New Book Now Available

My book is now complete and ready to be sold. There are several ways to order the book, directly at Lulu.com, or you can click on the picture located to the right, visit the book store on this blog, the store on www.yushikan.com or http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/CMichialJones

"This book could very well be one of the best publications for anyone looking for a solid introduction into the art of Gojuryu Karate-do." - R. Choji Taiani Hanshi 9th Dan

"The time spent reading and studying Jones Sensei’s writings are well worth the effort, and I highly recommend this book to the worldwide Goju-Ryu community." - Col. Roy Hobbs Hanshi 9th Dan

"A valuable source of information on the art of Gojuryu" - Dennis May Kyoshi 8th Dan

I hope that if you order the book, that you enjoy it and learn something from it.

Thank you to all of the people that have already ordered a copy.

Elitism

Recently I was contacted by a visitor to the blog and my website, the individual wanted to know where I got off by restricting membership in my dojo and how I could talk about morally correct behavior when I am an elitist karate snob. I have to say, I had to read his message a couple of times, to make sure that I was reading it correctly. Furthermore this individual never asked about membership in my dojo or even about visiting it.

On my website, I have the following statement; “We are a small private dojo therefore, all prospective students must apply for membership and due to the size of our dojo, we often have a waiting list. Visitors may not stop by without an appointment. To find out more about visiting or to initiate the application process, please contact us.”

Now someone please correct me if I am wrong, but it is my dojo and I am the Kancho of that dojo, so by all rights I should be able to decide who comes and who goes from said dojo, right?

I do not have a commercial dojo, nor do I want one, I have been down that road and find it counterproductive to teaching old style karate. I limit the number of students I have, because I don’t want a lot of students, I want to be able to give one on one instruction and not teach the masses.

I do not consider myself an elitist karate snob. The methods of instruction in my dojo are not for everyone, we train hard, we train seriously, most students that are accepted do not last long, even though they know up front that the training will be difficult, most do not make it past 5^th kyu.

So you may ask what my criteria are for allowing a student into my dojo, they are pretty simple;

1.       A sincere desire to train.

2.       Seriousness, Commitment and Devotion.

3.       Be a good person

Now having said that here is the true test, the meat and bones of it;  I will not allow anyone into my dojo, that I would not allow into my home or around my children. So if that makes me an elitist karate snob, then so be it.

New Book

'Entering Through the Gateway of Gojuryu' is now completed and submitted to the publisher. I received a draft copy and I just need to do a final read through and careful check of the book, and if all goes right and I find no mistakes,  it will be available as of next week.

The book will be sold in two versions, one for the general public and an extended version aimed directly at the students of my dojo, that will include an additional 50 pages. The work will include several topics, such as, History, Biographies, karate morality, kihon, kata, kumite, kakie, self defense, junbi undo, hojo undo and related topis. There are forewards by Phillip Koeppel, R. Choji Taiani, Roy Hobbs, Dennis May and Len Pellman.

A big thank you to my wife, Amber, for being so patient and understanding and helping me with editing.

I hope that you will enjoy the book and it will become a welcomed addition to your library. As soon as I approve the book I will publish a link to the store on both this blog and the website.

Budo Road Trip Day 2

I didn’t sleep much through the night, I never do, when away from home. I don’t think Jason had any trouble though. Anyway, I fell asleep sometime after 3 am. I woke up when the phone rang at 8 am. I answered the phone and it was Perkins Sensei, he said that they would be at the dojo at 8:30 and Tokumura Sensei had agreed to train Gojuryu with us.  Awsome!

After I hung up the phone, I realized that Jason was not in the room and had gone for his morning run. So I decided to get myself ready and find him after.  I hurried to get ready and pack up all my stuff, Jason came in and I told him we had 15 min to get to the dojo, so he went on a whirl-wind trip to get ready and packed.

We arrived at the dojo and were a little late, but our good fortune had it that Perkins sensei had taken Tokumura Sensei to McDonald’s, so we beat them to the dojo. We sat around while sensei ate and he told us many stores about Miyagi, Shimabuku, Miyazato, Akamine and Matayoshi. Some of which I had never heard before.

At this time I presented Tokumura Sensei with an appreciation letter from my police department and a uniform patch, he read the letter and smiled, bowing to me several times. I then presented him with a pair of handmade teechu that I had tried my hand at, he took them and looked them over, he told me “Nice, nice. Good grip” and then handed them back to me, I tried to give them back but again we were having some language issues, luckily Perkins Sensei stepped in and told him that it was a present, to which he said “Oh, presento, presento” and took them.

