Shoto Budo

Style description

&

A Technical Guide

 

 

 

 

 

Budo Club of Kuusankoski - Meijin-Den Ryu r.y.

Kuusankoski, Finland 2002

 

 

 

Index:

 

Greetings from the Head Coaches

Part I: Style description of Shoto Budo:

Part II: Shoto Budo Technical Guide:

Foreword

1 – Dojo Etiquette and glossary

2 – Moving & Ukemi

3 – Stances

4 – Kicking

5 – Punching

6 – Blocking & Breaking free of holds

7 – Locks and holds

8 – Balance, throws, takedowns and wrestling

9 – Others: Small space and Weapons

10 – Kata

 

Final words, The Coaches & contact information

 

Some pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings from the Head Coaches

 

Sensei William "Billy" Haggerty, 5.dan

Shoto Budo Scotland

 

 

Sensei Juha Salmi, 5.dan

Shoto Budo Kuusankoski

 

 

 

Part I: Description of the style

About the style and it´s development

History and current situation

 

Shoto Budo was formerly known as Karate-Do Shotokai. There are so many articles and stories concerning the roots and the history of karate that we don´t get into the details here. For those interested in these matters, one good starting point on the internet is that of our sister club in Helsinki, the Shoto ry, at http://www.tky.hut.fi/~karate/main.html.

Shotokai karate was born at the Shotokan dojo in Japan. It is widely recognized that karate was introduced to Japan by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957). Of his students specifically two, Shigeru Egami (1912-1981) and Genshin Hironishi (1913-1999) worked closely with both Funakoshi himself, and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906-1945). Later, Egami became the main architect of Shotokai. His teachings and ideas have remained vital up to today.

Of many karate styles Shotokan is probably the best known to ordinary people throughout the world. This may have its causes in aggressive marketing and competition values. Roughly, the difference between Shotokan and Shotokai lies in that Shotokai movements are softer and less stiff. Muscular power and toughness are not considered to have a great value of their own.

As a style, Shotokai has tried to develop soft, but at the same time piercing techniques. It also tries to develop the practitioner´s body and it´s natural state; this kind of thinking lies behind moving, the techniques themselves or just the way of thinking. In Shotokai there has never been competition. Funakoshi himself did not accept it, and even today we think that competition tends to make practicing one-sided; it also has philosophical values that we consider being negative.

Shotokai was brought to Europe in the 60´s by Mitsusuke Harada (born 1928). In the mid 50´s Harada was Egami´s "private student" in Japan, assisting him to develop his new, softer, faster and stronger karate style in hard daily sessions. Today Harada lives and still teaches in Great Britain from where the style originally came to Finland. Harada and many of his students have been to Finland during many, many weekend courses throughout the years.

Concerning Shoto Budo, the most remarkable of Harada´s students is William Haggerty (born 1951) from Scotland. Haggerty named his own style as Shoto Budo, this is the reason why our Karate-Do Shotokai here in Kuusankoski took the same name too. Outside our own organisation, the Finnish Karate-Do Shotokai, some other karate styles in Finland still use the name Shotokai too.

The meaning of the new name is that it describes better the current way of our practicing. The style nowadays consists of not only the traditional ways of practicing, moving and kata, but there has been an intentional effort of bringing a great deal of influences to Shoto Budo from other Martial Art styles as well. The style here in Kuusankoski might be best described as a mix of powerful Aikido and Karate-jutsu.

According to Haggerty there were two main reasons behind the changing of the name. First, there is the obvious connection to G.Funakoshi and his pen name, "Shoto". Secondly, there is the wider meaning of Budo. By using the name Shoto Budo, the organisation wants to show respect to the ideas and disciplines that have developed for many years, and which are considered to be useful and valuable to beginners and experts alike; be it meditation or fighting. Haggerty says, that the name "Shoto Budo" should be an implication of self-defense and caring for one´s health as a whole.

 

 

 

 

Shigeru Egami

 

Gichin Funakoshi

 

S.Egami & M.Harada in the 50´s

 

William Haggerty

 

Yoshitaka Funakoshi & Shigeru Egami

 

 

Mitsusuke Harada 

 

Influences and goals

The main goal of Shoto Budo is to offer the modern-day man an effective and motivating way of physical exercise and help him to learn to protect himself.

The structure of participants in our club is wide by age, and the coaches are very experienced. This all helps us to guarantee a socially and psychologically motivating environment of practicing. Also, the junior grades are very active in our club.

