Section 1 Sensei Kubota

Sensei Kubota was purported to have been one of the last of master Funakoshi top students to whom he entrusted his final words. Articles about sensei Kubota appeared in "Karate and Martial Arts" in 1985 in the February, April, May, June, and July issues, and in "Modern Karate" in 1986 in its February issue.

April 1935

He entered Tokyo Shoka University (Currently Hitotsubashi University) and began training under master Funakoshi.

1941

He was awarded 3rd degree black belt by Master Funakoshi upon graduation. (At that time were only 5 levels of black belt.)

1944

As an infantry Second lieutenant of army he demonstrated to Master Funakoshi the results of his instruction of martial arts to his subordinates and was awarded a fourth degree black belt.

1947 - 1950

Taught at karate clubs at Chuo University and Senshu University. During that time, he restored the karate club to his alma mater, Hitotsubashi University to Shotokan style. For the ten years after 1947 he concentrated on "tournament training". He met Sensei Zenya Kunii of the Kashima Shin Ryu style of kendo, and was asked by him to succeed him as the Grand master of that style, but he declined.

1951

He moved to Osaka. He received a fifth degree black belt from Master Mabuni Kenwa.

1952

Taught karate to officers from the US Air Force physical education department as a representative of karate instructors organization, of which Master Funakoshi was head.Participated in the foundation of the Japan Karate Association.

1954

He held the first red/white match at the Tokyo Gymnasium.

1957

He moved to Nagoya. He instructed at Nagoya Kogyo University and Aichi Gakuin University. 

1961

He was invited to take the post of technical advisor to the Japan Karate Federation. He declined, however, due to a conflict with his own karate values

1962

He was tournament advisor for the World Karate Tournament held at the Nippon Budokan.

1985

He became the instructor for the Hitotsubashi University karate club, and taught martial arts karate to alumni of the same club, "Ikukai". President of same club.

1972

Resigned as president of "Ikukai". Supreme instructor for junior students.

1976

Passed away

Section 2 Katas Can be Used!

When I first met Sensei Kubota, he showed me Heian Shodan. I knew that he was a karate instructor, but I could not recognize the kata that he performed as Heian Shodan. It looked liked some kind of Tai Chi kata.

Myself; "Is that Tai Chi or something?"

Sensei; "It's karate."

Myself; "What is the name of the that kata?"

Sensei; "It's Heian Shodan."

Myself; "????. What is your style?"

Sensei; "Shotokan. Direct from Gichin Funakoshi."

Myself; "Huhh!? I also practice Shotokan, why is it so different?"

Sensei; "You are just doing gymnastics."

Myself;"why?"

Sensei;"Can you use your kata with kumite?"

Myself;"No. I can not."

Sensei;"So, You are just doing gymnastics. "

Myself; "Sensei can you use your kata for kumite?"

Sensei; "Let's see. Come at me."

Myself; "Are you sure, your pretty old, I thought to myself."

"Pow, ouch!

Myself; "I give up!" Ouch, what's up with this old man?"

Thus was my first encounter with him. 

Sensei Kubota believed that the Heian katas contained the essence of karate in a very concise form. In particular, he believed that Heian Shodan was central among them. 

In fact, the first move (gedan barai), and second move (chudan oizuki) contain important hints to explain katas, but n reality it is often looked upon lightly as a kata for beginners. 

Section 3 The Secret Pact

Before meeting Sensei Kubota, I myself, believed that one could not use kata for kumite. According to Sensei Kubota, katas were altered on purpose when they were exported to the mainland. 

The following is what I was told by Sensei Kubota. When Master Gichin Funakoshi introduced Okinawan karate to the mainland, there was a "secret pact" made among the practitioners of Okinawan karate. Karate was primarily spread at universities, and the explanation, which Sensei Kubota learned, was about the same as today.

 It was, however, completely different than what he was taught at night by Master Funakoshi at his house. When asked "Why did he teach something different than in the day time?"

His answer was that " Master Funakoshi was actually not supposed to teach it."

In other words, because of a "secret pact", whereby he was not to teach the "yamatonchu" (The slang for Japanese mainlanders.) or teach them katas which they cannot use. When he taught his ordinary students he taught them katas, which they would not be able to use.

Sensei Kubota also learned from Master Kenwa Mabuni. Master Mabuni who also divided his teaching into "the original form" and " the other form". Sensei Kubota learned Naihanchi when Master Mabuni offered to teach him the original form of Naihanchi. In return, he said that he taught Master Mabuni the Shotokan side kick and it's defense. 

There is a well known saying in karate that goes; "Even if you teach the kata, don't teach the actual techniques." I believe this phrase expresses well the contents of the "secret pact."

According to Sensei Kubota, in order to unravel the kata, it is necessary to know the oral instruction, which will restore the bunkai to its original form. When I myself learned the bunkai for the first movement of Heian Nidan, I felt that it was handed down incorrectly, but rather it was clear that it had been changed deliberately. This is true also of the Shuri style katas, which seemed to have been changed to make the movements of the katas as far from the original bunkai as possible. 

