THE
KYU/D
A
N
SHIMBUM
A Publication of the Utah Shorin-Kai
Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do & Kobudo
March 2012
Issue 49
YARA
There are many stories associated with the Martial
arts, and how it developed in Okinawa, one historic
figure was Chatan Yara.
Yara came from the village of Chatan on the main
island of Okinawa, one of the Ryukyu islands. At the
age of twelve, his uncle, a trader, had convinced
Yara’s parents, that their son would make a great
martial artist. Thus Yara was sent to China to learn
as deshi (apprentice) of Wong Chung-You. Under
the tutelage of Wong, he not only became a great
martial artist, but also gained spiritual discipline.
Before he knew it, 20 years had passed, and it was
time for him to return home. Okinawa, at this time
was a fiefdom of China and the island depended
upon the Emperor of China for military protection as
well as commercial trade. For the economic good
of both countries, China and Japan had come to
an agreement over the trade rights in Okinawa. At
certain times of the year, the Japanese would
come to the island and trade with the Okinawans
while the Chinese officials would discreetly stay out
of sight and pretend that they did not see what was
going on. The Japanese, for their part, would
pretend that the Chinese had left the island
altogether. During the rest of the year the Chinese
would exercise their customary primacy over the
islanders.
The only ones who lost were the
Okinawans, the Japanese would commit crimes
against them and the Chinese would do nothing.
This is the home to which Yara returned.
One day not long after his return to Chatan, as Yara
was walking along one of the many beaches
where he lived, he heard a high pitched cry for
help, as he listened he heard the scream again,
and in a flash he sprinted towards the distressful
sounds. As he shot over a sand dune he found a
Samurai struggling with a young girl. “Why don’t
you leave the girl alone?” shouted Yara. Yara
continued to approach the Samurai as he spoke.
When he came face to face with him he added,
“you ought to be ashamed of yourself - a Samurai
attacking a helpless girl.”
The Samurai blinked at what he thought was
impudence from this stranger. He let go of the girl
and turned to face Yara, saying, “If you know what
is good for you, you will stay out of matters that do
not concern you.” The girl, who was now free, fled
to a nearby dune and turned to watch the two
men from a distance.
Yara calmly looked at the Samurai, noticing the
crest of Satsuma on his kimono. As he did, the
samurai grasped his sword by the handle and
shifted his body. Yara instinctively moved back one
step and let his hands dangle to his side. The
Samurai drew his sword and attempted to do a
sideways cut, but Yara lept backwards and out of
the path of the cut. Yara then circled around the
Samurai until he stood knee-deep in the surf. This
angered the Samurai, and so he waded into the
water after him, with his sword held above his head.
Yara chose his time carefully and retraced his steps
back to the beach, with the angered Samurai in
hot pursuit. (Continued on next page)
WE’RE TRAINING WITH SOKE IN APRIL
This year we are training with Soke on Friday &
Saturday, April 13th & 14th. This is the second
weekend in April. A group of students will be flying
from Salt Lake City to Phoenix, Arizona to train with
Soke Hausel at the Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu Dojo.
We plan to leave on Thursday evening April 12th,
flying to Phoenix and to return on Saturday evening
April 14th. While in Phoenix we will spend time
training with Soke in both Karate and Kobudo. We
also expect to get some sight seeing time in and
some relaxation time.
Like all training events
outside of normal classes, there is some additional
cost to the student. (Soke, has graciously only
charged a very small free to us for the opportunity
to train with him – something almost unheard of for
the opportunity to train with a 10th Degree Black
Belt).
Any student that would like to train and has not
already made arrangement to go should be
speaking with Kyoshi Watson immediately. As with
most of our extra training events, all students are
invited but intermediate students and upper ranks
are encouraged to attend. You don’t want to miss
this event.
HOLIDAY PARTY 2011
The annual Utah Shorin-Kai, school of Okinawan
Shorin-Ryu Karate-do and Kobudo Holiday party
was held last year on Wednesday December 23rd,
2011 in conjunction with our last class of the year.
