Episode 4 Hai! Karate - Journey to Japan

Busy, modern-day Britain

is full of families struggling to find time for each other.

But could sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience

solve their problems?

Four families have travelled to Japan

to immerse themselves in the ancient culture

and learn karate -

a traditional martial art that teaches discipline and respect.

But will the intense training regime bring them closer together...

This is one of the first things I've done with Dad.

-I love my dad loads.

-He's everything you could want from a kid.

..or will the gruelling challenges force them further apart?

-You've got to communicate...

-But you're always going on about it!

If she wants to be treated as a grown-up, she has to act like one.

Aaah!

Can this unique experience give them the fighting spirit they need

to earn a place at the World Karate Tournament...

Mikey will be very upset if he doesn't get through.

..and improve their relationships?

This is going to be tough.

It's 8.00pm and, after a hard day's training,

the families are relaxing at the inn.

Whoa!

LAUGHTER

Who wants to play catch?

But sometimes they relax too much.

SCREAMING AND LAUGHTER

Better tidy all that up.

-There's a lady there. It's her house, so you've got to have a bit more respect.

-Yeah.

And you've got to tidy all this up.

Who's going to clean all this stuff up?

-That'll take years!

-Well, I'm not doing it.

You need to do it. I'm not doing it.

A telling off from the parents is one thing

but just wait until the Grand Master hears about this.

I think Sensei will be extremely mad.

What is Sensei going to say?

If he sees this, he's going to be crazy.

I don't know what he's going to do.

I smell trouble!

The four kids really should know better.

They've been learning the discipline of karate for over a week now,

each partnered by one of their parents.

But why did they choose to make the 6,000-mile trip

to learn this ancient code of conduct?

There's skateboarder Mikey,

who wants to spend more time with his dad.

The last time I spent some time with Mikey, just me and Mikey,

was seven years ago.

Street dancer Chloe, who reckons her mum needs to lighten up.

My mum's really dowdy and boring.

Artist, Phoebe, who wishes her dad would act his age.

He still hasn't grown up to the fact that he is an adult now.

And Jedd, who wants to prove ballet dancing isn't just for girls.

My dad don't think in sport you can do dancing

but I'll prove him wrong when we do martial arts.

Under the guidance of Grand Master Higaonna

and his teachers, Brent and Kuramoto,

the families are training hard

to learn a routine in time for the World Karate Tournament.

THEY SHOUT IN UNISON

Last time, the families came face to face with the Grand Master

for the first time.

HE SHOUTS

But, when he took them to his sacred temple,

they upset the high priest with their sloppy attitudes.

IN TRANSLATION: You need to try a lot harder.

Hai! Karate!

It's 6.00am and the tail end of a typhoon is lashing the island.

The families are OK, they're fast asleep in their rooms.

But there's another storm brewing.

Wake up!

Uh-oh! It's the Grand Master.

-Wake up!

-Watermelon fights, misbehaving at the temple...

I've got a feeling he isn't happy.

Phoebe and Joe. Wake up!

'I'm really tired.'

I wasn't expecting to be woken up by Sensei. It was really loud.

Time for the Grand Master and Brent Sensei to reveal why they're here.

They disrespected the Zen Master, Sakiyama Roshi.

They were sitting very poorly -

laughing, yawning, carrying on, fidgeting.

It embarrassed Sensei.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

BRENT TRANSLATES: It's very bad.

Sakiyama Roshi's a very, very wise man.

You should listen to his words with your heart.

In Okinawan culture, respect is very important.

There's a lot for the families to learn.

The food fight woke several elderly neighbours,

who called the inn to complain about the noise.

We don't just respect the elder karate people,

or elder important people - ALL elders.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

BRENT TRANSLATES: We're going to start training now.

Do your best.

I think the group could have behaved better during the Zen meditation.

It was a bit upsetting to be told they were embarrassed by us.

Sensei is keen to knock the group down to size,

so he's brought along

the only karate opponent they are ready to face...

CHICKEN CROWS

..a chicken.

Today in the chicken dojo, we're going to test your reflexes.

As with the karate dojo, when you go in, bow and leave your mind behind.

It's reflex against reflex.

We'll see how quickly you can catch the chicken.

Who wants to go first?

Very good. Jedd, step forward.

Sensei uses this game with his students

because it improves their speed and reaction time,

both of which are important in karate.

Being a ballet dancer, Jedd's fast on his feet

but will he be able to conquer his nerves?

-Aaah!

-What's up?

His mouth's open!

-Go on!

-I don't want to touch it.

-Come out, then.

-I can't do it.

-What?

-I can't do it.

-Never give up!

-No, leave him.

After just a few minutes, Jedd chickens out of the challenge,

meaning it's 1-0 to the bird.

