The Karate Master's Video Project Series

First, there was the Karate Masters Portrait Project.
Chris and James realised that there are no good photographs or records of sensei's past or present.

In response to this they embarked on a enormous project producing this beautiful book of the current Karate Masters of Okinawa professionally photographed and presented in this book.

This book is just volume one (which took around three years to produce) the project is still active behind the scenes with currently over 100 sensei's photographed.

You can view all the images and find more information on the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/chriswillsonphotography/photos/? tab=album&album_id=406168962731317

Here's a link to the website where you can buy the book:
http://www.blurb.com/b/5879527-karate-masters-portrait-project


Now, Chris (and James) are taking it to the next level with the Karate Masters Interview Series.

Instead of just photographing the Sensei, they want to create video's. Asking all the questions we are always wondering about our sensei's and preserving them for future generations to learn from.

So far in the series there has been two sensei's interviewed and the video's released.

Number 1: Arakaki Sensei - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODziB93h2_c

Number 2: Senega Sensei - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9jDJV9j52E

Number 3 is Koiichi Nakasone Sensei. I was lucky enough to go along for the experience.

We met sensei at his house where we discussed the plan for the afternoon with him.
We would video a little at his house, visit Nakijin Castle and then go to Chris' house where we would do the main interview.
Then of course, we would go to dinner.

We started with sensei at his house.
This is a super cute little house in Nakijin. It reminds me of the movie 'UP' because he built it for him and his wife to live in when they decided to move to Nakijin together.
It is a very traditional house with tatami interior and a red tiled roof.

From there we went with sensei just a five minute drive or so, to Nakijin Castle. 
Nakijin is the northernmost castle in Okinawa and is the most well preserved because of this.
Now is Sakura (Cherry Blossom) season in Okinawa and the castle is lined with the trees so it was more beautiful than usual!

We did some filming around and inside the castle.
Sensei was a little nervous, i think we all know that the karate masters are more often than not quiet, humble people who prefer to stay away from the limelight.

This may be a difficulty encountered with the project. Hopefully with Chris' bubbly personality and taking people or students that the sensei is familiar with will make it somewhat easier and less intimidating.

Sensei explained some of the memorials and shrines around the castle.

Once we were done filming at the castle, we made our way to Chris' house and did the sit down interview with the black background.

Before this though, sensei showed us some of his karate techniques in the garden while being watched by the goat that lives next door.

This is the part where sensei's sparkly eyes really started to show and he started sharing with us what he really loves in life.
Once he started demonstrating and getting us to try there was no stopping, it was really interesting.
He explained about using relaxation and body and joint flexibility to move out of the line of attack and respond.
Once we were finished all the videoing we went to dinner together where sensei taught us about his top three respected karate masters.

Can you guess who they were?

Who would yours be?