剛柔会 Shuji Tasaki Hanshi Interview

Shuji Tasaki was well known as Gogen Yamaguchi's most compitent fighter having proven himself in the very first All Japan Karatedo Gojukai Championships in 1963 which was basically a days competition of knock-out, knock down, break bone and finish them matches. Having earned the cup for first place it set him as a target to be dealt with in the Dojo.

Today Shuji Tasaki Shihan is a much more easy going person. Still having the heavy and strong voice with a fatherlike teachers touch. He left Gogen Yamaguchi's organization in 1972 to form his own Seiwakai however today remains close to Goshi Yamaguchi and attends functions of the organization, including the JKGA 50th anniversary, as a senior and respected Sempai - Shihan. Today he is Hanshi of Gojuryu Karatedo Seiwakai and one of the most senior members of the JKF Gojukai.

By Leo Lipinski Shihan

Leo Lipinski Shihan
Sensei, When and where you born?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Born January 20th 1933 – Tokyo. I began training in Gojuryu August 15th 1951 and am now the Vice Chief Director of Federation Gojukai and Official National Instructor for the JKF. (Japanese Karatedo Federation)

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What was Available when you started training?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
There was boxing, and other forms of karate, but schools where not rigidly organized. No particular names.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
Why did you choose Karatedo?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
There were many foreigners in Tokyo. It was for self-defense and strong fighting. There were many street fights and I wanted the ability to fight back.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
Which Ryuha did you begin with and why?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Yamaguchi Sensei was my first teacher, and the only teacher for me. Yamaguchi recognizes me as one of his few remaining students. I chose this style because of the chance. Former Gojukai in Asakusa. He was living there. He only had 6 - 8 students that Yamaguchi personally taught. I remember Nakaishi Sensei that was directly under Yamaguchi. I do not know where that Sensei is now. There where two other senior instructors - Motomasa Mayama and Kenichiro Onishi Sensei

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What was training like in those days?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Compared with now - it is heaven. In those days it was hell. Lessons are now more scientific. The first 8 - 10 months were of building the basics intensively and physical strength to be able to use the techniques as a good foundation. No Karatedo techniques were taught in the first 10 months.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What kind of basic training?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Jumping, sit up's etc. To the limit of endurance. Many fell. No fun and very few continued. Very few now take that kind of training.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What do you remember as a highlight?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Yamaguchi Sensei did everything with the students - even then. If I did this today, there would be no students. Learn how to breathe - A fundamental Karatedo technique. That is why at my age, I can be more then equal to the younger instructors.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
You won the First Gojukai Tournament, what are you views of tournaments then and now and how do you feel about the changes?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
The First Gojukai tournament [Shiai] was held in 1963/64 and I won the finals representing Tokyo. 2nd tournament [Shiai] was in Wakayama - I was 2nd place. Hirano Osamu Shihan of Wakayama won, he was three years younger.

In the same year at the second tournament, the Federation was born, asking not to have further tournaments until 13 years ago. Difference in kumite - No point system - then dojo style kumite and all the presently forbidden techniques were permissible. The Federation was formed in 1965 and instead of kumite - Point kumite was developed.

Gojukai - WADO RYU - SHITO RYU and SHOTOKAN made the Federation. I have had a preference for teaching the dojo kumite versus the point style. i.e. teach as he was taught. As long as one has mastered the Gojuryu kumite, the other can be adjusted. If trained in Gojuryu dojo kumite you can continue after reaching middle age. Point fighting would not result in this. If you lose your speed you lose your karate.

