Karate

Interview with Sensei Neeraj Dhawan of JKA WF Chicago karate Institute, Inc.

1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making?

The JKA WF Chicago karate Institute, Inc., was founded in July 2008. Sensei Neeraj Dhawan is the Director and Chief Instructor of the Dojo. Born in New Delhi, India, Sensei Dhawan started travelling from the age of 3. His childhood was spent in North Africa, where he started Karatedo under Sensei Okamoto, the Chief Instructor for the Middle-East & Africa region for the Japan Karate Association, JKA, (www.jka.or.jp). He then travelled to England and trained with Sensei Enoeda, Ohta, and the KUGB British Instructors. In 1993, he moved to back to India to support his mother and enrolled with the JKA India to become a JKA Instructor.

In 1997, he was selected to be part of the Indian National Karate Team, and has since, been a senior member of the National Team, he has competed extensively in National, Asian and World Championships, including 4 JKA World Shoto Cups. He has been holding the title of the JKA All India Men’s Champion since 2003, and is a licensed Instructor, Examiner and Judge with the Japan Karate Association.

He has also been very successful as a Coach, producing numerous Indian National Champions from his Dojo in India, and since 2008, the Children’s National Champion in the USA. This year, at the JKA WF America (www.jkawfamerica.org) National Championships in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2 of his students won the Childrens’ and the Men’s Individual Kumite Title respectively.

In 2006, he moved to Chicago, USA, to support his wife, and has since been a staunch supporter of the JKA WF America, for which he also holds the position of the Director of the Central (Midwest) Region.

He continues to go back to India every year to compete at the All India National. You can watch his tournament clips here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rroik0kn8RE

He is very passionate about his Karate and visits Japan twice every year to train at the JKA headquarters in Tokyo.

2. What forms of Japanese martial arts do you teach in your school? Can you please share with us the history behind them?

Our Dojo is dedicated to imparting instruction in the Shotokan Karate of JKA – Japan Karate Association. The JKA was formed by Master Gichin Funakoshi, (pen-named, ‘Shoto’), who brought Karate to the mainland Japan from Okinawa. The JKA is the oldest and largest single style Karate organization, with its corporate headquarters in Japan, and branches in over 126 countries world-wide.

The JKA emphasizes on practical and scientifically proven training methods, in line with safety and correct body-mechanics.

Also, JKA Karate is the only style or school of Martial Arts that emphasizes on training and developing a ‘one strike, one kill’ approach. Even in our tournaments, one wins through one deadly shot/technique, instead of accumulating points and playing tag. This keeps training very real, and obviously, very practical for combat and self-defense.

3. What are the principles and concepts that you uphold and try to instill in your students?

L to R: EJ Trio, Sensei Dhawan, Marco Maciel (2009 USA Men’s National Champion), Arjun Singh, Jude Pinto (2008 & 2009 USA Children’s National Champion), Savio Pinto.

Students are always encouraged to listen to their bodies and identify their limitations, because at the end of the day, it is ‘with’ these limitations that one must try and overcome the obstacle/challenge that one faces.

We also strongly believe that the JKA Dojo Kun are the guiding principles for a Karateka’s life… And we all strive to live by these codes:

One. Seek perfection of character.
One. Be honest and faithful.
One. Endeavour.
One. Respect others.
One. Refrain from violent behavior.

4. Why do you think it is important for people to learn martial arts?

Well, apart from the obvious physical, mental and spiritual benefits, Karatedo also helps you in all aspects of your life. You use the principles of the Dojo Kun in your day to day life, applying them in your personal and professional fronts. If you can have a better understanding of others around you, and be in harmony with them, then you will have lived your life without any regrets, and full gratification.

5. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered so far with regards to teaching martial arts and how did you overcome them?

Students are the same everywhere in the world, but cultures and economies are different. In the east, when I used to teach in India, we would train outdoors, even in the monsoons… And the indoors dojo was floored with concrete tiles. The eastern students are definitely more respectful, and understand that it is a long journey.

In the west, now that I teach in the USA, we have 5-star facilities in our dojo… Wood-sprung floor, tatami & EVA mats, Air conditioning & Heat, but we lack the patience, diligence, and proper etiquette in the culture. Hopefully, through studying the art, the students, irrespective of where they are from, will adopt the Dojo Kun in their lives, and develop their personality as well…

That is the objective of Karatedo, and I have seen it work wonders.

6. What advice and/or insights can you share with our readers who want to pursue their interest in the Japanese form of martial arts?

The journey is more important than the destination.

Never forget to maintain proper etiquette and attitude inside and outside the Dojo. Identify and accept your limitations and learn to work with them.

Remember, there are no excuses… only intentions.

