Wado Heretic

TL;DR: The Pinan introduce basic concepts, and the fundamentals, encountered in the Kata of Itosu-ha systems. They are not simply poor man’s Kusanku, in that they have their own internal logic, and unique waza, that are distinct from Kusanku. They are a useful starting point for involvement in Itosu-ha karate, and provide a context for study of older kata. Not necessary for studying kusanku, but a useful body of contextual materials to assist deeper study of other kata. -- Sadly, it does appear as though what I was attempting to address has been lost in the message. TL;DR in action perhaps; I can be rather verbose. I was speaking in general terms as to why both approaches have merit, and why they have evolved according to the different culture encountered when discussing a kata. Global terms regarding why different approaches have been adopted. To discuss Kusanku Dai and Pinan in direct comparison as regarding their contents requires discussing the actual kata. I will try to summarise in bullet points to keep this brief: Kusanku Dai: - Created by Sakukawa Kanga, and derived from the teachings of Kwang Shang Fu; an exponent of Shaolin and Fukian Chuan Fa. It has been suggested he was in fact a teacher of Chinese wrestling as this would make sense of his student developing a kata to preserve his teachings, rather than simply preserving his forms. - Contains techniques that can be interpreted as useful for body-to-body, and close combat, and the percussive techniques contained habitually include movements for creating and maintaining distance. Furthermore, the movements for evasion which rely on the pivoting of body weight, rather than the movement of the feet, are better suited for the limitations of body-to-body combat. Also, many of the waza are presumptive of a direct meeting of force; compared to Passai or Chinto. - Thematically; it contains techniques resembling the other kata of the Okinawan canon derived from White Crane systems, however, it also contains several waza found in similarly aged, or older kata. - It would be nigh on impossible to find a variety of Karate, barring the Naha schools, which has not be influenced by Kusanku. So in terms of content; what can be learned through an in-depth study of Kusanku is how to confront someone attempting to engage in close combat, and how to end the engagement there, or how to escape it. The influence of the Kata also means it is perhaps the kata to adopt when deepening one’s studies. Pinan: - Created by Itosu Anko, and originally named Channan, they are derived from his studies under Matsumura Sōkon; but also his further, and more exhaustive, studies under Chikudun Nagahama, Matsumora Kosaku, and Gusukuma. - Contain a breadth of techniques which can be utilised in a multitude of ways; body-to-body techniques, trapping, and blows dealt at a distance, and include methods which can be used to deal with unexpected or unusual angles of attack. - Contains waza from across the spectrum of To De; from Kusanku, Naihanchi, and Passai, but also contains its own distinct waza not found in other kata. -In terms of content; the Pinan introduce a student to the broad themes of Shuri Te, or at least Itosu derived, systems of karate. Using the Pinan wisely, one can also explore a lot of variations of applications in rather succinct packages. Now; this perhaps all but confirms that there is no advantage to studying the Pinan prior to Kusanku, as the focus is completely different. However, to return to Kanku65’s point, and something I stated earlier, there is a value in learning variations on a movement; as is the Japanese mindset. Combat is chaotic; the same tool is not going to fit every situation. To expand on this; our learning process does not exist, nor can it, work in a vacuum. Studying one kata in depth is excellent, and should be done, however you require a context with which to make meaning of the kata’s content. The study of other kata allows this within a singular ryu-ha; especially if one considers each kata to individually be its own system. Homogeneity, and disparateness can be observed, which serves to direct your deep study of your chosen singular kata. Looking at Burgars’ example; he did not just study one kata. He studied a multitude of varieties of Gojushiro, referenced other martial traditions in his development of applications, and relied heavily on his extensive Shotokan experience as a compass in this singular in-depth exploration. One needs the benefit of context, and experience, before one can engage in a fruitful in-depth study. However, applying this to the Pinan/Kusanku matter: should one study the Pinan prior to Kusanku; no. Individual’s were training in it for over a century when the Pinan were created. However, these same individual’s studied 2-3 kata, not just Kusanku, and also engaged in Hojo Undo which provides significant feed back on the quality of your technique. They did not study a kata in isolation; it was compared to their other studies, and influenced how they exercised. Also; the Pinan are more than a poor man’s Kusanku; they are a summation of Itosu’s broad understanding of Karate. Are the Pinan a sufficient or useful contextual body? I would argue yes. They contain ideas one encounters in Kusanku, but also other ideas which the ideas of Kusanku can be compared against. Therefore, if one studies the Pinan first, Kusanku becomes a revision and an expansion of ideas you are already familiar with; but these ideas also have a useful context. This is true for a lot of the kata that traditionally follow the Pinan in many syllabi. Having a syllabus does not detract from each kata being an individual system, or from a student engaging in their own in-depth study; it provides a context. A context, which if one lacks it, means in-depth study is a dead end as it exists in a vacuum with no means of testing it. This is the process of teaching anyway; I am not sure how one teaches a kata any other way. You have to use the process of deconstruction, and revision, simply to teach a kata. However, as I pointed out earlier, what my considerations regarding Kusanku Dai are; it teaches a very specific global lesson. If, and apologise if I am misreading the assertion, were I to have to choose between that same teaching method via the Pinan or a series of Kusanku segments I would choose the Pinan. Simply a case of my students getting more out of a similar amount of time; Kusanku may be more sophisticated, but the Pinan are broader and attack more fundamental ideas across the board regarding physical confrontation. As we become more experienced as Karate-ka, and martial artists in general; we can begin to forget what it was to be a child, or be a beginner in the martial arts. When we reach a certain level, we can become dismissive of what lead us to where we are, because it no longer seems so relevant. To agree with Sensei8; that is why kata are a life long journey, each time we wake up and re-encounter the kata how we view the process changes. One might be at a point where one needs that in-depth study of one kata; while another might be a point where they benefit from that progressive model. I hope this post has been as exacting as needed to answer the question; I realise the other posts were some what too generalised in scope. Below is something my student said regarding the progressive model in martial arts when we discussed the matter. I think it makes a strong argument for why we need different models;

