摧心取脑
好久没写关于空手道和武术的文章了。上星期和学生谈到了一些练武心得。最近也有一些新领悟。这一领悟，和我先前所写的一篇文章有很密切的关系。在此记录一下：
Protected: Feeling - The ultimate learning - Part 1
Control
Control is the ultimate skill level for any martial artists. To be able to control your strikes is the hardest to achieve compared to how hard you can strike your opponent.
I recalled in a tournament 18 years ago, where I was enraged by the referee who did not award me point when I gave a uraken-uchi (back fist strike) to my opponent every time he threw a gyaku-tzuki (reverse punch) to my mid section. I struck him with uraken-uchi to the side of his head but he could not even touch my gi. I had the advantage of long reach than him. I was 6′3″ and he was about 5′5″. I became more frustrated and angry as his punches did not touch me but awarded point. I don’t deny his gyaku-tzuki was perfect in posture, movement, power, speed and timing. My uraken-uchi struck harder every each time he was awarded wazari (half point). The last few strikes were the hardest, if they all landed on the vital point such as the temple, he would be traumatized. I struck on his parietal with surgical precision. Parietal is the largest and hardest skull bone which covers both sides and the lateral of the brain.
I never met my opponent since after the fight until I met two of his friends at a National Sports Science Workshop in September 2004. We talked about the old days and mentioned about this guy. Both of them told me that this guy said to them how powerful my uraken-uchi. He was feeling dizzy and disoriented after the fight.
Uraken-uchi is my favorite technique because of the advantage of my long range and height. I developed a powerful uraken-uchi and was able to strike hard without drawing the hand backward closer to the body. 18 years ago, I had already developed controllable uraken-uchi with various level of power.
After the tournament, it took me almost 15 years to develop precise control which I am able to deliver an uraken-uchi to opponent’s face with superficial tingling sensation without any obvious injury. Today, my uraken-uchi can strike like a sledge hammer or as soft as a pat on a baby. I have yet to master control as I don’t feel satisfied and am still continuously seeking perfection.
How to develop control and precision in a strike? Well, feeling is the most important factor in acquiring such skill.
Captivated
To those who are curious why I chose Uechi-Ryu Zankai (including my students), Toyama Sensei’s performance of Sandairyu captivated my heart more than a year ago. The video I saw was actually from Okinawa’s Wonders website. It is very rare to find a grand master to perform such fluent and powerful performance at this age.
After meeting him in person when I visited Toyama Sensei’s dojo with Seizan Sensei at Zakimi Okinawa, his health becomes one of my motivation. I envy to have his health in my old age.
三战
三戦 (Sanchin or 三战 in Chinese）
上地流的《三战》和其他空手道的《三战》有所不同。其中最显著的就是上地流的三战是开手型，和中国武术里的白鹤三战有所相似。《三战》是上地流的基石，也是所有上地流套路的模版。
上地流山会的《三战》，不是什么所谓的气功，更把气功的一切错误的观念给一一的打破了。上地流山会传授的古老《三战》，是以改善人体构造，把内脏《放》回原有最原始和最自然的位置，进而改善肺的呼吸法，和改善心脏的操作，减低心脏的负荷，这样就自然地改进人体的血液和自然循，也进一步增强人体免疫系统，也增强人体骨胳和肌肉的强度。所以《三战》也是上地流山会呼吸法和发力的模版。
上地流山会《三战》的呼吸法，最强调自然的呼吸，绝不采用强烈或硬硼硼的呼吸法。自然的呼吸法，绝对不会增添人体里的压力，从而不会增加心脏的负荷，就不会增加血压把血脉给胀大了。
一般上，其他空手道把《三战》解说为人体，思想和精神的挑战。而上地流山会的《三战》是力度，时差敏感和柔软的三种挑战，也以三种动物来象征力度（虎），时差敏感（鹤）和柔软（龙）。
Uechi-Ryu Zankai Shubukan
One month ago, on August 17 night, we went to Toyama Sensei’s Shubukan (修武館) Dojo at Zakimi (座喜味), Okinawa. Here are some photos I extracted from the video. You can read more about our training at Zakimi dojo here.
Dantai no Seichin
Dantai no Seiryu
Performing Seisan kata to Toyama Sensei
Sayonara Okinawa!
