Читать книгу Martial Arts Training in Japan. A Guide for Westerners онлайн

34 страница из 62

The complex fission and fusion of karatedo groups is somehow inherent in their natures, the dynamics of which would make for a good academic study. The psycho-political turmoil caused by these political rifts can be very disorienting for students. Keep in mind, however, that although past history may be mildly interesting, living fully in the present is the point of it all. Let the political people play their games. Your job is to practice as hard as you can. Who is or is not chairman of such-and-such a karatedo organization obviously has nothing to do with the necessity of your developing good posture, strength, stance, center, breath, stamina, movement, structure, and speed, and rendering these fundamental physical virtues through the techniques of your chosen style.

To provide specific direction to finding and practicing an Okinawan style of karatedo, I will focus on Okinawan Shorin-ryu (“Young Forest Style”) and Okinawan Goju-ryu (“Hard and Soft Way”). Once you have found your way into the social context of Goju-ryu or Shorin-ryu, directions to contact other Okinawan styles, such as Chito-ryu, will be accessible. Okinawa is not that big an island.