This was a written interview sent from John Shipes of Kenshin Kan to Kyoshi Roy Lee Osborne III

Questions for participants:

 

1.      What time frame did you train in Okinawa with Master Kise and/or Master Soken?  For example � Mr. Osborne, in one letter I received via email stated that he trained there from 1960 until 1967.  Was this training period continuous or broken? 

My training was continuous from 1960-1967.  I originally started my karate training in 1958 when I went to the USA in 1958 to Fort Campbell, Kentucky where my sisters� husband was stationed and my father had me go to Master Sgt. Henry Slymanski his dear friend whom he and Slymanski Sensei had graduated from the very 1st Ranger Division together in 1952.  Slymanski Sensei was a Shitoryu stylist and taught me front kick, side kick, roundhouse kick and back kick, punching and chopping, inside, outside, up and down block�front stance, back stance, cat stance and square hone.  I practiced these techniques for two years before I began with Kise Sensei at Shilling Community Center on Kadena Airbase.  Slymanski Sensei also taught Bill Wade (Chicago Bears), Elvis Presley and Danny Inosanto ( who was a brown belt in 1958 in Kenpo) he trained at Stillwell Field house Post Gym with Slymanski Sensei.  Slymanski Sensei was killed in Vietnam jumping on a live grenade to save his company commander.  I trained from 1960 to 1967 at Shillings Community Center, Kises home dojo in Koza City.  I began training with Master Hohan Soken only 3 or 4 times as an Uke for GI�s that needed a partner in the backroom of Shillings from 1963 to 1965.  In 1965 to 1967, I trained twice a week at Shillings, once I turned 17, I also went to his house every other weekend from 1965 to 1967 with my maid as a translator.

 

2.      What circumstances in your life took you to Okinawa?  For example � Mr. Stanfield, I believe, was in the service.  Were all of these people service people?

I went to Okinawa in 1955 as a dependent, my father was in the 1st Special Forces.  Prior to that I lived in Kyushu, Japan (Camp Wood) where I began Judo in 1952.

 

3.      Once you were in Okinawa, how did you come to be associated with Master Kise and/or Master Soken?  Was it random chance or was it set up by the military or what?

My parents use to shop at the PX and commissary on Kadena Airbase since we lived in Kadena Circle�my brothers and I would go to Shillings Community Center to play pool�this is where I first saw Okinawa Karate.  After getting in a small school fight at age 12 with a 14 year old that trained with Kise Sensei.  I discovered the difference of judo and karate.  I was kicked in the groin and punched in the face before I could close the gap to attempt a throw.

 

 

4.      I understand that the training methods were brutal in the early days.   Can you elaborate on this. For example � comment on the methods that were used for instruction.

Harsh, brutal, animalistic�pure combat orientated�hundreds and hundreds of repetitions of kicks and punching, blocks and bogu kumite where no points were called unless your opponent went down.  The same with kata�s�famous Okinawan words---�One more time��

 

5.      Were the techniques that were taught much different as well as the brutality of the training?  For example � was there a lot of pressure point techniques and tuite or grappling techniques?  Where did the techniques come from � for example, did they originate from the kata and were essentially bunkai for the kata or was there another source?

Yes there were always pressure point techniques, tuite and grappling techniques�most as applied to kata but many from Kise Sensei with no explanation of where they come from�Kise spoke very very little English at that time.  He grunted and hissed most of the time in those days!  And we moaned, screamed and grasped in pain. This was our main way of understanding what he was trying to get us to understand

 

6.      If there were pressure point techniques taught, were they taught as pressure point techniques or were they shown as examples, such as when Master Kise sticks one of his fingers in a very painful spot and says �See?� as he does today?

They were just taught, we only knew they hurt, he didn�t say this is a pressure point technique, this is tuite, this is kyusho, this is nerve technique, he just applied them and we learned from the pain involved and accepted all that he taught us with respect and gratitude.

 

7.      I expect that there was much camaraderie between the students in such a setting.  At least, among the American students as it seems to be better with servicemen in such settings.  How about between the Okinawans and the Americans?  I have read that they often made it very hard on the Americans who trained there.  How did they do this?  More contact, attitude, etc.