-Do your best.

-Skateboarder Mikey is next.

Can he do any better?

-Aaah!

-Go on, Mikey!

Go on, Mikey! Nearly!

Aaah!

Grab it quickly!

CHEERING

Mikey! Mikey!

Phoebe tries a different tactic - squawking like a chicken.

Waaah-aah!

Pick it up, quick!

And flapping her arms like a chicken.

-He's really soft.

-Yeah, go, go ,go! Grab him quick!

CHEERING

Good girl!

Then it's time for Phoebe's childish dad, Joe.

Despite Sensei's warnings last week...

Joe, remember to take things seriously.

LAUGHTER

..Joe is still acting the fool.

-Bu-bu-buck!

-Oh, look!

Bu-bu-bu-buck!

'You were all happy with yourself.'

I was - I've never picked up a chicken before.

Little things please little minds.

I can speak its language!

Last up, street dancer Chloe enters the chicken dojo.

Chloe, don't kill it.

So far, Chloe has had a lot of attitude...

It's hurting my leg. I can't be bothered. It hurts too much.

I'm not having that room.

..which Sensei is trying to warn her against.

-Try to be more humble.

-Oh!

-Yes, I think that's good advice.

-Hello.

-But will this new gentle approach work?

-Oh!

-That went well.

-Different tactic.

-Hello.

-Aw! Well done, Chloe!

I think this whole experience in Japan

will be very beneficial to Chloe

because she's learning respect, learning to control herself.

-Hello.

-Aw! Well done, Chloe!

You played the chicken's mind well.

IN TRANSLATION: Respect the elder,

respect your friends, respect your parents and respect your neighbours.

Wherever you go, even if you are in a different country,

you have to show respect to their way of thinking, their religions

and that will lead to the peace.

After they embarrassed him at the Zen temple,

the Grand Master is very concerned about the families.

If they can't respect a man as wise as a Zen master,

they'll never learn to respect each other

and improve their relationships.

We've decided to send them to a village of elders.

Hopefully they'll learn how to respect people there.

To live for over 100 years takes courage and fighting spirit.

Sensei thinks that is something worthy of respect.

The question is, will the families agree?

Okinawa is home to the oldest living person in the world.

It's no surprise -

on this island they have loads of ways to stay young at heart,

which the families are about to discover.

How old are you?

Hachi juu sai. Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi to...

90? You're 90?!

-No!

-Can you show us what you eat in the kitchen?

As Mikey, Phoebe and their dads

head off to learn the secret of a long life,

on the other side of the village...

SINGING AND CHANTING

..Chloe, Jedd and parents stumble across a live gig.

HE SINGS

Konnichiwa.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

With a combined age of over 1,000 years, this isn't a normal gig.

This is OAP karaoke.

Just like Simon Cowell,

the over fifties here love karaoke because anyone can do it,

but will it bring our families closer together?

Sandra sees an opportunity to bond with Chloe.

# Love me tender Love me sweet... #

-Never heard of it.

-Elvis Presley. Love Me Tender.

# I am sailing I am sailing... #

Do you know that one? Do you know that one? No? OK.

But, as ever, Chloe just wants to do her own thing.

-What are you going to do?

-Um... Beyonce.

-You're singing Beyonce?

-You sing on your own!

With Chloe refusing to sing with Sandra,

Paul steps up to help her out.

-# And now the end is near

# The end is near

# And so I face

# The final curtain

# I've travelled each and every highway

# I did it my way. #

Despite their timing, it seems to go down well

with the three judges of the over-25 category.

Back at Mrs Okushima's house, Mikey, Mark, Phoebe and Joe

are being taught the secret behind Okinawan long life.

This is the special food to live longer? Live long and healthy?

The traditional dish is made with bacon, tofu

and the most important ingredient - super-healthy goya.

-What's it called again?

-Goya.

-It's really strong. Yummy.

It's not the same as what I'm used to eating but it's nice, very tasty.

Back at home, 47-year-old Joe still lives with his mum...

Here's the Hoover for you. I think it's time you did your room.

..who does everything for him.

Phoebe was hoping this trip would make her dad grow up.

Next time I come to Japan, I'm not bringing him. Never.

But he's still acting the fool.

Bu-bu-buck! Bu-buck!

My dad doesn't cook, full stop,

so I'm not used to having anything from him

and this is a complete contrast to the food I normally eat.

Mikey is shown a board which helps the ladies' circulation.

The baubles touch pressure points in the feet,

sending blood to different parts of the body to keep them healthy.

Ooh! It hurts!

It might look uncomfortable...

-It don't feel good, actually!

-LAUGHTER

..but the ladies explain, if you can focus your mind and forget the pain,

it will get easier.

