The following is an excerpt from “Notes on Training” by Tsutomu Ohshima. Published by Pine Winds Press December 1, 1998.
I hope all Shodans know continuous feeling when facing the opponent. These is no pause between block and attack. When you face the opponent, already your strongest feeling penetrates the opponent. Once you start to fight, you never stop until your opponent is on the ground. That’s the spirit.
Execute block-attacks with one feeling, one breathing. Your mind must penetrate the opponent continuously. Don’t disconnect your feeling or breathing in front of the opponent, in the opponent’s ma.
It is important not only to have good, neat, solid form, but always to execute continuous techniques realistically and effectively.
If your mind does not go strongly and continuously, your body will never be able to follow it. I’m not interested in some acrobatic movements of the body. Real martial arts training is very different from other types of physical performance.
All shodans have to practice Kwanku before passing nidan {at least 5,000 times}, so all black belts are comfortable making Bassai and Kwanku.
A nidan candidate has to be a realistic, strong fighter. In addition to mastering the basic techniques, you have to have the ability to be a strong fighter in real combat, So kumite is jiyu ippon gumite and jiyu kumite. Emphasize distance, timing and focus.
The program for a nidan test is
Basic – Continuous Techniques:
- Gedan Barai Gyakuzuki
- Ageuke Gyakuzuki
- Udeuke Gyakuzuki
- Tetsui Uke Gyakuzuki
- Shuto-uke Jodan Nukite Chudan Nukite
- Oizuki Jodan and Chudan
- Oizuki Maegeri
- Maegeri Maete
- Maegeri Mawashigeri
- Maegeri Yokogeri Kekomi
- Maegeri Fumikomi Mawashigeri
Kata
- Heian, Bassai, Tekki, one of these for a favorite form
- Kwanku, request form
Kumite
- Jiyu Ippon Gumite
- Jiyu Kumite
Important Points
- fighting spirit
- realistic fighting abilities with a strategy
