I was recently named as SA Shibucho (head instructor) for Kudo. This is a great honour, but what does this mean for Sobukan? In the past have not pursued nor accepted other opportunities to represent organisations due to my desire to retain control over teaching what my students need to learn. Representing Kudo does not affect my ability to provide you with optimal learning, but actually enhances it through association with some great martial artists in Australia, Japan and the rest of the world.

I see Kudo and Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu (KU) as both sides to the same coin. Kudo and KU are two martial arts that both teach all of the ‘hard’ aspects of martial arts, including punches, kicks, knees, elbows, head-butts, throws, sweeps, takedowns, ground grappling and ground striking, choking and other locks and submissions. So why do both? KU focuses on the ‘kata’ and give us great drills to practice skills, whereas Kudo specialises in ‘kumite’, giving a great opportunity to challenge yourself and apply your learning against a resisting opponent. It also gives interested students an opportunity to pursue competitions – we will hold several competitions next year, and possibly a mini interclub competition later this year. Children do a combination of Kudo and KU in the same class, while adults are given the choice in separate classes, in order to accommodate for injuries, age, needs, preferences etc.

So where does our jujutsu fit into all this? If we consider the self-defence spectrum as on the rough diagram below, our hard arts fulfil the first 80% of our self-defence capabilities (defending ourselves through the use of violence), through various stages of the use of force spectrum. Jujutsu allows us to practice for the more sophisticated and moral objective to protect our attacker as well as ourselves.

Hurt and defend                                                     　　　　　　　　　      Protect and defend

______________________________________________________________

Kudo                     　　　　　　　　　Koryu Uchinadi                                                   Jujutsu

Kotowaza　諺

特技を磨くとは自分を磨くことだ。Tokugi o migaku to wa jibun o migaku koto da.

自分を磨くとは自信を磨くことだ。Jibun o migaku to wa jishin o migaku koto da.

Developing (lit. polishing) a special technique is developing yourself.

Developing yourself is to develop self-confidence.

While not strictly a ‘kotowaza’ these words come courtesy of Kyokushin founder Mas Oyama ‘Sosai’, who trained extensively in Shotokan and Goju-ryu karate-do and Judo before establishing the world’s largest karate organisation to follow a single man’s teachings. While Oyama used these words in relation to martial arts, they are not exclusive to the pursuit of budo. Legendary sword master Miyamoto Musashi taught that to be come great at one thing is to become great at all things. As you learn how to achieve, you build self-esteem and confidence.

When I was younger, I lacked confidence academically and chose not to go to university. However, after a few years I began to study Japanese. I passed the top-level Japanese test after just two years study – an achievement that I was very proud of. I started wondering whether I had under-estimated my abilities and started studying university subjects on-line. When I did OK, I decided to leave Japan to enter an Australian university. My newly found confidence, and knowledge of goal-setting methodology meant that I was able to graduate from a 3-year bachelor degree in just one year, and with a high distinction average. Each of these achievements convinced me to set my expectations on myself higher, and I have since made significant achievements since, including winning an Australia Day Award for my work.

How does this relate to martial arts? When I started as a child, achieving a black-belt seemed impossible – especially for someone with absolutely no natural ability. I was a most unco-ordinated child, but I never gave up. The belt hierarchy allowed me to divide the lofty goal of black-belt into realistically achievable parts. A yellow-belt didn’t seem too hard. And if I can get my yellow, then an orange-belt shouldn’t seem too unrealistic? I considered what I needed to do in order to achieve these smaller goals, breaking them into monthly, weekly and daily tasks. It took 8 years, but I finally passed my black-belt test. Since then I have passed 11 black-belt dan gradings, and I am planning to achieve at least 3 more before I see what the next life holds. I have been able to apply the same methodology and commitment other aspects of my life, and my life has been the richer as a result. I believe that this aspect of budo is every bit as important to teach children as self-defence tactics. The kicking, punching, throwing and wrestling is not the goal nor the lesson, but simply the vehicle.

Technical lesson　技の紹介

Deashibarai

This is one of the first judo throws you learn. It is in the first set Gokyo – the 5 sets of 8 techniques that make up most of the Judo syllabus. In true judo fashion, the technique name describes the action – it literally means ‘sweep the leg sticking out’.