Training can sometimes be physically demanding, but our weekly practices are still not "military" in any way. The main point is that people of all ages, all sizes and all states of physical condition can learn things together in a creative and motivating situation. Everybody´s competing with only him- or herself and smiling is preferred.

As a Martial Arts style Shoto Budo is quite open to influences from outside. This can be seen in all our activities. We appreciate the fact that people are different. This goes to any one participant and teacher, as well as to the whole organization. It is our opinion that all the coaches or clubs can have their strong points, and the fact that people and the clubs differ from each other is not a weakness, but makes the common ground richer for everybody.

In Shoto Budo the head coaches (5th dan´s) are allowed to develop the style in their own club to directions that are left to their own judgement. Because of this, some clubs put more time and effort to e.g. training kata. As far as it goes for Kuusankoski, one could say that our sortiment of techniques has intentionally been a subject to growth by introducing many influences from different Martial Art styles.

In our city, we are part of the local Budo Club called Meijin-Den Ryu. In this club there are two other styles besides ours - Aikido and Wonhwa-Do. People of different styles have the possibility to take part with the practices of the two other styles too without paying a separate fee for this. Besides these aforementioned styles, also Kick-boxing, Ju-Jutsu, Combat Sambo, Judo, wrestling and boxing have been influential to us.

We hope that because of being open-minded, we are able to offer modern people a budo style that is as practical, diverse and motivating as possible, and that everybody is able to develop themselves, their social and psychological abilities and of course to learn a very effective way of protecting themselves and coping with threatening situations without getting physically or mentally hurt.

To start practicing, it is not needed to have a specifically fit body. Fitness comes as training goes on.

 

 

 

 

Special features of the style

No actual sports-type competition

As said before, there has never been actual sports-type competition in Karate-Do Shotokai. This is the case with Shoto Budo too.

There has been two main reasons to this, of which the first being the philosophical principle. Since Funakoshi himself, it has been thought that having actual competition, winners and losers, introduces in any Martial Art such aspects that the predecessors have not considered worth striving for. Also, if a style starts to practice only to be succesful in the competitive sense, there might be a tendency for the methods and basics of the actual practice to change.

On the other hand, it would be quite difficult to arrange true sports-type kumite-competition with no rules in any effective and powerful Martial Arts style. The first problem is often how to judge the performances. Secondly, if the techniques are performed in the most effective way, the matches easily tend to end in severe injuries.

For this reason, we have recently started to arrange competitions of our own. This means for example that on weekend courses or in the various club´s normal practices we arrange such competition situations that are basically meant to to motivate people and make their practicing more effective and productive. We might have competitions in kata, or the kind of competitions where people are divided to groups and asked to work together to make up the best demonstration of techniques that is possible in a given time etc.

By having competitions like these the practitioners gain experience in showing their capabilities, they are also set to a situation where they can judge for themselves how their skills are actually "working". And of course the clubs gain too by having more the kind of self-assured people who feel home in being part of a demonstration, which in turn helps to bring our style more and more to publicity in different areas of our country. 

 

 

Softness and moving

 

When we speak about the softness of our style, we don´t mean that the way we practice would be floppy in any way. The concept of softness was examined by Egami-sensei already in the 50´s. His notion was that the "stiff" karate that he had been practicing wasn´t actually very powerful or effective.

The path that Egami took has now been followed for some 50 years. The idea of soft, fluid and piercing karate is to maximize all the power to a given point in the most adequate moment of time. This concept is known in japanese as kime.

The way we want to accentuate the concept of softness is of a close relation to Judo and Aikido, both of which also try to use the power of the attacker to his own defeat.

Also, softness can be thought of as a part of our style because there rarely happen any accidents or dramatic injuries in our practice sessions. In this sense there is no reason to be afraid of starting to practice this style.

In Shoto Budo, we emphasize the meaning of moving: Practicing and knowing how to move your body and that of the opponent´s. To master this is an essential part of many of our techniques. We will go into a greater depth to this in the technical part of this guide.

 

 

 

A diverse style

 

Our training sessions are varying and versatile. During wintertime we try to practice on as many surfaces we can (e.g. tatami, wrestling-mats, wooden and plastic floors).

When in boxing hall we use shoes. This helps to practice self-defence situations where you have "your hat on". When practicing in pairs we sometimes use boxing gloves, kicking cushions etc.

There are times when more traditional basics or e.g. kata are emphasized. Then, sometimes more attention is put to throws, locks, grappling and wrestling etc.

