Okinawan Goju Ryu Kenkyu-Kai
By Steve Wilson

Higaonna Morio Sensei founded the IOGKF in 1979, when he was 41 years old and a Nanadan (7th Dan).

Roseberry John Sensei founded the SRSBK in 1986 when he was 47 years old and a Rokudan (6th Dan).

The father of American Karate, Trias Robert Sensei founded the USKA in 1946, when he was only in his 30’s.

O’Hara John Sensei is a Nanadan (7th Dan) and is in his young 60’s. Sensei has served a total of three organizations since beginning Karate in 1962. For 37 years he has served others and worked very hard to propagate Traditional Goju-Ryu, serving in various capacities such as Central California Chief, IOGKF Treasurer, An’ichi Miyagi Sensei Retirement Fund Controller, and SRSBK Southwest Regional Director. Through all these experiences Sensei has gained significant insight and experience pertaining to organizations.

Sensei has for many years dreamed of one day forming a group that would thoroughly focus on the research of Okinawan Karate, which would be compiled by, and shared with the members. He has envisioned a group that would teach, practice and foster the spirit of the "old ways." Such a group would strive to build a strong core of Yudansha, thus ensuring traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu will live forever, in spite of this fast paced culture of dwindling character.

There comes a time that all Masters spread their own wings, as it is simply nature’s way. Sensei’s time has come, this is no longer a vision. He has resigned his post as Southwest Regional Director with the SRSBK and I am very excited to announce is forming his own group.

What does this mean to you? It means Sensei and his senior Yudansha are going to focus on YOU. It also means Sensei doesn’t have to ask permission or seek approval for anything or any direction he may desire to go.

Sensei is a Licensed Shihan (Master Teacher), a title he received from Higaonna Morio Sensei several years ago. Higaonna Morio Sensei is world-renowned and all ranks and licenses that he issues are recognized worldwide. Our lineage to Okinawa and Japan is without question, as Sensei is a direct student of Yamaguchi Sensei and Higaonna Morio Sensei, two of the most respected teachers ever to have lived.

In support and belief in my teacher, I too have resigned from SRSBK, and beside my teacher, commit myself to doing everything I can to help all of you, and to see my teacher’s visions become reality.

Ryu and Do

Because of the vast differences between relatively recently developed systems, karatedo retains its ryu systems. Thus, while a school like the Shito-ryu may have kusanku kata, it is different from a Shotokan style kusanku, which will be different from a Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu kusanku.

Judo, as a do form (a "modern" type of martial art stressing mind, body and spiritual development over self-defense or combative methods), is just judo, period. You may have a Kodokan style of judo, a Japanese college style, an Olympic style, but because it is so all-encompassing, there are no ryu in judo. Judo is so malleable in techniques, and is so reasonable in its scientific application of contest-oriented grappling methods that it continues to grow and innovate in technical complexity. It is in fact difficult to truly innovate and create something completely "new" under the sun. Most of us martial artists in this day and age simply aren't capable of such stunning originality.

Ditto kendo. Kendo is even older than judo as a "modern" committee-organized do form, resurrected by moderns to fulfill sportive and philosophical goals. While there may be ryu in kenjutsu, in kendo there is only kendo, and particular teachers' variations thereof.

Aikido originally began as a consolidation of techniques learned by Ueshiba Morihei from various ryu, but this modern do form has since begun to fissure and split, and can be considered to be factionalized into legitimately different groups, even ryu. But all in all, one can still see a similar strain that links a Tomiki stylist for example, to a Yoshinkan stylist, to an Aikikai stylist; all of which are markedly different from Daito-ryu, for example.

Iaido is an interesting art; the Zen Nihon Seitei Gata are standardized forms that most iaido practitioners adhere to, but it is overlaid on top of the various extant iai ryu.

Ryu Du Jour

Judging from the popularity of fads in mainstream U.S. martial arts, we like to mix 'n match techniques, thinking that if we jam everything from every system together, we'll come up with something better than the sum of its parts... To a purist, however, we would too often come up with just a mess of illogical patchwork.

In sports, innovation is good. Olympic judo, for example, is always challenged by influence from other forms of grappling that are incorporated within the framework of the rules and regulations of randori-type contests. Karate-do has benefited (although some might opine that it has suffered as well) from the interchange of methods at open tournaments between markedly different exponents; Korean stylists may learn hand techniques from Okinawan stylists, Japanese stylists may learn kicking techniques from Korean stylists, and so on.

