Kodawari Hombu Dojo Ryusei-ha Ryukyu Kempo Karate-jutsu
Kodawari Hombu Dojo
Welcome to Our Dojo!
Who We Are
What We Do
What To Expect
If you are reading this post and you are also new to me and the Kodawari Hombu Dojo, then the following post might also be of interest to you for further reading as you have time. Some of the same information here will be duplicated in the following posts. But each one will have a good amount of unique information that may be of benefit to you.
If the disclaimer above didn’t get your attention, please do read it as it is certainly going to apply here pretty quickly. You have been warned! LOL!
Obviously, my name is Michael Davis and I am the owner of this website as well as the physical Kodawari Hombu Dojo. Since it is probably important to some, I will list my qualifications below and a much more detail bio is also available on this website for those that are interested.
My Qualifications
- Almost 50 years of total martial arts experience, covering Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese and Filipino combative and energetic arts.
- Godan (五段 – 5th degree black belt) and a renshi (練士) teaching license – Ryusei-ha Ryukyu Kempo Karate-jutsu (龍精派琉球拳法唐手術).
- Godan (五段 – 5th degree black belt), Ryusei-ha Ryukyu Kobudo (龍精派琉球古武道 – Matayoshi Kobudo – 又吉古武道 – based).
- Yondan (四段 – 4th degree black belt) and a renshi (練士) teaching license – Matsukaze Aikibudo (松風合気武道)
- Yondan (四段 – 4th degree black belt), Shotokan Karate-do (松涛館空手道).
- Sandan (三段 – 3rd degree black belt), Goju-ryu Karate-do (剛柔流空手道).
- Experienced in Yangshi (揚式), Chenshi (陈氏) and Wushi (吳氏) Taijiquan (太极拳).
- Extensive training in other Chinese martial arts (中国武術 – Chugoku bujutsu) such as Baguazhang (八卦掌) and Xingyiquan (形意拳).
- Extensive training in other Chinese energetic arts (気功 – qigong and 內功 – neigong).
- Highly trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (中药 – Zhongyao) with an emphasis on the combative use of vital points (急所 – kyusho or 点穴/點穴 – dianxue).
- Highly trained in Traditional Chinese Herbology (中藥學 – Zhongyao Xue).
Technically speaking, my godan (五段) and renshi (練士) teaching license (kyoiku shogo – 教育称号) is in Ryukyu Kempo (琉球拳法). The “Ryusei-ha” (龍精派 – dragon spirit school) component was added as a prefix to indicate that what I am teaching is my particular interpretation of Ryukyu Kempo. This is not to mean that I have “created my own style”. But, it is meant to differentiate what I currently teach as being slightly different than what my original sensei may have taught me. Any mistakes or inaccuracies are my own and should not reflect negatively upon any of my prior sensei. Additionally, the “karate-jutsu” (唐手術 – China Hand Skills/Science) was added to specifically indicate that components of Chinese martial arts are included in and influence the principles and techniques that I teach. More information in regards to this can be found in the post Ryusei-ha Ryukyu Kempo Karate-jutsu. I will be expanding on this more soon.
At a 10,000 foot level, the base arts that we teach are Ryusei-ha Ruykyu Kempo Karate-jutsu (龍精派琉球拳法唐手術) and Ryusei-ha Ryukyu Kobudo (龍精派古武道).
As indicated in the section above, the “Ryusei-ha” (龍精派 – Dragon Spirit School or Faction) portion of the name indicates that it is our version of both the Ryukyu Kempo and Kobudo.
In particular, we are looking at a specific version of Ryukyu Kempo that teaches a more “original” or “authentic” version of the traditional Okinawan arts as seen prior to the assimilation of the art into the public school system and mainland Japan. More specifically, an art that includes not only percussion type strikes with the hands, feet and other parts of the body (手小 or 当身), as well as grappling (手組 – standing and on the ground), joint locks and breaks (取手 or 取り手) and kata (型). Kata would necessarily include bunkai (分解 – analysis), oyo (応用 – combative applications) and henka (変化 – combative variations of the applications).
