Oshiro San, Kishaba Sensei, Ueshiro Hanshi Sekichi Iha Sensei, Highest
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Early training partners of Master Ueshiro during their visit to the U.S. in 1975 at C.W. Post College for the first All Okinawan Karate Tournament. L to r: Santos Kina Sensei; Ansei Ueshiro Sensei; Kensai Taba Sensei. DePasquale Sensei (Jujitsu) in back. L to r: Oshiro San, Kishaba Sensei, Ueshiro Hanshi Sekichi Iha Sensei, highest rank in USA of Kobayashi Shorin- Ryu under Master Katsuya Miyahira. While on Okinawan Master Ueshiro & Iha Sensei trained together during the early days of the organization of the two styles. Workout in Central Park, 1962. Master Ueshiro with Ken Lee. L: Kishaba Sensei performing Yakusoku-kumite. rtl A Pf 4' 4 r. 4.3( ✓ iA it. 7 4 zi -A- 1 After the Ryukyu Islands defense at the same dojo. were attacked by the Satsuma Together we often clan from Kyushu in Keicho demonstrated Japanese 14 (1609), and all weapons martial arts at U.S. Army were banned, the ultimate bases, churches, police weapon of empty fist was stations and other places. developed. For thirty years Sensei It has been thirty short Ueshiro has faithfully years already since Sensei obeyed the karate spirit Ueshiro first came to the and has taught the core of United States bringing with Shorin-Ryu. He's simply the him Okinawan Shorin-Ryu, person who's full of nothing one of the karate styles. but karate. It was at the Imperial Dojo Here in remembrance of Fifth and Sixth Street, 14 of Sensei Ueshiro's book, December, 1970. Left: Master Ueshiro. Center: Sensei John }Lira. Right: Choich Yara. Fukuiku, where he first wishing him the very best taught. About the same time in the future. I was also teaching self July 2, 1992 Hara Shihan ABOUT THE MARTIAL ARTS renamed Ku Shu (national arts) in were originally fashioned from fan 1928. Throughout the western tools and became adaptable in the KARATE: It sounds mysterious. world, Kung Fu (special abilities) is open hand postures. Instinctively you react to the word. accepted. In 1902 Karate was adopted int( Is it with fear? Or perhaps interest? There arc basically five familes in the school systems as part of the Or just curiosity? Would you expect Kung Fu, stemming from the five curriculum. It spread through Jape to find a woman or a child of 5 years Shaolin Temples in the Northern and Korea, who formed their own old studying karate? and Southern provinces of China. systems. Karate reached the Unite( Karate, or kara (empty) te These families dominate the many States after World War II, and has (hands), is probably as old as man. styles practiced and become recog- become one of the most popular o Just think — how did man protect nizable through the first four the martial arts. himself before he discovered weap- postures of salutation, which are Karate uses sharp blocks, kicks ons? Why, with "empty hands." So symbolic in tradition. and punches, that are designed to you see it is a very natural defense, Kung Fu uses flowing circular strike and retreat in a single motio n one that is always with you. The moves similar to the related art of Speed, balance, power and coordi- physical aspects of karate are as T'ai Chi, although performed with nation are the principle effort of tf important as the mental discipline it greater speed. practitioner. The kiai, or loud shot imparts. Northern styles are best explained is used to empty the diaphragm an This has been emphasized many by their softness while the southern to summon extra power for attack times, as you may see this art form styles lean towards aggressiveness. (this energy is called Chi). taught to men, women, children, T'AI CHI CHUAN: T'ai Chi Chuan is KENDO: Kendo training concen- physically disabled, elderly, mentally a graceful exercise that relaxes the trates on developing seven efficien retarded, and physically uncoordi- body, increases muscle control and blows and one thrust. Efficient nated persons. Yes, anyone can find massages the internal organs for bet- blows are given to three areas of tF benefits from karate, in their own ter health and greater energy. head, the right wrist, left wrist if it way and their own time. It gives the It contains over one hundred at shoulder height or higher, two young strength, discipline, and postures which take some twenty positions of the trunk and a direct maturity, and the old, flexibility and minutes or longer to perform in thrust to the throat. No other tar- a physical well being that is so their entirety and are ritually done gets are included. When deliverinl important for a long and useful life. with balance and control as a means blow or thrust, the practitioner cal There are many types of systems of relaxing the body and releasing out the area of contact, showing tr of karate, basically