honoluludesktop

Bushido exist, perhaps not in a modern dojo, but on the American front line in Afghanistan, the people working on site to repair Japan's nuclear reactors, and those citizens of Arabic countries seeking democracy. IMO, modern martial arts is more like a treasured antique. Functional, but limited in application, especially in a modern society.

There is no question that professor Cook is very knowledgable. Just remember that any written desertation of Karate history, is one persons opinion.

Rank is your instructors grading of your ability. If your style is that of an organization, and that organization conducts grading, then your rank is a combination of your instructors skill at teaching the organization lessons, and your own ability. Ideally, you belong to a great organization, and train under a good instructor. Karate is as much a social institution as a martial art. Grading is a part or your training. Politics are the natural human condition. Stuff happens, in Italy do as the Italians do, enjoy your art, and as long as your well being is not on the line, try not to take conflict too seriously.

Kidney, spine, arm pit, etc. Ideally the opponents should be similar in size as a weight advantage can cause damage to the smaller person.

IMO, you get what you pay for. Pay by money, service, etc............

In Japanese, borrowed English words like "fork", are pronounced "forku". Until recently I didn't realize that Americans do the same. Many Japanese martial arts words are spoken in America with an English accents, and Western meanings. Interestingly enough, the Japanese have a completely different way of writing a "borrowed" word. Once it becomes integrated into their culture, it is written in the way Japanese words are written. The difference is like that of a different font.

At one time or another, I studied all the Wado, Shotokan, and a handful of Shito Katas. Today, I go along with others, but really practice one, putting all I know into it.

Giri is an out dated philosophy in modern times. Fewer children are expected to support their aged parents, and the lieutenants of industry do not give their lives for the corporations they work for. They are more likely to bail out with their "golden parachutes". IMO if Giri exist it has evolved into a form of nationalism. Most of us treat the institution Karate, the dojo we belong to, and the friends we make in the same way adults or children play baseball. I think its not a good thing to make too much out of an anachronic concept.

No need to reinvent the wheel. The USANKF has a system in place that will certify your dan grade by their standards. You join their organization (one year minimum), pay a fee for the exam, submit proof of you current grading, and a short dissertation on karate. In front a panel of senior karate-ka of different ruy, you do kata, and kumite. Assuming you pass, the panel will issue a grade not to exceed the rank you submit proof for. If you fail, I think you can try again without paying another fee. The exams are conducted around the country, typically at locations of their tournaments. All that's left is for each State Government to require this certification for all Karateka.

Institutional certification for any martial art would be disaster. Who would pay for this, the tax payer? This is not the same as making sure that drugs are OK. Who would create, and administer the test, keep the records, etc., the JKA, WKF, USANKF champions, or the people interested in taking control of a organization ultimately for their own benefit?

Can you provide some examples of what you mean by footwork?

Don't know, haven't tried it, but from their legal stuff: "This website may contain links to external sites, being neither Budo International Publ.Co. or the companies listed, responsible for the content of such external sites or any other aspect thereof." Is it possible that subscribers could be paying for free links that download pirated materials?

There is the belief that practicing striking from a basic pull back position (many inches away), creates the mechanisms that make an effective strike from an inch away.

Don't waste any effort judging others, good or bad. Instead simply focus on yourself.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Fit in, but think independently.

For a martial arts to be relevant to modern fighting, it changes with the times. Kata that reflects this is not static. Japanese karate based on Budo however, is fairly static. While traditional form can be applied to contemporary situations, that is not Budo's primary goal. In any case, you should follow your teacher. When you can't, find another, or if you have the ability, open your own school.

Another way to look at Karate, is not as a modern Art or Science, but as a "Craft". While knowledge can improve the functions of the Art, practicing it as a craft may be better for non-professionals.

Personally, I think "free" is wrong. How fair is it if the Sensei is psyched into giving free lessons. But as suggested, you offered to do some kind of services, like cleaning the dojo, the toilets, etc. in return for fees, then OK. There is no free lunch in life.

While shoes provide relief, I understand that training with them will not advance curing the situation. Isn't best not to train as long as you have this condition? You might consider training in a chair as long as the condition is not cured.

I was speaking of a point in my life almost 40 years ago. Once the situation changed, of course I returned to train. I failed to make the point that its OK to train outside of an organization, but its difficult unless you have others to train with.

My group with WKF mitts, does full contact to the torso (minus lethal spots) touch contact to the head (touch by intent because its easy to err), and no striking the limbs. Sometimes broken nose and ribs, black eyes, and occasional KO. If in class this kind of sparing is supervised, if not supervised, must be outside of class. Always by mutual consent of the two fighters involved. Of course, Sempai always mentors Kohia.

Not because of money (My Sensei would let me train for free. No exams or organizational benefits however), but because of available time when classes were scheduled. Used a empty tennis court late at night only light by near by lights. Difficult despite my enthusiasm, because of the absence of feedback. Humans after all, are social animals.

It appears that you are a beginner. Kyokushin is one of the tougher Karate Organizations in terms of free sparring methods. Assuming that you have a good grip on basic techniques, the classics teach you to "Invest in Loss". When you win, you learn nothing. Learning comes from how you respond to loss. IMO, learn to see your opponent. If you can see them grimace and blink while hitting and getting hit, you are on you way to learning concentration. Study distance. When you can strike each time your opponent comes into range, you have learned to see, and trust in your reflexes.

When in Rome, its smart to keep contrary opinions to yourself, or go and find another school.

While there is nothing wrong with exploring ideas on your own time, IMO it's counter productive to bring external ideas into your teachers structured class.