Why Basics are so darn important...and how to tell kids this!

Tori no Maki, JudenO ushi and Sukakawa...Or Why basics are so darn important!

Many moons ago, about 15 years ago actually, I had my first full Dojo. I was the only instructor and I was on my own for the better part. I took everything I learned from Dingman Sensei and the other masters I had trained with, sprinkled in some lessons from some of my seniors and set out to try and build a club that would provide great Karate training for all those that came to the club.

For several years I pushed, worked hard, learned valuable lessons about being on my own and teaching and built up a strong program at Sargent park. I had lots of students I was very proud of, one went on to be a regional kick boxing champion, one a doctor and all of them made lives for themselves outside of Karate after the program folded when I had to leave it when Emma was born.

The program was great fun and presented a tone of challenges as a young instructor. One challenge was explaining to people who wanted to be Bruce Lee in three classes why we do so much Kihon and not as much Kumite like other clubs and styles do. First off let me say that this all happened at a time when I was also teaching children’s classes at the summer camp we ran at the JKA.

One of the things I used to use to demonstrate the theory behind the use of Kihon-centric training came from a story I read or was told a long time ago, it was amazing and I have to thank the person who wrote it….But I can not remember who they are. I don’t take credit for the story, just for a few tweeks that I made to it. For those budding young instructors and for those that want to learn why we do Kihon so much…here is the story I use with the kids!

Once upon a time in Old Okinawa was a Sensei who had three students. Two of his three students were well known for their individual skills in Karate, but the third was seen as a bit dull and not very well known. His first student was Tori no Hiko! He was the middle of the students in age and smaller, light and lean. His Karate was all about fast movements, shooting in and out on opponents and using speed to beat his students. He was fast and explosive but very small and never used the Makiwara or did Kata. He loved Kumite and he would dance around spinning and moving like lighting!

His second student was the youngest of his students named Juden O ushi and was big and strong. He would wrestle and lift big rocks all day to prove how strong he was. Kumite with Juden O ushi turned into a wrestling match and he would always twist joint and snap bones on the local bullies. His idea of training was lifting heavy weights and lots of heavy grappling matches, even when his master told him to stick to Kata training.

Sensei Takahara had a third student Sakukawa Kanga. Sakukawa was a medium build student that was not extraordinarily fast, nor was he super strong like Juden O ushi. He was not as well known as the other two students and spent most of his day doing Kihon and Kata. He would do kumite with others but stuck to basic movements and did not show off. At night when Tori no Hiko and Juden O Ushi would go out to the town to drink and show off he would stay at home and practice on his Makiwara or do Kata all night till he did his nightly chores and went to bed.

Takahara Sensei was also the town elder and mayor of the small town. He was tasked with taking care of the village needs including policing and protecting the village and its inhabitants. But Takahara Sensei was getting old and other than teaching Karate and making sure the business of the village was taken care of he asked his students to police the village and protect it. One day a Chinese pirate landed on the coast near the village. He was a cruel and mean man that like to beat on helpless victims and steel their clothing and money. His name was Chan and his attacks on the village became more and more violent and closer to town.

One day Chan ventured into the village and beat up a town elder and stole his good robes and money. The call went to Takahara Sensei to arrest Chan and hand him over to the prefecture authorities to deport him back to China or put him in jail. Takahara Sensei had been told that the much younger pirate was a great fighter from the Ching style of fighting in China, a style that was known for its use of strategy and athletic ability.

Takahara Sensei went to his family Dojo and found his three students all practicing their Karate. He first turned to Tori no Hiko and asked him to go and confront Chan and take him to the castle to be dealt with. Tori no Hiko was ecstatic to be of service and soon left for the village square. He quickly warmed up and called out “CHAN THE PIRATE”, “CHAN THE PIRATE…I CHALLENGE YOU”. Tori no Hiko selected a part of the town square that was moist and soft footing and with plenty of grip for him to use when taking flight during the fight. He also knew that landing hard after jumping would slow him so the ground was perfect for him. He had also waited till dusk to pick his time of attack so the lights of the tavern and stores would distract the eye of an untrained attacker while he jetted around.

