Master Wang Fulai

Mr. Wang Fulai had for sole teacher in the martial arts Master Wang Shujin. He had the opportunity to follow his master during his travels and had the opportunity to see him respond successfully to the many challenges that he received. Master Wang Fulai was present at the bedside of his master at his death in 1981. Following the death of Master Wang Shujin, Master Wang Fulai became the heir to the lineage of the Zhong Nan tradition and the successor of his master at the head of the Cheng ming ming.

Today Master Wang Fulai teaches throughout the world including Japan, the USA, Israel, Italy and Australia.

Master Chen Zhonghua in Quebec, 2009

Unlike many contemporary masters, Chen Zhonghua was not naturally gifted in the practice of martial arts. He did not start to practice at a young age due to his physical condition and had no interest initially for the practice of martial arts. Through the pure motivation to improve his health, he began his practice via a handwritten copy of a book borrowed from a friend on the fighting techniques used in the army. Gradually, as his body and his physical strength grew, he turned to learning from more experienced people. He then studied sitongchui from a local master,  baji and Taizu from a neighbor, xiaou Wushu and Wushu da. Through diligent practice, he got healthy and normal, gaining weight with a body resembling the body  of the majority of young people of his age.

His confidence grew and, with the increase his gong fu, he began to organize the practice of other youth in his area by training them. The banks of the Hongning river became their meeting and training. The reputation of the young Chen Zhonghua has in his city as grown as a martial artist and he was frequently called upon to discipline hoodlums. In 1978, several young people from his training group are selected to join the school team competing in the district Weifang and taking place in Wulian County. They have played an important role in the prestige and the victories of the team.

In 1979, Chen Zhonghua registers a bit hesitantly to Shandong University in Jinan because he would have preferred to go to Beijing. He was able to enter the university through his outstanding grades in English which were the best of the sixty six million students in his district. This decision will forever change his future in the practice of taiji quan. He learned that an exceptional elderly man offered his teaching of taiji in the morning at a park. It is by going to the Black Tiger Spring park one morning and witnessing a demonstration of the Master facing a young Japanese that ChenZhonghua realized that he had found a master with a very high level of gong fu from which he had to study the art of taiji quan.

Master Hong Junshen with Chen Zhonghua
(photo reproduced from the site chenzhonghua.com)

He later learned that the Master was named Hong Junshen and that he was the 18th generation of the school of chen taiji quan and a close disciple of the famous master Chen Fake. Chen Zhonghua immediately became a regular visitor to the Park to train with Master Hong Jungshen arriving very early in the morning around 4:30 am, rain or shine. He moved from being a mere spectator to practice in the large group of participants to finally be accepted as a close disciple of Master Hong Junshen.

On the advice and instruction of Master Hong, he focused primarily on the essential foundations of this school before moving on to anything else more advanced on the technical side. He spent two hours every morning on the practice of the two circles as basics and then move on to repeat in the evening more than twenty times the first form of his school called yilu.

Master Chen Zhonghua and Philippe Munn, 2010

Following his university graduation, he immigrated to Canada where he continued his studies at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan where he also graduated in 1981. He then moved to Edmonton in Alberta, where he became a teacher at a the Public School of Victoria Composite High School. Since 1985 he teaches taiji quan in Canada and his students have won several medals at various championships in China and Canada.

By 1994, Master Chen had integrated all the curriculum of training in the Chen taiji quan practical method of master Hong Junshen. Unfortunately, in January 1996, Grand Master Hong Junshen died at age 90. The death of his Master devastated Chen Zhonghua and he would remain in mourning for more than two years.

However, always eager to continue his personal training, he became the disciple of Master Feng Zhiqian in 1998 following a formal introduction by the latter’s daughter during a visit to Edmonton. From 1999, he taught in addition to the practical method of Chen taiji quan Master Hong Junshen, the method of Master Feng Zhiqian called Chen Shi Xinyi Hunyuan Taijiquan.

On June 18, 2002, Master Chen Zhonghua received the honor of being named “International Standard Bearer” for the School of Master Hong Junshen by members of the family of Master Hong and by other senior disciples of his Master. Master Chen Zhonghua is now an ardent proponent of Chen taiji quan worldwide.

Master Hironori Ohtsuka

At the age of 13, he entered the dojo of Master Tatsusaburo Nakayama where he principally studied the Yoshin-ryu school of ju-jutsu as well as kendo.  He studied there until he entered the University of Waseda in 1910.  During his studies as university, he treained in many ju-jutsu dojos in Tokyo.

At the age of 24, he continued his study of the Yoshin-ryu school of ju-jutsu under Master Kanaya.  Master Kanaya was also an expert in traditional medicine and, after two years of study, Hironori Ohtsuka received his diploma in this type of medicine.  He then became a professional in the care of bone fractures and joint care, and he threw himself into the intensive practice of martial arts.  At 28, he recieved his diploma from the Yoshin-ryu school of ju-jutsu from the hands of Master Nakayama.

In 1922, his friend Ito, who was a 5th dan in judo, spoke with him for the first time of the art of Ryukyu-karate-jutsu.  He told him that Master Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, had invited Master Gichin Funakoshi of Okinawa to give a demonstration in this martial art.  Hironori Ohtsuka decided then to pay a visit to Master Funakoshi and, after this meeting, he began to practice karate.

