September 2006 Newsletter from Gojuryu.net

Onegaishimasu Mina-sama,

Would you believe we have been putting out a newsletter almost every month for ten [10] months now? All I can say is WOW. We thought this year was going by slow but turns out it was because we have been so busy. As many of you know a group of us from Gojuryu.net trained in Japan for the JKF Gojukai seminar and championships during the end of July and early August. During that time came plenty of opportunity to refocus and revisit the basics, strengthen the roots and build a better foundation. We return to the normal world this month with a fresh view on our training and personal direction. Not to mention we've had our share of Sanchin and could do without it for a month or so.

During our first week there we trained in Oomagari [now called a new city name of Daisen] for six hours a day and along with it went the buckets of sweat. We took two days off training then headed up to Akita for the JKF Gojukai Seminar and competition then back to Tokyo and home to our final destinations. Some only stayed a few days and several of us a couple weeks. To read more from the Japan 2006 Journal just visit the forums on Gojuryu.net. The specific Japan 2006 Journal will also have links to other journals of friends there at the same time.

Because of all the get togethers we would like to remind everyone to please post a note to the forums "Seminar, Event, Video & Book reviews" area. Its a great way to keep eachother updated regarding who is in town or coming and on the way. This is an international calendar and what you put into it is what you get out of it! While there the subject came up of "who should we send information to have put in the online calendar?" The answer "sorry - you have to do it yourself."

A good subject came up the other day. A difficult topic to discuss however sooner or later it has to come to attention. This subject applies to large associations just as it would to the small independant dojo. What happens when Sensei is no longer with us? Take a good look at your club, dojo, association, federation or whatever you are part of. If you are the Senior, ask yourself, who will fill in for me if I become ill or incapacitated. Planning for the future is just as important as training for today or reflecting on yesterday. As we've said with training schedules and goal setting [see previous newsletters], put it in writing. Live up to it and revisit the subject every now and then. Think about it, in the New Book titled "Richard Kim: 20th Century Samurai - Special Collector's Edition, can you find a single clear mention of Kim Sensei speaking of a replacement in the event of his absence?

This is of great subject matter because if we can all recall, Miyagi Sensei did not clearly appoint a successor. Yamaguchi Sensei has his sons Gosei Yamaguchi [elder] and Goshi Yamaguchi [youngest] however which do you choose or should such question be left to those willing to battle for leadership or seniority.

Did you know Gojuryu.net has over 20 Books & DVD's about Goju Ryu

Point of View for Gojuryu:
A good description for the experienced Martial Artist is to compare Gojuryu Karatedo to the regions of China and familiarize them with the term "Nan sen hoku ba". In our dojo we give an easy to remember translation of Southern Boats and Northern Horses.

Southern China has many waterways and rivers while the North has many Mountain ranges and large plains. This is where the term 'Nan sen Hoku ba' comes from. The Kanji, when written means Southern Boats and Northern Horses.

In the South (China) and along the peninsula people were fisherman, sailors. They were accustomed to working and spending long amounts of time in boats or in the water (perfect for Sanchin). The Kempo in the South was developed and practiced in limited space so the techniques and foot movements developed small as well and was suitable for close range fighting.

In the North (China), there existed Metropolis and Military. These tribesmen were accustomed to riding atop and fighting from horses (perfect for Kiba Dachi). Their Kempo evolved into a system with very large exaggerated movements, designed for long range fighting.

So to sum it up, Hoku Ba = North Horse (Kiba Dachi) and Nan Sen = South Boats (Sanchin Dachi).

In the Forums:
Please try to keep the subject matter focused and before starting a new thread, always remember to start a "Search" because often the subject may have been covered and you can add your input to help the others gain an understanding of your thinking. Also, did you know you can watch threads? Visit the bottom of the thread and click "Track this thread" to receive an email notification when someone responds the subject.

Also in the Forums as well as general membership [which is free], some day it would be great to hear from the lurkers [people that have registered and have plenty on their mind however nothing to say] in the Introduce yourself threads.

Our Online Store at Gojuryu.net:

Miyazato Book & Jundokan 3 DVD set $149.99 USD

Goju Ryu Karate Do [aka Green Bible of Okinawan Goju Ryu] by JKF Gojukai $89.99 USD

Richard Kim; 20th Century Samurai - Special Collector's Edition $99.99 USD

Goju Ryu Karate Do Kyohan by Gogen Yamaguchi $100.00 USD

Seiwakai Goju Ryu 3 DVD Seminar $79.99

New Gladiators DVD $29.99
Hirokazu Kanazawa; Mastering Karate 9 DVD Set
American Masters and Champions of the Martial Arts



Budo; Japanese-Okinawan Masters of the Martial Arts DVD
Chuck Merriman; DVD Series and Book
$15K Karate Clash for Cash DVD an unbelievable quest for a tournament Cash Prize

Dojo in the spotlight:
For the March 'Dojo in the month,' comes....... "Syracuse Jundokan" of Cicero New York. Under the leadership of Sensei David Oddy an active member of the Jundokan based in Okinawa. The Syracuse Jundokan consists of well over 60 students and is active with the USANKF and the AAU. Visit them at syracusejundokan.com - and once again, Congratulations !!!

Gojuryu.net Dojo Database:

If you are reading this, please take a moment to click your profile at Gojuryu.net by clicking "Edit Profile" and update the location of your club or dojo. The All Gojuryu Network is only as good as you the user can make it.