Section 4 A Consideration of the Secret Pact.

lWas there an organized movement in the karate world at that time? 

The "Okinawan Karate Kenkyu Kai" was established in 1918 with Master Kenwa Mabuni in charge. The members included Masters Kentsu Yabu, Chomo Hanashiro, Gichin Funakoshi, Choshin Chibana, Anbun Tokuda, Shinpan Shiroma, Chozo Oshiro, Masasumi Tokumura, Takayuki Ishikawa, and Chojun Miyagi. 

lIs there any evidence that Master Funakoshi was in contact with Okinawa with regard to teaching Okinawan karate on the mainland? 

In the book Karate, my Way of Life by Funakoshi, he states that in 1922 he sent letters to both sensei's, consulting with them about teaching Okinawan karate on the mainland. It is believed that the content of those letters was deliberated upon by the "Okinawan Karate Kenkyu Kai". 

lWas there a necessity for Master Funakoshi to consult with Okinawa?

Master Funakoshi did not originally go the mainland to teach, rather, he went to demonstrate Okinawan karate. Therefore, I believe it was only natural for him to consult with his fellow colleagues, as well as the "Okinawan Karate Kenkyu Kai" about teaching on the mainland. This is because he had planned to eventually return to Okinawa. Life in the countryside is the same everywhere. The consensus of the community is very important. There was the possibility, that not only he himself, but also his family as well, could not ignore it for fear of losing their support. Moreover, with his family still in Okinawa, and he planning to return to Okinawa, one can surmise that he was not in a position to ignore the opinions of his colleagues and the "Okinawan Karate Kai". 

lWhat actions did the central figures of Okinawan Karate take after that?

If we look at the fact that the 12 katas which were established by the Okinawan Karate Shinko Kyokai (consisting basically of the same members as the Okinawan Karate Kenkyu Kai) were similar to the katas, which Taikyoku organized for beginners, we can that the leading figures in Okinawan karate at that time were considering how to disseminate Okinawan Karate. In other words they had already begun to differentiate katas between those the general spread of karate, and those for their own style.

lHave the proper body mechanics and kata bunkai?

Unfortunately, even for such basics katas as the Heian katas, there is no acceptable bunkai today for these katas.

Section 5 Discrimination Against Okinawa at that Time.

One can find assertions by both Masters Gichin Funakoshi and Kenwa Mabuni in their writings that "Okinawa's are Japanese" and that "Okinawan karate is a martial art". It may seem strange to us in this day and age, but I believe those claims were necessary amid the social backdrop of discrimination that existed against Okinawa. The following historical event sheds light on the social mood of the day.

The Human Museum Incident

In 1903, from March to July, the government held its 5th Industrial Exhibition at the Osaka's Tennoji. At the same time, unrelated to the exhibition, various for profit side show booth sprang up around there. One of those was a thatched hut called "Academic Human Museum." Listed as its academic research credentials, it had North Koreans, Hokkaido Ainu, Taiwanese Mountain Villagers, Indians, Javanese, Turks, Africans, and Okinawa's on display. Needless to say, the "Academic Human Museum" became embroiled in sharp criticism and protests from Okinawa. In addition to that, in a journal kept by Master Chojun Miyagi, the founder of Goju Ryu, referred to discrimination, which he encountered.

It is easy to imagine the ideological background in which, with respect to the exportation of Okinawan karate to the mainland, the Okinawa's were anxious to actively progress toward assimilation into Japan in order to improve their social standing. At the same time one can imagine that they felt some antipathy toward the Japanese who had dominated them.

It is not curious in the least that there would have been a conscious effort toward "not teaching the essence of Okinawan karate to the mainland Japanese."

Section 8 If You Teach Karate, Do Not Teach the Real Techniques

Part 1 Katas Really Can Be Taught

There is a saying in karate that "Even if you teach the kata, do not teach the hidden techniques." I believe that the techniques they are referring to are bunkai and proper body mechanics. 

Also, since another way of saying "Do not teach the hidden techniques." is "hidden techniques can be taught." In other words they can be taught, but they should not be taught. In traditional martial arts on the mainland, one cannot learn the intermediate techniques while they are beginners. In the case of karate, though there is no clear delineation of technical levels, so what has happened is that the movements of the katas have been taught, but the bunkai hasn't. The result is that only the superficial techniques like kicks and punches are taught, while the other techniques are kept under cover.

Part 2 Choose Who You Teach To.

Because karate is a martial art containing potentially deadly techniques, the masters of old could not teach it to just anyone. That is also part of the idea that they should not teach the hidden techniques when they taught katas. Consequently it was necessary to judge one's character before teaching them. Thus the saying "karate is a virtuous man's martial art".  This does not mean that one will become virtuous through the practice, rather that unless one were virtuous, they would not be taught. Accordingly, it was common to only teach the basics until the teacher would ascertain whether or not the student was of sufficient character to teach the hidden techniques.

Part 3 To Whom Could They Teach?

In the case of martial arts on the mainland, the rank of menkyokaiden (master rank) meant that they were allowed to be taught the secret techniques. 

In the case of karate, though, because it was practiced in secret, there was no system of certification. Until one was told that they were ready to be taught, they could not be sure of their own level.