Americans were Americans, as one for all and all for one.  With the Okinwan�s there was animosity due to the short time level since WWII.  They had a very deep mistrust of us.  Yes they made it very hard and would hurt you in a flash of an eye.  You had to be very careful and always on guard when you trained with the Okinawan�s of the time period.  Most were like this, but not all.  They did it by hurting you with contact, many times when you would ask the Okinawans about certain techniques, they would say to you �For Okinawans only to know�.

 

 

8.      Did you train in kata a great deal?  How was this accomplished?  Through repitition, analysis through bunkai, etc.

Kata was done after jubi undo and basic waza, repetition after repetition, then Kise Sensei would break down the kata.  We did all the kata�s as a group class, once you got to the last kata learned, you would break away from the group still continuing kata and go to where either white belts, green belts, brown belts, or black belts were and continue kata until the last person still doing kata had finished.  Then kumite until you dropped or were hurt.

 

9.      What kata were taught then?

Wansu, AnaKu, Seisan, Pian Shodan, Pian Nidan, Pian Sandan, Pian Yondan (no godan then), Pai Sai Sho, Pai Sai Dai, Naihanchi Shodan, Nihanchi Nidan, Nahanchi Sandan, Chinto, Kusanku and Gojushiho at Shilling Community Center.  At the downtown dojo I learned a version of Pian Godan, Jionji and Kusan Kusho.

Weapons Kata�s-Bo  1-2-3 and Chiken No Bo.

                    Sai 1-2-3 and AnaKu Nosai

 

Nunchaku  Nunchaku sho

                  Tonfa Pian Yondan

                  Kama Kata

 

I learned a more advanced Nunchaku Kata from Hohan Soken O�Sensei in private lessons at his house and a small crane kata called Neisan Kata

 

10.  Was there white crane training?  If so, was it taught as white crane training or as part of everything else?

No white crane training per se at Shilling Community Center, I had only seen crane kata performed by O�Sensei Soken at demos, but crane techniques as bunkai were taught for most kata, but not always told to us that it was Hakutsuru Waza

11.  What other Americans trained there when you were there?  Were they all servicemen?

Pop, Art Spanski, Barnett, Pete Lucas, Chip Nigerius (dependent), James Coffman, Gary Starfield, Walter Ivey (dependent), Don Lucas(no relationship to Peter Lucas), Rodney Morris(my brother), R. L. Osborne(my twin brother).  Mike Osborne(no relationship to me) and many others I cannot recall.  All the above obtained Nidan rank, or higher with the exception of Mike Osborne.   Robert ? Vaughn, first name I believe is Robert.  Sanders, first name I cannot remember.

12.  I understand classes were 7 days a week and this must have been a grueling schedule.  Can you comment on this?  Were you able to train 7 days a week?  I expect this allowed little time for much else besides karate training and you were fortunate indeed to have been in a position to take advantage of such training.  How do you feel about that in the classes you teach today?

Yes, seven days a week, 5 at Shillings, 2 at either Kise�s home dojo or after 1964 at Soken�s dojo or training at Kises� home dojo, then going to Soken O�Sensei�s dojo in Nisihara for more training.

 

13.  Do you continue to train today in a similar manner?  I understand that age and lifestyle play a great part in being able to do such a thing so I guess the question is, how did this method of training affect what you teach today?

Yes, I continue to train the same, I do a personal workout from 5:15 am to 8:15 am 7 days a week.  I teach my student in the same manner in which I was taught.  Those of us that still teach Shorinji have few students but the ones we have are the true hardcore Karateka until death do us part.  �Death...you know me by my touch for it is the last.  Shorinji.�

 

14.  I understand that most, if not all, of Master Kise�s students also trained with Master Soken, at least on occasion.  Can you elaborate on his teaching and the training at his dojo and how it may have been different?

At the time I trained at Shilling Community Center and at Kise�s home dojo, we practiced only the methods of Shorinji except on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Soken O�Sensei came to Kadena Air Base then after our regular jubi undo and basic waza if you were 17 years of age and above you were allowed to go in the backroom and train with Soken O�Sensei in tuite, pressure point, nerve center techniques, Kyusho and other bunkai as it applied to our Shorinji Kata, both empty hand kata and weapons.  At Soken O�Sensei�s home dojo, we learned the Matsumura Kata�the basic difference being higher stances, there were many differences in the hand techniques but the geometrical patters of the katas were pretty much the same.

