CHOP TALK: Karate | Martial Arts | Okinawa | Japan

CT025 Ezra Scott (Part 2 of 2)

My good friend, Ezra Scott,  head instructor of McLain's Kosho School of karate in Nashville, TN returns this week.   A couple of weeks ago, Ezra and previous Chop Talk guest, Neil Stinson stopped by Cincinnati to work out for the weekend, and it was a good chance to sit down with Ezra and hear about some of his experiences in the martial arts.
In addition to karate, Ezra has also been training Ju Jitsu with Eric Silver of the Zanshin Dojo for almost two years. He recently competed in a One-on-One Inter Association Tournament, winning a gold medal in the heavyweight division.  
Ezra starts the show by talking about the history of Ju Jitsu from ancient Japan to the modern day, and after the first break he discusses the development of Brazilian Ju Jitsu.
In the second half of the show, Ezra talks about how modern Ju Jitsu has become specialized for ring fighting and the importance of keeping it practical for self defense. At the end of the show, we discuss about the value of getting experience in different martial arts and the importance of keeping in mind the "context" of what you are doing.
For those of you interested in learning more about Ezra Scott, and McLain's Kosho School of Karate you can visit www.koshokarate.wordpress.com
To learn more about Ezra's Ju Jitsu teacher Eric Silver, visit www.zanshindojonashville.com

CT024 Ezra Scott (Part 1 of 2)

Today's guest it the head instructor of McLain's Kosho School of karate in Nashville, TN, Eand only the 4th person promoted to black belt by Karate Legend, James McLain, my good friend Ezra Scott.  Regular listeners may remember Ezra's voice from some of last month's Nashville episodes. A couple of weeks ago, Ezra and previous Chop Talk guest, Neil Stinson stopped by Cincinnati to work out for the weekend, and it was a good chance to sit down with Ezra and hear some of his experiences in the martial arts.
At the beginning of the show, Exra talks about his upbringing, He then shares a fight story that didn't go so well for him, and how that made him want to get serious about the martial arts.
In the second half of the show, he talks about how he came to meet his teacher, James McLain and how he had to overcome severe psoriasis to continue his training.  At the end of the show, Ezra starts discussing his new passion, Brazilian Ju Jitsu.
In next week's show we  go more in depth into the history and development of Ju Jitsu from ancient Japan through the modern day, and Ezra breaks down the different branches of ju jitsu that are becoming popular today.

CT023 Tommy Awad Jr and Travis Volz

This week we continue to clear out the archives with a show recorded in March of last year with Tommy Awad Jr. and Travis Volz. Tommy starts off the show talking about his uncle, Shuri Ryu Chief Instructor Mike Awad. I then get distracted and complain about the cable company for a while before Tommy and Travis raid my book shelf. We then get into Bonsai before wrapping up with a few stories about finding people in your apartment when you don't expect them.

CT022 Imtiaz Abdulla and Miwa Kanazawa

Today we have an informal episode that I recorded during a ride to the airport with Imtiaz Abdulla and Miwa Kanazawa.
Imtiaz Abdullah is the director of the International Kenbu Kai Karate Kobudo Organization, based in Johansburg, South Africa. He is also the former Vice President of the World Karate Federation,  former President of the African Karate Union, and he is the head of African Koshiki Karate Federation, and Koshiki Karate Association of South Africa. In recent years, he has been working diligently to bring traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu to South Africa.  Which was the main purpose of Yoshio Kuba's trip.
Miwa Kanazawa is a good friend, former coworker, fellow jo-do ka, and student of Goju Ryu instructor Yoshio Kuba. She was also the translator for the trip and a guest on previous episodes of Chop Talk
Mr. Abdulla opens the show by discussing the impact that Sensei Kuba's visit is having on the karate ka of South Africa, we then discuss the history and origins of Goju Ryu, before Sensei Abudulla shares a few stories about some of his martial arts instructors. At the end of the episode we talk about tournaments and politics as they relate to traditional Okinawan karate.

CT021 Neil Stolsmark (Part 2 of 2)

Today is the second half of my interview with the director of Authentic Ancient Arts,  in Waukesha, WI,  Kyoshi Neil Stolsmark

Mr. Stolsmark has traveled extensively to study, demonstrate, compete, and teach the martial arts  throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and Okinawa.

