Sankujitsu Karate Budokai

The 'Style'

Quote from Lee:-
"Once I opened my own club in April 2007 my teaching immediately started to transform back to 'proven best-practice techniques' I don't just tell students to do a technique - I show them the effect of 'if you do it 'this' way - this happens, if you do it 'that' way - that happens'. The 'reverse hip-locking' as taught in Shukokai, the circular evasive techniques from Sankukai, combined with punching with the fist in the 'tate-zuki' (vertical) fist position all contributed to what was to eventually become, in November 2007, recognised as my own style called 'Sankujitsu'.

Not intended for tournament, Sankujitsu is a karate based self-defence system whereby the student is encouraged to adapt moment to moment to the situation in front of them.
I teach my students that in a self-defence situation to initially verbally dissuade then physically push their assailant back. Someone with intent will return and close the range to a fight, a 'kicker' will place 'their victim' at kicking distance - close him down (and use punches, knees and elbows), a 'puncher' will place you at punching distance
- use kicks to destroy him then move in & take him to the floor.

A perfect example of this is one my students, even as a green-belt would regularly take a 3rd Dan to the floor in Randori. Don't get me wrong the 3rd Dan was quick with punches & kicks but once you knew how to get through them and move into grappling range the guy just didn't have the experience. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion what would happen next. He maybe a 3rd Dan when he's standing up but you can wrap him up like a baby when he's on the floor.

I do have a few sayings: -

1. The person that controls the 'distance' in a fight is the person that controls the fight.
2. When you attack - go in quick but get back out quicker. Get back out of trouble faster than you got into it..
3. Use 'Tai sabaki' as strategic defence. There's nothing more demoralising to your attacker than to 'simply not be there' when they throw a technique. A far more powerful tool than a block."

I know myself from my own personal experience it can be a bit daunting walking into a karate club on your own for that very first time with a certain sense of apprehension not really knowing what to expect. We’ve all seen martial-arts clubs on the telly, in films, heard friend’s experiences, etc. and it’s too easy to fall into the trap of believing that they’re all ‘boot camps’ full of psychotic bullies that just get some warped gratification from fighting (that’s not to say that some aren’t of course…). The students of Sankujitsu Karate Budokai are all friendly, kind, polite and helpful. I pride myself on my students being of good character, pillars of society as well as able to ‘look after themselves’.

The training, particularly the techniques, is intense and focused but the atmosphere is friendly, sociable and relaxed. Any new student will be welcomed and treated as a friend. The spirit and camaraderie of the club is absolutely brilliant! Everyone gets along and helps each other.

The instructors don’t shout out commands like some kind of deranged military drill-sergeant nor do we march up and down the hall for hours on end punching and kicking into thin air all shouting (or ‘kiai-ing’) as if fighting imaginary opponents.

My personal view of techniques that are performed in such a way is that if the person performing the technique doesn’t decelerate the limb (arm [punch] or leg [kick]) towards the end of the technique then the impact-energy will stop within the joint. In time this will cause problems later on in life. …just speak to an old-hand martial-artist and you can guarantee that they’ll say that they have trouble with their joints (probably based on an old style of training…). If the technique/limb IS decelerated then the technique isn’t being trained properly. …With this in mind, techniques are trained on impact pads and kick shields.

Techniques are based on practicality and ‘usefulness’ ie. Things like flying kicks and acrobatics are not included in the lesson plan.

The training encompasses self-defence techniques such as grip releases, joint-locks and throws. The throwing techniques when taken to ‘completion’ are performed on specially designed floor mats and under the watchful eye of a risk-assessment trained instructor.

The sparring can sometimes look a bit frantic, especially between the higher grades. Students all train within their capabilities and are not pushed into a situation where they then feel uncomfortable. Beginners and lower grades are encouraged to go slower and hone techniques rather than merely ‘point score’. I’ve heard of some clubs that use beginners as ‘black belt fodder’ but that is not the attitude or behaviour of students of Sankujitsu Karate Budokai.

Since the creation of the club in 2007, the interests of the students have always been paramount. The club was never created to be a ‘money printing machine’. I try to keep prices to an absolute minimum, just simply covering costs. I’ve got a ‘proper job’ as well so I don’t view the karate club as a source of income. With that in mind I’ve had questions such as “okay, so where’s the catch?” fired at me. Remember that some (most) clubs charge for licence renewal, gradings, membership, compulsory courses, etc. If someone wants to learn self-protection skills then why shouldn’t they? ...After all, the law stipulates that 'you are responsible for your own safety'. Why should people be charged endless amounts of money, be begrudgingly made to go on courses ‘because they have to as part of some [money-generating] blag or another’? …and then not be able to grade because they can’t afford the £50~£60+ fee [and that’s what some clubs charge!]. It’s a shame isn’t it when some people just walk through life expecting to get flimflammed at every opportunity?...