GALLERY — OKINAWA, JAPAN, JULY 2009
The week of training continued at the Shinjinbukan Honbu Dōjō. Here are a few of my journal entries:
Kami wo Tsuki Yaburu — Paper Cutting Tsuki
Sankaku Tenshin — Concepts of Kaki Di
Visit to Miyagi Chōjun Sensei's Memorial Park
Kami wo Tsuki Yaburu — Paper Cutting Tsuki
July 17, 2009 — Tonight, everyone trained on their own for the first couple of hours. In the photos below, we have several examples of Melanie Petrak "breaking paper" under Onaga Kaichō's watchful eye. In the Shinjinbukan School, one of the typical training methods is to practice speed tsuki to cut paper. There is no specific name for this, but one possible name could be Kami wo Tsuki Yaburu.
Click to See Video: Kami wo Tsuki Yaburu by Melanie Petrak (QuickTime Format)
Naifuanchi Sho Dan — Junjo
Next, Onaga Kaichō checked Melanie's execution of Naifuanchi Sho Dan. In the Shinjinbukan School, the study of each Kata starts with mastering the Junjo and much later the practice of Ikkyodō is incorporated to develop speed and accuracy.
Kirikai and Kakie
Next, Onaga Kaichō demonstrated the use of kirikae, a method for changing hands or switching sides. In the Shinjinbukan School, Kirikai drills are used to teach the principles of Iri Kumi (Inside Fighting) and by controling the distance from our opponent, an opening for an attack could be created. Finally, Onaga Kaichō demonstrated Kakie with one of his senior deshi, Arakaki Shunichi.
Training Kakie in the dark
In the Shinjinbukan School, it is very common to practice in the dark. Onaga Kaichō explained and demonstrated Kakie as the rest of us paired up and followed his instructions. Please note that these photos were taken in almost complete darkness and re-touched for publishing.
Sankaku Tenshin — Concepts of Kaki Di
July 19, 2009 — Today's training started in the late afternoon. We began working on Sankaku Tenshin, which combines many forms of Tsuki, Keri and triangular motion. Sankaku Tenshin also includes the use of Kaki Di in conjunction with hip movement. Below, Onaga Kaichō demonstrates the concepts of Kaki Di.
Dai Ni Kihon Gata — Basic Concepts
Next, I worked on the basic concepts of Dai Ni Kihon Gata, created by my teacher Onaga Kaichō. This Kihon Gata combines Tuski, Keri and Tenshin using Zenkutsu Dachi.
Tsuki — Basic Concepts
Onaga Kaichō also spent some time teaching Masaaki Satō San the basic concepts of Tuski. In the Shinjinbukan School, we practice many drills using the Koshi / Tsuki, Keri and Tenshin Mechanism. Below, a few pictures of Onaga Kaichō observing my deshi Masaaki Satō San.
Visit to Miyagi Chōjun Sensei Memorial Park
During our visit to Okinawa, we visited the Memorial Park dedicated to Miyagi Chōjun Sensei (1988 — 1953). In the pictures below, Masaaki Satō, Melanie Petrak and I (Jimmy Mora).
Arakaki Pottery Shop
One of my spirit spots in Naha is the Arakaki Pottery Shop owned by Arakaki Shunichi Sensei, who is one of the senior deshi at the Shinjinbukan Honbu Dōjō. In the pictures below, Arakaki Sensei and my deshi Masaaki Satō.
Another popular face is Melanie Petrak who worked as an internship at at Arakaki Pottery Shop. Ms. Petrak was introduced to Shinjinbukan in 2008 as she was searching for an authentic Karate School.
Now more than a year later in 2009, Melanie spent over one year living and training at the Shinjinbukan School. And during my 2009 trip to Okinawa, I proposed to Melanie and she said yes...