In some sessions, chairs, bags or different kinds of things can be used to practice normal-life self-defence situations. One also becomes familiar with different kinds of bo´s, swords, wooden and sharp knives etc.

 

The coaches are always eager to put their imagination into good use.

 

 

 

Member of one of our sister

clubs, the Shoto r.y. of

Helsinki

performing Kumite

  

 

Practicing

 

Some figures

 

Practice sessions are arranged in physical education halls of the city of Kuusankoski. There is a quite good and spacious tatami hall where we have regular training hours. Besides of the tatami, some practices may take place in other, various sports halls.

During the winter period (from September to May) we have from 3 to 4 sessions per week for the adults, in addition to that the juniors have 2 sessions of their own per week. During summertime there is not very much activity, although there are training hours to those who are interested (it must be said that the summer in Finland is VERY short so this "laziness" is acceptable…)

In our club there are tens of active members altogether. Of course, working and studying have the effect of making the active group smaller sometimes, that is most likely the case with all other styles as well. In normal practice sessions there may sometimes be only ten practitioners, sometimes considerably more.

The junior department is extremely popular today. There may be as many as 50 children in a normal junior class. Because of this we have had to introduce even 4 coaches to junior´s sessions at a time to make sure the children can practice safely and in some order.

 

 

Ways of practicing

 

The basis of our practicing is the idea that it is possible to learn something from this style for every man. People´s capabilities and their physics are always different from each other; that is the case with normal life too. So, it is possible for a practitioner to find out those things and techniques that he feels right at home with and that feel natural for his body.

In our club and our practices we always try to perceive the differences of people - at the same time we also try to approach our style in as versatile way as possible. Our group consists of nice and easy-going people and everybody is encouraged to do their best. There are many of us who have started practicing for the first time after turning thirty years.

What is said before about the differences of the clubs in our country goes to some extent even to our own coaches. They all have their strong areas and ideas, this is also considered to be part of the many-sidedness that we try to use to the best of all participants.

 

 

 

Some words about practice sessions

 

Our normal practice sessions last 1,5 or 2 hours. On weekend courses there can be sessions of 3 hours.

The sessions start with warming-up exercises. This can consist of e.g. running, jogging, hops, push-ups, sit-ups and other muscular exercise. In addition, we may train ukemi´s and other movements that help to keep one´s co-ordination in a good shape. Sometimes we do a sort of "karate-football" or basketball match. A short period of stretching may also take place during warming-ups that last for some 20 to 40 minutes. The rest of the time is actual practicing either in a larger group or per pairs.

Working out outside the practice sessions is left for everybody to decide by themselves. Some people do stretching, walking, swimming, jogging, cross-country skiing or things like that.

 

Billy Haggerty teaching during the Kuusamo weekend course 2002.

 

A large group of Finnish Shotokai karate-ka´s performing the kata "Heian Shodan" during a weekend course in Turku, 1997. 

 

 

 

The organization in Finland

 

Finnish SKDS and different clubs

 

The national organization of the clubs that practice Karate-Do Shotokai and Shoto Budo in Finland is called "Suomen Karate-Do Shotokai ry". In English "The Finnish Karate-Do Shotokai" - SKDS - was grounded in 1984. The clubs themselves are not directly members of the SKDS, the organization is formed by individuals. You don´t have to be a member of SKDS unless you want to graduate. The graduations above 1st kyu always take place on national and international weekend courses in different cities of the country.

 

There are from 6 to 8 weekend courses per year. By attending these courses one learns things in a way that really helps to develop. They are also a most valuable source of information and various personal insights from different coaches of the other clubs. Often there are also a multitude of new friendships made.

 

Besides our own club, there are several other SKDS clubs in Finland, e.g. Helsinki, Turku, Salo, Kuusamo, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Taivalkoski and Jyväskylä.

 

 

The Kuusankoski club and it´s activities

 

In our club in Kuusankoski there are many high dan grades. The fact that we act together with two other styles in the same club gives us a good head-on start with for example the training hall reservations. The club does not pay any salaries to the coaches.

 

Whenever possible, we try to arrange different kinds of meetings and mutual activities and also help people money-wise to attend the weekend courses.

 

 

Payments and insurances

 

The membership in our club costs (by this writing 2002) about 34 euros per year. SKDS members also pay an additional 20 euros per year. There are usually no other expenses but the training clothes (karate-gi´s) and indoor shoes. We do not have any licenses or insurancies. If someone wants to have an insurance against injuries they have to take care of such themselves.

 

 

 

Some other things

The contact information of our coaches can be found at the end of the technical part here.

