Master Bob Johnson ~ White Tiger Kung Fu: an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand

This is one of an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand taken from martial arts magazines from the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Master Bob Johnson ~ White Tiger Kung Fu

Taken in New Zealand, 1964 by Stan Chun

Robert Henry Johnson was born 30th August 1931, in Leicester, England. Bob’s father, Ernest Johnson worked in the Military Police in Northern India in the 1930s until sometime during the 2^nd World War. As a boy Bob grow up in India and his father introduced him to an Ustad (teacher) Nihung warrior, where he spent several years learning the Sikh fighting arts. Bob and his family returned to Leicester, England around 1945. In the following years, Bob is believed to have continued his martial arts studying Karate before at the age of 18 he joined the Royal Military Police. 1949, he was posted to Hong Kong, stationed at the Aberdeen Barracks. This was also the year that the Communist party took over China and outlawed martial arts and so consequently many Kung Fu masters who had enjoyed revered positions now escaped persecution by escaping China via Hong Kong.

Bob stated he was spurred into taking up Kung Fu after seeing a street fight in Hong Kong. Master Wong Cheung had been attacked, but easily and skilfully dealt with his attackers. Bob introduced himself to Master Wong and persuaded him to teach him this strange martial arts called Black Tiger Kung Fu. Master Wong taught Bob on a one to one basis at his gym by the railway sidings at Mon Kok station in Hong Kong. Due to Bob’s prowess as a fighter, he was invited into a special enclave of Kung Fu masters. This enclave of Masters, would meet and exchange ideas from their styles for practical fighting purposes. These styles included Black Tiger, White Tiger, Ripping Tiger, Bagua, Wing Chun and Hsing I. It appears that over these years Bob grow closer to one master in particular called T Wong and kept in touch with him over the next two decades. T Wong taught the styles of White Tiger, Bagua and Hsing I.

While in Hong Kong, Bob bumped into a friend who was from his home town back in England. Pete McNulty lived in the next street from Bob back in Leicester. Pete was a solo SAS observations operative who had to flee Korea as his cover had been blown. He was sent to Hong Kong as an adviser to the Civil Police. At this time it was unheard of for Whites / Europeans to be accepted into any Kung Fu schools and taught. The only way that Bob and Pete gained access was through their Police and Military Chinese contacts and the friendships they had built up with these people. On many occasions Bob would have his abilities tested in his role a Military Police Officer performing his duties. Another time he had to fight for his life along when he was caught in the middle of a fight between two rival gangs on the ferry crossing the harbour. It is also rumoured that he tested himself by entering No-holds barred full contact fights with other martial artists in Hong Kong.

It is known that Bob was first introduced to the knowledge of the Sikh fighting arts through spending time with his father in India. This was reignited when he was serving in Hong Kong working with the local police there. The ruling British relied heavily on the Sikh community because of their honour and unswayable loyalty to make up the majority of the police force during those colonial years. It is very possible that Bob’s love of the martial arts combined with his close connection to the Hong Kong Sikh police fraternity who would have worked closely with the military police at that time could have been Bob`s inroad to gaining information on the Sikh fighting arts.

In November 1951, Bob left Hong Kong and travelled to Bulsar in the Northern Indian state of Gujarat, and there located a Nihung called Cheda Singh, who was a much revered Ustad (Teacher) in the art of Yudh Vidya. After being accepted as a student, Bob then spent several years living and training with Ustad Cheda Singh and his Nihung warriors becoming a Sikh himself. On the completion of Bob’s training at Bulsar, he was ordered to be marked by the Nihungs who tattooed his forearms.

Bob then returned home to England for a brief period before then heading to New Zealand in 1956 to meet up with his Kung Fu teacher T Wong who was now at Dunedin University. After several months of intensive training, Bob was awarded his Kung Fu masters certificate by T Wong.

Bob showing his Master certificate in Kung Fu (photo taken in New Zealand, 1974 for newspapers)

Wong then returned to Hong Kong, so Bob travelled to Wellington on the north island of New Zealand and studied Kyokushinkai karate under Master P Mizutane, who had himself trained in Tokyo, Japan under Master Oyama the founder of Kyokushinkai Karate. Due to Bob’s previous training he soon advanced in Karate and was awarded his 1^st Dan in 1957. After achieving this grade, he then returned back to England and started teaching under the name of Chinese Karate.

After several years building up an association with several assistant instructors Bob decided to emigrate New Zealand in 1963. While in New Zealand Bob lived in a suburb of Wellington called Brooklyn. He started to teach and build up a club which he ran from a large shed in his back garden. It is believed that he was also studying himself while there, expanding his skills and knowledge. When Bob returned to England in 1964, he advised his most senior student, Stan Chun to continue his studies of Kung Fu under another local Master, called Bill Young who he respected after a challenge match.

It was after his return from New Zealand that Bob finally moved away from the Karate and focused exclusively on teaching Kung Fu to all his students. In these early days, Kung Fu was not yet widely known to the general public who considered martial arts to be either Karate or Judo. Because to this, Bob decided he would use the name of Chinese Karate to let the general public know what he was about. When he came back from New Zealand in 1964 he designed a new badge for  his Tai Gik Koon association. At the top, it had “Chinese Karate Association” and at the bottom “Hong Kong   New Zealand”. The reference to Hong Kong and New Zealand, is to do with where Bob Johnson’s had studied Kung Fu.

From the early 1960’s, Bob started to expand, and taught at various locations around Leicestershire. One of these venues was outside in Bradgate Park, and classes were held regardless of weather conditions. As the sixties progressed, Bob started to build a hardcore of very good instructors (Pete Bradshaw, Pete McNulty, Roger Le Butt, Chris Hubbard and Tom Carey), who had opened up their own clubs in the surrounding areas. As these clubs continued to grow and expand to other locations, Bob set up his Tai Gik Koon association. At this time in the UK, martial arts were still in its infancy and all the main instructors knew each other and would visit and train at each other’s clubs. From the late1960’s Bob and Tom Carey formed an alliance and co-operated closely with each other in an attempt to stop disreputable instructors deceiving the public.

Although Bob had a thriving martial arts association he would still keep down a full time job as well as teaching Kung Fu and would also have periods working the doors at various clubs. Door work was always a way of pressure testing his techniques in real situations. Another way Bob used to pressure test his system was to issue challenges to other clubs and styles. Many took up these challenges through the years which Bob or one of his top instructors would always defeat all challengers upholding the honour of the club.

At this time Bob had thirty three clubs around the country in his Tai Gik Koon association. In early 1973, Bob was getting business advice off an associate who funded a three week trip to Hong Kong. Bob took this associate to Hong Kong with him, and introduced him to some of his friends and past teachers. On his return, he told Roger Le Butt that it had been a mutual exchange where Bob was taught some things and he taught some of the other arts he had learnt since. It was then that Kung Fu really started to take off with the release of Bruce Lee’s films and the Kung Fu TV series with David Carradine. With the Kung Fu craze now sweeping across Britain, Bob started to get a lot more exposure in the press and television. Bob and his senior instructors were involved in two television programs. One was the David Frost show called “In The Street Where You Live”, and the other was for the local Midlands station, ATV. These two shows generated a huge response in people wish to learn from Bob and his instructors. Bob’s Tai Gik Koon association expanded at a fantastic rate due to the public’s demand for Kung Fu.

Back row: Roger Le-Butt, Pete Coburn, Bob Lodge, Chris Hubbard, Dave Rose, Jason Smith & Bradley Smith
At the height of Bob’s success in 1974, he strangely decided to emigrate to New Zealand, leaving his assistants to run the clubs in his absence. While In New Zealand Bob again taught his system and met up with old friends Bill Young and Stan Chun. Bill had now built up a large association in Wellington called the Chinese Martial Arts Association and asked Bob to come down from time to time and teach.

In February 1975, Bob returned back to England after his family had become homesick and had pleaded with him to return back home to Leicester. Bob took back over the reins of his clubs which surprised some of his instructors who hadn’t expected him to return. Bob wasn’t pleased at some of the changes that had been made and put them straight in his own way. Due to this, some of these people started to distance themselves from regular contact with Bob.

Approximately 1977, Bob decided to break ties with the British Kung Fu Council, stating that he wasn’t happy with their organisation, its egos and the fact it didn’t operate a proportional representation in its voting system (as Bob had by far the greatest number of members and resented being reduced to having the same say in any votes as an instructor who’s organisation had only a few members.), and Bob didn’t like being told what to do by people whom he considered inferior martial artists. Unfortunately Bob’s good friend Tom Carey developed arthritis and retired from teaching in 1977.

During the early 1980s, one of Bob’s old students called Gordon Hooke opened up a club in Leicester with Bob’s permission and began teaching White Tiger Kung Fu. The White Tiger system that Bob taught was a blend of all the various styles he had experienced to produce a fast and effective self-defence and fighting art. He wanted a system like he encountered in the fighters enclave in Hong Kong. Some people wanted a more traditional style and so missed called Bob for creating his unique hybrid system. Bob used to say `We are not Chinese, Japanese or Indian, we sit on chairs not on the floor and so we don’t use the long low stances for self-defence and fighting. Real fighting is about doing what is natural, and enhancing your normal body movements`.

