Yes, over time, some things are carried too far to the point of impracticality, like over-sharpening a blade. It's human nature to get a little carried away.
This sounds very reasonable. Because the weapons came first, do you think the empty-handed techniques were heavily influenced by them?
Yes, but likely not in the way you are asking. We regularly talk and teach how to use everyday weapons such as keys, voice, EDC, and such.
We teach and require the traditional Isshinryu weapons in our dojo, so that means bo, sai, and tonfa (tuifa). We do teach advanced students the ways in which the movements in the weapons katas inform empty-handed techniques as well. Weapons katas are of course historically tied to Isshinryu.
This is probably true, however even though the empty-hand methods would have come later (according to this theory), quite some time has passed since. As empty-hand methods developed and changed over time they would have taken on their own identity and it may be difficult to match much of it directly. I can see some parallels in my own training, but difficult to say that X from a weapon directly corresponds to Y in the empty-hand. What I do see being nearly identical is the specific underlying foundation of how we train full-body unification. The method we use for the empty-hand can very easily be used within the context of the weapons. Whether it developed first in the context of weapons and then carried into an empty-hand system, or vice-versa, I cannot say.
I'm familiar with Ryuku, Matayoshi and Yamani kobudo but haven't heard of Tokushinryu and had to google it. It seems European isshinryu sensei, Lars Anderson, has some involvement with it. Also, their Chatan Yara no sai and Hama Higa no tuifa kata are basically identical to mine (we both follow Master Uechi's teaching). Is Tokushinryu a recent kobudo offshoot of isshinryu? Appreciate any more detailed info on this. DM me if you think this is too specific for General MA Talk.
I have only learned parts of a couple staff forms so far and I have to say that I'm very happy for not solely staying with empty hand forms. It adds an entire element to the whole picture and I think it has even helped me with empty hand forms. It is even more satisfying in many ways.
It was created by Kensho Tokumura, a student of Tatsuo Shimabuku. He went on to become a high dan in Gojuryu as well. In recent times, as I am informed, he has traveled around Okinawa collecting up weapons systems that might otherwise be forgotten, and he has created and continues to refine kata around each of them, and has created a ryu which he calls Tokushinryu. It is popular in Europe, Okinawa, and North America. In the US, Master Jeff Perkins leads the system. Our sensei is highly ranked in Tokushinryu, and several of our karateka in our dojo hold dan rank in Tokushinryu as well (as mentioned, I do not). Masters Tokumura, Anderson, and Perkins have been to our dojo to teach and promote.
Thanks for the info.
