Spartacus Maximus

Only the instructor knows for sure and it wouldn’t be wrong to ask him what is expected to be gained from practising that kata, especially since it comes from another system’s curriculum. Every kata has its own main points, intent and even philosophy. Knowing what these are is the beginning of understanding their purpose and a good instructor will be able to explain it thoroughly. This would be a good discussion to have with the instructor or seniors when the time is right. Aside from this, seisan is practised in Naha-te in much the same way the naihanchi kata are in Shuri-te. One of the main purposes is to develop stability and power generation from the lower half of the body so that it can be used in short striking and blocking techniques.

The most compelling evidence against the idea that martial arts on Okinawa originated with commoners is the social origin of the notable experts from the earliest records up to the early 20th century. All of them without exception were either nobles or warrior class of varying degrees. All people who had access to instruction through their connections and with their family’s reputation and wealth.

It can mean slightly different things depending on the context and the person using the words. Generally it refers more to certain training and teaching methods that were common before karate became commercialized and widespread as a competitive sport. The words are also used to describe karate taught exclusively for self-defense and in a way which endeavours to be as close as possible to what was originally done in Okinawa and Japan. In fact, ´old-school’ is a term often used when referring to Okinawan systems versus those that developed after karate was introduced to Japan in the early 1900’s by the likes of Funakoshi and Motobu.

Indeed, for a few years the type of conditioning has been mostly associated with Uechi ryu. In the not so distant past, it was a staple of karate practised everywhere. Goju-ryu and Shorin-ryu included it, and Shotokan certainly had it some point in time because the instep and the big toe as impact points are both described in detail in reference materials of the style. Now it depends on the instructor. Outside of Okinawa and Japan there are very few who may have experience or knowledge about these kicking techniques, and fewer still who teach them. From experience, Uechi-ryu is the exception as conditioning all striking areas are still emphasized. It would not be too far fetched to expect such training is mostly, if not exclusively taught in Okinawan systems, in a dojo where the instructor is either Okinawan/Japanese, or trained by one. The vast majority of karate dojo and especially those specifically sport/competition oriented will have the same general approach seen everywhere.

Pressure points are not some kind of mystical phenomenon despite what some have made them out to be. They are merely the result of detailed knowledge of the human body. Such knowledge is accessible to anyone who has studied anatomy to any degree. Basically, they are areas of nerve concentrations on the bodies that can be exploited in fighting/defense. Techniques aimed at these areas are common in every martial arts system.

The part of the foot used to strike in karate will vary depending on where the target is on the opponent’s body. Also take into consideration that some parts of the foot/leg require significant conditioning to be effectively used without causing very painful injuries to the kicker. Traditional(not sport/competition) karate uses the point of the big toe for sharp kicks aimed at soft areas and the heel or instep(near the ankle) to strike harder areas or bones such as the jaw/neck or the leg bones below the knees.

Size and weight only matter in the context of sport competition. Weight-classes were decided for the purpose of the contest to be as fair as possible. On the other hand, notions of “fairness” and “clean vs dirty” do not apply if the context is personal self-defense. The purpose of martial arts aimed at self-defense is to allow a person to become able to effectively defend themselves to their maximum potential against a bigger or stronger attacker. This is why it takes training and practise. People are many times more likely to be attacked by someone who is bigger, not the other way around. The only exception to this is if there are weapons involved and with groups.

The stick/staff is one of the oldest and most common weapon. There are hundreds of codified systems from cultures everywhere in the world. If the OP wishes to learn one of these, the decision should first consider what is available nearby. As far as online resources or media such as DVD’s, East Asian(China, Korea and Okinawa) styles are probably the most common, but with a little searching it is possible to find learning materials from all sorts of sources on the use of the staff/stick.

Different systems, approaches, purposes and methods rarely if ever “translate” from one to another. That is also the case for those that are very similar or even related. The important thing to keep in mind is that once the decision is made to switch, it ought to be done with a clear and open mind ready to start at the bottom to learn something new. Take whatever time necessary to learn and physically adapt to the new training. Most importantly is to be modest enough to set aside whatever previous experience one may have in any other martial art or school, to convince oneself that it has nothing to do with the new style/teacher/method.

The OP’s intended discussion is a little unclear, but it could be a comparison between those who keep to training/teaching a single system of a particular tradition and lineage as they have been taught; and others who draw from experience in two or more systems. Neither is better and there are highly skilled, capable people of each type. In the end it is just a matter of personal choice.

Maybe the terms used for the intended discussion are not mutually exclusive. “Purist” does not necessarily mean that one lacks a realistic approach to how and what one practises or teaches.

Belts and the ranking system have only been used for a little over a hundred years, starting in Japan with Judo. Before that time people just trained until the instructor was satisfied enough to teach them something new. Even the oldest of old timers with decades of practise have known of and gone through a system with coloured belts between white and black. Only black and white or no belts at all is the exception and it has been for a long time. Maybe since the time martial arts became publicly taught to larger groups instead of privately or in secret. How many on the forum train at or know of an instructor/dojo where there are only white and black? How about 5 or less(white/black included?). People like knowing where they stand and having some sort of tangible sign of their progress. Having milestones also keeps students motivated by giving them a goal to aim for. On the other hand the belt system is a double edge sword. Everyone involved in martial arts long enough can give several examples and experiences of how this system has been used and abused for less-than-ethical and dastardly reasons. We(martial artist) are stuck with them, whatever we think of them. Doing without belts or reducing the number would be very difficult.

