Friday, 24 April 2020

Niseshi nu Sai


Funakoshi niseshi (nijushi-ho) using the sai. As with Funakoshi bojutsu, there does not appear to be evidence of sai kata taught by Master Gichin Funakoshi. He definitely taught techniques with both weapons, though. I have read about niseshi being a kata to be used with the sai. This is a version of how it could be applied to saijutsu.

Thursday, 23 April 2020

Aragaki Sochin by Master Kenwa Mabuni

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Vrw9bcESVPbJfUHxD1izXwgyNErelFEPhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SldPQbmWUZpJ7WInKUXfXVbNUet-wZfvhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jldc7jJK8xcPhscYu7aER6sIsYjx7C8shttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rsECv7OfqCL9DAwUYMXnEFzUBfq1hI80https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vZBvldhBf8ZUZ90lgz5mZry0VvLzpxixhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FFW5jlrForwTu15aff6xyKzsVXbQ9VPZhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19mHQx_YFdlcbTkON6qiWys6FNoZZYZYr

These photographs appeared in Genwa Nakasone's Karate-Dō Taikan in 1938. They are shown here for research purposes, to illustrate clearly a version of Aragaki sōchin which is meant to be the correct version. This is to compare with the other version linked in Ryuha Hyoho and to contrast with Funakoshi-Kudaka sōchin. 

Wednesday, 15 April 2020

Okinawan Funakoshi Kusanku nu Bo


Funakoshi kusanku [sho] bojutsu



Crescent kick section from different angles


Funakoshi Okinawan Mariti Kata (Chinte)


Mariti is Okinawan for chinte. They both mean "unusual hands". This is an illustration based on my study of Funakoshi karate which includes comparison with other styles, schools and versions of the kata. Mariti contains about 48 techniques including special techniques. I believe it should be studied carefully. 

Tuesday, 7 April 2020

Funakoshi Okinawan Unsu with variation of finger-tip strikes



In the same way as Funakoshi useshi / gojushi having varied versions of finger-tip strikes, as noted by Sensei Iwaki Nobuhiro, as well as being shown in the many versions of gojushiho and unsu, the latter kata, derived from Master Aragaki's unsu and with alterations making it Funakoshi unsu, can also be performed with different types of finger-tip strikes. This is also according to Sensei Iwaki Nobuhiro.


Variations of the finger-tip strikes in Funakoshi unsu:



Monday, 6 April 2020

Funakoshi Okinawan Useshi [Dai] Kata - Variation of finger-tip strikes


This version is inspired by the demonstration by Sensei Iwaki Nobuhiro of the Japan Karate-Do Federation, former Director of Keio University School of Medicine Karate club. He shows some of the different ippon nukite and crane beak techniques you might use, but himself employs an ippon nukite crane beak strike. This is interesting as he demonstrates a version of authentic Funakoshi karate, which can be compared in various instances with other Keio University Karate sensei in particular, as well as Sensei Ohshima's Shotokan Karate of America, though depending on what exactly is being compared. It is best to follow others who are more experienced than yourself and then decide if those methods actually work for you and your own body. In terms of research into old Funakoshi karate, it is necessary to listen to the experts and retain an open mind.

Variations of the finger-tip strikes in Funakoshi useshi [dai]:


Saturday, 4 April 2020

Tiger-style Boxing in Okinawan Karate (Okinawan-Chinese Boxing)


Tiger-style press ups are one difficult method of push ups. I was taught finger-tip press ups when I was a child in Zimbabwe, Africa, from the age of 8. I believe it is an important method for strong karate/quanfa. There are a few kinds of tiger-style press ups. How you practise depends on your own body. Breathing exercises are practised before and after tiger-style methods, and after such strenuous training you should also practise counting [200] leaves, rolling [eyes] stars, and expanding the mind (standing meditation). A tiger's eyes are sharp. You must learn to fight with your eyes. You also need to relax your body and mind and ensure good circulation (going hand-in-hand with breathing) is fostered throughout hard training. The mind must also be trained to be calm and conceal ferocity, with the spirit in reserve hiding the spirit in release. These exercises develop the essence of tiger boxing, which is jing, essence, internal force or internal power. Related to qi (internal/intrinsic energy) and involving shen (mind/spirit), it is far more internal than you might think or than it necessarily looks.