Okinawan Shorei-Kempo Karate

Okinawan Shorei-Kempo Karate Shawano Dojo Class Materials What is Karate? Karate is the ultimate of the unarmed martial arts. The word karate means empty hands: kara – empty, te – (pronounced “tay”) hands. Therefore empty hands, or hands without a weapon. Actually the hands, elbows, knees, feet and other parts of the body are the Karate-ka’s (person’s) weapons. Karate utilizes the many unique characteristics of the human anatomy to produce the most efficient and effective striking blows possible. Proper instruction will provide the karate-ka with kicking, punching, slashing, clawing, stabbing and gouging techniques, along with a few grappling and throwing techniques which are used in special instances where it is more practical to throw an opponent than to deliver a strike or blow. The superficial purpose of Shorei-Kempo Karate, as with any form of martial art, is that of self-defense, or learning to block, punch and kick. If self-defense were the sole motivator, however, simply purchasing a weapon of some sort would suffice. Choosing to go through all the work of learning karate would be unnecessary. The underlying purpose of Shorei-Kempo is the development of the art of self-control, based on the philosophy that in our life exists a union of body, mind and spirit (chi). As we learn to control the body, we learn to control the mind. The trained mind can then take over in times of stress, depression, anger and fear with poise and control. This is useful not only in self-defense, but in all aspects of daily life. Although learning self-defense may not appeal to everyone, the development and unification of body, mind and spirit is something all of us should be striving for. Shorei-Kempo karate is just one means toward that end. 2 Where did Karate come from? Karate can trace its origins to the Buddhist monks, particularly to an Indian monk named Daruma. In approximately 525 A.D., Daruma crossed the Himalayan Mountains from India to China on foot, a task that required tremendous physical and mental prowess in itself. He came to China to enlighten and teach the monarchs and monks of the Liang dynast in the ways of Buddha. Daruma found the Chinese monks lacking in physical culture more so than in intellectual or philosophical knowledge. He therefore incorporated a physical fitness program into his teaching. Rather than have the monks practice monotonous calisthenics, Daruma based the exercise on certain animal movements and self-defense techniques he had been taught, had observed in his travels, or had developed himself. Soon the monks of the Shaolin Temple became famous for their physical and fighting ability. Shaolin Temple tsu (method) was carried by missionary monks to Okinawa where it was developed to its highest perfection. Up until the early 1900’s, however, karate was banned from public study and taught secretly to select families. “Schools”, as we know them today, were nonexistent. Karate was passed from generation to generation within the family. Inevitably “styles” of karate began to emerge. Each student would interpret the original teaching differently and in turn teach their new students differently. Of the three major Okinawan styles that ensued, Naha-Te Karate was probably the most popular. One of the greatest masters of Naha-Te was Kanryo Higoshionna, who studied in the late 18th century. Higoshionna had many great students who went on to become famous in their own right, including Chojun Miyagi (founder of Goju-Ryu), Kenwa Mabuni (founder of Shito-Ryu), and Ankho Ituse (founder of Shorei-Ryu) the basis of Shorei-Kempo Karate. We can then trace our direct Sensei history to Ankho Ituse. Receiving his initial rank of Shodan between 1890 and 1900, he proceeded to open the first official “school” of martial arts to the public. One of his students, Choki Motobu (one of the greatest Okinawan fighters of all time) received his Shodan in 1910. He trained many students. One, in particular, a monk named Tung G. Sang, began karate under Choki Motobu but completed his training by traveling directly to China as a missionary to study under the Shaolin priests. He received his Shodan in Canton, China in 1930. Sang met Robert Trias during World War II in the British Solomon Islands. For the next seven years he trained Trias, and in 1942 Trias was awarded his Shodan. Trias returned to the United States and eventually formed the United States Karate Association, the largest martial arts association in the country, and is today known as the father of modern day Karate. Phillip Koeppel started his martial arts training at age 18, while stationed in Yokohama, Japan with the US Navy. A year later, while stationed in Hawaii, he had the opportunity to study with Adriano Emperado, founder of Kajukenbo. After his discharge from the navy, he made contact with Robert Trias and joined the USKA