benjamin

I've never washed a belt. I did get bleed from my red belt, but no other belt so far. I just washed it out of my gi. Didn't want to wash my belt in case the belt actually turned horribly pink.

Problem is, these people are in it for the glory that you get in the film. Not the hours if repeating techniques up and down your dojo/dojang. When they realise it's not like it is in the films, they disappear one by one!

I created this thread to see what peoples interpretation of "the first strike" was. As in a push, a thread, a punch etc. But the thing it's brought to light is the fact that many people interpret the precept to mean something totally different!

This will be because, invariably, the different styles were coined by different people. And the styles mimic the styles of their creator. Although you'll find that different associations, and even different clubs within the association favour slightly different stances. The stances at my club are considerably longer than the stances of other local clubs in our association. Depends on the teacher too.

It was a pleasure to read your post! I guess all associations/clubs are different. But we bow before and after each technique, when lining up, before and after kumite, when entering and leaving the dojo. I'm now quite good friends with my Sensei, as are a lot of the club. I would certainly at least bow my head and say oss if I saw my Sensei outside of training. Not to make a big show of it. I mean, kneeling in the traditional bowing position in a supermarket might be a bit over the top! I would even bow my head and say Oss when visiting my Sensei at his home. Just to show my respect for him, which goes further than just the dojo.

We start off using english terms for beginners. Then after a few weeks, they'll be told both the english and japanese terms. As they progress, they'll get only the japense. When being taught a new technique they'll get, for example "yoko geri keagi, side snap kick". Then they'll be expected to remember the japnese for it. Obviously they will already know geri as kick and yoko as side, so it shouldn't be a problem. I like using the japanese terms. I feel like if I'm going to take the time to learn Karate, I might as well learn it properly!

A good article, and an enjoyable read! I don't take the "first strike" precept to mean "don't start fights". I think that's part of what the 5th line of the dojo kun covers. But I think it is, instead, meant to put emphasis on the fact Karate is a defensive art. You'll also notice I titled the thread "the first move" not "the first strike". I don't believe the first move is always a punch to the face, or any form of strike. But I believe someone must cross some sort of line to elicit a violent reaction. Obviously, that line depends on the person. If I were in a group of friends, and a guy smaller than me was causing trouble, I would fear for my safety less, so he'd have to do more to get that response. If I was alone, and it was dark, and I came round the corner to be confronted by a group of guys I'm lucky to feel threatened more easily.

I agree totally. I see no point in waiting until someones landed an uppercut square under my jaw before I begin to protect myself! In my opinion, as soon as someones actions cause me to feel physically threatened, whether those actions are physical or verbal, I'm at liberty to defend myself however I feel is appropriate. Should that be a shove, or just someone getting right up in my face and threatening me I still feel it warrants defending myself.

Mine's half way down my back. I tend to use 3 or 4 bobbles in it to keep it in a tight pony tail. Obviously I use belt colours bobbles!

I'm glad the problem is sorted, and I more than agree he should not have acted that way in your class. However I would ask you to consider 2 things. 1. Your sensei did his best to make it to class. His performance might not have been what you expect, and I agree he acted inappropriately, but he made the effort to be there. 2. If you want him to continue being your sensei, you should talk about him with the respect he deserves. If you don't think he deserves the respect that would mean you don't call him a jerk, then you should change your sensei to one who you feel deserves that respect.

Hi guys, just something I've been thinking about. When we get together as a club, and everyone's had a few beers, we get to discussing Karate. Probably not a great idea when they're all a bit drunk, but it happens! Obviously, as we all know, "there is no first strike in karate". So what, in your opinion, constitutes as the 'first move' after which you would feel justified in using your Karate to defend yourself? For example, opinions at my club vary from one guy who say a verbal threat of violence is enough to warrant defending yourself, if you think it's a serious thread, to another at the other end of the spectrum who feels you have to take a full on punch before you should break out your skills. Sorry if this has been discussed before, I'm fairly new round these part.

Both very good kata! Wankan in particular is a favourite of mine. Obviously in Shotokan we have Heian instead of Pinan, but I'm assuming the godan kata is the same in both?

This is definitely true. Being a leftie, I've come to realise I've got an advantage. And I find I pay more attention to what people are doing, because I'm alredy aware they expect me to lead with my right.

Mine tends to come out as an "aaaaiiiiii" which really annoys me every time I think of Ali G... Although on every technique there's a tensing of the stomach and sharp breath out, which usually sounds like "hen".

Where I train, the main differences are that cat stance is the ball of the foor, and as you say has maybe 5% of the weight on it. Back stance the front foot is flat, similar to zenkutsu (forward stance). But the back foot has maybe 75% of the weight on it. Neko ashi dachi is a lot shorter stace generally. If you want Kata example to look up videos and see what I mean, check out Heian Nidan/Sandan where a lot of the moves are executed in kokutsu, against wankan, which uses neko ashi dachi at the start.

I'm left handed/footed, and I get on fine with Karate. I study shotokan, and everything we do, we practice on both sides. Plus, if you know kicking with your right leg is your weakness, that's what you should be practicing anyway!

In my school we go more easy with heian katas required to grade... white belt to yellow = taikyoku shodan yellow to orange = heian shodan orange to green = heian nidan green to blue = heian sandan blue to brown = heian yondan brown 2nd kyu to brown 1st kyu = heian godan of course in class you also train katas of grades above yours, Im blue belt and I know all heians We do the same Kata in the same order, although for lower grades. White - Blue = no kata Blue - red = Taikyoku Shodan to count Red - orange = Taikyoku Shodan no count Orange - yellow = Heian Shodan yellow - green = Heian Nidan Green - purple = Heian Sandan Purple - purple/white = Heian Yondan Purple/white - Brown (3rd kyu) = Heian Godan

This!

2 years to reach Shodan? Especially at that age? I don't want to put down anyones achievements or anything, but I would be interested to witness the Shodan grading for that club. Are you thinking that its an abridged Shodan grading for that club? It might be! Well we aim for 4 years for Shodan. At an adult level. Children to intermediate grades which makes the route to Shodan longer. So I don't see how they can justify a child reaching Shodan in 2 years. But if he's good, then good for him.

Very similar at my club (part of the TISKA association) however we also have Taikyoku Shodan (a very basic kata for 9th kyu gradings) that only involves one block and one strike. But introduces Karateka to the idea of Kata gently!

Strike has to be Uraken (backfist) and kick has to be yoko geri kekomi (side thrust kick).

Again, I'm in Northamptonshire, so a bit far south to make a recommendation on clubs for you. However I switched from Wado Ryu to Shotokan a number of years ago. Not only do I prefer the style, but my current sensei is definitely the best I've trained under.

I agree. When I imagine this happening in my club it baffles me. My Sensei would never allow this sort of thing to happen. We don't train full contact. Our sparring is relaxed, and the worst you'd get is a few bruises on the arms/legs/stomach from being tagged. And anyone who intentionally connected with a beginner, or even a lower grade at all would be in for a world of punishment!

Definitely! The world would be boring if we were all the same!

Sounds like a great way to improve fitness and pick up a "realistic" self defense style that's effective on the street from day 1. I've seen the sort of thing, and think it's a great idea if it eventually encourages more people to take up a "traditional" martial art. But it's just not for me!