Killer Miller

Most non-black belts whether capable or not - are still "non-black belts," regardless of their time in training. If someone has not passed the test to ensure they have learned all that is required to be certified as a black belt, then they are not a black belt. I've seen too many brown belts and below that think they are a black belt level - but until they pass that test, they are not. And realistically, they are not black belts - close, but their technique is not there yet. Secondly, to allow a non-black belt be a judge, regardless of the turn out, is still not right. Should a tournament director or organization lower their standards just because of a lack of attendance? Personally, I think not... The third issue with all of this, which is a major issue of all MA are practioners that have been awarded black belts that don't deserve their black belt. This is where and why standards have been attempted to be established. But it's been a long battle on this topic and will be a long battle for a long time to come as well. This is a totally separate issue as to whether a black belt should judge or not - if they are a black belt with some sort of judging certificate, then they should be allowed to judge. Those that don't qualify, shouldn't be allowed to judge. - Killer -

That kind of thing has been going on for years and years. Martial Art names are so common that unless your club or dojo has a very specific and unique name, it's difficult to prove in court. Yes, it clear of their intent. But many times legally, there's nothing wrong with that as long as it's not the exact same name. Also, is your Dojo operating under a DBA? Like mentioned before, DBAs can be various locals in their legalities. But generally not much you can do about it. If their dojo or business is very sub-standard, practioners will know the difference in time... JKA dojos have delt with this for years and never worried about it. Everyone new at a glance which ones were the actual JKA dojos and which ones were copies or fakes... You could have "AV JKA" the legit one, or you could have "AV JKF," the copy or fake one with similar logos that are the rising sun - which are not trade marks, but are public domain. Perfectly legal, but the intent would be to undermind "AV JKA." - Killer -

I think it would depend on the level of judging. If you were judging a lower or equal rank than you, then I wouldn't have a problem with it. To judge a higher rank than you, then I would have issue with it. To achieve the rank of Black Belt does mean something. And until you traing and test for that level, you "are not" a black belt in my eyes. Therefore, you don't meet black belt requirements in terms of knowlege or technique. Saying the above, that does not mean that you are not capable, or that you haven't put in the time as a black belt, nor does this mean that there are not black belts out there that do not deserve their rank. However, there are still many black belts that do qualify and do deserve their ranks that are better than you technically and they would be offended by a "non-black belt" judging them in a tournament. If I entered a tournament and there was a non-black belt judging me, I would have a great deal of issue with it. Also, if I saw unqualified Black Belts sitting there as judges, I would also have a great deal of issue with that as well. My 2 cents... - Killer -

Personally, I like one mouth in front of me and one gyaku-tsuki... :0) - Killer -

Being a traditional Karate-ka, then I guess I don't understand the term you guys are referring to then. I also hear the term "Perry" which is a term that was never used in traditional karate. Can someone explain specifically what this technique would be? - Killer -

Actually, that's not true. It only takes and inch (or cm) to deflect any type of punch. A sweeping block can be done with the palm of the hand, or with the back of the hand. A hook punch still has to turn at one point to come straight at you - which is still in a relaxed state. Typically you would deflect it with the back side of your hand, deflecting it on the outside of your ear towards their body of face - unless you were sweeping with the other hand, then it would be the palm side sweeping. Regardless it is an easy and very effective technique, but takes time to master because of the complex timing issue you have to learn when using it. I used this a lot, even with hook punches. I could sweep block, grab, sweep, and then punch or kick faster then you would want it to happen. It becomes second nature when you do it and prastice it a lot. - Killer -

Blocks, or any other technique for that matter, is like playing the guitar. Being president of a guitar society, I get asked quiestions like, "someone said the A chord should be played like this. What is the correct way to play the A chord?" My answer to them is, "there is no correct way you have to play the A chord because it totally depends of the transition of the previous chord versus the next chord you have to play - proper playing technique should be your primary focus..." It's the same way with blocks. It really doesn't matter which way you block because it depends on what is coming at you, what the prior technique actions was, and what you need to do next. The important thing is that "you do the actions correctly..." - Killer -

If you are referring to "open hand" type of blocks, this is actually a very common and effective method of blocking. But, they are more in the form of a "sweeping block" where you are catching the arm in a relaxed state and deflecting the punch before kime is achieved. Doing this allows you the ability to grab the attacker for a take down or other defensive actions. I don't know what level you are, but at basic levels I would not suggest the use of sweeping blocks, but at higher levels of sparring/defense, Most Certainly.... - Killer -

Welcome Patcherson. Osu. - Killer - well my reply to that person would be what a very wise sensai once told me before kumite "a man can survive on bread and butter , kizami zuki and gyaku zuki"

It's actually the time devoted to achieving Shodan and above versus all of life changes that occurs with the vast majority of people whom are not able to dedicate the necessary time to reach shodan and above... - Killer -

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I can agree with that statement. I'm not saying that they are Not capable "physically" to do effective Karate, but "mentally" they don't properly develop karate due to their mental alocation of muscle movement and development. Very few, meaning a hand=full, actually overcome the mental aspect of this issue... - Killer - I think that the main thing to consider is that if they did begin to study Karate or some other Martial Art, that they could make that size and strength work for them. Its just a matter of working the Karate into the training regime, and putting it all together.

