sensei8

I hope that the MMA will steer clear away from that type of ranking because the Dan ranking system would only serve, imho, to only clutter up the works, and in that, weight titles suffice across the board.

Imho, the politics within the martial arts has destroyed the meaning of Bushido across the board. What was once valued, is so easily traded for selfishness. Politics within the martial arts taints the opportunities for any valued betterment. Your thoughts? **I wasn't sure if I should put this topic in General Martial Arts or Internal Arts and Philosophy or Martial Arts and Politics, therefore I placed it here: General Martial Arts. Hopefully it'll suffice!**

Welcome back!!

Best drill....SPAR...spar until the wheels fall off and then some. Nothing is better than sparring, and with different partners. And...get with your sensei asap and ask him/her those same questions? Good luck!

The prayers of my family and I are with the victims as well as their families today!! Here's a link to learn more (sorry it's in Japanese)... http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/11/japan.quake/index.html [You might find better reports, if so, please post them so that we can have a more accurate report/understanding.]

Rest is the optimal word, and in that, rest means....don't rush it.

As always, I'm on the side of the fence that's dead-set against contracts because they're so binding, one will have to pay it until the end, providing one will opt out correctly. If not, then the contract auto renews. If ones finances can't pay for said contract, then one would have to pay it, no matter what. I would just like to caution you before you sign any contract. Try to get a copy of the contract and have an attorney give you the pros and cons of it before it becomes a binding nightmare that you can't walk away from. Yes, you can just walk away from any said contract, but that causes another problem; ruining ones credit. Good luck!!

I concur...he's got good techniques...imagine how great he'll be when he's an adult. Did you notice at 0:52, his haircut is catching on with some very interesting variations.

It's right above your Avatar...it's that pretty rainbow thingymajig!!

Would any of you say that American Football [NFL] is difficult for someone to grasp because... A) Unfamiliarity B) Uninterested/ing C) Unclear

Self-defense was my primary reason for starting to learn the martial arts when I was a child. But, over the years, self-defense wasn't the primary reason for continuing in the martial arts. Nonetheless, self-defense is part of the martial arts, and whether while some of the SD techniques taught are a bit far fetched, imho, a lot of the SD techniques are solid across the board. As an instructor of the martial arts, I've also moved away from some of those SD techniques taught to me by our Soke and our Dai-Soke because I didn't believe that all of those SD techniques were effective FOR EVERYONE, for one reason or another. I still teach an abridged SD curriculum because I still see the viability as well as the purpose/reason of presenting SD to our students, and in that, if when the moment presents itself, and ONE of my students can only remember ONE SD technique that saved them from an attacker; then teaching SD has been all worth it, no matter the opinions of others as well as myself.

To each and everyone of you that have tried to help me with my very mean and deliberate computer...I say this out loudly.... THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!! I always thought that the computer backed up whatever ALL BY ITSELF, dumb of me in the first place considering I'm dumber than a stick when it comes to computers...DOH!! Btw, I'm taking my computer to my computer girl ASAP...like right now!!

That's a great idea; I thank you for that. I've WAY to many important documents and the like on my computer. Good thing, all of my martial art platitudes are in a safe deposit box...whew!!

Oh, those are good links too...Patrick, thanks for adding those for Jay. This is what I'd call...teamwork!!

Well....I feel intimidated....help me!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

A very solid post!! I find myself defending my Soke for a decision that he, and he alone made when he awarded the Menkyo Kaiden to our Dai-Soke; and I feel like I shouldn't have to...but I do for some reason or another anyway.

Well, it's four anyway - within the same ryu-ha. Point is, the Menkyo system is NOT traditionally Okinawan - as much as people want it to be - it isn't. Sojobo Yeah, you got me there, I only listed 4 from the same ryuha, but I can list many more. I surrender to the fact that the Menkyo system is NOT traditionally Okinawan. Japanese don't own the Menkyo system - as much as people want it to be - they don't. Okinawans use the Menkyo system - as much as people don't want them to - but they still use it.

I've both editions, and I paid about $120 for the 2nd edition, and I agree, the money was well worth it. I also agree; Harry Cook is VERY knowledgeable about Shotokan, and any serious Shotokan karateka would have this book in their home library, imho. Check this link about Mr. Cook... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Cook And here's an interview with Mr. Cook... http://www.theshotokanway.com/harrycookinterview.html

Unsu is the only traditional Shotokan Kata that has Roundhouse kicks in it. I found that some what interesting considering that the Roundhouse kick is one of the more used kicks during Kumite. The world of Bunkai has so many INTERPRETATIONS of any said kata, and Unsu is no exception. That jump and spin towards the end has some solid interpretations from all four corners of the karate world, but, it also has some far fetched interpretations as well, imho.

Congrats and very well deserved!!

Did you know that during Mas Oyama's 300 man Kumite, Oyama wanted to go a fourth day, which would have made it a 400 man Kumite, but no one else was willing or able? Did you also know that Oyama's 300 man Kumite took place not long after he had completed his mountain training?

Other Okinawan Karate awarded the Menkyo Kaiden... Bushi Matsumura passed on his Menkyo Kaiden to his grandson, Nabe Matsumura. Then... Nabe Matsumura passed on his Menkyo Kaiden to his nephew...Soken Hohan. Then... As I've already mentioned within this thread....Hohan Soken gave his Menkyo Kaiden to Fusei Kise prior to his death in 1982. Then... Isao Kise, son of Fusei Kise, just might end up with his own Menkyo Kaiden from his dad, when and if that time ever presents itself. That's an impressive line of OKINAWAN Karateka's that have awarded as well as received the Menkyo Kaiden. A certificate that's...well...Japanese. I could, I suppose, award my most senior student the Menkyo Kaiden, but I'm not in the Sokeship lineage, and in that, I have NO RIGHT.

My first thoughts are respect, not marketing. Nothing, when its used in its proper context, but I'm referring only about the Menkyo Kaiden. I believe that the Okinawan equivalent IS Menkyo Kaiden, nothing more...nothing less...nothing wrong with that, imho.

I don't believe Mr. Trias ever received a Menkyo Kaiden.