Time flies. A month ago, I was stopping at Hong Kong heading to Okinawa. Today, after a month, I am at Hong Kong again heading home!
Home sweet home! Where all my loved ones are waiting for my return. I missed them so much.
During the flight, I had mixed feeling about this journey. I am longing to get home. On the other side, I wished I could stay on Okinawa longer to polish my skills. I am a little confused during the flight.
My return will be another significant milestone in both my karate life and Uechi-Ryu Zankai Malaysia. 3 years ago, I decided to come back to teaching karate. My son, Dmitry and Dietrich have motivated me. I was searching the true path to karate when I made the return. Today, I can’t believe that I have found the true karate path at Uechi-Ryu Zankai. The training on Okinawa has completely changed me. The hard work and sweat that I put in during this month together with all kinds of motivation have sped up my training.
This trip does not only fulfill my dream and the search of true karate, I have very important mission to learn this old-style Pre-WWII karate and bring it back to Malaysia, spread the art and preserve it from fading into modernization and from the corrosion of time.
I have now a heavy responsibility when I reach home. The responsibility to lead a group of adults, teenagers and children toward the true meaning of karate training.
In another 5 hours, I will step onto Malaysian soil (Home Sweet Home!) and become the first official Malaysian to have learnt Uechi-Ryu Zankai karate-do and helping the preservation of this old-style art. I believe with my students’ confidence and faith in me, Uechi-Ryu Zankai will, slowly and quietly, grow stronger each day.
Here, I would like to thank my family for their encouragement, motivation and support. I also wish to thank Seizan Sensei, Sumako Sempai and all the people I have met on Okinawa for teaching me and working me through my hard learning curve and forgetting curve. Especially Seizan Sensei for his humorous teaching method which spiced up the training with a lots of fun. He is the best karate-do teacher I have ever met.
I and on behalf of all my students would like to thank Toyama Sensei for granting me an opportunity to perform in front of his watchful eyes and granting permission to setup Okinawa Karate-do Uechi-ryu Zankai Malaysia Shibu Dojo. Can Seizan Sensei please relay our gratitude to Toyama Sensei? I could have thought about this on Friday night but this thought only surfaced during the en route.
Last but not least, I would like to thank Scott from Canada for introducing me to Seizan Sensei. Without his introduction, I could have been searching endlessly and still stuck in the mess of modern karate.
This departure has also made me understand 一期一会 (ichi go ichi e). A meeting has to come to an end to allow another to happen. I also gain better understanding, from this philosophy, the techniques of old-style Uechi-Ryu techniques in kata. Movement comes to an end and another will begin. It is endless, like the ocean wave, rolling and cycling endlessly with enormous energy and power. The energy and power will fade to effect another cycle to begin.
I am stepping in the shallow water of Uechi sea, the water is barely a foot deep. I am beginning to see the ocean waves ahead.
Ganbatte kudasai!
A diamond in the rough?
Today, only Hikaru came for the training. We practiced a few kata together and before he left, he suddenly asked me to check and correct his Seiunchin and Seisan kata. I was a little surprised. Of course, I did point out a few mistakes in his kata. He was very happy.
Hikaru sprained his left ankle 2 weeks after I arrived. We used to practiced in the morning together with Jessica. One day he came with his left ankle bandaged. I really missed training with him. He is the boy I like to work with.
When he asked me to correct his kata, I saw no ego in his eyes. Only sincerity. I like to work with people with sincerity. That’s why I love to work with him so much.
When I arrived, I learned from him. Today, he learned from me. There is always learning between us no matter what rank we have. I guess today is another happiest day I have on Okinawa.
My best wishes to Hikaru. I hope he will become a great master one day!
Protected: 十六 - Seirui
Protected: Why dantai no kata?
清龍戦 - Seiryuchin
清龍戦 (Seiryuchin) is one of the three supplementary kata which Toyama Sensei has created. Like 清運戦 (Seiunchin) and 當戦 (Tochin), they are not actually kata rather they are sequences of movement to supplement training.
清龍戦 is a sequence of movement for 連続組み手 (renzoku kumite) or you can also say 清龍戦 is 連続組み手型 (renzoku kumite kata).
清 (Sei) as in 當山清幸 (Seiko Toyama), and 龍 (dragon) as Toyama Sensei is born in the year of dragon. 清龍戦 (Seiryuchin) means the Dragon Challenge of Toyama Sensei as 戦 (chin) means challenge.
