by E. J. Harrison

Paperback - 250 pages, The Overlook Press, Woodstock, NY, 12498

ISBN: 0-87951-154-0, 1988; available from Amazon Books (www.amazon.com) and others

"I have no castle; I make fudoshin (immovable mind) my castle."

-- quoted by E. J. Harrison in The Fighting Spirit of Japan

In 1897, Mr. Ernest Harrison sailed to Yokohama to join the staff of the Japan Daily Herald as a sub-editor. Bringing along an interest in the wrestling arts from his native England, Harrison was soon introduced to jujutsu at the hands of the Yokohama police. His interest piqued, he sought out and pursued instruction at a local dojo of Tenjin Shinyo Ryu jujutsu, where eventually he gained a rank of shodan. In the years that followed, he pursued instruction in judo, Dr. Jigoro Kano's (1860-1938) refinement of jujutsu, at the Kodokan. He also gained familiarity with those martial arts which were, at that time, largely unknown in the West, particularly aikido and karate.

Unlike some Western accounts of Eastern "mysteries" which tend to be panegyrics, Harrison gives a generally critical overview of the martial arts and physical culture as pursued in Japan in the years shortly after the Japan-U.S. Hakodate/Shimoda amity treaty was concluded in 1854 and the first British consul, at Hakodate, was established in 1859. As such, Harrison's book is not only a fascinating look at the development of the modern martial arts from the old techniques of bujutsu, but also a discerning overview of Japanese culture in the early part of the 20th century, when Japan was quickly assimilating the new ways and merchandise of the West.

My father was born in Japan in 1903 and grew up speaking Japanese with his native nanny almost before he learned English from his parents. In the '30's he moved to Shanghai to become the night-editor of the North China Daily News and then, when war became inevitable, as a British citizen he was recruited by Military Intelligence and moved to London - the first time he had lived in the West for any appreciable time. Nonetheless, my father's many tales of the Japan (and China) with which he was familiar have the same feel as Harrison's narrative - a look into an age now inaccessible and almost legendary. It is fallacious to judge historical events and international sensibilities in the context of our own current cultural values. However, as martial artists, we should spend the time to understand the modern development of our respective arts, since, if nothing else, history teaches us the relevance of our goals and, possibly, the future worth of our pursuits. The Fighting Sprit of Japan is a very readable and objective look at the Japanese martial culture and should be a valuable

addition to any martial artist's library.

Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free,

stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.

Chuang-Tzu

Page 6

"Then & Now"

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a tournament that we sponsored. I met another Black Belt there who was a Black Belt when I came into the Martial Arts. We began conversing about some of the differences in the Martial Arts world back then and now. Below are some of the things we came up with. How many can you come up with and how many do you remember? This was kind of fun.

1969 2000

We didn't have head, hand, foot Now we look like something from the

gear knights of the round table (probably safer though)

Grabs with follow through was a point "Hey that’s cheating"

Sweeps and judo throws were Now they’re a lawsuit

fun

Black Belts were 18 and older You can get it off the Internet age restrictions: 6 and up

We paid respect to Senseis Now we have the gray hair or no hair

with gray hair

Kyu ranks had to rei to all Black Belts they tell us to move

Mouthpieces were optional they’re required

We carried a dime for the phone we carry the phone

We paid 5.00 per event we pay 35.00 per event

We had to go home to find out Now we turn off the phone and pager so we don't have to stop

what was going on while we were at the store on the way home.

at the tournament

Kata was recognizable as an actual Now after 25 kiai and multiple somersaults you realize the kata form taught in the dojo hasn’t started yet.

We went to the printers to make flyers Now we sit down at the computer and make our own, and send invites on the Internet

We had to call everyone to now we e-mail them

remind them about the tournaments

The beeping sound was the timer Now we all look at our hips to see

to end the kumite match if its our pager or phone

We were proud of a bruise or Now bruises are liabilities a 6" trophy a insult and the

a 6" trophy and considered it learning experience is $100.00

a learning experience

Page 7

The Shorei-Ryu Karate Mon Interpretation

Our mon (J. seal, crest) represents several elements in the history of Shorei-ryu Karate. A detailed description follows.

WORDS- In English, Shorei-ryu means encouragement school (or style). In Okinawa, Shorei is also used to describe the chuan-fa practiced in the Shaolin Temple in southern China, the source of many techniques that comprise the karate of Okinawa.

