The Secret Karate Techniques - Kata Bunkai

The Secret Karate Techniques

Kata Bunkai

Warning

The techniques described in this book and the techniques of any martial art are dangerous. You should, therefore, train under the supervision of an expert. Please also use caution when handling or using any weapons and consult a qualified teacher. Please use restraint when practicing techniques described in this book. Neither the author nor the publishers of this book are responsible for the results of your choice to practice these techniques. Please respect the law and order of your country.

Helmut Kogel

THE SECRET

KARATE TECHNIQUES

KATA BUNKAI

Meyer & Meyer Sport

Original title: Kata Bunkai – Die geheimen Techniken im Karate

© 2010 Meyer & Meyer Verlag

Translated by Judy Keenan

The Secret Karate Techniques

Kata Bunkai

Helmut Kogel

Maidenhead: Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd., 2010

ISBN: 978-1-84126-961-0

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means now known or hereafter invented without the prior written permission of the publisher. This book may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form, binding or cover other than that wich is published, without zhe prior written consent of the publisher

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Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Preface: What is the Essence of Karate? (Tetsuhiro Hokama)

A General Part

B Special Part

Literature

Internet

Credits

Introduction

This book has been written for all those interested in the Martial Arts and who want to look more deeply into the material behind authentic Okinawan Karate. Knowledge of the background behind Okinawa’s Martial Arts is not widespread, particularly with regard to the stimulation of vital points (Jintai Kyusho). Demonstrations for the use of single Kata sequences (Bunkai) often stagnate at the surface of the Martial Arts (Omote), yet it is important for advanced students to realize and have access to the finer points of Karate which are worth the effort and the years of intensive training needed to know them.

Whereas, in the past, secret Okinawan Karate techniques were passed on solely to a chosen few, modern media now make it possible to make contact with numerous research groups active in investigating the background and essence of Karate and, above all, its application.

During a journey to Okinawa several years ago, I became acquainted with Master Tetsuhiro Hokama (10th Dan Goju Ryu Karate, Hanshi). He challenged me to undertake a project to further investigate the medical-physiological underpinnings of Karate (vital point stimulation). He explained that, although it is common knowledge that Jintai Kyusho is effective, no one knows exactly how it functions. He was hopeful that I would be able to shed more light on the working mechanisms of Kyusho, knowing that I was a medical doctor as well as a Master of Karate.

It became obvious to me that if I was to succeed, I would have to look very closely at material about Chinese Acupuncture. This study took several years and uncovered facts which led to a significant advance in understanding Okinawan Karate. My research work was compiled into a large, but not published, compendium which was made available to Dr. T. Hokama.

To prevent the hidden knowledge held in the traditional Karate Kata from being lost, we decided to decode numerous movement sequences as far as this was possible. To this end, Master Hokama assumed responsibility for Goju Ryu Karate and I assumed responsibility for the background of the Shuri Te and Shotokan Kata. In our work together we were able to compile many details and could incorporate the preparatory work done by other international working groups (see Literature).

Among the most important pioneers in this area are: Patrick Mc Carthy, George Dillman, Evan Pantazi and his employees, as well as Erle Montaigue, Ian Abernethy and Werner Lind’s research group. The changes and modifications made over the centuries to the original movements obviously made interpretation more difficult. In this book I have tried to illustrate the relationship between the Tuite- (levers) and the Jintai Kyusho (sensitive points) techniques and modern human anatomy.

Even so, it was not possible to cover the entire spectrum of ancient knowledge as this would have overstepped the framework of a normal book and also the capabilities of one single person. We had to restrict ourselves to a few examples of Kata sequences. For those interested in expanding their knowledge and enhancing their abilities with the applications described and illustrated in this book, I recommend taking part in seminars held by various working groups. I wish the reader success and enjoyment with the book and feel certain that there are many who will now see the Martial Arts from a different point of view. Perhaps . . . this book will be a catalyst for motivating further research on the background of the Kata applications.

Acknowledgements

Such is the way that a Master lives out his life, aware of his imperfection, never satisfied with his abilities even to his final day, neither vain nor condescending (Quotation from Hagakure, by Tsunetomo Yamamoto).

I would not like to neglect thanking my teachers, who have accompanied me on my way in the Martial Arts, for their efforts, their patience and the most precious time spent together. They are: Hans-Dieter Rauscher, 8th Dan Shotokan Karate Hanshi, 7th Dan Iaido Kyoshi, 6th Dan Kobudo Kyoshi, 8th Antas Arnis , Ikio Higushi, 9th Dan Gimma-Ha Ryu Karate Hanshi, 7th Dan Kobudo Kyoshi, Kazuo Sakai, 10th Dan Wado Ryu Hanshi, 8th Dan Kempo Hanshi, 8th Dan Kobudo Hanshi, Professor Shizuya Sato, 10th Dan Nihon Jujutsu Hanshi, 9th Dan Judo Hanshi, Hirokatsu Kanazawa 10th Dan Shotokan Karate Hanshi and many others.

