sensei8

What you're speaking about here is what Shindokan is about; very old school mindset, which, to me, doesn't surprise me seeing that our Soke was born and raised and trained in Okinawa. In that, we do condition ourselves through various methods, but primarily it's done with Hojo Undo.

Are those students TEACHING, or are they ASSISTING?? If they're teaching, then they're in full charge of the floor. If they're assisting, then they're not in full charge of the floor. To effectively teach, that individual must be in full charge of the floor because whatever is explained, can be overruled by whomever is in charge of the floor at any given time. Imho, that relationship can be a very sensitive and unstable one.

Welcome, manwofear; glad that you're here!!

I suppose that that's how my Kudan came about. I refused the promotion over and over and over, even though our By-Laws states that whomever is elected to Kaicho, that individual will be promoted to the rank of Kudan. I didn't like that, I still don't like it, and I refused to accept Kudan because of some rule in our By-Laws, repeatedly. Even my Dai-Soke spoke with me about this very same thing, and after we had talked, he understood my reasons, even though he didn't agree with them all, he told everyone to leave me alone. So, perhaps my Kudan was already decided upon way back, and under the guise of a Testing Cycle, one that I demanded, they awarded me my Kudan. Again, in my heart of hearts, I'm Hachidan, and I'm content with that. In Shindokan, all ranks up to, and including Hachidan, are tested for their ranks, in both karate-do and kobudo. Only Kudan and Judan are awarded through the auspices of our By-Laws. And I still believe, so was MY Kudan!! I agree with you and respect your feelings on the subject. I have passed on promotion 4 times in my journey and only accepted a position/title after Shinshii explained to me that I had expectations and had built up what each level should be in my mind. That others around you can see what you can not and sometimes you have to respect the decisions of others especially when they see you for what you are. If your organization felt that you were worthy of such a title, rank and position they probably are right even though you felt differently. I respect that you forced them to legitimize it by having them test you. And to speak more so to the reasons behind your promotion; If you do what I did and take yourself out of the picture and switch positions, looking at yourself as anyone else would, would you feel the same? Would you promote yourself and grant your position? The art teaches us to be humble, selfless and to set lofty goals for ourselves. It is sometimes hard to accept what others see or what is best for the organization as a whole when it does not fit into our own perceptions caused by our training. Based on the few posts I have read of yours I tend to agree with their decision. Solid post!! For no other reason, I suppose that my loyalty to my Sensei, Yoshinobu Takahashi, Dai-Soke, still yearns for HIS approval. Everything that I ever earned was under HIM, and within me, I still yearn for HIS approval, even though he's no longer with us. His approval, is that stamp!! If anything that I've earned doesn't have his stamp, then I feel unworthy to the nth degree. I shouldn't, but I do, at times!! Would I feel the same about my Kudan, had he conducted that Testing Cycle himself?? I suppose not!! But, he didn't, because he couldn't; that void in my heart is as big now as it was when he passed away.

Congrats, LLLEARNER; well deserved!!

Shouldn't a student WANT to teach, instead of being required to teach?? Forcing one to teach, for whatever the reason(s) might or might not be, can seriously curb any interest, if any interest was ever there.

This is me, but I wouldn't have replied in like, at all. I would've addressed him in a total professional manner, and that would've including me apologizing for my spelling error, and assuring the customer that I'd strive to earn his business. Why? If that customer wasn't really going to take their business elsewhere, and they were just venting, as that's a customers right to do so, no matter how harsh that customer is in their complaint, that once that customer reads your email, that customer will be much more inclined to follow through with the threat of taking their business elsewhere. We've only one chance to make that impression, and once that first impression has expired, a bad impression serves the company of no value, and any attempt to reconcile, will be for naught. Yes, you matched wit for wit, but in the long run, the battle of wits has the business losing, while the customer wins. It's all about Customer Service, and when Customer Service isn't provided, the business is drastically affected. Sending a negative email right back to the customer has two things: 1. Time stamp and date 2. Proof of your email [that might be sent to your supervisor, if you've one] A customer might perceive your email as negative because the customers complaint wasn't solved, yet your email might only exasperate the entire situation, a situation that might cause you more harm than good. Two wrongs never make a right!!