The club has it´s own website: www.kuusankoski.fi/budoseura/index.htm

This publication digitally: http://personal.inet.fi/koti/pekka.raninen/

 

 

Part II: Shoto Budo Technical Guide

Foreword

Welcome! This is the Technical Guide to Shoto Budo.

This guide is meant to help people to practice our style. The most essential information that you need in training sessions and on weekend courses should all can be found here; fundamental techniques and those kata´s that we usually practice. We have tried to write down the things in various chapters in such an order that they usually are being teached.

 

Whenever there is a possibility that a certain matter is normally pronounced in a variety of ways, it has been written down here in parenthesis like [this]. For making things as clear as possible we don´t normally use the words "left" and "right" in Japanese (hidari, migi).

 

You, as a reader, have to remember that this kind of letter or publication can only be an effort to write down things that really are creative, fluent, connected to each other and at the end of the day all about the same wholeness - a way of moving yourself, your body and different parts of it together and separately, in time and in space, so that:

 

 

1 – actual practicing would be as comfortable as possible to you and your partners, but

2 – when needed, the sum of your actions would be of ultimate discomfort to another human being.

 

 

Normally we don´t use any protective equipment in our practice. No-one carries such in everyday life. You have to learn to block, protect and defence yourself realistically. This is not possible if you always psychologically trust your protective equipment. The only exception to this rule of thumb are e.g. boxing gloves, teeth protection and some chest protectors that we seldom use in special practice sessions.

 

This guide does not intentionally list all the things and techniques of our style, such as certain locks, hits and holds to vulnerable points of the human body. These are being teached only to advanced students that have been practicing for a certain amount of time and who show a good character.

 

Feel free to ask the coaches if there is something that you don´t understand at the first glance.

 

Also remember, that practicing must be of honest quality! Without an honest attitude, working and sweating, there is no way of learning any Martial Arts style, nor can there be any real development.

 

The coaches hope you have a good time practicing!

 

 

 

1 – Dojo etiquette and glossary

 

 

Dojo: "The Place of Practicing".

 

Dojo can be any hall, room or equivalent, where actual training takes place. Whenever you enter or leave the dojo, you are expected to bow. By bowing you show respect to the dojo itself, the teachers, the history of the style and your fellow practitioners.

 

When you come to a practice session you are supposed to take care of your personal hygienics, calm down your mind and concentrate on training. This kind of attitude also prevents injuries and accidents. You don´t shout or talk irrelevancies, there are other places in the world for things like that.

 

By personal hygienics it is meant that you cut your nails and are clean overall. You must take off all kinds of rings and other sharp things. Your suit (gi) should be as clean as possible.

 

When you practice in pairs, you should remember that every human being is a teacher to another. When you are practicing with another person, you help him to learn and at the same time to teach yourself. You are responsible for the other person that he succeeds in learning, and vice versa. This is the reason for bowing to him/her as well, before and after you study a technique.

 

 

 

 Counting in Japanese:

 

One: ichi

Two: ni

Three: san

Four: shi

Five: go

Six: roku

Seven: shichi

Eight: hachi

Nine: kyu

Ten: ju

 

 

 Belts / Grades:

 

White (6.kyu)

Yellow (5.kyu)

Orange (4.kyu)

Green (3.kyu)

Blue (2.kyu)

Brown (1.kyu)

Black (dan / teacher grades, levels 1st to 5th)

GLOSSARY:

 

 

Age-uke: a rising upward block with hand

 

Bo: a wooden staff, about 180 cm long

Bokken: wooden sword

Budo: Martial Arts, "The Way of the Warrior"

Bunseki: studying kata and it´s techniques

 

Chudan: "middle-level"

 

Dachi: stance, posture

 

Empi (also: "Enpi"): an elbow technique, also a dan-level kata

 

Fudo-dachi: one of the basic stances

 

Gedan: "low-level"

Gedan-barai: downward block with hand

Geri: a kick

Gyaku-zuki: reverse punch (normally with a step, from Zenkutsu-dachi)

 

Hajime: Begin!

