sensei8

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. There were two issues that I faced when I started my Kyuodan dojo back in 1977. My dojo was located at the corners of Sherman Way and White Oak in Van Nuys, California, just north of Hollywood, within the San Fernando Valley. Both of these issues were, and still are, monumentally important to the continued viability that seemed to constantly ebb on the edge of mortality and immortality; the war torn battle of juggling one responsibility after another, wondering if it'll all just topple over, to never be seen again. Business knowledgeMoney managementThese two hovering vultures can rob one of much needed, restful sleep; worrying about a multitude of delicate decisions that might've been made in haste or made in one last desperate lunge for that proverbial brass ring. Business Knowledge It's one thing to be a black belt, but it's another thing to have secured the knowledge about how one should manage and operate a business. And not just a business, but a successful business. Understand this: I'm a big proponent that a dojo is, now and forever, a business. Why? Unless you've no overhead of any type, than you're not managing and operating a business. A business, like a dojo, needs that constant care. It can't take care of itself, can't clean up after itself, can't pay its own bills, can't negotiate for itself, can't bank for itself, can't buy supplies for itself, can't market for itself, and it can't do the most simplest task for itself. It's dependant! In 1977, I was a fledging new sandan. I had been assisting my sensei, as an assistant instructor (one of many), ever since I was a thirteen year old junior black belt in 1970. When I opened for business in July of 1977, I figured that I had acquired enough business knowledge, during those 7 years, to flawlessly manage and operate the Kyuodan dojo. I figured dead wrong! Observing and doing are two different things altogether. Having hands-on experience in the daily operations, outside of performing assisting teaching duties, would've had a prodigious effect on me. Being a cogent black belt isn't the same thing as being a cohesive business owner; nor is it a guarantee. Yes, sensei taught me how to teach effectively, as did soke, but I had little, or no clue at all how to be both that solid black belt and that solvent business owner. I was that ingenuous sandan on the floor, sure of himself, though quite naive. But off the floor, I only possessed a basic idea of the business world, that I'd not fully garnered from sensei and soke! In hindsight, that business world was a vast, horrific, dark and desperately somber entity, and it overshadowed me unmercifully. However, truth being told, the possession of a black belt isn't pertinent to the business world. Being a sandan, while important to teaching the martial arts, doesn't hold the same meaning in the business world. No, my friend, I learned quickly that owning and operating a dojo, a.k.a. a small business, takes more than knowing how to teach kihon, kata and kumite. My student body numbers were scarce my first six months, so much so that I was living in my dojo, sleeping on one of the couches in my office. When I say scarce, I'm talking about only having twenty-five students at the end of those first six months. I was reaching DEFCON 1, in a business sense, and I wasn't sure what my next move should be in order to remain in business. I kept the smile on, as to not worry my tiny band of students. Teaching wasn't the problem. That's never been the problem. I'm gifted and blessed in that area. I can teach! No, the problem, as I slowly began to learn through those bleak opening months, was me! My perceived notions about business were being quickly dashed. My solution seemed simple enough. I needed to expediently learn business 101. I enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College, a stone's throw away from the front door of my Kyuodan dojo. College classes in the day, teaching Shindokan at night. I put in a major academic load of 12 units, with a major of business administration. College is fine. One can learn a plethora of subjects of interest. However, there's nothing like attending the college of trials and tribulations, a.k.a. the school of hard knocks. That'll put gristle on your business meat quite fast, and it'll take no prisoners. I learnt a valuable lesson about needs and wants. In both business and in life, one has needs and wants in order to exist fruitfully. However, these are separate desires that must be kept separate, respected and understood. The lines between the two should never be crossed. I need to pay rent! I need to pay utilities! I need to pay for supplies! Rest and relaxation is a necessary part of balancing the sane with the insanity of the business world. However, the recharging of one's batteries should never cause one to shrug off their responsibilities as a business owner. Pay your bills, all of your bills and when they're due! Then, and only then, can you afford that richly deserved vacation. Anything that doesn't sustain the dojo's existence is a want. One could overflow a lake with tangible wants. That's part of life. Nonetheless, a business owner needs to learn how to balance their spreadsheet so as to avoid potential potholes, and placing wants over needs isn't anything short of a huge sinkhole. Business knowledge wasn't my forte, but I knew I was going to learn it, even if it literally killed me to do so. Every idea requires a plan, or at least a list to follow. This might include: BookkeepingBusiness plan Managing people Sales and marketing Standard operating procedures (SOP) What else?With this general battle plan, I've one small problem: how am I going to pay for all of this? Money Management Back in 1977, martial arts schools weren't a ubiquitous feature of the American landscape, unlike they are in today's America. Having enough cash to cover the bills is a must for any business, but it is also a must for every individual. Whether it is your business or your life, one will likely emerge as a capital drain that puts pressure on the other. In order to head off this problem, small business owners must either be heavily capitalized or be able to pick up extra income to shore up cash reserves when