During the 1960s, 70s and 80s Bob also taught at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara on New Walk in Leicester. It was only in the mid -980s that he allowed some on his instructors into the Gurdwara with him to help him teach his Sikh students.

After many years of unscrupulous people copying Bob claiming to teach Kung Fu, he decided in 1983 to change his styles name from Kung Fu to Muka Bazi. He knew that this was a more obscure name that people would not imitate. His style had always been a practical blend of Chinese Kung Fu and the Sikh Indian fighting arts known today as either Gatka or Shaster Vidya. As a sign of respect to his Nihung teachers and the Sikh community, he used the more common generic term of Muka Bazi as a smoke screen to hide his real Nihung teachings. During the next several years, Bob expanded his syllabus to include a lot more of the Indian techniques that he had previously held back.

Towards the late 1980’s Bob started to take a back seat after he developed diabetes and then gout. He still oversaw the association turning up at his students various lessons from time to time. Bob’s main instructor, who was running his class was Pete Thorn. Pete would turn up at classes with a lever arch file, which contained the various tiger forms, and a Muki Bazi Binot form (the forms are of twenty complex techniques) plus information on Pakua and Dim Mak techniques. All this information had been written down in the early 1970’s so that his system stayed true and wouldn’t be corrupted.

Bob’s unexpected death came on the 1st August in 1994.

Pete Thorn continued to teach until he again retired in 1995, but happily returned to teaching Bobs original style again in 2008 at Gordon Hooke’s club in Leicester.

For a more detailed history of Bob Johnson, then please read “Way of the White Tiger”, written by Paul Burkinshaw. This book is available from Paul at his academy in Bedworth or contact him by

email: paulburkinshaw@yahoo.co.uk
or
Tel: 07973 421860

 

Shihan John Jarvis: an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand

This is one of an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand taken from martial arts magazines from the 1970’s and 1980’s.

WE TRACE THE LIFE AND DEVOTION TO THE ARTS OF JOHN JARVIS, 5TH DAN, DIRECTOR OF THE REMBUDEN INSTITUTE OF MARTIAL ARTS.

John Jarvis was born in Wellington New Zealand in 1940.  He was educated at Rongatai College and began an initial career as a surveyor’s assistant.  Finding the work not to his liking, he joined the New Zealand Army in 1959 and specialised as an ammunition technician in the ordinance corps.  During his basic training, he excelled for the first time in a martial art by winning his squad’s ‘Champion at Arms’ trophy at Waiouru.

Jarvis’ work included the demolition of old and faulty ammunition and he travelled extensively throughout New Zealand with Senior Officers, dealing with reported unexploded bombs and shells. Finishing his term in 1963, he transferred to the Canadian Army Horse Artillery and served overseas i n the Middle East, South East Asia and Germany.

Discharged in London in 1965 he became interested in the martial arts and tramped around London viewing several dojos before joining Bob Dalton and later Steve Arniel in Britain’s first Kyokushinkai club.

Leaving London a 2nd Kyu in 1966, he returned to New Zealand briefly before travelling to Japan for a year’s training under Mas Oyama in 1967. Jarvis feels he was fortunate in training in Japan while many of the greats were still actively practicing. Oyama Kancho, Kurosaki Sensei and Fujihira all had a hand in his training. During his stay in Japan, Jarvis risked the displeasure of Oyama Kancho by practising laido at the Tokyo Riot Police Headquarters under Kuroda Sensei, holder of thirty dans, and Jodo at the Rembukan under Shimizu Sensei, holder of an astonishing 70 dans. He also benefited from personal instruction by Donn Draeger, considered as a leading authority on the Martial Arts.

Shihan John Jarvis

Jarvis also appeared on Japanese television and in Mas Oyama’s Japanese language book ‘Karate for the Millions’. His stay in Japan was highlighted by becoming the fifth man to win the 100 Man Fight and he returned to New Zealand in 1968 a 3rd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan laido and 1st Dan Jodo.

Founding Rembuden in that year he travelled thousands of miles as chairman of the South Pacific Kyokushinkai organisation, spreading Kyokushinkai from Perth to the Cook Islands.

Appearing countless times on New Zealand and Australian television, Jarvis travelled again to Australia to challenge the self-proclaimed ‘World Champion’, Joe Miessner to a no holds barred contest. Although the journey proved fruitless with Miessner failing to appear Jarvis has always been willing to help those with a sincere desire to learn, and ruthless with those who claim fake grades, fail to keep a high standard or use karate as a vehicle for ego tripping, and this had made him often unpopular, especially with the ‘Mickey Mouse Clubs’ – a phrase coined by himself.

Although a strong believer in no-sport Karate, he led the New Zealand Kyokushinkai Karate team to Tokyo in 1975 at Mas Oyama’s personal request, but emphatically denies he will do so again. Jarvis states that dojo fighting is a truer test of any karate-ka, and all time and effort should be directed towards this end.  Jarvis has awarded more than ‘forty black belts and has cancelled 10% of them for failing to keep a high standard. Unlike any other Kyokushinkai organisation, Rembuden black belts must regrade every two years if required to, as in some Kendo schools.

Shihan John Jarvis (2nd from right)

Married, with two boys aged three and five, his wife, Maureen is also a black belt graded by Nakamura and Oyama Shihan’s during their visit to New Zealand in 1974.

Asked how he thought he or any other Karate instructor should be judged, he thought it could only be by results, with the good instructor producing good students and the poor ones producing nothing.

Jarvis is well known for his articles in ‘Martial Arts International’ and ‘South Pacific Martial Arts’ magazines and is the author of “The Handy Self Defense Book’ and ‘Weight Training For Self Defense’.

He also manages ‘Rembuden Publishing’ and is the New Zealand consultant editor for ‘Martial Arts International’.

The highlight of Jarvis’ career was the building of the new $85,000 dojo and living accommodation last year – the only one of its kind in Australasia.

Jarvis currently has over 3,000 students in twenty five training halls throughout the South Pacific and feels that this is by far enough turning down applications by dojos to join him. This year Jarvis will visit dojos in Australia, New Caledonia and Fiji, and grumbles a little that such commitments leave him little time for his own training.

He thinks the future of karate and the martial arts is sound with the boom periods over, the stronger dojos surviving and the weaker ones not.  A situation that has existed with martial arts schools since the beginning.

Shihan John Jarvis

CODA:

The director of the Rembuden Institute of Martial Arts and Vice Chairman of the South Pacific Kyokushinkai Organisation John Jarvis has resigned from Kyokushinkai. He feels the directions and standards of Karate no longer compatible with his principles and that over the past few years there has become a distortion between the ideals and preached and practiced.

John Jarvis, a 5th Dan, is the highest graded instructor in New Zealand and is the second top ranked Kyokushi nkai instructor to resign. Kyokushinkai’s number two man Takashi Nakamura, 6th Dan had resigned for similar reasons several months ago and has formed his own organisation. Several years ago the then number two Kyokushinkai instructor, Kenji Kurosaki also resigned.

Jarvis will now be devoting all his time and energies towards strengthening the Rembuden Organisation and will continue to instruct in the same manner that has gained him international recognition.

Additional

Shortly after the 1st Mas Oyama World Karate Championships last year in Tokyo, Shihan Nakamura who is based in New York, forwarded his resignation to Master Mas Oyama.

The resignation was on a matter of principle and involved policy and the direction being taken by the body headed by Master Oyama.

Mr Nakamura has formed a new organisation which has been called Seido Karate Do

It is far from certain at this stage how many Kyokushinkai organisations throughout the world will follow Mr Nakamura and how many will remain   with Master Oyama, but here in New Zealand the Mas Oyama group of clubs headed by Sensei Hanham in Christchurch and Sensei Barber in Nelson have already been accepted into Seido Karate Do, headed by Mr Nakamura.

As more information becomes available about the new organization, South   Pacific Martial Arts will report it to readers.

 

 

Hanshi Renzie Hanham: an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand

This is one of an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand taken from martial arts magazines from the 1970’s and 1980’s.

A LOOK AT THE LIFE AND BACKGROUND OF RENZIE HANHAM, 8th DAN CHIEF INSTRUCTOR OF SEIDO  KARATE IN CHRISTCHURCH

By Gavin Lowe, Shodan

Hanshi Renzie Hanham QSO 8th dan

The Head Instructor and President of the Seido Karate Club in Christchurch is Renzie Hanham.

Hanham Sensei, born 1945, was influenced in all forms of physical activities at an early age by a family which had accomplished much in their chosen sports. His uncle was a prominent professional boxer and holder of several Australasian titles; his cousin was captain of the Mid Canterbury rugby team and also a South Island rep.

