Killer Miller

LOL, I like that answer aefibird. - Killer -

I've yet to see anyone actually discuss the choices given to determine what the correct answer really is... A technical approach to this pole is truly what it's all about. I will give you my anwer to the poll in a week. Until then, cut me some slack and let's see some discussion as to why you would, or would not technically choose an option. For example: Why was the first answer so popularly chosen, and why was the last answer chosen, and why wasn't the middle ones chosen - technically speaking? Don't expect me to give an answer yet. When I do, then you can fire away the questions as to why or why not you agree with the answer. - Killer -

LOL 47MartialMan - Trying to get picky here as to details. I provided a general statement based on requests, and I stated I wasn't in the mood for details. I've had execellent training was the actual point as I was asked for some background. I stated whom I primarily studied under. A guest instructor (many) comes over for a week or two at a time and provides personal group training as a group. Did he not personally teach me something when he corrects my personal technique? I think so and is training that most don't have an opportunity to acquire. Was I intending to spout untruths? No, I made a general statement in a line or two with not wanting to be in the mood to go into details. For example: Matsura-san, whom use to be cheif instructor of Mexico, came as a guest and assistent instructor for several months - I think I could honestly say I trained under him. Was he my primary instructor, no... My only point in that statement was to clarify, by request, that I was qualified to post such a poll question. I was not trying to tout any more than that. I might offer insight to training methods, and pose questions as fuel for thought (as part of my method of maddness), but my training background was a very personal thing that was a major part of my life (a way of life actually) and I'm personally proud and fulfilled of that fact. I don't feel that I should have to always go into detail on it. I originally introduced myself. But as usual, instead of just discussing the question posed in a poll fashion on a technical nature, you choose to make attempts to discredit every word stated. You can challenge me technically any day of the week and I more than welcome the discussion. To challenge me personally on my background I take offense to. I don't beleive I've challenged anybody's training background yet. I think you too should rise up to that level as well. - Killer -

Early Eighties. He use to come over occasionaly as a guest instructor. - Killer -

I was re-reading my last post and I realized a possible mis-understanding of the statement in item #3 - just so nobody gets the wrong impression I wanted to clarify. The teams I did trained with. The masters I studied "under" and not directly "with." Meaning that they were teaching me, not that I was sparring with them directly. Also, I realized that I said I trained under Nakayama, which was actually Yamaguchi. I don't where or why I typed Nakayama - typo or brain cramp, not sure... - Killer -

Master Jules: FYI, I did submit an article regarding one of my experiences of training. Be on the look out for it in the future. - Killer -

1st: The 5th aswer was actually "All of the Above." However, I didn't know you had to click "Add" to include it in the pole - next time I'll know. I selected "Submit" instead and that answer was excluded. However, "All of the Above" is not the correct answer. 2nd: Perhaps I will provide the answer in 1 week so we can have the rest of the month to discuss the answer - which will always be up for discussion. 3rd: Master Jules... You implied that I had to write a thesus in order to post this pole question and get your blessing for it. Then wanting my qualifications to justify my post. Although I'm more than qualified to post this question, for one to doubt my question instead of participating is what I took offense to. A quick response of my qualifications (not in the mood for details) is that I started Karate (JKA Style) in 1974. I trained primarily under Nishiyama. I trained with teams and instructors from all over the world - Japan team, Argentina team, Iranian team, Europeon team, Oishi, Shirai, Nakayama, etc., just to name a few. Considering this and much more, I feel that I'm quite qualified to post such a question. 4th: Many probably won't agree with the response, but that's ok. That's what we're here for is to discuss a diverse view of technique and concepts... 5th: Perhaps we can start a volunteer pole list and let the next person on the list post their question and answers for discussion. Master Jules, why don't you do November. In fact, at the end of the November question, you can suggest the next participant to supply the pole question? - Killer -

Wait until the end of the Month, then argue with me as to the answer. - Killer -

Nope, it's "the answer." But that will always be up for discussion. - Killer -

I'll try to do a Quiz each Month and provide the answer at the end of the Month. - Killer -

Thanks, I have a pretty big article in the works now - stay tuned... I don't think I will mix in this concept in the present article, but it might fit in the next article or two I plan to write. - Killer -

I'm not sure how to take that comment? On a serious positive note, or not?

