El Camino Martial Arts Magazine was born with the aim of promoting martial arts and reaching the largest number of people in a digital way, according to the times and technologies. We hope you like it and join us in this beautiful martial universe, with the love of always: Graphic Direction: Mario Segnini Fursa. Commercial address: Carlos Omar Urbina. Editorial Address: Javier Acosta Serrano. The opinions expressed in this magazine are the responsibility of each person who is published and promoted; is made and distributed with No.22-03/04 from Montevideo Uruguay for the month of Mar/Apr. Thank you.
INDICE: 02 - ARTE MARCIAL TRADICIONAL O COMERCIAL SBN Ramón Navarro 04 - MARTIAL ARTS FILM The 7 Samurai 05 - THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT MAESTRO J. Ricardo Félix 06 - TRADITIONAL CENTER OF MARTIAL ARTS MÉXICO 07 - THE MARTIAL UTOPIA SBN Javier Acosta 08 - BEGINNINGS OF JUDO II PROF. Marcelo Ehrlich 10 - MATE AND KARATE KSN Renso Perez 11 - AN EXPLORATION OF TSD´s EIGHT KEY CONCEPTS: ENDURANCE SBN Mary Cayte Reiland 12 - MY STORY KUMUL Michelle Manu
18 - HOJO UNDO by KANEL UECHI SENSEI Cecilia Salbuchi 21 - TANG SOO DO URUGUAY SBN Mario Segnini Fursa 23 - FRANCISCO FILHO "CHIQUINHO" 26 - TANG SOO DO PANAMÁ SBN Carlos O. Urbina 30 - MARTIAL ARTS AND ME PROF. Carlos Damasco 32 - KOLLELLAULLIN FREAKIE-DO 34 - TOSHUKUKEN y KOBU JUTSU HANSHI Héctor E. Maroli 36 - PYUNG AHN HYUNGS KSN Leonardo Vargas 38 - HIGA YUCHOKU SENSEI Gerardo Balves
Cover Photography: James Trotter
1
A TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ART OR COMMERCIAL MARTIAL ART Sbn Ramón Navarro
The martial art is supposed to be traditional and the only thing that should be commercial is now a days is that the teacher must eat, cover his expenses such as those of the Academy, that is, the premises and their expenses, in addition to the cost of paying the monthly payment that is dew every month and charge the students for learning because that teacher must pay the expenses of his house and what he needs to eat too. He must have something additional left over to save or for emergencies and something to invest in advertisements and in implements of daily use for classes to grow on. This on one hand and on the other the commercial schools that are in addition to the growth of class attendees based on rapid learning because they have exams every two or three months to motivate their students to stay and invite other people to participate or join the classes. Well, if it can be just that learning should be treated like a plate of food, savored and enjoyed as well
as knowing well what has been learned. Today there are other business or commercial schools that teach fast and move their students quickly to the next grade or rank, even if they don't know well what they have learned. These schools are called McDojo or McDojang and are considered to be giving away ranks, that is, they make students pass quickly through ranks, whether they know what they are supposed to be learning and master what they learn. This is also a commercial school or organization and there would be nothing
It is not very safe to learn from them the way they teach and soon you will hear about the exams are soon to be taken in that school and it will not take long for those students to pass rank. When this happens it will not allow the student to grow emotionally and develop his patience which will cause that person to be indecisive because in his learning because he has not found obstacles to overcome. Of the two types of commercial schools, those like McDojo's will go to competitions with other schools that are of the same type and all students get medals, which is not bad but they will not be able to overcome themselves physically or mentally. Those who are from the other type of commercial schools may learn and improve somewhat but they will not learn well what proper etiquette is, which is what forms a tradition. In general, a traditional martial art trains in an orderly manner, that is, there is opening and closing of classes. In the middle there are, let's say, various segments that generally include if it is Japanese style with training of the arms and then the legs, which is the opposite of Korean martial arts that after warming up the kicks are done and then the blocks and strikes are trained in addition to
wrong if the students were not deceived since in a street fight where the adversary will want to cause them harm. They will not be able to defend themselves and then they will be told that it was their own fault for those students result and who knows that they did not do correctly from what they learned. Find out what type of school you find yourself in and if it is the right one.
2
walking and doing combinations of both things, that is kicks with blocks and blows to continue with the forms and before finishing the training the combat is trained to finish with the cooling down exercises to close the class. Likewise, there are federations that are commercial type, that accept members to whom they sell the idea of participating in their activities and to bring new members to whom a membership is charged and it is renewed every year also there are federations that are traditional and do this similar. There are federations with a sports tendency and that is fine but this activity distorts the essence of that martial art. However, it is possible to achieve competitions in combat, forms that the arts that have in it, also in weapons, in falls and acrobatics such as breaking and in self-defense techniques.
There will be federations that group different styles or a single style with activities in which there will be a seminar, camps and meeting meals. These two kinds of federations can make exams but it is not correct or appropriate for them to sell degrees. Just because a member says that he has many members and incorporates them, he will be given a rank to the one who directs those groups if he does not meet the minimum requirement to have that new rank. The federations that sell ranks of black belts or high levels of black belts are not invalid if that federation is recognized for the activity, of handing out ranks if it is not in accordance with the organization you belong to. Likewise, there are federations that are well-known as the McDojo type that give at a cost to the members as well as to group leaders who, without
verifying what these people know and are giving degrees of Dan levels. There is no legal way to regulate this anywhere in the world as it seems. What must be done? Actually, there is no exact answer. The only answer will depend on the conscience of that person. There are times when it is preferable not to belong to any organization, but being in the right organization gives one's group the experience of meeting other people interested in traditional art itself. I SabomNim Ramon Navarro 6th Dan Black belt am the technical director to the International Song Moo Kwan HapKiDo Federation and truthfully am offering virtual seminars and to find out when the next will be just check on Instagram under @hapkido.panama or you can write me at WhatsApp # +507 67808222
3
of his main sources of inspiration).
THE 7 SAMURAI
MARTIAL ARTS FILM
salary is food and shelter, several samurai are incorporated until they form a group of seven that The Seven Samurai finally goes to the village to protect An Influential Movie it. This event will be the trigger for a thousand and one sets, and these Akira Kurosawa (Tokyo, 1910 – seven brave men, accompanied by 1998) is considered to be "the most a representation of the villagers, Western of Japanese filmmakers". will face the hostility of the enemy. The Seven Samurai (1954) is an action-adventure film in which On DVD and Blu-ray there is an courage and honor are vibrantly extended and restored edition intertwined. Nominated for 2 Oscars released a few years ago by A (Best Artistic Direction and Best Contracorriente Films. The Seven Costume Design), the Venice Film Samurai shows off an admirable Festival awarded it the Silver Lion, narrative pulse that is sustained after having awarded Rashomon throughout the three and a half the Gold three years earlier. hours of footage in this edition. This is not a small merit, since The story is set in 16th century Kurosawa also knows how to Japan and takes as its starting point extract from his frames, from a peasant village that is repeatedly the sobriety of his planning, the attacked and looted by a gang of right dose of expressiveness to outlaws. This conflict that shakes a captivate the most refined viewer village of humble peasants forces (this has been recognized by a representation of the peasants North American directors such to decide to travel to the city to as Lucas, Coppola or Spielberg, hire several samurai to protect who pointed out this film as one them. Despite the fact that the only
Compared to the traditional version, he spends more time here outlining the different characters, thus raising the level of effectiveness of the moments of greatest dramatic intensity. Humor also takes on special relevance in this cut, thus helping to lighten some sequences of a certain emotional weight. The blu-ray edition extras contains The Art of Akira Kurosawa (49 min.), an interview with Tony Rayns, shot on August 12, 2013 in London by the British Film Institute. Tony Rayns is a writer, screenwriter, contributor to Sight & Sound magazine and a deep connoisseur of the work of Akira Kurosawa, whom he knew personally. Rayns reviews the director's career and gives us a multitude of anecdotes about his personality. The Seven Samurai is, without a doubt, a classic, a masterpiece, an influential film, from which great films such as the western The Magnificent Seven (John Sturges, 1960) or Bugs (John Lasseter, 1998) draw.
4
the Jedi do, then there is Paul Skywalker or Luke Atreides as the classic resource of the chosen one. And the famous spice that in both cases is a drug that is sold on the black market but that some use to spread awareness and others to traffic.
CELLULOID
Master Jesús Ricardo Félix Celluloid: The Boba Fett Book By Jesus Ricardo Felix Sequel, prequel, reboot, remake, Spin-off are terms that are familiar to new generations. Previously we have addressed here the topic of unoriginal stories that are recycled in today's film industry. But how can you blame the studios for taking over a franchise that has a huge following? One of the most recognized examples is that of Star Wars. When the Disney company acquired the rights, we thought that the end of the story was near. Some time later, the franchise has proven that it not only captivates the market of the new generations of children and adolescents, but also that some of the fans of yesteryear remain faithful to the consumption of its productions. There is a meeting with the Disney producers and you have been chosen as the director of the next series or movie in the franchise. Would you choose to remain faithful to the original story? Or would you try to follow new lines to please the most profitable market for the company? I think to a greater or lesser extent it is one of the dilemmas that the filmmakers and producers of Star Wars face. That is why this week in El Celuloide we will talk about the series The Book of Boba Fett. The series is produced by Jon Favreau and includes directors such
as Robert Rodriguez, Dave Filoni and Ron Howard's daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard. The series deals with the adventures of bounty hunter Boba Fett played by Temuera Morrison and her ally Fennec Shand played by Ming-Na Wen. In several chapters the Mandalorian appears interpreted by Pedro Pascal. Chicano director, New Zealand actor, Chilean actor, Chinese co-star if anyone doubts the universality of the franchise let them stay to see the end credits.
In short, in the Boba Fett series all these elements are displayed and despite the fact that it is backed by very good directors there are chapters where the story does not go far. So suddenly we get confused and think we're watching the Mandalorian series. Recommended but it falls short, characters from yesteryear are used as the black Chewbacca called Krrsantan. A Rancor that looks like something out of The Lord of the Rings. Cad Bane reminiscent of Sergio Leone's gunmen in the spaghetti western movies. It strikes me that Robert Rodríguez appears playing one of the villains, it is the character of Dokk Strassi.