Mr. Stolstmark currently holds the rank of  8th Dan in Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan, and is a  student of Shugoro Nakazato.  He is also a practitioner of Matayoshi Kobudo, and  the president of the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai and has been appointed the successor of his teacher, Sensei Yoshiaki Gakiya.

At the beginning of the show, Mr. Stolsmark talks about his 2 upcoming seminars, "Kobudo Friendship Gashuku" in  October, and the "Warrior Gasshiku" in June of Next year. He then talks about the history of Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan karate and how different branches of Shorin Ryu in Okinawa developed from the teachings of Chosin Chibana. We also discuss the history of weapons arts in Okinawa, specifically Matayoshi Kobudo and his teacher Yoshiaki Gakiya.  Afterwards, we compare notes on the different village martial arts, which you can still see in festivals around rural Okinawa. We wrap up the show by talking about WW2's lasting effects on Okinawa.

Mr. Stolsmark will be holding the 5th Annual 'Kobudo Friendship Gasshuku" Seminar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,from October 17th-19th.

And from June 11-14 of 2015, Mr. Stolsmark will hold his annual "Warrior Gasshuku" Seminar. Where he will be hosting the head of the Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan style, 10th Dan Minoru Nakazato.

For those of you interested in learning more about Mr. Stolsmark and his dojo, or to register for the seminars, you can visit www.authenticancientarts.com.

CT020 Neil Stolsmark (Part 1 of 2)

Last weekend I stopped by Authentic Ancient Arts,  located in the downtown of Waukesha, WI.
The director of the school is Kyoshi Neil Stolsmark, who has traveled extensively to study, demonstrate, compete, and teach the martial arts  throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and Okinawa.

Mr. Stolstmark currently holds the rank of  8th Dan in Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan, and a student of Shugoro Nakazato.  He is also a practitioner of Matayoshi Kobudo, and  the president of the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai and has been appointed the successor of his teacher, Sensei Yoshiaki Gakiya.

At the beginning of the show, Mr. Stolsmark talks about how he got started in karate and kobudo, before talking about his competition career and his signature cartwheel kick. In the second half of the show, he talks about his travels to train and teach,  before discussing the proposal for the new Budokan in Okinawa.

From October 17th-19th, Mr. Stolsmark will be holding the 5th Annual 'Kobudo Friendship Gasshuku" Seminar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

From June 11-14 of 2015, Mr. Stolsmark will hold his annual "Warrior Gasshuku" Seminar. Where he will host the head of the Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan style, 10th Dan Minoru Nakazato.

For those of you interested in learning more about Mr. Stolsmark and his dojo, or to register for the seminars, you can visit www.authenticancientarts.com.

CT019 Breakfast with Neil Stinson

Today I wrap up my trip to Nashville with an interview with Neil Stinson, who tested for black belt during my trip. We recorded the show the morning after his test  as Neil cooked pancakes. Neil starts off talking about how he prepared for the test and how he overcome major knee and ACL injuries in order to keep training in the martial arts.  We also discuss Geri Waza exercise, a basic form developed his teacher James McLain, developed to improve kicking techniques. A video of the exercise can be found on the Chop Talk Facebook page. At the end of the end of the show we discuss writing down your kata and other ways to help memorize forms.

CT018 Nashville Round Table

Today's episode is a Nashville round table. as Ezra Scott, Neil Stinson, Richard Garrett, and Andrew Wayne Moore  swap stories about karate and about their teacher, James McLain. Ezra starts off telling by describing when Phillip Keoppel realized "Jimmy" was special. Next, Richard and Andrew explain about kitchen karate.Then, they all share a few stories about a former member of the dojo with some unbelievable physical ability, tell a few tournament stories, and wrap up with a couple anecdotes about good friend of their dojo, karate legend Bob Yarnall.

CT017 On The Road - Pulling Into Nashville

Today's episode I continue on my road trip to Nashville to work out at James' McLain's Kosho School of Karate.  The episode picks up just as Richard Garret and I are pulling into town.

Richard talks about the country music scene in Nashville, and his own efforts to write and market country music.  I had a chance to listen to their songs, and they are great! I am sure you will be hearing them on the radio soon! Since they are in the process of marketing the songs, we couldn't include them in the show. However, Richard and his writing partners were nice enough to let us use the instrumentals as the bumper music, which you have heard in the show the last few weeks.

