renketsu

My association has never done written or verbal tests at the gradings but a test of knowledge is done over the whole grading period (the time between your last grading and the next one - years for dan grades). This is only done for kyu grades to see if they are listening and progressing but for Dan gradings it carries more weight as knowledge is very important to go with physical ability. I am considering introducing written tests to my senior students (4th-1st kyu) for forthcoming gradings and was wondering what students who have taken tests at this level think of them and their relevancy. Also are they multiple choice or written answers and are there different tests for different ages at the same grade? Andy.

I remember being young (and stupid/naive etc ) and had a similar conversation with a mate of a mate outside the pub and decided to demonstrate something that they couldnt do as a sort-of-proof... I did the side (not box - cos i cant do that) splits which shut them up as I am a bloke and thats not normal for a bloke! Looking back... not a great idea... but better than kicking one of them I've also demonstrated by spinning a pool cue (whilst slightly drunk) and didnt stop - hitting my mate in the stomach with it (he understood - slightly drunk too!). *** oooh there seems to be a beer theme here ***

Hi, I read two magazines: Shotokan Karate Magazine (http://www.zee.com/skm/index.shtml) Traditional Karate Magazine (http://www.martialartsinprint.com) The traditional one covers the main styles of karate (obviously the traditional ones!) and is worth a read as it opens your eyes to the seniors of Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Goju Ryu, Shukokai and I think Kyushinkai/shito ryu). You should be able to get 'Trad' at most big newsagents. Andy.

Adding to this, "Shoto" was the pen-name of Master Funakoshi when he wrote and means 'pine-wave'. The first dojo opened by Funakoshi's students was called the shotokan (shoto's hall) which is something Master Funakoshi did not want as it created divisions within karate (styles). (info taken from huuuuge amounts of stuff I've read over the years). The real point of this thread was about JKA... this is most amusing as the JKA split in half a few years back and both parties were claiming to be the "true JKA". The death of the JKA was essentially their own fault, in the 60/70s when they sent the instructors out to teach and did not keep them in contact or under control. What should have happened can be seen with WTF Tae Kwon Do - they stayed as one huge worldwide organisation (although now there is an increase in following for the ITF and others) following one senior (unfortunately deceased late last year I believe). I dont believe that training JKA style is better than training with descendants of JKA instructors... even ex-senior JKA instructors cant do things the same: Enoeda (9th dan) and Kanawawa (10th dan) have a different opinion on which go-ju-shi-ho kata is which (dai / sho)!! Just my tuppence-worth

Hi all, I am a shotokan bod from England (Runcorn to be exact if anyone has ever heard of it!) and should really be doing work (overtime!) but this is far more intersting I have been training for 10 years and am looking to sandan (3rd dan) at some point soon, I have trained in WTF Tae Kwon Do and Ninjutsu over the years but will always keep my roots in Shotokan. I run a small club with about 20 members (http://www.renketsu.org.uk) which I inherited when the instructor left just over 5 years ago! Andy.

Hi (first post on this forum so go easy ) I believe that a headbut is called "mensuki waza" (head technique) and is a perfectly valid karate technique when researching bunkai/oyo (but has no place in modern kumite) in my book. In fact Sensei Yahara used a head against his opponent Sensei Mori during a competition and was scored waza-ari after the officials had a discussion (info from Shotokan Karate Magazine).