Blind Dragon

yellow book has been copied

It is my understanding that Hachi-wan was perhapsed incorrectly translated. I have been told that Hachi-wan is niahanchi..In Isshin Ryu kararte, They only use 1 Naihanchi. Naihanchi dachi is the term used in Some Okinawian ryu's, instead of kiba dachi, which many Japanese styles used for the charistic stance, used in Naichanci kata. The interesting fact is that Isshin Ryu karate refers to this stance as Soto Hachiji dachi.

Mr. Williams used to tell beginner students that it took about 1 year for every belt level or rank. When our first belt was still an orange belt, promotion was possible in 4-6 months. Then of course progression through the higher ranks, colored through advanced levels, had an extended period of class as well as practice on your own time. 5-6 yrs is probably a good time for the shodan level. Having experience in some other arts, and from what I have seen elsewhere, alot of systems do seem to have less of a timeline. Alot of mimiced techniques up to the first Dan lavel, and then they try and tweak the movements. It is as though they wanted to rush the students. To the semi-annual, black belt tests. It is a far cry from the discipline for every technique, that I learned reguardless of rank.progressing through Eugue Ryu. We had additional study sheets of terminology and required techniques per belt level, besides the yellow book. I believe in more indepth study guide or instructors manual may be necessary to keep all Eugue Ryu standradized where ever it may be. Kata for instance is one questionable area. Additional katas were added, dropped, or not taught. For instance, Ni-Kyu is not listedin the old yellow book manual. Neither is sanchin, kusanku, or Nianchi 2 & 3. Yet Yanku is. And I don't believe anyone, has any recolection of it any longer. I believe Mr. James thinks tha Ni-kyu is not the original version that he had learned. I believe from our conversations, that there maybe only segments of Ni & Yan that he recalled. The kata that we perfome in KC is strongly reminience of Tang so Doo. Excepting of course, seiuchin. Which seems to me more closely along the lines of an Isshinryu version I came across. I think, but of course I could be wrong, Nianchi 2 & 3, and kusankyu was added to the ohio schools curriclum in the 80's. One question for those who do know. What is the closest adaptations that these 3 additional forms were adopted from?

Sensei Smith, I put in a phone call to Sensei Topp, on monday, I haven't heard back as of yet. One of his children answered the phone, and was very mature and professional acting. Thanks for your help.

In the late 60's at the Lima YMCA, as a general rule you were not even permitted to begin learning karate till the age of 15. I think there was actually two (2) youngsters that actually began learning Judo from Mr. Adams and another teacher. That some how proved themselves worthy enough to also be accepted as karate students. Both achieved their shodans at the incredibility young age of 15. One went on to start the Cobra Kai dojo. and eventually found his own system. His name was Terry Sullivan. Karate was not at all well known in the country at them early years. The only movies around was perhaps Billy Jack and of course Bruce Lee's "Green hornet( Kung Fu)". I think they basically had the same quote rules then but practices was in dojo, I believe six (6) times a week. It is a rairity for anyone to show enough discipline to proceed through the ranks, at such fast speeds. Discipline in todays society is truely lacking. A green belt in this system, should be the equilivent to alot of systems black belts.

The loss of Mr. Oscar Adams, is a great loss indeed. Any further details that you can find would be greatly appreciated. Mr Adams was the teacher of my original Eugue Ryu instructor, Mr. Terry L. James. Mr. Adams promoted Mr. James to the rank of Shodan, I believe in Nov of 1972. At the time Mr. James was at the young age of 15. And had only been practing in the art for 3 years. I believe Mr. James had trained Mr. Mike Young for a few years, as Mr. Adams had some troubles with his knees. I also believe Mr. Young began studing in the art a year after mr James had began. Eventiully? Mr. James had recieved his Nidan from Mr. Oscar Adams and left the Lima, OH area. And returned in 1986 and tested for his sandan, under mr. Mike Young, who was then a yandan, And Mr. Oscar Adams. I really hate to have to break this news about Mr. Adams to Mr. James. Also considering that Mr. Steve Williams who pasted away, was Mr. James first black belt level student. Mr. James had expresed great interest in contacting Mr. Adams recently, as he wanted to let him know that he had finally became a chiropractic doctor. As far as any furthur lineage information, Mr. Topp has seen a certificate awarded to Mr. Ray Flowers from a Tajiro Wajimoto from Korea, where Mr. Flowers was at during the Korean war, Aparentlly a student of Kensenzu Yamaegue. Again it is a great loss for every one. Say I hate to be the bearer of bad news twice in one month. Thomas C Baswell (Kansas City Eugue Ryu)