Post by fujicolt on Mar 24, 2011 0:28:56 GMT
A WORLD FIRST!
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Part 3:
KOUSAKU YOKOTA SHIHAN
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Part 3:
KOUSAKU YOKOTA SHIHAN
HERE YOKOTA SHIHAN HAS KINDLY AGREED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS PUT FORWARD BY READERS OF HIS RECENT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW FOR OSS: OUR SHOTOKAN KARATE FORUM
Once again it has been my immense pleasure to work with Yokota Shihan on this world first, part 3 of his interview. Never before has any Senior Karate Sensei (Japanese or otherwise) agreed to allow readers to submit further questions once they had read his original fascinating Interview.
I personally believe this is yet further evidence that Yokota Sensei is very different in his approach and approachability in a manner not at all usually seen with Senior Japanese Sensei.
Particularly impressive was the fact that Yokota Sensei answered all questions and gave up a considerable amount of his busy time to work with me to produce this very interesting and unique, world first, 3rd section to his interview. I am totally confident that readers will find Yokota Sensei's detailed and thought provoking answers to be both interesting and informative.
We, in the UK are very fortunate that Yokota Sensei has agreed to accept an invite from myself and the OSS Forum to visit the UK for a week in May to hold a series of Seminars and also teach on the OPEN SHOTOKAN KARATE FRIENDSHIP COURSE.
All of the Classes and the 3 Day Course are open to all Shotokan Karateka irrelevant of Organisational affiliation. If you would like an opportunity to train with Yokota Shihan please see details below. You will be made very welcome if you wish to attend.
So folks here it is - Enjoy!
Steve Hyland 2011.
KOUSAKU YOKOTA SHIHAN INTERVIEW PT 3
Interviewer: Steve Hyland.
Hosts: Dod, Liam and Kim Watt of OSS Our Shotokan Karate Forum.
Copyright reserved 2011.
(No part of this Interview may be published or copied without the prior written permission of Steve Hyland. Such permission will not be unreasonably withheld but must be attained).
Please Note: Several of the questions submitted by OSS Forum Members were surprisingly similar. To avoid repetition I edited such questions into single questions that covered the theme of the similar originals.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, In the Interview you discussed your desire to reaffirm the elements of Budo such as the many valuable things that can be gained by an individual studying a Budo Art such as Karate. Many of us here in the west, whom have trained for many years, long for a return to the strict disciplined and physically arduous elements of Karate that was a part of the Karate that the first Wave of Instructors that came out of Japan instilled upon us. Do you believe that such disciplined regimes are beneficial and if so - Is it your aim with the WJKA to try and re-establish these elements with the karate studied by WJKA members?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
I strongly believe in the strict discipline and the concept of "never give up". I expect that out of myself and from the students. However, not to disappoint you, I do not believe in militaristic approach of "hard" training where the students are forced to the physically tiresome training whether they are willing to do it or not.
There are at least two main reasons.
Firstly, I sincerely believe that a hard training must come from the willingness of the participants. I can only take a horse to the water but I cannot make it drink. I show the challenging exercises and show the students how they need to be done. Then I will ask them to "try". Of course it is best if they can complete the exercises but most of the participants are not able to do. I hope this process will make them see something different and have them say to themselves, "Hey that old guy can do it and why can't I do it? I need more training."
Secondly, physically hard training often damages the vulnerable points of our body such as knees and spine. Why do you think many of the veteran instructors are suffering from those injuries?
My approach consists of two elements:
Building the blocks approach: Like building a house we start from the foundation (stance, leg stability, balance, etc.) to all other techniques. We give the simple and easy body movements and exercises to the beginners and we increase gradually. You would be scared to jump off a 10 meter platform into a pool without any training. We start from a 1 meter platform. Once you are completely comfortable with 1 meter we move to 2 meter then to 3 meter until you reach 10 meter. Some people or instructors would take a radical approach of forcing a jumper to close his eyes and jump from a 10 meter platform hoping he will get used to this after the first brave jump. This method may work for only a few people but most of them will have many failures such as too scared to jump or get injured.
