Mid-America Karate
Greer Golden, Chief Instructor
Martin Vaughan, Assistant Instructor
James M. Nelson, Executive Director
9192 Norbury Dr., Swartz Creek, MI 48473-1167
PHONE 810-635-7841 FAX 810-635-2189 CELL 810-252-7696
E-Mail: MidAmericaRegion@aol.com
http.//members.aol com/cldwdiver/sckc.htm
3rd Quarter 2008
SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS
Sensei Yaguchi Returns to Michigan
Mid-America’s twenty-seventh annual Michigan summer camp welcomed the return of Master Yutaka Yaguchi, as our special guest instructor. The last time Mr. Yaguchi honored us with a visit was in 1996, in order to help us celebrate our 15th anniversary camp. Seventy karateka from twelve Mid-America clubs and three non ISKF clubs helped make this our most successful camp ever.
Mr. Yaguchi autographed many copies of his new book, Mind and Body-Like Bullet. “The term Riki Shin Ichizu implies a perfect convergence of mind and body. This term defines the philosophy with which Sensei Yutaka Yaguchi lives his life.”
“Sensei Yaguchi started training in Shotokan Karate in college in Tokyo, Japan, and found a passion there that would last a lifetime. Driven, talented, and a world-class athlete, Mr. Yaguchi became one of the first certified instructors in the karate world. The training was always hard, sometimes brutal. He and his fellow instructors were a group of karate practitioners the like of which the world may never see again. They left their careers, said good-bye to a normal life, and dedicated themselves to perfecting their karate, knowing they were being prepared to live and teach abroad. They trained like maniacs and they were as hard on their students as they were on themselves. When Yaguchi Sensei left Japan to teach karate in the United States, he encountered tremendous obstacles along the way. Language barriers, money problems and a myriad of cultural differences dogged him. Nevertheless he triumphed over his obstacles and rose to become one of the most respected, beloved, and celebrated instructors the karate world has ever known. His love of people, sense of fun, and extraordinary martial arts abilities set him apart” (from book insert). If you would like to order a copy of Sensei Yaguchi’s book, please go to to: www.yaguchikarate.com
In addition to the excellent training, we also had a surprise 60th birthday party for Jim Nelson. Chiho Bare did all of the planning for this party, and even sent away to Japan for a special 60th birthday costume.
On Friday night, Sensei Yaguchi also allowed students to ask questions about his life. One thing that surprised many of us was the fact that he was shy as a young man. Sensei also said he witnessed the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima as a teenager; however, he was far enough away so as not to be affected by the blast or radiation.
In all, it was a tremendous camp enjoyed by everyone. This is the first year the camp has restricted water activities without a lifeguard. The problem was taken care of, and will not be an issue at next year’s camp.
Following camp, Sensei Yaguchi was able to remain in town for a few days of rest and relaxation. He was able to play golf with one of his former students, Tatsuun Ryu, and visit with other members of the Mid-America Region.
Michigan Summer Camp Training
By Kim Weber
July 11-13, 2008
Sensei Yaguchi-Chief Instructor
The majority of the Saturday morning class consisted of Sensei teaching us a variety of unique combinations. When explaining each point, he referred to “the correct position is about…” He explained that every body is different, so he will give you the guideline for each technique and you should adapt it to be the correct position for “your body”. Here is a list of the drills performed .
- Warm up drill. Left leg forward, front stance. Practice counter punch in place. Relax, no speed, for this drill. Make sure to rotate the hip. Keep front knee position. Repeat drill with right leg forward.
- Hip rotation drill. Left leg forward, front stance. Advancing: Step forward, middle block (use your whole body for the block, not just your arm. Rotate your hip so that your body is out of the way of the attack). In place, jab (be sure to pull the hand back). Repeat, moving forward four times. Retreating: In place, front leg front kick (keep weight distribution correct). Step back, middle block. In place, short punch. Repeat moving back four times. Perform this drill slowly, then add speed.
- Back stance drill. Left leg forward, back stance, knife hand block. Advancing: Step forward, back stance, knife hand block. In place, front leg, front thrust kick (for a low kick use the ball of your foot. If you kick higher, you can consider curling your toes and deliver the kick to the soft parts of the body) Repeat moving forward four times. Retreating: Step back, back stance, knife hand block. Change to kibadachi, elbow attack. Repeat moving back four times. Perform this drill slowly, then add speed.
Next we did a series of interval training drills. The class was divided into groups according to rank. Sensei would call out each group individually and would have them perform various katas or drills.
- Dan ranks – Right leg forward, kibadachi (facing shomen), left hand vertical sword hand block position. In place, double punch (right hand, left hand). Right leg, front kick, landing forward into front stance. In place, right hand down block. In place, back leg front kick. In place, front leg, front kick. In place, counter punch. Repeat with left leg forward. Perform this drill three to four times.
