Michael Zinck

Sensei, Budo Kai Karate Jutsu

December 2001

What does a Black Belt mean?

If there were one misconception that degrades the value of martial arts training, it would have to
be that the black belt is a symbol of expertise. The truth of the matter is that the title given with
the belt, "Shodan", means, "beginning rank". The coloured or "kyu" belts that precede the coveted
black belt are a very recent (past 40 years) development to satisfy mostly western students who
wish to have their initial achievements recognized.

The "kyu/dan" system of rank is the brainchild of Judo founder Jigoro Kano. He created the
system in 1883. Initially, students wore only the white belt and were considered to be without rank
until the rank of shodan was awarded. The fact that only two colours of belt were used, the white
and the black, reflected the "in/yo" or "yin/yang" symbols.

This allowed for no outward identification of status. Therefore, a noble could stand beside a
janitor in the dojo and be considered as equals within the structure of "Budo", the pursuit of
perfection through the medium of the martial systems.

In 1895, a ruling body for the various martial traditions was created called the Dai Nippon
Butokukai (Great Japanese Martial Virtues Association). Its purpose was to oversee and
standardize the various martial traditions of Japan. This body adopted Kano’s kyu/dan system
and issued teaching licenses (Shihan menjo) based on certain criteria.

In the early 1920’s, when Karate was accepted as an "official martial art", the kyu/dan system was
forced upon participants to ensure that the Okinawan fighting method conformed to the high
training and technical standards of the Japanese.

The beginners rank of shodan meant simply that the practitioner had mastered only the BASICS
of the system and was now in a position to BEGIN his training in the martial arts. In this light, the
kyu ranks could be thought of as elementary school while the first few dan ranks can be thought
of as post secondary education. With a few exceptions, teaching licenses are given with the rank
of Sandan (3rd dan). To review, then, the first level of black belt is called shodan rather than "ichi"
(first) - dan because sho means beginning. The rank essentially means that you have a good
grasp on the basics and are now ready to begin your Karate training.

It is interesting to note that Gichin Funikoshi, founder of the Shotokan system of Karate, was only
ranked Godan (5th dan) by the Dai Nippon Butokukai, and until his death in 1954, no Shotokan
practitioner had an equal or higher rank.

As Karate-Do spread to the rest of the world, due largely to the American Occupational forces in
Japan, it was inevitable that new organizations would spring up. The western practitioners more
susceptible to the prompting of ego and the lure of profit for information, allowed the standards to
fall while raising the "not so qualified" to positions of rank. The first casualty of these new
organizations was the upholding of the Bushido or Warriors Code of Ethics. The kyu/dan system
was not intended to simply identify levels of technical achievement. It was also meant to
symbolize the warrior’s goal of personal, spiritual and ethical advancement though the medium of
the martial arts. Therefore, the ranking system should also reflect the students’ progress towards
higher levels of discipline, honour, manners and respect.

It is sad to say though, that there are clubs and organizations that do not adhere to standards of
both technical and moral codes. Words are quite cheap and caution should be exercised when
we look at our instructors. Certificates can be fabricated or even purchased. Complete martial
arts systems are available on video, giving all manner of unscrupulous people access to
information without the hard work and discipline it takes to master ones self and ones art. A green
belt from one country can show up as a Sandan (3 rd dan) in another country and begin teaching
unsuspecting students who will suffer in the long run as meaningless ranks are bestowed upon
them for the love of money.

Let us hold high the standard!

Michael Zinck

Sensei, Budo Kai Karate Jutsu

Oneness

(Part one)

To excel in an art such as Karate-Do, it is imperative to understand the concepts that complete
the art form. An artist understands the interactions of colours, light and darkness and the various
shading needed to bring realism to the painting. He also understands that certain strokes of the
brush give a certain feel to his creation. So must the Karate-ka understand the implications of the
broad, sweeping movements and the subtle nuances of his or her art.

We tend to break down our art into various sections in order to better understand what can only
be described as a grand, all-encompassing art. It is how we as humans examine complex things.
However, once broken down, dissected and analyzed, we tend to neglect putting the pieces back
together to recreate the whole.

If you remember back to the first few months of your training, you may recall the Instructor
showing each block and kick in a slow and detailed manner so you could see the technique in
slow motion, so you could recreate the motion for yourself. Then, he or she spoke of breathing
with the technique. Do you remember the first few times you moved across the dojo floor,
mechanically performing the basic drills? How about that first kata or the first time you sparred
with a real opponent.

Did your instructor then tell you that the breathing you use perform your kata is the same style of
breathing you use to perform combination techniques during basic one-person drills? Or was it
mentioned that the concepts of movement for bunkai (or kata applications) are the same, as
those required for kumite (sparring)?

Was it ever mentioned once that each detail of your training is applicable to every other part of
your training? I hope that the answer is ‘yes’, because the truth of the matter is that, although we
break Karate-Do training up into Kihon Waza, Kata and Kumite (drills, forms and sparring),
Karate-Do is really only one thing…Karate-Do.
The essential aspect of training is the assimilation of each nuance of movement, breathing and
thought into the actions that define your art form. Your eyes must lead the movement, your breath
must flow freely with the action and your thoughts must create the internal reality in which your
actions and focus manifest externally.

It is ever true that what is shown, reflects that which is hidden. For example, if you do not
visualize your lessons, your performances will be empty. If you practice your kata only as a series
of connected movements, even if the execution of each technique is perfect, the kata will be
meaningless movement. If, on the other hand, the kata is performed as a series of combat
techniques in which the opponent is not visible, and then the performance is enhanced by the
extra energy brought into it. The performance will then provide both the performer and the viewer
with a substantial reward.

