Tobias_Reece

Finally another has seen the light!!! When I first started Kobudo, I felt that way too - I was nervous at first, but when I started training it was definately one of the best decisions in my martial arts life. Angus - do u have an official kobudo teacher with a kobudo rank, or just a black belt teaching. Just wondering....as my senior is someone who is self-taught (but he doesn't teach) , whilst my grader is a 3rd Dan in Kobudo Another one has been bitten by the Kobudo bug. C ya

Hi all I think some people are forgetting that some martial arts are exactly that - an ART. I understand that kata is designed for you to fight imaginary opponents, but some of these opponents are actually only in your mind. I understand peoples points - some of the higher level katas have moves which change dramatically when the bunkai is used. But still, they can help you in a kumite/street fight situation. I know I can rely on TS757 for some backup. C ya

Hey I've heard about these new rules, but I dont now much about them. If my memory serves me correctly, its something to do with Ashis-counter for 5 points, and theres no half-points anymore. But anyway, when I referee I will still us traditional half-points/ippons. C ya

I understand you're point TS757, and I can see where u are coming from. HOWEVER, just because we have a joke about in class, we never show disrespect in our classes. We still bow etc.. In our class particulary, a certain 2nd dan has lost all respect from other people because of his dangerous warm-ups and bad teaching. Now I agree that he should have respect because of his grade and experience, but I'm afraid it has been lost. But I have to agree. More traditional teaching has been forgotten because it is not popular in bringing in students. However, we still learn traditional karate, even though we dont do press-ups on our wrists. () C ya

I understand whole-heartedly about the respect issue - that it needs to be earnt, not demanded. However, there still needs to be a certain amount in the dojo. For example: I was talking to one of my students, when a child came up to my instructor and called him by his name - Steve. Steve then corrected the child by saying "No, you call me sensei". I think this is perfectly fine, as the respect needs to be kept in a dojo. The students should call their instructor sensei. Then there's the other hand... When I was doing work experience in Leeds City Council, my boss constantly refered to himself as "Mr. Elvidge" instead of "Phil". Now this is bad manners. I'm sure TS757 can back me up on this. C ya

Nunchaku eh? Now thats something I know. The guy was right, Fumio Demura produces great books, but for videos, and man called Mikio Nishiuchi is the guy. Before you start the nunchaku you need to figure out one thing - which style? I practice the nunchaku as part of the Okinawan Kobudo syllabus, but Fumio Demura practices the Japanese style. The moves are the same, but as far as I know the three katas taught in Okinawan kobudo are not taught bu Demura. Thats all I know, as I've been doing nunchaku for about 2years now, and I will be going for my next grade in Okinawan KObudo soon. C ya

If you compare Boxing to other martial arts, such as Muay Thai, you will see that it is actually very "weak". The guard only protects the face, with the feet and legs unguarded. Its "ashi" city! C ya

I dont particualy like martial arts movies, as they are done just to impress the audience. They are nothing like real fights (esp. when the baddies attack one at a time) Dont shout at me cos of my views Tobias

It seems that I have been playing the bad guy in this Kung fu thread. I would just like to apologise if I offended anyone - I would be offended if someone called my martial art (Karate/Kobudo) weak. Thanks for the point by TS757 - much appriciated. Sorry guys Tobias

Ok guys, thanks for the info

Hey guys, I was just wondering what everybodys favourite kata is. Personally, I quite like Jion and Jitte, as they as simple, yet powerful. I think Gankaku is also fun to perform. Tobias

Thanks for the response Pheonix. I was talking of a basic first impression, but go on, tell me how Kung Fu is powerful (I mean no disrespect). Oh well...time will tell. Tobias

In the UK, chinese martial arts are quite hard to find, with the most popular style being Wing Chun (or something similar). From what I've seen, Leopard Kung Fu is quite popular. I was thinking about joining a Kung Fu school, but at a recent competition I saw what it entailed, and to be truthful, it didn't impress me. It looked rather weak, compared to other forms of Korean and Japanese martial arts (in particular Isshin-ryu and Shotokan). Oh well time will tell Tobias

Hi guys I was just wondering what everyones ahort term and long term goals are. Since I've been training for 10 years, my short terms goals are to get my 2nd dan in Shotokan Karate (which I'll be doing in September, and my 5th kyu in Okinawan Kobudo. Long term, I'd like to become a Master in Shotokan Karate (long time) and achieve my Shodan in Okinawan Kobudo, to become a double black belt. I may also take up Iaido (the way of the sword). Thanks guys, and a welcome to Chris Pullen. Glad to see u here. Tobias

I started training in a non-competitive, non-fighting club, so my thoughts of competitions were very little. The club I attend at the moment enters the odd competition. However, myself and a few of my students (1 especially, meantioning no names [Ts757]), believe, or used to believe, that competitions are extremely biased towards certain styles. This is obviously because in kata the results always depend on the judges, and in many of the competitions I have been to, the judges have favoured the Okinawan styles (short stances, etc). This could be classed as corruption, and it has put off many of my students to enter competitions. But, oh well, lets keep talking. TS757, I expect some messages from you. Tobias

Hey Patrick Nice to see a fellow man standing up for the youth of today. BTW How do u do different smilies?

I was just wondering what you guys all thought about competitions. There are many different thoughts on this area os Karate, so just post anything you want about them. Oss Tobias

Thanks for the interest. (u as well John:)) Shotokan Karate was developed by Funakoshi in the 1920s. Funakoshi was instructed by several senseis, including Masters Azato and Itosu. Funikoshi was also instructed in the art of Judo, which shows the grabs and throws used in Shotokan Karate. In conclusion, Shotokan is a old Japanese style of karate, but it is quite recent, compared to the okinawan martial arts. I dont need to say anything else as John has already answered your question. Oss Tobias

Hi John Thanks for the reply. The club I am attending at the moment was not the school that I began training at The head of my association is very much a fighter. When I met him, he asked me if I liked fighting. I said that I believed more in the traditional type of karate, so he began to "demonstrate" moves on me (we weren't even in a dojo!!). My sensei is the head of a sub-association, and the next dan grading will only be the 3rd that has been done that way, so it is all very much in the testing phase. But anyway - my father doesn't believe in this Brithai/Karate-jitsu grading, so its both of us facing the world. Oh well, time will tell.... Oss Tobias [ This Message was edited by: Tobias_Reece on 2001-05-31 16:39 ]

Hey guys As you may know, I am grading for my Nidan in September. I have just found out that this grading will be done with Kickboxers, Aikido-ists and practitioners of other styles of Karate. My Dad did a similar grading for his brown belt, and it lasted for 5 hours. Included in the grading is an hour warm-up (50 pressups - GO! etc), self-defence, fighting and some techniques (but only after u are knackered) My Shodan grading was done with a different association, and it was all about technique, will little fighting. Now I train in Shotokan Karate-Do, not Brithai Karate or Karate-jitsu. Do you guys think that this is acceptable. Please give me your POV. Cheers

I know I am no grandmaster, but I do know what a bit about karate. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail them 2 me. Joining a karate club could be one of the best things you will do in your life!!

Hi guys My name is Tobias Reece, 16, and I am from Leeds, England. I hold a Shodan in Shotokan Karate and I also self-teach myself Okinawan Kobudo, in which I hold a 9th kyu (yellow belt). I have been trained in Karate since I was 6 years old, and have been training in Kobudo for nearly 2 years. I am going for my Nidan in September. I also am a regular teacher of Karate. I hope to be involved in many interesting discussions in this forum, and look forward to speaking with you all. Oss