When the Physical Trumps Other Principles

Many of the first karate instructors in the west started out with nothing more than the physical teachings of the system. What I mean by the physical teachings is they learned the mechanics of the basics, kata and rudimentary kumite, i.e. a few boxing like combinations coupled with kicks. I have often theorized and hypothesized that this was due to the influences of the change from jutsu to a model more attuned to younger folks and the school systems of Japan and Okinawan, after WWII.

In the Isshinryu community the first generation students, many of them but not all, fell prey to the same issue. It can be assumed, for the moment, because of a statement from Shinsho or Cisco, Tatsuo-san's second son, where he explains why Tatsuo-san wanted those first generation students to embrace the ken-po goku-i. He stated, “My father wanted Americans to know more about “gokui (essential points) of Isshin-ryu karate but they only had a year to learn on Okinawa. So he only taught the basics or the physical applications.”

This was the foundation of western karate and in particular western taught Isshinryu. I am not saying that what I perceive is the actual truth but until I encounter facts that support another viewpoint my theory stands, for now. The goku-i or essential point of the way of the fist does provide a means to extract such things as the fundamental principles, i.e. a person's balance is the same as a weight, that speaks to several of the fundamental principles of martial systems and/or effectiveness. Balance comes from proper breathing, adequate and correct posture which comes from spinal alignment, structure; then their is the principles of heaviness, relaxation. centeredness, etc. All principles of martial systems that are the foundation of all combative arts.

This particular example also explains a part of the principles as explained by the term "chinkuchi." My readers all know how I love to talk about that one especially since it connects to the complete spectrum of principles as I understand them and that connects to the goku-i and its inferences per Tatsuo-san's desire for Americans to study the ken-po goku-i.

What this original model of teaching the physical while leaving the more important aspects alluded to through the goku-i left most karate instructors focused only on the application of the physical covering only part of the principles of physiokinetic's while leaving out the principles of theory, technique, and philosophy.

What I believe was the true intent of Tatsuo-san and Shinsho-san in presenting the goku-i was each of us must seek out the full spectrum of martial arts, i.e. the full shu-ha-ri that embraces the full model of the principles of martial effectiveness/systems. It also makes me understand his early promotions of some to roku-dan with emphasis that afer fifteen years or so then accept the grade because he was hoping and assuming the Americans would learn from the goku-i, discover things like chinkuchi and the principles behind it and karate and then assume a teaching role to pass all of it along to their students.

Maybe I got it right and maybe I don't have a clue. I just know that even those who profess to fully understand the system and the wishes of Tatsuo-san are not forthcoming with said teachings. They tend to hold them near and only pass their teachings along to those who are within that circle. It is a shame as this kind of stuff could change the beliefs, as it has for me, of the Isshinryu community resulting in a one unified wholehearted Isshinryu - something I believe Tatsuo-san wished for his system.