- Kyu ranks – Heian Shodan, adding a front leg, front kick after every move in the kata. Repeat three times. Once counting each move; second, slowly no count; third, full speed, no count.
- Dan ranks – Heian Shodan, from a kibadachi. Repeat two times, no count. Third kata was the same as the last, except perform kata mirror image.
- Brown belts – Tekki Shodan. Perform 3 times working on particular points such as, correct eye position, and correct kosadachi (only touch the ball of the stepping foot to the ground).
- White thru Purple belts – Individual kata. Perform your kata continuously for approximately 5 minutes. Minor corrections were given by Sensei individually.
- Dan ranks – Tekki Sandan. Repeat 3 times.
2008 Mid-America Golf Outing
by James Oberschlake
The 2008 Mid-America Golf Outing was again a huge success. The weather was beautiful and the course was in great shape. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time and enjoyed contributing to a worthy cause. Twenty-two teams participated. The course was decorated with signs from 39 hole sponsors. Numerous items were donated for the cookout, door prizes, goodie bags, and silent auction. Of course, the success of this event does not just happen, but depends on the efforts of numerous individuals throughout our region. Many thanks to all who worked so hard. We were able to raise $6250.00, to help support the Region, and members of our regional teams and the participants taking part in this year’s ISKF National Tournament in Los Angeles, California. Next year’s outing is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2009. Please make plans to join us for this worthy cause. Together, we will make our Region a source of pride to all.
In addition to the golf outing, there was a free Regional training on Friday night, taught by Sensei Vaughan.
Not-For-Profit Status Achieved
On September 24, 2008, the Mid-America Region was notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it had been granted 501 (c) (3) status. This was met with a sigh of relief and great joy by the three principles who made it happen. Jim Nelson was responsible for doing most of the leg work, but could he not have done it without the help of Anthony Sammons, Kentucky, and his associate Tricia Shackelford, from the law firm Woodward, Hobson, & Fulton, LLP. They did this pro bono, otherwise, it would have cost the Region over $2000.00.
So, what does this mean for members of the Region? First of all, we no longer have to pay sales tax on items we purchase for the Region. Secondly, we are no longer required to pay income taxes on any revenue we generate. Thirdly, and most important, any donations made to the Region are now considered tax deductible. For example, if you were a hole sponsor at our annual golf outing this year, you may now claim that donation as a tax deduction on your income tax return; retroactive to June 8, 2008. This also opens up new opportunities for us to earn more revenue for the Region. One of our new projects will be a raffle. There will be a limited number of tickets sold, and a lot of opportunities to win a prize. (see details below under 52 Club). This money will be used to help support the Region in general, and may also be used for scholarships and grants for those who attend regional camps, clinics, and Mid-America’s regional tournament.
It as been a long journey, requiring a lot of hard work, time, and energy for those involved. From all of us in the Mid-America Region, we would like to offer a special thank you to Tony, Tricia, and Jim for everything they did to help us reach this important goal.
52 Club
The 52 Club is a raffle used to raise revenue for the Region. Tickets are sold each December, and cost $52.00 each. The total number of tickets sold is limited to 200. One ticket is drawn each Monday; henceforth, the 52 club (52 weeks in the year). The winner receives a $52.00 check for that week. At the end of the year, a grand prize drawing is held. All 200 tickets have a chance to become winners The first place prize is $1500.00, second place wins $700.00, and third place wins $300.00. The total cost to the Region is $5400.00, which includes the cost of printing the tickets, a gaming license, shipping, and all prize winnings.
The Region will receive a net profit of $5000.00. As discussed earlier, this money will be used to help support the Region in general, and may also be used for scholarships and grants for those who attend regional camps, clinics, and Mid-America’s regional tournament.
The OSU Karate Club Host Fall Camp
Fall camp was held on the beautiful campus of The Ohio State University, on September 13-14 2008. Our special guest instructor was Sensei James Field, from Santa Monica, California. There were three sessions held, two on Saturday, and one on Sunday morning. Sensei Field had us work on a number of combinations which utilized various parts of our body for offense and defense. We also worked on the advanced katas Bassai Sho, and Kanku Sho. In addition, we were able to gain experience judging while students did a mock kumite competition, and we also worked on self-defense from a seated position.
We would like to thank Debbie Hofmann, Greg Hoplamazian, and the other members of the OSU karate club for all their hard work in preparing and hosting this year’s fall camp. It is one which will be long remembered.
Fall Camp Drill
Start from left front stance-reverse punch position, shift the left foot to the side and down block shoman (or to your side-like in Enpi) with the right hand. Next, bring your right foot to your left foot and continue stepping forward into right front stance while executing a reverse punch with your left hand. Now the right leg should be forward. Repeat the same action going from one side to the other. The objective is to work on your hip rotation and footwork.
