sensei8

I don't think it's necessary because of it being a free-market. However, to use a governing organizations "brand", will require a letter of approval from them, and this letter must be filed accordingly and appropriately. EDIT: Spelled "filed" incorrectly: "filled"...I'm a dork!!

It isn't going to be on university property, I intend to rent a space at the nearby sports centre. when I say 'for my university' I mean that I'm only going to promote, advertise, and poll for interest within the community of my university. I really just want a very casual tournament, ideally suitable for people with varying levels of experience. I see, my bad...sorry!

Great article, Greg; my hat's off to you!! I echo what everyone here has said thus far; solid, and I wholeheartedly thank you for your insightful words, through and through!!

Great article, Heidi...EXCELLENT!! Thank you for it!! Those MAists who are more concerned about rank than knowledge are those who are looking for the doors quite immensely. In that, those who value knowledge above rank aren't looking for said doors. IMHO!! It's quite a step you've taken by walking away from your governing body; a step not all would try. I commend you on being that proponent for yourself as well as your students. Being associated with a governing body is important...or is it? I know a 5th Dan in the ATA who's a very solid MAist, through and through, but because this CI doesn't have more students, the road to 6th Dan, which this CI is mostly deserved of, isn't being considered for any testing cycles until enrollment numbers are improved. HOGWASH!! That's absurd!! Money, is at the root of this! Knowledge, and improved knowledge should be paramount!! But, said governing body see's it quite differently, and I'm not surprised. Honorable traits are more important than rank...more important than governing bodies...more important than where one lines up during class...more important than any outwardly identifier...more important than anything, including knowledge and MA betterment!! Kowtowing to the governing bodies should be quite limited. However, if one wants rank, one has to kowtow to the governing bodies in mind, soul, and spirit, and in that, one has to act and think just like the governing body demands. If not, no rank!! Dai-Soke said once... "Governing bodies have their rules and regulations. If students aren't compliant, then they're thrown away like trash. If students break the rules, they're banished. What I believe needs to happen before a student is asked to leave, those who make the rules need to leave first!!" Our Soke absolutely refused to join any and all Governing Bodies in Okinawa because he wanted to walk, and trip, if need be, on his own path!! He and Dai-Soke left Okinawa for the USA, and shortly thereafter, Soke founded the SKKA. He always touted that it was his best decision, overall!! You've my undying respect and support!! You've chosen YOUR path; and it's not a misguided path!! Of all, these two paragraphs both hold some powerful conclusions and truths!! I bow to you Heidi, now and forever!! Be yourself; be true to yourself!!

To my way of thinking, these are the absolute reasons why this kata was described by Otsuka sensei as - "very deep"! Great to try to find applications like this and, I mean no disrespect when I say this - but don't overlook the core reasons to practice the Kata in solo form. Kata is kata - fighting is fighting. K. Yes, absolutely... Great response, K. I concur, all the way around!!

We teach the kata first, then the Bunkai/Oyo second. However, I do like how you do it; it's solid!!

What is the "snap" and "power" in the style you train in?? That's where I'd concentrate your article on because there's no ambiguity on how your style defines either!! I'd start with that! After that, ambiguity will be everywhere because of how the different styles of the MA will define either of them. Good luck in your research!!

Ditto!!

Thank you, one and all!! I'm glad you liked the OP. I'm still at awe in that I'm the most Senior, of everyone in Shindokan. I remember there was a time when I was still a white belt and everyone outranked me. More importantly, I'm in awe of the ENTIRE Shindokan student body; hard training and dedicated in everything they do both on and off the floor. Nearly 50 years later, I'm the most Senior in Shindokan. Strange how things turn out.

