Karate is Aloha, Aloha is Karate

1. When Souke started Karate training in the 1950’s,
his Sensei(s) and Senpai(s) would always talk about
"Hyaku Ren Ji Toku".

2. Hyaku Ren Towa:
"Hyaku Ren" literally means 100 times.

It means to do something over and over and over, hundreds,
thousands, tens of thousands of times.

In other words, "Hyaku Ren" stresses the importance of
repetition.

So many aspects of Karate practice are accomplished
through "Hyaku Ren".

First of all, a person must have initiative to keep doing
something over and over.

Without good mental strength (seriousness, try hard, never
give up) or good mental attitude (initiative, responsibility,
pride), there is no way that a person could sustain the practice
of repetition. Neither could that person produce

anything of real quality from the repetition if he/she just
practiced lazily or sloppily.

But most importantly, when a person practices "Hyaku Ren"
he discovers for himself the meaning or significance of what
he is doing. This is true awakening.

And the impact of this personal discovery will be remembered
for a lifetime.

All of this comes from the simple but powerful act of repetition.

3. Ji Toku Towa:

"Ji Toku" literally means Self-Realization.

Through the practice of "Hyaku Ren" (repetition)
self-realization occurs.

You realize or discover for yourself that which is important.

You see for yourself what needs to be worked on like
strength, speed, balance, position of feet, different postures,
mei tsuke (correct eye), etc., etc., etc.

In Karate this is how so many of the finer points of development
are discovered, practiced and accomplished.

The teacher cannot really teach the student these lessons.
The student must discover this himself/herself.

4. Hyaku Ren Ji Toku Towa:

"Hyaku Ren Ji Toku" means to develop and refine yourself
through endless repetition. And through this practice you
discover for yourself what you need to develop and refine next.

This is the process by which the raw metal of great potential
is heated in the fire of the sword-maker’s hearth, then
pounded to release its impurities and then dowsed in the
water to harden. Then it is put back into the fire to start
the whole process over again…..over and over and over until
finally the magnificent sword is revealed.

Ultimately through the practice of "Hyaku Ren Ji Toku",
you have the chance to realize or discover your "Self"…
..your "True Self". And this is a Gift of immeasurable worth.




5. Souke’s observations of "Hyaku Ren Ji Toku" in the
history Karate:

In the 1950’s, one of the most important methods of
instruction that Souke’s Sensei(s) and Senpai(s) used was
"Hyaku Ren Ji Toku".

At this time in Japan, "Hyaku Ren Ji Toku" was not only used
in Martial Arts, but also in many different fields, for instance;
flower arrangement, tea ceremony, etc.

Rather than trying to intellectually learn about something,
you learn by doing it.

This is learning through or with the whole body.



But when the 1960’s came along, scientific training methods
were applied to Karate training. In scientific training, the body
components were studied, in other words, how the bones,
joints and muscles function and how these body parts work
together in a technique. Karate movement was broken down
into its components to analyze and teach the proper functioning,
execution and understanding of the technique. And this became
the emphasis of Karate training in the 60's.

In the 1950’s the people who were training were strong people.
They were not only strong as far as physical strength, power
and technique went, but they were also strong in their lives.

After the 1960’s (latter part of the 60’s) there were not too
many strong people like this. They were technically good and
they were very fast but they did not have the power of people
who trained in the 50’s. For example: Souke said that in the
50’s when he would block a kick, his hand would fly. He knew
of people who even got their arm broken while trying to block
a kick. After the 60’s, when he blocked kicks, his hand did not
fly.
The fighters of the 60's were so fast, accurate and beautiful
in their attacks. Great technique. But when they hit you it
didn’t incapacitate you like those Karate-ka from the 50’s.

6. Souke’s Opinion:

In the 1950’s, their main training method was "Hyaku Ren Ji
Toku" (Over, over, over. 500 kicks, 1000 punches, day after
day, year after year.).

In the 1960’s, the methods changed to the type of training
that would help people win at tournaments, what they called
scientific training method.

As a person who trained in the 50’s and later went on to
compete in the All-Japan tournaments, Souke witnessed the
inner workings of this transition for himself.

And after almost 50 years of teaching Karate and helping
others in their practice and their lives, Souke says, "I don’t
know which way of training is better, Martial Arts Karate
("Hyaku Ren Ji Toku" training) or Sport Karate (Scientific
training). The only thing that I can say is that Sports helped
to spread Karate all over the world."

