Happy New Year all, I am Charles D. Garrett II, practitioner of Okinawan Shorin ryu Matsumura Seito for 29 years.  Taught by the late Sensei Soken Hohan from Oct/Nov 70 to Sept 72.   Greatest thing in my life to happen to date, studying with a elder at 83 he could do more than I can still today. (:>)

NOW a special thanks to Sensei Hoosain Narker.  Have met him two times and found a friend who truly knows the meaning of the Martial Arts of Today. One learns to share in their trainings and experiences.  He was at my home for a short time period (:<), wish it were longer (:>); we could have talked for days.   Still had a great experience and time sharing with him, he truly is a Great Martial Artist.

Charles Garrett

fell free to call and plan for a seminar  that way I can put an ad in the paper and invite everyone in the Detroit area.  Many Thanks.

Kevin

Dang it! Gotta teach tonight, or I would love to come.  I have been following Mr. Narker's comments as he travelled around the US and Canada. Give him my greetings and wishes for luck on his epic journey.
 

Mike

Ag nee man, dat jy dink dat jy eers moet vra... Ek skaam  my dat ek seker nie vir jou goed genoeg gese^ het hoeveel ek jou vriendskap wardeer nie. Jy is altyd welkom in my huis!

Ek sien daarna uit om weer met jou tyd te spandeer. Ek het 'n paar moelike vrae vir jou met tegniek verbande.

Ek sal om vier uur vanmiddag by die stasie wees.

Net 15 ure :-) my vriend.

 Chris

I am inferring from all this that you will not be passing through my way. I am sorry for the troubles that have apparently made that unworkable, but certainly wish you all the best on your continued voyages.

Eddy Schumacher

You are doing what so many of us would like to do, but can't or won't attempt.

We here in the USA know well the ways of greyhound and I for one, salute you!

Thank God your not using Amtrak, as you would be pushing your good luck to the limit. That is an inside joke as we in the USA know how safe amtrak is or isn't.

I am sure that those you were going to visit will understand your non-arrival & just be happy that you are safe & sound.

Our prayer's are with you, always!
Tofa Soifua.....

Joshua

To the Canucks - Sorry folks, you're REALLY missing out. I do know that Hoosain would never have chosen this course of action had he had any real choice. I too travelled with Greyhound when  I first came to this country, so I can tell you that communication between branches/ HQ/ and International offices is remarkably bad.

Keep hoping, he may get there, and then it will have been worth the wait.

Regards

Chris

Yes, I've been around a long time.  Almost time to celebrate another year as  I started January 12, 1954.

So, you're the little whirlwind I've been reading about in the CD.  You''ve  got the life!!  I've been trying to figure out:
1.  How do you afford it?
2.  You must have a laptop in your bag?

Odds are, I won't get a chance to see you this trip but it may be possible for us to see you in the future as my wife and I are building a 50' sailboat so that WE can cruise the dojos.

Professor Sensei Neal Peterson

I am very sorry to hear about your greyhound bus troubles. I was looking forward to your visit. From the reviews that I have read, you seem to impress wherever you go.

I hope that you will be able to still visit on this trip, but either way, I wish you the best in your travels, and if it can be arranged for you to ever visit Toronto, please feel that you have somewhere to stay.

Sincerely,

Darren Lenkorn

Do you ever make it to the Southern United States?  I'm in Alabama, and would thoroughly enjoy meeting you!

domo,

Howard Upton

Has anyone seen the Mas Oyama video in which he killed a bull barehanded?

Dan

Gary Responds:

Dear Dan,

What amazing synchonicity!!!  I am currently hosting Hoosain Narker of Ashihara Karate -- an ex-Kyokushin karate-ka who trained with Mas Oyama. After a 5:50 AM pick-up at the bus terminal in Lincoln, Nebraska, and a light breakfast before sunrise, I was asked to bring Hoosain to herd cattle out at the farm of family friends.  We arrived on scene to behold a dozen up-tight hereford cows--their breath hanging in heavy clouds in the corral.  Now each one of these little doggies weighs in at about 1,000 pounds.  So here, in front of Hoosain and I was six tons of malignant bovine terror.  Hoosain, in his quiet voice, said, "What are we to do?" as he was using amazing tai sabaki to avoid the playful nips of the 120 lb. german shepard dog, Bear.  Bus, a 74 year old farmer grabbed a stick and said, "Let's go boys.  Let's herd em over to the chute."  The stock truck was backed up to the corral chute that works like a "funnel" for these beefers.