Yes, they do!! But, some dojo's take longer than others. However, the kid gloves stay on most of the time. Yes, they do!! However, the higher ranks won't move unless I direct them. I might be loosened up, but others aren't. I joke with them a lot; right from the start. It'll still freak them out when they see me line up at the very last in the protocol line-up. However, the younger students will get a kick out of it, and they ALL will start talking to one another. Yes, I can't teach them if I don't interact with them. Having said that, I'll interact with them on and off the floor, however, some maxims I won't violate. The tension relaxes, but it's still there from time to time. Depends on what's occurring on the floor; apprehension sets in from time to time, and I believe that that's the newness what we're training in, and they want to do their best. I'll mess up, on purpose, a kata, and make a big deal about it by grapping my throat or pulling my hair or hanging myself with an imaginary noose. Kids and adults laugh, but at times, it's still a nervous laugh. Having said all of that, those students that know me, and have been on the floor with me for some time, they're already fine. Those who haven't been on the floor with me but for a short time, they're on pins and needles. I can please some of the people some of the time, but I can't please all of the people all of the time. It's students who try to handle me; that's a mistake because I don't like being handled. Conversations end abruptly, when I'm near, this hurts...it cuts deeply. I do all that I can to lessen the anxiety and the like, but sometimes, the air is so thick with it that I can't breath. I've told everyone to relax and let's all just train. Don't treat me like I'm all that and a bag of chips because I'm not. Do I know Shindokan...YES!! On and off the floor, I'm quite comfortable!!

I've thought about it, but, to be perfectly honest, I've no idea on how to even start a blog. Remember all, I'm not the smartest when it comes to that sort of stuff!! Not an excuse, just reality to me!!

Ditto!!

Have you gotten the permission of the University to run a tournament on their property?? First thing is first, imho.

Wouldn't ukemi be more like landing, instead of flying...?? ...And sort of crash landing at that...? Just learning how to "crash land" with minimal damage done as possible...? Absolutely!!

Wouldn't ukemi be more like landing, instead of flying...?? Well, Brian, you got me there!!

At home, for the most part, I'll run through all empty-handed Kata's and drill my wooden dummy!!

Now, that's a very solid article!! I enjoyed quite a lot across the board. When it comes to defending myself, do I worry about what's proper and acceptable force and the like, or, do I just defend myself?? This is a personal question, imho.

Solid post!!

The following is my own opinion and belief, and in that, I'm not trying to be in concert with any other governing body, style, and/or practitioner of the MA concerning this subject. Having said that... I was once asked..."What’s it like being a Senior Dan?" I’ve never really thought much about being a Senior Dan; I just trained all these many, many years! Somebody once also asked me, “What is it like to be near the founder?” Again, I never thought much about that either, if anything, I’ve just trained with Saitou Sensei for quite some time! Sure, I do realize that, for the time being, I am the most Senior Dan in Shindokan, Kudan (2013), but with that being said, it’s nothing special! I don’t wear it like a badge of something or another, or that I am that great, or more special than anyone else, or anything like that! I’m a martial artist, and in that, I’m complete in my totality. Being a Senior Dan does have its privileges and advantages, both in and out of the Shindokan circle. Doors of opportunities are much easier to open, whereas, those Dan’s with much lesser knowledge and experience, their doors of opportunities have to be forced open. Nonetheless, styles outside of the Shindokan circle become more acceptable, as well as forgiving, whenever I approach them over a myriad of subjects because of me being a Senior Dan. Surely, it does benefit me that I’m also the current Kaicho [President] of the Shindokan Karate and Kobudo Association, aka, the Shindokan Hombu. Untold opportunities were afforded me because I was a Senior Dan who was a staunch proponent of Shindokan. Being a Senior Dan, on a more lighter note, permits me to line-up at the front and center within any Shindokan dojo, however, when visiting any dojo, and not just Shindokan dojo’s, I’ll line-up at the very end of any given line of protocol until I’m invited to sit elsewhere by said dojo’s Chief Instructor. Also, I delegate all assignments to all Dan Instructors under my charge, and in that, I supervise the floor with all ranks, and not just with the Yodansha’s no matter the occasion. What I do consider important and personal to me of my Senior Dan has allowed me the understanding of diplomacy. Other things allowed of my Senior Dan status are the distinctive responsibility to “handle”, thereby, to be very extremely close to Soke and/or Dai-Soke. With that comes having the ability of “being in the room” behind closed doors with Soke and/or Dai-Soke, whereas others might or might not even allowed to cast their shadows on said door. In which, that privilege is decided by Soke and/or Dai-Soke. That most inner circle is reserved for those who have proven themselves worthy of an audience during private, sensitive, and/or casual meetings with Soke and/or Dai-Soke. My Senior Dan status has also granted me an untold amount of personal and private training with either Saitou Sensei and/or Takahashi Sensei; invaluable floor time to increase my martial arts betterment. With high rank comes high responsibilities; none taken lightly by myself because the student body deserves that attention. In retrospect, being a Senior Dan also has its pitfalls and disadvantages. Often times, I’m not treated like “one of the boys”. No! I’m handled with kid gloves; quite carefully, as though my status demands that, and it doesn’t. When I walk onto a Shindokan floor, the students’ laughter and the like ceases immediately instead of it slowly dying down more naturally. Students’ techniques are akin to a being a robot; quite stiff at first. It’s like students are more cautious in their techniques instead of letting their techniques be more fluid. Conversations will cease to a faint whisper when I’m near enough to hear. Their body language changes drastically whenever I’m near, especially on the floor. There’s no need for this. I’m a big loveable teddy bear on the floor. I don’t scream or yell or give into temper tantrums because the floor is sacred to me, and any inappropriate actions lessen the importance of the floor!! Is the way I perceive, a sign of respect? That’s for the individual to determine, and not for me to say. I can only assume, but perception is reality, and in that, I perceive that I’m on an island all by myself with no boat of resolve. Respect is earned, and I never demand respect for me being a Senior Dan and/or for me being the current Kaicho! My Senior Dan has made me a target within the guarded and closely knit circle of Shindokan. How so? Ever since the passing of Dai-Soke, the wolves have come out of their hiding to feast on my bones, so to speak, so that they can advance upward the hierarchy ladder one rung at a time. Over time, I’ve ridden a carnival of accusations from those that I trusted the most within the hierarchy of the Shindokan Hombu. Each time, I’ve been vindicated through some very heated battles in and out of the boardroom. Our Legal Team, lead by Hugh Beckworth, has literally championed on my behalf each and every time; victoriously over those who had set their sights directly on me as their treasured target. Being on the top of the mountain is a sojourn; lonely that it is. In that, I’ve come to only train hard, and anything else that I’ve had bestowed upon me hasn’t been because I’ve desperately sought after it. Being a Senior Dan is what one makes of it, and in that, I sincerely pray that I’ve made the best of it these near 50 years, this October. Again, my soul premeditated whole reason is to train in the martial arts, primarily, Shindokan, to the very best of my abilities, while hopefully increasing my own betterment, thereby, embracing the entire Shindokan student body. Rank is always the last thing on my mind, if at all!!

