Spartacus Maximus

Been at it for the better part of 15 years and recently started and still would not feel confident in most of what I do. It will likely be a long time before I can consistently do the basics correctly with any real power. Right now it is hit/miss. The only thing that is clear at this point is how much I have been missing.

The trend observed was widespread in an entire region spanning four cities and their wider area. This was not limited to a single governing body, style or even martial art. So much so that the trend has become the dominant if not the only image of martial arts in that area. The only thing yet to be determined is when this trend started because it is doubtful that it was that way no more than a decade ago.

Just like the concept of the belt system itself, teaching dan ranks are an arbitrary thing which is only relevant in the group or organization using them. Things really can get confusing when one trains under an instructor who has no governing body or becomes independent. Even more so if/when that instructor passes away without giving any recommendations. The whole belt system and the very idea of "teaching dan grades" assumes some sort of governing body. The only viable solution if one deems advancement in rank so important is to go through an evaluation by a group of senior practicionners if such people are available. Again, this is often one of the biggest sources of political conflicts and bickering within and between different governing bodies for every "style". Some choose to refuse any grading beyond what their own instructor last gave them if that teacher has passed away. Not being graded does not mean that one has stopped improving. Better a great 5th dan, than a lousy 8th dan.

Indeed that is what I also think in the case of most of them. It also reasonable to assume that these dojo and instructors are following that trend in attempt to profit from it and attract more people. Unfortunately for them, it also turns off those who showed up to learn a martial art and end up in a lecture about spirituality at best and a pseudo-cult at worst. It also does a great disservice to the already distorted image of martial arts. What is an instructor to do to keep from being affected by this troubling trend? Is there no way to remain unaffected by it?

The belt colours for upper dan grades are generalized in Okinawan karate circles, but I don't recall seeing the red/white kyoushi belt and red Hanshi belt in mainland Japan with the ryuha originating there such as Shotokan, kyokushin and others.

So how does this thing work? The player who makes a good move gets a shot?

I never have high expectations for these kinds of movies because obviously the plots and stories are no really the point. That's the difference between a great movie and a good chop socky flick. They're an entirely different category and critics who judge the plot too much are looking at the wrong angle. Fans enjoy movies like Bloodsport and Kickboxer because they like the fight scenes and action, not because the story is elaborate or meaningful other than setting up the action. If GSP AND Van Damme are in it, I would buy it.

No doubt many instructors would envy such an installation and wish they had one like it in their dojo. It is certainly a great advantage and well worth the expense to have one set up.

The most sensible approach to this issue is undoubtedly to follow the advice of one's own teacher. There is a norm, however and that is 5th dan to run a dojo and 3rd dan to teach under supervision. This is still just a guideline and the finer details depend on the individual and the instructor's decision. A student who respects and trusts an instructor's judgement will not question or refuse the tasks and roles expected; nor the responsibilities given. Maybe this is an old-fashioned an foreign point of view, but it makes sense and it works fine.

A short search on google confirms that the belt system used in most Okinawan dojo is an exact copy of the Judo ranks in Japan from shodan to Judan. Everything before 7th Dan is a plain black belt. "Kyoushi" ranks (7, have red/white bars and "Hanshi" ranks (9,10) solid red. Every karateka I have ever seen with the renshi belt was either from an independent dojo or a foreign branch of an Okinawan/Japanese school. All were 5th or 6th Dan.

Breaking down kata and practising individual techniques in isolation(bunkai) is an essential exercise meant to be done at the same time as kata. It is the first an most important step to effective kata. Kata is a lifeless and meaningless pantomime if one does not have an idea of exactly what one is doing. The better the techniques, their mechanics and purpose are understood, the better one will be able to execute them. Correct techniques and basic application principles ought to be practised from the very beginning of training. Either as soon as a kata's pattern is learned or preferably after each part of a kata is taught. Both the kata and its basic application(oyo bunkai) ought to be drilled repeatedly in sequence as well as in isolation.

Being related and having to deal with one another everyday can make things difficult to manage. This is probably why it is a good idea to have someone else be the parent/child/sibling's main instructor. A question to add to the OP: Would teaching one's parent be more or less challenging than teaching one's son/daughter? How and Why?