Hoosain stated he must have a video of this, and quickly returned with his camcorder to record this epic match, sitting atop the corral chute.

It started poorly, as we tried to cut out one cow that was to not go to market.  Three others followed suit in this Pappillon escape, resulting in my friends Joe, Pete, Bus and I slipping in cow manure and urine, wrangling on foot these pesky doggies--all the time being recorded by Hoosain.  We finally got things under control, and herded eleven of the cows into a holding yard that funnels them up the chute and into the stock truck.  Now these cows were, by this time, greatly perturbed at us.  We herded them forward shouting "Hawwwww--Heyyyyya--Hawwwww, making sure our herding kiai's were effective.  Amongst much kicking and jostling, we herded them into a second, smaller holding yard and rushed to shut the second gate--kind of an air-lock strategy.  Three particularly mean-spirited ring leaders charged Pete, Joe and I, sending us up the eight-foot stock fence, perching us dangerously close to a hot, electric fence wire.  The cattle busted right through the metal fence, threatening to break our legs as the stampeding six tons of bovine terror forced the metal fence flat agains the stock fence --smashing our legs (which were in between).  Just in time, doing a parallel-bar routine, I hoisted my legs out of harms way and found my head three inches from the electric fence wire, my legs dangling in the dervish of cows below me.  I realized this was, as it was with Mas Oyama, a case of life and death, and that I must survive only through my martial skills.  Employing all the Ashihara sabaki technique I could muster, I stomp-kicked the closest brute in the butt.  While it did not die, the rogue cow did give up a great flatulence, as my stomp, full of kime, came crashing down.  No, the blow did not kill the old hereford, but it did cause undo embarrassement for her amongst her sisters, I'm sure.

Threading down through the outside of the stock fence and the electric fence, I went over the first, outer fence to again join the fray.  One nasty bossy came charging right at me.  Full of mushin (get it?), I assumed sanchin dachi and was determined to hold my ground.  The cow, seeing my stance, splayed its legs (moodachi), sliding in copious amounts of manure and urine, only to come to a stop right in front of me.  "HHHAAAAAAAAAWWWWWW!"  I kiaied, and she turned tail, threatening to break my femur with a kick of its back legs.  Taking a page out of Mas Oyama's book, and employing what little of Ashihara Sabaki I could, from Hoosain's teaching, I belted the bovine beast, on t31 (again, the cow's butt).  Again, and I am chagrined to admit, I did not kill the cow with my punch, but (so to speak) was rewarded by a huge splattered offering and bellow, from the stricken bovine--testifying to the power of the blow.

Now if you think this is just a tall tale, Hoosain DOES have this down on video.  Feel free to check with him as to the veracity of my words--and the smell of this sweet victory over brute force, using Oyama-inspired Ashihara sabaki.

Best Regards,
 

Gary

Salaam Alaikoom.  I wanted to drop you a quick line to see how you were doing.  I know you are quite busy in your travels, and hope they are going well.  It was very nice talking to you during the Eid celebration, everywhere you go people must bombard you with similar questions and intrigue, I apologize if it was burdening. After spending so much time at home during Ramadan, I am less than eager to come back to work again!

Please keep in touch, and give me a call when you come to San Francisco Inshallah.  I will give you my info again just in case. Take care.

Wasalaam,

Yousuf Mazhar

I have been following your adventures across the United States  and reading your posts with interest. I realize that I am being presumptuous by asking, but I was hoping that you might be able to find the time and opportunity to write an article for our GKK News Letter.

I was hoping that you could share some of your overall impressions  of ordinary life and karate-do in the U.S. and Canada. What surprised you; what impressed you; what made you long for home? Any comments and observations would be greatly appreciated.

Colette, Nigel, my students, and I greatly appreciated your visit. I was  hoping that you might be able to find the time to write an article for our News Letter so that the GKK membership could get to know you as well.

Respectfully,
 

Mark Cramer

Let me know when you'll be in town and I'll try to break free.  I would love to train.  Anytime.  Anywhere.  Anyhow. How's the trip going?

Take care.

