After 32 years of practice, I go to Okinawa to discover the dojos of karate and kobodo with three friends. We went to 4 different dojos during these two weeks of travel. Morning and evening training.
1-Left of Nago
The courses are led by Senseï Hirotasu Uchi, 5and and Uechi-Ryu, in a real old dojo that has remained in its juice for several generations, Because it is his grandfather Kanseï Uechi, Kaneï brother, who taught in this same dojo. We were a good small group of 20 people, a large part of the Hirotasu Uchi family (brothers,uncles, children) and usual students. The course is probably always the same with Junbi Undo quickly executed. Then we practiced the hojo undo, in the same dynamic, where each shots and blockages are made with speed and determination. Following this sequence, We carried out Sanchin three times when Hirotasu and two alumni carried out the controls. There was 3 lines and we were lining up to pass the person who controlled us. Once done, We changed line for a new check.
Following Sanchin, We did Kote Kitae. They tell us that they put a lot of importance to the Kote Shine to work on the stability of the position and to warm up the forwards before the strikes. Quote Shime is rubbing the two forearms by punching towards the partner's face and bringing your arm back to the Sanchin position. Then we continue with the yakusoku dan kumité, The Kata and the application of Seisan. At the end of the session, There is possibility for those who want to pass to present a Kata of your choice in front of everyone. This allows you to have advice for the proper execution.
Au Nago dojo, There is a lesson twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday.
2-Naha's Dojo
Senseï Shimabukuro Haruyoshi, 8and and Uechi-Ryu, has a very large dojo upstairs of a building where we are welcomed on a musical background. Music is present throughout the course but the intensity of the practice quickly erases this sound background. The course is intense with a kick series warm -up that does not end. Then and according to the sessions, We work with sequences in the bag with intensity, then two while keeping intensity during the session, To finish with the katas made 4 times everyone. We discover two basic katas, les fukyu katas, One Shorin-ryu and the other Goju-ryu. The 3and fukyu kata est. They are taught in schools. Sensei Shimabukuro is linked to two Ueschi-Ryu groups which are Kenyukai (Dojo de Kadena who no longer exists- Shinjo Senseï) et Shubukan (Association – Uechi family).
His teaching is oriented towards Kumite. Sensei Shimabukuro is used to receiving tourists coming to try the Uechi-ré, And is very attentive in his pedagogy to adapt exercises so that all participants can push their physical limits. Students arrive throughout the course, There is freedom in coming when you can and leave when you want. The lessons are demanding physically but after two weeks in Okinawa, I can say that we go back in great shape. There is a lesson every night of the week.
3-Le dojo de Futenma
A, Heir to the parent company of the Uechi-ré. Sensei Sanadao Uchi 4th generation, Often called Kansho Uchi, has just rebuilt his dojo as well as his house which is above. This dojo is brand new with a very beautiful parquet and two large mirrors which bring good visibility during the execution of Kata Sanchin before Senseï Ueché. I was able to practice with two of his three sons who are about twenty years old, you hauki san you tomo san. Harruk to the Kanmei was, He had his 1st Dan in 1997. As you can see, It is a dojo where few people come to train. This is surely linked to the distance that separates it from Naha City from which it takes almost 1 hour 30 to come to come. By car, it takes about 40 minutes. The course starts shirtless to perform the Kata Sanchin three times. First once in a group, then one by one, To be checked in terms of technique and kita kata. After, We have the right to a short break. All the sequences are interspersed with break to drink a little water and take a little sweet sweet candy. After we continue with the Junbi Undo warm -up, Then Kote Kitae who is very appreciated by dojo practitioners to demonstrate their ability to take powerful blows. You can ask less hard if needed, Anyway, they are generally always in benevolence. Then we continue with the fukyu kata, Those taught in the school environment seen in the Dojo of Shimabukuro Haruyoshi Senseï. Then all the Katas of our Ueschi School, executed three times. After each one goes one to make a kata under the wise eye of Senseï Uchi and be corrected on the right technique, with a very geometric dimension of the posture. Each technique is posed and must be very square to have an aesthetic rendering. The course ends with salvation and a group photo as in all the other dojos.
A Futenma, There is 2 lesson per week, Monday and Friday. When Sanadao Uchi Sensei cannot come and do the lesson because of his work or is traveling abroad, Haruki San takes over.
4-Gobury
Dojo located in Naha where you can find Senseï Kinjo, 10and Dan Karate and 10and and Kobudo. In 2000, He created his school from the uchi-ré de ItoKazu Seiki and the Kobodo by Matayoshi Shinpo. His expertise is very interesting. Sensei Kinjo as well as his wife Masami Senseï 9and Dan explain all the technical movements found in the Hojo Undo and Katas. It has a design of practice where we must always look for the natural side of the posture to best apply each technique with power and relaxation. Yori Ashi is the key word in his practice of kobodo and karate. A 85 years, He keeps great liveliness and great precision to attack on the so -called "Kyusho" areas. The dojo is quite small, Not always easy to make the Kobodo Katas with the BO or for example Nunchaku, But we get there. Each weapon has its own way of being manipulated but the principles remain the same. To deepen our practice, Kinjo Senseï details the subtleties of all weapons (because, tonfa, until, nunchaku, tinaka, eku). He also explains to us how martial arts practice and were used to. It is very important to cultivate us on the history of Karate and Kobodo of Okinawa. The course is pleasant and filled with humor. He sums up his school with us: "Self-defense; training, again and again; and enjoying in practice "
There is the possibility of taking one lesson per day by reservation.
To conclude, Each dojo is different. The place, and especially the Sensei, give the energy of the dojo by sharing his teaching. The dojos overall are quite empty, I think they are counting on us Europeans and American in large part, To continue practice and teaching, this in order to transmit their art.
Our trip was in March with an average temperature of 22 degrees. It was an ideal temperature to visit Okinawa and enjoy the beach where you could swim in water around 21 degrees. Looking forward to seeing all these senseïs again.
Shimabukuro H. Sensei and his Daïki son will come at the end of May in France to animate internships around our annual event: The French Uechi-ryu Cup.
Article by Lazare Pouchard.