Mr Hanham’s involvement in the martial arts began at the age of 14 years, studying Judo at the Canterbury Amateur Judo Club.

At the age of 17 he unsuccessfully tried for shodan but succeeded a year later by Batsugan. At that time he was the youngest black belt holder in the country.

The person who influenced his Judo most was Scottish Judoka Adam Linning, a former New Zealand lightweight representative.

Hanshi Renzie Hanham – front centre

In competition, Renzie Hanham won numerous Canterbury and South Island titles including the South Island Open Weight Title in the same year he also gained the South Island middleweight title and in the following year repeated the performance, but lost in the finals of the Open to former Scottish International Dave Aspinel.

I n 1968, he was placed 3rd in the middleweight division at the Nationals and was unbeaten in the New Zealand trials that ·year. His favourite techniques were Hidarisunkomi goshi, ko and o-uchi, o solo yari and uchimata.

Renzie was at one time head instructor for Can-Am-Ju and Canterbury University Judo Club, the latter of which he is a life member.

In 1969 a promising Judo career was given up so that more time could be devoted to karate which he started under D. Holloway in 1965.

In 1961 he captained the Canterbury team which won the inaugural New Zealand Kyokushinkai champs and was runner up in the open. The following year he was placed 3rd in the open and was promoted to shodan.

Hanshi Renzie Hanham (left)

No competitions were entered in 1969 as during that period he was training in Japan. During his stay in Tokyo he was used as a model in Mas Oyama’s book ‘Advanced Karate’ and trained with Air Japan Open Champions Mr Yamazaki-Hasegawa and former captain of the British team, which last year won the WUKO world champs, Brian Fitkin.

Mr Hanham along with other members of the group also had tuition in weaponry under the guidance of Mr Sato, a Goju Black belt. Also, along with others, he studied under kick boxing exponents and was offered professional contracts.

Upon his return from Japan he took over as head instructor of the club.

In 1970 he was a member of the New Zealand Kyokushinkai team to compete in Australia placing 3rd in the open weight division and defeating the highest ranked Kyokushinkai exponent in Australia in the teams event.

1971 saw him graded nidan.

1974, together with Mr Andy Barber, he underwent private tuition under 7th Dan Shihans Nakamura and 0yama.

1975 was another eventful year with Hanham being appointed Branch Chief by Shihan Nakamura and promoted to 3rd Dan.

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Hanshi Renzie Hanham QSO with the Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae

Later the same year he headed the Canterbury team which travelled to New York. The team trained under Shihans Nakamura and Oyama and with American and Japanese team members during their preparations for the world tournament.

It was unfortunate, however, that Renzie missed selection for the New Zealand team as the eliminations were held during the team’s absence. It is worthy to note that it was the general opinion that his appearance at the tournament would have provided a higher placing for the team.

Having trained not only under, but as an equal, with some of the undoubted background of experience in teaching and passing on knowledge of the martial I n doing so he is able to produce loyal students demanding in the1 the same dedication and application he expects of himself.

In the club’s ten year history it has held New Zealand, Australasian, New Zealand Universities and Danish titles and one of his former students is a member of this year’s New South Wales Kyokushinkai team.

With the resignation of Mr Nakamura from the Mas Oyama organisation, this club has now joined Seido Karate, the organisation formed by Mr Nakamura.

It is obvious to those who know him well, inside and out of training hours, that the approach to his workouts has a leaning toward the Zen teachings and philosophy He constantly urges his students to broaden their outlook on karate emphasising that no one style is superior and that karate is, and should be, an entirely individual means of expression.

Additional

Shortly after the 1st Mas Oyama World Karate Championships last year in Tokyo, Shihan Nakamura who is based in New York, forwarded his resignation to Master Mas Oyama.

The resignation was on a matter of principle and involved policy and the direction being taken by the body headed by Master Oyama.

Mr Nakamura has formed a new organisation which has been called Seido Karate Do

It is far from certain at this stage how many Kyokushinkai organisations throughout the world will follow Mr Nakamura and how many will remain   with Master Oyama, but here in New Zealand the Mas Oyama group of clubs headed by Sensei Hanham in Christchurch and Sensei Barber in Nelson have already been accepted into Seido Karate Do, headed by Mr Nakamura.

As more information becomes available about the new organization, South   Pacific Martial Arts will report it to readers.

Hanshi Charles Martin, Hanshi Renzie Hanham QSO, Hanshi Andy Barber QSO

 

Hanshi Ken McLennan: an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand

This is one of an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand taken from martial arts magazines from the 1970’s and 1980’s.

MARY A. STURM, SHODAN, TRACES THE LIFE OF KEN McLENNAN

Ken McLennan was already training at Judo and held a green belt rank when he began his study of karate in 1958 along with Ray Frederickson and Paul Harris. Together they formed what is believed to be the first karate club in New Zealand.

They had no set style to their training but were able to pool together their abilities to interpret from karate books written by Masutatsu Oyama (‘What is Karate’) and by Hidetaki Nishiyama and Richard C Brown (‘Karate: The Art of ‘Empty-Hand’ Fighting’).

The three gentlemen thought nothing of travelling any place to further their knowledge of the art, they also took the opportunity whenever possible to learn from Japanese and Chinese seamen who visited the port of Napier from time to time.

I n November of 1963, after five years of intensive training, Ken, along with Ray and Paul, reaped the rewards of dedication and hard work when he obtained his first Dan black belt from R. Johnson, third Dan – a visiting karate exponent and, in 1969, Ken’s black belt rank was recognised by Kyokushinkai Kan after undergoing a grading by John Jarvis.

Sometime later Paul and Ray left New Zealand to take up residence in Australia while Ken continued instruction at the Na pie r Club which at that stage had 40 students. Ken was then following the Mas Oyama style Kyokuishinkai.

The growth of the Napier Karate Club continued to flourish under his instruction resulting in many of his students achieving high ranks in the art. Many of the students unfortunately have left the Napier district, some have left the country to live and train elsewhere.

To mention but a few:-

• Marshall McDonagh -Sweden – 3rd Branch Chief and personal representative of Mas Oyama. Vice-Chairman of Swedish Karate Kyokushinkai, Chairman Technical Committee S.K.K. National Referee and also the National Coach of the Swedish Karate team since 1972.
• Paul Harris – Germany – 2nd
• Fred Coulter – Hamilton, N.Z. 2nd Dan.
• Andy Griffen – Napier, N.Z. -1st Dan and first Maori to obtain this rank in Kyokushinkai Kan.
• Derry Mclachlan – Na pier, Z. – 1st Dan and Senior Instructor.
• Mary Sturm – Auckland, Z. – 1st Dan and first woman in Australasia to obtain this rank in Kyokushinkai Kan.
• Graham Basher – Napie N.Z. – 1st Da n.
• Brian McLennan – Napier, Z. – 1st Dan Junior and youngest in Australasia to obtain this rank in K yokushinkai Kan.
• David Moyes – Napier, Z. Retired.

Ken was also responsible for grading Mr Doug Holloway of Invercargill who now holds the rank of 3rd Dan to 1st Kyu, Brown belt prior to Doug’s first visit to Japan.

On the 16th day of April 1971 Ken received his Nidan Certificate from Japan verifying his elevation to nidan by Mas Oyama.

On the 5th day of July of the same year he was again elevated, this time to the position of Branch Chief and personal representative of Mas Oyama. A certificate verifying this was also obtained      from Japan. This, of course, entitles him to teach the Martial Art and his gradings to be internationally recognised.

Sensei McLennan’s teachings over the past 17 years have been, and still are, of great value to past and present students and respected by many high ranking Karate exponents.

Though he now resides in Auckland he continues to have the interest of the Napier Karate Club at heart and still  maintains a watchful  eye on its progress travelling down wherever possible and in conjunction with Jarvis Sensei 5th Dan, conducts gradings in   both Napier and Auckland city where he now extends his teachings.

The Auckland Club was a very young club founded by Graham Wallace, a 4th Kyu green belt in April of 1972. When Sensei McLennan arrived there, however, through his instruction and guidance the club, a branch of Rembuden in Wellington, has grown in strength and has resulted in yet another first – the recent elevation of Graham Wallace to 1st Dan black belt at a grading in Wellington conducted by Jarvis Sensei and a panel of 2nd Dan black belts on the 8th of March, 1975.

Karate clubs affiliated with Rembuden Wellington and other karate personnel who have been associated with McLennan Sensei have extended to him heartfelt congratulations on his recent elevation to 3rd Dan by Jarvis Sensei at Wellington on the 17th June 1975 and it is hoped by those who have been honoured by his instruction and guidance that Sensei McLennan continues to  render his valued knowledge and  instruction for the betterment of those who seek to follow the true meaning of the  Martial Art.

 

Shihan Bob McCallum: an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand

This is one of an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand taken from martial arts magazines from the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Robert Francis McCallum

Age: (at time of writing): 48

Height: 5ft 7 in.

