LEAD BY EXAMPLE - LIVE THE EXAMPLE 

Recently while training with my friend Sensei Dan Smith of Seibukan karate, he gave me an article containing information that I have found to be not only extremely interesting, but very closely related to our own style of Chito-ryu. After reading the article numerous times and realizing the unique nature and importance of the information contained within, I have ask and was granted  permission from Sensei Smith to post this article on my website. At the top of the article, Sensei Smith gives information as to the history of the article itself as well as stating that he has taken the translated work and attempted to relate it to the principles of Seibukan  Shorin-ryu Karate in an effort to give all Seibukan students a better understanding of Chotoku Kyan's Karate.

 The information contained within this article becomes even more important for Chito-ryu students when we consider several facts; (1) The founder of Chito-ryu Karate, Master Chitose (1898-1984) and the founder of Seibukan Karate, Zenryo Shimabukuro (1908-1969) both studied directly under Chotoku Kyan. (2) It is undeniable that Chitose's system of Chito-ryu is based on many of the same  principles and concepts as found within Seibukan Karate. (3) Zenryu Shimabukuro claims to have had Chotoku Kyan as his one and only Sensei and therefore he claims he has based his complete system of karate on the teaching of Kyan Sensei.  (4) With no. 3 in mind we can certainly see that Chitose based a considerable amount of his own system of Chito-ryu on the teachings of Chotoku Kyan.

Myself, having trained many times with Sensei Smith and Sensei Zenpo Shimabukuro, present head of the style of Seibukan Karate in Okinawa, I can certainly speak with certainty as to the close connection between the teaching of Chito-ryu and Seibukan.

With all of the above in mind, I have posted this article for all Chito-ryu students.      Jim Davenport

                    Interview with Chotoku Kyan

                   By:   Nisaburo Miki

(Reviewed for editorial comment for Seibukan Shorin Ryu by Dan Smith)

The advent of modern communications has opened up the opportunity to find information throughout the world over the internet. During my efforts to produce the video, Kyan's Karate demonstrated by Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro, I came into contact with several people that had access to information in Japan that we in Seibukan were not aware was available.

In 1929 a young Japanese karate enthusiast by the name of Nisaburo Miki went to Okinawa to uncover as much back ground information on Okinawan karate, which was becoming a Japanese martial art. Miki had the opportunity to interview several senior Okinawan teaches and recorded the interviews in his book, Kempo Gaisetsu. This book was published in January of 1930 and had a limited distribution.

The interview with Chtotoku Kyan produced the only written record that we have regarding Kyan's thought's, philosophies and training directions on Okinawan karate. I have taken the translations of this work and edited the work to match the comments that have been passed to me from Zenryo Shimabukuro and my teacher, Zenpo Shimabukuro.

Kyan addressed three areas in his interview with Miki: 1) What the student should be told of karate before engaging in training, 2) What to concentrate on when training and 3) What to remember when fighting.

I have taken the translated work and attempted to relate them to the principles of Seibukan Shorin Ryu in an effort to give a better understanding of Kyan's karate.

 The Interview with Chotoku Kyan

The methods of teaching karate and it's history

    1.    Teaching should take place in the following order: (A) First explain what karate is, (B) What the training attitude is, (C) learn the forms and movements, (D) then learn how to strike with the fist and the elbow, how to kick, the corresponding blocks with grabbing and immobilizing techniques, (E) and finally kata. After you have learned kata well then you can begin sparring (the original is kumite or tegumi). It is the belief of the commenter that sparring is a literal translation and is not at all in reference to sports sparring.

    2.    Traditionally kumite training was performed without any protection, and so accidents happened. It is necessary therefore to use some protection as in ken-jutsu, and to wear padded gloves. Then accidents can be avoided. This reference to there being a form of free fighting before 1929 gives an indication that the free fighting introduced on the mainland of Japan was not the first time free fighting was practiced although in Japan may have been the first time competition was held.

    3.    For training, apart from the makiwara, and the protections mentioned above, there is no need for any other equipment or even a partner or a large space. This is one of the advantages of karate.

Kyan said in summary "In the course of everyday training, it is necessary to strengthen your body, to practice punches and kicks, to learn how to move our limbs in a supple fashion, and how to move about freely, while understanding the principles of training well. By training for a long time in this manner, you will acquire subtle principles of application and know how to move suitable in every situation, which might arise. However, if you only train the physical technique without enlightening you spirit, which is fundamental, you will be unable to use the art. You must become clear-sighted in life and seek to develop modesty, a calm spirit, alertness, and bravery at the same times as you train in the physical techniques.

            Training Advice:

1.    Martial arts aim to prevent violence, calm trouble and defend oneself. That is why those who learn martial arts must always display a modest, reserved attitude and behave correctly with a spirit of loyalty and dedication.

