The Whisper Game

As the Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan webmistress, Shihan has given me permission to film and upload videos from the dojo at my discretion for all of the arts, except for Karate and Kobudo. He is very selective in what he wants shared publicly from those two arts. We are also not supposed to talk about any of our specific training or methodology regarding them, which is why I don't discuss those sort of things. It's basically like Shihan thinks of training in traditional budo as a version of the whisper game, and the farther you are away from the original source, the less valid the information is likely to be. Master Miyagi created Goju-Ryu, he taught it to Master Toguchi, and Master Toguchi taught it to Shihan Roseberry, so we are about as old school as it gets! Even if all the answers could be found on the internet, Shihan doesn't want us to look for them there.

 Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan Media Policy 

The coming of the information age, with its various media of video, print and the Internet, has presented novel issues for the traditional budo organization, not foreseen by past practitioners and teachers in the budo. Therefore, a policy regarding such matters is particularly important for an organization that holds as one of its goals, the continued practice/preservation of traditional Japanese and Okinawan martial arts. It is the philosophy of the Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan organization that a traditional budo organization educate its members/students via direct teacher-student interaction, with the ultimate aim being a learning process facilitated via actual, physical instruction and execution of its curricula. As part of this philosophy, the SRSBK organization limits distribution of its curricula to members of its organization who are actively training in its traditional arts, and does so solely via actual, in-person, training and instruction. Shihan has said many times that “the answers are on the floor.” One of the things that he means by this is that by spending time with the materials of our system, and actively performing them, many answers to the student’s questions will become apparent. 

Our system is rich in sequences requiring the use of a partner. One of the reasons for this is that physical training with a living partner is an essential element of learning and obtaining proficiency in the budo. It is literally a “hands-on” process. Understandably, branch members may frequently be great distances from a sensei who can provide them with answers to specific questions. In that instance, the preferred solution is to come to the sensei, or to bring the sensei to the student. 

With that said, it is the policy of the SRSBK budo organization that it require its members to abstain from publishing materials detailing the execution of its varied curriculum, such as kata, kiso kumite, kata bunkai, or other pre-arranged drill sequences. This abstention requirement includes all “empty-hand” as well as “kobudo” or “weapon” materials within both its Goju-Ryu Karate and Matayoshi Kobudo programs. For purposes of this policy, publication shall include, Internet posting of video, Internet posting of written descriptions or “how to” sequences, and other public distribution of recorded media of the above mentioned materials, via CD, DVD, VHS tape or via other data recording means, as well as distribution of print media, such as books, magazine articles, etc. detailing the execution of said materials. 

Finally, SRSBK members are asked to remember that they are representatives to the public of the organization as a whole. As such, while conducting themselves, they should be mindful of traditional budo etiquette, including the “Notions for Training.” Noteworthy among these ideals, in this context, are those of modesty and preserving/upholding our system. One should foster a sense of discretion regarding one’s training or abilities. As an analogy, traditional etiquette says that when leaving the dojo, the student should not openly display one’s obi. The reasons for this etiquette are twofold: (1) showing off one’s obi is immodest and reflects poorly upon the student’s teacher and the student’s system, and (2) doing so invites conflict or challenges from individuals outside of the dojo. By extension, our practitioners should refrain from unnecessary publication of their abilities or our curricula. As an organization operating under the model of a traditional Japanese or Okinawan ryu, the SRSBK budo organization functions via a hierarchical system. The location of governance of this hierarchy is the hombu dojo, headed by Shihan John Roseberry. Therefore, when in doubt about activities involving the aforementioned materials, members should consult with the hombu dojo.

Crossing Bridges

I guess you could say that it's tradition for Karate black belts at Roseberry's to cross-train, because almost all of us are belted in one or more additional arts, usually Judo and/or Kobudo. Mine is obviously Jiu-Jitsu, and my husband's is Daitoryu Aikijujitsu and Judo. Shihan himself holds dan rank in Karate, Judo, Daitoryu Aikijujitsu, and Aikido.

There are many reasons why Shihan encourages cross-training. Of our style of Goju-Ryu, he often says "It's all in there", meaning it includes many of the things that are in the other arts, but we don't always have time to practice all of them to proficiency, so cross-training can help you understand those aspects better. Each one of the arts is specialized, so they focus on different things, and to be a complete martial artist Shihan believes it's important to have a working knowledge outside of your specialty. It's one thing to be told that a movement from a kata is supposed to be a throw, and quite another to be able to figure it out yourself because you've done enough throwing that you can see and feel it. He doesn't want us to be "jack of all trades and master of none", but he does want us to explore.

One memorable cross-training story from our Daitoryu Aikijujitsu instructor, Gary Gabelhouse-Sensei, involves his early Daitoryu training in Japan. He was already a black belt in Goju-Ryu at the time, and while sparring he used a technique from one of our kiso. He was immediately stopped and asked "Where you learn?" Gary said he learned it in Karate, and the teacher responded "This is advanced Daitoryu technique, you don't use until I teach it to you!"

