Читать книгу Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters онлайн

7 страница из 66

The eminent Funakoshi Gichin came from the head of my family. He was the cousin of my father. Gichins father’s name was Gishu, and my grandfather, Gifu, was his brother. Actually, Funakoshi Gichin was old enough to be the parent of my father. Funakoshi Gichins second son, Giyu, was the same age as my father. In my youth I was influenced by uncle Giyu, and often visited Gichin’s house. At that time he had his new dojo at the Kishimojin area in Zoshigaya, Tokyo.

Called the Shotokan, I often visited Funakoshi’s dojo on Sundays as a messenger of uncle Giyu. Uncle Gigo, the third son of Funakoshi Gichin, taught there at that time. Uncle Gigo commanded me to practice in the dojo, but Gichin Sensei said I was not suited to practice karate. That didn’t mean that I was not interested in karate, it just meant that I didn’t practice it. However, I continued going to the dojo regularly. I wanted to be strong like other boys, but the notion of training my mind and spirit through the discipline of martial arts just did not capture me at that time. However, I now regret that I could not find the courage to enter Gichin Sensei’s world, even though I was so close to him.