Revario

I would even say spar with people from various arts. And most importantly Spar Karate and don't let your Karate become kickboxing. To me it is primordial that sparring focus is on closer combat and more usage of Kata movements in Kumite. Too often there is a disconnect between kihon kata and kumite. They should indeed be as one. Like others have mentioned, I seem to be a mix of a few people here: I like to wait and counter; when going on offensive, I misdirect a lot, I dont tend to move around a lot but I do like to manage the space and decide where the opponent goes.

The film was very good!!! Not for everyone but enjoyed the long battle. Exhaustion is felt properly. If one keeps focus as they would be figthing themselves, it becomes a better experience. Not much of a film for story or effects. Its just combat. Beautiful

Been a long time Sub Zero card carrying member myself. Well since 94 tbh. They were good from then until now.

They all use different type of woods. I would posit that Century is also mass produced BUT I never tried theirs. I have all handmade ones. Broke a few... Broke a pr24... Even the best can be broken... So you are probably right lol

I got a custom made pair of 2lbs per tonfa for training by Okuden dojo. Great for practice. Hickory wood selection and allows pretty much any customisation. Mine are octogonal and a bit tapered. Love them a lot. Found the person on instagram

I use these preferably. With cloth shim guard. Opponent wears mma gloves with supersafe headgear and a bogu. Shinpads as well. Protect the attackers targer and let the defender be as free as possible. I like to do mostly hard drills or bully sparring using Kata movements.

I use the Arawaza and Jukado myself. The Shureido is always a winner.

I am a weird one, I seem to only see the negative in organisation. Mainly the hierarchy and the unmovable curriculum. The lack of will to evoluate and adapt. The resistance to practicality and being stuck in the 50's with the 3Ks. The lack of acceptance towards functionality and cross training. Which that is another subject all of it's own as Karate has all that one needs when studied properly. We are in an era where we are finding our techniques and movements being used in practicality in various different arts yet most Karate curriculum don't touch these applications or methodology. The unwillingness to evoluate and see internet as a positive (one can choose how to use it) source of information and exposition to proper Karate. The will to hide techniques and claim certain things are only for very initiated members yet those highly initiated members don't display greater or better fighting skills. The lack of fact checking and dissemination of lies based on hierarchy and respect. One can claim wtv as long as it makes relative sense and they say it to adults who don't know any better or children. (All those samurai vs Karateka legends and Kobudo sources). And this is from a "reputable" organisation. Mainly because it has been long standing and mostly because when challenged they simply turn people away. One positive is definitely quality control, but that can be done via testing/sparring anyways. I may be too pragmatic in my approach, that is a thing, yet I fail to see the point in practicing in a way that is far from reality only to keep things the way they are and be afraid to lose face. I am very alone in my area who wishes to practice Karate in this way, I am seriously thinking of moving out. My area is stale. To a point where one who is looking for what I am is better to look for a different art, like Muay Thai, MMA, Krav Maga or even some Kung Fu schools. BUT, as i said before, all of these things are in Karate. I simply wish to practice it with right minded people.

I can 100% understand and get behind such a statement. However it is also true that how one teaches tend to relate to how they were taught themselves. And so on and so forth. Of course each individual will add their own flavour to it but the main principles tend to remain the same. As a very extreme exemple, we can all understand that Kyokushin people usually train in a different method than Shotokan same for Goju Ryu. Each seem to have their methods and traditions based on 1 person that saw things and wished to do it differently. Their approach to Karate and training does vary greatly. I think it it is also the case on a smaller level with other styles and traditional methods as well. And by traditional I always refer to pre 1950's Karate. Thank you

I know he was also one O Sensei Chitose. I have heard legends that the closest thing to his style was Goju Ryu.... as well as t Chito Ryu. Which from my understanding both style do differ in their Kata. CChito Ryu Kata are quite unique even if they share the name of some in other styles. It seems like a very unique style in that way. I am fairly new to it myself and have lots of questions in regard to the origins and choices to have kata in that specific method.

