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.

I certainly see your point, and it was eloquently executed. I am a beginner, but my experience level shouldn't be an issue at all. I do understand however, that in a few years time when I get to where he is now, he will have learned a lot more from his teacher too. While I am always seeking to expand, so is he. Perhaps that's why I chose him--he did say that if there's anything I wanted to learn, to give him time to learn it first. I did mention in the original post that he is the only Shotokan person in my area (and he's still an hour away from home), so I am not allowed the luxury of shopping around. Each style has its weaknesses and benefits, but that is the one I chose. There are 5 TKD schools in the next town over, but that's not what I decided on learning. I thank you for your post, it did make an excellent point and was well-written and completely non-offensive. Thank you for your input, I shall keep that in mind!

My sensei told me when I signed up under him that he only knows around 11 kata. Only 8 are required at our dojo for shodan. What if I don't think 8 is enough? What if I don't think 11 is enough? How can I learn all of the Shotokan kata (I have heard there are 26-28 kata...the information varies from website to website)? We're a small but very talented and award-winning dojo in the kata categories at our regional competitions, so I know the instructor has some potential. There are also weapons I would like to learn that he does not know. Unfortunately, he is the only Shotokan sensei in my area. My thirst for knowledge is not to win competitions. In fact, other than sparring experience, I don't have a desire to ever attend one. I joined Shotokan for the self-defense potential. My curiosity is of a more practical nature: to expand my knowledge base. I would like to commit these movements to my muscle memory and have a wider range of techniques to pick from in an emergency situation. I am not naive enough to believe that only 11 kata have all of the techniques you would ever need in every single emergency situation (mugging, home protection, random assault, etc). I was thinking of buying some of Kanazawa Sensei's videos. Is this a good idea? I would see that the problem with this is that there is nobody around to evaluate you and correct your movements as necessary. Thanks for your input, all!

Our dojo typically wears black gi for regular practices (patches are optional for the student--just depends on the student's preference--and when they do have them, it's just a USA flag, Japan flag, and Tora No Maki symbol, and a patch for whatever weapons they've used in a tournament, plus Instructor, Sensei, or Assistant Instructor patch if they have that position). Before any are applied to the gi, the design and position must be approved by the Sensei and Hombu. White gi in our dojo are for special occasions: photo opportunities, tournaments, ceremonies, or demonstrations--to keep them cleaner and to respect the white gi a little more. Most of us just wear Century lightweight gi because they're cheap to replace. Most of the Shodan and up use medium or heavy weight.

Thank you! I checked out the website tonight and it spelled it out pretty well. I asked Sensei in a formal email about the SPECIFIC syllabus. I am testing for 9th Kyu next month...finally after 6 months. They're pretty conservative about testing and giving out belts. you REALLY have to earn it. I've heard about schools where they give out belts like candy....pretty glad I'm not in one of them.

Thanks for the input, everyone! It was most helpful! I finally got a response from my sensei via email, and this is what he had to say: "There are five possible outcomes when a student tests. They are: Fail, half (a belt with a black stripe going through it), recommended (student will be promoted but there are conditions that need to be met in 6 weeks to keep it), pass, and skip a belt (rare). We are a part of the Japanese Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA) and follow their guidelines including belt rankings. Below is the list of belt rankings. 10th Kyu – White belt (where you are now) 9th Kyu – 2nd degree White belt 8th Kyu – Yellow belt 7th Kyu – 2nd degree Yellow belt 6th Kyu – Green belt 5th Kyu – 2nd degree Green belt 4th Kyu – Brown belt 3rd Kyu – 2nd degree Brown belt 2nd Kyu – 3rd degree Brown belt 1st Kyu – 4th degree Brown belt 1st Dan – 1st degree Black belt 2nd Dan – 2nd degree Black belt Etc…"

sensei8....I believe they do the JKA style but their black belts are certified by another authority..IIMAA. PS1...wow, what I detailed post! I think I might hang on to that list...it's all good stuff to know! I'm quite impressed. Thanks for the responses guys, much appreciated! If anyone else has input, keep it coming!

I know the first answer will be, 'ask your sensei', so I'll get that out of the way. That being said...what requirements does your Shotokan school have for the progression from white to yellow belt? My family and I started 3 weeks ago as white belts and the instructor is already talking about preparing us for our yellow belt test to take place in three months. While I wish the same was true for the rest of my family, he says I have a 'natural ability' to excel in Shotokan. I seem to pick things up the first time around and am able to teach it a bit better to my wife and stepdaughter at home during the week. At any rate, what requirements does YOUR school have for progression to yellow belt, (kata, list of strikes/punches/blocks/stances) and what is your school's timeframe to pass said testing? Also, what are the belt colors that your school uses? As far as I can tell, ours is quite simple. White, Yellow, Green, Brown 2-1, black with a white stripe, and Shodan. I'm very happy with my school and my sensei, I just want to know how it compares to other Shotokan schools out there. 3 months seems a bit quick to me, but I suppose if he thinks I am ready for it, I might as well try. Thank you in advance for the replies! Pleasure meeting you all!

Must depend on the school....I do Shotokan as well, and our instructor makes us train in black and only use white for photos, ceremonies, and tournaments. I just assumed this was the Shotokan way...it's kind of cool to see it done differently elsewhere.

wow your sensei seems pretty hardcore--it'd be nice to have a place like that around here. I know you'll be in great shape soon, and as far as being good on the street...it all depends on how you and your body interpret the instruction and how you apply it in sparring. Keep practicing and most of all....have fun!