An Interview with O’Sensei Brian R. Fey Sr.
Executive Director & Chief Instructor of The SKJF
As Conducted By Jake Umbers - December 2003
Part 1
Sensei Fey, in researching for this interview, I have come across two words that you have used to describe the stability of the SKJF, they are "Enduring Roots". Sensei, would you please take us back to where the seeds of these "Enduring Roots" were planted, to where the SKJF was an 11 year old boy, training for the first time in jeans and a sweatshirt?
Having detailed my trek in the ShotoKan Universe in my book - "21st
Century Samurai: Karatedo as a way of Strength and Humility" I did a vast
amount of reflection in detailing the beginning of my journey. More so
than I can detail here, so I shall be extremely brief.
Your question is however slightly different (and interesting) than just the
typical "when/where/how did you start" but asks where I believed I may
end up. I'll let you know that when I get there.
As for right now, the boy in the Levi's and Green Bay Packers jersey (#15 - Bart
Starr) had no idea as to where he would be (now/2004) just that he knew, then
and there, that he had arrived. I was about to role the dice for my first
play in a kind of "Shoto-opoly" game in which I selected the
"tiger" as my game piece.
I am yet a mere branch of the "enduring root" system, yet I do contend
that this root runs very deep and will never be cut! This is perhaps the
now, the essence of the SKJF and the concept of the ShotoJukuKai. I was 11
then and soon to be 44, yet somehow the "husky" boy managed to find
himself and his future from the seeds spread here from Japan and Okinawa. Those
seeds have germinated, matured and blossomed into this wonderful new variety of
the ShotoKan plant.
***
Sensei, would you please expound upon this "wonderful new variety of the ShotoKan Plant"? How it developed, what influenced it's development and what continues to cultivate it's evolution
Perhaps
"new variety" isn't quite accurate; this has an inference of something
as being different. I would say that "new" actually refers to
another level of understanding or evolution.
Once again, "The Old and The New" take on a familiar meaning. That
being said, I would say that what the SKJF - ShotoJukuKai is all about is
exploring both the "old & new" in order to understand ShotoKan's
past, present and future. Time cannot stand still and neither can
the Shoto-Clock...tick-tock!!
***
Sensei, I have heard the quote "The Old & The New,
This Is A Matter Of Time" on many occasions. You made mention of it
in your answer to the previous question. Would you site some examples of
this quote based upon your nearly four decades of ShotoKan training?
The quote of course comes from master Funakoshi's famous poem:
To search for the old is to understand the new.
The old, the new
this is a matter of time.
In all things a man must have a clear mind.
The Way (DO): who will pass it on straight and well?
In essence, Funakoshi Sensei is referring to the concept of "Shu-Ha-Ri"
which is an of itself a learning curve. To learn from tradition - To break
from tradition - To return to and transcend tradition is what all students will
eventually experience at one point in their training. For the most part
this is seen in the Yudansha. Shu - To learn from tradition is associated
with those who are Shodan - Sandan. Ha - To break from tradition (seeking
a deeper meaning or insights) Sandan - Godan. Ri - To return to and
transcend tradition Godan and above. This may in turn repeat itself over
and over again. Can this occur with Kyu students? Perhaps, but only
with the most basic and fundamental techniques as their learning curve is a
straight line.
As for the "The Old & the New - this is a matter of time" I have
seen (through Shu-Ha-Ri) that Funakoshi was indeed most correct and insightful.
The Karatedo of old developed into many different directions. Some sport
minded, some eclectic but they lost Budo. This is where Karatedo must
return to the old for it is there where the new may be refreshed. This too
is an essential goal for the ShotoJukuKai - to cleanse the new by restoring the
old. This is what Funakoshi Sensei truly wished for. To answer
Funakoshi's other question: "The Way - Who will pass it on straight and
well?" The answer is clear - The ShotoJukuKai.
