Something old teaches us something new

The Art of Hojo Undo changed my life. Really it did.

For the over three decades I have studied karate, I had only used real, traditional training equipment a handful of times. It was not something that one saw a lot of in most dojo that I went in. Sure, everyone had a heavy bag. And some had a form of makiwara or another.

But there were a whack of training tools that many traditional karate folk in North America - nay perhaps the world outside of Okinawa or Japan proper - have never touched. Sad, really. I have seen traditional and non-traditional dojo with chishi, but not everyone knows how to use it properly. Nor is it worked into regular training in any meaningful way.

Girlie man? Not in the least, but Arnie likely never did a
lot of work on a makiwara, either.
(image used without permission)

It is something, however, that I have wanted to reconnect with within my own training. Now, some may argue that the same or similar results can be acquired by using modern weightlifting equipment. One can build one's muscles just as easily by going to a gym and working different muscles groups on various machines. This is true to a point, sort of 'different tool, same job' theory.

The same can likely be said about frying an egg on a car engine. Or using a hammer to sink a screw into a wall. Not the most effective or efficient way to do things, but it can get the job done nonetheless. If one want specific results, one should use the equipment that is designed for the job. One of the key goals of using hojo undo tools to train muscles is that they are used to strengthen them rather than build them. Practical strength training is the goal, not bulking up.

Some of the training equipment at the Kodokan dojo
(image used without permission)

While people often connotate hojo undo tools with Goju-ryu, they are not exclusive to this style. While not all ryu-ha use all tools, it is a safe and prudent thing to say that all systems use some tools in the course of their training to improve aspects of technique that are specific to their core system. Nagamine Shoshin's book discussed training tools and clearly shows students working with training tools, but does not show the types of techniques they performed. I remember watching footage from the 60s of people training with different tools. It was something to behold.

Some of the tools commonly used in hojo undo (roughly translated means supplementary exercises) are the chishi (a weight, often made of concrete attached to a pole), ishi sashi (stone weights resembling a lock), nigiri game (weighted jars), tetsu geta (weighted sandals), tou (bunched bamboo), kongoken (a metal ring originally used by Hawaiian wrestlers) and makiwara. Clarke's books shows people how to make and use them as a means of rediscovering a dying aspect of Okinawan karate.

At the feet of the master: hojo undo should be as much a
part of our goju training as doing Sanchin.
(image used without permission)

"Dying," you may say, "isn't that going a little far?" Not when people have lost the purpose and meaning to some of the tools or the usefulness they play in developing technique. Some people see the makiwara as being used solely for building callouses on knuckles. Yet, if you have done any extensive reading on makiwara training, you would know that such is a by-product of using the equipment, not the goal. It should be used to develop timing, power, speed. If you can't close your hand for a couple of days after the first time you use a makiwara, maybe that isn't the way they should be used. And within Okinawan karate, perhaps the only time one is likely to see or use tools is if they go to Okinawa. So, just like our karate itself, why would we abandon that training once we return to our home dojo? If you've never picked up a chishi and worked through a series of the exercises, focusing on your breathing, sinking and contraction and expansion of muscles, then, buddy, you don't know what your karate training is missing!

Now, I am far from an expert on the subject. Compared to the Okinawan masters who still use the equipment, I am a more than a neophyte. Compared to men like Clarke Sensei, my usage can only be described as 'pales in comparison.' But, I am making up for lost time. And so is my dojo. Will it make my students better karate-ka? To quote Sarah Palin:  youbetcha!. Will it make us invincible and all-powerful in comparison to all other Goju practitioners? Come on now, let's get realistic. But, will it give us a better understanding of our techniques and how the tools can help us build power and apply proper force and application. I must give a hearty yes!

My dojo's ever-expanding hojo undo collection

The tools also help build flexibility and speed. Toss the tetsu geta on and try to kick and you'll be able to tell very quickly whether your balance off or not. Still not convinced? Get into some kongoken exercises with a partner and your legs will scream and your heart will almost thump out of your chest. Let some weight roll on your arms when working with chishi or tan and somehow those bruises you get in partner drills or kihon undo won't seem so bad anymore. Working with the tools properly will also build up resistance to injury as well. Your shoulders, for example, will thank you when you are working with ishi sashi and you remember to keep your lats engaged and elbows in the right place.

The great thing about the age we live in is that there are tons of resources available to people if they know where and how to look. As I mentioned, Clarke Sensei discusses how to build the tools and provides a handful of examples of exercises to work with. But there are others books as well that have information on how to use the tools. There are videos available (in Japanese, mind you, but movement is movement - a universal language!). And, of course, poke around on Youtube and you can likely piece together a regimen of dos and don'ts from the collection of homemade video there.

Each one of these items has a story to tell
and physical wisdom to impart -
TAKE THE CHALLENGE! 

In the coming weeks, I will be posting some videos of exercises that I teach in my dojo. Again, I am not an expert with the equipment, but I can hopefully inspire some of you to start working with this equipment and recapturing an aspect of training that we outside of Okinawa have seemingly lost along the way. My thought is, was and will always be: if it was good enough for the masters of old, why am I not doing it? As always, your thoughts, comments and observations are encouraged.