Master Hironori Ohtsuka with Master Gichin Funakoshi

Master Ohtsuka was initiated to the curriculum of Master Funakoshi‘s martial art and learned the fifteen kata of his school in a year and  a half.  Calling heavily on his 16 years of practicing ju-jutsu, Master Ohtsuka notes that many elements of these kata are inapplicable in combat.  In order to complete his education in karate, he wanted to travel to the island of Okinawa, cradle of this martial art.  However, he decided to abandon his trip because a budo demonstration organized at the dojo of the imperial palace was announced and, there was the possibility to have exceptional karate-jutsu demonstrated there. Master Ohtsuka and Master Funakoshi determined the content of this demonstration together.  They included the kata of Master Funakoshi as well as the combat exercises the two had worked out from Master Ohtsuka‘s ju-jutsu experiences.  The demonstration of Master Ohtsuka was greatly appreciated and followed the latter, ten universities from the Tokyo region signed up for training from Masters Funakoshi and Ohtsuka.  Master Ohtsuka thus became the assistant of Master Gichin Funakoshi.

Master Ohtsuka et Master Funakoshi in combat exercises

Master Hironori Ohtsuka detached himself, however, little by little from the teaching of Master Funakoshi while exploring more and more the combat exercises through the different models of boxing and kendo.  This approach, too centered on combat, irritated Master Funakoshi who found it inadmissible to his personal philosophy and practice.  Master Funakoshi‘s school was divided by the two.  Master Ohtsuka fused his side more and more with the practice of karate and ju-jutsu in his training.

He thus worked with a number of experts.  He amicably bound himself with Master Yasuhiro Konishi who created his own method integrating the elements of kendo to the practice of karate.  This collaboration lasted throughout their lives.  In 1928, Master Konishi presented Master Choki Motobu to Hironori Ohtsuka.  Master Motobu, who came from Okinawa, was recognized for his combat abilities and this meeting greatly enriched the reflection of Master Ohtsuka on the karate kata.  He also studied under Master Kenwa Mabuni, the founder of the shito-ryu school.  The profound understanding of Master Mabuni‘s kata was another unique occasion for Master Ohtsuka to continue his reflection and his understanding of the art of karate.  He would work also under a number of experts through the course of his life.

In 1934, Master Hironori Ohtsuka opened a dojo in Tokyo.  He received, in 1938, the title of renshi of the butoku-kai and became a professional teacher of karate.  He thus named his school wado-ryu.  In 1942, he received the title of kyoshi of the butoku-kai while the second world war raged on.  After the war, Master Ohtsuka began, little by little, to teach in various universities.

Master Hironori Ohtsuka in a demonstration with his son, Jiro Ohtsuka

In 1966, the emperor Hirohito gave the title of Kun Goto Suokuo Kyoku Jujitsu Shuo to Hironori Ohtsuka for his devotion to the development of the practice of martial art.  In 1972, he recieve the historic title of meijin, a first for an adept of Japanese karate.

The wado-ryu school then developed more and more in Japan, then throughout the world, becoming one of the four principal schools of modern karate.  The wado-ryu school is characterized by an active practice of combat exercises and Master Ohtsuka retained just nine kata in his curriculum.  Master Hironori Ohtsuka died in 1982 at the age of 90 and his official successor is his son Jiro (Hironori) Ohtsuka.

portrait of Master Hironori Ohtsuka

Upon the suggestion of his friend, Master Chojun Miyagi and with the approval of Master Itosu, he began to study naha-te under Master Kanryo Higaonna.  Master Mabuni then integrated the essence of the training of these two Masters.

During this period, he also studied under the tutelage of many other great masters such as Seisho Aragaki and Go Genki (Wu Xian Gui in Chinese).  He thus learned a large number of kata.

Master Kenwa Mabuni

Following his military service, Kenwa Mabuni became a police officer.  He became an important figure in the work of Okinawan martial arts and directed a research group in his house, where he trained many Masters who would influence the development of karate.  They included: Chosin Chibana, Gichin Funakoshi and Shinpan Shiroma. In 1918 his oldest son Kenei was born in Okinawa.

After a few visits to the principal island of Japan, Kenwa Mabuni definitively moved to the village of Osaka in 1929.  He named his karate school shito-ryu in honor of his principal masters:  “shi” was kanji for “ito” for Master Itosu and “to” was the equivalent of “higa” for Master Higaonna.

Master Kenwa Mabuni (seated center) in the company of different karate masters: 
Gichin Funakoshi (extreme left), Yasuhiro Konishi (second to the left)
and his son, Kenei Mabuni (extreme right)

His school developed well in the Osaka region.  Master Ryusho Sakagami, a student of Master Moden Yabiku, became his student during this period and would aid in the development of his school.

Master Mabuni was active in the promotion of the art of karate in Japan.  He opened clubs in different universities and wrote books on the practice of this martial art.  In addition to the multitude of kata taught in his system, he also created his own kata.

He taught and influenced many karate Masters during the course of his life, including:  Hironori Otshuka, Yasuhiro Konishi, Chojiro Tani, Ryusho Sakagami, Manzo Iwata and Ryusei Tomoyori to name a few, as well as his two sons, Kenei et Kenzo Mabuni, who would officially succeed him.

Master Kenwa Mabuni died in 1952.  Today, his shito-ryu school is one of the four most important schools in Japan.

Photo accepted to be Master Ankô Itosu circa 1909

His beginnings in the practice of the local art of combat called tode are nebulous.  Some attribute his early training to a master known as Nagahama, where others speak of a Chinese of the name Channan.

Around the age of 30, he became the disciple of Master Sokon Matsumura.  He was also training along side another disciple by the name of Anko Azato who was the best student of Master Matsumura.

Master Itosu favored the intensive training of makiwara.  His training was so developed that he had an extraordinarily developed body at the age of forty.  Of small stature, but impressively muscular, his stone body was a reflection of his intense training.

