MatsuShinshii

We'll have to agree to disagree. I personally don't use nor teach blocking in the modern sense of the word. Blocking in the modern Japanese definition is non-effective in a real fight. So we have different points of view and definitely different beliefs on the subject but it's all good. I find that belief fascinating. Can you explain what about blocking is ineffective? Unlike training in a Dojo, when in a real confrontation, "blocks" as most know them have inherent limitations and pit falls. You essentially change your momentum and power for a period of time which gives your opponent the advantage. Example: attacker is driving forward, momentum and power are focused forward which means that they can and will easily follow up with a second or third or (fill in the blank) strikes / defender upper blocks (Jodan Uke), Momentum is stalled and power and focus is directed upward. Leaves body wide open for attacker to choose target. The other inherent problem with blocking is unlike training the opponent does not leave their arm out in space while allowing you to execute your counter. Real fights are fast (if the participants are serious) and that one full body committed strike does not happen often if at all. Instead it is a barrage of strikes (maybe light, maybe with 70% power or maybe all with 100% full power). Another example; most teach blocks as defense against weapons such as knives and clubs. You essentially gift a target to a knife wielding attacker in that your arm is in a perfect position for them to reverse direction and slash or hook your arm. The same is true when unarmed. It gives me the opportunity to seize the defenders arm and control their direction of momentum and balance thus giving me the advantage. I am not saying I do not teach Uki (Uke) or to receive techniques. I do not teach blocking. If you do some research you'll find that, what the Japanese coined as Uke and the western world coined as blocks, were never employed by the original founders but was a misinterpretation. We utilize brushes, traps, sweeps and strikes in place of what is called blocks. Blocks at best are ineffective unless your fighting someone less skilled than yourself. Against a better fighter blocks are useless. And IMHO, if you have time to execute a lower block (just for one example), you have time to shift your body. Unlike your explanation above of terrain, etc. In old school Suidi (Shuri-te) you are constantly moving outside of your opponents direct force. Why then would I stand in place, as is taught in 90% of the schools today, and deliver a lower block when I can shift, allow them to pass and counter. Yes in that moment I might be brushing and seizing the attackers weapon to control them as I move to an advantageous position but to "block" serves no purpose IMHO except to give the opponent the advantage. I have used the "block" when I was young because that is what I was taught. In real fights I found out very quickly it does not work. To each their own. If you say they work for you then use them. Me personally... I don't use nor teach them. My Shinshii did not teach them and my students don't teach them. Question; have you ever noticed that you never see them utilized in Kumite, MMA, or any other form of fighting? Ever seen a Jodan Uke utilized in a street fight? 2nd Question; if blocks were a realistic methodology for combat/battle (which is where the art came from) then why do we not teach blocks in Tichiki (Bunkai)? The founders did not pass down step forward and upper block but instead passed down step forward while striking upward into the trachea and into the chin for one example. Strike, throw, brush, deflection, redirection, trap, seize, etc - not a block. The only applications I have ever seen utilizing an actual block are literal applications. Not the true representation of the founders applications or their teachers applications that were taught to them. To each their own. I am not saying that blocks are bad or that you shouldn't be teaching/using them. For you they may make sense. For me they do not. And as such, I do not teach/use them.

Welcome to KF. We're glad you're here.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I personally don't use nor teach blocking in the modern sense of the word. Blocking in the modern Japanese definition is non-effective in a real fight. So we have different points of view and definitely different beliefs on the subject but it's all good.

Congrats!

I have a bad knee and the other has arthritis. I've been told my right rotater cuff needs surgery at some point along with other ailments of getting old. Like you I just deal with it and keep going until something falls off. I guess at that point I'll pick it up and try to put it back on and continue to train until the good lord comes calling. I figure you have two choices in life. Stop everything and stop enjoying your life or push on and enjoy what you can for as long as you can. I'm for the later. What's the old saying? "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger" or "7 times down, eight times up". Words to live by IMHO.

Thank you for sharing Higher Self. Great insights.

Welcome to KF ShihansDojo. We're glad your here.

Welcome to KF, Washo. We're glad to have you.

My guess is people practice with cheap pine or even balsa, then use the realistic looking ones for public demos and everyone will applaud and go home thoroughly impressed. Gimmicks! Years ago I was invited to a demo and watched as multiple boards were broken. Half of a board flew over in my direction and being a nice guy I walked over and picked it up to hand to one of the holders. It felt lighter than typical. I handed the board to the nervous holder and afterwards was speaking with one of our guys that was invited to participate and he looked very upset. He said that it was a fraud. The boards had been kiln dried and that you could break one with your pinky. I approached one of the promoters of the demo and his suspicions were correct. He told me that they used these to make sure everyone was able to break the boards so it would be more impressive to those watching and thus they would get more students. Through the years I have seen this. Drying boards, patio stones, bricks and the like to where there is no moisture content and a strong breeze would break them. A similar situation happened when we had a black belt from another art ask to join. He asked if he could show us his abilities and asked if we had boards that he could break. I said I would have them for him the next night. I cut the boards the night before 12x12x1 oak. He attempted a break and failed. He asked what type of material we were using to which I replied. He said he only broke pine. I asked him to come back the following night and I would have pine for him to break. I cut 12x12x1 pine boards and brought them in. He broke the first board but complained that they were not the right thickness. I asked what was it he required and he said they should be 1/2"thickness. He also stated that no one uses these boards and accused me of setting him up. I asked one of my Ikkyu's to break some of the 12x12x1" oak boards to which he complied. The guy stood up and walked out without saying a word. I think this is pretty typical. Most used Tameshiwari as a way to impress rather than to test individual progress in body mechanics and power. You can't impress if you fail to break. I do not personally use tameshiwari for testing or for demonstrations as I think it proves very little. IMHO it should be used to test your self for proper distancing, body mechanics and power generation. It can also be used to teach a student to target past and through a target. Beyond that I don't really get too tied up in breaking.

