Interview with Masafumi Shiomitsu
9th Dan Hanshi

Shiomitsu Sensei has been coming to Bridgwater for nearly thirty years as part of his annual instructional visits both in the UK and around the world.
During his recent visit Budo Juku instructor Arthur Meek conducted an informal interview with Shiomitsu Sensei who was happy to answer a few questions.


Arthur Meek: Sensei you have just returned from Japan to see the world karate championships, what were your impressions?
Shiomitsu Sensei: Yes Kobayashi Sensei kindly bought me a ticket so I was glad to visit. I can say there were only one or two outstanding fighters; unfortunately many fighters were just bouncing around for a long time waiting to attack instead of making an effort to create an opportunity. Even the Japanese (who are known for their aggressive style-Arthur Meek) seemed to just wait until near the end of the three minutes before trying to win. The Kata too was a little over-dramatic, for example holding a ki-ai / kime position for a very long time. Some of the applications were interesting but some were too theatrical, it reminded me of Kabuki theatre. However, I did enjoy myself because there were some good competitors and I met up with some old friends too at the contest.

A.M: Did you get chance to go to any dojos?
M.S: No, not this time but I was in Japan back in the summer and was invited to the Nihon University summer camp where I enjoyed watching the classes train. I taught a couple of times. The students in Nichi Dai are training very hard again because former All Japan winner Shimizu is now coach and he is very strict. Before he took over the classes the students had become a little slack but his method is very, very tough. Good to see but sometimes I feel for them! Anyway I taught them some Tai sabaki movement but they found it a little difficult. I see that they are very fast but their fighting attitude is a little basic, a bit like ‘I hit you before you hit me’. It reminds me of that fairground game where you hold a hammer and hit the moles that pop up at random. Fighting is more than just this attitude, there should be more intellectual body shifting. I was impressed with the first year students, they had a lot of guts so I told them to fight anyone and don’t be afraid to hit, so I hope to see them again when they will be stronger.


A.M: Sensei your instruction these days is so much focussed on relaxed training, or relaxed power, can you explain this?
M.S: Well this practise has come from Jiu Jitsu in which the founder of Wado Ryu Ohtsuka Sensei had spent so long training. Even though Ohtsuka was very strong he also had a relaxed method to his movement. For example in Kihon Gumite No.1 I always thought the second defensive movement was just Tai sabaki to avoid the punch and block, but when he blocked my arm I felt so much power and I realized he didn’t just turn his body but he also dropped his weight into the block too. I hadn’t noticed this before because he seemed so relaxed. Also this Jiu Jitsu relaxed method was adopted by Ken Jutsu practitioners because they too needed to be relaxed while fighting with the sword to make small movements subtle but effective, and deadly.

A.M: Ok sensei here are a few quick questions that are a little more personal. What is your favourite food?
M.S: Fish! I love sushi, of course there are other dishes I like but good sushi is the best.

A.M. How about music?
M.S. Japanese Enka, it is usually music with a story, sometimes sad. But I also like Country and Western and some soul music.


A.M: Favourite television programmes?
M.S: I like comedy. Alf Garnet was my favourite many years ago. I didn’t understand at the time so much about what was said but he was so funny. Another favourite of mine was Morecambe and Wise, good honest fun.

A.M: Sensei thank you for your time for this brief interview and thank you for your training this evening
M.S: My pleasure, thank you.



SHIOMITSU SENSEI

Wado Ryu Karate was the conception of its founder Hironori Ohtsuka. Much is already written and recorded of his history and ideas…
Born in Kagoshima, Kyushu in Southern Japan Masafumi Shiomitsu 9th Dan Hanshi joined Nihon University Karate Club in Tokyo at the age of eighteen and graduated from there over four years later. His standard of Karate, particularly his fighting, enabled him to be chosen to visit the UK in 1965. Along with other senior instructors he assisted Tatsuo Suzuki with teaching throughout the country.

Shiomitsu Sensei, despite his early days as a young fearless fighter, has evolved into a Wado pioneer. His innovative teaching methods and demonstrations of relaxed power are testimonies of his own research into today’s Wado Ryu Karate. His loyalty to Ohtsuka’s ideas and concepts has not jaded his ambition to bring other things to the Wado table. Change? I call it development.

His ability to bring Kata technique alive is second to none and the old fighting spirit of his younger days is never far away. I think it’s fair to say he has mellowed somewhat but don’t take that as a sign of weakness in any way.

In 1989 Shiomitsu formed the WadoRyuAcademy in order to continue his beliefs of practising Wado Ryu Karate untainted by other influences. The WadoAcademy is a member of Wado Ryu Japan, headed by Grandmaster Hironori Ohtsuka 2nd , son of the original founder of Wado Ryu Karate Do. The WadoAcademy is now a worldwide organization and Shiomitsu Sensei travels to the member countries regularly to uphold his standard and philosophies.


Brad gets 4th dan from Shiomitsu Sensei