We began with the normal warm-up and stretching,
and then progressed to working techniques with
the bean bags. It’s a fun and challenging exercise.
Promotions were next, with many students receiving
ranks and titles. (See promotions for January for
names). Then Kyoshi presented some gifts to the
senior students.
Then it was on to the Samurai game, this year it was
Renshi Stoneking’ s team and Shihan Schroeder’s
team.
This year four games were played, with
Shihan Schroeder’s Team winning 2 of the four
games. One game ended in dispute so it was
called a Kikiwake (Draw).
Finally it was goodies, and as in past years, there
was much to eat- cookies, chocolate, chips,
veggies, etc. All in all it was a great party and the
last class of 2011. We hope everyone enjoyed it.
Can you believe that we are now 2 months into the
2012 year.
YARA
continued from page 1
The girl watched Yara come near her with the
Samurai following him, she glanced around and
caught sight of a small boat a few yards away.
Running to the boat she grabbed an oar (Eiku) and
quickly tossed it to Yara, who was now only a short
distance away. In a split second, Yara had the oar
firmly gripped and spun around to face his enemy.
The Samurai, cursing to himself over having lost his
tremendous advantage, stopped and assumed a
jo-dan kamai (Sword raised above the head, for a
downward cut). Yara countered by holding his oar
in a dragon tail kamai (the blade of the oar down
by his back leg).
Suddenly, the Samurai attacked!
head. The kick sent him sprawling backwards to
the feet of the girl he had been molesting. He tried
to raise himself off the ground, but Yara was upon
him in an instant, slashing his oar downward and
crushing the Samurai’s head, killing him instantly.
The girl looked around nervously to see if anyone
had seen the battle. When she was satisfied that
they were alone, she said, “help me bury him.
Don’t ask any questions now, I will explain later.”
Heeding her advice, they dragged the body away
from the beach and buried it in a clump of bushes.
The girl then went on to explain to Yara, that if the
other Samurai were to find the body they would
take it out on the native Okinawans. “What if his
friends miss him when he does not show up?” asked
Yara. “What then?”
“They won’t miss him” the girl said,”most of the
Samurai who come here are plunderers and the
others may think he has gone off to some other
locale in search of loot.”
“Do you mean to tell me these things take place all
the time?” asked Yara, “my brother and those of
my village did not tell me of such happenings, and I
have been back from China now for three months.”
The girl looked at Yara, and thinking to herself
thought “No wonder he is a skilled martial artist. He
can probably hold his own against any Samurai.”
This prompted her to say, “you must have trained in
the martial arts for a long time.” “I trained for 20
years in China,” answered Yara. The girl could no
longer contain herself and spoke to Yara in a tone
which was somewhere between commanding and
beseeching.
“Will you teach your art to our
people? These are troubled times and we need to
learn to defend ourselves against outsiders.”
(This is just one of the many stories of how the
Martial arts came to Okinawa, Yara however is one
of the more famous of these Okinawan’s that
helped to propagate the art.)
QUOTE
Suddenly, the Samurai attacked, Yara’s reaction
was instantaneous, striking the handle of the sword
with the oar. The blow was perfectly executed,
sending the sword flying from the Samurai’s grip. As
soon as the Samurai felt himself loose grip of the
sword, he immediately squatted to one knee and
pulled his short sword, as this happened Yara
anticipated the Samurai’s next move, this was a
dangerous gamble, but it worked. Yara was now in
a perfect position and took advantage by
unleashing a powerful sidekick to the Samurai’s
Of all things to remember in the dynamics of
practice, one should remember that posture is also
an attitude. No matter how well one performs,
without the right attitude one cannot grasp the
significance of Karate-do – one polishes the shell
only, without the knowledge of the pearl within.
~Thomas M. White
GETTING TO KNOW LUIS BETTER – Part Two
By Luis Guerra Juvier – Shodan
While masters Rizo and Chirino were in the Japan, in
Havana they continued training with Japanese
experts and despite the exclusivity Karate spread.