I started JKA Shotokan in 1974. Trained for 17 years. About 2 weeks away from my Nidan test, then my hernia popped from Squat, Reverse Punches (I believe that was a Nakayama class at the time). I've had that fixed since then, but became inactive on the training scene when I got married with children and it became difficult to go down to "Central" and train. All my local training buds had moved away, and I didn't have time to teach anymore after going BIG Corporate at the time... Now I train Aikido with a local friend, a Sandan and an excellent instructor. However, I miss my old JKA buddies and don't mind passing on what I've learned and experienced over the years to ya guys/gals... I trained with Many of the JKA Shotokan greats of the world. My primary instructor was Nishiyama-sensei in my late Brown and Black belt years. Had some other great instructors in my earlier development. If cross training means with other styles, no (or very little). I didn't believe in it. JKA Shotokan is an "art" that takes a life time to perfect. Cross training distracts from that perfection and develops bad habits (perhaps I will explain this in an article some day). My primary tournament Kata was Gankaku, and my backup Kata was Kanku Dai. The following are the Katas we studied. We never used the Taikyoku katas, even when teaching the young. Heian Shodan to Godan Tekki Shodan to Sandan Bassai Dai and Sho Kanku Dai and Sho Gojushiho Dai and Sho Jion, Jittie and Giin Meikyo Nijushiho Empi Wankan Sochin Unsu Hangetsu Chinte Gankaku - Killer -

That's what I recalled as well... I don't recall Taikyoku katas being in that book at all. - Killer -

Gloves are best for learning how to hit the bag. But bare knuckle is good if you are hitting the bag correctly. If you hit the bag correctly, there will be no abrasions to your knuckles. Hit it incorrectly, it will rip up your knuckles in no time flat... - Killer -

I had the original hard copy of that book, loaned it out, haven't seen it since... - Killer -

Delete Taikyoku katas and you would have the JKA list I'm familiar with. We have never incorporated the Taikyoku katas in JKA. However, it doesn't mean that they weren't incorporated at one time... - Killer -

I believe the other person in the pictures with Funakoshi was Nakayama. Many of the early stances and techniques from Funikoshi's days were derived from Juijitsu. (sp?) Stances were much higher then and a lot more open handed techniques. Once Karate was modernized, the stances became much lower and more closed fists as well. - Killer -

Well, I figured if I didn't put it in a subsequent post, it would have not been believable... - Killer - ...I'm really glad you added that, as I was jsut cracking my knuckles gearing up for a reply.

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't resist the temptation... :0) - Killer -

I have a special Samurai Technique handed down to ne called "Chisai-zuki!!!" I have demonstrated this punch to many students and public. I rest my hand, open palmed, and with the my inner Ki, I move the person back 23 feet. He is still standing and un-hurt! It is an amazing feat I am able to accomplish! The secret technique of the Shogun!!! - Killer Miller -

I'm with G59Champ all the way and couldn't have put it in better words. I can see his passion. For years and years, our style, and other similar styles, have been put down because we are not "Full Contact." It has been said that we can not punch our way out of a paper bag, no power, no speed, no flexibility, etc... And in reality, we have all that and more. If you were to say to us, let's do "full contact" sparring. You would step in, maybe one or two punches or kicks, then you would go down for the count. Then, if you were able to get back up, you would be upset because we were too hard on you. We would say, "you said full contact and that's what I did." So yes, the word is severely mis-used in terms of competition versus reality. Full contact as a sport may require a lot of training and stamena, but lacks many other necessary elements of real life. Traditional Karate is on the basis of preparing one's self for real life Kill or Be Killed concepts. BTW, does anyone remember the movie "Kill or Be Killed?" This means to minmize and maximize energy expended to preserve one's life! Full contact karate is a competition or sport with a set of rules to preserve "all" lives for the ribon, trophy or prize. Karate-do is an art and a way of life to preserve one's existence (meaning the other party must die in the traditional sense of the art/competition). Fuel for thought the next time a person decides to knock traditional karate? BTW G59Champ, I noticed you were on the East coast. Are you, or were you ever affiliated with Robert Fusarro's JKA group? (Hope I spelled his name correctly?) They always had a huge group that would come to summer camp every year... - Killer -