When appropriate, such cross-fertilization is good for the growth of a modern do form. It is usually disastrous, however, when novices with only surface knowledge of techniques attempt to mix and match different methods to create their own "innovative" instantly "classical" style, which usually ends up on the cover of some martial arts magazine and then fades away when the next fad excites the reading audience.

It is a bit more complex when it comes to innovating within a ryu form that is a koryu or classical ancient martial system. Remember that a ryu is a flow from a source. If you innovate too much, you cut off the ryu's link to its divine origins. You also may alter the style so much that it is unrecognizable as that particular style.

To that end, someone like the late martial arts movie actor, Bruce Lee, was honest enough to realize that his innovations in Wing Chun were vast enough to warrant calling his art something entirely different: Jeet Kune Do. He didn't hide behind trying to call his altered system Wing Chun, although it appears that he did continue to draw a great a deal of influence from that art. At least he was honest and didn't try to appear what he wasn't. This is rather unlike some of our current "innovators" who denigrate classical styles and yet continue to wear all of the trappings of Asian martial arts, including the black belt, gi outfit, and (most especially) the redundancy  of orientalish-sounding titles. (Someone sent me a copy of a letter they received from one such "master" who stamped his note with an official-looking chop. The only problem was, the Chinese characters for the seal, which I assume he meant to read something like "great master," really meant "tree-killing certificate of approval." (Go figure that one out.)

Innovation is necessary in a sport to further it as a sportive endeavor. But a classical martial ryu is not just a sport, it is an art tradition, and to maintain its integrity means maintaining its closeness to its origins. Quaker furniture, for example, can be remade by contemporary craftspeople using power tools and modern machinery, but in my opinion it is not Quaker-style furniture if it is made out of plastic and staples in the latest neon colors and grunge-type fabrics. A classical ryu is not a classical ryu if innovation makes it totally unrecognizable.

Those with a more practical bent may grouse that maintaining classical forms are irrelevant in this day and age. They argue that learning grappling skills in full armor with a classical warrior's complement of light weapons don't make sense in this day and age, and their way is better. This usually means they are teaching a "street wise" mix of unrelated techniques, perhaps using modern accoutrements such as bicycle chains, fighting knives, and so on.

Not only is this distasteful, in my own elitist opinion, but such badly thought out logic attacks the very reason the ryu survived for so long. Because it had become theorized and extracted from "practical" contemporary situations, it never grows old. A classical ryu is timeless, not timely.

In a couple of decades, the modern innovator's barroom brawl kata may make no sense because barrooms may be replaced by virtual reality Internet bars. Tree-killing heap big sensei-kahuna's argument of "relevance" means he must continually change whenever the times change, thereby falling into a trap of forever keeping up with the latest trend of martial arts fad of the month. But ryu hardly change, flowing as they do not from the present, but from the past, through the present, and into the future, no matter what the future may hold. That, in a time when fleeting fame is measured in minutes, if not seconds, is a reassuring thought.

The river flows on, but something remains from the past, leading us through the present, and into the future, if we but step into the clear waters for a drink.

Re-published with written permission from the author, Muromoto Wayne Sensei, Editor of Furyu Journal, and Tengu Press Publishers.

CONGRATULATIONS

To Don Lanier Sensei who placed 3rd in Kata and Jiyu Kumite, and 1st in Koshiki Kumite, and Theresa Murray who placed 4th in Kobudo and 5th in Kata, at the USKA Nationals in New Mexico in May.

Congratulations to Lanier Sensei who hosted an excellent tournament on April 24th in Delano California. Our OGRKK family had 47 competitors present, who all did GREAT!

A Guest In Our House

By Stan O’Hara

A few years back one of the GRKB seniors came to me to ask about the appropriateness of what he had done to handle a problem that he was faced with on the Dojo floor. The story went something like this:

A senior black belt had taught an advanced class made up mostly of brown and black belts. He was visiting me from out of town, so I invited him to be a guest instructor for one class feeling that he might show us some techniques that would be different and of interest since he was from another system. The class was quite good and was mostly self-defense.

As usual, after class several students asked my friend to show them more. He graciously answered questions and showed more advanced techniques than he did in his class. It was at this time that the problem arose. One of the newer black belts began to ask inappropriate questions; inappropriate because they were of a challenging nature – one of those "my style is better than your style" things. He even went so far as to state in a boastful manner that "this stuff" won’t work against Goju. When I heard this, two things crossed my mind; either the student was being arrogant or he was trying to show that his teacher was better. Neither of these is appropriate.

