City, Okinawa Prefecture. I am a native Okinawan. My style is officially called the Matsumura Orthodox Shorin-ryu Karate-do and I am a Shihan 10-Dan. My Honbu dojo is presently located at Gaja Village, Nishihara City.

My style comes from Kayo Soken. To mark the occasion when Kayo was appointed the chief body-guard to King Sho Ko (and later to Sho Iku and then Sho Tai), he was allowed to change his name. This was a custom back then, especially if something important or notable happened to you; he changed his name to Matsumura, -- Matsumura Soken.

It was later that King Sho Tai officially gave Matsumura the title of "Bushi" (The term "bushi" is different from the Japanese meaning. In Japan a "bushi," in simplistic terms, is a warrior. In Okinawa, the term "bushi" also refers to the individual being a martial-man/warrior but with a strong slant to also being a true gentleman -- hence, the meaning, "a gentleman warrior." - Editor) and to this day he is, with affection, referred to as Bushi Matsumura.

When Bushi Matsumura died he left the "hands" of his teachings to my uncle, who was his grandson, Matsumura Nabe. My mother was Nabe-tanmei's sister. Tanmei means "respected senior or respected old man," this was and still is a title of much respect in Okinawa. I became a student of my uncle around 1902 or 1903 and learned the original methods of Uchinan Sui-di (Sui-te), as it was then called.

Back then, there weren't large followings of students for a master of the warrior arts. Itosu Ankoh had less than a dozen students and he was one of the greatest of teachers at the time. My uncle had only one student, and that was me. He was still a practitioner with an "old mind" and would only teach or demonstrate for family members. Since I was the most interested, he allowed me to become his student.

I should also state that Matsumura Orthodox is not the only authentic Shorin-ryu style. This style, my style, was passed on from Matsumura Sokon to my uncle, Nabe-tanmei but Nabe-tanmei was not Bushi Matsumura's only student. Matsumura had a good dozen or so dedicated students. Each one learned his methods and then expanded on them.

My uncle only learned from Bushi Matsumura and only taught me what he had learned. So, it can be said that it is an "old version" with no updates. By studying my Matsumura Orthodox you walk back into ancient times when karate was more forceful and challenging.

Interviewer: Sensei, can you tell me something about your training methods?

Sensei: Old training was always done in secret so that others would not steal your techniques. Nabe initially taught me stepping before anything. He would cut the leaves off the banana tree and place them on the ground. He would then have me do exercises to develop balance. If the balance was not good you would fall and since the exercises were always vigorous, a fall could seriously hurt you.

We would also use the pine trees that were found throughout Okinawa. We would slap or kick the trees and develop our gripping methods for close in fighting. This kind of training was very hard and severe on a person who had to work hard all day and then train hard at night. Life was very hard back then.

We would train twice a day. Early in the morning we would train on striking objects and conditioning to prepare one for the day. After working hard in the fields, we would have nightly training in two person techniques and conditioning like present-day kotekitai (korte-yate). We had to toughen our legs and hands - like iron, then they became true weapons. During the late hours we would practice the kata of Matsumura.

Interviewer: Can you tell me something about the kata you teach.

Sensei: Well, kata, yes, the most important Matsumura Seito kata is the Kusanku. Sometimes we would practice the Kusanku with kanzashi (hairpins) held in the hands - this was a common method of fighting. The hairpins were symbols of rank and many Okinawans carried them for decoration and also for protection.

Interviewer: I understand that you teach a white crane form. Is this the Hakucho kata?

Sensei: No, Hakucho, is another kata that, I believe, came from the Chinese tea seller, Go Kenki. He moved to Japan but my kata is much different. I call it Hakutsuru. It was about... no, it was after ten years of training my uncle taught me the most secret kata of Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu, the Hakutsuru (white crane) kata. This form stressed the balance -- all the Matsumura kata stressed balance but this form was the most dangerous in training.

The practice of the Hakutsuru form forced me to learn better balance by performing the techniques while balanced on a pine log. Initially I learned the form on the ground and then I had to perform it on a log laying on the ground. For the advanced training the log was put into the river and tied down so as not to float away. I was then instructed to perform the kata while balanced on the log. It was very difficult and I almost drowned several times by falling and bouncing my head off the log.

Interviewer: You are recognized as a leading practitioner of traditional weaponry. Can you tell something about your weapons training?

Sensei: I studied traditional weaponry under Komesu Ushi-no-tanmei and later under Tsuken Mantaka. Tsuken is known for the bo form called Tsuken-nu-kun or Tsuken-bo. It is very famous.

Interviewer: Sensei, you speak excellent Spanish. Where did you learn to speak Spanish?

