Karate Nerd, Jesse Enkamp, Explores the Roots of Karate in Okinawa | Season 1, Ep. 6
In this captivating video, Jesse Enkamp—also known as the Karate Nerd—travels to Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate, to delve deeper into the roots of this martial art form. Uploaded on January 19, 2017, the video is part of a series that Jesse has embarked on to explore the history, philosophy, and culture of traditional Okinawan Karate and Kobudo. As of now, the video has garnered over 100,192 views.
The episode details Jesse’s journey as he walks through Okinawa, showcasing its rich cultural heritage. Beginning with observing a local sumo wrestling practice, Jesse moves on to the famous Funakoshigen monument, built in honor of the founder of Shotokan Karatedo, Funakoshigichin. He shares his unique interpretation of the phrase inscribed on the monument, translating it as “There is no first attack against karate.” Jesse’s interpretation emphasizes the importance of a Karate practitioner’s readiness to defend themselves and their loved ones.
Jesse’s tour of Okinawa also includes a visit to a renowned pottery district where he takes part in crafting ceramics. His journey leads him to one of the most famous cemeteries in Naha city, where he pays tribute at the tomb of legendary karate expert, Matsumura Sokon, also known as Bushi Matsumura.
In the latter part of the video, Jesse trains at the dojo of Higa Masaharu, a 9th dan Shorin-ryu practitioner. Jesse learns a new kata, Myoshuken, unique to this specific dojo. His experiences here embody the spirit of Karate, combining the physical and mental aspects to hone one’s skills.
This video offers a beautiful portrayal of Jesse’s explorations in Okinawa and his deep insights into the philosophies and practices of Karate. Going beyond just the physical aspects, he delves into the cultural and historical roots that form the foundation of this martial art. An enlightening watch for any Karate enthusiast, this video highlights the extent of Jesse’s passion and dedication to Karate.
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Spotlight on Jesse Enkamp: The Karate Nerd
Jesse Enkamp, often referred to as the Karate Nerd, is a highly respected figure within the martial arts community. As a 3rd dan black belt, Enkamp is known for his impressive skills, profound wisdom, and dedication to teaching others. Beyond his martial arts mastery, Enkamp is an accomplished author and popular YouTube personality, offering a blend of humor, practical advice, and deep insights into the philosophy of karate. An inspirational figure to many, Jesse Enkamp continues to spread his passion for karate worldwide, inspiring generations of martial artists.
Karate: The Art of Self Defense
Karate, a Japanese martial art, focuses on skill and mental discipline. It encompasses various kicking, punching, knee strikes, and defense techniques. Practicing karate improves not only physical strength but also cultivates self-confidence and self-discipline. The philosophy of karate emphasizes respect, honesty, and perseverance, extending its influence beyond physical training into personal and ethical development. Karate includes kata, specific patterns of movement, and kumite, sparring that tests a practitioner’s understanding of these movements in real combat situations. Whether for self-defense or personal growth, karate offers a path to physical and mental enhancement.
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The History of Japanese Martial Arts: A Focus on Okinawa
Japanese martial arts, or ‘Budo’, find their roots in the warrior traditions of the samurai and the caste system that limited the use of weapons by other social classes. Owing to its rich history and cultural diversity, Okinawa, an island in Japan, has a distinctive place in the world of martial arts. Okinawa is the birthplace of Karate, one of the most popular martial art forms worldwide. Developed from the indigenous martial arts of Ryukyu Islands, under heavy influences of Chinese martial arts, Karate saw significant growth in Okinawa in the early 20th century.
All 8 episodes can be found on my website: http://bit.ly/2iW7yCm 😊
I have to say my friend, I've been a practitioner of Okinawan Goju Ryu karate since i was 9 years old. I don't have a religion, but karate has been the closes I've come to say that karate has been my religion all my life.
I'm now 45. I would remove at least 70% of the stuff I used to obssessively train with hardened black belts. Karate is where you start. MMA is where you progress to become a much better fighter.
Katas are a complete waste of time, other than to perhapse keep the cardio going, or to get good at….katas.
You get good at fighting by….fighting.
My club, we did mostly randori, so we were actually really damn good at it. Especially after facing other clubs, we knew we were ahead of the curve. But even that isn't enough. You need to try out those techniques in a ring, and they mostly don't work, other than the basics!
