Shinpan Shiroma teaches karate in Shuri Castle

首里市第一小学校生による集団演武（指揮者：城間真繁）1937年
Boys and Girls of Shuri City Elementary School martial arts performance with instructor Shinpan Shiroma, 1937.

Sesan

This morning I practiced Sesan.

Kururunfa

I also practiced Kururunfa.

Shisochin

Shisochin

I joined Tai Chi club. Most of them are more than 70 years old. They practice Tai Chi in the park. This morning I practiced the simplified Tai Chi together with them. After the session I practiced Shisochin and Saifa on my own.  

Saifa

KARATE: BENEATH THE SURFACE by Roy Kenneth Kamen

KARATE: BENEATH THE SURFACE

By Roy Kenneth Kamen

A MUST READ!

On 5th January 2019, I wrote to the author as under:

Roy san,

At the beginning, when I started learning karate, I thought karate is a fighting art of self-defence. But after I got a black belt, I began to think that maybe karate has something more than a fighting art. In fact I myself do not like something related to violence. I do not like competitive sport karate. After my teacher suddenly passed away, I was forced to study karate by myself. Fortunately I can train in karate on my own because karate have Kata. So I continued practicing Kata even today. One day, like you, I realized that Kata is like a mantra of Buddhism. Kata's movement is like a mandala of mysticism. It gives me peace or tranquility. Maybe this is because of Okinawan Goju-Ryu. When I see other karate schools, I do not feel anything spiritual at all.

When I read your book, I am glad to know that what you think about karate is quite similar to mine. You seem to appreciate the spiritual aspect of Goju-Ryu. I also think Okinawan Goju-Ryu is spiritual. Miyagi himself thought so.

Kiyotaka Yamada aka Sanzinsoo
Osaka, Japan

https://www.roykamen.com/reviews/