A historical Perspective During the Reign of

---Gakusha to Shomotsu no Kankei—--

(The Connection Between a Book and the Student)

Books are often about people and their lives. If a book is to be written it must have life. A person can look at book and tell right away whether it has life or has no meaning or its questions are not answered fully in detail or not at all. The book must capture its audience’s attention right away or else one will go to sleep. A book should be like a storehouse full of knowledge awaiting its next customer to unload upon. We all need knowledge in some form or another to engage and teach us lessons or impart some morals by which we can use as a guide in life. There will be a point in a book that contains its message to the reader and more often that naught the brain stores a lot of this information for later reading. By storing data this fashion we promote discipline in our mind. We create new meaning with everything we read that’s how we learn. If that is the case then often the brain as whole in its memory capacity is a very useful tool. We can use it instantly recall information that we have learned and know which is good or bad and learn by our mistakes. Books have infinite uses for the self.

Up until now we have seen Karate and like any science it growth and changes over the years always adapting. It’s as if it is a living art. Its many areas of knowledge and sources of knowledge will be speaking of and learned by all eventually. To be able to impart knowledge to another is a skill unto itself. One also has to be careful to whom this knowledge is imparted too. Character and the right moral attitude are very important when teaching to another. The teacher in a way is like an encyclopedia a storehouse of knowledge. It cannot do anything by itself. It takes interaction by others to make this knowledge come alive. This information must be mobilized to practice just as any science would require learning and being to be good at what one does. To learn and practice any art with an exactness of a surgeon is difficult to say the least.
Therefore, books from a studying or learning perspective one must have a certain basic knowledge of what one is reading about.

The meat of the book will have a certain premise that one must quickly ascertain in order to understand and pass on. This is the work then of a scholar of sorts. To have the knowledge of a scholar is rare prize indeed. With this sort of knowledge ones has an independent existence in a narrow sense, but in a broader sense he has a responsibility to record this knowledge in order to pass it on to others. Books and scholars are inseparable. Scholars they say have an innate sense that is automatic. It looks at an information source and automatically begins to dissect this information as any good scientist would and see what’s useful and what can be saved for re-use later. The scholar himself is like an open book waiting to impart knowledge onto the user. Knowledge once read then needs to be practiced and mastered by the adept.

When teaching a martial art or imparting to another/others one must know the level of understanding and sophistication of modern days arts and literature. Socrates is a good example he taught in often in large groups and individually from time to time in an advisory capacity. He stated often knowledge without knowledge is nothing. Today scholars teach from different levels of consciousness and students often learn to adapt to teachings from these often time difficult levels. The learning patterns today are quite different than those of long ago. One must be able to see and learn from the philosopher’s point of view. To be void of any scholarly learning these days is to be ignorant of regular knowledge both on the conscious and unconscious level. Some people may be content with certain types of knowledge they gain. But here are others who thirst for more knowledge in order to build their social and work related skills. Basic knowledge sets are fine for some people but since we all differ to varying degrees again some require more than others.
Often we see knowledge as a motive rather than a means to an end. To feel the full potential of any knowledge set/s we often have to buckle down and dig in for the long term in order to gain any relevant insight into any life skill/s. One must always practice at projecting a positive outlook in order to learn. This also helps when dealing with other people. With this attitude prevalent helps the serious person develop a serious inquisitiveness into any endeavor he or she takes on.
Now that most of us in this day and age all have requisite skill sets in one form or another can gain much from the literary writings of today and of the past. Since that dawn of man this has been an ongoing effort to pass certain skill sets onto then the next generation to use in order to survive. They also revised certain aspects of these skills in order to make life easier. Now that we have the knowledge we have today we begin to view the world in a different way. Through books we learn to adapt change and make better the things we take for granted. We can also build up our knowledge base for use in the future. We often were given literature to read all throughout our school years and to what use would it be put to one would often ask. I think most academics agree that people were given a little of everything in order to become something more that what we were.
Often time people discarded this knowledge in lieu of other interest only to come back to these basics skill sets to really develop their like into something meaningful.
To learn is often an ongoing or continuous process. We see people all the time now reading whenever chance they get to either just pass the time or to gain some insight into some new area. Books hold a wealth of knowledge its just will we put this knowledge to use. Without the scholars of today and long ago we would have no physical record of any recorded event/s. Scholars and books are related but often times their point is hard to grasp without having walked in his shoes. That takes time to do in that you have to out yourself in his situation and or time period to see what he was actually talking about or read from an author who can present a truly in depth view of any particular period.
We often see the quote which came first the chicken or the egg? It’s the same with scholars and books and students and books. One by one the scholars of past and present always hold fast to written documentation. This is their base of operation. In the new Japanese era or Gendai most Japanese still refer to the old ways as they often hold the basic keys to life. In this day there are new writings on old ideas that have been made better but still keeping the old basics in mind. They present a new outlook when properly implemented. As new books come to be so d the knowledge sets or skills.
The old ways that the Japanese lived and learned by were written in stone and are still used today in modern day business affairs.
History opens a whole new era to most upon their first reading. This then starts the hunger or thirst for more. The new Karate-Ka for the first time reads what little history is available. As he or she ventures further into this art there is a need to know more than do as I do. Of course there are times when this is applicable and times when it is not as we all know to well. As these books on the martial arts become common knowledge it gives the Karate-Ka a more rounded knowledge base on his or her art and insight into other arts and their similarities.

