Wing Chun in Tokyo?

[psycrow]

Hey everyone!

Does anybody know of any Wing Chun of Kung fu schools in Tokyo? Im planning to move to Japan in September and Im trying to plan ahead!

Thanks for any help!

- psycrow

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

I do not know Wing Chun.
Is it this?
http://www.geocities.jp/ebmasjapan/

[Ewok85]

Why not do something Japanese while you have the chance? Shorinji Kempo, Aikido, Judo, Kendo, etc are all Japanese martial arts and easy to find here.

[psycrow]

Thanks Hiroyuki Nagashima! Thats exactly what i'm looking for. I spent 3 or 4 hours looking online for one but couldn't find any. Are there any other ones that you know of? Not even specifically wing chun schools, are there any other kung fu clubs in tokyo you could direct me too?
Thanks again!

[Jubei-kun]

Kung Fu schools are rare in Japan. When I first came to Japan 12 years ago, I too searched for places to continue my study of kung fu. Although I now study a classical Japanese martial art, I still continue to keep my ears open for kung fu schools. At last year's Budo Culture Seminar (conducted yearly by the Nippon Budokan) I met a Wing Chun teacher. From memory, his school is located on the toyoko-line, between Yokohama and Tokyo. I have included a link to his site below. I also came across a teacher of Choy Lee Fut a few years back (the style I once studied in China), but he was having difficulty finding students in Japan -- I think he gave up. Also, don't bother searching through China Town -- I've done that. China town in Yokohama is simply an over-priced tourist trap for local Japanese travellers. A million and one restaurants, but no much else. Generally speaking, modern-day Japanese aren't really into budo. Those that are, usually practice modern, Japanese, sport-oriented budo, such as judo and kendo. Anyway, here's the link: >>> unable to add URL link due to some restriction for new members. Try searching "chienwingchun" with your web browser. Sorry! <<<

OK. I just remembered another guy in Tokyo that teaches Wing Chun. Managed to dig-up an old email. His name is [Sifu] Embrey Ramon Williams. Again, I am being barred from adding email addresses or URLs, so please send me a private message for his contact details. Good luck.

[Ewok85]

Generally speaking, modern-day Japanese aren't really into budo. Those that are, usually practice modern, Japanese, sport-oriented budo, such as judo and kendo.


Thats rather harsh and overly shallow. Judo and Kendo both have far more history than Wing Chun, and theres plenty of non-competitive martial arts like Aikido and Shorinji Kempo are very popular and well studied.

[Jubei-kun]

Thats rather harsh and overly shallow. Judo and Kendo both have far more history than Wing Chun, and theres plenty of non-competitive martial arts like Aikido and Shorinji Kempo are very popular and well studied.
I don't consider my comments harsh or shallow. As far as Judo and Kendo having a longer history than Wing Chun -- I disagree. Both Judo and Kendo are modern sports. Jujutsu or Kenjutsu (kobudo) are another matter. Regarding Shorinji Kempo, it is very much a sport (not to mention karate, atarashi naginata, jukendo, sumo, kyudo etc.). Yes Aikido is very popular. And yes, Aikido in its original form is not a sport (sport Aikido does exist however). All this being said, who cares? I was simply pointing-out that competitive budo is popular.

[Ewok85]

Love to know how Shorinji Kempo can be a sport when its training is not aimed for competition because there is no competitions to compete in? Hmmm?

Judo and Kendo are jujutsu and kenjutsu, its simply names. Maybe you should try them a little bit eh?

[Mikawa Ossan]

Love to know how Shorinji Kempo can be a sport when its training is not aimed for competition because there is no competitions to compete in? Hmmm?
It's probably based on form. There is even competitive yoga (http://www.wweek.com/wwire/?p=6295) out there, so I certainly wouldn't rule out competitive Shorinji Kempo!

[Ewok85]

It's probably based on form. There is even competitive yoga (http://www.wweek.com/wwire/?p=6295) out there, so I certainly wouldn't rule out competitive Shorinji Kempo!

Unlike Yoga, Shorinji Kempo is governed by a single body, and competition is not part of the curriculum - thats how simple it is to rule it out :)

[Jubei-kun]

Unlike Yoga, Shorinji Kempo is governed by a single body, and competition is not part of the curriculum - thats how simple it is to rule it out :)
It took a whole 60 seconds to google "Shorinji Kempo Taikai". All you have to do is visit the headquarters website, it's that simple. There is embu-based competition.
Judo and Kendo are jujutsu and kenjutsu, its simply names.
Wrong again. Have you ever studied koryu? Kendo & Judo are rooted in koryu bujutsu, but they are not the same. Different focus, different technique.

[justanothergaijin]

Many Kenshi are going to disagree with you here and I'll let them speak for themselves. Speaking from an Aikido background they seem to have added a randori component found in Judo (and in Shodokan/Tomiki Aikido) and this is the 'embu'

Have to agree with Jubei on the Judo/Kendo and Jujutsu/Kenjutsu. They are different and saying its just names means you don't know what you're talking about. Aikido has elements of kenjutsu, and when I studieda little Jodo (Muso ryu) we also had kenjutsu.

Had a little exposure to wing chun and I found the blocking techniques useful( although I found myself hitting the opponents gloves all the time when I tried a bit of boxing!)
Mixed martial arts centres are pretty easy to find here as well.
I can understand you putting in the effort into your Wing Chun and wanting to continue it in Japan - not sure if you'll find any decent schools but I hope the previous posters info was useful.
Good luck!

[Ewok85]

It took a whole 60 seconds to google "Shorinji Kempo Taikai". All you have to do is visit the headquarters website, it's that simple. There is embu-based competition.

How many Shorinji Kempo taikai have you participated in? Its not about competition.

Wrong again. Have you ever studied koryu? Kendo & Judo are rooted in koryu bujutsu, but they are not the same. Different focus, different technique.

No, I have not studied any kotyu art, only gendaibudo like Kendo, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo, etc. Gendaibudo are not "new" though, they are modifications of koryu which as you say, may have a different focus, but the techniques are not different.

I doubt there has been any major changes in the techniques found in budo for the last millenia in any part of the world.

Have to agree with Jubei on the Judo/Kendo and Jujutsu/Kenjutsu. They are different and saying its just names means you don't know what you're talking about.

Kenjutsu/Jujutsu are generic terms that refer to techniques of a certain type, which some people treat as the name of an art (as you would use Judo or Kendo), but the definition isn't the same. For example kenjutsu simply means sword techniques, so anything which uses a sword or is in response to a sword is a kenjutu technique.

Judo is primarily jujutsu. Kendo is primarily kenjutsu. There is no way around this fact.

[Jubei-kun]

Let's agree to disagree.

[Ewok85]

We've already done that, but thanks for pointing out the obvious for the people who are a little slow.

[vogelkopbower]

psycro,
I just came across this thread while looking at wing chun links on the net. I study wing chun in Tokyo under Sifu Embrey in Musahi Koyama. If you are still checking this mail and want to join us at classes, please call me at 090 7180 4898 and I can give you the details.

Regards,

Stuart