2.    In a martial art it is essential to act at the critical moment by using all you spirit, for and body. Anyone whose force makes him arrogant and sneering is a bad influence in society: hated by others he will make his own bad luck. You must take account of this. A proverb says, "The punch stays like a treasure in the sleeve. You must avoid using it without any discrimination." (This quote was used in the video, Kyan's Karate.)

3.      The goals of karate are to contribute to physical education, train in the martial arts and enlighten your spirit.

4.    You must keep your stance by staying till and sinking the ki to the base of the stomach, and taking care that it does not rise again. However, it is necessary to avoid becoming immobile. (to set in the stance)

5.    When you practice kata, you must practice with the same will and the same feelings as the moment when you are facing your enemy.

6.    Speed is necessary in all actions and movements. Placing force in our toes will make all movements faster as you advance or retreat. (this is the principle of pushing with the opposite leg)

7.    When practicing a kata, it is necessary to know it's meaning; you must not be mistaken as to the targets, and distinguish jodan, chudan and gedan. Training without comprehension of the meaning of the kata is in vain.

8.     You must train well on the makiwara and strengthen the impact of the blow. However rapid, the strike will be useless without force on impact. Furthermore, however strong the blow it will be useless if you are lacking in agility and speed in your hand and foot techniques and your movements. Therefore neither force of blows nor agility must be deficient; they are like the two wheels of a chariot, you cannot have one missing and they must not be out of balance.

9.    You must always struggle to integrate spirit, body and eyes. (the reference to spirit here is the mind or Zanshin.)

        Tips on Fighting

1.    Before you move you must be aware of the capabilities of your opponent. If he is powerful it is inevitable that he will rely on force and will tend to attack. In that case I will concentrate on blocking until he uses more and more force and I will launch my attack at the moment when he reveals and opening. It is a technique which borrows the opponent's force.

2.    If the opponent is not powerful, he will be on the defensive and he will multiply his movements by retreating often. In this case you must only throw definite attacks. Then you must use punches and kicks both to make him retreat and to make your attack. When I take the initiative of the attack I must watch out for the unexpected counter-attacks.

3.    I must not overestimate my force and my speed when I attack. An agile person will be able to counter-attack fast before I move by guessing the movements of my hands and feet.

4.    you must hide the techniques that you are going to use from your opponent by concealing your own intent. Whatever the capability of your opponent you must neither go forward nor back more than three steps.

5.    At the moment of combat, you must take care to defend your centerline from the eyes to the groin. You must take care to avoid punches between the eyes, kicks in the testicles and do not let yourself be grabbed. As a general rule it is better not to use too much force for defense. if you use to much force for blocks, every gesture will be slowed down, which runs the risk of losing an opportunity.

6.    When you grasp and opponent's arm you must do it strongly and loosely at the same time, but the spirit must be strong, so that you can react adequately to your opponent's reaction.

7.    Any punch must be above all fast. When it is blocked and deflected from it's target it must continue on it's path and strike anywhere (included in Kyan's karate).

8.    It is not necessary to block your opponent's kicks with your hand. You can block them with your leg and throw a punch at the same time. Even if your opponent falls, do not attack him to carelessly, as you may receive an unexpected attack.

9.    When your opponent seizes your leg there is no danger if you put your foot on the ground very strongly. But you must take care not to fall when the ground is uneven.

10.   When facing your opponent, take care not to play into his strategy. Some use their feet while punching, or pretending to grab a hand. Others use fists while pretending to throw a foot attack. React according to voice and noise. Never relax.

11.    When you are facing several opponents you must never fight close in; above all, keep your distance. If one attacks my right I move to the left. As soon as I have attacked the one facing me I attack the opponent behind me. It is the only good way.

These instructions are for combat, but these are just a few. There are many more as the variety of a martial art is subtle and limitless, it is impossible to describe all the techniques. Kate teachers you to move with suppleness and without thought in the many possible situations. Anyone can acquire this ability with hard training and long research.

Other teachings of Choto Kyan.

1.    A mastery of karate does not depend on the learner's physical constitution, but mainly on constant practice.

2.    The daily practice of makiwara striking can produce power destructive enough to break boards or bricks, but powerful fist can easily be weakened through negligence of constant practice.

3.    Merely an excellent physical constitution cannot guarantee mastery of karate-do. You must understand the strategy and applications of the kata.

Sensei Smith finishes this article by strongly urging all serious Seibukan members to study fully the interview of Chotoku Kyan. There is a wealth of knowledge contained in his words.

Likewise, I would encourage all serious Chito-ryu students to do the same. There is a great deal to be said for the statement, "Sometimes to better understand one's own style, they must go outside out of it."  The above videos mentioned by Sensei Smith can be purchased through Tsunami Productions by clicking here:    Tsuanmi Productions Home Page

The entirety of this document is the proprietary information of Dan Smith and is solely for the use of the International Okinawan Seibukan Shorin Ryu Karate Association. Any use of this information outside of the normal relationships of the association without permission is prohibited. Any reproduction of this document without the consent of Dan Smith is prohibited.