In 1879, when he was 49 years old, the local royalty was abolished by the Japanese regime on the island of Okinawa.  Master Itosu persevered in his work in his prefecture in spite of everything.  The times were hard and the economic situation difficult.  At the age of 55, in 1885, he retired and begin teaching karate in the garden of his home.

In 1901, Master Itosu succeeded in bringing the practice of karate into the primary school of the Shuri village as a form of physical education.  This success occured in the context of the modernization and growing militerization of Japanese society.

Master Itosu then brought a major change to the pedagogy of the teaching of karate which moved from personalized teaching to group teaching.  The influence of the military style of teaching is evident here in this profound transformation.  He elaborated from his experiences with kata specifically intended for teaching karate in schools.  He then compsed a series of pin an (heian in Japanese) kata and naifanshi (tekki in Japanese).

The contribution of Master Anko Itosu in the propagation of karate is immense.  He had many disciples in the course of his life which have contributed greatly in their own turn to the propagation of karate.  The most well known of these are:  Chomo Anashiro, Kentsu Yabu, Gichin Funakoshi, Chotoku Kyan, Chosin Chibana, Anbun Tokuda, Kenwa Mabuni and Shinban Gusukuma.  Master Itosu died in 1915.

]]> http://munndialarts.com/english/?feed=rss2&p=223 0 http://munndialarts.com/english/?p=222 http://munndialarts.com/english/?p=222#comments Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:28:11 +0000 Philippe Munn http://munndialarts.com/english/?p=222 Master Koichi Tohei was born in 1920 in Shitaya (known today as Taito) Tokyo.  Because he was a weak child, his father decided that he should practice judo.  The young Koichi re-enforced his body and health through arduous practice.

Master Koichi Tohei

Later, during his studies at the University of Keio, he developed pleurisy, which forced him to take a year of sabbatical.    To heal and return to good health, he practiced Zen meditation as well as the exercise of misogi.  He thus cured his pleurisy and returned to good health through the will he exerts on his practice.  He then returned to the practice of judo.

Disatisfied with judo and upon the recommendation of his professeur in the art of Mori Shohei, Koichi Tohei left to meet Master Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of a new martial art called aikido.  His first encounters with aikido did not initially impress him, but as soon as he had the chance to practice directly with Master Ueshiba, the young Tohei immediately enrolled in the dojo.  He was then 19 years old.

In 1942, he enrolled in the army and was sent to serve in China.  This experience showed him the importance of spirit in extreme situations.  He was repatriated into Japan in 1946.

Aikido group with Master Ueshiba after WWII

After the war, he was uechi dechi under Master Ueshiba.  His influence and reputation in the aikido circles grew.  During this time, he concerned himself with challenges with a group of American boxers.

Master Koishi Tohei with Master Morihei Ueshiba

In 1953, Master Ueshiba was sent to train in Hawaii, U.S.A. in order to introduce aikido there.  Master Tohei would return to the U.S.A. many times over the following years to train many of today’s greatest experts in this art.

In 1969, Master Morihei Ueshiba asked, for a second time, that Koichi Tohei accept the grade of 10th dan in aikido, which he finally accepted.  He received directly from the hands of the founder of the school, the scroll attesting to his level.  Tohei was also chief instructor of the hombu dojo of Aikikai at this time.

Upon the death of the founder in 1969, his son, Master Kisshomaru Ueshiba became the second Doshu of aikido.  Master Tohei continued his role as the chief instructor of Aikikai.

Master Koichi Tohei in an aïkido technique

In 1971, Master Tohei founded the “ki society” where he began to teach his concept of aikido which contained certain elements that were no well accepted by Aikikai and certain senior instructors in the organization.  The principal source of the opposition to Aikikai was his concept of “ki” in the practice.

In 1974, he definitively broke from Aikikai to concentrate on his ki-aikido and the “ki society”.  Many instructors united in his organization called shin shin toitsu aikido or “aikido with the coordination of the body and spirit.”

Today, Koichi Tohei is retired from the active teaching of ki-aikido and concentrates on the promotion of the “ki society.”

An example of tui shou practice

The basic practice of tui shou is an excellent way to concretely express the creation of an effective structure in the body posture for combat.  In this sense, the practice of tui shou is a natural prolongation of the individual practice of zhan zhuang or ritsu-zen.  The creation of a body structure and muscular integrity is absolutely essential for the progression in free combat exercises.  Catching a guard in the execution of a striking technique, of projection or of immobilization, having a body and posture well structured and integrated makes it possible to foresee a long term efficiency in the art of combat.

It is, however, necessary to conceptualize the exercise with the optic of a concrete application in free combat.  For this it is necessary to develop a force and real power associated with a great sensibility and good availability.

tui shou as an preparatory exercise for free combat

To this end, it is necessary to work the directions of force individually during the work of zhan zhuang or ritsu-zen in order to realize a force which is not unidimensional and limited.  This work demands a lot of perseverance and must be approached systematically.  Then the work with two in the different modes of the tui shou exercise brings a very satisfying, concrete and efficient sense.  Additionally, the potential progression in time with age becomes very clear and obtainable.

Different modes exist for the work of tui shou.  One can work with one arm, with two arms in various fashions through the sequences more or less codified until free work.  In general, it is preferable to begin with work with a minimum force and progressively direct yourself to the efficient use of power and force.  The finality of application in combat can vary equally in placing attention on the different techniques of keys, projections, strieks and eventually in free work.

Beyond the natural or acquired skills in techniques and strategies, once again the most important objective is surely the creation of a “martial body” well integrated and available.  A body that allows us to foresee this famous progression throughout a long life.  Here, the practice of tui shou becomes the reflection of an energy practice (chi gong or kiko) carried out by an adept throughout his life, at each step of his life.