My experience training in Okinawa is that there are only two Dan-level belts of a colour other than black. 9th and 10th dan wear a red belt, 7th and 8th have red/white. All other dan levels wear plain black belts without any fantasies such as shiny satin and the like. Only the name of the person, ryuha and organization in golden embroidery. It is possible that the so-called renshi belt was offered because the Okinawan instructor knew that it was accepted abroad and wanted to present it as a sign of appreciation and approval of a foreign student representing his organization.

Having an isolated sound proofed viewing area is a great option. Unfortunate it is not the norm, nor is it feasible for the average dojo. If the testing is made out to be a public thing where parents or anybody is allowed to come in, it will be very difficult, nigh on impossible to keep all these spectators from becoming a distraction. Some will constantly be talking, others will not be able to refrain from attempting to cheer as they would at a tournament. Others still will argue about the results or even question the evaluation panel's decision.

JR has the cheapest idea. Just adding a tie at the upper chest of the jacket works quite well. Shureido does it with their gi if asked and most suppliers/manufacturers might do it too. If not, than any decent tailor will certainly be able to sew on an extra tie or two.

Better a pink gi than one full of holes. Or worse still, one that suddenly tears and rips in the middle of a kata.

Closed to the public and anyone not directly concerned. The dojo is very small with slightly over a dozen regular students and a total of around 30-35. The reason for closed cycles is that most of the time the person concerned is notified less than a week before. Another reason is that there is no space for sitting an audience and the presence of one would be disruptive to both the evaluators and the person being tested.

The fingertips are very delicate in structure and take a very long time to properly condition. It is quite ill-advised to attempt without the sustained guidance of an expert. Conditioning greatly enhances the effectiveness of this type of strike, but the other important part is the targets. Most of these will work even without much conditioning. Common, obvious targets are soft enough to attack without having hardened hands.

Sensei8 is correct about people assigning labels. It sounds very much like what I observed. At their core, there is really nothing more simple than martial arts. Yet some instructors make it seem like there is something mysterious because they themselves misunderstand certain concepts which are foreign to begin with; and were probably taught to them by instructors who knew no more than they did. Theoretically it is entirely possible to teach karate(or any other MA)with a Western philosophy, and explain concepts and mechanics in English scientific terms(physics, anatomy etc). Then again it all sounds much more impressive if everything is wrapped in a cloak of mysterious mystic sounding Japanese.

For modesty's sake and reasons of privacy I avoid naming my instructors. For reference though, all of them were trained as lifelong students of Chibana Chosin's most senior students. I met many instructors with a very wide variety of backgrounds and never at any time did any of these martial artists present what they taught and practised as something mysterious, mystical or spiritual. It was always directly to the point.

The very last thing a test needs is an audience. In fact the less people present the better it is for everyone involved. Anyone who is not being tested or doing the evalution has no business being there.

The instructor is the heart of the dojo and everything ultimately depends on that one person. A school can have all the best facilities and equipment but if the instructor is not good, it will fail. Martial arts skills are but one piece of the puzzle. Personality is another and neither can be bought.

The fact that such schools exist is not any surprise and could be considered one of the stranger, more marginal aspects of the martial arts. What is worrisome is the situation where every school seems to have jumped on the New Age/Spiritual bandwagon. Perhaps it is just a passing fad or a "sign of the times".

Bleach does something very nasty to cotton. The chemical is very harsh on cotton fibers and it only takes a couple of washes to ruin a quality 100% cotton canvas dogi. I found out the hard way a few years ago and now I completely avoid using it. There is no sure way to know if a colour will bleed, so washing separately is the best way to avoid a brand new pink dogi.

Nearly all of my training in Okinawan karate up to this point has been under native Okinawan instructors all of whom were very attached to the physical as well as philosophical aspects of the system they taught. In all instances there was emphasis on martial philosophy(i.e. When it is morally acceptable to use what we train) but the main focus remained strictly functional techniques for skills in defense against attacks, strength and living a longer healthier life. Never was there any mention of a specific spiritual belief system. There is severe digression from purpose when martial arts cease to be recognizable as such because they are taught in pursuit of a specific esoteric, spiritual or religious belief system. What I saw looked and felt foreign to me though not born and raised in East Asia. If I had been, I would have had rightly felt resentment. A martial arts school is probably not the best place to go seek answers to issues related to one's personal spirituality. It is much more sensible to discuss this or esoteric practices with an expert on the topic. To expect a martial arts instructor to do that is ignorant and misguided.