I'd say shadow boxing is a million times better than doing a kata. Katas are so restristrictive, and stiff, and rather than moulding the form onto the practitioner to suit their body, energy and movement, they (the senseis) are hell-bent in acquiring the desired form. Katas are bad in the fact that they instil stiffness ratehr than a flow, and/or adaptation.
Chinese hand ?
Jesse, I took Isshin-ryu karate lessons for almost 5 years and then quit due to life related stuff, and now, a few years later, I'm getting back into it, but my dojo closed and I have no one to practice with. Your videos have helped me remember SOOOOO much, and I've been practicing stuff almost every day, especially Naihanchi kata, and I've been doing makiwara stuff, and doing arm-trapping moves on a dead tree with a short branch sticking out at about shoulder level.
Would you maybe do a video on ways you can get back into the hang of karate after years of not doing it, or maybe a video on how you can practice alone, since a lot of people are quarantined right now?
Just wanted to share my little story and give you a video idea!! Thanks for all the great videos!
There's no first attack against karate…
Top!
Ever heard of Gogen Yamaguchi (Goju Ryu), Peter Urban (USA Goju), Mas Oyama (Kyokushin)? Keep up the groundbreaking work
I think that when it is said that "there is no first strike in karate" it means that all traditional Martial Art is made for personal defense. in moral culture, a warrior who holds power does not fight. In other words, we never start a fight, we only use our art to defend ourselves and our loved ones.
Bushi = WarriorPoet
Osu
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience man
I really appreciate
Jesse I really enjoy your videos. I have one suggestion, I am a student of Shotokan Karate and just a thought. "There is no first attack in Karate" does not imply weakness, an attack is not necessarily physical, a first attack can be a threat to your family friends or yourself. I think that the term means be at peace with everyone, do not start trouble (There is no first attack in Karate). If trouble comes to you then it is your duty to stop it before it harms anyone. Just my humble opinion.
空手に先手なし is thought to mean there's no first attack in karate; karate practitioners shouldn't attack people first even if they are under a threat, and they should only attack back once they get attacked. This interpretation seems correct if you think about the fact that most, if not all katas start with blocks, and also the fact that especially Okinawan karate styles emphasise the importance of blocking and attacking at the same time. It's rather hard to believe に means against in this saying to be honest and I've never seen any Japanese person interpreting it like that. Having said that, practising with that mindset (practitioners should be ready all the time) can only be good in my opinion as well.
Will you make a video, so we too can learn that kata?!
Not a karate practitioner But am martial artist I enjoy ur videos I love being educated about martial arts history thumbs up
As someone new to finding Jesse, I like that while he did go to Okinawa primarily to show us all these old masters of the art of Karate, he is still out to have fun and be a tourist while not in the Dojo.
Old saying “ learning how to fight is much easier than learning what to do in between fights “
Interesting how religion and ceremonial practices described in your videos – including the grave/burial practice of an entire family inside a protected shell – are quite similar to how Europeans used to do things in pre-Christian times.
@Jesse I'm curious. The traditional Okinawan weapons to me looks like they are suited for self defense like the bo, tekko, tonfa etc. While some look like they were originally intended for police use like the sai. So I'm curious, what were the weapons that the Okinawans had when they were still independent and had a standing army? Did they also used swords, spears and bows? What did they look like and are they still practiced today?
Sunglasses brand?
It is a real privilege to witness Jesse's trips to Okinawa and China. And I received Karate Nerd email 5 today, with its long list of interesting websites and books. Jesse has given me a GREAT retirement hobby!
I loved hearing your interest in these different katas. My instructor is the founder of the “fallen tree” method. Aka Muso Kai karate :3
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Jesse you have trained under multiple master of karate. Do you have a style you prefer? I have trained in Shorin-ryu for 20 years and studied with shotokan and American kenpo. I personally prefer the old ways as I find they are actually more effective in a real life situation but would love to know your opinion?
did you say relax 😇
Incredibly well done Jesse! As an old student of Uechi Ryu, a long time ago, studying under Frank Gorman, I super enjoyed the content. It was great to see some of the variations, first hand, between those three main schools – Shorin, Goju and Uechi. Nicely done for what the Germans call a schnupfer Kurs….if I spelled it correctly.. Charlie
Can u send the karate nerd good bag
I dont even like Karate or any fighting at all. But Youtube Algorithm brought me to your channel and now i am loving your content xD
2:20 I legit thought you were about to say "in other words, STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY" lmao
Do you know who Shihan Eddie Emin is? Because my sensei was trained by him.
Good day. What is the name of the kata you performed?