After four years of training and a Second Dan grade Sensei Spiers picked me up from my flat in Southport and told me he was taking me to train under a friend he called ‘RC’. I was shocked and asked why? Sensei explained that my eagerness for knowledge and hard training would be satisfied by this man. I was a little aggrieved as to me Sensei Spiers was god.
We travelled to Liverpool 8 to a Dojo in Tagus Street. As we arrived the class was underway. We walked into the dojo bowed and sat down. Immediately Master Colwell stopped the class and honoured Sensei Spiers to his students then continued teaching. Now at nineteen years old I was fit and cocky as one should be training seven days a week. I had seen many instructors (none of whom had impressed me) but as I watched Master Colwell execute finger locks to manipulate a dan grade by the application of pain to the joints I was spell bound. Master Colwell had complete control over his assailant and moved him at will with precision locks to individual finger joints. However what convinced me that Master Colwell was indeed a true exponent of his art was the fire in his glare. As Master Colwell took the assailant to the floor his eyes turned to me and his glare was of a man who is a true warrior. I have of course since been party to the ‘finger kansetsu’ instruction and for those who have never experienced ‘point of edge training’ it can be enlightening.
After class we retired to a Chinese restaurant for a meal and formal introductions were made. Master Colwell was polite and courteous to me out of respect for Sensei Spiers but I was left in no doubt that I would have to prove myself to this man. I had sensed that Master Colwell was a true warrior but experiencing how people around him acted and indeed my own instructor (who was just about the hardest man I have ever known) confirmed my thoughts. I could not wait to train and over the next few months I threw myself into training at Tagus Street.
I had at this stage opened recently opened my own dojo and taught Goju Ryu on a professional basis. I earned a meagre wage but it was all I needed. I had never considered changing my style and to this day Sensei Colwell never once attempted to alter my thoughts towards any system. Indeed although I trained in his Shotokan classes he allowed me to study ‘karate’ not style. The influence of Master Coldwell’s perfection of ‘Kime’ (Focus ) was the major change in my martial art study.
Sensei Spiers was part Māori, 6’ 2”, weighed in at around 17st, and had awesome hand speed so his power was generated by his physical size. Master Colwell is 5’8” but can knock out any opponent, large or small with devastating precision in a practical situation. His power comes from his study and perfection of Kime. To those who may not understand the meaning of Kime - The true karate blow creates a shockwave at impact which travels into the intended target. This is created by the focus and tension of the body for a milli -second at impact. When struck by Master Colwell (fortunately I have not been aggressively struck) it is an odd feeling as normally you are stunned for a moment before you can regain your self control. Of course it is usual after the strike for you to be placed in a lock or throw so it’s difficult to dwell on that experience!!
Being of similar a size to Master Colwell was one of the reasons for Sensei Spiers taking me to train with Master Colwell. And so I entered into the study of Kime.
As with all Master Colwell’s instruction the practical application of any technique he taught worked 100%. Nothing was taught for any other reason but for combat. This is one reason why his students became so fearsome on the tournament circuit during the 70’s and 80’s.
After six months of training Sensei Colwell offered to teach me privately - at no charge. To say I was honoured is a gross understatement. To this day I keep the majority of the content of these lessons private and I apologise for that. However I can say Master Colwell turned me into a man and over the years and I have grown as close to Master Colwell as I have my own father. I am forever in his dept for his guidance. Having discussed the content of this essay with Sensei Colwell I will recite some lessons that I recall with fondness and bruises!
During one lesson Master Colwell was instructing me on the action of the ‘bear hug’ both in application and release. In most so called ’self defence books’ this subject is always covered. However book theorists have not been ‘hugged’ by my two instructors.
Application
I did believe the bear hug to be a powerful mans weapon indeed Sensei Spiers with his size and power could wrap an assailant up with this technique. He would pick you up in such a way making it almost impossible to release. From this position he could transport you into a situation that can damage your health. Ie - Down a flight of stairs or over similar obstacles!
Master Colwell’s bear hug was different in the fact that as he ‘wrapped’ your sol plexus was struck with a hiato. This strike stunned your torso and expelled air from the lungs. As he then tightens his grip breathing becomes extremely difficult which in turn begins to nullify your strength. In both cases the wrap is low around the midriff ensuring the joints of the elbows were trapped.
Release
Now as I mentioned many escape moves have been shown and taught on the release of the bear hug especially in women’s self defence. Sadly the grip or ‘trap point’ is usually around the high shoulder mark so in reality the old ‘lift the arms up’ may work. However if the hug is expertly applied - forget that release technique. I have thrashed about many times in a bear hug applied by Sensei Spiers. One - your feet are off the ground so balance is out - as is a foot stomp. Back kicking is an option as is a reverse head butt but as I said if the bear hug is applied correctly the user can guard from these retaliation attacks. In reality there are few practical releases from an perfectly applied bear hug from a powerful assailant . But of course this knowledge does not sell books or mass instruction.
Master Colwell explained the correct defence –
“It is vital that you do not allow the grip or trap to complete. In defence of the bear hug - react on the action of the attack - not the result."
Your training must be based on heightening reaction to the attack to prevent any closure of the grip being made. If successful the assailant is then open to counter attack for a second and by trained hands that’s all that is needed. This is a simple lesson but very demanding to train for.
