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Brian Owens
27th July 2005, 12:09
Greetings all.

I am putting together a short bio on the many Budoka featured in the documentary Budo: The Art of Killing.

In the film, the featured players are never identified by name, and the credits at the end only name the key contributors.

I'm hoping to get as much detail as I can on all practitioners who have any screen time. If any of you know the particulars on any of the cast, I'd like you to share it here.

I'll start off by naming those given credits on the film.

Kendo (includes Kendo, Iaido, Kenjutsu, etc.):
Kazutora Toyoshima
Tomoo Koide
Taizaburo Nakamura
Tasaburo Tokutomi

Karate-do:
Teruo Hayashi
Shogo Kuniba
Sadaharu Fujimoto
Satoru Suzuki

Judo:
Isao Okano

Aikido:
Gozo Shioda

Naginata-do:
Fumiko Noda

Sumo-do:
Uragoro Takasago

Yabusame:
Iekata Kaneko

Brian Owens
27th July 2005, 12:36
In several of the scenes featuring karate or Ryukyu kobudo, the teacher referred to only as "The Master" in the film is my former teacher's teacher, Teruo Hayashi. He is shown demonstrating a crane form, leading a group kata in the snow, and -- wearing a black uniform -- demonstrating several Okinawan weapons.

Hayashi Sensei is the Soke of Hayashi-ha Shito Ryu and Kenshin Ryu.

I don't know the name of the man working with him on the weapons demos. Any help would be appreciated.

The scene of the karateka breaking the beer bottles is, I believe, Shogo Kuniba Sensei.

The scenes of the swordsman cutting suspended straw targets, as well as the dramatic "beheading" at the end of the film, are of the late Taizaburo Nakamura, of Toyama Ryu and Nakamura Ryu.

The short-haired gentleman in the white uniform shown joining the Zen monks in meditation, cutting live bamboo in the grove, etc. has been identified as Shuji Matsushita of Shin Shin Muso Ryu and Mei Shin Muso Ryu. Any information on the long-haired gentleman he is frequently seen with, and the Jodo practitioner also seen in this sequence would be most appreciated.

That's all for now. Hope to see this thread grow in detail soon.

tddeangelo
9th August 2005, 20:40
Brian,

The long-haired gentleman with Matsushita-sensei is his sempai. I was told his name is "Fukia-sempai". Nothing more. Don't know how much that helps, but I didn't want to really drill for details. My sempai asked sensei for me, so I just accepted the answer.

Tom

Brian Owens
10th August 2005, 04:48
Thanks. That's a start.

Motobu-Ha
24th August 2005, 09:00
The gentleman performing the weapons with hayashi Sensei is Kuniba Sensei.
Kuniba Sensei is the Soke of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do.
Kuniba and Hayashi were both students of Mabuni Kenwa Sensei the Soke of Shito-Ryu.
Kuniba and hayashi trained together for most of there lives and were close friends. Much of what the practice they shared with each other.
The gentleman performing the Aikido demonstration is Shioda Gozo Sensei.
I hope this helps.
Yours In Budo
Jay Bainter

Motobu-Ha
24th August 2005, 09:09
Kuniba Sensei was also a student of Shioda Sensei
Kuniba Sensei also founded:
Kuniba-Ryu Goshin-Do (a self defense system)
Kuniba-Ryu Iaido (based off of Mugai-Ryu Iaido)
Kuniba-Ryu Kobudo
He was listed as 9th Dan in each when he passed away in 1992.
He was given 10th Dan posthumously by the Japan Karate Federation.

Also I believe the beer bottle man is Suzuki Sensei, I'll have to watch it again.
I don't remember. Does he wear a Dove patch on his Gi? I believe Suzuki Sensei is a top Wado-Ryu karateka.

Motobu-Ha
24th August 2005, 09:12
Shogo Kuniba was born near Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi-Shi, Japan, February 5, 1935 to a family descended from the Okinawan Sho Shi Royal family line. He began his martial arts training in 1940 at the age of five under his father, Kosei Kokuba, who in 1947 had become the Soke of Motobu-Ha Shito-Ryu. Shogo Kuniba, Sensei trained with many of the greatest teachers ever known to the martial arts, including Mabuni Kenwa, Sensei (Shito-Ryu), Shinken Taira, Sensei (Taira Kobudo), Nagamine Shoshin, Sensei (Shorin-Ryu), Itoh Asakichi, Sensei (Judo), Shioda Gozo, Sensei (Aikido) and many others. Mabuni Kenwa, Sensei ,the founder of Shito-Ryu Karate-do, came from Okinawa to live in Osaka around the time young Shogo Kuniba turned age ten. Mabuni, Sensei trained young Kuniba in Shito-ryu aided by Mabuni, Sensei's old friend Kokuba Kosei, (young Kuniba's father) who was also from Okinawa. When Shogo Kuniba was 12 he was promoted to Shodan by Mabuni, Sensei.