My gratitude goes out, in particular, to Tetsuhiro Hokama Dr. Dr., 10th Dan Goju Ryu Karate, Kobudo, Kyusho Hanshi, who encouraged me to examine the physiological background and consequences of Karate and its Kata. It was through him that I became acquainted with the Martial Arts as they are lived on Okinawa, the cradle of Karate. It was he who helped me to achieve deeper insight into the history of Okinawan Te.

My thanks, also, to my sons Marc (3rd Dan Karate, 1st Dan Bo Jutsu) and Lutz (3rd Dan Karate) for their help in putting this book together. To my son, Marc, and my Karate students: Thank you for your assistance with corrective work on the manuscript. A very large thank you to my wife, Elvira, for all her help in assembling the photos and to the employees of the Meyer & Meyer publishing company who have, as usual, produced an excellent layout and end product. Thanks also to Judy Keenan for the translation from German to English.

Preface

What is the Essence of Karate?

By Tetsuhiro Hokama

Karate is a defensive Martial Art which in earlier times developed on the Ryukyu Island as Te (English Hand). Basically, Te is an instinctive self-defense against enemy forces which threaten one’s own existence. The original form of Te is also known as Temai (English: dancing hand). Temai is essentially a form of reflex-based self-defense when under attack. This form developed further into what is known as Karate today.

The Spirit of Karate and the Way

Karate means daily training of one’s mind and body and paying attention to one’s own health. Ideally, self-defense against an attacker is carried out, unarmed, in an emergency situation, although in certain situations a Karate fighter is permitted to make use of a weapon. There is one important rule in Karate: Neither should one be hit, nor should one cause harm to another.

The fundamental idea is to resolve a conflict in a peaceful manner. Put another way: An enemy attack should not be worth its while in Karate. The philosophy of Karate was developed further as a means of teaching self control. In the latter part of the 1920’s Karate was renamed to Karate-Do (Art of the Empty Hand).

The History of Karate

It has been suggested that the art of fist fighting originated in the regions of Mesopotamia and parts of North Turkey and reached the Ryukyu Island by way of the Silk Road to India and China. There is also another theory which suggests this style of combat travelled over the seas to reach Japan by way of Indonesia and South East Asia.

Legend has it that the Indian monk, Bodhidharma (jp. Daruma), founder and the first patriarch of Zen Buddhism, arrived at the Shaolin monastery on the Songshan mountain in Henan Province around the year 526 and was also a practitioner of the Martial Arts. These basic elements of Shaolin Martial Arts continued to be developed and further spread by the monastery. Daruma is honored in Japan as the Patron of the Ryukyu School of Karate.

He wrote two Sutras, Yi-jin-jing (Transformation of the Tendons and Ligaments, Various Breathing Techniques for Improving Stamina) and Xi-sui-jing (Ablution of the Marrow to Develop Self-Discipline and Inner Strength). Bohdidharma is also supposed to have drawn up the Wu-De (Principles of the Virtues of the Martial Arts) which teaches discipline, self-control, modesty and a respect for life. Once it became obvious that those who trained according to these principles were more successful in self-defense, this then led to further development. The ancient style was gradually complemented by elements of dance and, of course, additional techniques for self-defense. There are several legends regarding the transit route of the Shaolin Martial Arts to the Ryukyu Island. One thing is certain: the teachings of Bodhiharma were to have the decisive influence on Ryukyu-Karate-Do.

The Spread of Karate to Japan’s Main Island

The first major Japanese Budo Association (Dai Nippon Butokukai) was founded in Kyoto in 1895. In the interest of establishing uniform qualifications, it was decided to set up examinations and qualification tests for three levels: the Master Certificate (Hanshi), Teacher (Kyoshi) and Apprentice (Renshi). Judo and Kendo were introduced into the curriculum of higher schools. This was a requirement to enable these traditional Martial Arts to reach a larger audience.

In its home country of Okinawa, however, Karate remained a closed book for the general public as the Martial Arts were passed down solely within the inner family circle. It was Kanryo Higaonna, a Master from Naha, who opened the first Karate Dojo in Naha in 1889 after his return from China. Anko Itosu (a Master from Shuri) began to train primary school pupils in Shuri in 1901. Karate’s existence as an Okinawan Martial Art became known on the main island of Honshu through demonstrations in schools. This was later followed by an invitation to take part in a sport demonstration organized by the Ministry of Education. Two Masters, Funakoshi and Isoma, demonstrated Okinawa’s Karate during a major show in Tokyo in 1922. The first book on Karate was released by Master Funakoshi in November of the same year. In 1924 Karate Master Funakoshi started up a working group at the Keio University with the aid of the famous Judo founder, Master Jigoro Kano, and other renowned Judo and Kendo Masters. Additional Karate study groups were also established at Tokyo University and the Takushoku University. The Main Karate Student Society (founded in 1936) helped to spread the art of Okinawan Karate to Japan’s main island. The newspapers of the day printed sensational reports about Choki Motobu, a Karate Master from Shuri, who had knocked out a foreign professional boxer in the ring. In 1927 Chojun Miyagi, Master and Founder of Goju Ryu, began giving Karate courses at universities such as the Ritsumei and the Kyoto University. Kanbun Uechi, a Master