honoluludesktop

I always felt that Mr. Cooks view of history to be suspect. He would refer to quotations by others that supported his thesis as facts rather then opinions, which often they were. Given his double standard, I now question his entire work. As a older, senior karate-ka, there have been many occasions when I have found myself in the position of helping young ladies. Because of the heighten awareness we now have about the potential of abuse, I never work with them unless others are present, and I always ask their permission if I feel it is necessary to touch them, even if its just to hold their shoulders. In the old days, our ignorance of these manners was offset by the fact that there was lots of hard contact, thus very few women and children. I think that there are many young ladies that have some bad history with abusive seniors. We can all help each other by keeping our eyes open for the potential of abuse, and talking to kohai just to make them aware of what is unacceptable.

I recall Mr. Cook taking every opportunity to criticize the hazing of Japanese University first year karate team students. He would write paragraphs about bullying in Japan. To the extent that I often wondered if he was bias against the Japanese. Still, bullying is wrong, and I appreciated his high moral stance. Guess he was a "do what I say, not what I do" kind of person. We all are, especially the older we get, but there are lines, and underage molestation is one of them (In England I think it is under 16 years). What he did was horrible, and I was hurt to read of it. His "self defence" techniques will have to serve him well. Historically, this kind of crime will make him a target of persecution with the jails "general population".

Interesting question. Shotokan is "Shoto's" place, a reference to the building where he taught. "Shoto" was Funakoshi's pen neme. He deliberately did not have a name for his style, and referred to it simply as Karate. It was others that later used it as the name of his style. Some like Kanazawa tried to do the same, and when Karate moved West from Japan, he tried to encourage the notion of one Karate where style was not as important (see his autobiography). However, those with less generous hearts prevailed, and hence the emphasis on styles.

How about High School sports, and the opposite sex. Given the choice to try out for baseball, basketball, tennis, etc., most teens with talent will opp for a popular sport. Most parents would too. Dojo's lose a lot of talented children as they enter high school. Almost all once they graduate.

Lineage implies organizational standing, social standing, and status. It opens doors, and in some cases provides opportunities. On the other hand it doesn't guarantee that your training is special or better. And lineage can also close the doors of your mind to alternate ways of training. Most of us do not have the opportunity or the knowledge to chose and train under a great teacher from a established "ryu". We take what is available at the time, and if we are lucky........ It is only after a while, and as long as we are willing to look around, keep our eyes, ears, and mind open, we learn enough to have understanding. But for most, this is not necessary, or even desirable. I have so so lineage. My teacher studied, under the founder of Wadoryu. The founder, Otsuka studied under Funakoshi, and a Jujitsu master. When my teacher moved to America to teach, he left Wadoryu, and founded his own Ryu. So while my lineage of teachers is prestigious, the connection my Sensei had with the second generation of modern karate teachers is lost after his passing. So I have no branded organizational lineage. If you train in a koryu, then lineage is very important. Practicing a koryu is like maintaining an antique. All that left is adherence to some of its outward forms, and whatever match skills you can achieve with these forms. Departing from lineage in this case is unacceptable, because like an antique, the form is more valuable then its use in the real world. If by kata you train to cut at a joint in an antique armor, you are not likely to change the kata because no one wears armor today. If you have a 1000 year old chair, it is unlikely that you will sit in it, or change its shape in any way. Often lineage is exaggerated. A seminar with a great teacher, or claiming descendants from someone in a organization even when you didn't study under them for any substantial period of time is misleading. If that were the case, I too could claim direct association with Otsuka, Kanazawa, Asai, Shiyomitsu, and many other great teachers whose seminars I attended. So is lineage important in other then a kyoru? Most of the time no. Sometimes, if you want to associate in the "world of karate", or take pride with your place in the "society of karate", then perhaps. Of course, if you already have lineage, a great teacher, and are committed to your art, then "yes", lineage is important. In any case, after you pass, it matters not at all.

Sigh.....been there, done that. If this is about quality time with the kids, Dad, its your choice of activity that is the problem. My daughter moved from karate to ballet like a duck taking to water. I ended up going along; went to every class, read her books, and watched her videos. I still went to karate, but on my own. Don't regret a minuet of the time I spent doing her thing.