Ultimately the proof of a successful integration of the different elements constituting the practice of a martial art is the capacity to follow the exercises in free combat throughout one’s life.

When he was young, Master Che Yi Zhai‘s family worked for the rich Wu family where they tended, among other things, the Wu‘s animals.  At the same time, the Wu family had also retained the services, as a professor and body guard, of a celebrated martial arts expert named Li Lao Neng.

portrait of Master Che Yi Zhai

One evening, the young Che Yi Zhai observed in hiding Master Li Lao Neng training xin yi quan to his students.  He studied and practiced these techniques in hiding which he observed while discretely observing Master Li‘s classes.  One day, Master Li was surprised when he found Che Yi Zhai training and thought him to be an advanced student of another master.  When Che Yi Zhai admitted that he had studied on his own, the Master immediately took him as a student.

Che Yi Zhai then trained every day under the tutilage of Master Li Lao Neng and made remarkable progress.  He became one of the most celebrated pupils of Master Li and was renowned throughout the province of Xhanxi.  He worked as a body guard for many rich families which became his new trade.

Later, Master Che Yi Zhai was confronted by his junior master Guo Yun Shen, another student of the very celebrated Master Li Lao Neng.  When Master Guo tried to place his famous peng chuan technique, Chen Yi Zhai quickly moved to his rear, thus showing his astonishing superiority.  The two men worked together for a time and developed their capacity and their art of xing yi quan.

Masters Che Yi Zhai (right) and Guo Yun Shen (left)

Master Che Yi Zhai died in 1915 having taught a number of students, including Master Bu Xue Kan.

He discovered the practice of yi chuan under the tutelage of Master Li Yong Zong then with Master Yang De Mao, the two disciples of the founder of yi chuan or da cheng chuan, Master Wang Xiang Zhai. Thereafter, he also studied under the celebrated Master Yao Zong Xun.  He also met Master Wang Xiang Zhai in the fifties.

Master Wang Xuan Jie

Master Wang Xian Jie was reputed for his capacity in the application of combat techniques.  He wrote a few books which contributed to the spread of the knowledge of da cheng chuan outside of China.  He also travelled to different countries to diffuse his art.  Many of his students considered him to be the successor of Wang Xiang Zhai, which fed a deep rift between the different students of Master Yao Zong Xun‘s school.

Having an extremely non-conformist personality, he tought principally in his home in Beijing until his death in 2000 following post-operative complications.

Many effective approaches to postural work exist both in the West and Far East.  One of these approaches having proven itself effective in this domain is the work of zhan zhuang (called ritsu-zen in Japanese).  The practice of zhan zhuang is at the heart of the practice of many methods of chi gong (kiko in Japanese) as well as numerous schools of martial arts like yi chuan / da cheng chuan, tai chi chuan, xing yi chuan, jiseido and taiki ken, to name a few.

zhan zhuang posture

Zhan Zhuang is an exercise of ancient Chinese origins.  According to Master Yu Yong Nian, one the great contemporary experts in the work of zhuan zhuang for health, this exercise dates back more than 2500 years.  The principle characteristics of this work consists, initially, of maintaining a posture of apparent immobility for a certain time which can vary from a few minutes to several hours.

The postural work of zhan zhuang consists, among other things, of discovering the axes of alignment throughout the body.  The creation and conscience awakening of these axes consists of finding these natural interactions between the different body parts thus supporting better function of the body for our health as well as for the practice of martial arts.

These interactions between the different parts of the body are obtained through the discovery and establishment of a network whose directions are in subtle opposition and through which energy lines traverse the body using certain axes.

zhan zhuang posture

The apparent immobility of the body, initially, plays a determining role here in success in the genre of postural exercises.  Remaining immobile in a state of great relaxation engages a process of profound transformation of the physiologic and internal psychological structures.  This transformation is carried out at its own rhythm and function in accordance with each individual and their investment in the work.  This postural work thus allows one to develop the concrete realization of the physical and psychological centers of being.

We can work, for example, around the construction of three principal axes to obtain a sensation of natural body alignement:

• the vertical axis : top of the head <-> coccyx and bottom of the feet <-> side of the thighs
• the horizontal axis : elbow <-> elbow
• visual access : look horizontally or at a 45° angle

the work of the three axes in zhan zhuang : vertical, horizontal and visual

These axes are themselves based in the region of the lower part of the back (called the ming men in Chinese, “the door of life”) as well as in the region of the lower part of the abdomen (called dan tian in Chinese, “field of cinabre”).  The particular position of the basin allows a feeling of support and connection around the ming men.

Curiously, one of the first benefits of the work of zhan zhuang is that it has no negative secondary effects on the body.  This element is important because this is extremely rare in the domain of physical exercise.  Knowing that an exercise does not contain any adverse effects makes it possible to invest oneself in complete confidence and complete liberty to obtain all the benefits.

Standing postural work offered by zhan zhuang (which is also offered as standing and lying work) is often perceived as being austere which does not always make it easily approached by beginners.  However the benefits largely surpass the difficulties of commencement and investment in this type of chi gong work is very profitable for maintaining and developing health and well being throughout ones life.

portrait of Master Kyuzo Mifune when he was a 5th dan

After his studies in economy at the University of Keio, he earned his living publishing different successful journals.  However, judo remained his grand passion.  He received a 6th dan at the age of 30, then became the fourth person to be promoted to 10th dan in Kôdôkan in 1945.  He received the nickname “god of judo.”  He became the chief instructor for Kôdôkan.  He also taught at a number of universities, police forces, and military academies.