Another reason Shihan wants his students to cross-train is because he wants people from the different arts to get to know one other. Otherwise, there is little interaction between the groups. Due to my having attended almost every class in the dojo at one point or another, I know people from every art, but most of them don't know each other. I'm a white belt in Judo, but I know enough about it to be able to work the table at tournaments, and some of our Judo students have helped out during Karate and Jiu-Jitsu tourneys. Shihan wants the dojo to be one big happy family, and cross-training can help achieve that.

The Book

Sensei Gorman is also our
head Kobudo instructor.

I haven't been to a Friday night adult Karate class in a couple of years, but for my first few years of training, I went to almost every single one.  Not surprisingly, Friday isn't a popular night for training, and there were many occasions when class would consist of just Sensei Gorman, Ken, and myself.  I'm sure the fact that Professor X is known for running a highly physical class has absolutely nothing to do with the low attendance! 

The benefit to me of being taught by Sensei Gorman in those small classes was enormous.  I was able to become comfortable around him in a short amount of time, which allowed me to better soak up some of the vast knowledge he has to offer.  His nickname around the dojo is "The Book", because he can remember just about everything, all of the time.  He's also most often Shihan's go-to person to demonstrate.

Sensei Gorman has been training martial arts for about thirty years, yet he is still physically able to do everything, and do it well!  I'm sure his ability to remember the details is partially due to his time training, but I've also seen him on the floor at convention still writing things down after everyone else left.  He is one of those people who is really talented, but equally humble. He quietly and consistently does a lot for the dojo, and I really can't express how much he has helped and taught me personally. 

I call him Professor X because he's the main teacher of the Friday night mutants.  He's also an intelligent and intuitive person, and sometimes it almost feels like he's reading my mind, especially when we spar!  One time when I rushed in to attack him, I felt something hit the back of my head, and I thought someone had sneaked up from behind, but no, Sensei Gorman had just kicked me in the back of the head, and I never saw it coming.  He has the X factor!

Teacher

Thankfully there are no cornfields in Lincoln.

My husband Joe left for Kansas yesterday with a group of youth Karate students who are competing in a tournament today, so I made good on my declaration to teach kids more often by taking over the Friday Youth Karate class in his absence.  Before class Joe asked me "So, are you going to teach them Jiu-Jitsu?" and I responded "Duh!".

We didn't do groundwork the entire time, I warmed them up with relay races, and we practiced some blocking, punching, and kicking.  Then we headed over to the mat and did some things that adults usually don't enjoy but kids seem to think are fun, such as butt-scooting across the mat, and laying on your stomach and pulling yourself across.  Luckily I convinced my daughter Skyler to come to class with me, so she helped demonstrate the pins we worked on after that.  Joe told me he'd recently shown them mount and guard, so I had them practice scarf hold and back mount.

There were about twelve kids under the age of ten (and two dads who joined in), all of whom were white belts.  When I got to the dojo I was a little afraid that the class was going to descend into complete and utter chaos, with children taking weapons off the rack and chasing each other down the street, but it actually went pretty well.  I have no idea whether I really taught anyone anything, but when I told them that we were out of time, the entire class let out a collective "awww" in disappointment. 

We didn't practice anything on the mat that they wouldn't have done in one of our youth Judo classes, but I did let them know that the reason we were doing groundwork was because Skyler and I are also Jiu-Jitsu students.  Several of the kids told me they had fun, and when we were in the changing room after class, one of the girls could not contain her excitement over having two female Sensei teaching Karate class!  I'm glad I volunteered to teach, and my presence in the youth class will definitely be a more regular occurrence.

Welcome to the Midwest

Ukemi- fall practice.

Usually when I go into the women's changing room at the dojo, I am all alone. At the most there may be two of us, but today when I went in to change before our Midwest Karate Convention, it was completely packed! I didn't get a count, but there had to be at least ten women there, and that is the most I've ever seen training at one time. We also had a lot more kids than normal, and I think we had more total people than at the last International Convention. The number of white and colored belts also exceeded the number of black belts, and it does my heart good to see how much we continue to grow.

Unfortunately, once again I was only able to participate in the first half of the six-hour workout, because I am still nursing a pulled calf muscle. It turns out that taking a week off was not long enough for it to heal, and it didn't help that I grappled during Thursday's Jiu-Jitsu class (even though I told myself I wasn't going to), and afterward my calf was not very happy about that. At first I tried to say no when I was asked to roll, but when your seniors want to grapple with you, it's hard to turn them down! Shihan says I suffer from "Hard-headed martial artist syndrome".

