Wado Heretic

Mixes are usually on the higher price end, and to be fair you will get more life out of them, with the benefit of being able to have a lighter weight. I would ask about being able to buy your own Gi, and apply patches when and if you want to, but one does get what they pay for; at £50 I imagine they should be good quality.

I generally insist on a Gi cut with the sleeves clear of the wrist, and the legs above the ankles, so that I can check for proper alignment visually. I was influenced by Aragaki Shihan's annoyance at longer cuts though. I have encountered some kyokushin clubs which insist on the particular Kyokushin cut, and it is not news to me to hear of a club insisting on people having it's particular emblem present on the Gi. In most ways it is a spread in the access to once difficult to access resources. For example, I can order a Gi with the Kodokan kanji printed directly onto it if I want, and the extra cost is minute, depending on the gi quality. Even just a short while ago, it would involve ordering a made-to-order patch, and then putting it on the gi myself. Some have taken the direction of making it mandatory because the excuses for not having it have become more difficult to accept. I do not take much issue with it, because if one wants a blank gi they are simple enough to find and order. However, £50 is rather extreme; what quality of Gi are you attempting to purchase?

Leverage and Timing will always be the answer to speed and strength. This is generally true for both striking and grappling; however, how it is expressed is different. A striker will understand those terms in a manner of angles and pacing, where as a grappler might better comprehend the concepts in the context of position and reacting to proprioception. However, even then there are further differences. Boxers versus kick-boxers for example both employ different maai, despite both being primarily striking arts. Wrestlers and Judoka also differ, in wrestling someone is usually in your face constantly where as Judoka generally gain a grip or work grip fighting. Furthermore, Judoka generally favour pulling guard in newaza, compared to working from the top like wrestlers. The big difference, I would say is only noticeable between full-contact participants. I find that people who have to hit each other, are slightly more competitive, that they naturally focus somewhat more on their opponent; the opponent is a target. In contrast, I find grapplers tend to be more laid back the more experienced they are, though they still enjoy competing, they do not quite have a certain ruthlessness. However, to concur with the others; it comes down to the rule of if you can cut, you can be cut to. People develop their attitudes and strategy dependent on where they can "cut" from. Strikers try to head-hunt because that is the most fundamental tactic, where as grapplers will tend to offer their head more to find their opportunity.

I do the occasional demo at summer fairs, and some cultural events around town. Do about two-three demos a year; usually one at the local college, one at the local secondary school, and another at the annual food and drink festival. Find it generally drums up enough interest. I teach self-defence sessions as well at the local secondary school, and I also teach a session on Wednesday afternoons as part of the local colleges recreation programs. Usually pulls in new students to my private club. Otherwise, I just leave flyers where I can, and place posters where I can get permission. I am hoping to start to create an internet presence soon, but that is on hold while I sort out a long-term venue.

If I recall correctly, then the Pinan of Kyokushinkai follows the same numbering system as the Heian: Pinan Sono Ichi will be the equivalent of Heian Shodan. In most systems Pinan Shodan is usually the equivalent of Heian Nidan, and Heian Shodan the equivalent of Pinan Nidan. So that should save you a bit of a headache. Oyama was a product of post-war Shotokan, in other words what became JKA Shotokan, but also Goju Kai. So you will find the embusen and order of techniques to be very similar , however, you might notice the influence of his Goju Ryu studies on how some techniques are performed and of course the stances. I would say keep the Heian in mind as they will be useful as a map, but treat it as a map that's fallen out of date; put it aside when it comes to getting directions from the locals as it were.

I could not really answer your question without some information on what the style you are training in now is. However, if it uses the Taikyoku and the Pinan, it is probably derived from the teachings of Funakoshi. They are the same kata, just by a different name. I would say of the Heian that they omit some techniques that are found in the Pi'an kata as propagated by Chibana O-Sensei, and the Pinan as taught by Mabuni Kenwa, but the Heian also have certain additional techniques not found in other versions.

