Kusotare

I train with swords and teach them, and TBH your post makes my blood run cold. Poor quality swords are very dangerous and could do you some serious harm, but, you are equally at risk with a well made sword if you don't know what you are doing with it. My advice to you, before even looking at potential purchases would be to go and train with a sword school. That way, you will not only learn to appreciate and understand a good sword from a bad one, you will also grow to understand the "how’s and why" of swordsmanship and the Japanese katana. A good group would also be able to give you advice about where you can purchase swords HOWEVER.... A good club will almost certainly NOT allow you to train with a metal blade for some time, and they certainly won’t let you play with shinken for a number of years. And there is a good reason for this...

Brilliant! Did the instructor also have a stripy Gi? K.

I think grading 3 times a year is probably realistic for kyu grades up to and including 3rd kyu. Thereafter every six months is common. Assuming you have 8 kyu grades in your groups grading structure, that would bring your model to about 3 1/2 years if my maths are right - which I would say was more typical (as a "possible" minimum). That said, I know very few people in Wado that have achieved 1st dan in fewer than 5 years and probably 6-7 is more typical. K.

That's an unusually long period for a Wado group ime. Within most groups, that train under the auspices of the three major Wado branches, I would say a more typical "possible" time span would be an un-interrupted 4-5 years (for an adult anyway) of serious training 2-3 times a week. Of course what is "possible" and reality are two distinctly different things, but I would question why any Wado group would require it to be a "minimum" of 7 years. That doesn’t sound right to me. K.

Many years ago, I fought for my National squad – with varying degrees of success (I wouldn’t say I set the world on fire though). Today I have some top class guys and girls train at our dojo which, if I’m being honest could wipe the floor with me if they tried. But I don’t think that really matters, because I am 45 and they are in their early twenties and on top of their game. What I do is to guide them as best I can – to get the best out of them. I’m also there to prepare them for life after Shiai! The competition window is so brief after all - compared to the larger picture and benefits of training martial arts. K.

I think that's a fair assumption. Personally, I'm not bothered that I practice kata that doesn't start and finish on the same spot. I agree that it is probably easier to learn and perhaps teach (as it is a kind of measurement that can be monitored) but, what’s going on within the form is far more important imo. It's a bit like stances; in the west we try our best to teach students in a very objective (black and white) way. The stance is this long (shin and two fists for example) and this wide. Train with a Japanese instructor and ask him how long a stance are and he will say "This long" and just perform the stance. K.

We practice both Touritsu (handstand) and Zempo Kaiten (shoulder to hip) Ukemi. Whilst I wouldn't say it was wrong to learn them by using your hands (or at least your hands make contact with the floor) - the better you get at them the least you should have to use your hands and arms. In our school we also have the added dynamic of performing Ukemi whilst wearing weapons (Kodachi and Odachi) - now that’s not easy! As for the doing them in the stealthiest way possible??? I'm not sure that is a major objective behind learning them in the first place. Chances are if you have to use ukemi, your opponent already knows you are there!! Also, by using the bottom of your foot to absorb the drop (thus keeping your hips off the floor) this minimises spinal contact with the floor and also - helps if you are wearing weapons. K.

I'm a huge fan of medieval combat! I train in a 300+year old Koryu (school of classical Japanese "samurai" bujutsu), and also get chance to "mix it up" and compare notes with European Medieval combat experts (I'm lucky) - and I can tell you that there is a huge cross over. Circumstances, surroundings and culture affect why you develop what you do and thus the end result from a martial perspective (necessity being the mother of all invention etc.), but when it comes down to it, men have been fighting each other since the day dot, so no surprise there is such a commonality. More fool the person that doesn't realise this imo! K.

I'm pretty certain that the whole "Kata must start and finish on the same spot" was something introduced by the early Shotokan instructors in the Japanese universities at the time - in order to make it more regimented. Earlier version of the kata rarely started and finished in the same spot. K.

http://www.shinsonhapkido.org/en/what-is-shinson-hapkido/trainingsformen.html No idea what that means though. Some sort of training for Ki? Hello, Go deep beneath the surface of many Japanese, Korean and Chinese systems and you will find that most (that are worth their salts) have these sort of exercises. Exercises that are designed to build internal energy / strength, a good structure and grounding. Check out an instructor Called Tobin Threadgill (from the Takamasa-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu) They have some exercises called "nairiki no gyo" designed to garner such power. Then see how he can stand on one leg and you just cant push him over....

As I understand it, the founder grew up a Buddhist and studied medicine. Hapkido is the Korean way to say/spell Aikido (both Hapkido and Aikido are decendant arts of Daito-ryu). Ueshiba sensei and Aikido are noted for his / its the "holistic" qualities and it looks to me as though this school is taking the same path. As well as the physical training of the body, there seems to be a big emphasis toward training Ki/Chi/ Energy and Shin/Spirit. K.

What Kata did you learn? K.

when you're learning the shape of the kata you have to think about what you are doing next. When you have it internalised you should be able to do the moves - without thinking! That then gives rise to higher levels of training such as concentrating on combining seichusen (correct centre line) and embusen (performance line).

I'd have to agree with that. A lot of the time teachings in kata based systems have what is referred to as Omote and Ura aspects. The Ura can only be exposed with the help of an instructor who knows his or her stuff. It goes a lot deeper than most people think as well, for example most systems worth their salt have kata designed to generate internal energy/strength and stability - however it is not immediately obvious as to how and why! K.

The whole McDojo thing is a tad tiresome. This guy notes the main red flags here, but, you should read the footnote, as many "traits" of the so called McDojo are found in even the oldest Koryu of Japan. http://www.karatebyjesse.com/93-signs-of-a-mcdojo/ K.

I think the biggest clue would be the fact that they just walked into your dojo!? Most experienced martial artists would have done their research and (if they have any manners) made contact with you prior to just turning up!. So if someone does just turn up, they are more than likely a beginner ime K.

My group often perform embu (displays) in public and we use shinken! It is vital that you know your weapon is safe to use. For example, the blade of the sword is secured to the handle with just 2 wooden pins (Mekugi). Through use and sweat from your hands these decompose and can result in the blade flying out from the handle. Wooden weapons are equally dangerous if not cared for properly. K.

I agree, Kata should be performed with intent! The difference between a martial artist and some one that just replicates the moves (not unlike a dancer) is intent! K.

Hello Patrick, thanks for the kind welcome. Like most of us, I'm a nobody... A student first and a reluctant instructor. I study and teach Karate, Jujutsu and Kenjutsu. K.

Within kata based systems (not just martial arts) the pedagogy of Shu,ha,ri is key. However, kata doesn't change - it can't as it is kata!? More correctly:- Shu=to Embrace the kata (and by Kata, it means kihon and all non Jiyu-kumite training drills) Ha= to Diverge Ri=to Discard However this does not mean that YOU change Kata, forms or systems... Rather, it means that by using drills and applications you have internalised methods and can perform outside of the box! ie you can react and perform instinctively - without having to think about it! I've been training for best part of 30 years - and i'm no where near that! K.

Here are some links: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karate-Katas-Wadoryu-Shingo-Ohgami/dp/9197023108 http://www.wado-ryu-book.com/wadokai-author.php K.

Hello, Newb here but not to ma. Looking forward to exchanging knowledge. K.

Personally, I would recommend Shingo Ohgami's books or Roberto Danubio's book.