I'm glad I was able to do at least part of the convention (even though I was in pain the entire time), and it really bothered me when I had to drop out. I worked exclusively with females, and I don't get that chance very often! The people who train Karate in the SRSK Organization are all fun to work with, and we never have any ego issues or other problems like that. Everyone has an open mind and a good attitude, and it makes training really enjoyable. We always have a great time when we all get together.

By the way, technically Nebraska is not a part of the Midwest, but I guess "Great Plains Karate Convention" doesn't have the same ring to it. We usually hold the Midwest Convention in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but Shihan wanted to do some throwing this year so we had it at hombu dojo to utilize our awesome mat. Even so, some people had to practice their throwing on the floor, because we had too many people to fit on the mat. That is a problem I hope we continue to have for many years to come.

Bad Brad

J.P.-Sensei & Brad-Sensei

We had a going-away gathering last night to honor John Pitts-Sensei, and it was great to look through some old photos from the early days of the dojo with him and Brad-Sensei.  Everyone had a lot more hair back then, on their heads and under their noses!  Some of the pictures were a little faded, so they were hard to make out, and Brad pointed to someone in one of them and said "That guy was a jerk!". Then upon closer inspection, he said "Wait, that's not who I thought it was...is that me?", and J.P. looked at it and said "Yeah, that's you."

Even though he is moving away, Pitts-Sensei will remain the head of the SRSK organization, but since he won't be at hombu dojo anymore, a new dai sempai needed to be named.  Shihan took the opportunity last night to officially announce that Brad-Sensei will now be in charge of the dojo, and he said if we had any problems, we were supposed to take them to him.  Someone quipped "Well, I guess there won't be any problems then." They don't call him "Bad Brad" for nothing!

I can clearly remember the first time I ever worked with Brad-Sensei.  It was shortly into my Karate training, and he was teaching a group of us white belts about etiquette.  At one point he remarked "If I was in charge...well, if I was in charge there probably wouldn't be any students because they would all quit...but if I was in charge, there would be even more of a focus on etiquette."  Brad is probably the most old-school traditionalist at the dojo, and he is a total bad-ass.  In other words "Because he is hard, you will not like him!".

"I don't make stuff up, because...because I don't have to!" -Siebler-Sensei

Personally, I like him very much, and I respect him even more.  A compliment from Brad-Sensei is a rare and wonderful thing.  You know when he says that you did something well, you can take it to the bank.  He really couldn't care less how you feel about him, and his expectations are high, because he cares so much about the martial arts.  I think having him as one of my teachers makes me work harder than I might otherwise, and the person who he's hardest on is himself.  He's only given me two compliments in the entire time I've been training; the first was when he told me I had a "mean" reverse punch, and the second was while he and I were sparring, and he said that I needed to stop going to sparring class, because I was getting "too good".  I walked on sunshine for at least a month after that!

Brad-Sensei is also a black belt in Judo, and he was the first person to ever take me down and mount me, while we were sparring in Karate class.  He was the also first person to tap me out, with a rear naked choke.  Not too long ago, he walked into an unknown gym and asked to grapple with the biggest guy there.  Alhough he's now retired from competing, his sparring ability is legendary, and at the Karate State Games a few years ago, I overheard someone who was upset about a point call that Brad-Sensei had made say "I would give $1,000 to fight that guy!", and I thought "I would pay $1,000 to watch him thoroughly beat your ass."

So watch out, there's a new sheriff in town, and he goes by the name of Bad Brad.  You can take any problems to him, if you dare! 

The Pitts

Tonight was Pitts-Sensei's last Karate class at hombu dojo before he moves away, and it was a great night of training.  I was kind of hoping that he would teach, because I wanted to experience his class one more time, but Shihan taught instead, and we "had a little fun".  For those of you who don't know Shihan-code, that means "Your ass will be dragging by the end", but we really did have a lot of fun, too.

I had to keep reminding myself that it was not the LAST time I would ever see J.P., or else I would've started crying.  Almost every single one of our Karate teachers and students showed up tonight to bid him goodbye.  He's been there longer than anyone, so he has seen each one of us come up through the ranks, and we all wanted to be there to let him know how much he means to us.

I wish Sensei Pitts all of the best as he embarks upon the next step on his journey.  I appreciate all of the sweat that we've shared, and even the tears I've left on his gi.  I will miss seeing his giant fists flying at me, and how no matter at what speed we lined up, it was never fast enough for him.  I will miss training in a circle, and doing punch-punch-kick so many times that by the end conscious thought was no longer possible, then we would practice kata.  I will miss everything about having him around...even all of the push-ups we had to do for being too slow.

I'll Be Missing You

Pitts-Sensei, Roseberry-Shihan, Siebler-Sensei

On my first day of Karate class, our Dai Sempai (the most senior student) John Pitts-Sensei taught class.  After the introductions he looked right at me and said "I don't think you know what you've gotten yourself into".  At that moment I knew he was right, but I didn't know how right.  His acknowledgement of my nervousness made a big impression on me that day.  He can be an intimidating man, and it could have scared me away, but instead I felt the goodness of his heart, and I knew I was in the right place.

