Wa-No-Michi

Of course; Judo originally came from Japanese Koryu Jujutsu, its creator Jigiro Kano was formally schooled in the likes of Tenjin shinyo ryu and Kito ryu - prior to creating Judo. So in a way, when you learn Judo, you are perhaps learning a tiny bit of these beautiful and ancient martial arts which date back over many hundreds of years – or as we conveniently shrink wrap them up into today JJJ (Japanese Jujutsu - sorry Jiu-Jitsu) As it’s nearly Christmas I thought I would also share this "well humored" (and probably well viewed) insight into BJJ (Brazilian Jujutsu - sorry jiu-jitsu) to assist you in making a well balanced observation between the two. Enjoy WNM

Osu, I thought you might be a Sensei J from the West Cost; you have similar backgrounds. I see you like to Osu' (Please no one mention the 24 fighting chickens) WNM

I didn't know that, but it doesn't surprise me. Reference what people wear in my Dojo - I have Tokaido but some of my students have Hirota. WNM

Always makes me giggle when I see the word Kancho. A quick Google search will show you why, as it is the name given to a schoolyard prank played by Kids in Japan - similar to what we would call a "Wedgie" here in the UK. Kancho is not one of the original Sho-go titles (as far as I am aware) - ie, Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi. As I understand it, it comes from the term Kanchou, which means "Director" as in company directory. Its a position of office within an organisation, rather than a title of recognition. So next time you here someone being referred to as Kancho - just think "Wedgie" and steer well clear of their karate club. WNM

Sorry about typo. Why would they refer to you as Renshi? Did you put them straight? WNM

Ichi_Geki, As we are talking about "Shogo" titles what is yours. WNM

Sensei is the correct way to address even the highest grade instructor. What others choose to refer to them as is nothing to do with them. WNM

I'm not a great fan of the "one strike kill" concept, besides I don't think it has relevance here. Perhaps the pauses are there for much simpler reasons like watching, waiting, and change of tack. Besides, I think everyone has come to realise that kata do not represent front to back fighting examples Maybe the pauses are there to seperate scenarios? WNM

All kata perhaps. It helps to keep them "live". WNM

"Waza no kankyu" is on of the principles of kata training. It basically means that techniques in kata should be performed with relative and varying speed - slow, fast and with pauses (action and no action) and techniques in combination - where applicable. WNM

Hi AJ, how you doing fella? Renraku in this context refers to techniques done in combination / as a phrase. The word originally comes from the "Relay" of messages from one person to another and one point to another. So it has also come to mean to connect or communicate. In Karate therefore renraku-waza refers to the relay /connection of techniques from one to another. WNM

Well done guys. I think Sensei8's board status should be changed to at least "Shihan" or even "Hanshi". What does everyone else think? WNM

Depends on how much you want to spend? If you want to be really authentic then go for an "Hirota" belt. Mind you, not cheap but Hirota is a very popular brand in Japan (Tokaido is considered export fodder). They have started to sell them in Europe out of Holland. Not sure they have an outlet in the US. Here is the .jp site: http://www.karategi-hirota.co.jp/e-hirota/index.html And here is the Dutch site. http://www.bestkarategi.eu/products/ WNM

That's a great question! I thought so too. I think sometimes the big man is a bit shy about these things. I also think that deep down most of us know why, and perhaps by not answering he is sparing our blushes? WNM

Shouldn't you be focusing on your grading rather than the belt? Sure great to set yourself a goal, but shouldn't that be just passing. I have several bbs, but the best one is the one my sensei awarded me - verbally! WNM