February
19th , 2017
This
week's thought is from
Kyoshi Mackay
Ueshiro Midtown Karate Dojo
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA
Dealing With Uncertainty
Onegai shimasu, Hanshi, Sensei and Deshi of USRKUSA,
Uncertainty
is alarming, and many of us began our journey in Ueshiro
Shorin-Ryu determined to become more certain about our personal
safety.
Uncertainty drove the ancient samurai to consider the quality
of their
death as much as the quality of their life. They recognized
(as we
should) that Death can confront us at any time.
But
when it comes to understanding the Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu kata
and
techniques, we are light years ahead of most styles. For
example, we know
precisely which Matsubyashi-Ryu techniques are blocks and
which are
strikes because they are meticulously documented in "The
Essence of
Okinawan Karate-Do." We know Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro
practiced and
studied these techniques for hours each day, making subtle
adjustments
based on his early Sensei (Anko Ueshiro, Entasu Isaenta
and Toguchi
Seitoku), and his later training with Santos Kina Sensei
(Matsumura
Orthodox) and Sekichi Iha Sensei (Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu)
(50th Journal pg.
5-6). And we know that Hanshi Robert Scaglione has devoted
a lifetime to
studying under Master Ueshiro, often in one-on-one sessions,
and
documenting Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu karate-do via books, journals,
videos and
(most importantly) thousands of classes.
So when
you encounter uncertainty about a particular technique,
do the
wise thing and go back to the sources. Resist the all-too-human
urge to:
1. Make
up your own explanation
2. Ask a green belt
3. Search YouTube
4. Give up and loose interest
Uncertainty
is a good thing. It keeps us humble yet inquisitive. It
fosters diligence, patience and perseverance. And whether
understanding
triumphs (temporarily) over uncertainty or ends in a draw,
we are wiser
and stronger from our efforts to wage war against ignorance.
Even Master
Nagamine observed, "Some [movements in kata] must remain
unexplained" (pg.
56), echoing the profound respect for the unknown expressed
by the
greatest minds in human history.
Domo arigato gozaimasu, Hanshi,
- Kyoshi
Mackay
Ueshiro Midtown Karate Dojo