 

15.  How would you like to see this article reflect your training there?

Only as I have stated in the previous questions and by what you, Sensei Shipes, see within the many video I have sent you.  For a picture, as the old saying goes is worth a thousand words.  The truth o the differences of what is taught today in Matsumura Seito and Kenshin Kan from what was taught in the late 50�s up to 1967 by Kise Sensei.

16.  I�m sure there are many questions that I don�t know enough about what went on then, to be able to ask.  What would you like to add to this list of questions?  I�m sure there will be follow-up questions from the answers received.

I believe you have pretty much covered what is necessary but perhaps Sensei Gary Starfield and Sensei James Coffman can further elaborate.

 

17.  What other persons do you know that were there, that you would like me to contact and include in this article?  Can you provide me with contact information?

I know of no other Sensei besides us three that still teach the old way, I know perhaps some of the people I mentioned in question eleven still teach if still alive (many of them went straight to Vietnam form Okinawa), I know none of their addresses.  I know only that Peter Lucas was from East St. Louis, MO.  I wish I had collected addresses of my fellow dojo students.

 

18.  My idea for this article is to put together information of each of the people I�ve talked to and what they experienced there.  Then to talk to other people who came later all the way up to present day training with Master Kise, and compile it into an article or series of articles for publication.  If I cannot find a magazine to publish it, then I will publish it somehow and make it available to all of our students who wish to read it in some form.  Do you have thoughts on this?

No more than you have stated within the question, but for historical purposes of Kise�s Sensei past teaching methods, I believe there are many students who do not know the least bit about Shorinji.  When Kise Sensei visited me in 1978 and 1980 and all other seminars that I trained with him, he would tell myself, Gary Stanfield and James Coffman the same thing��you know that difference of what is taught today and what use to be the way I taught (Shorinji), but others need not know that, keep it for yourself and teach the new way and you will have lots of students�the old way is not for today�s society.� $$$$

 

19.  An article such as this will require pictures of your training there of one sort or another.  Do you have pictures that you could provide copies of or perhaps computer copies of and would you be willing to do so?

Yes, I have pictures and yes I will provide them to you and help in any way to let the truth of the past be known.

20.  The draft and completed versions of this article will be forwarded to you for your approval prior to being distributed to anyone else for your proofreading and editing.  I only seek the truth in this article and I greatly appreciate your help in keeping me on track.  I am not seeking to build anyone up or tear anyone down but rather to write an objective article about the training you guys went through and how Master Kise has changed his methods over the years, for whatever reason.  Again, I thank you greatly and if this comes to fruition, it will because of your efforts.

I seek the same objectives as you have stated in statement #20.

 

The main difference I see in the old way and the new is:  Shorinji used an offensive defense (attacking an attack with a more violent attack) while the new system of Matsumura Seito and Kenshin Kan use rather a defensive offense.  Both systems are excellent and what Kise Sensei teaches today still surpasses most all other systems still taught openly on Okinawa and abroad.  Kise Sensei will always be the father of my Karate ways of Shorinji and nothing can change the love and respect I have for my Sensei�O�Sensei Fusie Kise.

 

Kise Sensei Maximum for the old way of Shorinji was �to develop the power to bring any savage beast to ones knees�.  This meant going way beyond the power and ability of the ordinary Karateka in order to meet his demands of those old days of when his only way of teaching was Shorinjiryu.

 

In a closing statement I can only say �it makes my heart sad to see what Kise Sensei now teaches compared to the old.  The students of today lives are at stake�

                                                                         Sincerely,

                                                                         Roy Lee Osborne III 8th Dan-Shorinjiryu

                                                                     

 
 
 

Breathing Exercise.

