Hello,
I am Chamberlain (formerly Preston) Sensei. Welcome to my dojo!
I have practiced karate for the last 16 years. After ten years of training in Matsubayashi Ryu and establishing a dojo in '91, I wanted to see the original source of inspiration before committing to a lifetime of teaching. I had the opportunity to go to Okinawa to meet and train with Grandmaster Shoshin Nagamine in '95 and '96.
I was honored to receive my Nidan by Osensei Shoshin Nagamine, Makishi Sensei, and Tamaki Sensei and my Sandan by Grandmaster Shoshin Nagamine. In 2003, I was honored to be promoted to Yondan in Okinawa by Soke Nagamine and Makishi Sensei.
In May 2007, I received my Godan promotion in Okinawa by Soke Nagamine, Makishi Sensei, and a panel of other senior Okinawan Sensei.
Grandmaster also gave me extensive specialized Zen training. He wrote once that "karate ni sente nashi" means "the fist that does not strike first", further translating into the concept "the fist that gives life". Common understanding of karate in America today is as a disciplined fighting sport; if you can learn its secrets you can become a better fighter.
I used to ask Grandmaster Nagamine "so Americans idea of Karate is backwards? You come to karate to learn "not" to fight?"
He told me I was correct. He told me he also struggled with this idea and his Zen Priest told him to look at it as a zen "koan"; each practioner must ultimately answer this riddle for themselves.
As a Karate-ka, the "kokoro" (spirit/heart) and the "Shin gi tai" is
integrated through their practice, we will reach "katsu jin ken": the person who is
able to meet confrontation and win without a fight. Grandmaster implored me
to continue to teach from this tradition.
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