Rantahryu

Rantahryu - One Mans Journey

A Japanese child loses his family in Nagasaki. His guardian is sent with the Japanese delegation to Korea where the child begins 'te' training in different locations including the newly opened Moodukkwan [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moo_Duk_Kwan] dojo in Seoul. At the beginning of the Korean war the guardian is summoned back to Japan and continues the boy's ‘te’ training. It is said Hanshi trained with Egami and Harada, both students of Funakoshi and Nakayama, altho this is unconfirmed as Hanshi did not speak of his past. When mentioning these men he referred to them as 'sensei'. 

Korea karate began as Japan kara te [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate] and as the country evolved and began her own quest for identity re-emerged word of mouth arts like tae kyun and soo bahk began to surface. Tang soo do is how korea reads the kanji for kara te do (唐手道), a generic term for ‘way of the China hand’. 

In 1978 a 25 year old musician runs up a flight of stairs two at a time at Days Inn in Orlando finding himself winded. Cigarettes, junk food and alcohol were taking its toll. About that time 2 bandmates were training and free sparring Shotokan and I knew this was something I needed to improve quality of life and began training with them. 

There was no Shotokan near home base but there was Moodukkwan similar in method and appearance. Achieving 3rd dan, summer camps, seminars with the founder, teaching at a senior masters dojo, competing at the local, regional and state AAU Karate Championships, 4 National championships, 1 International Championship in Athens Greece, it was time to open my own dojo reaching an agreement with the master and shaking hands on the deal. 

Being summoned to court for bogus charges designed to intimidate, the case was dismissed when the Moodukkwan headquarters summoned me for personal training. This was impossible as there were no black belt students to insure safety at my new dojo. The federation hierarchy was irritated that a senior dan was defeated in court. Disgruntled by political foolishness, 'new' kata, hissing and questionable integrity I discontinued federation membership. There were interactions with other organizations thru the AAU but teaching and personal training continued independently. 

In 1994 I was recommended by a master who had similar experiences for evaluation to master's rank with his crew was a natural evolution. Master Jinwon Kim's crew was the 1988 gold medal Korean Olympic team many of whom had parents who trained at the original Moodukkwan in Seoul and were also dan holders in Japan karate. In 1995 generic letters and emails from an undisclosed source recommended a unique training experience. Attending a private training seminar in 1998 with a sponsor consisting of masters from around the country and a rather stoic Japanese sensei, the level and quality of training was authentic, intense, respectful, and exactly what I needed. 

A groin cup and mouthpiece was the only protective gear, injuries could be taped up, cinder blocks were used for resistance training. Participation was invitation only thru a sponsor. That sponsor took responsibility for your character. A non disclosure agreement, a liability waiver, and a dojo kun ensued. Breaking the code you were treated to a motivational seminar and carried outside permanently banished as I had witnessed my first seminar with these dedicated men. 

At first I had concern about my Korean karate influence, but in fact the Moodukkwan was held in high regard, technique often being praised before adjustments were made. No retail, no politics, only training. 'In Korea one day karatedo, next day tangsoodo, no difference, only politics' said Hanshi in disappointment. If you were an insured financial advisor you offered services to club members free of charge.

You spoke to Hanshi thru his constant disciples, 2 very formidable Japanese ladies. Funikoshi [since 1922] did not enjoy the term 'Shotokan' and Hanshi did not use a copyright or trademark name, he referred to Shotoryu kai karate, a generic term dedicated to the teachings of Gichin Funikoshi [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gichin_Funakoshi] and son Gigo [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gig%C5%8D_Funakoshi]. Hanshi belonged to no association disenfranchised with political infighting. Participants in the seminar belonged to different organizations to legitimize belt rank for their business. They came to Hanshi for personal training. 'All karate is Japan karate', 'If you call pizza 'Wong's Pizza', is still just pizza', 'Respect everyone, even enemy, just before you take his head'. 'Kata is the art in martial art'. ‘Kumite train body for defense’. 

After a conversation with Hanshi about the warranty on my knees, he said 'listen to body, if you do not you pay consequence'. Determined to endure one last training session with these great men, an unannounced evaluation and promotion ensued after a 3 day weekend-long event. After 35 years of self improvement, what an emotional moment to have 50 senior masters chant 'shichidan, shichidan, shichidan'. I was godan in korean karate when I began. 

Knees swollen and unable to walk for days, awestruck at how the universe evolved, opportunity had presented itself and the ability to meet and train in this format with such talent and history was an awesome experience. There is a natural order of things in the universe [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao], there are repercussions should you attempt to alter this natural order. We call it karma, no one is exempt.

'Karate training is path to zen’ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen], Hanshi Haruda Sato sensei often reciting limericks in broken ingrish [english]. Zen emphasizes rigorous self-restraint and training, meditation-practice, insight into the nature of mind, perceiving the true nature of things without arrogance or ego [mushin], and the personal expression of this insight in daily life especially for the benefit of others. As such, it de-emphasizes knowledge alone of sutras and doctrine, and favors direct understanding through spiritual practice and interaction with an accomplished Master. A true master is always an elderly man, capable thru a lifetime of experience and accomplishment. Should you see a young man using the term ‘grandmaster’, he is a fraud. Hanshi was the quintessential master; humble, quiet, strict, built like an oak tree. I was saddened to learn of his passing in 2022, the last of the renaissance  masters.

There is no certificate for Zen, you simply arrive. The Eightfold Path: Right view: right understanding, the drive to fulfill cravings without being consumed by them. Right intention: avoid harmful speech and to communicate clearly. Right speech: avoid harsh,  abusive, lying or idle speech. Right action: do what is right. Right livelihood: engage in work that doesn't cause harm. Right effort: be diligent and mindful of one's problems. Right mindfulness: be aware of one's body, feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Right concentration: discipline to cut through delusion. Right ego is not on the list…

Karate has been existed under many terms for 1000 years. It survives because it is effective. Anyone can practice a traditional discipline [self control] without fear of injury [accidents do happen]. Sport such as kickboxing, MMA or UFC are forms of competition for money. Since most parents do not want their child to grow up with cauliflower ear, missing teeth or damaged joints, a discipline offers far greater results than fighting for money. It strengthens the mind, the body, and the character offering a higher quality of life. This must be considered before enrolling in a retail school. The higher the belt rank the higher the level of skill, dedication and discipline. A master never fights but will quell anger and violence quickly. The strength of character to follow bushido in the modern world is rare, or so I have been told. Names have been omitted to protect the ignorant.