Every living creature is sustained by breath. Breathing plays an utmost part in all life activities,

thus when there is no more breath the life ends. All living creatures may sustain their own lives

for some period of time without food or water but never without breath. The breath absorbs

oxygen into our system and eliminates carbonic acid gas. During inhalation oxygen is first taken

into the lung cells, and then circulates through the blood. Through this ceaseless activity and

formation of cells within the various functions of the body the impure waste is eliminated. In

other words the breath burns the waste matter or impure matter produced along with the

processes of digestion, absorption and excretion which is known as metabolism.

As a logical consequence of this process, carbonic acid gas is produced within the system. If this

gas remains within the system it may endanger the life. Therefore it has to be sent to the lungs

through the veins in order to be eliminated through exhalation. This is the physical foundation of breathing.

However the work of the breath goes beyond absorption of oxygen and elimination of carbonic

acid gas from the system. The absorption of breath is also essential to maintain the life force

known as Ki. Ki is not only vital to sustain the order of the system but also to stimulate the

cultivation, realization and manifestation of human potential including the spiritual domain of human activity.

Important Conditions for Conducting Breathing Exercises:

1. There must be total relaxation, apart from contracting a certain part of the body, specifically designated within each exercises, or as instructed.

2. Use the power of the imagination, concentrate your mind to discharge impurities from the system when you exhale, and take in and fill with fresh

life force (Ki) with the inhale.

3. Choose a clean environment when carrying out breathing exercises, for example in the early morning, at the beach, in the forest etc.

4. Stop and sit down immediately if you experience a sparkling in your eyes, dizziness or a headache.

5. Choose a safe environment where you have enough space in case you should faint. (The phenomena mentioned in point 4 is the first possible sign of fainting which is caused by

conducting the exercises wrongly).

6. Anyone who has high blood pressure, heart disease, lung problems or similar weaknesses are advised to carry out these exercises moderately and with caution until one feels safe and

comfortable doing them.

Breathing Exercises:

1. Whole Breath (The breath of Self- Unification)

Exhale and inhale quietly and with as long a breath as possible, repeat three to five times. You can do this exercise anytime of the day wherever you are, but choose a clean environment.

Performing the breath of Self-Unification:

a. Shut or close your anus tightly.

b. At the same time drop the tension from your shoulders.

c. Lightly expand the abdomen.

2. The Cleansing Breath.

The objective of this exercise is to clean the lungs. It is advisable to combine this exercise with

breathing exercise number I, both before and after every breathing exercise.

Performing the Cleansing Breath:

a. Start with a whole breath, following the conditions of the Self-Unification breath steps a. band c.

b. Stop and hold the breath for a while.

c. Start to exhale making a whistling sound continuously until all the air is expelled from the

lungs. Don�t inhale at all while you are doing this.

d. After you have cleared all the air from your lungs, make a kiai of �wuou� or �wu�.

3. The Nerve Revitalizing Breath.

The objective of this exercise is to vitalize the nervous system through stimulating the solar

plexus which is the storage of the life force, and to activate the nervous system.

Conditions of performing the breath:

a. Begin with the conditions of breathing exercise number 1, the Self-Unification breath. b. After

completing the above, and after the exhale raise both arms forward horizontally with your fists

gently tightened, (arms must be completely relaxed.)

c. Start to inhale and as you do pull both the fists to your shoulders bending the arms. As soon as

the fists reach the shoulders start contracting the arms and fists to the point at which they start to shake.

d. Hold the breath, keep the arms and fists contracted and open your fingers one by one strongly and rhythmically, starting with the little fingers.

e. Raise both arms high above the head and project the arms making a large circle downward with a strong exhalation.

f. Finish with the Cleansing Breath.

4. The Vocal Breath.

The objective of this exercise is to stimulate vocal power and ability.

Conditions of performing the breath:

a. Begin with a complete breath.

b. Do the Self-Unification breath steps a, b and c.

c. Expand the abdomen and cry out with the sound �V�

d. Carryout the breath of Self-Unification steps a, b and e, exhale the rest of the breath.

e. Finish with the Cleansing Breath.

5. Retained Breath.

The objective of this breathing exercise is to improve the lung muscles, capacity and breathing power.

