A historical Perspective During the Reign of

---Bunbu Ryodo ni tsuite Chuko Toju no Mondo---

(The two paths of the Pen and the Sword)

(The Questions and answers of Chuko Toju)
Chuko Toju (1608 48) lived during the Edo era and was an upcoming Confucian Scholar. He left his calling to start a new Sect, and became its founder. Arawa Akamani then a Daimyo unified his people to speak good of the ideas and tenets of this scholar. He also added that the people respect and practice his teachings.

Chuko Toju's deeds were honored among his people. The status he gained for himself and his fellow man is of great importance. In his village he was considered a saint or respected sage. This is the way it was passed down. The information on Chuko Toju and the Mondo the questions and answers are about the two paths of the pen and sword.

There are many literary works dealing with the questions and answers of these two difficult paths. There is one volume dedicated on these tenets of the two paths. Some of it is in dispute or controversy. It would take a long time to explain it all so here is a short introduction.
The two paths refer to the "Pen and the Sword" as a vehicle by which the Shugyo Sha lives. It’s like for example birds that have two wings each doing the same thing to achieve a common goal. The idea of Bun and Bu apply also to the two colors of the Imperial throne and the way of the “Pen and the Sword”. To learn more about this ancient idea we would almost have to talk to a person from that ancient era to get an idea how this idea started and developed. One can only speculate on how the two paths come together.
It was a common custom back in ancient times to sit around and talk of tenets of Bunbu Ryodo; it was eulogized in either talk, through poetry or song. It was used to gain "Spiritual Knowledge" as a guide to a path that one should take. One would go either way eventually. The pen was a way of enlightenment and the Sword a martial way. But it was of the nature of the spirit to make that decision. So for all it was a difficult task except for the most adept or skilled martial person.
Originally, Bunbu was thought of as a depraved idea especially when you went to the spiritual side of the creation of heaven and earth. With this analogy people often scoffed at these ideas.
It never occurred to any of them of the correlation of this theory to the "Pen and the Sword". There were no distinctions then between these two principles.
Of course it was human nature to have these feelings of non-understanding of the in culpability because a person could make no distinction between the two paths.
The truth was there, all it took was one man to preach or teach about this idea to catch on and be accepted as a way of life. The origin of this idea of the two paths according to Chuko Toju came from the ideas of Heaven and Earth. The ideas though were thought of on two different parallel planes. If one didn't follow the already set precepts of the Confucian ideas of life then it was destiny to become treacherous.
But in time as the idea of Bunbu Ryodo took hold it changed the way man thought, and many scholars came on board with this idea. There were many judgments about this theory during wartime. The thought process of this was that this idea of Bunbu Ryodo was a very unique idea. But in the end who excelled the military and the literary person? There were many who shrugged off the military cloak and sword and took up the pen.
These were the ones who wrote the accurate history records of the Bushi. The idea of the sword having two edges, one that can take a life and the one that can save a life. This is idea or concept behind the theory of Bunbu Ryodo.
In former times the art of war was thought of as an end or cure all. But many thought differently. So it was decided that in spite of it all there would be an understanding between these two ideals. Budo took on and kept its solemn tenets as did those in the learning the art of the pen. Now that there were distinct separations between the faction’s, strength and courage came about from both. Some found by combining the two rather than separating them also was a benefit but that came about later on. The idea of peace was for protection of the individual. So the ultimate decision was left up to the Bushi.

Shobushin Cho Cho Bushido

(Kakukawa Shuten yori)