SHAPES- The mitsudome (J. three tumbling "commas" or tadpoles), a symbol found throughout Asia, is used in Okinawa to symbolize its royal family, birth, life and death and karate. Placed atop the mitsudome is a pine tree. An evergreen, it symbolizes the Shaolin Temple, nature, youth and the legacy of Choki Motobu, one of Okinawa's greatest fighters. The equilateral triangle represents the legacy of the Trias family and the goal of equal amounts of power, speed and form in our ryu. The octagonal shape of the mon recognizes the eight-fold path taught by the Indian Buddhist monk Taishi Daruma. Daruma brought tea culture, Zen and chuan-fa (a precursor to karate) to China. One of his precepts encourages us to remember that, when we fall (fail) in life, we must get up and try again. The black outlined octagon represents Tong Gee Hsiang and Hoy Yuan Ping, early teachers of O-Sensei Robert A. Trias. The golden yellow octagon represents the future masters of our ryu.

COLORS -Green, in nature, green represents life. Active karateka retain youthfulness throughout their lives. Golden yellow - the color of the Sun, a source of energy, prosperity. Black - fullness of life, knowledge and finally, wisdom. White - purity, emptiness, and lastly death, reminding those of us who wear the seal of our mortality and responsibility to insure that Shorei-ryu Karate will persist over time.

This emblem was commissioned and approved by Terry Sanders, Style Head of Shorei-ryu Karate and Director of the Kondo No Shokai.

The Mon was designed and created by John S. Soltis, Renshi, using elements, particulars, and things which represent those Masters who have contributed in the originality, development and spread of Shorei-Ryu Karate.

Approval was also given by Philip Perales, Hanshi, the founder and director of the California Federation of Black Belts, whose members are all Shorei-ryu stylists. Members of these organizations retain exclusive rights to the use of this seal.

The Mon can be viewed at the Shorei website : www.angelfire.com/ca2/ShoreiRyu/index/html

A Friend Remembered

Chris Hoshiyama PhD. Renshi

Godan Shorei-Ryu and Shuri-Ryu

Phoenix, Arizona

Recently the Karate World has suffered yet another loss, the passing of Hanshi John Pachivas, Judan. Pachivas Sensei was born May 3rd 1927. His love for the arts began in childhood with the study of Pankration, an ancient martial art and part of his Greek heritage. His training in the early 1950's began in the style Goju-ryu, under Ken Ogawa, a Japanese master. He taught Goju-ryu exclusively until in 1962 he was invited to the United States Karate Associationâ Hombu dojo by Mr. Robert Trias. This began Mr. Pachivas transition to Shorei-ryu Karate-do. He continued under The direction of Trias Sensei,becoming a member of the famous Trias International Society and one of the Chief Instructors of the Shuri-ryu system. John Pachivas taught traditional Karate-do for almost fifty years a most impressive task. He is remembered as the Father of Karate in Florida and most importantly as a great human, who has touched so many deeply. He has played a major role in the development of my karate spirit. After Hanshi Trias passed away he was a source of encouragement and a constant motivator to me.

Page 8

MY KARATE LIFE

Shichidan ,Shorei – Ryu

Sao Paulo, Brasil

My name is Fernando P. Camara. I began karate in 1964 at the age of 13 years old. My first teacher was Ishihara, and he introduced me to Shorei-ryu karate. This was the name of the style that he learned with Iraha Choko, a top discile of Kyoda Juhatsu, who was the heir of Higashionna Kanryo. Still later, Kyoda changed the name of the style to To'on-ryu as a homage to his master. Shorei-ryu was the name given by Higashionna to his style and it is not the same as Goju-ryu, the style created by Miyagi Chojun. Ishiraha was an electrical engineer in a Japanese manufacturing plant called "Sadokin" that existed in my city. My father was a book-keeper and sometimes he did some work for Sadokin. There he knew Ishihara and talked to him about my karate interests. Ishihara was very busy but he always found time to train with me in his house. In 1967 he returned to Japan and I have not heared anymore about him. I think that I was his only student here. He taught me Sanchin, Sanseru, Jion, and Betchurin (as he called the kata Suparimpei). These kata were not the same as Goju-ryu, but more rude and shorter.