This sweep is usually used either moving forward or backward. If the thrower (tori) is moving forward, time the sweep so that you catch the front ankle just as the opponent (uke) is about to step backwards. Try to get behind the heel and sweep in the direction of the toes, while dropping the uke’s weight with your hand on the same side.

This technique can be used to surprise an attacker advancing with punches, or attacking with knees from the clinch. You can sweep an opponent after blocking a straight kick or after having your own mae geri blocked – as long as your foot lands on the outside of the opponent’s. Deashibarai is often used to procure a reaction – and set up other throws or strikes.

Congratulations to Anna Brown on winning a month free training in the Adelaide Sports and Fitness Expo Facebook competition!

Just a reminder that Sobukan Martial Arts will be closed for the month of April, due to a training trip to Japan. We re-open for jujutsu and karate-bu on Saturday 3rd May, and continue with regular classes the following Monday and Wednesday. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Also, congratulations to our newly graded students: Geoff, Nathan, Kazuya, Shunyo, Lennon, Jade, Maddie, Tarcan, Stefan, Lucas, Mia, Marko, Diezel, James, and my own son Sei! Keep up the great work!

I will miss you while I am away, please practice daily and keep healthy, happy and safe!

Please note the change in grading test date. Please proceed to the dojo at 5:30pm or as early as possible on Monday 24th March, and remember your grading passport and $25 grading fee.

Good luck!!

News ニュース

Sobukan closed for April

It has been a memorable month for my growing family: my son was born on 20^th February, and Sei turned 6 on the 13^th. We are planning to travel to Japan for the month of April for the obligatory visit to present my in-laws with their second grandchild. I will spend the month in Japan training in Kudo and Jujutsu, and hope to come home with a new trick or two to share with you! I apologise for the inconvenience, but this means that Sobukan’s doors will be shut temporarily for the month of April.

I will forward exact dates when decided, but I plan to be here for all of March and May’s classes, but none in April. Student’s paying monthly will not have fees owing for April, and for students paying annually, your membership will be extended for a month. Again, I apologise for the break, but I would like to remind everyone that unlike most clubs, Sobukan does not normally break for public holidays and only for approximately one week over Christmas and New Years’.

Grading – Wednesday 26^th March

There are a few students who were unable to make the last grading due to other commitments (particularly those attending Goodwood Primary School) or illness. On Wednesday 26^th March we will hold a grading test in place of regular classes. If at all possible, please come to the dojo by 5:30pm. The grading fee is $25 and please bring your grading passport. Opportunities will be available for self-training or training with other senior students for those not attempting to grade this time. Most of the grading criteria for yellow and orange belt candidates is now available on video. If you need a reference for home training, please see me with a USB drive.

Do not train if…

I am stating the obvious really, but if you have a contagious disease or are even slightly affected by alcohol or other substances including medicine, please do not come to the dojo. Our members expect to be happy healthy and safe at the dojo. So please stay home if you have had a drink or are sneezing!

Demonstrations

Due to my trip to Japan, it will probably not be possible to participate in the annual Kodomo no Hi Japanese festival this year. However, Sobukan will be featuring in demonstrations at the inaugural Adelaide Sports and Fitness Expo at Wayville showgrounds on the 17^th and 18^th of May. This will be a huge event, and I hope to have the support of all Sobukan and Karate-bu members.

The demonstration will include several elements of our curriculum including:

• Kids karate
• Wheelchair jujutsu demonstration by Matt Shilcock(if available)
• Tegumi
• Pad training
• Kata
• Knife defence
• Ground fighting
• Throws
• Multiple attacker skit
• Hakkoryu jujutsu demonstration by Umehara san (if available)
• Kumite demonstration by Sei

More information about this event is available at:

http://adelaidefitnessexpo.com

Sobukan goods  総武館グーズ

You can now purchase Sobukan merchandise! Surely never was there apparel so trendy!

Approximate prices follow. I know there is a way of ordering directly, but for the time being, please email me any orders to save on delivery costs.

