He is human and so am i

'He is human and so am I' 

The phrase comes from Nagamine Sensei.

While in Taiwan and doing awesome things, like climbing mountains and Mantis Kung Fu, I noticed this time culture and life differences.

Maybe it's because we were free to explore and communicate on our own this time, or maybe I've just begun to open my eyes to the world around me. 

It opened my mind too. 

We all live such different lives, England is vastly different to Okinawa which is different to Taiwan. 

I'm comparing these three places because these are the countries in which i have been given the opportunity to either live in or visit multiple times. 

Ironically, it seems the most 'underdeveloped' place is the one that appealed to me the most-  i think there is beauty in a simple way of life. 

It goes back to yesterday's horse head lesson. 

The people in Taiwan and even parts of Okinawa are living a pretty self sufficient lifestyle- eating food that comes from their land and building their houses out of the materials they have around them.

Outside the cities there is less technology- more simplicity.

I guess this can be seen as a positive and a negative. Of course there are positives to the developments we have made in the world- less disease, longer life expectancy, better quality of life etc.

The thing i'm getting at is that the people of Taiwan (particularly in the rural areas) seem happy and to be living a good life even without a lot of the technological developments that we see in places like London or Tokyo. 

Just like everything,

you can see your glass as half full or half empty. 

I'm feeling incredibly lucky that i get to see and experience all these different places and cultures and people. 

It helps me to see, what i have is all i need. 

My way of life can be what makes me happy and suits me- i'm creating my own culture while trying to experience as many others as possible. 

Then, just as with karate, i can choose what works for me and create something practical and perfect for myself. 

Experience is far more valuable than things and i get to see and experience this incredible planet that we live. 

If you have to choose between material items or a trip to a new place with new people and new challenges, i highly recommend the latter. 

We're all human and we should all look out for each other, this was made especially clear in the mountain race that we did. I think that's why it was my favourite race- it had a air of safety to it, because you know somebody's got your back. 

Coffee, Castles And Our Karate Adventures

There we are, sitting in the banana mobile. This bright yellow hire car, deciding where this year's adventures will take us.
it has to be more epic than earlier this year...

Saturday 29th April 2017

we were going to go on a waterfall hike but traffic, and martin deciding he would 'take a shortcut' meant we made it to Nago by midday. We didn't have much time because Martin has a plane to catch around 6pm. I suggested a quick trip to Matsumora Kosaku's secret Yashiki, because then i can check i can get back there alone, and also Martin likes Karate history places too so  off we went, into the mountains. Finding it again wasn't so hard because things like that i can remember really well.

After that though, i joked around and said i'd like to go up the highest mountain in the distance and become 'Queen of Okinawa' he took me literally and it became the start of a pretty epic adventure. We drove deeper and higher into the mountains. 

we reach a car park where there are a few cars and just one opening to the beginning of a hiking trail. So off we go, we've come this far, may as well see whats in the mountain. 

About an hour later, there we are 452m above sea level on this tiny little rocky ledge, with some pretty steep drops either side of us. 

 But we look around and it's probably one of the most beautiful things i've ever seen. 

After a bit of a rushed drive back to Naha and Martin heading off to the Airport, it got me thinking about how on earth are we gonna top this?

So back to November this year and having figured out that Martin hasn't yet been to any castle other than Shuri yet and me, having developed quite an obsession of them decide that the adventure should involve a castle- but which one and where?
Today we have a limit of around 4 hours before we have to be back for training. Martin is feeling the training and lack of sleep catching up to him and i'm feeling the afternoon nap time, but we can't stop today so caramel latte's all round and lets go explore.
Initially i was thinking Tamagusuku or Itoman-Jo but while we were at the convenience store getting the coffee, my phone gave me some nearby suggestions, one caught my eye- Nagamine-jo.
Now, being a Matsubayashi karateka, this name lights bulbs in my head.
Thats it, that is today's adventure.

