DAIBUDO KODENKAN MATSUNO KENSHUKAI

Like the natural progression of a strong tree, genuine growth in martial arts begins below the surface. Before the branches can reach outward, the roots must take hold. Before strength becomes visible, a foundation must be established.

Martial arts training should not create an imaginary image of ourselves as powerful, fearless, or superior. It should help us see ourselves honestly and develop from there.

Each class sends our roots a little deeper through discipline, patience, humility, respect, and perseverance. In time, these inner qualities begin to appear outwardly through confidence, ability, and character.

A belt does not create a student’s identity or determine their worth. It represents a stage of development and the responsibilities that come with it.

The purpose of training is not merely to develop stronger techniques. It is to help each student become a more honest, disciplined, capable, and authentic representation of themselves.

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I found an interesting article about Karate stances that echoed many of the principles we emphasize at DKMK.

The article explained that while deep stances have value for developing strength, balance, and body mechanics, practical self-defense requires something different. The goal is not to stand low for the sake of appearance. The goal is to move naturally, efficiently, and without unnecessary motion.

That idea extends beyond Karate.

In our Shorin-ryu Karate classes, we practice formal stances because they teach important lessons about posture, balance, stability, and power. As students gain experience, they learn that a stance is not a rigid position. It is simply the body organized for the task at hand.

In Danzan-ryu Jujitsu, we don't emphasize formal stances in the same way. Instead, we naturally lower our center of gravity when entering a throw, maintaining balance, or applying a technique. Once the technique is complete, we move again. Mobility is always important.

One statement from the article especially stood out:

"No superfluous movement."

That is an excellent principle for all martial artists.

Every unnecessary motion costs time, energy, and may even reveal your intentions. Whether you are blocking, striking, escaping, throwing, or applying a joint lock, efficiency matters.

This also illustrates the difference between learning techniques and understanding principles.

A beginner sees hand positions, footwork, and body placement. An experienced martial artist sees timing, balance, distance, body connection, and efficiency. The visible movements often become smaller because the invisible principles have become stronger.

At DKMK, our goal is not simply to teach students what to do. It is to help them understand why it works. Techniques may differ between Karate and Jujitsu, but the principles of balance, timing, efficiency, and purposeful movement unite them both.

That is where real martial arts begin.

Lessons from the Old Masters

As many of you know, Shihan Barry Holck loved sharing stories from the martial arts. Some were humorous, others inspiring, but the ones that stayed with you always carried a lesson. Barry understood that martial arts aren't passed down only through techniques. They're also passed down through stories, preserving the character, values, and mindset of those who came before us.

Recently I watched a recorded conversation between two respected Okinawan karate masters, Seikichi Iha Sensei (1932–2024) and his longtime student, Koichi Nakasone Sensei. Their discussion was recorded in Okinawa in 2020 and later carefully transcribed and translated from both Japanese and Uchinaguchi, the traditional language of Okinawa, to preserve these memories for future generations.

During their conversation, Iha Sensei asked Nakasone Sensei to recount a story he had learned from Iha's own teacher, the renowned Okinawan karate master Shinpan Gusukuma Sensei.

Earlier in the discussion, they reflected on Shinpan Sensei's approach to karate. Although he had studied other methods, he believed there was no need to abandon or replace what he had learned. In his view, Shorin-Ryu already contained the practical principles needed for real self-defense. Rather than searching for something different, he devoted himself to understanding his art more deeply.

Nakasone Sensei then shared this story.

According to Shinpan Sensei, he was once surrounded by a group of young men looking for trouble. He knew there were too many of them to fight. He also knew that if they attacked together, he couldn't possibly defeat them all.

So he stopped, looked directly at them, and said,

"I may not be able to defeat all of you...but the first one who attacks me, I will kill him.”

There was no shouting or threats and no attempt to intimidate. He simply stated it as fact.

The young men looked at one another. Every one of them understood that Shinpan Sensei meant exactly what he said. None of them wanted to be the first.

As Shinpan Sensei took a step forward, the group stepped back.

He took another step.

Again, they backed away.

