From Karate Times Magazine of India (Vol 12 - January 2006)
INTERVIEW WITH HANSHI, OSCAR HIGA (9th DAN) World Technical Director of Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Kyudokan Federation
By: Sensei, Indishe Senanayake –Representative & Chief Instructor of Sri Lanka Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Kyudokan Karate-Do Federation
Hanshi, Oscar Masato Higa (9th Dan) visited Sri Lanka recently, to conduct a series of Karate-do and Kobudo Seminars. Higa Sensei is the World Technical Director of Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Kyudokan Karate-do Federation and has superb skills in Karate-do and Kobudo. More than hundred students participated in his Sri Lanka Seminars including Kyudokan Karateka from India and Czech Republic. Here is an interview I had with him during his visit on the deeper aspects of Okinawa Karate.
Q : Sensei, how do you introduce your self? A: My name is Oscar Higa and I’m the World Technical Director of Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Kyudokan Karate-do Federation. I’m a Japanese citizen. Now I live in Italy. My work involves perfection of the technical level of Kyudokan Branches and spreading Kyudokan Karate-do throughout the world.
Q: Can you tell something about the Higa Family? A: Yes. My uncle Yuchoku Higa (10th Dan) founded the Kyudokan School. He was a very strong and respected master in Okinawa. He is the ‘Uchi Deshi’ of Master Chosin Chibana. My father or my Master is Jintatsu Higa. He lived in Argentina , most part of his life. His teachers were Shoshin Nagamine and Arakaki Ankichi. My cousin Minoru Higa is the current President of the Kyudokan School and teaches in the Kyudokan Hombu Dojo in Okinawa. My brother Benito Higa is the President of South American Kyudokan Federation.
Q: How do you differentiate Japanese Karate and Okinawan Karate? A: Okinawan Karate is traditional Karate. Because, it has a history which runs through centuries. But, Japanese Karate has a short history which runs back to 1932. True Karate is not only a system of self defense, but also Karate-do is a discipline for the harmony of body, mind and spirit.
That is why the principle ‘WA’ (Peace), is important. I always say it’s impossible to be in harmony with others, if I’m not in harmony with myself. With continuous practice everybody learns to be in harmony with himself.
Q: Can you describe some spiritual principles in Kyudokan School? A: Yes, Makoto, Shizuka, Shinobi and Heiwa are very important principles.
‘Makoto’ means open, pure heart or sincerity. But, more important to be authentic with myself before being authentic with others.
‘Shizuka’ is quietness or tranquility. The tranquility of the inside spirit.
‘Shinobi’ means tolerance. To know, to wait and to adjust the moment.
‘Heiwa’ is peace. When practicing Karate with above principles, he arrives to ‘Heiwa’. Not only with out side world, but also more important is the inside peace.
Q: What is the relationship between Karate and Zen? A: People think Karate is violent. But, it’s not true. Karate is for peace and harmony. Because, Zen and Karate is one. ‘Live in the moment’ is a very important concept in Zen. ‘This, Here and Now’.
Past is not important. Future has not arrived. There isn’t past any more. When tomorrow arrives, it’s today. Future is only a concept.
In Karate, it’s not important “I will do a kick’. I do it now. Don’t think about a technique you did or you will do. Think what I do now.
For this the concept of ‘Emptiness’ is very important. That’s why the word Karate-do gives the meaning ‘KARA’ – Empty, ‘TE’- Hands, ‘DO’- Way.
There are three concepts related to the word ‘Kara’ (Empty).
First, ‘Kara’ relates with ‘Empty Hands’. I’m not with weapons. I’m with empty hands. My body is my weapons.
Second, ‘Kara’ relates with moral. Karateka must be clear (like in ‘Mokoto’). Remove the bad thought and fulfill the good thoughts.
Third concept of ‘Kara’ relates with the ‘Empty Mind’. When the mind is empty, your movements become natural and free. It breaks the concept ‘I’. You can find the enemy inside you.
Also, another principle of Zen is breaking the dualist concept. In Karate, I do not punch. I’m the punch.
There are two ‘Kata’, Inside Kata and Outside Kata. You can see the Outside Kata. When you practice more, your Outside Kata become more beautiful, because your Inside Kata become more better. You feel the inside Kata. The only way for this is through continuous training.
Q: Now, how many countries have Kyudokan Branches? A: Twenty one countries including Sri Lanka and India. But, the quality or level of Karate does not go down when Kyudokan is spreading throughout the world.
Q: Do you allow your students to participate in tournaments? A: Kyudokan is a traditional Karate School with rich essence. It’s not a Sport Karate Style. But, we allow students to participate in tournaments without losing the spirit of true Karate.
We have made 15 World Champions only from Argentina. Also, last WKC World Champion is from Kyudokan.
Q: Sensei, you also teach Kobudo? A: Yes, now I practice Ryu Kyu Kobudo Ryukonkai Style founded by Kotaro Iha Sensei (9th Dan). Before that, I learnt Kobudo under late Eisuke Akamine Sensei for a long period. Today, I’m the European Representative of Ryukonkai Association.
Bo, Nunchaku, Sai and Tonfa are the most important weapons in Kobudo.
There are many similar principles in between Karate and Kobudo. For a practitioner each art helps the other.
Q: Sensei, what are the memories of your father and uncle? A: My father is a small person, but my uncle is a strong muscular person. My father has quick, circular movements and good work of the ‘Hara’. My uncle is very strong. He has an amazing ‘Tsuki’ (Punch). That’s why he is known as the ‘Strong Fist of Okinawa’. His ‘Makiwara’ training is amazing. He punched ‘Makiwara’ with extraordinary power in his seventies also.
My father is a great person. I remember in my small days, he was meditating in our garden in Argentina. It’s the winter and raining heavily. But, he did not feel anything. He was not himself. As a small boy this was funny to me. I was shouting at my mother ‘Father is Crazy’. But, today I understand it is amazing. He had a strong mind, spirit and a powerful ‘Ki’. My ‘Ki’ is better, because of his influence.
Also, my father had an unbelievable ‘Tsumasaki Geri’ (Kick with the thumb). He made holes in wood and concrete by his amazing Tsumazaki Geri, which he learnt from Arakaki Ankichi. In my small days there were many holes in my home, made by my father with this extraordinary kick. It was funny to me as a small child. But, today I know it’s an unbelievable ability. My father was truly an incredible person with strong body, mind and spirit.
Q: At last Sensei what can you tell our readers? A: I’m happy to be in Sri Lanka and conduct Karate and Kobudo Seminars. I promise to give you technical support in the future continuously.
Q: Domo Arigato Gozaimazta Sensei.
Sensei Indishe Senanayake (Kyudokan Sri Lanka Representative), Arvind Bhopi (India), Vijay Tambadkar (Ryukonkai Indian Representative), Roman Berny (Kyudokan Czech Republic), Hanshi Oscar Higa, Sensei Arun Bodake (Kyudokan Indian Representative), Vinayak Sakpal (India) & Rahul Kamble (India) at Higa Sensei's Sri Lanka Seminar Series - 2005.
