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?

Opening of the Year 2019

I've gotten really behind in updating my blog recently, and honestly started to think that there is nothing happening that's worth blogging about.
Then, the more i thought about it, the more i realised there has been things happening. Not as often as before, but thats what happens when you're part of running a new dojo, planning events, studying, working and training alongside it.
So, the goal for this year is to find the good things, make them happen and blog about it.
So that when i'm old i can remember this.
All of it.
The good, bad, exciting, frustrating, inspiring karate life that i'm living.

I took the opportunity on the 13th January to spend the morning at the Budokan watching all the different martial arts do the 'first practice' of the year.

The thing that caught my eye that I hadn't seen at any of the other years was a little girl as part of the sumo group.

I thought this was really wonderful. To see an art that is dominated by men welcome girls to the group is a big step forward in what is still a hugely male dominated part of Japanese culture.

Then I started looking around the room and noticed that now, with the girl in the sumo group, every martial arts group that was practicing had both males and females practicing.

The event went as it usually does, the ceremonial speeches, the opening of the sake, the demonstrations from the masters, followed by the group training.

It was nice to be able to watch it as a spectator and not be a part of it as we have been the past couple of years.

113km Walk

In the first few days of the New Year we decided to attempt to walk from the Dojo in Naha 113km up the island to Aha Village on the north east coast.
In total- 113km. That is about 70 miles which is actually the entire length of the island.
The route that we took though meant that we didn't quite go from bottom to top, but near enough!

The reason that we decided to do this was because during world war 2 when the US attacked Japan, they had to take over Okinawa first to reach the mainland.
The attack came from the south and so citizens of Okinawa fled the capital city and the southern area of the island for safety in the North. 

The only way they could do this was on foot.
It took them weeks to get to relative safety in the North, but this is considering lack of food and supplies and also not being able to use the regular roads because they would have got caught hence usually travelling at night, in darkness through the wilderness. 

Our goal was to complete the walk within two days (maybe 3).

Day One- Goal- 53km. 

We started the walk at 2 am and walked 12km north towards Chatan. We arrived around 6 am and took a short break before continuing on through Yomitan.
We had completed around 40 km before we decided to stop for real food as opposed to convenience store food. Because it was the New Years holidays, there was only a soba shop open with a limited menu, but at this point anything would do! 

After the food, we carried on the last 15 ish km for the day.
We started the walk as a group of six and ended it with the three of us.
Mike had only planned to walk until the end of the day before heading back to Naha and the other two were having issues with their shoes and blisters and so decided to go back. 

We made it to the beach where we would camp for the night around 5pm.
I took a hour or so nap (so tired i couldn't stay awake and wait) before John and Pam joined us and made a fire to roast marshmallows on (that was really cool, i had never really done it before)

Then everyone went to sleep because one exhausting day was over but there was another to do tomorrow. I didn't sleep well, outside the tent was loud and it was cold.

Day 2- Goal- 40km. 

We got up and packed everything up around five am to start walking again just before 6 am.  The goals have changed now and it's been decided that we will take 2 and a half days to complete it.
We will walk to Onna and then sleep and continue the last 20km. 

We walked right up the coast and through Nago.
Chris joined us after the first 10km or so and joined us for the rest of the walk today.
At this point though, most of my family had caught onto what i was doing and were really keeping me going.

Day 3- Goal- 20km. 

Today was the most beautiful and daring day of them all.
we walked the mountains of Okinawa. Around one and over another.

 This was the part where Paul freaked out because of the height of the wall and the possibility of falling into the water below and dying.
I thought it was really cool and got a few videos of the waves and water crashing into the cliffs and making the most beautiful blue whirlpools. It made all of this walking along pavements thing far more fun and exciting.

The beach with the cliffs and rocks gave me the perfect time to get my 100km Rock as my souvenir.

In the distance you can see the ocean, this is where the mountain we just walked around was. It's the final five or so km to go now.

before we reach the next village and finish this walk we are truly in Okinawa's jungle. Probably even today a good place to go and hide should anyone or anything attack the island.

Thats it, we made it to the end.
I've got my pocket full of my rocks, lots of layers on to cope with the January 'cold' of Okinawa
(i also get cold when i'm tired so i was REALLY cold!).
113km walked.
This was a walk i never really had any interest in doing in the first place- completely organised and initiated by Paul and James, I just got pulled along for the ride.
A walk which really helped me begin to achieve a few of my new years goals for 2019 and a walk which helped me to understand and learn a little more about the past and the present ways of life. 

2018 Karate Service Awards

We were very lucky to be able to attend the 6th Service Awards Ceremony for Okinawan Karate and Traditional Martial Arts at the Loisir Hotel in Naha on the 19th October 2018. 

This recognition is presented to those who have contributed to preserving and developing Karate and Kobudo locally as well as internationally. 

The Awards Began in 1993 to mark the 100th year anniversary of the establishment of the Ryukyu Shimpo. This year was the 125th anniversary. 

They now present the award once every five years and to date, just 30 people (Including this years' winners) have been presented with one. 

The 2018 awards were presented to:

平良慶孝先生 (Taira Yoshitaka Sensei) of Matsubayashi Ryu. 
八木明達先生 (Yagi Meitatsu Sensei) of Goju Ryu.
久場良男先生 (Kuba Yoshio Sensei) of Goju Ryu.
佐久川政信先生 (Sakugawa Masanobu Sensei) of Shorinji Ryu. 
池宮城 政明先生 (Ikemiyagi Masaaki Sensei) of Goju Ryu. 