Kung Fu and Judo had their roots in a few schools,
then other styles of Karate and martial arts arrived
and expanded rapidly as did Tae-kwon-do.
The skills achieved by the founders of the school of
Karate in Cuba, was used to train military elites,
called special troops, which were special agents of
the Ministry, national police and ultimately civilians
of whom its best exponents and members of the
Communist Youth recruited to nurture these forces.
Fortunately I was a civilian. The practice of Karate
was usually in a courtyard cemented or asphalt at
an educational center. Over the years we went
from one place to another, almost always outdoors,
three times a week, for at least three hours per
session. The black belts could go Saturday to a
local municipality of sports and where there was
the Provincial Commissioner and other black belts
to practice higher, technical Kumite, kata and
other things.
It was around the year of 1979 when I began, I was
about 22 years old. For beginners the first three
months were a strong physical preparation, then
the first static techniques, then the first Kata and the
necessary techniques. For this reason, I like to
practice and repeat until tired. As for a favorite
Kata, TAIKYOKU SHODAN, it was the first I learned it
is a Kata of precision, speed and force.
In the year 1995 I managed the 1 Kyu Brown belt, as
well as the course and evaluation for referee in the
sports "Manuel Fajardo" of Camagüey school under
the direction of the Provincial Commissioner of
Karate and one of my teachers, which all called
"Pepito".
I Began my technical preparation for black belt,
but at the same time in Cuba another difficult
period economically due to the collapse of the
Communists of the East, and European subsidies
that were sent to the Government of Castro; I had
to stop practicing around the end of 1998. I was
beginning another important stage of my life, to
care for my family. I started an independent
working life with a small restaurant (called in Cuba
"Palate"). The practice of
the Karate-do
momentarily stopped, but the fire within me was
continuing despite the fact that I began the
biggest turn of my life, to receive political asylum in
the United States of America.
In 2010, I was now living in Utah; I found an ad in the
local Murray, newspaper for the Utah Shorin Kai
Karate. My trainers in Cuba were several, I've
forgotten full names, but remember the early belts
black George and Meriño, their workouts were very
strict. Sergio Carmona 2nd Dan, Commissioner
Provincial, Pepito, the brothers Rumbaut, Titico,
Miralle, etc., all very good athletes and instructors.
It remains only for me to add that upon my arrival in
Utah I went to investigate many styles and martial
arts schools, until I got to the gym at the Hillcrest
Junior High School. Impressive was the number of
children and young practitioners, but I was more
impressed by the patience and the high technical
preparation of the instructors as well as the reduced
cost of registration for them to practice.
Kobudō - I cannot say anything about because
that is totally new for me. I definitely have to devote
more time to develop the skills needed in its use. I
really like these practices and enjoy them.
With regard to the Kumite, it is not my favorite, I
prefer the Kata. I have had to fight more than in
my previous life. Today I understand that Shorin Ryu
is about techniques that should be run completely.
My educational background: Primary school to
University, completing 10th grade, in 1975. I enrolled
in the pedagogical detachment. (Young men that
were beginning a teaching career with preuniversity studies). I graduated as a teacher in July
1980. Completed university studies with a "Degree
in education" from the pedagogical higher Institute
"José Martí" in physics and astronomy in July 1988.
Teaching physics, astronomy and electronics I
labored in secondary schools and pre-university’s
for 15 years, plus 5 years as a student teacher.
Almost all of my youth was dedicated to this
beautiful profession by a regime based on the
imported philosophical doctrine called MarxistLeninist,
under
a
romantic
revolutionaries
smokescreen that hides a vast prison that holds an
entire people without freedoms or rights. Other
Studies include:
"Center for overcoming
pedagogical information" at the Pedagogical
Institute in Camagüey. – I received the title of
"Professor of computer science", July 1994. August
2003, "Basic photography course", by the Cuban
Association of Publications and propagandists.