7. Can you please give a short biography of your dojo’s instructor(s)?

The Core Group: L to R: N Dhawan, N Lawrence, W Zemlak, S Pinto.
(In the group picture)
Savio Pinto
Hon. Assistant Instructor
3rd Dan, JKA WF America

N Dhawan

Director & Chief Instructor
5th Dan, Japan Karate Association
Licensed Instructor – Examiner - Judge, JKA

William Zemlak
Hon. Assistant Instructor
1st Dan, JKA WF America

Interview with Jimmy Mora of Shinjinbukan New York Shibu Dōjō

1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making?
The Shinjinbukan Honbu Dōjō was founded by Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō in Okinawa, Japan. Shinjinbukan was founded in Japan to preserve the ancient Ryūkyū martial arts, culture and living traditions. Since 1996, Mr. Jimmy Mora, a direct student of Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō, started teaching the Shinjinbukan Karate in the New York City Metropolitan Area through several volunteer programs. The Shinjinbukan New York Shibu Dōjō is an official branch of the Shinjinbukan School in Okinawa, Japan.

2. What forms of martial arts do you teach in your school? Can you please share with us the history behind them?
Shinjinbukan is a school of traditional Okinawan Karate: Shōrin Ryū. Our founder, Onaga Yoshimitsu, is considered one of the last Masters able to understand and teach Ti, the ancient Okinawan Martial Art, which preceded modern Karate.

3. What are the principles and concepts that you uphold and try to instil in your students?
For us, Karate is not a sport, nor about street fighting. The Shinjinbukan system is based on Ti, which incorporates unique principles of body mechanics, body conditioning and fighting techniques into a complete cohesive System. Most Martial Arts have training curriculums that are not integrated into a cohesive unit. On the other hand, the study of Ti requires the integration of all training curriculum into ONE cohesive System of body mechanics.

4. Why do you think it is important for people to learn martial arts?
Our Karate is for those who seek self-improvement through the practice of Shōrin Ryū Karate and Ti. Most people are interested in quick results without too much training. Therefore, the true value of martial arts could not be appreciated without the proper perspective.

5. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered so far with regards to teaching martial arts and how did you overcome them?
The biggest obstacles in teaching martial arts is to overcome the wrong expectations that some people may have. The skills learned through our training were made for self-defense, rather than for street fighting. My Dōjō in New York operates as a non-profit rather than a commercial school, so we don’t use rank promotions and tournaments as a business model.

6. What advise and/or insights can you share with our readers who want to pursue their interest in martial arts?
People have many reasons for studying martial arts: sports & fitness, mental discipline, self-defense, combat skills, personal development, meditation, spiritual awakening, or all of the above. Each authentique Martial Art has a unique culture, history, philosophy, goals and training methods. And these ideas or styles could be in complete opposition to each other. In general, Martial Arts could be classified by: country/ region (Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan, Korean, Thai, etc); with or without Japanese weapons; traditional or sports oriented. So, you should ask yourself: What do I want out of martial arts?

7. Can you give a short biography of your instructor(s)?
Jimmy Mora was Onaga Sensei’s first foreign student who trained from White to Black Belt at the Shinjinbukan Honbu Dōjō, as well as the first to open an official branch in the United States. In 1992, while stationed in Okinawa, he met Onaga Sensei and was accepted as his Uchi Deshi.
In less than 18 months, he obtained his Sho Dan, 1st Degree Black Belt. In 1995, he obtained his Ni Dan, 2nd Dan, in less than three years under Onaga Sensei. Jimmy is currently a Yon Dan, and is the head instructor of the Shinjinbukan New York Shibu Dōjō.

For more information, see http://www.shinjinbukan.com/jimmymora.html
Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaicho’s biographical note: http://www.shinjinbukan.com/onaga.html
Onaga Michiko’s biographical note: http://www.shinjinbukan.com/michiko.html

Sincerely Yours,

Jimmy Mora

Shinjinbukan New York Shibu Dōjō
Yon Dan
Shinjinbukan

Interview with Mike Spain of Japan Karate Institute Wadokai, Chiang Mai

1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making?

The beginnings of Japan Karate Institute, Chiang Mai, were very happenstance.

Mike Spain learned karate in Kona, Hawaii, USA, under Roy Woodard at Nippon Kokusai Karate Center, which was an affiliated school of Kiyohisa Hirano’s Japan International Karate Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. When Sensei Roy moved to Alabama to take over the Southeast Region of JIKC, Mike became the Kona instructor.

