sensei8

Imho... Since when has tradition lent itself the cloak of purity that it deserves the right to remain unchallenged? To me, the word "Tradition" begs to be challenged, furthermore, "Tradition" isn't written on stone; it's not, or it shouldn't be, the martial arts gospel. I don't challenge "Tradition" to destroy it, but to edify, strengthen, and/or validate it. But not to keep it as the only way; especially when known traditions can be replaced by something more effective. Your thoughts please.

Solid post!! I've not had much success over the many years in securing seminars outside of the Shindokan circle. I've found that if whatever it is that isn't part of their whatever, they don't want to have anything to do with it. The floor can be a very intimidating and revealing thing to be scared of, and I love and welcome the floor. Plus, I'm unknown outside of the Shindokan circle. I've been working on my memoirs, but it's slow going, I feel I've been working on it forever, even though it's only been a few years. I've been entertaining to write a series of Shindokan tech books, but, all of the who's, what's, how's, and the like just aren't falling into place. Shindokan is my thing, but writing isn't, although I'm learning to become better at it. Processes confuse me often and they become the bane of my existence.

Standing before you is an unsuspecting block of clay. Not just any ordinary block of clay. This block of clay serves a meaningful purpose, if not for everyone, but for just itself. When a potter gathers up the broken pieces of a vessel he wishes to mend, he doesn't put it back together like a puzzle, but on the wheel he molds it again. Over the countless years, this simple block of clay will go through an untold number of on going and defining changes. Many unforeseen and unforetold moments will shape it, inasmuch, it will never be finished. However, this block of clay, under the watchful and skilled craftsman's eye, will strive to become complete in its totality. This wanting block of clay, as tangible as it is, will go through a plethora of molding moments, and in that, it'll be accepted, then rejected, then admired, and then displayed; but this is not a wasted life for this block of clay. The master craftsman will forever chip away, add to, take away, shape it, mold it, and start all over again...many times in the attempt to perfect it into not what the master wants, but to give this block of clay its own identity...making it priceless. Forged in the fire of its own making. Don't be saddened and/or mournful for this block of clay. On the contrary! Be overwhelmingly joyful for this block of clay just as it is in its willingly chosen lot in life. The substance of which I've spoken about with gladness in my heart is...A Martial Artist. We are that block of clay! Yes, it's you, [and it's me]. You're that beautiful and unfinished masterpiece! Your thoughts please.

Solid post!!

Solid post!! Tameshiwara is the meta portion of MA training, imho.

Can one be predominately aggressive OR passive as a fighter ONLY? Imho...no! Our opponent(s) are different and will present us with many different defending/attacking methodologies, therefore, we must present our opponent(s) with kind likeness, and in that, we must present them with offset tones continuously. When we fight, it should be like a great book. a solid beginning, middle, and end. Filled with mystery and intrigue that keeps one guessing, wondering, and wanting. Bruce Lee isn't the inventor/creator of "broken rhythm", however, Bruce brought broken rhythm more into the limelight for all MAists to explore. I'm not exactly sure who deserves the credit for the broken rhythm methodology, but it's been a staple to compliment our Tuite in Shindokan way before Bruce Lee wrote about it in his Tao Of Jeet Kune Do. I look forward to your thoughts on my opening question.

Do is the Way Ka is the person who trains in the Way

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

To answer your question above in bold type.... To honor my students as well as my Soke and Dai-Soke. My Dai-Soke honored me by making me Kaicho. It's the few that didn't want me, and now they're gone! To answer your other question...The Hombu is not mine to do with as I please. The Hombu belongs to the Shindokan Karate-do Association, I just work there.

As prophetic and simple as Bruce Lee had stated in hushed matter-of-fact, I'd like to address this famous quote of Bruce's with a tongue-in-cheek overtones, if I may. A board doesn't hit back because it can't; I just broke it, I killed it. It [the board] just lies on the ground in several pieces. What was once a solid piece of timber, is now no more than a heap of splinters. Now, apply that same force, or more than that to effect the distruction of any said tameshiwara object(s) to flesh and bone, or for that fact, to me; I won't be hitting back either/anytime soon. As incorrect applied technique(s) will loudly attest; boards will and do hit back with defined cause. Besides, I just want to give boards and the like their deserved due, credit, and/or respect so they'll feel not so...ahem...not so broken.