needed. This is why many small businesses start out with the founders working a job and building a business simultaneously. While this split focus can make it difficult to grow a business, running out of cash makes growing a business impossible. I didn't have any other employment, nor did I want any other employment, other than the Kyuodan dojo! The Kyuodan dojo was my realized dream, and I wasn't going to let it become my realized nightmare, not if I could prevent it. Many times, dojo owners earn no reportable income because their cash reserves are tied up with operational costs. But that's a good thing. Dojo taken care of? Check! Family taken care of? Check! Student body taken care of? Check! Then the owner, as well as the chief instructor, which normally are the same person, are taken care of, too. Against the pleas of my family, friends and students, at the end of my first year of college, I terminated my continuing education. Even though the dojo was desperate for more cash reserves, I plugged through that first year with my integrity and passion still intact. Despite the naysayers, I was still in the black, and my student body was slowly creeping upwards. After saying my farewells to college life, I put my plan in motion to ever increasing my depleting cash revenue. I went full-time, and that meant that the Kyuodan dojo would be open from 10am to 10pm, Monday through Friday and 10am – 5pm on Saturday. My first year, I only taught during the evening hours when the majority of potential students were at home. Schools let out at 3pm, and most business ended their daily operations at 5pm. My Kyuodan dojo had been birthed on that notion, missing out on an untapped well of opportunities. That was about to change! I literally blanketed the entire San Fernando Valley in colorful flyers with the help of family, students, and to my surprise, the Hombu's chipped in to help as well. We covered vehicle windshields, telephone poles and the occasional business bulletin board. Tournament participation remained quite lucrative to me in more ways than one. Not only did I compete and win my share of events, I also gave demonstrations. This was the bread and butter for my soke promoting Shindokan in the early years of the Hombu. Any time a tournament promoter would allow a demonstration, per a rotating schedule that was shared with many other styles of the martial arts in the San Fernando Valley, I gave my all. Those who were permitted to conduct a demonstration were also allowed, by the tournament promoter, to have a sign-up table in the foyer of the lobby. This created an opportunity to speak with the potential student at the dojo. I gave out free lessons like candy because I knew that once a potential student had been on the floor with me, I'd earn them as my student. As the cash reserves were increasing, I had to remain true to the lessons of the needs and the wants. Addressing one's business responsibilities, first and foremost, over any petty want, without any ambiguity and/or reservations, is critically important. I'm quite proud that I've never ever had a late payment notice ever discovered inside of my mail box. The lessons, as hard as they were, were rewarding and worth it. Executing the Plan With a better understanding of business and how to manage the money-side of the operation, here is how I went about accomplishing the plan mentioned above: Bookkeeping: I had to hire a bookkeeper, but I couldn't budget it into my annual budget. Thankfully, and to the Hombu's credit, I had a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), paid for by the Hombu. Business plan: This is one of the most important documents a business should have because it frames the foundation either on muddy ground or on solid ground. I had to assess my skills and expertise outside of the martial arts. If I'm not qualified or willing to handle all that's going to be required, and which aspects will necessitate either more learning on my part or calling in the cavalry for help, then I've no business being in business, at all. Managing people: I believe that this skill set requires one to be a great listener over being an affable speaker. Acquire delegation skills as well, unless you want to do it all Most business owners want to do it all because they're afraid! For me, managing people has always been an easy thing to learn and to apply. It's not personal, it's business. That's a hard pill to swallow, depending on which side of the conversation you're on. Sales and marketing: I had to learn about my competitors: the other martial arts schools, which are slowly becoming sprinkled like a fine dust throughout the Valley. What are they offering? What are their prices? Standard operating procedures (SOP): What are my processes for handling tasks that are recurring? For example, filling out orders for uniforms, belts, patches, supplies, etc. Do I understand the basic principles and practices of controlling inventory? What's my refund policy? Who do I call when I need something repaired? The SOP is the playbook for situations that might arise from time to time, or quite often. What else?: Problems occur, and I need to solve them. Owning and operating a business is akin to being a firefighter. You have to fight one fire at a time. Trust me, each and every situation is a fire, and it needs to be identified and addressed in a timely manner. My biggest fire was, and still is, customer service. If not handled properly, it can become a raging fire, burning out of control, consuming everything in its path. My dojo wasn't an exception, and if I didn't properly conduct my affairs, then my dojo will eventually deserve to be closed. These six areas of business knowledge certainly have a lot to do with money management, as well. No money, no business. Conclusion I have fond memories of my first year as the owner and chief instructor of the Kyuodan dojo. I was quickly concerned with many issues that weren't related to karate-do, but were tied to the management and operation of the dojo itself. As you grow your business knowledge and your understanding of money management, you will increase the hopes that your own dojo can survive the haunting truth will define your own business sensibility: the final bottom line on your dojo's profit and loss statement.