I suppose that that's how my Kudan came about. I refused the promotion over and over and over, even though our By-Laws states that whomever is elected to Kaicho, that individual will be promoted to the rank of Kudan. I didn't like that, I still don't like it, and I refused to accept Kudan because of some rule in our By-Laws, repeatedly. Even my Dai-Soke spoke with me about this very same thing, and after we had talked, he understood my reasons, even though he didn't agree with them all, he told everyone to leave me alone. So, perhaps my Kudan was already decided upon way back, and under the guise of a Testing Cycle, one that I demanded, they awarded me my Kudan. Again, in my heart of hearts, I'm Hachidan, and I'm content with that. In Shindokan, all ranks up to, and including Hachidan, are tested for their ranks, in both karate-do and kobudo. Only Kudan and Judan are awarded through the auspices of our By-Laws. And I still believe, so was MY Kudan!!

I'm a bit dismayed by what I watched during the TKD events lately at Rio 2016. One particular item of concern was watching Steven Lopez fall short in his bid of winning another Olympic medal. His last match for a Bronze medal was against Oussama Queslati, of Tunisia, with a final score of 14-5, against a much taller opponent that was about 6' 7", against Lopez's 6' 3" frame. Queslati appeared to me to be all legs, and I mean long legs. Exchange after exchange, round after round, Lopez attacked Queslati over and over, as did Queslati to Lopez. Queslati scored one after another after another, and after the 2nd round, Queslati was ahead by leaps and bounds, and I believe that the score was 10-1 against Lopez, with only one round remaining. Over and over, Queslati and Lopez clashed with one another. Over and over, Queslati used his long legs to score...with the end looming over Lopez's Olympic medal search. I was shocked!! Not that Lopez was bested by Queslati, but how the electronic scoring was not doing its job!! Even the two commentators made a disbelieved notice that even though Lopez was "scoring" one after another on Queslati, the electronic scoring vest wasn't awarding clean points to Lopez; these two commentators were without a reason as to why Lopez's clear points weren't being recorded. This brings me to this concern. Sure, devices are man-made, and anything man-made, no matter how well made, malfunction without any notice at all; things happen. If that's the case!! No, I'm not saying that something underhanded occurred, not even going to entertain that. I'm sure that when Karate makes its debut in the Olympics, those same scoring vests will be utilized. I'm sure, that the IOC went with scoring vests because a human judge is subjected to making judgemental errors. Whereas, an electronic vest isn't subjected to errors...or so we're lead to believe. Lopez's TKD match wasn't the only match I watched, and time and time again, I saw very clean points not being tabulated by the electronic scoring vest. Clear points I saw were not glances, nor were they clashes. I opt for doing the scoring for Karate at the Olympics being that of the old fashioned way of scoring...with human corner judges and a center judge. After all, for as long as I can remember, and that a lot of remembering, Karate Kumite matches aren't continues like TKD matches are. Karate matches stop after each score for judgement. Old fashion or modern scoring? I choose old fashion!!

Welcome to KF, InstructorJack; glad that you're here!!

To know for certain if whether your thumbs broken or not, my initial advice is that you visit your doctor asap, then follow the advice from your doctor. In meanwhile, I'd ice it, and I'd immobilize it as best as I can in order to hopefully limit any further aggravation/injury until I got to my doctor. We, whomever, tend to be our own doctor, and I believe that that might be the most frugal thing to, as well as self-diagnosing at the time, but that mindset can cause additional grieve in the long run. Hang in there, and I hope you feel better, sooner than later!!