Master Kyozu Mifune in randori with Master Jigoro Kano

Master Mifune was one of the favorite students of Master Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo and Kôdôkan.  It was Master Jigoro Kano himself who gave him the title of 9th dan in judo in 1937.  Upon the death of Jigoro Kano, it was Jiro Nango who became president of Kôdôkan.  However, Kyozu Mifune rapidly became the most influential instructor of the hombu dojo.

In 1956, Master Mifune wrote his book “Cannon of judo” which became a classic on the practice of the art of judo.  His influence on judo after the war was profound.  In 1964, Kyozu Mifune acted as an official for the Olympic games in Tokyo.

A projection of Master Kyozu Mifune

On January 27, 1965, Master Kyozu Mifune, the last 10th dan in judo of his time, died in a hospital at the age of 81.

portrait of Master Kyozu Mifune

Jigoro Kano, weighing only 90 lbs, wanted to become stronger.  Nakai Baisei, a family friend who was a member of the shogun guard, spoke to him of ju jutsu, a method for re-enforcement.  He also demonstrated a few techniques of this art.  The young Kano wanted then to learn this art, although his father wanted to dissuade him from practicing this modern sport.

Jigoro Kano at 17 years old practicing ju jutsu

In 1877, while studying at the Imperial University of Tokyo, Jigoro Kano sought a ju jutsu professor.  He finally enrolled in the dojo of Master Fukuda Hachinosuke‘s school, Tenjin Shin’yô-ryû.

On August 5, 1879, Jigoro Kano, along with his professor Fukuda Hachinosuke, Iso Masatomo and Godai Ryusaku, participated in a ju jutsu demonstration offered in honor of the U.S. President, Ulysses S. Grant.  Shortly after this demonstration, his professor, Master Fukuda died at the age of 52.  Jigoro Kano then continued his training under the tutelage of Master Iso Masatomo who was the friend of his professor.  At the age of 21, Jigoro Kano received his teaching license (Kyoshi menkyo) from the school of Tenjin Shin’yô-ryû.

Jigoro Kano in keikogi

During this period, Jigoro Kano attended a demonstration of the Yôshin-ryû school then participated in combat exchanges with this school’s adepts studying under Master Totsuka Hikosuke.  Impressed by the capacities of these adepts, he thus understood that in order to progress efficiently, he would have to study the techniques of the different schools of ju jutsu.

In 1881, upon the death of Master Iso Masatomo, Jigoro Kano began the study of the Kitô-ryu school of ju jutsu under Master Iikubo Tsunetoshi.  Upon judging that the projection techniques of this school were superior to those he had previously learned, he applied himself particularly to the study of these techniqes.

Little by litte, Jigoro Kano began to technically exceed his professor during the work of combat.  Master Iikubo recognized the accomplishments of his student and transmitted training secrets of the Kitô-ryû school, as well as gave him the manuscripts of the school.

Jigoro Kano then founded his school and decided to call it Judô.  He conserved the projection techniques of the Kitô-ryû school as well as the immobilization and striking techniques of the Tenjin Shin’yô-ryû school.  In 1898, he wrote:

By incorporating the best elements from the different school that I have learned and incorporating them with my own inventions and discoveries, I have created a new system of physical education and moral as well as a method for winning tournaments.

Between 1906 and 1917, Master Kano‘s judô was introduced in Japan’s public education system.  This period saw the standardization of the techniques of his art as well as the systematization of tournament techniques.

Jigoro Kano demonstrating a judô technique

In 1882 he founded his dojo, Kôdôkan, which began with a 12 tatamis surface.  After many moves, Kôdôkan occupied a 1200 tatamis surface in 1958.

A teacher and pedagogue by trade, over the course of his life Jigoro Kano occupied many important posts within the Japanese government in the Ministry of Education as well as in a variety of teaching institutions.  He saw his judô as being one method for teaching the young.

In 1899, he visited many European countries.  In 1909, he became active within the the International Olympic Comity as a Japanese representative.  He would represent his country notably in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, in 1928 in Amsterdam, In 1932 in Los Angelas and in 1926 in Berlin.

Portrait of Master Jigoro Kano

Judô was already beginning to gain international recognition during the life of Master Kano.  Master Jigoro Kano died at sea aboard the ship MV Hikawa Maru on the 4th of May, 1938.  Today, judô is an Olympic sport practiced throughout the world.

Master Feng Zhi Qiang in a Chen tai-chi chuan posture

At the age of 12 his parents sent him to live in Beijing where one of his fellow practitioners introduced him to the celebrated Master Hu Yao Zhen of liu he xing yi chuan.  Following a test with Master Hu Yao Zhen, Feng Zhi Qiang became his student.  After 2 years of practice under the tutelage of Master Hu, Master Feng made great progress in xing yi chuan of six harmonies and developed a very high level.

Because of his remarkable progress, Master Hu Yao Zhen introduced Feng Zhi Qiang to his friend, Master Chen Fa Ke, the famous expert of the Chen tai-chi chuan school.  Master Feng Zhi Qiang began practicing tai-chi chuan with Master Chen while continuing his practice of xing yi neigong with Master Hu.

Master Feng Zhi Qiang practiced these two arts intensively for many hours each day.  Gradually the teachings of these two masters were engraved and harmonized profoundly in him.  In 1957, the society of the martial arts of the capital of Beijing was created of which Master Chen Fa Ke became president and Master Hu Yao Zhen became vice president.  Master Feng Zhi Qiang trained there each day to take advantage of every opportunity to receive the counsel of these masters.  As Master Chen aged, it was Master Feng who gradually accepted challenges for him.  His reputation an adept thus grew enormously.