Yoshinobu Takahashi; my Sensei...I miss him greatly!!

Congrats, CTTKDKing; well deserved!!

Good luck; you'll do fine, so relax and don't fret over any possible mistakes that you might make. The testing cycle will take care of itself!!

I wholeheartedly agree with you that kata should be simple and practical. Though Sensei hasn't asked me to come up with Bunkai for it, for every move I do I visualize what application it could have. What bothers me is the sheer length of it: 50 moves. I'm finding it to be an awfully long kata. Thank you for the idea! I video taped how I do traditional katas before to analyze my mistakes but for some reason haven't thought about it for my own kata! Ah. That's another bit of a problem I don't know how to overcome. When I initially asked Sensei about how I should approach composing the kata he basically said: "Just do it". I've also failed the test for 1 kyu twice (a year ago and this June) and I'm afraid to ask him about my kata in case he takes it as me trying to hint that I want to test again. To be completely honest I'm afraid to ask Sensei about anything. When I did in the past he would look at me as if I was a Martian and say: "Don't talk. Keep training." I'm sure I might have asked wrong questions but I have no idea which question are the right ones.Three things that come to mind. One, 50 is quite long for a kyu kata, imho. If you're troubled by its length, then shorten it, that's where the video taping will help you because when you play it back over and over, you'll see where you can edit it without losing its effectiveness. Two, if your Sensei isn't available for critic/feedback/etc., then don't bother him with it...just shorten it, and as he's said..."just do it"!! If you can believe it, then he'll believe it too...hopefully!! Three, if Bunkai isn't required, then don't worry about it. HOWEVER, Bunkai, if approached correctly, can weed out some of the movements, therefore, shorten the length of the kata. So, sure, try some Bunkai in private, but don't worry about Bunkai on test day. BUT, what if your Sensei surprises you with him wanting to have you demonstrate some Bunkai; better to be prepared than to be surprised.

All dues are due on the 1st of each month!! Have to pay to play!! Don't pay, you don't get to play!! No!! Yes and no!! I've employees to collect dues, but if those employees aren't there, than I will collect dues myself. No, to the per lesson!! Yes, to the per month/block sessions!! They clock in and out on a time clock!! Their paid the 1st and the 15th of each month. No!! Business 101 teaches one vital thing when it comes to employees...Don't mess with an employees money. Trust must be earned, and I've, as of yet, found an outside company that I can trust. I won't speak towards the Hombu in this regard because the Hombu has a department that manages/oversees all of the Hombu's accounts payable and accounts receivable. What I do know is that the Hombu accepts all types of payments and that all dues are due at the 1st-3rd of each month and that they've different receivable accounts structures for students to choose and that all paid instructors are paid on the 1st/15th of each month.

There's no one that I'd choose to train with because, before I can train with anyone, I first must be worthy, and I'm not worthy; and right now, I feel like I'm the furthest thing from being worthy!!