While watching the series, it goes without saying that the references to Akira Kurosawa stand out with the daimyos and the samurai idiosyncrasy, the inevitable atmosphere of the old west, Flash Gordon and even the robot from the movie Metropolis. But we already talked about that in the review of Duna or in the Mandalorian. The influence that I consider to be more latent throughout the series is Frank Herbert's Duna. And it is that perhaps the recent version of Denis Villeneuve revived the debate between the similarities between both universes. And it is that in the first part of the series when we see Tatooine we cannot stop thinking about Arrakis, in the same way that the Tusken remember the Fremen. An underdeveloped warrior race that survives in the desert sands rich in natural resources but burdened by large armies struggling to exploit their wealth. Then there are the Bene Gesserit who use voice to control the mind like
5
The Traditional Center Martial Arts It is born from the idea of not establishing a single system as unique and the study and teaching of the enormous variety of martial arts around the earth, the study, the practice, the history, the technique, the philosophy and above all the orderly opening are the fundamental bases of this construction, which begins to forge in 2012, with the interest of Sbn Javier Acosta and the full support of his Kjn Eduardo Martínez V. the latter a world legend of martial arts.
the Ksn Melba Valenzuela and Ksn Taira Aguirre, all of them with the freedom to seek and bring to this project the ideas and concepts of those that orbit the same but are in different tribunes, some years ago the CTAM has crossed borders and has teaching relations with various countries, as well as its first subsidiary school in Las Tunas Cuba directed by Ksn Alexei Pérez who is also part e fundamental part of the study of martial arts, we have teachers endorsed by the CTAM in Uruguay and Argentina for Kick Boxing and Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo, today Sbn Javier Acosta, participates as a technical advisor to different organizations around the world in terms of teaching for the physical disability, thanks to his career as a volunteer teacher at the Mexico telethon foundation, he also directs the El Camino Podcast editorial and to this day remains faithful to his great teacher Kjn Eduardo Marinez who is part of the promotion of the Taekwondo Hall Of Fame 2019 and holds the highest degree in Mexico, as well as a Dan Bon Directo from Kjn Hwang Kee.
members, it is tangible and grows solid every day. Today, together with Sbn Mario Segnini from Uruguay, the learning and massification of martial arts through technology is studied and practiced fraternally, he is the one who today travels the do accompanying Sbn Acosta and learning at the same time for his students, As you can see, the important thing is not to be a giant, it is to walk with giants... SBN Javier Acosta Serrano
Accompanied over the years by masters of Japanese Jujitsu, Wing Shun, Aikido, Karate, Tkd, Kick Boxing, Muay Thai and Tang Soo Do and having practiced some of them for long periods and others for short periods, the doubt ideas are generated, aligned and this study center is formed that today offers its students the various variables of the Moo Duk Kwan school, as well as Aikido, Self Defense, Kick Boxing and a hybrid similar to MMA, that directs and studies Ksn Donovan Aguirre, in the studies of The traditional martial arts center weapons Ksn Dr. Daniel Rodríguez is the greatest achievement of and in the organizational support Sbn Javier Acosta and each of its
6
those already obtained, always next to those who have collaborated under their spontaneous will, thus I honor their friendship and I am grateful to be an apprentice of their own minds, my orbit opens constantly to it and is permanently closed, to the unpleasant, but I will not say that I am better. Let's
talk
more
in
general...
We can speak of economic utopia when it is encouraged to eliminate the existence of funds, where citizens will only be assigned to the functions that they will feel attracted to and people are directed to common interests. Another current utopia is people with a Utopia in martial arts did not exist, religious nature (as a popular does not exist and will never exist as demonstration in the sky), as well as a general rule, but if we read the first environmentalists and politicians. paragraph again, we can use it as a bastion to… Decide who we want in Finally, it should be noted that our utopia, which will undoubtedly the term utopian is often used to be intermittent , but its fluidity and label something highly desirable, continuity will depend on choosing but not achievable, and should well, not for the fact of choosing the be reminiscent of the utopian best, rather if, those who, in honor revolution, but less realistic in this of respect, tolerance, uses and fact and wherever people are partially. customs, free thought and cathedra, are optimal and of plausible value for That's right, it's difficult to give our environment, considering that yourself completely for this last we are human, it is recommended and heavy reason, having said that, not to have expectations. there is nothing left but to get rid of rubble that lives eternal struggles You are what you speak, you project with insignificant achievements...
MARTIAL ARTS UTOPIA SBN Javier Acosta
Utopia in martial arts part one... It will be this in parts, since it is a subject that needs a lot of reflection and periodic deliveries, utopia is logically organized. All artists teach and live in a similar way based on respect and tolerance. At some point we return to the previous point yes or yes… The inhabitants will dedicate their free time to reading and art. Thus this society lives in peace and full of rights. The common use of the word utopia allows us to refer to a project, commitment, system, procedure, plan or optimistic belief about a future that at first sight seems unattainable or feasible. In other words, utopia understands an ideal society, where balanced political, economic and social aspects are inspected and allow the whole community a perfect part of an ideal system.
yourself in what you hate so much and reflect your interior when you angrily discuss your truth, regardless of whether the reason is yours or mine, we damage the hope of living in peace, ambiguous and paradoxical purpose of the martial artist, I if I feel like this, for this, rather than looking for other successes, I prefer to prolong
Utopia comes from the Greek and means "No Place".
Is Ho Much SBN Javier Acosta Serrano CTAM World
7
BEGINNIGS OF JUDO II
Prof. Marcelo Ehrlich
In this installment on Judo topics, we continue to develop a bit about the beginnings of Judo in Japan and in the world. As the vision of a man, JIGORO KANO, would change the approach of the Martial Arts in Japan, establish itself as an example of evolution and search to bring the benefits of them to everyone. As we saw in the previous note, Japan in the second half of the 19th century is in a time of great change, political, commercial and cultural opening, after 300 years of isolation. The Samurai caste, stripped of the privileges it had during the entire previous period, seeing what to do from then on and how to survive in a new society. With the establishment of Kodokan Judo, a new approach to Martial Arts begins. Jigoro Kano is developing his professional activities, parallel to the teaching of Judo, which with this new approach, makes more students come to his Dojo every day, many already, practitioners of Ju Jutsu and others without experience, but attracted by this new modality. Of course, the problems with the other Ju Jutsu schools are daily, the challenges, the disqualifications, the lack of respect. But Kodokan Judo
goes ahead, trusting in the line that its founder is marking. Until in 1886 they faced each other in a competition organized by the Tokyo Police, the most famous school of Ju Jutsu and Kodokan, winning the Judo team, widely over the rival team. And from then on, the growth is unstoppable. Jigoro Kano's teaching is based on the in-depth study of the fundamentals of each technique, on why and for what, at the right moment of application (neither before nor after), in the right amount of force (not too little). , not too much), when to stop (according to the objective and the result obtained). Things that in the old Ju Jutsu, were not studied, and everything was presented as a collection of techniques. Kano, always open to any knowledge that could be useful for his purposes, sent his most advanced students to practice
in other Martial Arts schools, just as he accepted Masters and students from other schools in his own. Something that in Ju Jutsu was unthinkable. Hence a topic that we will deal with later, the relationship with Masters Funakoshi and Ueshiba (Karate-Do and Aikido, respectively, at that time still Karate Jutsu and Aiki Jutsu). Kano gives his Judo a high moral value, health care, physical and technical development and mutual respect. “There are two types of Judo, the small Judo and the great Judo. The little one plays the part that corresponds to the techniques and the corporal and physical development. The great Judo has in mind to find the purpose of life. The body and soul used in the best way, to obtain the best results as a human being” Judo places great importance on technical study in various forms and approaches, depending on the student's level, age group, physical condition and goals. Kano established a technical and theoretical structure for the different levels, before his death in 1938, which with changes and contributions from the technical area of Kodokan,
8
Second World War broke out in 1939. The International Judo Federation (Founded in 1951), with more than 200 affiliated countries, is the governing body of the activity. On each continent there is a continental, subcontinental, regional and country union. through the years, is still in force. The learning, study and development of Judo can be studied in multiple ways: Kata (Pre-established Forms), Randori (Free Practice), Shiai (Competition), Self Defense, Traditional and Maintenance Judo, etc. It is practiced by children, youth, adults, veterans, people with disabilities. It is practiced as social, recreational, high performance Judo, in police, military and security forces. That is, there is no excuse not to practice it.
For example, in Uruguay, the Uruguayan Judo Federation is the only governing entity, when Judoka is affiliated with it, has its degrees recognized with the official card, diploma, official degrees of Black Belt, Professor, Referee, etc., it can participate in national and international championships, in official training, courses and seminars. The different graduations are official
and recognized in all parts of the world. Uruguay is affiliated to the South American Judo Confederation (Official), the Pan American Judo Confederation (Official) and the International Judo Federation. There are other "international" organizations (with similar names) at the South American, Pan-American and world level, which are not the official ones, named in the previous paragraph. That is why the activity of Judo is so important, due to the seriousness, the internationalization, the activities and the professionalization of the teachers. See you in the magazine "El Camino" and in the Dojo! Prof. Marcelo Ehrlich.
When Jigoro Kano, has firmly established Kodokan, and travels the world for his professional commitments, he also takes Judo to show it everywhere, with exhibitions and conferences, which open the doors to this new activity and then send Teachers to all continents, is that it was established in many countries already in the early years of the 20th century. Countries that already had some indigenous wrestling sport, in principle they stayed on the sidelines and today we see how everyone practices everything and benefits from everything, and that was one of Kano's thoughts. As we saw before, Judo is known as an Olympic sport, since since 1964 (Tokyo) it has had that award. When Kano died in 1938, he was returning from Cairo, from a meeting of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), where Tokyo had been voted as the venue for the next Olympic Games. and the inclusion of Judo as an Olympic sport in 1942, which could not be, since the
9
protest against some imperial decree or to escape to defeat in World War II. Also, writers like Emilio Salgari or Yukio Mishima chose death through this traditional method.
¿What is harakiri?
by their own hands in case they had brought dishonor on them.
It is called harakiri or seppuku (in Japanese the second term is preferred, since the first is vulgar; but in Spanish the preferred form is the first, sometimes Castilianized: harakiri) to a ritual form of suicide from Japanese tradition, and which consists of disemboweling, that is, evisceration, usually by means of a longitudinal cut in the abdomen, from left to right, using a dagger (tantö) or other edged weapon.
Seppuku was traditionally performed after thoroughly cleansing one's body, drinking sake (rice liquor), and composing a farewell poem (zeppitsu) on a war fan (tessen). In general, the cut in the belly was carried out in front of one or more spectators who, in case of failing the hand or the determination of the suicide, had to complete the task for him (known as kaishakunin).
This practice enjoyed traditional value in ancient Japan, as part of the samurai code of ethics (bushidö), which taught to die with honor and honor rather than be defeated and captured by the enemy, and could then be interrogated and tortured.
The election to assume such a responsibility was considered an honor or a show of affection or recognition. In some cases, wives or even slaves were expected to accompany their master in suicide, which was known as jisatsu and oibara, respectively.
At the same time, it was the only way to launder the honor of those who had committed unworthy acts or had betrayed their factions of origin. In fact, the feudal lords of ancient Japan could ask their warriors to consume this ritual suicide, as a form of execution
Today, we can see this ritual in a movie or television series, and Wow! which looks impressive. imagine having been able to witness it in the live moment of the task, or worse still, imagine yourself in such an extreme situation where you put your honor, your name and your pride at stake before the attentive gaze of those present, only with your Tanto in the hand and a conscience to clean, penetrating the leather, lacerating the flesh, tearing the entrails while the inertia of the mind orders to stop but the will of the spirit forces us to continue.
With these cultural assessments in tow, harakiri survived as a practice until contemporary times, despite its prohibition as a judicial penalty in 1873. Numerous Japanese soldiers practiced it during the 19th and 20th centuries, as a method of
10
An Exploration of Tang Soo Do's Eight Key Concepts: In Neh SBN Mary Cayte Reiland
Tang Soo readers, happy March! This month, we continue with the discussion of the second of the Tang Soo Do Eight Key Concepts. Up next is In Neh, also known as endurance. According to the dictionary, endurance is “the fact or power of enduring an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.”
wasn’t tested and promoted until 2011, 7 years as a Gup student. Then after being promoted to Cho Dan, you have to wait 2 years before you can test for Ee Dan, and tack on one more year for each rank after that. It’s a long and slow going process, but if your endurance is good, then you will stand tough during those times and keep pushing forward.
