– R.Nouchi –
The author of SHOTOKAN LEDGENDS, Empire Books, 2015, Jose M. Fraguas, spent more than 35 years, interviewing great modern masters of Shotokan,”one-on-one, face-to face”. One of the masters he interviewed was Soke Hirokazu Kanazawa. The following is an excerpt from one of Jose M. Fraguas’ questions:
Q: Jose M. Fraguas: During training, and especially after doing a series of kihon techniques or a kata, you practice and teach your students to do a special breathing exercise with their arms. How did you develop this breathing exercise and what is its purpose?
A: Soke Hirokazu Kanazawa: I developed this exercise after studying Tai Chi Chuan. The purpose is to develop and invigorate the brain, the chest, and the Hara. First, you breathe in and have the feeling of the air coming to your head and brain. This improves intelligence. Second, you push the air out and down and contract the Hara and lower abdominal muscles. This develops your power and fighting spirit. Finally, you straighten up and let your chest come back to a natural and relaxed position with good posture. This develops good character and a feeling of kindness toward others. The words for these are “Ten”, “Chi”, “Jin”, meaning head, Hara, Chest or “sky”, “ground”, and “human”.