Spartacus Maximus

Provoking fights is probably not legally defendable, nor would it be a very smart action. However if the GKR were given a taste of their own medicine, such as people showing up unannounced at their dojo trying to recruit their students; it is doubtful they would have no objection.

There are literally hundreds of martial arts systems that are called "Kung fu". The best is whatever Kung fu one commits to training. Some are very rare outside of China or Chinese heritage communities. Others are very popular with branches and schools easily found. The first step is to see what is offered within an accessible area. It is of little relevance if one wishes to learn Wing Chun, but the nearest Teacher or school is in another country.

Agreed about the insurance issue. Even Olympic boxing requires the boxers to wear that protective headgear. Sparring without padding has the advantage of being as close as possible to the reality of physical conflict. It also allows the practicioner to feel correct techniques and develop proper movement unhindered. On the other hand it is a high injury risk activity and requires one to be in complete control with the highest degree of concentration. It is cringe-worthy to imagine the kind of injuries that would result from a TKD match where one or both lacked adequate control.

So the GKR people really did interrupt a training session in progress by entering the dojo space uninvited and unannounced? Minus the challenges or actual fighting, this incident sounds an awful lot like dojo-storming. Not only impolite and unethical, it is a grave insult. How would these "karate salesmen" react if a group showed up at their dojo in the middle of training and attempt to intice students to leave while shamelessly flaunting their own martial art? It should not be left unresolved and would certainly require a firm and polite warning to the GKR authority to whom these "salesmen" answer. In person with witnesses is best. Fortunately for them, most instructors are disciplined enough to restrain themselves, but if GKR continues engaging in this type of action, someday they will upset someone who might be less than gentle.

One of the only reliable sources of infirmation on this subject is the writings some of the 19th and early 20th century martial arts experts. Unfortunately very little is available because of the secrecy of training and because the culture. It was extremely rare for anyone to write anything about history, especially martial arts and even when something was written, there was always a good mix of half-truths and outright myths out of respect or admiration of famed experts. In contrast to the Okinawans and Chinese, the Japanese martial arts had an organized set of teachings. When a student had learned all of the techniques included in the school, the result was the "menkyo kaiden". It literally means "license". This meant that the student was now licensed in that school and recognized as an inheritor who could take on students. Depending on the type of martial art this probably varied and many teachers did not always teach each student everything. Only a few would be worthy to recieve the entire system and become "licensed" According to online resources on pre-war and classical martial arts, the menkyo kaiden is supposedly equal to 30(!) years of training.

Has anyone ever thought about the old pre-war system of teaching martial arts in Japan and Okinawa? How long did a student in those days train before being considered skilled enough to take on students of their own?

if this happened in a public facility, there is nothing to be said. However, if these GKR people barged in unannounced and uninvited and interrupted a training session in progress; it is very rude. One simply cannot interrupt people training to talk business and expect people to say nothing. It is common sense and basic business ethics. It's just not cricket! It might have been borderline acceptable if they attempted their information or recruiting campaign afterwards, but during practise? No way.

Someone more familiar with these systems could provide a more detailed answer. However, what makes BJJ "brazlian" is a distinct focus on newaza or techniques that are done from the ground. The Japanese jujitsu schools, and there are many, tend to work more from a standing position. This is because historically, being thrown to the ground or pinned meant certain death to an amour-clad samurai. When JJJ was brought to Brazil by Japanese immigrants, it already contained ground work and the successive generations of Brazilian teachers chose to focus on these ground technique and elaborate them. The result of their work is a new, uniquely Brazilian system.

Yes, Hanshi(his teaching title) Nakazato is in his mid nineties and has passed on the Shorinkan to his son. It is doubtful that at his age he is still teaching. Most likely, if he is, it is in a more advisory function and limited to only his most senior and closest students.

The laws about weapons are the main reason why it would be wise to train only empty handed if one is inclined to doing it in a park or other public open space. Location is the most important thing, as others have pointed out so far. Time is also important to think about as well. It is best to stay in an area that is familiar instead of a random spot that might look great at first glance but has hidden potential obstacles or problematic features.

The fact that there are such differences within a styles ought to be enough to conclude that everything depends on how a particular system is taught and the methods of training. Training for the ring or competition will make one good in the ring. Training to deal with social/criminal violence will prepare one for that. The path matters very little if it leads to where one aims to go. TKD, karate etc are just different paths.

The best way to understand this question is that Shorin ryu is a "family" of styles. The "ryu" refered to here means "current, style". All Shorin styles originate with Sokon Matsumura. There are 3 main styles in this family: shobayashi, kobayashi and matsubayashi. "Kobayashi" is Chosin Chibana's style as he learned it from Itosu, who had learned it from Matsumura and several other teachers. When Chibana died in 1969, his senior students each started their own "Schools" with a different name. Shorinkan is Shugoro Nakazato's association/school with his interpretation of what Chibana taught. There are at least 3 or 4 other schools founded by students of Chibana.

Usually martial artists have a very narrow frame of influence limited to their system outside of which they are not as well known. One of the reasons Bruce Lee and others with a similar wide-ranging reputation became universally known and recognized is due in part to their success in the entertainment business but also because they did not truly belong to a specific system.

lineage is one of the most important features of an instructor's profile. An honest and legitimate instructor will always be able and willing to speak about where and from whom the skills taught originate. It is never treated as a secret and even the lowest grade students will have heard mention the name of their teacher's teacher. If an instructor is unable or unwilling to discuss this is surely a very bad sign. Consider that even frauds will claim a lineage and readily talk about who supposedly was their teachers. What in the world could possibly be gained by this instructor by refusing to name his teacher? It hardly makes sense. Perhaps contacting others who were also trained by him might help. Maybe one of them will at least be willing to give a name. Another source might be high ranking kenpoists who might have heard of this fellow. Martial artists who have trained in the same city or area a long time usually have an idea of who their peers in the area are.