Michael

Sensei Hoosain was just dropped off at the Bus depot in Sacramento.  He is a great person to have as a  Martial Arts Representative of the World.  Thank you very much for your visit and kind words, and waza of Ashihara karate. It is Great.

Yours in the ways.

Matsumura seito forever
 

Nami

I just spoke with your SEITO from Sacramento and he thanks you for your contribution to his life and his " WAY". I take his word very much to heart - he tells me that you are a Grand Ambassador for the Martial Arts. It is my hope to meet with you when you next visit in Sacramento.

I cut and copied your response about the human potental and sent it to my boss. That message trancends all the arts. Thank you.

Best Regards,

Bill Yates

Please again, Thank You Very Much for you excellent training concepts.   We all Truly enjoyed your workout and sharing.  Your Heart and Sole are in the properness of being a Great Leader and Master in which you are already. Soken Hohan's Self-Defense Thanks you, along with my Wife Haruko.  (:>)

Yours in the ways.

Matsumura Seito forever

Nami/Charles/oldgray/tomadachi/shinseiki

Respectfully,
 

Ken Charlton

I was speaking yesterday with fellow Wado Karateka Doug Jepperson, who was telling me that he had the good fortune to spend some time with you as you passed through Utah.

I was just wondering if on your way south if you had any plans to come through Tennessee?  If so, I would be interested in trying to meet you.

Save travel,
 

Dave

Hello, world traveler, I hope your trip is going well. I saw that you were heading to Sacramento for training. Our headquarters dojo is in Bakersfield California which is around 6 or 7 hours south of Sacramento. If you head that direction or have time to drop by there you would be treated very well and have a lot of opportunity to train. Sensei O'Hara is 65 years old and still teaches over 20 classes per week. He has done Goju Ryu for 37 years and has the oldest Goju Dojo in California. His dojo is over 3,700 square feet. Sensei is a full time martial artist and enjoys visitors. We have several dojo homes that would be happy to put you up. If you head that way and would like to go by, please let me know. March 25th and 26th we are having our annual organizational Gasshuku, which you would also be welcome at.

I'm not in Bakersfield, I'm in Ventura, CA. I'm am O'Hara Sensei's senior student, having been with him 27 years. O'Hara Sensei and I used to be direct students of Higaonna Morio Sensei. I would love to meet you and to have a chance to train together. I'm only concerned that you'd be sitting around my house waiting for me. However, it is worth a try, so when you know when you may be in the area let me know. Somedays I can juggle my schedule, some days I can't, so let me know and we will do our best.

In Bakersfield, the Dojo is Goju Ryu Karate-Do of Bakersfield. My Sensei is John S. O'Hara, and the phone number is 661-873-7727. His wife's e-mail is gojulady@lightspeed.net.  They are expecting to hear from you.

Your host in Bakersfield will be Don Lanier. He is a Sandan of O'Hara Sensei's. He has done several full contact tournaments, and point tournaments, and is very excited to have you help improve his Tai Sabaki (he is already very fast). His phone number is 661-873-8879. I've already told him about you and asked him if you could stay with him. As I said, he'd be happy to host you so you two could share.

In Sacramento, there is a Sensei named Hu Sensei. He is a Goju practitioner. His phone number is 209-951-2488. He is Hawaiian. He has been training since the early 60's. I'm sure he would welcome you for training. Tell him I gave you his name and number.

Take care and I look forward to hearing from you. Please let me know how your visit to my teacher's and Sensei Hu's goes.

Sincerely,

Steve

Greetings, hope all is well. We had a very special guest arrive from Ashihara Karate, Cape town South Africa this Saturday, Shihan Hoosain Narker. We had the privilege of meeting him, we have a link to his web site and he to ours. We have been conversing through E-mail and while on a trip to visit other Ashihara schools in the United States and  we invited Shihan Narker to visit and train with us. Shihan was kind enough to take some time and explain some of the main principles and philosophy of Ashihara Karate.

He demonstrated their first kata and how they apply it to fighting, one of the main principles Shihan demonstrated was using your whole body's forward momentum to generate great power, this is very consistent with our principles in using the entire body for all techniques. He demonstrated that using angles and turning your opponent around was very effective. Shihan Narker kumited everyone in the dojo and we all enjoyed getting to experience his fighting style.

