SUIGETSU RYU KARATE JUTSU

NEWSLETTER

JULY 2012

VOL 1 ISSUE 1

WELCOME We are now over one year old as a doujou! While we have all trained for many years now, it is so pleasing to see that our common interests have seen us to come together as a small group practicing the rich diversity of Japanese (and Okinawan) fighting methods. Our chief instructor has recently returned from another three weeks training in Japan. This ensures that we stay in close contact with emerging directions of the Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai, as well as maintaining our connection to the much older history of Shinto Tenshin Ryu Taijutsu (circa ~1810). This year at Mugen Jyuku in Chiba, Japan, we expanded our Asayama Ichiden Ryu Hishigijutsu skills. On examination of older documentation in Japan, it seems evident that the history of this style dates to around ~1630. It is important that we continue to maintain a style of training that allows us to develop those fighting techniques which have very much been derived from a time in Japan when the protection of yourself had very real implications. As we continue to progress, we should feel extremely proud of our doujou and feel satisfied that the breadth and diversity of training we undertake is available in one location at Suigetsu Ryu Karate Jutsu.

EASY TO FIND US Suigetsu Ryu Karate Jutsu continues to use our website and facebook page for the quick delivery of information to our members and interested people. Details are at the back of the newsletter. For our members, we have updated the website to detail the full syllabus and added more photos from training at our doujou and Japan. Please keep an eye out for updates and important news. We have also found that the website and facebook page are useful references for people looking to join us or train casually. Please share them with anyone who is interested.

JAPAN KARATEDO FEDERATION GOJU-KAI At the recent Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai Master’s Kata Seminar in Chiba, Japan, Akira Shiomi Hanshi gave a lecture on the Goju Ryu Karate fighting approach. He presented a paper we have included with this newsletter (Part 1: which included some minor translation errors that we have not corrected). Part 2 will be included in our next newsletter. Shiomi Hanshi is considered to be one of the most technically capable Goju Ryu Karate exponents today and it is fortunate he has taken the time to document some of his knowledge. Shiomi Hanshi started training in Goju Ryu Karate in 1952 and still serves on the Board of Directors of the Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai, along with being a key member of the Central Examination Committee and Instruction Committee.

SUIGETSU RYU KARATE JUTSU

OUR GUESTS - GOJU RYU KARATE JULY 2012

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JOHN DALMEDO SHIHAN John Shihan has graciously furthered his trendof spending time with us teaching Goju Ryu Karate sessions during the school holiday periods, when his own doujou closes. John Shihan has maintained his approach of teaching fighting skills as derived from kata application. This has been of particular benefit to our shoukyu (beginners) by allowing them to make connections between kata and fighting application. John Shihan’s easy-going approach to teaching and his willingness to share his knowledge have made these sessions a regular feature that all our students eagerly await!

GLENN STEPHENSON SHIHAN In May, Glenn Stephenson Shihan came to Brisbane to teach a seminar on Goju Ryu kumite drills and Japan Karatedo Federation Goju Kai kata and applications. It was pleasing to see that the way we are practicing our kata is exactly the same way as Glenn Shihan was teaching them over the three seminar sessions. We take great pride in aligning with the JKF Goju Kai, so when the Australian President of the federation is teaching people the same way we are, this gives is a lot of confidence. As usual, it was great to train along side the numerous other Goju Ryu practitioners of Brisbane. It is always nice to hear members from other groups comment so positively about our karate and we will continue to promote this positive atmosphere amongst other groups.

John Dalmedo Shihan with our members and visiting instructors and students after another great night of training.

April 2012

“JU YOKU GO O SEISU.” (SOFTNESS OVERCOMES HARDNESS) - JIGORO KANO FOUNDER: KODOKAN JUDO

Glenn Stephenson Shihan using an interesting method for highlighting good sanchin posture.

May 2012

SUIGETSU RYU KARATE JUTSU

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

JULY 2012

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CLOSE FIGHTING TECHNIQUES ATTACKING OPPONENTS IN A DISTANCE OF ISSUN (ONE INCH) By Akira Shiomi - PART 1: Goju Ryu Karate can be mentioned as drawing a big circle with a thick brush dripping black ink. It’s not like a square drawn in a thin line of a fountain pen. Let me explain some typical techniques of Goju Ryu. 1. The movement of En – circular movement. Technically, Goju Ryu features circular motion against straight power. Circular motion is very strong like an arched dome resisting external pressure. Resistance against external pressure is stronger than that of straight movement. Circular motion is a very important training method to master engaged movement of the hip and arms. Naturally, circular motion continues. Good offence and defense. Block turns into attack as furiuchi following sabaki, block. In Goju Ryu Karate, blocks turn into attacks instantly. Not by simple and separate actions of blocks and attacks, circular motions correspond to all situations. 2. Imagining close fighting. One of the characteristics of Goju Ryu Karate is that both kumite and kata consist of various techniques based on close fighting.

Akira Shiomi Hanshi (9th dan)

Generally, power is calculated as follows: power, quantity of motion=mass x speed. You need a right amount of distance to maintain speed. In close fighting, we develop skills to strike and hit opponents in a distance of issun (one inch). Propulsive force to keep going, inertial force which is gained by sudden stop, centrifugal force by circular movement of hips, and descent force maintained by lowering the body with loosened knees, in addition to that force made by stretching muscle can make it possible to strike and hit in a distance of issun. However, it is not enough. On top of that, breathing force is needed. Goju Ryu regards breathing as one of the most important factors.

“UNDERSTAND THE WAY OF OTHER DISCIPLINES.” - MIYAMOTO MUSASHI FOUNDER: NITEN ICHI RYU

JULY 2012

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TESTING RESULTS On 26 July 2012, testing against the Suigetsu Ryu Karate Jutsu syllabus was held. We are pleased with the successful completion of theory and practical application testing requirements by:

• William Watson – Joukyu (brown belt) We also acknowledge our chief instructor’s successful completion of yondan (4th dan black belt) testing in Goju Ryu Karatedo Seiwakai in Japan.

WHERE TO FIND US

“WATER NEVER COLLIDES WITH OR BREAKS AGAINST ANYTHING. IT SWALLOWS UP ANY ATTACK HAMRLESSLY.” - MORIHEI UESHIBA FOUNDER: AIKIDO

Doujou Street Location Presbyterian Church (rear hall) 28 Macgregor Street, Wilston, Brisbane

CONTACT US Email: suigetsuryukaratejutsu@hotmail.com Internet: www.suigesturyu.com © Suigetsyu Ryu Karate Jutsu