As many new and old users find themselves leading their internet experience to Gojuryu.net, we receive more and more requests as to how to recover a passoword. If you have forgotten your password, please click just below the log-on area and enter the email address you registered with. The area will read "Forgotten your password ? Request a new one here." From that point, please enter the email address your account is registered with [which would be the email address you are reading this newsletter from]. A new password will be created and sent to that address. For security reasons we cannot change your password or enter your user account - even with your permission. We however can delete your account and you can create another with the same username and your personal password. Did you know you can change your username, change your password and even upload a small image called an avatar to personalize your idenity at Gojuryu.net?

It all helps and has been proven to help build the All Goju Ryu Network family. Think of it like this - would you prefer those looking for a dojo or club to join the local McDojo and their kids receive their 3rd degree Black Belt with the pink tiger stripes as soon as they turn 8 years old? The Dojo Database & user profile is fully index searchable via the search page and it's here for your use.

Knowledge and tradition:
There is "Oral History" and then there is "Recorded History". Have you ever asked your students or asked your Sensei "what is the history of our organization in accordance with our style?" It's a darn good question that each and everyone of us should be clear of. This comes as a point because a group of us over at Gojuryu.net just happened to visit a McDojo teaching "Tae Kwon Do". We specifically asked what type of Tae Kwon Do they were teaching because a few of us recognized specific forms from different root styles, Kuk Sool Won, Moo Duk Kwan and Chi Do Kwan that others styles of Take my dough [ooops did we say that] may not contain. How does this pertain to Karatedo - We reflected on a group trip, some time ago, and stopping for a break at freeway shopping center walked inth the local McDojo that just happened to be across town from our host club, to admire members performing Ku Shan Ku, Gekisai, Ku Shan Ku [Wado flair], Seipai [Shito flair], Unsu [Shoto], Seiryu and Kanshu [Uechi]. You [and we] would immediately conclude "ummmm Shito Ryu" but noOOOOooo. We asked a student when she was exiting "what style Martial Art is this?" and she replied "Okinawan". ?!?!?!? The rephrased question came again, "What type? We mean, is it Karate or?" She cut us off and again said "Okinawan; our "Sifu" is [pointing to a picture on the wall] the head of the 'World Sokeship Council' and this style was passed to him by Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee." She was dead serious and held her chin high and proud. We applaud her for setting us straight and just as quietly as we walked in [no bowing, it would give things away] we walked out. This story needs no explaination ............. we hope.

Additional site updates:
With approximately 1,400 online user - members and another 2000 users taking advantage of the free email service Gojuryu.net - the All Gojuryu Network has beta released its next portal upgrade - the online image hosting section that ensures secure photographic contributions for personal, historic and copyright value; meaning that what you post cannot be stolen or borrowed by others without permission to do so. Finishing off minor scripts this week so watch for it soon. ALSO - When you send us a Gojuryu or Karatedo specific events, please add it to the "Submit Events"at Gojuryu.net.

Upcoming Events on the Calendar in September:
September 1 º7th Annual Ryobu-Kai International Elite Karate Training Camp
September 2 º7th Annual Ryobu-Kai International Elite Karate Training Camp
September 3 º7th Annual Ryobu-Kai International Elite Karate Training Camp
September 4 º7th Annual Ryobu-Kai International Elite Karate Training Camp
September 9 ºPressure Point Seminar
September 12 ºGoju-Ryu Seminars
September 13 ºSeminar on Classical Goju-Ryu
September 15 ºISKF Training Camp
September 15 º7th Annual Kenshi-kai Goju-Ryu U.S. Gasshuku
September 16 ºISKF Training Camp
September 16 ºSeminar on Classical Goju-Ryu
September 17 ºISKF Training Camp
September 25 º2006 Goodwill Martial Arts Festival

October 11 º12th WUKO World Karate Championships (Seniors and Veterans)
October 13 º4th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival
October 14 ºTokyo Mushinkan 5th Anniversary Karate Demo
October 20 ºWUKO World Karate Championships for Children, Cadets and Juniors
October 21 ºWUKO World Karate Championships for Children, Cadets and Juniors
October 22 ºWUKO World Karate Championships for Children, Cadets and Juniors

If you wish to contribute your event to the calendar, please visit the site and click "Submit Events". Because Gojuryu.net is userinput driven we cannot add your events ourselves as we would then be the primary contact however we're sure the readers and users of Gojuryu.net would appreciate knowing the dates of your projects. Submissions can only be contributed by site members and membership is free. We also ask that you place a link back to us in the event you wish to submit an item to the calendar or to the "Submit Articles", "Submit Links" and "Submit News".

All New:
Recently we were commissioned to reinvent the wheel. Because of our close ties to The JKF Gojukai we have helped create The JKF Gojukai Networking Project located at JKFGojukai.net. The fledgling 1st newsletter was released on August 15th and will continue on a mid-month basis. Please not that Gojuryu.net is and always shall remain independandt from the rules of any organization, association or federation. We are only bound by our user members and contributors. In the near future, The JKF Gojukai Networking Project should have host pages for each and every single dojo in affiliation of the JKF Gojukai, including those in Japan and abroad; set up in a similar fashion as we have here at Gojuryu.net.

Please return soon with your news, contributions, updates and contact information.

Well everyone, 'till next month - from all of us at Gojuryu.net, the All Gojuryu Network, thanks for your continued support.

Arigato Gozaimashita.