New Hombu New Home 

In October of 1998 it was decided that we really have outgrown our Dojo in Bakersfield, so the search was on. I did not want to leave East Bakersfield since the dojo has been located there since the late sixties; mind you not at the same location. There have been six locations on the east side and we are now building the seventh! No, I can't believe it either! 
Obviously the first thing we needed was a location. We combed the neighborhood and enlisted the aid of a real estate agent. We found only a few places, all overpriced, but that is what we have experienced in Bakersfield if you choose to be in a shopping center. Well, not to belabor the point, we were frustrated by managers telling us everything from we don't want karate in the center, parking is not adequate, we are seeking another use and on and on. 
One day our real estate agent called and said' "Have I got a deal for you!" Not too overjoyed, having felt somewhat rejected and dejected over our inability to find a new home, I said that I would be glad to meet her at the sight. The next day Catherine and I were shown a perfect building with showers, two training rooms, office space and room for a large store. Now I was again hopeful and even overjoyed. I made an offer through the agent, and with the usual fiscal fencing, came to a figure that was workable. Now the waiting began. Two weeks, three weeks, a month and still no lease papers. Finally the agent called and informed me that the owner had decided to lease to a national company; three months later our Hombu Dojo site became a Goodwill Store. Since there is a limited number of centers on the east side, it looked as though we would have to wait some time before moving. 
Back to square one. Unexpectedly, through an undisclosed source, I heard that the dance studio next door to the existing dojo was relocating. I let a few weeks pass and then mustered up the fortitude to approach the school's owner. She, as always, was very nice and even allowed us to take measurements. However, she did not say she was moving. Now, more waiting time. After about six weeks our leasing company informed me that indeed, the dance teacher would be out shortly. I was privy to this information because the entire shopping center has the same landlord. 
Finally, on July 8th I was informed that we could occupy and begin reconstruction on July 16th. Now we're cooking! Plans were made, material scouted and all that it takes to complete a project of this magnitude finally had wheels. At this writing l hear hammers pounding, power tools grinding and all of the noise, confusion and mess that precedes actual use of the new Dojo. 
The work is being spearheaded by Sensei Allan Robison with assistance by too many to mention, however, the electrical and carpet laying talent of Vance Long, the overall yeoman's work by David Smith who put many miles on his truck acting as gopher, Sensei Gary Card (mirror man), Russell Woods (idea man), Archie Daquioag, Ken Steinke, Tyler Smith, Rebeka Blanca, the Pfendler Family, and John McCormick and son, Jonathon. Larry Biederman did all of the plastering, Sensei Tony Oliver lent a clever hand at carpentry work, Sensei Theresa Murray, Paul Fuhr, Sensei Elsa Lomeli, Arthur Diaz, Victor Rodriguez, and many more did all of the demolition, patching, clean up and odd jobs that always crop up in a major project. A special thanks goes to Kristina Steinke who painted the Daruma you are familiar with in the present Dojo and is painting another in our new home. Appreciation goes to Cheryl Hurt for all the delicious baked goodies she supplied for the workers and to Sensei Brett Hurt for covering some of my noon classes so I could chase materials. Thanks also to Sensei Jesse Gomez, Raul Saavedra, Bill Hornback and Ron Maddon for the painting of walls and boards needed to make the Dojo presentable. An extra thanks to Nancy Vibe who will be painting a six foot OGRKK emblem on the training floor. As of this writing there are two more weeks of work and there will certainly be others who will lend a hand- thanks to them. I have always admonished others who felt the need to thank many people for anything, "not to mention any if you can't mention all." I cannot, myself, follow this dictum. Therefore, I am including those I know to have been most visible and key to this operation. Please accept my apology if you were active and I either overlooked you in my faulty memory or you were there and I wasn't. I most heartily extend my sincerest thanks to all involved; you will have created a Dojo "par excellence". 
Another important part of the project was the building fund. Students and parents who donated the price of a piece of plywood or its equivalent will have their names placed on a plaque to be displayed on the Dojo wall. Also, there is to be a drawing for many valuable items including: samurai sword, a top-of-the-line leg stretcher (donated by the Long Family), a Wavemaster classic kicking bag, a school jacket, a tee shirt, a tank top, a karate wristwatch, a pocket knife and a teddy bear. I might add that it is not too late to take part in either of these fund raising events. 
Not wanting to make this message as long as the project itself, I will close by saying that I am ever more impressed by the dedication, loyalty and generosity of our Goju Karate family. Better people cannot be found anywhere on the planet! 
Look for a special announcement for a large gathering of gi clad students and parents when we have our grand opening sometime in September at which time we will have special activities, a potluck and of course, the big drawing for the many beautiful prizes. 