After hearing the problem I was very interested in the solution; I was concerned also, that I might have to reprimand the bearer of this story. I was pleased to see that this person acted as a Sempai should. After the "session" broke up, the Sempai took the offending person aside and told him that what he had done would not please Sensei; it was in poor taste to "challenge" a guest, especially since he was invited by Sensei to teach.

Of course, most would say the Sempai did what he was supposed to and this I relayed to him. As it turns out he felt that he should have been more stern. I assured him that he did just fine and that a gentle word with a clear meaning said with serious intent is far more productive than a searing censure.

There is in this an important lesson. None of us is so good that we can stand before another and express superiority. The long lessons of Karate-do should teach us humility in all things. When one joins the ranks of Yudansha this lesson should be so much a part of the total package that is "black belt", that there should be no breach.

The most difficult thing for me to swallow is that somewhere I had failed. Of all the reasons that people come to train I value this the most – "to become a better person".



There is an important message in the above article, did you get it?



Zen Koan

By Steve Carstens – GRKB

During a particular meditation at the Dojo the following Zen koan came to mind:

A Man’s master asked him to go to a waterfall and harness its energy. He then went to the waterfall that came roaring down from quite a height. The energy it released was enormous as it poured over the rocky precipice and struck the pool below. Nearby was a grassy area where the man came routinely and pondered how exactly he could control all of that water.

Would he build a large dam? Would he go to the source of the water-where it actually melted from the snow and capture the water there? Would he put a large drum under the spill and catch the water?

The challenge seemed immense. But over time, as he knelt by the pool’s edge on a patch of grass he could smell the crispness of the air around. He could feel the soggy grass as he knelt. He could embrace the trees, flowers, and animals around him.

He then scooped up some water from the pool, as he was thirsty. And the answer then came to him. Over time, as he scooped up more and more water he had slowly absorbed the essence of the waterfall and hence had come to appreciate its true power.

Where Are We Going?


With the formation of our new organization (Okinawan Goju Ryu Kenkyu Kai), you may be wondering where we are going and what we are doing. Although we are just starting, here are some focus areas and concepts that are being considered:

Improved communication.

You, our members, deserve and have a right to be informed. In this light, all member Dojo and instructors shall do their utmost to keep the membership well informed of organizational activities, events, and information.

Quality Rank Certifications and Dojo Membership Certificates.

Sensei is currently researching and working on the formation of quality certificates that will not only be attractive to display, but that will also contain significant and appropriate meaning. There will also be individual laminated membership cards.

Yudansha Training.

Sensei wants to hold one or two black belt training sessions per year; to ensure that those who teach are growing and improving.

Team Work and Brotherhood.

We are considering forming OGRKK teams to compete at a couple of the most traditional tournaments offered each year. These teams would be comprised of members from the various member Dojo. Training together and competing on a team together promotes brotherhood and a feeling of unity. The OGRKK is also considering holding an annual organizational tournament.

Quality Newsletter.

Sensei wants the Newsletter to be published on a quarterly basis, and to contain useful information. He also wants to be certain that all students from each of the member Dojo receive it. In this vein, the organization will be paying for the printing and distribution of the newsletter.

Will Others Join Us?

Sensei has made the OGRKK open to others as long as they are legitimate, have a good moral character, and practice either Japanese or Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate. The OGRKK will focus on Goju, in so doing, other styles will not be permitted to enter unless they are willing to convert.

Who will run the OGRKK?

Sensei is the Chairman of the organization, and Steve Wilson Sensei and Franco Sanguinetti Sensei are on the Executive Committee with Sensei. Sensei may appoint other members to the Committee who hold at least the rank of Yondan.

What about Kobudo?

Franco Sanguinetti Sensei will continue teaching kobudo to interested members of the OGRKK, and will also continue teaching and sharing at our Gasshuku.

What about Gasshuku?

The three annual California Gasshuku will remain in place and shall include; Bakersfield, San Diego, and Ventura.



Don Lanier’s California Classic
Great Success

On Saturday, April 24th, 132 competitors traveled to Delano California to participate in Don Lanier’s first tournament.

Out of the 132 competitors; the Bakersfield Dojos, Ventura Dojo, and Lindsay Dojo, had 47 combined competitors in attendance, truly making this event a family affair for Goju-Ryu.

We all got to see a lot of old friends again and also had the opportunity to make a lot of new friends. Some of our old friends we haven’t seen in awhile-included Sensei Eric Shingu’s Lodi Dojo who brought down a substantial and talented team for the event.