There is a derivative style known as Shūkōkai, which itself is derived from Tani-ha Shito-Ryu, that is relatively popular on the East Coast. However, it does involve many innovations made by it's founders so it is not strictly just a continuation of Shito-Ryu, and has it's own unique qualities. In most cases, it will come down to the instructor and organisation as to whether they will honour your prior training. Considering it was so long ago, and was only the first belt, I could see most telling you that you will just have to begin at white belt. If you have retained any knowledge or skills, than you should probably advance quickly from white to red again anyway. The influence of Mabuni Kenwa on Japanese Karate is hard to quantify, it was that large but in so many cases subtle. If you are looking for something with the flavour of Shito_ryu, I would avoid Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, or Uechi-Ryu. Shito-Ryu, embodies a technical syllabus with origins in both Shuri Te and Naha Te; so I would search for systems such as Shindō jinen-ryū (Ryobu-Kai), or Yui Shin Kai (Be sure to add Karate to any searches or you will get Aikido), as both have direct influence from Mabuni and derive their syllabuses from Shuri and Naha Te. I still think Shukokai would be your best chance considering geographical issues.

Well, back in the seventies; full-contact or professional Karate, was some what indivisible from American Kick-boxing. Many of the top names in Pro-Karate also participated in Kick-Boxing, and in most respects American Kick-Boxing was early point style karate done with full contact. Coming from a point based back ground as a teenager, it was easier to transition to American rules, as there is, as you mentioned, a focus on quicker entry and exiting. However, based on my shoot-fighting experience, and work as a doorman (in the security sense, not courtesy sense) I would argue that it is some what removed from self-defence beyond level if impact. However, it did teach me the deficiencies of many kicking techniques. I use it as an entry level into full-contact sparring, before moving on to increasingly diversified rules, until finally basically sparring according to Combudo rules. It is useful for acclimatising individuals to taking, and delivering a punch, but also helps students decide what direction they want to take their karate. If they enjoy such sparring I generally try and help them consider trying kick-boxing.

Yes, and no. Have encountered a few varieties, with subtle nuances, over the years. However, most common variety I have encountered allows only kicks above the waist, and no clinching or use of the elbows and knees. I competed in a handful of matches under those rules, but I prefer Thai or K1 rules. My most effective weapons are kubi sumo, low kicks, and knees, so always felt disarmed fighting by American rules. I am an okay counter puncher, but it is not my favourite fall back tactic.

Generally two reasons, beyond cultural nuances, exist for not wanting material to be released on the internet. 1. Centralisation and control of image: Most organisations against Youtube and internet materials often have a strong central leadership. This leadership may in turn wish to maintain strict control of the image of the organisation and system. Materials recorded at one point in time, will become unreflective at a later date, and also would allow any members to post materials without the blessing of the central leadership. It makes controlling image very difficult. 2. Piracy: Essentially, martial artists, like any providers of a service want to get paid for the service they provide. Free online material undermines the offline markets ability to demand competitive rates. Although people will always want the offline resource, as one needs people to spar with and just the general fun of a class, they might be less inclined to put in as much money to said costed resources if they have a free supplement. Internet material is a double edged sword, and some choose to avoid it's disadvantages, because they weight them as being greater than the benefits. Now, in some ways one can argue it is a tool for the preservation of knowledge for posterity. However, that argument has little power when the tradition has a strong living population carrying it forward. Plus, to some traditionalists, they had to train without the benefit of these tools so can perhaps not understand the desire for them.