J.P. (as he is affectionately known) is the person who will take over the SRSK organization when Shihan retires.  Technically he is already the head, but Shihan isn't quite ready to leave yet.  Sensei Pitts started training with Shihan in 1975, shortly after he graduated from UNL (where he was a member of the '70-'71 National Champion Cornhusker football team!).  He has been an LPD officer for about 37 years, and he's now retiring.

After so many years in the cold tundra known as Nebraska, upon his retirement Sensei Pitts will be moving to Arizona, in just a couple of weeks.  I've kind of been in denial about it, because every fiber of my being does not want him to go, it just won't be the same here without him!  He plans to open his own dojo there, and he will be coming back to Lincoln frequently to train, but I will miss him terribly.  It could be much, much worse, because he was recently diagnosed with cancer, but thankfully he seems to be recovering well.

He's been trying to get as much training in as he can before he moves, so he's been coming in some mornings to teach a couple of students who can't make it to the evening classes.  Today Joe and I joined the party, and we had a lot of fun.  He even took us over to the mat, and we worked on a joint lock takedown for awhile!

For me, one of the hardest parts of martial arts is when people who I enjoy training with leave.  J.P.'s presence is so big that I can't help but feel like there will be a huge hole when he's no longer there.  However, instead of being sad that he's moving away, I am going to focus on being grateful that I had the chance to train under him, and do my best to remember all of the things he's taught me.  He's an excellent martial artist, with a big heart and a warm personality.  From my very first day of Karate, I knew he was going to be someone I greatly admired, and he has always treated me with the utmost respect and kindness.  I might not have known what I was getting myself into on that first day, but because of Sensei like him, I've never regretted it.

Papa's got a brand new brag

Artwork by Erica

The terrible day has come that I no longer outrank my husband in Karate!  We started training at the same time, and we tested for Shodan together, but since I am older than he is, I have always technically been his senior.  Now I can't hold it over him anymore, because yesterday he tested for Nidan.  I did not test alongside him, because you actually have to know the requirements!  By the way, I'm only three years older, so I don't think I qualify as a cougar. Maybe a leopard, but I prefer tiger.

Shihan held a five and a half hour Karate workout yesterday, for black belts from the SRSK organization, during which he conducted Joe's test.  We had about twenty black belts from several different states, ranging from 1st to 10th dan, so it was a pretty intimidating environment to be tested in!  I only participated in part of the workout (because my sore knee dislikes kick drills!), but I'm still feeling it.  Joe passed his test with flying colors, despite me trying to hex him so that he would fail and not rise above me!

The workout was great, and one of the things I participated in was the drill where one person attacks and the other defends the whole time.  Shihan must have decided that only having one attacker was too easy for a tiger like me, so he had both Mike and Corrina attack me at the same time!  It got a little scary when Mike almost swept me (on the floor, not the mat!), but my awesome gi-gripping skills (which I've cultivated in Jiu-Jitsu) saved me.  As I was falling down, I was able to reach out and grab Mike's gi, then pull myself back up with it.  If I hadn't done that, I would have hit the floor, hard!  Luckily, I did not pull Mike down with me instead.  I swear I wasn't trying to get him in my guard!

I think it was appropriate that Joe left the black belt workout/testing a half hour early to teach the kid's class, because I believe all the time and energy he devotes to the Karate kids is part of the reason Shihan wanted to promote him.  A few years ago, Joe reluctantly took over the Friday class, and he ran with it.  He also saw the need for a youth class that was geared towards advanced ranks, so he started one on Sundays, and that was the class he left to teach yesterday.  He now has a great group of dedicated students.  They love Sensei Joe, and Shihan loves what Joe is teaching them.

I am proud of my husband, and he truly deserved this promotion.  I know I will never outrank him again, nor should I.  However I feel the need to remind him that this only applies when we are at the dojo, in Karate class. Other than that, I am still the senior!  

State Games Weekend

My weekend was packed full of Cornhusker State Games fun! We kicked it off Friday night with the parade of athletes, and the opening ceremonies. Joe and I walked with the Martial Arts group in the parade, to hang out with the kids from the dojo who were there. A good number of people showed up to represent three of the four arts. When I lamented to nine year-old Steve that I was the only person there from Jiu-Jitsu, he patted me on the shoulder and said "Jiu-Jitsu is your thing." Lol! Yes it is, but it's not just mine!

I particularly enjoyed the torch lighting at the opening ceremonies this year. The mystery torch lighter was Erika Anschutz, a World Champion compound bow archer from Nebraska. She shot a flaming arrow 35 yards into a 5-foot diameter cauldron to light the torch! I thought it was appropriate, because this seems to be "the year of the archer".

