OTHER INFLUENCES
In addition to
Karate training, Kamimoto Sensei also coached Sensei Snewin in the
fundamental use
of the sword in order for him to better understand the fundamental
principles of distancing, entering, timing etc. The Kamishin Ryu karate system also includes aspects of older
Japanese combat systems incorporating joint and vital point techniques,
something which would stand him in good stead when later he was to
experience the teaching of Sensei Morihiro Saito of Iwama Ryu Aikido.
Whilst a slightly different form of Aikido to his previous experience,
Sensei Snewin's understanding of Kamishin Ryu meant that the intensity
of practice in this harder form of Aikido was not unfamiliar to him.
Addtionally, Iwama Ryu places great store in weapons training and this
approach also helped him to understand Ryukyu Kobujutsu when starting
out with Sensei Julian Mead as the fundamental principles are common to
all 3 methods. In addition to training with Saito Sensei in
Aikido, Sensei Snewin also trained on numerous occasions with Sensei
Higaonna of the IOGKF on his regular visits to Britain, and other
visiting Japanese instructors in order to pit his skills against those
of other systems.
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In
1991 he began training with Sensei Julian Mead of the Ryukyu Kobujutsu
Hozon Shinko Kai. His formative training with Kamimoto Sensei had a
beneficial effect on his approach to Kobujutsu practice and gave him
some
insight into the principles of movement involved. The common
method of moving between Karate, Kenjutsu and Kobujutsu proved useful in
establishing a new passion in the shape of Okinawan Kobujutsu
which meshed in terms of approach and movement, almost perfectly with
Kamishin Ryu Karate. In Sensei Mead, he found a mentor who helped
to fill the gap left by Kamimoto Sensei and although remaining
completely faithful to the Karate system taught to him by Kamimoto
Sensei, Sensei Mead's guidance and instruction helped to unlock some of the more
complex issues he had been wrestling with since his teacher's return to
Japan and continues to do so.