By application, Gojuryu dojo kumite gives you the edge, as it is not dependent on your youth. In Karatedo if you step back you lose everything. Side-stepping is good, younger have speed, older are slower. Therefore you must step in to receive. If you train only in modern karate, once you are passed 30 years your Karatedo is over.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What place do you see Karatedo having in the modern world?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Firstly, spiritually/mental strength. The real value for him today, without this, in this world of trifling things and conflicting values, it is hard to survive. It takes endurance to deal with a definite purpose and target.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
Have you ever since starting, had to defend yourself?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Countless times. These happenings were in my 30's and 40's - These years people tend to stay away - sensing the need to do so, they stay away from me instinctively.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
Who were your greatest rivals in kumite?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Even in kumite, the rivals were many of my seniors, because of the mental and spiritual pressure they give out. Mayama Sensei specifically. This is possible out of respect for their senior/ Sempai status. There has been no one among his contemporaries and juniors that he considers a particular rival.
Motomasa Mayama, Hanshi


DOB July 15, 1931-
1950
Started studying Gojuryu Karate
1954
Graduated from Chuo Univ.
1986
Acquired the grade Gojukai 8th Dan and the title Hanshi. JKF Gojukai.
1990
Became a chief director of Gojukai. Actively serves as a member of Gojukai Central Examination Committee.


Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Mr. Nishi and Mr. Kishi from Wakayama could have this position. They had very strong reputations. They did not attend either tournament [Shiai] in the early days, so we never found out how good they were. Even today the above two are still practicing in there own dojo's. Not really rivals, he wanted to emulate them 20 years ago. In KANSAI area, they still produce very good students. The gap has not been filled. The gap referred to is that Gojuryu started near Kyoto first, and has produced more and better students then the Tokyo area.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What are your favourite techniques?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Kicking, Haito and Ura-uchi

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What do you consider important in your teaching. ?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
My attachment to my students. I notice the difference and try to think of ways to improve each individual student. I also respect the individuality and character of each person and try to build them up mentally and physically.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
Each generation seems to have their own great karate players. Of your generation it was you and Yamamoto. Before and after, who were the special ones?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Ishihara, Sugimoto and Takahashi - my primary students. (Shuji Sakamoto is another however was a student of Goshi Yamaguchi and did not become a student at Tasaki Sensei Oshiage Dojo). Ishihara was exceptionally strong. There were 5 - 6 others but they no longer train.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What is the meaning of OSS?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Important Japanese Value. OSS = Endure and suppress yourself. Should not be used frivolously. Often asks people if they know what they are saying. It is an abbreviation of OSHI SHINOBU

Leo Lipinski Shihan
With regards to Gojukai as opposed to traditional Gojuryu, Can you tell us about your Ryu and how it differs?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Fundamentally, very little difference. If there is, it is the mannerisms of individual students acquired from there Sensei. There are unnecessary superficial differences. In older times Okinawa Goju had no kumite. Kumite was developed in Japan. Only recently started kumite in Okinawa. They also now do tournament [Shiai] kumite. GOJU dojo Kumite has a strong reputation for its effectiveness, especially in the days of the old school. Developed and contributed to by and the preservation has been, by all instructors. What has been preserved is the central idea of what it was in the early days, central to all styles. Miyagi Sensei originated Gojuryu, and the kumite is very close to the kata. Techniques should be applicable in kumite. We must remember the difference between mere kata forms and the actual use of techniques in combat and kumite.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What are the Japanese Federation Gojukai and the JKF?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Gojukai was formed in 1965 and joined the FAJKO (JKF- later) in the same year. The Gojukai was originally formed by Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei. After a few years Yamaguchi left - and the Gojukai continued as Renmei Gojukai. Ujita Sensei was the president. JKF is the official Karatedo body in Japan and Okinawa.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
What special incidents do you remember?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
Asakusa dojo - in the years after the war, were violent years. When a student was promoted to black belt, he was to go into the street; bow to the first person then hit him. If he went backwards it was no good. If he collapsed this was good. This of course cannot be applied today.

Leo Lipinski Shihan
To finalize the interview, what relationship if any is there between Seiwakai and the late Gogen Yamaguchi's IKGA group?

Shuji Tasaki Hanshi
None at all. As I told you, Gogen Sensei was always my only teacher. I was senior (Sempei) to Goshi his son. We still remain on friendly terms. Our organizations are totally different.