In Gassho Stan O'Hara 

10th Annual Ventura Gasshuku 
The 10th Annual Ventura Beach Gasshuku will be held October 9th and 10th, in Ventura California at Marina Park. 
Our 10th Anniversary Gasshuku will be a very special event. Master Ahti Kaend, 9th Dan Uechi Ryu; and Shihan Steven Goss, 6th Dan, will be guest instructors at this year's event. They will be teaching us the original open-hand version of Sanchin and performing a demonstration just before lunch. O'Hara Shihan and Sanguinetti Sensei will also return this year as guest instructors. 
The training, food, and atmosphere will be very special this year so DON'T MISS THIS ONE! Flyers will be sent out in early September. 


Eclecticism VS Traditionalism 
By O'Hara Sensei, 7th Dan 
Now with a new burgeoning martial arts industry the public is finding a great deal of confusion regarding choices of schools and teachers. We first experienced this "wholesale" promotion of the oriental arts in the 1960's, but it was never like it is today. Why does this happen and what does it do to our chosen art, Goju Ryu? The answer is, of course, as complicated as the human condition, but let me offer a few opinions. 
People are always fascinated by something new and exciting. After all, in the 1950's Karate was new and exciting and mysterious to most Americans. We, as a nation of people are curious and often become intensely interested in a new idea. Those who are just curious will be like the proverbial "flash-in-the pan"; those who are captivated by all aspects of any martial art, train, read and research their chosen discipline to a greater or lesser degree. One thing, at least in my opinion, is certain, the new aspirants will fall into three categories those who will quit entirely, those who will try one style after another and those who truly can be called devotees. Those who simply quit will have an excuse or a reason, it doesn't really matter which, but they will be gone. Those who choose to try a little of this and a little of that, or who move from Sensei to Sensei, are the ones who diminish our art. These are the boys who make up many of the schools in most communities. They are the "here-today-gone-tomorrow" crowd. Those who remain with one system and especially one Sensei will most often become devotees. 
Please don't misunderstand me; there are those Sensei who teach in public schools, health clubs, recreation centers, etc. who mean well and are providing a legitimate service, but just as in any of today's markets, the admonition should be "caveat emptor". This having been said, your best method of ascertaining which teachers to eliminate and ultimately which one to choose is by determining: 

a) The credentials of the instructor. 
b) Something of the chosen system. 
c) The lineage of the style. 
d) How long the school has been in business and the teacher has taught. 
e) Exactly what is taught traditional art or an eclectic sport. 

Don't be afraid to ask questions yes, it's your money you are investing, but most of all, you may be putting yourself or your children in the hands of someone who will do more harm than good. 
Most people seeking martial arts training truly don't know what they want. This is not meant to be a denigration; most people have been educated by movies, videos and television. These things are entertaining but rarely have even a modicum of relevance when it comes to true martial arts. These media serve to excite the viewers and, unfortunately, to show "wanna-be teachers" how to appeal to the gullible public by jamming in as many disciplines as possible simply to cover all bases. After all, the more "things" you teach the broader will be your prospective student base. 
Now, how does this compare with traditional Goju Ryu Karate? We teach as our founder taught and as all subsequent teachers within the true lineage have and still teach. We take pride in not changing the tried and true 
methods of our forbears and only including innovations that do not alter the core material. One thing must never change the kata. These techniques are sacred and to change them would be to insult the integrity of the system and its developers. 
One more note not all schools teaching under the name Goju Ryu are in fact teaching that art. In most styles there are those who have had some small amount of training (maybe even to the level of black belt), who are separated, for some reason, from their teacher and decide to open a school. Some of these so-called Sensei may be successful but most do not have the depth of knowledge to teach. Traditionally no student ranked under sandan (3" degree black belt) is allowed to teach on his own and then only with his Sensei's permission. 
Should one be in doubt concerning the legitimacy of his intended school, he should seek out one he knows to be legitimate. This person will offer honest advice even if it means he may not secure a new student. Take time to be sure that your training time is not wasted. 
We of traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Kenkyu Kai are steadfast in our efforts to preserve our art as our predecessors have to insure that those who follow will have the treasures of those who came before. 

