Chewing Tobacco Can Cause Mouth Cancer
When I talked to my friends from Hospice, I learned about chewing or smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol, can cause mouth cancer.
My friend’s father-in-law died of mouth cancer last year. I did not know about it until I met him two weeks ago when he came back from US for visiting.
I know a friend from Norway who likes to chew tobacco. I hope he is reading this. Please stop chewing tobacco and take good care of yourself. I have seen so much people suffering from cancer. I wish you best of health.
Theme for my blog
Ever since I revamped my blog to give it a new look in October, I received quite a number of correspondence from my regular readers and fans. They asked me why “The Eccentric Logic of An Eclectic Mind”. Well, another similar representation of the theme (as portrayed in New Look), it is vicariously a random experience and non-concentric logical reasoning of my mind by which referring and/or combining various elements such as philosophy in karate and those seen through my eyes.
This theme is graphically represented by the random header images which I made from photos I took on Okinawa while I was having a walk at the ruins of Zakimi castle. I took some photos of flowers and plants, scenery and artifacts.
This is my favorite. Before I came to Okinawa, I was quite lost in karate. All my surroundings seemed to be thick stone walls. Suddenly, I found an exit, which led me to the Sky! This also signifies my understanding of “karate” as Sky Hand as Seizan Sensei told me. In Uechi-Ryu Zankai, karate-do is like the sky, without border and endless. People build walls surrounding themselves and others to restrict seeking of knowledge and truth as well as to protect their own benefits. I am glad that I have found an exit to this confinement.
These images indicate the road ahead is difficult and the woods on both sides represent challenges, confusions and distractions which can easily get lost in. Fortunately, there is a small road that leads to the destination. The road, as if Uechi-Ryu Zankai.
The gardener on the left represents Toyama Sensei. The two trees represent Seizan Sensei and Sumako Senpai (as well as other Sensei and Senpai) setting a goal for me to reach up there.
These two images are made of floral and artifacts found at Zakimi Castle site. No special significant meaning.
This is an image of some surf boards at Torii Beach. No significant meaning. Just a photography image.
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
Another Sweet Reminiscence
Last night, it was a surprised to receive some photos from Sensei. They were taken at the Torri Station Beach Party more than a month ago on Okinawa.
It was a nice and sweet reminiscence of the great time there. The photos have lightened up me a bit. I have been busy with some projects including the new dojo. There were a lot of things in my head and in addition of the cold, I was a little stressed out and the photos came in just in time. 
Two love birds, Sensei and his wife, Sumako Sempai
Cold Soba
Besides karate and yoga, I learned to make Sushi rice ball and cold soba during my first trip to Okinawa. Actually, the one I ate on Okinawa was not soba. I can’t remember the name of the noddle but it was white in color. I learned to make the dishes from Sumako sempai.
Today, I prepared the two dishes for the kids and LA. They loved it so much!
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!
Farewell Dinner
Aleksander and I will be going home tomorrow. After the last training in this afternoon, Sensei and Sumako sempai took us to an Italian restaurant, Marcaroni & Grill, at Camp Foster. Together were Sumako’s friend and her daughter. The food there was really great! My tummy was really expanded. What a dinner! Thanks to Sensei and Sumako sempai.
“一期一会” (ichi go ichi e), one meeting in one life time. This is our first meeting in our entire life time. Every meeting has to come to an end. To an end so that another can begin. We will meet again.
Certificate Ceremony
Today is the last day of my training on Okinawa. Aleksander from Norway had his grading test today. He has done well in a week too. After the test, Seizan Sensei awarded certificates to us. It is me, Aaron, Jessica and Aleksander from top to bottom.
Congratulations! Ganbatte kudasai. Renshu, renshu. Till we meet again in near future. When? “Whenever!”, said Jessica. It was great to work with them. I really enjoy the sweat, laughter and seriousness of their training. The best training I ever have in my life!
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!
Human Complexity
The complexity in the human world is simplicity that has failed. The human is the only animal that needs to be taught how to become animal again.
My training in Uechi-ryu Zankai karate has opened up a whole new dimension of knowledge about bio-mechanism in the human body which in turn to simulate animal movement. Uechi-ryu Zankai, an old style karate, teaches the forms of 7 animals: Dragon, Tiger, Crane being the 3 basic and mostly practiced as in postures together with Leopard, Snake, Cobra, and Mantis.