Welcome to KF, chickadee; glad that you're here!! Solid posts, all!! Here's my two-cents, if I may, During my tournament days, I would often signed up for the Creative Division per current rank. I struggled quite a lot at first because I didn't know how to create an effective kata filled with effectiveness throughout. I went for flash at first, and that earned me many last places, with a few discussions with that tournaments arbitrator. You see, I knew the kata's within our curriculum per current rank, and for me, that was difficult to separate that which was within me and with that which wasn't in me, hence, a kata that I created. Then doubt entered in the face of..."Just who do I think I am that I think that I can create an effective kata?!?!" Then, and finally, that AHA moment came... Keep It Simple Student The kata's within our style are effective because they're simple; even those that are advanced. Casting away that which was flashy and ineffective was easy once I took myself out of the equation. Building a building...building a car...building just about anything that's effective means that said designer keep it simple, even in the most advanced technology. Body mechanics are irrefutable concerning their effectiveness: either it works or it doesn't!! Trial and error!! For every successful kata, research must be applied. And in that application, one must be brutally honest with oneself, without any ambiguity whatsoever!! That's where Bunkai can help! It's not required, however, it shouldn't be ignored!! Anything created, must be researched, and that means that it must be analyzed to the nth degree. If it, whatever it is, is to be believed, it must be believable to yourself first, than the audience lastly. Once I got out of the way, the results were a success, not only with many Grand Championships, but in the realm of effectiveness, and that effectiveness was my true reward. No, for me, KISS was applicable in creating a winning kata. Yet, that winning kata, if it's purpose is true and honorable, can be also used during a testing cycle, if demanded by ones Sensei. Relax...let the kata take care of itself!! Btw, VIDEO TAPE it so that you can see what it looks like, and make corrections accordingly, and this is where one must be brutally honest with oneself. Above all things, seek out the advice and feedback from your Sensei, when it's appropriate!! Ask your Sensei to critic that which you're creating, but be warned, your Sensei's critic might be harsh, but it'll be truthful. Good luck...train hard...train seriously!!

I think that's a great distance. While 5 miles may seem like a short distance, it's the time itself that makes all the difference for some. A lot of the time, I think more of the travel time over the distance in miles. Under normal conditions, 5 miles can be traveled in 5 minutes, or 1 mile per minute. The 16 minutes takes those 5 miles because Sherman Way, being a major road that stretches all the way across the Valley from the west to the east and back, is riddled with quite a lot of traffic lights. Rush hour on Sherman Way, isn't bogged down with long periods of standing still...it's all of those crazy lights. Sure, there are a lot of vehicles, to be sure, it's just that that congestion is just life on Sherman Way, or many of its major streets.

It's all good, LLLEARNER. Thank you for sharing with us, and as others have said before, life happens!! Look forward to your posts when time allows...keep training!!

Anything and everything can be ridiculed at some time or another. If any style is consistently effective, then, imho, the name of what it's called is meaningless, and akin to not being able to see the forest because of the trees, or vice versa. Real life history? You're speaking towards lineage. Himokiri's history has been established from its very first day, somehow and someway. Anything with a path has a beginning, and continues forward until it no longer does for one reason or another. Hence, real life history exists!! Things are ridiculed for many reasons: Science, jealousy, misunderstandings, just don't like it, and so on and so forth; the list can be quite long, and quite daunting and unforgiving. If what the style offers helps a student of the MA, imho, who cares what it's name is, or where its name originated. If Shindokan, the style of MA that I've been associated with for over 50 years, had a interesting history and/or name, yet it being effective, I could care less what the name is or it's history or what others thought. IS IT EFFECTIVE?!?! If not, little matters after that, imho. If so, little matters after that, as well.

Again, there's no competition between Shindokan dojo's, and this INCLUDES the Hombu. My very first dojo was 5 miles, 16 traveling minutes, away from our Hombu, on the same east to west street; Sherman Way. No, that's not across the street, but the proximity might seem to close for others, whereas others might think that the distance between the two are just right. Soke enjoyed that some of his networked dojo's were bunched together because it made traveling to them more agreeable for him. The congesting of travel that is the Valley, can be more than a leisure Sunday drive. Ours, I suppose, is not a 2D mindset, but more of a 3D mindset as to how Soke framed his thinking on this subject.

