MasterPain

I think this is the question that bothers me here. I can get that Karate may not be Karate without kata. Why do we say "just kickboxing" concerning an art with no kata? What's wrong with kickboxing? What's wrong with wrestling? Or fencing? Or Aikido? Not a thing wrong with them at all; they are what they are and so is their methodologies. So often the question of karate with no kata turns into an indirect bashing of all things non-karate. So basically, with no kata, it should just be called by another name?

I think this is the question that bothers me here. I can get that Karate may not be Karate without kata. Why do we say "just kickboxing" concerning an art with no kata? What's wrong with kickboxing? What's wrong with wrestling? Or fencing? Or Aikido?

With no vest, I'd just be presenting a lot of center mass, then?

I can see this as a good idea, too. With that said, especially your last statement, if not an ammy MMA fight, what about some level of competition pertinent to the style? I do see the value of taking a student out of their comfort zone, and while I wouldn't require competition, it's an instructor's choice. If a student is not willing to meet the requirements for black belt, I guess that just means that a black belt is not for everyone.

Wouldn't be the best idea for some styles, considering the lack of grappling, ect. However, for a style who tries for combative effectiveness and mentality, it wouldn't be a horrible thing. The cage is a great test of your ability to fight under pressure and while nervous- against someone who has prepared specifically to kick your butt. Another form of Shugyo. That said, competition should be a matter of personal choice, in my opinion. Amateur mma events are not the environment for everyone. Why not just up the intensity at the gym and make them fight the high ranks?

You have once again opened the can of unquenchable philosophical thirstworms. My opinion is that it would be dishonest to continue to call it (insert style name) karate. However, the style could still be conveyed through the techniques found in the kata in the form of one steps. As far as having a style with no kata, yes, you can. Kata is an Eastern idea, and I think Western styles still count as martial arts. It's reverse ethnic Chauvinism to feel otherwise in my opinion.

Well, actually the belt and holster are black (white leather belts are for emo kids in skinny jeans.) My appropriations committee (me, myself, and my wallet) has procured a Heritage Arms single action 22 revolver. Leave me alone, I'm poor. Basically I have 6 shots before it becomes a 3rd rate bludgeoning instrument. Anyway, what is a Weaver or Isosceles stance? How do you hit anything with both eyes open? What basic questions do I not know enough to ask?

I think you're about 20 years too late to call it a fad. However, based on what you've said, you should look into Dog Brothers' material. Though it is only fair to warn you that they have had a heavy MMA influence.

If there is an issue, it would show a major lack of integrity on the instructor's part. If that's the case, I'd take him somewhere else. Children that age emulate what they see.

Hmm, maybe try to relax a bit more. That is, unless the form involves tension for exercise purposes. I don't know anything of Baji.

He's saying that it's silly to put effort into learning a new response to something, then say that it is not a good response. Why bother training something if you think it's junk?

Would I throw a head kick as an opening strike? No. Would I throw one after a hook when they duck? Yes. Low kicks? Yes. If I can hurt their mobility, I can easily escape.

Here's a friend's fight. He's the one with the angel wings and the phoenix tats. I don't know if he knows about mushin, but he is definitely in that state going in. Look at his eyes going in, and the contrast to the bouncing around his body is doing to stay warm. Excellent combat mentality. The fight starts at about 5:20. Don't blink.

Hehe, i could write pages explaining what Bujin is, I just had to settle for "other".

Done

Thanks for saying so. I think a lot of our little family, and feel privliged to know them and train with them.

Everyone gives great suggestions. Considering the color of your belt, I'd say you are doing an excellent job. Keep up the good work and you will have quite a beautiful form in a couple years.

On the other end of the spectrum, I have seen some very fit people teaching garbage.

It mentally prepares them for facing the Peter Principle in other areas later in life. Life skills training in the dojo FTW!

When training knife defense and such, I never let someone stop just because they know I have made a fatal series of strokes and thrusts. I feel that stopping due to what would be a serious injury goes against the mentality of self preservation. Instead, I think they should up the intensity and look for a finish quickly. Someone, maybe Musashi, said that if a Samurai should be decapitated, their will should be such that they kill their enemy before their body hit the ground. Any thoughts?

Well, due to financial troubles, I have moved in with a friend, and got a second job. So instead of having too much free time and no money to do anything, I will have a decent amount of money and not much time to do anything. While I will not be rich by any means, I at least won't have to worry about keeping the lights on, and I will get to play on the weekends. I will have to cut down to training once a week at the dojo or so for now due to time constraints, but in the winter I'll have more time to train. On the upside, I have 40 acres of woods and a pond at the new place, so lots of space for solo training, shooting, and fish to eat. Speaking of shooting, I think I'm going to get a handgun of some sort in the next month or so. Then I won't feel like the black sheep of the Bujin clan anymore...

Great point. I have some very different views from some of my friends. If everyone needed to agree on everything to be friends, the world would be a very lonely place.

I agree and disagree. Training in a manner that closely simulates the real deal is essential when bad things happen. Also, you need to be firm in your philosophy on human violence or you may not be willing to act when you need to.

Sadly, many of us have been taught, often subconsciously, that being good and peaceful means acting like a victim when aggression is appropriate. How often do we see a video of a person who responds to being struck by looking at the ground and walking away submissively- even while still being struck? The inability to accept that violence is happening makes the victim seem to think that if they ignore it, it will go away. In the wrong situation, this can mean death for you and those in your care. Skill means nothing if you lack the courage of your convictions.

Some of the older Bujin guys got to train with him in the 80s. They had nothing but good things to say about him. Sad to hear he's gone.