90% by word of mouth, just as I had learned from my Soke and Dai-Soke. I've done demos, flyers, sign-up baskets, part of parades, volunteering in my community, yard/corner signs, newspapers, and coupon booklets to name just a few. It took me quite some time to build up that type of student base. One of the biggest puzzles is to not charge an arm and a leg, after all, imho, it's just karate. The MA is a want, not a need, imho.

>Is 54 years of age to old to start a dojo? >Would prospective students not want to join a new dojo because of the Chief Instructors advancing age? The desire to restart another Kyuodan Dojo is pawing at me...and I can't shake it...and I've tried. I've had the honor of starting three Kyuodan Dojo's in the past, and I've been blessed to teach the most amazing students throughout the years. Kyuodan Dojo #1: California, 1978-1994, 416 active students, I moved to Texas to be close to and care for my mom who was quite sick. Kyuodan Dojo #2: Texas, 1994-1999, 175 active students, mom passed away, and I moved to Oklahoma at the invite of my sister. Kyuodan Dojo #3: Oklahoma, 1999-2010, 321 active students, promoted to Kaicho of the Shindokan Karate-Do Association/Shindokan Hombu. Each Kyuodan Dojo was passed onto my most senior students. Each Kyuodan Dojo was under the protective umbrella of the Association/Hombu, and I visited those dojos quite often in both formal and personal occasions. While our Hombu has gone through a lot of positive changes for the betterment of every student of Shindokan, and in that, my duties as Kaicho has my plate full, but, not so much that I can't devote my desires and the like to a new group of prospective Shindokan students. What to do?

Submit a request to be evaluated by the Chief Instructor. However, Kodakmint is absolutely correct...wear the white belt and let your rank speak for itself. Your Chief Instructor will either do one of two things: leave you at 10th kyu or increase you to a deserving rank. If Shodan isn't realized for the moment, train until the wheels fall off and then some, but not for the rank, but for your MA betterment. IMHO!!

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm a firm believer that ALL ranks should be pushed beyond their own expectations and often. However, I've seen the black belts, at all levels, become proponents of being quite content to not strive for the unexpected, yet rewarding, push to better their MA across the board. I'm humble, some times to a fault, but when my Dai-Soke has pulled me down from my own pedestal, it was because he could see I wasn't pushing myself, and in that, I became satisfied with my 'current' techniques, and this frosted my Dai-Soke for two simple reasons... "As human beings; we're not perfect, neither is our karate-do, therefore, we must strive to constantly improve, no matter the degree."~Dai-Soke Takahashi Any instructor of the martial arts must be able to discern the lackadaisical efforts of their students; and black belts tread into these dangerous waters more than kyu students. Greg and I push each other unforgivingly so, and we're the highest ranking Shindokanists.

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

I'm surprised no one else has addressed this yet. Have you seen the Karate Kid? Remember "painting the fence?" A seemingly mindless task helped the main character master martial arts techniques. While board breaks may seem like a "waste of time," they are a true test of one's ability to focus their technique. Consider a front kick. Poorly delivered, it can still make a pretty loud slap against a pad. But, that same kick may break toes if done improperly on a board. I am a strong advocate of board breaking as it helps students learn the importance of proper technique, which translates into conserving energy during a street fight. One strong, clean technique in a vital area should be all you need to stun your opponent to get away. solid post!!

Congrat and well deserved!!

I think my thread has either taken a left turn or has been highjacked. I believed that is my fault. I wanted for us to discuss words that are overused in MA.

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

WELCOME TO KF!!!!!!!!

I wholeheartedly agree here!! You'll be fine!! Work it in small segments to get all of its important elements done right. Hang in there!!

I believe that that's the exact reason as to why some modified it. I also believe that they modified it to attach their styles name and brand label to it. Any change hopefully were effective across the board and not just empty movements for the sake of being different from Nakamori Sensei. I've yet to see any modification come close to the crispness and effectiveness across the board to Kakamori Sensei. Hense, Nakamori Sensei's version is quite difficult...rhythm and the like are important.