MatsuShinshii

Do you know where he learned these weapons? Hanbo and Katana I can see since this is a Japanese art. Bo is the first weapon taught in Kobudo and the Nunchaku is probably the most popular do to Bruce Lee. Did he learn these weapons from one of his teachers or outside of Shotokan?

It depends on whether they study Okinawan or a Japanization of Okinawan Karate. If one studies an old school art that has not been altered they have not only seen it but are very proficient at it. As Sensei8 said it's second nature. By the way nice vid Noah. I personally like how you slowed things down so that the movements are readily apparent.

Not all styles of Karate incorporate Kobudo. I have known many Shotokan students/instructors and I have never heard of them training in Kobudo but that doesn't mean that the art as a whole doesn't or that certain instructors do not teach it. Many of the Okinawan arts train in Kobudo but that does not mean that all instructors/CI's of that art teach Kobudo. I think it really depends on the instructor. Having said that, none of the people that I know that train specifically in Shotokan train in Kobudo unless it's outside of their schools.

Don't get me started. I have been preaching this for a long time that it was not an easy task to attain your Shodan. It took many more years than it takes today in most schools and once you achieved that grade everyone knew you earned it. Today we have one or two year black belts. Kids with higher rank than most adults with three times the years into the art. It boils down to the all mighty dollar. If you pay enough you get your grade. If you pay more for seminars, buy videos and books from the school then you get your grading faster. But as so many here have stated every instructor has the right to do as they please if they own their school. Belts for bucks, McDojo's and the like. For me they are a joke.

I have been using a Makiwara for over three decades and as of yet have no ill site effects from its use. It really depends on how you were taught to use it. If you started out hitting it as hard as you could possibly hit it, then yes you probably damaged the joints, knuckles, bones and ligaments. If you look at it as a progression and start out slow, concentrating on proper technique and slowly build up then I feel, based on my experience, that it is safer than some think. I use a heavy bag and have no problem with it. However if you are wearing padded gloves and hitting a somewhat padded surface, the pads take all of the impact. What exactly are you conditioning? Focus mitts are great for learning to follow and hit the target but conditioning? No. For one they are heavily padded and for two the arm of the holder takes all of the energy. And I do not have calluses on my knuckles and hit it as hard as I can. It's the technique involved in using it. If you are twisting your knuckles against the leather, cotton rope, sisal rope, etc. after impact then it is akin to rubbing them on sand paper. I am not saying there is anything wrong with this method, in fact a large majority of Karateka utilize this or other methods to purposely develop calluses as a cushion/protection for the knuckles. This was not the way I was taught. Both methods are fine. However as Wastelander pointed out you will show signs of bruising from time to time. My first two knuckles are darker than the rest of my hand so it does show but oddly I've never been asked about them. If I had huge calluses I would imagine I would. It just depends on your methods, progression and goals. However as I stated before I see nothing wrong with utilizing the Makiwara at least four times per week. I do and my knuckles and other weapons are not an issue other than a little arthritis in my knees due to surgery.

That is definitely something to be proud of. Congrats to Patrick and all at KF.

I don't know for sure but if I had to guess Karate is probably not very popular in places like China were Gung Fu is prevalent and outside arts are not. Again I can not be certain but if I had to guess, that would be my first choice of places that Karate isn't practiced.