In November, 2000, Mike moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to live. In searching for a Japanese karate school in Chiang Mai, Mike had no success. So he joined the Chiang Mai University Aikido Club. One day Mike noticed a young man teaching karate to another young man in the same area that the Aikido club was practicing. Approaching the young men and inquiring, he found that the young man teaching karate spoke English well. In further inquiry he found out that this man had been a high school exchange student to the USA. When the young high school student was in South Carolina, USA, he joined Dale Coker’s Japan Karate Institute, which is also an affiliated school of Japan International Karate Center. Mike offered to help the students since he was more advanced in the Japan International Karate Center organization, being a Nidan, or 2nd degree Black Belt in Japan International Karate Center karate.

After contacting Dale Coker, Mike found out that Sensei Dale would be visiting Thailand. To make a long story short, Mike began teaching karate in Chiang Mai under Dale Coker’s Japan Karate Institute in 2002.

In October of 2003, Mike tested and was awarded Sandan (3rd degree Black Belt) in the
Japan Karate Institute/Japan International Karate Center organization.

Realizing the relationship of Aikido’s movements and principles to what Mike learned under Roy Woodard, he embarked on a quest to learn more about Wado Ryu karate. Indeed, Kiyohisa Hirano was a student of Hironori Ohtsuka and in fact was part of the group, including Hironori Ohtsuka, Tatsuo Suzuki, and Yoshio Kawaguchi, which Walter Nishioka had arranged to visit Hawaii to demonstrate Wado Ryu karate in the early 1960’s.

In 2007, Mike visited Robbie Smith’s New Zealand Wadokai and practiced under the JKF-Wadokai vision of Wado karate. Fortunately, this was as a result of also attending Toby Threadgill’s Shindo Yoshin Ryu workshop which Robbie Smith was sponsoring in
Hamilton, New Zealand.

Later in 2007, Mike was fortunate in contacting Richard Mosdell who arranged for Mike to visit and practice at the Shiramizu Dojo of Sensei Takamasa Arakawa in Sugito, Japan.

In February, 2008, Mike returned to Shiramizu Dojo where Sensei Takamasa Arakawa, Richard Mosdell, and Lawrence Liang, along with all of Shiramizu Dojo, helped Mike prepare to challenge the JKF Wadokai Shodan examination in Tokyo. On March 2, 2008, Mike successfully challenged and passed the Shodan examination.

And now the quest and journey continues…… Japan Karate-do Federation Wado Kai karate at Japan Karate Institute, Chiang Mai.

2. What forms of Japanese martial arts do you teach in your school? Can you please share with us the history behind them?

At Japan Karate Institute, Chiang Mai, we practice the style of karate known as Japan Karate-do Federation Wadokai, For short, JKF Wadokai karate.

As indicated by the name, this vision of Wado Ryu karate is recognized by the Japan Karate-do Federation as one of the four main traditional karate styles of Japan.

Wado Ryu karate was formulated by Hironori Otsuka. Mr. Otsuka was well versed in Shindo Yoshin Ryu jiujitsu when, in the early 1920’s he watched a performance of what became known as karate. This performance was led by Gichin Funakoshi, the person that formulated what became known as Shotokan karate.

By melding together techniques, ideas, and principles of Shindo Yoshin Ryu and Shotokan, Hironori Otsuka made his style of what became known as Wado Ryu Karate.

3. What are the principles and concepts that you uphold and try to instill in your students?

Class Ceremony : This is performed at the beginning and at the end of class.

Purpose of Seiza - Orderliness and humbleness to the mind and body.

Close eyes, mokuso. Purpose of mokuso -
(beginning of class) Warming up the mind for training hard.
(end of class) Warming down the mind after training hard.
(Open your eyes)

Purpose of JKI training - Not to conquer others, but to conquer the weaknesses within oneself.

We do this by following 5 Dojo Precepts:

1. Uphold the Principles of Propriety and Courtesy
2. Cultivate the Spirit of Effort
3. Perfect a Mind of Patience
4. Live the Way of Truth
5. Do Not Lose Self Control or Act in a Violent Manner

3 Basic Factors for Mental Strength

1. Seriousness
2. Try hard
3. Never give up

3 Basic Factors for Mental Attitude

1. Initiative
2. Responsibility
3. Pride

3 Basic Factors for Relationships With Others

1. Appreciation
2. Consideration
3. Unity

The class ceremony is very important to Japan Karate Institute training. Each person must overcome the weaknesses within themselves so that they may live a good and harmonious life for themselves and with other people. We must discipline our minds and bodies so that we can do what is necessary to accomplish these goals and all other goals in our lives. The teachings of the class ceremony will help guide us on the right path. The guidance of the words in the class ceremony are more important than any physical technique. Indeed, by following the thoughts of the class ceremony it will help in improving physical technique along with mental strength, attitude, and discipline.