Most Japanese people to just to study because it is no only helpful but is an art in itself to most. However, to have knowledge is one thing how it’s put to use is another. Studying for studying sake is ignorance. Studying with a goal in mind is one who is going to go somewhere and be heard. The study of books on the martial has boomed big over past 100 years. As more and more knowledge becomes available the more we develop ourselves as humans and artists. The more we read the more we develop the roots of knowledge to make life better. We will always have these people because they I do not think know anyone skill set other and being critical or playing the devils advocate. If they were to be sent back in time to see what they were criticizing they I think would have a different outlook on what they criticize.

Tanaka Utsushi Tairo Sha

Gakuman yori

---Sanchin to Jiyu-Kumite---

In the beginning the forging of the body starts with Sanchin and finishes with Jiyu-Kumite. We have spoken of this before in previous chapters. This couple with learning Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do techniques thru the use of Hojo-Undo will give you basis to develop the body as it should be. Therefore, Uechi-Ryu Karate techniques are the basis of this style and these are learned thru Sanchin. This whole process is centered on Sanchin and the other 7 Uechi-Ryu Kata.

There are for all practical purposes the systems for learning and practicing these techniques, which can be accomplished thru, and intense study and practice of Jiyu-Kumite alone and with a partner. This exercise is the closest one can come to real or actual fighting.
In order to properly forge the Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Kata Sanchin one must practice Jiyu-Kumite on a regular basis. All the Uechi-Ryu Kata are very important. These Kata a can very exhilarating and will promote nimbleness in the student as well as other attributes. One learns the proper way to coordinate the body, hands, feet and into proper offensive/defensive attitudes. One must look at each movement individually as the Kata is or exercise is broken down and in order to know all the right combinations. The techniques taught are only a sample of what one can achieve thru intense study of this style. It is up to the student to study each Kata in depth in order to pull out and utilize each technique in different practice sets.
One point to remember is that most of these techniques are circular in nature as can be seen when demonstrating Hojo-Undo. Once a student learns all the requirements techniques from a Kata he must then lean how to weave them together into a different technique pattern. Sanchin techniques are a delicate weave of different movements, which can be used in self-defense applications. Generally though Sanchin is used as a basic building block Kata.
One must practice daily these technique exercises using set applications first and then as one is raised to the advanced levels are many years of study one must try other techniques from the Kata to see what other applications are possible and or useful. One must study the body carefully to develop power, resistance and lean economy of motion. When one is weak we learn exercises to build up our stamina and to stay fit throughout our lives. Remember from frailty comes strength and from strength comes frailty. Both can be used to your advantage.
One must train all parts of the body to respond to any act or action no matter how trivial. One must continually forge the mind, body and spirit. This should be done with the two partner drills.
Always work together to exploit each others weaknesses train to help each other develop into something special. When kicking or thrusting use everything to your advantage. When working with a partner learn to judge distances, work on and perfect your timing and delivery of an attack. By stripping away the haze from a technique and se what it is truly intended for then you will have gained the advantage. As you practice with a partner you will both gain by these lessons learned. Learn economy of motion in each and every movement.
Learn of the Katai or living body and the Kashin or living spirit. Learn well the Budo no Riron or theory of Budo. Work from the center outwards and strip away the things not necessary to make a technique effective. As you do this it will be like seeing a flower unfold to reveal its true self the same for the techniques you practice, develop and employ. Some think that martial arts specifically Budo should not be a sport but rather a way of life. Budo should be practiced not only consciously but also unconsciously. Never think of absolutes or the end of something think of it as a never-ending cycle. It’s a living art form. The real ability lies within the body. That’s why it’s wise to always develop yourself not only physically and mentally, but spiritually also.
This idea of spirituality is a foreign concept to