***
Sensei, in your answer to the previous question, you stated
that an essential goal of the ShotoJukuKai was to "cleanse the new by
restoring the old". With the convolution of ShotoKan, it's eclectic
off shoots and interpretations since the nearly fifty years of Funakoshi
Sensei's passing, what are the bona fides of the ShotoJukuKai that allow for
this restoration of the "old" in your training?
The primary and unique
difference with the ShotoJukuKai is that we are "always ready to release
our mind." In other words - open to all of the varied roots of
Shotokan's past and not being limited to just one way.
True there must be a certain standard in providing examples like Kata, however
there is also a deeper appreciation for the various Kata examples that have
evolved over time. This is most certainly true when we explore the bunkai
and oyo of any kata. If we were to limit ourselves to just the bunkai (on
the surface kata interpretation) you would never be able to look deeper.
Man has never been content with just living on the surface. We have
explored the tallest mountain peaks, the deepest ocean floors and now the far
reaches of space.
Quite simply, the ShotoJukuKai dares to go where no JKA man has gone before.
***
Sensei, you made reference to "Bunkai & Oyo" when mentioning kata interpretation. I'm sure most of us are familiar with the term "Bunkai", but would please elaborate on the term "Oyo"? It's meaning and relevance to the ShotoJukuKai.
Bunkai of course
refers to the interpretation of the "apparent or obvious on the
surface" movements of a kata. The term "Oyo" refers to the
alternate applications beyond that of the most simplistic interpretations.
Oyo goes deeper
into the kata and seeks to explore tangible applications that can be derived if
one uses their mind and not just their body. Just as there are "more
ways to skin a cat" there are "more ways to see a kata" when you
look for the answers.
For example, the
opening movement to Heian Shodan requires a step to the left while
executing gedan barai (low level sweep block) and the moving forward
with chudan oi zuki ( mid level lunge punch). The bunkai for said
movements is simply blocking a mid level attack and returning a mid level
defensive counter punch. One Oyo may suggest not only blocking the
incoming attack with the forearm while reaching further and farther into
your opponents defense and striking the groin with tettsui uchi (hammer fist
strike). The oi zuki ca now be interpreted as a forward moving
application that includes a take down.
I often ask
students to look at a kata as though they are looking beneath the
surface of a pool to see it's depths. The markings on the edge of a pool
may say "6 feet" so one can plainly see how deep the water is.
If however you truly wish to measure the true depth of the pool one must jump in
"feet first" in order to see all of the levels of the 6 foot section.
Don't forget to take a deep breath first.
***
Sensei, in the beginning of this
interview, you made mention of your book "21st Century Samurai: Karatedo as
a way of Strength and Humility". Most of us are familiar
with the Samurai of old. We have even been given a possible glimpse
of the future Samurai via the Star War's Jedi Knight. We do
not carry a Katana much less Light Sabers, so being a Samurai
obviously entails much more than fancy sword play. Please tell
us your philosophy on what components makes one a "21st
Century Samurai"?
First, with the passing of the last "TRUE" Samurai at the
beginning of the Meiji Restoration (1868) the last of that nobility passed into
oblivion. However, the ideals of the Samurai can and will continue to live
on in both technique and philosophy. The sword techniques of the Samurai
have been passed on via Iaido & Kendo. The philosophy - Bushido is
something that can also be studied and passed on via any traditional Ryu-Ha.
The term Samurai "Ji-suru" literally means to serve or
attend to someone or something. A Samurai would of course pledge absolute
loyalty to their respective master and give their very life if required to do
so. They enforced law and kept order. The Samurai were in essence
the Policeman of feudal Japan. As a Policeman for the last 22 years and
one who has also cultivated the ideals of Bushido through the study of Karatedo
for 32 years, I believe that I am in fact the very essence of a
"Samurai." Although I do not carry a sword but rather a
gun, I find myself in my daily life extolling the virtues of the Samurai today
in the 21st Century.
***
Sensei Fey, I would like you to go into detail on what your devotion to Karate has done for you and what you have accomplished through these many years as a result. In addition, how have these things been utilized to bring the ShotoJukuKai organization to it's current & future levels?
