Mushin Karate student Gerrard Neeson and Mushin coach Eric Forsythe travelled from Belfast to Monaghan to train with world renowned martial artist and historian Hanshi Patrick McCarthy at the request of Monaghan Karate Club whose lineage goes right back to the forefathers of modern karate.
The seminar started with a history of karate, where it came from, its influences, who were the main players in its development, the aspects of karate that are relevant and pertinent to everyday civilian self protection, and the main priority of what karate was used for. The role of kata (forms) in relation to karate and how they are at the heart-beat of everything that karate is about. A very detailed synopsis was given which helped turn on a few light-bulbs in the minds of those present.
As this was Hanshi Mc Carthys first visit to Monaghan he wanted to give an
overview of what his organisations (International Ryu-Kyu Research Society –
IRKRS) methods were and their approach to the martial arts. We started off looking
at a simple drill from the initial stages in a fight, working off the fence
and using shuto-uke (knife hand receiver) as a means to get inside the common
haymaker that would be seen in most cities every Saturday night and from closing
this distance what we do next and using the close range striking methods contained
within the kata as our defensive follow up which included headbutts, elbows,
headlocks, chokes etc. To then follow up if someone has you in a headlock –
how we use biting, the “blocks” as a means of freeing ourself, the
role of stances, armlocks, and the main strategy of what karate is about –
that of a percussive art. As Hanshi McCarthy stated ”we as karate-ka want
to be using our hands and feet as our weapons”. However, the katas have
so much more combative strategies and principles contained within them for effective
civilian self-protection
We worked off the football kick that would be a common Habitual Act Of Violence (HAOV) and how to take the opponent down and use the role of stance from the kata to effectively apply an achilles lock and heel hook to end the situation there and then. Everything was based off a very close distance and using these movements and principles to defend yourself in a combative scenario.
At the end of the seminar Hanshi Mc Carthy gave an impromptu demonstration of some stick and pushing hand drills that they would do within the IRKRS to further enhance the principles that you learn and practice and how these can be put into combative context.
If anyone is interested in learning applied, pragmatic karate and self protection you can contact Eric on 02890604769 or visit our website on www.mushinkarate.com. Alternatively, you can come to our classes, which are on a Monday night from 7-8 p.m in St Lukes School for adults and advanced juniors or a Wednesday night for everyone else. Everyone welcome.