sensei8

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

Btw, Welcome to KF, Sithlord82; glad that you're here!!

Solid post!! Arbitrary is a good definition!! What the SKKA decides, and warrants, is perfectly acceptable across the board because they make all of the rules pertaining to everything that they're concerned with. I agree with your second paragraph completely. Rank isn't AUTHORITY; the SKKA's Administrative, Executive, Legal, and Board of Regents Departments ARE the sole authority. Yes, to hold those elected positions, rank minimums are taken into consideration when one is considered for appointment. The lowest rank required to be considered for an appointment within the SKKA is Godan. The three departments above, are the hierarchy of the SKKA. We've not many appointments within the SKKA that don't have a rank minimum, i.e., the Legal Department members are forbidden to become a student of the SKKA. Why? Soke determined that for the capacity that they must serve from time to time, it is best that they remain totally neutral and unbiased. Best way to do that is to not have a personal connection to the SKKA like a student would. So, rank isn't authority, yet rank speaks towards experience. For example, to open a dojo, most CI's are at the rank of Sandan. Why? Experience. They've been on the floor teaching in one capacity or another ever since they were Sankyu's. That teaching experience is quite valuable. How so? Teaching unprepared across the board will close a dojo faster than one can blink. Experience. Godan candidates for SKKA appointments have quite a lot of experience as a Sensei and/or some other faculty within the SKKA. These rank requirements are mainly for those candidates that are wanting to become a Department Head/Leader, in that, they'll manage a team within that department. If you're just a department member, rank isn't an issue; heart is!! Any one and everyone who's selected within the Curriculum, as well as the Testing Departments MUST possess a rank no lesser than Godan, for obvious reasons. Department Heads of those departments must also possess a Shogo Title as well to rank, which must be either Rokudan or Nanadan. Only the three aforementioned Departments have sole authority within the SKKA!! EXPERIENCE!! Within the hierarchy, Legal Team excluded, there's approximately over 500 years of experience; that's a lot of experience. In closing, there's also the categories of rank hierarchy; Administrative hierarchy AND rank hierarchy, both different, and both can be confusing to some, but not all. For example, rank hierarchy might mean, white>yellow>green>brown>Shodan>Nidan>Sandan>etc. A white belt can't learn the curriculum of a yellow belt until that white belt passes a testing cycle to yellow belt, and so on and so forth.

Brain is right! However, Soke, being the founder, is awarded to only ONE person, alas, the founder. In Shindokan, Saitou Sensei was the founder, hence he was Soke. Then, Takahashi Sensei was awarded the Dai-Soke, hence the Second Headmaster, when Soke retired; Soke selected Takahashi Sensei to become the Dai-Soke...it wasn't up to a vote!! Then, Iwao Takahashi, Takahashi Sensei's son, was selected to become the San Dai-Soke by the Dai-Soke, his father. Notice, there was first the Soke, then the Dai-Soke, then the San Dai-Soke, this was to differ one Soke TYPE from another. Having said that, we've no Soke types in Shindokan anymore; that titles been, well, retired permanently!! A 5th Dan can be a Soke type because the Soke type is the primary exclusive representative of the governing body. In Shindokan, the Soke type WAS THE OWNER of the Hombu/SKKA; this became a problem in recent years passed, and it's not a problem anymore. Who can represent the governing body and the student body best?? That's an important question; a question that shouldn't be taken lightly. So, yes, a 18 year old CAN be a Soke type as determined by the governing body hierarchy; it's highly unlikely, but possible. Can that Soke type be a Judan? Per that governing body, and its By-Laws, it would surely be true...per the By-Laws. Why our Soke wrote the By-Laws to read just that way, baffles me, but it was his choice to write it the way he wrote it, and I doubt that he even considered the possibility that "a 18 year old son of his" could become the next Soke type. Very insightful, what was San Dai soke rank before he go it. He was Hachidan, yet I was Senior to him via tenure, at the time of his appointment. Interesting, do you find the skipping of ranks worse then a person earning a high rank at a young age, due to them starting martial arts at a young age. What is a high rank?? What is a young age?? Both answer will vary from practitioner to practitioner and governing body to governing body. But to answer your question directly, I find it worse to earn a high rank at a young age, as I understand a high rank and a young age to be. Skipping rank, is more acceptable, yet, it should be rare, if at all. Governing bodies administrative rank skipping, Hachidan to Judan, is protected by the By-Laws of THAT governing body. And if the MA world views the ranks of Kudan and Judan as pure political, and that's ok with the general census around the MA world, then skipping from Hachidan to Kudan and Judan is ok too. Imho.