4. Why do you think it is important for people to learn martial arts?

BENEFITS OF KARATE TRAINING

Discipline the Mind and the Body

Health - Promote and maintain strong bodies and minds

Physical :

• Body Fitness
• Weight Control
• Improve cardio vascular efficiency
• Flexibility
• Stamina
• Co-ordination
• Reflexes

Mentally

• Make strong minds
• Improve focus
• Learn self control
• Build a strong spirit
• Increase will power

Develop concentration
Learn to make good choices, and the conviction to say ‘no’ when offered bad choices

Self Esteem

• Increase self-awareness
• Build confidence
• Make a person with good character

Recreation - Sport

Self Defense

5. What difficulties and obstacles have you encountered so far with regards to teaching martial arts and how did you overcome them?

Teaching martial arts in Thailand has been difficult because I cannot speak Thai. I have benefitted by having Thai students that can speak English and help in translation.

6. What advise and/or insights can you share with our readers who want to pursue their interest in the Japanese form of martial arts?

Anyone who wishes to pursue a Japanese form of martial art should do so. Do not have fear or doubts. Persevere and don’t give up.

7. Can you give a short biography of your instructor(s)?

Michael Spain

1991 :  Started training in Nippon Kokusai Karate Center (JIKC) under Sensei Roy Woodard, Kona, Hawaii.

1992 : Assist Sensei Roy Woodard instructing at Nippon Kokusai Karate Center, Kona, Hawaii.

1993 : Earned Shodan in JIKC karate.

1993 : Instructor at Nippon Kokusai Karate Center, Kona, Hawaii

1996 : Earned Nidan in JIKC karate.

1997 : Chief Instructor, NKKC, Kailua-Kona when Sensei Roy Woodard moved to Alabama to takeover JIKC, Southeast.

2000 : Moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

2002 : Start teaching JIKC karate under Sensei Dale Coker’s Japan Karate Institute to students at Chiang Mai University (not affiliated with CMU)

2003 : Earned Sandan in JIKC/JKI karate.

1992 – 1996 : Nippon Kokusai Karate Center Academy of Instructors

1994 & 1995 : Coach for JIKC-Kona team to USA-AAU National Karate Championships.

2007 :  One week training at Robbie Smith’s New Zealand dojo and attend Toby Threadgill seminar.

2007 : Two week training with Takamasa Arakawa at his Shiramizu Dojo in Sugita, Saitama, Japan.

2008 : Trained with Takamasa Arakawa at Shiramizu Dojo in preparation for challenging the JKF Wadokai Shodan examination. Successfully passed and awarded JKF Wadokai Shodan certificate.

Shotokai karate - Kyle Karate Club

Hi,

My name is Andy Brown, I’m a 53 year old male who lives on the west coast of Scotland. I’ve been practicing Shotokai karate with Kyle Karate Club and have reached the level of 1st Dan Black belt. Shotokai was developed by Sensei Mitsuzuke Harada and brought to the UK in the 60’s when he moved here.

Over the years since then there have been some splits within the original group which has left us independent. We still recognise Sensei as the developer of our style even if we no longer have the opportunity to practice with him.

I, like so many others, got interested in martial arts during the time of the Bruce Lee movies. I tried Kung Fu from books (nearly permanently damaged my knee – ALWAYS go to a club with a good instructor!), Aikido, Judo, Sport karate and finally Shotokai.

I’m not an aggressive person and found that I was regularly getting injured when sparring at sport karate so gave it up. It did however give me enough knowledge to know that it was some form of karate that I wanted to study. I looked around locally and finally found Kyle.
Shotokai karate is closer to the traditional karate taught by Gichin Funakoshi and puts emphasis on relaxation and gaining a rapport with your opponent. In this way, you can react to his/her attacks almost as soon as they start.

Because of this relaxation and timing you find you have plenty of time to avoid your attacker. We also practice sensing your opponent’s body condition and movement with light touch. When you combine this with the previous you find that it takes very little “assistance” to cause your opponent to lose balance. This is the essence of our practice.

Some of the higher grades (3rd Dan and above) can take this to extremes and actually stop you attacking them by seeming to attack you a fraction of a second before you move to attack them. I can assure anybody who doubts this that it is possible. I have personally experienced it on numerous occasions and can tell you that it is the most frustrating thing I’ve felt.

Although we practice full contact (we don’t touch and pull back as is done in sport karate) we spend a lot of time training to maintain a safe distance and get out of the way when an attach comes. Even if you are hit, it’s nothing like as hard as it would be if you were standing still. I have to say that incidents like that are few and far between in our club. There is an atmosphere of helpfulness instead of the competitiveness I’ve seen in other clubs. Yes, we practice hard and try to catch our opponents. In that way they will get better and in turn put pressure on us to improve.

When I started with Kyle many years ago I promised myself “When I stop enjoying this I’d stop practicing”. I think the fact that I’m still a member says it all …….