billyparker

Good point, verifiable lineage. That really is what makes it for me. I am 3rd Generation Shotokan. My instructor is one of two 8th Dan in the world (non-Japanese) ranked by Meijin Masaki Sato. That's Hirokazu Kanazawa's teacher. It's completely verifiable. Easy to ask around and see if you know who to ask. Kanazawa's signature is on paperwork in my instructors office. Meijin Sato also awarded my Instructor with Hanshi. That's pretty wild in my opinion. I have never in my life met a Caucasian man with any of these rankings by the Japanese organizations before. So if your interested in lineage and interested in where your instructors come from, look it up. Don't be easily fooled by fake Japanese certificates as well. If your instructors name names, get on the phone risk the phone bill, and start calling the Dai Nippon first. and work your way out. I promise it's beneficial.

Hey! I looked up the Meijin uniforms, pretty good stuff apparently. Seems like a quality setup. I may purchase one down the road to see whats what. When it comes time for me to give away uniforms, (to those who can't afford them) I buy replacements. Most of the time I buy uniforms from different companies to see what's improved, what I like better. So far Piranha is my brand favorite. My only complaint is the same as yours, they aren't cut long enough and even in their product description they explain they have a longer top. But in reality not so much. Also, they are subject to change. They have an open product criticism policy. They take the bulk of complaints and likes, and they change the product design to best fit the following of loyal customers. So as time goes by the cut of the Gi changes. Pretty neat policy in my point of view. American's tend to like a shorter top, don't know why, but that's why it's becoming shorter I assume. I prefer the longer cut, it's more traditional and I don't have to take grief from my Hanshi.

Gotcha, yeah. I recently ordered a (3) from Piranha because they said that their sizes run large, and if your unsure, order down. So I did, and I felt like I put on a kids uniform, haha. The bottom of the Gi top came up to the pant drawstring, haha! So I am shipping it back and they are sending me a 4. Should fit more accurately. I regard myself as a small person, but apparently I am not a teeny as the people who complain about their uniforms being large in their reviews, haha. Well cool, at least you like the quality. I like those Ki Mugen Gi's as well, but I don't own any. Maybe I'll make a purchase there as well. Thanks.

Yes, the gi do run a bit short. I also agree with you and prefer the longer length of the gi top, however I wear the pant legs and sleeve's short. Just my preference I suppose. My Hanshi and other's in our class all wear short length in pants and sleeves. I wish the Piranha length was longer though in the gi top. If you don't mind my asking did you order a size (3) or a size (4)?

Mike Flanagan, well said Sir. To Te Jitsu, by: Gichin Funakoshi has a section on Nage Waza or Throwing technique. In this section Master Funakoshi actually says it would be an asset to have some Jujitsu incorporated into Karate. We don't see much joint-locking (kansetsuwaza) or any type grappling for that matter in Karate today. But it's there if you wan't to find it. I believe the Okinawan specific school's tend to share more of those concepts than the Japanese mainland schools. But it's an important element of Karate, even if it's rare. I myself am a policeman and I can appreciate many aspects of the Karate I practice, Shotokan. In fact my instructor used to teach policeman. It has applicability in specific circumstances. Good words Mr. Flanagan and excellent history you put down there. I completely agree.

Hmm. Well the stripes are neat looking, but at the same time I am really not interested in sending my belt in for embroidery each time I am promoted in Dan grade. I simply just enjoy being a black belt. And I hope to wear the same belt for the rest of my days. I know we weren't supposed to discuss associational preferece, but I really thought the stripes were sweet and normal when I was younger. Now that I have been in Shotokan for a while, I personally have come to prefer the same preference of my school and association that I belong to. I really enjoy no one having stripes. Our Hanshi is the most humble man I have ever met. And I think it's great when people from other schools meet him for the first time. They are still looking for him, even after they meet him because they are looking for those stripes!! Haha! He's an 8th Dan ranked by Meijin Masaki Sato out of Japan.