Sometimes when instructors say the word endurance, I think it can be misconstrued. While endurance requirements like pushups, crunches, burpees, pop up kicks, etc are very important for your physical endurance, mental endurance is even tougher to conquer because your thought distortions, emotions, and your personality can get in the way of that. You may not think you’re making progress because you paint yourself in a negative light, so that may get in the way of your mental endurance, and cause you to quit.
For me when I was growing up, quitting was never an option in my mind. I’ve only ever quit two things in my entire life, gymnastics (which if you’ve ever met me in person, you’d understand why), and scouts, because of drama mostly. I always saw Tang Soo Do as a long term journey, something I’d do for the rest of my life. So even as a kid, my endurance was good, which is not the norm in today’s society. Kids get interested in things, so they start, and eventually they get bored with it and quit. I’ve seen it throughout my entire life. I’ve even seen cases where parents were stubborn enough to make their kids continue even though they were bored, and the kids ended up getting next to nothing out of each class, and were more of a disturbance than anything else. At that age, it’s difficult to see the big picture journey ahead, which is understandable, and I think that’s where a lot of the statistics discussed before come into play.
In a lot of ways, Tang Soo Do is very difficult; one instructor even told me if it were easy, everyone would do it. Statistically speaking, out of every 1,000 students who join up and begin training at white belt, only 100 of them will make it to Cho Dan, and only 10 of those 100 will make it to Sa Dan (Master). The time and commitment it takes to even make it to Cho Dan is a difficult and slow going process. Consider my journey, I started training in 2004 as a white belt. I
Here are three tips to help you stay on top of your endurance game. First, consider how much progress you
make on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Like I said before, we always tend to see the worst in ourselves, which negatively impacts our mental endurance. By making note of all the positive things Tang Soo Do has brought to your life, this will help increase your mental endurance. Second, talk with your instructors, ask them questions, learn from them (that’s what they’re there for)! Some are always more approachable than others, but if you lean into them, they will help guide you. Third and finally, keep coming to class and practice hard. It’s easy to fall out of the practice of coming to class 2-3 times every week, but if you do, I guarantee you will affect positive change in yourself and possibly your other comrades. Building relationships is also key! Have a karate buddy make a schedule with you so you come to class together. It’s one of the best things you can do, and you will be holding yourself accountable not only to yourself, but to your buddy. Everyone take care, keep practicing, Tang Soo!
SBN Mary Cayte Reiland, USA
11
MY STORY
KUMU Michelle Manu by SMaster Guy E. Larke
Lua – Discovering an Ancient Treasure Part 1 20 Questions for Kumu Michelle Manu There is a myriad of tales of those who were immersed at a young age in their culture’s ancient traditions and stayed true to them all along. There are far less about those who start in exotic traditions and slowly make their way back to what their ancestors did. For myself it took years of study in Korean traditional arts to make me appreciate disciplines such as Renaissance European martial arts, Savate and Bartitsu. By seriously investigating another nation’s arts we not only learn that culture, but start to compare their culture to our own out of curiosity and perhaps see it in a new light. Perhaps that isn’t the Hollywood or Hong Kong ordained origin of a martial artist, but I feel it’s far more believable and sincere. The master of this article went through a similar experience. She has become a symbol for not just female martial artists but women as a whole! 1. What is your date of birth and where you were from? A: I was born in the month of March in Chicago, Illinois.
12
2. Could you tell us a little about your family background? A: My father was of Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, and English descent. My mother was of Norwegian, Danish, and Scottish decent. I grew up in Southern California but also lived in Chicago for 7 years. 3. Are there any martial artists in your family? A: My father was a martial artist. All of siblings have trained in some form of martial arts, three of us earning our Black Belts. I am the only one the hula, but didn't understand its that has continued to seriously train significance. and teach. My sister and I were the only girls 4. When you were young what was in the class when we arrived for the image of martial arts at that time. training. I was uncomfortable. My ki felt weird. I felt like I needed to be A: Main stream films during the protective of my sister. They did this 1980's helped the overall image of weird salute thing. I was 9 years old! martial arts at the time I started I thought, "This is for boys". It took training. We didn't have a television 10 minutes of the first class where I so I was forced (literally) to try had the profound revelation, "This martial arts when my mother isn't for boys! This is for me!" I had dropped me and my sister off at a no idea what that pivotal moment dojo. I was resistant but that quickly meant at such a young age. Now I changed. laugh and say at 9 years old that I knew I wanted to earn my Black Belt, 5. What got you started in the arts? wanted a lipstick candy apple red What style? With who? slant nosed Porsche 911 (which I had a poster of), and to be the President A: My mother took me and my of the United States. younger sister, because they had a 2-for-1 special. We started at the 7. When was your first black belt/ oldest American Kenpo school in sash/significant level? Orange County, California. A: I left Kenpo after a couple years. 6. What was your first impression of I took some Asian arts in Southern it? California and also in Chicago while I toured as a professional Polynesian A: Well, I was a ballet dropout at 4 performer. I found Olohe Solomon years old. I did tap, jazz, and acrobats Kaihewalu in the late 1990's. By but always knew it wasn't what choice, he hadn't had a female really moved me. I've always loved student since the early 1980’s. It was
very difficult to even talk with him on the phone. I was invited to watch a class, was accepted as a haumana (student), and it was at that point my life started to fulfill part of its purpose. He fed me as much as I could absorb. I was not given any exceptions. My fellow brothers were tasks with trying to make me quit, go away. I was awarded my First-Degree Black Belt in 2001 in Kona, Hawai’i. 8. What was that experience like? A: I couldn't believe it. I trained and waited since I was 9 years old for that very moment, I earned my Black Belt. It was life-changing for me. I couldn't speak and could barely keep my feet under me. What I've been taught comes with great responsibility which I accept wholeheartedly, then and today, regardless of rank. 9. Did it change you as a young person? How so? A: Even though I was already involved with body awareness movements - dance, surfing, skateboarding, running and competition cheerleading, martial
13
arts was the disciplined full-contact activity that helped me to build confidence in and outside of the pa lua (dojo). It changed everything and continues to change everything, every day. It is in every breath I take and in everything I am and do. 10. How difficult is it to study Lua and similar arts? Are there books, DVDs, etc.? A: To study the Kaihewalu Lua, it can be difficult is a limited group of teachers (Kumu) in the world that are authorized to teach by Olohe, Solomon Kaihewalu. Those aligned with the Kaihewalu family can be found here: (https://kaihewalulua. com/kumu-lua-1). Once a potential student locates an authorized Lua teacher, that teacher may not accept the individual as a student. If accepted, the Kaihewalu Lua is physically challenging to one's natural ways of movement. Lua is all the time, not just in the dojo. Lua eventually becomes first nature after many years of hard work, focus, and dedication. Olohe Kaihewalu had students across the world by DVD and participate in his seminars when he travels. Olohe Kaihewalu authored a manualstyled book in 2006 entitled, Ancient Hawaiian Art of Lua of Kaihewalu 'Ohana Lua. After his passing in 2019, I started my own system called Nā Koa (The Warriors). I teach internally and weekly, physically in the dojo and also virtually through Zoom. I also have an online classroom where all can self-study at their convenience. 11. When a martial artist immerses him or herself into it, what should they keep in mind? A: Anyone setting out to commit to
the worthy path of the Kaihewalu Lua needs to be ever thoughtful of the life-changing lessons. The word Lua means pit, two, or duality. While the goal is to dislocate an opponent and place him or her straight into the pit (there is no walking your opponent out/down in the Kaihewalu Lua), the duality of self - light/dark, masculine/feminine, good/bad - is the other lesson. So, studying and
mastering the Kaihewalu Lua is not just in one's movements, but about spiritual mastery over self in all areas of his or her life. 12. What is your feeling on Western martial arts culture? What is good about it and what do you feel is lacking? A: I believe there is a separation
14
of traditional or cultural martial, sport or competitive martial arts, professional sport martial arts, and self-defense. It seems like there are a lot of martial arts business dedicated to moving people to the level of Black Belt quickly without having to put in the necessary physical or maturity development to reach such a momentous life achievement. I feel that the arts should also help individuals use martial arts as a path of self-evolution. 13. Do you feel women are finally starting to be taken seriously in the arts? A: Absolutely, yes. Social media has helped me to see and support other women masters of their respective arts. While martial arts is still heavily dominated by men, which can and does have its challenges, men are amazing supporters as more and more women train in martial arts. For me, I am taken very seriously. While my appearance may cause some to dismiss me as a “martial model”, many know that that would be a mistake. My proficiency speaks for itself.
A: Whether it is martial arts, yoga, surfing or knitting, find what stirs your spirit! Find what calls to you and make it a regular part of your path of self-mastery, as a commitment to yourself. Commit to learn the lessons you came here to learn by and through the activity you so choose.
16. What would you say is your 14. Could you name a few of the legacy? martial artists who inspire you and A: My legacy, without a doubt, is why? to appeal to the internal feminine A: All of the martial artists that train predator in each and every woman. hard and teach. Those that pour To have the women that cross my themselves into others while still path, whether through martial arts caring for themselves. Those that or otherwise, to learn to silence and don't need to say a word because kill off the critical self-talk, to stop their actions undeniably evidence the double standards on self-care, who they are and what they choose and to assist them in finding their to become moment-to-moment. power (physically and spiritually) These are our role models as martial by making proactive, creative, and beneficial decisions to clear their arts evolve. paths and commit to themselves 15. Any words of wisdom or while they still healthfully care for others. “Stand in your power. Own inspiration for readers?
your space.” 17. I heard you were knighted in Hawaii. Could you share some details about that? The Royal Order of Kamehameha I is an order of knighthood established by King Kamehameha V in 1865 to promote and defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawai’i. Some recipients of knighthood have been granted to the Queen of the United Kingdom, Emperor of Japan, and the King of Italy. Being given the title of “Knight Commander” by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I (the First) was and is profound. It has elevated by kuleana (responsibility) from being a disciple of the Lua, specifically of the Kaihewalu family lineage, to all the Kingdom of Hawai’i. When I was first contacted, I thought it was a joke as women are not allowed to be members of the Royal Order, not to mention being given the designation as a knight. I then learned that the differences in titles,
15
such as “Lady” is a title for a wife of a knight and “Dame” is the title for a female knight. This designation is extremely significant for me and the work that I do in the world in (in this order) protecting, promoting, and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture, by and through the Lua, the only native or indigenous cultural warrior practice. 18. I understand you recently finished a few film projects. What can you tell us about them? Being a proficient and very welltrained martial artist, I guess it would only make sense that some in media - such as producers and directors - would eventually reach out for a proficient woman martial artist to show these movements on camera. While the industry is ripe with stereotypes and misrepresentations of women martial artists and women of color, I see this as part of my responsibility to show the power of women and women martial artists in media. This does not come without great challenges sometimes, onand off-set. Sexism, ageism, and challenges to skin color prove to still be challenges in media for women.
arts in media. There are several projects still in pre-production and production. Releasing this year are several cherished projects: IN3DRAGON film by Lao Hollywood, The Ultimate Throwdown film by American Muscle Entertainment, Immortal Hands series by Immortal Films II, For me, I will not take any roles Kung Fu Femmes film and Bad Kill or choreograph any fight scenes short by Kung Fu Femmes. that are not specifically Hawaiian Lua. I will also refuse any roles that perpetuate the useless and 19. You have done a lot of work in diminishing stereotyping and the the field of self-defense for women. portrayal of women in a very sexual How does your approach differ from manner. Another challenge that I others? experience is (most times) not being able to make contact while filming. I I have always been, and will always assume this is a common challenge be, an advocate and teacher for of all martial artists who also work women and minimized groups to in media. We are not actors showing learn how to protect themselves. I martial movements, we are proficient started teaching the SHE Program martial artists, tried and true, (Super Hero Experience) in 2014 showing and honoring our respective to everyday women, women
experiencing homelessness and real time domestic violence, and young girls. It has grown into personal safety training for women, professionals, and student in high-risk professions and universities. This has included real estate and healthcare professionals. Most recently, I have created a new program entitled “Urban Survival for Women”. My approach is very different than others. While physics, body placement, one’s physical structure, and consistent conditioning and training matter - ultimately, women must believe that they can survive and vow to not give up even if the feels and smell their own blood. The determining factor for survival is one’s predetermined mindset and relentless belief in oneself. You will get hurt. Accept this and fight back.