Do we think this is going to help in the seiza position?

I think it might. I think it might.

Ow!

The ladies here told us how it's about breathing,

so I think it helps me.

So, next time I'm feeling pain, when I'm doing seiza

I'll think about breathing and it will be easier for me.

-We're very grateful. Arigato.

-Arigato.

Thank you.

Mikey can't wait to test their theory.

I think it will help us, like, breathe well

and think about the respect when we're in seiza

so it won't hurt...as much.

-Go on, Jedd.

-Come on, Jedd!

Back at karaoke,

it's ballet dancer Jedd's turn to entertain the old people

and he does it the only way he knows how.

I'm not going to sing. I'm going to dance.

APPLAUSE

Proud dad, Paul, has changed his mind about Jedd's ballet dancing

since he's been in Japan.

He's going to teach me a few of the moves he does in ballet

to help me get by in the old karate,

so it's opened my eyes up a bit to what he can do.

He's seen how it's helped Jedd with other sports

and, as a result, they've got much closer.

My dad's starting to understand why I like dancing

because a lot of the feet are the same in karate to dancing.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Jedd proves to the locals Britain's definitely got talent!

MUSIC: Strictly Come Dancing theme tune

It's not long before everyone is dancing.

Just like Brucie, these people love to move.

'On the way to the old people's village'

I said to my dad, "It'll be all boring, I don't want to go,"

but it's been really funny and really, really fun.

MUSIC: Strictly Come Dancing theme tune

We really got to know the Okinawan people much deeper and better

and really understood them.

Overall, I think everyone had a really good day.

But before the families can leave the elders' village,

the Grand Master wants them to meet

one of the oldest women in the world.

The Sensei has sent us here because there's a lady and it's her birthday

and we're going to show her British respect.

-APPLAUSE

-Happy birthday.

-Thank you.

How old are you?

-Ten... Eight.

-108?

Wonderful! Wonderful!

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday dear Hoshi

# Happy birthday to you! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Touched by the respect the families have shown her,

the old lady invites them to stay for her birthday party

and they celebrate in true Okinawan style,

with Japanese doughnuts and dancing.

-I thought it was really fun!

-Did you?

-It was fun!

-You think we've got respect, then?

-Yeah.

It's amazing that she's nine times as old as me

and I'd like to live to that age and still be able to clap along.

It's amazing that I've met someone like that.

The Zen Master said that seeing is not seeing with your eyes,

it's to see with your heart.

-I think that we've seen with our hearts.

-That's true.

-Yeah.

-Bye!

-Goodbye!

-Arigato!

-Arigato!

Hai! Karate!

After visiting the elders, Sensei takes the group for more training.

They have just over two weeks to get the yellow belt

if they're to have a chance of performing

at the World Karate Tournament

and today, at last,

it's time for them to start learning their routine.

It's a very important day.

You've progressed enough in your kihon, or basics, now

to start your kata.

A good kata is performed with speed, power and confidence.

Precise, controlled movements are essential,

as is a focused mind, to remember the order of the blocking,

punching and kicking moves.

Look carefully and do the same thing.

MUSIC: "Don't Upset The Rhythm" by the Noisettes

It's difficult at first, but you'll get better.

And Sensei will not let them rest until they get it right.

One more time.

So they have to repeat it over...

One more time.

..and over...

One more time.

..and over again.

One more time.

Your spirit will get stronger because we repeat, repeat, repeat

and never give up.

Karate experts perform their moves thousands of times

to make them more precise.

As a result, Shinjo Sensei has a kick so accurate,

he could give Beckham a run for his money.

Warning - do NOT try this at home!

Watch again in slow motion.

Moving at an incredible pace,

he aims the strong bone above his ankle

for the weakest section of the bat.

Just remember, no matter how nicely he asks,

don't lend Shinjo your baseball bat!

Hai! Karate!

Remembering all the moves in the kata is hard work

but, with the help of Sensei, the families seem to be progressing.

Hai! >

High kick.

Step and blow.

'The first kata was quite difficult.'

I didn't really get it

but I think I'll get better if I keep repeating it over and over.

The kata tradition - listening, looking, watching, sweat.

-Understand?

-Yeah. Yes.

-Hai?

-Hai!

My brain was hurting because I kept thinking about the moves I was doing

and I actually started playing some songs in my head

and was just doing it to the beat a little bit.

I really, really enjoyed it.

Even though the families are making progress with their karate,

the Master has one final test for them to face today.

This is all about communication in family pairs

and trust.

Sensei's noticed some families

are still struggling to get over their differences.

I hate you!

I think I'm in the doghouse with Mikey.

-No, no.

-Come and have a look.

-No!

-LOOK!