Weight: 76.20 kg

Style: Shushikai

Grade: Nidan

Occupation: Warehouse Manager

Club: Victoria University of Wellington

Diet: No Starches

Drinking: Beer .in moderation

Smoking: nil

Favourite Techniques: Uraken, Chudan Tsuki Combination

Tournaments:

Member Champion Wellington Team 1967;

Member Wellington Team NZ Kyokushinkai Championships 1961

INSTRUCTOR PROFILE

Started training at the YMCA Wellington.

When this club went into recess, McCallum transferred with the then instructor Peter Cook to, and became a foundation member of, the University Club. This was in January, 1965.

In 1966 McCallum came under the influence of Holloway Sensei who promoted him to 4th kyu in June of that year. Also during 1966 he made what was to be the first of many trips to the Napier dojo which was then being run by two very good friends Coulter Sensei and David Moyes.

Later in 1966 he was to make the acquaintance of John Jarvis who was then 2nd kyu and on his way from England via New Zealand to Japan. McCallum introduced Jarvis to the University Club where he trained until he left for Japan in early 1967. On his return from Japan the higher grades from the University Cl u b formed the nucleus of the Rembuden Club though most still retained their affiliation with the University. Also in 1967 Holloway Sensei promoted McCallum to 2nd kyu.

In 1968 Jarvis Sensei promoted McCallum to 1st kyu and the following year he gained his Shodan. As part of the grading he had to fight over 40 opponents and this at the age of 41.

Over this same period he continued to train at Rembuden 3 nights a week plus Saturday morning and afternoon, the other two nights he trained at the University.

I n 1971, after a disagreement with Jarvis Sensei, he was suspended from Rembuden for three months for alleged misconduct. He never returned but the University club who were also threatened with suspension decided to stick by him, and they also left the Rembuden Organisation.

During his association with the club he has been able to train alongside many fine karate-ka  notably Peter Cook now deceased, George Elllis, Andy Barber and Rick Fowler to name a few and also people outside his dojo such as Toner Sensei, Peter Judge, Renzie Hanham, John Tay , Rod Devlin and many other stylists too numerous to mention. In addition, through his association with the University Club, he came in contact with many students from overseas and from them he has been able to attain a knowledge of many other styles and arts.

One of these Charles Lee who introduced him, over a period of two years, to the intricacies and instruction in the Chinese Martial Arts and also toNorman Naw who had trained in his homeland under a former pupil Tadashi Yamashita, a noted Okinawan weapons master, and from Norman he was able to learn the fundamentals of the Nunchaku and Tonfa.

In February 1974 he was promoted to nidan by the then head of the NZ Oyama Kyokushinkai Karate Association Holloway Sensei, and in December of the same year the NZ Sounki-kyu also awarded him Nidan rank.

At present on the club scene he never trains less than three times a week with the  University Club and on Saturday morning with Seishinen, a club made up entirely of junior members.

He is currently a member of the Technical Panel and tan executive of the Shushikai Karate Kan Incorporated and he also acts as technical advisor to the NZ Universities Karate Association.

In all facets of his karate he is ably assisted by all of his family. His wife June acts i n an administrative capacity, his eldest son Tracy who is now a Shodan and also trained in Judo and Nunchaku, his youngest son who has also trained for the last nine years and holds the rank of 2nd kyu and is trained i n tai chi, and finally his daughter Sharon, a 1st kyu, who has trained for 8 years.

His thoughts on karate today: a return to the ethics that prevailed in karate in the early years.

 

Kancho Jack Sims, Chidokan Karate-do: an occasional series of portraits of karate leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand

Kancho Jack Sims, 9^th dan/black belt, Chidokan Karate-do

(The essence of this article was written by Bryan Fitzpatrick with edits by Lexie Matheson)

The Chidokan style of karate was introduced into the South Pacific region by Jack Sims in 1967.  This was the year Sims Sensei returned to New Zealand after completing a full time training programme at the Chidokan honbu (headquarters) dojo in Tokyo, Japan.

The first Chidokan dojo to be established outside of Japan was opened at 24 Wyndham Street in Auckland by Jack Sims, his wife Mardie and Ben Griffiths in 1968.

During the early years of the Chidokan dojo both judo and aikido were also taught at under the leadership of Ben Griffiths.

In 1996 Shihan-dai Neil Parker was appointed Managing Director in NZ Chidokan.

The Chidokan style of karate-do was established in Australia and Canada by senior dan grades originating from NZ Chidokan.

The Karate Evolution:  It can be said that Master Funakoshi Sensei dramatically changed the principles of karate from that of a fighting art designed for the battlefield, to one which enabled its practitioners to partake in hard, disciplined, physical training.  Funakoshi Sensei’s objective was clear by his own definition: ‘the ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants’.

However, karate has entered another dimension, due to its introduction as a competitive sport by men such as Nakayama Sensei of JKA and Takagi Sensei, Chairman of FJKO now known as Japan Karate-do Federation (JKF). For many in the karate world the dream is that karate will become a recognised Olympic sport – others feel that sport karate is truly detrimental to the future of art and want no part of it.

I believe Karatedo is a heritage, and a serious responsibility lies with the Masters of this era to teach karate in such a way that it remains an art of dignity, strength, grace and purpose.  If this cannot be so, the heart of karate is at risk, and the future could be just a senseless floundering

(J.E. Sims)

N.Z Chidokan:  Through the years.

1967:  For New Zealand, Chidokan really began the day Jack Sims first stepped onto the training floor as an uchi deshi (in-house apprentice), at the Honbu dojo in Nippori, Japan (17 February, 1967).  Although training since the age of seventeen in several martial arts, enrolment at the Chidokan headquarters was the beginning of what was to become a lifetime study.

1968:  The first Chidokan dojo outside of Japan was founded in New Zealand by Jack and Madie Sims, opening at 24 Wyndham Street, Auckland City, on 2 July 1968.

Sims Sensei conducted karate classes on a wooden floor at one end of the dojo while Ben Griffiths taught judo and aikido on a matted area at the other end.

Wyndham Street dojo was an old building, full of character and atmosphere, holding many memories for those involved in the first five years of establishing Chidokan in New Zealand.

The first karate pupils to attain Shodan rank within New Zealand Chidokan were Gary Hanson, John Clutterbuck, Ken Charles, Peter Berghan and Jim Ryan.
Gary’s son became a member of our Papatoetoe branch – one of quite a number of second generation pupils.

1968:  also saw what was to become a regular training course for members of the elite New Zealand Army SAS corps.  Sims Sensei spent many hours designing a special Close Quarter Battle programme, to suit the requirements of the SAS.  This programme has been constantly researched and upgraded throughout the years, and instructors from the SAS undergo an intensive two-week training period with Sims Sensei every year.

1969:  Chidokan sponsored a visit to New Zealand by a Japanese aikido instructor, Nobuo Takase.  Mr Takase taught aikido at Chidokan for about a year, subsequently marrying a local girl, settling in Auckland and opening his own aikido dojo.

The first two branches of New Zealand Chidokan opened – one in Feilding and a second in Hamilton.

Chidokan was established at Massey University under the guidance of Tony Pleasants freshly promoted to Shodan in 1969.  The Palmerston North branch dojo in King Street opened under the leadership of Senpai Pleasants and Roy and Maryann Shadbolt established themselves as valued instructors.

Members of Chidokan participated in a public demonstration with a team from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, led by Captain Tanaka, Yondan.

One hundred and twenty karate and aikido pupils attended a camp at Hunua, braving the freezing waters of the river during their training sessions.

1970: Kancho Sasaki invited Sims sensei to participate in the 1st WUKO championships, held in Tokyo.  At this time, there were no weight categories and Sims Sensei fought with distinction, winning his first two matches with clean ippons.  These ippons resulted in him being awarded one of only three medals presented at the tournament, for Karate Excellence.

Papatoetoe branch of Chidokan opened at Hunter’s Corner, where it operated from for the next thirteen years, before moving to its present venue.

Ben Griffiths established judo classes at the Papatoetoe dojo, as well as continuing teaching judo and aikido in the city.

1971: A very sad year for Chidokan when one of its very promising young judoka, Robert Nicholas, was killed in a car accident only weeks after winning the senior National Lightweight title.

Members from the Chidokan dojo at Auckland University repeated their winning form of 1969 and 1970, once again taking the team title. Michael Snowden won the Open event.

Two hundred attended a training camp at Hunua, which was also the venue for the Chidokan National Championships.  Bryan Fitzpatrick won both the Open Dan kumite and kata events.

1972: Two more branches opened, in Rotorua and Fiji.

Sims Sensei was appointed Liaison Officer for FAJKO (now Japan Karate Federation).

Bryan Fitzpatrick, by now a fulltime instructor at Chidokan Headquarters, travelled to Japan for an eight week intensive training programme.  On his way home Bryan represented New Zealand in the individual kumite event at the 1st APUDO Championships held in Singapore.