16
“If you think you can survive a violent event without violence, you are already dead.” - Michelle Manu 20. What does the future hold for you? The future is limitless. I will go and impact where I am led. I will continue to powerfully represent women in media, to the world, and as a keynote speaker and educator. I will continue to teach across the globe to assist in the awakening of others into their inherent power. This is my purpose and I will not stop until I have no breath left in me. I very appreciate all those who support my purpose and that have helped me get to where I am. Michelle’s IMDB page is https:// www.imdb.com/name/nm5678125/ Michelle Manu Kumu Po'okela | Chief Instructor NĀ KOA, INC., 501(c)(3) Nā Wahine Koa | Nā Kāne Koa nakoawahine.org | nakoakane.org Classroom: nakoa.thinkific.com 10th Degree Black Belt 'Umi Kekele'ele'ele | ‘Alihikaua (General) LUA HĀLAU O KAIHEWALU Master Guy Edward Larke has spent the majority of his life enamored with martial arts, Asian culture and writing. These led him to move to Asia in 2000 where he remains to this day. Currently, he is living in Seongnam, South Korea with his wife Gi-Ryung and their son Alex. Together they operate Kisa-Do Martial Arts & Marketing. He can be contacted on Facebook or at kisadomuye@gmail. com.
17
concerned with organizing their study programs to prosper in the reorganized society. Shoshin Nagamine Sensei (Matsubayashi Ryu) created Fukyugata ichi and Chojun Miyagi Sensei (Goju Ryu) created Fukyugata ni, which were simple shapes for schoolchildren and hobbyists to learn. Along the same lines, a few years later, in the 1950s, Kanei Uechi Sensei would create five forms and several exercises to spread the art that his father taught him: the Pangainoon. With the help of Kanbun's students who were still with him, he also generated a set of warm-up exercises called Junbi Undo and two pre-set fighting sets: Yakusoku Kyu Kumite and Yakusoku Dan Kumite. To further simplify and consolidate the teaching method, Kanei Sensei created a set of exercises called Hojo Undo (Complementary Exercises) consisting of 13 exercises with techniques drawn from the forms. It is worth clarifying that Hojo Undo is also called the Complementary Sensei Cecilia Salbuchi Physical Strengthening Exercises that are executed with Chi ishi (hand weights), Tetsu Geta (foot weights), Nigiri Game (vases), etc. Hojo Undo end of World War II, a devastated But in Uechi Ryu it specifically Okinawa began its reconstruction refers to the set of exercises by Kanei Uechi with the addition of the beginning that we will describe below. Sensei Kanbun Uechi's style, the of a harsh coexistence with Pangainoon Ryu, contemplated the US military bases. Slowly the Shōmen geri (正面蹴り) Block practice of 3 kata (Sanchin, Sesan, Karate dojos were accepting the with Hirate Mawashi Uke, Sanseryu), some conditioning military who in their free time followed by Shomen Geri. exercises, many exercises in were looking to learn or simply pairs with the kata techniques, spend time in local activities. Sokutō geri (足刀蹴り) Block with and free combat. Looking Hirate Mawashi Uke, followed by back, it was quite a difficult Karate was massively opened Sokuto Geri in a diagonal direction. style to learn, very tight-lipped. to foreigners, but also the themselves were Seiken tsuki (正拳突き) Block At the end of the 1940s, after the Okinawans
HOJO UNDO by Kanel Uechi
18
with Hirate Mawashi Uke, ends with Shinkokyu (深 Seiken Tsuki. Followed by Harai 呼吸), breathing exercises. Uke and again Seiken Tsuki. Currently Hojo Undo is not Mawashi Tsuki (廻し突き) Block learned when starting in Uechi with Hirate Mawashi Uke, followed Ryu, but most instructors teach by Hiraken Mawashi Tsuki. different versions of basic technique (each organization Hajiki uke Hiraken tsuki (平拳 has its set of exercises), which 受け平拳突き) Block Hajiki consists of teaching the individual Uke, followed by Hiraken Tsuki. striking movements with hands, elbows and legs as well as locks. Shutō uchi Uraken uchi Shōken Each movement is repeated on tsuki (手刀打ち裏拳打ち小拳突 both sides consecutively, so き) Block with Hirate Mawashi Uke, that its study is simpler. When followed by three strikes: Shuto the practitioner is ready, they Uchi, Uraken Uchi, Shoken Tsuki. are taught to combine these movements to form the Hojo Undo. Hiji tsuki (肘突き) Block with Hirate Mawashi Uke, followed by As you can imagine, it also takes Tate Hiji, Yoko Hiji and Ushiro Hiji. time to study the vocabulary we use. In Uechi Ryu it is customary Tenshin zensoku geri (転身前足蹴 to use all the terms in Japanese り) Spin, block with Hirate Mawashi to identify the movements, not Uke, Shomen Geri with the lead leg. only to maintain the tradition, but because there are really tedious Tenshin kōsoku geri (転身後足蹴 blows to translate into Spanish. り) Spin, block with Hirate Mawashi For example, Hiraken Tsuki in Uke, Shomen Geri with the rear leg. Spanish would be something like "flat fist strike", which really Tenshin shōken tsuki (転身小 doesn't tell us much... or Shoken 拳突き) Turn, block with Hirate Tsuki, which Google translate Mawashi Tsuki and Shoken. processes as "small fist strike", and is so unclear that it makes Shōmen hajiki (正面弾き) It is not worth using such a long Osae Uke, Morote Nukite. term. It is better to keep Japanese to transmit these techniques. Koi no shippo uchi tate uchi (鯉 の尻尾打ち縦打ち) Shukoken Following on from Hojo Undo, block up, down, outside and center. many years ago we made a video Koi no Shippo means "tail of carp". to help our students study names and exercises when they are not Koi no shippo uchi yoko uchi ( in the dojo. As we saw that it was 鯉の尻尾打ち横打ち) Block highly requested on the channel, with shukoken to the sides. we started to make a new series where we explain each exercise The series of exercises in detail, then we will execute
bunkai with in pairs and finally we will deliver a new edition of Hojo Undo with a count that allows training from home. In short, Hojo Undo is an exercise set It is modern that serves to be able to advance with more skill within the movements of the Uechi Ryu kata, and is an official part of the black belt graduation program. We leave you the link to the Playlist on YouTube for those interested: https://youtu.be/JUEzh5lC41U
19
HISTORIA DEL KICKBOXING EN JAPÓN, DEL MUAY THAI AL K-1. Este libro supone la primera publicación en occidente de una obra dedicada en exclusiva a la narración de la apasionante historia del kickboxing japonés. Una crónica que comienza con las primeras interacciones entre el karate y el muay thai, y que nos lleva a revivir la épica de los primeros desafíos entre ambos estilos. El kickboxing fue el resultado de la importación y adaptación del muay thai a Japón, realizada por el promotor Osamu Noguchi en los años 60. En el presente trabajo, descubriremos los antecedentes, el nacimiento, y las diferentes fases de crecimiento y evolución del kickboxing en el país del sol naciente. Veremos también su posterior globalización, y llegaremos hasta la última revolución del kickboxing, el lanzamiento del K-1, por el maestro Kazuyoshi Ishii, en los primeros años 90. Un vibrante relato, repleto
de datos inéditos fuera de Asia, que sorprenderá, y hará cambiar al lector la percepción que hasta ahora tenía de la historia de este deporte marcial. David Leonardo Bárcena tras 10 años de recopilar exhaustivamente, la Historia del KickBoxing nos lo resume en un excelente libro autoeditado.
Puedes adquirirlo en AMAZON Detalles del producto Editorial : Independently published (18 Diciembre 2020) Idioma : Español Tapa blanda : 291 páginas ISBN-10 : 1549802879 ISBN-13 : 978-1549802874
20
Why Tang Soo Do? You have come this far, and that means then that you have opened your world of possibilities regarding martial arts, they are no longer those "few you knew". Today you have the opportunity to offer in your recognized institution an innovative and original proposal, until now non-existent in Uruguay. At the same time, offering ancient values and teachings through an art such as TSD, which has been transmitting a philosophy of life from generation to generation for hundreds of years. You come to our meeting at a time when two of the best ingredients that an organization can offer you are combined: youth: we have been operating in Uruguay for approximately four years with sustained growth, and experience: the Uruguayan TSD is made up of a team of instructors who average more than fifteen years of being at the forefront of martial arts schools, working together with other institutions and betting on permanent training both within martial arts, as well as in various areas (first aid, education, nutrition and more). Our commitment:
Without a doubt, the world is a different place from the one you and I remember from our childhood, even more so from that world that gave rise to martial arts. It is then necessary to take on the challenge and take charge of the role that we have in society when it comes to transmitting our teachings. Today we talk about some concepts that we believe are key: Bullying - The reality of school and other areas is a fact and our attention is directed to that focus when it comes to the little ones Self-defense - Of course, when thinking about daily activities, from leaving our homes, to the various situations that can also arise there, it is fair to think of tools to be able to solve these situations. Sport - Leaving aside the great variety of devices that offer us "entertainment", the endless hours of work, in short, the routine. It can be a challenge, but we have decided to say NO to a sedentary lifestyle. Meditation - Exclusive benefit for Tang Soo Do practitioners. It has not been placed on this list by chance, it represents everything that makes us unique as human beings, meeting our feelings, emotions, who we are, pursuing harmony and achieving
self-control in the broadest sense of the concept. Values - We could mention endless articles on this list, but it is true that the fundamental basis of martial arts is values, act as a reinforcement and in some cases as a source of inspiration. - Respect - Trust - Selfcontrol If we could summarize all this in a dream, we would then speak of integration in the broadest sense, people of all ages, genders, creeds practicing in harmony to take today's society to another level, where coexistence and peace are the common denominator. . But we clarify, we need you in the process, you, EVERYONE. Contact: SBN Mario Segnini: +598 98 731 076
21
22
FRANCISCO FILHO "CHIQUINHO" Francisco "Chiquinho" Filho (born January 10, 1971) is a Brazilian former Kyokushin karateka and kickboxer. He is one of the few karateka to have successfully completed 100 man kumite (against 100 men) more than once. He owns notable K-1 wins over Sam Greco, Andy Hug, Remy Bonjasky, Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts and Stefan Leko. Filho has participated in various training camps in Japan alongside the greatest Kyokushin Karate experts. He was a training partner of Andy Hug and Kenji Midori, both undisputed Karate champions. Francisco Filho made his K-1 professional wrestling debut on July 20, 1997 at the K-1 Dream '97 tournament against Kyokushin and Seidokaikan wrestler Andy Hug. This was his second meeting, the first being at the 5th Kyokushin World Tournament in 1991 which resulted in a controversial knockout victory for Filho with a technique he landed after the bell rang. The second fight was also won by Filho quickly gaining the Brazilian a large fan base in Japan as well as making him one of the main contenders for the then K-1 World GP Championship title. The same year Filho defeated by K.O. Duane Van Der Merwe in another K-1 with a head kick in the first round. Soon after, he defeated Sam Greco at the 1997 K-1 World Grand Prix with a right hook, also in the first round. In that same K-1, he lost against Ernesto
Hoost by decision of the judges in a controversial match. Rematch came in 1999 at the K-1 Revenge when Filho beat Hoost by K.O. with a powerful right hook at 1:37 of the first round. In 1998 he defeated another legend, Rick Roufus at the K-1 World GP in the third round by K.O. with a right low kick. Within the K-1, Francisco Filho faced great champions, he prevailed over Matt Skelton, Cyril Abidi, Stefan Leko, Sergei Ivanovich, Peter Aerts, Lloyd Van Dams, Alexey Ignashov, Toa and his last fight was against Remy Bonjaski where Filho won by unanimous decision in the third round in 2004. Filho has since held two world titles, both in K-1 as well as the IKO - Kyokushin Kaikan. He has not participated in any major competition since 2004, but remains active in the development of young fighters and in the supervision of the Kyokushin Brazil national team. In 2012, he appeared in The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil training with Vitor Belfort. Titles and achievements Kick boxing 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Up Runner 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka Repechage a champion 2000 K-1 World GP in Yokohama Champion Kyokushin [2]
1999 7th Kyokushin Karate IKO Open World Tournament 1 (defeated Hajime Kazumi) 1997 1st Kyokushin World Heavyweight Tournament 1995 6th Kyokushin Karate IKO Open World Tournament 1 (lost to Hajime Kazumi) 1995 Brazil Open 1994 Mundialito Open 1994 Seventh South American Championships 1993 Brazil Open 1992 Sixth South American Championships 1992 Brazil Open 1991 5th Kyokushin Karate Ultimate Open World Tournament 16 (lost to Kenji Yamaki) 1991 Uruguayan Opening Karate Championships 1990 Paulista Championship 1990 Brazil Open 1989 Fifth South American Championships 1989 Paulista Championship 1988 Paulista Juniors Championship Brazil 1988 6th open position 1987 Brazilian Open 7th place 1987 Paulista Juniors Championship 1986 Paulista Juniors Championship 1985 Paulista Juniors Championship In 1995 Fancisco Filho completing 100 men kumite in Brazil and Japan.