We then all got dressed in our Keiko-gi and headed for the mat. After we bowed in I asked Tokumura Sensei  “Onagashimasu gojuryu karate-do” (please teach me gojuryu karate-do), to which he agreed. We started with Seiunchin. Jason went first and I have to say I knew what the outcome was going to be before it happened, as this was the first time Jason had ever trained with an Okinawan Sensei. First let me say this, Jason is a Brown belt in Gojuryu, but his particular lineage has modified the kata for tournament competition so when he started to demonstrate his kata for Tokumura Sensei, he was answered with “No, no, no, no, no”. Unfortunately for Jason, he heard this phrase a lot (much to my amusement) but he took it in good stride and I think he really enjoyed the opportunity. At one point Tokumura Sensei asked me if I taught him the kata and of course I answered “No sensei”, to which he replied “Me see, you do”. So I showed him my Seiunchin to which he made one small correction to a hand position.

Next he observed Seipai, Seisan and Kururunfa. In Seipai, toward the middle of the kata where you perform the Suri-ashi movements on the 45 degree angles, he advised me that I needed to slide further. (Something I knew, but something I have struggled with the last few years since I got ran over) After he made the comment, I again performed the kata with the suri-ashi and he was pleased. On Seisan, after you do the last sukui uke and turn to the right side, performing the grab, two punches, low block, kick combination. I was doing the grab at the lapel level, and Sensei instructed me to do it lower at about the solar plexus level. He made no corrections to Kururunfa. After I was finished, I asked him what he thought and he told me “Chikara Chiro no Chan Chan Ichiban” (I think I am spelling this right) I asked him what that meant and he said Strong, fast, springy, number one, and then added “Nice, Very Good”.  So I was happy.

We then had some more history lessons and then we took Sensei out to lunch. At lunch we were meet by IGKA Canada Shibu-cho Wayne Currie. I had invited Wayne over to meet Sensei and I was glad he could make it. We had a good lunch and I think everyone enjoyed the chance to get to know each other further and get time to talk with Sensei and hear some more historical information from someone that has been training since 1957. After lunch Sensei decided he needed a nap, so Wayne, Jason and I went to a local pub and had some nice conversations until it was time for the seminar.

At the seminar, Tokumura Sensei went back over Tokushin no Teechu and then taught us Tokushin No Eiku. We divided up into four groups and rotated through picking up a Nunti and Tekko kata as well. The seminar was a little over 4 hours long.

All in all I had a great time and meet some new friends that I hope I will get to train with for years to come. Unfortunately right after the seminar, we had to head straight back, as my boss was going on vacation and I had an interview scheduled at 8 the next morning. So after the photos and good byes, we hit the road and had to drive through the worst rain storm I think I have seen in years, but we made it back home around 2 am and I was up and ready for duty a few short hours later. In fact I have been super busy since I got back and that is why it has taken me so long to write about the trip.

Budo Road Trip Day 1

Back in June, I was fortunate to get an invitation to attend a seminar by Kensho Tokumura Hanshi, the Headmaster of Tokushin-Ryu Ryukyu Kobudo. Then shortly before the seminar, I was given another invitation to come to a semi-private class taught by Tokumura Sensei at the Okinawan Budo-kai dojo of Jeff Perkins Sensei in Livonia, Michigan.

On the 26^th of July, my traveling partner Jason Thompson (my kohai, and a student of my father’s) and I got all of our stuff packed into the car and started out on our little road trip up to Michigan. I have to admit that I was off to a bit of a slow start, after having worked the majority of the night on a pretty big bust, but it didn’t take long before I was fired up and ready to train with Tokumura sensei.

We got some breakfast and I went to my wife’s work to tell her good bye, and off we went, enjoying the drive and talking about what else – Karate and Kobudo. We were almost to Ft. Wayne when my son, Alec, called to tell me he had found my Sai case and Tokumura Sensei gift still at the house, so we had to turn around and go all the way back home. But after the minor detour, we still managed to make the trip in just a little over 4 hours.