Then on Saturday morning we showed up at 8am to help get the ball rolling on the Karate State Games. We were short-handed on volunteers, and we only ended up with enough people to run two rings, so it took a little longer than usual, but things ran smoothly. Even though it was pretty hot, and it was kind of a long day, everyone was understanding and patient, so I think it was an enjoyable day for all involved. I was proud of the kids from the dojo, they represented us well. I didn't even have to put away a single chair afterward, because most of the people there (kids, parents, coaches, from all of the schools) stayed to help clean up!

We started this morning at 8am as well, with the Judo State Games. That was actually a relief, because if they had not set up the chairs last night, we would've had to be there at 7am. It IS possible for me to be awake and arrive by then, but it is NOT possible for me to be pleasant at that hour! When I showed up with an iced coffee in hand, The Captain Sensei told me I was not welcome there because I didn't bring enough for everyone, and I told him that I would be more than happy to go home and go back to sleep!

The Judo Games also rocked! I believe they are in the lead, with a total of two more competitors than in Karate (however I predict that next Saturday, Jiu-Jitsu will beat them both!). Again I was proud of all of our students, and I enjoyed watching the competition from behind the table. There were some really nice ippons, and a few of them happened in under five seconds!  I especially loved seeing some of the kids out there with big smiles on their faces, truly enjoying themselves.

I did not compete in Judo, because Sensei told me I shouldn't. Since I'm not 100% due to injury, and my potential opponent was a white belt who outweighs me by over twenty pounds, he said it wasn't worth the risk (because "white belts are the ones who always hurt people." ;). Amy also did not compete, because she injured her shoulder while practicing yesterday (which is why you should NOT randori the day before a tournament!). Both of us were also busy working the entire time, so it was a relief to not have to worry about competing.

I couldn't get any pictures during the actual tournaments, because I didn't have time to think about it, but Joe did get a few during the opening ceremonies. It was a great weekend of Budo, and any time I get to spend a couple of days hanging out with Auntie Donna (who is a Judo mom, and my aunt-in-law) it's always a good time! Donna rescued us by showing up at the Karate tournament and helping run a table (even though she had never done it before, and she had no idea how to until I taught her). At Judo she was in charge of handing out belts, and she will be there next Saturday at the Jiu-Jitsu tournament to assist in whatever way she can. Volunteers like her are what make the State Games possible, and I want to thank each and every person who helps out in any way.

Break

The Jiu-Jitsu State Games are coming up in less than two weeks, and I still haven't decided if I'm competing. I haven't talked about it, but I've been feeling low since my last competition in May. Even though it was the first time that I won all of my matches, and I got gold in gi and no gi, I still cried after I got home, and I don't know why. I think part of the reason might be that I've never really been a competitive person. Throughout my life I have sometimes let people win things, because they seemed to care more about it than I did. I guess I just don't like competing, even when I win.

I really never want to compete, but I usually force myself to do it, because I know it's a great learning tool, and I'm trying to get over my performance anxiety. Now I'm starting to wonder if the all of the stress is really worth it. I wonder if it's doing more harm than good.  I've competed in Karate at the State Games for the past seven years, and Jiu-Jitsu since it was introduced three years ago. Last year I even gave Judo a shot, but there was no one for me to fight, so I just ended up doing an exhibition match with Ken. The Judo tournament was the only one I enjoyed.

I have made the decision to not compete in Karate this year. It's coming up this Saturday, and there is no one signed up for me to compete against anyway. Judo is on Sunday, and there's a chance I might do it. I think our women's Jiu-Jitsu teacher Amy wants me to compete in Judo more than in Jiu-Jitsu, because there is a woman signed up in my division, and if I don't compete she might not have anyone to fight. I told Amy I will bring a gi and compete if they really need me to.

So, that just leaves Jiu-Jitsu. As of right now the only three women signed up are white belts, so there is no one in my division. If I sign up, we will probably be combined, which doesn't seem fair to them. I have until the day before the tournament to sign up, and I'll probably take until then to decide.

I feel as though I would rather just be able to enjoy all of the tournaments this year, from the sidelines, as a worker and spectator. When I compete I can't really relax or have any fun, because I am consumed by the stress. I don't like to give myself permission to not compete (because I don't want to let myself off that easily) but when I look at the facts, I realize that I have competed more than anyone else in our Jiu-Jitsu class (except for Danger, but who the hell could keep up with him?!) so I think I have earned a break.

"Tonight my head is spinning, I need something to pick me up. 

I've tried but nothing is working, I won't stop, I won't say I've had enough."

Tomoe nage!

Every Picture Tells a Story

Some of my favorite photos from the 2012 Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan Karate Convention

Best. Convention. Ever.

Even though I've been to every Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan Karate Convention since I started training, I hadn't planned on going this year, because I've mainly just been focusing on Jiu-Jitsu lately.  Then my husband started telling people that the reason I wasn't attending was because I had quit Karate, which really made me mad!  So I went to the convention to prove I hadn't quit, and I am so glad I did.  I had almost forgotten what I was missing.

