sensei8

I agree. I'm not defined by the three K's, therefore, I define the three K's. I still respect the three K's, because, for me, it's Karate, and I can't have Karate without the three K's, and vice versa. Yet, when I look at every martial art that's practiced throughout the world, every martial art has the three K's in every which way but loose. I'm pretty sure that every martial art has its basics, drills [kata], and sparring. I agree. Sparring is paramount! Kihon allows me to refine my techniques(s), and Kata allows me to refine my transitions, and Kumite allows me to refine where the rubber meets the road.

ROFLMHO.....I'm still laughing...

LOL! It's all good! Replace the words....CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM with the word KATA. Then read it back to you a few times. Perhaps then, you'll get my analogy.

The method of how "Years of Experience" is figured, and then used in various media, is interesting to me. Well, I get a kick out of it myself. Whether a business is a small one or a large one, doesn't really determine how one might describe the experience level to a customer. Or Does it? Let's say that the local dojo/business has a total of 5 employees, including the Chief Instructor/Owner. The customer, me, for example, sees an ad in the phone book or in the mail or whereever. Somewhere in the ad, a tagline exists that speaks about the instructor and his/her experienced staff. This ad says..."We've got 101 years of experience in Karate to assist you and your needs!". I must admit, that's a lot of experience. Now, how does it read to me, Mr. Consumer? Would it have sounded better if the tagline had said..."We've got 101 years of accumulated experience to assist you and all of your Karate needs!" Are these two saying the same? OR...Are these two saying something differently? Maybe, their both saying the same thing, but in a different way. Just like I just did. This is only known by how one preceives it. Is it best to state the individual experience for each of the 5 staff members? OR Is it best to state the accumulated experience between the 5 staff members? OR Is the ad misleading the consumer to think that with all of that experience, this company will have my interests will be well taken care of? OR Is it best that Joe's Karate School says..."Between my staff and I, we've got an accumulated 101 years of Scooby-Doo Karate!" OR...If I'm the Chief Instructor/Owner say..."I've 45 years of experience in Scooby-Doo Karate" OR It really doesn't matter one way or another because consumers are smarter than I/We think. Consumers can deduct what's truly being said... Or...can they?

What about the wearing of Title bars? Most, if not all, Okinawan styles utilize the useage of the Title bars. For example... Renshi = 1 bar Kyoshi = 2 bars Hanshi = 3 bars These title bars are worn on both ends of the Yudansha obi. Yes, there are kanji for each of these, but, I'm speaking on just the title bars. Whether there rank bars or title bars, the character of the Martial Artist isn't determined by what's around ones waist, but by what's in their hearts! Your thoughts?

Not for long!

Although I'm a huge proponent for Kata, Bunkai, and Oyo Bunkai, I'm dead-set against excessive kata training. That's why in Karate it's called...the Three K's, not one K. To much of a good thing, and kata is a good thing, imho, is a bad thing. Imagine you love Chocolate Ice Cream. You can't seem to get enough of it. You don't just eat Chocolate Ice Cream, you devour it. And at times, because you love Chocolate Ice Cream so much, you take your time with it, favoring each and every little spoonful. You even rip open the container so that you don't waste any of it, licking up even the tinest morsel. You've eaten more Chocolate Ice Cream than Baskin Robbins can supply. NOW.... Imagine that there's no more Chocolate Ice Cream to be found anywhere in the world.

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. Proof is on the floor! Most, if not all members here have heard me state this over and over without any ambiguity and/or reservation. It's a staple I live by in my training in the martial arts day after day. My students hear me quote this more than they'd like, but it's a true statement, or it should be, of any martial art. This topic/thread isn't a rant. It's a compassionate statement of fact, in my humble opinion! It's something that I wholeheartedly believe in; there are no idle words here. The word "you" as used in this article is a general term, therefore, "you" isn't a specific person. No malice, and/or intent are meant here. If anything at all, "you" is referred to those who've disrespected the floor as well as those who've disrespected the martial arts through our own definitions. The floor works both ways. It analyzes me as well as you without have being asked to do so, and in that, I don't fear the floor; I welcome it. I need it. I want it. The floor is unbiased in its actions/purpose. It's the silent third witness upon the floor. I didn't ask the floor to seek out what is true and what is false because the floor does it without ever being asked to do so. You and I won't outwardly say..."Prove [it] to me!" That would be rude; disrespectful and uncalled for. There's a way to properly do this without embarrassing one another. Allow the floor to do what it's designed to do, seek for the truth, by ones very own actions or inaction. Why is proof found on the floor? Nothing reveals more candidly, openly or without reservation than the floor. "But, I've got a certification that says..." That's nice, but any diploma mill can crank those out by the thousands. "But I'm certified by..." That's good; then you shouldn't have a problem on the floor. No matter the reason(s) or excuses, the floor will reveal fact or fiction as well as separate fact from fiction, all at the same time. The old saying..."Put up or shut up!" That's point blank, rude and uncalled for, but it's reality and the floor cries out for it in volumes that can't be ignored. Why all the excuses? Why all the avoidance? Invite the floor and welcome its discerning eye as I do, as any true martial artist does. After the floor has done its job, it's just a floor, something to just stand upon. Yet, the floor comes into action to re-establish itself at any given time. Only "fake/false" martial artists would ever be intimidated by what the floor reveals. By the way, I'd never outwardly ask for proof because you could show me anything. Let me get you on the dojo floor; it'll take me mere seconds to know what I already suspect. If my suspicion is unfounded, well, let's both shut up and just train hard. The floor doesn't seek imperfection because we're imperfect. Therefore, the floor seeks to expose the false, ineffective technique(s) because while a polished floor is pretty when shined, the floor is still solid and can't be hidden or denied. If you're full of falsehood, no matter how much one may try to shine and buff the floor, the floor's still going to rebuke what's not true. I don't have to say or do anything that the floor hasn't said or done yet. If I've discovered what's been revealed on the floor and you've lied to me, or worse, to yourself, then I'll politely thank you, excuse myself, and then leave if I'm visiting you, or have you leave my dojo. After that, whatever summation and opinion I've concluded concerning you will be kept private and to myself. If this doesn't suffice enough for you, then I'd prefer it if you'd just thank me and get off of my floor. Having said that, the floor isn't the proving ground where you have to prove yourself to me and I have to prove myself to you. No! The floor's where knowledge is revealed; truth is found. That discovered and revealed truth is an additional benefit. The floor asks on its own, without me or you verbally asking for ourselves. The floor reveals all things, both positive as well as negative. Don't come onto my floor... (These are the most basic list of things that I require of any black belt!) If you can't hump, bump and dump (sparring). If you can't rock and roll (drills). If you can't tie your belt properly. If you can't put on your gi properly. If you can't speak with authority. If you can't speak with confidence. If you can't speak with knowledge. If you've not mastered the basics. If you've not mastered the three K's. If you've not mastered basic proper etiquette. If you can't hold a basic conversation about the martial arts. If you can't understand basic terminologies. If you're not willing to learn. Basically... just get off my floor! The floor isn't... Where one shows off. Where one beats his or her chest. Where one practices in self-aggrandizement. Where one belittles others. Where one bullies others. 1600 Japan where challenges are made and where the loser leaves town in pure shame or is beheaded or commits seppuku. The floor is... Where serious martial artists practice seriously. Where one learns. Where one teaches self first. Where exploration of technique(s) occur. The proof is always found or discovered on the floor; either you can or you can't. And if you can't, I'd rather you get off my floor until you're willing to learn while being honest with yourself. Proof is always on the floor!