I am really a fan of the Piranha Gear 4/5 sleeve heavy weight karate gi. They aren't nearly the price of the Tokaido range of gi's but I have never worn their quality anywhere else. http://www.piranhagear.com/index.php/uniforms/karate/karate-gi-14-oz-4-5-sleeve-white.html I really think this is a great gi if your on a budget and want to wear something that can rival a better brand name. https://www.kiintl.com offers some great stuff at a good(low) price. But they aren't better quality than the Piranha from what I have seen so far. To be fair to everyone I won't wear a Tokaido because of the price tag. Incredible products out there though. Im a piranha man.

I have had this conversation with many people because of where I live. In my state there are many different associations for each and every martial art taught here. What it really boils down to according to the Japanese practioners and pretty much any practitioner I have met of the Asian world is lineage. Lineage means everything to some people. It means a lot to me and I am proud of my Lineage in Shotokan Karate Do. Association or not, who taught you, who taught them -> it can carry some weight... For instance, Ed Parker's American Kenpo seems to be obsessed with the "Family Tree" of their education. All they talk about is that either they or their instructor was a student of Ed Parker himself. It's all about where you have come from to some people. My personal opinion: (not that is matter's) Is that if you have a really solid and incredible understanding of the martial art you practice, and can really lay it down on the floor the way it's meant to be laid down. Sure. But if you compete, or if you get involved in teaching etc. People, especially ignorant people really want to see that piece of paper or something in writing stating you are who you are. I mean little Johnny's mom isn't going to spar you, and she's certainly not going have a clue what Bassai Dai is... And you can't stomp the Senpai into the deck each time a potential student walks in. Sometimes a ridiculous piece of paper with a chop can give a sense of some validity. That's all though. Do what you wish. There are always organizations out there looking to back up people. I.E. https://www.mararts.org [/b]

I have come from a extremely traditional Taekwondo background and the Taekwondo that I learned was very similar to Shotokan. Our kata was even based on the Shotokan kata's. Our black belt kata's were Shotokan specific though. Such as Gonkaku. That was the 2nd degree kata. I have been a sincere student of Shotokan now and it's been absolutely wonderful. I have no interest in anything else currently. It's completely taken my brain over. haha. I had the same issue, In our organization there may be numerous kata to one examination, and also be prepared to learn many kata before you ever advance. Kata has a special and central place in Shotokan. So that's the bulk of your education. It's like a car, and if you want the key's then you must find those on your own. Bunkai is hard to come by, and if you come by it -> question that it's not misleading. I came across a man who was taught "bunkai" of his kata, and it had came about later that he was intentionally misled because of organizational conflicts. JKA (vs) SKI. Interesting stuff. But yeah, just learn the kata, it's great stuff and think outside the box with them! Osu!

I would like to see Satin age well, but slowly. I know that pure silk cover's on belt's age in only a few years if your wear them often. My Hanshi's https://www.unitedshotokan.com belt has aged very very well. He's on his second one and he has been training since before I was born. In our association and the Japan Karate Association tops that I have gotten either be acquainted with or learn of all wear silk Tokaido's. It's just a preference of the schools and artists. Just seems that silk just looks great and hangs around the waist well faster than cotton. People enjoy the look and comfort. I like it because I aspire to be like my instructor. We don't have rank stripes in our Shotokan and So I intend to hopefully wear my belt for the rest of my life. I had a previous Satin belt in Taekwondo, and it didn't age like the pure silk belts. But I ordered from https://www.kataaro.com and they don't offer silk, but their embroidery is amazing stuff. Lot's of great experience with them. On another quick note, I have also seen very young karateka with their belts in tatters. I found out from some of the other "older" black belt's they were acquainted with that the younger person's instructor had passed his own belt down to the young one personally. No idea why, but hey. I guess happens. I think it's kind of neat actually. Especially when an instructor retires or moves on. So I can't say that it's a false impression. The impression is based on what you immediately assume. Homework and a little questioning should get you a good answer.