We headed off down small alleys, past the houses and into a little forest. There were castle walls but the distinction of them with the overgrowth was hard to make out.

We came across a few small shrines which were really cool. And discovered that this is probably one of the oldest castle sites on Okinawa.

There was a cave, which with a bit more research we have found out was the water source for the castle and where the king feigned his own death.
It also had a pretty awesome view over the town.

It's the spontaneity and change of plans that makes these adventures so cool.  Take it as it comes and just go and do it.
Next year has got some high standards to live up to.

The Horse's Head With A Big Life Lesson

You know what it's like, you work all week waiting for the weekend only for it to come and be gone before you know it and it's Monday again. 

Growing up i kind of learned to hate Mondays, because everyone seems to. No one wanted to go to work. Everyone around me seemed to hate their job. It was something you have to do to earn money to buy food and have a house etc. That is true, you must live, but why do you have to spend so much time doing something you really don't like and don't want to go to?

For some, i know there are circumstances that mean this is the case, but for most- why would you not choose something you enjoy doing and make it your job?

So, this is where today's horses head comes in... 

This horse head here is so symbolic of what seems to have become the 'normal' life nowadays. 

You see, the horse is tied to and attached to the work, he is missing an eye because he's working so hard it's sometimes at the detriment of his health. 

But then you look closer and you see that the rope is severed. it's been cut. 

This is what Gushiken Sensei did. 

He cut the rope and decided he would do something he enjoys. Which is creating beautiful pieces of art. 

The horse head was one of the first things he made after quitting his job to make Yachimun his full time work- he made it so that he would remember that life and quality of it is far more important than being tied to a job and what society tells you you should be doing. Why is it a rarity for people to make a living doing what they love? 

The Japanese call this fuki (不羈)- being unbridled and independent- free. 

 It's something i will remember and do my best to think about and apply when it comes to my own life. Can I take the risks and break the boundaries and be uncomfortable and uncertain to get to where I want to be doing what I really want to do? 

Do i choose to be stuck doing something i don't want to in a place i'm unhappy, or do i choose 'fuki' and take the risk to become happy and free?

Make mountains see how much you've grown.

We've been in Taiwan for the last five days. We went because earlier this year I was looking for a challenge I could complete before the end of the year, after last years marathon fail I was looking for something a little different and more suited to me.

I came across the Formosa trail race and it just so happened that it was happening the same time as James' dad would be visiting from England and so we decided it would be a perfect opportunity to explore Taiwan more freely and take part in the race.

As is becoming pretty standard for me I didn't do much training, more than what I did for the marathon but definitely not enough. (You would think i'd learn my lesson, but clearly not yet). 

It turned out to be probably the most difficult physical challenge I've done so far. I think the height of the mountains made me a little altitude sick, lack of preparation in terms of eating and energy and not very cushioned shoes made it harder (I ran it in vibram five toes- good for roads and crossfit workouts- not so much for uneven trails)

Nevertheless it was incredibly beautiful. The other runners, the forests, the views and the general atmosphere made it probably my favourite race so far.

Of course i'd liked to have done it faster or better or differently- I could name a whole list of things I would change, and I know that James could have done a way better time if he had ran by himself and not waited for me ( I'm extremely grateful he did he helped me a lot) - overall though, I'm incredibly proud I actually completed it (and wasn't last- 97th of 138 total runners and 32nd of 58 women) 

I've come away from this trip feeling a lot stronger and more confident in myself, and so it was a success.

We also got to see some of the parts of Taiwan we haven't seen yet- the sun moon lake- which was so so much bigger than I was anticipating.

Sun Moon Lake

Tea Farms growing up the mountains

 We saw tea farms, and temples and had the opportunity to try so many different traditional Taiwanese foods.

Wenwu Temple

Guardians of Wenwu Temple

On the last day we did the drive back to Taipei which was another learning curve and confidence booster for me because i took the opportunity to drive some of the way. Anyone that's been in Taiwan will know it's not the most slow and rule orientated place when it comes to driving- plus it's on the right hand side as opposed to the UK and Japan which drives on the left. 

