Bushi Matsumura’s divisions of bugei

The tomb of the legendary Bushi Matsumura

Commonly referred to as the Miyamoto Musashi of Okinawa, Bushi Matsumura’s legacy in the evolution of karatedo is immense.  We are fortunate in that a fair bit of oral history has been passed on about his life by his famous students.  Also luckily for us, Matsumura left to prosperity a letter to his student Kuwae Ryosei regarding his opinions about the different kinds of martial arts being practised at that time in Okinawa.  What is remarkable to me is that nothing has changed since the time Matsumura wrote this letter.  We are still plagued by exactly the same problems, and what I find particularly interesting is that Matsumura was evidently only too aware of the same thing happening around him.  For those of us who like to speculate about how much better karate may have been during the days of Matsumura, Itosu, Higaonna etc; perhaps Matsumura’s letter should put it more into perspective, and inspire dedicated practitioners of todays age to keep a sharp eye upon the particular path which they tread, much like Matsumura sensei advised to his own student.

Matsumura classified budo into three different types.

1:  Gakushi no bugei – is like a psychological game of strategy.  It is not actually for fighting but more like a dance or a woman and has no real depth.

Matsumura sensei is deliberately harsh in his tone, and I think there is a lot to be said about his approach.  Clearly sick to death of what he saw happening to his art, he aimed to send a message.  Drawing from his example I will also be harsh, and to anyone who might be upset by this post, it is entirely intentional.

Todays age of mass media has created a new kind of martial artist.  The professional expert who via the gift of expensive DVDs, internet subscription sites, and world seminar circuits, can help you to become a devastating fighter in a few easy steps.  Each of which must be paid for through the nose.  Bunkai experts make an effort to learn as many kata as they can, gaining only a superficial knowledge of them, before lovingly sharing their findings with the world for a high cost.  In Okinawa such persons were referred to as hachindi (masters of making money and remembering technique). 

Also thrown into this category are the various pressure point ‘masters’ (read ‘idiots’) who have done their best to destroy the credibility of the classical martial arts.  Able to quote various formula relating to the body with the adeptness of a scientist, such people spend too much time reading books rather than training.

Both of the above claim to be ‘promoting’ the traditional martial arts they claim to teach, but in actual fact, are far more interested in promoting themselves and their latest money making scheme.  These people often seek to add to their art, stealing from different sources to make up their own new, exciting, eclectic mix, with no real grounding in any one method.  With such a self serving motive, how can such people ever understand budo? 

2. Meimoku no bugei – are considered purely physical in form and aim only at winning.  Without virtue participants are known to be argumentative, often harm others or even themselves and occasionally bring shame to their parents, brothers and family.

A quick look through any mainstream martial arts magazine will reveal a vast quantity of ‘reality based self defense’ arts.  Such people like to dress up in combat trousers, play around with knives and guns, and look mean in front of the camera.  The relevance of this in a supposedly moral society is debate-able, and I have no time for it. 

Also placed into this category are karate dojo who encourage their students to fight MMA, and also sports karate dojo. 

Without stressing the importance of perfecting the character of the student, and expelling those of bad character, karatedo has no real value and is only animalistic movements.  The importance of ‘bun bu ryo do’ and an introspective approach to training must be encouraged.  A lack of balance in this regard will only lead to karatedo causing harm to others.

3. Budo no bugei- are never practised without conviction and participants cultivate a serene wisdom which knows not contention or vice.  Fostering loyalty amoung family, friends and country, a natural decorum encourages a dauntless character.

Can karatedo still instill such qualities in a practitioner in this modern age.  I believe it can, and this is why I still have faith in karatedo as an asset to society.  If taught and practised correctly, karatedo has value, and transcends mere physical activity which can be performed by any person.  In order to study the method of budo no bugei, a student must have the courage to walk such a path, knowing that it will be done alone for the most part.  Through the daily forging of technique, body, and spirit; the karateka faces his challenge head on with strong conviction.  The daily battles which are fought, won and sometimes lost, provide the karateka with lifes lessons which he uses to make his way through life without contention, and with the courage to solve problems rather than quit when things become difficult.

Matsumura sensei’s words will no doubt mean different things to different people.  Much like karate, this is personal interpretation, and the real value comes from the lessons we each can draw from it to relate to our own lives. 

I hope that everyone will take a serious look at each of Matsumura sensei’s categories and honestly ask themselves ‘which one do I fit in?’

(translation of Matsumura sensei’s letter is drawn from Patrick McCarthy’s translation of Tanpenshu by Funakoshi Gichin.  I cannot recommend this book highly enough!!!)

The serenity of the dojo

Garry Lever at the entrance of the Jundokan dojo

During my time in karatedo I have been very fortunate to have trained in purpose built dojo as opposed to hired premises such as church halls and sports centers.  I class myself as being very lucky in this regard.

Although a relatively new introduction to the Okinawan art of karatedo, and of Japanese influence, the concept of training in a dojo is something which I welcome to my practise.  Of course, I am also an advocate of training amongst nature in natural surroundings, but what I refer to is the use of a dojo as opposed to a sports center or hired hall.