I don't think I can possibly explain to anyone who wasn't there what the convention was like this year.  This was my eighth convention in a row, and it was the best one yet.  The feeling of respect, support, and love was palpable, you could literally feel it in the air around you.  When I got to the convention I was overcome with emotion, since I've been slacking on my Karate I did not feel worthy to wear my black belt and share the floor with such amazing people, but they quickly convinced me otherwise.

Our time on the floor was well spent, we worked really hard and learned a whole lot.  It was hot and sweaty, and I know that everyone who was there has many new aches and pains, but they are the good kind, the ones you take home as mementos of where you've been.  Every bruise reminds you of someone, every sore muscle is an indicator of how much you accomplished.  Even when they fade, the lessons that came with them remain.

Stephanie

If I hadn't gone to this year's convention, I would have missed the incredible opportunity to see four generations of Roseberry's all training on the floor together; John Roseberry-Shihan (aka Shihan Pops :), his daughter Cindy, his granddaughter Stephanie, and his two year-old great-grandson JoJo.  His daughter and granddaughter have both recently started training again, after stopping for many years.  One of my favorite quotes from the breakfast this morning came from Stephanie, who thanked the people she worked with and said "Trying to teach me Karate is like trying to teach a robot to do the worm!"  That's exactly how I feel in Jiu-Jitsu!

Throughout the time that I've been attending the convention, I've heard many people who were new to the organization say that although they had been training martial arts for many years, they had never seen anything like the extended family of Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan.  Shihan has created a network of like-minded martial artists from all around the globe, who come together every year to help each other grow, and who truly care about one another on a deep level.  My entire life I have felt like an outsider, and I never really felt like I belonged anywhere...until the first time I stepped on the floor at Roseberry's, and then I knew I had found my place.  Shihan Pops and his martial arts family are the most wonderful group of people I have ever known, and I am honored to be considered one of them.

Brick House

Shihan tells a story about one of his students, who was much bigger and younger than him, who once remarked "I wonder what would happen if you and I ever got into a real fight."  Shihan responded "I'll tell you right now, the first thing I would do is pick up that chair right there and crack you over the head with it."  That is what I would do if I ever had to fight my karateka sister Karin!

A couple of years ago when Karin was in town, she attended one of our regular Jiu-Jitsu classes with me, and our women's teacher Amy worked with us.  Ever since that day, whenever Amy talks about someone being strong, she always adds "But not as strong as your friend Karin!"  Well guess what, Amy, she is even stronger now!  Karin came into Lincoln yesterday to attend our annual Karate Convention, and I convinced her to meet me at the dojo during open training today, so we could work on some Jiu-Jitsu.  I know she hasn't done much mat work, so I wanted to give her some simple options in the unlikely event she ever gets taken down (it's hard to knock over a brick house!).

After I taught her a few things, we grappled, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that she has very good instincts, and I'm sure her Karate training helped a great deal.  Even though she has almost no ground experience, she gave me a harder time than about 90% of our Jiu-Jitsu white belts, female and male.  She was also very aware of the opportunities she saw to use her Karate in conjunction with the grappling.  She effectively defended most of my sub attempts, without anyone ever telling her how.  Of course she used some of her super strength, but she also moved very well.  I did finally submit her with a straight armbar, but it was not remotely easy!

It was a good workout, and I had a great time.  I thought it was an appropriate way for me to welcome her back to her home dojo.  I think she also enjoyed it, although at the end she did comment that now she was sure that anyone who trained Jiu-Jitsu had to be a little crazy!  Guilty as charged.  Of course, that accusation of craziness comes from a woman who insists that we have to jump over a fire on Midsummer's Eve in order to keep the evil spirits at bay.  Yeah, it sounds crazy, but I forgot to do it last year and then I broke my wrist.  I wasn't going to take any chances this year, so last night when Karin said to jump the fire, you better believe I jumped it!  She even convinced Shihan to do it with us, and that is a memory I will always cherish.

When I was leaving the dojo after grappling with Karin today, Shihan asked me "Did you choke her out?"  No.  I did try to triangle, arm triangle, and RNC her, but she was not having any of that!  I'm telling you, if she ever goes postal and attacks me, I better hope there is a weapon within reach!

"The lady's stacked and that's a fact, ain't holding nothing back..."

 (This video is from five years ago, when we were brown belts in Karate.  Karin is the one in the red gear, I'm in black.)

Mr. Miyagi

"Karate come from China, sixteenth century, called te, 'hand'. Hundred year later, Miyagi ancestor bring to Okinawa, call *kara*-te, 'empty hand'."