Once we arrived, we got checked in at the hotel, who advised us that they could not honor the on-line arrangements we had made and that the room would cost more. Let’s just say that after a meeting of the minds they came to see my way of thinking. As soon as the room was taking care of and our luggage was unloaded, I called Perkins Sensei and let him know we had made it. Perkins sensei advised me that they would be at the dojo around 6 and we could come at that time. So Jason and I had a bit of time to kill and went for some lunch and to check out the local mall and book store.

We arrived at the dojo at 6 pm and Tokumura sensei was teaching the kids class, we were directed to the back room, where we changed into out keiko-gi and meet with Perkins Sensei and a couple of his yudansha. After the kids class Tokumura Sensei came in and introductions were made. As is the custom, when I spoke with Tokumura Sensei, I presented my business card to him while bowing, I think this surprised him as he hurried off and got one of his cards to give to me, but he had a big smile. I tried to talk with him about Goju-Ryu, but he really didn’t seem interested in talking about it, so I decided to wait it out and concentrate on Kobudo.

Class Started at 7 pm and after we bowed in, there was a small presentation of a Boar Spear from the dojo to Tokumura Sensei. Then Tokumura Sensei made a “presento” to Perkins Sensei, by promoting him to Kyoshi Hachidan in Tokushin-Ryu Kobudo.  After the presentations were completed, we started off by warming up with Sanchin kata (Sanchin Dai Ni). Tokumura Sensei went around and made some corrections to the group, when he came to me, he asked me to do my breath again. I had used the method of long inhale and long exhale. He advised me to breath with a long inhale, long exhale, quick inhale and quick exhale. When I asked him about this further, he advised me that it was more beneficial. We then moved on to Kobudo. Perkins Sensei took a group of us tto breath with a long inhale, long exhale, quick inhale and quick exhale. When I asked him about this further, he advised me that it was more beneficial. We then moved on to Kobudo. Perkins Sensei took a group of us that included Jason and I out the parking lot and instructed us in the Teechu kata. Tokushin No Teechu. After working it for about an hour, we went back inside and performed it for Tokumura Sensei, who made some corrections and he seemed pleased with our progress. He had us do it a few times and then explained the bunkai of the kata to us. He then had us do the kata again and gave us the complement of “Good, Good”.

After Class was over, we were invited to go out to dinner with Tokumura Sensei, Perkins sensei and a couple of his yudansha. As we were getting dressed and ready for dinner, I attempted to ask Tokumura sensei about Gojuryu again, I was answered with “You like my Kobudo?”, which I answered yes too and gave up on the Gojuryu questions. I asked Perkins Sensei, if maybe I was losing something with the language barrier, but he said no, and that I should ask again later.

At dinner, we went to a nice restaurant/bar, where we talked about budo and police work, since Perkins sensei is also a Lieutenant with the Detroit Police Department. We had a nice time and it was a great way to end the day. As we were leaving, I made arrangements to take Tokumura Sensei and Perkins Sensei to lunch the following day. In the parking lot, I made one more attempt to bring up Gojuryu, by asking Tokumura sensei about a movement in the Kobudo kata. When he demonstrated the kata he performed it in a specific way and it reminded me of Muchimi (or Mumichi), so I asked him if this was that was the correct method. Typical of Okinawan sensei, Tokumura Sensei then gave us a small lesson in the parking lot.

After that we went back to the hotel for the evening and Jason and I worked a bit more on the kata and made some notes before calling it a night.

The Meaning of a Black Belt

There is a Zen parable that was given much discussion when I was coming up through the ranks. It is about how, in the heyday of the Japanese martial arts, a person used only one obi (belt) during practice-from the time he was initiated into the arts until he became a master.  The point of the parable is to show that changes in the color of the martial artist's belt over time are symbolic of advances in his degree of insight.

For those unfamiliar with the parable, it goes something like this. At the beginning you have a white belt.  It symbolizes the beginner's mind, pure and unfettered.  There are no questions about right and wrong and no hesitation because the beginner hasn't enough skill to intentionally do anything wrong.   He is all innocence with intentions as clean and white as the belt around his waist.

Gradually, as the novice trains, his belt becomes stained.  First, it turns green from grass stains.  Then it becomes brown as dirt stains are added to them.  Finally, after years of staining, the belt begins to take on the black hue we now associate with mastery. But the parable tells us that this is really the middle of a true martial artist's journey.  At this point he is in the darkest and most dangerous place in his journey toward mastery.  It is when he has more skill than wisdom.  His intentions are tainted by his ability to hurt people.