The variations add to the flavor of said Kata's; different ways to apply, so to speak, a view into the founders Oyo. Unique in this light, imho, is a good thing for all who are interested.

On a quick different note, The Soke type was the legal owner of the Hombu/SKKA. As the sole owner of the Hombu/SKKA, he can do whatever they want to with their property, and that became quite apparent with the actions of San Dai-Soke, after the death of Dai-Soke. To keep that from ever happening again, we created a brand new charter and the like, therefore, eliminating the Soke type for that very reason. No longer would the Hombu/SKKA be the property of one individual to do with as the Soke type pleased to do. Who owns the Hombu/SKKA? The Hombu/SKKA does, of course.

Brain is right! However, Soke, being the founder, is awarded to only ONE person, alas, the founder. In Shindokan, Saitou Sensei was the founder, hence he was Soke. Then, Takahashi Sensei was awarded the Dai-Soke, hence the Second Headmaster, when Soke retired; Soke selected Takahashi Sensei to become the Dai-Soke...it wasn't up to a vote!! Then, Iwao Takahashi, Takahashi Sensei's son, was selected to become the San Dai-Soke by the Dai-Soke, his father. Notice, there was first the Soke, then the Dai-Soke, then the San Dai-Soke, this was to differ one Soke TYPE from another. Having said that, we've no Soke types in Shindokan anymore; that titles been, well, retired permanently!! A 5th Dan can be a Soke type because the Soke type is the primary exclusive representative of the governing body. In Shindokan, the Soke type WAS THE OWNER of the Hombu/SKKA; this became a problem in recent years passed, and it's not a problem anymore. Who can represent the governing body and the student body best?? That's an important question; a question that shouldn't be taken lightly. So, yes, a 18 year old CAN be a Soke type as determined by the governing body hierarchy; it's highly unlikely, but possible. Can that Soke type be a Judan? Per that governing body, and its By-Laws, it would surely be true...per the By-Laws. Why our Soke wrote the By-Laws to read just that way, baffles me, but it was his choice to write it the way he wrote it, and I doubt that he even considered the possibility that "a 18 year old son of his" could become the next Soke type. Very insightful, what was San Dai soke rank before he go it. He was Hachidan, yet I was Senior to him via tenure, at the time of his appointment.

In the Shorin Ryu style that I'm in we have a Pinan Sandan kata which is very close the Shotokan's Heian Sandan. Sounds to me that either of those founders, one or the other...or both, desired to have their 'Kata' unique to their new founded style. Separate to show themselves different, yet at the same time, still effective in the new changes.

I'm always amazed when I see someone who's been a BB for a year with an ancient belt. I always wonder (sometimes out loud) why they would repeatedly throw themselves on rocks to get their belt like that. They're incomplete in their totality as a MAist!! It's as though being a BB isn't enough of an accomplishment. They try to possess a position that they've not yet achieved through honest means. I'm only speculating. Imho!

What I do know about the ATA 9th Dan form is that it's LONG...quite long, and it's a requirement when one becomes the GM of the ATA!! I've seen the 9th Dan form being performed at ATA World Championships through YouTube.

My bad, Sensei8. ^__^' Out of curiosity, what are the main differences between Shindokan and Seido? I recall you saying Shindokan was mainly hand strikes, but what about Seido? Fair enough. It made me think of it a bit, so I had to ask. There's Seido Karate of Tadashi Nakamura from the World Seido Karate Organization. Then, there's Seidokan Karate from Shian Toma. Two distinct and different Karate styles. The main differences between Shindokan and Seidokan is Space Management. Our Tuite and Seidokan's Toide [spelt differently] differs in the way we manage the close range space through our transitional movement in and around our opponent. We transition to spend time in the space of our opponent, and what I've noticed about Seidokan is that they change places with their opponent whilst engaging in their brand of Toide. We come into the space, and we stay in that space as we engage our brand of Tuite. Both of us utilize the mechanics of Aikijujitsu in our brand of Toide/Tuite! We use 85% of our hands, while our feet are mainly for transitioning into a superior position over our opponent; this position is good...now it's not...move...now its good, once again...but change is inevitable and constant!! With our hands; we strike, deflect, grasp, twist, pull, push, hold, punch, manipulate, and so on and so forth...hence the 85% usage of our hands. Shindokan uses Kobudo, grappling, Tuite/Toide, and so on and so forth; so does Seidokan. Not surprising seeing that we both were birthed in Okinawa!! I'd say that Seidokan can be viewed as to the 85% hand usage, as we do in Shindokan; so it appears.