Movie Miyagi

I'll admit that I don't really study the history of martial arts. It seems so complicated (and boring) that sometimes when people start talking to me about it, it sounds like adults talking to Charlie Brown "Wah wah wah wah wah". I do know some information, including the basic history of the style of Karate that I train, Okinawan Goju-Ryu. For those who care, my lineage is John Roseberry--Seikichi Toguchi--Chojun Miyagi. Yes, there really was a Mr. Miyagi, and he created Goju-Ryu. Which is why I learned everything I need to know about it from watching The Karate Kid! I'm just kidding, Chojun Miyagi is not the person depicted in the movie, but the character is supposed to be his descendant, and the basic ideals he espouses are true to our style.

"[Taps his head] Karate here. [Taps his heart] Karate here. 

[Points to his belt] Karate never here. Understand?"

No, the crane kick is not a part of our curriculum (but I do know how to do it). I have also never had to wax any cars, or paint any fences for my Sensei. The closest my training has ever come to resembling Daniel-san's is when my teachers constantly remind me "Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Don't forget to breathe, very important." However, I would just like to put it out there that I would gladly wax some classic cars if someone would give me one of them!

When Shihan was interviewed and they asked him what his favorite movie was he said "The Karate Kid" (well actually, first he said "Pretty Woman", then he changed it, lol!). I think that movie holds a special place in the hearts of many Karateka, particularly those who train Goju-Ryu. During kids' parties at the dojo, we will sometimes play the movie (the original one, the good one ;) to share it with the next generation. There are some great lessons depicted in it, and I hope that the number one thing they take away from it is "Karate ni sente nashi" (there is no first strike in Karate).

"Do not be struck by others. Do not strike others.
The principle is the peace without incident."- Chojun Miyagi 

Chojun Miyagi

The fact that the person who taught Goju-Ryu Karate to my teacher was taught by Master Miyagi himself means that I get to learn the history from someone who is not far removed from it.  Shihan Roseberry doesn't care about the politics, he just tries to stay true to what Master Toguchi taught him, and I guess that is the only history I really feel like I need to know.

"Let me first say that I was not named the successor of Goju-Ryu by Miyagi, but nor was anyone else. He never publicly named anyone as successor. Common sense would dictate that if he were to appoint someone, it would have been a longtime student and it would have to be of public record to have any value.  

It would also be logical to assume that since Miyagi would not grant dan ranking, how then would he be inclined to name a successor? I feel Miyagi would be rolling in his grave with the plethora of ridiculous claims about this matter." -Seikichi Toguchi

Priceless

John Roseberry-Shihan started Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan in 1971, and we now have affiliate schools in at least seven different states and two foreign countries. All organization students who test for black belt in Karate do so at Hombu Dojo here in Lincoln, under the authority of Shihan. Over the past forty years, from all these different schools across the world, Shihan has only awarded about three-hundred Shodan certificates (mine is #287). That works out to around seven a year. It seems as though some other places give out that many in a month, at one single school.

Roseberry's is not a black belt factory, we don't sell our belts. If you're just interested in buying one, Sensei Dave said he will sell you one for seven dollars and then you can go away and stop wasting his time (but it doesn't come with authentication). My family and I are the most recent people from Hombu Dojo to achieve Shodan in Karate. That was in 2009, and it will probably be another year or two before anyone else from Lincoln tests for black belt. At eighteen, I believe my daughter is currently the second-youngest person in the entire organization to hold the rank of Shodan in Karate.

I've heard it said that the difference between our blacks belts and some "other" black belts is that if you lined up ten of each, only one of theirs would actually be able to fight, and only one of ours wouldn't ;) All I know is that when it comes to collectibles, the lower the number you have, the more valuable it is. As far as I'm concerned, #287 is priceless.

Have my back

Several years before I started training Jiu-Jitsu, during my early Karate days, I was doing a drill with Sensei Bad Brad, and at the end of it I turned away from him. Without warning, he immediately put me in a rear naked choke which required me to tap. Then he said "Never turn your back!"

You would think that lesson, which was taught to me so early on, and in such a manner, would have stuck. I mean, I can remember the incident like it was yesterday, yet I still keep turning my back to my opponents. I still keep getting choked for it, too.

I have improved on defending my back in the scramble. I was hella tired of Joe always being a monkey on my back when we grappled, so I've worked hard to do a better job of protecting it. I think it's harder for people to take my back now, but there's still a very good chance that I will then just give it to them by being stupid while trying to escape pins.

That's what happened in my recent grappling match where I was ahead by points with only about twenty seconds left, and then ended up being submitted by rnc. She had me in side control at the end, and I could have just laid there, defended, and won. Instead (because I don't really play for points) I continued to try to escape her hold. Which was fine until I made the fatal mistake of turning away from her during the final seconds of the match.

I gave her my back, and she took it and choked me; just like Sensei Brad did so many years ago. I know I'm not supposed to turn away, yet in times of stress or desperation I still do. When will I ever learn?

