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THE SHINJINBUKAN SYSTEM — INTRODUCTION
Introduction Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4
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These articles are based on accounts of my training under Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō. Jimmy Mora
The evolution of Okinawa Karate Dō took place over hundreds of years and it is based on three elements. The first element was Ti, the indigenous Okinawan Martial Art. Nowadays, this martial arts tradition of Ti (Okinawa Ti) could be seen in the practice of Machiwara, Chīshi, Kakie and hundreds of combinations of Iri Kumi. As the Ryūkyū increased their trade and culture exchange with other nations, other elements were incorporated into their martial arts. The second element of this evolution came from Chinese Kung Fu, through the use of Kata, also known as Forms. And the third element came from different martial arts throughout Southeast Asia. For more information, see The History of Okinawa Karate Dō
In all human endeavours, such as arts, development occurs over hundreds or thousands of years. And then a quantum leap takes place only a few times in history. In terms of Martial Arts, Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō achieved a quantum leap in the evolution of Ti, which allowed him to develop a system without the limitations of a Karate style. At the Shinjinbukan School, we often refer to this as Onaga no Ti.
According to Onaga Kaichō, Ti as an endless process adaptable to every situation, because seek to understand the entire process and not just the end result. For example, all Karate styles study Kata (Form) at the arrival point of motion: position 1, next position 2, position 3, etc. However, Ti studies the entire line of motion, or path of movement created by the human body. For example, how to connect position 1 to position 2; and how to connect position 2 to position 3. In Ti, we are always searching and asking: What is the line of motion?
The study of Ti incorporates unique principles of body mechanics, body conditioning and fighting techniques into a complete cohesive System. Most Martial Arts have training curriculums that are not integrated into a cohesive unit. On the other hand, the study of Ti requires the integration of all training curriculums into ONE cohesive System of body mechanics. If not, the different aspects of Martial Arts training will not work together. Ti applies the same body mechanics or "body usage" in all aspects of training: body conditioning, katas, kihon gatas, fighting techniques and other technical drills. According to Onaga Sensei:
Ti is the key that opens the door to understanding all Martial Arts. Without Ti, a Karate style is limited by the content of its training curriculum. For many Martial Artists, after years of training Katas, doing sparring or hitting the makiwara, there are still many unanswered questions.
In the Shinjinbukan System, from the first day of training the most important question is Why?
Why something works?
Why it doesn't work?
Why we use this technique?
Why is it true?
Why is it false?
Ti is endless and in constant "state of flux". It is contantly being developed by today's Ti practitioners, also know as Tichikaya. In the Shinjinbukan School, we believe that today's Tichikaya are doing better Karate and Ti than the "ancient masters". If this was not true. If we could never improve upon past generations, then, why train so hard? Why train at all?
According to my teacher, Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō, "Ti is Karate, but Karate is no Ti".
Why? Because Ti is the root of all Karate, which by nature are "styles" or simplifications of the complete art. Therefore, all "Karate styles" are by nature limited.
The Shinjinbukan System is 100% about the study of Ti. All elements of our training curriculum must work together as part of one engine. For reference, see the chart below with the General Categories of the Shijinbukan System.
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Introduction Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4
