cheesefrysamurai

I'm not sure I agree with this. At least I think that partner work and Kata study should be one and the same. Even the bookish Funakoshi said that karate must not be a wholly intellectual pursuit. We can learn fighting without kata, but we cannot learn kata without fighting. I agree with sensei8's statement. Why? Its not about intellectual pursuits. Its that the truth of karate is hidden in the kata. Its the playbook, the map, and through training and working it over and over, its secrets unravel. You don't have to know kata or karate for that matter to know how to fight, but you cannot know karate without its kata. As sensei8 said in that quote knowing kata doesnt mean you know how to fight, thats what partner training is for. Goju ryu without its kata isn't goju ryu. As in Shindokan Saitou-ryu, its in its blood, its the the very essence.

I understand what you mean about kata. Its something I would have never understood before taking a traditional art. It starts out as a sequence of moves to memorize. As time goes on and you settle into it becomes a moving mediation where you hone the movement and you really begin to enjoy it. Then you begin to break down the individual strikes and blocks, again another level of honing. Then it starts looking and feeling like it really should. Then as weird as it sounds you start seeing the kata differently, you start appreciating the angles and the targets that become available, bunkai starts to make sense. Its certainly an underestimated side of traditional arts. This development is very satisfying. I don't have such a problem with competitive kata. I DO WISH IT LOOKED EXACTLY AS IT WAS MEANT TO, NO EXTRA FLOURISHES THOUGH. You are right about the context but then again, the context is within us. The dojo is the place for it I agree but demonstrating kata seems appropriate almost anywhere there is a reason to. Who are the judges? are they partial? Are they qualified? What qualifications would be needed? I cannot answer these questions so i am not sure how valid the trophies really are but I wouldn't take anything away from people that won one. Its an achievement for sure.

Woo hoooo. Wear the colors well Oss

Happens a lot i find. When it is the same style people decide to train in at 2 different dojo's baffles me and i don't know why they do it. If I went to train in another style of karate then i would check with my sensei first, then I would tell the head of the other school of my training in the other style. But if it is a different martial art, I would still tell the owner of that school so that they are aware My question is, why? I think its the student's choice as to what they consume as a customer, isn't it? As an instructor, I really don't think I have the right to know which stores they shop at, or if they learn Martial Arts elsewhere. My only job is to mark their progression through the style I teach them, and make sure they are doing things the way we do them in our gym. That's really my only job as an instructor. If they have the time to devote to training multiple styles, then kudos to them. Take advantage of it, because it won't always be there. Smart answer- you touched on something in a way no one else has. Though there are feelings involved and friendships developed, there is also a business relationship going on. Your taking my money and giving me what I pay for. Should I feel guilty for wanting to spend more money training? It's hard to reconcile loyalty when you are at the paying end of the business model. And like others have said, you want to train 4 days a week and your teacher only teaches 2, do you suck it up or look to fulfil yourself.

I very much like Archimotos answer. I would like to add that sometimes in face of a life changing crisis priorities change. I can imagine what would it would take to make me give up but in those circumstances, it wouldn't be as simple as something else displacing karate, rather karate being rendered unimportant because my life has completely changed so radically.

It's an awesome way to truly make your art your own.

so kyogi is ones personal bunkai?

That kata is above my pay grade. What I do know is that my Sensei says it's the opposite of sanchin. He said that you do sanchin when you wake up and tensho when you go to bed.

Very good topic. What if you found someone who is by most definitions better: Better clearer lineage Higher rank Deeper understanding Its very very difficult. I cannot see a Sensei not being insulted or at the least upset. its very hard,like you are devaluing ones skillset when yours are so inferior. Its like why do you need to swim in an ocean when the lake feels infinite? As a kyu rank, I can imagine it sounding rough telling a 5th dan who has a wealth of knowledge and skill (more then i could possibly learn), that you found someone better - he might think "what makes you qualified to judge me" And how do you break the news? how do you explain that you are supplementing their instruction with someone possibly better.