One might say that Himokiri basks in hyperbole one way or another. Is it real? Just because I've not heard of it, that too, isn't proof that it doesn't exist, either. Anything created has a history, and in that history, a lineage exists. Is that, or any lineage, for that fact, basking in hyperbole one way or another. Things are written concerning the MA, especially a styles history and/or lineage, but very few were there at the birth of a particular style of the MA. Therefore, hearsay and conjecture do rear its ugly head one way or another because who's to say that the founder of said MA style didn't take any liberties in a hyperbole kind of way. I don't know! We don't know! For sure! Things written can be or they can't be!! To me, and in short, proof is on the floor!! If Himokiri can survive on the floor, then anything outside of the floor lacks priority, and should be treated with a grain of salt. What about this and what about that?!?! What about them?!?! Please don't misunderstand me, lineage and the like are important, however, if I was drowning in the ocean, and I'd already gone down a second time, and was about to go down for the third and last time, and an inner-tube floated by me, and saved my life, I'd kiss an inner-tube for the rest of my life. I wouldn't give a bent pin about the history and/or lineage of that inner-tube, I'd just be humble and thankful that it does what it did for me. Obscure doesn't have to harbor bad connotations...does it?!

JR 137 wrote: While there are 44 cities within the 260 square miles of the San Fernando Valley, and that would allow 44 separate Shindokan networked dojo's, there's not 44 approved Shindokan dojo's within the San Fernando Valley. There are dojo's outside of the San Fernando Valley, it's just that the San Fernando Valley is where the Hombu started, and it's where one approved networked Shindokan dojo after another started. However, if there were that many, that would be ok too, per our Soke. The attempt, as well as the message, was soundly taken. For example, the center of Van Nuys, CA to the center of North Hollywood, CA is approximately 4 miles, or 12 minutes of traveling time. Van Nuys, CA to Burbank, CA is approximately 11 miles, or 25 minutes of traveling time. Van Nuys, CA, the very center of the Valley, to Canoga Park, CA is 14 miles, or 25 minutes of traveling time. Sherman Oaks, CA to Sylmar, CA is 14 miles, or 22 minutes of traveling time. In closing, Van Nuys, CA to Reseda, CA is 6 miles, or 17 minutes of traveling time. Some cities are right next door to each others, where others are several cities away from others!! Here's where Soke decided..."There's no competition between Shindokan dojo's, and this includes the Hombu!!" There's absolutely no competition between an approved networked Shindokan dojo and the Hombu. We're one big happy family; we feed of each other and we appreciate one another and we help one another. How so?? The more the merry!! The more consumers know about a business the better. How better to know about, and peak interest, about Shindokan is to be aware of their existence. The time was then, and is still that way, even though the internet is available to the masses, we're still without that technology, in which, we're quite fine with. Seeing that the CI for said Shindokan dojo decides the location(s), the Hombu/SKKA could care less if one opened their doors next door or across the street based on the mindset that there's no competition between Shindokan dojo's and/or the Hombu! No, no Shindokan dojo is next door or across the street from each other or the Hombu!! We're not wired that way, and we're not that weird!! Our only competition is with styles of the MA that aren't Shindokan. The San Fernando Valley is a virtual petri dish of the MA; there's more styles of the MA than one can shake a stick at. After all, the Valley, is again, 260 square miles. The SKKA manages the brand completely, this is to be for sure!! No networked Shindokan dojo can fly the Shindokan banner without the explicit authorization and/or approval of the SKKA, in which, the SKKA has denied more applications than its every approved in its history. A CI can open a dojo to teach Shindokan without the explicit permission of the SKKA, that's anyone's right to do so, but they'd not have the blessing of the SKKA, and they'd not be able to use the Shindokan Shield in any shape, way, and/or form. In short, that dojo would be on their own to fend for themselves with no port and no compass; they'd be Ronin, so to speak, without the umbrella protection of the SKKA.

My most simplest answer to the OP is a firm NO...I'd never knock out a student or layperson to demonstrate the effectiveness of any MA technique!! If an instructor of the MA does this with anyone, that instructor isn't an instructor, but an individual who's assaulted someone intentionally, and that instructor should go to jail!! Medical implications are far to wide to attempt such a dangerous and intentional act. Why do it? To show that the technique(s) work, aka, effective!? So, to show that a groin kick is effective, I'm suppose to kick someone in their groin? No, everyone already knows what can happen if someone's kicked in the groin; after all, it don't take much force to affect that area. That's the problem with the MA of today...have to prove something somewhere to someone. If not, then that technique(s) isn't effective. The other problem with the MA of today is that many MAist don't want to take the responsibility of research in any of the techniques within the MA that they're learning. Take the instructors word when told that 'it' works...NO!! Research each and everything in the style of the MA that you're learning, but do it responsibly and safely without hurting one single person. There's no excuse for being irresponsible for the sake of any technique because those that are used in such a manner are the victims for the sake of THAT INSTRUCTOR and no one else!! An instructor can demonstrate every technique within their MA without knocking out or injuring a student. How? RESEARCH MEDICAL IMPLICATIONS!! A doctor can tell you what the medical implications are if I, for example, twist someones head and neck violently without actually applying it. Prove is in the pudding doesn't mean to actually follow through...RESEARCH and be RESPONSIBLE to any and all students and laypersons. How do we know what will happen if someone's struck in their solar plexus? By actually striking it? NO!! Research the medical implications!! How do I know what will happen if someone's struck in their throat? By actually striking it? NO!! Research the medical implications. Research shows us!! Research proves it!! Without actually applying and injuring someone at full force; just short of target!! Control without reservation and ambiguity is vital, and that control still allows a student to learn without being injured, or worse. Imho!!

