The Uechi Kanbun Kencho Hi

One of my favourite things to do on Okinawa is to go 'Shrine Hunting'. 

It all started on my very first trip here- searching for monuments in such a big, unfamiliar, new environment was one of the first memories of Okinawa that I have.

First, due to transport and time constraints we found the monuments related to karate masters that were around Naha, since then we have expanded to include the whole island. 

I think it's so cool because it brings the history and stories to life. It adds a whole new sense of reality and closeness to the past. 

In Karate we often hear the phrase 温故知新 'Onko Chishin'- It means to learn from the past and use the lessons they have learnt to assist your current search for understanding. 

I don't think that the Sensei's that have kencho hi in honour of their achievements in Okinawa ever realised what an impact they were to have on so many lives. 

I think they were just doing what they love to do and were following one of the cornerstone principles of karate- 'to try to be the best person you can be'. 

Yesterday was a really cool day for me because we had the opportunity to be at the unveiling of a new Kencho Hi- a very rare opportunity. 

This one is for Uechi Kanbun Sensei- the creator of Uechi Ryu. 

It is the first bronze statue in the prefecture and is a life-size statue of Uechi Sensei, Surrounded by shiquasa trees planted by current Okinawan Karate Masters. 

Uechi Sensei was born in Izumi, Motobu and so that is the reason the kencho hi is located in Motobu. 

The ceremony included the tree planting, a 'shishi mai' dance, speeches and Karate demonstrations by Uechi Ryu Karate-ka:

It is a beautiful monument in a really beautiful place and another reminder as to how influential just one person can be in the world.  

David and Hanna :)

Last week David and Hanna visited Okinawa for the first time from Maine (USA),
I knew them from when i visited my dad (who also lives in Maine), I got to train with
Troup Sensei on a few different occasions in the years before i came to Okinawa.
Considering they were so kind to me when i was in their part of the world, i figured it's
my turn to return the favour (and what better way to practice a few of my
tour days than with friends?!)

While they were here they took the opportunity to participate in some of our dojo
experiences including kumite and karate fitness, along with a couple of days touring
the island. Here’s an overview of how the week went…

Of course, the first port of call after getting off the plane was the DOJO bar:

On the first evening we went to visit Arakaki sensei in his dojo to train:

We then spent a couple of days sightseeing around the island, Day 1 was a
trip to the northern tip of the island which included a hike up Mount Katsudake to
some stunning views of the island and lunch at a local soba shop:

Followed by a visit to Nakijin- Jo castle ruins:

The next day we decided to head south to the peace memorial park-
it was a perfect day for it:

Of course, the day is not complete without stopping off at the roadside
egg vending machine for some snacks:

Followed by a late lunch- You can't experience Okinawa without eating a
whole selection of traditional Okinawan foods, so we just got everything!

David and Hanna also took full advantage of our ‘dojo experiences’ including
our 7am morning ‘Karate fitness’ and the ‘friday fight night’ kumite session with
Toguchi Sensei who is Okinawa’s Full contact kumite champion
(And in my opinion, the best bento maker on the island).

It was a really great week- and I very much look forward to Troup Sensei
and Hanna returning to the island- by then i will have perfected my tour guiding
skills and i might actually remember where everything is by then!! ;)

Dare to Believe

You know when you were a kid and your teacher would give you a task to do and then would set one of those sand timers where the sand falls from one end to the other?

Life for the last few years with visa renewals has always felt like that. 

Every time i have managed to get my visa renewed it feels like they just flipped it back over again, and as it starts to run out i begin to panic that maybe my time here has run out. 

You see, the longer i'm here the more i feel like i'm not 'finished' yet. 

Just like karate i guess; the more you learn, the less it feels like you know and the more there is to 'finish'

I didn't plan on staying here this long. 

Honestly i didn't even think i would make it through the first three months; and now, three and half years on this little island and all the people on it have stolen my heart. 

I'm happier and healthier here than I've ever been anywhere. Don't get me wrong it isn't all perfect, but it's the closest I've been. 

So my sand was running out and on my three year anniversary here James made a proposal to me about working together and potentially continuing my karate life here in Okinawa. 

