Читать книгу Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters онлайн

30 страница из 66

Now came the opportunity for Makabe to test the results of his lengthy training in jumping techniques. He took his stance as he prepared to unleash his kick. Looking calmly up at the ceiling of the guest house Makabe wasted no time springing into position before leaping up, and, with an enormous kiai (spirit shout), executing a jump kick as fast, and higher, than anyone in that room had seen before. Landing back on the tatami mat, Makabe finished his kicking demonstration in the meikata posture (an elegant position used in Okinawan folk dancing to music during village festivals). As the spectators stood in awe, the imprint of Makabe’s foot, remaining clearly visible on the ceiling, served to remind everyone of the incredible feat they had just witnessed.

When it came time for Funakoshi to perform, it remained obvious to Makabe that he was flustered. Having never even seen, let alone practiced, a jumping kick, Funakoshi scrambled to learn. Attempting to duplicate that which he had just observed, Funakoshi, in spite of Makabe’s friendly advice, fell flat on the back of his head, unconscious. By the time the fallen Funakoshi finally came to, he realized that he had been outmatched and, as was often the case in those days, asked Makabe to become his teacher.