Variation: Working with a partner. Side A starts in Shizentai (natural stance), Side B starts in front stance, left leg forward. Side B steps forward mae giri chudan (front snap kick-stomach). Side A continues to look at side B as he shifts his right foot to the side into gyaku zenkutsu dachi (reverse forward stance while executing gedan barai (down block) to the rear (see picture below). Side A then continues with the drill as described above. Side A brings his left foot to his right foot and continues stepping forward into hidari zenkutsu dachi (left front stance) while executing a gyaku zuki (reverse punch) with his right hand.
Finally, there is no real substitute for learning these drills and katas first hand. The best way to do so is to attend a camp. Mid-America offers three a year, and that may expand into a fourth camp taking the place of the “Winter Training” clinic, hosted by Sensei Vaughan, in Indianapolis, IN. In addition, the ISKF Master camp is held each year in Greenlane, PA (outside Philadelphia).
Who Owns (Your) Karate?
by Dr. Martin Vaughan
This is the title of an article (the “Your” is mine) by Mike Clarke from Shotokan Magazine (Jan. 2007). In his article Mr. Clarke talks about personal responsibility developed through karate training and the personal responsibility for an individual’s karate development. As I read the article I began to see this question on two levels. One was the same as Mr. Clarke, a personal level, and the other was more of a global question dealing with karate organizations. The following are my thoughts on who owns my/your karate.
Following the recent break from the JKA I think the leadership of the ISKF has given a partial answer to the global part of my question. Masters Okazaki and Yaguchi have often said that we have/had the best instruction in the world. We were given a basis of karate training by masters Funakoshi and Nakayama that we in the ISKF have carefully developed (in the past with the JKA). The ISKF can continue this development on its own in the future, without the help/support/interference of the JKA. Many people said that this would separate the ISKF from its “roots”. And I agree to a certain point. But I think that an analogy that is very appropriate can be made with baseball and its development worldwide.
Baseball was developed in the U.S. during the 19th century by Abner Doubleday, although others may be more responsible for the origin, Doubleday may be credited with the popularization of the sport. During its early development baseball was a U.S. sport, but as the U.S. became a more global player in the world, baseball spread to the world. During the 20th century organized baseball was developed in many countries, particularly many Caribbean, Central and South American countries, and Japan. Initially these countries must have had people from the U.S. to teach them or natives had to travel to the U.S. to learn the game then return to their country to spread the knowledge.
Today baseball leagues are operating in many countries involving adults as well as young people. Does the U.S. own baseball? I think the answer is no. Are the best players from the U.S.? Again I think the answer is no. The roster of most/all major league teams is a mixture of players from the Americas and the orient (mostly Japan, but also Korea). In the past, teams from around the world have won the Little League World Series. Do these teams all have U.S. coaches? No, but at all levels foreign (non-U.S.) coaches develop players for competition at the highest levels. Where did these coaches get their training? At least initially they were trained in the U.S., but increasingly they are trained in their own country by their own countrymen.
Does this analogy relate directly to karate? In many ways I think it does, and more importantly, the leadership of the ISKF thinks so. Karate belongs to the world. It is not just Japanese. Many of us have been trained by Japanese instructors and learned much of our karate from them. We now pass that knowledge as faithfully as possible on to another generation of karate students. We are fortunate that we have our teachers around to check our work, both in the progress of our students and our personal progress. Mr. Okazaki and Mr. Yaguchi are doing their best to make sure that we as instructors get it right.
Which leads me to my next idea, how do we make their karate our karate? In other words, how do you creating ownership of your karate. As a beginner, the karate is not yours. You learn from a teacher who may have more or less ownership of his or her karate. As you learn, train, and gain experience you assume more ownership of your karate. However, this type of program will not produce enough ownership to make a good instructor. A good instructor owns their karate through consist and repeated self training to the point that they understand techniques and create ownership. It is fortunate that our sensei can check our progress and guide our ownership process. This is why Mr. Okazaki always tells us “Keep training”. You cannot teach experience. You gain experience by doing and checking and doing again and again. This is the path to ownership. There is no short cut.
