Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 1

SPECIAL DUAL-COVER MEMORIAL ISSUE 2 OFFICIAL Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 3 CONTENTS fall 2012

8 I The Greatest Karate Fighter Ever 40 I Cyberspace CommentsTM The Passing of the Champ, Joe Lewis Should Children be Allowed to Make Black Belt? 12 I One More RoundTM 44 I The Self-Defense SeriesTM Joe Corley reflects on Joe Lewis GM Jim McMurray on Knife Defense 16 I An Intangible Cultural Asset 46 I Jim Mather’s Karate LifeTM Honoring Soke Takayoshi Nagamine and his legacy. Who Writes our Martial Arts History? 22 I What is a “Real” Black Belt? 48 I Nutritional Self DefenseTM Part Two of Hanshi Dan Tosh’s article on 16 Dr. Craig Rubenstein on the Dangers of Anti- the black belt. Infalmmatory Drugs (NSAIDs) 27 I Karate Kids KornerTM 50 I Martial MarketplaceTM New. Dr. Andrew Linick tells you how to get great PR. 40 28 I Wisdom from a Grandmaster Helping Your Brain with Pushups? 16 30 I MAGI® Benefits Expanding Why you should be a member of MAGI®. 32 I Favorite Fighting Techniques from 8 the MastersTM Fighting techniques from William Shelton. 44 34 I Canadian ConnectionTM New 35 I American SamuraiTM Gary Lee on the Bokken Master

TM 36 I Kung Fu Korner Be sure to “Like” us at Sifu Karen Schlachter on meditation www.Facebook.com/OfficialKarateMag OK READER’S TM 38 I Real Life BONUS Look for this gold star- Ted Gambordella recounts the story of a burst to take advantage MMA champion who had the courage to of freebies available only stand up in Real Life! to readers of this issue of Official Karate .

4 OFFICIAL KARATE Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 5 fall 2012 EDITORIAL THE VOICE OF THE MARTIAL ARTS SINCE 1968 www.OfficialKarateMag.com new Official Karate Magazine™ is the “official” publi- cation of Martial Arts Grandmasters International®. Sound Off! From

It is a 21st Century version of the original Official letter Karate that was published from June 1969 to Win- —James received ter 1995 by founding editor Al Weiss and Charlton Publications. We are published quarterly in digital format with a printed “annual” issue. We seek to I secure permission for photographs used but if you see a photo that is yours please let us know so we can give you attribution. MAGI® is a dynamic association of traditional and modern martial arts practitioners. Since 1994, we have strived to fulfill our mission to recognize and register kyu/gup students, black belts, masters, and grandmasters of various martial arts styles organizations, Asian and Western self-defense systems, and fighting arts. Editor and Publisher: Andrew S. Linick, Ph.D. Managing Editor and Creative Director: Keith D. Yates Editorial Consultant: David Weiss Contributors: Cezar Borkowski, Joe Corley, William Shelton, Emil Farkas, Ted Gambordella, Gary Lee, Terry Maccarrone, Craig Rubenstein, Karen Schlachter, Dan Tosh. MAGI® Member Benefits Membership in MAGI® will afford you the opportunity to have an affiliation with the first-generation pioneers who sit on our Board of Advisors. Of course you can share in their wisdom in the pages of Official Karate magazine (a subscription is included in your membership) but you can also take advantage of a direct dialogue with these Grandmasters through our websites and Facebook pages. You can proudly display the impressive MAGI® membership certificates, colorful uniform patches, and even attention-getting trademark protected four color window decals that proclaim you are an “affiliated” professional MAGI® school. (It’s considered the ‘BBB’ in the MA industry) You will receive big discounts on high-quality Asian weapons, books, videos & DVD’s, e-books, t-shirts, equipment bags, and even professional custom framing for MAGI™ certificates and for your own school certificates. We are adding new features and benefits all the time so click on and “LIKE” us atwww.facebook.com/joinMAGI . You can also go to www.joinmagi.org.

