Jussi Häkkinen

http://www.crane-mountain.com/ All you need. I've made a couple of nunchaku. Octagon, tapering to the rope end, paracord as a rope, polished and waxed rope channels. Worked fine.

Well, "how does kata improve your fighting skills"... I consider bunkai training and free application (i.e. sparring) to be parts of kata - studying it deeper and learning to apply it freely. For me, kata is karate. My former posts were only meant to correct a common misunderstanding/legend about karate/kata history.

This is a bit exaggerated. Okinawans didn't really fight against the Japanese (invasion took 2 weeks, mainly due to logistics) and was relatively peaceful. There's no evidence about underground movement against Japanese after the invasion. The weapon ban has been exaggerated as well - there are reports about Okinawans taking their family swords (yes, swords) to mainland Japan for maintaining purposes (polishing). Karate and Okinawan kobudo do not have many applications that would be meant to be used against the armed opponent - at least armed in a military way, as the Satsuma-clan was. Training martial arts in secrecy didn't happen, either. The teachers and students of martial arts were relatively well known (we know the names of masters of 1700's now, so they weren't secret) and the travels to China are well recorded. Training was for nobles and officers, so the story about peasants training martial arts doesn't hold water, either (typically, family styles were taught for oldest son of a noble family only - a great example about this was Choki Motobu who didn't learn the style, Motobu Udunti, of his family and had to go to the different teachers to learn martial arts). And well, Okinawans did not gain the freedom from the Japanese invaders. Okinawa did stay invaded and still is - it's a part of Japan, although there is a large US airbase in Kadena.

When did China invade Japan? I have heard about Japan invading Okinawa in 1609 and reinforcing the ban of weapons - originally set by Okinawan king Sho Shin who reigned in 1477-1526 - (which was before and after 1609 a limited ban), but I've never heard the story about China invading Japan and allowing monks to continue training...when did this happen?

When compared to a tournament cut Shureido, Tokon sleeves and pantlegs are a bit longer. That can be helped by taking the do-gi to a seamstress. If one likes longer sleeves and pantlegs, there'll be no problem. "Instructor" model has a bit narrower fit. Sovereign, America, Europa and Monarch are all roomy. There are no shortcuts or cheap solutions in their design - they're very good do-gi. They're on the level of top quality Japanese uniforms. Fabric is excellent and design very good. Of course, it's up to your body type how the do-gi exactly feels like. Many of my friends have those uniforms and some have worn them for years in daily training. They last well and won't fray or shrink uncontrollably. And as you noticed, their service is top notch. That's one thing their retailers seem to have everywhere.

My greetings and congratulations (in behalf of the whole Finnish Sukunaihayashi Shorin-ryu crew, I dare to say) to Takae-Sensei!

Kendo (or rather kenjutsu) doesn't have long kata. Generally, kata of koryu bujutsu are very short and usually done with partner. There are some solo kata, but they're very short, too. Long forms are typical to Chinese martial arts, as well as Okinawan arts - which probably took their form concept from Chinese arts. "Samurai to be" is a weird expression as well. One was born into a samurai class, there wasn't a test included.

Isami is a good choice. Good quality, decent price.

I suggest you to get a new bo. They're relatively cheap (under $100, even if you'd get a Crane Mountain or Shureido).

Kamikaze Kaiten America - which is currently known in USA as "Tokon Kaiten America", due to the copyright problems. The best price/quality -ratio there is. Get yours from http://www.tokon.com ( https://www.kamikaze.com and https://www.kamikazeusa.com are selling copies of original Kamikaze/Tokon uniforms. Get a real deal, it'll be worth it). Personally, I use Shureido uniforms. However, they're expensive, so I don't think that they'll be the answer now. I recommend Kamikaze Kaiten/Tokon Kaiten for everybody, since their price is right and quality excellent. Only thing you'll miss (when compared to Shureido, Tokaido, Hirota or other high quality Japanese uniforms) is that blue tint - and I don't think that it's a big loss when you can get an incredibly good uniform for a mere $100.

Shureido's satin and cotton belts have a same price. Difference is only in appearance. When it comes to belts in general, cotton and (artificial) satin usually have a same price. Actually, some high quality brands - such as Hirota - price their cotton belts higher than satin belts. Real silk belts (well, actually just silk covered belts) are very expensive. Tokaido and Kamae International do offer them, as well as other top notch manufacturers. For a training belt, I recommend high quality cotton. It will last longer and look smart. However, you won't get that "ragged rope" -look so quickly...

Kamikaze's silk belts are actually made by Kamae International. Generally, silk belts can take for a while to break in, since the material is rather durable (more durable than artificial satin). The low friction is another reason for slow "break in". If you want to soften your belt a bit, wash it. Washing belt every now and then (like once a season) is a good habit anyway, belt is a piece of clothing as well. Handwashing in cool water with soap should be enough. Hang dry the belt, then "nudge" it inch by inch to soften it (i.e. fold it and nudge the fold, go through all the belt this way). If the belt won't hold its knot, moisten the knot area before tying. This is an old judo tip, presented by Donn F. Draeger in his book about judo kata. Personally, I like very stiff belts. Knot area will break in rather fast but otherwisely the belt won't be flying all over, staying down better.

Take the do-gi to a professional laundry. They'll know what to do. It may be beyond help. Taking a shower before training is recommended.

Well, in that case, I'd use the transliteration #2. Sorry about the problems. Playing with 3 languages is occasionally tricky-ish, especially when Finnish is very close to Japanese pronounciation (still differs a bit).

