Killer Miller

Perhaps competition, but I don't think the word sport was intended as translated. One problem with Japanese to English translations is Japanese use of words through translations vs. the literal meaning of the word in English. Competition in the form of training as a measurement of improvement has always been part of the learning process - but not from the perspective of being the best over someone else. You can't teach that art of sword, and in competition of training with matches use Real Swords... That's the side of these types of discussions I have a little trouble with. The discussions are great - don't get me wrong. But, all interpretation of facts are based on today’s terminology, definition and use, and not the intended use in the day of it being spoken or translated. Everyone believes what they read - regardless if it credible or not. And, there has always been the issue of the original spoken tongue and the translation. Translations over the years have always had errors - even today there are still a great deal of errors in translations. Yet, once written, it must be a fact. - Killer -

Well, actually it is that simple - if you understand the true essence of the art. Your quotes echo exactly what I stated. They didn't want to develop it as a sport as it would take away from the true essence of the art - which is primarily to kill with perfection. How can that concept become a sport and the techniques derived safely??? How can you test or grade the ability and effectiveness to kill unless you are in a battle environment??? You can't. I realize you are looking for a historic time frame, which I can't help you with that. Most of the time frames are up to interpretation and belief followings. I think the time frame will be totally up to interpretation of what is said and factual events that occurred as the result. Perhaps an article written of your factual findings would be of interest. There was a lot of talk and discussions about expanding the art. The difficulty was that there were so many other arts that had taken a turn towards the sports arenas, especially during the Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris movie era, where the question was how to we grow the art and still maintain practitioners that are turning towards the sports for the fame and attention rather than truly learning the art of perfection in Karate? This has always been the primary dilemma... Therefore, there had to be some initiative to grow the art concepts in somewhat of a competitive fashion, yet maintain the values and objectives of the art. Now...! There is the time frame when ALL the politics started in the arena of competitive martial arts and traditional martial arts. Who’s the worlds best, which is the true art, who has the best technique, who can beat who, who should be in charge and dominate the world of martial arts, who, who, who..... And as a result, we are where we are and everyone is trying to find out where the root is and who is telling the truth or lies in the world of martial arts..... - Killer -

The primary reason of not seeing eye-to-eye on this subject is because many of the other organizations/styles were trying to make it a competitive sport. Funikoshi saw it as an art or primarily a way of life. Being a sport took away from the primary purpose of the life time achievement as a way of life that one is to have the ability to kill at a blink of an eye with perfect execution under any situation and at any time; yet with the ulimate goal of never having to use it period... Karate as a sport of competitive function, was not real in terms of the true way of life for a Karate-ka. True competition would have meant that one lives and the other dies as a result. How could you show a difference in this objective as a sport - this is why Funikoshi did not agree on this concept. By the way, this conversation is a mirror conversation of the Late Hidetaka Nishiyama whom was a student of Funikoshi's. Nishiyama always tried to develop karate as an Art and not with the premise of a sport... - Killer -

Kanku-dai. My Brown Belt kata - great kata. I did Gankaku and my primary and Kanku-dai as my secondary in tournaments. - Killer -

I'm personally not a big advocate of the theory that "practice, practice, practice" will necessarily make you fast and agile. It's not a matter of practice, but practice with the appropriate training and concepts to develop these characteristics. Unfortunately, many karate-ka do not have the level of instruction to truly learn proper breathing and timing techniques to acomplish this feat. And for this reason, is why I don't have a lot to really say on the subject. It's something that can be explained over the internet in length, but it really can't be taught over the internet due to misinterpretation... - Killer -

Your english is just fine...

Yea, you can be lightning fast - I trained with many 250 and over karate-ka over the years that were vary fast and agile. It's all in breathing, timing and technique..... - Killer -

LOL, I never looked at it that way - but I think you're right... My user name was the nick-name that was given to me by fellow Karate-Ka, and I do recall one instance of walking into a dojo and the class of about 45 went dead quiet, turned their head, and hearing whispered "oh #%!*, that's Killer Miller." I also recall another instance sitting at a Denny's with two other fellow black belts, and about 3 booths down were a table of guys of another local karate group saying "don't mess with those guys, they are killers of a secret elite group." We could hear their conversation, acting like we hear nothing, and doing everything to not drop on the floor laughing.... We were the nicest bunch of guys you would ever meet - but we did bounce a friends bar when things got out of hand and got pretty crazy at times, maybe that's where that started...(?) - Killer -

I wonder if I could buy a "Pre Blood-stained" belt... lol, make then run just looking at it... I can remember my Gi having some blood stains at times and being asked "did someone pop you?" Then telling them "it's not my blood." They would commonly stay clear of you lol... - Killer -