The largest training camp ever – three hundred and eighty Chidokan karate and aikido instructors and pupils participated in a weekend of blood, sweat and tears at Hunua.  Two other camps were held outside the Auckland area this year for the first time.  One in Palmerston North, the other in Rotorua.

At the Highland Games Karate Championship in Hastings, Chidokan who the team, all individuals and kata events – in most cases, coming 2^nd, 3rd and 4th as well.  The successful Honbu A Team consisted of Bryan Fitzpatrick, Thor Tandy, Michael Snowden, Nigel Hay and Richard Watson.

The annual New Zealand Universities Karate Championships, this year held in Dunedin, was also an all Chidokan victory.

1973: Expanding membership forces a move to much larger premises in Albert Street, where the Chidokan dojo becomes quite a landmark for the next eight years.

Our first woman attains Shodan rank – Maryann Shadbolt, from Palmerston North dojo.

1974:  this year was a busy one for Chidokan with the opening of three new branches in Takapuna, Henderson and Papakura.  All three have continued to be successful assets to our organisation.

1975:  Our first instructor’s conference was held in Auckland, a forerunner to our current monthly Dojocho meetings.

Kelston dojo was opened, to become one of our largest branches.

Sharron Pearson becomes the first woman Ni Dan.  Many Dan grades will have memories of this talented, fiery young karateka.

New Zealand was represented at the WUKO Championships in Los Angeles in USA by seven Chidokan karateka:  Sims Sensei, Bryan Fitzpatrick, Thor Tandy, Percy Shepherd, Bill Hall, Michael Scweczyk and Terry Daniel.

Sims Sensei became the first New Zealander to sit then pass the gruelling WUKO Referee course and examination, conducted prior to this tournament.

A self defence camp help at Hunua this year brought more than was bargained for.  Torrential rain caused the river to flood, with only the main hall remaining above the water level.  The whole camp was completely isolated, until the flood water subsided.

1976:  Bryan Fitzpatrick became New Zealand Chidokan’s first San Dan – a rank reserved for those who have made an outstanding contribution to the art, as well as attaining peak personal performance.

1977:  New Zealand Chidokan sponsored a visit by Kancho Takashi Sasaki.  While in New Zealand, Kancho Sasaki visited several of our dojos, taking classes at all levels.  An outside training session was also held in the Auckland Domain.  This involved hundreds of Chidokan exponents and attracted the interest of newspapers and television.

Shortly after Kancho Sasaki’s return to Japan, Sims Sensei was awarded the very high honour of being promoted to Go Dan, at this time the highest dan grade possible within the Chidokan system.

The 4th WUKO Championships were held in Tokyo again this year, with New Zealand being represented by Sims Sensei, who participated as a referee.  Thor Tandy performed in kata; the first time kata was scheduled as an event at WUKO level.

1978:  The year Chidokan celebrated its tenth anniversary.  By this time, Chidokan was well and truly established as the largest organisation of its kind in Australasia.

This year also saw our first Shodan from our junior membership; Vincent Fong from Mt Eden.

1979:  Chris Peace from South Australia enrols at Honbu dojo for a four month full time training programme.  Later this year Chris returned to South Australia to establish a Chidokan branch dojo in his home town Renmark.

1980:  Our lease expired at Albert Street, after a period of eight years.  It was decided not to open another dojo in the city region, as interest at our suburban branches was so high.  A new Honbu dojo was built at the home of Sims Sensei and Mardie and the search was on for suitable premises for another branch in the area.

A team from FAJKO called into Auckland on their way home from a similar ‘Goodwill’ visit to Australia.  Chidokan ikkyu and Dan grade members were invited to participate in a training session with the FAJKO team – with quite interesting results, as those who were present will report!

1981:  A new branch was opened in Sandringham and quickly became a successful link in the Chidokan chain.

At the 4th APUKO Championships in Sydney, Australia and New Zealand was again represented by a number of Chidokan players: Sims Sensei (Coached), Neil Parker, Robert  Ogg, Gary Moody, James Quinn, Roger Marvin, Mike Hanfler, Percy Shephard, Ida Swann, Sharon Browne,  Marilyn Bond, Vicky Murphy and Debbie Northover.  It was to prove a very successful international for New Zealand, with Ida Swann placed second and Sharron Browne third in the women’s kumite event.

Sims Sensei was appointed to the APUKO Referee Council.

In June, Andrew Sims became the youngest Chidokan member awarded shodan rank, at the age of ten.  Andrew commenced his training when only five years of age.

1982:  Bryan Fitzpatrick is awarded the rank of yondan.

New Zealand was invited to send a six member team to Japan to participate in a FAJKO (now JFK) Goodwill tournament in Tokyo.  All expenses were paid by Japanese multimillionaire president of wuxo, or Ryoichi Sasagawa.  Sims Sensei, Terry Daniel, and Percy Shephard traveled to Japan as officials, while Neil Parker , Robert Ogg and Gary Moody went as players.  It was a most enjoyable and successful trip.

Another new branch for Chidokan was opened this year, this time in Parnell.

Bryan Fitzpatrick and Terry Daniel were appointed as New Zealand Chidokan Shihandai in recognition for their services to the organisation over many years.

1983:  This year, ten payers and four officials from Chidokan were selected to represent New Zealand at the 5th APUKO Championship held in Nagoya, Japan.  Sims Sensei (Coach), Terry Daniel (referee), Graham Peate and Mardie Sims (Congress delegates), Neil Parker , Gary Moody, James Quinn, Mark Landale, Alan McArdle, Tony Magilson, Bryan Fitzpatrick , Sharon Browne, Jenny Mawson and Marilyn Bond (contestants)

Andrew Hartley, a long time friend of Chidokan presented a magnificent trophy to be awarded each year to a Chidokan ‘Warrior of the Year’.  The 1983/1984 award was made to Robert Ogg.

1984: What will always be known as they year of the ‘Manila Thriller’ – Sims Sensei and Terry Daniel traveled to Manila to participate in an APUKO sponsored Referee Seminar.  Sims Sensei subsequently suffered from severe food poisoning and almost took up permanent residence!

June saw Andrew Sims become our first junior graded through to the rank of nidan.

Raro Tevita was placed first in kumite, second in kata at the Police Olympics held in USA.

Terry Daniel attained WUKO Referee status after passing the examination at the 7th WUKO Championships held in Holland.  Other Chidokan members to participate in the event where Neil Parker, Alan McArdle, Robert Ogg, Graham Peate, Jenny Mawson and Sharon Browne .

1984/85 ‘Warrior of the Year’ awarded to Terry Daniel.

1985: A ten year long ambition is fulfilled when Sims Sensei and Mardie contract the building of their own  Chidokan dojo in New Lynn.

Bryan Fitzpatrick becomes the first member of New Zealand Chidokan to be awarded the rank of godan, a well deserved reward for many years of training, teaching and service to the art.

Neil Parker commences as a full-time instructor and is appointed as the third  Chidokan Shihandai.

Chidokan karateka travel to Malaysia to participate in the 7th APUKO Championships.  Those selected were: James Quinn, Alan McArdle, Jenny Mawson and Gail Eder.

Two Chidokan woman were selected to represent New Zealand at the 1st Women’s Karatedo Cup, held in Taipei: Sharon Browne and Brenda Parker.

An important year for those interest in the sport aspect of karatedo – the WUKO finally gained recognition by the IOC.
Sims Sensei, Terry Daniel and Bryan Fitzpatrick travelled to Japan to attend the 1st Japan Master’s Seminar.  Four Japanese karatedo Masters demonstrated and taught a major kata from their style.  At a multi style tournament organised in Auckland, Chidokan players were again dominant and the two top longstanding Player awards went to Chidokan members – Vi Ah Chong (men’s) and Sharon Browne (womens).

Another multi style event in Whangarei saw all but one 1st place come to Chidokan – in most catogories,2nd and 3rd as well.

1985/86: “Warrior of the Year” awarded to Tony Magilson.

1986:  Chidokan’s own building is finally completed and the New Lynn branch opens for members on 21st  January.  The dojo in Delta Avenue has an American designed sprung floor specially constructed for the training area.

Ben Griffiths is appointed as Chidokan Shihandai, in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a Judo instructor and his loyalty to the organisation – being a foundation member from its inception in 1967.

Two more branches open this year to teach the Chidokan style both over the Shore to compliment a very successful Takapuna club – one at Glenfield and second at Rothesay Bay.

Two big multi-style championships were held this year.  Thirty trophies came home with Chidokan players from Whangarei and at the Auckland UNZKO National Championships, our players won nine of the eleven categories and twenty five of the total forty two placings.

Neil Parker undertakes to conduct a Trainee Instructors course, in an effort to keep up the demand for top quality instructors at our Chidokan dojos.

During the May holidays, a group of thirty five Juniors spent five days training and enjoying the hospitality of Chidokan members in Whakatane and Rotorua.  Two hundred or so braved the cold to participate in winter misogi, held at Mission Bay.  Training commenced at 6am followed by a BBQ.