Richard shares a few more stories about his teacher, James McLain. at the end of the episode we talk about his work at the Nashville Children's hospital.

CT016 On The Road - With Richard Garrett

The next few episodes I recorded during my road trip to Nashville, Tennesee to work out at James McLain's Kosho School of Karate. But this karate road trip started before that, as Richard Garrett, one of Mr. McLain's longtime students rode the bus to Cincinnati to train for a week before riding back with me to Nashville.

While he was in town, Richard and I sat down at a coffee shop and discussed how we got started in the martial arts,  his experiences training with Sensei McLain, and some of our other experiences and the merits of good old fashioned karate road trips.

I had so many good conversations with many different people during my trip to Nashville, I decided to  experiment with the shows format for the next 2 weeks. I will be releasing 2 slightly shorter shows, one as usual on Sunday as well as another on Wednesday. 

CT015 James McLain (Part 2 of 2)

This week's show is a must listen for those of you who tuned in to the first half of my interview with karate legend James McLain.

Mr. McLain starts the show by opening up about his difficult childhood, describing how he has been on his own since he was 9 y ears old. He goes on to talk about Elvis losing Priscilla to her karate teacher, Mike Stone , and trying to prevent Elvis from doing something drastic. He wraps up the first segment by talking about teaching for Cecil Patterson in Nashville in the 1960s.

After the break, Mr. McLain speculates about what the Okinawans would think about his dojo, and we discuss Morio Higaoonna and the state of Goju Ryu in Okinawa.

In the second half of the show, Mr McLain tells a sweet story about introducing Shuri Ryu Chief Instructor Robert Bowles to his wife Sandy.  He goes on to talk about giving up his school, car, and everything he owned t to join the army - only to be turned away and left with nothing.

At the end of the show, he tells a few stories about his friends Ross Scott and Glen Keeny, before we leave for the official dojo hang out, the Spring Water. 

 

 

To find out more about Sensei McLain and his school in Nashville, go to www.koshokarate.wordpress.com

CT014 James McLain (Part 1 of 2)

Last week I traveled to Nashville to work out at the school of karate legend, James McLain. When you think of American martial artists who have been everywhere and done everything, you think of James McLain. Mr. McLain was on his own since he was 9 years old, he traveled to Peoria, IL with an uncle and found something that he could be a part of in the martial arts. He started training with Phillip Koeppel in 1960 at the age of 15, eventually living in the dojo. He was appointed by Grandmaster Trias as the Roving Chief Instructor of the USKA, and has traveled and trained in every corner of the US.
Mr. McLain open the show talking about how he got started in the martial arts while working at the Snow Cap Root Beer Stand in Peoria, IL. He goes on to talk about his school in Kansas City and teaching Kansas City Chiefs players and professional ballet dancers. He opens the second half of the show by talking about his friend Jim Harrison, his student Dr. Mel Wise, and meeting the Awad brothers. He closes the show with a story about his teacher, Phillip Koeppel, sending him to Arizona to train with Grandmaster Trias. This was the first connection between the Mr. Koeppel's school in Peoria and the USKA headquarters in Phoenix.
To learn more about Sensei McLain's story and his school check out www.koshokarate.wordpress.com

CT013 Miwa Kanazawa (Part 2 of 2)

This week's episode is another African Edition of Chop talk. The guest is my good friend, fellow Jo-Do Student, and former co-worker Miwa Kanazawa. Miwa is a karate student of Goju Ryu master, Yoshio Kuba in Okinawa City, Okinawa.  Miwa was the translator for Kuba Sensei's karate tour of South Africa (Organized by Imtiaz Abdulla), and they were gracious enough to let me tag along.
At the beginning of the episode Miwa and I begin the show talking about the Okinawan Karate Encyclopedia and the plans on translating it into English. Miwa then shares a story about smacking around a few American military guys that were getting a little to fresh with her friend. In the second half of the show, Miwa and I talk about our impressions of South Africa.