I always like Kanku-sho. Great Kata... - Killer -

Got me. Kias can vary in tempo and speed of exhalation which will make different pitches and sound levels, but still, it's not a sound that do, it's a sound that is generated naturally from exhalation... - Killer -

It totally depends on the tempo. "General" rule is to breathe between each technique. However, specific rule depends on the tempo and especially in combinations. So, let's take your example and show a couple of varations. Note: The the spelling of the action = Exhale and "." equals the inhale (and retraction of technique) and more "..." equals the length of inhale, "--->" = continue to exhale, "!" = Kime, and "/" = two techniques together. Example 1: ...Kizami-tsuki (short punch leading hand)!......Yaku-tsuki (reverse punch)--->Mawashi-geri (round house kick)!.... Example 2: ...Kizami-tsuki (short punch leading hand)--->Yaku-tsuki (reverse punch)..Mawashi-geri (round house kick).... Example 3: ...Kizami-tsuki (short punch leading hand)--->Yaku-tsuki (reverse punch)--->Mawashi-geri (round house kick)!.... Example 4: ...Kizami-tsuki (short punch leading hand)! / Mae-geri (Front snap kick)!...Yaku-tsuki (reverse punch)!.... Note: On continued exhales, instead of one long exhale, you could do exhale bursts, without the inhale. Example: ...--->!--->!!... Hope this helps. - Killer -

It's not something you will learn over night, and basically you are on the right track. Many practitioners have a tendancy to inhale while moving out which oposes other muscles - which is like trying to put a transmission in two gears at the same time. It's hard to give you the exact breathing timing for each technique you do without seeing you do them - and it does vary with some techniques and combinations of techniques. However, if you work on this concept enough, in time you will, without a doubt, know what is correct timing because you will develop more speed, stability, power, and not get tired in the process. A good tip is to keep your mouth open, for training conceptual purposed only, and go through your kata or techniques by over exagerating your breathing (inhale and exhale) for each movement or technique and you will feel the connection of breathing timing with body movement. Another good example of breathing timing is to stand in a ready stance with your hand open and relaxed at eye level. Exhale, and at the same time move your hand down to your stomache, and stop exhaling when the hand reaches your stomache. Now inhale until the hand gets back up to eye level. Now vary the speed of this from fast to slow, and make sure your breathing of exhale and inhale "exactly" matches your movement of the hand to your stomache and back. This is the most basic method of understanding breathing timing and the connection with your body muscles. The same will apply when doing whole body muscle movements for techniques and combinations. - Killer - - Killer -

It's actually always been called "Blades." This is the portion without the rubber on it. The "Bat" is when the Blade and Rubber is attached together. BTW, most Blades run in the $75 - $130 range. Rubbers range from $30 - $75 "per side..." Pro equipment that is. My custom composite blades are a steal at $90 each. I know, we're getting a little off topic there lol... As far as people being better, I've never look at things that way. There are goals of people exhibiting technique that is excellent to aspire to, but I really look at it from a perspective to respect people that have the time to dedicate themselves to achieve such a level. But it doesn't mean that I can't achieve that level myself... - Killer - I am sure I am going to get my wrist slapped here; for taking this off topic, but,” when I were a lad”, we used "bats" to play ping-pong (as it was called then), when did they become "blades"? That said, "Blades" sound a lot sexier though Getting back on topic, isn't the fact that there is always people better than you one of your drivers? It is for me but, after all, we all know that thinking that you are the best is rather "short-sighted", when actually being the best would be a bit boring wouldn't it? WNM

That depends. If you mean starting the step "going outward," and you are inhaling at the start, then this is totally incorrect. When going outward, you exhale for contraction. When bringing the foot/leg inward, you inhale (assuming that it's only a transition step, and not a technique like Sanchin stance, where intentionally contracting muscles coming inward). Next step after getting the breathing timing down, then you can experiment with different tempos for the same kata - example, Block......Punch..Punch.. (Note: the "..." represent the inhale action). - Killer -