It is also very important to note the use of “karate-jutsu” (唐手術). Here we are very clearly showing that we are also including the Chinese influence and development that helped to form the traditional Okinawan arts. In particular, the Hakutsuru-ken (龍精派白鶴拳) or White Crane Fist Arts that developed out of Fujian White Crane (白鶴拳) and, in particular Mínghèquán (鳴鶴拳) which is the Crying Crane Fist (sometimes also known as Calling, Whooping, or Shouting Crane). If you have not read the information on the Hakutsuru-ken that the Kodawari Hombu Dojo teaches, we would recommend viewing the following at your convenience:
We believe that it is this base curriculum (教案 – kyoan) that best represents the individual combative arts and sciences before other influences came to be imposed and changed that art
Ryusei-ha Ryukyu Kempo Karate-jutsu is most definitely a part of gendai budo (現代武道) arts even though it is based, as best we can, on the more traditional or combative version of the art that existed prior to the Meiji Restoration. The main problem that we, as martial artists, run into is that there are very few written documents that have survived over time and war that clearly outline specifically what was taught on Okinawa prior to the Meiji Restoration. While we can make some very educated guesses and also work from older source material, it really does fall upon the individual martial artist to work out what the more “original” and combative arts contained.
More important, to us, than being defined as a gendai budo art is being a sogo bujutsu (総合武術)1Sogo (総合) means, total, well rounded, complete, integrated, consolidated, or comprehensive. Bu (武) means martial, military, warrior, chivalry, or arms. Jutsu (術) means technique, skill, science, method, and technology. art. What this means is that our aim is to teach a well rounded and comprehensive martial art that has our roots in the old style(s), but is also an art that can easily be transformed to the combative needs of modern society. In particular, the Kodawari Hombu Dojo is specifically interested in teaching the personal combative arts and sciences. We are not interested in tournaments, competitions, “sparring”, etc. The skills we are looking to impart would be as follows and discussed below.
Grappling
When it comes to most forms of “karate” (Japanese or Okinawan), the various grappling arts are what are missing. In terms of how the Kodawari Hombu Dojo teaches the combative arts (and, in particular Ryusei-ha Ryukyu Kempo Karate-jutsu), here is how we look at and teach grappling.
There are various forms of grappling. In Japanese, the catch all term that we us is katame-waza2押込技 which simply means grappling techniques or grappling arts/science. And, yes, contrary to popular thoughts among many (if not most) martial artists, karate does containing grappling of all types. Especially when speaking of Okinawan based karate arts.
Okinawan Karate - The Original MMA
Okinawan Karate: The Art of Grappling with Strikes
Within katame-waza, we have two sub-levels of classification. Tachi-waza3 meaning standing techniques or standing arts – 立ち技 and ne-waza4 meaning ground techniques or ground skills – 寝技.
Striking
Vital Points
Kata
Weapons
Energetic Arts
We will be diving into all of the above topics (and more) in the coming days and weeks.
Ancillary Martial Arts Training and Studies
Much was said above. If we boil it all down to the most simple of terms, the Kodawari Hombu Dojo is primarily concerned with teaching the old combative arts that originated on the Okinawan island chain that were also heavily influenced by the Southern Chinese martial arts (primarily from the Fujian or Fukien – 福建 – province). While individual students may have their own personal or private reasons for studying with us, those are secondary to the Dojo itself and would be a natural outgrowth from our combative arts and practices.
What it all really comes down to is “jutsu vs. do”. We are interested, in all aspects of our training, in the “jutsu”. That is, the combative skills or science as opposed to the “do”…which is concerned with using the art(s) as a means of personal enlightenment, development and/or perfection. In other words, to return to the original and base intent of developing personal combative skills.5To be clear, it is true that components of what we teach can lead towards these admirable personal results. Meditation skills, energy work, breathing methods and other skills can help you make large steps towards personal development and personal enlightenment. But, the results of all of those practices are geared towards improving our combative skills as their primary objective. If personal enlightenment, development and/or perfection happen to manifest along the way, then so much the better. But, to be clear, those personal benefits are secondary.