When asked why this is so, he said, "Because people want to win.
People want recognition."

Other interesting historical facts as Souke experienced them:


1. Before the 1950’s, the practice used to be called To Te
(Chinese Hand) or Okinawa Te (Okinawan Hand) or just Te (Hand).

2. After the 1950’s, the practice became known as Kara Te
(Empty Hand).

3. Souke heard that calling the practice Karate was started
by Funakoshi, Gichin (founder of Shotokan Karate and the
Japan Karate Association (JKA)).

4. In 1957 the first JKA tournament took place.

5. In 1958, the All-Japan University Karate tournament started.
This was a competition for all styles of Karate. You also had
to be a student of a University to compete in the tournament.

6. In 1965, University and High School Prefectures began
regional tournaments that were held in the different styles.

7. Okinawan Karate had two styles:

a. Shuri (Samurai style) – Shuri was the capitol of Okinawa.
Funakoshi comes from this Shuri lineage. This became
Shotokan Karate.

b. Naha (Farmer’s style) – Led by Miyagi, Chojun. This
became Gojuryu Karate.

1) Go – Hard.
2) Jyu – Soft.
3) Ryu – Style.

8. Shitoryu was not an original style of Karate.
The name "Shi To" comes from:

a. "Shi" - Itosu, Yasutsune, an Okinawan Karate Master.
The "Ito" from his name can also be read as "Shi" (from the
Chinese characters).

b. "To" – Higashionna, Kanryo, also an Okinawan Karate Master.
His Chinese character can be read as "To".

c. Their students, particularly Mabuni, Kenwa, combined the
names of Itosu and Higashionna to create the name
Shito-ryu for the practice.

1. Sei Towa:

"Sei" means Proper.

In other words, "Sei" means to learn things properly.
You learn the correct basics and form of the techniques.
"Sei" is the first step of learning.
You are establishing a good foundation to build upon.

2. Soku Towa:

"Soku" means speed, fast or quickness.
It applies to the speed or quickness in the technique.
After you have established proper "Sei" (Basics), then you work
on the speed or quickness in a technique.

It is not good to work on Soku (speed) before Sei
(proper technique).

And in fact, the basics of Soku is always Sei.
Without Sei you cannot have Soku.

Without good Sei (proper basics, form), the body/
body-mechanics aren’t functioning optimally.

When the body isn’t functioning optimally, it is very hard
if not impossible to have speed.

In addition, if you work on the speed first, it is much more
difficult to establish good basics later.

3. Ryoku Towa:

"Ryoku" means strength or power.
This is the third stage of working on a something.

After you have come to a certain amount of proficiency in
"Sei" (proper basics) and "Soku" (quickness or speed), you
work on "Ryoku" (strength or power).

In other words, you now bring the strength or power
into the technique.

This is the most difficult aspect to bring into a technique
properly because you are trying to bring in the power while
maintaining the proper basics and the speed.

You do not let the technique fall apart just to attain power.

4. Sei, Soku, Ryoku Towa:

"Sei, Soku, Ryoku" was a term used extensively in the 1950's,
the "older days" of martial arts training.

Generally "Sei, Soku, Ryoku" applies to technical things.

But "Sei, Soku, Ryoku" can also apply to the learning and
practicing of the intangibles.

For example, you learn and practice correct manners, attitude
and Life in general.

"Sei, Soku, Ryoku" was used to bring attention to and
communicate the concept of many different aspects of
technique, training and Life.

If the instructor saw something that needed to be corrected,
he would say, "Hey Sei, Soku, Ryoku!!!" (Many,Many Times!!!)

Examples of things that "Sei, Soku, Ryoku" would be used to
point out:

When you punch make the sure the elbow is close to the body.

The body should be straight.
Eyes must be on the target.
Don't blink.
Concentrate and pull back properly.

Through "Sei, Soku, Ryoku", so many of the finer points of
practice were accomplished.

"Sei, Soku, Ryoku" was definitely an important part of
Karate Practice.

1. "Shin, Nen, Gyo" is the mental preparation before you begin
something or begin an action .

2. Shin Towa:

"Shin" means that before you try to accomplish something
you create a goal.