I thought the answer was quite succinct; whatever you have found confusing I am happy to discuss further. However, if you have simply found the answer unsatisfying, there is nothing more to be said. We cannot be content with every answer we receive, and we cannot agree with every one. Karate would never have come into existence in the first place if that were true. I would third the suggestion of reading Mr Burgar's work; it is insightful and is useful for challenging one's perception of kata. Indeed; it is that particular book that influenced me to look at the Pinan series as one whole kata, divided into different themes, rather than a disparate collection of kata. One can find some of his writing at this blog: http://martialartspublishingltd.blogspot.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Yi1GTcCMM When in need of Shuto Uke examples go to Shutodan, I mean Shodan. (Pun works much better when spoken.) The 14-26 is the part to look at for the Shuto Uke, but the closer comparison is side viewing Shuto Uke which is 20 seconds onward. With that more exact description I would have to say it is either influenced by Tai Chi, Xinyi, or Bagua. If I had to make a guess about potential sources, perhaps Yoon Byung-in, as he had the most extensive Chaun fa experience that I know of.

True enough; and in the particular case of the student with the learning difficulties I did offer private lessons for the fee of class lessons, so long as they kept the time flexible. However, it is important to offer the behavioural intervention needed, not what we ourselves are inclined to. If the Dojo is not the suitable place for someone, then I shall not lie to them about it. I am about teaching Karate, and sharing something I myself enjoy; not messiah complexes. I have stopped teaching in commercial spaces, and essentially teach out of my garden; and must admit, I have become much more particular about who I will teach because of it. However, I also teach for free, excepting material charges which must be covered occasionally; when we want to rent sparring space, belts, replacing equipment et cetera.

Having another thought; in some branches of Shorin-Ryu, for beginners a Shuto Uke is performed by dropping the back arm to the side, as the front hand is drawn to the shoulder, and then as the front arm sweeps out (as opposed to thrust forward) the back hand performs a scooping movement from the side to come up to point at the elbow of the front arm. The movement we are discussing could as easily be an exaggeration of that I suppose. However, I do not believe Funakoshi taught that variation, because it would be quite the mutation for that to become what we see today in Shotokan-ryu where the arms move in different directions, and the block is thrust out. Seems quite obvious now, but didn't occur to me until training this morning. Anyway, hopefully others can see the link I am getting at with this; If one looks at Sonnal Momtong Makki; it appears to rely to a degree on rotation, which is a different mechanic to most versions of Shuto Uke, so that is why I suspect it may be influenced by Chinese systems and specifically norhtern systems. Not exactly Bagua per se, but it uses similar dynamic motions as rotation as Bagua just as a point of comparison. To concur with Bushido_man96; if one performs Sonnal Momtong Makki as a Go, or hard technique, like a Shuto Uke, you will break your fingers or wrist; the full rotation of the hand exposes the fragile parts of the hand. However, if you rotate your body with the technique, and use your body weight for the block, and use it as deflection, instead of an opposing force, than the palm out makes more sense; as it then allows for the immediate placement of pressure on the attacker after the deflection, and also allows a full rotation of the arm, when a side ways wrist would cause tension in the shoulder thus stopping the defence short. In other words; how it looks has definitely influenced it's performance, over it's actual application.