Master Colwell insisted that I and fellow training partners would apply a bear hug at any given time in the day to each other. If the grip was complete - you had failed. If you stopped the wrap - you had won. That is the only way to practice. Remember in the dojo you train to a count or in the very least you are expecting the attack. If attacked when unaware at least the training is based in reality. This was fun as we all competed to catch the other out. Any time any place was the rule. I was once attacked when kissing a prospective girl friend on the dance floor. Full marks to the assailant! I was successful in release but I lost the date! After months of attacks your reactions do heighten and the bear hug becomes much less of a threat! All this training from a small sentence from Master Colwell ... ‘In defence of the bear hug - react on the action of the attack - not the result.
Reality was always a key to Master Colwell’s instruction. Another area of dubious ‘book ‘ teachings is arm locks or I should say the application of! Master Colwell’s teaching is simple and stresses not on the actual lock itself but when and how to apply it during ‘dead time’. You see in many films a lock being applied to subdue an assailant. However if a conscious angry man does not want you to lock his arm you won’t! The ensuing struggle will usually end up in a wrestling bout and as in most cases both participants end up on the floor! Master Colwell’s teachings would ensure the lock was affected whilst the opponent was in ‘dead time’ after a strike or blow which had immobilised or weakened the opponent sufficiently not to offer resistance to the initial lock manoeuvre. Strike - catch -lock – break. If I may be so bold as to describe the feeling of this sequence of attack by Master Colwell.
“You feel and see bright flash in your head followed by pain to the attacked joint be it elbow, finger, neck or knee. Your mind is not able to react suitable to prevent the sequence once the strike has been made. In practical terms the lock would release into a break of the joint. In real time scale you are unconscious and with a broken limb (or limbs) in around 2 seconds”
During such practical lessons the harshness of practice required perfect technique and trust - more so when Master Colwell allowed you to apply the sequence to him. One aspect of his teachings he would certainly ‘demonstrate’ very effectively but would also offer himself to be practised against. This I always found to be quite humbling.
Kime training
The impact focus of the karate blow is the ultimate goal for the true karateka, although it is the most difficult technique to perfect. During my first private lesson Master Colwell announced that he had built a training aid to perfect my Kime. Rather excited I waited as he walked to his bag and took out several sheets of rice paper and a cotton reel. He tore the rice paper into 6 inch squares and then hung the paper with a string of cotton to a bag hook. The rice paper gently swayed in the light draft of the dojo at about average head height. Master Colwell looked at me then struck at the paper with ippon nukitae which resulted in a puncture hole in the paper.
Master Colwell suspended another piece of rice paper and suggested I tried to puncture the paper. Although I was a little disappointed that this was the secret training aid I took up stance and fired my ippon nukitae at the 6 inch square of rice paper..... Nothing it just wafted away as I impacted. Master Colwell smiled changed and left me. I tried and tried all day to puncture the paper to no avail. In discussions later with Master Colwell he explained that speed and focus would cut through the paper not just power. Should one be able to make five or six consecutive holes one can consider being on your way to make the perfect kime! Of course I had a target now and I can tell you after weeks of trying I finally punctured a hole. I had this framed and it’s still in my home! Consecutive holes took some time but to my worth I once made four hits!! I did ask Master Colwell what was his successive rate- to which he answered with a loud laugh - “I don’t count!”
Inner Demons, Reactions and Fabled Stories
Fear and temper are two demons that weaken a warrior in any fighting system. Fear is something every warrior has to tame. Fear of injury or consequence can force error or slow reaction which ultimately can cost the battle. Master Colwell has a renowned inner control which during the worst of violent conflicts enables him to actually get calmer. Although this following example may seem odd none the less the reality of the result proved something to me.
I was given a hideous mask for a fancy dress and it was extremely life like. For weeks I was a pest to all my associates as I jumped out unexpectedly with the mask. One training partner fell to the floor in shock such was the effect - most if not all screamed and showed some signs of a fraction of ‘fear freeze’. And so it was after training and dark so I decided to risk my life and jump out at Master Colwell with the aforementioned mask when he left the dojo. I did so from a dark hiding place and let out a foul scream ... Master Colwell showed not a flicker of shock. He merely said ‘ That suits you son’ and moved on as if nothing had happened. Now as I mentioned it was a school boy prank but in the dark and unexpected - the average human would be shocked into numbness for a few seconds most and - as I had proved - many would have screamed in fear. Master Colwell assessed the situation in a fraction of a second and stayed in complete control of his emotions.
I was suitably impressed!
The following may or may not be true but tales should always have some mystery.
Another example of reaction was at a Chinese restaurant when a chap attempted ‘rather rudely’ to take a condiment from the table without asking. His mistake was to try to lean over close to Master Colwell. His loud bullish manner had been evident all evening and so as he moved and pushed his way over to take the item Master Colwell caught the reaching hand of the man and in one movement the man was under the table, in an arm lock and in complete shock and pain. For about thirty seconds Master Colwell simply continued his conversations with his associates as though the man was none existent. The restaurant owner came over and timidly asked if Master Colwell would let him go. I don’t know what Master Colwell did next (Well I do... but!) However the bill for Master Colwell’s table was paid by the man’s friends – as an apology for his bad manners!
In explanation.. The movement of the man was captured at its source by Master Colwell who then continued to use this momentum to take the balance from the assailant and control the direction of his fall - During the man’s ‘dead time’ the lock was applied perfectly to hold the joint in pain. All from a seated position! Perfection!
I could relate many such stories of the practical expertise of Master Colwell alas they are not for the public domain! What I will say Master Colwell’s teachings are traditional and always practical - Plastic movements are not on his menu!
Over the last few years our training together has grown into study and a bonding friendship that I relish. I am truly grateful for all his words, scowls and rollickings - without these I would not be the man I am!
