White Tiger Martial Arts UK

  Get the moves right for Sensei in Kihon and Kata just like Izzy Lizard.

  Izzy is always hungry to train and learn more.

Every style, club or organisation begins somewhere and White Tiger Martial Arts (Karate) UK is the same.  It was created by the founder Shihan Stuart who by virtue of creating Goshodo he is the master of his own style.  This style is known as Goshodo Karate-Jitsu and is taught within the traditional karate jitsu syllabus. 

The club style is not a Ryu as that title following the correct path of ettiquette should be given by the DNBK in Japan.  We do offer a knowledge not covered by the majority of karate schools, therefore by virtue of this difference we could be elligable for a ryu title?  

The karate system has evolved over many years of training.  It all began in 1969 a martial arts journey to Shotokan this was my first martial arts love.  Since then there have been many others in a vast martial arts journey, included Goju, Wadu, Wing Chun, Jujitsu, Kendo plus numerous others some have made a contribution to the knowledge and style of Goshodo today.

Not one for continual name dropping of famous martial artists, although I trained under and with many of the greats in martial arts, both the living and sadly a few iconic teachers who have sadly passed away and hopefully gone to the Golden Dojo in heaven.

Each of those who gave me their knowledge I respected both then and now.  My respect for the martial arts is held within what I have learnt and passing on to others.  That what I'm more interested in rather than who someone name can be used for.

The Martial arts world has gone name dropping mad in the last 10 years or so.

In the last ten years my memory for names has improved in the past I often forgot instructors names within 5 minutes.  This was often due to the simple but true fact that each instructor, whoever was instructing at the time was referred to as Sensei.

During the late 60s and 70s black belt instructors only existed in small numbers as the martial arts in general back then had just begun to explode.  Many of the Japanese instructors had only just been graded to black belt.  The JKA needing to feed the needs of the Western nations demand for Japanese instructors.  This will probably have forced the JKA to promote some of there higher Kyu grades earlier than they would normally.  This should not detract from the fact that training standards in Japan back then were often more demanding then the UK, therefore their higher kyu grade students would normally have more training time under their belts than many Western students of a similar standard.  Not everyone fits the statement as there always are exeptions to the rule as some of us longer in the tooth martial artists will remember. 

Iconic karateka some of them are very famous now, who rose through the ranks, who stood out and had what I call un-natural ability.  Un-natural due to the difference in time that certain techniques may take to achieve to a reasonable standard for the masses.  What may take 3 months for most people these amazing people could do things in minutes.  Being a natural athlete, being flexible, these natural attributes benefitted kicking techniques especially.

People appreciate great kickers and when looking at the names of those who are now very famous, apart from the odd exception, all are or have been superior kickers.  Even Bruce Lee who came from Wing Chun which rarely kicks above the groin, he soon realised that by raising his kicking it would be more impressive and also improve his abilities. 

Ok the past is interesting and for some getting hung up on history may well float your boat, bon voyage. 

I will now come closer to the present time  

The first club I founded was Bushido karate-jitsu, its a Bushi Ryu now?  The club began in Chorley with another instructor who unfortunately left the fold under a cloud of shame.   The club now based in Farington, Leyland is run by my best mate/yes he was.  It's a shame we didn't see eye to eye at times and at the end especially so if people ever wonder.   Stop now, no point in crying over spilt milk.   Senior instructor Dave, runs the club as he did then and I'm glad to say it's doing very well, I'm very happy and pleased.  Very, very, sad to leave you all at the time.  You don't know how much.  Scars heal in time.

Anyhow regards to you all, fond memories of good times will stay with me forever.

Especially the laughs I had with DAVE.  Still miss them!  

Back to karate.  I continued to work at the Goshodo theory of Bunkai, that is why Bushido has or had, certain aspects of my knowledge of bunkai technique and applications that are not found in a book or video.  Knowledge that takes time and patience.  Having spent many years and countless hours of blood sweat and almost tears training within many differing styles.  The result was that I could eventually answer the questions inside my head regarding bunkai in kata. 

Bunkai is interpreted by some in a different ways.  In my opinion the Goshodo way is a more comprehensive system than those used by many of my peers.  I am not saying they are wrong!  Many of them are simply replicating what they were shown by their instructors. 

In my honest opinion after training with some of the best in the arts over the years who I will refrain from naming as their answers did nothing more than re-enforce my belief that the movements in kata were not at that time fully understood and in many current big traditional karate styles they are still teaching what they call bunkai.