It is difficult for him to find a partner with equivalent skill level to practice renzoku kumite with him so he went on creating a kata so that he can practice alone.
What a Surprise!
This morning training were just Sensei, Jessica and I. As usual, the class began with Sanchin and then Sensei checked my performance of all the kata from Kanshuu to Seisan. He pointed out a few minor glitches here and there in all my kata and I noted them all in my head.
Today’s training was not a heavy one. Rather, it was funny with some jokes and stories and stuff.
After the training, I was thinking about a lot of things. I was also run down by muscle ache on my thighs and on my right knee. They were caused by too much walking up and down slopes while I was at the Zakimi Castle yesterday.
Sensei called me to get in line with him and he started to teach me some movement. Wait a minute, it was the movement in 連続組み手 rensoku kumite which I did last night. He told me that was actually Seiryuchin kata! I was so surprised. I had begun learning a new kata without knowing it. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
Begin to learn Seisan bunkai
This evening, after working on Kanshiwa bunkai with Fumiya, he taught me Seisan bunkai. For the first time I experienced the traditional Okinawan way of teaching, learning and practicing kata bunkai. Unlike what I had been taught or had experienced in Malaysia, Uechi-Ryu Zankai being the only traditional old style Uechi-Ryu left in the world, the requirement for performing was rather unique and strict.
No one gets hurt when practicing bunkai in Zankai dojo. Safety is the utmost priority but still retain the accuracy, power and speed while performing bunkai. Every technique must be demonstrated in regular and slow speed. The bunkai practice also cultivates mutual respect amog students.
From the techniques and skills that Sensei taught me, in addition to my prior knowledge of Uechi-Ryu techniques before I came to Okinawa, I understand that all Uechi-Ryu techniques are really effective and deadly. After practicing the bunkai, I have a better understanding and realization of what degree of damage can an Uechi-Ryu technique be delivered to your attacker.
Dantai no Kanshiwa
Tin, Jeff, Senato, Shawn and I (of course) attended the afternoon training class. I really enjoyed doing dantai no Kanshiwa (group kata) with Tin and Jeff. We repeated a few times and refined some glitches and we had a good sweat.
While I practiced Seisan with Senato and Shawn, Sensei taught Tin and Jeff Seichin. I joined them practicing Seichin after a while.
After another fruitful day of training, I took my shower and put on a red Hawaii shirt ready to go to the beach party with Sensei. I was so excited to meet and see more people.
Kanshiwa Bunkai
I learned Kanshiwa bunkai and practiced with Hidetoshi today. The way the bunkai is taught and practiced in Uechi-ryu is really different from my previous style.
Practicing bunkai does not only involve technical movements but involve discipline, control and respect to your partner.
This is just roughly an idea of the entire process. First, you and your partner will bow to the front before they bow to each other. After bowing to each other, you will face forward and bow to the front again while your partner remains in his position. Then you begin to show 3 sequences of movement in the kata then you get into position. Your partner will shout before he attacks. Then you will apply a block and a counter strike according to the technique in the kata. After applying the technique, you and your partner will square off. You and your partner remain eye contact through out the enitre process to make sure your partner is ok. Then you will get to the last movement where you left off in the kata and do it again before performing the following 3 sequences. Repeat again until finish performing the entire kata. Then you bow to the front and your partner take over your place and the entire process repeat again.
When all is done, both you and your partner bow to the front and bow to each other.
Seisan
Finally, I’ve knocked the entire Seisan kata into my head with the assistance of Hikaru during the morning workout. Being a fan of Seisan kata (knowing Shorin-ryu, Shito-ryu and Goju-ryu version), it is not an easy task to remember all the movement of Uechi-ryu Seisan although there are some resemblence.
Seisan contains a lot of fighting techniques. Deadly and effective. I will write about Seisan kata and bunkai later once I have completely digested.
“Severe” Sanchin kitae
This morning I received a “severe” Sanchin kitae from Sensei. This is not the severity Sensei means. It is just the severity I expected. He applied Sanchin kitae first time to my chest at Hokute no kamae. Sensei says there may be only 3 persons in the world are trained to perform Sanchin kitae to the chest (heart). They are Toyama Sensei (of course), Akamine Sempai and him.
Like usual, I felt great after the Sanchin kitae.