Hanbo: a wooden staff, about 40-50 cm long

Heian: a series of 5 basic kata´s

Hikite: the free hand´s reversal move (to the waist)

Hiza-geri: a kick done with knee

 

Irimi: a step aside, includes correct distance and timing

 

Jo: a wooden staff, about 130 cm long

Jodan: "upper-level"

 

Kaiten: a turnaround

Karate-gi: training suit + the belt

Kata: "moving zen", prearranged series of movements

Katana: the genuine japanese sword

Kiai: to shout while attacking powerfully

Kiba-dachi: one of the basic stances

Kokutsu-dachi: one of the basic stances

Kumite: (sparring)

 

Mae-geri: front kick

Mae-te: a front-hand strike without stepping

Makiwara: a wooden striking post

Mawashi-geri: roundhouse kick

Meijin-Den Ryu: "The Club of the Masters"

Mikazuki-geri: a pushing or sweeping kick

 

Nukite: punching with straight fingers (Ippon nukite=one finger)

 

Oi-zuki: a straight lunge-punch (normally with a step, from Zenkutsu-dachi)

 

Rei: a bow

 

Seiza: to sit on your legs and concentrate

Sensei: head coach

Shinai: a sword made of bamboo

Shoto: a Kanji that G. Funakoshi used, meaning: "Waving pines". Shotokan=Shoto´s house; Shotokai=Shoto´s club

Shuto: Shuto-uke=a block, Shuto-uchi=a strike with the side of the hand ("sword-hand")

 

Uchi: a hit

Ude-uke: a mid-level block

Uke: blocking. Also: the opponent

Ukemi: to fall down in a controlled way

Ushiro: "backwards"

Ushiro-geri: a kick to the backside (of yourself)

 

Yame: Stop!

Yoi: Attention! Ready!

Yoko-geri: a side-kick

 

Zenkutsu-dachi: one of the basic stances

Zuki: a punch (the difference between Zuki and Uchi is usually that the Zuki is performed with a step, the Uchi often with less movement or none at all.)

 

 

Using these and some other words can all the normally used instructions and names of the technical combinations be formed.

 

By using the style´s own terminology it is possible to communicate clearly without the need for complex explanations.

 

For this reason it is very much recommended to know the terminology. Knowing and understanding the right words also makes it easier to practice on international courses with people from different countries.

 

If there are basic terms that have been left out from the list above, they can probably be found later in the chapters of this guide. If you´re interested, there are many kinds of sources for information today, for example in libraries or on various web-sites, concerning Japanese words and overall information about Martial Arts.

 

 

2 – Moving & Ukemi (jap. Ukemi)

 

 

Moving

 

The importance of movement and a correct way of moving is accentuated in our style. As a principle, this means that even a small movement usually helps to maintain the power in all techniques.

 

The way we practice moving is partly traditional like in many other karate styles. In addition to that, we especially try to move the opponent around when performing almost all techniques.

 

In this sense it is always preferrable to break the state and balance of the other´s body, and by doing so to gain a succesful control of the situation even before actual holds or locks are put to use.

 

When one knows how to move himself and the opponent, there is very seldom a need to use very much power in the actual techniques or perform them in a hard way. This is actually one of the most important principles of our style.

 

Another type of moving is the one where you have to control not only one but several opponents or attackers. This can be practiced e.g. in teams of 3 to 4 people so that every one gets to be in the middle, and has to not only perform techniques but also to move around effectively to maintain control of the overall situation.

 

 

 

Ukemi

 

Ukemi is a Japanese word for knowing how to fall down in a controlled manner. When a practitioner knows how to do this it is possible to practice without any fear and risk of potential injury.

 

There are basically two kinds of ukemi; hard and soft. In the hard ones the hands or feet are being hit forcefully to the floor at the same time when one falls down, thus making the actual force of hitting ground with the body smaller.

 

The soft ukemi are performed by doing a soft turn upside down (and then up again) with the help of the hands. In both ways of ukemi, it is stressed that the head never hits the floor.

 

The soft ukemi are also practiced to the backside and to left and right, and later also in such a way that one does not use his hands at all. In addition to these two, we also practice a way of falling down straight "face-down" as softly as possible.

 

Ukemi practicing is often done in the warm-ups of practice sessions. One also gets to practice them naturally when acting as an opponent to another person who may in turn do some locks or take-downs.

 

 

 

3– Stances (Dachi)

 

 

When one starts practicing, he gets to learn some basic stances. When you know these formal stances and are able to use them well you can start using our normal practicing stance, a so called kumite- or fighting stance. Using this stance it is possible to move quickly and with minimal effort in different directions and to react in the minimum of time to what your opponent is doing.

 

 

  1. Zenkutsu-dachi: The most basic stance of our style. From this stance are the most of the basic attacks and blocks performed. Also, while performing kata you get to know Zenkutsu-dachi well. Your front leg is bent down from the knee, the other leg is behind you in an almost straight manner. The idea is to get a good control and feel of natural gravity.