6 OFFICIAL KARATE Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 7 Profile of a Champion™ Joe Lewis The Greatest Karate fighter ever The Passing of a True Legend As a U.S. Marine lmost everyone involved in the sport of karate has acknowl- Angeles. Later that year he defended his U.S. edged Joe Lewis as the greatest karate fighter to ever step into Association title by knocking out Aa ring. He won the grand championship at one time or other “Big Ed” Daniel in the second round in Dallas. at practically every major point-karate competition in the 1960s and he He went on to defeat seven more contenders, was considered the first national champion in the sport of kickboxing, all with earning a 10-0 record in the later also called full-contact karate. One of the first super-stars of karate USKA with with 10 knockouts. he appeared on the covers of all the major martial arts publications, In 1974, promoter Mike Anderson in- including, of course, Official Karate, numerous times. troduced the PKA with what was called “full- Joseph Henry (Joe) Lewis was born on March 7, 1944, in Knight- contact” karate. In front of a national TV audi- dale, North Carolina. He was the fourth of five brothers and his father ence on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, Joe Lewis supposedly moved the family to a farm because the five of them were became the first national champion so wild (Joe was 10). He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1962. of the PKA. The other winners of that event were He became one of the first U.S. Marines deployed to Vietnam with the Jeff Smith (light heavy) and Bill Wallace (mid- Eight Marine Brigade. He was later stationed in Okinawa and began dleweight). Lewis, Smith and Wallace would studying Shorin-ryu Karate with Eizo Shimabukuro, John Korab, Chin- become the most recognized “faces” of sport saku Kinjo and Seiyu Oyata. In spite of the fact that Americans were karate. Lewis, in fact, was the first karate fighter With Bruce Lee viewed with suspicion by many Asian karate instructors he won their to appear in both The Ring magazine and in Sports respect and earned his black belt in just seven months. He became one Illustrated. Against Chuck Norris of the first to teach Asian martial arts techniques to the U.S. military. Lewis’s impressive physique and good He returned to the states and began a winning tournament career that looks helped him land acting roles in the 1978 would be unsurpassed. In fact he won his first black belt grand cham- film,Jaguar Lives and in 1981’s Force Five. He pionship at Jhoon Rhee’s 1966 U.S. Nationals in Washington D.C. after turned down a role in Bruce Lee’s movie Way of only 22 months of karate training. His wins included Ed Parker’s Inter- Dragon, which eventually went to Chuck Norris. national Karate Championships and Joe Corley’s Battle of Atlanta. Although he never made it big in Hollywood he But perhaps his real impact was felt in the world of kickbox- did become a popular private-instructor with ing, the precursor to today’s mixed martial arts craze. In the late 1960s the well-healed of Southern California and he Lewis often trained with Jeet Kune Do founder Bruce Lee and they honed his teaching skills eventually becoming discussed the effectiveness of full-contact training as opposed to the a storehouse of intricate fighting strategies and popular point-karate competitions. In 1968 Jim Harrison of Kansas City techniques. His seminar schedule took him all hosted the first “World Professional Karate Championships.” Lewis over the world as he trained tens of thousands of beat well-known fighters David Moon and Fred Wren to become the karate fighters, boxers and mixed martial artists. tournament’s first champion. Lewis also won the first kickboxing, “to Lewis was inducted into practically every the ,” contest in January of 1970 by beating Greg Baines in Los contined

8 OFFICIAL KARATE Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 9 above: Against Greg Baines in 1970 above: With Bruce Lee & Ed Parker