23
´
Web: wttsdu.com Facebook: @worldtraditionaltangsoodounion Correo: worldtraditionaltangsoodounion@gmail.com
24
25
TANG SOO DO PANAMÁ SabomNim Carlos Omar Urbina Panamá 2022 A young Panamanian from the province of Bocas del Toro on his main island Isla Colon where growing up I saw Sawamura El Campeón on television that I liked him a lot and wanted to be like him and as I remember there were no martial art schools on my beautiful island Colon. I grew up and went to school, but suddenly I traveled to the capital, Panama City where I finished school and then went on to university. Still in school I think starting high school I wondered if I could learn martial arts, Karate was the best known, but I don't know why I saw a couple of Karate classes and I didn't feel that it was what I wanted to learn. On the way to school and returning home one day I discovered that passing in front of the entrance to a neighborhood called La Cresta there were some locals and I saw an advertisement for TangSooDo – Korean Karate and decided to get off the bus or public transport and I visited it, I said to myself “I like this”, I went to find out the data and tell my relatives to be able to pay for the classes and enroll, but I think in two or three months the TangSooDo school closed. I
wanted to continue learning, but I didn't want Karate and I didn't think there were more Dojang's of TangSooDo, but a fellow classmate told me that if I wanted to continue learning there was an Academy in a place called Rio Abajo but that the classes were very strong and maybe I wouldn't stand them. I wanted so much to continue learning TangSooDo that I found out how to get to that place, the Colegio Episcopal de San Cristóbal in Rio Abajo (it is known as such), but it is in Parque Lefevre. At the San Cristóbal school there was a gym and these classes were held there. When I arrived I saw that on this basketball court, that is, in this gym, the space of the court was full of students and a student from Black Belt approached me and asked me how he could help me and well, I will not say that the rest is history. I saw the class and immediately knew and said to myself “this is my thing”. The thing was that these classes were three days a week, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the man who was the Master, a dark man, his name was Alfonso Jesse, but I found out that to address him it had to be like this: SabomNim Jesse (RIP). He was sick and passed away in November 2020 but when I started in the classes of the SabomNim Alfonso Jesse in the early 1980s and I started with fear that I would not stand the classes, well I realized that there were few black belts and over time I found out that not everyone could achieve the Black Belt. Well, this is not exactly the case, but what is true was that for him Sabonim Jesse well, it should be said SabomNim, to rise from the grades or ranks of the colored belts to those of the Black Belts, the student had to show several things such as the endurance of how strict these classes were also the emotional growth and development of the student's character to the point that more than 50 years of teaching SabomNim Jesse until God called him on November 6, 2020 only 8 students achieved this award. Thank you SabomNim Alfonso Jesse for having taught me, for tolerating me for so long and even after his departure from this world I remember him as if he were
still alive, I thank him that I was the 7th Black Belt in 1989 that he did. I SabomNim Carlos Omar Urbina until 9 years ago I started teaching on my own
with the authorization of my Master the SabomNim Alfonso Jesse in a gym in the Betania urbanization. Before and after I achieve the Black Belt with my teacher, help support instruction if my teacher needed it. Now with the passing of time I have learned in TangSooDo for almost 33 years of being a Black Belt. I am 4th Dan and I lead the representation of the World Traditional TangSooDo Union. I train my students with combat all classes as I learned from SabomNim Alfonso Jesse. In Panama City, every time there are open Karate or TaeKwonDo tournaments or competitions, I take my students who are prepared and want to not say that they can go to the competitions. I teach classes to children from the age of 4, as well as teenagers and adults. We train with warm-ups, kicks, blocks and punches like with Hyong, that is, we form what they call Kata in Karate and a lot in sparring, that is, in combat. The truth is that I teach what we call physics, that is, calisthenics and stretching, etc. and not always in the same order, but in the different ways that the Chinese Hand Martial Art or TangSooDo can be taught. Tang symbolizes the Tang dynasty of China, Soo is hand and Do
26
addition to helping them almost like minors, it helps against stress, control weight, maintain physical condition and improve health, etc. I can train with adults, practicing easier and improving, since in the street it would be adults who would be the aggressors, either to assault us or just to attack us. Now I will introduce a student of mine who shows interest and makes the effort, in addition to fulfilling all the commitments she has, she always coordinates the time to come to receive
SabomNim Alfonso Jesse is the path to follow in this martial learning. I teach TangSooDo for the street, not to score points, although as a school we participate in competitions we will continue to do so only that I teach lessons that my students learn this is not for competitions but to save their lives in situations where there would be no rules and the only thing what is worth is to save the lifetime. They know that it is not that they are learning a fake MooDukKwan, it is just that this part they learn cannot be used in a competition or tournament. They know that the TangSooDo they learn is so that if they have to defend themselves in the street, they know how to control force and technique depending on the situation. The MooDukKwan school thus means Moo is martial art, Duk is virtue and Kwan is school or style and this was its translation ´School of Martial Art of Virtue´ of ´Art of the Chinese Hand´ or TangSooDo. I love teaching children and adolescents, of course, adults, but when teaching the youngest from 4 years to 21 years old, they remind me of when I started, which helped me as a person in general, sharing this benefit with them in addition to self-defense . For adults because in
the classes, she even trains to go to the competition despite being a beginner, so I I asked her to write her experience training TangSooDo, her name is Andrea Olaciregui: My history in martial arts and Tang Soo Do began when I was 23 years old thanks to some friends who practiced it and seeing me on some occasions doing exercises in the same gym that they eventually also attended, they invited me very often already that occasionally I joined them to practice some techniques that I saw them doing and they told me “Andrea, these techniques, although you don't practice them, come out quite smoothly, you should enroll in our academy. You can come as our guest to a class, see if you like it and stay”, however, as a result of the pandemic, my arrival to officially practice it was delayed a little over a year later and I started thanks to my mother and grandmother who felt that it would be very beneficial to me and they were delighted when I mentioned
it to them. Starting this martial art (Tang Soo Do), meant a new challenge for me since although I do it with great enthusiasm and enthusiasm, it was a new commitment that I was acquiring and I already had my university classes, the projects of the that I am part and a part-time job, however, despite being a new challenge, bumps and bruises, falls and other situations that occur while practicing, tang soo do has become one of my greatest admirations and a great I like being able to practice it and go to my classes. In a certain way, and although it doesn't sound very professional, I became my own superhero like the ones I've seen since I was little and wanted to be, something that amuses me and motivates me to continue, even if I'm tired. I have been able to strengthen my security by going outside and now at this moment it is also a very special memory that I have with my grandmother, since she went to accompany the angels to heaven, but she gave me the money to register and every time When I came home from my practices, he sat down and said to me, “What did you learn today? Teach me and show me your kick.”
At the beginning, many told me that I would not be able to endure the training, however, in 1989, after many training sessions and difficult tests, I was able to obtain my black belt in Tang Soo Do, from the hand of SabomNim Jesse. Currently, I impart the knowledge that my teacher left me at the Iron Kick Academy, where he trained martial artists who also have a passion for Tang Soo Do. For more information to the Mobile or Whatsapp: +507 6636 – 5917 with pleasure.
27
CONTINUED THE LEGACY OF THE SABOMNIM ALPHONSO JESSE Academy Iron Kick Forming Martial Artists that also feel passion for him Tang Soo Do. Movil: +507 6636 - 5917
28
“El Efímero Observador”
and continues in his social causes from his own trench, the traditional martial arts center.
Entrepreneur, Neurosales Trainer, Apprentice of life. Montevideo, Uruguay.
is a reflective philosophical work, its author exposes topics as controversial as common, taking them to extreme points, and always looking for a healthy individual balance in thought, no dogmas, death to radicalism and without hypocrisy or contracts, a look at the daily life of each of us who inhabit the planet and the worn concepts and customs waiting to be destroyed with a hammer.
