SLK59

I am resurrecting this old thread to add a few points to Journeyman74’s excellent post. Having now trained in both JKA (while Nakayama was still alive) and SKA dojos, the differences in front stance (zenkutsu-dachi) and reverse punch (gyaku-zuki) are indeed quite noticable. When I trained in the JKA, the relatively wide stance and squared shoulders had a lot to do with the fact that power for the reverse punch was generated through strong hip rotation. In SKA, gyaku-zuki is taught as a thrusting technique (like thrusting a spear), not a rotational technique. Hence the narrower stance, putting all of the body in line with the direction of the thrusting punch. As Journeyman74 mentioned, SKA emphasizes relaxation, speed and economy of movement, while the JKA tends to stress explosive power. Other notable differences include things as basic as how a fist is made, how to achieve best focus (kime), timing of kata, etc. There is also a much stronger emphasis on tournaments and competitions in the JKA. As to which style is ‘better...’ well, that all comes down to the one that best fits your own personal needs and preferences. And as Spartacus Maximus indicated, your relationship with the dojo and the CI is at least as important as your choice of style. Cheers, Scott

Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year to one and all!

Welcome to the forum, PerKr! My situation is similar to yours - plus 21 years! It sounds like you are re-entering training with a level head and a great attitude. The best advice I can give is to be patient with yourself, and to keep on going, one day at a time. Cheers, Scott

Back when I trained in JKA Shotokan during the 1970’s-80’s, the kyu grading kata requirements in the USA were: 8th kyu (white belt when I began, orange belt by the time I stopped): Heian Shodan 7th kyu (white belt when I began, orange belt by the time I stopped): Heian Nidan 6th kyu (green belt): Heian Sandan 5th kyu (green belt when I began, purple belt by the time I stopped): Heian Yondan 4th kyu (green belt when I began, purple belt by the time I stopped): Heian Godan 3rd kyu (brown belt): Tekki Shodan 2nd-1st kyu (brown belt): a favorite advanced kata - usually Bassai Dai or Kanku Dai Note that there were no 10th or 9th kyu ranks back then. No one that I know of practiced or tested with any of the Taikyoku katas. Looking at the current official JKA website, those requirements appear to have changed further since I last practiced, i.e. change over time. Then there is the fact that currently there are three different JKA affiliated organizations in the USA alone, i.e. a complicated history. I imagine that the situation is similar for Sweden and the many other JKA national affiliates. Finally, while the JKA does have a recommended belt color scheme, it appears that, as long as the kyu rank requirements themselves are adhered to, individual affiliated regions and dojos do have a bit of leeway in their choice of belt colors, with some sticking to the old white-green-brown-black system and others going for the current white-yellow-orange-green-blue-purple-brown-black arrangement, and still others something in between. Cheers, Scott

That is wonderful, Theochh! As for myself, after training for 15 years, I ceased for a variety of reasons at the age of 30. Now, 31 years later and after some major medical issues, I am healthy enough and my spirit has been rekindled, so at long last I am training once again.

As others have said, in stressful situations your subconscious mind (aka ‘muscle memory’) will do what it has been trained to do through repetition. That is why in Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) we practice many repetitions in kihon, kata and kumite training (eg. one of the requirements for SKA shodan grading is having practiced the kata Bassai at least 5000 times on one’s own), and stress performing each and every technique as if it is an actual life-or-death defense against one or more attackers. When learning a new style, your subconscious mind will at first tend to gravitate toward performing kihon, kata and kumite in the way that is most familiar - i.e. has been most often repeated - until you are able to ‘retrain’ your subconscious to perform the newer versions of the techniques. If your training stresses repetitively performing kihon, kata and kumite techniques in a similar way and with a similar mindset, then that is what your subconscious ‘muscle memory’ will learn to do. If your training calls for you to perform kihon, kata and kumite differently and with differing mindsets, then your subconscious mind will learn to do that. Cheers, Scott

Congratulations on your grading promotion, BalkanDragon!