The qualities of the followers of Master Feng Zhi Qiang are universally recognized today.  He is currently the an executive member of the “China Martial Arts Association” ,of the “Beijing Municipal Martial Arts Association,” president of the “Beijing Chen Style Taijiquan Research Association,” and president of the “Zhiqiang Martial Arts Academy.”  He also founded the Chen Shi Xinyi Hunyuan Taijiquan school.

Master Liu decided to invite Master Chen Fa Ke for a Chen tai chi chuan demonstration for his students.  Although he was surprised by the demonstration of fast movements of the pao chui form by Chen Fa ke, Master Lui decided to ask Master Chen to teach him, and his students, his tai chi chuan.  Following an impressive demonstration of push hands between the two masters in which Master Chen Fa ke dominated totally, Master Lui and his students become the students of Chen Fa Ke.

Master Hong Jun Sheng

For more than fifteen years Master Hong Jun Sheng studied Chen tai chi chuan under the tutelage of Master Chen Fa Ke.  He learned all the cirriculum of this school, becoming one of the only students of Chen Fa Ke to study under him for fifteen years.  Many thus consider him a living resource for the teachings and life of Master Chen Fa Ke.

Although he was a traditionalist in his practice, Master Hong developed a very practical and modern tai chi chuan teaching in particular refusing to use the terms that he considered abstract, such as “qi”, in his teaching.

Although he often lived in poverty, Master Hong Jun Shen dedicated his life to the teaching of his master.  He would have several visitors from around the entire world, many from Japan, that would come to learn under him.  He would also publish many books on the practice of Chen tai chi chuan.

Very humble by nature, Hong jUn Sheng never considered himself a “master” but rather as a co-student of his Chen schoolmates.  Considered in his life as one of the greatest masters of Chen tai chi chuan, many great practitioners of this school, such as Master Giu Lu Xin and Chen Zhao Kui, would come to him for advice.

Master Hong Jun Sheng passed away in 1996.  He had a number of students such as Masters Liu En Jiu and Joseph Chen Zhong Hua.

When he was still young, Cheng Ting Hua moved to Beijing where he took an apprenticeship making glasses. While here he also began his apprenticeship in the martial art of Chinese boxing (shuai chiao). He practiced boxing with such passion that he became relatively known in boxing circles in Beijing.

photo of Master Cheng Ting Hua

Around 1876, Cheng Ting Hua became the student of Master Dong Hai Chuan who was well-known in Beijing at the time for his ability in martial arts. At the time of their meeting, Master Dong asked him to try to throw him with his boxing techniques. Following many unsuccessful tries with his best boxing techniques, Cheng Ting Hua asked Dong Hai Chuan to become his disciple. Thus he became one of the first four disciples of Master Dong Hai Chuan in the art of ba gua zhang.

Cheng Ting Hua taught his art very openly and trained many students over the course of his life. The include people such as his two sons, Cheng Yu Lung (1875-1928) and Cheng You Xin (2nd son), Cheng You Gong, Feng Jun Yi, Gao Ke Xing, Gao Yi Sheng, Sun Lu Tang, Liu De Kuan, Yang Ming Shan, Zhang Chang Fa, Zhang Yong De, Zhang Yu Kui, Zhou Yu Xiang and Zhang Zhao Dong (1866-1951), Geng Ji Shan, Guo Tong De, Han Qi Ying, Hon Mu Xi, Kan Ling Feng, Li Cun Yi, Li Han Zhang, Li Wen Biao, Liu Bin, Liu Zhen Zong, Qin Cheng (1859-1940).

Cheng Ting Hua was killed by a bullet from German soldiers in 1900 during the period of the “rebellion of the boxers.”

interpreted from Philippe Munn’s
original French language article
by J.L. Munn

Here is a series of soft exercises using the spiral motion. I have presented these exercises in my video podcast series which may be used in conjunction with this article.

First series – Interior to Exterior Arm Spirals

1 – Place your hand in front of your body with the palm facing the ceiling and the fingers naturally bent, but not contracted;

2 – Direct your fingers towards the solar plexus (breast bone) as if you were going to push them into the plexus;

3 – Direct your elbow forward by round the arm. This movement originates from the scapula (shoulder blade), not from the arm. Keep your arm as relaxed as possible throughout the movement;

4 – Push your arm, led by the fingers and driven by the solar plexus, towards the kidneys, keeping your palm facing up;

5 – Extend the arm as far as possible (without excessive force) with your palm directed up. This creates the feeling of torsion. It is important not to force the shoulder but to always begin the movement using your shoulder blade;

6 – Turn your arm in a spiral motion until the palm again faces the ceiling naturally;

Repeat this movement ten times on each side. You can also perform this exercise alternating arms.

Second series : Exterior to interior arm spirals

1- Place your hand behind your body just above your kidney with the palm facing up and the fingers bent but not contracted;

2 – Move your fingers towards your kidney as if they were going to enter the kidney;

3 – Move your elbow to the center while skirting the body. This movement should begin in the shoulder blade not in the arm. Keep your arm as relaxed as possible throughout the movement;

4 – Push your arm, led by the fingers and driven by the shoulder blade, from the kidney towards the shoulder blades with the palm facing up;

5 – When the elbow passes the body, execute a “screwing” movement pushing your hand towards the interior. This movement always begins from the shoulder blade.

6 – Continue the spiral movement around your head then extend your arm forward with the palm towards the exterior, a bit as though you were swimming (the butterfly);

7 – Extend your arm as far as possible (without excessive force) keeping the palm facing the exterior then move your arm towards the exterior. This creates a feeling of torsion. It is important here that you do not force the shoulder but always move using your shoulder blade;

8 – Turn your arm in a spiral motion until the palm faces the ceiling naturally and returns to the starting point at the level of your kidney;

Repeat this movement ten times on each side. You can also perform this exercise alternating arms.

interpreted from Philippe Munn’s
original French language article
by J.L. Munn

At 15 years of age, he left to live in Japan where he joined the Japanese Imperial Army in hopes of becoming a fighter pilot. The difficult life of a Korean zainichi (living in Japan) made survival difficult and his dream of becoming a pilot unattainable, so he changed his name to the Japanese name Masutatsu Oyama.

