alanseijas

There was one other time in High School. I was a freshman, and this big fat guy kept on picking on me. We were in the same homeroom, so he challenged me to meet him in the bathroom at 12:00 so he could kick my *. Back then (1983), almost nobody studied MA; and I was an orange belt, but nobody knew it. I accepted his challenge, and when I got to the BR; he was there with a large crowd. He walks up to me and says, "You start it! (pointing to his face) Go ahead, hit me!" I hauled off and slugged him HARD. A couple of kicks and it was over. He actually ran out. From that moment on, my HS nickname was "Ninja man." I went to my next class, and the word had spread pretty quickly. My top 2 knuckles on my right hand swelled up pretty large, and my yellow shirt was splattered with his blood. The teacher sent me to the nurse for my hand, and I told her I punched a locker. When I got to the nurse, the guy was already there with ice on his face. Neither of us would admit to fighting, and didn't get in any trouble. I didn't have another problem throughout my entire High School time.

People have tried to promote him, but he will not accept.

Wouldn't it be great to see? I don't think Bruce would ever get in a ring, though. He didn't like gloves, either. He never fought in martial arts tournaments; he didn't believe one should fight simply for the sake of a trophy.

I love all these replies! Thank you. About the money thing, I don't pay to train there. He doesn't charge Black Belts. Does that make it worse? I mean, he accepted my 14 year old rank (I did have to prove it); and allows me in his dojo. Well, I guess it's time to tell you what I did. 1:30 am---- staring at those 2 patches, I took out my knife; and cut the Advincula patch off. I walked to my car and got some electrical tape. Using the little circles of tape method, I stuck the new patch on. I put the gi on again in the morning for the 7:00 am workout, and I could see all 7 of the Yudansha looking for me to see what I had decided. I got a hug from my (and my kid's) Sensei, and he said the new patch looked great. At the closing ceremony for the end of camp, the Yudansha was giving out awards. Like "most memorable moment," "Bushido award," and the like. I hear this award being announced---- This individual deserves a lot of appreciation for helping out the Yudansha throughout this camp. He is a newcomer, and has amazed all of us with his techniques. Especially the needle and tread technique. The Betsy Ross Award is for Alan Seijas! I stood there for like 4 seconds with my mouth wide open. They thought I had actually sewed it on, I guess; and I have decided that I will. I love this dojo. Not just for me, but for my kids. My heart still flips when I think about cutting the Advincula patch off, though. Please keep the replies coming, and now you can tell me if you think I did the right thing!

When I was 19, I had a girlfriend of 6 years. She started hanging out at this radio station with this pro-wrestler guy named Rick Rocker (stage-name). He was broadcasting a show called "Who's Slamming Who." Well, I found out that they were more than just friends (if you know what I mean), and I went to the station to meet him after the show. I know Karate is for defense only, and I was only 19 then (34 now); so please don't flame me. I waited outside by his car for him to come out. I had just left the dojo, and still had my gi pants on. He was way bigger than me. He saw me, and instantly knew why I was there. He stepped back into his fighting stance, and said come-on! I lunged at his face with a straight forward punch (right hand) using everything I had with a loud "HIIIYA!" With that, his hands went right up to his face; and I saw the blood seeping through his fingers. He started to scream, and bent over at the waist sideways to me making his body into an "L" shape. My rage was fuming, and a straight forward kick to his ribs sent him flying up into the air to land him on his back. He rolled over and screamed louder. I was so infuriated that that's all I was going to get to do to him, that I started kicking him on the ground. In the distance, I heard someone yelling; so I stopped and ran away. My GF lived about 30 minutes from there, and by the time I got there; the news had already hit. I'll never forget her mother telling me how much trouble I was in, and she was right. I hid from the cops for 3 days in my buddy's basement before I ended up turning myself in. They released me into my parents custody, and I was sunk. We got a lawyer, and he said maybe I should offer him money to drop everything; because without him, the state had no case. $3000.00 cash plus all of his doctor bills (broken nose and ribs) would be his deal. We still had to go to court though, and he told the judge he was dropping the charges. The judge looked at me and said, "Kicked him while he was down?!!!! Anyone kicking someone while they're down in MY town goes to JAIL!!!! (and then to him---)Are you sure you want to drop this?" He did, and the judge just shook his head. I walked out free, but poor. The worst part is I forgave her, and she did it again with this other guy. I learned my lesson the first time about violence, and never spoke to her again. I still dream about her, though. At least once a month, but usually more. AAAHHH the power of your first love...............

