|
Tode
did not develop from the way of Buddhism or Confucianism. In the recent
past Shorin-ryu and Shorei-ryu were brought over from China. They both
have similar strong points, so, before there are too many changes, I
should like to write these down.
- Tode is primarily for the benefit of health. In
order to protect one's parents or one's master, it is proper to
attack a foe regardless of one's own life. Never attack a lone
adversary. If one meets a villain or a ruffian one should not use
tode but simply parry and step aside.
- The purpose of tode is to make the body hard like
stones and iron; hands and feet should be used like the points of
arrows; hearts should be strong and brave. If children were to practice
tode from their elementary-school days, they would be well prepared
for military service. When Wellington and Napoleon met they
discussed the point that 'tomorrow's victory will come from today's
playground'.
- Tode cannot be learned quickly. Like a slow moving
bull, that eventually walks a thousand miles, if one studies
seriously every day, in three or four years one will understand what
tode is about. The very shape of one's bones will change
Those who study as follows will discover the
essence of tode:
- In tode the hands and feet are important so they
should be trained thoroughly on the makiwara. In so doing drop your
shoulders, open your lungs, take hold of your strength, grip the
floor with your feet and sink your intrinsic energy to your lower
abdomen. Practice with each arm one or two hundred times.
- When practicing tode forms (kata) make sure your
back is straight, drop your shoulders, take your strength and put it
in your legs, stand firmly and put the intrinsic energy in your
lower abdomen, the top and bottom of which must be held together
tightly.
- The bunkai (application of kata techniques)
should be carefully practiced,
one by one, many times. Because these techniques are passed on by
word of mouth, take the trouble to learn the explanations and decide
when and in what context it would be possible to use them. Observe
principles of torite(grappling) and applications will
be more easily understand.
- You must decide whether tode is for cultivating a
healthy body or for defense.
- During practice you should imagine you are on the
battle field. When blocking and striking make the eyes glare, drop
the shoulders and harden the body. Now block the enemy's punch and
strike! Always practice with this spirit so that, when on the real
battlefield, you will naturally be prepared.
- Do not overexert yourself during practice because
the intrinsic energy will rise up your face and eyes will turn red
and your body will be harmed. Be careful.
- In the past many of those who have mastered tode
have lived to an old age. This is because tode aids the development
of the bones and sinews, it helps the digestive organs and is good
for the circulation of the blood. Therefore, from now on tode should
become the foundation of all sports lessons from elementary schools
onward. If this is put into practice there will, I think, be many
men who can win against ten aggressors.
The reason for stating all this is that it is my opinion
that all students at the Okinawa Prefectural Teachers' Training College
should practice tode, so that when they graduate from here they can
teach the children in the schools exactly as I have taught them. Within
ten years tode will spread all over Okinawa and to the Japanese
mainland. This will be a great asset to our militaristic society. I hope
you will carefully study the words I have written here.
|
 |
