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THE CONFLICT OF BUDO & SPORT The development of
karate-do is seen not only in Japan but widely
throughout the world. Today there are over 164
countries affiliated with the (World Karate
Federation). Each country is working their best so
that Karate will become an Olympic sport.
In 1985 Karate was once recognised as an Olympic sport
by the I.O.C. (International Olympic Committee).
However this was cancelled because of the existence of
two federations I.A~K.A. (International Amature Karate
Federation) and W.U.K.O. (World Union of Karate
Federations). In 1991 the I.O.C International Olympic
Committee demanded those two federations join and in
1993 they united as W.K.F. World Karate
Federations.
The development of
Karate do is seen in many events; after this
unification . In 1994 there was an "All
Asian Competition" hosted at Hiroshima, Japan.
This year there is going to be another competition
hosted in Thailand. The Federation couldn t make
Karate become an Olympic sport in time for the Sydney
Olympic Games, however there are still
negotiations for Karate to become an Olympic sport for
the 2008 games. Meanwhile, For the 2004 Olympic Games
to be held in Osaka Japan, Karate is proposed as
the host game. If Karate is recognised as an Olympic
sport it will certainly be given more recognition.
However I personally, as one of the Karate
leaders have great concerns regarding Karate becoming
an Olympic sport. Personally I see Karate as a sport
and as Bu~do (martial arts). Many people from the
Western country ~ see martial arts in more
physical terms, but in Asian cultures Martial Arts is
an approach to an ideal, a physical and spiritual
figure. The body and the mind. If Karate is only
valued in competition (like the Olympics) , I am
afraid that the most important part of Budo is going
to be lost. Karate featuring Bu-do and sports at the
same time is valued highly, however if it develops
only for competitions the balance is going to be
severely broken. Tonight, I would like to ]ook
back into the history of GoJu Ryu Karate-do and talk
about the development of this style in depth regarding
Bu-do.
Goju Ryu Karate do was
named by Sensei Miyagi Chojun. {CHOUJYUN}. Sensei was
born in 1888 in Okinawa (Southern Islands in Japan)
and at the age of ~4 (1902) he started training under
Higaonna Kanryu Sensei.From 1915and 1917 Sensei Miyagi
travelled to the Fukukeh prefecture in China and
studied the roots of the style he was learning and
aimed for further development. In 1927 my father Gogen
Yamaguchi first met SenseiMiyagi Choujyun and was
instructed. My father was keen to know more about the
essence of "Okinawa te" which he had been
learning about since he was a young child. In 1929 my
father made a Karate Studying Association at Kyoto
Ritsumeikan Universityand in 1931 he invited Miyagi
Sensei as an honoured Shihan. Because of the war, my
father travelled to Manchuria, He later returned to
Japan in 1948. In 1950 he successfully made the
J.K.C.A. (Japan
Karate-do GoJu Kai Association) and in 1965 he made
I.K.G.A.International
Karate do Goju Kai Association
In 1970, on the 21st of
June, my father Gogen Yamaguchi made his first visit
to Australia. Also during The same year on the 7th of
October 1970,Paul Starling Shihancame to Japan as an
Australian team member to represent Australia
for the first W.U.K.O. World Karate do
Championships . On the 25th April 1972 Paul Starling
Shihan came to visit Japan again (on return from
representing Australia again in the 2nd World Karate
do Championship in Paris France). During that same
year my father visited Australia once more and stayed
at the home of Paul Starling Shihan's parents. During
The following year in 1973 my father Gogen Yamaguchi
and I wel-comed him into the Nihon Karate
do Senmon Gakko Japan Karate do College, as the first
Instructor participating and he graduated as a
Renshi-Shihan. On the 2nd
July 1974 I first visited Australia. In 1977 with
Kippei Sakamoto Shihan, and in 1978 with my sister
Wakako. I have continued to visit Australia {yearly or
bi yearly} and many Australian students visit Japan,
building a very good relation-ship between Japan and
Australian Goju Kai.
On the 20th May 1989 my
father Gogen Yamaguchi passed away and Paul Starling
Shihan took place as the Australian GoJu Kai President
and Chief Instructor (according to Gogen Yamaguchi's
wishes). From 1991 he has represented the Oceania
territory as Goju Kai Branch President for this
continental area of the I.K.G.A. I respect him
greatly as staff of the I.K.G.A. and also as a good
friend whom I can trust and of course as one of the
greatestof Karate leaders. The origin of Karate is
familiar through many books. It originated from
Chinese Kung Fu and from 500 years ago was renamed
from the Martial Art syles 'TE' to KARATE.-
There are basically two major influences from China.