     

  2. Kokutsu-dachi: This is the second stance. You stand straight on your back leg with the knee bent slightly, the ankle and toes pointing to the side somewhat. Some 30 percent of your weight is on your front leg. Formally, the Shuto-blocks are almost always performed from this stance.

     

  3. Kiba-dachi: In English, this stance is usually called "the Horse-riding stance". Knees are quite far apart. When observed from the side, the feet are in the same line, knees are also bent slightly. This stance may be a little uncomfortable for beginners until their body learns how to use some more muscles than the obvious ones. It is also important to remember that you should be riding a horse, not an elephant…

     

  4. Fudo-dachi: The fourth basic stance can be formed from Zenkutsu-dachi by moving the back leg closer to your body and bending the knee slightly, the toes should point outwards. In this stance it is possible to move quickly backwards, too.

 

 

SOME NOTIONS:

 

While performing a punch and moving in formal stances it is usually the case that your "free" hand moves back to your own waist to a position called Hikite. Why?

 

The meaning of Hikite is to teach one´s body, by thousands of repetitions, the kind of automatic action that the karate movements are always performed in balance, and when a punch is delivered, the next move gets "loaded" or "armed" at the same time. When this kind of action comes from your spinal nerves it is possible to move and act in a fluid manner without any unnecessary pauses.

 

The other meanings of Hikite are: It can be thought of as a grappling/pulling action after a punch, or an "Empi" (elbow) technique to the backside.

 

 

As one may notice, in many simple things there are "hidden ideas" that you get to know when your personal practice enlightens them to you - usually you also notice that the colour of your belt gets a little bit darker at the same time.

 

 

4– Kicking (Geri)

 

 

  1. Mae-geri: Front kick, formally performed with a step from the Zenkutsu stance

     

     

  2. Mawashi-geri: Roundhouse-kick

     

  3. Yoko-geri: Side-kick (with the side of the foot, "sokuto")

    Yoko-geri keage: A reasonably high, slapping, side-up kick

    Yoko-geri kekomi: A strong side-thrust kick

     

     

  4. Ushiro-geri: A back kick

     

     

  5. Ushiro-mawashi-geri: A roundhouse kick to the back

     

     

  6. Hiza-geri: A kick with the knee

     

     

  7. Mikazuki-geri: A thrusting front kick, sort of a Mae-geri variation. Good in close combat situations, can also be used as a sweep or sweeping block (Ashi-barai)

     

  8. Nidan-geri: "double kick", a reasonably high kick in which the feet perform separate kicks to two levels (hence the name Nidan, "two levels") of their own with one jumping action

     

     

  9. Sosoku-geri: "simultaneous kick", both feet kick at the same time

 

 

These here represent only a part of our kicking techniques. We practice also other kicks and many combinations.

 

 

There is another version of the Mawashi-geri. This kick is performed to the low- or middle-level of the opponent and it concentrates heavily to put a strong bodily energy behind the kick and makes use of the turning action of the waist. The knee is not to be risen as high as in the traditional roundhouse kick. This technique is familiar from e.g. Kick-boxing.

 

 

 

5 – Punching (Zuki and Uchi)

 

 

 

  1. Oi-zuki: Front-hand punch with a step, formally from Zenkutsu-dachi (fist)

     

     

  2. Gyaku-zuki: The same as Oi-Zuki but this time with the back hand (fist)

     

     

  3. Shuto-uchi: A "sword-hand" strike with the side of the open hand

     

     

  4. Empi-uchi: A striking action of the front- or backside of the elbow (to up, down, to sides etc.)

     

     

  5. Uraken-uchi: A back-fist strike

     

     

  6. Tettsui-uchi: "Iron-hammer strike" (with the "bottom" of the fist)

     

     

  7. Morote-zuki: A simultaneus two-fist punch, usually only in some kata techniques

     

     

  8. Nukite: Hitting with strong, straight fingers – Ippon Nukite: one finger

     

     

  9. Other kinds of punches and strikes using knuckles and other hard parts of the hand, fingers and joints

     

     

  10. In addition to these it must be said that we practice also boxing-type "hooks" and front punches

 

We actually practice many other types of punches (and blocking them) too. One can not put too much attention to the fact that Shoto Budo techniques are meant to be as practical as possible. Though, every one must know the typical basic techniques at first; "you can not run unless you know how to walk".

 

It has been an intention of the Karate-Do Shotokai to develop it´s own "soft" and piercing style for some 50 years. This style is naturally part of Shoto Budo too, and you can most easily notice it in our way of punching.

