Ichi_Geki

I use to scold my students who tweaked our kata. I use to ask..."Why do you learn from me for if you plan on changing it that much"?...I dont mind if its a small tweak like, weight proportionment or even a slight snap change...just dont change it that much.

Yeah I dont liek floppy belts, but over time they get floppy anyways, and then the black starts to wear off. Its pretty neat actually. Its like the martial artist, the older it is the floppier they get, Haha. Just joking.

I have quite a few students who dont like to teach that are first and second dan, which is fine because only my sempai teaches alongside of me. I have occasionally let a shodan or nidan teach when I use to teach kids, but they ended up ruining my business...

Exactly so for shodan I test my students harder physically then I do for Nidan. Anything above Shodan I look for skill and not just strength.

But shouldn't you be able to do all techniques by the time you get to shodan, efficiently?

I once had a kid referred to me just out of juvvie. I knew he would make it because he was a stubborn and hard headed type and he liked to have punishing training that was grueling. I knew he would make it to shodan, but then I continued to guess he would make it to nidan. He would have made it to nidan if he did not end up in an adult prison.

I am at odds with the term "god fearing", as I do not think people should "fear" god, but embrace. However, that said, Bushido was a unwritten code practice at a time when such was practiced within a certain set of moral or behavior obligations. I fear anyone that can help a guy kill a 8 foot giant... But yes Bushido was never anything really religious, most Budoka were buddhists but bushido was never a religion.

Hard wood floors with lots of bar finish for shine, and of course tatami...

The belt was never to be a object for symbolism. It became such within a notion to distinguish. Hence, is what the stripes are for. This is what I have been stating that I had a simular discussion with a Buddhist Monk. In short, among the discussion of many things, that was about Buddhism, and the notion that Buddhist "give up" possesions. Buddhist do not look to be flagrant, as I had once thought. My discussion on this was the question I put forth, why do Buddhists (monks) wear such vibrant orange-red robes, if they are not looking to be brazen? The response-answer, was color of the robes were for distinction, no different that other people who wear a uniform. Like police, doctors, etc. That such was for people whom do not personally know said wearer. Thwerefore, the robes served a purpose for recognition from others, and not one supplied to fuel the ego. Another note; the Katana for the samurai was symbolic and many had personal markings for each owner. Thus the blade was almost seen as the soul. But the belt was never to be considered as a/the soul. It is a object of consummation that has been amplified. But the belt does symbolize something if its meant to stand for rank. The grade of symbolization is just what we make of it as "ka". Its an internal aspect to everyone. Some may find it as a symbol and others may find it as a piece of silk or cotton, nothing more. But black belt should be amongst other things a sign of the indomitable spirit and will power of the practitioner. Other than that it should be nothing more than the piece of material it truly is. My black belt is my very first white belt. Thats why it has symbolic meaning to me. It has been with me ever since the beginning of my journey, and I would rather not deface it with anything, that does not look professional in my own eyes.

I will say...I have never washed any of my belts before...they never smelled bad, haha.

How so?...Do you mean like mentally disabled...?...Then there is an exception...Limbless person, exception...perfect health?...No exception.

I notice in kata such as Seiyunchin that alot of the blocks and strikes are "reinforced" with the other hand, noting that the kata is meant for a smaller person of Okinawan stature. So...This is a small evidential point that technique can help...but. I think regardless that there are some technique for every body type. Should a 90 pound girl do a Morote uke?...I dont think so. Perhaps a kaishu waza towards the adams apple.

You will probably score more at an open tournament that way too. When I use to compete I went to all closed traditional sects, so it was fair game. Now a days people want that flash in the pan at the tournaments. It is nice to see atleast a 90% traditional kata though at those open tournaments.

I think she is matsubayashi ryu. Not sure how accurate that is though.

Osu! Thank you for your kind welcome.

Done by Nao Morooko

I am speechless. I dont know what to say about that dan testing...IM glad there are dojo's like that though.

Im sure it would be adeqaute, but it would be very funny to see it in court, cause I think it will turn more into something like a he said she said type of deal.

Well, I never seen an iriminage done in Judo so Im not all that sure either, but when I gave my aikido seminar to my students, all were unwilling to budge until the iriminage comes out, and something about it proves to be very difficult. I guess its the surprise that gets them especially if your not well tuned with Aikido either.

Judan Juji Uke, shiko dachi

It wouldnt matter if the chief of police was there or not. The Waiter and manager could have had no insight that this man was the chief of police at the time, and it has to be posted in a visible area for anything to be accountable. You dont put a no dogs allowed sign in the bathroom of a restaurant you put it on the front door or on the counter where everyone has to go. Not everyone reads a menu or goes to the bathroom so neither would be very likely.

Kudos to the koreans for being so honorable, and kudos to Obama for taking it so he doesnt dis honor the koreans...but he should have said something like "I dont deserve this"

Dialect can play a major roll in it. But where did the "thing" originate in?...Shouldn't we go by that?

Stop and think about it for a moment...do a figure 8 and then have somebody stick another bo, broomstick or such straight at you in the middle of your figure 8ing..and what happens? You probably just dropped your bo ON THE GROUND! The only person it would intimidate is an inexperienced opponent. Waste of time and effort in my opinion. Spend that same time working on good techniques. I agree with you Montana. And on a side note. A good beginners kata for Bo Jutsu would be Sakugawa no Kun This is the style I practice. Gushi Sensei Version.

Bo staff just really gets to me thats all I have to say...other things dont bother me. But stick stick does...