That is a good question as Ohtsuka Hironori (Wado-Ryu), and Yasuhiro Konishi (Shindo-Jinen-Ryu) who were early students, and assistant instructors in the 20s both went onto advocate a Shuto Uke with the palm facing more prominently outward. However, from both his early work, to his last work in which he demonstrated techniques Funakoshi appears to have favoured the palm to the side. Could be some influences lost to history due to the eastern tradition of acknowledging the senior master as the master, without regard to his de facto subordinates who though considered senior students shared teaching duties. Most immediate comparisons would be found in XingYi Quan, in terms of similar angle, or Pigua Quan with the use of a large preparation to generate torque. Unfortunately, I am talking from something I witnessed in person, but will try and do some digging to find something.

I suspect this particular variation is heterodox, although derivative from the teaching of Funakoshi it is not at all similar to what he demonstrated as a technically correct Shuto Uke in that he advocated the wrist in line with the head, and the hand sloped and palm facing to the side not outwards. One should not forget the debt that Tae Kwon Do has to Chinese Chaun Fa as well. Many of it's pioneers were also familiar with the Chinese arts through travels in Manchuria. I have seen similar blocking methods in some Northern styles; maybe that would be a place to look.

To keep things short, I have a curved spine which limits the mobility of the trunk of my body; I cannot move it independently of my hips on any level, my knees both sit over my feet differently, and my hip alignment is crooked. In short, I have to adapt my karate, and understanding of it to these limitations; limitations few of my students have. As a result; I often find myself using the title of this topic during lessons when I notice a student trying to emulate my frankly wrong-but-works-for-me method. It is a unique challenge, and I was curious how others deal with situations like that if they ever have them. I imagine on some level we have all experienced this; few of us have had the joy of an instructor with the exact same build as ourselves. Have you been on the end of such a phrase, or had to use it yourself?

The short answer is yes; I shan't go into great detail but in the two broad themes are as follows: 1. I have turned away adult students who have been seeking the "ultimate" martial art, or are just fad enthusiasts with regards to combat sports. As I teach full-contact karate, and incorporate grappling, I had a lot of people come to me because of the fame of Lyoto Machida. I turned them away as they weren't interested in Karate, but in fighting. I have also turned out some adult students who have never been able to grasp the need to respect the dojo floor, and others on it. I do not demand people be monks, but I expect discipline when training. 2. I no longer teach children, but when I did I used to have a very strict rule on a minimum age of 7, and 12-14 before I would allow them anywhere near a brown belt. Being children, I kept discipline light so long as they were learning, and trying. I have had cause to ask two parents to no longer bring their children as the energy needed to involve them in the lesson detracted from teaching anyone else, and they were also inclined to subtle displays of bullying, which they believed I did not notice. The only other occasion was a child with learning difficulties, and although one on one he was a very adept student, he struggled in the class situation and essentially attending was just stressing him beyond his ability to cope. It was a case of being cruel to be kind. Ultimately, everyone needs a different stick, and needs to be measured differently, some people mold themselves into karateka over time where as others just come and go through the movements. If a person has a quirk, but works in the dojo, that is them being who they are. However, if a person cannot leave their problems at the door, and impose them on others that is when I do not have the patience to allow a person to stay.

Karate: The originator of Shorin-ryu, Chibana Chosin, performing (Matsumura-no Passai/Tawada-no Passai): His student, and founder of Kyudokan, Higa Yuchoku performing : Higa's student, and founder of Kodokan, the late Arakaki Hanshi performing (note: he is the first performer in the video): As performed by his son, and now head of Kodokan, Arakaki Ryuta: Kobujutsu: Shinken Taira performing Shuji-no-Kon Sho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_4WcJGnyiY Julian Mead, student of Inoue Motokatsu and head of Ryukyu Kobujutsu Association Great Britain, performing Shuji-no-Kon Sho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK66LcEgR-c The only footage of my direct instructor that is online is nine years old, pre-dates when he began training on Okinawa, and is of Wado-Ryu kata. I would post it but it is not particularly reflective of his karate now.