"Shin" is where you get your goal into your mind. Before
anything can become reality, it must be first created in the
mind. In "Shin" it is so important to believe in what you are
trying to accomplish.

3. Nen Towa:

In the stage of "Nen" you do what you are working on over and
over and over until it is second nature. It becomes a part of you.

4. Gyo Towa:

In "Gyo", "Shin" and "Nen" become action. In "Gyo" what
started in the mind becomes reality.

5. Traditionally in Japan when people tried to accomplish
something, they would always use or practice "Shin, Nen, Gyo".

6. "Shin, Nen, Gyo" is where the JIKC Dojo Precepts come from.
The Dojo Precepts are how "Shin, Nen, Gyo" and the other
concepts of Karate are expressed and practiced at JIKC.
Because of this the Precepts are the common language, daily
functioning and practice of all the Karate concepts. Unless your
attitude is bad, Souke says, "Then too bad."


Souke's 20-60-20:

1. Top 20% (of students):

These people do everything well. There is almost no need to
teach them. It's almost enough just to watch them.

2. Middle 60% (of students):

You have to help them but they are teachable.

3. Bottom 20% (of students):

With these students you can't do anything with them until
they change. The trouble with these bottom 20% think that
they are the top 20%. And the funny thing is that if you try
to get rid of this bottom 20% of people, people from the middle
60% move down to become the bottom 20%. In other words,
their attitude

and actions start to deteriorate. And not only that but people
in the top 20% also deteriorate and moves down too. Everything
and everyone goes down. In that way you have to be thankful
for the bottom 20%. They are holding up the middle 60% and
the top 20%. This seems to be the natural order of things.
This is the way things should be. When you know this, you not
only are less bothered by the bottom 20% but you have a whole
different perspective and even appreciation for the bottom 20%.
Over a long period of time and working with great numbers of
people, you see the truth of this.

1. Literal Translations (Towa – meaning of):
a. "De Ai" Towa: New Meeting.
b. "Ki-Zuki" Towa: Find Out.
c. "Kokoro Gake": Attitude of that.

2. Meaning of the Whole Phrase, "De Ai, Ki-Zuki, Kokoro Gake":
Every time you meet a person, you are meeting anew.
This phrase is made of 2 Kanji (Chinese Character) & 1 Hiragana
(Japanese Characeter).

3. When we meet, we are always and consistently meeting anew.
This does not only apply when you are meeting another person,
but it also applies to the meeting or experiencing of all things.
For example, every time you experience Spring or any other season,
you are experiencing Spring anew. It is the same with day-to-day
weather. Even if you have experienced a sunny day 10,000 times in
your life, the next time you experience a sunny day, it is a unique
day that has never happened before. This is because everything is
changing, moment by moment. It is always new. That’s why we say,
"Good Morning." We welcome in a brand new unique day.

4. For Example:
When you are meeting the same person that you met yesterday,
you are not meeting the same person you were with yesterday.
That person has changed from yesterday to today. Not only that
but you too have changed. It is absolutely true that we never stay
the same. Moment by moment we change. You realize that you have
an opportunity to learn or appreciate something new. And it is this
attitude of appreciation that is so important.

5. You must first start from the state of appreciation.
Then from there you endeavor to learn.

6. Why is this appreciation important?If you are not in the state of
appreciation, you are not open to learning. You may not take the
person or the situation seriously. You may think negatively about the
person or the situation. You may not want to be there or even hate
the person or the situation. If this is the case, nothing can be learned.
All you are going to do is feel negative. And this negative experience
is what you will learn. You have to remember that not only is everyone
different and a completely unique individual, but everyone is a
different and unique individual even from themselves in the previous
moment,moment by moment. If you don’t realize and appreciate this
point, you’ll miss out on a chance to meet a new, unique individual
and learn.

7. Through appreciation, you start accepting the other person.
When you accept theother person, you meet or know the real person,
not just what you see on the surface. This is why in daily life, it is
so important to see things from different perspectives. If you can
see it from the other person’s perspective, you can learn and
appreciate it from this new perspective.

8. The Truth is, you are always meeting a person or a situation
anew, every time you meet. But you can never understand this
until you accept and appreciate the person or the situation and
are able to see it from their perspective. And you must be actively
applying yourself to learning from them.

