Kruczek

If he has an issue because you are younger, that is ignorance and he needs to get over it in my honest opinion... I am younger than all three of highest ranking students. One actually is more than twice my age. There has always been a complete understanding of the fact I earned my rank and we have fun and when I sweep them or make them look silly sparring - we laugh it off and I try to teach them something from it. He should have asked you how to keep from getting swept in the future, not presented it as "you shouldn't do that". Maybe I missed something, but ask your Sensei if they are ok with you sweeping, if they are, continue as you always have. My two cents.

School: United States Air Force Academy Karate Club City: USAF Academy, Colorado, USA Chief Instructor: Me Sensei: Richard Hooven, 4th Dan (Elkhart, Indiana, USA)

I just finished my Nidan Thesis and was hoping some of the members here could give me some feedback. It is about the evolution Karate-Do from Bugei, to Budo, to Tode, to Karate-Do along with some commentary on the various precepts laid down by Matsumura, Itosu, and Funakoshi. There is an online version at http://okiblog.com/nidan-thesis and a link there for the word document with better formatting. I am looking for some honest feedback - harsh comments are welcome, either here, on the blog, or through PM. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

If I were in your shoes, I would be asking myself if the student was able to explain the application of moves. Kata are patterns and the student is unable to remember those, but how about their ability to teach people to use these katas effectively? If another student approached this potential black belt and said "sensei can you explain what I am supposed to be doing here" could they do that? The other thing I would be consider is how I differentiate between black belts and sensei status. Of your current black belts, if one wanted to branch out and start their own dojo (in good standing with you) what would be the requirements? It used to be a Shihan no Menjo (like a 5th or 6th Dan equivalent) when students could teach on behalf of the master rather than assist them. If this student is simply going to be assisting you teach - then I wouldn't be overly concerned if they can explain things. If you let any black belt teach on their own on your behalf (at their own dojo for example) - then this is highly problematic and I would either get them on the same page about teaching independently or keep them at 1st Gup. Again - If I were you.

Some of the best information I have seen in a LONG time on the web. Thank you! (Would say more but I am far to engaged in reading his posts).

Few questions, purely curiosity - does your school and/or organization have a website? When you finish your test please let us know how it went. I am curious about what you struggled on and what you excelled at. If there was anything that you thought unusual about your test I would be interested in hearing that too. Just trying to get an idea about how other people test for Shodan. Good luck again.

Just got to go out there and make the most of the test. Try to use it as a learning tool. Pass or fail, take something away from the experience. I'm sure you heard before, anyone can give you a black belt - finding someone who can teach you is the hard part. So best of luck on passing, but i wish you more luck on your chance at walking away a smarter karateka.

Excellent post, and I applaud you for sticking to your guns. All too often we see the politics of Karate messing up the Karate itself. While I don't know if you will fix anything - I am glad you are not contributing to the stupidity.

I want to say the first time I truly felt everything come together was when I was 16 and getting ready to test for my Nidan, 8 years into everything. After that I felt very relaxed and sure of myself.

If I were to go to another school, I would wear my all white gi until I got a feel for the other instructor. It really depends on the instructor. If you were to come to one of my classes, I always loved the Karate Kid methodology - "Karate here (points to head), Karate here (points to heart), Karate never here (points to belt). It is a uniform and a belt, for 95% of the time it is useless. If we were going to a seminar, tournament, or something formal - I would request my students that are coming with me wear my patch/uniform/belt. Beyond that - I am not particular. Be safe look new, then ask the instructor.

Every major "enlightenment" I have had in Karate has come right after a huge loss of interest or annoyance with something. I just needed to take a week off and consider how to overcome this problem or frustration. No one is ever perfect at Karate, it is a lifelong game of improvement - but be sure if you quit you will never get any better.

I couldn't agree more sensei8.

At most major tournaments I have been to or judged at, there is an age group of 35-65. So keep in mind your competition (most times) will be about your age or even older. As for your rank, again sparring especially is normally divided up by rank, so the guy you are facing will be new to this too. If money isn't an issue and you have never competed before - GO. It is well worth the entry fee. O - bring gatorade, you will need it if your doing both kata and kumite at your best lol.

Matsumura Seito uses the toe - especially effective in boots or dress shoes. Shorinkan Shorin-Ryu us the ball of the foot. It is entirely dependent on the style and the objective - but BOTH are very very effective.

If you came to me with the same story, the only "proof" you would need is doing the requirements. I sense that 7 years later you have probably forgotten a lot if not all of it. With the exception of the money, an orange belt means nothing if you don't know the stuff. Good luck though.

Indiana University and I believe Purdue followed Ball State soon after this, they now both offer multiple MAs for credit.

Kyoshi Eddie Bethea from Shorinkan Shorin-ryu was given his 4th degree while in Okinawa by Hanshi Nakazato. "By January 1968, just two years after his first lesson, Bethea was promoted to Yondan -- fourth degree black belt" Now he was stationed in Okinawa during Vietnam and this may have been an attempt to get qualified teachers outside of Japan...I don't know nor do I care (he is an amazing instructor), but a good case of jumping ranks. Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita was the youngest 7th degree black belt in Japanese history at the age of 27 (give or take a year). Again brilliant martial artist who deserved it, but had to have jumped a few ranks to do it. Neither of my above examples "created" their rank, both were given rank by an established school with a clear traceable lineage.

Nicely done.

I know tons of senior black belts who jumped from 1st dan to 4th dan etc... I don't see why 10th to 8th should ever be an issue.

Karate is for self defense. Self defense IS an all or nothing thing. You don't get excused if it is an off day - so I see nothing wrong with testing people all or nothing the day of.

I did Kusanku Dai for my Nidan, so I put Kanku Sho (closest). If I could do it all over again, I would do Naihanchi Shodan (Tekki Shodan).

When I helped teach a women's only self defense class, I remember the one time these older women were making sound effects when they'd do the moves and just being goofy. DO NOT shut them down on stuff like this. The more they enjoy it the more they will remember it. My advice.

I have seen the senior instructor asked to leave because he scared off students being to hard on them (not bullying), so in my opinion if ANYONE is doing something you don't find suitable and you have equal stake as a teacher in the school...speak up. We have had various bullies over the years - they get dismissed soon or later.

I had mine made by a student, just a doll rod from lowes that was tapered slightly on the ends, sanded really well, and given a handful of layers of polyurethane. I believe it is oak. Different woods would be lighter. Best to use a heavy one for training, why ever train and not consider it a workout?

My first instructor was 61 when she started. She is now a 5th degree black belt (20 years later). Your goal should be to let karate transform your life - an it sounds like it is, a belt is just to hold your pants up. Congrats my friend.