Hall of Fame and named “Man of the Year,” “Fighter of the Year,” etc. by every major martial arts publication. He won numerous civic awards for his efforts in above: Against Allen Steen in 1966 crime prevention and self-defense and his books and videos are viewed all over the planet. In a 2004 interview, Chuck Norris said, “In my mind, Joe was the greatest fighter the tournament scene has ever had. And he is the greatest to this day, as far as I’m concerned.” Radford University professor Jerry Beasley, a martial arts historian and stu- dent of Lewis said, “He was the missing link. When martial arts were first brought above: Aaron Banks raises Lewis’s glove in victory here there was always an Asian instructor with referee Peter Urban looking on. above & below: Against Bill Wallace in charge. Americans were taught they could never be as good. Joe Lewis came along and beat them in competition. He’s the guy Americans looked to and said, ‘If Joe can do it, we can too!’” In July 2011, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Doctors gave him only weeks to live. After a valiant struggle the champ passed away one year and forty-five days later, on the morning of August 31, 2012. He was 68 years old. He is survived by his son, J. Cameron, his daughter Kristina, and his former wife, Kimberly. Joe Lewis was truly one of the most respected karate men in the world and his legacy will live on for generations to come.

10 OFFICIAL KARATE Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 11 coincidences. and loved ones through these insipid battles. TM That was the last time I would see him, He smiled, he radiated charm, he sparred and he One More Round though we communicated by phone and email knew he was loved. and through Jeff Smith. No man could have had a But the brutal assault on his brain better friend than Jeff Smith. continued unabated. Doctors confided it seemed GM Joe Corley One Warrior Down The working title of the book is PKA the aggressive type cancer borne of agent orange, Reflection. My Master J is Pat Johnson my Master O which had taken so many Vietnam vets. The VA write this column with part of my psyche were crowned as the original world champions, who was there for Kwai Chaing Kane in Kung Fu: hospital in Philly became home. Pain medication exploded for now. I will get it back. It will not just 6 days shy of 38 years ago. Roufus (46) was The excerpt of the events of the Joe Lewis his diet. The brain turned negative, and at times be easy for me. I but 8 years old when they won their titles; Boom Memorial Services: the champ felt forgotten. Having just returned from the funeral and Boom, of course, was not yet born. “Now I will remember this night in DC Everyone around him understood his depression memorial service week-end for our I sent Rick Roufus and Dale with the maestro Joe Lewis forever. For it was on and managed the outpouring of love coming in great warrior / pioneer Joe Lewis, I have seen the Cook / Randy Blake notes during this night and exactly because he was Joe Lewis, from around the world. They continued their I have wept, and I have seen the the day to let them know they that our PKA story found its voice. support for the one who had stirred their souls. toughest men on this planet weep. toughest men on had been passed on this day the “Providential”, I thought, Still they prayed for miracles. We cried for the loss of a the planet weep. virtual baton to carry our dream “that the man whose brainchild The champ’s brain told him no man who was bigger than life and forward. The Jet and Boom Boom became PKA would be the stimulus to one cared. The DC Bomber told the who meant so much to the lives we both won their K-I fights on this night, utilizing unblock the telling of the story I had champ and his brain that multitudes have chosen. His intensity was without equal, and the kind of smart techniques their real martial arts started 10 years earlier.” cared. The champ would sleep 22 it connected with other men in a truly unique way / kickboxing champion predecessors and pioneers I would write, though at drugged hours daily and wake I have yet to fully understand. had used. undisciplined intervals of inspiration, up angry and depressed. When My dad, who taught me to box and play I knew it was their day. Not an ending. and I would work on raising the he awoke he would see cards and baseball, died