To mark our anniversary year, Sims Sensei decided to officially put into effect a Chidokan Yudanshakai (Black Belt Association).  Sims Sensei considers those who achieve Dan grade are special people, who, by their own tenacity and spirit, have reached a high level of expertise and therefore deserving of their own association.

Goju Ryu Okinawa Kan Karate Videos

Okinawan Karate Videos
(A resource that will be added to and updated periodically)

Okinawan Karate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBm64jDx-yU

Tee – The Spirit of Okinawan Karate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MuwIOjVkMY

Way of the Warrior – Karate Morio Higaonna and Goju Ryu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzweNdOc52c

Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do Katas, Higaonna Sensei
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ5Myt3p9Tw

The History of Karate | Karate Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1_9kTMErA

The History of Karate | Karate Documentary (same title, different narrative)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG33dwXOfRg

13 Okinawa Goju Ryu Kata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG33dwXOfRg

Goju ryu karate Training by Morio Higaonna 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsKjPd8yJe4

Goju ryu karate Training by Morio Higaonna 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5PyjLSkPJw

Karate – As Origens – 1º Parte (narration in English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk8YWqFwNTk

Karate – As Origens – 2º Parte (narration in English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RSBRg0e_P8

 

The Meeting of Okinawan Karate Masters in 1936

Translated by Kiyotaka Yamada. Some editing by Lexie Matheson

Translator remarks: This is a part of the meeting records. It appears as an appendix in the book, ‘Karatedo Dai Hokan’ written by Kanken Toyama. Pages 377-392 (Tsuru Shobo, 1960).

The Meeting of Okinawan Karate Masters in 1936
Date and Time: October 25, 1936 (11th year of Showa Era) at 4:00 p.m.
Location: Showa Kaikan Hall, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture
The Organizers: Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper Company

Attendees:
Karate Masters:
Chomo Hanashiro
Kyan Chotoku
Choki Motobu
Chojun Miyagi
Juhatsu Kyoda
Choshin Chibana
Shimpan Gusukuma
Chotei Oroku
Genwa Nakasone, Karate Kenkyusha (affiliated with Shudokan of Kanken Toyama)

The [1937] photo is NOT from the 1936 meeting but is appropriate to use in this translation for obvious reasons.

Guests:
Koichi Sato, Manager of Educational Affairs Department
Zenpatsu Shimabukuro, Director of Okinawa Prefectural Library
Kitsuma Fukushima, Regimental Headquarters Adjutant
Eizo Kita, Chief of Okinawa Prefectural Police Affairs Section
Chosho Goeku, Chief of Okinawa Prefetural Security Section
Gizaburo Furukawa, Supervisor of Physical Education of Okinawa Prefecture
Sei Ando, a writer
Choshiki Ota, President of Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper Company
Kowa Matayoshi, Chief Editor of Ryukyu Shimpo
Zensoku Yamaguchi, Director of Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper Company
Tamashiro, a reporter of Ryukyu Shimpo
Text:
Nakasone: When karate was first introduced in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, ‘karate’ was written in Kanji (Chinese character) as ‘Chinese Hand’. This name sounded exotic, and was gradually accepted among people in Tokyo. However, some people thought this Kanji ‘Chinese Hand’ was not appropriate at schools. In order to avoid the use of this Kanji, some karate dojo wrote “karate” in Hirakana (Japanese phonetic letters) instead of Kanji. This is an example of the temporary use of the word. In Tokyo, most karate dojo use the Kanji ‘Empty Hand Way’ for karate-do, although there are still a few dojo using the Kanji ‘Chinese Hand.’ In order to develop Japanese martial arts, I think Kanji for karate should be ‘Empty Hand’ instead of ‘Chinese Hand’ and ‘Karate-Do’ should be the standard name. What do you think?

Chomo Hanashiro
Chomo Hanashiro: In the old days, we, Okinawan people, used to call it ‘Toodii’ or ‘Tode’*, not ‘Karate. We also called it just ‘Tii’ or ‘Te.’ It means fighting with hands and fists.

*Translator’s note
Pronunciation for the Kanji written as “Chinese Hand” has two ways:
1) Toodii or Tode (Okinawan dialect)
2) Karate
Pronunciation for the Kanji written as “Empty Hand” has only one:
1) Karate

Ota: We, too, called it ‘Toodii’ or ‘Tode.’

Choshin Chibana

Shimabukuro: Mr. Nakasone, I hear nowadays people say ‘Karate-Do’ for karate. Does this mean people added the word ‘do’ (literally meaning ‘the way’) to the name ‘Karate’ for emphasizing the importance of spiritual training as with Judo and Kendo?

Choki Motobu

Nakasone: They use the term ‘Karate-Do’ as meaning the cultivation of the mind.

Ota: Mr. Miyagi, do you use the word ‘Chinese Hand’ for karate?

Chojun Miyagi: Yes, I use the Kanji ‘Chinese Hand’ as most people do so. It has minor meaning. Those who want to learn karate from me come to my home and say ‘Please teach me Tii or Te.’ So I think people use ‘Tii’ or ‘Te’ for karate. I think ‘Karate’ is good as in the meaning of the word. As Mr. Shimabukuro said, the name ‘Jujutsu’ was changed to ‘judo.’ In China, in the old days, people used Hakuda or Baida for Chinese kungfu, Kenpo or Chuanfa (Quanfa). Like those examples, names changes according to the times. I think the name ‘Karate-Do’ is better than just ‘Karate.’ However, I will reserve decision on this matter, as I think we should hear other people’s opinions. We had a controversy on this matter at the meeting of the Okinawa Branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai. We shelved this controversial problem. In the meantime, we, members of Okinawa Branch, use the name ‘Karate-Do’ written in Kanji as ‘The Way of Chinese Hand.’ Shinkokai (a karate promotion centre) will be formed soon, so we would like to have a good name.

Chojun Miyagi

Oroku: Mr. Miyagi, did you go all the way to China to study karate?

Chojun Miyagi: At the beginning I had no plan to practice kungfu in China, but I found the kungfu excellent, so I leaned it.

Shimpan Gusukuma

Oroku: Have we had our own ‘Te’ here in our prefecture, Okinawa, for a long time?

Chojun Miyagi: There has been ‘Te’ in Okinawa. It has been improved and developed like Judo, Kendo and boxing.

Kyoda Juhatsu: I agree to Mr. Nakasone’s opinion. However, I am opposed to making a formal decision right now at this meeting. Most Okinawan people still use the word ‘Chinese Hand’ for karate, so we should listen to karate practitioners and karate researchers in Okinawa, and also we should study it thoroughly at our study group before making a decision.

Genwa Nakasone (2nd from right)

Chojun Miyagi: We do not make a decision immediately at this meeting.

Matayoshi: Please express your opinion honestly.

Chomo Hanashiro: In my old notebooks, I found using the kanji (Chinese character), ‘Empty Hand’ for karate. Since August 1905, I have been using the kanji ‘Empty Hand’ for karate, such as ‘Karate Kumite.’

Goeku: I would like to make a comment, as I have a relation with Okinawa branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai. Karate was recognized as a fighting art by Okinawa branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai in 1933. At that time, Master Chojun Miyagi wrote karate as ‘Chinese Hand.’ We should change his writing ‘Chinese Hand’ into ‘Empty Hand’ at Okinawa branch if we change the Kanji into ‘Empty Hand.’ We would like to approve this change immediately and follow procedure, as we need to have approval of the headquarters of Dai Nippon Butokukai.

Ota: Mr. Chomo Hanashiro is the first person who used the kanji ‘Empty Hand’ for karate in 1905. If something become popular in Tokyo, it will automatically become popular and common in other parts of Japan. Maybe Okinawan people do not like changing the kanji (Chinese character) of karate but we would be marginalized if the word ‘Chinese Hand’ is regarded as a local thing, while the word ‘Empty Hand’ is regarded as a common name for karate as a Japanese fighting art. Therefore we had better use the word ‘Empty Hand’ for karate.

Nakasone: So far the speakers are those who have been living in Okinawa for a long time. Now I would like to have a comment from Mr. Sato, the director of the School Affairs Office. He came to Okinawa recently.

Sato: I have almost no knowledge about karate, but I think the word ‘Empty Hand’ is good, as the word ‘Chinese Hand’ is groundless according to the researchers.

Furukawa: The kanji written as ‘Empty Hand’ is attractive for us who came from outside Okinawa, and we regard it as an aggressive fighting art. I was disappointed when I saw the kanji ‘Chinese Hand’ for karate.

Nakasone: This time, I would like to have a comment from Mr. Fukushima, the Regimental Headquarters Adjutant.

Fukushima: The kanji ‘Empty Hand’ for karate is appropriate. The kanji ‘Chinese Hand’ for karate is difficult to understand for those who do not know karate.

Ota: There is no one who does not like the term ‘Empty Hand’ for karate, but there are people who do not like the term ‘Chinese Hand’ for karate.