I'm going to say...I don't think ANYONE can do 10,000 punches with intentional focus with EACH and EVERY punch in one day. Imho.

Hello all This is an interesting discussion and though not decided, I lean slightly more towards the side that says if he can do it he should have the grade. One of my the things I have always disliked about Karate is a tendency towards wooly, nebulous and subjective ideas. In the past I found these in the form of vague technical points that replaced an understanding of kata application or advanced combat skills. Here it sounds like the vague and subjective concept of "good character", is being given higher value than the things karateka actually practice and can concretely measure: technique, fighting skill, syllabus knowledge, fitness etc. For all the points I quote above, should not the lack or triumph in spite of all these things be evident immediately upon giving this person a fair and honest Dan examination? It really feels like there is a lack of faith among respondents in regards to the testing. After all, motivating yourself to train to a high standard consistently over a number of years without anyone to correct you, motivate you when you're tired etc, is not easy by anyone's reckoning. And when just about every new association has a tale of wrong doing by old affiliates, can karate instructors really be allowed to cast themselves as arbiters of character? We all remember the kind of character Harry Cook was. What we learn about folks in the dojo is never the whole story. And when we start adding loyalty in the mix, for something students are paying for, that actually is a bit worrying to me because we're trying to have it both ways: honourable mentor and business proprietor. Like the pastor demanding a tithe. Needing to know a student calls the whole concept of the rank exam into question for me. Either you know him and what he can do and thus has earned, or you need to test him to find out. Both doesn't make sense to me. Now all that said (I did say I am undecided), the fact the guy was wearing an embroidered black belt does not look good. It's something I would definitely ask about. Also unlike most of the posters were I to test him it would be over a number of days and it would be well above what I'd expect of regular students as there is much more to prove for an unknown. Also in spite of my above concerns I can totally see why you would not want to associate your club with someone of bad character whose actions could impact on your reputation. In this regard I suppose it is more a question of personal ethics and who you associate with rather than what kind of person deserves rank (something we cannot ever really tell). So on the fence I sit, devils advocate with a sore posterior (fences are not good seats). Please don't take offence - aside from leaving me nowhere to sit I'm actually on your side. First of all...Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Secondly, a very solid post; I wholeheartedly concur!!

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

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

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

Yes, a belated Happy 4th. My bad!