My discipline requirement goes beyond physical into mental. It also goes beyond dojo floor into one's daily life. This is what makes my approach unique and more challenging. I request the total focus to the techniques and the opponents (imaginary or real) all through the training (I guarantee that none of the students can do this) and to extend the training and exercises to the daily activities such as walking, sitting, driving, etc. These two elements in point 2 are critically important if you consider your karate as a martial art. If you are practicing karate for relaxation or simply physical exercise then this may not be necessary but I feel they are missing something important. In a real fight (mostly a street fight) your mental attitude and mind set are a lot more important than your techniques. If you are scared or nervous you will be tensed and not be able to react to the situation correctly before you even think of a technique. Karate or any martial arts require most difficult techniques and body movements which can be discussed separately. In order to master such techniques training in a dojo three times (90 minutes to 120 minutes per lesson) is simply not enough. Even if you trained daily for 90 minutes it is not enough even though not too many people can afford (time wise) to commit themselves to dojo every night. Then what do you do? I will not go into the details but you will turn all your activities into karate situation and exercises. The good candidates are sitting, walking and driving. I will give you a couple of suggestions for a sitting situation. Instead of sitting in a chair, you choose to sit on the floor with your legs open to do some stretches while you read or type. You can also squat instead of sitting in a chair to strengthen your legs. It is up to you and your imagination to expand these regular activities into something that would help your karate.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, Many of us in the west began to challenge the 'Shotokan Karate' we were being taught as being technically different than the 'Shotokan Karate' taught in Japan in terms of things such as structure and mechanics of movement. It now has become widely accepted that this is, and was, indeed the case although some still hide in denial. The west has undoubtedly produced some awesome fighters but many now have serious joint or back problems whereas The Japanese move with a fluidity of motion, both as younger students and well into old age that is rarely seen in the west except in Karateka who have experienced Long-term training in Japan such as Richard Heselton or Dave Hooper (to name but two). How much attention to correct biomechanics and stance structure did you receive during your time studying for the JKA Instructors qualification and how important do you believe such study is?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
Believe it or not, we had the same problems in Japan. Many of my class mates and team mates complained of the knee and hip problems. The physically hard training took a lot of tolls on these guys. I was lucky as I always included stretches in my training outside of dojo. I went through some of the rigorous and crazy training but I never had any problems. I always listen to my body and did not do something that my body was saying no. For example, I had a strong doubt in Hangetsu stance in the way it was taught. I thought this stance, the way JKA teaches, will be harmful to one's knees. I learned later on the knees were not supposed to cave in like the photos shown in Nakayama's Best Karate book. There must be an inward tension throughout the inside part of the legs but it must be done with the breathing. I will not go into this but if you are interested please read my article which was featured in one of the issues of Shotokan Karate Magazine last year.
So the knowledge on biomechanics and physiology was somewhat self-taught. I now believe such study is very important for all serious practitioners and particularly all instructors are obligated to spend ample time to study and learn these aspects of knowledge and understanding.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, in your interview you were very modest about your competition days yet you competed successfully both in Japan and America. Did you have any favourite techniques and was the level of contact in Tournaments in Japan back then as heavy as it appears to be on some of the surviving film of that era?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
I hope I do not disappoint you, but I hated tournaments and what they stand for. Frankly I was not good in many of them as I did not fight or perform the Kata to "win". I competed to test myself as described in the interview.
Regarding the contact, yes it was. We never used any protective gears like I see these days. No mouth guard and no groin cup. I see a tooth flying out of a competitor several times. Bleeding mouth and smashed nose were very common. When a competitor gets hit and he comes to a ring side doctor, we, his team mates, will tell him "Hey, it's only a broken nose. Go back and fight."
In one tournament, a couple of my ribs were broken by a kick (mawashi geri from Yahara) but I fought two or three more bouts after that. It was part of the test.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, you are clearly very physically supple. Was you naturally supple before you started Karate? If not how did you achieve and maintain your level of suppleness.
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
I do not consider myself that supple as I compare myself to Asai Sensei and Okazaki Sensei. According to the Japanese standard I would say I am just average. As I am pushing mid 60s I spend a lot of time in stretches of all muscles and ligaments of my body. The most important parts are the musculature around the back bones and the ribs.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, In your interview you mentioned the importance of keeping your body relaxed. Do you have any advice for students on ways to help to develop the relaxation needed to create fast and fluid movements and sharp Kime?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
Relaxation must be maintained not only physically but also mentally. They go hand in hand and the importance of mental part is often ignored. So when I say mental part, many will say, "Yes I am taking care of that as I do meditation." But that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about your mental attitude in your daily life.
