Shotokan is a traditional Japanese "hard" style of karate,
emphasizing the development and control of power, smoothness and balance
in punching, kicking, blocking/parrying and body shifting. Advanced training
includes both force deflection and opponent control techniques (throws,
joint locks, etc.). The emphasis is on gaining physical resilience,
balance, flexibility, bodily awareness, coordination and power by learning the
combative techniques of a traditional Japanese empty-hand martial art.The Shin-kyu ("new-old") name is used with Mr.
Leroy Rodrigues' permission, and is as well the name of his dojo in South San
Francisco; I consider myself to be teaching an affiliate, if not a branch dojo of
his.
Classes
I am now living near Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina. I am currently teaching adult classes in shotokan karate-do evenings at the
Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I am in town (schedule).
Shin-kyu Shotokan as I teach it is not primarily tournament
oriented, nor is board breaking required. While not primarily a
self-defense class, aspects of self-defense techniques will be explored in the
intermediate and advanced classes. Self defense is derived from
kata
techniques and uses aiki-jujitsu principles; sparring is taught as application of more basic techniques and is based on a
kendo foundation. Okinawan weapons (staff, nunchaku, sai, etc.) are not taught routinely.
Techniques of the Japanese sword are also taught in a separate class (first
Saturday of every month when I am in town), based on the kendo kata and on
Soshoryu Iaido.
Books
Schmeisser ET. Advanced Karate-Do.
Focus Publ., St. Louis, 1994. This book's first edition (ISBN 0-911921-16-8) may
still be available. A
review of the book can be read here.
A second, expanded edition is now available (ISBN 0-911921-35-4)
directly from Amazon.com online bookstore at this
link or from the publisher.
Schmeisser ET. Channan - The Heart of the Heians. This
book (ISBN 1-4120-1357-7)has been published by Trafford via UPJ, and
is available here
and here
Video tapes (VHS) of a seminar I
taught on these kata is available at the Bushido-kai,
and are reviewed here.