清運戦 - Seiunchin
Today learned another new kata. Seiunchin is created by Toyama Sensei based on Hojo Undo. It is not actually a kata because it does not have the characteristic of a kata. Rather, Seiunchin is a sequence of movements based on the drills (Hojo Undo). Toyama Sensei was bored doing the Hojo Undo so he took up his challenge to create Seiunchin. Sei as in his name Seiko. Un as in Hojo Undo. And Chin is challenge.
Sensei taught Jessica and I half of the kata this morning and Fumiya Sempai (17 year-old, nidan) taught us the complete kata.
I really did not remember much of the kata as I am still digesting and trying very hard to memorize Kanshuu and Seichin.
I will work harder tomorrow to knock these kata into my head and improve them. As I begin to memorize Kanshuu and Seichin, my movements in Kanshuu and Seichin have become fluid and smoother.
As expected, I can feel my body having some changes as my muscles are aching more each day. I really love the training and the “severity” I am going through.
Sanchin game
During the evening class, I met Hidetoshi Chinen, a 17 year-old nikyu. He was friendly and easy to mix with although he spoke very little English. His Sanchin was excellent. Together in the class, I also met a few “Little Dragons” and a Sempai (forgot his name though).
I also practiced kata with Jessica and practiced kote kitae (conditioning) with Hidetoshi. I was practicing it with Dave last evening.
I performed Kanshuu and Seichin badly this evening. I think I was quite confused with the steps and movements. Perhaps I did not practice enough. More hard works tomorrow to improve these two kata.
At the end of the class, after al the kids and parents had left, Hidetoshi suggested to do Sanchin game. I felt good. Whew! Great! Looking forward to doing it again tomorrow.
Learned Seichin
I woke up earlier this morning, took a quick shower and had a big breakfast. As usual, I checked my email boxes and worked while waiting for the training session. The morning training is from 1000 to 1130.
Sensei had to bring two of his cats to the vet. He could not train us so he told me to practice and learn from Hikaru and Jessica.
Jessica came followed by Hikaru not longer after that. Sensei gave Hikaru some instructions and left. We began our practice with Sanchin, Kanshiwa and Kanshuu. Later, I asked them to teach me Seichin. I was confused by the movements at first. I asked them to repeat the kata again and again until I remembered the movements. I hoped they were not bored by me. 
Anyway, if they are reading this post, thank you, Arigato Gozaimashita to both Hikaru and Jessica. I enjoyed practicing and learning with them.
Protected: 完周 - Kanshuu
Protected: Kanshiwa - Correction, Bunkai and “Secrets”
Protected: Sanchin - Correction, Bunkai and “Secrets”
More severe Sanchin Kitae
This afternoon, I received a more severe Sanchin Kitae from Sensei during our training after Sumako’s Yoga class.
I felt Sensei had increased his pounding strength. Again, I had to swallowed my laugh when he pressed on my stomach. The ticklish sensation…. 
After the Sanchin Kitae, I felt good!
OMG! Sanchin monsters!
Oh My God! I could not believe this if I did not see this video with my own eye! Jay forwarded the link to me and when I watched the video, it really gave me the shock of my life. They sounded like monsters from some horror sci-fi movies.
I think the guy with the “boom” hair is the instructor. I wonder how can these people be fooled by his so called karate Sanchin. Instead of blocks and punches, you can see lots of strange moves, and especially, pay attention to their fingers and the way the making the grasp. And the entire Sanchin kata is wrong!
These guys are really fanatic and Jay said they could die when they are 50. But I think they might die before 50 if they continue doing this!
I lost!
I lost in men’s individual kata event in the tournament yesterday. I was bye in the 1st round and lost in second round. I was performing Shito Seisan. I shouted three times in Seisan. I did not know why the shout just came out from my throat. That’s an unforgivable mistake. Another mistake I made was that I performed Shito Seisan with variation which I learned from a well known sensei from Malaysia and the chief referee was also from Shito-ryu. In general, I was quite satisfied with my overall performance. In retrospect, I think I have been overconfidence, underestimated my opponent and did not consider the referee factors. Sorry to those wonderful people who sent me their best wishes and good lucks and encouragement. I have disappointed you all but I assure you that I will train more and try again next time.