I agree with everything except maybe one. I agree wholeheartedly with giving power to the CI's and taking it away from a politically motivated board. However you have to really look at the checks and balances when it comes to promoting Kodansha grades. This could back fire and what I mean by that is simply... without oversight it is possible as with any organization that not all CI's agree with requirements. Maintaining a high degree of integrity in overseeing the upper echelon grades goes a long way into maintaining the integrity of the art itself. If one CI, lets say a Hachidan, promotes a Godan and has high expectations and another CI, again a Hachidan, promotes a Godan with lesser expectations and requirements you end up with degradation of the art. I do not so much have a problem with Yudansha grades being promoted at the School level providing that the instructor has sufficient grade and there is a board of at least three to maintain fairness, balance and integrity. But when it comes to the Kodansha grades (Godan to Kudan/Judan) an extra bit of checks and balances are required. This is an easy way to allow favoritism to creep in and ruin the intergity of the grade system within your art. An example would be, one CI has high grading and can promote to said grade. He thinks his kid deserves to be graded to the maximum grade he is allowed to promote to. Say he's a Kudan and he is allowed to promote to Nanadan or Hachidan (as in some arts). Now lets say the Kaicho years later retires and he himself retires and the organization is looking to promote the next Kaicho. Since he was promoted up the ranks, most likely faster than most and is now senior to all others his name is put in for Kaicho (Soke or whatever you utilize). How is that maintaining the integrity of the art and it's instructors. Lets say you as Kaicho got word or realized this and your last decree was to promote someone of lesser grade than this Hachidan. Now the organization is in a war because some will feel that since he is senior he deserves it. Or name any number of scenarios. The point is without oversight outside of the Dojo level anything can and will happen. Might I suggest that the Kaicho/Kancho is present at all Kodansha promotions. That would at least give oversight and maintain integrity within the promotion process. I'm a firm believer in one rule fits all. Requirements are requirements and not meant to be superseded for any reason. If they are maintained the end result is qualified, deserving recipients of their grades. Anything less and you have some that deserve and some that do not. Me personally, I like my association when it was ran by one instead of many. The reason, the same expectations and requirements across the board. No disagreements, no promoting your friends on that basis, no belts for bucks. Everyone lived by the same rules and no one got a leg up without earning it. One man oversees the future of the art and maintains it's integrity (of course this has it's flaws if that man is not a man of high integrity and moral fabric). Again I am all for promotions from Shodan to Yondan at the Dojo level providing the CI has a sufficient grade to promote but once you achieve the Kodansha grades it should have a greater oversight than just at the Dojo level. Even with in the Yudansha gradings I would feel that documentation would have to be somewhere in the mix in terms multiple instructors of sufficient grade to test or at the very least sending in a video of the recipients testing so that there is some small amount of oversight. If it were me it would be Kaicho - student body - nothing else. But again that is just me. By the way love the white, brown, black. Could not agree more. But you know I would take it a step further and just have white, black. However knowing you teach children this would probably cause temper tantrums and mental melt downs on the Dojo floor.

Dani_001 or JR 137, I have never heard of either of these Karate styles, which says nothing, but the phase "fighting Kata" peaked my interest. Can you explain what you mean by fighting Kata? I thought all traditional Kata were fighting Kata but for some reason I think definitions might not be the same. Thanks.

Not sure if I can answer this but if your looking for representation for a student body without micromanagement, I would say get a few fellow instructors with no will or desire to rule together to just enforce good quality instruction and don't worry about the rest. Teach and maintain the integrity of the art and let politics be other organizations problems. I know this is overly simplified but in reality the objective we all had starting out was to pass on the art, not sit on a board and discuss the daily going on's of the organization. I personally don't see anything wrong with an independent instructor teaching his students without oversight and representation. Of course this poses problems like giving legitimacy to your students credentials but lets face it. Your a Kudan. You can start your own thing and run it however you would like without the hassles of political gobbly goop. Sustaining without the oversight of a governing body would be pretty much like being independent. I don't think it's an issue, as long as the instruction is good the students will continue and believe me they will not care. The problem is that you always have those that crave power over others even if their initial intentions were pure. I would say find like minded instructors to start up with and establish simple rules like "we will no govern other than to maintain the integrity of instruction. The question... are you thinking of starting your own thing outside of your old organization?

