Member of MARTIAL ARTS HYPERBANNER !
	MARTIAL ARTS SUPPLIES ONLINE
	NISHIYAMA HIDETAKA A Karate-Ka's Karate-Ka BY Don Warrener

The author of one of the world's all-time best selling martial arts books, "Karate the Art of Empty Hand Fighting" (now in its ninetieth printing), Nishiyama Hidetaka is undoubtedly one of the most controversial martial artists of all times. As one prominent California Shotokan stylist said, "You either love him or hate him."

Born in Tokyo, Japan, on November 21, 1928, Nishiyama Hidetaka began his karate training as most Japanese children of the era did, on the fifth day in the fifth month of his fifth year, which was then called Boys' Day but in today's Japan is called Children's Day.

He started in kendo, eventually making third dan after seventeen years. He began karate at the age of sixteen and has become one of the foremost authorities in the world on Shotokan karate and one of the world leaders trying to get karate into the Olympics. Presently, Nishiyama Sensei is a ninth dan and the leader of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF).

His karate training began at Takushoku University under the instruction of the father of modern day karate, Funakoshi Gichin. While at university, he studied economics, but it was karate that really excited him.

After attending one of Nishiyama Sensei's instructor's classes, I fully understand why he is so widely respected for his knowledge and ability. His class was filled with kumite combinations and broken down into logical sequences coupled with fighting psychology that only a true master of the art could divulge. When the class was over, I had the opportunity to interview him for Bugeisha.

Nishiyama Sensei:

No, I started kendo when I was 5 years old. In Japan it was traditional for a young boy to begin Kendo training on his 5th year, 5th month and 5th day, so my father took me to a Kendo Sensei at that time. I studied Kendo until I was 16 years old. I was a Sandan (3rd degree black belt).

DW: Since you began karate in 1945, how has the training changed?

Nishiyama Sensei:

When I first started to train with Funakoshi Sensei, there was nowhere near the attention to detail that there is in today's karate. Funakoshi Sensei explained no details, he told commands like Shuto Uke or Zenkutsu Dachi, everyone had to look for themselves and find the details on their own. Now karate is taught with a great deal of attention to detail. As an example in the Bassai Dai kata, in the opening move, should the open hand be on the fist or on the arm? Obviously when you put the open hand on the fist you are over extending the arm and it is not supporting the blocking closed fist like it does when you put the open hand on the arm.

DW: In the Funakoshi video we just finished reviewing, you mentioned it was filmed at Keio University and that you trained at Takushoku University. How did the training differ in these two universities in those early years of karate in Japan?

Nishiyama Sensei:

The difference between the two schools was that Takushoku training was much more spirited and physical. Some of the more famous graduates of Takushoku University were JKA (Japan Karate Association) instructors like Nakayama Masatoshi, Kanazawa Hirokazu, Enoeda Keinosuke, and Okazaki Teruyuki. On the other hand, Keio University, which was the first university to adopt a karate-training program, was much more refined and gentlemanly. Keio University developed JKA instructor Obata Isao.

DW: I have noticed that many of the katas have varied depending on the participants. Should they not all be the same?

Nishiyama Sensei:

No, not really. A kata will vary depending on the individual's size and capabilities. The real secret to the art is in adhering to the principles of body movement and trying to attain the maximum effect with the minimum effort. We must not just copy our instructor's moves, we must strive to understand what makes them work and how to maximize them. You also need to understand that in the old days, there was no standardization of kata. Each instructor would teach on an individual basis and adjust a kata to fit that individual. Let me give you an example of how this affects the kata we see today. In the opening movements of the Kanku Dai kata there are two Shuto Uke (knife hand blocks), today everyone places their hands very high almost pointing straight up. This was not done this way originally as Funakoshi Sensei explained to me. This came about because Funakoshi Sensei is a very short man and he needed to put his hands this high to fit his body because everyone else was much taller than him in Japan. But he also told me that Itosu Sensei was very tall, and his hands were placed much lower. So the kata must be custom fit to your personal physique. The problem today is that everyone copies their instructor and very few people understand the proper application of the moves in kata. The kata is only an outside symbol that represents the inside. So you must understand the inside, if not then you are only a puppet doing movements with no meaning.

DW: What are your technical interests at this point in your training?