Sanchin Gaiyo

A Summary of Sanchin
The idea of learning martial arts from the teachings of the Teacher/Founder SHUSHIWA and the late Uechi Ryu Karate Do Karate Ka Sensei Uechi Kanbun is in the practicing of the mainstays or basics of Uechi Ryu. The origin or meaning of the word Sanchin is important in the martial arts, as it is related to Uechi Ryu Karate Do. You have to ask yourself where the good is. Is it possible to understand the meaning of Sanchin? We have to ask how valuable is the existence of the form or kata in Uechi Ryu Karate Do?
Let us talk about the characters in the word Sanchin. Three hundred and fifty years ago in China during the spring and autumn years "SASHIDEN" was writing after the scholar Confucius. As the history states he was asking the same question "What does Sanchin mean?
Ninety-seven years ago in a different era as the history chronicles state the yellow emperor or the military ruler of China was writing of the history of the "3 Bodies". In former days calligraphy in the eastern ways was an extremely old art form. In order to record this information the house of the emperor again using the term "Sanchin or 3 struggles or 3 conflicts" the 5th emperor stated, even if consent was given to explain Sanchin in literature, the definition of Sanchin would require deep understanding. This would have to come from the heart or there would be no significance to the term.
They would also have to go to a Buddhist and confront him with this struggle and question the significance of the term Sanchin which could be termed as 3 rulers or 3 pillars. In asking Daikoku about the meaning of the 3 pillars supporting the heavenly gate they "stated" they would need more understanding. No real answer was given.
The meaning we often times seek as in reference to the kata Sanchin is eluding. In religious Buddhist terms is there really a need for an association between Sanchin and kata? There is no way of knowing. There is also an opportunity to change, or investigate this term.

In connection with Uechi Ryu Karate Do, Sanchin's origin is written about in the ancient histories. To ask about the truth is not impossibility. Today we Japanese involved in Uechi Ryu Karate Do in order to look at the value of Sanchin's rising base in the present day look back to the origins. We Japanese look carefully at Sanchin not in an average way, and not just in outward appearances, but we must look deep inside ourselves as well.

In reference to understanding Sanchin in history we look into the nature of Sanchin in present day by utilizing the scheme of "Seishin" or Spirit, "Shintai" The Body, and Kokoro the Mind. The value is in the deep understanding of these three principles mind, body and spirit. We must never stray from these understandings.
The value of the existence of the spirit of Sanchin is to have an example e.g., a mentor or sensei. The second aim is learning and understanding Uechi Ryu’s Sanchin kata as a whole and learns the rules of techniques.
To know the foundation basics you must have a guide or teacher to point out and correct your mistakes. This way you learn. Uechi Ryu has many basic techniques. On the whole the most important one is posture. In order to understand Sanchin as a whole, posture must be understood. In order to understand Sanchin you must sometimes see Sanchin in action in order to comprehend this many faceted meanings. The pupil of Uechi Ryu in Understanding Sanchin Kata in its entirety must maintain a strict and thorough training regime in the techniques area.
The premise of understanding Uechi Ryu's Kata Sanchin is in the nature of the technique.
In Uechi Ryu Karate Do the vital need of Sanchin is the basic foundation kata. To have and understand these rules or guidelines is necessity right? As for Sanchin it has 3 parts or 3 dimensions. Mind, Body. And Spirit. To separate these 3 factors the kata would be lifeless. To combine these three into one entity this would be the goal.

Combining these three entities is an important and often difficult process, and doing so is no easy trick in my opinion. The number one aim then in Uechi Ryu Karate Do Shugyo-Shas learning Sanchin is the development of the Mind, Body, and Spirit mentality, and in order to understand this point a teacher will be needed to guide you.

Uechi Ryu's strict guide is to polish your martial arts skills. To cease is to loose. So you must continue daily your diligence to your art skill! The statement "To study Sanchin is to your own advantage" is quite correct.
Another important point is "Nintai Shin" (Mind Endurance), to be able to understand this point is very important. The importance of the relation to the spirit should also be understood.
In the study of Uechi Ryu Karate Do the necessity for a strict method of study must be adhered to. To endure this strict method you have to ask yourself is Sanchin important?
In order to learn from Uechi Ryu's basic kata you must look at the Chinese Schools original view. These were possibly transmitted from Shorin Ryu to Pangainoon Ryu.
We Japanese who think from the military point of view believe Bujutsu shadows this idea. To know this aforehand from a military view is akin to clairvoyance.
On the point of kihon kata the main idea is to correct and check ones own strength. Japanese believe that practicing Sanchin should become a habit of life.
You must have an agreement with yourself to absorb the culture within the distensions of your life, and to look at the pure transmission of the kihon kata.
In the past 50 years there is a pureness in the kihon Kata e.g., no major changes made and there must be none in order for Sanchin to succeed.
We involved in Uechi Ryu Karate Do and in other Ryu's must change to understand this concept. In our existence we must understand the guidelines of Uechi Ryu's Sanchin Kata.
Uechl Ryu's Karate and Shorin Ryu's Karate's origin or centers was developed in the southern schools. From Pangainoon came Uechi Ryu. During this period in China and Okinawa strict silence was maintained in order to preserve these styles, including the Goju schools. There is some written record to support this fact.

The laws or written records of Pangainoon from the Chinese schools and Shorin schools have written provisions, which were made open to Uechi Kanbun Uechi Ryu's founder in his early days.

China sanctioned the opening of his school and its laws and as a result of this many things were learned. Uechi Kanbun in the 7th year of Showa in Wakayama Prefecture, Wakayama Shi near Shurei Cho he worked at a Shotaku or a company house. From there his Dojo's source started.
A sign outside the school proudly displayed the words “Pangainoon Karate Jutsu” A place or beginning of Study
Another important fact in Uechl Ryu is in the kihon or foundation of the weapons. In the early days of Pangainoon/Uechi Ryu Karate Do the founder Uechi Kanbun started practicing and developing his art in the open to certain Japanese. Uechi Kanbun was a noted practioner who learned his art in China’s southern schools in great depth.
We of Uechi Ryu learned from Pangainoon Ryu to praise our founder. We learned the external and internal teachings from Uechi Kanbun whose teacher was Shushiwa. We learned to follow through the gate. We learned to follow his shinning example. From this path one must not deviate. The idea of all of the kata of Uechi-ryu is to have the overall look of being static. On the other hand it should have the look of esoteric fineness. The kata should have another extremely important characteristic i.e., movements which should have speed and determination which should appear to be natural.
The technical skills acquired through the Sanchin kata are very important factors when looking at the kata as a whole for example (Kata Impersonation) or just copying the kata, or performing the kata as they were meant to be done applying ail the basics and techniques to make the kata alive.
A comparison of Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu's Sanchin kata is that the characteristics are opposite of each other however to be able to break each one down is somewhat difficult task. For example in understanding what should be hard or what should be soft. Technique wise, the emphasis is more on one than on the other where there should be an equal blend of both. This ideology is desired in Uechi Ryu I believe.

Another important factor in the makeup of Uechi Ryu's Sanchin kata is the development of the technical skills to the level where there is naturalness in movement. This is extremely difficult without years of practice.

Another important principle in Uechi Ryu is repetition especially when practicing the Sanchin Kata 3 times in place with other students in the dojo. By lining up and practicing with other people the kata will be learned and understood easier. No spoken words should be needed during the kata practice.
In the process of the last 50 years Uechi Ryu Karate Do has established in its historical writings that habitual practice of its Kata's are of utmost importance. But then the previous ideology of the practice of the Sanchin kata was to do all three kata at the beginning of class rather than interspersing then between the other kata.
The intention in Uechi Ryu Karate Do in the beginning of practice of Sanchin is to be able to gather the truth for example spiritual truth. You must be able to have natural absoluteness when practicing in order to proceed up the ladder. These ideas are a must in order to be accurate.
Uechi Ryu's Sanchin teaches a person to force certain ideas together in order to deal with an art skill. It takes hard practice and intention to polish the skills needed to perfect Sanchin. The training at times is severe but the Shugyo-Sha who is learning to polish his skills must practice in degree's in order to understand and acquire the needed aspects of Sanchin. There must also be strictness about the Shugyo-Sha during training. As your practice continues and you pass certain points you become stronger and you art skills will increasingly grow.

This strict regime that the Shugyo-Sha endures hardens the spirit like good pottery. Each time the pot is fired it creates another coat making the pot harder. The completion of the basics is a must for the Shugyo-Sha to be able to build from.