Shogo Kuniba also studied privately with other well known Sensei of many martial arts as his father's home in Osaka, Japan was a familier meeting place for all martial artists. In 1943 Kokuba Kosei, Sensei founded the SEISHIN-KAN (Pure Heart Dojo) which was to become his son's only legacy. After alot of interest this organization was later changed to SEISHIN-KAI ( Pure Heart Organization).

In 1950, Shogo Kuniba was promoted to Nidan, by Mabuni, Sensei. In 1952 he was promoted to Sandan by Mabuni, Sensei and began training in Mugai-ryu Iaido, the way of the sword, with Ishii Gogetsu, Soke at Sakai City. In 1955 Shogo Kuniba was promoted to Yondan, by Mabuni, Sensei and he began additional Karate training in Naha City, Okinawa, with Nagamine Shoshin, Sensei. While in Okinawa, Shogo Kuniba also studied Kobudo (weapons) with the infamous Taira Shinken, Sensei and Nakaima Kenko, Sensei. He learned the use of the "Bo" (staff 6') and the "Nunchaku" (joined sticks) under Kosha Shojin, Sensei. With Yamaguchi Junko, Sensei he studied the "Tonfa" (spinning sticks). Shogo Kuniba, Soke was the first Karateka to demonstrate Okinawan Kobudo technique in Japan.

In 1956 Shogo Kuniba returned to his father's homeland of Okinawa where he trained in the Shorin-ryu style of Nagamine Shojin, Sensei.

In 1957, Shogo Kuniba published his first book on Karate, "Karate-Do Bin Ran".

In 1958, he was promoted to the rank of Godan, in Motobu-ha Karate-do; Yondan in Iaido and Rokudan, in Kobudo. During this time Shogo Kuniba became the first office manager (Shodai Jimu Kyokucho) for the Nippon Karate-do Rengo-Kai (Federation of All Japan Karate-do Organizations, FAJKO). Shogo Kuniba was instrumental in the formation of this organization and in developing criteria used for ranking all Karateka and for helping to develop tournament rules for competition. Shogo Kuniba, Soke remained a special advisor to Rengo Kai until his passing away in 1992.

Upon his death on October 17 1959, Kosei Kokuba passed the leadership of Motobu-Ha Karate-Do on to his son Shogo Kuniba. This appointment was made "official" by the Shihan Board of Seishin-Kai that Shogo Kuniba would become the 3rd Soke for Motobu-ha and the first soke of Motobu-ha Shito-ryu which is his own creation from a blending of the styles which he was taught. At the age of 24, he became the youngest person to ever hold the title of "Soke" (The Family Head), for a Karate style, a distiction which remains true even today. Today in Japan there are only five, maybe six, elderly gentleman who hold the position of Soke and are ranked as such by the Zen Nippon Karate-Do Renmei (JFK).Upon becoming "Soke", Kosho Kokuba had his Okinawan name changed to "Shogo" whose Japanese Kanji characters mean "strong warrior". In Japan the Kanji characters for Kokuba, is pronounced as Kuniba.



In 1962, Kuniba, Soke was promoted by the Nippon Karate-do Rengo Kai, to the rank of Rokudan,(6th Dan), in Karate-do. He was also promoted to Rokudan, in Iaido, and Nanadan, (7th Dan) in Kobudo.

In 1964, Kuniba, Soke was featured in the encyclopedia Japonica in an article concerning Karate-do and Kobudo.

In 1966, he was promoted by the Nippon Karate-do Rengo Kai, to the rank of Nanadan in Karate.

In 1968, Shogo Kuniba, Soke became Seishin-Kai Kaicho (President), relieving Teruo Hayashi, Shihan.

In 1970, Shogo Kuniba, Soke was selected by the Nippon Karate-Do Rengo Kai, as the only representative of Japanese Karate-Do at the Second World War Karate-Do Championships Tournament held in Paris, France. Kuniba, Soke gave a demonstration at the tournament.