As a sign of respect to the new style/dojo/sensei, yeah, by all means, take off the old patch and put on the new patch.

There's a old saying..."There's no such thing as a stupid/dumb question!" I think I'd be more cautious if no questions were ever asked at all. How can we learn anything if we don't ask question(s)? I can't! I'll ask if I don't know and hopefully after I ask, I'll be a little bit smarter and more wiser.

Learning anything new is uncomfortable, and in that, it's scary. The unknown is only a temporary thing, and in time, with a qualified instructor, you won't even remember why you were scared and/or uncomfortable in the first place. It's all good!

Oooh. I don't think that I'd feel comfortable in trying to 'teach' someone how to properly apply a choke on a forum. I'm for what Toptomcat said... "Get some hands-on teaching." because nothings better than hands-on training. Good luck with it and let us know how goes the training.

LOL. I love to proofread for spelling errors, I'm a dork that way!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

If you're truly serious, then, I'll seriously consider it. Thanks!

LOL! That's funny...and no, it's not time for a memoir because I'm nobody special! Sorry, I thought it was you who said you had 45 years in martial arts. No, you're correct, I did say that, but, I'm nobody that's special or noteworthy to write a memoir. What you may view as "nothing special" may include some very touching or heartfelt, important moments to those you've interacted with over the years. Perhaps they would enjoy it? Perhaps, but I believe that I'd need a proven author/writer to pen it for me.

Like I said above, if you have nothing noteworthy in your opinion or special to contribute, then I take back what I said. I don't know how old you are, I don't know your general level of health or capabilities, but if you feel you should retire, then I trust your judgment. I don't consider it quitting or in any way dishonorable. A life is not just the last thing we do, it's all the years rolled up into a single person. From what you say about yourself, you have lead a distinguished life as martial art instructor. No one can take that away. Heck, you can't even take that away--not by retiring anyway. So, would you sell your dojo, or just flip over the closed sign or what? What will you do afterward? I'm 52 years old, I'll be 53 this October. I'm getting close to be a AARP card holder, lol. My kids have always kidded around with me concerning my true value when I get older will be my Senior Citizen discounts...I hope my kids are just joking with me. I appreciate the kind words that you've spoken, I thank you. I gave, not sold, my dojo to my closest and highest ranking student before I took over the Shindokan Hombu as Kaicho and Chief Instructor. If and when I ever decide to retire from teaching full time and the like, I've always wanted to be a Wal-Mart greeter...seriously!

LOL! That's funny...and no, it's not time for a memoir because I'm nobody special! Sorry, I thought it was you who said you had 45 years in martial arts. No, you're correct, I did say that, but, I'm nobody that's special or noteworthy to write a memoir.

Haven't even said "I do!" yet, and they already need a marriage counselor. The groom needs a bonk on top of his head and see if he likes it. I hope she slapped him and then walked out of the church!

Lakers FINALLY defeated the Thunder, and yes, I was a tad worried for my Lakers. Now it's on to the Jazz. Lakers won the first game of their series and the I'm expecting a victory and this series' end. GO LAKERS!!!!!!!! Oh yeah....GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!! I had to give my boys a shout out!

Ya just gotta love it!

LOL! That's funny...and no, it's not time for a memoir because I'm nobody special!

The martial arts are everything to me, much more than the art of warfare; fighting, for that is just a portion of it. Hence, the warfare isn’t the totality of the martial arts, and it shouldn’t be.