Category Archives: Special Reports

Motobu Sensei with Naihanchi

Best Choki Motobu Quotes

Motobu Chōki (1870 – 1944) was an Okinawan karate master and founder of Motobu-Ryu. He was born into a branch of the Ryukyuan royal family, and at the age of 12, he and his older brother Motobu Chōyū invited Ankō Itosu to learn karate. Chōyū was also a noted martial artist.

Motobu also studied karate under Sakuma, Matsumura Sōkon, and Kōsaku Matsumora. He excelled especially in kumite and was already known throughout Okinawa in his twenties. As he grew up, he came to be regarded as the best in Okinawa in terms of practical karate techniques. He is reported to have been very agile, which gained him the nickname Motobu no Saru (“Motobu the Monkey”). He distanced himself from the modernization trend in karate, focusing only on kata Naihanchi and concentrating on kumite practice.

Find more information about the basic kata Naihanchi-Tekki of Motobu-Ryu.


Kamae is in the heart, not a physical manifestation.

Everything is natural, and changing.

One does not have to take care to block every single attack by an oppenent with weak stricking power.

One must develop the ability to deflect an attack even from behind.

In a real confrontation, more than anything else one should strike to the face first, as this is the most effective.

Karate is Sente (Here, sente means the initiative, or the first move; Karate ni Sente Nashi – there is no first move in karate).

The position of the legs and hips in Naifuanchin no Kata (Naihanchi/Tekki) is the basics of karate.

Twisting to the left or right from the Naifuanchin stance will give you the stance used in a real confrontation. Twisting ones way of thinking about Naifuanchin left and right, the various meanings in each movement of the kata will also becom clear.

One must always try and block the attack at its soure (i.e. block not the attacking hand, but deeper on the arm).

The blocking hand must be able to become the attacking hand in an instant. Blocking with one hand then countering with the other is not true bujutsu. Real bujutsu presses forward and blocks and counters in the same motion.

One cannot use continuous attacks against true karate. That is because the blocks of true karate make it impossible for the oppenent to launch a second attack.

I still do not yet know the best way to punch the makiwara (note: this statement was made when Choki was over 60!).

It’s interestin, but when I just think about performing a kata, when I’m seated, I break a sweat.

When punching to the face, one must thrust as if punching through to the back of the head.

When fighting a boxer, it is better to go with his flow, and take up a rhythm with both of your hands.

It is necessary to drink alcohol and pursue other fun human activities. The art (i.e. karate) of someone who is too serious has no “flavor”.

It is OK to take two steps forward or back in the same kamae, but over three steps, one must change the position (facing) of their guard.

When I fought the foreign boxer in Kyoto, he was taller then me so I jumped up and punched him in the face. This is effective against people wo are taller than you.

I started having real fights at TsuJi when I was young, and fought over 100 of them, but I was never hit in the face.


The Bubishi is the Bible of Karate

Karate Moves Explained by MMA Fighter Erik Paulson

Mixed martial arts champion Erik Paulson from ‪@CSWAssociation‬ tests ancient Karate techniques from Okinawa. These bunkai (kata applications) are found in Bubishi – the Bible of Karate.

What is MMA?

MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts and is a full-contact combat sport that combines techniques from various martial arts and combat sports. MMA allows a variety of techniques from boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo and karate to be effective both in standing combat and on the ground.

Prohibited techniques in MMA include attacks to the back of the head, spine, eyes and genitals, kicks or punches to the head of an opponent lying on the ground, headbutts, biting, hair pulling and unsportsmanlike behaviour such as holding on to the cage.

Further applications and examples of self-defence can be found here under the heading Bunkai Videos.

Sunset with a Kata

Danger Okinawa Skills

Meitatsu Yagi sensei, International Meibu-Kan Gojyu-Ryu Karate-Do Association.

Master Meitatsu Yagi shows how effective karate techniques can be applied. Everything is based on the best possible efficiency, between technique, power and intuition.

The goal is to use as little energy as possible and with simple and targeted movements to incapacitate the opponent. Because there is never a second chance to correct a mistake.