9. So:
"Don’t be self centered.
The Earth is always turning.
Therefore, each day is a new day."

1. During the 50’s when Souke started Karate the concept
of Shu, Ha, Ri was not talked about. Although the whole system of
Karate training was the functioning and expression of “Shu, Ha, Ri”,
“Shu, Ha, Ri” was not talked about intellectually as part of their
Karate education. Their training was just to get together and hit
each other. Souke said, “Funny though, even though everyday it
was just hit each other, the Sensei/Senpai (Senior to you)/Kohai
(Junior to you) relationship was good. It was like after the War.
People relate nicely together.

2. Shu:“Shu” is the first stage of learning where the point is
to learn exactly how it is taught to you by your Sensei. You do not
get fancy with your techniques or try to create your own things.
During this period of learning your job is to just absorb everything
that you can, as unobstructed as you can and as true as you can.
The most important thing is exactness and orderliness.
You are looking at and developing the effective use of your
whole body.

3. Ha:After you have gone through “Shu” (learning the
basics as exactly as you can), then you move to the stage called
“Ha”. This is where you add your own interpretation, your own idea
or flavor to what you have learned. You search for the meanings or
the applications of the technique(s) or teaching(s). You are looking
at how the techniques are used. It is almost like a diagnosis or
dissecting of the techniques. You are applying the techniques.
“Ha” is the effective application of your whole body on somebody
else.

4. Ri: After learning, “perfecting” and embodying “Shu”
(absorbing as much as you can without changing it or coloring it)
and “Ha” (applying the techniques), you are finally ready to move
onto “Ri”. In fact, it can be seen as “Shu” (to learn) and “Ha”
(opening more vision) come together and create a new status or
state. This status or state is “Ri”. You embody both “Shu”
and “Ha”. You embody the principles of Karate.
Because of this, in “Ri” you do anything you need to do to
respond to the situation. You just do what you have to do.
Also here, in this level of practice, a new technique may arise
through you. But, it may also not arise. You must be true to
the Art of Karate. If nothing of value arises then you do not
create something just to satisfy your own ego.

5. Shu, Ha, Ri: In Japan, the method of “Shu, Ha, Ri”
has been used by many oriental practices to train students
and perpetuate (transmit) the practice. “Shu, Ha, Ri” is the “Do”
(the Way of) in Karatedo or Judo. “Shu, Ha, Ri” are steps of
progression in learning or practice. But “Shu, Ha, Ri” is also a way
of thinking or a state of mind. This mind of “Shu, Ha, Ri” is the basic foundation of Human Life. You can apply “Shu, Ha, Ri” to anything. For example: Business, company management, technology, etc.

6. Cycle of Practice:
In the past “Shu, Ha, Ri” took 30 years to complete:
“Shu” ? 10 years.
“Ha” ? 10 years.
“Ri” ? 10 years.
Once you have reached the level of Ri, you just continued
practicing in Ri. In other words, you are now the Master or the
Expert.


7. Souke's Cycle of Practice:But when Souke came to Hawaii
he changed the 30 years training cycle to a cycle of 3 years.
“Shu” ? 1 year.
“Ha” ? 1 year.
“Ri” ? 1 year.
After you finish “Ri”, you go back to “Shu”.
And you keep repeating this process forever.
Souke changed this because he felt that it is more reflective
of our human existence and development.
Practice and development go on forever.
Just because you have completed

30 years of practice, it does not mean that there is nothing new
to learn. There is always something new to learn, always something
that can be refined. Every time you come back to “Shu”, there
has been some change or progression made but you put all your
learning aside and just learn it as basic as you can and as unaltered
as you can. You start all over again.Souke feels that human wisdom
will constantly and consistently change or progress. When you look
back at human history, there has been a sure and steady progress
over the last 100, 1000, 100,000 years.
And although we can’t know for sure, it would seem that there will
continue to be progress in the next 100, 1000, 100,000 years.
Therefore,

Souke wants to put Karate in alignment with the way it seems to
work in Nature. Progress seems to be the way of our species.
Progress seems to be the way of this Life.
Progress seems to be forever.
Now the question of whether progress is good or bad,
Souke says, “He don’t know!!!” But the way he figures, if it’s
good that day, you can say, “Oh, that’s good!!!” If it’s negative,
you can say, “Oh ____!!!”
But it seems that no matter how much we progress,
our Basic Human Nature is still:
“Hate to do.
Have to do.
Want (Like, Love) to do.”