In 1973, Shogo Kuniba, Soke was promoted to the rank of Hachidan, (8th Dan), in Karate-Do, Iaido, Kobudo and Goshin Budo. Goshin Budo is a combination of all the arts that Kuniba, Soke has trained in, for example, Karate-Do, Judo, Aikido and Jiu Jitsu.

In 1976, Kuniba, Soke appeared in the Japanese documentary movie "EIEN NARUBUDO" (Eternal Martial Arts). This film was shown on USA Cinemax TV in 1983, under the title, "BUDO: GREAT MASTERS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS", and is available on video tape in most video stores under the title: "BUDO: GREAT MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE". In 1979, the Miami Film Festival Award went to "EIEN NARUBUDO" (Budo: Great Masters of the Universe), for the Best Documentary Film of 1978. In addition to Karate work, Kuniba, Soke was the first in Japan to choreograph fighting scenes at the famous Toei Stagio in Kyoto where the USA movie, "SHOGUN", was filmed. For years, Kuniba, Soke was employed by Toei as a talent scout for actors for martial arts movies. Many of his students found their way into the movies. For example, Sonny Chiba, Hiroshi Miyauchi and Yasunori Kurata.

In 1983, Kuniba, Soke opened the USA Hombu Dojo in Portsmouth, Virginia, and made the USA his primary home and base of operations. from Portsmouth, Soke concentrated his efforts on teaching his style of Karate to the world and traveled to many other countries to do so.

In 1984, Shogo Kuniba, Soke was promoted to the rank of Kudan, (9th Dan) in Karate-Do and Goshin-Do by the Rengo-Kai. At that time he held the highest rank with the JKF of any Japanese martial artist living outside the country of Japan.

In 1985 Kuniba, Soke was featured in Who's Who in American Martial Arts, Founding Fathers of American Martial Arts and Shogo Kuniba: The Limitless Art of Goshin Budo.

After 1985, Shogo Kuniba, Soke was appointed to the technical committee for P.U.K.O., which is the part of W.U.K.O. that includes North, South and Central America. Each year after, he taught at clinics and gave demonstrations at Ozawa, Sensei's Traditional Karate Tournament held in Las Vegas. Ozawa, Sensei's Tournament may be the largest Karate tournament held inthe U.S.A.. Kuniba, Soke was featured in several magazine articles in the USA and also targeted in the French magazine, Karate. In Europe he was a member and technical advisor to the UNAAK, French Martial Arts Association.

Shogo Kuniba, Soke adhered to the teaching and philosophies of the Okinawan masters from whom he was descended. He believed and taught that the true goals of Karate-Do are the development of Patience, Self-discipline, Humanity and Inner Strength (Qi).

On July 14, 1992 at approximately 2:05 a.m. Shogo Kuniba, Soke passed away after a long hard battle with stomach cancer. It is the only battle he ever lost! Soke Shogo Kuniba is missed greatly and remembered daily. Shogo Kuniba, Soke was awarded Judan, (10th Dan), posthumously by the Japan Karate Federation (JKF). He is one of only maybe 5 KarateKa, from Okinawa and Japan to recieve this rank.

Through his training in the various styles of martial arts, Kuniba, Soke developed his own style, Kuniba-Ha Shito-Ryu, which combines the strengths and combats the weaknesses of the various martial art styles. Kuniba, Soke continued to train and develop new techniques until his passing away on July 14, 1992.

I hope this helps

Brian Owens
24th August 2005, 13:39
The gentleman performing the weapons with hayashi Sensei is Kuniba Sensei.
Thank you.

You confirmed what I had recently discovered and was in the process of double-checking.


...Also I believe the beer bottle man is Suzuki Sensei...
Almost. Satoru Suzuki Sensei is in the film, but is not the beer bottle breaker.

Satoru Suzuki Sensei, All Japan Karate-do Federation, is the man who demonstrates the nunchaku; there is a scene where he breaks boards suspended by ropes, and another where he strikes a bo held vertically by an assistant, for example.

Sadaharu Fujimoto Sensei, International Karate-do Shobukai, is the one who breaks the beer bottles, concrete slabs, a thrown board, etc.


The gentleman performing the Aikido demonstration is Shioda Gozo Sensei.
Yes; that's in the credits listed above.

Shioda Sensei was the founder of Aikido Yoshinkan, the official martial art of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police.