"There is only one enemy and he/she is in front of you." -Seikichi Toguchi

In Your Eyes

After my last blog post, Danger said that in the picture of my RNC it looks like I'm trying to go for an eye gouge. I kind of wish that was the case, because at least that would make sense, but that's not really how we gouge eyes in Goju.

Roseberry-Shihan's Karate teacher, Master Seikichi Toguchi, was a big fan of attacking the eyes. He would say things like "Why do I need to punch the makawari to make my knuckles hard when I can just stick my thumbs in your eyes?" Eye striking and gouging are an integral part of our system. A Judoka who observed one of our kata said that it looked like we were plucking fruit off of trees, and he was 100% right...if you substitute people for trees, and eyeballs for fruit.

Shihan talks about a Martial Artist he once knew (I believe he practiced Aikido) who said that he thought Karate was undignified because we utilize techniques such as eye-gouging. That same mindset might be what's behind the hesitation I've seen from some of the new Karateka when they think about actually attacking someone's eyes. It seems as though female students especially have a distaste for the ick factor of it. I'm sorry, but if someone is trying to rape and/or kill you, that's not really the time to be lady-like.

If I was to ever resort to something like gouging eyes, it would definitely be in defense of my life and body, and I'm certainly not going to be a bit concerned with whether I'm being dignified at that point. I will use any tool that I can to defend myself. If I didn't, it would be like carrying a gun for self-defense but not being willing to actually shoot someone if you had to. You can bet that if the need ever arises, I will not hesitate to grab that sucker's head like a bowling ball and throw it down the gutter.

Grounded

I once asked Conan a question about a drill we were doing in Jiu-Jitsu...well, I've actually asked him questions about Jiu-Jitsu drills a LOT of times, but right now I'm just talking about this one time in particular, when he answered my question with a question. I don't remember what I specifically asked, but he responded with "When you throw a punch in Karate, where do you get your power from?", and I answered "From the ground". I don't believe this was the answer he was looking for, he seemed confused. I think he expected me to say "From your hips".

It is important to use your hips in Karate, but we are taught that our power originates from the ground. If you aren't stable in your stances, if you're not grounded, your attacks and blocks will be weak. No amount of Shakira hip action is going to change that.

I realized that this is basically true in Jiu-Jitsu as well. How many times have we heard "You need to have a solid base". What is that base in relation to? The ground. "Get your hips under you". Why? So you are more stable, more grounded, you have more power. Your relationship with the ground is paramount in Jiu-Jitsu.

It even applies in ways that might not be as obvious. Even though my husband only outweighs me by about 30 pounds, when he gets me in knee-on-belly, it feels like an elephant is stepping on me. I told him so and he said "Well, when I do it I don't think about putting my knee on your belly, I think about putting my knee on the ground through your belly". Talk about grounded! Which is why I never ever let him put me in knee-on-belly anymore.

This way of thinking is similar to what we hear in Karate "Don't punch your opponent, punch the wall through them". I suppose for Jiu-Jitsu it would be: don't lay on your opponent, lay on the mat through them. Pins work better when you are grounded, and the best way to ground yourself is to just relax and let gravity do the work.

Ring of Fire

"At any time in your life when you were ever sparring, has anyone ever once told you to circle?"- Dave Ossian-Sensei

No Sensei, I only have one direction, and it's forward!  However it turns out that if you try to charge a TKD black belt, they will kick you.  Repeatedly.  But if they happen to knock you down with one of those kicks, they will not try to come in on you.  Which is too bad, because if I could've just gotten her in my guard...

My matches at the Karate State Games today went pretty much the way I thought they would.  I didn't stick to the game plan of being a defensive fighter in order to compensate for her tremendous kicking power.  Instead, I was overly aggressive (as usual) and I didn't effectively block.  I would say that I beat myself, but that would be taking away from her.  The better fighter won.

Even though she's beaten me every time we've fought, I really like having Hilary as an opponent.  If she had not signed up for Karate Kumite this year, I wouldn't have had anyone to fight.  She is the co-director of the CSG Taekwondo Competition, and she has her own school.  She invited me come train with them (and learn how to stop walking into kicks ;) and I think I might take her up on her offer.  Maybe I'll trade her for some Jiu-Jitsu lessons.

What really impresses me the most about Hilary is that she is a true Martial Artist.  In the first of our two matches, she won by a kick to the face (which is not legal).  None of the judges realized it, and so she won.  I could tell she honestly felt terrible about it.  She let me know that she was aware of her error, and she apologized for it.  Things evened out during our next match, when she undoubtedly kicked me and did not get a point for it.  She won that match 5-1 anyway!

Two Cornhusker State Games events down, one to go.  I think they should change the Jiu-Jitsu match times tomorrow to the Karate rules; matches are 3-minutes, 5 points, or submission; whichever comes first.  Otherwise, with over 120 competitors, it's going to be a very long day.

"I fell into a burning ring of fire.
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher.
And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire." - Johnny Cash