Step by step, the distance between them grew until the group finally dispersed without a single blow being exchanged.

At first glance, the story may sound harsh to modern ears, but that isn't the lesson the old masters intended.

The lesson wasn't about violence. It was about resolve.

The young men weren't driven away because Shinpan Sensei was loud or angry. They backed away because they recognized absolute commitment. They believed his words because his life, his training, and his bearing gave those words credibility.

Today, we teach our students to avoid conflict whenever possible, to de-escalate situations, and to use force only when there is no reasonable alternative. Those principles remain just as important now as they were then. Yet the lesson still endures.

True confidence doesn't come from boasting or intimidation. It comes from disciplined training, sound judgment, and a calm spirit. People often recognize genuine resolve long before a physical confrontation ever begins.

Perhaps that's why Shihan Barry enjoyed stories like this so much. Behind every tale from the old masters was a lesson that reached far beyond punches, throws, or techniques. They reminded us that the greatest victories are often the ones in which no fight takes place at all.

Sensei DKMK

With appreciation to the producers of the Sensei: Masters of Okinawan Karate series for recording, translating, and preserving these conversations for future generations.

Walking in Foundation – Final Reflection

Over the past several weeks, I've shared a series of reflections about the lessons quietly learned in the dojo. We've talked about respect, perseverance, correction, patience, responsibility, and the foundations that often shape us long before we recognize their value.

Many have asked where these reflections came from.

They come from a book I wrote called Walking in Foundation: Character Formation Through Traditional Martial Arts.

I originally wrote it as a companion for the parents and families of our students. I wanted them to better understand that while children come to the dojo to learn self-defense, something deeper is also taking place. Character is being formed one class, one correction, one success, and even one failure at a time.

As the book grew, I realized these lessons extend well beyond the dojo. They speak to parents, teachers, mentors, coaches, and anyone interested in how discipline, respect, and steady guidance shape a person's life.

If these weekly reflections have encouraged or challenged you, you'll find many more in the pages of Walking in Foundation.

As a nonprofit dojo, proceeds from the book help support the ongoing work of Daibudo Kodenkan Matsuno Kenshukai and our mission of serving students and families in our community.

Thank you for following this journey with me. Your comments, encouragement, and reflections have made this series far more meaningful than I ever expected.

This may be the end of Walking in Foundation... but every path begins with a foundation.
Until next time…

— Sensei DKMK

Congratulations to our newest Yellow Belts, Gokyu, in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu.
These students are among the youngest on our mats, but they carry themselves with a discipline and focus well beyond their years. Earning a belt at the dojo is never just about time served. It reflects real effort, real attention, and a genuine respect for the art and the tradition behind it.
We often talk about the tiny warrior spirit here, and these students embody it. Small in stature, steady in practice, and full of heart. This rank is only the beginning of what we know will be a long and rewarding path in the martial arts.
We are proud to call them part of our dojo family and look forward to watching their growth continue.

Walking in Foundation - Growth Takes Time

When a seed is planted, the most important work happens beneath the surface.

The gardener waters the soil, removes weeds, and makes sure the young plant has what it needs. Yet no amount of watching will make it grow faster. Growth follows its own pace.

Martial arts training is much the same.

Students sometimes become discouraged because they cannot yet perform a technique smoothly, remember every detail, or advance as quickly as they hoped. They compare themselves to others and begin measuring progress by what they can already do instead of by who they are becoming.

Real growth is often less dramatic than we expect.

A student who once became frustrated after every mistake now tries again without giving up. A child who struggled to pay attention begins listening more carefully. Someone who lacked confidence volunteers to demonstrate for the first time. Another student accepts correction with appreciation instead of embarrassment.

These moments may seem small, but they are signs that something deeper is taking root.

At Daibudō Kodenkan Matsuno Kenshūkai, we understand that instructors cannot force growth. We can provide guidance, encouragement, correction, and opportunity. The student must continue showing up, practicing, and trusting the process.

Strong roots develop long before anyone sees the tree.

The same is true of character. The strongest foundations are built one class, one lesson, and one choice at a time.

