Some of the systems that he has studied are other
forms of karate, judo, boxing, capoeira, and various forms of gung fu.
Having befriended many top-level martial artists from around the world,
he is often invited and goes abroad to teach seminars. In May of 1997,
he went to Rio Rancho, New Mexico to conduct a seminar for the students
of his friends: Francisco Rivera-Deshi of Lau Kai Ton, "Grand Master"
of Hung Gar Gung Fu, Chin Wu Athletic Association; and Lynn Yarmer-student
of Francisco Rivera and Chief Instructor of the "Tracking Kenpo"
system.
Challenges are a common occurrence among the Okinawan
youth involved in the various martial arts systems taught in the collegiate
athletics program. When these challenges came, Ikemiyagi Masaaki was always
the first to answer. As a youth in Okinawa, he quickly developed a reputation
as a skilled karate-ka and powerful fighter. At many of the local tournaments
he would attend, competitors would often withdraw once they became aware
that he was participating; not because he broke the rules, they knew they
could not beat him-not to mention how badly it hurt to get hit by him.
This "cute, little man," as most people
would describe him, has the kind of power that most karate-ka can only
dream of. Because of his teacher being known as the "the makiwara
breaker," Ikemiyagi Sensei was inspired to train on the makiwara
relentlessly since his start in karate training. He has broken several
makiwara, which he enjoyed, but now it is just a hassle to replace them.
Ikemiyagi Sensei keeps a heavy bag behind the "maki"
so that he does not break it. Today he is Kancho of the Meibukan Goju-Ryu,
Okinawa Dojo in Okinawa-Shi and holds the rank of 9th Dan. He is one of
only a handful of Yagi Dai Sensei's earlier students who still actively
teach. In the past, he has served as the Riji-Cho (Director General) of
both the Zen Okinawa Karate-Do Renmei and the Okinawa Goju-Kai. At present
time, he is once again the Riji-Cho of the Okinawa Goju-Kai (as of December
1997).
Ikemiyagi Sensei has produced many fine students
who help to propagate Meibukan Goju-Ryu in very positive ways all over
the world. Under the Okinawa Dojo, he has branch dojos operating in Australia,
America, Indonesia, and in Okinawa. One of his students, Ikemiyagi
Shuichi Sensei, serves as the secretary of operations for the "Okinawa
Collegiate Karate Training Organization." In addition to teaching
at the Okinawa Dojo, Ikemiyagi Sensei regularly travels to schools worldwide
to conduct seminars and share his knowledge and experience with other
martial artists.
His love of travel was inspired early on when Yagi
Dai Sensei took Ikemiyagi Sensei along on his trips to Taiwan. I have
heard from several other sensei in the Meibukan that the only trouble
Yagi Dai Sensei had on his trips to Taiwan was trying to keep the young
Ikemiyagi Masaaki from fighting every challenger that came along. Training
at the Okinawa Dojo is an experience that one does not easily forget.
The first thing I noticed about Ikemiyagi Sensei was that he was so kind
to all of his students.
The training is harsh, but his communication skills
are superb. He always makes his students feel welcome, even when he is
kicking them across the room. Each student is treated as an individual
and as such is instructed in a manner that works best for him or her.
Sensei is a very wise and open-minded man, and he allows for physical
and personality differences in technique; however, "kata is not to
be changed, ever." He teaches in a very traditional manner. We start
with hojo undo (warm-ups) and then do all of the kihon (basic techniques);
this is followed by group kata and then we end with various yakusoku kumite
(pre-arranged sparring), kakie (push-hand sensitivity and strength drills),
and kotekitae (arm banging). At this point, we all line up and bow out.
The kids all go home, and then those adults who
wish to train more stay to work on the further "advanced" skills-Sensei's
way of saying that they will hurt worse. These vary from leg and body
conditioning drills to attack and defense drills done back and forth across
the dojo. These drills are often quite tiring, and are always painful.
Sensei does not do much in the way of jyu kumite (free sparring); instead,
we just work all our drills in contact range and to the level each individual
has been promoted.
Once a person reaches sho-dan, if he or she misses
an incoming technique they will more than likely end up being knocked
to the floor. Needless to say, people do not want to rush promotion in
our dojo. Ikemiyagi Sensei is a wonderful teacher who does his best to
help each student become stronger. He will let us all get a few licks
in so that we can feel what it is like for the technique to work.
Of course, he also returns a few in order to show
us how the technique "feels." With Sensei, there is not an ounce
of ego to get in the way of his teaching-one just has to be very careful
not to get "cocky." Those in the Okinawa Dojo have a rare and
enviable opportunity to learn from such an accomplished teacher with this
kind direct connection to the great masters of the past. Through his teachings
and guidance, they learn pure Goju-Ryu a precious find in the modern world
of martial arts.
It is a responsibility to train sincerely, behave
as gentlemen of good character and integrity, and remain humble always.
Sensei always says that karate should improve and enhance all the joys
of life, not replace them. He stresses the importance of family and friends,
and he also constantly reminds students that with power comes the responsibility
to do right in all circumstances.
Ikemiyagi Sensei teaches the ways of Meibukan Goju-Ryu as he learned them from his master and teacher, Yagi Dai
Sensei. He asks for nothing in return except that students train as hard
as they can to become strong, while always remembering that having a kind
heart shows a person's true strength.