Sure (although I think that this'll be my last one for a while). Shawn Morrison ショオン モッリソン (SHI yo - turning SHI to SYO - O N MO tsu - doubling the next consonant - RI SO N). This did feel a bit tricky, mostly because I'm not a native English talker by myself. I had to think about the pronounciation. If you pronounce the R shortly in your surname, drop the second character of your surname away (small "tsu" just doubles the r), making it MO RI SO N. Another possibility would be MO RU I SO N ( モルイソン ), which might catch the pronounciation of r's in your name a bit better. So, either... 1: ショオン モッリソン (Syoon Morrison - with sharp, long R's) or 2: ショオン モルイソン (Syoon Moruison - with softer R). It's up to you to choose the one that fits better.

Umm, you're a student of Isshinryu? Okinawan Isshinryu, Tatsuo Shimabukuro's style? Hmm. interesting. What I've seen and heard about the style has left me an image that Isshinryu - such as other Kyan and Miyagi derived styles - contain quite a bit of grappling and close fighting. Actually I'd be willing to say that there's lots of grappling in Isshinryu. However, that's interesting. Still, if your branch doesn't do a lot of grappling, I think that lightie uniforms will do. Hmm. Weird.

It's neither. It's "Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan", which, according to the website, is "basically a Japanese and Chinese style; but also includes Korean and Okinawan styles." Shortly put: It's most probably a self made style of the instructor (he's a 9th dan, which is a very high grade in traditional styles unless you're a head of the style). It's not very likely that you'll find any video tapes unless the instructor has produced them by himself. There are certain elements that made me a bit cautious. First, this is a straight quote from the webpages: "As a member of the Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan organization you will be taught the Kumite and techniques of fighting which has won the Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan respect and notability the world over." ...now, I've never heard about the style before this - and I'm rather well informed about the traditional karate circles, as well as about styles that reign in competitions. Sadly, these claims that they make aren't true. Other part: "The secret art of Kokyu Ho and Siamese Karate, mind and breath power, and hypnosis is taught." ...well, first, karate is an Okinawan/Japanese art (nowadays depending on style), not Siamese. Second, mentioning "mind power" and "hypnosis" should put one's alarm on rather loudly. What are they teaching there? Are they serious? Are they teaching superstition as means of self-defense. Sadly, I have to advice you: Search for an another martial arts school for your son. The current one is a bit too suspicious. If you're searching for karate school, known Japanese and Okinawan styles such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shorin-ryu and Uechi-ryu are a good choice - you'll probably get good karate in those (and will be able to find a school that recognizes your rank etc. if you move to an another city etc).

Well, I'd call that good quality.

Please, read this thread about do-gi. It pretty much covers the weight issue.

ステファニ チャイナル (SU TE FU a NI, "a" converting "FU" to "Fa", CHI a I NA RU, "a" again converting "CHI" to "CHa"). When writing western names in Japanese, use katakana (phonetic characters that are used for writing foreign words). Sure. デイル ダグラス (DE I RU DA GU RA SU), Dale Douglas スコッツ ギンヌ(SU KO tsu TSU, small "tsu" doubling the next consonant, GI N NU), Scott Ginn (with a sharp G). マイク デサント (MA I KU DE SA N TO), Mike DeSanto. That would be ヘクトル (HE KU TO RU). Actually, these aren't translations - translation is to look for the words with same meaning in other language. These are transliterations, ways to write words with the characters of other language.

Yes, those conditions harm makiwara. After all, it's wooden - and wood has to be properly sealed in any outdoor use. However, flexibility etc. will be diminished during the winter, so it's best to build a new outdoor makiwara in the beginning of every summer.

Don't strike it with any force. It'll ruin your wrists and knuckles - it'll cause knuckle joints to create cartilage and limit their movement. If struck with a heavy force, there will be serious damage done to knuckles and wrist joints. While impact training does increase bone density, it can be done in a lot safer way - i.e. with a proper makiwara with lots of give or with a good heavy bag. While thickened skin and increased bone density are a nice plus (that will come from any impact training), the greatest benefit of makiwara training (with a proper makiwara that has lots of give) is to have a safe and constant way for learning the proper geometrics (wrist, elbow, shoulder etc..) for punching. Heavy bag doesn't have as constant "swing" (makiwara only goes to one direction, while bag can turn etc. when punching) and thus makiwara is better for this kind of training. Using both board makiwara and heavy bag (I know that heavy bag can be called as makiwara as well) is a good idea for any karateka. However, it's necessary to check that the equipment is good - not too hard and heavy bag and not too stiff makiwara.

Wall mounted makiwara have little or no benefit. First of all, makiwara isn't for "conditioning" - it can thicken your skin, but if there isn't enough give (wall mounted ones don't generally have enough), you'll damage your joints and create cartilage to knuckles etc., limiting the range of movement (and causing problems in older age). If you need a striking target, get either a proper makiwara with lots of give (flexible enough) or a heavy bag.

Just train the stuff you train at the dojo. Do lots of repeats. Of course, you might do some jogging and weights, too - stamina and strength never hurts.

Hmm, not really. Think about it...a good jogging outfit & shoes costs easily $200. It's about the same price that you'll pay for an uniform & belt made by Tokaido, Shureido, Hirota etc. If you think about how long the uniforms last (my oldest Shureido uniform is ~8 years old now and still looks decent), the price isn't too much. Sure, if one is a student or has a low income, the price may take a while to rake up. Still, it's quite a wise thing to do.