Spartacus Maximus

The example of Fumio Demura is a good one. Grades and ranks will come eventually, but it is important to continue training and practising while staying focused on improving in skills, rather than gaining the next rank. There are still quite a few people out there who are still training and/or teaching with many years since their last “recognized” formal rank/grade. And it absolutely does not make them any less skilled or any less of a teacher because of it.

Awesome. Someone tell me if I’m wrong but I reckon I read somewhere that the makers were trying to speed up production a bit compare to the waiting time between the last two seasons. The newest season may be available around October at the earliest. Can’t wait. If I had students of my own I would make them watch at least one episode.

Now, that’s creative advertising for sure! I’m sure it gets at least a few people to pop in the front doors. And that’s half of making the sale. People who see it are at least going to be familiar with the reference and be somewhat interested in the first place so the target audience is already determined. And a wide age group too since it includes those who saw and were influenced by the movies who now may likely have kids of their own, and those younger who just discovered the new series. This dojo definitely knows how to exploit a popular trend. I guess the cobra Kai series isn’t just good for karate nutters and hardcore fans, after all. Has anyone else’s dojo tried surfing that wave for getting people to sign up?

There are two styles called shidōkan that usually one up in searches online. One is Okinawan and is basically traced to Miyahira Katsuya and his successors. Miyahira had many students and never really designated a single one as sole inheritor of his teachings, which are basically exactly what he learned from Chibana who taught exactly what his only teacher, Matsumura Sôkon taught. The other is a type of Japanese knock-down fulll contact organization similar to and possibly related to kyokushin kai or one of the many out shoots that came up after Oyama´s passing in the mid 90’s.

All the karate styles known and practised outside of their area of origin can be traced back to Okinawans and Japanese teaching their styles abroad or their students teaching it after returning to their countries. Mostly American military men for the Okinawan styles. We must also consider that the available recorded information on older karate styles is quite lacking, and of what has been written down or recorded in some way has never been translated. The are, however two well known and recommendable authors for sources of history and research into the different styles. Look for any publications by Mark Bishop or Patrick McCarthy.

The tip of the toe kick and other such small , narrow surface striking techniques are nowadays thought of being specific to certain styles such as uechi ryu, but not very long ago it was widely practised by in all forms of karate and Okinawan martial arts. Uechi ryu is usually mentioned because it is the only Okinawan karate style that still actively and purposefully trains those techniques. With the othe styles, it depends on the lineage and instructor. My shorin ryu instructor is one of those exceptions and, just as uechi ryu students we are taught and expected to learn to kick with the big toe and do much of the same type of body hardening seen in uechi ryu. On asking if it was style specific, my Okinawan sensei replied that it used to be universal. So it isn’t just the uechi ryu guys, they just stuck to it longer.

Personally, teachers have always been more important than anything else. As a novice I belonged to, and that was it. After starting over in the same style, organizations don’t count for much at all. All that matters to me is that I found the instructor who can teach me what I had been missing. As far as I’m concerned, if one cannot benefit directly from training under the headmaster of a martial arts governing body on a regular basis, there is no reason for being part of said governing body. I would rather follow one instructor who knows me, than some sage somewhere far away who may or may not know what his representatives may be teaching in his name.

Hosting one’s seniors and instructor is one of the ways that might be possible to pursue training if opening a dojo/school.

Acceptable colours will always vary from one style or dojo to another. As far as Okinawan styles black is for kobudo, but it is sometimes worn by some of the head instructors in certain associations. Best is just following and opt for the common colour, white. White is acceptable in any dojo and showing up with a different colour might offend at worse and be very awkward at best. If you want to wear a different colour, always check if it’s acceptable. Of course if you are the headmaster, nobody can do or say anything if you want to wear neon pink with green trimmings. Or camouflage pattern gi or whatever other outrageous combinations you can imagine

Starting and continuing martial arts is always a matter of personal choice. The problem is that youths and children may not be aware that they must and ought to be able to decide for themselves by themselves. In many case where the child doesn’t come forward is because they might feel pressurer by their parents or sr worried that quitting will get them in trouble somehow or put them in an uncomfortable position. They might just be too shy to speak their own mind about it. The best way to approach this is to ask her directly and remind her that it’s ok if she doesn’t want to train and no one will blame her for it. After that meet with the parents and support the student and helping her explain to them that she doesn’t want to be there.

Not as long as it is possible to find someone who is technically superior from whom there would be something to learn or improve and whose evaluation can be trusted to accurately reflect my skill level. 8 years ago I found such an instructor and gave up a third dan to start over the weekend and exact same karate style from zero. So I have re-earned up to nidan and am on the cusp of earning sandan again. Giving up and forgetting previously earned dan grades was very easy once it became obvious how little I really knew. Especially kata applications, basic principles of the style and a whole lot more I wish I had learned earlier.

karate kept me away from negative and dangerous influences. It also provided an outlet for feelings and impulsive action that would have certainly had terrible consequences sooner or later. It also did and still does give me a place to belong with people who share much of the same reasons to put themselves through the same training.

Those titles do indeed sound like they would be most useful. Especially the one by Kane, because the Kane/Wilder book on how to approach kata applications was a gold mine. Even for people who don’t train in the same karate style as the authors. The others aren’t familiar, but still seem worthwhile to look for. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

The short answer for that is probably dead, seriously ill or in some kind of correctional facility.

There are quite a few good books and references available for almost every martial art. However most of these focus primarily on the techniques, history and philosophy. Finding a good publication on teaching is more difficult. There is much more to teaching than just being able to demonstrate. Effective teaching methods apply to all martial arts, so any recommendations would be helpful. Can anyone out there recommend a good publication, especially books that go in depth and detail about the teaching aspect of martial arts?

Distance learning and online courses are possible for many different subjects. The martial arts, however are not all suited to remote lessons. Martial arts requires live, hands-on training under the close observation of a qualified instructors and on a regular basis. One should be able to train with an instructor and other students at least once a week in addition to individual practise outside of dojo hours.

Too many parents seem to forget one of the most important things about being a parent, which is learning to let go while being supportive. Especially when it comes to dealing with education or any other thing where someone other than them has the leading role. It is also unfortunate that many teachers, coaches and instructors are either too kind or lack the assurance to remind parents to accept that they must let the teacher teach. Leave the instruction to the instructor and the coaching to the coaches. That takes trust and there must be a good relationship of trust and understanding otherwise nothing can begin. If there is no trust or if the parents do not approve or find issues with the people in whose care they put their children, they must take them elsewhere to somebody whose philosophy and methods they agree with.

There is only two ways to deal with failures in martial arts and in everything else. It isn’t complicated to do and most people don’t realize it. One can either give up and quit or learn from the failure and keep trying until one is successful. instant success without effort rarely ever happens. People who are good at things got that way because they understood their failures and used them to their advantage. With anyone, but young people in particular, a good way to help them deal with failures is to encourage determination. As a teacher or senior, draw attention on what they got right and ask them where they think they fell short. Once the reason/root of the failure is clear, focus on that part until they improve. After that it is only a question of putting in enough practise to get it right.

I found this forum completely by chance and made the decision to join after a long time just reading through posts. When it became clear that it was regularly moderated and that serious discussion on martial arts were possible without interference by trolls, I registered. Almost eight years ago I held a sandan with a rather large Okinawan shorin ryu karate organization. I had trained with XYZ-kan since my teenage years and had earned two dan levels in Okinawa graded by the grandmaster himself. Despite this, I realized how little I really knew, especially the functionality of basic fundamentals and kata applications. This is what drove me to personally and independently seek out other sources to fill in the I knowledge and skill gaps I knew I had. I read books, watched DVDs and took every opportunity to learn from different instructors of my style of shorin ryu. Especially those from different associations. At the time of my first post here, my path had already diverted totally by chance and curiosity. I had finally found what I wished I had learned on a set of DVDs by an obscure instructor. From that set of videos I had tracked him down and by stroke of luck he was teaching less than two hours away from where I had moved. I finally met this old Okinawan gentleman and re-started my training from zero and have never looked back since joining his association. I re-learned the exact same kata from the exact same lineage, but with a new perspective. I can now say that in a year I learned more than I had since I started karate as an awkward teenage nerd. So I put on a crisp new white belt and gave up my sandan. As of now I have re-earned up to nidan and am close to getting sandan for the second time. This time under this new sensei’s methods I have gained so much that gradings have become secondary. A nod of approval from this new sensei is worth far more than any belt or paper. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it because my instructor and my peers honestly see more to my real abilities than I do myself. I’m also here because it’s the only place I can freely express and share my thoughts on karate and martial arts. Out there in the real world, for my own sake I would rather avoid mentioning my training or discussing it at all.

Unfortunately I have been unable to meet my sensei or commute to the dojo because of COVID-related restrictions and my own schedule. This is a matter I would prefer to discuss with him in person, so I have to wait. I already told him before that teaching and opening a dojo is something I would definitely like to do in response to his hopes that I pass on what he teaches me. It’s just that as much as I did, he probably doesn’t expect it to be as soon as it appears it will happen. There are so many things to think about and plan, but I cannot go ahead without first getting his opinion and approval because at this stage it is still his karate and I don’t yet have the experience to really put my touch to it. I will be sure to post updated whenever I get a new development on this idea. For now all I can say is that before leaving and moving away I will have the chance to have a few months of uninterrupted intensive training, possibly as soon as June or July. If all goes well I might very well start looking for a location from December or January.

Many thanks to those who have given their opinion and encouragement. Eligibility and recognition mean nothing unless I have explicit approval from my sensei. After all the idea of opening a dojo is first and foremost a way to continue my own training, research and progress. At least at this stage. I suppose this will probably change later on, but for now following and perpetuating exactly what I am being taught the way I am is what counts most.

Getting approval to open a dojo and teach is of the highest importance because I have immense respect for my sensei. I also hold in high esteem his skills and knowledge of karate and his evaluation of what I leaned from him so far. By opening a dojo, I would be representing not only the style, but my instructor as well.

Hopefully my reasoning and intentions will be acceptable. As mentioned before, allowing a sandan to run a branch dojo is a rare exception which requires certain special conditions. My main purpose for doing it is to have a place to practise and continue to train myself and secondly teach what I have been taught to others who are as enthusiastic about Okinawan karate as I am. Obviously I cannot do everything the same way because my sensei is a different person, but I believe that I must remain as faithful as possible to the core and curriculum. This is especially true for me as I cannot claim to know or understand be able to do what I have yet to learn. And there so much more progress to be made personally and at third dan. Perhaps later on I may develop my own expression of my style, but for now it cannot deviate and should be exactly from the mould.

Life circumstances and other important matters have made it clear that training at the present dojo regularly will be impossible. As there will be no branch schools anywhere within reasonable distance, it seems starting one myself is the only solution. Teaching what I know is something I have always enjoyed and my sensei does hope I will help spread what he teaches. The only issue is that I never thought I would be ready before another five or six years, and certainly not as just a 3rd dan. I still think I have too much to work on myself, but opening a branch dojo could make just enough profit for me to visit my teacher for training while giving my self a place to train. I’m not sure if my instructor would agree, but I’m hoping he will agree to make an exception. I don’t plan to make a living from my school, and I would be using my dojo’s income to train with him either by travelling myself or bringing him to my dojo. Opinions and ideas are welcome from anyone. Especially school owners/operators.

Generally speaking, it is possible to get a very clear idea of the criteria and requirements for a karate black belt. All karate styles have different content and specific techniques or kata, but what stays the same when compared is that a shodan level must demonstrate 3 things: 1. A solid understanding of the basic principles and techniques, their general applications and functionality. 2. Knowledge and general understanding of kata or/and drills 3. A solid grasp of the entire curriculum from the earliest teachings up to the most recently learned item. That is the easiest part and task for a prospective karate teacher. The differences and difficulty or how long between evaluations and their contents are unique to every instructor, even within the same karate style. There are slight variations from one dojo to another, but at least within a single given karate association they always fit into these 3 guidelines. Even if someone were to devise their own karate style or start an independent school, this prospective instructor would have to follow them when deciding what to teach and what a shodan in their system ought to know/apply. Specifics in the points or contents of each guideline depend on nothing but the instructor.