"Nansen Hokuba" the term represents the
characters of the North and the South. The Northern
people were nomads who rode horses, & The Southern
people were fishermen working on boats. GoJu Ryu has a
strong influence from the south. It developed as
"Naha te" where as the art from the north
was recognised as "Shuri te". The Shotokan
Ryu and WadoRyu karate is influenced from "Shuri
te"
Regarding "Naha
te" , the origin of our GoJu style has developed
from a stance of standing on a boat. "Sanchin
dachi", it developed the fighting of close range
and using the upper body, where as shu r i te"
developed from a horse riding stance
"Kibadachi" and has the ability to use tbe
lower body (such as kicks). ~ fighting range is
further than with the "Naha" style. The
character of "Naha" is soft and silent, and
is more defensive. In contrast "Shuri" is
more hard, active and offensive. "Naha"
endures and defends. "Shur i" moves forward
and attacks. By applying Ritsuzen (Zen while in
stance), breathing, and the approach of
developing the ideal body & spirit has lead to the
style of Goju Ryu.
The name Goju comes
from the ancient Chinese Scriptures
"Bubishi". In this scripture there are eight
passages named "Kempou Hukku". One of the
eight is called "Houdonto Goju",
"Go" and "Ju" refers to explicitly
and implicitly respectively. "Houdonto GoJu"
describes the essence of nature which symbol-ises that
everything in the universe comes from the two
contrasted figures. 'To learn the style of
"GoJu" means that one should always study
both hard and soft, explicitly and implicitly, and
from silence and activeness. It is important to have
the blend of both at all times, training also comes
from the blend of the mind and the body. In the old
days the teaching of the Martial Arts was very secret
but Miyagi Sensei changed the tradition so everybody
can learn it equally. He aimed for Martial Arts to
develop a strength and respect in the practitioner and
a respect for virtue, and as a final goaL an
ideal human figure for the society. He developed a
Modern way of training.
When Miyagi Sensei was
jogging on the seaside, he was asked by many people
"why do you run so much ?" and Sensei
answered with a laugh; 'In case some body attacks me,
I can retreat as quickly as possible. Of course,
Sensei wasn't running so he could run away quick. He
always told his students, "run so you are
always fit and if a problem occurs react more quickly
than anybody else and therefore resolve
the conflict!" The depth of his teaching is
seen in his words ; "Hitoni tsurezu,
Hito-utazu, Kotonaki wo moto to suruhari",
"Do not get hurt by people and Do not hurt
people, always stay calm as if nothing happened".
This is called "The
Philosophy of Safety".
Not to get hurt means
to be strong so no one will hurt you. This is not only
physically, but is also deciphered to mean that one
should ensure that your daily attitudes are right so
no one will back stab you while you are not present.
Never to hurt people means at first do not use
violence to hurt people and also to have a strong mind
always and you can care for others at all
times.Lastly, do not have negative attitudes such as
ignoring everything. Solve your problems as
quickly as possible, as if no problem existed. (a
problem becomes more problematic the longer it is
left). It is a short passage but has depth in its
meaning and we have a lot to learn from this. It is
very difficult to achieve, however it is also great
human future goal which we can work for.
Miyagi Sensei also says
"Bujin wa Shizuka de are". "Samurai
(warriors) be silent (calm)". The chinese figure
"silent' is formed from the meanings
"blue" and "conflict". In one way,
silence is valued as a hidden explosive potential.
Silence is a waiting posture of containing enormous
energy and Silence in the eye of the typhoon.
Is Karate-Do Bu-do or
is it sport~? This question has been discussed from
many perspectives. As I said before, I think Karate
features the characteristics of sports and Budo.
Sports originated from conflictive environments. To
train and to become strong has been referred to
Martial Arts. The sports rituals in Athens Greece Is
an ancient Roman ritual, ~We see that to train for
strength and for the development of physical ability
has been done from a long time ago. How about
Budo in Japan? Kendo, Judo, Kyudou, {with the arrow},
Naginata Do etc. All had developed from feudal system
as its background. The society formed by warriors
(Bushi, Samurai) has always been in conflict and the
art of fighting has developed from that age.