To be more exacting then; the Japanese view each kata as introducing one to a new set of movements, but which are just a part of the whole of the system. That is what the step is; a new set of movements within the part of the whole. One benefit to be gained from this is compartmentalisation, it allows one to focus progress into steps; instead of attempting to engage the student in the entirety of the broadness of the Ryu-ha in one sitting. By compartmentalising, one can also return to a step to maintain one's study. To paraphrase Funakoshi; Karate is like boiling water. So the innate benefits of a "step" is compartmentalisation, and that it allows one to have a progressive model, alongside a review model. There are a multitude of advantages to this; but the primary one is that of accessibility. To give an example; I have taught students with a knowledge of the Pinan Kata the higher Kata of Kusanku, Passai, and Chinto, and relatively swiftly they were able to develop their performance of said kata to a level where my input was not a constant necessity. I have also taught people on a course basis these kata, and to people with no knowledge of the Pinan kata or Naihanchi, and they innately struggled because they did not have the intrinsic knowledge of how Go and Ju are manifested mechanically in Shorin-Ryu. I have also had people with significant martial arts background who just wished to learn the combative nature of Karate, in which case I didn't bother with the Pinan as they are too recent, and again because they lacked these earlier steps they struggled with the much more demanding, and longer kata than students with experience with the Pinan. That is the benefit I have observed, and experienced my self. So the step of studying in a certain order, and having a progressive model, which also allows a review of themes in isolation has been useful in that manner. What I was attempting to provide before was a context for the explanation, and I felt the argument regarding homogeneity provided at least a potential answer to the question. Hopefully, this more exacting explanation is more useful. End of the day though, I doubt their is a perfect answer because at the end of the day what is the use of "kata" anyway? We all have our own answers as to that, and ultimately our sincerity in what we practice matters more. That is indeed a wishy-washy cop out of an answer, but we are dealing with an interpretive field; the individual's experiance of their karate, and being engaged in that experience is the only real compass we have. Good luck in finding a concrete answer that you find satisfying, but I have to express my doubts that it exists.