Chan came out from behind a building, He had a bundle of expensive robes over his shoulder and was counting coins from a large purse he had tied to his belt. He looked up at the slim fighter before him, dressed in Red robes and said “My, like your robes. We will fight! But If I win I get to keep your robes and money and you will never come back to bother me again or your will be shamed by your dishonesty”!

Tori no Hiko agreed and began tying back his robes to allow him to move more freely. Chan put down his bundle on a rock to keep it out of the dirt and tucked the large purse under the bundle for safe keeping. A large crowd began to form as the two fighters stated the agreed upon rules of the challenge. In Okinawa unarmed challenge duels were common and fights always began with the traditional rules being set out and seconds being agreed upon to make sure the rules were kept while the duel continued. Finally after a short talk the two men took six long paces away from each other and took up their fighting positions.

The fight that followed was explosive and the two men moved around each other throwing out kicks and punches, sweeping each other and rolling around in the mud, jumping up and throwing out punches and kicks. This continued for five minutes while the two men danced around and threw limbs at each other and both landing strikes and kicks that elicited comments from the crowd and drew even more onlookers.

Finally after five exhausting minutes Chan found a hole in Tori no Hikos speed and grabbed ahold of his robe and tossed him to the ground were he grabbed hold of his arm and stretched out his arm till Tori no HIko screamed in pain and said that he gave up.

Chan stood up and let Tori no Hiko up. He said “I am a man of my word”, “If you had won I would have given you back all the clothing and money and went to the authorities happily to be shipped home!”, “but you lost and it is time for you to give up your dirty, but very nice robe and hand over all your money to me”. Tori no Hiko was a man of his word, he shook the dust from his robes, took them off and gave him the few coins he had in his own purse, and dressed only in his underwear he marched off to his masters home to inform him of his loss.

Tori no Hiko had used only his speed and slapping techniques to try to take Chan the pirate in and his strategy was found out and he was bested by the Pirate Chan!

Tori no Hiko came back to the Dojo and told Takahara Sensei he had failed. Takahara Sensei then turned to young Juden O ushi and said “Deshi, Tori no HIko tried to use his speed and failed, it is time to use your strength to bring Chan the Pirate to justice”. With that Juden o Ushi pumped out his chest and said “I will beat that criminal with my Braun and tie him Knots” and he left the Dojo with his chest inflated and his head pushed up to the sky!

Juden O ushi marched out to the village, crossed the river stomping over the foot bridge, past the fields and fruit orchards and past the stores into the center of town. He called out “CHAN THE PIRATE”, “CHAN THE PIRATE…I CHALLENGE YOU”. And at this Chan the pirate came out from the tavern and looked Juden O ushi over. He noticed that Juden O ushi had huge shoulders and a big chest. Chan looked at the large hands and the big forearms that Juden O ushi had and he started to form his strategy for fighting this large wrestler. Juden O ushi was smart, he picked a area of the town square that had hard footing and was dry to help him grip the ground with his feet and not slide. He also selected to attack in the morning hours with the sun at his back to try and blind the defender to his first attacks, which he thought would be all he needed.

The two marched together and while Juden O ushi was much bigger than Chan, he was not much taller. Chan was average build but looked much smaller next to the size of Juden O ushi. The two met face to face and started out the rules of the challenge. Chan noticed that Juden O ushi was wearing a beautiful robe of sky blue with beautiful gold on the arms and he said “My, I like your robes. We will fight! But If I win I get to keep your robes and money and you will never come back to bother me again or your will be shamed by your dishonesty”!

Juden O ushi, at hearing this and thinking that it was pure bravado agreed but said “and WHEN I win you will geive ME all your money and march with me off to the authorities and turn yourself in..and never come back to the village again”. Chan noded in agreement and the two backed off to their starting points. Chan rolled up his rob and tied back the arms, fixed his Obi and took off his Zori (sandles). Juden o uchi mimicked the Chinese pirate and took off his Zori and tied back his robe. He retired his Chonmage (top knot), one that he wore in the style of a Oichi (sumo style top knot)and began getting ready for his fight.