Chojun Miyagi: Well, when I visited Hawaii, Chinese people there seemed to have friendly feeling toward the word ‘Chinese Hand’ for karate.

Shimabukuro: Here in Okinawa, we used to use ‘Tii’ or ‘Te’ for karate. To differentiate from it, we called ‘Toodii’ or ‘Tode’ for karate that was brought from China.

Nakasone: I think we have almost made confirmed the name of karate. Now we would like to discuss the promotion of karate. It is regrettable that karate is not popular in Okinawa at present. We need to find a solution to promote karate in the fields of physical education and martial arts education.

Furukawa: There are a lot of ryu or styles in karate now. I think we have to unify them at any cost. I hear there are small differences between Shuri style karate and Naha style karate. I think both styles should be unified and we should make Kata of Japanese Karate-do. In the old days, we had about 200 styles of Kendo (swordsmanship), but now they have been unified and we have the standard Kata of Japanese Kendo. I think karate would become popular all over the country if we had unified Kata. For example, we can newly establish ten Kata as Japanese Karate. The name of each Kata should be changed into Japanese, such as Junan-No-Kata (soft and stretch kata), Kogeki-No-Kata (offensive kata) and so on. In this way, we can conform the name of Kata to its content. And I also think we should make karate a competitive sport, so we should study how to hold a game of karate. We would like to unify karate and standardise contents and forms.

Chojun Miyagi: I agree with your opinion. With regard to Kata of karate, I submitted this opinion with explanations to the headquarters of Dai Nippon Butokukai (national fighting arts association), when its Okinawa branch was established. As to karate clothes, we also would like to decide on a karate uniform soon as we often have problems. As for terminology of karate, I think we will have to control it in the future. I am also advocating it, and I have been making new technical words and promoting them. Regarding Kata, I think traditional Kata should be preserved as old or classic Kata. For the nationwide promotion of karate, I think we had better create new Kata. We will create both offensive and defensive Kata which are suitable for students of primary schools, high schools, universities and youth schools. Mainly, we, the members of Shinkokai (karate promotion association), will make new Kata and promote them throughout Japan. Now there is the Physical Education Association and the Okinawa Branch of Butokukai. We also have senior students of karate and those who are interested in karate. We, therefore, cooperate with them to study and promote karate. If such organizations and experts study karate thoroughly, we can make a decision about the karate name issue and karate uniform relatively soon. I think the old Kata should be preserved without any modification while new Kata should be invented, otherwise I am convinced that no one will be interested in karate any longer in the world in the future.

Ota: How many karate organizations are there in Okinawa at present?

Chojun Miyagi: There is the Okinawa Branch of Dai Nippon Butokukai, Physical Education Association of Okinawa Prefecture and Physical Education Association of Shuri City.

Ota: Mr. Chibana, how many students do you have now at your karate dojo?

Choshin Chibana: I have about 40 students at my karate dojo.

Chojun Miyagi: There is an opinion insisting that there are two ryu or styles in karate, namely, Shorin-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu. I think such an opinion is wrong or false, as there is no evidence at all. However, if we have two styles in karate, we can categorize them by their teaching methods. In one style, they do not even differentiate between Fundamental Kata (Kata such as Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi) and Kaishu Kata (Kata other than Sanchin, Tensho and Naifanchi). They teach karate unsystematically and unmethodically. In the other style, they differentiate between Fundamental Kata and Kaishu Kata clearly. They teach karate systematically and methodically. My teacher (Master Kanryo Higaonna) taught me karate in the way of the latter.

Ota: Karate masters we know did not go to China to study karate.

Chojun Miyagi: I have heard that Master Matsumura went to China and practiced karate there.

Choshin Chibana: Our teacher taught us Naifanchi as a Fundamental Kata.

Ota: Mr. Motobu, who taught you karate?

Choki Motobu: I learned karate from Master Itosu, Master Sakuma and Master Matsumura of Tomari village.

Ota: I thought you created your karate on your own without learning from karate masters?

Choki Motobu: (laughing) No, I did not create my karate on my own.

Nakasone:  We now know every karate master has agreed to the plan to establish a karate promotion association. Mr. Furukawa told us of the necessity of founding a karate promotion association and we think the other people also seem to agree with this plan. So we would like the members to start the preparations for establishing it.

The Legend of Choki Motobu

The Legend of Choki Motobu

Translated by Sanzinsoo. Slight edits by Lexie Matheson

Note:

This is a full translation of an article by Seijin Jahana. The original title ‘Choki Motobu, a Forerunner of Combative Karate’ appeared in the monthly magazine ‘Aoi Umi’ (Blue Sea) No.70 February 1978 issue (pages 106-110). This issue features articles on Okinawan karate masters. The magazine was published in Okinawa but is already discontinued.

I was in Okinawa in 1978. It seemed to rain soon in the early evening. I had to find his house soon, so I became hasty. A few drops of rain fell on my head when I succeeded in finding the home of Mr. Chozo Nakama, 80 years old, which was surrounded by a board wall.

When I was allowed to enter the house, the rain started falling. The ground of the courtyard was stamped flat. Maybe it was Mr. Nakama’s training place of karate. There was a barbell lying wet in the rain.

Mr. Nakama was awarded ‘Hanshi’ (the highest title), 9th dan, black belt. He teaches karate at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a community centre in Sakiyama, Shuri, Okinawa. He learned karate directly from Choki Motobu (1871-1944). It was about 1940 that Choki Motobu opened his own Dojo  in Nishishinmachi (now Kumecho), Naha city after returning to Okinawa from Osaka, Japan. I visited Mr. Nakama to hear the stories about his teacher, Choki Motobu during that time.

Choki Motobu passed away at his mistress’s home in Tomari, Okinawa at the year World War Two broke out. He died at the age of 73. His life was always with karate and karate only.

He was born in Akahira, Shuri, Okinawa as the third son of Motobu Udun (a feudal lord) in 1871. His elder brother was Choyu Motobu, the founder of Motobu-ryu karate. Choki Motobu was a rough fighter by nature. He began striking Makiwara when he was a child and studied karate in his own way. Genius shows itself even in childhood. ‘Let’s play karate fight, Grandpa!’ He often said to his uncle who was Ufuchiku (a police sergeant) as well as a teacher of Kobudo (Okinawan classical weaponry arts) and used to visit Choki’s father’s at home to have a chat.

Since he became strong enough after training in his own way, almost every night he went to a bar district such as Tsujimachi, and challenged a man who looks strong to street-fighting. Because of this, his reputation among karateka at that time was very bad. No one at his age could defeat him. Maybe he thought his street-fighting was a result of his karate training.

Choki’s fighting skills were formed in the real fights, although people frowned upon his street-fighting. They said his fighting skills were full of variety and quite amazing. He created his Kumite (sparring) techniques by himself. He rarely accepted disciples, as he was afraid that his Kumite (sparring) techniques might be ‘stolen’.

Although Choki studied karate in his own way, in fact he had three teachers. His first teacher was Anko Itosu, but Itosu soon refused to see him, as Master Itosu received complaints about Choki’s street-fighting.

His second teacher was Shitsunen Tokumine. Master Tokumine was a heavy drinker. Choki brought a bottle of Sake (rice liquor) to him as a lesson fee. One day, Master Tokumine was very drunk and disorderly in Tsujimachi. He had a big fight with dozens of Chikusaji (policemen), and eventually he was arrested by the police and exiled to a remote island in Yaeyama (Ishigaki islands). He passed away on the remote island.

Master Tokumine was a expert in karate and staff fighting arts. Chotoku Kyan alias Kyan Miigwaa (small eyes) visited Yaeyama to learn staff fighting Kata arts from Master Tokumine, however, Master Tokumine had already passed away. Fortunately the owner of a small inn where Master Tokumine once stayed, had learned the staff fighting Kata arts directly from Master Tokumine, so he taught the Kata to Master Kyan. In Yaeyama today there still remains the Kata of staff fighting arts whose name is ‘Tokumine No Kun’ (the staff fighting arts of Master Tokumine).

After Master Tokumine was exiled to the remote island, Choki Motobu went to the karate Dojo of Master Kosaku Matsumora. When he asked the Master to teach him karate, he changed his name as Sesoko, not Motobu. He was afraid that Master Matsumora might also refuse to see him like his first teacher Master Anko Itosu. He was accepted by Master Matsumora, but soon Choki’s bad reputation of street-fighting disclosed his true name Choki Motobu alias Motobu Saaruu (monkey). Master Matsumora called him and questioned him:

“Why did you tell me a lie that your name is Sesoko?”
“It’s true, Master. I wouldn’t tell you a lie. My name is not only Motobu but also Sesoko. My mother’s family name is Sesoko. I was brought up in my mother’s village when I was a child.”
“I see. Never tell a lie!”
“No, never!”
Then he was formally accepted as a disciple.