We now live in a society of conflicts. We go out and drive a car. Often some aggressive driver cuts in front of you. What do you do? Do you get upset and immediately honk or yell? Do you fight with your spouse, boss, colleagues or neighbours? How about when you are fired from your job? OK that may be extreme then how about before an exam or a tournament? Even if you can create fast movements and sharp Kime in your dojo, what good is it if you cannot do it in your exam, tournament or in a real fight? Just think of it. So my advice is "Learn to relax in the conflicting situations in your daily life".
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, It is very clear that Asai Sensei took Shotokan Karate in a different direction with his developments. Do you feel he created a new style of Karate or did he merely help Shotokan Karate to evolve?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
Asai Sensei himself told me that what he taught is "Karate" based on Shotokan. I do not think he wanted to create a different style. I believe his intention was to extend Shotokan karate. I do not see many new techniques but rather he made more use of the forgotten or seldom used techniques such as shuto uchi, teisho uchi, enpi uchi, ura mawashi geri, etc. Shotokan is based on the long distance fighting method. Shotokan has many techniques that are better fit for short distance fighting but they are not emphasised in the regular training at a standard Shotokan dojo. He wanted to fully utilise all the techniques that are available in Shotokan.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, Asai Sensei was very fluid and agile in his movement yet he appeared to be able to create tremendous speed and power how did he help you and other followers of his methodologies to create this same agility, speed and power?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
He demonstrated that he can be fluid and agile at late 60's and even in 70's. He left us with some exercises and ideas that will help us attain the same agility, speed and power. I am still working on them so I cannot claim I am anywhere near where he was but I am fortunate that I can say my body is more fluid and agile than when I was 30 years old. I want to share this knowledge to anyone who is interested. I will include those exercises in the seminars I hold around the world.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, Please tell us more about Sugano Sensei, he seems to have been a very tough and strong Karateka but he is not very well known to us in the West. Was he fast? strong? Supple? And did he ever spar with his students etc.?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
When I was his assistant in early 80's he had already damaged his health with his smoking and drinking. He did not do any Kumite with his students any more but he would use me in his demonstration. I could tell his power as his body stood like a mountain. His power was enormous when he hit me. He was not particularly fast like Asai Sensei who was like a whip. Sugano Sensei was like a sledge hammer. His punches and kicks were "heavy" and hurt your arms when you block his attacks. He clearly demonstrated Ikken Hissatsu" or one punch will surely kill.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, you are clearly very sincere about ensuring that myths be shattered and the true essence of Karate be taught to Westerners. What are the major points that you feel we should be made fully aware of and be practicing?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
There is no mystery in karate but there are a lot more to learn than what has been shown by the modern karate approach.
There are a few points.
You need to do your own research and study out of dojo. You can read the articles, the books and participating in the classes taught by other instructors to widen your knowledge and understanding. For the reading materials do not limit yourself to only Shotokan or karate related. You can expand your reading to physiology, biomechanics, medical and sports science. You can also view many video clips on Youtube these days. Watch the performances of the masters of not only Shotokan but the other styles. Watch the performances of the world class athletes of any kinds and the first class dancers of all styles and countries.
The true karate movements are natural and not harmful to your body. However, many of the techniques are difficult. You cannot kick high or keep your stance very low if you are a beginner. Those techniques must be learned in a gradual way. One needs to build the muscles first so that the body can accommodate those techniques. If the body is not ready the techniques may damage your body. When you feel any pain that is a signal your body is saying, "stop".
The following suggestion is a hard one. You must find a good instructor. It will make a night and day difference. I believe the members of OSS Forum are lucky as you have access to excellent teachers with vast knowledge and experience along with the liberal and broad perspective. I recommend that you share knowledge and advise each other of good Teachers.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, Please tell us about your experiences teaching and living in North America. Was it a culture shock at first and what was, and is now, your opinion of western Karateka?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
I found American people very hospitable and accommodating. They are very curious about the new things and quick on catching on the trend or fashion. On the other hand, they are easily bored and quick to change their minds. Karate training is a life time endeavour but for most people here it is a fashion. It is disappointing but it is true in the USA that on the average more than half of the beginners will quit before one year of training and only 10% of all who started will last till they reach a black belt level. I hope that is not the case in UK.