My next teacher was Chen Chi Ho, a Chinese from Hong Kong who taught me a karate that I called kung fu because it really seemed to be kung fu to me. We (two collegues and I) trained in his house. He never said the name of his style and many years after I saw that it was very similar to Uechi-ryu or Pangainoon karate. In fact, I learned a Sanchin, Seisan, and Sanseru versions I learned were very similar to Uechi-ryu, but the other kata were not the same and years later I realized that these kata were the "White Crane" kata Haufa and Nipaipo. In 1970, I began my medical studies and left Chen. I moved to another state and began my studies in Goju-ryu, however, all that I learned with these two men was definitive to my karate knowledge and abilities. I never forgot their principles or kata.

During the 60's I had an experience with Taekwondo with Byung Kuk Lee (who was also a Shotokan teacher) but my "body memory" and reflexes being conditioned in karate and I did not adapt to this Korean style, so I left it. I have also studied Tai Chi, Bagua, and Hsing Yi, and I applied my understanding of these arts to my karate foundation

In the 70's and 80's I trained a hard version of Goju-ryu, and trained also Kyokushin (with Tsunioshi Tanaka) during one year. I studied with grandmaster Akamine Shikan's seniors Moritoshi Nakaema, Nelson dos Santos, and Iwao Yokote, and the grandmaster himself (he was retired during this time) corrected my kata (1973). I was also a student of Ryuzo Watanabe, a Gojukai master representative of Gogen Yamaguchi during these years and I left his Kyokai in 1989 and returned to Okinawa Goju-ryu with Morihiro Yamauchi, representative of Shobukan in Brazil. In the 80's I trained also with Moritoshi Nakaema and I continue to train with him nowadays (presently, I am director of his organization, the Zen Minami Hankyu Budo Kyokai). Nakaema's Shito-ryu has a hard Shorei-ryu orientation.

In the 70's my interest in White Crane was aroused and I began an intensive research in this system. I knew some masters who taught me forms and I obtained a lot of historical material and data that help me to reconstitute something about the history of the master Gokenki and his system. In the 70's I learned the short and long version of Hakucho, Yantsu and Nipaipo, and in 1991 the grandmaster Kenji Kusano introduced me to other White Crane kata: Rohai, Hakutsuru, Paipuren, and Nepai. I made also

contacts in Okinawa, particularly with the Yabiku Takaya organization.

In 1983 I founded a little association to preserve and promote the old Okinawan karate and White Crane Fist traditions. This association was called Shoreijikan to maintain the Shorei-ryu tradition. "Shoreiji" meaning "temple (ji) of the inner light (Shorei)" that reflects the spirit as Higashionna Kanryo, who was also a renowned Confucionist, conducted himself in his life and in his karate. Shoreijikan Association is an independent organization. I have researched the Trias kata syllabus and introduced

his Wansu, Anaku, Dannen-sho, and Shudo-sho.

Page 9

Shoshin: Some thoughts about Perception and Perspective

Yondan, Shorei- ryu Hon Shin Do Karate Do

Miami, FL

"A mind that has been stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimension." – Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Page 10

GREETINGS From OHIO!

Yondan, Shorei-ryu

Mentor, Ohio

Greetings to all Kondo No Shokai members. As one of the newest members of the Kondo No Shokai, I thought I should introduce myself. My wife, Carolyn, and I have owned and operated Odayaka Martial Arts Studio in Chardon, Ohio for 5 years this July where we teach Shorei-ryu karate. Chardon is located about 25 miles southeast of Cleveland. We have about 40 students mixed between juniors and adults ranging in experience from beginners to those who have been with us almost the entire 5 years. The adult class is about half men and half women and the average age is probably around 35. Odayaka Martial Arts is a teaching dojo that welcomes and encourages the whole family to train in the art of karate. Students are encouraged to improve both as karateka and as human beings as they work to attain useful self-defense skills. In all aspects of training we try to instill a sense of respect for others, for the world we live in and a sense of honesty and integrity. Tournaments are not a major focus but occasionally, the studio attends a tournament and usually the students do quite well. Our classes meet on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and include training in kihon waza (basic techniques), kata, kumite, applications from kata which we call bogyu waza, and kumite waza. In April, we held black belt testing and I am proud to say we passed three students to shodan level. They are Bruce Baird, Tim Parker and Laura Swink.