Meet a Master- Kanken Toyama 
1888-1966 
Goju Ryu practitioners should be familiar with all of Higaonna Kanryo Sensei and Miyagi Chojun Sensei's first generation disciples, as lineage and knowing these practitioners are an important part of our history. 
Toyama Sensei studied directly under Higaonna Kanryo Sensei, although his primary instructor was Ankoh Itosu Sensei of Shuri-Te. Being exposed to both Naha-Te and Shuri-Te, Toyama Sensei had a deep understanding of the arts of Okinawa. 
Toyama Sensei was a powerfully built man with rugged masculine features. He also received in-depth training in Kobudo from Chosin Chibana Sensei. To state that Toyama Sensei was well rounded would be an understatement indeed. 
Toyama Sensei's primary goal or vision was to unite Okinawan and Japanese karate under one banner. In this vein he formed the All Japan Karate-Do Association in 1946. 
Among Toyama Sensei's top students was Toshi Hanaue who is the founder of Shudokan Karate. All those that have witnessed Shudokan students, even at a tournament quickly realize they have an excellent fighting spirit, and are very comfortable with contact. Toyama Sensei's style is primarily similar to Shorin Ryu Karate, with a few Goju kata thrown in. Shorin Ryu Karate does not include Sanchin Kata, however Toyama Sensei's Karate included Sanchin as a staple kata, just as Goju Ryu does. 

The Properties of Practice 
Why practice budo? Typically, many people are interested in developing the spiritual side of their lives when they begin. While this may be a worthy goal, it does not show an accurate understanding of budo. 
In traditional Japanese martial arts, development of the spirit is not the primary aim, rather, a result of many years of dedicated study. The perfection of technique is the impetus, and indeed the only reason to practice. 
Daily practice or keiko that is maintained diligently over a protracted period of time is called shugyo. Through the application of this progression, beginning with daily study, and later the development of long term commitment, the character of the individual is developed and refined, physically through movement and exertion, mentally with the focus required in kata, and spiritually by overcoming both physical and mental challenge. 
Unfortunately many people quit when they graduate from school or join a company or at some other turning point in life. For those who dedicated many hours in their youth to hard practice, there will be many memories to look back upon, but it can not be said their experience is complete. The study of budo can not be concluded according to a schedule, rather, a lifetime of commitment and diligence is necessary. 

Tapping the Source 
By O'Hara Shihan 
After nearly 38 years of karate training, and with a renewed interest in our Goju origins, I quite by chance, discovered an ancient martial system which has obvious relevance to our Goju Ryu. There is no mystery here since most people with any combative interest have heard of Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan). Most, however, myself included, thought of it as a beautiful and wonderful form of exercise but with little practical self-defense application. Oh, we who studied the Chinese arts in- depth knew that there was at one time a serious fighting system under the Tai chi umbrella, however not much of this is evident until one looks at it with an eye trained to the myriad possibilities expressed in this marvelous system. 
Tai Chi Chuan means "grand ultimate fist" so by its very name it can be defined as one of the Chinese "boxing*" systems. Although this is no surprise to me, I have had the notion that now most Tai Chi is simply for exercise and is commonly thought of as a means of conditioning the body and relieving all manner of ailments including heart disease, arthritis, certain organ dysfunction and many, many more maladies that man is heir to. Now that I am in my second month of training, I feel like a child in a candy store. There is a brand new page that is opened each day for me and I see things not only that we do in Goju, but new possibilities for bunkai that fit our own kata. This in itself is enough to keep my interest. Beyond this, however, I now see that, although Tai Chi is good for people of all ages, it is especially fitting that those entering their senior years take part in a less "body violent" activity. For myself I feel that my venture in this new art will expand my teaching skills but, more importantly, will increase 
my longevity in my own chosen discipline, Goju Ryu Karate. 
All of this having been expressed, I hasten to say, "Do not turn in your gi and desert your Sensei for Tai Chi." Tai Chi should be a possible adjunct activity for "certain" people in any other art of combat. There is not, nor will there ever be, a substitute for hard training with the great diversity of Goju. Our method is as good as, if not better than, any system devised by man. It builds body, mind and spirit with a veritable wellspring of information to last more than a lifetime. 
I feel compelled to express my joy in finding a Sifu with the skill and integrity worthy of teaching at Hombu Dojo. His name is Sifu Frank Lu and I hope he will be a guest teacher at our Bakersfield Gasshuku in March of next year. In the meantime, keep training, respect your style, Goju Ryu, and be true to your Sensei. 

If I Had My Life To Live Over Again... 
I would have talked less and listened more. 
l would have eaten in the "good living room." 
I would have insisted the car windows be rolled down on summer days. 
I would have had that piece of New York cheese cake. 
I would have played with my children more. 
I would have shared more of the responsibilities with my spouse. 
I would seize every minute... look at it... live it... and never give it back! 