I would generally like to think of Itosu as a thoughtful and intelligent character, with a deliberate approach to his karate. This being the impression his writing, and the anecdotes of his students, I have felt I have been given. Therefore, I would not be quick to dismiss the Pinan kata as the inevitable lesser sibling to Kusanku, Chinto, and Passai from which the series appears to be drawn. In Japanese Karate Do, one must remember the Japanese concept of Kata is distinct from the Okinawan concept of Karate. If one pays attention to the Kata of Judo, Jujutsu, and Kobujutsu; one can identify the nature of Japanese kata. In paired kata, the individuals work in unison with the intent of achieving the ideal of the kata; there is purposeful passivity. In individual kata, in particular Iaido, the movements are performed as individual sequences with each technique in of itself significant. A Japanese kata is the rehearsal of a technique in its idealised form. It is distinct from the practice of Waza, and does not involve a case of Seme and Uke; attacker and receiver. This attitude permeates Japanese karate; the practice of ones kata is the perfection of technique and the principles of movement represented. Not a rehearsal of combative concepts, in fact it pays no heed to the idea of “fighting” as is often found in modern practices regarding Bunkai. Rather, Waza and randori is where the notion of attack and defence is found in Japanese martial arts; a perfect example would be the Kihon Kumite of Wado-Ryu, regarding how this concept has influenced Japanese karate. A broader example would be Yakusoku Kumite or promise sparring; where one takes on the role of attacker and attacks in a pre-arranged way, and one receives and overcomes the attack. In contrast; the Okinawa mindset to kata, and technique (waza) is fundamentally different. It borrows very much from the Chinese mindset, although nuanced by its own idiosyncrasies. In Chinese martial arts, the majority of Taolu (forms/kata) have a traditional two man set or variation, which is designed to be used to demonstrate and practice applications of the forms techniques. This is indeed how the kata are viewed in traditional RyuKyu martial arts; every kata has a direct series of applications, although it appears, if judging by the words of Mabuni Kenwa and Miyagi Chojun, that by the turn of the century that the Okinawan practice was more interpretive than the Chinese approach. This in turn has perhaps lead to today’s “reverse-engineering” and borrowing from other martial arts to redefine bunkai into combatives. Mabuni famously opined that rigid kumite forms such as Yakusoku kumite could not reflect the chaos of combat, where as the practice of Kata present a multitude of possibilities and that a deep study of the kata was more useful than exchanging pre-arranged attacks and responses. In short, Mabuni was putting down the Japanese tradition without exactly attacking the Japanese Budo tradition. Furthermore; Hojo Undo. To the Okinawa mindset, one must condition the body to have good technique, whereas in the Japanese mindset good technique should trump any infirmities. However, this is not to say conditioning is not important in the traditional Japanese mindset, but where as in Okinawa one will encounter many different devices for conditioning the body, and each with a very specific form of conditioning in mind; in traditional Japanese martial arts one merely rehearses technique to the extreme, and against adversity. For example, Sumo; where famously weights are not used during training despite the size and strength of Sumo, or Kenjutsu where a heavy bokken may be used but no other type of weight. One simply trains to an extreme. I am sure heterodox examples exist which counteract these generalisations by the way, and am aware of a handful, but for now I believe it better to discuss the matter in broad terms. To apply these differences to the mindset of syllabus encountered in Japanese karate, and the progressive notions discussed, one need only look at how the mindset differs. To those of the combative mindset, the Pinan hold less value than more “advanced” and older kata, as the techniques that make up the Pinan are derivative, and ultimately there are only so many times one should revisit their lecture notes. Essentially; if one is finding what they need out of Kusanku, why revisit it in the Pinan? It is a waste of time. However, the Pinan do contain distinct techniques, and even several reminiscent and repeated techniques feature a distinctive way to get from A to B in the Pinan when compared to its most immediate source. To the Japanese mindset it is therefore a worthwhile exercise to practice this alternate technique, and its way of movement, even if it is a simple variation of a Waza found elsewhere. The Japanese also seek homogeneity through out their systemisation of Martial arts; for example there are great over laps between movement with the sword, and movement without a sword in traditional Japanese martial arts. Indeed; a saying I have encountered states that a skilled swordsman should be as able to apply the lessons of the sword as readily to the empty hand, as he could any blade. Again, to return to Wado-Ryu as an example; Hironori Ohtsuka excluded Kusanku Sho, Passai Dai, and Naihanchi Nidan and Sadan from his selection of Kata, arguing that Kusanku Dai, Passai Sho, and Naihanchi Shodan contained all that was useful from the aforementioned kata series. Therefore, he did have a discerning eye regarding which kata to include in his system, and indeed taught a specific formula and logic as to why he taught as he did. He argued that the Pinan kata contained the basic premise of the principles found in Kusanku, but that they contained their own distinct concepts. He also argued that Naihanchi contained the basic principles, which are then explored further in Seisan, and that all the ideas from these prior kata meet and come together in Chinto, but again with new distinct nuances. This is a perfect example of where the distinct nature of each kata is exonerated, but where homogeneity through out the system is also sought. In short; in the Japanese mindset the homogeneity of the syllabus is what matters. Whereas, in Okinawa the approach is that each kata is in of it self a treasure trove of information. So we are all wrong, and some how all right. Mostly though, we are all still dancing in white pyjamas, and should just enjoy dancing how we like. I only take issue with people who advertise self-defence, but then never bridge what they do in the Dojo to actual real violence. Otherwise, enjoy your hobby how you enjoy your hobby. Anyway; my interpretation of Kusanku is that it is a grappling kata, with the intent being either teaching body-to-body fighting concepts, or possible solutions for them. So, in my own practice of Kusanku, I generally allow my wrestling and Judo experience to inform my stances, and how I move through. This is based both on the actual content of the Kata, and the reported assertion that Kusanku was a Chinese wrestling instructor. Have to say that sadly none of the posted examples are supremely close to my own, so will try and find one. I do teach the Pinan, and find them useful as ways of introducing different fighting ranges and concepts. For example I use Sandan as a gate way into body-to-body fighting because a lot of it's movements lend itself to that. So it is useful for specifying your training on a particular focus, when kusanku can become incredibly broad. Edit: The version posted performed by Shugoro Nakazato is the closest I have found on youtube. However, our version uses a lot more stance transitions, and a front viewing shuto that seems absent from most of these versions. Might just have to film myself doing it.

Thank you for the time and effort you have put in, and for your other contributions as a member as much as for those as a moderator.

Have you tried exercising with Tetsu Geta or leg weights, or maybe leg lifts with kettlebells? Often weak ankles aren't literally weak ankles, but a weakness in ones form; weakness in the ankles can evolve from a weakness in the calf, or even as far up as the glutes. I would suggest perhaps trying exercises such as Hindu squats, and static stretching (especially PNF) after training. I only suggest this because it sounds like you actually have very strong ankles, and the weakness in the ankles is evolving from some where else. Maybe hyper acting ham-strings? Could be a lack of balance in your upper leg muscles; very common for martial artists.