The thing you need to understand about the applications (Bunkai) that will direct you to whether it is combat/self defense based or not is the ugly truth most MAist's try to avoid or do not want to admit. All of the applications in the Kata are meant to end the conflict quickly. You have to understand that it was not invented as a means to keep in shape or as a way to get in touch with your inner-self or even to relieve stress or promote world peace. These are by products of the way it is taught not the main reason for it's existence. It was developed for combat pure and simple. If a application would not end the fight or at least have the potential to end the fight it is most likely not real in terms of self defense/combat effectiveness. You could possibly be watching the real application but if the instructor is not teaching it with the exact target it is not effective. The whole one strike one kill mentality has gone a little too far for me in most explanations of the meaning of the phrase, however this is the concept. To end the fight as quickly, violently (I'm sure I get flack for this) and as efficiently as possible so you can walk away with minimal or no damage. The concept is to disable, hurt, submit, maim or kill as a last resort in order to avoid possible death yourself. When two adults fight it is not a scrap in the school yard. In most scenario's someone is going to the hospital or the morgue even if it was not the intention of the fighters. Toudi (Karate) was created to end the conflict as quickly as possible by any means necessary. Modern Karate instructors cringe at this mere premise because in their minds it taints the concept of "DO", however one must remember than it was created by the Okinawan's as a combative system of self defense not as a peaceful method as the Japanese changed it to. The real Bunkai contains the blue prints to Chibudi (Kyusho or vital point striking), Tuidi (Torite, Tuite or Seizing, locks, chokes, grappling, etc.), Tegumi (Throws, sweeps, takedowns, etc.), Tai Sabaki (Body Shifting and weight distribution) and all of the individual techniques most call Kihon (Basic Techniques). It doesn't just teach you a self defense scenario but the proper way to strike, where to strike, execution of throws, joint locks, traps, sweeps, body weight distribution, power generations, etc. etc. etc. An example is Gedan Barai. Most would think this is a block to defend against a kick. It is/could be, but one of the actual applications is a throw. Many practice and teach the chest as the target for Nukite Zuki. It can be and there are many vital targets on the chest but again one of the applications is a take down. Another is striking to the throat and yes another is striking to ST16 or ST18 or even SP12 in the chest and abdomen area. Another thing to consider is if it teaches you to throw like a Judoka it may be the correct form but the methodology is incorrect. Obviously for instruction sake you would not dump someone on their head but within the instruction an explanation of the intent should supplement the action. If you are utilizing Youtube video's to learn the applications (and I can sympathize as I am looking outside my art yet again for greater understanding of the applications) ask yourself, "would this have the potential to end the fight"? If not you are probably watching basic interpretation of the application. This does not mean it is fake it just means that it is not effective or what was intended. Having said this I will make this clarification that an application has many meanings. If you couple this with Bunseki (essentially were the student analyzes the application and envisions an attack scenario and then, for lack of a better word, "invents his/her answer to the attack utilizing the knowledge of the application and what it "could" represent. This is a little more advanced and comes latter after the student has a very proficient understanding of the arts applications. You may be watching this interpretation rather than the original application (Bunkai). Having said this some will not move on to the next progressive step which is OYO or applying it in a real scenario to see if it passes as effective. The word effective has different meanings depending on who you talk to. For me it means it has the potential to end the fight. There is nothing wrong with Bunseki and Oyo. It is a great tool get the light bulb to go off in a student. Inventive thought and problem solving is within the DNA of all martial artists. This gets you to look outside of your comfort zone and develop answers to different attack scenarios by utilizing what is known of the applications contained within the Kata. If you think about it in basic terms the average Kata has 30 to 50 postures (moves). Most are mirrored on both sides so that is an average of 20 applications per Kata. Lets say your art teaches 17 Kata. That would be 340 postures. Now lets say on "average" each of these represented 5 applications that would be 1700 applications. Now if you take the most basic understanding of the Bunkai (Face value strikes, kicks, blocks, etc.) that would double to 3400 applications. Now if you take each application and understand that they can be combined with other applications (I can;t count this high ) and then you add in Bunseki along with Oyo the possibilities are endless. So why would anyone stop at the most basic explanation of the Bunkai. By understanding the real combat effective applications, understanding the most basic applications, understanding how to combine them and then you add in your own interpretations through study, the amount of tools you have to pull from is limitless. You essentially have an answer for almost any situation and a multitude of ways to deal with it. If you utilize anything to decide for yourself what is real, make sure to ask if this would end the fight. I hope this helps. Unfortunately I am strapped for time or I would have gone into greater detail and given more examples. I most likely would have paid attention to spelling and grammar as well but there you have it, a quick down and dirty explanation.

For the moment, let me just say this... Perception is real to that individual, no matter if it is of if it isn't...especially with new students; student that come to learn without any preconceived notions!! That is a very nice way to protect the feelings of those that do not have the first clue. I can appreciate the sentiment. Well don't I feel dumb. I forgot the most blatant way you can tell if they are basic, follow the Kata, Bunkai. Well color me stuuupid. All too true. The first time I was taught the "real" Bunkai my mind was in disbelief. My first Sensei (and I can not say a cross thing about him, he is a very good MAist) taught the most basic Bunkai probably because the applications were lost or discarded over time. Most likely to the Japanization of the art. However once I was shown the actual application I went from having a mild interest in Kata to not being able to get enough of it. IMHO you could literally spend a life time studying the applications of the Kata. The possibilities and combinations are limitless.

I do not wish to bash someone I do not know so therefore I will refrain from divulging names. I am sure if you watch enough of these ""bunkai"" video's you will figure it out for yourself. Funny thing is I was actually looking up Bai He Quan applications and Lohan Quan applications when I discovered a multitude of Bunkai for many of the Kata that I train in. Curiosity killed the cat so to speak and four hours later I feel dumber for it.