Although you make a good point, and most serious competitive weight lifters don't do karate in the first place. But, I've still seen only one or two that fit the profile you are describing and be able to hold his own. Also, when I say what I've seen, I would be refering to a comparison of wieght lifters vs. US and International competition levels. And even saying that, I wouldn't discount that the proper weight training specifically for Karate or MA would not produce the same muscle bound results that I think the average is referring to in this thread. My opinion is that the only useful weight lifting in Karate is using weights while actually doing Karate - or perhaps simulating reps of kicks or punches while using a weight bench. Spending the right amount of time training Karate is truly the only weight training one needs... Trust me, I use to have legs like tree trunks in my heavy training days - with no weight training at all. - Killer -

I partially agree with what you are saying, but primarily disagree. I've seen it over and over in mass quantities and I've yet seen a truly good example. There is general body building that still allows flexibility and agility. But "too often" body builders are always thinking "upper body" for everything and not "the entire body." If they could get over the concept of "upper body," then they might get somewhere in their training for speed and agility. Technically speaking, a body builder would be 3-times the karate-ka and a non-body builder. However, realistically this is not the case due to the mental aspect of overcoming the "upper body" strength for everything they do... - Killer -

I totally agree. I've seen too many guys over the years at Central that were weight lifters. As long as they didn't grab you, they were mince-meat. I only recall 1 weight lifter that was quick and effective, but he was not very agile just the same. Sweeping them was a little tough at times because of their stiffness in their stance, but I could run all over them otherwise. - Killer -

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Good point. Also, I noticed you are in Bakersfield. I'm in Lancaster... - Killer -

Kiai is a by-product of an action, not the actual action. Anotherwise, when you exhale to contract your muscles rapidly, there is no noise of Kiai. However, with the rapid exhalation, and when stopping that exhaling action at your focal (or ending) point, the physical action of stopping or closing the air way of air exhaling actually naturally produces noise that is referred to as Kiai. The faster you exhale and stop, the louder and stronger the kiai noise, the slower, the softer the kiai noise. - Killer - A question about breathing (since I don't want to start a new thread): Is kiai just a shout combined with breathing from the abdominal muscles? My sensei corrected me tonight when I was practicing techniques. He said I was using the kiai simultaneously when I threw a punch, kick or technique and that will cause the wind to get knocked out of me if I don't use it correctly. Is this correct or should I just breathe through my nose and mouth and just use the kiai at the right time?

Yes, soreness without stretching is normal. Soreness after training is reasonably normal. However, I also wanted mentioned that improper breathing also causes soreness due to the lack of oxygen to the muscles causing the formation of lactic acid. Proper breathing and breathing timing will greatly minimize sore muscles - but it's also something you will learn in time. So considering that fact, it's pretty much just normal in early stages of learning karate. It shouldn't be hapening much in advanced verterans of karate/MA. - Killer -

Welcome. It looks like a very proud daddy to me... - Killer -

Wasn't that rank usually life lol.... - Killer -

My only point is that the answer you are looking for is up to interpretation. I'm not sure there are exact facts of what you are looking for? His writings have always been up to interpretation of his meanings and phylosophies... Therefore, generalities and assumptions based on his student's experiences with Funikoshi plays an important role to more accurately interpret Funikoshi's writings. To find someone to give you an answer of fact is not likely to happen - with the exception of maybe Randall Hassell... Perhaps Wa-No-Michi might shed some light to your question since he seems to be a fairly good historian on this forum. - Killer -

This goes back to Who, Who, Who. The part in the discussions of the paragraph that I felt was not accurately interpreted was not the part on Competition - because competition was always part of the learning process in one fashion or another - even for the Samurai of old days. However, I felt that the word Sport was misused to accurately represent Funikoshi’s direction, belief and philosophies of his art. Now it is possible that due to USA being a sport oriented nation, it could have been misused or misinterpreted for competition being the same as sport? But based on all the teachings I’ve had, and discussions of Nishiyama, and many of similar caliber of JKA instructors/masters voicing similar objectives and philosophies (in person, not in writing), competition from the perspective of the learning process was an important part of development. However, competition for fame, status, etc. was not… The problem became that with increasing dojos and organizations cropping up, and the dilution/misinterpretation of the original philosophies and concepts, how do we grow the teachings, how do we maintain participation in learning the art, and how do we standardize that art to maintain consistency? Competition was a big factor here to maintain participation base – thus the direction of Sport MA was increasing and traditional competition was declining. It was always the long battle of JKA and Funikoshi’s teachings vs. the growing interest for Sport MA. Therefore, I believe there was a great deal of misinterpretation defining the difference of the two as a result. - Killer -

There you go; you interpret the paragraph you cited as full support of competition in terms of a sport. Yet I read the paragraph, and interpret what he is saying as "not" supporting it all by jeopardizing the original essence of Karate and also a safety factor involved - yet he questions a direction that may need to be considered to grow the art due to changing times... Any competition in the old days was a dual to the death - which he also references clearly in the paragraph you site. So in this case, who is correct - your modern interpretation of analyzing the paragraph, or my interpretation knowing the true essence and teachings of his art being taught to me by one of his students (Nishiyama)?? Don’t get me wrong, I’m no historian and I appreciate the discussion topic, but I do know the essence and philosophies of the art as it was taught. - Killer -