Mid-America Calendar
October 10-12, 2008
ISKF World Shoto Cup
Toronto, Canada
November 15-16, 2008
ISKF National Championships
Los Angeles, CA
December 13, 2008
Dan Exam and Clinic
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
January 10-11, 2009
Winter Training /Camp
Indianapolis, IN
February 14, 2009
Regional Training
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
March 14, 2009
Regional Training
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
April 18-19, 2009
Spring Camp
On the Campus of OSU
Columbus, OH
May 16, 2009
Regional Tournament
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
May 17, 2009
Regional Board of Director’s Meeting
Comfort Inn
Delaware, OH
June 12-19, 2009
ISKF Master Camp
Greenlane, PA
July 10-12, 2009
Summer Camp
YMCA Camp Copneconic
Fenton, MI
August 21, 2009
Regional Training
Brown County Dojo
Hamersville, OH
August 22, 2009
Golf Outing
Friendly Meadows Golf Course
Hamersville, OH
September 19-20, 2009
Fall Camp
On the Campus of OSU
Columbus, OH
October 2009
To Be Announced
November 2009
To Be Announced
December 12, 2009
Dan Exam and Clinic
Willis Intermediate School
Delaware, OH
Editorial
Why Should I Pay My ISKF Dues?
Recently, I had a discussion about this topic with one of the senior instructors in the Region. He said, “I asked one of my black belts to pay his ISKF membership fee because it was due October 1, 2008. He looked at me, turned around, and walked away.”
First of all, that student was not following the dojo kun in regards to “Respecting others,” which will be a topic of discussion at another time. The instructor went on to explain that the only rationale he could give his senior students for paying their ISKF membership fee was so they could participate in the regional and national tournaments. While that is true, there are also other important reasons why paying your ISKF membership fee (in a timely manner) is important.
Number One: It helps support the International Shotokan Karate Federation by providing them with $15.00 of income for every ISKF membership card renewed. Without this assistance there would be no organization either at the national, regional, or international level. This membership allows individuals the opportunity to train in any ISKF dojo within the United States and throughout the world.
Number Two: The $20.00 from your ISKF membership fee is used at the regional level to help promote camps, clinics, and tournaments within the Region.
Number Three: Part of the membership fee is also used for the day-to-day operation of the Region. It pays for office expenditures such as paper, ink, phones and FAX services, etc.
Number Four: Part of the membership fee is also used by our regional instructors to help pay for their transportation and expenses while attending required meetings and attendance at Master camp, the ISKF National Championships, the Pan American games, and the ISKF World Shoto Cup. (from which no revenues are generated) It is also used to cover any shortfalls from camps and clinics held within the Region.
Number Five: In the past, extra money from your membership fee has been used to help students with scholarships and grants that enable them to attend regional camps and clinics.
Number Six: Part of the membership fee is used to support our web site: http:/midamericaiskf.com .
Number Seven: In addition to a membership card, new members are also given an ISKF membership patch to be placed on their uniform ($5.00 retail).
Number Eight: Part of the membership fee is used to help pay for the ISKF National Team when it attends the ISKF World Shoto Cup or Pan Am Games. This is a minimum payment of $300.00 per region per year.
Number Nine: Part of your membership fee is donated to those in need. Remember Jared Marsh? The Region made a donation to help support his family during his battle with cancer. Mid-America made a donation to the Southern Region after hurricane Katrina. In addition, we also made a donation to Sensei Golden when his mother passed away. These are just a few of the many donations the Region has made over the years.
Number 10: The ISKF gives your rank a sense of legitimacy. Anyone can wear a black belt, but does he or she have the credentials to back it up? The ISKF is well respected around the world, so when you wear that black belt, people know that you earned it.
So, when someone asks you, “Why should I pay my
ISKF membership fee?” I hope you will help them understand the importance of their to contribution the Mid-America Region and to the ISKF. After all, the $35.00 you pay each year cost you less than 1¢ per day. Most of you pay a lot more to other organizations and receive a lot less in return.
Note: In addtion to the $35.00 ISKF membership fee, each club is allowed to include a club fee. This addtional fee may be used for such things as renewing the club’s yearly membership ($100.00), or an activity fee used to offset any additional expenses the club may incure.
Since I have taken over as Executive Director, our finances have become transparent. Every penny the Region receives and spends is accounted for. Ask your club instructor for a copy of the Region’s monthly fiscal report, if you have any doubts.
Remember, yearly memberships may be renewed each quarter. The renewal dates are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. In addition, if you are unable to train for several years, there is not a penalty for your return. You may renew
your membership on the date that is closest to the quarter in which you return.
Lastly, in a way, I can understand the black belt’s attitude about paying his or her ISKF dues. He or she probably never attends any regional or national events; therefore, he or she doesn’t feel any ownership regarding the two organizations. The solution! Get involved! Make it to a Regional training or to one of the Region’s camps this year. The Mid-America Region has much to offer, but first you must be willing to take the first step on your journey to self-discovery.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write or call.
Respectfully,
Jim Nelson
“Ara yuru mono o karateka seyo; soko ni myomi ari”
Put karate into your everyday living; that is how to see its true beauty
Niju kun #10 Funakoshi Gichin
Editors Note
If you would like to make a contribution to next quarter’s newsletter, please forward it to regional headquarters for printing by July 28, 2005. Thanks to all those who helped with this newsletter. Jim Nelson
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