Comments on: Response to a question

By: unmeika

unmeika — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:25:07 +0000

Very nice response Gary. I couldn’t have said it better myself. This really hit home with me, as it touched upon a personal issue I’ve had in the past. I’ve started a blog myself and am seeking to get some traditional karateka to check it out and offer advice:

http://www.unmeika.com/

It’s an extremely personal blog, I hope you can help me by reading what the site is about and participating when you find time.

I also included a link to your blog in my links section, I appreciate it if you could reciprocate on that. I am also an Okinawa Gojuryu practitioner.

Thanks so much! Keep up the great work.

By: Glenn Cunningham

Glenn Cunningham — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:50:08 +0000

Gary San,
As far Miyazato Eiichi sensei, in 1999 Sensei graded me Rokudan and sat me down in his office and told me to do the same, but with one difference. He said work, family and then karatedo. He then went on to explain that you need to work to support your family and you will always have time for karatedo…
Stay Strong!

By: bujin81

bujin81 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:08:51 +0000

Gojuka,

Thank you very much for your comments and relating the story about your friend. Like you, I thought we said these words out of respect for the tradition, our sensei and our fellow practitioners, but your friends observation gives this practise greater personal meaning. Thank you very much!

Garry

By: Gojuka

Gojuka — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:39:10 +0000

Great response to Alex’s comment. I also was fortunate enough to have spoken with Miyazato Sensei before he passed away. He said those exact same words to me. Family first, then work (if I recall correctly, he said because we need money to take care of our family), then karate comes last. Another thing I’d like to add to the discussion is something that has stayed with me for years as well. This comes from a close friend of mine who is Okinawan and practices Kendo. I was having a hard time balancing karate training in my life, and he asked me a simple question:

“Why do you say ‘Onegaishimasu’ before you enter the dojo and ‘Arigato Gozaimasu’ when you leave?”

I answered: because I was taught to do this, to be respectful. He replied:

“We say these things because if you are at the dojo, then you should be thankful. This means all is well and you have the time to train. We shouldn’t just say these words out of habit, we should have a deep appreciation each time we say them.”

I’ve never forgotten this, and I believe it applies to this discussion here. It helps support what Miyazato Sensei has told us. Family first.

Chibariyo!

By: Man of the West

Man of the West — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:35:53 +0000

Amen! In my opinion, karate is a wonderful, God-given art for the preservation, protection, and enhancement of life, but I do not want to end my life with all my relatives saying, “You know, he was really good at karate. That’s about all we can say about him.”

There’s just more to life than that.

By: Jack Home

Jack Home — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:04:40 +0000

Thanks for writing,I really enjoyed your newest post.I think you should post more frequently,you obviously have talent for blogging!