Considering what you desire to do Andreas; rattan is undeniably the better choice. It is light weight which allows for greater ease with more dextrous movements, such as spinning, yet it is also durable enough to be used in a combative format against other weapons. However, if you are a beginner I would advise Oak over rattan. I would also advise exploring the traditional forms first over free style formats. Oak is a much better device through which to develop the conditioning to wield Bo effectively. Also, the traditional arts will provide both access to kata and kumite practice. It will also give you a much stronger base from which to explore the "show" aspects of modern forms, as if you have strong fundamentals, and an understanding of combative principles, you can more easily traverse the realms of free-style. Think of it like having a compass in the forest; you go into free-style without a strong base, you will not be able to see the tree for the forest. Think of it like choreography in action films, or even professional wrestling. Ultimately; it is the people who studied both actual martial arts and choreography, over just stunt-work, who create the most interesting action scenes. It is the wrestlers who have actual technical grappling skills who most effectively blur the line between the glitz of pro-wrestling and actual brawling. In short; good technique, and a nod to the actual purpose of the weapon will in turn produce the "show" without even aiming for it. The Bo material itself is just icing on the cake; oak is just better icing in my opinion.

I have no idea what to say but thank you. I am glad to have made contributions that have been of use to others, and would like to take the opportunity to thank others for their contributions as well.

I have trained to fight as a south-paw as I am not symmetrical, due to a curved spine and how as a result my hips and knees line up. However, I am in fact right handed, and I do not train my students to fight according to the dominance of their hands. I do not used fixed drills, and what drills I utilise are designed to encourage ambidexterity; to disallow one the comfort of a dominant side. In terms of broad martial arts; in Judo I have encountered the need to engage the right hand more, because one is often practicing techniques against the right handed. Similarly, in kick-boxing, I would find the need to practice fending off right handed fighters more often than left handed. In terms of combat-sports, it makes sense to spend your time on learning to deal with the most common factors you will encounter; right handedness being common factor. However, traditional martial arts, do not, I believe encourage this. Most kata, form practice, demand one develop aptitude with both hands and feature a lot of symmetrical repetition. Also, many traditional drills such as sticking-hands, will feature two-handed forms; and most traditional martial arts will have drills designed to develop proprioception, with an emphasis on using the hands together. Any right handed bias, I would argue evolves from the fact most people are right handed, and they incidentally encourage the dominance of the right hand. So; there is a solid argument for right hand bias, but I would suggest it is incidental rather than by design.

Past Chinto, it must be said there is a great amount of disagreement regarding kata performance among wado-ka. I would therefore be wary of looking further afield for a definitive answer. I was taught to treat it as a punch when first learning the kata due to the fact it produces greater speed, and power, if one times the the technique well when moving into the initial stance after yoi. However, if one studies the Kihon and Ohyo kumite, as mentioned, you will discover analogues to the opening move where a similar technique is used as a dodge, and the arm movement as a cover. Furthermore, if used a punch, the second arm becomes "dead" when placed where it is; just above the elbow. It would be superior to the pull the arm back into a defensive position nearer the head and forward facing, if the right arm is performing a punch. Yet, if the right arm is performing a downward block, in anticipation of body-to-body or in-fighting combat; than the supporting arm is in the ideal position. It reinforces the right arm, and at close range is in fact a threatening tool. The counter to this argument, is that the hip movement is counter-intuitive to a defensive move and instead favors a punch. However, as one is dropping their weight, and needs to force their hips 45 degrees in conjunction with the block to get a good stance, then this shall produce sufficient strength if it is indeed a covering movement. Each to their own though; I would argue that if you are intending to compete than a punch is the better choice. It will usually appear faster and more powerful, and will be easier to create the type of fixture in vogue at the moment. However, from a combative point of view, and from relating the kata to the kumite, I have to argue that it is indeed a block. Also, all the following movements in Wanshu to the opening techniques are in-fighting techniques; not ballistic counters. Ultimately though, defer to your sensei. He or she will be the judge of what is right and wrong when the time that it matters comes.