In general, my
devotion to Karatedo stems from my belief(s) in what it (training) can do for
you. Beyond the physical and defensive benefits, Karatedo has given
(provided) me with a sense of discipline, loyalty and structure not found anywhere
else. Karatedo's greatest lesson has taught me to believe in myself and
that I can in fact attain any realistic goal I strive for. This of course
includes the development of the SKJF - ShotoJukuKai which has been steadily
growing for the last few years and is about to get even bigger. It is
a proven system of success!!
***
Sensei, it
would seem that the SKJF takes it's training much further than the
applications of punching, blocking and kicking. From your answers to
the previous questions and especially this last one, I am picking up that
the "Do" (Way) of karate plays a large supporting
role in your training and that of those you train. Would you
please interpret for us the meaning of the "Do", it's
importance to karate training and how it has influenced your impact
upon the ShotoJukuKai?
As for DO, most people view this as just a simple phrase only meaning "the
way" pertaining to just technique. In fact, the use of DO these
days has become quite common place and has been watered down by those who do not
DO.
By that I mean
"Seeking or Following a Prescribed Path of Principles, Concepts and
Traditions." In order to keep KarateDO pure, one must not lose
sight of Karatedo's past while bringing it into the future. Once again, Master
Funakoshi reminds us that "The Old & New are just a matter of
time." It's time.......
***
Sensei, please tell us what you consider "traditional" and "non traditional" ShotoKan karate, what benefits does one have over the other and just in case from your answer the reader still has a question, where does the SKJF and the ShotoJukuKai reside when it comes between the two?
This is an interesting
question, yet the answer is quite simple. First, I prefer to use the term "Authentic
or Genuine" when talking about the whole what is and what is
not traditional thing. Simply because everyone today in the "martial
arts" now says they too are "traditional." This includes
the multi-style circus clowns that wear rainbow colored Gi and perform gymnastic
power ranger dances to Van Halen and call it "traditional" kata.
At times it disgusts me and at other times I can hardly contain my hysteria.
Its all ground beef with a lot of fat calling itself steak. It's not and
never will be!
Now, as for what is
"Authentic or Genuine" the SKJF is based on the belief that if your
roots are truly from the ShotoKan Ryu-Ha then it must legitimate.
The cornerstone and founding principle of the SKJF allows for differences and
variations within the framework of the ShotoKan system as it truly has evolved
since its inception in 1922. This is what Funakoshi wanted and what
we must understand. The SKJF is open to all who follow the path to Pine
Waves Home.
The ShotoJukuKai (The Special/Private School of Pine Waves Association) is of course a specific interpretation of ShotoKan which also includes Kobudo as well. Funakoshi felt it best to develop the literal empty hand concepts of Karatedo when coming to Japan. This partly due to ridicule coming from the Budo-Kai looking down their collectives noses at farm tools in their midst. Alas many ShotoKan groups today have no idea as to what Kobudo is all about. This is sad. However members of the ShotoJukuKai are fortunate to have this made available to them as they truly get to eat Filet Mignon! Bon Appetite!
***
Sensei, I have detected from your answers to some of the questions that your are quite astute in ShotoKan's history and development. I think for most who have trained for more than a year, not to mention decades, the awareness that there is more to ShotoKan than punching and kicking begins to manifest itself. Would the acquiring of ShotoKan's history and a depth of feeling (knowledge) of those who have gone before, benefit the practitioner in addressing this aspect of their journey? If so, how would it and where would one start to look for the knowledge?
Most definitely. It is just as important to understand not just how to do
ShotoKan but to understand where did it come from, who was involved, what
occurred, when it all happened and just how it happened. Technique is just
the tip of the iceberg; history and meaning lies just beneath the surface.
As to where to look first, I suggest looking inside yourself for specific questions. Ultimately you will discover the answers either from your Dojo Sensei, organization or self-discovery research. The answers are there for you to discover.
This concludes part one.