Before I get to him the jujitsu master, let me tell you about a conversation I had with him concerning this matter.
His name escapes me at this time. He was a friend of John Bell. John and I were close friends and remained close friends until his death over a year ago.
John was the reason that I asked this particular question, but that’s another story.
Anyway! Back to the jujitsu instructor, John told me about an experience he had with him.
I asked the sensei what he knew about internal energy projection. He asked me not share what he was telling me because the training was dangerous. He said it was affecting his reality and sanity.
At some point he decided to stop that type of training. I know that some of you are inquisitive so I'll share a little what he told me.
One part of his training was to go to the well and pour a bucket of water on himself every morning regardless of the weather. Sounds simple doesn't it. I know you want to know more.
If you do what he did every day for a year, get back to me and I'll help continue you on this path.
He also referred me to the same person the other masters referred too. Like I said, I knew who he was... My instructors name was, Kazuo Sakura. Sakura was one of his highest ranking seniors. And (that's a another story, too).
The person the master referenced was master Hironori Ohtsuka.
He was a jujitsu master. In 1934 he converted the two arts together to create “”wado” Ryu karate. “The way of peace or the peace full way”. In 1972 Sensei Ohtsuka was awarded “Meijin” 10th Dan - title, by the Japanese royal family. This meant that he was the highest ranking master of all martial arts .The greatest of the greats.”
I first met master Otsuka, when I was training in Iwakuni 1957. He would come down from Tokyo to train us and check on the organization. I was new at the time and didn't get to much personal attention.
It was not until about the year 1968 that the first worldwide tournament was held in Los Angeles. Karate men from all over the world came to the event. When the old masters’ names were called out as they entered the floor of the coliseum all of the participants would bow. When Mr. Ohtsuka’s name was called everyone bowed, including all the old great masters.
When the event was over John Bell and I went looking for Master Ohtsuka. . It was easy to find Master Ohtsuka because when the place was empty he was standing there alone.
John and I were furious because he didn't speak English and didn't have a chaperone. This would never have happened in Japan.
Anyway as it turned out we spent the whole weekend with him. Of course we talked about karate and he showed us some things that perhaps few would ever experience.
He was a small quiet spiritual man. I remember saying to him in his hotel one night, why wasn't he upset when he was left stranded in the L.A Colosseum... Why was he so calm? He looked at us and gently said, “Didn't the two of you come to my aide”.
In that statement was the essence of the martial arts. He had no fear because he knew how he was connected to the universe.
He talked about the spirituality of the martial arts. He often said - when walking in the midst of danger I only see safety. He spoke about man’s battle with the ego: about the God within, breathing, harmony and vibrations. Having a conversation with him was like having lessons in life. Thank God that John Bell was with me because he spoke fluent Japanese. And he also lived in L.A so he knew where to go to entertain Ohtsuka sensei.
Over the years I had many more conversations with master Ohtsuka mostly by phone with an interpreter. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see him the time I was questioning all those other masters. We were in different parts of Japan at the time. I had a death in my family and had to return home.
However I did call him. We had long conversations and he did answer my question concerning making someone fall without touching them. But that's also another story”
Is summation, I shared with you the stories of two highly skilled masters. If they were in the U.S, they would be “grand masters” and in my opinion they would be way ahead of most. Even at their skill level they didn't consider themselves to be ”Grand Masters”.
Understand the mind set! In our country there are many grand masters. To be a 10th Dan (degree) means that you are perfect in the martial arts... Only a few would be granted that honor in Japan.
When the royal family of Japan gives you a title you must accept
Master Ohtsuka in 1972 was the first to be given the title of “Meijin”, teacher of teachers, master of masters. He held that title until his death, January 19, 1982.
I am honored to have known and to have trained under him...
I am honored to have been his friend.
I am honored to be a student and a beacon of light to represent his linage of the “way of peace”.
Generally speaking, to be considered a master, you need to have twenty years or more training and fifty years or more of age. Masters sit under the grand master.
Bruce Lee was the grand master of the movie screen.
Sensei Ohtsuka was the Grand-master of real life.
I hope that I was able to give you a better understanding of what it means to be a “Grand Master”.
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