How, exactly, is it unethical to ask someone with a higher rank to work with you? In my dojo, the higher ranks choose who to work with. If a blue belt calls on a green belt, and a black belt calls on that same blue belt; the blue leaves the green and goes to the black. I don't make the rules, I just follow them.

That's true, but I wear the "Iron Man" gi. It's pretty expensive..........

Thank you for all the replies! I already made the decision at 1:30 am that night (morning), and was waiting for other opinions before I told you what I did. * the patch and worry about doing Karate? / I wouldn't change / I would keep the correct one, and practice your art ---- I don't think I would ever be invited into the Yudansha (association of black belts) with my patch. Especially now that my (AND my kid's) Sensei heard the coversation. He didn't join in, but I know he heard. Try talking to the guy who had a problem with the patch and explain why you believe their club is wearing the wrong patch. ----- I kind-of did. I made a long story short about that night. He didn't really have an answer other than he didn't want ME to be different; and I have told them that I think they're the best. ask your instructor if you could train in a plain gi with no patches. ---- Good idea, but if he was cutting his patch off of the shirt he was wearing; I think it must be pretty darn important to them. Shouldn't you give honor to your new sensei by wearing his patch? ----- I hear Ya'. The problem is a little more complex, though. See, Isshinryu is Tatsuo Shimabuku's creation. We bow to his picture at the beginning and end of every class. He only approved 1 patch to signify his style, and someone else changed it. Is he rolling over in his grave? I have no problem (am even honored) with wearing the association's patch on my left shoulder where that belongs, but a different diety over my heart? BTW, what would your former sensei have to say to you about it?----- The last time I saw Master Advincula (3 months ago), I asked him how he felt about people changing his patch and claiming to be an Isshinryu school. He told me it makes him unhappy. I will see him on Sept. 7th, and if I decided to put the new patch on; I would definately have to cut it off and put HIS back on. Upon returning, the other one would have to go back on. Lots of sewing!

Hey Keisotsu ------- I think that when you quote Bruce Lee, as you do in your sig; You should give credit to the person who originally said it. I believe you're commiting plagiarism. I'm not trying to make waves, but you don't even have it right. Could Bruce Lee take care of himself on the street? He thought so. When asked that question in what turned out to be his final Hong Kong interview in 1973, he answered "If I tell you I'm good, you'll probably say I'm boasting. But if I tell you I'm no good, one knows I'm lying!" ---- Black Belt Magazine, November 1993 issue, page 38. Article "Was Bruce Lee A Good Fighter, Or Simply A Good Talker?" written by a Handen, Swedish-based martial artist named Thomas Nilsson.

I cannot put them both on, because the Megami gets mounted over your heart..........

Hello. I've got a problem. I study Isshinryu Karate. I achieved Shodan in 1989. I took 13 years off, and now I'm back because I enrolled my 2 sons at a dojo. Watching them has re-sparked my interest, and now I cannot get enough. Along with training, I have been studying the history of my beloved style; and my dojo wears the wrong patch. To make it worse, they even call it the wrong name (see my sig). I have studied with A. J. Advincula--- the one who actually MADE the original patch, and I feel kind-of loyal to him. On my gi is HIS patch. Now, here I am; the new guy with a different patch. Everybody is walking up to the "new" black belt at the school, and asking me about it. They all say they like mine better, and I can describe every little detail about it to them. I can even tell them why theirs is wrong. I can see that I'm starting to make waves. Well, I just went to Karate camp; and after a few late night beers, the highest rank in the association of 3 joined dojos walks up and asks me why I wear the Advincula patch. I tell him that I have studied with the man, and I ask if my patch bothers him. He says that it does, and offers to cut his patch off of his shirt that he was wearing to give to me. I end up with a new patch in my hand (that's making a long story short). I love these guys, and really want to be welcomed into their association; but I felt like if I put that patch on my gi that I'd be betraying Advincula and Shimabuku. I will add that my children wear the wrong patch, but I feel that's different because I don't want them to be different. If all the kids were wearing clown pants, mine would be too. This is the BEST dojo that I've ever seen, and was holding my gi at 1:30 am staring the 2 patches. What would you have done????????????????

It is unethical to ask a person of a higher rank to work with you, so being a beginner; it may be difficult to just run up to someone else. If I were you, I'd ask her out on a date. If you guys hit it off, you can be honest; and tell her that at the dojo, you are there to learn martial arts. If you don't hit it off, ---Problem solved that way, too!

Interesting topic. On the same note, what's with these 8th, 9th, and 10th Dans? please correct me if I'm wrong, but for one to be promoted to a higher rank; mustn't he be promoted BY someone of a higher rank? How can a 9thDan become a 10th Dan? By promoting himself? Master (yes, MASTER!) Advincula told me that Master (again, yes- Master) Shimabuku promoted him to 7th Dan, and he will die a 7th Dan.

