The question came to mind this afternoon, "Have we benefited from the Zen Koan given us as a silk certificate by Tatsuo-san of Isshinryu?" Have we benefited in our practice and teachings from his gift of the gokui?
Although I cannot answer this for the entirety of the western practices of Isshinryu I can provide my limited answer as to my perceptions within my limited exposure and experiences - no, nope, not even close.
I have tried to find as many answers from as many Isshinryu practitioners as to the meaning they have for the kenpo gokui as provided in kanji and English that Tatsuo-san provided his early graduates on Okinawa at the honbu dojo.
I think we as westerners missed the boat entirely and it has sailed for distant shores leaving western understanding and belief of this system along side a understanding of the Okinawan culture and beliefs as Tatsuo-san lived out in the cold. We have barely scratched the surface and as long as it remains commercialized and sport oriented it may never reach beyond those limitations.
Then again, what the f&^% do I know right?
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