A legend in his own lifetime, Master Tani is a humble man whose youth was spent during the most harrowing period in his countries history. He founded and leads the Tani-Ha Shito-Ryu organization of Shukokai Karate. It was a great honor to meet and speak with him.
Kobe Japan, I have been studying Karate for fifty years.
No, only me.
Mr. Mabuni Kenwa - the most famous Karate teacher.
Karate has changed. Previously, students adhered to the code of ancient budo - no fighting. Nowadays, with the advent of sports Karate, championships predominate. I can't say that it is a bad thing - previously, there was a small, elite group doing Karate. Now, sport karate is for everyone. This may be a good or bad thing, but some of the serious meaning of Karate has been lost. Previously, Karate was used in real fighting, to defend oneself, now it is used for competition.
My senior students train in weapons but I do not train with them a lot myself. I put more importance on kata then weapon practice.
I always demonstrate the Kata "Suparimpai", one hundred and eight techniques.
Yes. Karate is excellent for health; everyone can benefit
In Japan, especially the children, I teach to become strong in character and to have good control over the self - not violence. I never advocate violent behavior.
Before and during the second World War, the Karate training was very, very hard. At that stage I thought to give up, but did not.
Karate is not just punching, kicking and blocking - that is technique. Karate is an art. Everyone should have a high goal and ideal. Strive for achievement; not low level but high level.
The interviewer would wish to thank Ken Johnson for arranging the meeting with Tani Sensei, and Tomiyama Sensei for acting as interpreter.
Shukokai Karate has a long lineage. This Kimura Shukokai Lineage chart shows a history of over 300 hundred years.