ENDORSEMENTS:
"The Ephemeral Observer", a recommended reading in these times where the generation gap seems to get bigger and bigger. Finding oneself, the importance of keeping the values and roots of each being strong. Observe, describe, understand and never judge. Daniel Rodriguez Garcia Medical Specialist in Rehabilitation Master of Martial Arts
BIOGRAPHY: He was born in the city of Hermosillo, in 1976, the son of Juan Manuel Acosta and Yolanda Serrano (+), he developed in a context of traditional education, his early social relationship took place in a certainly different way, attached to having friends from the elderly, always questioning the social changes that were seen in their contemporaries, as well as the prejudices and value judgments that occurred in an era overwhelmed by capitalism and consumerism in Mexico. A child with a lot of imagination, and even the inventor of nonexistent events, someone who, based on fantastic odysseys, captured the messages that his teachers gave him, sometimes harsh, many others with laughter in between. Married to Melba Valenzuela since 1998, with whom he had four children, a student of society and its behavior, an insatiable reader and lover of balanced thinking, a volunteer for various social causes, a martial arts teacher, a seminarian and an international competitor in Peru. Argentina, Uruguay, etc. Today he makes his debut as a writer
“I recommend reading this book, which reminds us of the values that are currently being lost, the forms of teaching, the factors that influence one's personality and good customs. The order in your life as a fundamental stone, find your place in the world, meet your inner self and always seek the truth. Mario Marcelo Segnini Fursa martial arts teacher Graphic Designer, Radio Panelist and Entrepreneur. Montevideo, Uruguay. “Whenever we talk about teaching, it is easy for us to think of colleges, secondary schools, universities, but… What if the path we travel in our lives is marked by many more ingredients than those? You have to read this work then, and rediscover information that sleeps in your mind. I invite you to recognize and change old patterns.” John Suarez martial arts teacher
29
MARTIAL ARTS AND ME (C7) Prof. Carlos Damasco
Dismissing the tournament that had already been held with its light and dark, with its positive aspects, with its negative aspects, we went on to live that year 87 after the summer, which is when the strong activities begin, several things were achieved. On the one hand, I started giving classes at the Tabaré Club and I already had a group that was teaching elsewhere that I left only for children. A good year, Easter came, we were able to train all week at the Chung Do Kwan association in Argentina, achieving improvement, training with black belts, which was very beneficial for me and for other colleagues who participated in the adventure. Returning to Montevideo, we continue with our classes. We managed to do small but internal tournaments. Already having the experience of a big tournament, Professor Rubén Gonzalez, from Professor Jorge Gutiérrez, who was with us at that time, could be applied and good with the academy. Several tournaments were held at the Belvedere Bowling Club for both children and adults. having a good result and keeping all the history of taekwondo here in the Chung Do Kwan association. In the middle of the year we are invited by the Chung Do Kwan Argentina association to participate in a tournament that was held there, which was only for the association. I have a student and with Rubén González I have four. My student achieves a first place
in his category of yellow green. Rubén González's students, two achieved first place, one fell by the wayside and another achieved second place, making a very positive assessment of the association. We continue with the avatars, training, doing good things and reaching the end of the year our relationship with the Chung Do Kwan association comes to an end due to discrepancies that my Master Rubén González had with Master Oscar Tajes. I follow him and we decided to go to the Seng Do association directed by Professor Carlos Filippa, an association that was more sporty, more in the center of the Way, that is, sporty. A model that was at that time Carlos Filippa, coach of the Argentine National Team. That gave us a special plus to be able to train the sports part. I traveled with two students and we were at the High Performance Center, we saw good training sessions and very interesting things took place. Here continuing to give classes, with quite interesting groups and developing, changing a little that panorama that was more martial to a little more sporty, which always benefits because the students really want to achieve that, that sporting part, at least in the of his career. Without neglecting my martial side, which was always the one that interested me the most, always perfecting the forms I felt satisfied with. Already at that time, Rubén González had
a drop in students, he did not develop enough and had personal problems that led him to be a little worried about taekwondo and with work problems. In that sense, I had no problem and I continued giving my Taekwondo classes. Well, discarding the tournament that had already been held with its light and dark, with its positive aspects, with its negative aspects, we went on to live that year 87 after the summer, which is when the strong activities begin, several things were achieved. On the one hand, I started giving classes at the Tabaré Club and I already had a group that was teaching elsewhere that I left only for children. A good year, Easter came, we were able to train all week at the Chung Do Kwan association in Argentina, achieving improvement, training with black belts, which was very beneficial for me and for other colleagues who participated in the adventure. Returning to Montevideo, we continue with our classes. We managed to do small but internal tournaments. Already having the experience of a big tournament, Professor Rubén Gonzalez, from Professor Jorge Gutiérrez, who was with us at that time, could be applied and good with the academy. Several tournaments were held at the Belvedere Bowling Club for both children and adults. having a good result and keeping all the history of taekwondo
30
here in the Chung Do Kwan association. In the middle of the year we are invited by the Chung Do Kwan Argentina association to participate in a tournament that was held there, which was only for the association. I have a student and with Rubén González I have four. My student achieves a first place in his category of yellow green. Rubén González's students, two achieved first place, one fell by the wayside and another achieved second place, making a very positive assessment of the association. We continue with the avatars, training, doing good things and reaching the end of the year our relationship with the Chung Do Kwan association comes to an end due to discrepancies that my Master Rubén González had with Master Oscar Tajes. I follow him and we decided to go to the Seng Do association directed by Professor Carlos Filippa, an association that was more sporty, more in the center of the Camino, that is, sporty. A model that was at that time Carlos Filippa, coach of the Argentine National Team. That gave us a special plus to be able to train the sports part. I traveled with two students and we were at the High Performance Center, we saw good training sessions and very interesting things took place. Here continuing to give classes, with quite interesting groups and developing, changing a little that panorama that was more martial to a little more sporty, which always benefits because the students really want to achieve that, that sporting part, at least in the of his career. Without neglecting my martial side, which was always the one that interested me the most, always perfecting the forms I felt satisfied with. Already at that time, Rubén González had a drop in students, he did not develop enough and had personal problems that led him to be a little worried about taekwondo and with work problems. In that sense, I had no problem and I continued giving my Taekwondo classes. End of the year I participated in a national tournament that was held in Seng Do in Parque Sarmiento. Also taking two students who lost in the first fight at a very good level. I was the central referee in the Gup category. As a corner referee in the Danish category, he was a great compliment. I performed correctly, always with the ups and downs of what it means to be a referee or a line judge, let's say. But I found a fun group, it
was practiced in the Gumha gym. The days he was there, teacher Carlos Filippa was scheduled to come to Montevideo, which he later did. I was already authorized to take degrees up to Punta Negra because one thing needs to be clarified, according to what the Chung Do Kwan association did, whole belts were given, it was yellow, green, blue, red and then it went to black. The Seng Do association established half a grade, yellow point, green point, and so on, but that gave the student the opportunity to take exams in less time and to know fewer things, which seemed very favorable to me, and to have a good program for develop it. So I am always satisfied with these activities, me progressing in what I do and not to say a year that was not very, that is to say, outstanding in things, but rather that one more little tournament that I may have missed internally that has been done, I did in my academy, especially for children, to give them that incentive, but always looking for a little bit of excellence that is not achieved, but you have to work for it. So I can say that 1987 was a productive year in the evolution of what was first the Chung Do Kwan association and then the Seng Do association, giving the sporting part a slightly more advanced turnaround. I didn't, I didn't have any problem with the teacher Oscar Tajes, who I'm still linked to today, so I can talk to him without any problem, but I followed my teacher here in Uruguay. Luckily one is leaving at least a good face and a good image in martial art and can look at the face without feeling a traitor of many things, but it is a change of direction that one is establishing and not for money, but rather for other types of things that are what one thinks of at the time. If today they told me if I had been head of the school, I would have continued in the Chung Do Kwan association but that has already happened and we are in another story.
, one for teenagers and one for adults. It was Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That gym lasted a year and something, the gym owner was one more activity that he had because he was a banker and finally decided to sell the gym. Unfortunately, those things when the gyms are not yours depend on other ups and downs and with part of the students who followed me, I went to the Aldea club there near my house because of Ábalos and Luis Alberto Herrera. A club in which I spent 5 or 6 years giving classes, unfortunately losing an interesting group that I had formed in the other place because not everyone has the possibility of moving so far away. Always in that internal struggle, traveling again to Buenos Aires to perfect myself, luckily I was able to do it regularly, generally traveling alone, trying to bring new techniques to improve oneself and get my students to improve as well. After that, unfortunately, I had a serious injury, Achilles tendon rupture, which kept me semi-active because I still went to classes with cast and all, but a little limited in movements. In the next chapter we will talk about Master Carlos Filippa's visit to Uruguay and the possibility of taking exams....
So the 88 also starts very well, things are being done. I change my academy, at Tabaré I can't give more, not because of my problem, but because of a weight training gym and there was no longer a place for me. Grateful and with pain I had to leave the Tabaré. I got a good place at the time, a gym had me in Obligado and Maldonado, I got to give in three schedules, having for children, and not giving either in the small gym that it gave, near my house having three schedules, one for children
31
EL FREAKIE-DO KOLLELLAULLIN Mapuche Martial Art The Spanish crown estimated that more than 50,000 Spaniards died as a direct cause of the Arauco War between the years 1550 and 1790 alone. Two governors: Valdivia and Oñez de Loyola, talented military strategists, with successes outside of Chile, would meet their deaths at hand of the Mapuche. These historical figures are not random. The ancient Mapuche, organized in a complex social network of caciques (lonkos) who practiced polygamy on a large scale (up to twenty women for each patriarch), and with an advanced system of hamlets in the valleys that allowed subsistence agriculture and livestock, it had to be protected by a strong military caste, these were the "conas", and their respective elite the "Weichafes". The high military preparation at the level of strategies, with both physical and mental training of the Weichafe, allowed resistance to the Spanish empire. This training was called Kollellaullin, which consisted of a wide range of exercises and activities. Kollellaullin is a martial art of
Mapuche origin, whose word means in Mapudungun (Mapuche language) »ant waist» or »ant power». This refers to the physical power of this insect capable of carrying loads much higher than its own weight. Another explanation was the state in which the warrior was left after undergoing this training, wide back with muscular torso and small waist like an ant's. The Kollellaullin consisted of a rigorous training that was carried out throughout the life of the Mapuche warrior (Cona), training him in physical skills, hardening of his muscles and adaptation to his environment in order to transform him into Weichafe, an elite sacred warrior within the ancient Mapuche society. Kollellaullin could be considered as Japanese budo, since it consisted more than a closed system, in a set of physical and intellectual practices such as the following: Palín: chueca game, rough sport similar to hockey; Pillman: wind ball game (like dodgeball game); Linao: similar to rugby, in this way you learned to dodge throwing weapons and even artillery shells; Choiquepin: run on one leg; Lazu or
ladu: practices of rope ties, to hold prisoners; Curantun: stone throwing; Waikitun: spear fighting; Lekaitun: use of Bolas; Ngurukuram: steal the egg from the fox; Trentrikan: walking on stilts; Llighkan: Fencing of colihues canes; Lonkotun: Fight by pulling your hair, and drag the opponent until he touches the ground with his forehead; Lefkawellun: horse race; Lonkoquilquil: Makana, for exercises and fighting with a mace; Metratun: Fight taking the arms; Pülkitun: Exercises with bow and arrow; Reñitun: Spear fencing; Rüllun: Jumping exercises in rivers and lakes from height; Rünkütun: Jumping exercises over obstacles; Wadatun: Exercises with spear-hook to bring down horsemen; Weyeltun: Swimming exercises, they dominated the technique of diving or Rilun throwing themselves from great heights into rivers. The torrential rivers were crossed by swimming, leading the horses by the reins so that they would not drown. The practice of swimming underwater while holding one's breath was common; Witruwetun: Exercises with native slingshot (wool band with leather widening for the projectile); Mapuche boxing: alternate punches were given without covering or defending until one of the combatants said enough. Each warrior, after having a general training in the arsenal of weapons (javelin, pike, bow and arrow, baton, long spear, bola, etc...) chose a weapon with which he felt most comfortable and specialized throughout his life. with it, so then the armies were formed according to the weapon of specialization of the warrior. Without a doubt, the weapon in which they specialized the most was the baton, the one they used to destroy Hispanic armor with a
32
single blow. Wooden batons of more than 15 kilograms have been found, which speaks of the strength of those who carried them. Regarding the use of the horse, there were various techniques on it, such as throwing the spear and the boleadora mounted on it, also taking the reins by the teeth to use weapons in both hands, hiding on the side of the horse and jumping on the galloping horse. Some practices of the weichafes consisted of injecting themselves under the skin of shoulders, backs, legs, arms and neck, fine powder of very hard rock (Lauenkura) or powdered puma bones to acquire hardness, strength and courage. Some soldiers thus became "immortals" of great ferocity in combat.