Performing the breath:

a. Begin by taking a complete breath and move into the Self-Unification Breath steps a, b and c.

b. Hold the breath for as long as you feel comfortable.

c. Carryout Self-Unification Breath steps a, b and c, squeezing out the breath from the abdomen with the sound of �wu�.

d. Finish with the Cleansing Breath.

6. Lung Cell Stimulation Breath.

The objective of this breath is to stimulate the lung cells and thus to improve the capacity of the lungs.

Performing the breath:

a. Take a complete breath and move into the Self-Unification Breath steps b and c.

b. On an inhale raise both hands with fingers touching your chest above the breast bone.

c. Carryout Self-Unification Breath steps a, b and c.

d. As you hold the breath hit both the lungs with your fingers rapidly and rhythmically about ten times.

e. Raise both arms high above the head with the arms and fingers contracted and with an exhale project both arms to your sides all the way down to the legs.

f. Finish with the Cleansing Breath.

7. Rib Stretching Breath.

The ribs play an important part in breathing and it is important to maintain flexibility and to

maximize their capacity as they are largely formed by cartilage.

Performing the breath:

a. Take a complete breath and move into the Self-Unification Breath steps a, b and c.

b. Begin to inhale, at the same time bring the hands behind the body in a circle above the

buttocks turning all the fingers forwards and then slide them towards the navel and upwards as

far as they will go.

c. Bring both arms forwards and to the upper chest above the breast bone and join both palms

together (Gassho).

d. While exhaling bring both arms down below the navel whilst maintaining Gassho. Then let the

arms drop to the side.

e. Finish with the Cleansing Breath.

8. Chest Expansion Breath.

The objective of this breath is to open up the chest which tends to become contracted from daily

work or habitual posture that is the result of certain life styles. Performing the breath:

a. Take a complete breath and move into Self-Unification steps a, b and c.

b. Begin to inhale and at the same time raise both arms forward level with the chest with the fingers closed.

c. Pull both shoulder blades towards each other without bending the arms.

d. Do Self-Unification Breath steps a, b and c and hold the breath. e. Open both arms forcefully to both sides leveling them straight out from the shoulders. At the same time lift your heels

from the floor. Repeat this three or four times, (reduce the number if you feel uncomfortable).

f. Bring the arms back to position d. and drop the arms down to your sides on an exhalation.

g. Finish with the Cleansing Breath.

9. Vibration of Nerve Center Breath. (Moving Breath).

The objective of this breathing exercise is to stimulate the central nervous system.

Performing the breath:

a. Take a complete breath and move into Self-Unification breath steps a, b and c.

b. Raise the heels from the floor as you inhale.

c. Drop the heels as you exhale. Repeat a. and b. four or five times.

d. Do the Cleansing Breath.

10. Walking Breath. (The origin of Kinhin).

The objective of this breathing exercise is to integrate the exercise into your walk which could be practiced during the day and will thus vitalize your daily activities. This breath is also advisable

to do after you have been sitting for a lengthy amount of time studying, reading books and so forth.

Performing the breath:

a. Draw your chin in, pull your shoulders up so the tops of your shoulders are level with your ears and open up your chest.

b. Perform Self-Unification Breath steps a, b and c.

c. Integrate the whole breath into your walk. Take the first five steps on the inhale counting silently, and the next five steps on the exhale.

d. Gradually develop it up to eight then ten steps on both the inhale and the exhale with intervals

of holding the breath for one to three steps.

11. Stimulation of Blood Circulation Breath.

The objective of this breathing practice is to stimulate the blood circulation and thus activate the

whole system. It helps to send fresh blood to the body�s extremities through the artery system and brings blood back to the lungs and to the heart through the veins.

Performing the breath:

a. Take a complete breath and perform Self-Unification breath steps a, b and c.

b. Open the legs wide.

c. On the inhale bend the upper portion of the body forward contracting both arms tightening both fists as you bring both knees together as if you are lifting a heavy object.

d. Reverse the motion by bringing your posture back to the position in b. as you continue to

exhale and release the tension from the arms.

e. Finish with the Cleansing Breath.

T.K. Chiba

Taken from "Studying Material for 1999 Special Summer Training"
 
Weapons of RyuKyu Kobudo  <- C L I C K (Coming Soon) (Broken)
 
 
 
 
 
 


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