Karate/Expert Profile

Expertise

My expertise is mainly in Okinawan Ryu Te, the system of Seiyu Oyata.I have a little over 22 years in martial arts, karate mainly, and have assisted in the English of the book, Ryu Te no Michi, for Seiyu Oyata, with my Sensei, Shiro Shintaku. I am currently studying Shodo and some Iaido, and have access to some excellent research resources to help anyone interested in this art. I do not consider this to be a hobby or sporting past time, it is a way to live one`s life correctly. I do not know everything, but I can probably help find out most of the need information to answer most questions about this art, the culture, philosophies, history and some language, which I am still a basic student of.

Experience in the area

I have studied karate, kendo, Iaido, some Aikido, kobudo (Okinawan, mainly), and Shodo, shodo bunkai.

Publications

Ru Te no Michi, A Warriors Journal (e-zine at beseen), Ryukyu Kempo Association Newsletters, Budo Dojo magazine(without credit ), A Warriors Journal and Ryu Sei Kan Shiori.

Education/Credentials

27 years of martial arts training and study, major emphasis on language and culture, to assist in Seiyu Oyata's book, speeches, etc.
Continued research and studying currently with Doshu Shiro Shintaku, Hanshi.

What do you like about this subject?

I love the depths of the art in which I have been involved for most of my adult lifespan. The history, culture, language and secret details are stimulating and intriging, as are the thoughts and opinions of others who have also trained in life protection arts.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

As much as I can given the limits of human life and my abilites. One part of the art leads to another and would seem to have no final stage, if you don't want one. I don't want one.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

I am told that the brush writings are directly related to the way a technique is done. Also, the kata bunkai is like learning a physical alphabet, each motion is a "letter" which must be combined in the correct order to "spell" a hidden technique. This was a specialized skill of my Superior, Seiyu Oyata.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Most karateka believe that 1)karate was developed from Tomari, Naha AND Shuri Te when actually, it was all one and came origianlly from Shuri, according to my previous instructor, from Okinawa originally. And it wasn't taught to non-bushi or gaijin, at all. It was also not taught to peasants, fishermaen, or other classes, since it was the responsibility of the Bushi to serve as the protectors o