I started with my karate training in traditional shotokan club. Back then, karate was meant for self-defense, wherefore kata was principle method of training. Read more…
All posts tagged okinawa
Okinawan journey
by Shihan Anthony Marquez
Even though I was born in America, a large part of meconsiders home to be a place called Okinawa. I can still remember the good old days as a young serviceman walking into a dojo for the first time. Read more…
48 techniques of okinawa karate (part II)
I spent several years studying ancient okinawan manuscript Bubishi. This article is part 2. of my interpretation and bunkai applications. At least it shows diversity of original okinawan self defense method that will later be famous under new name – “Karate”. Read more…
Dojo kun and old wisdoms
These are some basic proverb that you should keep in mind when practicing karate. Dojo kun means basic principles of karate school.
Sai – Matayoshi tradition
Sai is a weapon that belongs to the arsenal of the okinawan kobudo. The exact date of its arrival to Okinawa is unknown
48 techniques of okinawa karate (part III)
I spent several years studying ancient okinawan manuscript Bubishi. This article is part 1. of my interpretation and bunkai applications. At least it shows diversity of original okinawan self defense method that will later be famous under new name – “Karate”. Read more…
Chojun Miyagi on technique
April 25,1888-October 8th, 1953
‘Do not be struck by others’
‘Do not strike others’
‘The principle is the peace without incident’ Read more…
The animal techniques of Uechi ryu
Uechi Kanbun, an icon in Okinawan karate history, introduced Uechi-ryu karate to Okinawa. The Okinawan Prefectural Government recognizes Uechi-ryu as one of the three major roots of all Okinawan karate along with Shuri-te and Naha-te. Read more…
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (1)
LETTER 1. – Kata & bunkai
In response to some of the post on bogus bunkai and some Okinawan instructors and dojo not having bunkai that seem to be anything but block/punch. Read more…
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (2)
LETTER 2. – Kata & bunkai
I certainly did not mean in my post to give the indication that all Okinawan schools did not continue to practice bunkai as an integral part of their training. I wrote that there are schools in Okinawa just as any other place in the world that do not have the full curriculum that other schools have. I certainly would not mention those that I think do or don’t. I know Iha sensei’s background as well as his teachers are and were well grounded on bunkai of the kata. Read more…
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (3)
LETTER 3. – Are there blocks in Okinawan kata?
I remember when this no block question in karate began in the mid 1980’s. As I recall it came about when people started being exposed to the Okinawan kata bunkai and finding out that not all blocks were for just blocking. Read more…
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (4)
LETTER 4. – About Hakutsuru kata.
Michael , you are right about Matayoshi teaching a Hakutsuru kata. The name is Kakuken. Even though he reserved the kata for some of his senior kobudo students in that he did not teach karate at all in his dojo. Read more…
Kata, bunkai, tegumi… (5)
LETTER 5. – About kata practice.
It is hard to disagree with most of what has been written about this subject but I have a few comments that I hope will be helpful.
I agree with Shogiki’s comment about having “faith” in practicing the kata. Faith is defined as hope in what is not seen. Read more…
48 techniques (part I)
I spent several years studying ancient okinawan manuscript Bubishi. This article is part 1. of my interpretation and bunkai applications. At least it shows diversity of original okinawan self defense method that will later be famous under new name – “Karate”. Read more…