Portrait of Master Masutatsu Oyama

He began practicing Okinawan karate under the tutelage of Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of the shotakan school. He received the title of 4th dan of this school in his early twenties, after studying under Master Funakoshi for only 2 years while attending the University of Takushoku. He also seriously studied judo and boxing at this time. He then studied the goju-ryu school of karate under Master So nei Chu who was a student of Chojun Miyagi, the founder of the school.

Masutatsu Oyama then began a several month sabbatical in Mt. Minobu in the Chiba prefect in which he dedicated himself to a period of rigorous training, mimicking the exploits of one of his heroes, the saber master Miyamoto Musashi. He would later repeat this fanatical form of training in a second sabbatical on Mt. Kiyozumi.

Master Oyama in combat in the 1950′s

In 1952, Masutatsu Oyama traveled to the USA where he participated in different televised karate demonstrations, participated in fights with professional wrestlers and where he accepted public challenges. This trip did a lot for the popularization of karate in the West.

In 1953, he opened his first karate dojo in Tokyo called “Oyama dojo.” Finally, in 1957 he opened his real commercially successful dojo. Master Oyama continued to travel throughout the world. During this time he also entered fights against bulls in which he would break the horns of the beast to demonstrate the efficacy of karate. These demonstrations with the bulls, often disappointing as was the disastrous case in Mexico in 1957, contributed greatly to the fame of Master Oyama and karate.

Master Oyama fighting a bull

Masutatsu Oyama finally named his karate school Kyokushin in 1957 which would become the kyokushinkai (the association of the ultimate truth) in 1964. That same year the International Karate Organization (IKO) was born to manage the international development of his school. At this time, he trained many students who would become the pillars of his organization and propagate its reputation for efficacy in free combat.

Master Oyama maintained contact with many Japanese budo masters like Kenichi Sawai, the founder of the taiki ken school. The bloody exchanges between the students of these two schools are legendary today. Many of Master Oyama‘s students also became students of Master Sawai.

His school developed in a rapid fashion throughout the world as a direct result of the acute marketing of Master Oyama. During his life, the kyokushinkai and the IKO recruited more than ten million members throughout 120 countries. The school developed its reputation through free contact combat competitions and demonstrations of its students breaking different materials.

Master Masutatsu Oyama

Master Masutatsu Oyama passed away in 1994 from lung cancer. He was 70 years old.

interpreted from Philippe Munn’s
original French language article
by J.L. Munn

Following the divorce of his step-mother, he received his education in Dorin (Dorinbo), who was a priest in the Shoreian temple, and the step-father of Tatsumi Masahisa. They taught him Buddhism as well as reading and writing.

Famous painting of Miyamoto Musashi in a saber pose

In the introduction of his book on the Go-rin-no-sho strategy, Miyamoto Musashi wrote that he fought in his first duel at the age of thirteen against a warrior of the Shinto-ryo school named Arima Kihei, who was killed in the fight.

In 1600, Miyamoto Musashi participated in the Sekigahara battle in the batallion of lord Ukita, which was part of the army of the West. This army was defeated by the army of the future shogun Tokugawa.

In 1604, at the age of 20, he undertook a series of duels with the famous Yoshioka family of Kyoto. He fought and conquered successively the masters of the Yoshioka family including the inheriting masters Seijuro and Denshichiro. Following this success, he fought and defeated all of the Yoshioka clan who were defending the youngest master to reach and defeat the youngest remaining master, Matashichiro, who was then twelve.

Memorial stone marking the place of Musashi‘s victory over the Yoshioka clan in Ichijoji (Kyoto)

Miyamoto Musashi then visited the famous Hozoin temple in Nara to measure himself with the monks who were experts in techniques of the lance. He then went to the Enkoji temple in Hyogo whose principal abbot appreciated martial arts. There he trained Tada Genzaburo who received the certificate of transmission of the Musashi school, named at the time Enmei-ryu.

He continued his musha shugyo (training voyage), traveling throughout Japan. At the time of his trip to Edo, he fought against Shishido Baiken, an expert in kusari-gama (sickle with a chain and weight). In Edo (Tokyo), he fought two students of the Yagyu-ryu school named Oseto and Tsujikase. He then defeated, without killing, the jo-jutsu (stick) expert Muso Gonnosuke who later used this experience to elaborate the Shinto-Muso-ryu school.

In 1611, Musashi went to the Myoshinji temple in Kyoto where he practiced zazen. He met a vassal of the lord Hosokawa Tadaoki who spoke of an adept named Sasaki Kojiro and proposed organizing a duel with him. In 1612, the famous duel occurred on the island of Funajima to the north of Kyoshu. Miyamoto Musashi victoriously killed Sasaki Kojiro.

Painting depicting Miyamoto Musashi in pose with two bokken

Miyamoto Musashi then participated in two Osaka battles in winter and summer in the Tokugawa lesu army. These battles brought the final victory of the Tokugawa clan.

He then remained at the home of lord Ogasawara in Akashi where he taught saber. In 1618 he adopted a child who would take the name Miyamoto Mikinosuke, who would commit suicide by seppuku following the death of his lord in 1626.