I started martial arts training in about 1963 when I signed up for a judo class. In that first dojo the training floor was split into two sections, half matted for judo, half wooden floor for karate. From over on the judo side I watched the karateka training. They all looked invincible which I certainly was not. Part of the problem in those days was there were no weight classes in judo and I wasn’t very big. As a result I always seemed to be paired up with someone twice my size. I hated when those guys fell on top of me! So it wasn’t long before I shifted my training to karate. When I went away to college, I took up han moo kwon tae kwon do, which was very similar to the karate I had been studying. Then I moved and ended up studying sang moo kwon tae kwon. After that school closed, I joined a Shorei-ryu school. That school changed owners shortly thereafter and my style was changed to Shorei-goju. With all the changes, it took me until 1979 to receive the rank of shodan. Since about 1983 I’ve been teaching on my own. Teaching has taught me more than I ever learned as a student. In fact, the more I teach karate, the more I find there is to learn. Students keep coming up with questions that I’ve never heard or thought of before. They test your knowledge daily which does keep you from getting stale.

At Odayaka Martial Arts the training is split between kata, kihon, bunkai and kumite with some work on breakfalls, throws and miscellaneous self-defense techniques. While we do have a number of standard bunkai sets from our kata they don’t begin to explain or cover every move within each kata. While we realize the need for standards we also recognize that there can be more than one valid interpretation for a movement. In that vein, we also work on non-standard material and encourage students to experiment and explore the range of possible self-defense responses. Some of the best lessons come through failures. For those of you who are not familiar with our kata list, we run gekisai, sanchin, saifa, wansu, anaku, sepai, kararunha, rohai, seiunchin, bassai, naihanchi, niseshi, suparinpe and kusanku. Here at Odayaka Martial Arts, we also use taikyoku shodan in the juniors classes as their first kata.

So how did I end up with Kondo No Shokai? I joined the USKA in 1979 and remained a member until it ceased operations in 1999. Thankfully, I have had contact with Sanders Sensei occasionally in the past and through him I became aware of the Kondo No Shokai early in 2000. I joined in March 2000. I have encouraged my students to join as well and hope that many of them will be members before the year is over.

Judging by the size of our school you might guess that running the dojo is not how I make my living. My day job is Director of Quality for a multi-plant forging corporation in Cleveland. I work with the three plants in strategic quality activities including the use of statistical problem-solving methods. Fortunately, my position allows me to fit in teaching karate 3 or 4 days a week and still get enough work done for "the boss" to continue to give me a regular paycheck. My wife, Carolyn, who earned her shodan two years ago, teaches sociology and social science part time at the local junior college. Fortunately, she is always ready to cover classes when I can’t make it. Without her I’d never have been able to keep the dojo open.

Page 11

Students With Negative Attitudes

Dave Richardson

Shichi Dan, Shuri-Ryu Goshnjutsu Kempo

Silver City, NM

Dear Fellow Martial Artists,

I hope you all are feeling healthy, positive and good about your selves. Now days this is a good way to fight the pressures and fast pace of modern living. As I reflect on my past experiences while teaching karate there are some students who come to mind who posed quite a challenge. They were people who had somewhat of a low opinion of themselves and had built a defensive attitude to compensate for inadequate self esteem. This created a negative atmosphere in the dojo. People like this have to be dealt with quickly before their attitude spreads and I've seen it do just that. I usually serve as their training partner for the first few classes. I find that not addressing the person's personal problems at

first is effective. I simply make every thing they do seem simple and easy. Never use words such as "hard," " difficult" or put a time limit on anything that they are learning. Let them know that what they do incorrectly can be done in another way or maybe in a more effective way. Do not say negative things such as" that's wrong", or "can't you do it right?". Always keep your voice firm and soft yet positive sounding. Use encouraging words like yea, cool, and all right and say them often. This builds their confidence and with confidence comes self worth. Now they are building a relationship that benefits the student, the dojo members and the instructor. Let them know that everyone else had to start at an infant stage and then build up to a level of proficiency.