 

The punches should not be stiff. No muscular power should be put into use but the only the necessary amount that is really needed. The techniques should not stop to the surface of the contact but "go through" instead and maximize the effect and power of the whole body into the point where it is intended with split-second timing. This concept is known in Japanese as Kime.

 

 

 

6 – Blocking (Uke) & Breaking free of holds

 

 

Basic blocks:

 

  1. Gedan-barai: A sweeping downward block with hand, formally with fist from the Zenkutsu-dachi

     

  2. Age-uke: A rising upward block with hand, formally with fist from the Zenkutsu-dachi

     

  3. Shuto-uke: Middle-level sword-hand block, formally from Kokutsu-dachi

     

  4. Ude-uke: Side-arm middle-level block, formally Kokutsu-dachi, can be performed either to inside (Soto-uke) or to outside (Uchi-uke)

     

  5. Juji-uke: An X-block with arms crossed

     

  6. Teisho-barai: A block with the palm of the hand (usually a low-level block, can also be used as a punch that does less damage than the fist)

     

  7. Morote-uke: Side-arm middle-level block with the other hand supporting the elbow

 

 

Note!

 

Of course, also punches and kicks can be used as blocking techniques. Likewise, hand- and foot blocks can be thought of as punches, kicks, etc.

 

This kind of thinking becomes automatic when you practice for some years.

 

 

 

 Breaking free of holds:

 

Self-defence-wise it is a natural part of our style to practice how to get rid of an opponent who is grappling, holding, or strangling you.

 

In situations like this we try to put moving yourself and your opponent into best use. One can either run away or take a controlling hold of the opponent; this is why also e.g. locks are automatically studied in this kind of practice.

 

Practicing how to break free is also a natural part of our techniques for small spaces, and of course wrestling etc. There are so many techniques and combinations that we don´t get into the details here.

 

 

 

7 – Locks and holds

 

 

 

Different kinds of locks are based on the fact that certain parts or joints of the human body can only move in natural limits. As these limits are exceeded, any further twisting or movement introduces great pain and discomfort.

 

When a locking action is performed in a proper way, the attacker can be put in to such a position where no moving is possible for him without breaking his own joints. If he only is held in a manner that he simply can not move, can this situation of course be thought of as "a body lock".

 

When performing locks, a certain hold is often taken at the same time. One can for example hold the attacker´s free hand or feet so that it is impossible for him to move or perform any attacking action.

 

These things can be safely practiced when the coaches are good and when the practicing partner and his physical condition is taken into consideration. Also, girls and women can safely practice locking techniques.

 

We do not teach locks to the smallest of the juniors, because their joints and tissues are still growing and not ready for this kind of stress.

 

 

 

Some examples of locks:

 

  1. Locks to the hand

 

 

  1. Locks to the feet

 

 

 

  1. Other locks

 

 

 

 

 

8 – Balance, throws (nage-waza), take-downs and wrestling

 

 

In Shoto Budo we emphasize the meaning and practicing of balance. This means e.g. the ability to push/pull the opponent and take him down in a controlled manner by using his own force and bad state of balance. This way it is possible to lead the opponent where we want to.

 

This kind of thinking is of close relation to that of Judo and Aikido. It is so fundamental that it is part of most our practices and techniques that we do in pairs.

 

Also, knowing and practicing separate kinds of throws is an integral part of our style. In addition to that, the ground-work (wrestling) techniques are mentioned here too, because those do many times follow straightly the throws and take-downs.

 

 

Some examples of throws:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some examples of ground-work:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 – Others: Small space and Weapons

 

 

 Space:

 

Although the importance of moving is stressed in our practicing, Shoto Budo is meant to be as practical as possible. For this reason it is obvious that one has to know how to act when there simply is no room for large movements.

 

Self-defence situations may take places anywhere, in corridors, rooms, sports- and entertainment facilities, restaurants etc. where there can for example be lots of tables and chairs in the way.

 

In this kind of unusual places and situations you should know how to use your own balance and how to re-think about your techniques according to the space available.

 

On the other hand, an active practitioner gains from developing a good balance and co-ordination even though he never would end up in actually having to fight. In Finland, it is easier to move and walk on icy streets or just slippery floors if you can put to use the things that you learn at the dojo.

 

 

Weapons:

 

Practicing with weapons is an integral part of Shoto Budo.