Depends on what one is hoping to achieve by doing so. If the goal is to be competitive in hybrid combat sports then you will have to add sophisticated wrestling and grappling techniques. If it is self-defence, then focusing on break falls, and the fundamentals of defence against body-to-body/grappling might be all one needs. I would say the second is relatively easy to incorporate into most approaches to karate, and in many respects you have listed most of the classic responses taught already. I would say the issue is that, in the broader scope of things, rarely are such techniques taught in isolation, or against a resisting target. Furthermore, the conventional approach to sparring in many karate dojo does not allow the incorporation of grappling because of limits on contact. I would say any karate dojo which does not already, could benefit from testing it's grappling concepts with live training and isolation sparring. However, to return to the opening statement; it depends on the goal relating to adding the grappling. If it is for the purpose of sport; than one must integrate guard work, sprawling, trapping, and any number of elements which are not part of traditional karate theory. In that sense it might be better to move away from karate into the realm of hybridised combat sports. I would also high light that tegumi was not taught as an element of karate as it was understood in turn of the century Okinawa. Rather Tegumi was a popular sport which many karateka also participated in, and thus had a knowledge of grappling in which their karate was then grounded.

You have essentially summed up why I have become a sceptic; I have never seen a direct over lap between the drill work, and free-fighting. Also, when I have studied combatives, many of the drills suggested when taken from kata find no analogues in modern day self-defence tactics or combatives. However, I would be hesitant to dismiss the practice entirely; after all, it lead me to where I am today. Plus, kumite has it's own rules and concepts, which prevent it being entirely realistic. Drill work allows one to explore situations without rules, why also training in a safe manner. What I would say, is that I encourage congruence and sincerity with regards to what one is in fact practicing; when doing a drill I ask questions, for example: 1. Does this drill have an analogue in self-defence practices, and can I actually rehearse what I am doing by performing the kata? 2. Have I deduced what I am doing from the kata, or have I inferred this from my other training? Then I like to test the answers to these questions through kata based sparring. Ultimately though, I rarely do drills, I just do the kata against someone trying to stop me doing the kata, and see which one of us feel more beaten up at the end. In my mind, if you have to change how you perform the kata movement to do your kumite; your kata is bad.

I once fought someone 6'8 under shoot fighting rules, but I am 6'3 myself so the weight difference was the bigger issue; 240 vs 350. Work the outside is my best advice; the natural reaction might be to try and stick close, but that could be suicide with regards to the weight, never mind height, difference. Any position where he can strike down at you will be dangerous, and that includes in the clinch or playing Kubi Sumo. So as I said work the outside, especially the calves and below the knee. If he attempts a clinch, go for arm control and try to slip to the side; forget trying to control the head. If he does try to get in close, punish with shots to the liver, and gut; don't get drawn into a punch up. With that height difference, and weight difference, I do not think a quick victory is likely, but going the distance is also dangerous. I would say focus on core and leg strength, and of-course cardio. However, do so with the aim to put out enough punishment to finish it in three rounds. After that, the ability absorb punishment, and the likelihood of eating a knock out punch, or elbow, a result of fatigue will be against you. It is the strategy I went with. Hope it helps at least, and as others said, at least it is a learning experience.

I am going to be blunt and state that the rotation of the wrist alone has nothing to do with power generation. It is about power transference; having the wrist in the correct position assists in kime, or fixture, which is required for transferring power effectively. If your rotation is poor, or the timing incorrect, inevitably your wrist will be in a weak position when actually hitting something. However, it is only one part of the puzzle; the shoulder, elbow, hip, and footing are just as critical. However, it has nothing to do with power generation. Have seen a few people with power generation sufficient to injure themselves through punching do so due to poor wrist positioning.

A number of factors have to be asked ; 1. What is the kata? Is it a kihongata, or an advanced kata? 2. What is the ration of Go to Ju, and vice versa? If the kata is for relative beginners, or is a fundamental kata; than a deliberate performance with emphasis on each individual technique being performed strongly might be wise. However, a more advanced kata might more wisely be performed with reference to perceived applications; with an emphasis on performing in sequences rather than individual techniques, and with speed closer to actual combat in relative terms. One also needs to observe the Waza present in the kata; should one be performing some techniques with smoothness, or softness, in stead of hardness? Once one has answered these questions, you can determines how fast is too fast for a kata. For example, in my branch of Shorin-Ryu; the kusanku kata are performed with a high degree of speed compared to the other kata, while the Kata Jitte and Jion feature dynamic rhythm changes regarding Ju and Go. This is because they are performed in a manner to reflect the combative principles of the kata. However, the Pinan are all performed in a deliberate move at a time fashion, because as foundation kata the emphasis is on proper body mechanics and good technique over combat application.

