GALLERY — NEW YORK, OCTOBER 2009
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The last day before Jean-marie returned to France, we trained all the way until he left to the airport:
A few weeks later after Jean-marie's vist, we had a Dōjō meeting to discuss our future plans:
Sāshi — Basic Drills
Sāshi is one the traditional tools used in Okinawan Karate, which is very similar to the Chīshi. Below, photos of myself performing several basic drills with the Sāshi:
Row 1: Circular forward motion from the Shiko dachi Stance.
Row 2: Forearm conditioning focussing on the inner edge.
Row 3: Forearm conditioning focussing on the radial edge.
Next, Jean-marie used the Sāshi to work on wrist rotations. These exercises resemble typical bicep curls. However, this would be an incorrect conclusion.
The last exercise was a combination of circular tenshin and forearm conditioning.
Hammer Drills
Hammer Drills are designed to work on the snap tsuki. The hand is divided into three parts, which are used to change the grip of the hand.
Nigiri Dama — Shiboru Control
Nigiri Dama is a tool made of hey or straw, which is used to learn how to close the hand for a strike. This control and flexibility to close each finger muscle while making a fist is known as Shiboru. All Shinjinbukan students learn to use shibiru to create a "Sealed Water Tight Fist". In general, I like to refer to this concept as "Shiboru Control".
Machiwara & Shiboru Control
During machiwara training, it is often useful to also practice Shiboru Control with the Nigiri Dama to create a perfect timing sequence between the moment of impact and the highest torquing force of the shiboru technique.
Tenshin & Shiboru Control
In the example below, I practice the timing of the Shiboru with the combination of Sankaku Tenshin (Triangular Motion). One of the general rules of timing is Me, Ashi, Te. The correct shiboru control is used through the entire combination of Eyes, Feet and Hands. This timing is essential to understanding Shiboru.
Kata — Shoulder Positions
One of our basic drills deals with a set of Five Basic Kata Positions (Shoulder Positions), generated from five arm positions, or five basic directions:
前に Mae Ni (frontal position or direction)
横に Yoko Ni (lateral position or direction)
上に Ue Ni (upward position or direction)
後ろに Ushiro Ni (rear position or direction)
下に Shita Ni (downward position or direction)
Another important consideration is to learn to close two different areas of the body:
1) Kata — The "real shoulder" in Ti is the area of the shoulder blades
2) Waki — The "real arm pit" in Ti is the area between the pectorals and the deltoids.
Left Frame: In the first position, the Waki is closed and the Kata is open.
Right Frame: In the second position, the Waki is open and the Kata is closed.
Dōjō Meeting
A few weeks after Jean-marie returned to France, we had a Dōjō Meeting to discuss our plans and goals for the remainder of 2009 and 2010. We also discussed our plans to find a new location for our classes, as well as a series of private sessions in our member's homes.
At the end of the discussions, we had a simple meal: New York Style Pizza. Oishii Sō!!
A Gift from France
We received a gift of French chocolates from Jean-marie to all the members of our Dōjō.
Les Chocolats Délicieux!!
And to make things worse, my deshi brought a nice cake for the party....
Kanpai
At the end of the party each member toasted to our future plans for our Dōjō in New York, and for our teacher and founder of the Shinjinbukan School, Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō.
At the end students toasted with me as sign of gratitude. KANPAI!!
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