Sensei: Yes, Spanish. In 1924 I moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to find my fortune. I apprenticed myself as a photographer and later I worked in the clothes cleaning business. I learned Spanish there and I taught karate after they found out who I was. Most of my students in Argentina came from the Okinawan community - some Japanese.

All in all, in Argentina, I only had a small handful of students but we gave numerous demonstrations throughout the country. There were many, many Okinawans and Japanese living in Argentina. I returned to Okinawa in 1952.

Interviewer: What happened when you returned to Okinawa?

Sensei: I did not teach karate at first. Yes, not to the public but I began to teach a few family members which then opened up to a small dojo. I initially called it by the "hogen" name Machimura Sui-di or in Japanese, Matsumura Shuri-te.

Around 1956 I changed the name of my teachings to Matsumura Orthodox Shorin-ryu karate-do. I still trained in the old ways and did not understand the new methods that were being taught. It appeared to be softer (watered down) and more commercial. Because of this, I did not join the new organizations that were being formed at the time. My old way of karate was not readily accepted by everyone. They thought it too old and too crude -- I think it was just too hard or maybe my training methods were too severe. Whatever it was, it was the way I learned and the way I taught. It was later, when the Americans came to learn, that I changed my ways.

I found that there were two kinds of students - one was a dedicated and motivated student who wants to learn the Okinawan martial arts. The other is an individual who only wants to say he is "learning karate". There are more of the latter. It is the latter that you see everywhere. They say that they "know" karate or that they "use to" practice karate - these are worthless individuals.

Interviewer: Can you tell me some more about your kata.

Sensei: I teach the Matsumura kata. The kata that I teach now are Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Naihanchi Shodan, NaihanchiNidan, Pasai-Sho and Dai, Chinto, Gojushiho, Kusanku, Rohai Ichi-Ni-San, and last, the Hakutsuru. The last one is my favorite kata that I demonstrate - because it is easier to do. When I was young, the best kata was the Kusanku. This is the Matsumura Kusanku -- the older version that is not done much now.

I also teach bo, sai, tuifa, kama, nunchaku, kusarigama and suruchin. My favorite weapons form is Tsukenbo (I learned that from Komesu Ushi) but in the old days it was the furi-gama or kusari-gama. We, on Okinawa, use a hand made rope to tie the kama to the hand or wrist. In Japan they use an iron chain but this is too cumbersome and can damage the student that practices that method.

I knew Taira Shinken very well before he died. I taught him some of my older forms. In 1970 I formed the All Okinawa Kobujutsu Association. I hope that this will spread all over the U.S. and mainland Japan. I am also a member of the Ryukyu Historical Society. We are trying to preserve the "Hogen" dialect. Many young Okinawans no longer understand or even speak the old Okinawan language anymore. It is shameful.

(It should also be noted that Soken preferred to speak in his native dialect of Hogen. He often stated that he did not care for the Japanese language that much. -- Editor)

Interviewer: Sensei, you say that Shorin-ryu Matsumura Seito Karate-do is an old style with many secrets. Since you also say that you are getting old, what do you feel needs to be passed on to modem day students of Okinawan Karate?

Sensei: There are many secrets in Karate that people will never know and will never understand. These ideas are really not secret if you train in Okinawa under a good teacher. You will see the teacher use these so called secret techniques over and over again until they will become common knowledge to you. Others will look at it and marvel that it is an advanced or secret technique to them. That is because they do not have good teachers or their teachers have not researched their respective styles.

Karate is much more than simple punching and kicking and blocking. It is the study of weaponry and of grappling. Weaponry and empty hand fighting go together. How can you learn about defending against a weapon unless you are familiar with what the weapon can do?

[Soken-sensei used the Spanish word for wrestling when describing this art-form but I felt that a more apt term would be grappling - much like Japanese-style jujutsu. He stated that many people often referred to the Okinawan grappling arts as Okinawan-style wrestling mainly because it was never systematized and looked like a free-for-all form of fighting.

Soken-sensei continued by stating that as a youngster on Okinawa, that grappling was taken very seriously and it was not uncommon for individuals to suffer broken arms and legs as a result of taking part in this light form of entertainment. Soken-sensei would use the terms "Te-gumi" or "Gyaku-te" as identifying this old Okinawan art form.

The danger of reminding Soken-sensei of the "old methods of playing" was that he would often stand up, grab you, and then apply one of these painful methods of common people entertainment - (He enjoyed watching Americans "squeaking like a mouse who had been stepped on." -- Editor)

Grappling is an old Okinawan custom that is commonly practiced in all villages. In America, the children played at "cowboys and indians. " In Okinawa we played by grappling with each other. We would have contests for grapplers in every village and one village would pit their best grapplers against all comers. It was very exciting.

