Karate Nerd’s Journey in Okinawa
In Season 2 Episode 5 of the YouTube series titled “KARATE NERD IN OKINAWA”, Jesse Enkamp, also known as the Karate Nerd, takes us through his explorative journey in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate. Uploaded on September 9, 2018, the episode has acquired over 82,407 views.
Experience with Matsuda Yoshimasa
Jesse begins the episode by meeting Sensei Matsuda Yoshimasa, an 80-year-old 10th degree black belt and the fourth generation of a family of sanshin makers. The sanshin is a three-stringed instrument that is the Okinawan version of the ‘shamisen’.
Taking us into Matsuda’s shop, Jesse is eager to observe the blending of martial arts and music. He highlights that many karate masters in Okinawa are also experts in other performing arts.
Matsuda not only makes his sanshin but also teaches lessons on it. Jesse gets to play one, creating a beautiful and unique moment in the episode.
The Karate Competition
The Karate Nerd then discusses his participation in a major competition in Okinawa, which he rehearses for at the Budokan, the prefectural hall of martial arts. He calls it “the unofficial world championships” and is expecting around 1,700 participants from 50 different countries.
Seminar Teaching Session
Jesse is also invited to teach a seminar alongside different Okinawan grandmasters. He shares his excitement about the seminar, where he will be teaching an Okinawan karate concept known as “meotode”. The seminar sees him instructing 100 participants, primarily from Australia and the UK.
On a lighter note, Jesse is gifted a boomerang from his students in recognition of his contributions and the hope that he will return. Touched by the gesture, he ends his teaching session on a high note.
Concluding Thoughts
Jesse Enkamp’s experience in Okinawa paints an insightful picture of the diverse ways karate is practised and manifested in its birthplace. It is clear that his journey, replete with the richness of Okinawan culture, martial arts history and fascinating interactions with legendary figures like Matsuda Yoshimasa, offers an enriching and educative experience. As he navigates the landscape of Okinawa’s martial arts, Jesse continues to share his passion for karate with the world.
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Jesse Enkamp: The Modern Karate Nerd
Jesse Enkamp is not your typical martial artist. Boldly breaking traditional norms and unleashing a fresh perspective on Karate, this self-dubbed “Karate Nerd” has used the digital sphere to catapult his passion into a global phenomenon.
Journey of a Maverick
Enkamp’s transformative journey, from a diligent child practicing karate kicks in his backyard to one of the most influential figures in modern martial arts, is nothing short of inspiring. His unique ethos of adaptability and innovation solidifies his status as a game-changer, reshaping the way the world sees and practices karate.
The Art of Karate
Karate, a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom, compels more than violence – it is discipline, strength, and spirit wrought into one.
Origins
The origins of Karate trace back to Okinawa, Japan, influenced by ancient Chinese martial arts. Its birth was a necessity, a form of self-defense during a time arms were banned.
Practice
Karate is methodical, requiring dedication to achieve elegance and efficiency in each strike, block, and stance. Practitioners spend years perfecting their art, developing not only combat skills but also character and resolve. It’s a constant journey of self-discovery and mastery.
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A Glimpse into Okinawa’s Rich Martial Arts History
The Okinawa region, fondly referred to as the birthplace of karate, holds a profound position in Japanese martial arts history. The region’s distinctive martial arts style evolved from the fusion of traditional Okinawan fighting techniques and Chinese kung fu. The Okinawan martial arts, developed for self-defense, emphasized vital point strikes and joint manipulations. Throughout hundreds of years, Okinawa served as a vibrant hub for martial arts evolution, giving birth to various styles like Goju-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu, and Shorin-Ryu. These styles continue to thrive in Japan and across the globe, marking Okinawa’s lasting legacy.
There’s a quote from somewhere:
If you want to be interesting, be interested.
This guy Jesse is interesting! He is interested. Let’s hear it for his karate teaching!