 To fully understand bunkai a person need's to firstly let go of any critical unfounded biased opinion, often brought about through lack of knowledge, knowledge that is only achievable through training with others and looking for technique as the founder of Shotokan Karate suggested.  Piecing the jigsaw together and having an unbiased ability to learn from kata.  

Please realise that certain aspect of real fighting have existed since man fought against man. 

I believe I have opened the box to the secret of true bunkai analysis.  Those students who have looked into the box are now seeing a new type of kata.  Goshodo bunkai analysis teaches students how to use the many Self-Defence applications that exist in kata.  Pressure point strikes, joint manipulations and throws are all there.  The moves within each kata are reborn, become alive again.    If you already run a club or would like to run a club of your own using a complete style and would like to know more.  If you are interested in finding out more contact us by phone or email, try us out.

 Those who have trained with me will better understand the bunkai secrets that aid the true understanding of how it is applied, without effective guidance many would still be floundering or continuing to replicate someone elses interpretation of what a move can be used for.  Knowing the difference is paramount for kata to be interpreted correctly.  Those who apply my instruction will progress much further and surpass many in real kata knowledge.  I like many others who challenge the system can be refered to as heratics and trouble makers.  I have not made loads of videos or DVD's as others have.  I go along quietly, learning more, should I do the video DVD etc?  Mabye I should. 

I always applaude all martial artists, as each have something to give or pass on to someone at some stage in their training.  Thats why I love what we do, sharing something that's worthy of being protected and nurtured.  Keep it safe so that the next generation can use it.  Your task has then been completed.  Ok grasshopper you can leave, but only after you have walked over the rice paper without tearing it.

This is a short piece that addresses those out there who care little for bunkai, as they  find it difficult to step outside the comfort zone of what they have been taught.  Old dog, new tricks is a phrase used by some.  Dogs learn many things, when the owner is lazy and can't be bothered walking the dog the dog becomes lazy with the owner.  Easy, Learning?   

There are sceptics out there teaching traditional kata, some of them are of the opinion that there are no secrets in kata.   OK we are all entitled to an opinion.  When the opinion attempts to rubbish something they may be unable to understand possibly. Now let us all sit and ponder a while.................................. Questions begin to arise.

Q.   I wonder why so many books on kata and bunkai were destroyed by the Japanese and Okinawans during the 2 world wars.  If there were no secrets why have people spend a lifetime researching it? 

Q.  What was it the Japanese did not want us to find out?  Why is it so many instructors around the world are doing seminars specialising in kata bunkai?

The statement below was taken from a traditional club.  Teaching in the comfort zone is easy and safe, stepping outside of the zone takes time and effort.

(Kata Bunkai is left to the students to work on as we believe bunkai is down to the individuals interpretetion and can only be shown as such.  There are NO secrets in Kata everything outside the moves is purely self interpretation, its what any individual makes of it).

Opinions are free, it's who the opinion comes from that matters, they may be using their position of authority to state "we" when in fact it's often the "I" they are in reality quoting or stating.

Once the secret keys of how to interpret kata are given to students, they are then able, not always willing as the above statement proves to go away and learn from the kata.

Honbu Dojo we did finish this room, it looked great.  Unfortunately things did not go to plan.  We had to close the dojo with a view to re-locating to another unit in Preston. 

Again things have not worked out so the Honbu dojo has been put on the backburner for a while.

It was a sad day, leaving what we had worked so hard to create.

Thats Life as they say. Ying and Yang.  Good and Bad.  I feel we have had more than our fair share of the negative.  Its time we had the other side.  PLEASE!!!

Students/instructors working together.

Now to the more recent history that began in July 2004, when White Tiger Karate began. 

A number of Black belt instructors from another shuri based style were disillusioned with their current martial art and wanted to see what Goshodo had to offer them.  From one or two training sessions White Tiger Karate Karate UK was born.

Goshodo took many years to perfect utilising the various aspects of the training that have been an

integral part of the founders life for many years from the age of 9.  That time feels like a lifetime and it is. Having met and trained with and under some of the greats from the various martial arts I am proud to have done so. 