CT012 Miwa Kanazawa (Part 1 of 2)

This weekend I was on the road to Nashville, TN to work out at McLain's Kosho School of Karate.  There wasn't enough time to edit the recordings from this weekend, but you can look forward to an On The Road episode and an interview with karate legend, James McLain in the upcoming weeks.
This week's episode is another African Edition of Chop talk. The guest is my good friend, fellow Jo-Do Student, and former co-worker Miwa Kanazawa. Miwa is a karate student of Goju Ryu master, Yoshio Kuba in Okinawa City, Okinawa.  Miwa was the translator for Kuba Sensei's karate tour of South Africa (Organized by Imtiaz Abdulla), and they were gracious enough to let me tag along.
At the beginning of the episode Miwa and I talk about how we met and share a few stories about teaching at a Japanese high school. We go on to talk about our Jo-Do teacher Choushou Fukuhara. After the break, we discuss why karate will never be in the Olympics and the current state of karate in Okinawa. At the end of the show she tells a few good stories about her first teacher, Kanzo Miyahira.

CT011Richard Awad (Part 2 of 2)

Today is part 2 of my interview with Richard Awad, which we recorded the weekend before his incarceration. Richard begins the episode by talking about his teachers through the years including Victor Moore, James McLain, Phil Koeppel, and Robert Trias. He then goes on to tell some more personal stories about Grandmaster Trias and the man who taught him his very first lesson in karate, John Jelks. At the end of the show, Mr. Awad talks about his personal theory on the martial arts, the Theory of Sink.

CT010 Richard Awad (Part 1 of 2)

This week's guest, Richard Awad, is the younger brother of Shuri Ryu Chief Instructor Mike Awad.  The Awad brothers started training in Karate in June of 1966 and were joined a few weeks later by their youngest brother Tom.  They have been practicing karate together ever since. They have studied under Victor Moore, James McLain, Phillip Koeppel, and Robert Trias.
At the beginning of the episode, Richard talks about trying to find the toughest guy in Cincinnati to be their teacher. He goes on to talk about a horrific car accident that left him in a coma for 19 days, and how karate helped him survive the crash and with the recovery afterwards.
In the second half of the show, Richard describes how he had to adjust his life and his training to accommodate his injuries and how Yoga played a big part in that process. At the end of the show, he shares a funny story about running his bar, Big Ed's.

CT008 Randy Alley (Part 3 of 3)

This week I wrap up my interview with Randy Alley. In the first part of the show, Randy and I swap stories about our very different experiences in Vietnam, and Randy opens up about some of the difficulties he faced coming back from the war.  Randy goes on to share a few more skydiving stories before wrapping things up on a personal note and discussing how he met his wife Linda.

CT009 Tales from the Master with Michael Awad

This week's episode is with Shuri Ryu Karate Chief Instructor, Sensei Mike Awad.  Mr. Awad's list of teachers is a who's-who of martial artists, including Victor Moore, James McLain, Phillip Koeppel, and Grandmaster Robert Trias.  Mr. Awad has won more tournaments than we can list, and is widely regarded as one of the best kumite men in karate history.
Mr. Awad is somewhat of a modern day Choki Motobu, and has been in more fights and had to use his karate in real situations than virtually anyone else out there
This week's episode is a little more blood and guts than usual, as Mr. Awad shares stories about being arrested in Phoenix and bailed out by Grandmaster Trias, his ex-girlfriend "Mad Sue" almost killing Grandmaster Trias, a big brawl at the fireworks festival in Cincinnati, and finally a story that has been circulating in the martial arts world for years, the kickboxer at the dojo.

CT007 Randy Alley (Part 2 of 3)

Today's I continue my conversation  with my good friend and traveling companion Randy Alley. Randy is a railroad engineer, a former Marine, a certified jump master, and a former professional sky diver.  Randy and I have shared quite a few adventures together, traveling to Okinawa, Hawaii, and training together for over 10 years. 
In the first half of the show, Randy shares a few more skydiving stories.  In the second half, Randy and I compare notes on Okinawa in the 1960s compared to today, and then discuss the effect WWII had on the island.

CT006 Randy Alley (Part 1 of 3)

In today's episode I sit down with my good friend and traveling companion Randy Alley. Randy is a railroad engineer, a former Marine, a certified jump master, and a former professional sky diver.  Randy and I have shared quite a few adventures together, traveling to Okinawa, Hawaii, and training together for over 10 years.  In the first part of the show, Randy talks about how he started martial arts under John Hutchcroft, then discusses how we met.  In the second half Randy shares some observations about the Trias-Koeppel split before telling some very interesting sky diving stories.