Walking in Foundation - Respect Is Something You Practice

When people think about martial arts, respect is often one of the first values that comes to mind. They see students bowing, addressing instructors appropriately, and following dojo etiquette. While these traditions are important, respect extends far beyond outward gestures.

True respect is not simply something we say. It is something we practice.

Respect can be seen in the way students listen when others are speaking. It appears when training partners work together safely and help one another improve. It is demonstrated when students accept correction without resentment and when instructors teach with patience rather than ego.

Respect also includes how we carry ourselves. It means arriving prepared, taking training seriously, and recognizing that everyone in the dojo is there to learn. Regardless of age, rank, or experience, every person deserves to be treated with dignity.

One of the lessons martial arts teaches over time is that respect is not reserved only for instructors or senior students. It extends to training partners, visitors, family members, and even those with whom we may disagree. The habit of showing respect in the dojo often becomes a habit that follows students into school, work, and daily life.

At Daibudō Kodenkan Matsuno Kenshūkai, respect is not viewed as a rule to be memorized. It is part of the culture we strive to build and preserve. Like balance, timing, and technique, it develops through consistent effort and conscious practice.

The strongest students are not always the fastest, the most athletic, or the most talented. More often, they are the ones who understand that martial arts is not simply about what they can do, but how they choose to conduct themselves while doing it.

In that sense, respect is more than a tradition. It is a skill that grows stronger the more it is practiced.

Walking in Foundation — The Purpose of Repetition

One question that occasionally comes up in martial arts training is simple: Why do we keep doing the same thing over and over?

For a new student, repeating a stance, a roll, a block, or a punch can sometimes feel unnecessary. Once they understand the movement, they often want to move on to something new. The challenge is that understanding a technique and truly learning it are not always the same thing.

Repetition serves a purpose. It helps turn knowledge into skill and skill into habit. Through repetition, movements become smoother, timing improves, balance becomes more natural, and the body learns to respond with greater confidence and less hesitation.

This process is not unique to martial arts. Musicians practice scales. Athletes repeat drills. Craftsmen perform the same motions thousands of times while refining their work. Mastery rarely comes from doing many things once. More often, it comes from doing important things well, again and again over time.

Students sometimes see repetition as a sign that they are not advancing. In truth, repetition is often where growth takes place. Small corrections add up. Details that once went unnoticed begin to stand out. A movement that once required constant thought gradually becomes natural.

At Daibudō Kodenkan Matsuno Kenshūkai, we do not repeat techniques simply to fill time. We repeat them because each repetition is another opportunity to improve awareness, refine movement, and deepen understanding.

Foundations are not built through occasional effort. They are built through consistent practice. What seems repetitive today often becomes the skill, confidence, and understanding that supports future growth.

Repetition is not the opposite of progress. In many ways, it is one of the primary ways progress is achieved.

Walking in Foundation - Learning to Listen

When people think about martial arts training, they often focus on movement. They think about punches, kicks, throws, kata, and self-defense techniques. Yet one of the most important skills a student can develop has very little to do with physical movement.

It is the ability to listen.

For a beginner, listening may simply mean paying attention when instructions are given. It means resisting the urge to rush ahead and instead taking the time to understand what is being taught. As students gain experience, however, they begin to discover that listening involves much more than hearing words.

They learn to listen to corrections without becoming defensive. They learn to listen to their training partners and recognize how their actions affect others. They learn to pay attention to timing, distance, balance, and the subtle details that cannot always be explained through words alone.

In many ways, listening is closely connected to learning. A student who believes they already know everything has little room left to grow. A student who remains curious, attentive, and willing to receive instruction creates opportunities for continued development.

The same principle extends beyond the dojo. Listening helps us become better students, better teachers, better leaders, and better training partners. It helps us understand before reacting and learn before judging.

At Daibudō Kodenkan Matsuno Kenshūkai, we encourage students to develop not only strong bodies and sound techniques, but also attentive minds. The ability to listen is often the beginning of understanding, and understanding is what allows knowledge to become skill.

Many people come to martial arts expecting to learn how to move. Over time, they often discover that one of the most valuable lessons is learning how to listen.