Thanks again for the information on Kuniba Sensei.

Mateo
29th August 2005, 02:15
Here's a link to an Interview with David Lynch, one of the few foreigners who is featured prominently although briefly in the film's aikido section shortly before Shioda.

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:rgbbGIwbmJgJ:www.arunaikido.co.uk/lynch.html+%22Eternal+budo%22+&hl=en

Apparentally he didn't like the film very much.

Are you sure that it is not Suzuki of the Wado Ryu doing the breaking? I thought it was... but my memory often fails me! I'll have to go back and take another look at it.

I know it is Nakamura doing the bulk of the 'cutting' segments in the film but I often wanted to clarify who was the budoka who was lopping down the bamboo forest in that film? He also practises kenjutsu kata and kendo bogu training (they also throw him in the zen temple to round things out.) in the film. I liked the idea of the breadth of the practise he was involved in.

Incidentally, it is available with a new title "Eternal Budo" through budovideos.com as a dvd.

Mateo
29th August 2005, 02:20
You were perfectly correct about the breaking karateka. Here is you man:

http://www.shoubukai.com/800/index2.html

Perhaps that is a still from that very film!

Brian Owens
29th August 2005, 02:34
You were perfectly correct about the breaking karateka.
Yep, that's him. Fujimoto Sensei.

Thanks.

http://www.shoubukai.com/fuji/s2go.jpg

http://www.shoubukai.com/fuji/fujimoto.jpg

Brian Owens
29th August 2005, 03:02
...I know it is Nakamura doing the bulk of the 'cutting' segments in the film but I often wanted to clarify who was the budoka who was lopping down the bamboo forest in that film? He also practises kenjutsu kata and kendo bogu training (they also throw him in the zen temple to round things out.) in the film. I liked the idea of the breadth of the practise he was involved in. ...
Yes; much thanks to a member who sent me a PM identifying him as Shuji Matsushita of Shin Shin Muso Ryu and Mei Shin Muso Ryu. I enjoyed the scenes where he was puting together a cutting target of rice straw, getting smacked by the kaishaku at the Zen center, and especially the very dynamic 1-against-2 sword demo.

Brian Owens
29th August 2005, 03:17
Here's a link to an Interview with David Lynch, one of the few foreigners who is featured prominently although briefly in the film's aikido section shortly before Shioda. ...Apparentally he didn't like the film very much. ...

First, let me confess I am (was) the guy being thrown around by Gozo in that movie and later briefly chucking someone else. The aikido is one of the few worthwhile bits in that film - which otherwise went to tedious length showing karateka bashing railway trains and sumotori brutalising one another - not to mention the head-lopping swordsmanship bits.

When the film was being shot at the Yoshinkan, Shioda Sensei called me to take part, even though I was no longer a regular student of his. This was fine except that when I was taking ukemi for him the director kept saying, "Would you mind doing that again!"

Cor! It was incredibly hot, I recall, and I also had a kidney stone forming which was diagnosed next day when I was taken to hospital. A painful memory.

My judo mate and I were invited to the preview of the film in Tokyo and I am afraid we must have horrified the producers as they asked our opinion and we gave it to them! The Japanese title of the film was "Eien Budo" (Eternal Budo) which we thought was fair enough, so why would they make the English title, "The Art of Killing"? The emphasis on blood and guts did not appeal to us, and we told them so, thus ensuring no further invitations to previews, I guess.
LOL! Yeah, that wouldn't put him in the good graces of the producers, would it.

I, too, thought the scenes of Fujimoto Sensei whacking the steam engine and such were over-done -- to "artsy fartsy" as they say. I did find most of the film to be interesting -- even fascinating at times. The Aikido was definitely not the only "worthwhile bit" for me.

Mateo
30th August 2005, 11:46
I did find most of the film to be interesting -- even fascinating at times. The Aikido was definitely not the only "worthwhile bit" for me.[/QUOTE]

Oh not by a long shot. 10 years after having having seen it I remembered Okano-sensei trading throws with his stalwart judo partner in that film. And at that point in time I think that was the first time I had ever watched classical sword kata.

What I'm really surprised at is no one has mentioned the soundtrack! All those wah-wahs. They must have already sounded dated when the film was made!

I, like Lynch, didn't really care for the original title or the emphasis on 'killing' and ritual suicide in the dramatic 'jidai geki' scenes but there is plenty that is worthwhile there.

