New Video Set

[JohnRay]

Hi folks,
I just received the "Okinawan Karate Masters" video set today and was very impressed with the first volume (haven't seen the second yet). Has anyone else seen them? Besides Uechi-ryu, Goju-ryu and Shorin-ryu are presented.
John Ray
Uechi-ryu Kenyukai
Denton, Texas

[JohnRay]

No sir. These just came out in English, although I believe the Japanese version has been out for a couple of months. They are at http://www.yoe-inc.com/karate/karate.htm
I don't know the Goju-ryu or Shorin-ryu teachers, but the Uechi-ryu teacher was my sempai in Okinawa nearly 30 years ago. I now call him "sensei".
Interestingly enough, they mention in the intro that the purpose of making the videos was to educate the Japanese mainland about Okinawan karate.
John Ray
Uechi-ryu Kenyukai
Denton, Texas

[Lawrence Carroll]

Mr. Ray:

Could you please give a review/your impressions of this video set? The preview on the website is looks interesting, but I'm loathe to shell out $50-$100 for videos unless I'm sure they're something special. In your opinion are they worth the bucks?

Thanks

[Wu Wei]

I would also be interested in your review, John. The video series does look very interesting.

[Lawrence Carroll]

Sorry for the triple post. I have no earthly idea how that happened.

I am, of course, deeply in love with my own prose.

Just not that much.

Duplicate posts deleted. Mod.

[JohnRay]

Mr. Carrol and Mr. Wei,
Forgive me for not getting back sooner, I have been in the middle of taking care of school mid-terms (my "real" job), and have been pretty swamped.
Yes, I do recommend this tape set. The quality of film work and sound is right up there with the Dragon Times tapes. As is the sound. I do not know the sensei from the Goju-ryu (Senaha) and Shorin-ryu (Onaga), but the Uechi-ryu representative is my sensei now. I have only had time to watch the tapes once, but I learned a lot about the two other systems, and gained new respect for both their underlying principles, and their effectiveness. There are several drills from the tape that I plan to incorporate in our dojo.
It is a lot of money, but if you want to round out your knowledge of true, traditional Okinawan karate, this is the way to go..... books just can't convey the movement and rhythms of the systems.
On a side note, it is stated in the beginning that the purpose fo the tapes was to show the people of "mainland Japan" how real, traditional Okinawan karate, (Japan karate's roots) looks and "thinks".
Hope this helps.
John Ray
Uechi-ryu Kenyukai
Denton, Texas

[Ken Allgeier]

Quote:
" Interestingly enough, they mention in the intro that the purpose of making the videos was to educate the Japanese mainland about Okinawan karate. "
John Ray
Uechi-ryu Kenyukai
Denton, Texas

It also seems that From Books & Video tapes that the Japanese have changed ( Watered Downed) classical Ryukyu Kobujutsu.I wonder why?


P.S I would also state for the record that in the past few years, the Okinawans themself have greatly changed and have made many of the old Bojutsu and saijutsu kata much easier to preform.In some cases have created new kata and or have taken a classical weapon kata name and used it for a modern kata.



ken allgeier

Higa Sensei is an awesome practitioner of Kobayashi Shorin. As I have posted before, most Modern karate (Japanese and Okinawan) is Japanized. Itosu and Funakoshi revamped what they learned and took out many of the original techs.. Even styles like Matsubayashi Shorin, have become tournament oriented in the U.S. and Okinawa. I got a lot of flack for saying this a few months ago, but with this video series I'm redeemed. I studied in Okinawa at Nakazato's dojo in the 80s, and had a chance to encounter some "original" Okinawan Karate. Some schools looked really solid, others a little "questionable". I am a yudansha in 2 schools of Shorin-Matsubayashi, Shorinkan (Kobayashi) and soon will have my BB in Matsumura Seito.

People tend to lump all styles of Karate into one category-Japanese. They usually don't have a clue as to what KaraTe is and how effective of an art it can be if the message is conveyed correctly. I know for a fact that the Okinawans neither respect nor accept styles such as Shotokan as true Karate. They feel all Japanese styles (maybe w/ the exception of Shorinji Kempo) are stiff, immobile, linear and only effective for competition. In the same token, many Okinawan Sensei also feel like this about many of the Okinawan styles that are being practiced today. People like Fusei Kise have referred to other schools of Shorin Ryu as "school-boy karate". To them this isn't necessarily derogatory but a statement proven valid by history. Some people on this forum were perturbed to hear me relay this, but I'm just telling you what many Okinawan "Masters" think. PERIOD.

