Okinawa, part 6 - Hokama's insights into karate
This is the final part of a series of articles written by Steve Hegarty following his visit to Okinawa in August this year. Steve went to Okinawa to experience living and training in a traditional karate dojo. He trained with karate master Hokama Sensei. Hokama Tetsuhiro is a 10th dan in Goju Ryu karate and is President of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenshi Kai karate do kobudo Association and founder of the first karate-do museum in the world. In this article Steve reveals some of Hokama Sensei's thoughts about karate and kobudo...
Hokama Sensei imparted many wise thought and ideas about karate and kobudo to me during my stay. Here are some of the things that he said:
Hokama on teaching an holistic approach:
Many times Hokama referred to the need for all aspects of karate and kobudo to be taught as one:
While we were having dinner Hokama talked about how important it is for kobudo to be taught with karate. He started when he was 8yrs old and his grandfather was a karate/kobudo master. He said that the majority of karate taught in Japan is only the sport side and that he likes the whole lot- the sports side, traditional side and kobudo side to be all taught as one together.
Hokama said: “If teacher sensei just teaches kumite/ sport kata it’s no good for the art, even if only kobudo is taught it is no good- got to be as one whole.”
“Kumite is the sport side, if only this, then the history is gone. Many Japanese dojos are just teaching one side- kumite side. You then get one champion, he gets to old; where does he go if not a sensei and want to carry on with the art? He can either finish or go back to the roots of karate.”
“You have to keep ahead and up to date and never stop learning.”
Hokama on teaching…
He teaches bunkai to kids and to adults. He always works on pressure points as he considers this very important.
Hokama said: “Real Karate – is pressure points-real strikes- pretty karate is taught and drilled to the beginners and kids, but the real side is taught to the older kids adults.”
I have learnt that you don’t tend to ask questions of Hokama! He tells you when he is ready to share some more information or when he thinks you are ready for it. He says he is proud of me and respects my training, and thinks I am a good guy!!!
When he is happy with you he will say, “I am happy,” and sit down and whack his knuckles on the bench in his dojo as he watches you sweat, sweat, sweat…
Hokama on teaching children….
Hokama believes in teaching children respect. He says it is not just karate you teach but life skills, respect, discipline and values.
In his dojo he displays the dojo rules on etiquette. He deeply believes about respect and discipline, if the kids don’t show this they are kicked out.
He asks his children questions at the end of the lesson on “Who do you respect? “Who is important in your life?” The kids usually say a cartoon character or something silly and he will say “Why, do you know them personally?”
12th August – it was time to come home…
A sad day, I’m going home. Hokama dropped me off at the Shuri station and I caught the monorail to Naha airport.
This is an experience I shall never forgot and I do plan to return or it would be wonderful if we had him over here for a seminar.
You kind of wish Hokama lived down your street and then you could pop in for a chat – or a training session. He is a top guy: genuine,
polite, kind, funny and a great martial artist.
I have loved not only the training, but the food the people the culture and the language which I have been totally absorbed in for two weeks.
On the last day I was given a certificate for completion of the seminar.
I will be back!
This is the end of Steve's adventures in Okinawa, I hope you have enjoyed reading about them!
