Comments on: The Karate Tree

By: Noah Legel

Noah Legel — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:57:00 +0000

Thank you very much, Billy–I will point out that this is my own personal philosophy and I cannot say whether it applies to others or not, but I’m glad you enjoyed it! I have always associated karate with a pine tree and yes, Ted, I suppose that could very well be due to my Shuri-Ryu background–after all, the pine tree is a key feature in the Shuri-Ryu seal. That said, even in my transition to Shorin-Ryu, as you point out in your comment about Chosin Chibana’s use of “Kobayashi”, the pine tree remains. Even if I had never been shown a Shuri-Ryu patch or heard/read the translation of “Kobayashi”, I would like to believe that I still would have found the pine tree in it, somehow. I grew up with pine trees (literally–there were pine trees my height behind the house my family bought when I was 1 and the trees and I grew up together) and there is something about them that I have always felt connected to.

By: Theodore Kruczek

Theodore Kruczek — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:54:00 +0000

Billy – Shuri-te karate is deeply rooted in Pine trees. Shoshin Nagamine used the term “Matsubayashi-ryu” to describe his Karate. This translates to Pine Forest. Chosin Chibana spelled “Shorin” (Shaolin) as “Kobayashi” (Small Forest) to emphasize the Okinawan influence on the Shaolin fighting style that helped create Okinawan Karate-do.

Noah – does your Shuri-ryu background have any influence on this article?

By: Billy James Parker

Billy James Parker — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:24:00 +0000

Thoroughly appreciate this article. The martial arts, especially Karate-do has association or connection to the Pine Tree. Matsumura’s name has association to the Pine, Funakoshi’s pen name, Shoto, is intentionally associated, meaning Pine Waves. This may also be a nod to Matsumura as well. Even some styles of Taekwondo take on names that reference the Pine Tree. I have read and heard little things here and there about the tree in regards to martial arts philosophy, but nothing this detailed in one place. Great article! Osu.