It is only fair that the Okinawan Senseis feel this way as the Japanese are notoriously xenophobic and ethnocentric (straight-up racist). In my opinion they are't real and portray themselves one way, but think totally different than what's being presented. Isn't it weird how the 3 most "ethnocentric" (i.e. racist) developed countries, America, Japan and Germany, are also the most wealthy? Sorry, just an aside. I ordered the videos 2 weeks ago and can't wait to see them. I apologize if I stepped on any toes. Peace----A--Hut!!!!!:kiss:
Bryan Seer

Robert: Thank you for the way you responded to my observations. I stand corrected on a couple of points. What style(s) do you train in? I am very biased towards the Ryukyuan arts not just because of the Japanese attitude, but because I have yet to meet a practitioner of traditional Japanese budo who is worth his salt. I take that back, most of the Kyokushinkai karateka I've been exposed to were very good! Have a great weekend!:D
P.S.: I thought South Korea and Hong Kong were cool for shopping. I've never been to the mainland, but would like to go whenever the freedom is comparable to the West's.
Bryan Seer

[Doug Daulton]

Originally posted by Robert Rousselot ...Actually the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Kai (Akamine-ha) not only accepts but teaches a very Shotokan style of karate along with their kobudo. Robert,

As a point of clarification, Funakoshi-ryu karatedo is taught at Akamine Sensei's dojo, but it is not part of the Ryukyu Kobudo curriculum. It is a distinct art which happens to be taught in the same dojo. The majority of Ryukyu Kobudo practitioners, in the Ryukyus and abroad, study different karate styles and treat the RKHS curriculum as it's own, distinct art.

As for Funakoshi-ryu, I understand that it was taught to Taira during his early days with Funakoshi, before Shotokan became formalized. Depending on one's perspective, that could mean it is a more refined (truer to it's Ryukyuan antecedent) or less refined (did not yet fully realize Funakoshi's vision) martial art.

While I am not a practitioner of Funakoshi-ryu, I was able to observe several classes while visiting Akamine Sensei's dojo with my teacher, Devorah Dometrich in 1999. Based on those observations, I don't think it is entirely fair to say that Funakoshi-ryu is necessarily equivalent or even terribly close to Shotokan. While many elements are similar, I recall subtle differences which were interesting, more subtle and less stylistic than much of modern Shotokan.

Of late, I have noticed an encouraging trend of Shotokan practitioners who want to dig in to the roots of their art and sift out it's modern, sportive trappings. Perhaps Funakoshi-ryu is a tool to do so.

Regards,

[Ken Allgeier]

Hello Doug,


Is there any sources of information on Funakoshi Ryu, something on video would be great.If anyone is interested on why the changes accured in Shotokan, I suggest reading " Shotokan; A Precise History," by Harry Cook, this excellent book will give you the answers.If anyone understands history, you will understand that things change for a reason.








ken allgeier

[Doug Daulton]

<img src="images/icons/icon14.gif" alt="Thumbs up" border="0"><img src="images/icons/icon14.gif" alt="Thumbs up" border="0"><img src="images/icons/icon14.gif" alt="Thumbs up" border="0"><img src="images/icons/icon14.gif" alt="Thumbs up" border="0"><img src="images/icons/icon14.gif" alt="Thumbs up" border="0"> - <b>5 of 5 Thumbs Up</b>

I had the great fortune of meeting Onaga Sensei last fall when he conducted a gasshuku in the US with the majority of his deshi . The event was held at the home of his deshi and my teacher, Devorah Dometrich. As a result, I had the opportunity to play "Boy Friday" to the group for the entire week and was permitted to watch class and train a bit as well.

To put it mildly, my mind was blown wide open. In eighteen years of training, only one other teacher has so fundamentally rattled my cage and opened my eyes. Onaga Sensei is the real deal. His understanding of ti' and iri kumi (inside fighting) is unparalleled. Regardless of ryuha, the principles he reveals in these tapes can apply to your everyday training. That alone make them well worth the cost.

In addition, I've met and trained with a few of Seneha Sensei's students. Their Goju-ryu waza is very strong and practical. Again, these ideas and principles can be valuable to practitioners of any Ryukyaun budo. The Uechi-ryu content is also very interesting.

Short of going to Okinawa to train with these men or seeking out their few students around the world, one will never find a better opportunity to be exposed to the "old school" principles shown and explained in this video series.

If you would like to preview the videos over the web, you can do so at <a href=http://netbudo.com target=_blank><b>Netbudo.com</b></a>

If you would like more information on Onaga Yoshimitsu Sensei and his organization, please review ... <ul><li><a href=http://www.okinawakaratedo.com/Shinjinbukan_shorin.htm target=_blank><b>Okinawakaratedo.com</b></a><li><a href=http://www.shinjinbukan.com target=_blank><b>Shinjinbukan.com</b></a></ul>Regards,

[Doug Daulton]

Originally posted by Ken Allgeier ... Is there any sources of information on Funakoshi Ryu, something on video would be great. Ken,

As far as I know, the only place Funakoshi-ryu was ever taught was in Akamine Sensei's dojo. To be clear, there may well be other practitioners, I simply don't know of them. Regrettably, I am unaware of any video resources at which I can point you. Out of respect for the Akamine family, I did not video tape classes while in the dojo.

Harry Cook would be a good person to ask. When I have a moment, I'll try to do some additional digging. I'll post my results in this forum.

Regards,

[Ken Allgeier]

Thank you Doug.

[Daniel Kogan]

Hi All,

Doug D. was kind enough to inform me that this discussion was going on. I though I should introduce myself and offer any help I could extend to the group.

My name is Daniel Kogan. I am one of Onaga sensie's deshi and the senior student in North America, as well as the one taking direction from sensei in volume one of the video (if you've seen it).

If people have questions or comments I would be more than happy to help wherever possible.

thanks,