My team mate, Sensei Azlimmi, bagged two bronze medals in kata and men’s veteran kumite; 《千里走单骑》bagged two silvers in women’s open kumite and women team kumite, she did not score in women’s individual kata either; ZZ bagged two bronzes in men’s open kumite and men’s team kumite and Lim scored a gold in boys’ 16-17 years old individual kata and a bronze in men’s team kumite. Fathinah and I did not score any. 
Total medal tally is 1 gold, 2 silvers and 5 bronzes. Not bad at all for a 6 persons team to bag 8 medals! Not bad.
I will train more on kata with 《千里走单骑》to prepare for the next coming tournament in May.
Seienchin
Seienchin (or Seinchin, Seiunchin), セインチン, 制引戰
(Pronounced as Say-yen-chin)
Seienchin is a very ancient Chinese kata, and it’s origins are probably in the Xingyi ( or Hsing-I) internal system (形意内家拳). Many Seienchin movements closely resemble Xingyiquan. All Seienchin movements are hand techniques with no kicks, a very unusual feature. It is in the tiger series of katas.
The 1st kanji, 制, translates as sytem/method. It also translate as seize/capture. The 2nd kanji, 引, translates as “pulling” in the sense of “sucking/drawing/leading/setting up the person into a trap”, (eg: an “attack by drawing”). The 3rd kanji, 戰, simply means battle/fight/war. Furthermore one could speculate that Seienchin, as a kata which illiustrates a system of seizing and drawing the opponent to make the initial attack into your counter or traps. I see Seienchin as a more generalized kata showing different methods of engaging the opponent in a favorable manner (the idea of the 2nd kanji). Hence, Seienchin means “Seize-Control-Fight”.
Seienchin and Xingyiquan share common characteristics and principles. Both feature direct footwork and linear movement to deliver aggressive shocking attacks. Despite their hard, angular appearance, cultivating soft internal strength is essential to achieving power in both systems. Efficiency and economy of movement are the qualities of Xingyiquan and Seienchin and direct fighting philosophy advocates simultaneous attack and defense. Xingyiquan favors high stance rather than deep stance in Seienchin. A common saying of Xingyiquan is that “the hands do not leave the heart and the elbows do not leave the ribs.” and so is Seienchin. Like Xingyiquan, Seienchin techniques are prized for their deadliness rather than aesthetic value. There are few kicks in Xingyiquan.
Some techniques in Seienchin also resemble to Liu He Ba Fa (六合八法) or Six Harmonies Eight Methods. Liu He Ba Fa uses circular motion instead of linear movement. At the end of Seienchin, step into hidari nekoashi dachi while with both hands, make large arc overhead till both hands reach each other, then they are placed slowly with the fingertips of both hands together palms facing down and push the hands slowly forward a little bit with tension (kuri uke). This movement/technique shares a common characteristic with the opening move of Liu He Ba Fa.
It is believed that Seienchin has a sister kata called Seisan (十三) or Thirteen (13) Hands. Seisan is suited more to people with larger frame and who can build power easily. The opening three punches executed with sanchin dachi demonstrate this theory. Seienchin, on the other hand, is more suited to smaller person, as the kata uses many techniques that involve two hands working together for one technique. A larger person with longer limbs contradicts the concept of Xingyiquan, “the hands do not leave the heart and the elbows do not leave the ribs.”
Understanding the fundamental philosophy of this kata, both techniques and philosophy in Seienchin are just as applicable strategically in business meeting as they are in self defense and confrontation. Thus, karate-do is a way of life.
Karate men’s team kata Paiku bunkai
I went to the MAKAF Senior Championship at Pay Fong Secondary School Melaka today and recorded some videos during kata events.
Here’s the video of the men’s team kata champion performing Paiku and demontrating bunkai.
Oyadomari Passai
Finally, I learnt Oyadomari Passai yesterday. This kata is the oldest kata in Shorin-ryu passed down to Shimabukuro Sensei from Oyadomari Kokan through Chotoku Kyan Sensei. This kata still preserves its traditional essence wrapped in its ancient form.
Having learnt both Shotokan-like and Shito-ryu Bassai-dai, I felt Passai was uneasy at first. After a while, I began to feel its ancient serenity embedded in those powerful techniques of a Leopard and Lion.
There are many techniques in Passai which are powerful and lethal. Many modern version of Bassai has lost its touch. I began to love this kata as I practiced it.
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