when I was 10—lung cancer. A New Beginning. money needed to combat the mindless letters from all over the world The father of my professional PKA life has It all ties back to Joe Lewis. My friend UFC explosion. The PKA saga would adorning his hospital room, thanks died from brain cancer. My mind searches for Mitchell Bobrow put it in interesting perspective bring all the kings men together again. to the DC Bomber. meaning, divine dots to connect. So many things at the service. “Think about how many things Joe Lewis would be front and center— “The Lord empowered Jeff scrambling my conscious mind….so many psychic Lewis affected—the perception of the first Battle the man who started it all. Kristina & Joe Smith to channel the world’s love to explorations. of Atlanta, the first PKA World Championship, Then one fast year later the bad news hit. Lewis, and there was no one better for that job”, In the past 3 years I have come to believe the impact on someone like me (Bobrow), just The invincible champion, the genesis of our story, I thought. that our lives are parts of a BIG PLAN—a PLAN (hanging with but) losing to him at the first was struck with brain cancer. Miracles have saved Chuck Norris chartered a plane and that has many options. What many see routinely Battle of Atlanta and Jhoon Rhee Nationals and countless others, and surely, such a miracle would brought Roy Kurban, Skipper Mullins, Ed Daniels, as coincidence, I have been directed by my most what that did to my reputation, the Jhoon Rhee save our champion. Pat Burleson and Allen Steen (all Texans who had trusted mentors to experience as messages and Nationals, Ed Parker’s Internationals….it’s I prayed. Tens of thousands around the shared the arena of life with the champ). Wallace clues in the BIG PLAN. These BIG PLANS are the amazing his impact….” world sought divine intervention. Miracles joined them there, and the champ’s spirits were coalescence of the positive energy of one or more For me, it is all true. I actually started happen. The indefatigable champ surely would renewed. The Texans all knew how good they had of us who believe fervently in the outcome of a writing a book in 1999 and by 2010 I had beat off this dread attack. made Lewis feel, and it made them feel good-- worthy dream. Those familiar Rhonda Byrne’s completed only 3 paragraphs. Then in 2010 I went The universe had a different plan. He albeit sad. Chuck was there for his friend. THE SECRET and who subscribe to the Joel th to Jhoon Rhee’s 80 birthday celebration at the would fight hard, but he would lose. Three of his On Friday, August 31, some 13 months Osteen philosophy that our creator seeks success Capitol Rotunda in Washington DC, and Lewis favorite warriors would join him in his valiant, following the diagnosis, the champ gave up the for all of us will understand this belief. came in for the prestigious gathering. post-surgery struggle. Light heavy champ fight. Jeff Smith and Bill Wallace had spent 5 of his Consider but one of the clues: When we all found our way to the DC Jeff Smith and Superfoot Wallace would take last 7 days on earth, and he was comforted. Joe Lewis is laid to rest on Saturday, Hyatt later, the casual musings from Lewis that him on award winning trips to England and Millions of martial artists around the globe felt a September 8. On the same day that we laid Joe night broke my writer’s block and by the next Switzerland where long-time adoring fans and huge sense of loss. Lewis to rest on the East Coast, veteran star Rick morning, my book was ready to write. The new generations alike would marvel at his unique Writers would call it the passing of an “the Jet” Roufus and new heavyweight star from same Joe Lewis, whose brainchild was the PKA charisma. era. I rather saw it as the beginning of a new time. the Dale Cook camp, Randy “Boom Boom” Blake, and whose participation at our Battle of Atlanta He looked and felt stronger on these jaunts An opportunity for the 2nd generation warriors fought in the very same building on the West jumpstarted a now 44 year old tradition, caused following the series of invasive surgical and Lewis, Smith and Wallace had influenced to bring Coast where Joe Lewis, Jeff Smith and Bill Wallace my synapses to fire once again. These were not daunting radiation assaults. He was with friends back to their great sport the the continued