TREPELAIMIDZUAM, which means "watching over oneself ", it is the self-discipline of a straight life, dedicated to physical training, spiritual purification and mental dexterity, this when massified allowed the "Ad Mapu ” (justice-law-customs of the land or fair land) would keep the society cohesive through a harmony of the elements, susceptible to the collective animosity of the people of the entire Mapuche society.
In this way, the Weichafe acquired the "Newen" (Power), the "Newen Mapu" (power of the earth), the "Newen Lüfke" (lightning power), coming from the respective totem animals of each warrior, many Sometimes, related to the respective clan or families, who came from the same "Rewe" or ancestor. It is the Spiritual Preparation: moment in which the "Inchin Aukan" The "Trepelaimidzuan" (I resist) begins, a conception that Resistance to pain was important refers to the fact that the land you among the Weichafes, as was walk on is sacred, and that is why surrendering in peace with oneself the art of war does not come from before a "good death". Dying in hatred but from the "Dwan ” (love combat was seen as something sacred, and a natural course of a warrior's life. Long fasts in soLittering in the woods or mountains, sitting on boiling coals, or naked in the snow were common practices within Weichafe trance states.
for the motherland or homeland). The rigorous physical/mental and spiritual preparation and skill in handling weapons made the Araucanian a warrior worthy of being considered one of the best in the world, due to his physical capacity, his high patriotic motivation, his severe discipline, for a true cult to the care and handling of weapons, for their ability to withstand cold, heat, hunger, thirst and pain and contempt for death.
Bathing several times a day in the cold waters of waterfalls (Traitraiko) to purify the soul and spirit, accustomed the body to extreme conditions and hardened the character and kept it clean and healthy. The Mapuche warrior went to war freshly bathed and in clean clothes, because for him war was something sacred, a field of action in which they could express the best of themselves and their highest qualities. The Mapuche warriors had a word:
33
TOSHUKUKEN & KOBU JUTSU HANSHI Héctor E. Maroli
TOSHUKUKEN & KOBU JUTSU Autor: Héctor E. Maroli
between thumb and index finger) possibly derived from the use of the kote (metal protector of the back of the hand) to cut the face or We can put forward the hypothesis soft areas with its edges, or defense that the Toshukuken and the with the back of the hand against Kobu jutsu were nourished by the circular attacks from daggers or martial arts of the Minamoto, who daggers. Techniques all of them This hypothesis humbly tries possessed techniques derived from still preserved in the descending to open a path of investigation, the war arts of the Japanese medieval lines of Shuri-te and Tomari-te. in search of data that allows us era, cultivated and transmitted by to substantiate the existence of the Peichin of the noble families The handling of the spear and arts and expert martial artists in of Shuri, from which stand out: halberd gave foundation to the Okinawa, before the beginning of training with the wooden body of commercial and cultural relations displacements in De Ai (shock these weapons, without the cutting with the Chinese Ming dynasty. movement, before an opponent's metals or hammers at their ends. advance) similar to the technique Its subsequent development and According to the Chuzan history of the old jiguen ryu school of systematization led to the Bo jutsu. (Chuzan seikan), Chuzan genealogy Ken jutsu (katana), taught through (Chuzan seifu) and Ryukyu yo jutsu (short stick) in Okinawa It is noteworthy that both Yara (Kiuyo) chronicles, in the 13th by Yara Chikudun Peichin, who Chikudun Peichin, Makabe Choken, century the island was divided developed the kobudo katas Chatan and Matsumora Kosaku were not into three kingdoms HOKUZAN, Yara no Sai, Chatan Yara no Kuun, trained as martial artists in China, CHUZAN and NANZAN. Yara gua no Tonfa, and the Yara and are referred to as skilled Bushi. no Kushanku form of karate. The history of the martial art of This data supports the hypothesis Okinawa does not show who their of the existence of martial arts the Chudan shuto uke technique first teachers were and how they in each of them. According to similar to defensive gesture with the developed their warrior skills, with historical texts, they affirm that shield and slashing with the sword this doubt we begin the hypothetical the three kingdoms had vassalage, simultaneously, and three, the open proposal of the existence of commercial and cultural relations hand techniques shuto (edge next martial arts derived from the with the Chinese dynasty of the to little finger) and haito (edge warrior factions of the Minamoto. MING, with the intention that
34
their thrones and territories be recognized; but they do not detail data on any Chinese military contribution. If of the Japanese warriors who made up the courts of the period of the three kingdoms, to direct or train the combat forces. From here we assume the hypothesis that the first martial techniques could be taught and transmitted in Okinawa by the "Bushis" of the Minamoto forces, displaced by
of the royal treasures enthroned in 1470 with the name of Sho-en, beginning the second Sho Dynasty. In 1477 the third king of this second dynasty named SHOSHIN assumes the throne, who established a central control system forcing nobles to reside in Shuri castle with his entire family.
the defeats and persecutions of the triumphant Taira clan, after the Genpei war (1180 to 1185). In 1429 the monarch SHO-HASHI, second king of the first Sho dynasty, achieves the unification of the kingdoms by establishing the royal capital in Shuri, and builds the port of Naha to promote foreign trade. This first dynasty did not achieve true social stability, because the lords of the neighboring regions were very bellicose and permanently challenged the central power. During 47 turbulent years and five successor kings, the first dynasty falls at the hands of the able administrator
king of the second Sho dynasty in 1609, under the military rule of the Japanese clan of SATSUMA. Those who exercised the prohibition of carrying all kinds of weapons and martial arts practices. The latter acquire a strong local identity, being protected and transmitted occultly through the Kemochi (noble families) who sought to base He left his land in the hands of the art through reading the book the royal administrators, and he Ki ko shin sho published in 1595. issued a royal edict ordering that all Okinawans must not bear arms. Perhaps at that time the indigenous system of boxing called Te (hand) Storing the existing ones in Shuri's castle. was developed, practiced only by members of the noble class of Shuri, The noble residents of the royal of which there are no certain data city dedicated their free time of those who taught it or what their to cultivating wisdom through practices were like. It is assumed the arts, devoted themselves to that there was a master and his the study of Zen Buddhism and disciple in a secret way, for which Confucian morality with the its diffusion and evolution was slow. intention of adopting a moral and ethical code that every worthy Said martial art is mentioned in a man should comply with. This poem by Nago Oyakata that dates social situation influenced the back to 1663 and says: "No matter practice of Ti, which produced how excellent one is in the art of a great flourishing of everything Ti, and in his daily efforts, there related to the local warrior culture. is nothing more important than conduct and humanity observed in The systematic development of daily life. The writing predates the Okinawan martial arts begins with first mentions of To Te practices in the fall of King Sho-nei, the seventh Okinawan literature by 95 years.
35
with a weight on each arm (pan balance), this refers us to the concept of balance, calm, relaxation and peace.
PYUNG AHN HYUNGS Ksn Leonardo Vargas
The development of balance in life, through the practice of PYUNG AHN HYUNGS 平安 Those of us who have practiced Tang Soo Do for many years know that it is not just about throwing kicks, fists or "being good in combat". But the constant practice of this art offers countless teachings that build us as a person inside and outside the doyang (place of practice). This is part of what we call “MOO DO Philosophy - martial path”. From my point of view, it is a compendium of teachings that differentiate the practitioner of Tang Soo Do from the rest of the people since this martial art provides a form or method of life that is acquired after many years of training and dedication. For this reason, I believe that Tang Soo Do, in addition to forming excellent practitioners, forms excellent people.
thesis, I will try to reflect deeply on what this represents in practitioner's life A priori, I can say that it is an important teaching that, at least for me, will accompany me forever. Next, we will delve into the meaning that the writing of “Pyung Ahn” brings in itself in hanja 平安 (Chinese characters that Koreans borrowed and incorporated into their language, changing their pronunciation). Pyung Ahn 平安 translates to “calm
Therefore, for my test a cho dan I decided to address the philosophy behind the practice of Pyung Ahn Hyungs.
and security”. Calm refers to the internal balance of the person and is represented by a scale in the characters. Security refers to the home as a safe place (the house and the woman-mother).
In principle, we could translate “Pyung Ahn” as “calm and security”, “peace and confidence”, “peace and tranquility”, or “tranquility and inner security”. In this
Analyzing each ideogram we find that, on the one hand, "PYUNG 平" translates as "balanced", "relaxed" or "calm". In fact, a balance is shown
For its part, the ideogram "AHN 安" can be interpreted as the superposition of two parts. The upper part represents a roof (with a chimney) giving the idea of shelter, home, house... Under the roof is the second character that represents a seated woman breastfeeding her child. [In the East, women's place was formerly considered to be within the home, taking care of children, cooking and the like]. Therefore, AHN can be read as the feeling of inner security. In short, Pyung represents being in balance (mentally and physically), having a sense of calm and peace. Ahn represents having a feeling of security, protection and trust. These forms and, therefore, his teachings, are introduced in the first moments in the life of the Tang Soo Do practitioner and accompany him throughout the GUP journey and how we will see, beyond as well (Philosophy 철학 | CHUL HAK ). The first Pyung Ahn Hyung we learn about is Pyung Ahn Cho Dan. Tang Soo Do students typically begin learning the Pyung Ahn series of forms at Orange Belt (8th Gup). Although it is a form that “a priori” can be understood as a sequence of basic movements, the truth is that it takes years to master the art of simplicity. These forms are an important part of our Moo Do (martial discipline) development. Every time one begins to delve into the Pyung Ahn understand their strong technical, historical and philosophical development. The practice of these forms is a physical and spiritual experience that takes us back to several historical moments (History 역사 | YUK SA) that I am interested in rescuing: The Pyung Ahn forms were systematized in Okinawa by the great
36
master: Yasutsune Itosu, also called Anko Itosu. This teacher was born in 1831 and died in 1915. He was a warrior considered a teacher of teachers in karate since he trained the founders of the Shorin Ryu, Shotokan, Shudokan and Shito Ryu styles.
adapted for use in Tang Soo Do.
GM Itosu learned the Pyung Ahn moves from a Chinese castaway living in Okinawa. This teacher taught him a very long and ancient southern Chinese form called "Chiang Nan", known at the time as "Channan" (an Okinawan approximation of Chinese pronunciation). These movements were fast, aggressive and dynamic.
The tortoise has a special meaning in Korean culture comparable to that of the dragon in China. Throughout the territory of this country you can see very old turtle sculptures, especially in gardens and temples.
Later (around 1887), Itosu divided "Channan o Jae-Nam" into a series of 5 forms as he thought they would be easier to teach to young students and introduce the practice of martial arts into school systems. He in turn renamed them "Pinan" because the pronunciation of "ChiangNan" was not easy. The original Channan form is lost (although some styles continue to teach the Pyung Ahn forms under that name). Pinan forms were introduced into Okinawan educational systems in the spring of 1904 and were later adopted by many teachers and schools. That is why they are present in the curricula of various martial styles. Those 5 forms were: Pinan Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan. In Korean: Pyung Ahn Cho Dan, Ee Dan, Sam Dan, Sah Dan, Oh Dan.
These forms were introduced into the Tang Soo Do curriculum by Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee and he assigned the turtle as the symbol of the Pyung-Ahn Hyungs.