Prices

Men’s hoodies (women’s available soon) – $80

Kids hoodies $50

Performance T-shirts (quick dry for training) $55

Women’s tracksuits $90

1lt drink bottle $30

Kotowaza　諺

真剣勝負　—　shinkenshobu

Shinkenshobu literally means ‘duel with a real sword’ and alludes to a fight to the death. This phrase is used to encourage people to get serious. For example, ‘人生は真剣勝負だ’ means ‘life is not a practice run – so do it well!’.

Technical lesson　技の紹介

回し蹴り              Mawashigeri – roundhouse kick

Although rare in traditional karate, mawashigeri is now one of the more common kicks in competitive fighting, such as kickboxing or MMA. Mawashigeri is the only basic kick that does not travel in a straight line – the trajectory is from outside of the body to the target in a roughly horizontal plane – which makes it difficult to avoid, especially when combined with straight line kicks, punches or takedowns. Mawashigeri is also amongst the most powerful of the kicks, and it is relatively simple to learn how to generate power in the kick.

There are many versions of mawashigeri with varied applications. Some of the most commonly seen variants are due to modification for non-contact competition, including snapping the kick from the knee and making contact with the instep. These sacrifice power and safety in return for speed and distance and are not recommended for self-defence or realistic sparring due to the risk of injury to yourself and ineffectiveness of the kick.

When setting up a right leg mawashigeri, explode of the right toes and slide your left foot forward on an angle outside your opponent’s body. The angle depends on the distance and target. Extend your right hand so that it appears to the attacker that you are trying to punch them in the face. However, bring the hand across the opponent’s body and use it to trap his/her right hand. Swim the right hand across the opponent’s body until your hand is in front of his/her face to obstruct their vision. This swimming motion will help you engage your right hip. Extend the right leg and swing it into the target (usually the leg, ribs or head/neck) using the shin. An essential detail is to spin your body sideways at contact and point the heel of the foundation (left) leg towards your target. If the kick hits the target, use the point of contact to push away and return to your fighting stance. If the kick misses, spin your entire body 360o and return to your stance.

The part of the foot used to kick depends on the target. See the table below for details:

Could it be? Has the first month of 2014 already slipped by? With a continuing heatwave, we are waiting for some students to resume their training routines this year. A number of changes are in the works!

We have implemented a new student management system. Rather than the manual sign in book and a plethora of excel spread-sheets, we now have a computerised sign in system. I have been taking photographs and will issue student membership cards with your unique student number soon. This will help improve communications and record-keeping.
We will be trialling a new class structure – please see details below.

I have started recording the syllabus for self-study outside of class. The yellow belt syllabus has been recorded. Next I will record the kid’s five Heian kata. It may take a little while before these are available to students, but they are in the works. Please be patient with me!

I know that many students who were unable to attend the Dec 2 grading are keen for a make up test. We have a new addition joining our family within weeks, and I will try to select a time and date for this test in the near future, but may need to wait until after the birth…

Thank you to Umehara san for hosting our annual kakizome session on Saturday 11 January. I have selected the following character, which in its simplest form can be translated as progress. If you have three ceramic cups of warm sake, spin around three times, squint your eyes, and tilt your head to the left, you may be able to view this character as a man dragging a heavy load forward. I have deliberately chosen the base form of this kanji to include multiple meanings: personal progression, assisting my students and family in their development and continuing to carry the dojo forward.
進
shin / susumu / susumeru

New class structure　時刻表
While almost everyone – well adults, at least – articulates their reason for commencing as one or more of self-defence, health/fitness, competition, or self-improvement through the auspices of martial culture, we maintain or lose or motivation for different reasons. Age, gender, occupation, physicality, psychology, background, health etc all play a part in our enjoyment and the perceived relevance of training. At Sobukan, we have quite defined groups of students who enjoy particular elements of our training more than others. Some enjoy high intensity, highly competitive training, some enjoy exploring ancient fighting methods from kata and associated practices. A rare few are equally interested in all aspects.

Managing the different expectations is a delicate balance, as some everyone wants something different. Until now, my intention has been to focus less on what students want, and more on what they need. However, the diversity of our student base requires a change in approach. From this week, we will trial specialised classes for adults, so that students can take more responsibility for their own learning. The classes will be shorter, but more of them to fit busy schedules.