I've had some students who were too confident and wanted to show everyone in the dojo just how formidable they were. I would be certain that I was their partner! I never let them have a chance to do anything to others until they had the basics taught to them. This process of socialization often requires about 6 to 8 months of training. Then I would let them spar with a black belt first. The black belt was not

allowed to do anything other then fight defensively. Most of the time over confident students are not as skilled as they think they are when they spar. They just try to hit hard while using very little technique. Now the lesson occurs when a person half their size (but of higher rank and good ability) spars with them and shows them that power isn't as effective as good technique. It seems to have a good effect on them. Sometimes this approach works, and sometimes it does not. I believe the key is to move with patience and perseverance with the aggressive, uninhibited students. Protect your other students from these aggressive people because they can act like a bad apple in the crate. Negative attitudes spread like wildfires. I once had a student who ruined every new student that signed up within the first week by showing them the wrong way to act in class. I finally had to remove him from the class and let all of the people he ruined fade away before signing up any new students. I just could not find a way to turn them around. They are just people and most people can be taught. Of course I am completely white haired at the age of 50 and I've earned every one of those white hairs too!

Well, I hope I haven't totally confused you. Before you go to class, remember that you have something very special to offer. Teaching is a very special and challenging art. If you need to get into a

disturbed student's head, evaluate them in the manner you teach your students to size up a potential enemy. Look for their weaknesses, strengths and methods of learning (physical - hands on, or mental - books, etc. Be patient and unconditionally understanding. You'll be rewarded for it.

Till next time, don't forget to keep a tight fist when ya punch - Shihan Dave Richardson

Page 12

Hello from the Webmaster

Racine, Wisconsin

Greetings from the new webmaster-computer-geek! Since you may see my name mentioned more frequently in discussions concerning computers, I figured I'd better introduce myself here, in the newsletter, for those who haven't already visited my website(s).

First my background: I began studying Karate during my sophomore year in college at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside. I signed up for the class because 1) The mysticism surrounding the martial arts had intrigued me since high school, 2) I wanted to continue to improve my physical fitness after the "Jogging For Fun and Fitness" class ended the previous semester, and 3) The price was right - FREE! (Since I was already enrolled as a full-time student.)

Having stayed at the university for an extra semester to finish my double major in Computer Science and Business/MIS, I was able to achieve my black belt ranking right before graduation! Luckily, I found a job in the surrounding area so I've been able to stay close and continue to audit (no credit) the Karate classes at the university since graduation.

Next my dojo's background: Our upper-level Karate classes consist of roughly 10 active Yudansha and another 15-20 active kyus. Our lower level, first-semester Karate class averages 60 students. As you may guess, there is a high turnover rate due to the college students taking the class "because it's cool" and then most drop out when they find it to be too much hard work. We have two senseis: Reid Pfarr who teaches the beginning Karate I class, and his father Earl Pfarr, who teaches the advanced Karate II and III classes.

Sensei Earl Pfarr, Godan, learned the Shorei style of Karate from the late Rev. William Foster. Rev. Foster's sensei was Phillip Koeppel in Illinois, who was taught the Shorei style directly from Grandmaster Robert A. Trias.

I've created multiple new sections, including an area for a publications archive, links to other Karate websites, and a newly created email list!

The Internet can be leveraged as an awesome tool to learn from and spread the knowledge of our Shorei style of Karate. One of my greatest frustrations in my years of research of our style is the lack of accurate, written history regarding Shorei. Most information can be gleamed from other styles (i.e. Shuri), but then one has to watch for slight inconsistencies and derivations. My goal is to harness the Internet's potential as a "giant library" in which future karatekas can find information regarding their history, lineage, forms, etc. At least once things are in the written form they are not subject to change as frequently as the spoken or "memorized" versions that were passed on from one generation to the next. (Anyone remember the "telephone" game as a kid? The end message usually turns out to be vastly different from the original spoken message.)