Mateo
10th September 2005, 20:14
Yes; much thanks to a member who sent me a PM identifying him as Shuji Matsushita of Shin Shin Muso Ryu and Mei Shin Muso Ryu. I enjoyed the scenes where he was puting together a cutting target of rice straw, getting smacked by the kaishaku at the Zen center, and especially the very dynamic 1-against-2 sword demo.

I should really have thanked you and the anonymous member who provided this infomation as I had been wondering about who exactly that was and the name of their tradition for the last 20 years.

The idea of a tradition that practises iai, kenjutsu, and cutting (like Ko ryu) and bogu training (like gendai budo) is very appealing to me.

There is also a long haired gentleman in the film partnered with Mr. Matsushita. Is he credited in the film?

Does anyone have any information about the Mei Shin Muso Ryu? I did a search but came up with little except that Shuji Matsushita seems to have taught in Pensylvania at one point.

tddeangelo
10th September 2005, 21:19
You could, perhaps, send me a pm with your questions. ;)

budoka_ch
10th September 2005, 21:57
LOL! Yeah, that wouldn't put him in the good graces of the producers, would it.

I, too, thought the scenes of Fujimoto Sensei whacking the steam engine and such were over-done -- to "artsy fartsy" as they say. I did find most of the film to be interesting -- even fascinating at times. The Aikido was definitely not the only "worthwhile bit" for me.

I had a brief conversation with my karate sensei about the bit where the fellow (Shogo Kuniba s.?) takes it out on those poor defenseless beer bottles. He and I came to the same conclusion.

'What a waste.'

I can remember when I first saw it--several years ago--on the video store shelf and thought 'yeah, right.' However, after viewing it, and learning of the history of the production, it must have made some sort of positive impact on me, as it's currently on my DVD shelf!

mydas
16th September 2005, 07:32
This title is one of many martial art's documentaries available for RENT at www.BushidoDVD.com They are expensive titles to purchase, so it makes sense to rent them.

Mateo
16th September 2005, 11:51
Here is the video for 18 bucks

http://www.budovideos.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=20499&cat=&page=1

The DVD is pretty reasonable too. But other titles can be expensive so having a rental option is a great idea.

Mateo
12th November 2005, 19:44
I asked Mr. Owens about this segment near the beginning of film but I thought that I would open it up to others.

I was wondering which ryu the first two practitioners seen doing 2 man kenjutsu kata in the film are practising. It is characterized by a little hopping, rising head movement which seems to indicate the uchitachi is going to commence the next phase of the kata sequence and is echoed by the shitachi.

Mr Owens kindly mentioned that he had determined that it was from Shinkage ryu system but I was wondering if anyone else might have some input here.

Thanks.

ScottUK
13th November 2005, 15:25
The commentary that accompanies this segment says that they are from the Shinkage scool of fencing... Brian's spot-on...

livingsword
22nd November 2005, 01:52
This post is in reply to info on Shuji Matsushita. I currently study under him and his sons and Sensei Hill at the Shu Do Kan dojo in Stroudsburg Pennsylvania. He teaches iaido, taijutsu and kendo. Currently he is in Japan taking care of his parents but has a house here where his sons live. I believe he is coming back in February 2006.
Steve

Brian Owens
22nd November 2005, 04:38
Thank you Steve, and welcome to the forum.

Tom DeAngelo provided some information on Matsushita Sensei as well, earlier in the thread, but any details you can provide -- or even invite your sensei to join this thread on his return! -- would be appreciated.

Many of us are very interested in any details about him and his martial arts history.

tddeangelo
22nd November 2005, 13:49
Hi Steve.

I wondered how long it would take before someone from the dojo would find this thread.... ;)

tddeangelo
18th February 2006, 19:14
Thank you Steve, and welcome to the forum.

Tom DeAngelo provided some information on Matsushita Sensei as well, earlier in the thread, but any details you can provide -- or even invite your sensei to join this thread on his return! -- would be appreciated.

Many of us are very interested in any details about him and his martial arts history.


Brian,

Sorry I didn't see this for so long....

Sensei is back currently (just had class with him on Wed. evening!).

