Curriculum
First and foremost we are a Shotokan group — this is our base discipline and this is taught throughout all training. Contrary to popular belief there are many versions of Shotokan, represented by different associations whose chief instructors, as they grew in popularity, began to "breakaway" from the mother group. The Japan Karate Association (JKA) is the root of Shotokan; it is this root style we follow, based on the 1970s high impact, long distance attacking style, complete with the obligatory kihon (basic technique) practice and the wonderfully stylised kata. This trinity of kihon, kata and kumite is often referred to as the "3 K's" and is the original JKA training model.
From black belt, the SKK uses a 5 K training model: kihon, kata, kumite, koryu and kobudo.
Koryu literally means "old school" and refers to pre-ryu techniques pioneered by Patrick McCarthy Hanshi.
Futari-geiko can and does strengthen the delivery system of any traditional karate style without adversely affecting its cosmetic appearance. The renzoku futari geiko (two man drills) are highly functional practices which transcend style and form a major part of our study into the restoration of Shotokan kata technique.
Kobudo means "old martial way" — using traditional Okinawan weaponry, kobudo engenders greater self-discipline through weapons practice. As a research group this also helps our Shotokan practice to align with traditional Okinawan karate practice, which always includes kobudo.
Chosin Chibana (1885–1969) named Anko Itosu's karate "Shorin-Ryu" (small forest style) in 1928. This was the first school of karate to be named. In the past, the type of karate was known by the location it was practised, i.e. Shuri Te — Shuri being a village in Okinawa, and Te the Chinese term for hand. He further developed Shorin-Ryū karate based on what he had learned from his teacher, the great master Ankō Itosu. Goju Ryu, the style registered at the Dai Nippon Butokukai at the same time as Shorin Ryu, was founded by Chojun Myagi (April 25, 1888 – October 8, 1953). A student of Higaonna Kanryo from the age of 14, Chojun Sensei trained with Kanryo Sensei from 1902 until October 1916, when Kanryo Sensei passed away. Chojun Sensei developed the Junbi-undo we practice today and introduced the basic kata Gekisai Dai Ichi and Dai Ni. He also developed Tensho and a revised version of Sanshin, all part of current SKK training practices.
SKK often practice many exercises from the Shorin Ryu. This is to enhance ashi sabaki (foot movement) and therefore tai sabaki (body movement). Elementary drilling kata featuring neko ashi dachi and shiko dachi are also practised to enhance the understanding of what have become "minor" Shotokan stances.
Onaga Yoshimitsu Sensei is a Tichikayā: a person who holds the knowledge of Ti (手). He is acknowledged as one of the last masters able to understand and teach Ti, the ancient Okinawan martial art that preceded modern karate. Onaga Sensei calls Ti "the beginning of all karate." In October 2015, Dorian led a small group of Yudansha Kai members to Naha, Okinawa, to train under the guidance of Onaga Yoshimitsu Sensei — the first time the Shinjinbukan Honbu Dōjō in Okinawa hosted a delegation of karateka from the United Kingdom. Onaga Sensei was assisted by Arakaki Shunichi Sensei and other Shinjinbukan Deshi.
Whilst the Shinjinbukan base style is Shorin Ryu (Kobayashi), much of the training was Onaga No Ti, focusing on movement and how to properly execute the techniques we already use.
The training was physically and mentally intense, with great attention paid to the smallest detail of each technique taught. Ti is an art that transcends styles or Ryūha, and therefore elements of Ti can be integrated into your own karate — Onaga Sensei calls this "adding the Shinjinbukan salt". Some aspects of Ti are now passed on in SKK classes.
We focus on training in the weapons of the Ryukyu, namely the bo as the main buki (weapon), with the smaller buki sai, tunfa, nunchaku, kama and eku as secondary weapons.
Our aim is for Yudansha to be familiar with the Bo and other chosen kobudo weapons.
In 2023 we established an internationally recognised documented pathway for kobudo training, which leads to Dan grading under the auspices of Tetsuhiro Hokama Hanshi of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenshi Kai Karate do Kobudo Association. The formal grading in Kobujutsu is entirely voluntary. Sensei Andy Lovelady heads up this section of the SKK and is developing further courses. Dojo sensei are encouraged to introduce Bo practice at an early stage in students' training to prepare for later formal training.
The SKK have also adopted the practice of the Cheng Man Ching 37 Short Form, often referred to as CMC37.
Tai Chi is best described as "meditation in motion" and promotes calming of the mind and stress reduction, in addition to a number of other general health benefits. The vast majority of Tai Chi practitioners focus on the soft side of Tai Chi, consisting of the Short Form and also "Chi Kung" (breathing exercises). The ju of this practice nicely complements the go of our Shotokan training.
