LittleW

We generally show respect in my dojo, but it doesn't have anything to do with the belt rank. We treat everybody the same way, except for the trainer, even if there is a higher grade around than the trainer. And a large protocol of how to show respect doesn't actually make you respect someone.

In my dojo there is quite a difference between kata and combinations in the sense of what they are trained for. The combinations are used to show us a set of techniques we can actually use in a fight. It wouldn't be realistic to think you will ever have a fight where you can use a kata from the first to the last technique. We can even vary the kata a bit. Do it ura (like seen in a mirror), with additional techniques, in a shortened form, even backwards (though that takes out the strength and speed) or with all techniques gyaku. But if you want to do Karate and just fight, you have certainly choosen the wrong MA.

Also 26, they are listed above. @ Sycron: Do you know how the name Tomari in your Katas ist translated? I think I know that word, but it seems a bit strange for a Kata.

Thanks! Same to you, Patrick! And all the rest here!

As a karateka, I've never heard of the Okinawans throwing the Japanese out with karate. They used it to fight but they didn't succeed that much. But THAT would have been a wonder. Some peasants fighting emptyhanded against armed soldiers and throwing them out of the country!

If you have a problem with the katas, then you are probably wrong in Shito-ryu anyway. Its the karate style the has twice as much katas then any other has.

It happend to me a few weeks ago. I tried to test for blue belt and the sensei told me to try again in three months.

That sounds like you should give it a longer break, otherways it wont heal ever!

Well, first it sounds like the bushido way of thinking to me, not to fear the death and accept it, when it comes. And surely these old warriors had to train very hard and all day long, so they would have been reluctant at times. Second, it sounds like a way to shut you up when you complain that he pushes you to hard.

If the same was happening to you or a member of your family, wouldn't you want someone else to make it their business? You don't the things he goes through, judobrah, do you? No matter, if the kid already told somebody or not, it would change a lot for him, if some other kids did show some compassion or even stand up for him. And this kind of bullying probably makes more damage inside him than beating him up once. Just because it is always.

My congratulations!

I could come along with some translation of the names. I don't know, how Isshin is written in Kanji, the Japanese characters, so I'm not sure. It could be "one mind or heart", "one person or onesself" or "to renew something". It would all make sense as a name of an MA style. I didn't find anything for Fu, but it could come from furu, which means old. Ryu means flow, style, school.

I know, I'm getting a bit off topic now, but that has to be said. I'm sorry to hear that you have to deal with racism every now and then, DWx. To me, it's one of the biggest idiocies possible, to discriminate or attack people just because they speak with an accent or have a different skin colour or else. And that in a world that gets smaller and closer every day. And with people who travel abroad for holiday and forget, that they are strangers there and could encounter the same hostility.

I had once the chance to take a lesson in an Okinawan-Style bo training. And I remember being told at the beginning, that there are really two ways to hold the bo. We did it one palm up, one down, and it felt comfortable for me but you have to change your grip with every move. Perhaps holding it both palms to floor, the advantage is, that you can avoid it?

I'm not so familiar with the pictures of these Karate masters. So to me, these paintings could be of any Karateka. But, no matter, these paintings are great.

High kicks are good for street fights, Montana? That's just what my trainer always tells us they are not for. Because on the street you are likely to wear tight trousers and may be unable to stretch your legs enough.

In my dojo it's not like nobody ever fails a test. But it is very rare, because my senseis wouldn't test us if they weren't sure we were prepared for it. So most part of the test is done in advance when you get the permit to do the test.

You are an awesome painter, Shizentai! So many different techniques.

Six years to brown belt doesn't sound like you arent talented. I wouldn't quit, if I was you.

That agility ladder is great, thanks.

I think that goes for all MAists, evergrey. I've never met so friendly people before starting Karate. No matter the style or location. No matter if you saw them before or even know their names.

I liked the part of the tea master buying tea bags at WalMart. The version of the story I know ends with the samurai asking the tea master to teach him the way of the sword. It didn't say the answer of the tea master. I think, honestly he would have to answer he couldn't teach anything about swords. As an Asian he surely answered that the samurai knew everything about swords. But he needs to learn to calm down his mind and focus on something.

I sometimes attend weekend seminars near my home town. They have more or less well known Senseis from all over Germany there, doing a bit unusual lessons and the cost is between 10 and 20 Euros. I never attended a real camp, though.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome back!