I can relate to actors who often mention about the electric feel of an empty theatre.  The same is often said by sportsmen regarding their various arena.  With karatedo, the feel of an empty dojo is something quite special.

During times of training at the dojo, there is an abundance of activity and noise.  Once this action has finished and you are left alone in an empty dojo, its as though the activity continues to reverberate in the empty space.  The contrast between action and inaction is tangible almost.

I have also been lucky in my experience in that I have often had the opportunity to be alone in the empty dojo.  For many people, the dojo is already busy upon their arrival, and there are still people present upon the lesson ending.  They may not have the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere.

My first experience of training at a purpose built martial arts dojo was at my sensei Richard Barrett’s dojo in Bishop Stortford.  Here it was expected of me that I arrive 15 minutes before lessons to clean and prepare the dojo.  During these 15 minutes I had the chance to tune into the atmosphere of the dojo, and prepare myself for the lesson ahead.  Occasionally Barrett sensei would tell me to perform junbi undo alone.  Here the temptation was to take it easier now that he wasn’t looking so that I wouldn’t tire myself out for the rest of the lesson, however this fleeting idea was shot to peices as I looked up and saw the portraits of Higaonna Kanryo, Miyagi Chojun and Miyazato Eiichi drilling their stares into me, urging me to try harder. 

Likewise, at the end of the lesson, I would remain behind after to clean the dojo floor.  The air still thick with sweat, the windows steamed, and perspiration literally raining from the roof onto my head, this was a chance to reflect upon the lesson and take stock of what had been passed on. 

In contrast to the butterflies and nervousness I would feel before the lesson, the feeling after was one of acomplishment and quiet pride that I had been strong enough to push myself.  A feat no doubt made more possible through the inspiration I drew upon from my surroundings.

The first dojo I trained at in Okinawa was the jundokan dojo.  At the time, the dojo was open from 10am until 10pm and you were free to come and go as you pleased.  The evenings would invariably be quite busy with many seniors on hand to assist you, but I took as much pleasure at training in the early morning when most of the time it would be just me.  Being able to soak up the history of the dojo and train with Miyagi sensei’s personal hojo undo equipment was a great experience, and just standing in the footsteps of such great practitioners as Miyazato sensei was enough to inspire.  The dojo had almost a haze about it during the early morning, before the heat of the afternoon was able to take hold.  I can only imagine what a great experience it must have been training at this dojo when Miyazato sensei was still alive, and likely to come downstairs to correct you at any moment.

A few years later I had the chance to train as an uchi deshi at Hokama Tetsuhiro sensei’s dojo.  The great thing about this dojo is that it also houses Okinawa’s only karate museum.  There is so much history right on hand, and Hokama sensei would make a regular appearence during my own training sessions to offer advice and correction.  At night I would venture out for dinner or a coffee and return to the dojo which would be in darkness.  The spookiness of the dojo in pitch black is a happy memory of mine, and alone I would kneel at the doorway and rei toward the kamiza and the ashes of Higa Seko sensei and Fukuchi Seiko sensei before entering.  Hokama sensei’s apparent clairvoyant abilities left a further strange feel which prevaded over the dojo.

My own dojo does not yet have the same feel about it as the dojo I mentioned above, but given time to grow and mature, I hope that one day maybe my students might notice something going on during the moments of inaction.

In your own training from time to time, take the opportunity to enjoy such moments of inaction and experience the tranquility that prevades over all serious dojo.

Indian hojo undo training footage

In a conversation I had with with Hokama Tetsuhiro sensei about the origins of hojo undo, he mentioned that he believed the chiishi had its origins in India rather than China.

The above footage for me shows a definate similarity between the use of the Indian club, and how we use the chiishi in Okinawan Goju Ryu.

Even earlier examples of hojo undo training can be found in Egypt and Persia.  Miyagi Chojun sensei wrote in his Karatedo Gaisetsu that he believed the origins of martial arts could be found in the ancient civilisations around Turkey, Greece and Persia.  One thing is for sure, physical training exercises using simple equipment were developed alongside the martial arts in order to strengthen and prepare fighters for physcial conflict.  Both arts go together hand in hand and cannot be seperated.

Wonderful vintage video footage!

Karatedo historian Patrick McCarthy sensei this week has posted some videos onto youtube which have literally left me speechless.  Being a bit of an amateur karate historian myself, I find that there are very few photographs or old video clips that I’ve not seen these days, however Mr McCarthy has completely blown me away with his posts this week.

I wonder whether he might have some film of Miyagi sensei lurking around in some dark corner of his video collection??

Many thanks to McCarthy sensei for sharing this wonderful footage.  Take a look at his youtube profile page http://www.youtube.com/user/mccarthysensei for more excellent vintage footage of Okinawan karatedo.

Yagi Meitoku sensei performing seipai in his prime.

Shinjo Masanobu sensei performing an inspirational and spirited seipai.

Matayoshi Shinpo sensei performing kururunfa.  If anybody knows the circumstances behind this one, I’d love to hear from you!

Enjoy and happy training!