I think it depends on your art, teacher and what the student puts into the art. Yes I have cross trained (we didn't call it that when I was starting out) in several arts but never left my main art. I never started a new art thinking it was going to pale in comparison to my art. To do so would be a waste of my time and the instructors time. Obviously we are all looking for the magic pill that will protect us and turn us into supermen when attacked. Unfortunately there is no such pill and there is no such thing as an art that gives you super human combat abilities. My personal opinion for so much cross training now days is the fast food mentality and our eagerness to find the next best thing, flavor of the month if you will. Years back it was Kung Fu due to Bruce Lee movies, then it was Ninjutsu due to those movies and now it's MMA due to the UFC. Want to become proficient in combat? Find a good self defense oriented school and stick with it. I would say 50% or better of the students that Dojo/Art hop is due to a lack of patience. It takes years of constant training to become proficient and decades to become good. Most give up after a few years when they realize that they are not magically transformed into the baddest dude on the block. The secret... there will always be someone badder or luckier. Because on any given day someone can get lucky and knock you out. It doesn't matter if they are highly trained or an MMA fighter. How many times does the under dog beat the favorite in any sport? It's just a fact of life. My advise... try out as many arts as you like. Once you find an art that works for you stick with it. Continue to "cross train" but stick with the art you chose. You need a good foundation. Like the old expression goes "jack of all trades, master of none". All MMA fighters started out somewhere, judo, muay thai, wrestling, boxing, karate, ju-jutsu, etc. They built onto the foundation by finding arts that would help them compete. Without a foundation you have nothing to build on and will never find that mystical invincibility pill. Question; if MMA is the best way for someone to learn to defend themselves, how is it that the best of the best in MMA get beat? How does a Karateka like Lyoto Machida compete in the MMA? Yes he took other arts but lets face it his main tools came from his back ground. Better yet how does a Kempo practitioner like Chuck Liddell stand up with a world renowned wrestler and win? Not looking to argue about MMA, just making a point. Find an art that suits you and master (I hate that word but could think of another that makes the point) it and then add if you think you need to. If all you do is hop from one art to the next you never get good at any and you are incomplete as a fighter. What all good fighters have in common... they are good in their base art and proficient enough in others to give them an edge.

I have stated many times that Bunkai is not addressed in most modern day Dojo's and if they do, more times than not, it is the most basic form or a made up series of applications that does not fit the Kata. Why do I bring this up? Well I have been doing a bit of research on a few of the arts that contributed to the creation of Toudi (Karate), my art in particular, and came across some Youtube videos that, to keep it kid friendly, made me scratch my head in disbelief with many words spoken aloud that can not be written here. I ended up watching about 4 hours of, not to be named, high ranked Karateka explaining and demonstrating Bunkai for Kata that I have studied for over three decades. And all I can say is "basic", stolen from other arts" and "totally made up and doesn't come close to the actual application". During my time watching video's, which was not my original purpose or mission starting out, I did see many teaching real Bunkai as well. I actually ended up watching other video's of theirs for other Kata's and found a few variations that I had not seen before so it was not all bad and I did benefit from some of the time watching. Of course I can not get that 3 hours of wasted time watching made up, more than not useless applications back. I am sure some would say that it does not effect me so why should I care? You would be right, it doesn't effect me. But it led me to a question; How does a new student figure out what is real and what is fake. Imagine that the students intent was to find effective means to defend themselves, or maybe they need effective applications due to their line of work (Cop/Military). In watching on line videos its not as easy if you do not already have a foundation to draw from. In class it may also be difficult for the unqualified to discern real from fake. Below is my suggestions on how to spot real from fake; First and foremost I would look at the intent of the school as an indicator. If the school stresses tournament Kumite and Kata and their only self defense is a separate class only given a few times a year, their Bunkai is probably fake or basic at best. The second indication is if the school integrates the applications in the Kata into Kumite. If the Kata is also taught as two person drills and broken down into various applications against more than just one attacking method. The postures found through out the Kata (Most would call these stances or individual techniques) have more than one application and are not in any way limited to just one type of attack. If the teacher does not enforce the use of the applications and techniques found within the Kata in Kumite but instead reverts to long distance, bounding in and out strikes and high kicks, you can bet it's not meant for combat applications but rather tournament competition. If the Kumite doesn't match what is contained within the Kata the Bunkai is not going to be real 90% of the time and is most likely basic punch, kick, block at best. Another indication would be if their throws, sweeps, take downs, and grappling is taken directly from the Judo hand book or they do not teach any Tegumi/Tuidi (grappling/seizing/locks/throws/etc.)at all. Yes some throws, sweeps, take downs are similar or even the same as Judo/Ju Jutsu/ Aikido but they are not called the same thing and most are not executed the same way. An example would be an outside reap (Osoto Gari in Judo) is executed several ways and the "pushing" method is to the neck in the form of a grip/crush/choke, face in the form of shoving the nose back, etc. or as a strike while holding the striking arm of the attacker. Yes the technique is similar and some would say almost exact but the methodology and execution is quite different. This is because it was meant to cause harm and to end the fight where as throws in arts like Judo are to win points. The takedowns/throws in Toudi are more forceful and drive the opponent to land on their head vs. their back as is done in Judo and other competitive grappling arts. Yet another and most obvious way is does it fit. If you have to stretch to see that this technique or that technique is this posture/application in the Kata and you have to really try to make it fit you can pretty much bet that its made up or was stolen from another art and incorporated. Lastly, is the Bunkai taught in a progressive sequence following the sequence of the Kata? If this is the only way it is taught you are not being taught the real Bunkai. Each posture/application can be utilized with any other posture/application from not only the same Kata but of any other Kata. Conversely each posture is a stand alone application(s). Each application represents several answers to a multitude of attack scenarios. And yes the Bunkai is also taught within the Kata's sequence, in fact many two person drills are based on this. However if this is all that is taught you are only learning part of the whole. How would you tell a new student how to spot real from fake? Note: Maybe I should not use the terms real or fake because it may offend the sport Karateka here. I think a better way to describe it would be self defense/combat based Karate vs. sport/competition based Karate. It occurred to me that sport/competition is not fake, it is definitely real, the Bunkai that some teach is what I would consider fake. Probably not much better but hey, I'm an old dog and set in my ways and I am too tired to learn new tricks.

