| Historic Training in Oregon |
|
|
| Wednesday, 08 April 2009 | |
23rd Annual Ryobu-Kai Northwest Classic Seminar and Tournamentby Gloria GeiserThis past March 14th and 15th was not only the 23rd Annual Ryobu-Kai Northwest Classic Seminar and Tournament organized by Sensei Junki Yoshida, but it marked the first time that one of the Japanese Shotokan Karate Japanese masters from the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) was a guest instructor. Ryobu-Kai and Shotokan are two of the fifty-one branches of traditional Japanese karate originating in Okinawa, the birthplace of Japanese karate. Each branch follows the teachings of its progenitor and naturally feels that it is the truest and most effective representation of budo or fighting spirit. Sensei, or senior instructor, Yutaka Yaguchi was sent to the United States in 1965 in one of the first waves of Japanese Shotokan instructors. He is based in Denver, Colorado, but travels the world teaching and testing students. Sensei Yoshida hosted the Seminar at his Troutdale dojo, or school, while the tournament was held at the Mt. Hood Community College gymnasium.  Karate, like religion, has a tendency to splinter under the pressures of ego, economics and politics, so even these branches have split apart in the United States into many separate organizations, some retaining ties to Japan and some not. Additionally, there are nonaffiliated schools started by senseis who may be blending styles and attaching their own name and ideas to their dojo. So it is significant that as karate moves towards finalizing the rules that would allow it to become an Olympic sport, its separate styles should move closer. Another reason for greater cooperation could well be that the first wave of Japanese instructors are aging or, as in the case of the first Shotokan instructor from Japan, Hidetaka Nishiyama, have recently died. Sensei Yoshida, who presides over Yoshida Food Products, as well as being the NW Region Chief instructor of Japanese Karate Federation (JKF) Ryobu-Kai Northwest, started the tournament as a fund raiser with the dual purpose, to raise money so that students could participate in national tournaments and to bring together instructors and students from all over the Pacific Northwest to learn from one another and, when instructors from outside the organization were included, from other styles. This is particularly important in the Northwest where Taekwondo, the Korean Martial Art form, overshadows the smaller Japanese style dojos. A jovial, expansive man, originally trained in Shotokan karate, sensei Yoshida laments the great "Chinese wall" keeping people of the various Japanese styles away from one another. Using his resources and organization, he has strived to create an environment to make people comfortable so that the students can benefit from other senseis and everyone can learn something. In the past he has sent his seventeen chief instructors all over the country to learn and bring back that knowledge. Martial Arts were likely brought from the Asian mainland and adapted by Okinawans to protect themselves from Japanese invaders armed with swords. Because they were not allowed weapons the Okinawans had to develop a form of defense that relied on their bodies. This is why karate means "empty hands." (The flying kicks of Taekwando where developed under similar circumstances to unseat horsemen.) To understand the appeal of Martial Arts and how karate can support so many different approaches, one needs to understand that every movement is very precise, not only where the technique originates, ends, and the course needed to get between these two points, but how the karateka, or student, generates power using their core body. And supporting these arm or leg techniques are the many varied stances used at different distances from the opponent and with different strategies. Ballet has nothing on karate. Martial Arts and business have taught sensei Yoshida that one whom is "isolated can never grow." "I don't have almighty power. There are so many great senseis all over, why can't I learn from them?" Yet, there were politics, which until now kept some from participating. "But students are not part of politics… They are the victims of "the (Great) Chinese wall." Sensei Yoshida sees tournaments as a way for students to see what is possible from observing other contestants and thereby spurring the student's own growth. Through a translator the visiting sensei Yaguchi, whose impish smile disarms, acknowledged that this was the first time in his 57 years of teaching he had participated in an event outside of his style and felt it was a very good experience. He would like to keep this good relationship and bring American karate up to a new level. He is glad to contribute and agreed that the separation of the styles is not good for karate. Karate means "empty hands," so there is no reason not to help each other. That sensei Yaguchi has been finally able to accept this invitation may actually have more to do with the recent disassociation by the ISKF from the Japanese Karate Association (JKA). The untethering of American karate from Japan in some cases may be a factor in allowing stronger ties between different styles, a democratization of karate. The difference in styles has made it difficult for karate to develop the standards and rules necessary to make it an Olympic sport, and this process could easily degenerate into contentiousness with rival styles jockeying for the acceptance of their rules. It is in the context of all these influences that the inclusion of an influential sensei from another popular style is truly remarkable and may signal a new era of cooperation in American karate. It is fitting that the Portland area was host to this historic event, a place known for its openness and innovation. More photos coming soon |
|
| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 April 2009 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Video Corner
Team Kata 09 USA Karate NationalsGreat Bunkai demo!
Popular
| Administrator |
| Photo Gallery |
| Articles |
| Expose Flash Photo Gallery |
| Cary NC Dojo |
| Newsletter archive |
| Site Map |
| USA Open |
 |
Main Menu
| HomeNewsMultimediaSubmit NewsCalendarSearchArchivesLinksContact UsForumInstructorsCoaches CornerAthletesKarate RefereeSite MapPress ReleasesGuest BookSamurai DojoContact |
Birthdays
Sections
CB Login
CB Workflows
Samurai Newsletter
Latest Update
- Joomla! License Guidelines [2004-08-19, 20:11]
 |