Many martial artists who have correct technique but for one reason or another have insufficiently trained wrists end up injuring themselves when attempting to strike with any power. This is a common problem for beginners to intermediate level students, but it can affect anyone with sprain prone or unconditioned wrists.

The value of mirrors as a training aid is truly undeniable. Nothing is more useful for self-observation as well as for an instructor to help students notice notice details and understand correct technique. Of course the ideal dojo has at least one wall section of mirrors, but even that can be expensive to have installed. A single large wall mirror, however, ought to be affordable and is a worthwhile investment for any dojo. Often, wall mirrors can be found in used furniture store and similar outlets. Some are lucky enough to set up their school in a facility that already has mirrors such as dance studios.

What are some suggestions for someone who seems to have weaker than average wrists and is prone to frequent sprains when attempting any training which involves striking a pad, punching bag or makiwara? What are the most effective ways to condition and train the wrist joint so that it does not bend or collapse with the slightest impact?

If this is meant as who has had the biggest impact overall, the possible candidates would be limited to only the most reknowned. Very few are universally so, and most are only known within their system/martial art. It is a tough question indeed. Even more so depending on how "our era" is determined. When does "our era" begin? Is it the last 50 years? More recent?

It is difficult to confirm with any certainty that the custom of keeping training secret or private is disappearing. It is definitely not as common as it used to be but the reasons for it have remained the same as they were in the past. Then as now, the point is to avoid trouble and unwanted attention. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on his one sees it, there are many places where the phenomenon of street gangs and armed violence is virtually unknown. The bored, disturbed, drunk or stupid are found everywhere and anywhere. In most cases when there is trouble, it comes from these types. Training in any public place indoors or outdoors can be done following certain precautions, but anything that is not empty-handed is a sure way to get into a mess of trouble. The risk of being reported to the law is the least of likely problems.

Parks and other such open outdoor public areas are usually the kind of place where unwelcome attention would be more likely. It is indeed a good idea to choose wisely the area and time if one is inclined to train outdoors. Sometimes it is obvious that a place might be a bad choice but no matter where or when one chooses to train, there is no way to know who might be watching.That is what should be understood and accepted before deciding to practise in public. Obviously the considerations and details will greatly differ from one environment to another. Traditionally and historically practise was done in secret or as much out of sight as possible. This appeals to many of the older generations and their students. For example in Okinawa and Japan, it is entirely possible and very common to see karateka in parks, beaches and almost any open spaces. It would be foolhardy and asking for trouble to assume is is possible to do the same in the inner city in USA and many other countries.

Both of the karateka mentioned in the OP had to start somewhere. It is important not to forget that they once were unknown, regular dedicated martial artists quietly training, practising and later teaching in their own dojo. The first chance they were given was probably by their own instructor who believed in them and their students who appreciated their teachings. The rest of their succes stories are due to their determination and will to share with anyone ready to hear them. In short, they are successful and reknowned thanks to their students, their teachers and their willingness to share their interest and experiences. None of it happened overnight and neither would their reputation be what it is without intention. Some of the skilled karateka who were involved with Mr Enkamp and Mr Abernethy are much, much lesser known than them.

Is training outdoors or elsewhere in public spaces a good idea? Why or why not? To many martial artists, training outside the dojo/facility is a good opportunity to get accustomed to practise on irregular or unfamiliar ground. Some take it as a kind of exercise to hone concentration and awareness. There are probably as many risks as there are benefits and there are those who would rather avoid training outside of a private place. The most common negative point is the risk of being disturbed by unwelcome attention such as being heckled at best and being challenged by troublemakers.

If only the explicit kicks are considered, it would seem that most are mid-level to low target techniques. The front kick is by far the most frequent, followed closely by stomps aimed at the knee joint. As Goju-ryu and Uechi-ryu seem to share a similar pattern, it appears to indicate that in all systems there is a marked simplicity as well as a similar ratio of upper to lower body usage for attacking and countering. It would be interesting to hear more from Uechi ryu. Apparently this system has even less kicks overall than the other two original Okinawan systems. According to reliable source, it is supposedly a Southern Chinese system transplanted to Okinawa rather than one that is a melting pot of various influences.

Every karate style or ryuha includes 5 basic types of kick. Front, side, back, roundhouse and stomp. Out of all of these, only the front kick and stomp are included in kata with any regularity. In Shorin ryu and all its offshoots using the same kata, kicks are included in Naihanchi 1 and 2: knee high stomps or leg sweeps. Pinan 1 and 4: front kick. Kusanku sho and dai: front kick Chinto: front kick Gojushiho: front kick Is likely that Goju ryu and Uechi ryu have similar frequency patterns for kicks in kata. Maybe someone who trains can confirm it. What conclusions can one come up with as to the significance of this?

Taekwondo in its Olympic form is quite entertaining to watch and it would be better to keep it there instead of attempting to replace it with karate or another similar type of competitive sport. It also makes more sense to keep TKD because it has much more popularity than karate and it is more unified and standardized compared to sport karate.