Welcome to KF, MatsuShinshii; glad you're here!! I'm particularly excited that you're here because while we're of different styles, birthed in Okinawa, we, you and I, are kind of cut out of the same wood. Both of our governing bodies have suffered pretty much the same turbulence's of varying degrees over the years, yet, we've never ever meet face to face. Hi, I'm Bob, glad to meet you!! Glad to also see another Senior Dan rank, with a Shogo, here at KF, but for no particular reason(s); just good to see, is all. I respect all MAist of all ranks, and not just those who've earned a Senior Dan rank.

My condolences to Nakazato Shugoro Sensei's family, friends, and students; he'll be truly missed by all. While I never had a chance to meet him and/or train under him, I knew about him, but only from a distance. I've read about him over the years in many different publications, and I hold the highest respect for him across the board. He can't be replaced, only admired for his life long dedication to Shorin-Ryu, as well as his students; they've lost a legend of not only Shorin-Ryu, but of the MA world in general. Many students of the MA, no matter the style, might've been inspired somehow and someway by Nakazato Shugoro Sensei, not only by the manner of which he trained, taught, and lived both in and out of the MA, especially Shorin-Ryu...I know I was!! I deeply bow to Nakazato Shugoro Sensei, now and forever!!

Everyone here knows what I'm about to say, it's one of my catch-phrases... Not all black belts can teach; nor should they try, no matter how many years they've been on the floor!!

Sounds to me that you're quite proud of her...as you should be!! The apple of your eye, and she's no preconceived notions about the MA, she just rocks the floor!! Give her a high-five from me!!

Welcome to KF, Focused Mind; glad that you're here!!

This is how one spells LEGENDS; one and all!! They've each blazed a path that many Karateka can aspire for, yet if one would remain quite long enough, they'd learn something valuable from any of these Masters!!

My apologies Sensei8. I just saw your post pretty much explaining the same thing as I just did. Not riding your coat tails just didn't read the 2nd page. Solid post by the way and good advice. It's all good, MatsuShinshii, it's all good!! I didn't bring up much about any required protocol, but you did in the reminder of a gift, and that's very important. I once FORGOT some protocol, and Dai-Soke reminded me in such a way that I never forgot again.

No!! Students don't teach; they learn!! Students will, as part of their Sankyu to Ikkyu, will assist, not teach, in classes with an instructor that possess no less than a Sandan. Shodan's and Nidan's also assist. Assisting isn't teaching, and teaching isn't assisting. I suppose it also depends on how you define a student and instructor. Is a Sandan that lines up with class not a student themselves, when they elect not to teach but train? But anyway, I feel a black belt 4-5 years of experience in most arts is capable of teaching when needed. Yes, you're correct, absolutely, 100%!! Yet, when that Sandan is in line for class, that Sandan is a student. And when that same Sandan is at the front of the class, running that floor, that Sandan is teaching. Oftentimes, we instructors are also students, as we wear many hats!!

Lex, First off, Angela's in my thoughts and prayers, as you and your family as well. She'll fight that fight, and with God's grace, she'll beat this!! As far as your post, it was both moving and thoughtful, and I thank you for sharing it. As far as the MA things, you do as you feel, no matter what anyone thinks; Angela's your daughter, your blood, your everything!! Don't let anyone sway you from the path that you've decided upon, no matter what the MA might preach, and no matter what opinions might be...from anyone!! You've got my support 100% across the board!! Be there for her on and off the floor; anything else, can wait!!