It is very difficult if not impossible to tell who might become a longtime or lifetime student. That is precisely the reason why an instructor must not make any difference in how each student is treated. Each one is different and their involvement and dedication to their own training cannot be judge from the first day. It will only be clear after the student has been training regularly for at least a couple of years. Personal and professional life with its many obligations must also be considered because this will usually determine how much time one has to spend training and practising in or away from the school/training place. Usually, though a good indication that one will probably be a longtime or even lifetime martial arts student is those who start in their youth and are still actively involved by the time they become adults. By this time, training or at least an interest in martial arts has become ingrained into their lifestyle and it is highly likely that they plan and organize their daily life around it. These are the ones who somehow always make time to train or do something related to their involvement in martial arts. Like yourself, personally it is impossible to imagine what life would be like without karate because it is something that became a part of daily routine like having breakfast or taking a shower. Been involved with and training the same style continuously since middle school age.

There is one point about using the Wilder/Kane book for reference that should be emphasized. The information is only relevant if one has a good instructor to AND if one is not a beginner in one’s system/style. Otherwise it will only be confusing to the point of being useless.

Many martial arts people see their school/dojo as a place to practise. In fact, at least in the traditional sense, this is not quite correct. The school/dojo is the place to learn new things and get instructions on how and what to improve. All the practise work to refine skills and polish basics is supposed to be done by each person on their own time. Of course in this days and age hardly anyone can afford to train daily for hours. Everyone has other vital obligations and preoccupations such as their professional and private/family life. It is not impossible however, with some self-discipline to find just a few minutes as often as feasible to practise two or three items from one’s martial art or do some strengthening/conditioning.

Kane and Wilder’s book is probably one of the best publication available about form. The authors focus on Goju ryu karate because that is what they practise, but their book gives a great insight on how learning from forms/kata is supposed to be done. The explanations and methods of understanding forms can be applicable to any style/system relying on them as the main individual training exercise. Highly recommended !

A blackbelt is more significant for those who propose to teach a certain system of specific lineage. Such an instructor must not necessarily wear the belt when teaching, but if said instructor has a school any potential student will expect to see it. That is the problem with belts. The idea that an instructor must possess and wear a black belt is so strongly ingrained that it would be seen as unusual for a martial arts instructor to teach without it. However just sharing knowledge and skills informally requires nothing except being able to demonstrate; and teaching ability enough to show potential students that it is indeed worthwhile to learn what is offered.

“If nations want peace, they should avoid/cease the pin pricks that precede cannon shot” The meaning of this quote is more significant than its origin. It was meant on the scale of international relations/politics, but it also applies to people on an individual level. Most conflict can be avoided simply by good judgment and quick thinking. When faced with aggressive, threatening or potentially violent people; staying calm and being polite and civil. More often than not, this will diffuse a situation long before physical force becomes necessary.

Shotokan 1 Shorin ryu 3 including present dojo Aikido 1 17-19th century swordsmanship 1

There are many justice systems that specifically mention weapons by design versus weapons by purpose or usage. A firearm is a weapon by design and is always treated as such. It’s purpose is to kill and nothing else. A billiard ball is not meant to be a weapon, but if used as one in an altercation it will be treated as a weapon. Fists and feet whether trained or not would probably be in that same category by courts. The only difference is that a person with training may be judged more severely due to the general public’s perception of martial arts. Most people do not train in any kind martial arts or combat sport and base their impressions of it entirely on whatever they read or hear from often dubious sources.

There are some basic and general guidelines which must apply for something to work in self-defense. Firstly, it must be simple and second but not less important is that it should allow the defender to escape. Escape is always the ultimate goal. In addition to this, the effectiveness of any technique depends on distance and timing. When these factors are off, either it will fail completely or be much less effective.

One of the advantages of belonging to a governing body is that it is easier for a lower grade to find the nearest higher/more advanced instructor under whom to continue one’s personal training while teaching. An independent lower grade wanting to teach, depending on location, might find it more difficult. However with a will and some effort, it is not impossible to find a reasonable way to do it.

Most karate/general martial arts-related knee injuries are preventable. The solution is learning and practising movements and stances correctly. This means doing them in a way that the knees do not endure stress or torsion at a damaging angle. The second crucial factor is regular strength and conditioning exercises to ensure that the knees are strong enough to withstand regular sustained training. The same applies for rehabilitation and both ought to be done under the careful guidance of a knowledgeable instructor.

Organisation rules and guidelines aside, the most important thing on a personal level is to continue and maintain one’s own training. Running a school and instructing people should not conflict with or prevent the CI from improving skills and furthering knowledge of what said instructor teaches.

Potential students will most likely expect the CI to hold a dan grade and wear a black belt. Even if the exact significance of the system is unknown or not fully understood; the fact is that the majority will believe that a black belt/dan grade equals experience/expertise and the ability/credentials to teach. An instructor with a kyu grade/colour belt could make potential students turn away before there is a chance for the CI to demonstrate that they are indeed a capable instructor.