xravenwingsx

I think that in theory, I will never catch up for the simple reason you just mentioned. Been thinking about that a lot the last few days.

I presume from reading your posts etc that you are an Officer in the Air Force or something like that. I was a Sergeant in The British Army I suggest too that you read "Book of Five Rings" Hanshi Kaufman's version and a book called "The Way to Blackbelt" Patience is a virtue, think about when you first learnt Drill some of the guys I bet had to practice for days just to get the attention correct etc. If you compare Kata to Drill, it take years of practice to get on the Drill Team same as it takes years of practice to get the inner meaning of the Kata itself. Kata has applications that NEED to be learnt. Compare it to learning how to strip a weapon down etc aswell as leaning how to fire it. Shotokan whether its 11 kata or 26 is an excellent style to practice OSU!!! Good guess...I was a sergeant in the US Air Force--I worked on fighter jets. We used to have a Flight Lieutenant from the Royal Air Force in our unit--he was the best leader we ever had. Pleasure to meet you! I have considered Art of War and Book of 5 rings, I've heard they're amazing. I plan on purchasing as much of Funakoshi's work as I can, as well.

Thanks soooooo much for the information, all!!!! It has definitely broadened my horizons--and made me understand how difficult truly knowing a kata can be. You guys rock! I think I will do as you all suggest--check out various resources, network, and be patient and learn everything that my sensei teaches me..and learn new ones when he feels that I am ready. Until then, I will also focus on basics and sparring.

Thanks to you both!! That is definitely some great information!!! I now understand that the same kata can be broken down multiple ways. i also definitely understand that 'collecting' kata isn't necessarily the wisest choice--rather, finding many ways to make use of a few. I think the eku is awesome, but I wouldn't be learning that for many many many years. Not a lot of schools teach it anymore--you're lucky! I couldn't imagine spending 3 years on a single kata--but I can see why they would do it that way. Perfection doesn't come easily. I'll do a bit more research and post any findings here--keep in touch, you guys!

Excellent information, I will keep this in mind when stretching from now on!!!

good question, I've been wondering the same thing.

huh? Woops sorry. Someone else posted a video to some karate movie and I was commenting on the previews. This should teach you a fine lessson. Do not break boards with your head when you're young because it'll eventually catch up to you!

i am trying to make my wife see this...she thinks we have to empty the furniture from the living room and make this big preparation for practice...but I'm teaching her that practicing can be as simple as doing half-speed drills in a stance while watching a movie or something fun. doesn't always have to be formal and take up a large area. Although I am having a hard time doing bo kata in our little 11x14 living room...and it's COLD outside. Maybe I'll talk to the people at the local YMCA about using their gymnasium for bo kata. I've even thought about getting a cheap broomstick and cutting it in half so we have something to practice with in the living room that won't hit walls or the ceiling. Working on bo kata steps and hand placement on the simulated bo is better practice than none, IMHO...

thank you! After I calmed down a little this morning and seeing that people weren't attacking my rank, I decided that this is what I am going to do. Learn what he learns until he has decided that I can move on. by the time I get to his level, he will have learned a lot more to teach me. Wife and I are 10th kyu (we test every 6 months), and test for 9th kyu January 11. We're nervous and excited...but he's already said that with as much as we practice, we should have it nailed. In our school, 9th kyu is white belt with black stripe on the end of belt. yellow isn't til 8th kyu in our school. a lot different system than most. we only use white, yellow, green, brown, black. no in-between colors and testing opportunities don't come often. it's his way of teaching everyone patience. something most people don't have anymore. everyone wants everything and they want it now....ya know?

I'm pretty new to the karate world, but I'm already seeing this. My wife and I have plans to study it (and maybe some grappling/ground work in time) for the rest of our lives, but we have two students who just got their black belts this year--and they haven't been back to practice since. Wife and I aren't ever going to stop--we're completely in love with martial arts. But it's sad to see some people struggle to get that 1st Dan, then move on to something else or quit entirely once they hit that one goal.

I am fortunate enough to have a lot of people to spar with, and some who are better at classical movements and kata. A lot with technical knowledge to learn from, and some who are great at sparring. Wide range of talent. I can't wait to enter the competition circuit just for a chance at kumite with someone new, with a different style. I know sparring the same people every week would give me a rather limited experience. I'm sure that one day I will want to experience shotokan more as an artform--and rightfully so. the low stances and swift direct movements are beautiful and powerful when executed by the masters. right now as a family man...my biggest concern is getting the basics down and some sparring experience for home defense (i don't want a gun in my house). I do enjoy karate as a workout program too...i usually leave extremely sweaty and quite exhausted. Plus, it gives my wife and I something to do together.

Todome...I see what you're saying, and it makes a lot of sense. I guess now I see to look at each kata in it's entirety...not movement by movement. I do believe that some of the movements are useless in today's violent society..and some of them can be extracted and made practical by themselves or in series with another one or two or three, etc. I especially like your point about one being a springboard for another. Great point!

This is the response I was hoping to find...it was very polite ....thank you! I agree on most of your points--I know it took a lot of time to write, and thank you for that investment of time! :):) I would like to speak more with you and the isshinryu person who originally replied one of these days. you two seem to have your act together.

I corrected my post. I was frustrated when I first read the replies. Whether I agree with you all or not isn't up for debate...I only had two simple questions-and rank had nothing to do with it. If I was nidan or something like that...you guys would be saying 'good job' for wanting to expand my knowledge base. that's the only cause for my frustration. I understand everyone's trying to do me a favor by answering. I thank everyone for their input. I guess some of it I don't agree with. I don't see kata as useless if applied properly. Some may be happy with only 8-10 kata. Because of my personality and nature, I know that won't be enough for me. I am blessed with an instructor who shares my thirst for knowledge.

My initial response to the input provided in the last 12 hours was one of disappointment, anger, and frustration. After that subsided, I took all of your opinions (whether I agree with them or not)--and came up with this reply: Whether you personally believe kata are worthless are not is your opinion. My instructor is 2nd Dan and tests for his 3rd soon. His instructor is 6th Dan, learned when he was stationed in Okinawa. I believe that my instructor is a great one for me--he knows my strengths and helps me work on my weaknesses. He's already got me sparring against 2nd and 1st Kyu students, etc because he believes that is my skill level in sparring. He understand that personal skill goes beyond rank. He spends a ton of time on practical application of kata, and even helps me to translate the kata into natural movements in addition to the classic prescribed motions--to make it more fluid and natural for the body. Definitely not one of those people who just tells you to do a kata whether you like it or not. I wouldn't attend a school like that. I chose shotokan because in my area, it is different. If I wanted TKD, I would have just asked for military orders to S Korea. Every town around me has between 1 and 5 TKD schools, so in my area--that market is oversaturated and not very unique at all in my area. Only two people answered the MAIN questions that I asked in my original post: the others were concerned with rank, my instructor's rank, and telling me I should find another shotokan school (which doesn't exist in my area). I want to expand my personal knowledge base. I am glad that some of you are happy with just a handful. I commend you on mastering those few. It is certainly no easy task! It is my personal personality and nature to learn more about everything around me: my job, my hobbies, my environment, family history--etc. That's just who I am and I won't apologize for it. Thank you for your input. I will take it all into account. I wasn't trying to start some 'you're a n00b' flame war but I guess that's what it turned into. Sorry about that. All I wanted to know is if I should ask him to ask his teacher to teach him more...and if the dvd's would be a waste of money.