While I may personally be a little biased, I believe that there is a great deal that makes the Kodawari Hombu Dojo unique. Primarily, it is the inclusion of the Taoist based arts that originate, primarily, from the water tradition of the art.
Taoist Fire and Water Traditions
An important side note to reference here is the difference between the fire (火法修道 – Huo fa xiudao) and water (水法修道 – Shui fa xiudao) methods or traditions of energy work.
On the topic of fire and water methods, it is important to me to list this “warning” to all that read this. When I was originally taught the small or microcosmic orbit (小周天 – shoshuten) qigong or kiko (気功), I was taught incorrectly. I firmly believe that some, if not all, of the health related issues that I am now facing come from the ongoing incorrect practices that I was taught. It was not that my instructor at the time had any kind of malicious intent. It was simply a matter of him not fully knowing what he was doing. And, to be quite honest, me not questioning everything that he was teaching me. At the end of the day, the blame was on both of us.
If you look at things from the aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the meridians and nerves in the body have to be primed to handle larger amounts of energy in the body. When you increase this energy well above the level that the meridians and nerves can handle, it creates a wide series of potential issues and those only cascade more over time when nothing is done to correct it. Look at the energy system of the body like electrical systems that you might already be aware of. Thin wires (or wires with a lower “gauge”) will conduct electricity, but there is more electrical resistance. Thicker wires (or those with a higher “gauge”) there’s a lot less electrical resistance. So, more energy can flow through the wire faster and better. The difference with the energy system of the body is that, through proper training, you can increase the amount of energy that you can safely move, carry and generate. More on this will be written about soon.
It is VERY important to note at this point that when we talk about Taoism, we are NOT referring to a religion in any way, shape or form. No one at the Kodawari Hombu Dojo cares what religion you belong to or whether or not you are religious! No one is looking to convert you from whatever your religious beliefs may be to Taoism or anything else. Taoism (or Daoism) refers to either a school of philosophical thought (道家 – daojia) or to a religion (道教 – daojiao). Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the Tao, or the universe. Taoists, in general, believe in spiritual immortality, where the spirit of the body joins the universe after death. We seek to learn the arts and sciences that assist with our development of the combative and personal protection arts. In particular this would cover breathing methods, meditation methods and energy work (both qigong or kiko and neigong or naiko).
Keikosyoukon
Learn from the past and
make use of it in the present
Why am I doing this? It is probably the first or at least one of the first question that most of you have. Am I an egotistical narcissist that (in a virtual way) likes to hear the sound of his own voice or something else? One of my favorite questions to ask someone, especially someone that I don’t know and/or I have just met is: “What is your Why?“. It is a hell of a conversation starter (try it sometime!). It’s like asking someone what their ikigai (生き甲斐) is.6Ikigai translates, roughly, to what your purpose in life is or your “reason for being”. Maybe easier to say that it is what gets you out of bed in the morning. But, you don’t have to explain the concept to them before they can answer (but explaining the concept is a good follow up after they answer!).
The “What is Your Why” question referenced above comes from NLP or Neuro Linguistic Programming. If you are not familiar with NLP you should check it out. In particular, the question is a great Pattern Interrupt. We will be discussing NLP and various techniques within it more soon. However, Pattern Interrupts are great when used at any kind of business meeting or events and situations where you are meeting new people. First date or blind date? Give it a try! As a martial artist and/or instructor, it also works well with new student interviews or just with new students in general. But, at the end of the day, NLP is a great tool to have in your toolbox! We will be discussing this more in the near future.