Some people see the grappling and call it Okinawan jujutsu but this is incorrect. It is the old method called "Ti". (Or Tui-Ti / Tuite-Japanese, this Ti is pronounced in the old dialect of Okinawa -- it sounds like the word "tea" -- Editor) Ti practice was very common during the turn of the century but with the Japanese influences, these methods have almost disappear.

Interviewer: Sensei, any recommendations for us -- Americans?

Sensei: Yes, but you won't like it! Americans want to learn too much, too fast. You want more this and more that. You have a life time to learn. Learn slowly. Learn correctly. Look. Listen. Practice, practice, practice. Don't be a rash American, but a smart American. Never be in a hurry to learn, OK? Learning in a hurry can cause pain. Do you know about pain? Let me show you!

DEMONSTRATION: At this time, Soken demonstrated basic "Ti" methods involving the use of the "sharp forearm bone" and the "thumbing" methods. All of them hurt - a lot! He had an uncanny command of the human anatomy and would use the thumb to hit the various nerves in the shoulder, the forearm and the sides of the body. He laughed a lot when doing this - he really enjoyed grappling.

A number of techniques resembled AikiJutsu movements and instead of moving in on the opponent, he would step backwards and would use his body weight to increase the power of the technique. He would always block using what he called a "double bone block" and counter with a thumb technique or a grappling technique that took you to the ground.

Soken stated that he could drive an individual through the ground or just simply throw him on the ground either way, the opponent was at a distinct disadvantage. He could then subdue you with techniques like kicks or move away from the confrontation.

Interviewer: Sensei, your kata is very distinct and beautiful to see. I have a question that has been bothering me since the Okinawan Expo. Remember when we saw the bo fighters in Nago. They used the names of many of the kata that are practiced today but they are very different. The only thing that appears to be the same is the name.

Sensei: Yes, they are the same and they are not the same. You say you lived on Okinawa for five years but you cannot understand the Okinawan people. In the old days, when we were really Okinawan and not Japanese, many of the old people were not smart -- or as smart as they are today. They did not travel, they did not watch TV, many never left their villages unless they had to. What we did have was festivals... village festivals. Everyone would come and watch and learn.

These village people would watch the other fancy city people practice their ti or their methods of weaponry. Say, like... well, ... Yes, a kata that they knew or practice had a number of movements. They come to the city and see and city kata with some of the same movements. The city kata had a name... and maybe their kata did not have a name. So, they would go back and ... yes, you now understand. They would name their kata after the city kata because they had a few of the same movements.

Some of their kata had five or maybe ten movements. Taira, my friend, would go to the village and learn these kata. He says that he learned 500 kata this way! Wah! This is true but he also liked to tell stories. Some of these kata had only 3 or maybe 5 movements. 500 kata, yes, now that is funny but he was a history collector. He knew them but he didnt understand them.

Interviewer: Was Taira a friend or student? He is very famous for his weaponry in Japan.

Sensei: Yes, Taira... he knew a lot of kata, huh. Huh, huh, huh... Yes, he is dead, you know that. He would watch my kata all the time and try to learn my tsuken style stick. But I would trick him and change the kata, wah!! ... just like that. He would still come back and look some more in the hopes of being able to take it back. When we both were young -- our karate was very good. When we both got old, our weaponry was good.

Why do you want to know these things -- these old ideas, these old ways. Their old value was to survive a challenge match. You punch me and I will show you ... good karate means you also test yourself through pain. Like pain... in good karate... movements are quick, like a mongoose. If you are slow, you can die. If you are quick, then there is a chance that you and your family (???) will live.

Interviewer: Yes, fighting must have been very different at the beginning of this century.

Sensei: Yes, you don't know these old days. In a fight... if you would lose, the loss would be suffered by your family. They could die. You would work hard to support the family working all day, If you were injured or killed while fighting, then your family would starve... maybe even die. Okinawa life was very hard.

Now, the young people want to be Japanese. They don't speak the Okinawan language. They are lazy. They do not respect old people, they have no pride in being Okinawan. Yes, we are a poor country but that is no excuse in putting our culture in the dark and saying we are someone that we are not. This is no good.

NOTE: The second interview ends here. Sensei's mind begins to wander and he begins to get angry. I believe it has to do with painful, old memories that are brought up by the questions

 

SHORINRYU KARATEDO LINEAGE:

SATONUSHI “TODE” SAKUGAWA (1733-1815). Studied in China under Kusanku. Early founder of Tode

SOKON “BUSHI” MATSUMURA (1797-1889). Founder of Shurite (Shorinryu)

NABE MATSUMURA (1850’s-1930’s). Grandson of Bushi Matsumura

HOHAN SOKEN (1889-1983). Great grandson of Bushi Matsumura. In 1955 Changed name of style from Matsumura Shurite to Shorinryu Matsumura Seito

 

Copyright © 1998  By Phil Perez [Northern Crane]. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 03, 2011.

 

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