I am so pleased that Sojinsha has published Shihan Kimo Ferreira’s book of Kempo Jutsu. The time I met Shihan Kimo Ferreira was April 1st, 2000. The reason of Mr. Kimo Ferreira’s visit was to touch upon the art of Choki Motobu who was one of the greatest martial artists of his time, and the reason was a historic one because my father has such an influence upon many arts.
Upon learning that I, Chosei Motobu was the son of Choki Motobu and still teaching my father’s art, Mr. Ferreira came to visit me a second time on Dec. 9, 2000. Mr. Ferreira came to train at my dojo in Osaka. Not only did he train, Mr. Ferreira invited me and my chief instructor Takeji Inaba to Hawaii on April 23, 2001. I taught a seminar at Mr. Kimo Ferreira’s Dojo on Apr. 26, 2001 in Hawaii. My second seminar in Las Vegas was at the Gathering of Eagles in August 2001. I taught my father’s method of Karate for Shihan Al Tracy.
Shihan Kimo Ferreira gave his time to be a bridge between America and Japan and his honesty, humility and kindness towards Japanese martial artists in spreading our arts abroad with no compensation to himself and no monetary gain. Shihan Kimo’s manner and sincerity touched the bottom of my heart and I am grateful and humbled by his generosity.
Shihan Kimo is a large man whose gentle nature, kindness is a paradox. When Shihan Kimo first came to my Dojo to train, he put on a white belt and was treated like everyone else as beginner. He did not show his ego or techniques. He came to us as any white belt would. I, Chosei Motobu saw him as a white belt and taught him accordingly. He never showed any of his techniques or his power then. But I was shocked when I saw him teach his techniques in Hawaii. It was mind boggling to the imagination when I saw his power and speed in Hawaii and Las Vegas.
I Chosei Motobu would say he is one of the finest martial artists in the world. Shihan Kimo taught a seminar at Sato’s Dojo in Tokyo, Japan on May 19, 2002. I, Chosei Motobu and my chief instructor Takeji Inata confirmed Kimo Shihan’s power and techniques while watching Kimo Shihan completely demolished his Uke in a blink of an eye with controlled power and speed. Shihan Kimo strikes vital areas to incapacitate his attacker. He looks like he would grind then into dust. Shihan Kimo’s techniques are deadly and lethal and his movements are circular and flowing with power and speed and never misses a vital area in his attack. It is like watching lighting striking a tree. And again I am emphasizing this power and speed which is phenomenal. Choki Motobu emphasized attack and offense in his style. Choki Motobu believed this is true self defense. It was the key element of his style. When Choki Motobu was teaching his technique, he emphasized irimi to enter an opponent’s defense and attack. I, of course taught the same way as my father had.
Shihan Kimo’s Kempo-Jutsu is exactly like my father’s in its attacking methods. Again Shihan Kimo’s techniques are without peer. Shihan Kimo does not adjust his techniques. He always uses power and control. Any aggressor who would attack Kimo would find himself rendered helpless before him. And that is the philosophy of Kempo Jutsu to attack not to take a step back but always forward.
The famous master of the sword Musashi Miyamoto stated that the sword is to kill the enemy, but this also means not to draw the sword foolishly. Musashi stated to draw the sword is to use it to kill and I believe Kimo Shihan’s Kempo techniques are the same as Kusashi’s sword techniques. Because of Shihan Kimo’s war experience in Viet-Nam. It was to Kill or to be Killed techniques that sustain him through his was experience. Kimo Shihan’s was experience and martial arts are at the core of his soul where he developed his art.
Shihan Kimo’s gentle nature, his smile, his sense of humor are very deceptive, because when he steps into the Dojo floor, his expression is one of a demon who is facing not one but many attackers, but once it’s over, his expression is tranquil and his smile is gentle and this speedy change of his mental attitude changes in a second. That change is phenomenal in its self.
Shihan’s Kimo’s book would not only be helpful to European and American martial artists’ also Japanese martial artists. The book by Shihan Kimo will give a great guidance to Japanese martial artists physically and spiritually.
To all the martial artists of the world I highly recommend this book to enhance their skills. |