We went to see Yoshida sensei and got to go to the dojo with him to train- I really wasn't feeling too well after the race, probably just bad dehydration and joint and muscle pain but I'm so so pleased I did. We got to practice a really cool short mantis style kata and some bunkai that goes with it.

Yoshida sensei took us to lunch which was again some really delicious Taiwanese food- incredible dumplings and noodles and vegetables and soup- everything is steamed and fresh I haven't really seen many fried foods which totally explains why the Taiwanese people are so healthy and small.

After lunch with Yoshida sensei we had ran out of time and so it was time to take the car back and head to the airport. 

This was a trip of me beginning to realise how much I can do when I put my mind to it and have a little help from my friends. 

I can literally climb mountains. 

Karate Day 2017

81 years ago something pretty incredible happened.

At 4pm on the 25th October 1936 in Naha, Okinawa. A very important meeting took place. A meeting that would become a cornerstone in Karate History.
The 1936 'meeting of the masters'.
The people whose pictures we now have on the wall. The people who we read books about. The people who paved the way to make Karate what it is today.
Hanashiro Chomo Sensei, Kyan Chotoku Sensei, Motobu Choki Sensei, Chibana Choshin Sensei, Shiroma Shinpan Sensei, Oroku Chotei Sensei, Nakasone Genwa Sensei and Kyoda Juhatsu Sensei.
In this meeting they decided that the fighting art that was being referred to in many different ways would come to be known as Karate- Empty Hands.
They felt like karate was a dying art because nobody was interested in it in Okinawa anymore. They wanted to make sure that the thing that they loved so much was not forgotten and that they were not the last people practising it. They wanted Okinawa to be known as the place where this beautiful art was brought to life.
Today is an incredible day because 81 years on, i think they achieved their goal.
Last year when the Guinness World Record was set with almost 4000 karateka doing kata at the same time, in the same place, in the middle of Okinawa. They would be proud.

2016 Karate Day Guinness World Record- 3793 people

Karate day fell on a Wednesday this year and with the newly opened Karate Kaikan a special demonstration was held there today with the current Karate Masters Performing at the 'special dojo'.

Being so small and cute ;) i crawled up the front and sat next to an important looking man in a suit, it meant i could get some pretty incredible pictures and videos of the people i really look up to and respect. I so want to be just like them someday.

The atmosphere there today was incredible. Once the speeches and demonstrations had started, everybody was so quiet and respectful.
There was a vibe of safety in the air- I mean, i don't think i could be in a safer place if i had tried - a feeling of confidence, peace and security.
Sunday will be the day where Karate takes over Kokusai Dori (Typhoon permitting) and so i'll do another post then, but i think today was a perfect way to commemorate Karate day.

It got me thinking about how different things were back then but they still strived for the same things that we are nowadays- getting more people to practice karate and love it like we do; and we love it because of what it brings out of us.
It makes us confident, part of a team,  a student, an athlete, a teacher, a mentor and so, so many more things. most importantly though. It gives us something money can't buy. Happiness and when taught in the right way, creates really great people.
Quoting Funakoshi Sensei: 'the ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of character of it's participants'.

I'll be dead in 81 years time, but i hope that i can play a small part in preserving Karate and passing it onto the future generations, just like the Sensei before us did and just like these sensei are doing now.

100 Kata for Karate day- Year 4!

The day before I came to live in Okinawa we completed the first 100 Kata Challenge.

100 Kata Challenge 2014- Year 1

100 Kata Challenge 2015- Year 2

100 Kata Challenge 2016- Year 3

100 Kata Challenge 2017- Year 4

The 100 Kata Challenge and Karate day also marks a special time for me, because it was the 25th October 2014 that we got on the plane to come to Okinawa. I didn't know whether i would be on Okinawa for one Karate day and now I've been here for 3! There's no atmosphere quite like it.