Originally, our Hombu had tried to enforce a 25 mile radius out and away from the Hombu. HOWEVER, and in quite a short time after our Soke ruled, one of his Sandan students, who was also a LEO with the Los Angeles Police Department at the time, brought something of interest to our Soke... The furthest distance from East to West are approximately 25 miles! The furthest distance from the North to South are approximately 12 miles! Seeing that the Hombu was, at that time, located in Canoga Park, CA, in the West of the San Fernando Valley, with Burbank, CA in the East of same said Valley, and they being 25 miles apart from each other, and in no small measure that the Valley is only 12 distance from the North to the South... ...that would mean that only 1 dojo would be allowed to exist, unless one located outside of the San Fernando Valley, then that wouldn't violate Soke's so-called imaginary radius. Soke wasn't against, nor did he care one way or another, networked dojo's being out of the Valley. However, Soke wanted more than 1 networked dojo in the Valley. So, what did Soke do? He changed his radius requirements and decided that it would be ok to allow for one networked dojo to be located in each of the cities that made up the Valley, which would be a whopping 22, at that time. Nowadays, the Valley consists of 44 cities in its 260 square miles. In conclusion, a networked dojo of the SKKA can open next door to each other without any Hombu concerns; the more the merry. It's not fair, nor is it right to enforce what another person does, especially in a free and fair market. Ethical things might speak against things like this, but can't be enforced today. Sure, landlords won't rent to two Shindokan dojo's in the same strip-mall, nor that close to another for the fear of having to lose a tenant.

Welcome to KF, JimW; glad you're here!!

By all means; this was a very proud day for you and your family!! A child's enthusiasm can't be denied, and in that, children, your son, are the future of the MA. So, we better guide them properly along their own MA journey!! Thank you for sharing the photo...spoke in volumes!! Thank you for sharing your son as well as the experience on your proud day!!

Minus the weight classes, as I suppose that they exist for many wholesome reasons, nonetheless, many competitors drive that false sense of security that they, through their style of MA, begin to imagine that they, themselves, are far superior to everyone else...ahem...better than everyone else. I'm not saying that any said competitor isn't skilled and experienced in their MA, however, things like the weight classes and the rules and the regulations and anything else, they tend to carry the air of invincibility for all to see. What's forgotten, in their air of superiority, is that not every individual can win at everything, especially on the streets. It's heard around the world..."Best" or "Better" or whatever other label one should desire to attach to themselves and/or the MA they're a student of. I'd just like to see said competitors check their superiority at the door more often than it has been before. I don't know; I'm just thinking out loud. Imho!!

Imho, Leadership programs should teach moral expectations to its students!! The moral fiber of the students should be strengthened daily by all, not just the CI, even though, the CI's mentoring of its student body is their responsibility. This is to include the teaching of sound integrity. Without integrity, sound leadership can't exist; only anarchy. Say what you mean, and mean what you say this, imho, should be at the core of any leadership program!! However, that leadership program shouldn't be a program at all! No! That value should be taught everyday at every class to every student, no matter age or rank or tenure or position...no matter what!!