 

Thirty seven years have now passed under the bridge of time and I look forward to whatever time remains with open eyes.  People will quote master and I am the master of my style of Goshodo, but within martial arts I will always be an eternal student.  Always accept that there is much to learn and time is so rare.  It's the one commodity in life we never get back to treasure every moment, use it well.  Train hard, listen and learn and practice to improve further no matter who we are.  All the greats in martial arts practiced often, not rarely. 

 

Time to get back to my short history, 37 years, condensed I assure you as there have been many training sessions worthy of mention.  To everyone I have ever trained with and under I thank you.

 

Beginning with Shotokan my first love in martial arts and my first instructor, Handiside Sensei and Kato Sensei who was one of the newer black belt Japanese instructors who visited the dojo many times whilst we trained.  Training long and hard to eventually gain my Black belt.  The grading was in London, under the watchful eye of one of the greats in Karate who is no longer with us Keinosuke Enoeda Sensei, my greatest and fondest respects to his wife and family, he will be with me forever in my memories.  It was a very expensive day for my mum, but she found the money from somewhere.  All the hours of training and practice, when we say blood sweat and tears I am not joking, training in the sixties and seventies bordered on barbaric, many things we did then are banned now because of the injuries they can cause, some of the early karateka from that era need new hip joints, new knees, and the amount of broken toes from kumite, in fact new bodies would be great, it's our age you know.  For many injury may have been caused by repetitive techniques on bad floors in cold conditions, the reasons for them done over and over was a continual effort to try and perfect them.  Ingrain them into us so they would last a lifetime, tried and tested techniques from the dojo's in Japan.  The top instructors were sent by the JKA to spread the word of Shotokan and many other styles did the same.  Since those days some of the early Japanese instructors have gone to the dojo in the sky, those who remain are karate gods, their dedication is without question.

 

  Some of those I used to train with have gone on to become fairly well known very high ranking martial artists who loved the sporting arena, whilst others did martial arts simply for love and I am one of the lovers of the arts, still am.  I have a had a general thirst for martial arts knowledge and have accumulated a reasonable reference library of martial arts material.  Just like any lecturer teaching at university we need to refer to and compare things at times, it's what allows us to grow. 

 

Had I graded as some have in the arts I would have been due my 8th Dan in 4 years time.  As it stands I may be due my 6th around that time.  My grading was hard, I didn't expect it to be easy, none of the training back then was easy, every lesson in the late 60s and early 70s seemed like an attempt to break you physically.  In London my nerves flooded in by the bucket full,  but the grading was worth the wait.  Shaking Sensei Enoeda by the hand when I was called up.  After that memorable day in London, my real journey began. 

 

 Then began the start of a new level of learning, beginning with breaking down my training,  looking at every move, a learning process, asking questions, getting no answers, prior to this you avoided asking questions as you are a kyu grade, not here to ask questions just learn. 

 Searching for the answers,  I eventually found them,  through many long hours of practice with friends who were often on the receiving end of what began to appear.

Answers started to unfold, slowly at first, this is a learning curve that never stops. 

 

Before I go any further I must express my thanks to one of my lifelong favourite instructors, the living legend, Hirokazu Kanazawa, the greatest of respect to you Sensei, I have enjoyed each and every training session I have been lucky enough to have been involved with over the years.  I am lucky to have been trained by some of the most respected Karateka and a plethora of other martial artists from various styles.  My highest respects to each and every one of them.  Thank you for helping me answer my questions through your teachings which enabled me to progress to my achievements of training others to BLACK BELT. 

 

In Shotokan there exists a massive amount of instructors many from the KUGB and many other Shotokan associations.  There are so many breakaway associations it's difficult to keep track of who has gone where!!!

But one of my personal favourites was Sensei Terry Oniell a true great and a gentleman, you had to be careful when training with him though, he has heavy hands, and if his feet got ya, goodbye.  For a big man he was very quick and always looking for another way to attack you when sparring.   He was then and is now a real gent as are many of those karateka from the earlier era's in the martial art's.  There are so many people from the various styles that I trained under and with some who are sadly no longer with us.  They may have passed away but they are almost alive today, as each student they taught passes on the knowledge they gave to me and I pass it on to mine.  Each Sensei alive and well or in the number 1 dojo in heaven, they all bring fond memories.

 

I Trained in Ju Jitsu with various friends uke's and instructors.  Lots of private lessons as time and money permitted, this enabled me to get more information from this great martial art, said to be the mother of all Japanese arts, great for learning locks and throws, many of which exist in kata if time is taken to look within.