First; I was under the impression that Mick Billman was head of the English Karate Federation. I know Paul Campbell is head event coordination and involved in referee work but I thought Mr Campbell was head of the United Styles Association. Not trying to undermine what you have said Shotokannon, just want to make sure I am thinking of the person I think you are talking about. If so; the yes, he is head event coordinator of the EKF, but is head of his own association, the United Styles Association. Then again, I’ve not been involved in British Karate politics since 2012 so I could be out of date. Anyway; I have heard of the use of 12 kyu before, especially for juniors, as it allows more regular awards and does help keep them motivated. However, the usual is 10 or 9, for most systems, and especially those that do not make distinctions between adult and junior colour belts. Among Okinawan schools, or schools not so influenced by the mainstream model; I have seen any where from 4, 3, or even 1 Kyu grade used. One dojo I visited once used the average Aikido model, only awarded Dan grades, and would award Shodan on the basis of the instructor feeling you were ready, not by formal grading. Personally; I reckon it should be considered each to their own depending on the demands of the local student body. If one’s bread and butter are children’s classes, then you might find the need to have a broader belt system which helps keep children motivated with more regular awards, and accounts for the longer time it can take them to absorb knowledge such as Kata. If one’s primary students are adults, and your concern is the preservation of traditions or individual growth of a student, you might have a less formal system where you see grades awarded at the discretion of the instructor. I imagine rate of grading events could also be imagine by the size of a student body, more students would probably require more regular grading events, to ensure all students get the opportunity to grade at appropriate intervals. I reckon in the martial arts, we let grading be far too divisive a topic. Yes, there are dubious practices, such as belt mills, and places which produce paper tigers. However, it is important to take on good faith that most people have logic, and a reason, behind their approach to grading. I only use four kyu grades, which is not standard to the organisation I am affiliated with, and what I teach is definitely not standard to the official syllabus of the organisation. I make people stay at white belt for at least six months, with focus on kihon waza, ukemi, kake-kumite, and hojo undo. After that I will begin to teach them naihanchi, and will move them onto green belt after they have the ability to go through naihanchi with a degree of speed and power. Most people will then spend eight months to a year, at green, blue, and purple, and usually two years at brown belt. However, the rate really depends on the student, and whether I decide to put on a formal grading at any point, if there are enough students ready to warrant making an event of it. I do like for a student to have done at least one formal grading though, just to make them ready for Dan grading, but usually I just promote when I feel it suitable. The fastest someone has got through this approach is about four years, but they were very talented and had prior experience in Judo and Kick-boxing. Anyway; point being, works for me, but I cannot imagine it working for a children’s club, or a commercial school. Also, to return to the original topic question: With Children: 1. Parents cannot make the time to chaperon them any more, or afford the costs. 2. The child no longer wishes to participate from either boredom, or increasing difficulty they do not wish to adapt to. 3. It begins to compete with other social or sporting activities, and loses out because it is less convenient than the new alternatives. With Adults: 1. New work or family obligations take up the time otherwise set aside. 2. Emerging health concerns. 3. Cannot juggle the increasing knowledge load, and therefore out of session training, to keep their initial pace and lose enthusiasm. 4. A sense of plateau; not experiencing the original initial health benefits, and quick rewards of early learning. Why green belt is the compelling question, and I think others have illustrated the best reasons why. It is often the cross roads in most syllabus for moving beyond immediate beginner, to more advanced and demanding teachings. A lot of people just cannot seem to jump the hurdle.