This week I will trial a new class structure for the adult’s classes. After a trial period, I will meet with some senior students to discuss the merits of each structure and make a decision on the future of the classes. Currently, here is what I have in mind. An explanation of each class follows.

Monday
6pm – 6:50pm: Kids class
7pm – 7:50pm: Kata class (adults)
8pm – 8:50pm: Kumite class (adults)

Wednesday
6pm – 6:50pm: Kids class
7pm – 7:50pm: Kata class (adults)
8pm – 8:50pm: Jujutsu class (adults)

Friday? – to be confirmed, plan to commence by mid-2014.
6pm – 7pm: Kumite class (adults)

Saturday
10am – 11:30am: Jujutsu class (adults)
12:40pm – 1:30pm: Karate-bu (Japanese school students)

Class explanation
Kids: Combination of karate and judo technique and etiquette with a self-defence emphasis, taught in a fun, safe manner. Ages 5 – 14. Parents may join in with prior arrangement.

Kata: Sobukan syllabus class, with a focus on drills from Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu, karate, judo and training exercises unique to Sobukan. Skills will include striking, throwing, grappling, submissions, chokes, arresting, weaponry and defences of the same. These classes will be technical and relaxed, with medium intensity. This is where you learn the ‘art’ in martial art. Participation in these classes will be required for belt promotion. Ages 12 and above.

Kumite: Physically challenging sparring class, with a focus on developing and implementing skills learned against progressive resistance. Classes will focus on combinations, counters and conditioning, and training methods will include shadow sparring, bag and pad work, and various forms of contact sparring including boxing, kickboxing, shoot-fighting, kudo, grappling, slap-grappling, and MMA sparring. Ages 18 and above.

Jujutsu: These classes will focus on arresting and wrist locks techniques from Hakkoryu Jujutsu, Judo throws, chokes and joint locks and grappling from BJJ. Ages 15 and above.

Karate-bu: Similar to kids classes, but training is held at the Japanese Community School and participation is limited to students of the same. Instruction in Japanese only. Ages 5 – 16.

Sobukan goods 総武館グーズ
You can now purchase Sobukan merchandise! Surely never was there apparel so trendy!
Approximate prices follow. I know there is a way of ordering directly, but for the time being, please email me any orders to save on delivery costs.
Men’s hoodies (women’s available soon) – $80
Kids hoodies $50
Performance T-shirts (quick dry for training) $55
Women’s tracksuits $90
1lt drink bottle $30

Kotowaza　諺
精神統一 Seishintoitsu
Seishintoitsu is a romanticised concept often found in Eastern martial art movie, but one that has inspired many a student. It is a spiritual goal of many advanced martial artists or religious folk: the ability to focus all energies on a single goal. It is the joining of spirit and body. The samurai required this devotion to their duties in order to make the sacrifices required to serve their lords and bring honour to their families.

Technical lesson　技の紹介
前蹴り Maegeri – front kick
One of the simplest, most versatile and most effective kicks is the humble maegeri, or front kick. This is usually the first kick a new student will learn when entering the dojo. While there are many variations, let us look at the basic maegeri. The basic premise is to kick an attacker directly in front of you, so there is no need to spin, jump, twirl or somersault. Therefore it is a relatively safe kick to use, and you can use it to stop an advancing attack, push away an attacker, counter punches, wind or double over an opponent or even to finish a conflict.

The four steps of the kick are repeated in any straight kick. Failure to execute any of these steps can lead to the kicker injuring themselves or being exposed to counter attack. They are:
1. Up: raise the knee until it is just above pointing straight at the target
2. Out: kick the foot out and make contact with the target (more on this later)
3. Back: bring the foot back, maintaining balance
4. Down: place the foot back on the floor in a controlled manner.

The part of the foot used to kick depends on the target. See the table below for details:
Target                                  Weapon
Foot/ankle/knee               Heel, with toes angled outward
Groin                                   Instep/ankle/shin, with toes pointed down
Body/throat/face              Ball of foot – foot outstretched, toes bent up and back

Merry Christmas! Can you believe another year has flown passed? Please be careful over the festive period, and certainly do not drink and drive. The roads are the single greatest threat to your welfare, and it is too easy to become complacent. I wish everyone a healthy, happy, safe holiday.

