Re: (TOTALLY NON-SUMO!!!) Re: Henka redux/reflux (fwd)

[Alisdair Davey <ard@filament.physics.montana.edu>]

> On Fri, 27 Mar 1998 knut@translit.se wrote:
> 	One last anecdote in this vein: Once in the '70's at the central
> dojo in Tokyo, Sensei Enoeda was conducting a Karate class, when an
> American full-contact karateka comes into class.  He spoke disparagingly
> about the JKA's policy of controlling punches and kicks just short of
> contact.  He said that he had this full suit of padding that allowed you
> to be hit as hard as you liked without getting hurt. (I think he wanted to
> sell padded outfits to them)
> 	Sensei Enoeda told him to put the suit on, which he did, and then
> to brace himself for a kick to the stomach area.  This guy did, fully
> confident that his pads would protect him.  Sensei kicked him.
> 	The guy passed out.  They dragged him off the floor and continued
> with class.

As it is so quiet here at the moment (!) and as I am normally a lurker and
as I am also  visiting Japan for the first time  (Downtown Sagamihara) I
thought I'd share a story about Enoeda Sensei with you. He teaches karate
now from just off Carnaby Street in London, and I had all my Shotokan
gradings with him. Before the gradings everyone warms up. I was at the
back near one wall warming up as he started to make his way to the front.
He is just passing me as I decide to fling my arms out sideways.
Fortunately he ducked very quickly and I just avoided hitting him in the face. 
The grading fortunately passed off without further incident. Afterwards
everyone troops up in turn to collect their (hopefully) newly stamped 
license. Enoeda normally has a few words to say "Practice kata", "practice
kime", "stronger stances". As I go to pick up my license, he looks up at
me with a big smile and says "Good kata , but practice warmup" :)
Alisdair


-- 
Dr Alisdair Davey                    Research Scientist, Solar Physics Group
Montana State University             ard@filament.physics.montana.edu
Dept. of Physics                 
EPS 264                        "...Federal law prevents me from assuming the
Bozeman, MT 59717-3840          identity of a sheep..."