Before concluding belt factory or not, or whether prices are unreasonable, one needs to consider if it is a commercial school that is renting, or hiring, the teaching space it utilises. Often, teachers who run a commercial school in a rented space will have higher fees due to the use of monthly membership fees. However, these membership fees often only cover the expense of renting and running the space, with not a vast amount of money left over for the person running the school. One can therefore see grading fees, and the like, as one might see the commission model many car dealerships run with their sales personnel. It is the grading where most school operators make their money, not the regular membership fees. Also, grading processes often have more material costs than running a class or sessions; one has to purchase belts and print certificates for example. Similar situations are true of clubs run out of hired facilities, but can often be cheaper, as the session costs need only cover the expenses or hiring the space for an hour or two, and any costs the instructor incurs such as fuel costs. The difference amounts to whether the instructor is running a business, which a commercial dojo is, or running a club. Once one makes that discernment, and then takes into consideration the locality of the club or dojo assessing the cost is easier. If one is running a place in a more affluent locality, then you are going to put the price up as you are likely to be having to pay greater costs yourself, and vice versa. Saying all that though; the quality of the services provided should be a consideration. If you are attending a dojo, and paying the costs you might pay for round the clock use of a gym, you should perhaps be expecting round the clock access to the dojo, and not just at session times. Furthermore, you should be asking if the services provided are true to what is advertised. If you are getting what you pay for, then I do not think one can complain too much. I trained, and was assistant instructor for several years, at both a gym which offered karate sessions, and a karate club run out of a hired space at a leisure centre. At the gym, there was a choice of pay as you go, monthly membership (Which was a bargain if you attended every session during the week), and grading was a very regular event occurring every four months. In comparison, at the club it was always pay as you attend, and a grading was held whenever there were enough people ready to make it worth it. So, the pressures of keeping a commercial space really do affect the service provided by a martial arts instructor, and the costs involved. I only teach adults now, and pretty much out of my back garden. The only sessions I hire a space for are our kumite sessions for safety reasons, and I rarely hold a formal grading; I prefer to just give people the belt they deserve when they show they deserve it during training. Only issue is I have to tell the person I wish to promote them, and have to ask if I should buy them a belt and produce a certificate, or they wish to get the belt themselves; which leads to me having to ask for £5 or them spending it themselves some where. I only award five belt colours; green, blue, purple, brown, and black, and I have a pretty good method for dying white belts green, and I also accept belts back for reissuing if they are in a good enough state after a thorough wash. I do not accept my dye job green belts back, or brown belts; they usually have too much wear and tear, and collected grime to be hygienic or expected to survive the wrath of a second wear through. I only run a kumite session if enough people tell me they will attend to cover the cost of hiring the space we use for that particular week, and I only charge £2 to £3:50, depending on how many sign up. So, one can really cut down costs for their students if they want, but inevitably there are costs to be met, and if one owns a dojo, the costs to be met get ever larger.

I liked the start; because the knife-hand, or poke, to the right of the body is something I have seen before, and some have tried to justify it working because of the locality of the liver (Possibly the same people who have got mad about it). It really helped blur the line at the start and then helped sell the later absurdity for what it is. Also, kudos to your assistant. Great work helping sell it.

Personally; I am against the taking away of a belt, as I consider them something earned, and as something that reflects the knowledge and standard the student should be at. One cannot take away that knowledge or skill; only the student can lose it by laziness and lack of attentiveness. When I taught children; I did used to run a regular grading every four months, and I would stop someone grading for behavioural reasons or would fail them on a grading for misbehavior. However, that is not something I would do with an adult. An adult who cannot regulate their behaviour, I have just refused to continue teaching, and have barred them from attending. One cannot be harsh with children. The closest I have come to taking away rank, is when someone stopped and was a way for a while but returned. I would ask them to wear a white belt, until the opportunity to regrade them came along. I would usually give them five sessions, or until up to the next scheduled grading depending on what seemed more suitable for the case, and if they were up to the standard expected of their former grade I would allow them to return to wearing their former colours. On rare occasions I did find a reason to grade them to above where they stopped so I feel it was a pretty fair approach. I would never take away a belt; however, that is due to my approach to teaching and philosophy regarding the matter. Yet, for a club specifically designed for children, where learning discipline is one of the goals; then it might be a useful tool to someone running such a club. Edit: I can also see the reason for an association or organisation to remove rank recognition from a senior member, for disciplinary reasons, and to preserve there own reputation in the case of severe misconduct. Point being that such an action is to reflect an attitude, which much sometimes regretfully be done, rather than actual discipline. Politics, but we cannot avoid them on times.

If you just intend to practice kata than a self crafted one should suffice. However, if you intend to do any kumite, I would recommend paying the money for one which is designed to withstand the rigors. Speaking from experience of using a home crafted one to do so.

If the target of the poke is intentional; then you win at abstract observational humour in the category of martial arts.

It is important not to forget the beginners mind; what comes easy over time was once hard, it is easy to mistake confusion, or finding something challenging for a lack of effort in a beginner. Sometimes the struggle, or lack there of, we see is because the struggle is not where we are looking for it. Anyway; I suppose the question is like what is the difference between a Judo Player, and what is a Judo-ka? One could make the argument the player just evolves the game plans that work for him, where as a judo-ka seeks to have a deeper technical understanding of Judo as a whole. However, one could argue that these are simply expressions of the same thing. One is no less than the other; they both have a love of Judo, it is just expressed differently. A Karate-ka is one who participates in karate sincerely; that they are engaged with their karate in a way that is not superficial. When one lacks that connection with the reality of their karate, then it is not their path.