Page 13

DIFERENCAS ENTRE KARATE BRASILEIRO E O KARATE AMERICANO

Godan, Shorei-Ryu

Provo,UT

No Brazil ha 47 anos atrazx chegaram os primeiros Japones, vindos do pos guerra eles tinham apenas uma forma de exercitar-se quando trabalhavam nas plantacoes da cafe em Sao Paulo, as artes marciais,O primeiros grupo de Japoneses trouxeram o judo, o karate so foi iniciado no Brazil praticamente na decada dos 50, pois nates a ideia de academia de artes marciais no Brasil era apenas um sonho, os primeiros Japoneses tiveram um certo Trablho em convencer brasilerios a fazer artes marciais , o exercito aderiu ao Jiu jitsu e depois ao Judo , quando este se tornou olimpico. Helio Gracie o patriarca da Familia Gracie introduziu um novo conceito de combate homem a homem que ficou conhecido como VALE TUDO naqueles velhos tempos no brasil os eventos e festivais de lutas livre, como era chamada, trazia um grande publico aos ginasios desportivos. Entretanto o Karate ganhou forca , com os filmes de Bruce Lee em 1970, e muitas pessoas, como eu por exemplo, ficaram facinados pelas artes marciais, entratanto ninguem sabia nada sobre o KUNG FU e nao haviam professores desta artre no Brazil ate aquela data, entao, o Karate passou a ser a primeira opcao, chegou e ter cerca de 1 milhao de adebtos quando da fase de ouro dos filmes chamados pastelao de Kung Fu., o Brasil sempre teve os EUA como padrao por causa dos emios de comunicacao ate que com o advento do Kickboxing, ocorreu uma veradeira febre da academias no Brasil ensinando indisciminadamente esta arte, como na america milhartes de organizacoes quizeram fazer dinheiro ccom o Kickboxing, e muitos o confundiam com o Karate ou uma forma deturpada desta arte.O Karate antrou em declinio no Brasil pela criacao de inumeras Confederacoes deste estilo e muitas destas faccoes nao tinha nenhum respaudo internacional, eram criados apenas para atende interesses pessoais, geraando uma inflacao de faixas pretas, que degenerou o esporte, atualmente popr causa dos jogos olimpicos a CBK principal orgao deste esporte la no Brasil tenta resgatar o karate e parece que esta conseguindo, mesmo com a proliferacao de entidades paralelas, ao fazer uma comapracao entre o Karated praticado no Brasile aqui nos EUA posso afirmar que aqui se tem mais profissionalismo e oportunidade , e artes marciais sao praicadas com seriadade e respeito da populacao, no Brasil, ninguem se interessa por artes marciais e mesmo as autoridades e empresas privadas nao dao a devida atencao a este esporte , nao e parte da cultura do Brasil os pais porem seus filhos em uma escola de artes marciais,mesmo artes como o taekwondo e o Judo e a luta livre olimpica nao tem tanto espaco na midia televisiva quanto o futebol por exemplo. Outro aspecto a considerar e o lado didatico, aqui nos EUA , temos mais recursos , textos livros e acima de tudo oficinas didaticas, seminarios encontros e congressos , aqui realmente e o lugar onde tudo acontece,mesmo como internet, algo que ainda e novo para os artistas marciais brasileiros que carecem de melhores condicoes para ofertarem melhor ensino.As academias ensinam Karate no estilo tradicional e nao ha muita interacao com o corpo discente,nao existe neenhuma estrategia de ensino e enm mesmo marketing,sao muito poucas as academias que podem se dizer dentro do espacao de competicao com as academias americanas, a despeito disto existem grandes valores que estao a espera de ter uma chance de virem para ca competir e temos certeza que isto vai acontecer breve .

Michael D. Thomas/ Shodan, Shorei-ryu

Leslie C. Thomas/ Shodan Shorei-ryu

Lecanto, FL

Page 14

Greetings from Florida –Continued

Working on a lesson plan each week, keeping up with each students individual progress .We have devised some very effective line drills that are very challenging physically for stamina and balance while utilizing Shorei stances and hand techniques rather than just push-ups per say. I myself like to work up a good sweat and do all the drills along with our students. I believe their efforts to put heart and soul into a workout are directly linked to my participation. Here's one drill. Start at longest end of school in mitsurin dachi, hands in gasho or praying position. As you step forward kick mae geri with the back advancing leg with kia and land in the opposite mitsurin dachi keeping hands in gasho through entire drill. We call it "praying mantis drill". Remember in mitsurin dachi the knee is one inch from the ground, this builds great leg strength, great balance and good kicks. So far the best advise I could give to anyone regarding your own dojo but mainly for all things in life; you must remain true to that which has empowered you, your own innate ability to improve upon yourself each day through the daily study of KARATE. It has been my pleasure to say these words in an attempt to become closer with the rest of our Shorei-ryu family, and so I will say good bye for now, and leave you with what I'm sure our students would say is my most favorite Kun. Do not focus so intently on the journeys end that you fail to see the journey itself.

