Fat Cobra

Awesome article which really explains all the branches. I knew there were different Passai, but was unclear why until I read this article. I practice the Nakamura Passai, as passed down to Taika Oyata and then through him to Amor Kaicho.

I run as a matter of personal physical fitness (plus I spent 24.5 years in the US Army, so running is second nature). I think it is good for your overall fitness and health, but for my students it is a personal choice and not something we do as a group.

Congratulations!!!! Karate no Michi!!!!

It is one of my favorite series. I watched it already, but I am watching it again to get ready for season 3!

I have never seen this show, but I do study Japanese history, specifically military history. From my opinion, this is strictly fiction made for the show. The Ryukyu Kingdom was never a threat to Japan nor were they considered individual threats to samurai. When the Shimazu Clan invaded Okinawa in 1609, they easily defeated Ryukyuan forces. Obviously, karate was imported from Okinawa with Gichin Funakoshi in the twentieth century, and Japan thoroughly embraced that style of martial arts. However, what you describe in the show I believe is anachronistic, portraying thoughts of today to yesteryear. Just my 2 cents.

@Lupin1, congratulations! Karate no Michi!

Wow! A lot of these responses are surprising to me. In Ryukyu Kempo, we do not wear stripes on our black belt to indicate Dan rank. In fact, we usually don't wear a traditional black belt per say. All Yudansha wear a modified version of black hakama pants, so their is a belt built into the pants to tie it. We wear a black Gi jacket (or just a t-shirt). If we are in a formal ceremony, we will wear our white Gi jacket, which has your rank sewn in on the left chest side of the jacket. That being said, it is expected that you learn the ranks and titles of the Yudansha and address them as such. However, you can look them in the eye and talk to them as normal human beings. We are not super formal that way.

Hello Mad Mike. Welcome to the forums. Karate no Michi!

It depends on how much I won...but if it was significant, I would: 1. Share with my family. 2. Donate to my Church. 3. Donate to charities. 4. Pay off my house and bills. 5. Quit my job. 6. Buy a large Dojo, fill it with training equipment, and run it full time. 7. Travel to Okinawa (at least 4 times). 8. Travel to New Zealand (we have URKA Dojos there...at least 3 times). 9. Travel to Japan (at least 3 times). 10. Travel to other CONUS URKA Dojos for their seminars (regularly).

Welcome to the forums!!!

skullsplitter...from one Sandan to another...congratulations!!!! Karate no Michi!

Capella, awesome! Strength and conditioning training is crucial to supplement your martial arts experience. Good luck and good training!

Wado Heretic, congratulations! Karate no Michi!

Joe92, welcome to the forums and good luck on your Martial Arts journey! Karate no michi!

Do you even Bogu, Bro?!?!?!?!?

Welcome, Baka718, Karate no Michi!

Over the weekend, I visited to a couple of used book stores and bought some old Black Belt and Karate/Kung Fu Magazines, ranging from 1974 to 1992. This includes the 1974 Black Belt Yearbook, with Bruce Lee recognized as the Martial Artist of the Year (posthumously). These are great. I love stuff from the 1970s and 1980s. Does anyone else have a collection of magazines from that era?

Hurray!!!!

Congratulations, cheesefrysamurai. Awesome!!! Karate no michi!

Tepul, congratulations. I can only imagine how great it is to be teaching in Japan. Good luck and: Karate no Michi!!!!

I wear Feiyue shoes when training outside. They are awesome--I have two pairs.

The gyms are closed here in New York and on Fort Drum (a US Army base where I co-locate my Dojo at one of the gyms). What we have been doing is training at a local park. We keep our social distance and can continue to train. On the down side, anytime there is bad weather I have to cancel training. I don't know when I will be able to get back in the gym on Fort Drum. I am estimating either July or August.

Welcome, Dave, this is a great forum! Karate no michi!

Congratulations to the forums. Though I am a relatively new member, this is the only martial arts forum I belong to (and really the only forum in general that I regularly contribute to). I enjoy the conversations and ideas and look forward to the 20 year mark next year!

Yes, congratulations for returning to the forums, but I am very sorry about your father. This is a great community and we definitely support each other. Karate no michi!