In the third and final stage, the belt ages along with its wearer.  It becomes frayed and eventually is a tattered white belt as its wearer learns the difficult lessons about being seduced by anger and hate.  It becomes white again as the martial artist's intentions become pure again.  Experience deepens his insight, and he now knows when it is right to fight and when it is not.  His journey comes full circle in mastery. He has the skill of a great fighter, a clear and unfettered mind to guide his use of it, and a white belt around his waist to symbolize it.

The parable offers a great lesson in the development of a martial artist, but I believe the strength of this story is that it shows us the real meaning of a black belt.  A black belt indicates expertise (in fighting).  Anyone who wears one should be able to easily beat people within the focus of his art.  In other words, a karate shodan (first degree black belt) should be able to easily punch and kick an opponent into submission, and a judo or jujutsu black belt should be able to easily take an opponent down and choke him unconscious or break his arm.  But this is not enough.

The parable shows us that attaining a black belt is the middle of a journey toward mastery in the martial arts, and it is the most dangerous part of that path.  It is a black time in two respects.  First, it is when the martial artist possesses great skill, and if he is not careful, he is also capable of great sin.  Second, it is the time when he is truly "in the dark" about when it is right to fight and when it is not.  At this point his martial skill is relatively new, and he hasn't the life experience to know how to use it judiciously.  This is the middle of a journey toward mastery because martial skill does not automatically lead to wisdom-even if it does require us to seek it.

So if you've ever wondered whether your black belt means anything, you should ask yourself two questions. The first is, "Can I fight?"  If the answer is "no", then the belt is just a fashion accessory to a pair of Japanese pajamas, and there is no moral dilemma to master.

But if the answer is "yes", you should ask yourself a second question, "Can I swallow my pride and look for guidance?"  If the answer here is also "yes", then your black belt means a great deal.  It means you are on your way to becoming a white belt again.  It means you are on your way to becoming a master!

Now having related this parable, please no one run off and drag your obi behind the car, or throw it under the lawn mower, to make it look old!

Growth

Someone asked me recently what I thought about the growth of the Yushikan as a dojo and as an organization so I thought I would share my thoughts on this with you and please feel free to share your thoughts on the matter.

As for the Yushikan main dojo, my dojo is a closed dojo, which means it is not open for anyone to walk in and sign up for a class. The criteria for being accepted into my dojo is not necessarily about being over selective, but more about being sure that the student is genuinely serious about studying the Art, whilst being one who is sincere and respectful. I keep the classes small on purpose so that I can maintain the quality of instruction, I have considered adding more students, but we will see. 
 

I would like more participation from my yudansha, some give a lot and train a lot, and others I see once a year, but again we will see. I am pretty sure that I will not ever open a commercial dojo again. Over the years, I have had a few and some nice ones at that. The current dojo is located on the same property as my home, so there are no distractions that would occur in a commercial setting and I like my little backyard dojo with its pond and garden, where I can teach and don't have to worry about handing out belts to keep students. My dojo is dedicated to training in Okinawan empty-hand and weapon martial arts. Our goals in training are the development of the practitioners’ body, mind, and spirit and the improvement of self-defense skills through the practice of traditional Okinawan martial arts. We train in a non-competitive environment; each member works not only to improve him or herself, but to help the other members improve as well.

My training method using junbi undo, hojo undo, kihon, kata, kumite, kakie, and conditioning drills does not take long to weed out the class, in the last year I have admitted 5 new students, none lasted more than a month before the stopped training, it isn’t that I abuse or work them to death, but I do expect them to work and train, we do lots of repetitions and maybe they get bored because they aren’t learning all the flashy kicks, I don’t know.

As for an organization, I belong to and am in a director position for a few, so I focus on those, but as for the Yushikan growing into an organization, I suppose that will happen, but growth will depend on the yudansha, which means that yudansha students who move should consider beginning karate programs at the local YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, local Church, City Recreation Departments, and or in a park. Teaching in this way contains no financial risks for the instructor as they do not have any overhead. Also there are those people who are black belts from other groups that come to me, I have had several, but to date I have only accepted a couple into our group.

So yes, I would like to see growth, but I want it to be good quality, what good is having a large group if they suck? So I guess a small steady growth is better, perhaps my approach is not the best for growth, because I do not promote often and we train over and over on the same things, but I would rather have one excellent student then 100 mediocre students.