in 1960. Reverend William Foster was an accomplished boxer and also had some training in judo (achieving at least a brown belt). While in China with the military he was also able to do some training in other martial arts. Upon his return to the United States he made contact with the USKA. He continued his studies with Koeppel and Trias and was awarded his shodan by Koeppel in 1962. Reverend Foster moved to Kenosha in 1967 and took over Tim Hillary’s existing class. This class was a mix of Shotokan karate and KyuShoShinKai karate. This class continued under the aegis of the USKA under Mr Trias until about 1969. The Yin Yang Do Karate Association was formally established in 1973 promoting what came to be known as Shorei Kempo karate. In the late 1970’s, Charles St.Pierre began studying Karate at the University of Wisconsin, Parkside. He signed up for the class to earn physical education credits toward his Masters Degree. He studied in Kenosha, WI for 9 years under Rev. Foster and then moved to northern Wisconsin as a Ik Kyu (Brown Belt). It was there that he began teaching Karate to the students that would eventually become the first students in the Northern Yin Yang Do Karate Association. St.Pierre has traveled throughout northern Wisconsin since 1980 leaving everywhere he went a taste of Shorei-Kempo Karate. In 1993, just prior to his death, Reverend Foster appointed Charles St.Pierre as the Shihan of the Northern Yin Yang Do Karate Association. After this appointment, Shihan St.Pierre took the Association one step further by becoming a direct affiliate of Master Koeppel’s Karate Do-Kai. In. In 2003, Shihan St.Pierre was awarded a Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) in the United States Karate Do-Kai and in January 2009 was promoted to Shichidan (7th degree). 1994 Shihan St.Pierre offered a class in Tai Chi at Shawano Medical Center. Gregory Thatcher was a member of that class, and continued to study as the focus shifted from Tai Chi to Karate. He was awarded his Shodan on 8/27/2006 at Cecil, Wisconsin. He is also a member of the United States Karate Do-Kai. 3 You, as a student of Shorei-Kempo, are part of a large and ever growing organization. We enjoy a wealth of history and knowledge, which all of you can proudly say that you are a part of. As the Northern Yin Yang Do Karate Association continues to expand, your individuality and input will ensure that Shorei-Kempo Karate continues its legacy and remains a style you can truly call your own. We of the Northern Yin Yang Do Karate Association honor our founder, Rev. Foster by continuing his tradition of not charging for our instruction in this Art. We repay our debt by continuing to teach this Art, and are repaid in turn by the commitment and dedication shown by our students. Uke Always Wins Shorei-Kempo Karate is based on defensive concepts. The act of defending is more physically devastating by virtue of control. (To attack, one must become vulnerable in some way.) Therefore, Uke (defender) always defeats Tori (attacker). 4 Sensei History Name Date Place of Shodan Ankho Itus 1890-1900 Okinawa Choki Motobu 1910 Okinawa Tung G. Sang 1930 Canton, China Robert Trias 1942 British Solomon Islands Phillip Koeppel 1960 Peoria, IL Rev. W. H. Foster 1962 Peoria, IL Charles St.Pierre II 1981 Kenosha, WI 5 Dojo Etiquette The word dojo in the Japanese language translates into a training hall. Inside this training hall is where karate practitioners train. The Korean arts may also call this training hall Do-Jang. There are strict rules, traditions, and personal conduct that are adhered to inside a dojo. We have listed many of the rules and traditions that our association follows: The head of the class is called Sensei (father), both inside and outside of the dojo. When asking a question, start by saying the title “Sensei” first before asking the question. When responding to a question, end by adding “Sensei”. Students senior to you are Simpai. Shihan means master instructor (grandfather). Charles St.Pierre is the Shihan in our association Sensei is in complete charge of the dojo. Course of instruction, promotion to higher rank and all other matters are at his discretion. It is customary to bow upon entering and exiting the dojo. Punctuality for class is desired, if a student shows up late for class, the student should wait at the opening to the dojo until recognized by the Sensei. The student once recognized should bow; enter the dojo and take his/her place on the training area. If a student knows he / she will be late for class or has to leave early this should be conveyed to the Sensei prior to the class The dojo is a learning environment; it is the ultimate goal for all students to provide a positive learning environment and should treat each other with respect, both in and out of the dojo.

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