In the forms of these 7 animals, human can be taught to become primitive again where powerful movement and postures come from the animal instinct of the primitive homosapiens.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. - Leonardo DaVinci
Uechi-ryu is teaching the simplicity of the animals which is so complicated for a complex human. The simplicity in the Uechi-ryu Zankai karate is the hardest to understand and to perfection compares to complexity of any other sports karate.
My understanding of Uechi-ryu Zankai has just begun and it is so shallow which I can only write so little about its simplicity versus the complexity of modern humanization.
Test Day
Test day! Well, I woke up at usual time but slightly early. Everything seems fine. Last night, I watched a movie to relax and to get my mind into another dimension away from training. After the movie, I did some mental training. So I guess (don’t I tell you that I guess?) I have enough good mental preparedness. This evening will be the test of myself, an ultimate test, from Jukyu to Ikkyu before qualifying for Shodan test.
Uechi-ryu Zankai has a very strict protocol for students from other style. It is simply because a completely different style or system.One has to unlearn everything to be able to absorb the knowledge of Uechi-ryu. One also needs to sublimate ego. It is especially for people, a yudansha (dan holder), and with many years of training which their minds have been so adapted to the system(s) they have been training into, to begin from Jukyu (white belt).
I will be wearing white belt during the test tonight and able to feel wearing a white belt again after 22 years of training in other style.
Protected: Where is the power of wa-uke?
Protected: 十六 - Seirui
Severe Training
Time to be serious! Test week. I will be tested for appropriate rank this Wednesday. So, tonight, everyone was burning real hard. I was no exception. I burned in Kanshiwa bunkai, rensoku kumite, Seisan, kote kitae, koriashi kitae and yoriashi kitae. Everyone was wearing sweat. A few sempai and kids were there to help. Spirit was good.
After performing Seisan, Sensei taught me Seirui. Seirui is the nidan qualifying kata and is the dragon kata which completes Seichin. Seichin is also a dragon kata.
Seirui teaches antekan or stability. The flow of the techniques is fluid and swift and as powerful as the dragon. Comparing to Seisan (which is a dragon, crane and tiger kata), it is easier to learn. Of course, some techniques need a while to be familiar with.
I have learnt Sanchin, Kanshiwa, Kanshuu, Seichin, Seiunchin, Seiryuchin, Seisan, and Seirui.
Earthquake on Okinawa
There was an earthquake this morning. Buildings were shaking according to Sensei. But I did not feel anything because I was still sleeping. I missed the chance to experience earthquake again. I am fine and everyone on Okinawa is fine too.
Typhoon is heading towards Taiwan so no worry.
Keep your elbow straight!
Sensei always stresses “Keep Your Elbow Straight” when he sees us (especially Jessica and I) bending elbow while executing 環受け (wa-uke). Today he once again, humorously, reminded Jessica to “Keep Your Elbow Straight”.
Modern style Uechi-ryu is not so strict about straight elbow. Contrary to that, the old style is rather extremely particular about keeping the elbow straight while executing wa-uke.
By keeping the elbow straight, the whole arm acts like a lever to fend off a strong punch or kick, a grab and etc. using the entire body weight. Upon completing the wa-uke, across the face to the shoulder level, the hand turns into 虎の歯 (tiger teeth) or 虎の手 (tiger hand), grabbing and snagging.
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!
Another great training
I did not do much kata tonight but it was really fruitful and tiring training. I began to learn 連続組み手 (Renzoku Kumite) this evening.
Finally, I had completed the Seisan bunkai with Fumiya this evening. We did a few more Seisan bunkai to make sure I could remember the sequences. I still did plenty of practice before performing for Toyama Sensei on August 17. After practicing Seisan bunkai, we moved on to 連続組み手. We stopped at 1/3 of 連続組み手 sequences.
This evening was another remarkable milestone for my training on Okinawa.
Historical Artifacts at Zakimi Castle
Here are some historical artifacts found at and around Zakimi Castle.
Zakimi Castle is protected as one of the world’s heritage by United Nation. The monument below indicates the announcement.
A museum at the main entrance of Zakimi Castle.
The artifact below is actually the ancient machinery for squeezing juices from sugar cane.
These are ancient urns for keeping human remains.
Scenic Zakimi Castle
Here are some scenic photos at the foot and top of Zakimi Castle.