Sensei8, Forgive my ignorance and please take no offense but I do not understand why a students instructor isn't in control of when their students test. I can understand the Hombu having a hand in the test results, as far as oversight, but to say yes or no to a student that they may not have seen and certainly do not see on a weekly basis is very confusing to me. I am in complete control of my students and when they test or do not test. However any student testing for Yudansha ranks are tested by at least three senior ranks and at least two ranks above the students rank. These tests are video taped and sent to the Hombu for verification purposes only. In the 36+ years I have studied I have only seen one student get denied rank due to the Hombu not agreeing with the instructor. All instructors are of the same mind set that we are in the business of producing the best Karateka possible and only test when we feel that they are ready. The only other time our Hombu gets involved is when we have a student that is testing for rank close to ours. I am a Rokudan and can test to Yondan without Hombu intervention. However if I feel that a student is ready to test for Godan or Rokudan they must travel to the Hombu to be tested by the board of promotions. No disrespect, and I'm sure I do not have the whole story, but it seems that your Hombu doesn't grant much trust in their instrcuctors to tell them when a student is ready to test. Not to mention that it is quite unfair to leave the responsibility of a students capability in the hands of people that may only see this student on a few occasions. In our case it may be years as I am 4 states away. No offense taken, MatsuShinshii, none at all!! As in anything, we might not like what any governing body enforces or doesn't enforce, it's' the governing bodies right to do however it wants to without permission, and that's the sovereign right of any governing body. Trust me, there's a many of things that our governing body does and doesn't do, but, I've accepted them either out of ignorance and/or loyalty, no matter how blind it might or might not be. Our Hombu, through the SKKA, and through the authority of our By-Laws, approves each and every Testing Cycle candidate without any exception, and/or ambiguity. No one, within the SKKA network are allowed to test without the explicit approval of the Hombu...NO ONE!! CI's are quite involved in their students Testing Cycle. After all, without the CI, no student can ever test without having first learned something about Shindokan. CI's have to petition the Hombu on the behalf of their students. However, the very first thing that a CI must do for any student, for any upcoming Testing Cycle, within their own dojo, is to present a list to the Hombu of every prospective candidate. That very list, is that CI's petition for their students, and in that petition, separately, and/or in whole, are either denied or approved for that said Testing Cycle. As it's said, the CI knows each of their students intimately because the CI handles their students on a daily basis. As to the reasons why? The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'!! While it might appear that the Hombu's quite untrustful towards each and every CI/dojo within the SKKA network, it doesn't come without any history. While I don't apologize for the SKKA/Hombu, I do agree that the SKKA/Hombu IS untrustful, but for their own reasons. According to SKKA/Hombu history, in the earliest days of the SKKA/Hombu, the given trust to the very, very few networked dojo's was quickly abdicated by them in usurping ways. These dojo's were founded to be guilty of the following: 1. Testing students on a weekly basis, and not on a quarter basis, as it's stated in the SKKA By-Laws. 2. Re-Producing their own Shindokan certificates. 3. Re-Producing their own Shindokan Inkan's The Hombu, by it's authority, is the only one that can produce a Shindokan certificate of any type, and in addition, the Hombu is the only one that can apply any and all Inkan stamps on any Shindokan certificate. In that, and this has been done ever since the Hombu opened its doors, all certificates are produced at the Hombu, on a need basis, by Soke, at first, then Dai-Soke, but only after Soke retired. Certificates are now produced in the modern way...Computer; rage of the page, I suppose. The Inkan's were also produced by Soke, and by him alone. Both the certificates, and the computer that now produces them, as well as the Inkan's are kept under a lock and key, and only the Executive Team has access to them. Trust can be a fragile thing; one not given easily, if at all!! Once that trust has been violated, as it was back then, it's almost never given again. What happened back then was a serious matter, and a serious threat, as well as a serious breach; one that can't ever be repeated. This is our way, and has been our way since 1957. Sure, I can, as Kaicho, abolish the ways and means that we manage our Testing Cycle and the like, but, I'm not inclined or obligated to, and I doubt that I ever will be.

Congrats, CTTKDKing; well deserved!!

Congrats with you passing your test!! Well done!!

WOW!! That was a great interview all around. Covered so much with the things that are done in both fields of expertise. Both fields, are so similar, yet so different, yet there's a moment where both fields overlap, especially documentation and research. Thank you, Patrick, and Alex for the interview!!

Good topic, Lex!! The great thing about any business is that there are no guarantees, as there is no one only model in which to open said business. Hopefully, the model chosen works out to be a successful one, but that primarily depends on how it's managed in every know aspect of that business. Negotiation is a key tool, and one shouldn't be afraid to negotiate anything and everything, because the opposite of "NO", is "YES", and if it's approached professionally, the "YES" will outweigh "NO".