A great turnout for Hanshi’s first seminar at Sobukan

Are you ready for the grading next Monday, 2^nd December? Please see details below. I have made a small amendment to the grading criteria. The syllabus remains the same comprehensive foundation of strikes, throws and grappling, and you will still learn the entire Judo syllabus and the entire KU Karate syllabus up to black belt and beyond, plus the Hakkoryu Jujutsu syllabus up to 4^th dan black belt as well as a number of other drills and techniques designed to develop your defensive skills against all manner of opponents, both armed and unarmed. However, I will be applying a little more flexibility to the grading tests. Namely, instead of senior students needing to demonstrate all eight judo throws for each belt level, they may choose four that suit their physicality and fighting style. This will help you tailor your learning towards your needs. The pass-mark is still 80%. That is, you must meet 100% of my expectations for 80% of the techniques and drills, or demonstrate all of the techniques to at least 80% of my expectations for that level.

Sobukan students with Hanshi Patrick McCarthy

Thank you to all who attended Hanshi Patrick McCarthy’s seminar this month. As usual Hanshi shared plenty of amusing stories and anecdotes and taught drills derived from two kata that appear in our syllabus – naifanshi shodan and bassai dai. While it wasn’t obvious, these drills compose part of the standing portion of kakie damashi, the great ground drill we practice with all the leg locks. Many came out to Ginza for dinner on the Saturday night and were surprised to see our resident Samurai Umehara san playing flute there! While on the topic, Umehara san just celebrated his 73^rd birthday, and two full years of training at Sobukan. Congratulations Umehara san! I hope you all enjoyed the weekend.

Movie tickets – 47 Ronin 映画券

I have some tickets to give away to see 47 Ronin with Keanu Reeves at Hoyts Cinemas Norwood on Monday 13^th January – meaning that the recipients will unfortunately need to skip Sobukan on that night! Anyone who introduces a friend or family member who joins before the movie night is eligible to receive two tickets – until they run out!

Christmas break and party. 忘年会

Our last training session of the year will be on Monday December 23. Our first session back in the new year is Monday January 6. Please enjoy the festive season and recharge your batteries for another full year of fun, safe and effective martial arts. Let’s meet at Glenelg jetty at 10am Sunday December 22 for some gentle beach training, swimming, fun and icecream.

Grading 2 December　昇級試験

We held the end of year grading, and results will be released soon.

Kotowaza　諺

石の上にも3年　Ishi no ue ni mo san nen

This literally means ‘3 years even on a stone’, and means that even if you sit on a cold stone for three years, it will become warm. This may seem a little esoteric. What it alludes to is the value of persistence. It is very rare indeed that someone is great at something right from their first try. Only after years of hard training will important lessons come to fruition. So… don’t be so hard on yourself – it will come with time and effort!

Technical lesson　技の紹介

As with most techniques, there are a number of variations of the hook punch, but the end point is with the two fore-knuckles striking the jaw line, or less commonly the temple or floating ribs. The hook punch commonly is used in combination with cross punches and uppercuts or to set up right leg mawashi geri.

Hook start

When setting up to hook punch, ensure that the toes of the front (left) leg are pointed slightly inward. Outward toes will add pressure to the front knee and detract from the explosiveness of the punch. Turn your hips to the left, drop your weight onto your front toes in a spring-loading action, and keep your right hand high. Keep your left hand up and elbow in tight – don’t swing the arm. Explode off the front toes, turning your entire body – except your head – 90o to the right. Don’t lose eye contact with the opponent, but move your head in the same direction as the trajectory of the punch. Raise your left elbow to perpendicular to the fist with the elbow bent slightly less than 90o. For a close target, keep your palm facing inward. For a longer range hook punch, you have the option of extending your arm with the palm facing down, but this variation

Hook finish

jeopardises your small finger knuckle, so be careful! Immediately after the punch, drop the left elbow down and consider following up with another attack, or quickly weave out of range. Do not remain in close distance directly in front of your attacker without continuing to attack.