Isshinryu Karate - Madison

May 30 is a day that we who study Isshinryu take special note of. We honor the founder of our style in different ways but we reflect on what Isshinryu Karatedo has meant to each of us.

Every class begins and ends with a show of respect to those who have preceded us and paved the way for us to begin our journey. Shimabuku Sensei provided the tools for self-exploration and self-improvement to those who were interested. We know some of his thoughts through his kihon, kata, kumite, some through his words and some by how he expressed himself in other ways. Shingitai.

When you bow in to your dojo, or to begin class, or to a training partner take an extra moment to think about Isshin. Think about how “All bottles are good” might apply to our everyday lives. Think about the Kenpo Gokui and how important that was to Shimabuku Sensei and why, especially the first verse. That is how we can truly show respect to Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei and Isshinryu Karatedo.

On this day it is also especially important to remember that without the dedication of Advincula Sensei much of what we sometimes take for granted would have been lost.

I was standing at my desk, getting my plan ready for today’s Zoom classes and I started to think about how difficult is to teach karatedo this way. You are really attempting to teach a 3-dimensional contact activity in 2 dimensions. The biggest limitation is the lack of partner training for all of the kumite drills, bunkai, shime testing, etc. that require contact to be taught/learned correctly.
It was at this point that I started to think about how much more difficult it is to learn Karatedo online. The students have to follow an instructor who is usually a reverse image and who is trying to talk them through movements that can often be difficult to learn in person. Many of these students are also on their computer for much of the day for school or for work. Heading down to the dojo after a tough day at school or work is always a great way to clear your mind and reset your body, mind and spirit. Logging onto Zoom for an extra hour or two just isn’t the same.
To all of my students, and all of you in other dojo who continue to push on in this environment – you are amazing in your dedication and attitude! To all of you who continue to find ways to teach and help us grow– you have my utmost respect and personal gratitude.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop”
Confucius

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As we approach Shimabuku Tatsuo's birthday we can remember him through what has been passed on to us by Advincula Sensei and other first generation students. This is from Arcenio Advincula Sensei on 9/14/05:

"Good chinkuchi starts from tensing from the bottom up. The stance is the foundation, the flexible elastic waist assits in catapulting and throwing the punch, and the instantanous tighting of all muscles at impact complete and pe*****te and transfers energy into the target.

The stances that cause the greatest rooting from the foundation are naihanchi and sanchin dachi but seisan dachi is a close third.

Good chinkuchi is the cultivation of energy through proper body mechanics which cumulate from a chain of events thats starts from a sound foundation. Just as pliable yet strong yielding bamboo whips and survies from being uprooted from its foundation through a storm, a karateka must be similar in their actions in applying techniques that will uproot a stonger but unbending oak tree.
AJA"

The manner of technique is both soft or hard.

I was reviewing some of my old notes and emails from Advincula Sensei and I ran across this one which I thought I would share (I will eventually incorporate all of them into my online compilation):

1.JINSHIN WA TENCHI NI ONAJI. - The mind is one with heaven and earth.
The first precept; "A persons heart is the same as heaven and earth


Meaning of "jinshin": human nature; human heart; human spirit; kindness; sympathy
Meaning of "onaji (do)": same; identical; equal; uniform; equivalent; similar; common (origin); changeless;

Meaning of "tenchi": heaven and earth; the universe; nature; top and bottom; realm; sphere; world

JIN SHIN WA TENCHI NI ONAJI.
(1) Heart/Mind as one with the Universe

Other writtings of the first precept of the Kenpo Gokui and by who.


The mind is one with heaven and earth. - Yagi
The mind is the same with heaven and earth. - Funakoshi
A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth. - Tatsuo

A persons mind is the same as heaven and earth. - Yokoshi

Human being is just like the universe. - Asian Translation Center

The human mind is one with heaven and earth. Pat McCarthy

The nature of humanity is identical with the (nature of) the universe. ?


In Chinese thought, "heart" and "mind" have the same meaning. In Chinese thought, "Heaven and earth" represent the universe; nature; sphere; world.

So the meaning of the first precept, is that we as human beings, should be one with the universe; world; nature. One with our fellow human beings for world peace by understanding about each other's culture, language, customs, religion. By understanding we will have a greater appreciation of each other. In martial arts, we understand that all bottles' are good. Knocking one bottle off does not make the others better. Understand your fellow human beings and human nature.

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