I believe, on further reflection, that Kazutora Toyoshima is Matsushita-sensei's instructor. I am not POSITIVE of this, but I believe so, and I didn't get a chance to ask Sensei on Wed. night. I rarely get a chance to just sit and chat with Sensei, and all I've heard so far is about his teacher, who's name sounds to my ears like "tie-shi-mo". Considering I'm not Japanese, and considerig the pronunciations I've heard of Japanese names/words, I'm surmising that Toyoshima-sensei is the man Matsushita-sensei speaks of, because I know that Matsushita-sensei's teacher was credited in "Budo". I have not been able to google much about Toyoshima, except sporadic hits that relate him to kendo and, more frequently, Hikida Shinkage Ryu kenjutsu.

Matsushita-ensei is *completely* surprised that people are so interested in him. We (those of us who poke around on the 'net) let him know that people have a very active interest in him and his part in "Budo", to which he replied, "Really?".

Sensei received nothing by way of compensation for his part in "Budo". He was an uchi-deshi at the time it was being filmed. One of my students produced some high resolution screen captures from "Budo" and turned them into very nice 4x6 and 8x10 prints for Sensei, and Sensei was astonished (in a good way) to see them. When he was given a set of the prints, he was beaming. He told us all he really wanted from his "Budo" participation was to have some pictures from it, which he was never able to obtain (until now!). I do believe Andy (my student) made Sensei's day when he produced those pictures!

At any rate, the likelihood of getting more info in the immediate sense is not great, as I won't see Sensei again until the tail end of May.

ghp
2nd March 2006, 02:23
getting smacked by the kaishaku at the Zen center
OUCH!!!! ..... OH!!! you mean "Kyosaku" ("Keisaku" in Soto-shu). Kaishaku is beheading. :)

Speaking of which ... the opening seppuku scene is performed by Hayashi Kunishiro, the NHK tateshi -- action coordinator -- and kaicho of Wakakoma-Puro (Young-Colt Productions). Hayashi sensei still does all the samurai coordination and provides expert cultural advice (e.g., samurai mounted horses from the right side so the tachi is out of the way) for the samurai-period Taiga Dorama (Great River Dramas).

Nakamura sensei pretty much agreed about the silly "Art of Killing" title. He also said the film lost its endorsement from the Monbusho -- Ministry of Education -- because of it's depiction of Sumo, a professional sport; and, because of his final scene where he lops off Obata Toshishiro's head.

The sumotori was Takamiyama Daigoro, aka Jesse James Waluni Kahaulau, first non-Japanese rikishi.

:)

Cheers,
Guy

ghp
2nd March 2006, 02:50
It's been a while since I last viewed "Einaru Budo," but wasn't one of the archers the priest Suhara Koun, of Engaku-ji in Kamakura?
http://www.quastl.de/Lesestoff/Bibliothek/Cover/Draeger2.jpg

Or, am I really mixed-up?

--Guy

Brian Owens
2nd March 2006, 04:00
It's been a while since I last viewed "Einaru Budo," but wasn't one of the archers the priest Suhara Koun, of Engaku-ji in Kamakura?
The only archery I recall was yabusame, not Kyudo; at least on the English-language VHS version I have.

Brian Owens
2nd March 2006, 04:10
...his final scene where he lops off Obata Toshishiro's head.
That was Obata Sensei!?!

I'll have to watch it again tonight. I didn't recognize him with hair. ;)

ghp
2nd March 2006, 21:10
Yeah, Obata sensei really liked that. :) Compare him to these images when he's about 25 years old:
http://www.toyama-ryu.org/images/obata_25yrs.jpg

http://www.shinkendo.com/images/obata_tokyo.jpg

Err .... what you do not see in the bottom image is the HUGE beer bottle that had just been tossed under the engawa [the "porch"] -- seriously.

--Guy

ghp
2nd March 2006, 21:14
The only archery I recall was yabusame, not Kyudo; at least on the English-language VHS version I have.

I was afraid of that .... mixed-up as usual!

--Guy

JMC
17th March 2006, 17:54
Hello-
I have been a student of Matsushita sensei (Shudokan Dojo located in Stroudsberg, PA)for 10 years.
I will try and give as much information on him and the video as there seems to be great interest.
Toyoshima Kazutora 25th Soke Shinkage Ryu (Taigi Juku Dojo).
Nakajima Masasuke Soke(24th) previous to Toyoshima.
Koide Tomoo Cheif Director (Taigi Juku Dojo)
Both Toyoshima Soke and Koide sensei are featured in Budo - The Art of Killing and were Matsushita Sensei's instructors. Matsushita sensei served as uchideshi for seven years at the Taigi Juku Dojo. But has been traing since a very young age.
Fukiya Sensei (long hair in video) Sempai to Matsushita sensei.
Style of iai is Shin Shin Muso Ryu.
Matsushita Sensei ,since his split with Toyoshima Soke, teaches Mei Shin Muso Ryu iaido.
As for the lineage of Shinkage ryu - Matsushita has never mentioned a branch, just that it goes directly back to one of the original students of Kamiizumi Ise no Kami.
Thank you,
Jon Csensits

JMC
17th March 2006, 19:44
To answer one of the questions in the thread.

