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The
following document, translated by Mario McKenna, was
written by Sakamoto-Sensei to North American Ryusei
instructors before he conducted his clinics last October.
Sakamoto-Sensei
at the 2000 clinic in Toronto
Within
Ryusei Karatedo system, kata, and techniques we can see
the expression of ‘keii’ (literally
‘form
and intention).
Regarding
keii, when
performing [kata] three years ago I said: “There are thousands of variations in karate technique
and the expression of kata has infinite variety, because
it depends on the individual. This is what I try to feel
when I do kata. I mean that kata has a consciousness
like a living organism. I truly feel kata has a long
history in space and time that has continued its journey.
“Kata
has form but is also formless.” No one can ask perfection from kata, and no one
needs to ask, I think.”
Now
I will state two reasons why keii
should be included [in your training].
First,
I looked hard at the lesson of the fist: “continuous
training in budo brings a calmness and makes a person
one with nature.”
Then I clearly understood that “animals are in harmony with the providence of heaven.”
My
intuition told me that it is fundamentally important to
clearly understand the techniques and essence of keii
in order to comprehend Chito-Ryu more deeply and to
understand classical kata. Classical kata require a keen
sensitivity to understand them.
In
budo, there is a proverb “Shu,
Ha, Ri” [which describes a student’s progress through a
martial art]. I understand that level of my technique
is‘Ha.’
I break [down my technique] and experiment with. Through
this trial and error I believe that I will move from
a basic level to an high level and achieve ‘Ri.’
[This means ‘freedom’ or ‘divergence’ and
indicates the point where a martial artist has mastered
the technique and has found complete freedom within the
form.]
Sakamoto-Sensei
at the 2003 clinic
Currently
I am practicing Sanchin kata with all my will, with the
idea of merging with nature.
In
all my searches, I continue to be a student of karate.
From now on I hope to have the opportunity to have a
wide exchange of ideas with everyone.
Thank
you very much.
—Ken
Sakamoto
Kyoshi
Ryusei
Karate-Do
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