Bu-do was polished by
the fighting arts and also by the way of how the
warriors lived. Again it is the blend of the mind and
body. Bushido is the old name in the Samurai ages and
this is adapted into the modern world for it's moral
advantage. I think that Budo and sports both have
similar influences to the society and to individuals.
The effects from sports is seen in Budo and the effect
of Budo is seen in sports. A common feature is seen
with in the two.Modem sports is transcended from
religion and ideology .It does not ask for race and
nationality. It gives an equal right for everyone to
play. The basic figure of Budo is from
"Bushido" and the background of
"Bushido" is from Confucianism and Japanese
Shintoism. So the spiritual Budo approach has a strong
relationship to religious and moral issues.
'To win over people and
to win over yourself', skills and strength of
the mind, honour for victory not being affected by
personal desires and money.As a result, the
traineeship of "Budo" is seen as a hard and
difficult task. The morality of a sportsperson is
valued for sportsmanship and they are expected to be a
healthy person and take an active part in the
society. On the other hand very hard training tasks
were assigned to "Bushi (samurai)" to
maintain his position. The core of Bushido spirit is
from Confucianism and it states that;
Dignity
to people comes from "respect and
humility"Facing one's weaknesses and negative
sides. Bushi stayed loyal to their masters as
their point of respect and humility.
"Respect" and "humility" are the
elements which helps personal development. The
unity of people hoping for peace in the world and
within their own country is one of the greatest aims
of sports. "Bushido" in the conflictive age
worked for peace. The five teachings of "Jin",
"Gi", "Rei" Chi~ and ~Shin' in Confucianism are the basic determinants of Bushido.
Jin
symbolises the most valued virtue in the human soul~.
The translation literally means to care deeply for
others and to have compassion for all humanity and
living beings. In the "Bushi ages,
"Jin" was recognised as the most important
element of their leadership.
Gi
represents justice. This is the way of the truth in
living. There is a term Giri' which is related to
justice. It is seen as duty or obligation which in
broad terms points out love for others - the conduct
of these two elements are praised as bravery and one
does not fear death nor ever kill to protect the
truth.
Rei
differs according to each individual, but has a
meaning of thankfulness to the figure of God. The
meaning is that one must never merely bow ones head or
body to God, The essence relies on how much you
can become modest in the heart. Many Rei , as
seen in Budo is the manner of humility for yourself.
Your own Individual attitudes of respect for humanity,
the natural world, and all of creation and your unique
place within it.
Chi
is knowledge and ones own personal ability so it can
be applied to support others. Use your knowledge to
help humankind and nature.
Shin, is simply to believe.
But moreover it is what is constant in one's soul. It
never lies. Belief in oneself and the belief of
others.
In conclusion,
regarding these five elements. 'Bushido'
aims for pure human identity. Aim for perfection. To
let Karate do carry on the name of Budo as Bushido (by
way of a background) and the essence of its
development, we must firstly understand the teachings
of the Pioneers fully and truly with great depth. This
is a precept way and above the superficial realm of
competition and of records.
The truthful meanings
of the ancient teachings must not be changed . To
respect the old sayings regarding caring and love for
your family and others, respecting your teacher,
loving friends, and the giving of your time and
patience when needed.The competition of Karate today
is conducted under certain limitating rules and
regulations, however originally it was judged under
true kime a life or death situation. It was born
from an era torn and ravaged by wars and conflicts and
therefore Bushiwere eager to l ive and to protect
their country and family and to become stronger.
Today as we approach
the 21st Century, peace has been corrupted, and we
take note of our duties in a much broader frame work.
Karate do should never ever be a tool to hurt
people with ones fighting abiliity. It is nice to see
it being recognised as an enjoyable sport. However at
the same time we must look at the way the Ryu-Style
and Do-Way have developed via their unique humanistic
approach.It is therefore a fact that Karate do has now
been viewed as a blending of Sports and Budo, for
better or for worse. I think that perhaps the
development of Karate do is an essential progression
for the coming age, and in this manner it will
hopefully be of benefit to a much better and peaceful
era than those of the past.
We should apply many of
the teachings of Karate do to our life experiences
within the world we live in today.
Goshi
Yamaguchi,
President,
International
Karate do Goju Kai Association.
October,
1998 Sydney Australia.
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