Koide sensei is the one doing Jodo as Fukiya sensei is using shinken.
Jon Csensits

tddeangelo
17th March 2006, 20:34
Jon,

Thanks for posting!

Hope to see you in class soon....

Tom

Brian Owens
18th March 2006, 05:50
...As for the lineage of Shinkage ryu - Matsushita has never mentioned a branch, just that it goes directly back to one of the original students of Kamiizumi Ise no Kami....
I'm pretty sure it's Hikida Shinkage Ryu, named for Hikida Bungoro who was one of Nobutsuna's ablest students (and I believe was Nobutsuna's nephew).

Porthose
8th April 2006, 13:48
Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I stumbled upon this site through doing a 'google' search on Sadaharu Fujimoto.

I remember watching the film Budo the Art of Killing around 1990 and remember being fascinated by a karateka breaking bottle necks with the edge of his hand, punching the makiwara and beating up a train with the ball of his foot etc.

Shobukai Karate has been the style that I have been training in for nearly 25 yrs. My teachers name is Ivan Mehkek who was a top sport karateka back in the late '70s early '80s in Australia. After retiring from sport karate, he became dissatisfied with karate in Australia and sought a number of high ranking Sensei in Japan. He eventually settled with Fujimoto Sensei since he had what he was looking for, mainly a very practical self defence, hard style.

I visited Sensei Sadaharu Fujimoto in Tokyo back in 1992 after writing to him and receiving permission. I stayed there and trained for 2 weeks and had a great time. The thing that I really noticed about the man was the amount of extreme hand and foot and body conditioning that he did. When I first laid eyes on him (I was 25) he had a terrific physique with large hands and feet. Both his feet and hands were heavily calloused and yet quite gentle. When I first shook his hand he had a crush grip that was certainly imposing. I believe he would have been in his late 50s back then and now would definitely be in his mid 70s.

He had a two story house with the bottom floor as the dojo. Directly above his house were railway tracks and every 5mins you could here the 'chugga chugga' sound of a train passing by.

In the dojo were a wide range of students from complete beginners to black belts. I was the only one of two westerners there at the time. The training was physically demanding ranging from kata, kihon, bunkai and occasionaly a little of club fighting. He was very interested in disabling the weapons of the attacker. For example, put a backfist on the inside of an attackers shin bone when they were attempting a front kick onto you. This of course required strong knuckles and great timing. Or chop down onto an arm when a punh was heading towards the stomach thus disabling that arm. He also had barbells where people did deadlifts, squats, powercleans and snatches. During training, I didn't see any serious injuries.

While he would take the class, occasionally he would forget that we existed and for the next 15-20min he would whack that makiwarra (yes the same one in the documentary) like a man possessed. He would pull out a large cement filled can (around 10kg) and hang it from a beam head high. Then he would proceed to shuto the thing on the rebound with the edge of his hand. Another time he would hand a pouch filled with lead pellets around 5kg and nukite on the rebound with his fingers. He had very tough hands, feet and elbows that inflicted pain. Once he visited Australia on the Gold Coast and young Aussie punk proceeded to challenge him - Fujimoto Sensei proceeded to what I would describe as scalping this challenger with his nukite (a flap of skin and hair came off!) and was rushed to hospital. The training in Tokyo was an experience to say the least!

A few years ago I came across a site (doesn't exist anymore) whereby I got in touch with a Japanese Sensei called Mitani. Fujimoto Sensei is Mitani's Sensei senior student. Mitani Kazuya Sensei is Hiroshi Kinjo Sensei's senior student. I believe Hiroshi Sensei is still alive as is Mitani Sensei. Here is the amazing part in all this: Hiroshi Sensei was a direct student of Itosu who introduced karate to the public school system. So there is this direct lineage which is just great.

