Origin of the title “True Karate Dō”
Sakiyama Sogen Roshi, karate practitioner and abbot of Kozenji Zen temple in Shuri, Okinawa gave the name “True Karate Dō” to an essay by Jeff Brooks, which describes a unique path of karate.
Okinawa
Book recommendation – what Sakiyama Roshi called “True Karate Dō”
“One of the best books I’ve read in years… A splendid achievement.”
— Philip Zaleski, Editor, The Best Spiritual Writing series
100 Kata Workout 2.0
Congratulations to all those who participated in multiple 100 kata workouts this week, commemorating the 1936 meeting of karate leaders.
100 Kata Workout
We joined in with dojos around the world for a 100 kata workout, to just train, without any words, interruptions or distractions.
Powerful New Book
“One of the best books I’ve read in years, inviting and compelling… A splendid achievement.”
— Philip Zaleski, Editor, The Best Spiritual Writing series
Groundbreaking New Book
\”One of the best books I\’ve read in years, inviting and compelling… A splendid achievement.\”
— Philip Zaleski, Editor, The Best Spiritual Writing series
Fukyugata Ni Demo
Post by Jeff Brooks, author of the influential book True Karate Dō, instructor of Yamabayashi Ryu at Mountain Karate, Saluda, NC
Ichi Knee
In our eighteen kata there are hundreds of techniques. Of those hundreds of techniques, we drop into a single-knee kneeling position three times… in Pinan Go dan, Wanshu, and Chinto.
Do Not Fall
Shoshin Nagamine founder of the predecessor style of Yamabayshi Ryu, was a long-time public official and one time Chief of Police. He was a San dan, third-degree black belt, in judo. Judo by his time had replaced jiu jitsu as the subject control and arrest technique system taught throughout Japan to all police cadets and …
What Sakiyama Saw
In these three articles I tried to convey something of what was exchanged between myself and influential Okinawan Zen priest and karate master Sakiyama Sogen, Roshi: True Karate Do His translation into Japanese, and distribution to the karate community on Okinawa, of my vision of the potential of dojo practice… Sakiyama Sogen’s Last Letter His …
Penetrating the Truth
When you begin training you get advice. You try to understand. Sometimes the advice is easy to use, like “Close your fist.” Often, even though the words are familiar and the grammar makes sense, what to do with the advice remains obscure. As a result of practice, the meaning becomes clear. By returning to the …
Self-defense vs. Protection Rackets
Kids need love and protection. They may wander off. They may get frightened or hurt. They want someone who can do protect them. Families do that. Part of growing up is the transition from wanting protection to providing it. As a teenager you learn to look out for yourself. You take care of your body, your dignity, …
Matsumora’s Hara Story
When Okinawa was absorbed into Imperial Japan in 1879 the Okinawan men were conscripted as laborers, the women and children were abused. All were intimidated, forced to abandon their native language and way of life. The new leaders did not believe they were taking Okinawa from the Okinawans. They thought they were taking Okinawa from …
Matsumora’s Grasp
空手に先手なし ‘There is no first attack in karate’ means that we respond when the cause is just and the need is present. People think that Gichin Funakoshi used the “no first attack” idea to communicate to non-Okinawans that his karate was a cultivated art, for cultivated people. The presumption was that karate and other arts from …
First Kata
In our first kata we learn to project power in eight directions. This kata, Shoshin Nagamine’s “Fukyugata Ichi”, has some very advanced elements. “Blocking” in Two Dimensions If you look at the s-curve at the center of the yin yang symbol you will see a map of our blocking system. Follow the progression of the …