12 OFFICIAL KARATE Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 13 Golden Boy had started. more than a little empty. Jeff Smith, Bill Wallace and I joined As with all explorations into self “One of the most comprehensive texts EVER on the American hundreds of Joe Lewis mourners for the awareness, the journey is ever-changing. For now, approach to the martial arts.” celebration of his life and to honor him on a hot more questions than answers for me. But I tried —Skipper Mullins, World Champion and humid week-end in the technology triangle to wrap the week-end’s feelings into a Facebook RECOMMENDEDREADING With Forewords by Jhoon Rhee that is Raleigh NC. In this burgeoning vista for the post, penned on the flight home from Raleigh and Chuck Norris. future, the police would stop traffic and salute the Durham, to share with those who could not be Retail $14.95 / OK readers save $5.75 passing funeral procession as unknowing drivers there, as follows: Now just $9.20 would wait patiently for the throng of cars to pass, as they have in rural areas forever. A quick post to say how powerful was the I had learned much more about the champ week-end with my best friends in the world and in those 2 days than I had ever known. The eulogy with the best friends in the incredible world of Joe Do the martial arts by lifelong friend Walter Anderson (“Andy” as he Lewis. I learned so much more about him than contradict the was known in their Marine Corps days) traced I have ever known, and it gives me even greater teachings the adult life of Joe from Vietnam to his final day. respect than ever. He brought his fierce everything of Christi- I was comforted by the knowledge that Joe Lewis as a marine to everyone and every activity he anity? had been so fortunate to have been blessed by the touched, he attracted the positive energies of all he A best-selling Written by friendship of one as giving and caring as Andy. met, and he changed our world. Mitchell Bobrow book written the Chairman Some of the toughest men on the planet wept at put it all in perspective--”without Joe Lewis, so just for kids. of the Gospel the gravesite. A full military service, 21 gun salute many things never would have or could have A young mouse Martial Arts and tightly folded flag presented to the family happened”. My special thanks go to Jeff Smith decides to take Union. at graveside tugged my heart almost outside my and Bill Wallace for all I know they meant to martial arts Retail $5.95 body as 5+ decade old memories of my own dad’s and did for Joe Lewis and to Mike Allen, Dennis lessons but Save a buck! service rushed to the front of my mind. Nackord and all the others who made Joe Lewis learns much I had to retreat from the site, visibly feel so loved during his one year struggle. Their Now just $5 shaken, and some of the strong men jumped to tributes to Joe make me tear up again, even as I more than he make sure I was ok. I was moved by their gestures type. And to Walter Anderson, editor emeritus thought. of kindness as they struggled to fight back tears I of Parade Magazine and Joe’s lifelong Marine, Retail $5.95 could not contain. fox-hole and bunk mate who so eloquently gave Save a buck! us insights into Joe the Man and Marine, I can Now just Master J, why do I feel so empty and powerless only wish that we could all have friendships like $5 and so sad? the two of you shared. So very powerful. I am so Master J: My son, we mortals are powerless in the glad I was there. Thanks to the all in the Joe Lewis bigger scheme of the universe, but as individuals Fighting Systems Black Belt Association for your and groups, we combine our spirits for strength. hospitality for all who joined in your grieving and Our minds cannot comprehend or explain celebration. adequately the passing of our loved ones and Thanks Joe Lewis—for who you were and the peace they will feel in the after-life. That is what you did for our martial arts world. We all STILL AVAILABLE. what our faith brings to us. Faith, my son, is your knew how special you were. We will miss you for One of the Best-Selling books on Tae friend and your comfort. Our creator has given us a long-long time. Kwon Do ever! Covers the original this gift of faith, and though it will be hard, you “Chang Hon” patterns, plus Japanese will embrace this loss as a necessary part of the 9th dan black belt Joe Corley is founder of the process. You feel there is another piece of the plan kata Basai and Tekki (Chulgi). Battle of Atlanta and an inductee into the Karate you cannot make right, but have faith, my son. It Retail $25.95 / OK readers save Masters Hall of Fame®. You can reach him at will be made right. $6.00 for a limited time. wwwAtlExtremeWarrior.com. With time, I know I will put it all in its Now just $19.95. right place. We all will, and some of the wiser ones among us already have. But still today, I am ALL AVAILABLE AT WWW.AKATO.ORG