I agree with this! My instructor doesn't allow people to grade if he doesn't feel they have earned the promotion. A lot of these tests happen on a daily basis and many of these become what actually repairs issues. Someone who doesn't want to work, gets forced to work and they value it because of the cost. Or they work out their issues with authority or they realize how much more is expected with higher rank and they stop chasing it. If you are waiting until te grading to find out I they are dishonest, it's too late.

Thank you. So the size of the handle is arbitrary?

Does anyone know the specs for making a chi ishi? I know there are usually thicker and thinner diameters and different lengths. Thanks in advance for your help

I disagree with this completely. Skill is only part. Dedication is part. Proper education is necessary. A Sensei taking part in your education deciding when you deserve said rank is essential- if you care about rank. I would make him climb through every belt.- maybe at an accelerated rate but still. If he put a blackbelt on himself, I would probably push him even harder. It's not about whether he deserves a blackbelt - it's about whether he deserves a blackbelt from YOU

There is way more to rank then rote memorization and physical prowess. I would like to think that some one could achieve shodan and not be very good at either. You don't know him, you don't know if he paid his dues. He's asking you to legitimate his rank. Why, because he read a book and mimicked kata at his own pace? 1. He has been unsupervised. 2. he hasn't been taught 3. He hasn't put in his time 4. Who corrected his form? 5. Who pushed him? Decided that he needed more time on a certain kata or felt he needed to focus more on his stances. I'm not sure id be willing to add him to my lineage so fast and legitimate his time in. You don't even know if he is dedicated, let alone qualified to represent you. If anything, offer him a fast track.

In regards to everyday practicality, absolutely.

Your priorities are your business. That being said, be warned- his advice is not that of a Sensei. Always be humble, never ever intentionally hurt someone who isn't actively trying to cause you or a loved one bodily injury. Accidents are accidents, and never a cause for retaliation. Be a good sport. That Sensei in karate kid was wrong for telling him to sweep the leg, and he was wrong for carrying it out. Good luck

I like this answer! As others have said, just because he knows his art, and can win a competition doesnt mean hes qualified to teach. - poor decision on his part.

Wow- great post- eagerly awaiting your book! I can appreciate your epiphany and it has opened my a bit to accepting people's decisions might be best for them. bUT.... More often then not, the tradition ma'ists view of the non traditional is very different then the non traditional view of the traditional practitioner. As traditional martial artists we sort of revel in te labor of it, we savor the sweat, we appreciate the austere. This hard work seems to add value to us, knowing that we paid for our rank the traditional way. (I know much of this applies to non traditional) My frustration with those who choose the non traditional path is focused on their blatant (in my experience and opinion) opinions regarding our methods, training and therefor it's result. It's not that they "evolve". I don't consider it an evolution. It's more that they often talk of kata (I used to be one of those people) as a joke. They believe I am wasting my time in the mirror doing shiko dachi doing Kihon. It's not change, it's more that they believe they evolved and I am a hold out of outdated ineffective methods. It's more akin to those artists who still make blankets with an old fashioned loom. Or potters who are making bowls by hand, or sculpture. One side of the argument says "are they all stupid, the modern machine can produce 100 times the quantity uniformly without the skills needed." I think sculptors know a 3d printer can do a better job but it's not about that. What it's all about it traditional spirit! That maybe a glimmer of whAt was going on in okinawa lives again in us. And we forge that traditional spirit the only way possible.

Wow thank you. really cool stuff. Saifa is a nice kata - short and direct. Tons of applications.

Lots of luck!

At my school it's gekkisai dai ichi, ni, sanchin, saifa, seiyunchin and shisochin. That's as much as I've gotten.

Hey Simon - very cool!! keep them coming! Welcome to the forum!

That was an excellent read! Thanks!

I don't question what your saying. Lot of that sort of thing went on, tons of people always claim the lineage throne. he may have been one who felt it wasn't appropriate and bowed out of that race and practiced his art humbly. Who knows? There's nothing bad about him either. Simply states the barest of facts and conjecture. I think your probably right, seems like someone intended on him being forgotten. What about his dojo?

Can we get an update? How is this playing out? thanks