March 2006 Newsletter

Congratulations to:

•  Junior Yellow Belt - Katelyn Sissick, Robert Sissick, Paula Fidel, Jessica Fidel

•  Senior Yellow Belt - Sara Zaccheo, Roger Pollina, Robert Sissick

Promotions are granted when the student demonstrates the proper techniques and a continued advancement of practice and training, inside and outside of the dojo

Congratulations to the students who attended the Golden Rule Tournament, February 5, 2006:

• Natalie Montone

• Brandon Folkes

• Marcus Pullman

• Kate Martin

• Kristyn Wheeler

• Sara Zaccheo

You all did extremely well. We are proud of you. Tournaments give us the time to meet other karate students. We can see what other styles or schools do when performing their kata, sparring and weapons techniques. We are placed under a little stress, which helps to show areas where we may want to concentrate a little more, (as well as the areas where we are strong).

Upcoming Tournaments:

Doug King’s Sparring Tournament - - March 19th - - Newton High School - - Sparring Tournament begins at 11 A.M.

Remember our 20th Benefit Tournament is April 23rd at Hackettstown High School. Adult help is needed with scoring, awards, T-shirt sales, registration and much more. See Kiyoshi Hughes or Mrs. Hughes - - we train and it is a great deal of fun. PLAN TO BE THERE.

At the most recent Isshin-ryu World Karate Championships, an interview was conducted with the son of the founder of our style. The following are some of the thoughts related by Grandmaster Kichiro Shimabuku to the interviewer, H.P. Henry as translated by Joe Agius.

Are you surprised by the growth Isshinryu has seen in the last 10 years?

"Thanks to everyone’s hard work, we have successfully been able to have the World Championship Tournament 6 times. Additionally, each year we’ve seen the karate population grow and individuals’ techniques become more advanced. Advanced to the point of my utter surprise and delight. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for the future of our art. We are most proud of the international growth in Isshinryu worldwide. I can’t thank our teachers and students enough for their dedication and hard work."

What is your personal philosophy of Isshinryu?

"Since I was a small child learning from my father, Tatsuo, around 60 years have passed. My father possessed great vision, incredible physical strength, deep focus, and the drive to practice often. As a result of his blood, sweat and tears, his efforts lead him to form many theories about martial arts that in turn guided him in the development of his own kata and superior techniques. My father took the most practical techniques from Master Chotoku Kyan and Master Chojun Miyagi and added his own unique techniques to create and announce to the world the style of Isshinryu karate. At that point he became the first head of Isshinryu karate. My father also was often considered to be a modernist, warrior and expert in martial arts. His humility, kindness, gentle nature led all that knew him to love him. I pale in comparison to his significance, but always strive to continue his legacy and wish to always do my best to popularize and grow Isshinryu throughout the world. I wish that to be my single devotion."

How does Isshinryu in the United States differ from say Europe and Okinawa?

"Isshinryu in the US seems to have changed a little when compared with Okinawa. Even considering the slight change, seeing everyone study so hard and learn Okinawan karate gives me such a sense of hope for the future."

What are your views in regard to the meaning of kata?

"In karate the basics are the most important facet. Sharp basic techniques will lead to strong kata that will in turn lead to strong application in fighting. Without each building and developing on the next a learner will never fight properly."

What are your recollections of your father’s training?

"There are so many aspects that I remember about my father’s training but let me just touch on a few aspects. When I was in Jr. high School, my father would work on strengthening his hands to be like iron. My father would take a thick 18cm long nail and with his hands, penetrate a 10cm-squared block of wood. This never seen before feat made such a shocking impression on me. Every day, he would train himself by using his hand in the “shutou” (like making one’s hand into a sword) position and striking down on support beams in the house like a hammer. Training over the years though the blood and torn flesh eventually hardened and darkened his hand to the point where they did not even seem like human hands any longer. The images of watching him push the limits of his physical ability are permanently burned in my brain."

Tell us what to expect from a regular class at your dojo.

"I want my students to always focus on their training goals and to become strong karate practitioners."

Whether it is a man like Tatsuo Shimabuku, the founder of our karate style, Isshin-ryu, or anyone, it takes courage work toward a goal and to stand up and be recognized for doing something different. Reflect upon the thoughts related, as the above statements have taken years to become reality so everyone may learn from the head of our system.

 Courage Or Conformity - Bob Proctor

We all admire the courageous person and quite often consider the individual who lacks courage, a coward. However, that is not how Earl Nightingale saw it. He said the opposite of courage was not cowardness, it was conformity. I believe the more you think about that, the more you will be inclined to agree with him.

It takes courage to break away from the crowd, to go your own way, to do the thing which may be unpopular. It takes courage to stand up for the person who is being unjustly criticized, rather than agreeing and going along with the crowd. It takes courage for the teenager to say no, when all the rest of the kids begin going down the wrong path.

Earl Nightingale was correct - the opposite of courage is conforming. It is one reason so few people enjoy any lasting success. It is so easy to go along with the large group. We don't have to stand out, to be different.

The next time you are encouraged to fall into line, to be a sport, and everything in you says no - be courageous and go your own way. There is no compensation in conformity.