Yes, he does test your conditioning by punching and kicking you. I don't like that either. I started training in 1983, and I've been around the block. I've done my share of all out Sanchin kata practice. I haven't given up on it, I just don't like it. Some people love it, and that's fine. Just my personal opinion.

Lots of reasons. I guess the main reason is that I'm not very good at it. You're supposed to get a workout from it, and I just can't seem to get the whole "constant flex" thing going. I don't like how I sound with the loud breathing, and I just can't get into it. When Master Advincula does it, he shakes the whole room. I just cannot get that much out of it. I'm sure it's my fault. I would rather do Sunsu kata 10 times over doing Sanchin once. I'll break much more of a sweat, and my heart rate will be much higher doing any other kata. Just my humble opinion.

I don't do it on purpose by actually hitting the makiwara. My hands are conditioned naturally through time working out. Some people take it to very wild extremes. I train with Master A. J. Advincula, and one of his close friends is Byron Marriner. The first time I saw Byron's hands, I was in shock. he told me he hits the makiwara every day, and I believe him! I wouldn't want my hands to look like that no matter how strong his knuckles are. To top it off, he's a dentist! Master Advincula has told me of his witnessing Master Shimabuku drive a nail with his hand. Now that's conditioning. https://www.isshin1.com

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I HATE doing Sanchin!

Kata is a necessary training tool that promotes good stances, technique, memory, concentration, form, etc.....

Does anyone have a good suggestion on where to buy old karate/Kung-Fu movies? I tried searching, but couldn't find anything. In particular, I am looking for a movie I believe was named, "The Revenge Of The Ninja." Although it had NOTHING to do with Ninjitsu, that's the name I think I remember. Maybe someone will recognize this synopsis: A Chinese boxer goes to the US to compete. In a fight, he actually kills his opponent in the ring. He then vows to never use his fists again, and returns to China. When he gets off of the boat, he finds the Japanese are trying to take over their land; and is forced to fight. His name was Chang-Quan. There is one scene where a Japanese man is murdered by defending Chinese. The Japanese then get revenge by hanging (actually stringing up) a Chinese man in public, and anyone who tries to cut him down must fight the Japanese. No-one can beat the Japanese until Chang-Quan shows up. He defeats the Japanese, and cuts the man down. The Chinese then try to hire C-Q to train them to defend against the Japanese. The end of the movie is a like 10 minute fight between the main Japanese leader guy and C-Q on the beach. In the end, C-Q breaks the Japanese guys arm with a reverse arm-bar over his shoulder; and ends up killing him. The closer is the Japanese guy face down in the ocean. Sound familiar to anyone? Thanks.

Rocky 2 was the best, IMO.

Seiunchin Kata. https://www.isshin1.com

Isshinryu translated- "The one-heart way," or really, "The Whole-Hearted Method." I have studied Ishhinryu for 13 years now. I have studied with Master A. J. Advincula. For those of you who don't know who this man is, he is the one who actually created the only Tatsuo Shimabuki approved Megami (NOT MIZUGAMI!!!!!!!) patch in 1961 that we all wear over our hearts on our gi's. Many people actually wear the wrong patch. The correct one is fist-shaped with a gold border and no kanji. The oblong orange border patch was created by Angi Uezu, and was never approved! I have studied the history, and the philosophy; along with the techniques. It is a very safe style due to the muscle to muscle (instead of the bone to bone) blocks. We use a unique fist that is Master Shimabuku's creation, with a non-twisting straight punch. A very dangerous man is one who has learned this art. For information on Isshinryu, the absolute BEST site that I've seen (and I've seen A LOT!) is https://www.isshin1.com. This is Master Advincula's site. I welcome any and all questions about Isshinryu. It is my passion. My e-mail is k.seijas@att.net. ANYONE interested in coversing about this wonderful style, please feel welcome to contact me! Kanpai!

After 7 years of Isshinryu, I went to the Shorinryu; and started back at white belt. I was one in that style, and had no problem with it. Actually, I thought it was kind-of fun. Looks like I've gotten my white belt again here in this forum!

Hello everyone. My name is Alan Seijas. I started praticing Isshinryu Karate in 1983, and achieved my Shodan in 1989. I studied Shorinryu for 2 years, and have returned to Isshinryu full time. I have 2 boys, 6 and 3; and they both study Isshinryu as well. Thanks for welcoming me to this forum, and I look forward to an informative relationship.