$50 for a one time use is crazy. Now I'm wondering how many are bought each year? Ridiculous!

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. JR 137, You were able to stay awake? I fall asleep half way through while writing them.

I watched most of the first season. Enough to form an opinion that the sword play is Hollywood fantasy and the rest was, well, boring.

IMHO, I would tell him you're leaving at the very least. Where you go is up to you and of no business of his but after years of training I think the least you owe him is the respect of telling him your leaving.

Unfortunately for you Seiza is utilized quite heavily starting out. You also train in Tatehiza which is a sitting/kneeling posture. I sympathize with you as I had knee surgery and can not sit in seiza for extended amounts of time anymore. Kinda limits what you can do in terms of certain arts.

I would concentrate more on subduing and controlling side of the arts. I know very little about the Hippocratic oath but if striking violates this oath then controlling an opponent by means of joint, bone manipulation would probably be a better option. However if the patient is high on drugs this form of self defense may be proven inadequate. Bullets do not stop someone whacked out on the hard stuff so joint locks are going to be of little use. I'm sure chokes are probably out of the question as well so I'm not real sure what art would be best suited for some of the situations you would be confronted with. Maybe a Taser. Call the art Stungun Fu. Better yet purchase a airgun and use tranquilizer darts. We can call it Nighty Night Fu.

Matayoshi Kobudo wear black tops and white bottoms on Okinawan.

I pictured you with more hair. Lol...I just can't wear my hair long because whenever I try to, my hear curls upward, kind of like Bozo the Clown, really embarrassing. I've really curly hair, which the women in both sides of the family envy me...they can have it. So, I keep it short, like you see in that picture, to keep myself sane. Same very short hair...still, but with now, I've a full long beard. At least I can grow my hair long somewhere. At least you can grow hair Bob. What little I have left has gone by the gray side and since there's not much it doesn't make sense to grow it. Either way my wife tells me bald is beautiful. I choose to believe her.

Could not have said it better. You capture some of what goes into earning the belt outside of the dojo and of the hardships endured to achieve the goal. Excellent description.

Been busy and away from the forum so just saw this. Happy birthday Liam.

I guess I've been more wrapped up in posting, reading and commenting than paying attention to stats as I did not realize I now had a black belt under my name and hit 1000 posts. Anyway thanks to all of you it's been a great experience and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here both in contributing and learning from many of you. Great experience and many great people here. Thanks again.

Welcome to KF Paloma

How did I miss that? Next thing I know, you’re going to tell me I posted about a dozen times in that thread, yet I don’t remember it. Getting old sucks. To the bold... Amen!

There are far cheaper alternatives. Do you belong to a church? Does it have a basement or large enough area? Ask your preacher, minister, priest, rabbi if they would consider renting you space. I did this for many, many years when my tenant space was tripled in rent to force me out for a retail store chain. It costed me a little less than a 1/4 of the rent (they already own the space). The one church I taught out of did not charge me rent at all for the first three years. Just a thought. The only thing you will need is insurance. The church will require you to hold your own insurance. But this is not a draw back since you have to have it no matter where you teach. Unless your privately wealthy and can pay for claims out of pocket that is. As someone who isn't particularly religious, do you think it's poor form to ask a pastor, priest, rabbi, etc, to rent out a space in the church for the gym if you don't belong to his or her congregation? I started off teaching in my own church after leaving the rental business. I actually didn't ask but was asked by the church. After many years and the need to utilize that space for church functions I was asked to find an alternative place and I did what you are asking. I went directly to a different church (different religion) and asked. There was nothing uncouth about it. I asked they said yes. Simple as that. The actually did not charge rent for three years. And afterwards the rent was still much, much cheaper than renting a retail space. If you're uncomfortable about asking, see if any of your students are active in their churches and see if they will ask. Nothing wrong about asking a question. The worse that happens is they say no.

There are far cheaper alternatives. Do you belong to a church? Does it have a basement or large enough area? Ask your preacher, minister, priest, rabbi if they would consider renting you space. I did this for many, many years when my tenant space was tripled in rent to force me out for a retail store chain. It costed me a little less than a 1/4 of the rent (they already own the space). The one church I taught out of did not charge me rent at all for the first three years. Just a thought. The only thing you will need is insurance. The church will require you to hold your own insurance. But this is not a draw back since you have to have it no matter where you teach. Unless your privately wealthy and can pay for claims out of pocket that is.