In simplicity lies success, if you look behind the technique.

Andre Bertel with Mawahshi Geri

Power through body gravity

André Bertel is a prominent figure in the world of traditional Shotokan karate. Known for his dedication to the teachings of Master Tetsuhiko Asai, Bertel has achieved international recognition for his technical expertise and deep understanding of karate principles. He holds a high Dan rank and is often sought after for seminars and workshops worldwide. His approach to karate emphasizes precision, fluidity, and the integration of traditional techniques with modern training methodologies. Bertel’s contributions to the martial art continue to inspire karate practitioners globally, maintaining the legacy of his mentor while advancing the practice of Shotokan karate.

Main Points for Full-Body Weight Techniques in Karate

Kime (Focus)
Maximize power at the moment of impact.

Hara (Center of Gravity)
Use core muscles for balance and stability.

Kinetic Chain
Coordinate body parts to generate power.

Proper Breathing
Exhale sharply at impact for energy focus.

Oizuki (Lunge Punch)
Drive from the back foot, rotate hips, snap punch.

Mae Geri (Front Kick)
Thrust hip forward, snap kick, retract quickly.

Gyaku Zuki (Reverse Punch)
Rotate hips/shoulders, back heel grounded, punch.

Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse Kick)
Pivot, swing leg using hips, contact with instep/ball.

Age Uke (Rising Block)
Step forward, drive arm up with body momentum.

Stance and Footwork
Stable stances and precise footwork.

Hip Rotation
Use hips to add power.

Relaxation and Tension
Relax before impact, tense at contact.

Visualization
Visualize target and technique path.

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Sunset with a Kata

22 Karate Master Quotes

Learn what pioneers like Funakoshi Gichin, Mabuni Kenwa and Motobu Choki thought about the practical applications of karate kata, bunkai, throws and joint locks. Their words paint a picture very different from modern sports Karate.

Jesse Enkamp reveals Karate quotes from Okinawan and Japanese masters .

Quotes

We must avoid treating Karate as a sport. Your fingers and toes must be like arrows, your arms must be like iron. If you kick, try to kick the enemy dead. If you punch, punch to kill. This is the spirit you need to progress in karate.

Chibana Chōshin (1885-1969)

Once a kata has been learned, it must be practiced repeatedly until it can be applied in an emergency. Knowledge or just the sequence of a form in karate is useless.

Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)

We should open karate to the public and receive criticism, opinions and studies from other prominent fighting artists.

Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953)

The techniques of kata have their limits and were never intended to be used against an opponent in the arena or battlefield.

Choki Motobu (1870-1944)

The karate that has spread to Tokyo is incomplete. Those who believe that karate consists only kicks and punches, and think throws and joint locks are exclusive to judo or jujutsu, have been misinformed. We should have an open mind and strive to study the complete art.

Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952)

My old ways of karate was not accepted by everyone. Maybe my training methods were too hard or severe. Whatever it was, it was the way I learned and thaught. It was only later, when the Americans came, that I changed my ways.

Hohan Sōken (1889-1982)

There is no place in karate for differen styles, I’ve heard myself and colleagues refferred to as the “Shotokan” school, but I strongly object this attempt at classification. My belief is that all styles should be amalgamated into one, so karate my orderly progress into man’s future.

Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)

It is necessary to drink alcohol and pursue other fun human activities. The karate of someone who is too serious has no flavor.

Choki Motobu (1870-1944)

Kata must be practised diligently, but you must not be constrained by them. You must withdraw from the kata to produce forms with no limits, or else it becomes useless.

Hironori Otsuka (1892-1982)

Karate does not have any styles. It molds an individual to be the object of defense or offense and, through this process, karate teaches you the fundamental concept of self protection.

Kanken Toyama (1888-1966)

A kata is not fixed or immoveable. Like water, it’s ever changing and fits itself to the shape of the vessel containing it. However, kata is not some kind of beautiful competitive dance, but a grand matrial art of self-defense, which determines life and death.

Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952)

Karate was never meant to be used against a single opponent. Rather, it’s a method of avoiding injury by using the hands and feet, should one happen to be confronted by a vilian or a thug.

Anko Itosu (1831-1915)

You may train for a long time, but if you merely move your limbs and jump around like a puppet, learning karate is not very different from learning a dance. You will never have reached the heart of the matter; you will have failed to grasp the quintessence of Karate.

Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)

Nothing is more harmful to the world than a martial art that is not effective in actual self-defense.

Choki Motobu (1870-1944)

Karate has no philosophy. Some people think it came from the Buddhism and has a connection with the space and universe, but I don’t belive in that. My philosophy is to knock my opponent out with a single blow!

Mikio Yahara (1947)

Do not fall into the trap of thinking that just because a kata begins to the left, the opponents ist attacking form the left.

Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952)

In the past, roughly three years were required to learn a single kata, and usually an expert of considerable skill would only know three, or at most five katas.

Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)

Techniques should not be practised merely so they can be performed in a kata. Since karate is a fighting art, each technique has its meaning. You must consider their meaning, how and why they are effective, and practise accordingly.

shigeru egami (1912-1981)

Many karate instructors today teach a watered down style – no hip and shallow punching. It’s easy to say that these teachers have no dept to their knowledge.

Yuchoku Higa (1910-1994)

There are many kinds of postures in karate. While learning these postures should not be totally ignored, we must be careful not to overlook that they are just forms or templates. It is the function of their application which needs to be mastered.

Choki Motobu (1870-1944)

Punching, striking and kicking are not the only methods in karate. Throwing techniques and submissions holds are included. All these techniques should be studied in basic kata.

Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)

Regardless of how many kata you know, if your training is inadequate they will be useless.

Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952)

The Karate Masters

Inner Core Power in Karate

Karate-Do Core Principals

Rick Sensei started training in 1970 at the West Wind Dojo in Florida. In 1976 he inherited the dojo and since then has remained its instructor. Originally a member of the USKA, Rick Sensei moved to Richard Kim’s group in 1989 and since that time has endeavoured to train and learn from as many instructors as possible.

Rick Hotton sensei teaching at SMK Spring keiko 2022, Petaluma California

He is also a long time student of Matsugi Saotome, who is considered to be one of the best Aikido masters in the world today. For the past three years Rick Sensei has been the NSKF representative in North America under the guidance of Pemba Tamang Sensei, who was the first foreigner ever to do the JKA instructors’ course.

Karate-Do Core Principles – Sensei Rick Hotton

The do suffix implies that karate do is a path to self-knowledge, not just a study of the technical aspects of fighting. Like most martial arts practiced in Japan, karate made its transition from – jutsu to do around the beginning of the 20th century. The “do” in “karate do” sets it apart from karate-jutsu, as aikido is distinguished from aikijutsu, judo from jujutsu, kendo from kenjutsu and iaido from iaijutsu.

Shorin Ryu Shubukan

Shōrin-ryū (少林流) as in the Shaolin Temple of China. “Ryu” means “style”. Shōrin-ryū, is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts and is one of the oldest styles of karate. It was named by Choshin Chibana in 1933, but the system itself is much older. “Shōrin” means pine tree. Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te.

Differences between Karate in Okinawa & Japan

Karate is very different in Japan and Okinawa.

In this video you’ll learn 10 reasons – including Kobudo, bunkai, hojo undo (strength training) and self-defense. These are things I discovered at the birthplace of Karate.

Regardless of your style, it’s important to know the history and evolution of martial arts. Especially Karate, which came from China and made it all the way to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“Those who don’t learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it…”

Presented by Jesse Enkamp

Basic Bo Jutsu

The Bo was the master weapon in Okinawan, bigger, longer, better as the Sai or anything else. It was the equivalent of the Big Gun in any arsenal today. It is capable of incredible destruction of anything it touches.  Be aware that the initial strike to the center of his bo between the hands is not a “miss” of his hands, it is done intentionally to “miss the hands” because in this example we are not wanting to crush/destroy and/or separate fingers from hand. 

Continue reading Basic Bo Jutsu