My own personal favorites, in chronological order: Seven Samurai (1954) - outstanding film by Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Daisuke Kato, Isao Kimura, Minoru Chiaki, Seiji Miyaguchi and Yoshio Inaba in the titular roles. Notable for its depiction of the differing personalities of the main characters, as well as the tensions between the samurai and their farmer employers. Remade as the famous John Sturgis western The Magnificent Seven (1960), among many others. Yojimbo (1961) - My all-time favorite samurai film, also directed by Akira Kurasawa. Toshiro Mifune and Tatsuya Nakadai are outstanding as the lead hero and villain respectively. Remade as the famous Sergio Leone western A Fistful of Dollars (1964), starring Clint Eastwood. Sanjuro (1962) - excellent sequel to Yojimbo, directed of course by Kurosawa. Notable for the unique and shocking final duel between Mifune’s and Nakadai’s characters. Enter the Dragon (1973) - directed by Robert Clouse, this Bruce Lee film was inspirational for my beginning karate training. I still find it highly entertaining and fun to watch. Kung Fu Hustle (2004) - directed by and starring Stephen Chow, and featuring several famous Hong Kong kung fu film stars from the 1970’s. A hilarious send up of the genre that also has a nice, positive message. Black Belt (2007) - directed by Shunichi Nagasaki, this allegory of two opposing extremes in martial arts philosophy stars Akihito Yagi (5th dan, Meibukan Goju-ryu) and Tatsuya Naka (6th dan, JKA Shotokan). A simple film with realistic techniques and a refreshing lack of special effects. Red Cliff (2008) - directed by John Woo, starring Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Fengyi Zhang. A historical war movie set at the end of the Han Dynasty. Great plot, fine performances and a real sense of spectacle. Shaolin (2011) - directed by Benny Chan, starring Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse, with a special guest appearance by Jackie Chan. Although a bit melodramatic in places, this is nonetheless a fine film with excellent actors and a great message. Man of Tai Chi (2013) - directed by Keanu Reeves, starring Tiger Hu Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen Mok and Hai Yu. Highly entertaining, and a good vehicle for Tàijí quán and neijia martial arts. Uzumasa Limelight (2014) - directed by Ken Ochiai, and starring Seizo Fukumoto typecast as an aging samurai film extra, with Chihiro Yamamoto as his youthful, rising-star protégé. A sweet film with a lot of heart. Cheers, Scott

My dojo is much the same: online Zoom training sessions for existing members, and no gradings until in-person training can resume. However, our organization is a non-profit and the instructors do not make their living through teaching karate, so they can afford to do this. Cheers, Scott

I could not agree more. In Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), white and brown belt (kyu) gradings are held twice a year, in April and November. Students are asked to test by their instructor when he/she thinks that they are ready to do so. Black belt (dan) gradings are held once a year at Special Trainings (gasshuku). Candidates are invited to test, and are graded by senior members of the Black Belt Committee. Also, SKA does not charge grading fees - ranking is considered to be a benefit of membership in the organization. As SKA founder Tsutomu Ohshima said, in his book Notes on Training: “the exam is not our goal; it is only one kind of practice for us. No matter where, no matter what, we have to express our best.” Cheers, Scott

This online article may help shed a little light on the question: http://www.jukidokai.com/hombodojo/eugue-ryu-karatejutsu/ I am afraid that I cannot find any other online references to founder Kensenzu Yamaeugue. Actually, there are some height changes in the Shotokan Heian kata, although perhaps not as many as for some other styles. In both JKA and SKA Shotokan, this series of techniques is taught as a twisting escape from an opponent’s wrist grab, leading in a single motion to a circular bottom fist/hammer fist strike to the face. The techniques include a height change. The issue is rather complicated, with each of the styles interpreting and adapting these and other kata movements and their applications in different ways. This brief historical article on the Pinan/Heian kata in general may serve as a helpful starting point for further inquiry: https://iainabernethy.co.uk/article/brief-history-pinan-heian-katas Best of luck in your continued training and research! Cheers, Scott

Thanks, everyone! Glad to be here.

My personal MA book collection, as it currently stands: Karate-dō Kyōhan: The Master Text, Gichin Funakoshi (tr. Tsutomu Ohshima) Karate-dō Nyūmon: The Master Introductory Text, Gichin Funakoshi (tr. John Teramoto) Karate-dō: My Way of Life, Gichin Funakoshi (tr. Genshin Hironishi?) The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate, Gichin Funakoshi (tr. John Teramoto) Notes on Training, Tsutomu Ohshima Introduction to Karate-Dō, Michael Mantz & Tom Muzila Tsutomu Ohshima: Carrying the Samurai Spirit Into the 21st Century, Eli Eliyahu Cohen The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman, Takuan Sōhō (tr. William Scott Wilson) Zen Bridge: the zen teachings of Keido Fukushima, ed. Grace and Peter Schireson Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, Shunryu Suzuki A Book of Five Rings, Miyamoto Musashi (tr. Victor Harris) The Art of War, Sun Tzu (tr. Samuel B. Griffith)

Shotokan Karate of America (Shotokan Ohshima Karate-do) has five dan levels, because godan was the highest grade awarded by Gichin Funakoshi. Within SKA there are no honorary ranks, i.e. each of the five dan levels must be earned via testing.

Greetings All, I am sixty-one years old, returning to karate training after a thirty year hiatus and some health issues. I practiced JKA/AAKF Shotokan karate-do from 1974-1990, achieving the rank of sandan. I was a full-time instructor for ten of those years. Earlier this year I began practicing again on my own, in preparation for joining a local Shotokan Karate of America (SKA) dojo in January of 2021. My self-training thus far has been devoted to (re)developing my flexibility and stamina, and adapting my technique to the new (to me) SKA style. It feels great to be working out again, and I am very much looking forward to being able to train at the SKA dojo in 2021. I am looking forward to chatting and sharing experiences with fellow martial artists here on KF! Cheers, Scott