I like the post Sensei8 lol... I've delt with this so much, not just with Karate, but Archery, Table Tennis, Guitar, Automotive, etc... I'm pretty much expert level in all of these, yet the second the above words come out of my mount, it's: * I knew so-and-so that was the best mechanic in the nation - but they didn't know that I was a Master ASE Mechanic, and also used to be a Senior Product Engineer (Powertrain Group) for the Toyota National Headquarters for 13 years. * I knew so-and-so that could pull your heart out with his hand - not knowing my obvious back-ground (which you all already know what that is) and their claim is just about imposible... * I knew so-and-so and they were the champion of _______ (insert county or state here) - not knowing that I've played tournament Table Tennis since I was about 12 years old, currently coach/teach table tennis, and am world known for my custom composite table tennis blades (paddle portion without the rubber) that many true champions and olympic teams have used... * I'm playing some classical guitar, and someone comes up, interupts (while playing Bach or something as difficult... How rude lol...) and says I play and my favorite key is "B#" and I know so-and-so that plays Bach with only two fingers - Not knowing that I'm president of a Guitar Society, had an instructor that truly studied with some of the top classical guitarists in the world, and whom is better than whom is not at all what music is about anyhow... I never say a word, because it's obviously a total waste of breath to even respond or acknowledge a response to the stupidity... lol - Killer -

Wrist bending at impact means that you are not hitting with the first two knuckles. Also, if you are bending your arm on extension, this can also cause some wrist bending. Your problem is more technique than strength. - Killer -

It's good to start with the lower level steady beat katas to learn the breathing timing concept. Then progress to the more off beat timings of more advanced katas. - Killer -

Yes, any action that contracts the large muscles, you should be exhaling to properly activate/utilize them to their maximum potential. The idea of Breathing from the lower diagphram is that all muscles, legs, arms, fingers, etc., all contract as one. If you strike with the arm, you are not actually just striking with the arm, but the entire body, including the legs, all as one matrix. - Killer -

If you practice kata by only doing the footwork, hands down and relaxed, and just do the kata with only breathing timing - like learning a pirce of music. Example: La.....la..la..la.........la...........la.la.la.la... etc... Each La is an exhale, and each .... is the inhale period... The la.la.la. could be a series of short bursts of exhales and not inhale until the "..." - Killer -

Great Article Sensei8... I'm glad you mentioned Takauki Kubota whom has done a lot for the art and also contributed a great deal to to our law enforcement and movie coreography. Another that has been forgotten (I think he went back to Japan to take care of family) was Matsura Sensei, whom used to be JKA Chief Instructor of Mexico, and was Assistant Instructor for Hidetaka Nishiyama in the US for several years. He was a really good master/instructor. Although, he never really liked me much and used to try and inflict as much pain as he could on me - and this was clearly for the reason that he had the hots for the female friend I hung out and trained with lol... - Killer -

Thanks, While this post is fresh and going, and those wanting more information on the topic, I would suggest everyone ask their questions now to make sure everyone has a good understanding of the topic since it is a topic that is rarely discussed or taught in detail. Example: 1. Breathing timing in Kata and Kumite. 2. Training concepts of breathing timing. 3. Application of breathing timing. etc... I could expand on the above, but I would rather discuss it in response to a question or situation. - Killer -

Kiai is the by-product of an action that makes a sound from rapid exhalation and the sound of when quickly closing the air ways. It is "not" a sound that creates an action... - Killer -

With any large movement, such as the lunge punch, you would always inhale immediately after reaching your focal point or target. Also, the inhale doesn't have to be a slow inhale. You can also do a series of short rapid inhales and exhales depending on the series of techniques or combo. Then a large inhale at a given point to provide the necessary oxygen replenishment needed for the body. There is no general rule as to how much you inhale and exhale - it's all dependant on the technique(s) being executed... - Killer -

Breathing timing does not mean a "constant" breathing patern. It means proper breathing and tempo for a given action, or a series of given actions. It may be appropriate for a combo speed burst of say three techniques to, breath slow on the first two strikes, then very fast on the next two, and relax on the final technique. It may only mean one strike and then relax. Regardless, there is a proper timing and breathing for any and all techniques. Kata is a great example of developing breathing timing. You can also use your breathing to set the tempo of a given action. Remember that the faster you breathe, the faster you move for a given action. The slower you breathe, the slower you move for a given action. Tekeshi Oishi (several time international champion) was known for his ability to cover great distance doing Oi-tsuki (lunge punch) as fast as you could blink (at least two full length steps). He would demonstrate this technique with quick burst of exhales and then have us step in with Oi-tsuki as fast as we could exhale and move the entire distance. It was quite awakening as to how fast the body could actually cover distance doin this. The other side of this coin, you could be doing San Chin or Hangetsu katas with slow breathing. If you match the breathing for slow movements, you will have very controlled, strong and acurate movements at that speed. Added comment in this post: Think of breathing timing as learning a piece of music. Do you learn the notes first, or do you learn the beat and timing of the whole notes, half notes, dotted notes, etc. first? If you were to clap out the timing of the notes first, then exhale downward on the clap, and inhale on the upward movement of the clap, and maintain the tempo and beat of the music piece, this would be exactly as learning Kata, a set of combo movements, or even a series of attacks, blocks, etc. in sparring. - Killer -