Page 22 - Martial Science Magazine Feb/2014 #1

What defines Okinawan Karate?

Almost all Okinawan Karate was formulated must be passed on and when or if you accept
by the people of Okinawa from those who the responsibility, you accept the burdens of
either visited the Island or brought back by leadership. I have never asked for respect, it
those who went to other places and trained. must be earned, and I learn as much about
Shorin-Ryu was based upon “Shaolin Style Wu- myself by teaching as I do by practicing
shu” or Kung-Fu as most call it. The stances karate.
are higher, faster to be initiated and little
movement is wasted.

This photo was taken in Newport Beach, California after an extraordinary seminar taught by the
Hanshi Dan Tosh in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Hall of the Heroes. 2013

When a person reaches the level that Hanshi What is your favorite Kata, and Why?
reached, what do changes within this person? I don’t have a favorite Kata, since I can pull
The change takes place long before one technique from each and I can combine
reaches the level of Hanshi. Almost all movements from each to form technique. I
teachers take on much responsibility and it have done each of the Katas in my system
is twofold. On one hand, there is a feeling thousands of times and every time I do, I get
of value and pride in being allowed to carry excited about what I am doing!
this information to the next generation. On What do you think of martial arts today?
the other hand, the burden is immense. You Tradition vs. Modern Times? Who wins?
dare not tarnish or impugn the trust that was There are no modern times without tradition,
given, and you always have to behave in a without Ying there is no Yang, there’s no light
proper manner. I have never been intoxicated; without dark and there is no modern without
I never speak in a foul or disrespectful way tradition. Times do change and although the
in front of my students, and I have to keep tradition doesn’t change, the uses of the
teaching even if the economy is not kind to traditional methods do change and adapt. It’s
me and it costs money out of pocket to keep all good!
the school moving forward. The knowledge

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