Earthquake on Okinawa

August 7th, 2007 at 21:36 · Filed Under Days in My Life, Karate, Okinawa · Comment 

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.

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Keep your elbow straight!

August 7th, 2007 at 1:34 · Filed Under Days in My Life, Karate, Okinawa, Training Journal · 2 Comments 

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.

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Protected: Why dantai no kata?

August 6th, 2007 at 8:45 · Filed Under Karate, Kata and Bunkai, Okinawa, Training Journal · Enter your password to view comments. 

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清龍戦 – Seiryuchin

August 3rd, 2007 at 15:49 · Filed Under Karate, Kata and Bunkai, Okinawa, Training Journal · Comment 

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.

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What a Surprise!

August 3rd, 2007 at 15:18 · Filed Under Days in My Life, Karate, Kata and Bunkai, Okinawa, Training Journal · Comment 

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!

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Another great training

August 2nd, 2007 at 21:55 · Filed Under Days in My Life, Karate, Okinawa, Training Journal · Comment 

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.

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Historical Artifacts at Zakimi Castle

August 2nd, 2007 at 17:35 · Filed Under Artifacts, Blogging, Days in My Life, Environment, Karate, Okinawa, Photography, Training Journal · 2 Comments 

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.

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Scenic Zakimi Castle

August 2nd, 2007 at 17:30 · Filed Under Blogging, Days in My Life, Environment, Karate, Okinawa, Photography, Scenery, Training Journal · 1 Comment 

Here are some scenic photos at the foot and top of Zakimi Castle.

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Floral at Zakimi Castle

August 2nd, 2007 at 17:28 · Filed Under Environment, Flowers and Plants, Gardening, Karate, Okinawa, Philosophy, Photography, Training Journal · 1 Comment 

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.

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Good training

August 1st, 2007 at 22:51 · Filed Under Days in My Life, Karate, Okinawa, Training Journal · Comment 

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.

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Home Sick

August 1st, 2007 at 22:02 · Filed Under Days in My Life, Dietrich, Dmitry, Dominik, Family, Karate, Okinawa, Training Journal · Comment 

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.

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Sumako in her uniform

August 1st, 2007 at 21:49 · Filed Under Karate, Okinawa · Comment 

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.

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Richie owns a shop on Okinawa?

August 1st, 2007 at 16:35 · Filed Under Days in My Life, Dietrich, Family, Karate, Okinawa, Photography, Scenery · Comment 

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!

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Goodbye Grace

August 1st, 2007 at 12:40 · Filed Under Karate, Okinawa · Comment 

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.

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Begin to learn Seisan bunkai

July 31st, 2007 at 22:56 · Filed Under Days in My Life, Karate, Kata and Bunkai, Okinawa, Training Journal · Comment 

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.

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