But also let’s hear it for what’s around his Karate:
-He is multilingual and fluent in 3 languages including knowing english with familiarity of english street expressions (slang). Except for his slight accent, you’d think he was raised in the USA the way he speaks.
-He’s a clear and crisp teacher and very motivating, A++++ for teaching ability
-He’s humble
-He’s funny
-He has deep wisdom
-His videos are high quality in storytelling when he travels
-He’s an excellent filmmaker, covering food, culture and history when visiting new locations
-He’s an excellent interviewer like a good journalist or philosopher
-He includes drones and music in his footage which adds to great filmmaking
-He’s an entrepreneur, starting his own Karate equipment line
-He manages social media with ease and connects it all together
-He’s a thinker which means not just having vast knowledge but wisdom too
When you do something as a skilled specialist, think how to develop your whole person, how to affect character. Jesse has done this.
This dude is interesting! And brilliant.
In gratitude, I practice my goju-ryu more because Jesse gets me excited to make it a way of life, to build my character.
Thank you for sharing Jesse! You’re a Light in the world. Keep that Torch lit.
I definitely saw you straining with that neck injury. I hurt myself bad enough sneezing while taking off my shirt bad enough that I’m about to have surgery on it. I hope that gets better for ya.
Thank you so much Jesse for mentioning that sweat protector that you’ve been using. I’ve been searching for it for a very long time since i transitioned my art from shito ryu to shotokan and the dojo of my shotokan class is using wood tiles which is a bit slippery for me compared to the rubber mats that ive been used to. Lol. Anyway, i hope you can also visit Philippines. There’s a ton of karate dojos here. Ossu!
You say coffee, but it's not really coffee.
Hi Jesse,
I'm so glad that I found you here on You Tube.
I understand your message and why you do not want to fit in one school or one society.You can never settle for less and be happy. I understand why you are keep seeking for better ways to improve your character and your overall performance in the dojo and out of it.
I salute you because you are an outsider and I'm one too.
Jesse, I my grandfather use to say, "you're a real mentch" haha… I recently started practicing karate again, after 20 years, and have discovered you and your channel, and i'm so glad I did! As for your last statement in this video, that mindset is EXACTLY why you deserve your success and much much more… hopefully our paths will cross in the future either in my home country (Israel) where you actually have a lot of followers, or Sweden 🙏 God bless man!
Un programa que por unos minutos te lleva a otro mundo, gracias Sensei Enkamp.
Your mindset during this experience is so good, I hope u will get to share a lot with a lot of people for a long time.
2:31 did he really just do some flatt & skruggs? 😂😂😂
Relative speed. And what kind of speed we need. Excellent insights.
"Today I am on my way to a local orphanage to spar with a Tokyo resident staying here in Okinawa who goes by the title, "Dragon of Dojima" I am very excited to see what he has in store for us."
Had to ring my therapist today about my new addication to karate nerd.
7:43 I know the kanji for fish and meat so I am good to go in terms of food tbh
Nice show
14:20 sensei why do we practice defense against this kind of straight punch. This punch is done only in karate and taekwondo. No one will punch like that in the street
14:31 Sensei why we punch like that in karate and taekwondo.( I am talking about the attacker)
I eat karage in fiesta chicken nugget hahaha. Nice documentary beside the training!
I subscribed to you
Anyone know where this club or style from Australia is who are attending the class?
"It doesn't matter what your grades are, or how much butt you can kick, nobody cares if you're an a$$hole"
Love it, well said Jesse-san! 😆
So you have some of the theory down. Interesting.We will see at ultimate self defense championship if your body is able to keep up. Seeing that you hurt your neck while sneezing does not surprise me, i wondered already at the beginning of the season how small your neck got. Strong neck muscles is a must have if you want to age as a fighter in health. Especially if you eat too much unhealthy food and not enough protein you can watch your body increase in inflammation and problems with your bones, even if you are cautious to stay sure your bones are aligned right by diverse yoga like and thai massage like exercises.
Your subtitles are all hand made right?
Block and counterattack at the same time reminds me of Krav Maga.