DeKalb Karate Institute gets special visitor

The DeKalb Karate Institute recently sponsored a Kajukenbo system martial arts seminar featuring Nataniel Ortega as guest instructor.

Ortega is a seventh-degree black belt from Puerto Rico, where he teaches at his school, Advanced Kajukenbo Self-defense System. He is also president of the Puerto Rico Kajukenbo Association. His seminar on Jan. 22 focused on an ancient system of martial arts, called Kosho Shorei Ryu, and a demonstration of self defense from the Filipino stick and knife art of Kali.

Kosho Shorei Ryu is literally translated as “old pine tree school of encouragement to spiritual diligence.” Kali has many translations, including “force of time.” Kali is associated with a Hindu goddess of the same name.

In ancient times, martial arts were only a small part of an entire culture, focusing on religion, philosophy and meditation. For example, Kosho Ryu was a developed in 1235 by warrior monks primarily for spiritual development and holistic self-cultivation, and secondarily for self defense.

Kosho Ryu was divided into eight arts, such as the healing arts, energy arts and philosophy. Only one component was the arts of war. Traditionally, the latter arts were used to protect life. In today’s world, only the self defense arts have survived.

The origin of many martial arts is clouded, due partially to a lack of records, but also because of cultural and interpretive divisions over the years.

It may be in order to briefly define a hierarchy in discussing martial arts. “Style” is a broad descriptor for major characteristics of a martial art, typically as practiced in a country.

For example, Korean style evokes images of kicking, especially high kicks. Chinese style suggests flowing movements patterned after animal behavior. A system is a more clearly identified subset of a style, consisting of a philosophy such as non-aggression and concepts that are reflected in a curriculum.

There may be several systems within any given style, each promoting different concepts. A system typically has a clearly identified founder, a professional structure and a fairly wide membership base.

A method is a narrower focus under a system, typically associated with a skilled student of a system founder. A method reflects the individual interpretations of a system by someone who has gained a widely acclaimed reputation as a master.

Tony Ramos studied directly under the founder of the Kajukenbo system, whose main method was Kosho Ryu. He continued the Kosho Ryu lineage, but incorporated elements of other styles to the point of gaining recognition as a specific method.

The Kajukenbo system is unique to the U.S. in that it was developed in Hawaii in 1946. As a result, it has been called the first true American mixed martial art system.

Reflecting several oriental and Filipino martial arts styles, Kajukenbo combines concepts and techniques from other systems that result in a synergistic foundation for modern self defense.

Five masters from different systems combined their knowledge, but the main credit goes to Sijo Adriano Emperado. He contributed elements of the Kosho Ryu system, which was first brought to Hawaii from Japan by James Mitose in 1936. The Kajukenbo system is further divided into several methods, with each method reflecting elements of the contributing systems.

Students of Kajukenbo are able to focus on the method that best suits their physical ability and energy. In this manner, students can master concepts without becoming a jack of all trades. The philosophy that binds Kajukenbo is called Ohana. Ohana means “family” in Hawaiian. Ohana stresses that family and friends are bound together and must cooperate.

Kajukenbo students gather annually in July in Las Vegas to celebrate the birthday of its founder, Sijo Emperado; share knowledge; and engage in spirited competition.

Kajukenbo also has an extensive and detailed family tree that traces generations of Kajukenbo black belts from its origin to the present.

The family tree is updated annually and contains the names of several thousand worldwide practitioners of Kajukenbo.

Ohana brought Ortega to DeKalb. When Kajukenbo masters travel, they make it a point to visit Kajukenbo schools in the area. Because of Ohana, they are always welcomed and invited to share their expertise. Ortega is a direct descendent from a line of martial arts masters who have studied the Kosho Ryu Kempo system. He learned the system from his father, grandmaster Jose Luis Ortega, who in turned learned it from earlier masters such as Tony Ramos.

The DeKalb Karate Institute focuses on the Ramos method of Kajukenbo, but does not specifically isolate Kosho Ryu training. Thus, with Ortega’s visit, students were better able to trace their roots and understand concepts underlying their training. The Karate Institute teaches the Ramos method that the head instructor, Andrew Torok, learned from grandmaster Emil Bautista.

In addition, KI introduces its members to the concepts underlying other methods of Kajukenbo. As a result, KI members have distinguished themselves in many styles and systems of martial arts, such as Gung Fu, Tai Chi, full-contact fighting and so on.

To get a better idea of training at the Karate Institute, visit www.kikarate.com, or, to make an appointment with Torok, call 815-758-4888.

KI has operated in DeKalb since 1973. It is located at 236 Palmer Court, off the parking lot across from the Egyptian Theatre.