Juden O ushi began warming up and stomping on the ground, he took up a hand full of sandy dirt and wrung his hands in the dirt. He formed a deep Shiko dachi and slapped his legs and body. The muscles rippled and he grunted with his efforts. And with each stomp the very ground shook. The crowd held their breath as they expected Juden O ushi to quickly tie up Chan or strike him with a palm strike and end the fight fast with as much explosive violence as possible.

But as the fight started Juden O ushi charged forwards and each time found that Chan had ducked under him or vaulted over his massive frame to end up behind him and strike him slightly each time. The moves that Chan used were never force on force, they were more dancing and slapping and moving around the bulk of Juden O ushi to find soft spots that were not covered with muscle. Each strike landed with speed and little power but over time the Chinese pirates strikes, along with the effort of moving and attacking, took the larger Okinawans breath and energy.

Juden O ushi began to tire and sweat poured down his chest and face, he would strike out and find no opponent. Chan was moving around and began kicking the legs out of Juden O Ushi, who for his part could not defend the speedy kicks of Chan. Finally Chan landed a Phoenix eye fist directly to the solar plexus of the big man and the air rushed out of Juden O ushi and he fell grasping at his chest as he struggled to take air into his lungs.

Chan stood over the large and heavily muscled opponent and said “I will take your robs and your money, please. Then you will leave me to dine for the evening on your money”. With this Juden O ushi struggled to his knees, took off his robe and handed Chan his Obi purse filled with his money. After catching his breath Juden O ushi stood up and with out a word turned and walked back to the Dojo with his head hanging and his large muscles feeling like they were filled with led and not improving his burden at all.

Juden O ushi back to the Dojo and told Takahara Sensei he had failed. Takahara Sensei knew that Juden O ushi was the strongest of his students, He prided himself on his ability to strike hard and grapple, and he was built like a Bull. He also knew that Tori no Hiko was the fastest student he had, with arms and legs that whipped out like lighting and a body that would move like a bird in flight. He had sent his fastest student, then his strongest student to take on Chan and he had seen both come back holding their heads down in defeat. He had only one more student to send out to face Chan, Sakukawa Hadowaka. Sakukawa was a student of average build that stuck to his instructors lessons, worked hard on the makiwara but never left his Kihon training or Kata training to long. He worked hard to have good basics and understand himself and how he moved. He was not flashy and not even close to being as strong as Juden O ushi, but he had stronger basics and worked hard.

Takahara Sensei approached Sakukawa as he moved through his Kata and said “Sakakawa Deshi, I have a job for you to do”. “ The Pirate Chan has been harassing the village and has bested your Karate brothers”. Takahara exhaled deeply and looked very dejected. He continued” I have sent Tori no Hiko to use his speed to beat the pirate…and he failed horribly and has a broken arm for me to mend!” slumping down to the floor he continued” and then I sent Juden O ushi to use his power and strength to beat the scoundrel and the was beaten up badly and can not eat solid food and moves like an old woman after the beating he took”. He lifted his head and looked at Sakukawa and with defeat in his voice he said “Sakukawa, I must send you…my most average student to battle this hooligan and take him to justice! You may say no if you like and leave the Dojo if you think you can not handle this man, but I implore you to tray”.

With that Sakukawa agreed to meet Chan and take him into custody and went to his room. He came back wearing his very best robe and had his Obi purse filled with all his money. Takahara Sensei stopped Sakukawa and asked “Why would you wear your very best silk robe and bring all your money? I would change to work clothing and leave your purse at home!” Sakukawa pondered his answer briefly and said “Sensei, with great respect I do not agree….If I wear work clothing and have no money the Pirate has nothing to gain, and I have little to lose! Wearing these clothing and with all my money I will know that he will fight hard and my biggest prize and reason to fight hard will not be these things that can be replaced, but the honor of the Dojo and myself”

Sakukawa choose the early morning hours to leave for the village and arrived at just before noon. The sun was high above and would not serve as an advantage to either fighter. He selected a section of the town square that was not to dry and hard, nor to soft and wet to call out the Chinese pirate. He made sure that the fight was as even as possible and that he would have no discernible advantage over the pirate at all. Sakukawa then called out the pirate saying “Chan-San, Please come out to face me. I am here to bring safety to the people of the village and to help you see the horrible truth of your attacks. No one has any money and you have taken all the good clothing in the village but mine. Please come out and face me!”