(Much depends on how bunkai is regarded) Get it wrong and the answers are minimal get it right and wham it hits you like a steamroller. 

  (I never  actually graded in Jujitsu during my early years training and  one of my instructors once honoured me when he commented that he regarded me at that time as the best non-graded black-belt student he had.  Felt very proud at the time).  It's about the learning that matters for me, not grading although others may dismiss this comment. Your entitled to think what you wish! Only I know what lays inside.

 

  Gradings are after all a relitively modern measure from the early 1900's as early students did not grade as we do today. 

No need, the knowledge gained from the Sensei was sufficient but times changed and like today the motivation was money and opportunities.  Keeping up with everyone else in the race to capitalise.   

 

A good part of my training involved Wing Chun another great martial art, Bruce Lee etc, need I say any more.   Sifu Danny and the others in Abbey St.  Preston.

Sifu Danny was another good instructor and very different to the Shotokan karate style I obtained my first Black belt in.  I lasted long enough at Wing Chun to greatly improve my hand speed and power, I graded a number of times to a very respectful level.  Some of the techniques have always remained with me.

 

Nature and time took control at this point in my life, I had another calling another power, a force of nature called the female gender with marraige etc.  This attraction began to take over for a short while, until I realised that I could have both if I managed them correctly.   I also trained with Sensei Christian to learn the fundamentals and kata of Goju ryu but never graded as this was never my intention.  Each style has positives and I hoped to mould my knowledge to create a good all round system at some stage in the future. The same attitude whilst training with any style as my motivation was to learn and this was paramount to the end result. Therefore I wasn't interested in having Black belts for everything I did.  It amazes me when I see people with a fantastic list a Black belts.  What does it prove especially when they are from styles they know nothing about. 

Goju gave me something I had not found in Shotokan, a different sort of power the zen side of karate, something I keep today and try to teach in an indirect way, some of the instructors will understand this part. (I will continue with this section as I have time) Wadu Ryu, Shito Ryu all helped me answer those questions that plagued me for years especially with the stances and kata differances.  Kata which originally came from China were altered to fit the beliefs and physical build of the people from that area this being Okinawa. 

 

I trained with lots of great people from many styles for almost 25 years before deciding it was time for Goshodo to come from within.  After showing some friends from another Shuri based style what Goshodo offered they decided Goshodo was for them and White Tiger Martial Arts (Karate) was born.

 

These answers became the fundamentals of Goshodo, not a block, kick and punch ideology but a living testament to the techniques that are within kata and basic kihon of karate and many other styles of martial arts.  Weapons are an integral part of the training once the kata have been learnt and bunkai understanding is being worked on.

 

White Tiger Karate UK  will help breathe life into every karateka’s karate.  Those who choose to train in a White Tiger Dojo will be able to use the techniques they are shown to defend themselves effectively.  Self Defence techniques are not a new modern way of defending yourself against those with no respect for you.  Self defence techniques have been used for centuries and they have changed little apart from the reasons the assailant has for attacking in the first place.

Good people have always been prey to those who have  slipped through the system of descency. 

 

It is unfortunate, but they have Not been taught morals standards. 

They decide to ignore the laws that are created to protect us all from harm. 

 

 In ancient times during feudal wars between families/clans/tribes and countries this was when the fittest survived and self defence meant self preservation.

Today each of us have rights, this includes the right to protect yourself if you feel your life is in danger from another.

 The old masters knew  that with a little work and a lot of training and practice, plus the reading of the many clues they left us within kata the written words are few as much of it was destroyed during the two World wars.  The only way to find answers is by hard and continual practice, both in kihon and kata.  Answers that can be found during your training, White Tiger and Goshodo can aid your understanding and help you reach that next level of martial understanding!

White Tiger Karate UK fundamentals and attitudes towards students are paramount, the preservation of this knowledge deserves to be protected through the continuance of training.

  Every instructor who passes on the information given to them by Sensei will aid the protection of the karate knowledge that is White Tiger Karate and Goshodo.

Izzy loves to train with the White Tigers and always enjoys the Bunkai. 

 

 Izzy says "My karate grows in me each time I train, yours will also if you train as often Shihan advises". 

"Once a week is for starters. 

Twice a week is best and 3 is better than 2".

 

Regards to all Old and New friends

 

Shihan Stuart 5th Dan Graded and ratified by the (BNMA)