 

To a karate-ka, all the things, bits and pieces, can be useful self-defence weapons in an emergency situation. This can be seen even in some kata´s that the higher grades practice.

 

Different kinds of sticks and staffs can be used not only for warm-ups and making the joints less stiff, but also to perform kata and practice techniques, blocking and getting out of the way of blows and taking the weapon off from the opponent.

 

Wooden or real knives are naturally used to learn how to defend against such an attack, to take off the weapon and control the situation both psychologically and physically.

 

Sometimes we might also use e.g. belts, chairs, bags and other real-life things.

 

By weapons practice it is possible to learn how to control your own fears in a safe situation, environment and company. This will ultimately lead to a self-assured state of mind that is based on reality. That kind of fearless mind also helps to successfully cope with everyday life.

 

 

 

 

 

10 - Kata

 

 

Kata is a most integral part of karate training. Kata can be performed alone or in large groups of people, in silence or when disturbed, slowly or very fast.

 

The kata are series of movements, (combinations of stances, steps and techniques) that follow their own logic. Long time ago they were the only way to maintain precious information to new generations. Even today, every karate-ka can gain very valuable information by practicing kata. This is something that is a bit hard to explain using words, one has to get the feel of it.

 

Over the years, most people find their own favourite kata´s. Of course, everybody should know every kata in a certain order that can be found in the official graduating guide of the Finnish Karate-Do Shotokai. You are best off when you quickly learn how to enjoy kata practice.

 

In some dan-grade kata´s, there are elements that are not so obvious and easy to notice, like learning how to breath correctly. In Shoto Budo we of course practice Bunseki too; this means studying the kata techniques intelligently (as opposed to Bunkai in which the techniques are simply split up from the kata´s)

 

 

The kata´s that we normally practice:

 

- Taikyoku Shodan

 

- Heian 1-5 (Called "Pinan" in some other karate styles)

Heian Shodan

Heian Nidan

Heian Sandan

Heian Yondan

Heian Godan

- Tekki 1-3

Tekki Shodan

Tekki Nidan

Tekki Sandan

 

- Ten-No Kata

- Other, higher-grade kata´s:

 

- Kata´s practiced with bo´s (staff):

 

Final words

 

We hope that this guide will be of help to everyone, for beginners and seniors alike. It was considered better not to describe all the stances and techniques to a great extent; after all this is not supposed to be a book, and you can´t learn karate by reading books anyway.

 

We would like to say again, that being honest in your practicing should be your main objective. Having the right kind of attitude can take you a long way, but practicing with a wrong attitude will teach you nothing, no matter how many years you stay in the dojo.

 

We welcome everybody to our nice group!

 

 

 

The Coaches

Juha Salmi

 

 

 

Juha Rötkö

 

 

Mikko Kvist

 

The sensei of Shoto Budo Kuusankoski is Juha "Jussi" Salmi, 5th dan. He has been practicing for over 20 years. He is also one of the SKDS leaders.

Our second "Jussi", Juha Rötkö is currently the senior´s head coach. He started practicing in 1986 having wrestled actively for 8 years before that, and he currently holds 4th dan.

Our Juniors are lead by a 2nd dan, Mikko Kvist, who started karate in 1989. Mikko has been leading the junior department from 1996.

There are also several other high dan grades that practice actively in our club.

 

Contact information

 

Juha Salmi: tel. +358-400-467 646; e-mail autosahko.jsalmi@co.inet.fi

Juha Rötkö: tel. +358-400-552 049; e-mail jussi.rotko@pp.inet.fi

Mikko Kvist: tel. +358-5-388 1123 or +358-41-469 9149; e-mail mikko.johanna@saunalahti.fi

 

This publication was written by:

Pekka Raninen, tel. +358-40-551 5347; e-mail pekka.raninen@pp2.inet.fi 

 

 

Some pictures

 

 

Shigeru Egami-sensei 1956 

 

 

 

 

Yoko-geri / Krista Lagus, Helsinki

 

 

 

Bo practicing, Peter Nystén (5th dan), Helsinki

 

 

 

Dan-kata; Kwanku Dai

 

 

Sources and Credits:

The texts and publications of Shoto-Budo and Finnish Karate-Do Shotokai (SKDS ry)

Web-sites of SKDS member´s clubs

Shigeru Egami: The Heart of Karate-Do – ISBN: 4-7700-2477-0

Clive Layton: The Life and Times of Mitsusuke Harada, ISBN: 1-871-45702-5

Suomen Japani-kilta ry / Heikki Mallat, Hki

Photograph © rights reside with their original owners.