Florida Winter Getaway 2009 - Ryusei Karate-do

On February 11, 2009, I traveled to Orlando, Florida, to visit James Acampora, an old friend and student of the late Chito-Ryu shihan Art Rott. In order to teach Chito-ryu karate, James has continued the dreams of his instructor by building a dojo and staying true to the way he was taught. I have always kept in touch with him because of his deep dedication to Rott-Shihan and his true friendship to me.

Here I am with James Acampora (to my right) and some of his senior students. It was great to see the legacy of the late Art Rott-Shihan carried on so well by James and his outstanding dojo.

While on my visit, I was invited to take part in a Chito-Ryu seminar taught by William J. Dometrich-Hanshi, head of the United States Chito-Ryu Karate Federation, on February 14, at the Clarion Hotel, in Altamonte Springs. It had been many years since I had trained on the floor of any Chito-Ryu dojo and I felt apprehension, worried that old wounds would open.

Arriving in Orlando, I was picked up at the airport by James and taken to his home, in time to see the last half hour of class. At James’ request, his students performed various kata for me. As I watched, it brought back many memories of sitting with the late Rott-Shihan, when he would also ask me to view his students. Some of the students I had encountered before, others were new to me. It was very satisfying to see what a great job that James has done.

The Seminar

Stretching on the day of the seminar, I heard Dometrich-Hanshi’s voice as he walked down the hall towards the training room. We stood to show respect to Hanshi and his wife, Okusan, as they walked through the door. I noticed that it was an older gentleman than I remembered entering, who moved more slowly and spoke more gently. Time chases and catches us all, I thought sadly. Still, I was impressed by Hanshi’s budo spirit, teaching us despite his infirmities.

Here I stand with James Acampora, Dometrich-Hanshi and his wife, Okusan. The clinic was a great time to reconnect with old friends and to begin to heal old wounds.

As class began, we were asked to be seated. Hanshi began to address many issues that had been discussed on the Chitonet, the Chito-Ryu e-mail discussion group, concerning Tekki kata, also know as Naihanchi or Naifanchi. Hanshi’s answers were short and to the point. One of the questions was why didn’t O’Sensei have any versions of Naihanchi within the Chito-ryu system. His reply was, “Because they’re not.”

His blunt answer reminded me of my teacher of old.

Then we began to train. We performed various Chito-ryu kata and went over the kaisetsu, or explanations, for different moves. At one point, Hanshi asked me to demonstrate a counter move to an exercise that we where performing. After this, Hanshi stopped the class and told participants that if he would put all their technique together, they would not have the technique that I possess. He said how I had “natural ability” and gave me compliments in this vein.

I was surprised by his words. At first I got my back up at the suggestion that I relied on “natural ability.” It took years of dedicated training to achieve the goals I set for myself. But then I relaxed and took the compliment in the spirit it was given. I appreciated Hanshi’s generosity in acknowledging me in this way. I listened closely to his words and found understanding in them.

A Door Opens

Later we begin to perform Tekki Shodan kata. Then we started kumite, at which point I stood to the side to watch the others perform. I thought it was best not to get involved with this. If I did kumite, it might raise the bad feelings that surrounded my departure from the U.S. Chito-Ryu Karate Federation years ago.

The clinic participants pose with a picture of O-Sensei, whose karate Dometrich-Hanshi has dedicated his life to.

One student caught my eye, not because he was great at what he was doing, but because he reminded me of so many other young karateka whose only intention was to hit something – an arm, a leg, wherever he could – whether or not it was an effective target.

Dometrich-Hanshi must have been watching him as well, because he asked if I could help him. I tried to help without taking part in the kumite but I found this was impossible. I needed to gauge for myself what he was doing by actually engaging him in sparring. It was then that I realized it was not kumite that Hanshi offered me, but an open door. He trusted me with this task, as he did of old, and I responded by helping the student as best I could.

After class was over, we took many pictures. As I stood posing with Dometrich-Hanshi and Okusan, I was flooded by many strong feelings.

The clinic participants pose with a picture of O-Sensei, whose karate Dometrich-Hanshi has dedicated his life to.

After class was over, we took many pictures. As I stood posing with Dometrich-Hanshi and Okusan, I was flooded by many strong feelings.

The group poses under a waterfall at the hotel, united by a spirit of budo and cooperation.

To me, the most important part of my speech was when I stated: “People think time heals all, but I feel it doesn’t.” I think time can make you accept things. It can allow you to forget, but time can never heal. It takes a great act in order to heal. For me this seminar was the act, the beginning of healing. I was truly glad to be there and be part of it.

It was then that I felt a great weight move from my heart and I was able to really move forward, through the door that was offered earlier…

Even though my path ahead is clearly within Ryusei Karate-Do, it was gratifying to mend the road behind me, within Chito-Ryu.

—Roland J. Figgs, Sr.
Ryusei Karate-Do U.S.A.