All the competition was tough, but the competitors were also some of the nicest and most sportsman like competitors we had ever had the pleasure to compete with.

Sensei Lanier hosted this event at Almond Middle School which was a great selection, as the facility was a first class gym. Sempai David from GRKB had an outstanding snack bar at the event, which we all appreciated on what turned out to be a hot day.

O’Hara Sensei was the MC and did a fine job at it. I think he MC’d the event so he could sit up on the elevated stage where he could see all of his member Dojos perform. They don’t call him Sensei Hawk-eye for nothing, and let me tell you, he didn’t miss much of anything. Sensei Maria Evans from Riverside California, and her students were a great help and worked all day in support of the event. Mr. Corothers from Keichu-Do, also worked all day diligently bracketing all the competitors. Sensei Lanier extends his sincerest appreciation to them and everybody else for all their support and help.

In the end, the Goju combined family took home far more awards than we have room to list, but O’Hara Sensei wanted everyone to know that he was very proud of all of you.

The event included competition in Kata, Kumite, Kobudo, Iri Kumi (the most popular event of the day), and Grappling. There were also demonstrations of Shotokan Karate, Goju-Ryu Karate, and Grappling. All in all it was a very busy, exciting, and fun day!

Even though the event got off to a late start because there were far more competitors than originally anticipated; Sensei Lanier had more than enough trophies, and had the event over by 6:00 p.m. In the tournament world that equals SUCCESS! Everybody had a really good time and we all appreciate the time, money, and effort that Sensei Lanier put in to this event. Hope all of you can make it to next year’s event, as it promises to live up to its name, CLASSIC!

OGRKK ANNUAL TOURNAMENT

The Okinawan Goju-Ryu Kenkyu-Kai will be hosting an annual organizational tournament. Although the date isn’t firmly set, it may be in January of each year. Hey, nothing like starting the year off right! The first one will be held in Bakersfield and will include Divisions in Kata, Kobudo, Jiyu Kumite, and Iri Kumi. At this annual event, the organization will also present its annual awards.


KIDS CORNER

A Letter By Michael Cogan

Dear Sensei Wilson,

Central California Karate Classic Tournament yesterday was a learning experience and display of growth for many from the Dojo. I was proud of everybody, as they all exhibited spirit and growth. I was inspired by Sensei Gabe’s competition and especially by his participation in the demonstration of Kakie, Ude Tanren, and Sanchin with Shime (Sensei Lanier, asked Sensei Wilson and Sensei Gabe, to do a demonstration at the tournament).

There comes a time, every now and then, that a student deserves special recognition for growth and advancement, which is worthy of being written down. One of your students displayed this merit. This student is Jacobi Wilson. I had the chance to interact with him several times during the tournament and will convey what transpired.

Being the youngest of the contestants, (5 years old) Jacobi was one of the first to participate. He earned two trophies, which he was proud of. The day was long and I was busy helping judge. I ran into Jacobi in the stands and he asked me, "Sensei Mike, did you get a trophy?" I told him I was working hard at it and would keep working hard at it. "Never give up!", Jacobi said. This alone is worthy of note because it shows that he is starting to grasp the Dojo Kun. However, his later conduct, in association with this comment is what makes this event especially impressive.

Two or three times throughout the day Jacobi asked if I had gotten a trophy and I repeated that I was still working hard at it. At the end of the day I was competing in Iri Kumi. Jacobi was watching and saw when I received a cut above my eye and could not continue fighting. He called to me, as I was leaving the gym, to come over to where he was sitting, so I did. He asked what had happened; if I had fallen on the concrete and cut my eye. I explained that I wasn't sure what had happened and that I had to go get stitches. He asked if I had gotten a trophy. I replied that I had not, but that it sure was
fun just to be there and give it my best.

I turned to go and had taken a few steps when I heard a loud, "Hey!" I turned back and saw Jacobi standing, looking right at me. Then he did the most respectful deep bow I had ever seen.

Those conversations and that bow showed that Jacobi has begun learning two things, one is that karate is about not giving up, and the other is that karate is about respect for others. He showed concern for another that was far more advanced than his years would indicate. Not to mention, it made my day. I was deeply moved.

I am writing you this letter, so that in the future, you can refer to it and remember this occasion. I am also writing this letter because you are Jacobi’s teacher and should be notified of this progress. I am also writing this letter to compliment you, as his father, for everything you have done to foster Jacobi’s development.

Sincerely,

Michael P. Cogan (Ventura Dojo)