Transmission of a Ryu 
In the study of Japanese classical martial arts, one of the more intriguing processes is the transmission of martial traditions from one soke or iemoto (headmaster or successor to a ryu) to another. The modern martial ways, the "do" forms, generally do not follow the same patterns of technical or cultural transmission and it is easy for people from outside of Japan to misunderstand how the classical traditions were passed down through the generations. 
It is necessary to begin with an understanding of how succession to the headmaster occurred in koryu arts in the past. The most important methods were isshi soden (the complete transmission of a ryu's techniques and principles to one's heir by blood), and yuiju ichinin (teaching all the ryu's secrets to a single designated inheritor who was not a member of one's family). Passing on a school in this way, limiting access to the highest-level techniques and principles to one's successor and a few selected students, served to maintain both the ryu's prestige and protect the headmaster's authority. In most cases, there was a strict limit to the number of people (usually only one, seldom more than a handful) who might receive these special teachings and techniques. 
There were many different rituals or methods of authenticating that someone was a legitimate successor. Some of these methods included; receiving a special hand written license; receiving densho (scrolls) which contain the most important technical principles and esoteric matters of the school; or perhaps even receiving a personal weapon of the master's such as a sword, spear, or other weapon of special significance to the ryu. 
However, even if someone held the menkyo kaiden (the highest level of technical license) or its equivalent, without these emblems or symbols he would not be recognized as a legitimate successor by the Japanese people or other ryu of Japan. This is in part due to the fact that, over the years, there were many men who received menkyo and it was necessary to distinguish between fully qualified exponents of a ryu, its licensed teachers, and the legitimate heads of the tradition. 
In principle, the densho were transmitted directly, from the headmaster to his disciples and students (there is a difference between a student and a disciple, especially in regards to the depth of training received). 
To authenticate a license of a ryu, the headmaster would seal it with his personal seal. In some traditions there may be one or more special seals unique to the ryu that must also be affixed for the license to be considered genuine. 
The authority of the headmaster rests upon his being able to correctly transmit the physical techniques and principles that are particular to a given dojo (succession does not only occur for entire ryu, but also for individual dojo). 
Since the authority of the headmaster was absolute within a ryu, it was imperative that the chosen individual possess the highest level of technical skills and personal character. Having a very strong spirit, yet gentle heart was imperative. Selection of a ryu's successor has, in theory, always been limited to this sort of outstanding candidate. 
The development of national organizations for the gendai budo (modern martial ways) has contributed further to the weakening of the popularity and general recognition of the classical martial arts. In fact, it has only been due to the continuing efforts of a few stubborn, dedicated people that the truly traditional arts have been able to preserve themselves in the face of all the social and economic pressures of the modern era. It is important for those of us who are studying the modern systems to take a close look at the classical traditions lest the lessons they have for us be lost forever. 
In the case of Miyagi Chojun Sensei's Goju Ryu, he passed away suddenly and had no chance to name or appoint (authenticate) a successor. Thus, upon his death, numerous senior students claimed heir to the art. In truthfulness, all of them had a right to the art; yet, none of them had a true right to the art. 
Each time a style head retires or passes away without naming their successor, factions occur that separate the core family the headmaster labored so hard and long to create. 
It's important to understand the traditions of transmission and succession, so all students of traditional ryu recognize that just because someone names themselves as heir, or claims to be the heir, doesn't necessarily make it so. Usually the best source of information, as to who the headmaster thought the most of, is to ask the headmaster's family. All headmaster's talk about the future of their ryu with their family. Sadly though, even family members have lent their support to senior students who were not the master's best disciples, but were instead, the disciple who offered the family the greatest cut of the financial pie in return for their endorsement. 
In today's times, the headmaster of many ryu have named their successor in their personal wills. Mas Oyama Sensei, the founder of Kyokushinkai, named his successor in his will. I heard that the family attorney read this portion of his will to a group of Oyama Sensei's most senior disciples one night in the Hombu Dojo office. Still, Kyokushinkai fractured following the death of its founder. However, the named successor is in fact operating the Kyokushinkai Hombu Dojo and is serving as Chair of the worldwide organization. 
Even with all the traditions and history regarding the transmission of a ryu, the fact is that most students will follow who they feel was the best, or most knowledgeable, or the senior who they are most comfortable with. 
lf you train the longest, train the hardest, be the most loyal, and develop a good character, who knows, one day, one or two of you out there just may be the successor to a dojo or a specific version of a ryu. When that happens you will have received a truly great honor. You also will have received a great responsibility. 

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