I have had three experiances with Go-Kan-Ryu. 1. A bunch of children who had graded to blue belt, but had to change clubs as they were moving from primary to secondary school and the GKR was a school club; I had to actually teach them how to get through an actual karate class the first five or so sessions they trained with us. All of them eventually gave up, because their initial experience of Karate was nothing like actual karate. Now, I was an assistant instructor at a club at the time designed for children with a good retention level. 2. A guy who came to a karate society I ran at university; he had a black-belt with a white stripe. I had to start him from scratch regarding kumite; he struggled even under sundome rules. However, he stuck it out and became one of the better fighters in the society by graduation. 3. A third Dan who came to my door advertising he was starting a new club. To be fair he was at least shodan level in a relative sense, but not the quality I would expect out of a third dan. After a hour of exchanging techniques and ideas; I converted him to the idea of coming to train with me in my garden dojo, instead of trying to convince me to do Go-Kan-Ryu. To be fair, he made every session arranged, took private lessons with a Goju-Ryu instructor I know, and went to a Shotokan club I directed him to. Became a very competent fighter in full contact, and corrected his kata to a very high standard. So, I have seen both good and bad; but of the adults I have encountered GKR did at least instill in them a love of karate. However, some of the dubious practices, which I believe have mostly been stamped out, have left a black mark. Especially in the UK where there was a lot of job advertisement promising a black belt, and instructor position, after a short training course. It was not proper employment but rather a pyramid scheme designed for quick expansion. Are Go-Kan-Ryu a McDojo; it has had problems but from what I can tell it has become a more reputable body. It still has it's bad eggs as it were, but so do all organisations.

Congratulations, and thanks for your contributions. Have enjoyed several of the questions you have brought up I have not considered before.

Oddly; some of the most despicable people I have ever met have been life long practitioners of karate. The ultimate goal of karate, based on the results I have seen, would be that of developing some proficiency in self-preservation. However, saying that, many of the qualities one needs to have to be a capable karate-ka are virtues: 1. Dedication (to training daily or at least very regularly in the week) 2. Sincerity (with regards to what one is in fact practicing) 3. Respect (to the system and hierarchy) 4. Industry (being productive with one's time to advance one's skills) However, often these qualities do not become global qualities, qualities that exist outside the dojo or a context. One may have no respect, only sycophancy. One may have no dedication, only a desire to belong. One may have no sincerity, only pragmatism. One may have no industry, simply selfishness. Perfect character is the ultimate goal of life, and karate may be your vehicle, but learning to punch and learning to live in harmony with others are distinguishable matters. Some times, we should pay attention to our to don't list rather than our to do list. I would like to end on a proverb:

Essentially the same film, in terms of footage and being a kyokushinkaikan propaganda device. However, Fighting Black Kings places greater emphasis on the american fighters, and includes additional footage regarding them. The Strongest karate conversely has a similar bias towards the Japanese competitors. Mostly, they are the same film, but edited differently according to the differing theatrical values of the U.S and Japanese studios.

Basic and fundamental are actually interchangeable. The issue is that basic is often taken to mean simple or "adequate" and thus has a negative connotation. Interestingly, research suggests it takes around 3 weeks to develop a habit, and around 7 years to master a skill. However, in karate, we will always discover a deficiency, and as we age and our bodies alter, what is optimum changes. Kihon should be taken as concepts rather than physical objects, however, with out repetition and physicality one cannot continue to evolve and adapt the ideas to one's changing physique. The tax analogy is actually incredibly apt, though instead of the percentage you pay changing, I would say it is closer to how you pay changing over time.