In general I respect the western Karateka who are senior and dedicated. They seem to be more learned and experienced than most of the current Japanese instructors. There are some exceptionally high level instructors in Japan but unfortunately the most of the instructors seem to be at the best mediocre and uneducated. The trend in Japan is similar to the western world. It is going heavily towards sport karate with many tournaments. They are forgetting the root, the martial art. I feel more westerners are interested in this aspect but the problem is they do not know how and where they can find the true martial art karate. It would be my immense pleasure if I can contribute to this area and help them find the martial art karate in my dojo and in the seminars that I travel to teach upon. I believe that western Karateka are interested in true Budo concepts and it would be my pleasure to help them understand and develop. If I am invited to do so of course.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei we know that you teach in South America, how popular is Karate in South America and what are the standards like?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
So far I have visited Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil and Chile. Shotokan karate is very popular in South America and the practitioners are very serious. The standards I have seen is pretty decent. The handicap they have is the less frequent visits by the senior Japanese instructors which Europe enjoys.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, We have seen photos of you using Weapons. How much study with weapons have you done and has this helped your karate?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
I have practiced nunchaku, sai, tonfa, sankyaku kon (three sectional staff), and kyusetsu kon (nine chain whip). Out of all those weapons I have studied nunchaku the most as I felt most beneficial to karate and its techniques (I practice double nunchaku). I wrote an article on this subject to a US martial arts magazine called "Masters" a few years ago. Asai Sensei also practiced all those weapons and his favourite was the chain whip. He told me that using this weapon helped him with his whip like arm techniques. I found chain whip is definitely more challenging to master than nunchaku. I will continue to practice both nunchaku and chain whip in my conditioning exercises.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, Many are aware that I am bringing you to the UK very soon, which is great news. Are you planning to travel to the UK and Europe more often now?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
Yes I hope I will receive more invitations from UK and Europe. I enjoy visiting Europe and training with the Karateka in different countries. I am very much looking forward to the forthcoming visit and the opportunity to meet new Karateka and enjoy training together.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei are you planning on writing any more books and if so, what will they be about and when will we be able to buy them?
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
Yes, I am planning to write another book. I am not sure how soon I can finish it. I am a slow writer. LOL! I have many ideas about the next book. One of the subjects that need some exposure is Ki. There are many books on this subject in Japanese but I have not come across a good one in English. A book explaining this physical ability or function in plain English may be helpful to the karate practitioners.
Question - Steve Hyland:
Sensei, If you had more opportunity to travel teaching would you make Karate your full time occupation now.
Answer: Yokota Shihan
Yes, that is very possible but I am not that well known yet outside of the USA. I am slowly becoming gradually more known and I am constantly checking if my approach to karate is helpful and acceptable to the majority of the karate world. If I am recognised and prove my teaching has some merits I will have more invitations in, for example the UK and Europe. I hope that will be the case but we need to wait and see.
Question - Steve Hyland:
and finally a question from me what is your favourite food because we have to plan the food for the Open Shotokan Karate Friendship Course that you have very kindly agreed to teach on! LOL!
Answer - Yokota Shihan:
Do not worry, I am a small eater. I like salad and soup. I also like pasta but I do not eat red meat and fish.
One thing I must request is plenty of good English tea (with milk and honey). I drink 6 to 8 cups a day. I am happy to visit UK because I can find the best English tea there (of course). I look forward to having many cups during my upcoming visit and I hope that the students will join me and we can discuss Karate over a good cup of English Tea.
Steve Hyland:
I will be pleased to make all the arrangements for you Sensei but Don't be surprised if some of the Students have a pint after training!
Sensei, may I once again express my sincere personal ThankYou and also a very special thanks from the OSS Forum Members. I believe we have a world first in that readers were able to come back and ask you questions after reading your original interview. I know without doubt that our members will thoroughly enjoy reading your answers. Thank You ever so much Sensei.
Yokota Shihan:
It was my pleasure. I found the questions very interesting and actually feel that they demonstrated that Western Karateka are indeed inquisitive about true Budo Karate and the important aspects that we can all now explore together.
I am looking forward to meeting some of the UK OSS Forum members when I visit in May. However, I want everybody to know I am in total agreement with you Steve. I am pleased that the classes are Open Classes and everyone is very welcome to come along. I am not interested in what association you are in. All we ask is that you bring your Gi, a good attitude and a desire to train hard. I shall do my very best to give enjoyable and informative Instruction, I just hope that people come along and take a look. I am very much looking forward to my visit.
(Thank you everybody that submitted questions for Yokota Sensei. I hope that as I did, you found Sensei's answers to be interesting, informative and refreshingly open and clear.
Steve Hyland.)
Anybody interested in attending the Classes that Yokota Sensei will be teaching upon or attending the 3 day Friendship Course, please P.M. Steve Hyland directly or e-mail hylandhill@aol.com for further information.