SHIHAN HANS HAUPT
Here is Hans own version of his JAPAN Experience: `` I sold everything I had and gave up my Job
with C.S.S.L (I had my own company car, and staff working under me.)
I then set off for Japan. the land of my dreams.
A friend (Liam Keely) arranged accommodation for me in a little wooden Shack near a
River, in a little village called WADO. While in Japan I visited many Dojo's. It was at Liam's house that his Wife TOSHIKA one night told me about this KARATE MASTER that she knew up in the Northern part of Japan - up
in the Mountains.
I decided to go and look for him so I travelled north to a small village called KUKI.
There I found the Dojo’s run by KANCHO MIWA.
KANCHO took me to his Main Dojo in
HASUDA-SHI. Kancho could not speak English, and I could not speak Japanese! So most of the way I tried to communicate in sign language and Japanese words read from my dictionary.
(All wrong of course since Japanese are spoken totally different to English).
Eventually we arrived. It was a beautiful wooden dojo - even better than what I have imagined it would be. Here Kancho made me sit in Seiza form.
(On my knees, Feet folded across at the back, hands in the front hip-groin, Back straight & upright).
He indicated that I should watch the training. I had to sit like that for 3 hours,
(that’s how long a training session is in Japan) without moving.
A KOHAI stood watch over me with a SHINAI (Bamboo SWORD).
If I moved my Legs, Arms or Body he would hit me with this Shinai on the part that
moved. I actually sat there in Fear. Not knowing what to expect and feeling lost in Japan.
At this training session I saw for the first time things like - Goshin Jitsu (A form of Jui-Jitsu and Aikido) with Karate moves
done in Tai-Sabaki form (Body shifting - avoidance techniques) with Suri & Yori Ashi (Leg Shifting techniques) etc.
What I saw there that night made me realize that I knew nothing about Karate, and that what I have
previously learnt was very little, and that THIS was what Karate is about.
I knew then that I wanted to learn Tenshinkan with KANCHO.
After the training Session KANCHO had a meeting with his Top instructors. This
sounded heated to me. Later that night a Japanese guy from the University of the City OMIYA arrived. He tried to speak English to us. (Very broken and with much difficulty).
There I understood that I was the first Westerner
to enter a Tenshinkan Dojo, but some of the seniors thought that I was a Spy from another Style. After much heated talking and explaining KANCHO made a decision. He decided to give me a try - providing that I prove worthy. He
also warned me that if I was not sincere or was a Spy they would deal with me in Japanese way. I was very Frightened and apprehensive. I wanted to learn what I saw, and decided to stay. With pounding Heart I accepted
KANCHO'S offer.
Training started the next Day - 5 am. My fist job was washing the Dojo floors, and then cleaning the Dojo- walls / windows / everything. If KANCHO found a spec of dirt I did Knuckles and Bunny hops and
other punishment etc. (He always found something).
I then had to clean outside as well as wash dishes in the kitchen. I even had to wash KANCHO’S Car. After about 2 weeks of this KANCHO accepted me into his Dojo for
training.
Training with KANCHO was DAILY. 5am to 8am, Then again in the afternoon 11 - 2pm then again at night 6 - 9 pm Everyday for 3 months. Thereafter it was same training but only 3 times per week
I still remember the GOLDEN RULE that Kancho gave me.
He said `` There are 3 way to become good in Tenshinkan (or any other skill); that is:
[1]- Practice and study, [2] Practice and study more, [3] Practice and study even more-
until perfection.
I also did some MIND DEVELOPMENT and MEDITATION while in Japan.
I returned to South Africa in 1979 and Started TENSHINKAN KARATE that same year.
While I lived and trained for two years in Japan I trained under three Organisations namely: –
A) TENSHINKAN KARATE
(Under World Chief Instructor KANCHO MAMORU MIWA SENSEI(then
8th DAN), where I obtained 3rd DAN in 1976 in this unique advanced SHOTOKAN Style, and was appointed Chief Instructor for S.A. (Sensei Miwa became 9th Dan in 1977).
B) RYU KYU KOBUDO HOZON SHINKOKAI
(under Grand Master MOTOKATSU INOUE - 10th Dan) in Shimizu - Shi;
Shizuoka-Ken, where I obtained 3rd DAN in KOBUDO (weapons)
C) SATO RYU AIKI - JUI- JITSU FEDERATION
Where I obtained 3rd DAN in AIKI - JUI- JITSU.
ACADEMICALLY:
Shihan Hans Haupt holds a Degree in Business Administration, obtained through UNISA
(1974). He also holds various other Diplomas and recognised Institute qualifications such as: (1). M.I.W.P. (2). M.I.P.M. (3). M.I.P.E. (4). M.I.O.M (5). Dip. Prod.Eng. Etc.