CHIBANA KUMITE (ENGLISH)

In my last publication, an article that appeared in the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper on July 15, 1999, entitled “Powerful but not ferocious” was cited. In the same article and paragraph mentioned last time, whose title is "Secret Techniques of Shorin-ryu", I found some interesting information that I would like to share.

 

I have sometimes read in some articles, including "The Decline of Okinawan Kumite" (Naoki Motobu, 2023), that Chibana Choshin sensei taught almost exclusively kata, neglecting the teaching of kumite. Obviously the term kumite encompasses many things, which range from various fighting exercises (including kata applications) to free combat (sparring), so it seemed rather unlikely to me, also because in numerous texts Chibana sensei is described as a fighter skilled but reserved, who received numerous challenges.

 

Chibana Choshin sensei

 

In fact, a different reality emerges from the Ryukyu Shimpo article. Miyahira Katsuya, heir of Choshin Chibana sensei and second president of the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo Kyokai, reported to the author that Chibana, despite devoting much attention to the teaching of kihon and kata, said that: 

 

“It doesn't matter how good your kata is, [it] is meaningless if you don't have the power to use it." 

 

Chibana sensei also said that it was necessary to train tsuki, kicks and every part of the body to develop this ability, and have enough destructive power to defeat the opponent with a single blow.

 

Miyahira sensei also said that although Karate is based on the motto "Karate ni senti nashi", it is necessary to immediately attack the opponent as soon as he begins his attack, for example by hitting him in the face before his tsuki hits us. Precisely for this reason Chibana sensei had Miyahira sensei's disciples repeat kumite and the practice of tsuki at the makiwara hundreds of times, simulating a real fight (here the term jissen is used), in order to refine the explosive power and strength of impact necessary to defeat the opponent with a single blow.

 

Miyahira Katsuya sensei

 

If we also want to consider the other testimonies to be truthful, it can be deduced that Chibana sensei did not teach kumite to all of his students, but only to those of the highest rank, or that he only began teaching it at a certain moment. However, it seems clear to me that the myth according to which Chibana sensei only taught kata has been debunked. I would also like to point out for those who are not aware that the principle of Ikken hissatsu, i.e. the ability to defeat an opponent with a single blow, typical of Shorin-ryu and derivative styles (e.g. Shotokan), obviously does not apply taken literally.