Had something like you're OP speaks towards, I, as the Kaicho of the SKKA would've investigated it myself to see if what I'm being told bears any truth. If, after my investigation, and this would've included speaking with all concerned parties, I've determined that the facts speak for themselves, I would've expelled him without reservations and/or ambiguity. If, after my investigation proves that what I've been told isn't the truth, then those that have brought this to my attention would've been expelled forthwith and without any reservations and/or ambiguity. The sanctity of integrity must be upheld at all times without any reservations and/or ambiguity. If not, then the integrity of that governing body is drastically flawed, and that governing body can't be trusted at all!! Each instructor, each CI, each student, each employee, each parent/guardian, each person that comes in contact with the SKKA, and the governing body itself, must be held to the highest standard, especially when it comes to integrity!! Violating that sanctity means dealing out an unmerciful resolve!! Sounds unforgiving of me? Sounds unreasonable of me? I wouldn't care what it sounds like because, as Kaicho of the SKKA, I've not the time or inclination to be concerned with opinions, especially when it's about the sanctity of integrity, and more importantly, my primary responsibilities are for our entire Student Body, first and foremost, and for the SKKA!! Tough decisions have to be made from time to time, and a lot of the time, not everyone will agree with what I've decided, no matter whom they are, but if I can't, or I'm not willing to make those tough decisions, then the SKKA will find someone who will, as well as being consistent with those tough decisions. Oftentimes, it can be quite lonely at the top, and for good reasons. I accept that which is required of me!! Whomever violates the sanctity of integrity doesn't care about anyone else, but only themselves!!

Our style, Shindokan Saitou-ryu teaches everything that your OP speaks towards, with Tuite being at the top because, as our Soke taught us, "Shindokan is Tuite and Tuite is Shindokan; can't separate them".

Rules as well as regulations with venues, such as UFC, have their weight classes to appease those commissions and the like per state laws, and the such. The days of early UFC, where there were no weight classes, are gone, and shall never return in my life time. Realistic?! That, the realistic portion, imho, have never been there because of the rules! In the streets, there are no rules. As long as the rules are there, there will be no realistic outcome, only supposed interpretations of any outcome. Imho!!

Good luck, Archangel, with both; sounds like you'll be busy...but you'll do great!!

Some very thoughtful questions, MatsuShinshii, and you deserve some very thoughtful answers from me; I'll try to do just that. . This just isn't going to happen. Why? It's a very bad idea, and while I was against it at the very beginning when they first introduced this idea to me, even though, I was willing to entertain their idea, I've not changed my opposition. Having said that, I've decided that it's time to abolish/amend that specific By-Law because, imho, it's served its purpose, and its time has reached its given maturity, in which that type of change has been long in the making. I've written out a rough draft, and will forward it to our Legal Team for its legal language, and such, as also with, its propriety conclusions and the like, as well. As with anything of this degree of importance, the amendment must be legal binding through and through, without any ambiguity whatsoever. "For the immediate future, and from this time forward, the position of Kaicho will continue to be an elected position. However, the position of Kaicho will not, and shall not be awarded to the Dan Rank of Kudan, as it had been so ordered previously, with the air of immediacy, within the SKKA By-Laws. Therefore, the rank of Kudan, shall, now and for the time being, will not, and shall not be an attainable Dan Rank within the SKKA and/or same said By-Laws in any shape, way, and/or form. Albeit, the position of Kaicho can be held by only Senior Dan Ranks with a minimum of a Kyoshi Shogo, whereas, a Kyoshi Shogo is more preferred." That would've not been possible for either a Godan or a Yondan to be elected into the position of Kaicho because any Kaicho candidate would emerge from the Higher Hierarchy, and from there only. Only the Kancho, as well as the five members of the Regents were, and are, the only qualified persons. And sadly, NO!! Had we allowed ourselves to me blind by a failed idea, those elected to the position of Kaicho, and thereby awarded a Kudan, would have that Kudan for life!! That left my stomach to churn and my brain to fizzle. As you've mentioned, we would've been way top heavy with an abundance of Kudan's. If we had done so, then our integrity would've been questioned by others, and more so, by our Student Body, and that, that alone is the reason that this idea will not see the light of another day. Not under my watch, and not under the Legal Teams watch; legality is, in this, tantamount!! Yes, it would've been a monstrous mistake had we allowed it to reach its fruition. Had it gone through, and we, after the fact, had realized our error, we would've made whatever necessary steps to correct any and all outcomes as a result from it, and in an attempt to lessen any damage across the board. In short, it would've darn nearly killed any, if not all, of the Higher Hierarchy's integrity; once that was lost, any repairs made would've been only surface deep, and not within the hearts and the minds of the Student Body. The original idea was to recycle those within the Higher Hierarchy, if need be, until a permanent Kaicho was elected upon, and named for the terms length. In short, and with great respect, all of this is now mute because those friends, all of them, have passed away, this past July 2016 in a senseless tragedy.