-NO!

His challenge is designed to get them communicating clearly in pairs,

as one member must guide the other towards a target.

Using a baseball bat, they will have just one strike to smash the melon.

Sounds easy? Not if you're blindfolded!

Jedd and Paul, you're first.

Come on. Who's batting first? Me or you?

It was Paul's fault they lost the last challenge.

I think I, um, let him down a bit.

Who's going to be blindfolded?

Can they communicate better today?

They have strength and communication skills, so I've no doubt in my mind

they'll smash it to pieces.

-OK, off you go.

-Keep walking straight. To your right.

Right, right, right.

Right. Stop. Go right again. Keep going right a little bit. No.

Spin your right leg round, behind you. Behind your left leg.

That's going the wrong way. The other way. That's it!

No, look! Too far. Back again.

Keep walking straight.

Straight, straight, straight.

Stop! Down and go.

-Well done. You got it.

-Yes!

-Well done, son.

-Good trust, yeah?

Joe and Phoebe, let's go.

Joe let Phoebe down badly in the last challenge.

-Out!

-No!

-It was... Ugh!

-It was totally my fault.

Can he make up for it today?

OK, walk straight, straight.

Keep walking, not too fast,

just slowly. Now stop.

Move a bit to the right. To your right.

Right, stop. Right, turn...

..to, er, your left. Turn to the left.

OK. I think you're...

I think you're in range.

So give it a good whack.

-How?

-Straight down.

Straight down from where you are.

YES!

-Did I break it?

-Have a look.

-It's smashed to pieces.

Communication has come a long way since the last challenge.

I was very impressed. Good job.

Despite their arguments,

Sandra does seem to be loosening up on this trip.

Trying to put her bootees on and they're too small!

Chloe and her mum communicated well in the last challenge.

Can they do as well in this task?

Five steps forward.

-Small ones?

-Large.

Turn to your right like a clock, one quarter. Stop. Yeah.

Take five steps.

Turn to your left.

Walk forward. I'll tell you when you get there. Keep walking forward.

Stop! Turn a little bit to your left.

And stop! Half a step to the front.

You are now square with the melon.

No, w... Don't move your leg unless I tell you. Just stand still.

You're off. Turn a little bit more to your left.

Now put it behind your head and smack it as hard as you can.

Smack it!

YES!

WHOO!

-Thank you.

-You're welcome.

It was a little bit hard because the floor was, like, a beach,

it was uneven.

So I had to really bury my foot in the sand to stay stable

then when I found out... When I heard the sound when it cracked

I was really happy about it.

And finally, Mikey and Mark are up.

-Who wants to be blindfolded?

-He does.

-Me!

Mikey. Go for it, Mikey.

Mikey has not spent this much time with his dad in seven years

but the pair are not bonding because Mark keeps letting his son down.

No, that was embarrassing.

He needs to double his effort.

Will he do it again today?

That's it, straight.

(Blimey.) Straight.

Straight.

Stop, stop. Come over t... Left, go left.

That's it, like that. Keep going.

Bring your right foot forward a little bit.

Now go straight.

Left foot more, that's it.

Left foot a little bit more.

That's it, now bring your right foot round a tiny bit.

Half a foot.

Right foot round a bit. Turn to the left.

Even Brent looks confused by these directions.

Stop, stop!

Um, swing round a tiny bit.

That's it.

I reckon... Tiny bit forward, tiny bit.

OK, now behead that melon. Whack it!

Oh, no!

Oh...

Oh, no!

-Mamma mia!

-You're going to have to work on those communication skills.

Go and have a chat and see what went wrong.

Mikey's rather upset, as you can see.

We are awful communicators.

Yeah, we need to think... We need to get a better plan.

We need to communicate better.

-We'll have a strategy and a plan for the next one.

-Yeah.

While Mikey and Mark still have a long way to go,

it seems Chloe and Sandra are beginning to understand one another.

Mum is naturally a good communicator and I'm all right at communicating.

I have to learn to listen a bit more than just speak

and think about what you say before you say it.

Mm. But that's a learning curve, as well.

That's a learning curve - between us we can communicate and listen

It's showing us here that you need to spend more time

listening to each other and others.

After a week in Japan and over 30 hours of karate training,

the families are slowly beginning to make progress.

Karate's not about competing against each other.

It's about a battle within yourself.

This is where it all begins. This is the start of it.

Luxury's over. We're going to have to batten down, do some hard graft.

If they compete together as a family, hopefully they'll grow closer

and they'll sort out some of the issues they were having.

Next time on Hai! Karate: Journey To Japan,

Brent has a surprise for the families.

You've got ten minutes to go pack your bags.

And Jedd finds himself bowled over by the local culture.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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