As I said, rather than trying to be a keyboard warrior, this endeavor is primarily being done at the request of numerous former students that (for whatever reason) don’t have the opportunity to engage in ongoing training with me. So, the writing and information done here serves as a way of being able to communicate with them and, if necessary, allow them a means to follow up with me. Many of these same folks indicated that they thought I should make this information generally available to the public. Following those requests, I have done so via this blog and “virtual dojo”. Hopefully, at least some of you will find beneficial information or, at a minimum, information that will make you think and do your own personal research.
To quote Liam Neeson:
A secondary interest to me is the martial arts instructor and/or dojo owner. Or even the potential dojo owner. If the recent COVID pandemic has taught me one thing, it is that instructors and dojo owners need to have a means of driving secondary sources of income. That can come from the web and more of this type of virtual training will be seen across the board as we continue to move forward. I have personally made a large financial commitment to do just that here. And I want to share that information and the methods being used with those that have such an interest.
If you have interest in such things, then keep your eye on the following page:
Most importantly…
In the words of Tony Robbins (and the title of a great Netflix documentary about him), I am NOT your guru! I am not a priest, a rabbi or a preacher. I am not a life coach. I am not here to convert you to any sort of religion or any sort of philosophy or school of thought. Since, in some cases, we will be discussing some relatively esoteric topics that cannot be proven or verified 100% via the “scientific method” and since I am fairly certain that I will be posting some “martial arts hearsay”, it is going to be up to YOU to question it all and not take it on faith that I am correct. I have been wrong in the past and I am positive I will be wrong about something in the future.
As I go through all of these postings, I have invested in an additional tool that allows me to footnote sayings, passages and idea. It will look like the following and you can click on the superscript number.7Clicking on it will open the footnote and clicking on it again will close it. Additionally, if you scroll to the bottom of the page, you will also see all of the footnotes listed there. Be sure to check them all out. Also be sure to make note of all of them. It will help as we go along.
If all of the above (or anything else you have read here) sounds like it might be of interest to you, then we encourage you to click below and join our Dojo Insiders email notification list. When you do, not only will you be among the very first to know about all updates on the website, but you will also receive exclusive deals from our web store and other benefits that will not be made available to others. Don’t miss out and subscribe today!
As was mentioned above, the posts here will usually be written “long form”. Meaning a lot of information and many images that will make the posts seem longer.
Densho
All articles written by Michael Davis should be considered densho
- 1Sogo (総合) means, total, well rounded, complete, integrated, consolidated, or comprehensive. Bu (武) means martial, military, warrior, chivalry, or arms. Jutsu (術) means technique, skill, science, method, and technology.
- 2押込技
- 3meaning standing techniques or standing arts – 立ち技
- 4meaning ground techniques or ground skills – 寝技
- 5To be clear, it is true that components of what we teach can lead towards these admirable personal results. Meditation skills, energy work, breathing methods and other skills can help you make large steps towards personal development and personal enlightenment. But, the results of all of those practices are geared towards improving our combative skills as their primary objective.
- 6Ikigai translates, roughly, to what your purpose in life is or your “reason for being”. Maybe easier to say that it is what gets you out of bed in the morning.
- 7Clicking on it will open the footnote and clicking on it again will close it.
(Just scroll to the bottom of the page)
- 1Sogo (総合) means, total, well rounded, complete, integrated, consolidated, or comprehensive. Bu (武) means martial, military, warrior, chivalry, or arms. Jutsu (術) means technique, skill, science, method, and technology.
- 2押込技
- 3meaning standing techniques or standing arts – 立ち技
- 4meaning ground techniques or ground skills – 寝技
- 5To be clear, it is true that components of what we teach can lead towards these admirable personal results. Meditation skills, energy work, breathing methods and other skills can help you make large steps towards personal development and personal enlightenment. But, the results of all of those practices are geared towards improving our combative skills as their primary objective.
- 6Ikigai translates, roughly, to what your purpose in life is or your “reason for being”. Maybe easier to say that it is what gets you out of bed in the morning.
- 7Clicking on it will open the footnote and clicking on it again will close it.
