Sho-ju

Thanks for the info, I'll print it off and re read it latter.

I'm looking for a video set for Hangetsu, know of any?

http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=16320&start=10

the CANE. http://www.canemasters.com/Images/goldencane.jpg The walking stick or cane is a common walking implement found in every culture and it is said that one Pharaoh of Egypt was buried with 132 of them! In 16th century Russia they were banned, penalty was death. In Europe every lord and lady carried a cane as a mark of distinction, for a permit was required to carry one. The Irish were well known for there bhata or shillelagh and the news papers of the mid-nineteenth century often carried stories of factions of Irish folk fighting with there feared weapon. It is a part of our heritage as Western marital artists… The cane is a simple object that can be employed as a highly sophisticated and effective weapon for self-defense. The size can vary according to the individual, but the average is 3’ in length and 1 inch in diameter. A hard wood with some flex is needed to allow for slight bends without breaking. As a medium range weapon, cane techniques are similar to other stick fighting systems with the curved handle permitting a range of additional techniques that are unique to this weapon. This permits greater versatility and a broader range of applications than found in other straight stick systems. The tip of the handle can be used for gouging vital pressure points or hooking clothing. The inner-handle is ideal for hooking blocks, leg sweeps, chokes, trapping and my favorite, throwing. The shaft is used for strikes, blocks, chokes and joint locks. The tip is for thrusting strikes and vital point. http://www.superiormartialarts.com/acimages/8619_oc.JPG

Here's a pic of what mine looks like: http://ahfaa.org/box1.JPG

I hope you can take a shot...

Funakoshi also gives an example of being backed into a fight and then using force first. I can't think of the quote off hand...

Here's what I've come up with so far... I'm going to use steel block, hollow inside, wrap it with carpet padding and carpet then cover it with an old canvis army bag. Nothing left to do but to hang it. If I find it swings I'll fill it.

I guess I should explain the phone book...I cut out a section in the shape of a square close to the back of the book and then tape the phone book up well. This allows for some give, the air rushes out with each punch. It works extremely well and my zuki has improved much. SJ Note: As I was taught, when a zuki is performed a quick half inch draw back is done after impact. This prevents energy from returning to the fist, the energy stays in the target. This is theory and I don't know if it can be proved, it was just what I was taught to do and believe it to be true from my experiance. I've recently notice in a book titled the Essence of White Crane, they punch with the same form.

I wrestled high level wrestlers before, the first thing you notice is how much pain they can take. Don't think that just because they don't train strikes means you can score a ko with ease, that's plain false. Chances are, if you can't sprawl and the wrestler really wants you on your back, you'll end up on your back. Work the sprawl, also work to get on your feet from your back. Use your hands, keep your kicks low.

It's hard to say what will work, some wrestlers like high tie ups, some like to shoot, some like to shoot then stand up for a high tie up or upper body lock...it's really hard to say. Some like to shoot in deep and pop out the side lifting one leg...do you see what I mean? The only answer is to wreatle...and when I say this I mean sprawl hard. A good drill for a stand up fighter is kick and sprawl. Have one guy (a guy who knows how to shoot) stand behind a guy holding thai pads, work the pads and have the shooter, shoot in at will. Your job is to work the pads like your fighting and sprawl when the shot comes.

Any good designs for a hanging makiwara? I've been using a phone book pounded into a tree for the last couple of years but have had to move it, now, I'm looking to construct a simple makiwara to hang in my basement against a brink wall...keeping this in mind, I'd like to have something with more give. Thx. SJ

I study shotokan and shorin but have done meibukan goju...I liked shotokan better because it tends to be more agressive, a lot of time is spent on attacking, where (IME) goju was a very rooted style, a counter style. One's not better then the other, both are good if they suit your personal taste. Hope this helps.

BBJ won't help your wrestling, but wrestling will help you BJJ.

In terms of history, shotokan and shito share roots in Itosu. It seems shito and shotokan are closer in kata then shorin ryu, do I have it wrong? Do shito and shotokan express Itosu's teachings better then other shorin styles?

How similar are the two styles in terms of kata? Does Shito use more zenkutsu then shorin in kata? Do they use side kicks in place of front kicks, as does shotokan?

In the book 'Shotokan's Secrets' the idea is put forth that 'naha te' is nothing more then chuan fa with closed fists. Sanchin is a Chinese foam of body hardening and meditation. For more info do a google search for Uechi ryu.

Master Hironori Otsuka: “It is obvious that these kata must be trained and practised sufficiently, but one must not be ‘stuck' in them. One must withdraw from the kata to produce forms with no limits or else it becomes useless. It is important to alter the form of the trained kata without hesitation to produce countless other forms of training. Essentially, it is a habit – created over long periods of training. Because it is a habit, it comes to life with no hesitation – by the subconscious mind.” (Wado-Ryu Karate: page 19-20). I don't believe Otsuka is saying it's ok to change kata, rather, kata will be changed by personal study of that kata. I believe Kanazawa said something to the effect, 'When two people learn a kata and perform it, the kata will look the same. After 10 years of practice the kata will have slightly varied. After 20 years of practice the kata may look different.' I'm going from memory here and can't be sure of the exact words used. sj

No offence Ted, but I was never taught that in a shotokan dojo.

Shotokan kinda, more like a Japanese and Okinawan blend.

I'm not sure the oldest way is the best way...let me explain. The masters of old Okinawa spent hours every night learning and perfecting a system of empty handed fighting, how many modern karateka spend this much time at karate? Not many. For most dojo, the bulk of the students tend to be folks under the age of 15, who usally aren't able to discern when and where to use these deadly skills...these folks also tend to train 2x a week. I believe it's best for most sensei to teach a select few the secrets and traditions of karate, I could be wrong but this was also the way of the masters of old. Traditional karate has always been underground and will probably remain underground. Back to the OP, if you want a better understanding of your forms take up Okinawan karate with a good sensei, this will help. Dig as deep as you can to find out 'why' the forms were changed...I'm doing the same right now with Shotokan kata and find a bulk of bunkai that I never knew existed. peace and good luck.

The best one is the one you are able to use when it counts...some like the punch, kick, block styles without much flash and others like the punch, kick, lock, block, throw/takedown styles. It's up to you to make them work.

Ahhhhh, shak u.

Are they the same thing? What's Mr. Tracy's background?

No, Kenpo means "Fist Law" Ken = Fist Po = Law DT Is that Japanese or Hogen? What does 'kem'po mean?