They are of course featured on the front of the Ryukyu Shinpo today (The 20th October):
What a wonderful recognition for some of the most influential karate Sensei of the current generation. 
Ryukyu Shimpo company president Taiyama Taishama said, "The winners have overcome various difficulties, contributed to the promotion and development of karate and old martial arts with a leaders role, I hope that they will continue to be active and encourage further progress in the future".

Lets have a look at the Sensei who have achieved this award since it was established in 1993:

1993 - First Ryukyu Shimpo Awards

長嶺 将真 - Nagamine Shoshin Sensei  

比嘉 佑直 - Higa Yuchoku Sensei 

八木 明徳 -  Yagi Meitoku Sensei 

1998- Second Ryukyu Shimpo Awards 

高嶺 朝睦 - Takamine Choboku Sensei

宮平 勝哉 - Miyahira Katsuya Sensei 

仲里 周五郎 - Nakazato Shugoro Sensei 

赤嶺 栄亮 - Akamine Eisuke Sensei 

上原 清吉 - Uehara Seikichi Sensei 

2003- 3rd Ryukyu Shimpo Awards 

仲村 良雄 - Nakamura Yoshio Sensei

石川 精徳 - Ishikawa Seitoku Sensei 

仲程 カ - Nakahodo Tsutomu Sensei 

仲本政博 - Nakamoto Masahiro Sensei

伊波光太郎 - Iha Kotaro Sensei

2008- 4th Ryukyu Shimpo Awards 

島 勇夫 - Shima Isao Sensei

島袋 善保 - Shimabukuro Zenpo Sensei

渡嘉敷唯賢 - Tokashiki Iken Sensei

上原 武信 - Uehara Takenobu Sensei

比知屋義夫 - Hichiya Yoshio Sensei 

2013- 5th Ryukyu Shimpo Awards

 喜友名朝孝 - Kyuna Choko Sensei 

比嘉  稔 - Higa Minoru Sensei 

宮城  驍 - Miyagi Takeshi Sensei

照屋 幸榮 - Teruya Koei Sensei

知念 正常 - Chinen Masatsune Sensei

与那嶺幸助 - Yonamine Kosuke Sensei

阿波根直信 - Ahagon Naonobu Sensei 

Never stop getting up

Here's the situation.
I fractured my collarbone three weeks ago. I haven't worn proper shoes since we opened the dojo so my feet don't fit my vibrams anymore (which i didn't think would be a problem) and the weather Is awful - constant rain for the entire week before the race.

But we're committed, and we're gonna do it. 

So we go to Taiwan and spend two days exploring and doing some super cool stuff.

Going to Juifen - the 'spirited away' village, hunting down martial arts equipment and visiting recommended restaurants to try Taiwanese cuisine. 

Then, it's race day (and it's still raining).

It's 4am and we wake up to get on a bus from the main station to Maokong.
I didn't sleep much because I didn't want to be late but everyone is in good spirits and ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

This time I was insistent that we all run our own races so when the start horn went off James was gone. 

I lost Sonoda at the first rest stop 4km in because he went for the food and i wanted him to go and do his own race and let me do my own.

So then it was me, on my own journey and my own challenge and it got tough. 

The shoes had no grip- so I kept slipping over. 

Literally I counted 26 times I fell between the 4-8km mark of the race (and I was trying to be so careful!) 

I fell twice on my arm with my half healed collar bone which didn't sound or feel good.

I was getting frustrated that i couldn't get down the mountain without slipping every few steps. 

Maybe I was stupid to do the race...

I hit the second uphill at the 8km mark and had the steepest climb for the next 2km. As i got higher there was a couple of times i had to crawl up on my hands and knees to keep traction because there was nothing to hold on to or the ropes to pull up on were covered in mud and were super wet so pretty useless.
Up was better than down though because I didn't fall as much and made up some time.  

Even though it was cloudy there was still  an incredible view from the top of one of the mountains
- i could see the whole of Taipei City!

I went into this race with an attitude that I surprised myself with.

I wanted to do it on my own, for me. 

So we agreed to run our own times instead of sticking together as a group and that's exactly what we did. 

James did super well in coming in 50th of 218 people and I came 163rd. 

Where I came doesn't matter to me because every single time I fell over 'fall down seven times, get up eight' came into my head. Even on the 20th time when i was getting super frustrated that it took me half an hour to make it 1 km down the mountain and people were skipping on past me. I just kept getting up and taking more steps. With my shoes and my shoulder and the weather situation- there were quite a few people that didn't finish the race- the fact that i finished it and before the cut off time was enough of an achievement for me!  

There was just one point where I considered not completing the race, I couldn't stop slipping and falling over and I was super worried I would injure myself worse, but quitting is not even an option. 

I'm in the middle of a mountain.

The only way out is the way I came in and after all the up I've just done It's easier to keep going than to go back. 

I kept thinking 'step by step, and don't give up'. 

It's just like life, when it gets super tough, you just keep going, working hard and doing your best until you make it. 

And, I did make it. 

Navigating the mountains, picking myself back up when i fell over and showing myself i can totally  do it by on my own. 

I could have prepared better, and it's lessons learnt for the next time i have one of my great 'let's go and climb a mountain' ideas. 

After a short rest at the finish line we took the Gondola Back down to the train station to head back into the city. 

The general pain of my entire being slightly ruined what was a beautiful ride. 

We stopped by the store on the way back to the guest house to get some drinks. 

Lots of drink, painkillers and a shower and i felt a lot better. 

I think i'm ready to do it all over again. 

There's no feeling in the world quite like climbing mountains (even 'small' ones). 

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!! ;)