Floral at Zakimi Castle
I took a day off training and decided to have a walk at the ruins of Zakimi Castle. After all, there was no training in the afternoon and I needed some rest and to take my mind off training so that I could recover from my learning curve.
I noticed some beautiful flowers and plants along the way so I took some pictures of them to share here.
Too bad I have no idea the name of the plants. If anyone knows, please share here using the comments. Thanks.
The bud of this Cycad is really huge. Cycad is one of my favorite plant. I used to have a few at home but they did not flourishe. Whenever new bud (small) is growing, it got chewed up by caterpillars. I gave away some and left one in a pot when we remodeled our garden last month.
Good training
This evening training was a good one. I began to feel that I was back onto my steep learning curve again and hopefully I would soon get out of the forgetting curve.
I really enjoyed doing kote kitae (arm conditioning) with Jeff. He has got right size for me and we both wore sweat after the exercise.
Home Sick
I have been on Okinawa for exactly two weeks now. Despite training schedule and some sight seeing activities, I begin to have home sick now. Although I have been able to communicate with home via Skype video, it is not so much the same as looking at the actual person. I missed all the playing, shouting and crying of the three dinos (kids) which sometimes and most often times drove me up the wall.
I am able to channel this feeling to traning but when I am not training and writing on my MacBook, I think of them so much.
I know what is my next birthday wish will be but this time, no one could ever make my wish comes through. I will have to work very hard to make this second wish come true and that can take me years to realize the wish. I hope LA and the three dinos can be patient.
Sumako in her uniform
Sumako came by the dojo in her uniform. She looks great. She is the Chief of Civilian Security/Police Forces on Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa Japan. The other picture of her with the M9 was sent by Sensei and was taken in her office.
She is the first woman to be promoted to this position. Sumako is Godan (5th dan) in Uechi-Ryu Zankai and also a Yoga instructor.
Richie owns a shop on Okinawa?
Sensei and I went to the Okinawa City to do a frame for a souvenir. I came across a shop with a very unique name which I am familiar with. The name of the shop is “Richie Rich”. I created a song for Richie when he was a baby/toddler based on a ringtone of LA’s phone. The song goes like this: “Richie rich rich, Richie Richie Rich.” Wow! I do wish Richie owns a shop on Okinawa!
Goodbye Grace
Today is the last day for Grace to train in Nagahama dojo. She will be leaving Okinawa with her parents. Grace is a friend of Jessica. Grace had been training with some style of karate which she can’t remember and she has been here training for more than a week. She has not become a member of Zankai so Sensei awarded a certificate of training to her. We may or may not see her again. I hope she will come back and become a true Uechi-Ryu Zankai one day. All the best to Grace and it has been a pleasure to know her and to work together with her.
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.
I feel lousy
When I woke up in the morning, I could feel the lousiness in me. I had 4 times of diarrhea this morning. It could be my body lacking isotonic balance after the purges or it could be lack of sleep for waking up four times at to take a leak.
Nevertheless, like use, took a quick hot shower then gulped down some breakfast and ready for the morning training. My performance was really awful. I forgot some of the steps in all the kata I learned last week, Kanshabu (Kanshuu), Seichin and Seiunchin. This should not happen but it happened. Could it be the lazying around yesterday? Too much of pastries and beautiful sceneries?
Sensei was going to the commissary so I asked him to get me some glucose tablets. I took some in the evening and I could feel better. But still, I could not perform during the evening training. What was wrong with me?
After the evening training, I took a hot shower and had fried soba Sumako cook. It was delicious. Thanks! She and Sensei were talking about how Sensei and Matoki had been through the day and Sumako also said that she did not feel right in the day. Matoki was having diarrhea too. We were having some ind of food poisoning and we guessed the source could be the tempura. We could be wrong.
I sat and thought for a while, it was not only the diarrhea which degraded my performance. It was the new training which I had been going through for more than a week. I was transforming while I was learning, absorbing the knowledge and skills Sensei was putting on me. I was in the “unlearning” phase.
To confirm my theory, I tried to perform other kata which I learned from other styles and I could not believe it myself. I had forgotten most of the moves and I could feel my uke-waza was not the same as before. I was changing. I was transition from linear into circular universe. I could feel the tension in my joints when I performed a linear techniques.
And most likely, I was in the forgetting curve where I forgot the movements which I learned last week. My learning curve was steep (quick) last week. Tomorrow, I would start to learn Seisan bunkai. I hoped I would get out of this forgetting curve soon.
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