1929 Interview with Chotoku Kyan

Interview with Chotoku Kyan By Nisaburo Miki

In 1929 a young Japanese karate enthusiast by the name of Nisaburo Miki
went to Okinawa to uncover as much background information on Okinawan
karate, which was becoming a Japanese martial art. Miki had the
opportunity to interview several senior Okinawan teachers and recorded
the interviews in his book, Kempo Gaisetsu. The book was published in
January of 1930 and had a limited distribution.
The interview with Chotoku Kyan produced the only written record that we
have giving Kyan's thoughts, philosophies and training directions on
Okinawan karate.
Kyan addressed three areas in his interview with Miki: 1) What the student
should be told of karate before engaging in training, 2) what to concentrate
on when training and 3) what to remember when fighting.
The methods of teaching karate and it's history
* Teaching should take place in the following order: (A) First explain what
karate is, (B) what the training attitude is, (C) learn the forms and
movements, (D) then learn how to strike with the fist and the elbow, how to
kick, the corresponding blocks with grabbing and immobilizing techniques,
(E) and finally kata. After you have learned kata well then you can begin
sparring (the original is kumite or tegumi).
* Traditionally kumite training was performed without any protection, and so
accidents happened. It is necessary therefore to use some protection as in
ken-jutsu, and to wear padded gloves. Then accidents can be avoided.
* For training, apart from the makiwara, and the protection mentioned
above, there is no need for any other equipment or even a partner or a
large space. This is one of the advantages of karate.
Kyan said in summary- In the course of everyday training, it is necessary to
strengthen your body, to practice punches and kicks, to learn how to move
your limbs in a supple fashion, and how to move about freely, while

understanding the principles of training well. By training for a long time in

this manner, you will acquire subtle principles of application and know how
to move suitably in every situation, which might arise. However if you only
train the physical technique without enlightening your spirit, which is
fundamental, you will be unable to use the art. You must become clearsighted in life and seek to develop modesty, a calm spirit, alertness, and
bravery at the same times as you train in the physical techniques.

Training Advice
* Martial arts aim to prevent violence, calm trouble and defend oneself.
That is why those who learn martial arts must always display a modest,
reserved attitude and behave correctly with a spirit of loyalty and
dedication.
* In a martial art is is essential to act at the critical moment by using all your
spirit, force and body. Anyone whose force makes him arrogant and
sneering is a bad influence in society; hated by others he will make his own
bad luck. You must take account of this. A proverb says, "The punch stays
like a treasure in the sleeve". You must avoid using it without any
discrimination.
* The goals of karate are to contribute to physical education, train in the
martial arts and enlighten your spirit.
* You must keep your stance by staying still and sinking the ki to the base
of the stomach, and taking care that it does not rise again. However it is
necessary to avoid becoming immobile.
* When you practice kata, you must practice with the same will and the
same feelings as the moment when you are facing your enemy.
* Speed is necessary in all actions and movements. Placing force in your
toes will make all movements faster as you advance or retreat.
* When practicing a kata, it is necessary to know its meanings; you must
not be mistaken s to the targets, and distinguish jodan, chudan, and gedan.
Training without comprehension of the meaning of the kata is in vain.
* You must train well on the makiwara and strengthen the impact of the
blow. However rapid, the strike will be useless without force on impact.

Furthermore, however strong the blow it will be useless if you are lacking in
agility and speed in your hand and foot techniques and your movements.
Therefore neither force of blows nor agility must be deficient; they are like
the two wheels of a chariot, you cannot have one missing and they must
not be out of balance.
* You must always struggle to integrate spirit, body and eyes. (Zanshin)

Tips on fighting
*
Before you move you must be aware of the capabilities of your opponent.
If he is powerful it is inevitable that he will rely on force and will tend to
attack. In that case I will concentrate on blocking until he uses more and
more force and I will launch my attack at the moment when he reveals an
opening. It is a technique, which borrows the opponent?s force.
* If the opponent is not powerful, he will be on the defensive and he will
multiply his movements be retreating often. In this case you must only
throw definite attacks. Then you must use punches and kicks both to make
him retreat and to make your attack. When I take the initiative of the attack
I must watch out for unexpected counter-attacks.
* I must not overestimate my force and my speed when I attack. An agile
person will be able to counter-attack fast before I move by guessing the
movements of my hands and feet.
* You must hide the technique that you are going to use from your
opponent by concealing your own intent. Whatever the capability of your
opponent you must neither go forward nor back more than three steps.
* At the moment of combat, you must take care to defend your centerline
from the eyes to the groin. You must take care to avoid punches between
the eyes, kicks in the testicles and do not let yourself be grabbed. As a
general rule it is better not to use too much force for defense. If you use to
much force for blocks, every gesture will be slowed down, which runs the
risk of losing an opportunity.

* When you grasp an opponent's arm you must do it strongly and loosely at
the same time, but the spirit must be strong, so that you can react
adequately to your opponent's reaction.
* Any punch must be above all fast. When it is blocked and deflected from
its target it must continue on its path and strike anywhere. And, even if the
attack did not have a strong impact, it will trouble your opponent. Then you
must continue to do all possible punches and kicks without stopping at all,
spontaneously and gradually.
* It is not necessary to block your opponent's kicks with your hand. You can
block them with your leg and throw a punch the same time. Even if your
opponent falls, do not attack him too carelessly, as you may receive an
unexpected attack.
* When your opponent seizes your leg there is no danger if you put your
foot on the ground very strongly. But you must take care not to fall when
the ground is uneven.
* When facing your opponent, take care not to play into his strategy. Some
use their feet while punching, or pretend to grab a hand. Others use fists
while pretending to throw a foot attack. React according to voice and noise.
Never relax.
* When you are facing several opponents you must never fight close in;
above all, keep your distance. If one attacks my right I move to the left. As
soon as I have attacked the one facing me I attack the opponent behind
me. It is the only good way.
These instructions are for combat, but these are just a few. There are many
more as the variety of a martial art is subtle and limitless, it is impossible to
describe all the techniques. Kata teaches you to move with suppleness and
without thought in the many possible situations. Anyone can acquire this
ability with hard training and long research.
Other teachings of Kyan
* A mastery of karate does not depend on the learner's physical
constitution, but mainly on constant practice.

* The daily practice of makiwara striking can produce power destructive

enough to break boards or bricks, but powerful fist can easily be weakened
through negligence of constant practice.
* Merely an excellent physical constitution cannot guarantee mastery of
karate-do. You must understand the strategy and applications of the kata.