To practice and Polish your Sanchin skills regularly will harden your spirit. The development of Kokyu-Ho or breathing techniques during Sanchin will also help polish your skills internally and externally. What else must a Shugyo-Sha of Uechi Ryu Karate Do endure?
We often return to the practice of the Sanchin kata and look at it as a whole. We not only polish our art skills or body skills but we forge strong spirit. This comes from practicing the kihon Kata.
This is extremely important. As for the other kata as a whole the Sanchin basics also apply. There are many limitations to the actions of the Kata, so understanding the katas meanings in e.g., self-defense applications must be studied and understood thoroughly.
Uechi Ryu founder Uechi Kanei said that the Shugyo-Sha should accumulate and experience as much knowledge about the Kata as possible. Our goal in practicing the Sanchin kata should enable one to be able to understand between thought and deciding and automatic action.
The Kata of Uechi Ryu Karate Do maintains that you must perceive Sanchin as a whole in order to understand better the interrelationship between action and technique. The melding of the two is the desired outcome. Therefore because of the passing on of Uechi Ryu Karate Do information to the Shugyo-Sha Sanchin has had a through going over.
The pupil’s workout during the Wakayama Jidai was such that before you could attain the knowledge you had to ask for it. It wasn’t given freely right away. The pupil had to earn it.
Therefore, in the Uechi Ryu Karate Do School the first step was in understanding Sanchin's existence. The kihon kata was given a thorough going over to decide between Zehi or (Right & Wrong) and Seikaku (Correctness). This along with a strict learning schedule had been adhered to.
This school of Karate therefore believes today that the previous kata will teach you to understand about the next kata. In Uechi-Ryu we have eight kata, Sanchin, Kanshiwa, Seichin, Seisan, Serui, Kanchin, and Sanserui.
A first attempt must be made to learn Sanchin. When you have an occasion to learn Sanchin for the first time it is like training, for. Game sports. The difference is akin to using the whole body to encourage you. In the beginning you start slow then increase your skills accordingly.

The start pf Sanchin is important. The placement of the feet and the placement of the line of vision are also important. The idea of eye placement is to pick a point and concentrate on it, but do not loose sight of everything else around you.

The proper width of the feet in the stance is also important, as is the placement of the hands support or stableness for example tension of the muscles under and around the shoulder areas and the chest and abdominal areas. Proper direction comes from correct hip placement.
All these ideas must be applied in order to get some value out of the Sanchin kata. It takes about 5 months after admission for an individual to learn about the differences of "Body Strength & Muscular Strength" and how to use them effectively. This source of muscular power is a test of tension that you get on the outside of the body. The proper tension will help you absorb a blow. This tension should also be felt around the body’s joints. Tension can be felt in all the muscles in the chest and back and in the legs, especially the tops of the calves. To perform Sanchin properly you must forge your Sanchin stance.
In learning Sanchin another point is learning the idea of "Unconscious Automatic Action".

In Sanchin after practicing for many months you are

strengthening your bones and sinew.
You must learn while studying Sanchin to apply the proper breathing method or "Kokyu Ho". It takes a long time to master this aspect of the kata's. Proper breathing helps you cleanse your body. Proper tension and breathing will be according to the laws of nature. The outside of the body will­ increase in strength, while inwardly you remain soft and pliable. This is needed for proper support management.
In reality strength and quickness of the body are not easy things to learn quickly. In order for regular people to be good or excel they must be involved in movement or action of some sort, for example regular exercises.
From the proper forging of these ideas and attitudes Sanchin’s muscular power and strength will manifest itself. This effect is for the outward body. This enables a person then to absorb the impact of most blows to the body with minimal damage. The Sanchin kata of Uechi Ryu Karate Do teaches a person to train and discipline the body and the mind. In forging ones body with Sanchin a person physique will also develop. A question of body weight of a person studying Sanchin should be of relative importance. All sizes great and small can learn.
In Sanchin to maintain a good physique you must forge a good Mind/Body/Spirit attitude in order to endure these hardships. There are 2 sides to this point of Body & Spirit. There is evidence to this fact of outward growth in these areas, which comes from learning Sanchin properly. Oneness with strength is the idea of Uechi Ryu. To develop strength in Sanchin you must be firm and perform stretching of the skin and muscles around the bones and sinew to make for a good solid base. These sometimes-slow movements of Sanchin are a necessity in order to forge a more strong and healthy body.