About ten of us went to lunch after training, and really enjoyed talking with Shihan Narker about his wide experience with other styles and individuals. Interesting enough we read some of the same books, and Bruce Tegner was one Martial Artist I enjoyed reading about back in 1967. My regards to Shihan Narker.....

Osu!

Shihan John Lehner

On the subject of rank, I feel that it is the biggest pain in my a**! Twenty years ago in South Africa we used to do a lot of practice without Gi tops and belts, to stop people from trying to make a noise with the Gi. The biggest thing that I remember from that though is that we respected people for their ability, not their appearance.

Now, today I see a lot of people who look pretty, or have rank claims on a t-shirt who would get their collective a**es kicked by most of my old Sempai. So many people continue to train for the wrong reasons, forgetting why they joined a dojo in the first place.

Rank is arbitary anyway. What counts as a Shodan with organisation A, wouldn't pass a green belt test with group B. As far as senior ranks go, the discrepancies are even more obvious there. There may be people such as Hoosain Narker Sensei, whos knowledge, character and ability is so exceptional that you look at them and say "That's what a Godan should  be!" or, you could look at person X (Yes, I do have specific individuals in mind.) and think " If that's what a Rokudan is, I'd rather quit while I'm ahead!)

Given my druthers, I'd like to live somewhere warm enough to have an excuse not to have to wear a Gi top or Obi, and train with seniors that I could respect based on their knowledge, character and ability alone.

Thanks for listening to my rant

Regards

Chris

Just to qualify a couple of things with regard to my glowing estimation of Hoosain Narker Sensei.

He has to be one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet, comfortable to share with you anything from knowledge to his last sandwich. On top of this, he has made his own powerful, explosive Karate available to anybody that is willing to learn. When I saw a recent post that listed the Kata of the AKI, I saw that he had included the "Beginners Kata". Be assured that this is certainly a misnomer. The principles of Ashihara Karate as taught by Narker Sensei are anything but "beginner" in the traditional sense of the word.  They may be practiced first,  but I for one would not consider them elementary.

I love Okinawan Goju Ryu, and I am certainly not considering switching styles at this point, but the information that Narker Sensei shared with me has opened my eyes to a whole level of practice that I had been looking for.

On a personal level I find that he epitomizes everything that is good about the New South Africa, while being able to share his experiences about the ills of the Old South Africa. I now have a new appreciation of the struggle against Apartheid, from someone who suffered both its laws and the whims of the small minded people that brought it into being.

I urge you to meet this man and learn from him; he has a lot to teach.

Respectfully yours

Chris

I have been following Hoosain's trip through the states and must say I am quite excited .I am fortunate enough to be having this wonderful fellow come and stay with us for a few days in February just prior to his returning home. I of course must have a small encyclopedia of questions to ask him in regard to Ashihara Karate and feel even better knowing he'll share his last sandwich.

Now I can take him to lunch and eat two for the price of one!!! :-)

Just joking, But honestly excited about the visit!

All the best,

Tom Ross (Midael2@Cs.Com)

There has been a lot of interesting and informative posts regarding the never ending discussion on rank, and each time it appears I read some new views and opinions which is always enjoyable.

I feel that like all things, there are good and bad aspects to the belt ranking system. It seems to me, that those that stay in the art eventually discover what level they really are... Eventually, they attend seminars, train at other dojo, and train with other styles. They see videos, read books, and discuss martial arts with other martial artist. In short, they become educated.

Styles, masters, dojo, and associations can give or award anyone whatever level rank or color of belt they so desire, for whatever reason they feel befitting. But in the end, if you are truly an active and interactive martial artist you will come to discover what level you are, and so will everyone else. Regardless of style, after a certain amount of "proper and legitimate" training, people learn to execute the techniques of their art with a skill level that every experienced martial artist recognizes as good.  Legitimate high ranking martial artist also act a certain way (kind, gentle, and humble are key traits easy to recognize), have a deep understanding of their art's history, and are also able to explain it or demonstrate it.