14 OFFICIAL KARATE Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 15 ➜ Profile of a Grandmaster™ Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, August 12, 1945–April 25, 2012 By Des Chaskelson An intangible and Reece Dummings cultural asset Honoring Soke Takayoshi Nagamine and His Legacy

he birthplace of modern day karate is Okinawa, which was once an independent country called “Ryukyu Kingdom.” There was an indigenous TN: No, not really. In the dojo everyone martial art called “Te,” meaning hand in the Okinawan dialect. The art was treated the same, me included. But T afterwards, in our home life away from of “Te” had many Asian influences, especially from China, but finally became public classes, I received a lot of discipline Shuri-Te, Tomari-Te and Naha-Te in Naha City, Okinawa. These three were the from my father. For example, if students did origin of present day Karate. one hundred punches, then I would have to Takayoshi Nagamine was born live on, as does his legacy. Soke do four or five hundred punches, the same in Naha City, Okinawa on August 12, Nagamine established a strong with all the basic techniques. 1945, the son of the late founder of the world-wide organisation, which Matsubayashi-ryu style of Okinawan has a bright future ahead of it MC: Because of who your father was, were Shorin-ryu Karate-do, Osensei Shoshin according to the new Association you expected to train in karate? Nagamine. Osensei Nagamine was in President, Kaicho Yoshitaka Taira, a generation that had been schooled by Hanshi 10th Dan. TN: No. He never told me I had to do it. many of the great martial arts masters In an interview with Mr. But watching him when I was a boy, really with his most influential teachers Mike Clarke, author of over 300 made me want to do it. In fact, he always being Ankichi Arakaki, Chotoku Kyan articles for international martial demanded I did my homework and any and Choki Motobu. Before Osensei arts magazines, and author of five jobs I had to do first before I was allowed to Nagamine’s passing away in 1997, he books, Soke spoke about his early practice. was named a “living intangible cultural years in Karate. asset” by Japan. At the direction of his father, Sensei Takayoshi Nagamine Mike Clarke (MC): When did you and in order to help the development was the Soke (inheritor of the style) of the start training in Karate? of Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do on an Matsubayashi-ryu system, and the headmaster of international scale, Soke Takayoshi the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate- Takayoshi Nagamine (TN): I began training with Nagamine went to the United States at the do Association (WMKA) in Okinawa, Japan. On my father when I was seven years old, now I am young age of 20 in the late 1960s and opened April 25, 2012 Soke Nagamine unexpectedly fifty-nine years old [in 2004], so I have trained in his first dojo in Cincinnatti, Ohio. Outside of passed away at the relatively young age of 66, karate for almost all my life. his personal dojo, Soke Nagamine regularly leaving many who respected and knew him travelled around the United States to teach well with a void in their heart. He will be sorely MC: Was your training any different from the clinics and seminars until he returned to missed, but his teachings and his budo spirit will other students in the dojo? Continued on next page