Choki was very frank and open-minded, so he did not care about money at all. He always spent all the money he had. It was the later period of his life. When Mr. Nakama visited Choki’s home, Choki invited him to go for a walk. At that time Choki received some pocket money with the exact amount for a meal, a taxi and so on from his mistress who had been living with him since staying in Osaka. She was worried that he would spend all the money he had with him if she gave him extra money.

Needless to say, Choki could not save money. He could not make money either. His horse-carriage business in Okinawa failed, so he and his family went to Osaka, Japan in about 1921.

There is a famous story that Choki had a match with a professional boxer when he was in Osaka. He worked as a guard at a cotton factory. It was the owner of a rooming house where Choki lived who suggested he accept a match with the boxer. The owner found an advertisement in the newspaper that a promoter was seeking an opponent for a Russian boxer, Johnson. He explained the advertisement to Choki who could not read letters, and for a joke he suggested Choki to apply for this offer. Choki agreed with his suggestion, seriously, at once. The owner of a rooming house was surprised to hear Choki’s reply, but he made an application for Choki.

On the day of the boxing match, the ringside was crowded with a lot of people. The Russian boxer was tall and big  while Choki was very short.

“That man (Choki) must be a fool!” said many spectators.

Choki was told to put on the boxing gloves, but he refused to put on them.

“He is really crazy!” said the spectators again.

In the first round, the big Russian boxer was driving Choki into a corner of the ring. The boxer was stronger and tougher than expected.

“I cannot defeat him. I will lose.” thought Choki. “But If I easily lose this match, I would be very very sorry for my Okinawan fellow students of karate.”

The first round was over with much difficulty for Choki.

In the second round, the professional boxer, Johnson maybe thought that this match was too easy for him. He charged toward Choki with less guard. Seeing the unguarded moment, Choki immediately jumped. The big body of Johnson fell down to the mat. In a moment the spectators could not understand what happened. Then, knowing Choki won the match, they shouted and applauded with admiration. Some of them excitedly threw their money and precious watches into the ring. Choki had jumped and hit the back of Johnson’s ear with his fist. Choki Motobu or Motobu Saaruu’s jumping and karate skills were really amazing.

The match was reported widely all over the country by newspapers and magazines, so the name of Choki Motobu and the power of karate became very famous. Some people visited him asking him to teach them karate.

Choki also taught at a Japanese university by request. When he taught there, the Okinawan student acting as interpreter was always beside him, as Choki could not speak Yamatoguchi (standard Japanese language). The interpreter translated Choki’s explanation of Kata etc in Uchinaaguchi (Okinawan dialect) into standard Japanese. His illiteracy and lack of education might be helping to make a bad image of Choki such as a rude and rough fighter who has no good manners and so on but, in fact, he was polite and very rigid in good manners not only for himself but also for his disciples.

In about 1937 or 1938 Choki was in Okinawa, while his family was left in Osaka. A judo teacher whose name is Sudo came to Okinawa from Japan to study karate. He was a black belt of 8th Dan (later he became 10th Dan). He visited Mr. Kojun Yamashiro who was also a judo teacher at the Second Middle School (now Naha High School). Sudo visited many karateka (karate players) in Okinawa. One day he came to Choki and challenged him to a match. Choki accepted the challenge. They made rules before playing a match, because they might be severely injured or damaged if they really fight each other with real karate techniques without any rule or restriction.

Choki and Sudo took a fighting stance, and watched sharply each other without moving. One minute passed. Two minutes passed. “I can’t win. Please teach me karate!” said Sudo loosening his stance. I suppose a true martial artist can see his opponent’s ability and power if he looks at the opponent’s sharp eye when they face each other.

From that day on, Sudo, a judo teacher came to Choki every day to study karate. He learned how to fight with a man wielding a knife, how he should respond by karate techniques if surrounded by many men, and so on. He studied practical karate by Choki Motobu, the pioneer of combative karate. There is another episode related to this match. When Choki met with Sudo to fight, he wore Haori-Hakama (a Japanese traditional black kimono with a coat over it, a formal suit at that time). He thought ordinary clothes were lacking good manners, so Mr. Nakama, his disciple rented Haori-Hakama, formal clothes, for him. Choki did not have any formal clothes.

There are very few books on Choki Motobu. It is regrettable that there is no comprehensive book of Choki’s Kumite (sparring) techniques. I wish he had written such books. In fact, Choki had a plan for publishing karate books. There was the manuscript written at his dictation. When he was about to go to Osaka again, he asked Mr. Nakama to keep the manuscript for him. “Please send it to me immediately if I ask you.” said Choki. It was a very thick manuscript. Mr. Nakama copied it in his four notebooks. Some days later, Mr. Nakama was asked to send the manuscript to Choki in Osaka soon but the book was not published. In fact, Choki sold his manuscript to someone else just for money. He had no choice but to sell it, because he needed money to pay the hospital. He had been in hospital due to illness.

Mr. Nakama’s notebooks of the manuscript copy had been burnt to ashes due to an air raid in Okinawa during World War Two. To whom or to which publisher did Choki sell the original manuscript and does that manuscript still exist?

The content of the manuscript consists of karate history, Kata, application of Kata, sparring techniques and so on. It must have been a comprehensive book of Choki Motobu’s karate studies. People frowned on Choki’s karate, as they thought his was just for the purpose of fighting. However, the truth was that he was always earnest or very serious about karate. Considering this, it is quite regrettable that Choki’s comprehensive book made by all his life did not appear after all.

It may actually be for the best that his work was not published for Choki Motobu very rarely accepted disciples as he was afraid that his karate techniques might be stolen. If he were still alive, maybe he would tell us not to ‘steal’ other karateka’s techniques but to create by ourselves.

Choki Motobu also known as Saaruu of Motobu was a legend even while he was still alive, because he was a strong man, and he had natural-born ability for martial arts. He sought a combative karate. He always challenged others to street fights so there were a lot of fighting stories about him. It made him a legend in the process of transmitting the exaggerated stories to the public. Some people says ‘That’s because he is a “Paafuchaa” (a braggart in Okinawan dialect). Most of his fighting stories are questionable.”

In fact I have found small discrepancies in the situation when I investigated stories about Choki, even among stories which are said to be heard directly from him. Maybe that’s why he was called a Paafuchaa.

The person whose ability is better than others got the best and the worst reputations at the same time in his or her days. Choki is not a exception. Even today the reputation about Choki and his karate varies depending on who talks about him.

Some say that Choki Motobu was the strongest warrior in Okinawa. With his combative karate, he contributed to the promotion of karate and let people know how powerful karate is. Others say that his karate is just for fights, and it is out of the Way of Karate-Do. He is not ‘Bushi’ but ‘Busaa’. ‘Bushi’ is a karate expert who is not only good at karate but also is very well-mannered and observes the proprieties. On the other hand, ‘Busaa’ is good at fighting, but he just shows off his fighting skill. In short, he is a violent man.

Choki Motobu was called ‘Paafuchaa’ (a braggart in Okinawan dialect), a great contributor to the promotion of karate, a violent man. What kind of man was he?

Unfortunately, there are few articles written about Choki. Even if we find them, they tell us only about karate. There is no book written by Choki himself. He had been so enthusiastic about training in karate since childhood, he did not learn how to read or write. He was almost illiterate. I have a book entitled ‘Okinawa Kenpo Karate-Jutsu: Kumite by Choki Motobu’ illustrated with photos of Kumite but this book was written through dictation from Choki.

I need to interview directly with the persons who were close to Choki in order to find the true image of him. They talked about him that he was a strong fighter, but they talked less about his private life or his personality. One of them said to me, ‘Sorry, I can’t tell you about him. If I talk about him, it will sound as if I slander him.’

Among them, I think the story talked by Mr. Nakama gave me the most real image of Choki Motobu who was also called Saaruu of Motobu. Therefore, I, Seijin Jahana, wrote this article based on the story told by Mr. Chozo Nakama.

Sakugawa Kanga ~ Ryūkyūan Martial Arts Master

Sakugawa Kanga

Kanga Sakugawa (1733 – 1815) – sometimes known as Kanga Sakukawa but Sakugawa is his Okinawan dialect family name – also Sakugawa Satunushi and Tode Sakugawa, was a Ryūkyūan martial arts master and major contributor to the development of Te, the precursor to modern karate.

In 1750, Sakugawa began his training as a student of a Ryūkyūan monk Peichin Takahara. After six years of training, Takahara suggested that Sakugawa train under Kusanku, a Chinese master in Ch’uan Fa.

Kusanku

Sakukawa spent six years training with Kusanku, and began to spread what he learned to Ryūkyū in 1762. He became such an expert that people gave him, as a nickname: ‘Tōde” Sakugawa (Sakugawa ‘Chinese Hand’). His most famous student, Matsumura Sōkon, went on to develop the Shuri-te which later develop into Shōrin-ryū style of karate.

Peichin Takahara

Bibliography

Okinawan Karate, Second Edition, by Mark Bishop, Tuttle Publishing, p. 53, ISBN 0-8048-3205-6