Brunel Kobu-Jutsu Karate Dojo

Yamanaka Sensei has been bestowed with title of "Kyoshi" (1986) by the Japanese Governing Body For Rank Certification, signed by the late uncle of the Emperor of Japan and former Prime Minister. ("Kyoshi" is the license grade of master instructor).

Personal student of and appointed Canada's Chief Instructor (Shibucho) for Okinawan Goju-Ryu by the late Ei'ichi Miyazato Hanshi, World Headmaster - Jundokan Goju-Ryu.

Yamanaka Sensei, is a full time martial arts teacher. He has devoted his life to teaching others traditional martial arts. He has trained and been highly ranked in numerous martial arts. On many occasions, the different levels of government have presented him with various awards for his service to the martial arts community.

His martial arts training began over 40 years ago, when he studied Southern Shaolin Chuan Fa under Sigung Chong Oi Mun who had studied this system in China under Li Sai Wing in the 1950's.

Once receiving his Kempo Menkyo, Yamanaka Sensei began his career as a martial arts professional. Through the 1960's he studied other forms of martial arts and eventually met Wally Jay Sensei, in 1970, at the dojo of Frank Hatashita, one of the oldest jujutsu / judo dojos in Toronto, Canada. Wally Jay Sensei was a student of Okazaki Sensei who was the founder of Danzan Ryu. (Jay Sensei also founded his own school called "Small Circle Jujutsu"). This meeting sparked an intense flame of interest in traditional jujutsu, which he pursued relentlessly over the next three decades. Part of this pursuit of knowledge was travelling to various jujutsu dojos around the world and/or bringing the shihan from these schools to his own dojo so that he and his yudansha could directly train with them.

While training in jujutsu, Yamanaka Sensei was an active international martial arts competitor, like Shintani Sensei before him. During one particular tournament in 1973 he met Shintani Sensei, after having competed against another black belt for the championship in kata. Yamanaka Sensei performed a Kempo (Chinese) kata and his opponent a Japanese kata. Yamanaka Sensei lost to his opponent. Immediately afterwards, Shintani Sensei approached Yamanaka Sensei and stated, "You should have done a Japanese kata." Thereafter, Yamanaka Sensei became a personal student and close friend of Shintani Sensei's. This led to Yamanaka Sensei becoming part of the wonderful tradition of Shindo ryu, Wado Ryu , jujutsu and the kuden associated with all.

Another tradition followed by Yamanaka Sensei was his encouragement and direction for a few of his chosen senior yudansha (black belt holders) to research the traditional jujutsu arts of Japan. This direction was based on an ancient practice known as musha shugyo (warrior pursuit of knowledge). This entailed the examination of numerous modern and historic documents. As well, some began studying other jujutsu ryu. This was a common custom in days of yore as it helped strengthen a school's art by introducing diversity or, at the very least, being aware of what the others were doing. This modern adaptation of an antiquated custom resulted in several long and ongoing relationships including Michael LaMonica, Kaiden Shihan San Dai Kichu of Hakko Ryu Jujutsu amongst many others.

Miyazato Sensei
During his studies of the martial arts, Yamanaka Sensei studied in Okinawa directly under Eichii Miyazato Sensei and attained the rank of Hachidan (8th Degree) in Okinawan Goju Ryu (Jundokan) Karate and was designated the Canadian chief instructor (Shibucho) of the Jundokan. Miyazato Sensei was also a student of Shoko Itokazu and held a shichidan (nanadan) in Judo. As well he practiced jujutsu (specifically Keisatsu Gijutsu) as evidenced by his tenure as the Chief Self Defence Instructor at the Police School. Yamanaka Sensei's interest in the hidden jujutsu bunkai in Goju is evident in his teaching.

We at Brunel are privileged to have direct lineage through Yamanaka Sensei, we continue to strive for excellence as shown to us by Yamanaka Sensei.

Sigung Yamanaka's Shaolin Lineage is as follows:

Shihan Yamanaka's Goju-Ryu Lineage is as follows:

Higaonna Kanryo Sensei
(Founder of Okinawa Karate)
|
Miyagi Chojun Sensei
(Founder of Goju-Ryu)
|
Miyazato Eiichi Sensei
(Founder of Jundokan)
|
Shihan Yamanaka
(Founder of YKKF)

Shaolin History

Lam Sai Wing (a student of the renowned Wong Fei Hung), was a pork butcher by trade, which gave him the less than flattering nickname; 'The Butcher of Canton'. Lam was born in the Nam Hoi district of Kwangtung in 1861 and had many different teachers but stayed longest with Wong Fei Hung. He lived to see the end of the Ching dynasty and even taught martial arts to the Republic of China's army. When he retired he moved to Hong Kong where he taught Hung Gar until his death in 1942.

Lam Sai Wing passed his knowledge of Hung Gar to many students, including Li Sai Wing. It was this man, who originated our style. One source says that Li Sai Wing felt that Hung Gar was developing counter to how he was - so he extrapolated key elements from Hung Gar and developed the Ng Ying Kune system. Keeping the five animal forms (including the powerful Fu Hok Sheng Ying Kune - or Tiger Crane), the advanced tiet hsin kune form, as well as two weapon forms (sword and spear), Li Sai Wing cropped out what he felt was inessential, thereby developing a highly specialized martial arts system.

Sigung Chong Oi Mun, a student of Li Sai Wing, was the first to bring this incredible art to Canada. However, this undertaking was not without its share of trial and tribulation. At the time he started teaching, Kung Fu's reputation had been tarnished - as it had become associated with the Triads - the Chinese Mafia. On the other hand, Karate had no such negative ties - and was considered to be good for discipline. In order to build up a student base, Chong Oi Mun taught a Karate system to beginners and as the serious students progressed, they would learn the art of Shaolin. This combination of Karate basics and Shaolin flow has culminated the very unique Ng Ying Kune form we are taught today.

Each of the forms in Ng Ying Kune is a complete system unto itself. Each animal style, for example, develops various aspects of the body and spirit: The Leopard teaches agility and strength. The Dragon shows you inner spirit and how to ride the wind. The Tiger strengthens the bones and muscles. The Crane is a form of vitality, endurance, balance and precision counter attacks. Lastly, the Snake pulls them all together, building chi energy, accuracy, and timing. In addition, each animal form has its own strategy of combat - the Leopard, for example, is particularly effective against smaller opponents. Tiet Hsin Kune trains the body to open and close, and float and sink. Most importantly, this form develops the twelve bridges and the correctness of breath. To further differentiate between Ng Ying Kune and Hung Gar, you can tell the difference between the two types of practitioners in how they chamber their hands; a Hung Gar student chambers low, while an Ng Ying Kune student chambers high.

It is generally believed that Wong Fei Hung was in his peak during the mid 1860's. Lam Sai Wing would then have taught in the 1890's and Li Sai Wing in the 1930's. Sigung Chong Oi Mun started teaching Sigung Yamanaka in the early 60's.

Hundreds of students have trained with Sigung Chong including Nat Sensei. Very few of these students have remained faithful to Sigung Chong's teachings. One in particular has devotedly trained Ng Ying Kune for 30 some years. This man is Sigung Yamanaka. It is he who is responsible for keeping the faith. We owe him our gratitude for having keeping this system alive.


	Brunel Karate is a proud member of the YKKF
	www.ykkf.org

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