16 OFFICIAL KARATE Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 17 Okinawa in 1979. discussion with Mike Clarke when speaking Okinawa] have less discipline in their education In an interview in 2011, Soke Nagamine He returned to assist his father, about karate in olden times, and whether Soke programs and in their traditions, “ said Soke. explained the five basic fundamentals of Osensei Shoshin Nagamine, with the World thinks it has changed since then. He said “well, “But in Japanese culture they have a discipline Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do: Honbu (Headquarters) Dojo and the World inside [a person’s mind] I think it’s all the culture, they have a history in tradition,” he ‘We have this five fundamentals philosophy. This Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karate-do same, but, there might be some changes in the said, indicating what benefits Karate-do could philosophy was from my father and his teacher, Association (WMKA). In 1991, Osensei retired way some people interpret karate today, even have to practitioners in the West, or other and it’s very, very old – up to 700 years. Basically, and in a speech passed the leadership on to his from as recently as forty years ago. This has to places that may lack that discipline culture the five philosophies are contributing to our son. do with people’s cultural background, I think. from other means. understanding, to our essence of the mind’. These In 1992, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine Even on Okinawa now, there are many who Soke continued, “Sensei will teach philosophies included: called together senior instructors in Okinawa just see karate as a kind of sport instead of a students good discipline in the class and this 1. You have to live in accordance with the and the US and formed what is now known martial art.” way the children known how to respect their principles of nature. You have to respect your as the World Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) He continued, “sometimes I am parents and seniors. By teaching discipline parents and respect your philosophy. Karate-do Association. In the United States, asked ‘what is the difference?’ It’s true some programs, you get healthier and you help other 2. We are studying movement. Once you study the late Sensei Nick Racanelli, Hanshi 8th Dan sports are tough like boxing or professional people. Also in Okinawa and Japan, crime is movement, you have to know how to function and Sensei Fred Christian, Kyoshi 8th Dan kickboxing, they’re very tough. But no matter very much less committed by the karate people with your body to be able to use these moves. attended the meeting and were the first US what, all sports share the same definition. and martial arts people. This is because they To become functional, you have to be conscious members of the WMKA. They have tournaments and the teach you how to respect others.” of every move you make. In 1997, after the passing Karate is not participants are trying to improve Continued on next page of Osensei Nagamine, Soke their record or previous result.” Takayoshi Nagamine took the a sport…it is “Karate is not like this, it is the position as the second Soke study of death and being alive. (head) of Matsubayashi-ryu the study of Yes, death and being alive. If a Karate-do. In 2008, he was person opens a karate dojo it is promoted to Hanshisei 10th death and important to understand this Dan in Matsubayashi-ryu. Soke philosophy. Martial arts cannot Nagamine helped to establish and being alive. compete with sports because teach at dojo throughout the world, including they have a different philosophy. In sport you in Australia, Canada, United States, and compete against someone else, or perhaps Europe. your own record, but in martial arts you only Soke Nagamine was a great ambassador compete against your ‘self’.” and spent much of his life around the world It is interesting to note Soke’s teaching seminars and clinics. He would response to Mr. Clarke’s question about regularly host international seminars, with the whether he thought that Westerners (non- most recent being held in Naha City, Okinawa Okinawan karate practitioners) understood the in November 2010 to celebrate the 75th meaning of Karate-do. Anniversary Festival of Matsubayashi-ryu and “Yes they do, some people anyway. to commemorate the 13th Anniversary Tribute Many western people have been training a long to Osensei Shoshin Nagamine’s passing. The time, and they understand things better than event was attended by over 250 members of some people here [Okinawa]. It all depends on the WMKA. the person and if they are open to such ways of Soke Nagamine was dedicated to thinking. Even physically, western people can perpetuating the true, traditional art of be better at karate due to their bigger bodies Okinawan Matsubayashi-ryu Karate-do in and greater strength. It all depends on the eighteen kata and seven yakusoku kumite. philosophy in their soul.” Continued on next page Soke’s ideology can be seen in his “Sometimes countries [outside of

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OK Mag 3. You have to learn very well from your Soke further elaborated by talking about Results-Getting experiences and from other people’s what his father, Osensei Shoshin Nagamine, Classifieds experiences – experiences that will teach you had said to him: “Well you know we human something valuable. Not only in education, beings are not perfect, not at all. I believe my Connect with the martial arts industry’s but in experience. father was a very fair and honest man, and he most important decision makers! 4. You have to strive for a sense of history and would often say to his students, me included, For classified ads in print or online culture. ‘rectify your mind, and always look to your ANOTHER AD? call Shane Clarke. 5. Know what you can do, and what you can feet.’ What he meant was that we should always DO THE NAGAMINE 1-631-924-3888 or 1-631-775-6075 learn from the art of Karate. Don’t obtain any be ready to do karate. He was talking about our GUYS HAVE ANY PRODUCT? or email [email protected] or techniques by your imagination. You have mind, our attitude. Always remember what it [email protected]. to prove what you can by doing—action, not was like to wear a white belt. ‘Sho-shin’, have a imagination. beginners mind. We must never think we have Soke Nagamine also explained the become something big in karate. No matter importance of humility in martial arts saying, what, every day when we practice we realize “the more knowledge you have, the more there is something more to learn.” humble you are going to be. You’re going to be a Sensei Des Chaskelson, 5th Dan, WMKA, Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA. very dedicated person, not overconfident. That’s Reece Cummings, 3rd Dan, WMKA , Canberra, Australia what martial arts teaches you as a philosophy: to To read a longer version of this article, go to be humble is very important.” www.officialkaratemag.com.

20 OFFICIAL KARATE Fall 2012 Martial Arts Grandmasters International TM 21