Karate supreme grand master visits Somerton

At 74, Fusei Kise is a supreme grand master in Okinawa, Japan, in the karate martial art style of Matsumura Shorin-Ryu.

The style is characterized by a combination of techniques that have evolved from the 18th century.

It is an art that has been taught in Kise's family from generation to generation, he said, and Kise has been studying the style since childhood.

Kise is visiting the Yuma area this week to demonstrate his talents to local dojos and the public. He will show the Shorin-Ryu components of Hand Kata, Kobudo and Tuite at the Somerton Middle School Gym, 1011 N. Somerton Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. today and Wednesday.

Kise was born in Okinawa, Japan, in 1935. He began to teach karate in 1957 and continues today. As a supreme grand master, he is an artist who has a 10th-degree black belt.

However, Kise did not begin his karate training with kicking or punching. Kise's great-uncle wanted to find out if Kise was serious about learning karate, so Kise was first put to work at age 3 cleaning the floors and walls of a dojo - a place of practice. Kise said that these chores taught him humility.

Francisco Aguilar teaches karate classes in Yuma and Somerton. Stationed in the military at the time, Aguilar met Kise in 1976 and has studied under Kise for years.

Aguilar, a Somerton junior high school teacher, said that these types of chores help students to build a foundation in karate. It also helps the teachers to see into the heart of a student and if they really have the desire to learn the arts.

Aguilar used a mop when he first started lessons with Kise and with this kind of training, he said, "I learned ... (in) karate to be humble, to be respectful and teach it to those who want to learn."

Kise comes to the states each year to visit the Shorin-Ryu schools and to make sure that the students are learning the proper karate techniques. And for the first time, Kise is visiting Somerton.

Kise studies three separate components of the Shorin-Ryu: Tuite, which is a manipulation of the joints; Hand Kata, which can be used to defend oneself by designated fighting moves such as punching; and Kobudo, which is weaponry.

In Japan, Kise says, he has taught karate to both Okinawa and American students at military bases, dojos and other locations.

In 2000 Kise wrote his autobiography, "The Spirit of Okinawan Karate," and in 2005 a book titled "Okinawa Karate-Do." The latter is on the history of the art of Shorin-Ryu and its schools from 1733 to the present.

Asked why people should come to the supreme master's demonstrations, Aguilar said, "What I think people will get from the two hours is the opportunity of a lifetime to see a tradition. ... He is a traditional martial artist ... with a history background and a foundation (in the art).

"And they will be able to see a grand master from the island of Okinawa, which is traditionally where this style comes from."

IF YOU GO:

Supreme Grand Master Fusei Kise will be performing for all local dojos and the public today and Wednesday. He will demonstrate the Hand Kata, Kobudo and Tuite components of the karate martial art style of Matsumura Shorin-Ryu.

The demonstrations will be at Somerton Middle School Gym, 1011 N. Somerton Ave., from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, call Francisco Aguilar at 344-0998.

There is a $5 donation at the door for the public; children under 7 are free.

More information on Master Fusei Kise can be found at www.kenshin-kan.com.

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Jennifer Lovell can be reached at jlovell@yumasun.com or 539-6849.