Philosophy – Shihan Howard Collins

What´s in a title?

Written by Shihan on February 20, 2017. Posted in Image highlights, My thoughts, Philosophy. No Comments on What´s in a title?

There are many of us who use exotic titles before our names, such as Shihan or Hanshi etc. Are we eligible to these titles or is it that some people just give themselves the title. First what do they mean, perhaps not an easy question because after all they are foreign words that we assume we understand. For example Shihan, would mean to set an example to others a high-class word for Sensei.

Everyone wants to be a Hanshi, this is a title that should be given to you from your teacher, in my case it was Sosai Oyama, it’s more of an honorific title a teaching title. But to be different people use it before their names, maybe to be different?

Soke is another strange title a simple answer would mean a founder or head of a family or such like, nothing to do with karate qualifications. Kaicho is another strange one as it means chairman but if you put it in front of your name and you practice karate it sounds very grand.

Lots of titles floating around but many perhaps are misunderstood and misused.

Familiarity breeds contempt

Written by Shihan on November 1, 2015. Posted in Image highlights, Karate, My thoughts, Philosophy. No Comments on Familiarity breeds contempt

We are supposed to have a Budo style of Karate but sometimes we forget and become too familiar with our Semapi, calling them by their first name for example. Or when having a photograph taken with them and putting your arms on their shoulders and just hanging there, or just generally being a little too friendly.

Looking at the old photograph of Honbu brought back memories of my UchiDeshi days, not that I have ever forgotten them. Before I went to Japan, I had never heard the word UchiDeshi let alone understand the true meaning. When I arrived at Honbu, no one knew who I was or had any information about me, I had no place to sleep and very little money.

The first night I stayed in a hotel and then the Chief Instructor who was Yasuhiko Oyama Shihan (Now Oyama Karate USA) said I could stay with him. After one week, I moved into the dormitory and there I stayed for two years. Opening and closing Honbu every day, cleaning and training.

All these years later when I go back to Japan and meet my old Sempai´s I always show them the respect they deserve even though I may now have a higher grade.

When do you start preparing to train?

Written by Shihan on May 25, 2015. Posted in Karate, My thoughts, Philosophy. No Comments on When do you start preparing to train?

Are you the kind of person who runs into the dojo at the very last minute and then thinks about Training? Most of us like to get to the dojo at a reasonable time in order to stretch and warm up a Little. My blog this time is about when do you start preparing to train, here are some simple tips for you.

If you start from work or home the idea is the same, try not to think about the days problems rather think about the training thats going to come, take a deep breath.
When you take off your shoes place them tidily on the floor, this means that you have left the outside world and have started your preparation.
You take off your daily cloths and put on a clean white gi, another step in leaving not only the outside world but also your ego. Once the gi is on we are all one.
When you enter the dojo you give a loud Osu showing that you are ready to do your best and train hard.
Great your Sempai, Sensei to show them that your ready.
Lessons usually start with Mokuso, this is the final step before you can start training the last chance to leave the outside world and focus on what is to come. Breath deeply and slowly and calm your mind.

So don’t think that your training starts when your instructor says Hajime, think again.