Kenpo Gokui - concepts

Tatsuo Sensei concepts for Karate-do

1. Natural

2. In the middle (Of Shorin-ryu and Goju-ryu) doctrine of the mean

3. Fast and smooth techniques

4. Fist as a rule is with the thumb placed on top of the fist

5. Muscle block rather then bone type blocks

6. Vertical punch over the twist punch


Miyagi Sensei may be the karate-man who provided the kenpo-gokui to both Kaneshi Eiko Sensei and Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei.

To understand the Kenpo-gokui one must first study those who created and provided it to us which means we should understand the masters as Okinawans with their culture and the times at which they practiced and trained.

The kenpo-gokui has many meanings and none are correct or incorrect but are the interpretations of the individual. We are all unique and we all must study the gokui with an open mind and with the understanding that today's interpretation/meaning for us may change as we continue our path along the "Way."

Some believe that this terse version of the I-Ching is also in line with the concepts and ideology of the "Go Rin No Sho" of Musashi Miyamoto or the "sword saint" of Japan.

One very important aspect of the gokui is "change." As stated about our interpretation of the gokui on a daily basis teaches us that change is an intricate part of life and we should be able to bend and flow with change regardless of what, when, where, why, and the how of it.

Flexibility is key to serious study of the fighting arts and thus becomes a key to our way of life. Be open and accept the inevitability of change because it will keep coming regardless of what we do.

Look within your own style as you study the gokui and see if you can discover the relationships.