Learning the moves of a kata, is not the same as knowing it. While a young person can demonstrate more speed, power, and exact form then a old timer, he will not know the kata as well as someone that has practiced it for 30 plus years. Kata is as much an expression of the karateka's kumite experience as it is athletic, self defense, or technical form. Eventually your time on the mat will show itself in your kata by timing, and eye. I have come to believe that it eventually doesn't matter if you know a lot, or a few kata. Eventually, as long as you train by kihon, kata, and kumite, they all blend into each other. Keep in mind that this is not the same as fighting in the street.

Hi Fran, How old are you? Did you do any contact sports as a child? If not, and this is your first time with a contact art, you fear is understandable. I once trained with a young lady for several years. I met her when she was 13-14, and she trained until she was 19-20. as she got older, she got really good, and was actually much faster, and in some ways stronger then I was. I was in my late 50s at that time, and the only edge I had was my experience on the mat. During prearranged drills, she would not control and kicked me good, but when free sparring, if I as much as touched (not hit) her, she would fly off the handle. Once time I side stepped her attack, and as she passed me by, I patted her on the head. Boy did she get mad. Just don't replace your fear with anger, and you will be OK.

Unless English pronunciations of Japanese words are accompanied by their kanji, or offered in the context of a complete statement, translation is difficult or impossible. In one language, "a broken branch" may be commonly understood to mean "broken arm", when used in a statement about the results of an accident. A translation of the phrase "a broken branch" will not revel that. All languages are filled with similar phrases. His thoughts were muddled (vague). The road was muddled (puddled). If one says to me, I studied at the "black tiger school", I might think his school studies were about rare black tigers. In all cases, the root of a schools name, except in the case of its founder, may have little to do with what is taught. Wado-ryu is often translated as the way of peace and harmony. Often suggested as a moral / political / social condition. The way of harmony is also found in the uniquely Wado, kihon kumite techniques. Of course today, concepts like "nagashi" are commonly found in all ryus.

This is true, It is only after the fact that I came to realize the distances that worked for me. Once aware of them, I drilled by those principles, and practiced my attacks, and defense. Application of distance is by intuition, and must take place at the speed of reflex, there is no time to consciously decide anything. I have come to believe that everyone approaches realizations in their own way. Because these concepts are uniquely individual, they can rarely be taught.

If you slam your opponent to the ground, you can knock them out, or at least loosen their grip. How is throwing a opponent over your shoulder not as dangerous as slamming him into the ground in a controlled manner? One can always throw your opponent on his head. Perhaps we should realize that matches by rules, by any art form must be taken with a "grain of salt".

IMO there are striking distances when fighting on the outside, and perhaps phases when those distances are closed. The old time BJJ fighters were not strikers, and I would think that the traditional definition of distances applied to them in defense, and when moving to clinch. Perhaps its a matter of words: The free movement distance (striking ranges) The clinch distance (limb touching ranges) The ground distance (well, this one is not clear to me, maybe body touching range) For me there are two distances, the one I can hit the opponent from (that he can not defend), and the one he can hit me from (that I can not defend). These distances are dynamic. When tired, lapsed concentration, etc. the distance shrinks, and vice versa the distance is greater. As I am only versed in a couple of throws, and practice no grappling, traditional distance is more meaningful to me. Have you ever attended a BJJ match? Most karate techniques are not permitted, and sometimes funny rules apply. In one public match I watched, if your opponent (the guest from Brazil) clinched your waist with his legs while you (the local BJJ student) are standing, you were not allowed to slam his body into the mat. But it was OK to throw him over your shoulder, leg, etc. One of the Gracie brothers refereed this match. Guess who won? However, it's only fair to say that I have watched a lot of bogus Karate matches too. The following is a test post: http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/temp005.png

Not sure but didn't soccer already exist when American football was invented? This poll will result in selection of a ryu that the respondents think is the oldest karate based on a list that doesn't even include the all of major forms of Japanese karate (1 out of 3 if goju is listed as a Okinawan Ryu, if Japanese, then 2 of 3). If one argues that karate is a Japanese invention based on tote, then Okinawan tote becomes know as karate after the Japanese invention. If however, one argues that root takes precedence, then the list is weighted in favor of Okinawa. But shouldn't root take into account China, and India? I think its best to think that the definition of karate is a moving target, changing with time, and exposure to different cultures. Say from China to Okinawa, then Japan to the West. But in the process, Okinawan karate died, and was resurrected by Japanese karate. Indeed, western notions of sports affect the practice of Japanese karate. Like ripples in the pond, overlapping, spreading out, rebounding from the pools perimeter.