originating in the the flow of Chi. Rigidity and opponent has been struck mentaTh far eastern countries of China, strength are emptied from the upper as well as physically. Okinawa, Japan and Korea. There torso and sink to the very soles of are probably thousands of systems, the feet, one of which is always many of which are taught in the firmly rooted to the ground. United States. If you would like to Breathing is natural through the Modern kendo is largely practic study karate, you probably want to nose. as a sport which includes spiritual know which system is best. The training. The practitioner is taught answer to that is not possible. It is the fundamentals of postures for your judgment, and you must find a engaging, gripping the wooden system that fulfills your needs. T'ai Chi encompasses three levels: sword, and synchronization of foo Karate is just one of the many Mar- the exercise, pushing hands, and free and arm movements; these basic tial Arts available. In helping you fighting. It is considered an internal skills take time to develop. Even- make a decision, a short, basic system of learning and stresses the tually the attack practice is description of some of the Martial yin-yang principle of positive and employed with partners. Kendo Arts are listed. So, take your time, negative forces. places great emphasis on eye con -to you may find yourself involved in a KARATE: Karate originated in the and the kiai. new and exciting way of life. islands of Okinawa, becoming KYUDO: Modern Kyudo is an efts( refined in the seventh century by the tive form of physical and mental Okinawan king, Neopashi, who training, finding spiritual perfectit noted the discipline attained of self and, ideally, mastering the KUNG FU: Chinese legend has it through Shorin Ji Kempo. Thus, unit of mind, body, and bow. Shoc that the first organized system of the combining its teachings with the ing skill and quiet dignity are Oriental Martial Arts began over Okinawan "te," it became the begin- characteristics of the archer. Not 3,000 years ago when Tao Mo ning of Karate. only should one be able to repeat- brought Buddhism to China. Along Okinawan history, throughout edly penetrate a target, but in kyuc with beneficial exercise, it produced, the centuries of invasions, has self-discipline and spiritual values in time, a rugged form of personal greatly influenced the distinct flavor are equally important. combat for the Shaolin monks in we know today. Japan, at that time, AIKIDO: Aikido is not primarily a order to protect themselves against forbade the manufacture of weap- system of self-defense. Its philoso- the many bandits of the day. ons; even the making of ceremonial phy is a calm and a confident Wushu meaning (war arts) was swords had ceased. So, weapons reaction to any form of stress or confrontation and a free flow of focused upon the exercises being bined its teachings with Okinawan personal expression that offers no performed. Even while in repose the Te. The combination of the Chinese conflict with nature or the universe. karate student maintains solemn and and Okinawan systems was the Its techniques include throwing quiet deportment out of respect for beginning of karate. and grappling, the latter largely con- the others who are using the exercise fined to joint locking techniques and deck and for the serious purposes to countering attacks with graceful which the exercise deck is devoted. yielding movements that keep in The dojo is the meeting house of During the 17th century Okinawa balance with the universe. all the karate students who use it, was overrun and occupied by the Like T'ai Chi and Kung Fu, and so high is the esteem in which it Japanese. The Okinawan Samurais Aikido uses circular movements is held that its care and maintenance were disarmed and forbidden to which are combined with twists and is not entrusted to outsiders or jan- own, use or carry any weapons. shifts to avoid the impact of the itors. The dojo is washed, cleaned, Faced with the necessity of defend- attacker. and kept spotless through the per- ing themselves and their people sonal attention of each and every from their oppressors, and having karate student who uses it. only their bare hands with which to The karate dojo is no ordinary fight, the Samurai warriors turned mursu: The Jujitsu practitioner place of exercise. The high respect to the ancient forms of karate. In first learns the art of falling down given the dojo by the karate student those desperate years they with a sharp smack of the arm can only be explained by its close developed and refined the tech- against the mat, breaking the fall association with the devotion which niques of karate until their bodies and rolling up again in a defensive the teacher and the serious student and hands were as deadly and effec- stance.