His head represents the earth, his claw, the heavens, and his body, the water. As an intermediary between heaven and earth, water also represents humanity. In this way, the tortoise is believed to embody longevity and wholeness.
Yasutsune Itosu
The meaning of the turtle forms a special place when analyzing the philosophy that the Pyung Ahn Hyungs embody, since the path to longevity and fulfillment is precisely the power to achieve and maintain balance. In fact, the very interaction of UM and YANG is the clearest representation of balance and this relationship is an essential characteristic to sustain vital energy (KI). The relationship between UM and YANG is dynamic, their union represents the perfect balance between the earthly and heavenly aspects of life. To be continue......
Gichin Funakoshi
When GM Gichin Funakoshi spread karate throughout Japan, he changed the name from the forms "Pinan" to "Heian" which was the Japanese pronunciation, and also meant "peace and tranquility". When these forms arrive in Korea, they are translated as "Pyung Ahn." From Shotokan Karate they were
37
HIGA YUCHOKU
However, Grandpa couldn't give up his idea, so he tried again when Yuchoku was in the sixth grade of elementary school. This time he took his grandson to the house of the Chojun Miyagi sensei, who was his second uncle and who at that time taught Naha te. But again he ran away from the house. And he said to his grandfather, "Please, please don't force me to learn You!" Finally, Grandpa gave up and never tried again.
Sensei Gerardo Balves
HIGA YUCHOKU founder of Kyudokan Kobayashi ryu Higa dai sensei to my humble understanding was an "enlightened" of karate, he had among other things the faculty of assimilating a broad vision of karate although he was a faithful continuator of the Kobayashi Ryu (Shorin Ryu) of Chibana dai sensei. Dai Sensei Yuchoku Higa died at the age of 84 on November 6, 1994. His legacy will remain forever in the history of Okinawan Karate and in the memory of those who knew him. Higa Yuchoku, founder of Kyudokan Kobayashi ryu was born in Naha City, Okinawa on February 10, 1910. He was one of the tenth best known and most respected Danes in Okinawa and was always recognized as: the strong fist of Okinawa, for the amazing power generated in his tsuki. He had the strong physique of the warrior dedicated to
the practice of Ti. Clearly he described himself as possessing a Karate, (which he preferentially calls Ti), strong and true, which often created problems with other masters, but that has never worried him, he never had qualms to express what he thought. When he was a child, he was very skinny and had a weak constitution. His grandfather was worried about his grandson's health, so one day he took him to the house of Master Gichin Funakoshi (Later, founder of Shotokan Karate), and made the young Yuchoku spend a stay with the Funakoshi family. Grandpa hoped that Higa would learn Karate from this master, at the same time Funakoshi sensei would help his grandson with his studies. At that time Teacher Funakoshi was working as a teacher at the school. Four days later, (Yuchoku who was in the fourth grade of elementary school at the time), ran away from Master Funakoshi's house and returned home. He was very afraid and felt lonely when he lived apart from his family.
When Higa was a student at Naha Commercial High School at age 16, she felt eager enough to really learn. He was still physically weak, skinny and pale. In addition, he was considered a bookworm. He liked to read a lot. Higa was an easy target for abusers who have always existed. And he was continually being bullied. So he began to be reluctant to go to school. He felt so depressed that he even thought about trying to commit suicide. But luckily he changed his mind. He thought that if he could die at any time he would do it by taking revenge!" So he made up his mind and started looking for someone who could teach him karate. He began to learn Karate under the stern direction of the famous Shuri-te master, Jiro Shiroma. At first, Shiroma rejected this too weak boy. After three rejections, the old master ended up accepting it. Yuchoku had to clean the Dojo and wash the gettas. Then, Jiro Shiroma, decided that he was ready to receive the instructions of his art. However, Master imposed a condition: Yuchoku would never have to speak publicly about You and of course, the young man, promised to respect that wish. That was its beginning. The Karate practiced in Okinawa at that time was very different from today. The practices focused mainly on kata work. After Shiroma's death in 1933, he became a student almost simultaneously with Jinnan Shinzato and Miyahira Seiyei. He trained in the Naha-te of Master Shinzato, who was Chojun Miyagi's most
38
outstanding pupil. With him she learned kata at Seisan. From Master Miyahira Seiei he learned his famous tsuki technique, as he was a true specialist in this technique. This led Master Higa to be his technical heir. This master was well versed in various forms of Te having been his chief instructor a man named Kiyuma PECHIN (also known as Chunna TANMEI or Tiji-kun BUSHI – the warrior of the mighty fist), who was a true expert of the Shuri-te and had been a pupil of one of the greatest Masters of Okinawa, Sokon 'Bushi' Matsumura. He had also been guardian of the royal tombs of Tama Uden, in the vicinity of Shuri Castle. Such an honor was only conferred on the best fighters. From Seiyei Miyahira, Yuchoku learned the Shuri-te version of the Seisan and Sanchin Katas. By the age of 20 Higa had also already learned the Jitte and Arakaki no Shochin kata from a Ti expert named Akamine, as well as the Niseishi kata, from a karateka named Kokuba, but this kata was never taught. In 1941 he became a student of the famous Shuri te Master, Chosin Chibana, who was one of Anko Itosu's most talented pupils. Chibana accepts Higa sensei recognizing him as Naha te's teacher, which put him in a superior position in relation to the rest of this teacher's students. Thus, he also became the first to receive the ninth dan from Chibana Dai sensei. (Chibana
Sensei only awarded five ninth Danes before his death.)
thought that a dojo is not so necessary for the practice of karate.
In his vision of karate he always felt closer to the figure of Matsumura Sokon than to that of Itosu Anko.
He was also very critical when talking about karate tournaments. I never accept them.
In 1945, with the official qualification of police, Master Higa worked at the Yonabaru police headquarters, moving two years later to the Naha police headquarters.
At a time when competition did not exist, Master Higa was the star of numerous Kakidamishi (combat challenges), thus increasing his physical, mental and spiritual attributes and a reputation that is still remembered today.
In 1947 he inaugurated the Kyudokan Karate Dojo and dedicated himself to perfecting and developing everything he had learned from his teachers, especially chosin Chibana, with whom he continued to practice. In 1961, when the first Okinawan Shorin ryu Karate-do Association was founded, chaired by Master Chibana, Yuchoku Higa was assigned the role of vice president. During that period he alternated his political affairs with his role as a karate master. In addition to holding office in the Okinawa House of Representatives, either as president or member, on eight successive occasions. He was also president of the Okinawan Karate Federation and Kobudo, chief advisor of the Okinawan Karate-do Teachers Association, etc. Higa sensei also received countless awards, among which was one for the illustrious people who were invited to the Royal Palace, in Tokyo, by Emperor Hirohito. In 1976 he received the 10th. Dan Hanshi, the highest rank a master can aspire to. In 1991, along with other great masters, he participated in one of his last public exhibitions at Shuri Castle. The following year, in February, he received the Merit Award in karate-do given by the Ryu Kyu Shimpo newspaper. In 1972, the dojo for Master Higa was remodeled to as it is today by his main students. However, Master Higa himself
Higa said that the Shorin-ryu (School of the Young Forest) was named after Anko Itosu, while Chosin Chibana called it Kobashi-ryu, which in itself says the same thing, but in Okinawan dialect (Uchinango). He expresses that it is a natural style, that it is like walking a long way, he described it as a soft karate that contains points of hardness. He explains that hard karate is fine for young age, but becomes difficult for middle age. He also stated that the circle represents the soft and that within the circle are the necessary points of hardness. He firmly believed that it is the principle pursued by all martial arts. Higa says that both Goju-ryu and Shorinryu have their strengths. The Shorin-ryu has the fluidity given by natural positions that allow freedom of movement and speed. The Goju-ryu on the other hand possesses powerful positions and strong blocks, placing special emphasis on the construction of an iron body. Despite his current thinking, Higa admits that when he was young he had made the mistake of doing work to obtain a solid neck and shoulders intentionally developed by making him appear as a grotesque bull. Then I reconsider and leave that kind of training. Before starting his classes Master Higa hits his body from top to bottom with two thin bunches (one in each hand) of bamboo that he had designed and built and that he called Daruma (Dharma), when asked about his benefit he indicated that by hitting himself he revitalized all
39
parts of his body improving any heating that could be done, providing it with a lot of energy while generating a better circulation of the blood, this exercise was always done at noon and also in the afternoon. He also used two small cylinders of rice straw that he squeezed with his hands and turned with his fingers. He said that the nigiritaba (as he called them) had invented them when he was about 19 years old and that they were very good at empowering his fingers and improving the muscles of his hands. And that being portable he considered them better than the grip elements that were used in Goju Ryu. His technique for hitting was so famous on the island of Okinawa that he was known in the local dialect as "Yuchoku no tijikun", (Yuchoku the one with the strong fist), the reality is that he dedicated several hours of his daily practice to makiwara. Contrary to what many people might imagine, he was not a tough and insensitive character and this is demonstrated by his passion for bonsai trees. He kept many of them at the entrance of his dojo, likewise alternating this passion with his great interest in birds. He maintained that these hobbies were fundamental to the growth of his spiritual sensitivity. Synthesizing his thoughts about karate he stated: "Until some time I thought that being strong was the most important thing over time I realized that the most important thing is to be prepared to give assistance to others. In addition, it is not the most important thing to set the limits of oneself, but today I preach "Kyudo Mugen" (the path of study never ends). "The path of karate is as immensely vast, deep and certainly unknown as the heavens that go forever beyond all limits." Gerardo Balves Ganbatte Kudasai forever
Some of his thoughts: "Karate is Zen, kata are Zen in motion (doteki zen). The goal of Karate is always life. And life is like a mountain, which is climbed by different paths. Some paths take the form of musicians, priests, artisans, martial artists, etc. But they all seek the same goal, to reach the chasm. Some take the longest roads, and therefore will take longer to get there. " "A true and serious karate practitioner must follow the example of boiling water that if the fire is extinguished it will cool down and will have to warm up again..." "I always advise beginners to drop their shoulders naturally and put all the emphasis on concentrating on their tanden (hara), because that is where the real strength lies, it is at that point where energy and power (ki) is generated."
Many karate masters teach watery styles, no hip action, no deep tsukis. It is very easy to deduce that these masters do not have authentic knowledge. You are what your teacher is... If you really know a lot, then you should be able to prove it. "I would like the essence of Karate jutsu not to be lost, it is the only inheritance of our homeland and what our ancestors left to the world with pride." "There is a fundamental element that every practitioner must take into account, and it is based on developing a special skill that only he can master. Once this is achieved, karate will also become a spiritual discipline. "
"The student who adheres from the beginning to a single concept of truth, will be sitting watching everything from one corner of the table, and therefore will be unable to understand that there are three other corners, and more ways of seeing the same reality. Experience is everything.... Finally, when you follow a Master you must know that you have made a great decision, but if the Master accepts it, he will have taken on an enormous responsibility. " "Before the dojo was built, I practiced karate in the yard or garden of my house. There was Gajimaru (a Bengal fig tree) and Sakura (cherry tree). I loved practicing karate there, under the moonlight. I believe that if they practice karate in a place surrounded by the beauties of nature, we will be able to give a wonderful value to karate and understand it better. " "It's not karate if the blow is interrupted before contact. It is impossible to fight without the possibility of injury, many times injury is inevitable. Essentially karate is not suitable for a tournament. It is impossible to make true karate a competitive sport. "
40
41