The invitation was very polite and seemed not to be a challenge but more a request to meet. Chan came out of a local store front and walked towards Sakukawa with the clothing bundle over his shoulder and a very full purse jingling at his side. He saw the man standing before him in his best robes and noticed the large purse he had attached to his belt and began to imagine them added to his collection. He sized up Sukakawa and noticed nothing unusual about this man. He looked like many of the villagers he had robbed of their clothing and their money in the last few weeks. He certainly did not look as large as the last official he had bested, nor was he as athletic looking as the first. He decided right their to take this honest man up on his challenge and take the money he wanted and add the robe to his collection.

Both men met in the middle of the area they were standing in and unlike Tori no Maki and Juden O ushi, Sakukawa began to shew them away saying that there was nothing to see and that they were nto here for fame in duels. They both laid out their rules for the duel and as Chan turned to get ready Sakukawa laid down his last rule “If I best you in this fight then you will give back all that you took and come with me to the jail and wait for your trip home ,you will join a monastery and learn to do good for others…. if you best me you will get all of my money and my robes and I will never bother you again”. Chan thought on this and nodded in agreement then began to tie back his robe for this duel.

Sukakawa took off his good robe and laid it down on a clean table and put his purse next to it. He was careful to lay it out as if it was displayed in a show room. Its fine black silk with red and gold art sparkled and caught observer’s eyes as they watched him carefully and methodically layout the garment. He then took his under robes arms and tied it back and took a hachimaki (Head cloth) and affixed it to his head to keep his hair from blowing in his face.

The fight began with both fighters taking up ready stances and Chan Shouting he was going to destroy Sakukawa. For his part Sakukawa simply took up a very basic stance with his arms at just the right position, his feet at just the right position and waited. Chan began to attack with great speed, throwing kicks and punches that lashed out like lighting. Sakukawa followed his body and used distance and timing to counter the attacks or simply not be in the place that Chan was attacking.

Chan tried to read the defense of Sakukawa but could not. He changed tactics and tried to wrestle his opponent but each time he rushed in Sakukawa would use distance and angles to simply move out of the way or break the grip and spin tossing Chan around using momentum. Chan battled back and forth and after 10 minutes of hard fighting he was getting tired and Sakukawa looked fresh and had not launched and attack of his own yet. His defense was perfect, he could not be struck with speed nor could Chan grab and throw Sakukawa. At the ten minute mark Chan was exhausted and his attacks began to get sloppy. He threw kicks out and let his leg drop to the ground with no recoil, he would rush in to grab hold of air and finally Sakukawa began to judge his distance and with one punch to the solar plexus he crumpled the Chinese Pirate to the ground.

Like his hours and hours of practice on the Makiwara he had planted his stance, used his hips to rotate and landed the punch twisting at the last second to end the fight with one strike. Sakukawa reached down and took Chans hand and helped him up. He said “I am a man of my word, I beat you fair and square and had you bettered me you would be wealthy today and you would own my robes. Are you a man of your word?” With that Chan started to dust off and untied his own robe and handed it to Sakukawa and nodded “I am a man of honor, as much so as a pirate can have. I will go to the authorities and go back to China for good, I will also join a monastery and help others.”

With that Sukakawa handed back Chan his outer rob and they both left for the palace so that Chan could go back to China. Both actually became fairly good friends along the trip and would continue to write back and forth for many years until Chan passed away at a very old age, and as the head abet of the monistary.

Sakukawa returned to his Sensei and told him that Chan was on his way back to China and told Takahara Sensei how he used his Basic training to beat the Chinese Pirate and his oath to Sakukawa to serve his fellow man when he arrived back in China. With that the Sensei, feeling great pride in his student said “From now on Kenga Sakukawa will be known as KARATE SAKUKAWA and will have the title of Kensie! For his Karate training is surely the best and his mind sharp from his many hours of concentration and practice.”

Sakukawa went on to become one of the most famous martial arts masters and the father of Okinawan Karate! His lineage still extists today, and one of the styles that grew out of his teachings is one of the largest styles practiced in the world today, with millions and millions of students training in this style each day…its called Shotokan!