Rule 1: Never use colloquialisms. Main complaint: The music. The electronic detracts some what from the experience of watching the video. Electronic music could work, just someting more energetic and less up beat perhaps. Needs consistency on how you present your commentary; either always place it in a box, or leave it imposed against the video. Let the footage play longer to better demonstrate what you are discussing. However, the analysis is sound, and over all the illustration of points and the devices used to help facilitate the explanations are good.

Depends on the particular branch of 7 Star Praying Mantis; some branches have been heavily influenced by the centralised Wushu movement and place emphasis on aesthetic qualities, and modify their forms according to emerging rule sets for competitions. There remain more traditional and pragmatic forms which maintain the older forms and combative emphasis though. As a Northern syle it is largely influenced by Daoist thought and philosophy, and places emphasis on the development of Gong Fu through the repetition of techniques and Neigong, although the use of conditioning tools is not unheard of. Although considered a hard style it still leans towards defeating hardness through softness as a broad strategy. In practice it has much in common with systems of karate which incorporate significant Tuide or Kyoshujutsu methodology, and favour close-in fighting methods. So you will see many over laps with Goju-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu, and Isshin-Ryu to an extent. However, praying mantis has a distinct pattern of north-south attacking postures, and continuous attacks compared to the aforementioned styles. If I remember correctly, it is at least three and a half centuries old approximately. In terms of classes and tournaments I could not say; but I imagine in a westernised class it probably is not that different to the average karate class which allows children and adults to train together.

In terms of Kihongata; I would have to argue Naihanchi. How the hips and pelvis are used, and how the feet are set, and other bio-mechanical details, permeate all other kata in the syllabus. Of kata which demonstrates combative concepts; I would have to say Aragaki-No-Sochin simply because it was Arakaki Hanshi's favourite kata, and how he performed it has had a very evident influence on his interpretation and teaching of all the other kata. Were I to ask my students, they would probably say Naihanchi Shodan for similar reasons. I do have a habit of just getting close and hitting as hard as a can, at an awkward angle for my opponent, which a lot of Naihanchi can be interpreted as being intended for.

I think you are correct in that we agree to a point Luther unleashed; that ultimately we view the instruction of young people in the same broad theme. Saying that though, in terms of applications of Kata, I am a sceptic. I am not sceptical of the idea that kata contain combative methods, and that these can be interpreted and inferred to with the trained eye. However, I take every approach to applications with a pinch of salt. When I did kenpo, every form could be related back to the self-defence techniques. However, the forms never evolved beyond just contained the techniques; so one might as well just work on the content. When I did Wado-Ryu, bunkai never quite worked because it was not part of Ohtsuka Meijin's concept of kata. Also, the waza needed significant changes to be made workable with regards to models such as HAPV. Also, my experience of Judo and other grappling disciplines has taught me something; you need the benefit of working against someone to understand how grappling techniques work. The Kata might contain ways to stand and resist body-to-body techniques, and how to perform take downs, but I am doubtful you will find locks in them beyond holds such as grabbing the head. I believe this is what Mabuni and Motobu were discussing, and criticising, when they talk of kumite drills derived from kata movements with no alteration but also of the negligence of traditional kumite. Mabuni also states that although kata should be 50% of one's study, that one should not neglect hojo undo and kumite. I believe the grappling techniques of karate are in fact found in kumite, and hojo undo, not the kata. I believe the Kata contain broad themes and ideas, but mostly deal with what you can actually practice via kata. Movement, and ballistic techniques. Hence, bunkai should not be a deconstruction of kata but the meeting of all aspects of one's training. To return to Mabuni and his criticism of kumite drills derived from kata with no alteration; I believe this is true of most application practice today, even among those who practice so called ohyo bunkai. Mabuni, and others, speak of kata as a map but from which can be derived spontaneous and numerous responses. A fixed application drill cannot reflect this. Thus my approach of simply practicing the kata against force and attacks, and evolving spontaneous responses from there. The physical intensity of such is beyond children, and hence why I do not do application work with children. Practice kata as kata, and find the content through training, not thinking. I know this runs counter to most, but hopefully it serves to expand on my earlier post regarding my favoured way of engaging in application practice.