Also, there was some confusion due the fact that it was the practice to learn different katas from different instructors.

Accordingly it was difficult for the karate teachers to objectively judge the students' level.

Section 9 Oral Instruction Is The Key To Unlock Katas.

 Originally oral instruction explaining the meaning and application of katas existed. Sensei Kubota, (picture 22), passed down this oral instruction for the bunkai of katas. It is similar to the "Principles of Kaisai" in Goju Ryu. Once one learns the oral instruction, katas become full of a sense of reality. For example it is said that the front hand is for offense and the back hand is for If this oral instruction is applied to the first move of Heian Nidan, it will look like picture 23. 

This picture is from the book Karate do Kyohan written by Master Funakoshi. His opponent is Master Otsuka, the founder of Wado Ryu.

Heian Nidan was the first kata that I learned, and I was fond of it, but I had some questions about the normal bunkai. The bunkai shown in picture 23 is the first bunkai that I learned from Sensei Kubota. It most certainly characterizes the phrase " to strike straight from one's eyesight".

The normal bunkai for this is a left inside block of the opponent's right upper punch. (picture 24) With this method, the following attack would be a second count. On the other hand, Master Funakoshi's bunkai indicates a left upper block and a right upper cut. In this case the block and the attack are executed in a single count. In other words, the method of countering an attack according to the common explanation is the opposite of the true bunkai. Since this is true for other styles, as well, it cannot be attributed to mistakes or changes. Rather, it is clear that a conscious effort was made to make it the exact opposite. 

Section 10 Demonstration Katas Versus Actual Combat Katas.

Sensei Kubota divided katas into "katas for demonstration" and "katas for combat". Katas for demonstration are for show, so the movements have been stylized and in order not to be revealed, the techniques that are executed in one count are broken down into two counts. It is safe to say that most katas which one sees are this type. Just performing these kinds of katas, which are used in tournaments and demonstrations, they will not be able to actually use them. Katas for combat are those, which show the bunkai, and can actually be used. Generally speaking, they are almost unknown. They are devised so that they can be used directly for bunkai kumite. 

Katas should be practiced together with oral instruction in order to be able to use them   There are various ways to practice these katas; breaking them up into blocks, performing them quickly, or slowly. One should not however practice them in the same manner as those for demonstration.

 There is a similar method of practice in Shinkage Ryu Heiho (kenjutsu), which I studied.　In Shinkage Ryu, One technique is broken down into to two steps for the purpose of teaching. For beginners a technique is practiced in to counts or movements. The same technique is practiced in one count or movement by advanced students. Therefore if someone only practices a technique as a beginner using two counts for many years, they will not be able to use it effectively. It is necessary to graduate and practice it at the next level. 

Section 11 Sensei Kubota's Teaching Method.

Sensei Kubota, as with most old fashioned martial artists, would not easily teach the bunkai of katas. Instead of teaching me, he would constantly ask me, "What is the meaning of that move?" When I couldn't answer, he would just laugh and say that it's your homework, and leave.

The next time I saw him, I would show him the results of my research and have him critique it. He would continue to give me the same problem until I was able to solve it. 

If I was having a hard time figuring out a move, he would say to me "Come at me."

Then we begin kumite. Sensei Kubota, however, would ask "how would you attack from here?" But would be twice my normal distance, and did not know what techniques he would use, so I was so fearful that I could not get close to him.

Conversations with Sensei generally went as follows:

Myself: "Sensei, what is that?"

Sensei: "Such and such a kata."

Myself: "Huh? Really?"

  "How do you use it?"

  "Can you really use that?"

Sensei: "Arrg!, okay then come at me!"

Myself: "Ohh!" "Yikes!!!!"

And so on….

Sensei: "Higaki, you're kicking to the rear, but there is no opponent."

Myself: "But sensei, you say that, but your kata has a kick to the rear."

Sensei: "Arrg! The opponent is to the front!" (That's all)

Sensei: "Higaki, do you think a knife hand block is finished with just the block?"

  Myself: "……..No."

Sensei: "Then what do you think follows it?"

Myself: "I don't know."

Sensei* "Think about it!"

Myself: "You're not going to teach me?"

So then I try and try to figure it out while Sensei watches and laughs. 

"Sensei, is this it?"

Sensei: "Yes, that's it." (The lesson is finished.) 

That was his style of teaching. Every once in a while he would give me a hint.

As far as techniques go, I was usually the one being attacked, so it was difficult for me to objectively know how to execute the technique. Rather than having been taught, it is better to say that pain was inflicted on me.

It sounds like he was just a mean old man. After a hellishly hard practice session, though, we would go to a local yakitori restaurant and talk about many things over beers. I wish now that I had written more things down.

He would say things like "One's antenna must be sensitive." Or "I can't teach guys who just don't get it.", and "You can't improve if you don't use your head."

Recently, I have come to realize that I wasn't just taught, but I was able to learn how to figure things out. This method is good because when one figures something out on their own, they will not forget it.

In this day and age, I wonder just exactly how many people would go along with that kind of teaching.