Completing the 100 kata has phases, just like my journey here:

-The first few kata are so new, fun and exciting. You do them with enthusiasm and energy.  woohoo, go go go.

-Once you reach about 20, you start to slow down and pace yourself, you see the journey ahead and realise you have to settle in or you wont make it to the end.

-When you hit about halfway you begin to wonder why you're doing this. 'only halfway?!' then you tell yourself with a glass half full kinda head- half is done, drink some water- keep going.

-You reach 70 and your muscles are aching and sore, you're sweating a lot and beginning to wonder if it will ever end. I'm never doing this again.

-At 80, it's like zen, you're on autopilot almost. It's therapeutic. There's only you and the kata. Nothing else matters, you're there in the moment. It feels great.

-90! You actually almost did it! Now everyone's energy comes back. Yahoooo, here's where you become a team and are doing this together. 91, 92, 93.....

-100. We did it. Tired, Sweaty, Achy, Dirty....

But, that was great.

When can we do it again?

Nakasone Sensei's Suidi

(And one of the coolest Karate history tours ever)

Less than 24 hours before it began was when i decided.

A spontaneous last minute decision (with a little gentle persuasion from James).

Which probably became one of the best decisions I've made so far this year. Besides learning an incredible amount in both practical karate technique and karate history- I made some new (really cool) karate friends.

Nakasone sensei reminded me of myself somewhat. Maybe thats why i liked him so much. He is curious, always wanting to know why. He is enthusiastic and gets completely lost in karate. He speaks honestly about what he thinks of techniques and it's practicality. He researches and learns the history so that we can all learn from it. He is always smiling and he most definately has sparkly eyes.

Nakasone Sensei's Karate is Suidi (Shuri -Te)- Leading right back to Bushi Matsumura Sokon. Originally, he studied Shorin Ryu (which is still Shuri Te) but decided to research and travel further back to the roots in his quest to discover karate.
Most of what he does involves a relaxed and natural approach to defence- simple body movements that can happen quickly and naturally to give you the advantage.
He used joint locks (which can be used to both restrain or break) and the element of confusion and surprise.

I asked him, why do you break bats and boards when your karate involves being soft, fluid and natural? He said because you can't hit people and your training partners as hard as you can. It is important to practice at least once, what it is like and how it feels to hit something as hard as you possibly can. It really got me thinking, it is something i'd like to try.

After a couple of very intense training days, we had a karate history tour day where every place but one was new. This was really really cool to me because we also had James to translate the incredible wealth of knowledge that Nakasone Sensei has about it.
He did the tour perfectly- get to a place, tell the story, let people take pictures and move onto the next one. With this approach we made it to 8 or 9 different Karate sites around Naha, Shuri and Itoman in the day.

As the week went on, the visiting karateka started leaving the island. I had another opportunity to train with Nakasone sensei, of course, i took it. It was great to be able to continue on and refresh the things we had gone through in the seminar. I also had the chance to spend some time with him in the bar, where i got to listen to his stories and karate journey.

If i get the opportunity to train with Nakasone Sensei again, I will 100% take it.
I guess, the biggest lesson I've learnt from this whole experience is how much good can come from saying yes and taking the opportunities presented to you.

My Senpai's and Me.

In the last few months we've decided that once a month we will hang out and do something new together outside of the dojo.
First was bowling, then batting practice and today was park golf.
I've never done it before so thought it would be a lot of fun. It's also good for us all to swap languages and practice communicating together.
Today had a eventful start when we were driving to the park golf near the dojo we saw a bike drive into the back of a car. Naturally we stopped to help, No one was seriously hurt but we ended up seeing how all the emergency services work in Okinawa. The Police, Fire and Ambulance came and as a precaution the bike guy went to the hospital. We had to wait for about 45 minutes before we could get out of the situation because of all the new added police cars etc.
So we finally made it up to the castle site where we were going to play golf. It was incredibly windy and dare i say it- even a bit chilly! (considering the recent Okinawan summer!)