Sincerely yours, Michael D. and Leslie C. Thomas

KARATE VS ACADEMICS

Shodan, Shorei-Ryu

Compton, CA

Every day in just about every day dojo in the country there are dozens of Karate-Ka preparing themselves for another class. At the same time there are other groups of " students " who sit at home and try to think of what excuse they can use this time to avoid going to class. While these excuses range from anything to certain extremities being pain to the occasional, " I just don’t want to go", the one heard most often is that of academic reasons.

It is true that an education is essential in today’s world, and there is no substitute to spending many a sleepless night trying to figure out how to do that one problem or trying to memorize those important facts. But those who are in school, especially college students, know that trying to make that passing grade takes a lot of time, leaving very little time for anything else. So were does karate fit in all of this academic madness? The truth is that those who really want to represent their style and who really want to carry the style of Shorei-Ryu to the next generation will make time for their karate.

Just like students everywhere make time to attend the occasional fraternity party, school-sporting event, or " study session" with their " friend " of the opposite sex, those who really know how valuable their karate is will look for the opportunity to attend class. While it is extremely difficult to be able to attend every class every day, making an effort to be at class whenever the opportunity arises might tend to please some Senseis.

In my particular case the struggle of karate versus my schoolwork constantly arises. Should I go to class and study the rest of the night? Or should I skip class and study the rest of the afternoon? While the answer lies only in the individual asking these questions to him, one must remember that the doors to the dojo are always open to those who wish to learn the art of Shorei-Ryu karate. In my case, I would choose to stay home and study the rest of the afternoon because I know there will always be a class going on at one of the Shorei-Ryu dojos run by my Senseis or co- Senseis that evening which I can attend.

Education is what is going to keep the world spinning around the sun, and it is we, the karate-ka, that will keep the art Shorei-Ryu karate going. To the students reading this, hit the books and hit them hard, there is nothing better than standing in front of your family with that diploma in your hand. Make time for your karate, you don't practice it you lose it. To those who have a dojo of their own know that those sincere students that want to learn will keep attending class on a regular basis. This is where we find the true karate –ka.

Page 15

KATA

Sandan, Shorei-ryu

Deming, NM

Kata is a pattern of movements which have a series of practical and logical attacking and blocking techniques. If you ask a kyu holder what kata is they will simple answer, "form." Both the definition and the

answer that were given are correct, but not really complete. Kata exists in all martial arts, not just karate. Judo, jujitsu, kendo etc. all use kata for training.

When a beginner is being taught kata for the first time, the instructor will tell the student in simple terms where to move, kick, punch, or block. It is during this time that an instructor will watch the student

to make sure the movements are being done correctly. Time must be made during teach class to give the student an opportunity to practice kata. It is during this period that any incorrect movements can be noticed by the instructor, and fixed by the student.

For the most part, kata may be practiced alone. You place yourself in a "fight" with an imaginary opponent. This opponent is the same in height, weight, and strength as yourself. The apparent effect on this imaginary opponent can be used to determine if your techniques would be adequate to protect you. However, as students progress, they begin to apply their movements to training partners. The resulting applications (bunkai) on opponents of different size, at various distances and diverse angles of

attack (embusen) greatly improves the students understanding and combat effectiveness.

One of the aspects of kata that I have found to be very useful during the last few months is the meditation part. This "moving meditation" helps a person deal with stress. I experienced a severely stressful event almost seven months ago. The resulting trauma has impacted every area of my life. The symptoms have lessened, but at times they still make their presence felt. One of the strategies I have included is to

work kata, whether actually performing the kata or by visualizing myself working the kata. This practice has allowed me to regain my balance. Balance can be thought of in two ways, actual physical balance and

mental balance. The balance I refer to is mental balance.