Nishiyama Sensei:

After 50 years of training, I am still intrigued with the concept of maximum effect with minimum effort. Therefore, this is what I am continuing my own personal study of at the moment.

DW: Can you please explain further this concept.

Nishiyama Sensei:

In the beginning of training we all use muscular strength. We use a big body action to make big powerful movements. But as one trains longer this needs to change so that you generate big power from little movement. This is the way of nature because as you get older you loose muscular strength so you must find this other way of generating power before you get too old.

DW: What is your opinion of sport karate today?

Nishiyama Sensei:

I think it is all right, but I do not understand what the purpose is. In traditional karate, I understand the purpose. It is proper timing (and) executing proper techniques both with the ultimate aim of self-defense. One must remember that in karate only five percent of the participants want to participate in competition. The other ninety-five percent join for the other benefits that karate has to offer. Benefits like fitness, self-defense, character development, philosophy, and psychology plus much more.

DW: What do you think of colored uniforms?

Nishiyama Sensei:

In Japan the white uniform was always used because martial arts philosophy stressed cleanliness, thus white symbolizes purity. A Samurai always had to be clean in his mind, body and spirit. In a confrontation or Shiai my opponent becomes my Sensei and in turn, I am his Sensei so we must respect each other. Respect begins with proper attitude and cleanliness.

DW: What is your opinion of junior black belts?

Nishiyama Sensei:

I have no problem with this as long as the youngster is technically qualified and they should be promoted the same as anyone else. However, once they reach eighteen years of age, they should be reevaluated as a regular adult black belt and then they should be promoted to whatever rank the instructor feels is appropriate. We must not forget the purpose of ranking individuals. It is meant as an incentive and motivation. They, perhaps even more than adults, need motivation and incentive to continue training since they do not yet understand the philosophy and meaning of martial arts.

DW: If you were to make one suggestion to a twenty-year-old black belt what would it be?

Nishiyama Sensei:

I would suggest that they try to learn the principles of body movement rather than trying to copy their instructor's technique. Also to avoid dangerous situations, because in a real martial arts confrontation, one cannot lose because losing means death. The only real way not to lose is not to fight.

DW: At what stage of training is a student ready to leave his Sensei?

Nishiyama Sensei:

It is difficult for a student to leave his Sensei if he has a very good Sensei. The longer the better. I would say maybe Sandan or Yondan then the student can go, but he should always come back to his Sensei for further training and to check for any mistakes.

DW: Who was your biggest influence in your martial arts training?

Nishiyama Sensei:

I would have to say that it was Funakoshi Sensei, Nakayama Sensei who became the chief instructor for the JKA. Also my Kendo Sensei Mochida Morio.

DW: It seems that most articles about you are political in nature.What are your nonpolitical goals for the future?

Nishiyama Sensei:

I would very much like to write more books as well as videotapes. I believe that there is a great deal of information that I have collected over the years and developed in regards to kyusho (pressure points), principles of body movement and body dynamics relating to karate that would help improve the quality of karate if it were made available to those who study the art.

DW: What are the major points in attaining high-quality kata?

Nishiyama Sensei:

The main points are:
1. Total body dynamics and adhering to the principles of body dynamics.
2. Proper techniques, meaning that the practitioner understands the application of each move.
3. Good power and focus.
4. The transition and the shifting, continuity, and tempo related to application.
5. Attention to the small details, like the little finger or the hooking of the wrist.
6. Overall impression which is attained by watching a person's spirit during the kata performance.

DW: What then are the qualities of good kumite?

Nishiyama Sensei:

First, the technique must have real application. In other words, if completed, serious damage would result. There must, of course, be proper timing and distancing of the technique.

DW: In summary, what is next for you?

Nishiyama Sensei:

Well, the first and foremost objective of mine is to get karate into the Olympics. Now, the IOC (International Olympic Commission) has recognized that there are two aspects to karate: one,the traditional side, which we, the ITKF, represent; and then the general side, which the WKF (World Karate Federation) will represent. It is my hope that karate will be in the Olympics in 2004, assuming everything goes as is planned. I hope to pass on my work in this field to the younger generation so that they can take over and I can devote my time to other things.

---

Member of Martial-Arts HyperBanner

---

This Site designed and maintained by DOSHIN Martial Arts

COPYRIGHT © 1996 - 1997 DOSHIN Martial Arts Supplies, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED