First Arrival

When notified that I would be stationed in Okinawa, I became very excited. Having the chance to study in the native land of karate, was the chance of a lifetime. Although my experience in karate was very limited up to this point, I realized the significance of such an opportunity.

After arriving in Okinawa, I began to search for a dojo convenient to where I lived. (I was living off base.) Having no transportation made it difficult to travel very far, not so much because of the distance, but for the expense and inconvenience involved. Since this was Okinawa, I thought that any dojo would suffice and I visited a few dojos within a 5-mile radius.

After searching about two weeks, I noticed a fellow serviceman practicing kata. I questioned him, thinking that perhaps we could share a ride. He explained that he walked to the dojo which was located approximately I mile from the barracks. After getting directions, I realized that this dojo was in the same neighborhood that I lived.

The first night I visited the dojo to watch a class, I was very impressed with what I saw and asked to join. The instructor didn't speak much English at the time, but he did welcome me into his class through a translator.

My first experience was learning blocks and stances from one of the Okinawan blackbelt students, who could not speak any English. Even though we could not communicate verbally, I understood what he was asking me to do.

After that first night, things in my life began to change. Classes were held 7 days a week for the sum of $6.00 per month and as it turned out, this was much more of a bargain than I ever imagined. I had stumbled into the dojo of one of Okinawa's best fighters and most knowledgeable karate Masters, Taika Seiyu Oyata.

As time passed, many people came and went in the dojo. My relationship with Taika Oyata began to grow from teacher/pupil to more of the father/son relationship. As it turned out, his knowledge of the English language was very good, although he used a translator most of the time until he was sure I could understand him.

The karate knowledge that I witnessed was overwhelming. Even practicing everyday, it was difficult to learn even the most basic concepts, yet he never gave up always encouraging freethinking and hard training. From my very first contact with Taika Oyata, I knew that he was a most unique individual, although it was not until much later that I realized what he represented.

I asked questions while I was in Okinawa and I always got answers. Due to my lack of experience and understanding, I didn't always grasp the full meaning of Taika Oyata's words. I am just now beginning to understand the meaning of those answers he gave to me over 20 years ago.

I am sure that out of the hundreds of dojo in Okinawa, most of them have a colorful and rich history, but I don't think that I could have learned what Taika Oyata has taught me or what I can learn in the future. Most of the schools emphasize the importance of kata and train hard, but not in the same realm as Taika Oyata. To them karate seems to be more of an exercise containing only basic information or worse merely a sport.

I have spent many years, not only trying to study the kata, weapons and fighting techniques, but the way in which Taika Oyata executes them. It's not just the techniques, but the way in which he moves and delivers the strength and power that makes Taika Oyata a true technician.

I feel very fortunate to have studied in Okinawa, not only because of the one-on-one training I received, but the manner in which I had to learn. A language barrier forced me to look at the techniques more closely, because it was often difficult to explain in words what was happening. Words, especially in translation, can be vague and void. Actions tell the truth and do not have to be translated. The old saying, "the truth hurts", takes on a new meaning. In order to learn the truth, you must experience the pain.

When I first witnessed Taika Oyata's techniques, I felt as if he were performing magic. Taika Oyata demonstrates the epitome of fluid movement and economy of motion. It seems as if all of his techniques take little energy and effort, yet the effectiveness of the techniques is so overwhelming, that it feels as if he is using 10,000 times as much force.

Those of us who realize the importance of Taika Oyata's teachings and execution of techniques are indeed fortunate. I am grateful to him and to whatever fate, luck or circumstance that caused our paths to cross. I crossed a continent and ocean by chance to stumble across Taika Oyata. I am grateful that he is able to share his knowledge with others and me so that we can learn the true meaning of technique and ultimately the meaning of life.

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