Most through spirituality comes self-awareness. To know

the self will enable you to know others and to intuit there

moves. To start this process it is said that the intention or aim is to develop ones self-consciousness.

Ones self or ones ideals must be developed gradually in learning a martial art. One must peel away the outer shells of on non-usefulness that the self has collected over the years and keep the useful attributes. Ones ego must be changed. Ones will must be fortified. Avoid excess, avoid greed, avoid avarice etc. Then you can start peeling away the years of misuse the body has collected. Then you can start on the development of the spirit. The re-development of the self is difficult to say the least but once started on a path keep at it and you benefit by its rewards. Always start the day with a positive outlook. As your spirit grows so does the mind and the body.

Once the mind and body are developed the spirit will follow. The more you practice the easier it gets. You will have to want to develop yourself in the martial arts. It has to be a way of life. This cannot be emphasized enough for some. That’s why it is best to start ones learning of an art at an early age when good habits can be developed early on. When one is older or starts martial arts at the later stages of life, it is difficult to rid oneself of bad habits.

At an early age martial arts one be taught to endure practice in a variety of climates or attitudes. Mistakes are worked out early on to help develop a healthier mind and body. Through this effort a strong spirit is built at the outset before the advanced training starts.
The mind, body and spirit must be trained in unison. What the readers gains from all of this if already known is reinforcement of old ideas and concepts. The new reader will hopefully be peaked to seek out further study, as most of this may be foreign to them. Seek out a qualified teacher and learn the way. The first year in training requires much physical training and exercise to develop the body and mental training in order to endure any martial art. The readers must be able to peel away the non-useful and use the underlining for their basic training as it were. One must show unconditional devotion to an art in order to be able to apply it later on in life.
Why then some ask in this day and age must we apply such harsh training to the self in order to learn an art. You get out of it what you put in it.
By peeling away the bad habits and developing new ones when training in this art is desired. One must also divest the self of all pre-conceived notions and or expectations in order to make any substantial progress.
The Uechi-Ryu Dojo always starts every practice session with the Sanchin Kata and performs it three times during the normal class. One of the sessions is usually as a group, individually with the teacher and one set on your own.

Everyone who is in the class knows how important this Kata is. It is the basic building block Kata, which establishes a base for learning all other follow-on techniques, exercises and other Kata. Its meaning must be thoroughly understood. Its techniques and for example how to stand, turn, block, thrust and breath are paramount. Some say that this Kata has no offensive/defensive meanings or uses. If I were the student I would really re-look that statement. Sanchin’s intent is outlined above. What else one can glean from this Kata is another story altogether.

This Kata’s principles are very subtle and its aim is to promote the mind, body and spirit into a whole or as one. The following four principles must be followed when learning and practicing Sanchin:
1. The fundamentals of this Kata teaches how to build general body strength.
2. Through the technique exercises of Sanchin the outside body and its outer skin, muscle and bone will be developed. Strength and endurance will also be developed thru a series of offensive/defensives technique exercises. They will make you strong yet resilient.
3. The basic posture of Sanchin must be mastered.
4. Lastly the breathing technique called Kokyu-Ho must be mastered.
A long time ago Uechi-Ryu adepts learned these kinds of techniques on they’re thru many hours of practice often all day and late into the night. This often-grueling schedule was done with composure and dignity.
These exercises aim was to forge a perfect mind, body and spirit mentality for without that one would not learn anything much less proceed to the other levels. They practiced on a variety of surfaces in their bare feet to develop leg and foot strength. There are now many unique exercises that are associated with Sanchin that helps the new adept to progress in stages. This in turn develops physical was well as mental or spiritual endurance.

The end for now……