Often this is caused by trying to move to quickly or forcing the movements. Some movements are foreign and because of this there become forced. The key is practice and more practice until it becomes natural. Think of an infant trying to walk for the first time. The leg muscles, joints and tendons are not accustomed to this action so the balance is not there and thus it is foreign. The more you do something the more it becomes a natural movement for the body. The tendons are stretched, muscled become accustomed and the build to support the joints. Balance is achieved and the movement becomes second nature. Don't try to force it or move too quickly. Practice the movement until it becomes a natural movement and you will be able to do it without thinking about where the foot lands and how far the leg has to travel. Also, and of course depending on your style, do not over extend. The more natural the stance the more balance there is and the easier to achieve the movement. I would suggest figuring out exactly where the leg must be and the foot must land and have a partner put a piece of tape on the ground for both feet. You can practice this until your foot hits the exact placement every time so that muscle memory is developed. Then you can throw the tape away and move on to the next movement that you are having difficulty with. That would be my advice for what it's worth.

Wow that is a lot to deal with. Hopefully you will have an easy transition. I wish you luck.

Welcome to KF.

Injuries are all apart of the training. Broken nose, fingers, toes, and ribs. Cuts, bruises and lacerations. Torn ACL. Bruised ego was the worst.

I would say the situation dictates your speed.

Welcome to KF Chris. I am familiar with Kenshinkan as it is essentially Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu except for a few of the Kata's. I assume you are learning Fyukyugata 2 versus Pinan Nidan? To address your question, yes, practice outside of the Dojo. If you think about it you only spend on average three nights a week in the dojo. That's only 6 hours a week. You should train in and outside of the Dojo at least 2 hrs a day IMHO. And as stated by others... slow at first. Perfect the motion first and add speed later. Develop the muscle mechanics and muscle memory before attempting to execute the techniques fast. Fast does not equal correct. If the technique is wrong you run the risk of doing damage to yourself. Example would be striking the Makiwara. If the mechanics are not right (Bone alignment, weapon target area does not connect correctly,etc. etc.) you will injure yourself. Doing this with speed and power = worse injury. Learn to do it right and then learn to incorporate the power and speed.

Depends on whether they put competition ahead of self defense and combative applications. Like JR 137 said, pick the one that fits you and your needs the best. If self defense is most important to you find out which one meets that need best. As mentioned people are different and the way one instructor teaches an art might differ from another. So make sure you meet and observe both and interview the instructor and find out what his/her focus is.

I would tell you that there is no need to kick above the abdomen. There are too many targets south of the chest to take the chance on kicking any higher. High kicks are great for showing off but do to the danger of being caught, taken down or kicked in the privates, there is no reason to do this in real life, not to mention the reduction in power and balance. As far as take downs/throws, I was unable to follow why these are now an issue. I take it you are looking to learn more throws but your outer garments are an issue? If this is the case buy looser clothing or wear a Gi which is not restricting at all.

I wholeheartedly agree with this!! I agree as well.

Your school removes grade? For what types of infractions, can I ask? I have never removed a persons grade and know of only one instance of someone loosing their grade and that was for a major integrity infraction of an instructor. Technically the grade could not be removed outside of the art as the student holds the certificate but within the art it is.