I've seen very injured 65 year old practitioners who can't physically get through one kata, but who when demonstrating a simple reverse punch make it clear to all that they "got it" and we easily recognize it...So people can be awarded whatever rank someone wants to give them, or they can rank themselves, or they can wear a rainbow around their waist of different colored belt, but in the end, we all know whether or not they are legitimate and deep down in their soul, they know they are not. They hurt the innocent and they hurt themselves by distruction of their own character. Can you imagine destroying your own character, your own integrity? It's very sad that insecure lazy people do this to themselves. It's like cheating when in line doing reverse punches. Those students who only punch when the teacher is looking cheat themselves, not the teacher.

I feel bad for students who due to lack of knowledge or understanding follow the high ranking phonies. But I beleive that eventually they will discover the truth, or their "gut" will tell them that something just isn't right. At least I hope that is what happens out there.

I had a Nidan (2nd Grade Black Belt) join my dojo who told me that nobody could challenge him at his dojo any longer, not even his teacher (didn't learn much about budo did he?). He then joined another dojo, and his first week there defeated the black belts and the teacher, so he quit. He was 6'3", 230 pounds and aggressive. Every class for three months he asked if he could kumite, which I responded "not yet." Then one night I put one of my brown belts with him for kumite because I knew my brown belt would be alright. The Nidan came out kicking and punching very hard, which I told him twice to lighten up. The third time I nodded at the brown belt and he pounded the Nidan into submitting. I asked the Nidan if he felt challenged yet? If not, there were two Shodan, one Nidan, and one Godan he could kumite with. He decided he had been challenged enough, and realized that his size, aggression, or black belt didn't help him that night. Come to find out, he had only trained three years when he made his Nidan. My brown belt had trained for four years, much harder, and with a traditional ryu. To his credit this Nidan stayed and trained for another year with us. He left a lot more kind, gentle, and humble. He confirmed my belief that eventually everyone who trains will discover their level. When they do, we can only hope they also discover what is really important and the real reason we all take this journey, and that reason eventually has nothing to do with rank.

Look at Hoosain. Chief Instructor for the style within his country. Hoosain is putting his butt on the line. He is putting his art on the table for everyone he visits to judge him. Notice nobody has written that he is over ranked, a lousy martial artist, or a bully? Guess what, you didn't have to meet Hoosain to know that. Anyone who would travel around an entire country training has nothing to prove, is secure in himself, his ability, and believes in his training. A "phony" wouldn't do what he is doing. Why" Because we would all know they were phony. I'm happy for and jealous of Hoosain. 19 years ago I traveled to 13 different states just to train with different dojo and styles. I found excellent martial artist, phonies, bullies, saints (ok close), and a lot of people who have become lifelong friends. I found people who didn't want to train at all even after I traveled so far, people who got excited and trained until 1:00 A.M. I learned a lot about karate and a lot about people. Something common about all the legitimate ones is that after lots of training, they ALL talked martial arts until the wee hours of the morning. It sounds from Hoosain's trip that that part hasn't changed... I'm happy for you Hoosain, and I'm proud of you too, and we haven't even met yet.

Be well, take care, and don't step on your obi, you may trip.

Steve

A periodic meeting of the semi-formal group that calls itself the Northwest Karate Study Group was held Saturday at Todd Newton's dojo in Eugene.

In attendance were:
John Sells, Shito-ryu
Hoosain Narker,Ashihara karate
Todd Newton, Wado-ryu
Chris Walton, Kishaba Juku Shorin Ryu
Hank Prohm Shito-ryu
Pat (sorry, forgot his last name), Goju-ryu
Tom Blevins, Wado-ryu
Paul Walker, Shito-ryu
Arnold Top, Shito-ryu
Allan Hutcheson, Shito-ryu

We started off the session with Todd teaching Wado-ryu Tai sabaki drills. Then I taught a few of the grappling moves I do from kihon blocks. Then, Hoosain taught one of the kata of Ashihara karate.

I think I can speak for everyone that attended that it was a wonderful experience for everyone, we all enjoyed training and sharing andlearning and each of us got to do some thinking "outside the box" of our everyday training practices.

One of the amazing and wonderful things about karate is how many variations on one technique there can be and how different schools can be doing similar but different approaches to technique.

A great big thank you to everyone who attended and especially to Todd Newton for providing his beautiful dojo for our use.

And, of course, a special thank you to Hoosain who jumped on a bus and rode for many hours just to come and spend an afternoon teaching and training with us.

regards,

Hank Prohm

Updated by Hoosain Narker