The performer better understands the movements that he/she has performed, is energized by the
free flow of energy within the body. Also, the Karate-ka has once again practiced valuable fighting
sequences at full speed. The viewer may also be energized by watching an inspired performance
and be likewise inspired.

While practicing, one should practice complete breathing and understand the impact that
breathing has on performance. Goju Ryu stylists should use the breathing patterns that enhance
the "Naha" style of movement. Shotokan stylists should pay attention to "Shuri" style breathing
patterns. Shito Ryu stylists should ask from which lineage a particular kata comes in order to
determine which breathing pattern to use.

As you practice your art, be sure to keep in mind that instruction from your Sensei about stances
and footwork should be applied not only in kata or classes drills, but also in kumite and self-
defense practice. Breathing must compliment all areas of your training also. Visualization is
important in kata and line drills as well. You must perform each technique every time as if your life
depends on it, because someday, it might.

The immortal Bruce Lee in "Enter the Dragon" says to his young student, "Do the technique with
emotion …not anger." It is the difference between a Karate-ka and a Karate player. Those who
practice the art as a sport will have different motivations for performance. Those that practice for
‘Budo’ will have deeper ties to each and every movement they perform. The reason being is that
‘players’ enjoy the stimulation of the movement and derive enjoyment from outward gains. In
which case, it is not as important o pay as close attention to such intangible things as breathing
and visualization. The Karate-ka training for Budo, on the other hand, derives his or her reward
from an internal battle, hard fought and won on the battlefield of the spirit. For them, it is essential
to understand, use and live the principles of traditional Karate-Do not only in the dojo, but also on
the battlefields of life, each and every day.

Michael Zinck

Sensei, Budo Kai Karate Jutsu

Relax

When thinking of practicing your Martial Art or defending yourself on the street, the last thing to
cross your mind is probably relaxation. Relaxation, however should be the natural state of being
for we as humans. We were never created to be wound up stress-bags fearfully going to work or
out on the street.

Becoming relaxed in all situations should be part on our daily lives and especially part of our
Martial Arts training. If we are training for self-defense, we should train to keep a relaxed mind
and supple body, ready for the defense act. If we are training for competition, the same applies.
Likewise if we are simply training for self-improvement. Relaxation is the key to a happy and
healthy lifestyle. Making relaxation second nature has benefits that are both physical and
emotional. The Dojo is the perfect place to practice it, as the Dojo environment can bring out
stressful situations in a controlled atmosphere.

RELAXATION IN THE DOJO

Firstly, the relaxed body is more supple and responsive as you practice. Secondly, the relaxed
mind is more supple and responsive to the teacher and to what is happening to the student
mentally and physically.

By bringing tension into the practice time, you hinder not only yourself, but also the teacher, who
gives his/her time to teach you and you hinder the other students you train with. Etiquette in the
Japanese arts provides a time to clear the mind and close the door on the outside world during
the "Makuso" (closed eye meditation) during "Reishiki" or opening ceremony.

It is important to realize that in the context of a Martial Arts class, the number of students,
intensely concentrating on their technique amplifies the amount of energy in the training hall.
Therefore, bringing personal tension into the class can very easily upset the balance that the
teacher and students are trying to maintain. The Dojo holds the sacred trust of the students and
Sensei. To bring tension and conflict into it is to bring cacophony where there is to be harmony.
Out of respect to your follow Karate-ka, do everything in your power to achieve and hold a
relaxed mental state.

Finally, the relaxed mind and body does not hold tension and can therefore recuperate more
quickly from the rigors of training.

RELAXATION IN COMBAT

Street fight or tournament, here we’ll call it combat. And relaxing is the key to success in these
confrontations. I know that it is more easily said than done, but to understand why we kumite and
why being relaxed is important will greatly improve your comprehension of the study of the Martial
Arts.

The secret, which is no secret, is response time. Again, if your mind is tight, full of anticipation, it
cannot effectively respond to an oncoming attack. It is too busy wondering what the opponent will
do or worried if it will remember what to do when the attack comes. By the time all of this has
gone through your mind, the attack will have come and gone. In a tournament, you will then being
losing. On the street, you may well be seriously injured, or worse. The response time of the body
is directly related to your state of mind.

A muscle that is tight or tense cannot move as quickly as one that is loose and relaxed. Think of
the action of cracking a whip. In order to make the whip crack, your arm must be loose as you
begin the action. At the end of the crack, the arm is tensed and the whip cracks. Now think of
making that same action while holding a piece of lumber. The resulting action is not a quick
sudden crack, but a slow easily avoidable thud.

The lightning fast strike to a vulnerable target or accessible pressure point can produce
devastating results. So can the slow powerful thrust of a tense arm or leg, but the likelihood of the
opponent avoiding or blocking the technique is far greater.

RELAXATION IN LIFE

If the art we are practicing is a "Do" or "Way", then theoretically, we are putting into practice in life
what we learn in the Dojo setting.

So, if when dealing with friends, associates and family, we do so with a relaxed, open mind, we
can more readily understand and respond to them. If it is a confrontation we are experiencing, our
relaxed mind will allow us to see the motive behind the aggression and enable us to respond
quickly and decisively to the situation.

Generally, as humans, we store stress in our bodies in the form of tense muscles - the result of
lactic acid build-up. This is the result of holding parts of our body tense during stressful
encounters. We learn to endure sore necks and backs and aching shoulders. We do have the
option, however, of finding a space, closing our eyes, clearing our minds, and bringing the "Do"
into being. It may be practicing a kata, throwing a few kicks at the heavy bag or simply
remembering the energy of the Dojo and bringing it to you in you time of need.

…seiza….makuso….rei….