TRUE KARATE - CLASSICAL BUJUTSU: OLD SCHOOL SHOTOKAN RYU

順路初段 (Junro Shodan) Kata at my self-training today.

One of things that contemporary karate has widely lost is what I call ‘the generic perspective’ of techniques. What I mean by this is rather than seeing all the different individual waza (techniques), tachikata (stances), unsoku (leg movements/footwork) etcetera; instead, understand and train them as variations.

As an instructor, over the years here in Japan, I’ve had tremendous success following this ‘old school’ way. Not only with instructors who I coach, but also with the world's best competitors.

Here’s one example, instead of separating choku-zuki, oi-zuki, gyaku-zuki and so forth, train and understand them as various forms of ‘linear thrusts'. Simply impacting the opponent with fists or open hands in a straight line. From this perspective one naturally practices to purely to make them more effective in strength and tactically. Distancing, angles, speed and power take precedence.

What’s more, one then develops instinctively what foot work and hip action is optimal in any given moment. See! What happens here is that, in this case, the ‘tsuki’ used is determined by external situation as opposed to ‘selecting a technique’. Interestingly, this is not only far superior for self-defense and jiyu-kumite, but also aids one’s kihon and kata precision.

This is because the ridiculously high focus on ‘perfect movement’ is taken away. I need to stress here that I’m by no means against ‘training to move precisely’; nevertheless, too many people actually restrict their personal karate development by being obsessed by precision. One of my sayings is “Precision—Yes! Limitations—No!”

Ironically, this obsession results in ineffective karate in the real world as everything becomes too prescribed; furthermore, it actually hinders the individual’s technical growth as it mentally puts them into metaphoric box.

Let me provide one simple example. I saw one famous Japanese instructor (who I will not name) correcting a very talented young champion. He was making sure that the elbow of shuto chudan-uke was one fist-width from the body. While this very true for beginners, Shodan and below, as one advances it is critical to adjust techniques for ‘optimal functionality for oneself’. I’m not talking about radicle nor bizarre changes to kihon but, rather minor adjustments. In the case of the young lady mentioned before, the adjustment made by the instructor was wrong.

Her positioning was clearly optimal for her arm length, height, speed and power.

This is a good example of making karate less effective due to ‘organizational standardization’ as opposed to the ‘bujutsu efficiency of the individual karateka’.

Forgive me for repeating myself from a past article but this is why in IKS if you raise your knee in movement one of Bassai Dai or you don’t, we don’t care, as long as you know why. That is the oyo (application). We accept all the variations of Shotokan kata taught by the various masters. In fact, I encourage senior grades to “…experiment with all the variations and find the best way for themselves”.

One of my Japanese students, who is in IKS but also a member of a large organization here in Japan, now does his Enpi (Kata) with elements of several groups versions inside of it. He has rightly discovered what is technically best for him for generating optimal power and in actual application. Needless, all advanced karate—if they want to maximize their karate—MUST DO THIS!

Again, this also reflects my opening point about having a ‘the generic perspective’ of techniques. And yes, this certainly applies to Kihon, Kata and Kumite. Why is that? Because for one to attain optimally effective karate—as a unique individual—they must practice in accordance, and in harmony, with their individual attributes.

Also, as I stated earlier, ‘obsession with precision’ must not obstruct the individual’s development. I can’t stress this enough, as too many people—especially in major organizations—get caught up in this mentality.

I’d like to end with one more point, which is essential for those seeking karate beyond a mere sport. Prescribing techniques for specific situations is a very limited and ineffective training methodology. Rather, one needs to respond to the situation at hand, and instantaneously with the optimal technique. The first way, is obviously important for beginners, however, I find the majority of karateka never leave this approach. And while they may have beautiful and sharp techniques, kata and kumite, it is limited to the dojo and karate shiai-jo.

When one understands techniques as ‘variations’ the numerous waza of karate shrink down into, what I call “a manageable toolbox”; moreover,  if one one doesn’t have “a manageable toolbox”, they will have too many tools. This not only weighs one down with too many options, but also seriously hinders spontaneity/reactivity. This is fine in dojo kumite and karate tournaments but is extremely unreliable for self-defense.

In sum, this understanding and practice underpins traditional karate; that is, karate as classical bujutsu.

押忍!! 

AB

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).