A student from my club trained with Fujimoto Sensei a few years back and when he came back he reported that Fujimoto Sensei still did hand and foot conditioning at that ripe old age. He was nukiteing a floor to ceiling back on the rebound!

Anyway, apologies for the long post. There is probably more, but I can't think of anything at the moment.

All the best,
Peter

Brian Owens
8th April 2006, 22:40
Thank you, Peter, for that fascinating account. That's exactly the kind of material I'm interested in.

It's great to hear the Fujimoto Sensei was still training well into his senior years. (There's still hope for me.)




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Porthose
9th April 2006, 00:49
G'day Brian,

Your welcome! Hope the info is useful.

I haven't seen Fujimoto Sensei since then but that student that visited him 2 years ago showed him a group photo of our karate class and he still remembered me from all those years ago which now includes my greying hair, so that made me feel great lol!

I'd heard he recently suffered a heart attack but was well on his way to recovery and now actively training again. Actually I would like to post a topic on ageing and training, when I have some time; so busy these days!

I'm seriously thinking of writing to him again and visiting next year, but next year is a long way off and who knows what can come around the corner.

Oh, My signature added.

kodomon
23rd April 2006, 14:04
Peter,

I visited Fujimoto Sensei in 2001 & 2003. He also visited Brisbane in 2005 (November) and is looking hale and hearty. Still doing great at 75. Still training and sparring (after a heart attack back in 2004!!!) He is looking stronger every time I see him. While he has slowed down a little since I first met him in the 80s, he certainly is still capable, and can still open a beer bottle quicker than I ;)

Just some follow-ons from some of your earlier comments...

Kinjo Sensei is still alive and in his late 80s. Kinjo Sensei studied under Oshiro Sensei and Hanashiro Sensei, the Itosu link is a little more distant. He visited Australia around 2002-3! was running Tegumi workshops with Patrick McCarthy I think.

Kenkaru
18th September 2006, 12:33
I always wanted to know more about "that guy who beats up trains." That's one of my favorite segments of the video. Thanks for sharing the story!

Mateo
18th September 2006, 13:53
Toyoshima Kazutora 25th Soke Shinkage Ryu (Taigi Juku Dojo)

Both Toyoshima Soke and Koide sensei are featured in Budo - The Art of Killing and were Matsushita Sensei's instructors. Matsushita sensei served as uchideshi for seven years at the Taigi Juku Dojo.

As for the lineage of Shinkage ryu - Matsushita has never mentioned a branch, just that it goes directly back to one of the original students of Kamiizumi Ise no Kami.
Thank you,
Jon Csensits

Toyoshima Kazutora kata photo:

http://www.shitoryu.org/events/Japan_2000/images/2000japan15.jpg

Some discussion about the Shinkage lines mentioning the Hikida/Hikita Shinkage line. Interestingly, this is the line which Hunter Armstrong was associated. Armstrong was highly respected by my friends and long time budoka when I was living in Osaka. There must have been a good reason that he traveled from Kyoto to Nagoya to train at the Hikida school!

http://www.e-budo.com/forum/printthread.php?t=30045

Meik Skoss’ clarification of the lineage of the Shinkage schools.

http://listserv.uoguelph.ca/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0210&L=iaido-l&O=A&P=14077

Alex Dale
3rd October 2006, 03:42
Now I'm a bit confused as to what line Mr. Toyoshima Kazutora is the headmaster of, as said in the picture above. It isn't mainline Hikita Shinkage-ryu (headed by Kato Isao-sensei).. an offshoot of that, perhaps? Or a completely seperate line all together?

All the Shinkage-ryu lineages makes my head spin.


Regards,

Brian Owens
3rd October 2006, 05:59
...mainline Hikita Shinkage-ryu (headed by Kato Isao-sensei)...
I was under the impression that Isao Kato's school is Owari Shinkage Ryu (and also Owari Kan Ryu), a few generations seperated from your line, and not Hikida Shinkage Ryu, which was never of your line.

Don't quote me on that, though; I could be mistaken.



...All the Shinkage-ryu lineages makes my head spin. ...
Mine too!

Neil Yamamoto
12th March 2007, 23:46
I spotted this over the weekend, they are showing it multiple times. Get your DVR or VCR ready.

Below is a link to the scheduled showing, you can find it on a quick google search with "showtime extreme budo" as keywords if the link doesn't work.

http://www.sho.com/site/schedules/product_page.doseriesid=0&episodeid=129317