Gakko no Rekishi

Due to the scarcity of authentic written records, the exact origin of the Martial Arts is obscure. Most historians agree some form of Martial Arts was practiced in China as early as 1000 B.C. In dealing with Ancient Martial Art history we must rely partially on legend, keeping in mind that legends, however exaggerated, have some basis in fact. Our most reliable information comes to us from Buddhist inspired Martial Arts such as those practiced at the Shaolin Temples. Records indicate that Ta Mo, an East Indian patriarch of the Buddhist faith, traveled from India to China sometime around 515-530 A.D. He was also called Bodhidharma, and is known to the Japanese as Daruma Daishi. His purpose was to transmit the discipline of Zen to China and integrate those ideas with the existing Buddhist Doctrines.

Allegedly, Ta Mo, was the 28th descendant of the original Buddha, and became Abbot of the Shaolin Monastery (Shorin-Ji in Japanese), in Hunan Province shortly after his arrival in China. Legend tells us that when he arrived at the Temple, he found the monks to be in a state of physical decay and unable to withstand the prolonged periods of meditation which were essential to the practice of Zen Buddhism. In an attempt to improve the physical condition of the monks, bodhidharma, instituted a series of 18 exercises similar in nature to Hatha Yoga. The exact nature of the "18 Hands of the Lo Han," as the exercises were called, is unknown. We do know, however, that they consisted of breathing, stretching, bending and reaching movements. These exercises apparently were the catalyst for the creation of other physical disciplines used to further the spiritual development of the Zen Buddhists. Prior to Bodhidharma's arrival, meditation was practiced as a purely mental discipline. Afterwards, it became much more successful as a combination of physical and mental disciplines, in keeping with the doctrine of Yin and Yang.

Bodhidharma, probably never intended his exercises to take on a martial attitude, and they did not until several hundred years after his death. The reason for this new attitude was probably attributable to political unrest, together with increased lawlessness. In any event, the next appreciable contribution occurred in the 14th century, when a Shaolin monk called Ch'ueh Yuan, expanded the original 18 movements to 72 and began practicing them as a self-defense art. Later, he left the Temple, and traveled extensively throughout China, in search of other Martial Arts masters to confer with. Ch'ueh Yuan, probably obtained techniques and ideas from many different sources. We know that he met two masters, one named Li Ch'eng (or Li Shao), and an old man named Pai Yu-Feng (Pai Yu-Fong). Together, the three men returned to the Shoalin Temple, and expanded the 72 movements into 170, and categorized them into five distinct styles: Tiger, Dragon, Crane, Serpent and Leopard (see Animal Influences in Kenpo). These three men also advanced a set of moral and ethical principles to govern their practice. These five styles formed the basis of the art of Shaolin Chu'an Fa, also known as the "Five Forms Fist." Later, other styles were added.

Many stories relate to the training procedures at the Temple, which were apparently quite severe. In order to attain Priesthood, one had to undergo a series of deadly tests ending with the moving of a heavy metal urn filled with red hot coals. Carved into two sides of the urn were reproductions of a tiger and a dragon. In order to move the urn the disciple was required to hug the hot urn with his forearms, lift it and move it, leaving his arms branded with the tiger and the dragon, the marks of the Shaolin priest.

As time passed, Martial Arts training became integral to the Chinese lifestyle due to their being a constant state conflict. Owing to its lethal qualities, the Martial Arts were taught only by select clans who had their own master, and who would teach only selected individuals in each clan. Great pride was taken by each master in his distinctive style. Family clans were sworn never to divulge the teachings they received from their masters. For many years the Shaolin fighting arts were practiced in utmost secrecy. Masters were concerned that the techniques would fall into hands that would use the potentially deadly art for purposes other than what was originally intended. Many factors contributed to the eventual spread of the Martial Arts. Buddhist missionaries to Japan, Korea, Okinawa and Indonesia took their arts with them. Students sometimes left the Temple, prematurely and passed on what knowledge they had. The main factor was the ruthless domination of the Manchu Emperor. Secret societies were formed for the purpose of restoring the Ming Dynasty, to power and overthrowing the Barbarian Manchus. Most Chan Buddhists, were anti-Manchu and many temples were training grounds for pro-Ming revolutionaries. On several occasions the Manchus, destroyed temples in an effort to stomp out resistance. Fleeing monks undoubtedly carried many secrets with them, which eventually spread throughout China.