Coco, I will first apologize because I really wasn't trying to imply that you had my situation, or a bad situation at home. And when I was referring to a serious condition, I didn't mean that you were presently skin and bones. You had indicated at home that your mom only bought you junk food. When I was saying to communicate, I meant to communicate what kind of diet you needed so she would buy healthy foods that you prefer. Being a father of 3, and a grand-dad now, I know that many times we would shop for foods that our daughters ate and didn't prefer. But they never communicated that to us until they got much older. Had they taken a moment to say "mom/dad, you got a minute to talk." We would have gave them a diet they prefered. For example, one daughter prefered a vegitarian diet because she never told us that she wanted to go on this diet. I wasn't meaning that you didn't communicate with your parents in a disfunctional sense. The reference to my story was not to imply that you had this situation. But, what you could become if you kept up a heavy training regimen and poor diet - and why I stated a serious condition. One of the three persons I referenced, a US Team member, was a person I personally got started in Karate. He was 230 pounds when he started - and climbing. When he got mono, he was 5'11" and 136 pounds! If I implied anything else, it was only that I was talking in general to a general audience. I am use to writing to very large audiences whom know my writing style and don't get offended - usually appreciative. I have a tendancy to talk to everyone while responding back to one person - probably a bad habit, but that's what I do in a typing vacuum... So if I sound harsh, please don't be offended. Some subjects I have a lot of passion with only because I care and hope that others can learn from my past mistakes and experiences to their benefit in the future. Your's truly, - Killer -

Coco, Your situation, IMHO, is more serious than the other posters providing advice for - no offense to the other posters of course. You expend a lot of calories training Karate and three days a week is ideal for you level - and higher levels as well in many cases. I, and many team members, use to train 6 and 7 days a week. We ate like horses and still were losing weight. Many team members, and myself, has lost so much weight that we were to the point of unhealthy... However, we felt faster and stronger than ever!!! The bottom line is that we were on the go training so much that we only had time for "junk" and "fast" foods. This type of energy doesn't stay with your body very long to build bone mass, muscle, etc... Thus, a server loss of weight, severe lack of nutrients, and too much training to keep up the caloric intake. While we were some really "bad" dudes (so to speak), we were really unhealthy! Three of the team members had contracted "mono." I was on the verge of this road as well! I, as well as the others, discussed it amongst ourselves and Sensei (a doctor as concerned for our health), and severely changed our diets and training to better match our metabolic rates. We started to get our weight back where it should be and feeling better than ever. BTW, our overtraining was not our Sensei's fault because our training regimen and activities was far more active than our Sensei knew that we were doing. So my suggestion is to: 1. Only train at the dojo and home only as much as your Sensei suggests for your metabolic rate. 2. If you Sensei does not have any type of medical background, seek a doctor's or sport doctor's advice and to your current state of health and suggested training regimen. (very critical step two here...) 3. You need to actually "communicate" with your parents (this means to actually "talk" to them!) as to what your interests are and what life changes are necessary to your health and well-being (food, doctor appointment, training requirements, family counseling if necessary, etc.). I've read a little about what your life is like, but I only see a small glimpse of it - so I don't see the true big picture. But "communication" is the key regardless of circumstances. If your parents are busy, this doesn't mean that they don't care about you and your health, they might just be too busy and may not know your situation unless you sit down for 10 or 15 minutes and talk to them. Many times it's as simple as "mom/dad, I need to talk to you for a few minutes..." I know this may sound a little deep, but based on what I've read so far, it sounds like some serious communication with your parents is needed here. But then again, I may be wrong and not know the whole story here either. Take care of yourself. - Killer -

Mizu No Kokoro... Research the above meaning and you'll find your answer. Also, if you read my article "Mind Dumping," in the Articles section, it addresses this specific question you ask - and also explains the above saying too. - Killer -