October 2003, Post grade “design elements and
Photoshop fundamentals”, awarded by the
University
of
Camagüey.
February
2004,
"Specialized course of Digital Photography",
awarded by the Cuban Association of social
communicators. But the most important intellectual
activity that I've done, is having exercised
journalism to confront the dictatorship of Fidel
Castro. In 2002, we founded the Camagüeyana "El
Mayor" press agency in order to disclose the abuses
suffered by the Cuban people. Reports were
published through a print newsletter, called "El
Camagüeyano" , and through radio reports that
were read by telephone to stations based in Miami,
that retransmitted them toward the Cuban
archipelago and internationally. This activity I did
until the day I left Cuba to exile in March 2008.
PROMOTIONS
UP COMING EVENTS
-Students that have earned the following promotions-
The 2012 GASSHUKU (outdoor adverse “training
camp”) is scheduled for Saturday August 4th, 2012 at
the East Canyon Resort. August of 2012 seems like
a long time from now, but if you plan ahead now
then you will not have a scheduling conflict when it
arrives. Camping at the Gasshuku will be available
the nights of 8/3 & 8/4/2012.
-January 2012 through March 2012-
(Promotions are held on the first class of each month).
January (Dec. 21, 2011)
Destin Barrowes - Ni kyu (Brown 2 tab)
Jasmina Ljubijankic - San kyu (Brown 1 tab)
Brooke Christenson - San kyu (Brown 1 tab)
Laura Whitney - Go kyu (Green)
Sarah Whitney - Go kyu (Green)
ELynn Barrowes - Go kyu (Green)
Angelene Barrowes - Go kyu (Green)
Taylor Hendrickson - Sichi kyu (Yellow)
Rand Sachs - Ku kyu (White 1 tab)
February
John Kendall – San kyu (Brown 1 tab)
Abrahm Barrowes – San kyu (Brown 1 tab)
March
Testing for students wishing to test for their next rank
is held on the third Saturday of each month.
Instructor’s permission is required. (Students should
speak with Sensei Watson, Stoneking, or Schroeder).
The yellow belt Kobudo class is held on the first
Saturday of each month from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (At
Hillcrest jr. High, our normal room). All yellow belts
are encouraged to attend, however all ranks
above yellow are invited. Basic and beginning Bo
techniques are taught in this class. Classes are held
2:30 to 5:30 each Saturday, instructor’s permission is
required to attend.
INSTRUCTORS AND ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
No students tested for March promotions.
Congratulations to the students who have received
promotions!
Kyoju Robert Watson - Director - Hachi Dan, Kyoshi
Renshi Todd Stoneking–Senior Chief Instructor-Roku Dan
Shihan Kim Schroeder – Chief Instructor - Go Dan
Shihan-Dai Jeff Schroeder – Chief Instructor - Yon Dan
Sensei Donna Drown – Instructor -Ni Dan
Sensei Matt Schroeder – Instructor – Ni Dan (On Sabbatical)
Dai-Sempai Luis Guerra Juvier – Sho Dan
Dai-Sempai Thadd Barrowes – Sho Dan
Dai-Sempai Mikell Young – Sho Dan
SCHOOL CLOSURES
There will be No Classes held on:
14th
Saturday, April
- Training in Phoenix
Monday, May 28th, Memorial Day
All other classes will be held as scheduled, any
other changes will be announced in class.
CONTACTS
Sensei Watson: [email protected]
Sensei Stoneking: [email protected]
OUR WEBSITE
www.utahshorinkai.org
ASSISTANTS TO THE INSTRUCTORS
Sempai Kristan Whitney – I Kyu
Sempai Julija Perkovic – I kyu
Sempai Taylor Barrowes – I kyu
Sempai Ken Wood – Ni kyu
Sempai Kris Watson – Ni kyu
Sempai Steen Barrowes – San kyu
Sempai Dustin Bailey – San Kyu
Sempai John Kendall – San kyu
Sempai Abrahm Barrowes – San kyu
Sempai Destin Barrowes – San kyu