Six months later-with a LOT of visits to the immigration office, paperwork, lawyers, one slight emotional breakdown and a whole host of people telling us that this was not possible. I began to believe it wasn't going to happen myself, but i had to give it everything so that if i had to leave here, it would be with no regrets. 

With the help from some really special people, and the odds against us;

We did it. 

Last week i picked up my new residents card and moved into my own little apartment near the dojo (thanks for the help Martin).  

It's small and not finished yet, but it's perfect for me. 

It's still super surreal, that everything has slotted into place so well and that what I've wanted to do since i was 16 is actually happening. 

This is going to be a big year for us and it's starting out pretty well. I'm going to hit my 4th anniversary here in October and I'll be here for the first anniversary of the dojo along with many other events happening this year and quite a long list of things i still want to do in Japan it's going to be busy but incredible. 

Do you want to go exploring?

Since i first came here on Holiday six years ago and began exploring this island, it's become a bit of an obsession. 

I LOVE being outside in nature learning about the history and wildlife of the world- specifically Okinawa because the weather is so tropical and the ocean is so full of rainbow fish. 

Throw my love of karate into the mix and you can create some wonderful days discovering. 

There's nothing quite like breathing in the fresh, cool salty ocean air on a hot day, or swimming in the ocean to actually find Nemo; Trekking through the jungle to find a poisonous snake, Turtles and Lizards in their natural habitat, or hearing the sounds of a woodpecker and the nearby river flowing down the mountain. It makes you feel alive. 

With this in mind we have created some Okinawan tours and Experience days, primarily aimed at the karate-ka but anyone would enjoy these days. Especially if it's your first time to Okinawa, you don't have transport, or you just want to get off the beaten track a little bit. 

We have been on a few pre-arranged tours before and they always seem to have a few things you REALLY want to do (hence why you went on the tour in the first place) but also maybe a place or two you have seen before or aren't that interested in seeing. With this in mind, we have decided to let people create their own perfect day. We can personalise it so that we can visit the places you really want to go.

Or, if you are new to the island and don't really know where to start, we have put together a few pre-arranged or example days... 

Alongside this, with our new Dojo that opened in January- we are offering Karate Experiences. The idea behind this being that when we first came here we didn't understand the etiquette required in the Okinawan Dojo and in my first year here- i made a LOT of mistakes. Not because i was trying to annoy my sensei or being deliberately ignorant- but because the information wasn't out there and there were a LOT of cultural and language barriers. 

We want to help people with this and make sure that the experiences that they have in the Okinawan Sensei's dojo's are a positive one for both the student and the sensei. 

Finally, we have a Summer Beach BBQ option for Dojo groups that are visiting. Many Okinawan Companies and Sports Groups hold annual summer beach BBQ's and we are offering this too. Simply because they are fun. You go to the beach, play games, go swimming, eat and drink as a group and relax and enjoy the time. This would be a perfect end to a dojo trip after  lot of hard training inside the dojo- it's always fun to get outside and enjoy the sun. 

If you are interested in any of the tours or want any more information feel free to contact us. 

http://asatodojo.okinawa/en/about/

My New Adventure

I've started teaching karate to the children.

Which is something i never thought I would do or at least not until i was 'old'.

It's something i still don't quite feel ready to do, but as my sensei once said: 'you will 'grow into' your belt' - i'm hoping to 'grow into' this new role too.

Since we started this new venture a couple of months ago I've ended up with a class of six really cool kids.

I think they're learning and having fun, i'm definately enjoying it a lot more than i expected. it's fun because everything becomes a game to them, they are pushing me to learn because they ask questions and see things in a way i never did. 

It's really rewarding to watch them learn and grow in both karate but also in English ability. 

It's amazing how fast they can progress when they come often and do their best. 

At first i think we were all super nervous (naturally) but now i'm relaxing into it and the kids are following suit and enjoying the space and time that they get to spend in the dojo. 

We have some really cool events coming up, including the 100 kobudo kata challenge (which the kids are going to try!) as well as some 'in the dojo' activities and events. I'm really looking forward to the next few months and seeing how everything develops. 

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?