Brain is right! However, Soke, being the founder, is awarded to only ONE person, alas, the founder. In Shindokan, Saitou Sensei was the founder, hence he was Soke. Then, Takahashi Sensei was awarded the Dai-Soke, hence the Second Headmaster, when Soke retired; Soke selected Takahashi Sensei to become the Dai-Soke...it wasn't up to a vote!! Then, Iwao Takahashi, Takahashi Sensei's son, was selected to become the San Dai-Soke by the Dai-Soke, his father. Notice, there was first the Soke, then the Dai-Soke, then the San Dai-Soke, this was to differ one Soke TYPE from another. Having said that, we've no Soke types in Shindokan anymore; that titles been, well, retired permanently!! A 5th Dan can be a Soke type because the Soke type is the primary exclusive representative of the governing body. In Shindokan, the Soke type WAS THE OWNER of the Hombu/SKKA; this became a problem in recent years passed, and it's not a problem anymore. Who can represent the governing body and the student body best?? That's an important question; a question that shouldn't be taken lightly. So, yes, a 18 year old CAN be a Soke type as determined by the governing body hierarchy; it's highly unlikely, but possible. Can that Soke type be a Judan? Per that governing body, and its By-Laws, it would surely be true...per the By-Laws. Why our Soke wrote the By-Laws to read just that way, baffles me, but it was his choice to write it the way he wrote it, and I doubt that he even considered the possibility that "a 18 year old son of his" could become the next Soke type.

Create a new style is easy, but the hard thing is proving it is effective; that's the hard part!!

I too, am a big guy, and I've been in the MA for over 50 years. The only thing I care about is what my Doctor says, and per my Doctor, I need to lose 15 pounds by the end of August. What other MA and what consumers like or don't like about my size doesn't concern me at all; I'm complete in my totality as a MAist!! I now want to lose the weight, not because of the MA and the like, but because it's healthy of me to do so. I'll be 58 this October; time to get real!!

Solid post!!

While the consumer decides what to and what not to purchase, the proprietor must meet the bottom line month to month, in each quarter, and in the year end P&L. If not, the risk of closing the door forever becomes tantamount. In that, the dojo owner will do whatever it is to reach every business goal in a positive manner. Those owners that use underhanded tactics to reach said goals, that's NOT cool, and that's when the power switches back to the consumer...to buy or not to buy!! Any school of the MA only has to worry about their business, and in that, any decision about that business is their right across the board. If I don't like what my competitor does, then that's my problem!! If my competitor doesn't like what I'm doing, then that's their problem. I don't require things, like those mentioned in the OP, but that school does. So, the tennis game of back and forth continues until the consumer buys or doesn't buy. Imho!!

I wholeheartedly concur with Brian!!

Ouch; how sad, all at the same time!!

To be or not to be; that is the question. Using both the English and Japanese terms has become the rage of the page. Kihon...basics...Kata...forms...Kumite...sparring!! In the nutshell, it's becoming the can't see the trees because of the forest. Train hard and train well!! The instructor must set the tone, and be consistent in it. Like in anything, there's basics, intermediate, and advanced; without the basics, the later two can't be reached. Imho!!

I've seen this happen before, and as an instructor, its important to really monitor this. If you get two guys or gals that just like to bang, something like this can escalate out of control in no time. In my time coming up the ranks, I never had an issue matching levels with someone, but it almost never ended up being a productive learning session.Solid post!! The one thing Greg and I do at the end of our "banging" sessions, we high five and hug in a sincere manner!! Do we ever, or have we ever escalated to an unprofessional level? No; it's not in our make-up to do so. We've a gentleman's agreement that's long standing.

I can see that happening; with you and his coach, he'll do fine in the long run!! Good to see that it's not because of it not being a tournament because if it was the reason, then, imho, he's getting a bit overconfident; it happens. Pst...any new videos to share with us?!?

Nice tutorial; thank for sharing it!!

I fell for that hook, line, and sinker when I was a kid. I heard it from OUTSIDE of the Hombu, and not from Soke and/or Dai-Soke. One of my Sempai's finally heard me speak that to another student, and set me straight. Back then, I was as clueless as the day was long!!

I can appreciate what you're saying! After all, we all put on our pants one leg at a time, for the most part!!

Congrats; well deserved!!