GALLERY — LATVIA, JULY & AUGUST 2010
The 2010 Shinjinbukan Summer Gasshuku in Latvia was taught by Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō and Arakaki Shunichi Sensei. It was hosted by Dr. Artis Pabriks and attended by participants from Latvia, United States, France, Germany, Italy and Israel. By July 29, the majority of international visitors had arrived to Riga.
Body Mechanics using "Open & Close
Welcome Dinner
July 30 — After the first day of training, we gathered for a welcome dinner. Everybody had come from afar to experience Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō face to face. The participants brought with them gifts for Onaga Kaichō and Arakaki Sensei, resulting in a multicultural experience for our Okinawan guests.
In the photos below, see the Shinjinbukan members from Lyon, France, Mr. Jean-marie Perrier and Mr. Ludovic Soler presenting their gifts.
In the photos below, see Mr. Slava Grinshpun (Israel) presenting a gift to Onaga Kaichō.
Body Mechanics using "Open & Close"
July 31 — During the second day of training at the Heiankai Cultural & Sports Center in downtown Riga, Onaga Kaichō explained the body mechanics of Keri. In the pictures below, the students execute Keri in coordination with arm movement. During each keri, the arms close as the foot is lifted up. Next, the arms open as the foot comes down to the floor.
In the Shinjinbukan School we use this concept of "Open & Close" to describe how parts of our body move like components of a mechanical gear. Hence, we often speak of "body mechanics" as part of our study of Karate.
Gifts from Okinawa
During the following dinner, Onaga Kaichō and Arakaki Sensei presented gifts from Okinawa to all of us. At the same time we enjoyed a stunning view of the city of Riga from our Hotel Terrace.
Green Dōjō
August 1st — The training day took place at Dr. Pabriks' outdoor Dōjō or "Green Dōjō" located at Lapmežciems, Jūrmala. Outdoor training on a grassy uneven ground provides a unique experience, and perhaps a more realistic feeling in contrast to sports Karate, which is only practiced on a perfectly even floor or soft mat. The training day began with some basic tsuki, keri and tenshin.
The tradition of training outdoors goes back many centuries to the time when Ti (ティー) originated in the Ryūkyū Kingdom as a secret art practiced by very few people. In contrast, nowadays Karate is practiced openly in a sports hall.
Outdoor Machiwara
Onaga Kaichō and his assistant Arakaki Shunichi Sensei went on to teach some Machiwara, also known as Tachi Machiwara. Some of the techniques shown below begin in a low guard position.
Basic Keri Drills
In the Shinjinbukan School, we break down the body mechanics of Keri (foot strike) into two parts:
1) Lifting the leg by bringing the knee towards the chest; and
2) Releasing the leg to its full extension in order to strike the target.
In the Shinjinbukan School, we focus our training on the first portion of the Keri: the lift. The core muscles "pull" or lift the thigh, which is the longest and heaviest part of the leg, going from the hip joint to the knee joint. Therefore, we focus our training on lifting the knee to the chest. For us, this is the main difference between a true martial arts keri (foot strike) and a typical sports "karate kick".
On the contrary, the typical "karate kick" is based on the second portion of the keri: the releasing or throwing of the leg. This throwing motion goes from the knee to the foot and over time subjects the knee joint to a lot of wear and tear. Therefore, the typical "karate kick" has a very short shelf life due to knee injuries.
In the pictures below, Onaga Kaichō explains our Basic Keri Drill using "knee to chest".
Kakie — Hane Gaki
The training continued with Hane Gaki, which is one of the three types of Kakie practiced in the Shinjinbukan School. As the training evolved, we began using free circular tenshin (body displacement or motion). However, it was quite challenging to move on the grass, quite different than moving on a flat perfectly even floor.
From Kakie to Iri Kumi
As Kakie training continued, it naturally evolved into basic Iri Kumi. In the pictures below, Onaga Kaichō demonstrates how to create an opening against a Keri (foot strike). Next, the rest of us paired up to practice these moves.
As the training continued, we focused on making the motion as free and natural as possible.