So we get the 'golf clubs' - i've not seen a golf club like it before- this isn't 'crazy golf', and it's not 'real golf' so i guess some hybrid in the middle! Toshimune, Connor and I are a team and the two senpai's and Satoko are another team.

Obviously, I end up losing, like dead last- as i have with most of the sports we've gone to try together so far, but i had a lot of fun. I think we all did, it even got pretty competitive at times!

Then we go back to Toshimune's house where we made Takoyaki without the Tako.

It was really good. We also had Yakitori, Salad and Steak.

Good food with good friends and good fun. Something different to the usual routine and being able to relax with no expectations is just what i needed (until the pull ups and push ups and weight practice started!).
I always come away from spending time with them feeling so happy and loved just for being myself.

They like and accept me just the way that i am. It seems like it's rare to find friends like that nowadays.

I think it's just as important in the dojo to have good senpai as it is to have a good sensei.
I've got some pretty cool ones that are so much more than just dojo senpai. I'm learning a lot from them, more than just karate.

I'm a part of something really special with some really incredible people #mykaratefamily.

5 Places to Visit in Shuri

1- Shuri Castle:
Obvious i know. Everyone Knows about Shuri Castle and goes to see it, but if you haven't been here before then it is a must see both for karate people and everyone else that visits the island.
There is a lot more to it than just the castle itself, the entire park is worth exploring; even though the castle is not the original, because it was burned down in the war- this is the restored, rebuilt replica version.
For me personally, the park is more exciting than the castle.

2- Zuisen Awamori Distillery:
This one is a little off the beaten track.

However, should you decide to take the long route up to the castle along a few beautiful little back roads you will come across this little gem.

It's a tiny little place but very interesting. Awamori is unique and indigenous to Okinawa and they do a tour where you get to learn all about how it is made, you can even do a taste test!


3- Sueyoshi Park:
I love this place.

Before i ended up with so many other commitments i spent a lot of time exploring this incredible place. There's karate pillars and pine trees to remember Funakoshi Gichin Sensei and his Son, a river, a forest and a shrine.

You could easily spend the day here enjoying the outdoors and quiet of nature.

Even though, this park is just off the main road and in the centre of Naha, once you get right into the park, you could be forgiven for thinking you are in the middle of the mountains in Nago.

It's what i imagine old Okinawa would have been like before everything was built and industrialised.
I guess, it still is a small part of mostly untouched natural Okinawa.
I love it for that.


4- The Ramen Shack:
we found this place because when i get hungry, i get hangry. I'm not even Joking. Ask Steve Sensei. A hungry Becka is not a fun one. After a busy morning of exploring Shuri, i was getting hungry, which means angry too. Steve sensei made us stop at the nearest place he could find to eat and what an excellent little place this is.

It reminds me of something out of Kung fu panda. A tiny little wooden shack, that is painted black with seating for maybe 10 people maximum.

The kitchen is just big enough for the chef and his pots and pans, but there isn't much wiggle room. Nevertheless, this place produces probably one of the best Ramen and Giyoza that i've eaten in Japan-yet. It's very reasonably priced too.

5- Makabi Cemetery:
If you aren't interested in Karate, then you won't be interested in this one.
In fact, if you aren't interested in Karate history, then you won't be interested in this one.
it is a cemetery. Where dead people are laid to rest.
However, to karate enthusiasts this place is pretty incredible.


Here, there are the Haka (Grave Sites) of Itosu Anko Sensei, Matsumura Sokon Sensei and Hanashiro Chomo Sensei.

To me, it feels as though Karate and it's history books just became very real.
All those time when your sensei would be explaining karate lineage and history to you by pointing to the pictures on the wall and giving you dates. Well, this brings all that to life.
It turns these legends that you only read about in books into actual people, like you and me. Except cooler.