A lack of strength and quickness in Karate will lead to a non-completion of the elements of Sanchin. To excel in Karate you must understand the ideas or tenets of power versus strength.

To excel in developing power and strength in the body you certainly by all means must follow the proper way. In order for the body to become powerful and firm you must organize an exercise program. This must be done to begin the proper forging process.
To think of the above idea is not opinion but common sense or truth. To understand this actual state of mind is another matter entirely.
In learning Uechi Ryu Sanchin kata you are learning through koans to forge technique through the physical body and through Seishin. The results of Taijutsu are oneness with strength. Next we will talk about a method of forging a more concrete Sanchin.
---UECHI-RYU KOKYU HO---
Uechi-Ryu's breathing method will become natural after much practice. The natural method for breathing for mankind is just exhalation. There is much more involved though in Uechi Ryu's Sanchin from which military exercises are patterned after use the same breathing method. Mankind should join in this breathing method as a way to build strength and emit mental energy.

Action in mankind is to join in e.g., kata practice. We have a need, for this thing called "Spiritual Advancement" proper breathing enhances this idea. In Uechi Ryu's breathing method the short pushing down of the breath toward the abdomen during inhalation is a method for developing the proper breath.

In most of mankind it is natural to spew out breath when breathing when involved in some kind of action or another. It is natural also then, when in action or doing normal things to take big gulps and exhale in the same breath.
For most people this deliberate type of breathing is a necessity but the former is desired, which uses short breaths, breathing through the nose and pushing down onto the abdomen.

The breathing method of Goju Ryu Karate Do is to use the forceful breathing as a means to express strength. In comparing Goju Ryu’s breathing method to Uechi Ryu's breathing method one should in Uechi Ryu, "time the breath" to the body’s rhythm. The body’s rhythm should play an important role. As you reduce speed slow your rhythm down. As you increase regulate again a proper breathing pattern so your body can keep up. As with Goju Ryu their breathing method seems to have a different end result. The type of breathing method that Uechi Ryu employs is a more natural way, which enables mankind to develop a stronger body.

---SHISEI---

STANCE
In Uechi Ryu the kata’s, which people practice, should have naturalness about them. This comes from learning proper basics. In other schools styles there seems to be extremes to their postures or stances. The comparison or small differences of the individual person doing martial arts exercises as far as stance is concerned seems to be centered on the width of the shoulders compared to the width of a regular standing posture. This would seem natural. If a stance is too wide to turn or to change position would put excess stress on the joints, as opposed to a good natural or closed stance this would seem very natural and easily maneuverable.
To know at a glance of the carelessness of a standing posture you have to stand in that posture and then compare strength versus resistance. Is concealing ones strength a sign of weakness? To be able to have this foresight is good. It takes many years of constant practice to forge this kind of insight.
In Sanchin to stand in this Sanchin posture for any length of time a certain amount of temperament is needed. There is much importance in connection to the movement of the feet. Proper foot positioning is a must for a proper and solid Sanchin stance.
To step or stand in this natural short stance you must judge the correct length and breadth of the foot position and center of gravity in this stance and develop the correct stepping motion. This is of great importance.
From this shortened natural stance a person should be able to conform eventually to this type of posture. There is great skill needed in foot positioning. The front foot and back foot turned inward at 45-degree angles. There must be unrestricted freedom when stepping to keep proper balance. From this standing posture one must compare the feet placement, which will enhance the quality of the stance. This stance should be unyielding. In the stepping action or the art of open action whereby unrestricted temperament is needed, there must be no sign of fear or anxiety. If there is it will impair your speed and action. The point here is to practice this stance diligently.
In this shortened stance the feet must have unrestricted freedom. On this there must be no disagreement.
In the shortened natural stance as far as the leg position is concerned they should be close but not too far apart.
In the training of Uechi Ryu's Sanchin kata foot techniques must become instinctive or second nature.