The Ming (1368-1644 A.D.) and Ch'ing (1644-1911 A.D.) Dynasties were the golden age of Martial Arts in China, and many styles taught today were founded and expanded on during this period. In 1372 Chinese-Okinawan relations were consolidated, and in 1470 Sho-Ha-Shi, became king of Okinawa, and confiscated all weapons from the people. This forced the Okinawan, to seek other forms of self-defense. As a result, some Okinawan, emigrated to China, to learn what was then called Chinese Kempo, from top masters. Upon returning to their native land, the martial art became known as Shorinji Kempo. As the years passed, practitioners continued to learn and demonstrate their skills in private, and the martial arts improved considerably. Then in 1609, the Japanese, invaded and dominated Okinawa, and Lord Shimazu, removed all forms of weapons from the public at large. Owing to the ongoing tensions of the forced occupation, and unavoidable assimilation of culture, the period between 1609-1903,  marked the greatest achievements made in the history of the martial arts. As a result, a variety of styles and systems emerged.

Modern Martial Arts History is much easier to follow. During the 18th century, China, and Japan, were engaged in trade both material and cultural. At that time, a senior member of the Mitosi Clan, of Japan, traveled to China, to study the Martial Arts at the Shoalin Temple, where he remained for many years. Upon his return to Japan, he introduced the Art of Chu'an Fa, which he called Kempo ("Way of the Fist"). This was later developed into a system for healing, health, and fighting called Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo. The Okinawan, had always referred to the martial arts as Te, which literally means, hand. During the period around 1609-1903, Kara-te, meaning, China Hand, replaced the word Te (until the latter part of the 20th century, when the Chinese ideograms which denoted, China Hand, were changed by the Japanese, to the characters which mean, Open Hand). This change (officially dated to 1923), angered many of the Okinawan masters, who were proud of the term designating their fighting styles. They also did not wish to dispense with their loyalty, and association with China. However, there was great pressure by the Japanese, and the masters, very reluctantly, accepted the new character change. The change was spearheaded by a student of Chogun Miyagi, named Nagashi Hanage, of the Goju-Ryu style of kara-te. It was actually Chogun Miyagi, himself who desired to make the change and compelled his disciple Nagashi Hanage, to pursue the change with great vigor. According to Chogun Miyagi, the change brought a deeper meaning in which spiritual overcomes the physical.

The art was practiced and passed down through the Mitose family line. According to family tradition, clan members in Kumamoto and Nagasaki, brought the knowledge of shaolin Chuan Fa, from China, shortly before 1600. This art was modified by successive clan masters, until James Mitose, the 21st generational Kenposai, who lived in Honolulu, Hawaii in the 1940s, began teaching the art publicly. Only five of his students ( Thomas Young, William K.S. Chow, Paul Yamaguchi, Arthur Keave, and Edward Lowe ) attained the rank of black belt . Professor William K.S. Chow, would go on to make several modifications to the Kempo, that he learned from Mitose. These modifications enhanced the systems fluidity, application of power, and versatility. Professor Chow, went on to award the rank of black belt to a number of students, which included such notables as Adriano D. and Joseph D. Emperado, Nicholas Cerio, Ed Parker, Ralph Castro, Bobby Lowe, Sam Kuoha, John Leone, William Marciarelli, and Paul Pung. William Chow's, legacy would blossom with the migration of Kenpo, to the mainland of the United States, with Ed Parker (American Kenpo), Adriano Emperado and his students (Kajukenbo , Karazenbo Go Shinjutsu). And, later with Nick Cerio ( Nick Cerio's Kenpo ), who would be instrumental in helping to bring Kenpo, to the Eastern United States, Canada, and South Africa.

Professor Cerio, had many brilliant students. One of them, Grand Master Mark Sheeley, founded Kensho-Ryu, in 1999, after the professor's untimely death, as a homage to his memory, and a means to fulfill his legacy .

In 2003, one of Grand Master M. Sheeley's, many accomplished senior students, Sensei Erick Thorne, opens: Kensho Ryu Kenpo Jiujitsu Karate of Cranston, Rhode Island. And in 2009, with the encouragement of Grand Master Mark Sheeley and Kensho Ryu International, Sensei Thorne opened his second location: Togékaido Kenpo Jiujitsu Karate kobudo, in Cranston, Rhode Island.

In 2010, Sensei Thorne, begins training in Commando Krav Maga. And, as a result of the mentorship/friendship of Moni Aizik (founder of Commando Krav Maga, T.O.P. Law Enforcement, Smartsafe: Women's Self Empowerment, Win! Real Life Skill for Kids, and Elite Combat Fitness), Sensei Thorne, sets the focus of training/application to best incorporate his knowledge of traditional martial arts and the street survival/combat focused/reality based Commando Krav Maga system, as a means of preparing the community for the realities of self defense in the 21st century. 

 

This outline is merely an introduction to the history and development of the art. Serious students should seek to further their knowledge of the subject through individual research.

The Lineage of Togékaido

Your Instructor, Sensei Thorne

Animal influences in Togékaido