In 1623, Miyamoto Musashi went again to Edo where he met a Confucianist sage by the name of Hayashi Razan. With him, Musashi then began taking steps to becoming on of the shogun’s saber masters, but was unsuccessful. He then begins to travel again to northern Japan where he adopted a boy who took the name Miyamoto lori and would enter into the service of lord Ogasawara of Akashi in 1626.

At the age of 50, Miyamoto Musashi returned to Kyushu in Kokura whose lord was now Ogasawara Tadasane, who organized a fight between Musashi and the famous lance master named Takada Matabei. Musashi was victorious.

In 1637, Musashi participated in the battles of Shimabara against the Christian rebels. He directed, with his adopted son lori, lord Ogasawara‘s troops. This would be the last battle in which Musashi participated.

Portrait of Miyamoto Musashi

At 56 years of age, Miyamoto Musashi settled in Kumamoto near lord Hosakawa. Lord Hosokawa Tadatoshi organized a fight in the form of training between Musashi and Ujii Magoshiro, the principal master of the lord. Musashi was victorious.

In 1641, he wrote the “Hyoho sanju-go-kajo” for lord Hosokawa Tadatoshi. During this same time, he devoted himself to the practice of different arts like calligraphy, painting and tea ceremonies.

Painting of a cormorant attributed to Miyamoto Musashi

At 58 Musashi fell sick and suffered from neuralgias. One year later, in 1643, he left to settle in the cave called Rengando (cave of the heart or spirit of the rock) situated on Mt. Iwato near Kumamoto. He began writing his famous Go-rin-no-sho.

Philippe Munn at the entrance of the cave Rengando near Kumamoto, Japan

He dedicated this last work, the Go-rin-no-sho, to his disciple Terao Magonojo-Katsunobu. During his last days, he wrote the 21 articles of Dokkodo. Miyamoto Musashi passed away on the 19th day of the 5th month of 1643.

** The principal reference for this article is Kenji Tokitsu’s: ?Miyamoto Musashi – l’homme et l’oeuvre, mythe ou realite (Paris, France, 1998. ISBN 2-907653-54-7).

Interpreted from Philippe Munn’s
original French language article
by J.L. Munn

Master Tung Ying Chieh in a tai-chi chuan posture

He became then became a student of Master Yang Cheng Fu, the grandson of the founder of the yang school of tai-chi chuan, Master Yang Lu Chan. Tung Ying Chieh became a passionate student and competent of Master Yang Cheng fu. He also studeied with the older brother of Yang Cheng Fu, Master Yang Shao Hou.

Master Tung Ying Chieh in the single whipe posture of tai-chi chuan

In 1939, Master Tung Ying Chieh fled the events of the second world war and finally settled in Hong Kong, where he taught the yang school of tai-chi chuan. His training evolved and eventually took the name of the tung (dong) school of tai-chi chuan.

Following his death in 1961, his successors were the members of his family: his son, Dong Hu Ling , his dauther, M.L. Jasmine Tung, his daughter-in-law, Tung Chen Siu Fan, his grandsons, Tung Kai Ying and Dong Chen Zhen and his other grandsons Alex Dong and Tung Chen Wai. Today the tung school of tai-chi chuan is practiced in Asia, Europe and North America, including Hawaii.

interpreted from Philippe Munn’s
original French language article
by J.L. Munn

Portrait of Master Kanbun Uechi

After a particularly difficult period he began training in Chinese boxing as well as studying the use of herbal medicines under the tutelage of Master Zhou Zhi He (Shushiwa in Japanese, 1874-1926). Master Zhou Zhi He was a enigmatic personality and it is difficult to recall the facts of his life and the school of wushu which he taught. Kanbun Uechi studied under the tutelage of this master for more than 10 years.

Popular Portrait of Master Zhou Zhi He (Shushiwa)

Kanbun Uechi received permission to train the art of his master would later open, under the recommendation of his master, a boutique for selling medicinal herbs as well as a dojo in the town of Nanjing in 1906. In 1909, a drama occured in the life of Master Uechi when one of his students killed another peasant in the village during a quarrel. Following this event, he stopped teaching this art and left China.

Upon his return to Okinawa, determined to never teach an art that kills, Kanbun Uechi married in 1911. His oldest son, Kanei, who would become his successor, was born that same year. Master Uechi then only performed public demonstrations and practiced karate in secret with his friend Tonusaburo Matsuda, who would later study the art of combat in China. These two men also made exchanges with an adept in white crane boxing named Wu Xian Gui who lived in and traded in Okinawa.

In 1924, Kanbun Uechi moved to the town of Wakayama, which is situated on the principle island of Japan, where he worked in a factory. Upon the insistence of his friends, he finally opened a dojo in 1925. In 1932, he moved his dojo and began referring to his school of karate as pangainoon, which is a phonetic transposition in Okinawan of the Chinese name ban ying gui (half hard method or method based on hardness and softness). He definitively names his school in 1940, calling it uechi-ryu.

Photo of Masters Kanbun and Kanei Uechi in 1941

In 1942, Kanbun Uechi‘s son returned to Okinawa to care for his mother. He began teaching the family karate to the youth and introduced the uechi-ryu school to Okinawa. Kanbun Uechi followed him in 1946 to find his devastated native land in full reconstruction after the war. He briefly taught in the town of Nago and later passed away at the age of 71.

His son, Kanei Uechi took over the school upon the death of his father until his own death in 1991. Master Kanbun Uechi’s students included: Takayoshi Tomoyose, Saburo Uehara, Kata Yamashiro, Genmnei Uesato, Yoshitada Matayoshi, Hidefusa Hamazaki and Seiko Toyama. Today the uechi-ryu school of karate is practiced in many countries by many different groups.

interpreted from Philippe Munn’s
original French language article
by J.L. Munn