If I may also ask, which methodology of Karate or Kata as per you most reflects the teachings of O Sensei Aragaki Seisho?

Wondering if anyone would know of a specific reason as per why various Chito Ryu Kata have name similar to those in other styles yet it is nothing alike? By the same occasion would anyone know of any other style who practice a version of Niseishi or Sochin like Chito Ryu does, even if the form in that style has a different name or similar in the general form? Thank you for the information

A bit sidetrack but asking, do you feel rank is equal to proefficience with the art or depth of knowledge or a combination of both? Reason I am asking is basically that I see and know many who may outrank me in time spent in a specific organisation yet their skills (whether to teach or to combat or understand Kata and Bunkai that does not include 20 enemies coming from all angles) is lacking... Officially my ranks are as is Chito Kan- 1st Kyu Krav Maga- P5 Chito Ryu- 8th kyu My standards for myself are very very high and I have often refused to test even if I was seemingly (or from an exterior standpoint) "better" than my peers. I felt more needed to be complete to pass to something else, I require a proper mastery of my own level to go further. And to be very very honest, I feel like a beginner and do not know much and probably should start everything from scratch again. (but that is not true, I already know too much to be a true white belt). I also am a bit hurt when some seminars or classes are specific to Shodan and higher yet they are discussing and exploring concepts that I fully understand (because it is taught earlier in different arts such as the concept of blocking and attacking at the same time, basic concept of Krav Maga but advanced concept in Karate) and wish to practice but am restrained because of the "belt" I have.... My knowledge is vaster than what my belt rank... And at the same time, I still feel like a beginner and have much to learn. Perhaps I am simply due to test... Hence my initial question; what does rank mean to you? I am pretty sure I could join a McDojo and be awarded a Black belt and a few dan levels within a month, but that would also not be legit and feel like a lie. Therefore, I am not sure to fully understand the nature of the question. Sorry for the sidetrack and I am truly curious as per why asking? (with all respects, i do not mean this in a disrespectful manner).

Very true indeed. I think I also have partially answered my question by the way I ended up asking it. Some is better for a specific type of situation or learning tool while the other which is equally good is for training a different set of skills. In my ignorance I was comparing apples to oranges and I can clearly see how they differ and complement each other. I also know I need to obtain those parts as well as I have neglected that from my training. Being a big fan of Makiwara in general I feel it is a part of my training I need to incorporate more often. Karate sometimes forget to strengthen the weapons (commercial and more sport oriented schools around here at least) Another point was touched in regards to civilian dressing compared to what is worn in classes. I will keep it brief as this could be a whole subject on it's own. When in civilian clothing, a martial artist should consider their highest kicking point with said pants, confirm level of comfort on one leg with said shoes (which should be preferably steel toed, yes I am a kicker) and a non restricting jacket. Those are things to take in consideration at the moment of purchase. Civilian clothing should not hinder one's skills but ampliphy them where possible.

In regards to sparring and realism; I am wondering which approach you find most effective (effectivity in regards to teaching and learning while staying as close to realism as possible). In particular in regards to the gear/where it is worn. I am of course speaking of non competition sparring, aimed more towards self defense or simply full contact. There is the conventional approach where participants wear hand and feet protectors as well as headgear where head contact is allowed. A different approach is the way of Koshiki where the participants wear a chest protector and headgear. No protection to hands and feet are given with the idea to strengthen these parts while delivering blows. I can highly appreciate the non wearing of protection on hand and feet as I highly discourage those for heavy bag work for Karate. I do use gloves every odd times on the bag but this is not the regular. I like my open hand strikes and to be able to work with an elastic band and the bag gloves are simply in the way... In another way, protection on hands and feet help people deliver blows with less restriction or "fear" of hurting themselves. Perhaps one method is better suited to either full contact or self defense sparring. Thank you for your comment and sorry if not posted in proper section.