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SHODAN, SHOREI-RYU

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GREETINGS FROM DEMING

Shodan, Shorei-Ryu

Deming, NM

Greetings to all the brothers and sisters of K.N.S. My name is Ramon Rodriguez. I am a first degree black belt. I am a student of Mr. Terry Sanders, a great teacher in the martial arts. I entered his school when I enrolled my two children, who also practice martial arts. The first time I did my first kata I liked the movements. I went on to learn another kata wansu whose movements were stranger and I liked it more, apart from the physical training necessary to perform the movements. Quickly, rising through the belts, my physical conditioning improved, with practice and discipline. But one doesn't really understand how much he has learned until he competes against those of other schools, styles, and techniques. One of the greatest triumphs in my life is having received the black belt, but as sensei Charlie Tapia said, it is the beginning of a new study, like going back to a white belt, and he's right. I will close by mentioning that we

have a beautiful family at K.N.S.

Greetings to all wherever you may be, and we look forward to your visits whenever you decide to come. Good bye, your friend --------------------------------------------------------------Ramon Rodriguez.

Kyu's Korner ------------------------------------------------------------

KARATE AND STRESS MANAGEMENT

Sankyu, Shorei-ryu

Deming, NM

I would like to start off by saying, "Hello" to everyone who reads our newsletter and to say that I am only 14 years old. In a previous issue of Kondo No Shokai Notes there was a misprint in the year that I first came to Deming. It was 1997 not 1977. Thank you.

I would like to discuss my karate and stress management. In working in the martial arts I have been able to relieve the stress that builds up in my everyday life as a karateka, first born and honor roll student I have also learned to use stress in improving my confidence. What I mean is that sometimes stress builds up so much that I just want to hit something, but usually those are the times when there is nothing acceptable for me to hit. Consequently, I hold back on this desire until I can strike the dojo punching bag or use this force to make the punches and kicks in my kata more powerful. Sometimes it is more convenient to shadow box. This might look funny to a neighbor, but it really helps me to relieve stress.

I find that using my stress helps give me confidence. I see having some stress in my life is good because without it, people would just be boring. In working kata in front of my peers I still get nervous and this stress makes me strive to improve it. My peers watch every move of my kata and afterward tell me what I need to do to improve it. Practicing kata in this manner allows me to learn to manage stress. When it comes time to work the kata in a tournament, the stress brought on by the presence of judges is not pleasant, but it is manageable. Somehow, in having my peers coach me, my confidence improves and stage fright at tournaments has never been a problem.

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Kyu's Korner--continued

Greetings From Deming

Joseph "Mike" Haire

Sankyu, Shorei-ryu Karate

Deming, NM

I began my study of karate in January of 1991. At first, like most people I took karate for self defense. I studied in Deming for two and one half years before moving to another town to work. During that period

I learned that there is much more to karate than just fighting and self-defense. Next I joined a tae kwon do school and within a month was promoted to brown belt because of my experience in Shorei-ryu. Two

months later I moved again and joined a judo dojo and trained there for another year and a half. I have made lots of friends in these styles and have matured a lot. My last move has brought me full circle back to Deming. Now with a better job I plan to continue my training indefinitely.

Since returning to Deming I have gotten my little brother into the dojo and he has just recently earned his green belt. My daughter has also earned a green belt and will start 5th grade in August. Her improved self-confidence and self-esteem has impressed me. Our instructor is Mr. Terry Sanders and I like his commitment to himself, to his students and to martial arts in general. I feel that although I have learned a lot of martial arts in the last nine years, I have but scratched the surface.

The study of the martial arts is a way of life. Whether at school, at home or at work, I see it helps guide people.

Sincerely, Joseph Haire

A. B. C. D. E.

2. WHAT IS THE TERM USED FOR A PAIR (2) OF KAMA (PLURAL)?

3. WHAT IS THE SHORT STAFF (48'' - 51") CALLED?

4. WHAT IS A SHORT (4"- 6" TRADITIONAL) HAND HELD WOODEN WEAPON CALLED?

5. TRUE OR FALSE – WHEN PERFORMING A WEAPON KATA THE LEAD FOOT IS PERMITTED TO STAMP WHEN MOVING AND WHEN COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR.

6. TRUE OR FALSE – A TRADITIONAL BO MAY HAVE DESIGNS, (DRAGONS, TIGERS, NINJA TURTLES) AND SHOULD HAVE A COAT OF HIGH QUALITY SPAR VARNISH APPLIED TO IT.

(Answers on page 20)

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Answers to Word Find Answers to Kuik Kuiz

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