IMO, any media, including the Internet, is a shadow of the "real thing", but has a life of its own. Most media results in an "intellectual", or some kind of experience of the mind. The value of a media expression ranges from "entertainment" to "documented study", but is always void of "real experience". This doesn't make it bad or something to be avoided. Do your best to see each for what it is.

Scores of years ago, my Japanese Sensei told me that Ryu, and Kata names were just that. That we shouldn't try to make too much sense out of them. Most of us have names given to us that have no intended meaning.

It took me a long time to learn that you can not teach another anything beyond basic techniques simply because each person is unique. But maybe that is a lesson too, that can not be taught. You don't even know how which exposures will stick to your students. So one may say, "then what value is it to teach"? Besides from making a place to study, it's providing your experience that allows you to recognize when something is going on with your student, and hopefully guide him to find himself. As far as the problems that some may have with their organization, IMO this may have more to do with the dynamics of personality (both parties) then anything else. If you are not diverting from the organizations policies, why do you have to discuss your lesson plan with them, unless it is to obtain approval. Don't take this the wrong way, both sides are right, no one is wrong. Just different.

Ok, so how do you handle it when they see you perform, and it becomes obvious that you have had prior training, and they ask you again?I also wonder about that--don't you have a problem with blatantly lying? When I started training in Shorin-Ryu I told my instructor about my Judo and Shuri-Ryu training and he didn't give me any propaganda speeches or comparisons beyond mentioning a difference between what I was doing and what they teach. This is a interesting topic. I can see both sides. You don't want the hassle, vs. being honest. Well honesty rules, doesn't it? There is no lying in a fight. If you are going from dojo to dojo, it almost seems like you are testing yourself, or challenging them. To be fair, shouldn't the dojo you are trying, know that. I would wear a white belt, but be honest about the years I have practiced. If pressed about my grade, I would say black belt, and try to leave it at that. The only person you need to talk in detail to is the Sensei. And, don't show off. As far as sitting through a properganda session, you are the one that is asking for a free lesson, have the manners to put up with them.

I don't think it's enough, if the student isn't sure he's ready. Especially when ranking that high. There are several other considerations regarding this issue in addition to the ones previously pointed out: 1. How can you see and evaluate yourself more objectively then your teacher? If the thrust had to do with a questionable moral issue, then you must use your judgement first. 2. If you can not thrust your teachers evaluation of your skill, he may not be fit to teach you. 3. If you can not thrust your teachers evaluation, how can you expect your students to thrust your evaluation of them? Someone suggested you ask yourself and others. Who are others? Other teachers, fellow students, or outsiders? Bottom line is you need to thrust your teachers judgement, or find a teacher that you can thrust.

Unfortunately, we only have the adult offender's third of the story. The child, and Sensei have not posted their take on this issue. However, IMO the issue is clear. No adult should knowingly continue to injure a child.

If your teacher recommends that you test, he should know and you should test. Unless, you suspect that they are only interested in the fees. If that's the case you should change schools.

Just like the BMW salesman who tries to sell you a car by criticizing your entry level Benz. Sure way to get on your good side.

Just goes to show that there is a price for everything, even ones "pride", and "reputation". Best not to commment as no one has offered me a small fortune for my reputation. That was a beautiful KO.

Really? Strange. I think this is the problem with many people's mentalities. Self defense should be do prevent someone from hurting you. This does not, by necessity, mean that you will have to hurt them.This is the way it was explained to me: "Don't fight! If you must fight, you have to be willing to knock down the opponent, and while he is lying at the edge of consciousness, break his face, arms, and legs to put the fear of God into him. Without this kind of fear, he may be an angry enemy for life. You will always have to watch your back as he may take revenge for his humiliation. If you can't do this, don't fight. Better to give the appearance of a coward, then to look over your shoulder forever." As for bullies, if you know your stuff, you will walk "the walk", and they will avoid you.

Don't worry about it. It took you 18 years to get where you are. Let your students build on a solid basic foundation. That by itself may take 5 to 10 years.

After 18 years, you have two kinds of karate. Yours, and that of your root. In the long run, regardless of what you do by yourself, if you teach, IMO you should teach the style of your root. All advanced students modify their art to suite themselves, but the root shouldn't change, especially if you are from a established style. If you succeed in teaching someone for 18 years, you will find that their personal art is different from yours. Don't let your passion for your achievements affect the way you teach basics.