Jussi Häkkinen

Earth is calling...

Thankfully, no. I'm training and teaching karate, not poetry or meditation etc. Training outside has its benefits and should be done every now and then, but the rest...well, just too pseudo-spiritual for me. If I want to be spiritual, I read a good philosophy book or thesis. Might attract the kids, though. They usually don't have the criticism that would tell them when something is ridiculous.

Such as making a certain leg lift in Gojushiho to be a high and slow and making it a "correct" way of the style, instead of lower and faster lift/stomp of an original version of that very kata?

If there's a stripe on the belt of an Okinawan Goju-ryu person, it commonly doesn't mean a dan grade - it means Renshi (i.e. first "teacher grade", usually granted around 5-6. dan). In traditional styles you won't see dan stripes very often.

It's also possible - even probable - that Funakoshi, being a teacher and pursuing "civilized" lifestyle, did not know a thing about fighting. Wouldn't surprise me at all, especially since a fellow karateka - Choki Motobu - from those ages described Funakoshi's karate to be like a shamisen - beautiful to watch but empty from inside. Motobu, while being educated (nobles were) still had a healthy attitude towards fighting. He had a no-nonsense approach.

I think that the shrinkage of Kamikaze is quite acceptable. They lose approximately half a size - one size when washed in hot cycle (90°C/194°F) once or twice (that's what I use to "set" the size of a do-gi). However, my friend used the warm cycle (60°C/140°F) for a first couple of washes and after that has used the cold cycle (40°C/104°F). His do-gi has pretty well kept its size, shrinking less than half a size. Kamikaze do-gi do shrink less than Shureido. You really can't go wrong with a Kamikaze America or Kamikaze Europa.

Kamikaze do-gi are very good do-gi that are reasonably priced. With the Japanese brands you get the bluish fabric and "Japan bonus" - and maybe a very slightly better durability - but Kamikaze's price most often gives a better deal. Especially the "America" -model, which is the lowest priced "Hiroshi Shirai" -model of Kamikaze, has an incredible price-to-quality -level. It can be recommended wholeheartedly anyday to a karateka of any level. This brand is new to me. Is it sold only locally and how would you describe the models (cut, fabric, craftmanship)? You can most probably get two (or almost two) Kamikaze America for the price of one Japanese high-quality do-gi. The raw analysis of quality difference doesn't justify the higher price of other - it really doesn't differ all that much. Kamikaze Europa is also a great deal for people who wish to have a great medium weight do-gi. So, if you don't need that "Japan bonus" that comes by wearing those Japanese brands, there really isn't a reason to pay the higher price. It is only a feeling - not physical - bonus you're getting with a Japanese do-gi. Don't get me wrong - I do wear (and probably will be wearing in the future) a Japanese do-gi, but it's more of an emotional choice - the quality is top notch, but I could get the same quality cheaper by buying a Kamikaze uniform. Getting a Shureido (or other Japanese brand) is pretty much really about getting an uniform of a same brand that the masters are wearing (Shureido: Okinawan masters. Tokaido: JKA Shotokan. Hirota: Japanese national team), which doesn't really differ from buying the same brand of basketball shoes as one's idol wears. An image thing. I really can recommend Kamikaze to anyone who needs a high quality do-gi. Get one and enjoy it.

Yes, it - at least here in Finland - can be bought at the supermarket. It usually comes in spraypump bottles and you spray it to the fabric and iron over it. I use it when ironing my shirts. Ask the shop clerk for help.

If you absolutely want to use starch for your do-gi, use the normal ironing starch. I don't see any need for it, though - heavyweight do-gi are stiff enough to hold the presses and stay goodlooking even with regular ironing without starch.

Yes. I always have to tell them that I also chop some glass and stones as well.

Heavyweight, preferably 14-18oz. High quality heavyweight do-gi are actually cooler than the middleweight ones, since they stay away from the skin and allow the air to change inside the do-gi when one moves. Stiff fabric is a must. That being said, I'm tempted to try the new Tokaido, Hirota and Shureido uniforms that combine the stiffness and durability of a heavyweight do-gi to the lightness and breathability (of fabric) of a lightweight do-gi. The main benefit would be the packing for seminars etc. - heavyweight do-gi tend to take a lot of room from the bag.

No, Shorin/shorinji, when used in conjunction of Okinawan karate, points to the fighting tradtions of Shuri and Tomari area. "Shorin-ryu" or "Shorinji-ryu" (in their various writing forms) as a name, however, was used to refer to Shaolin temple, respecting the Chinese influence to karate history.

It isn't enough that you know the movements and can go through the kata. You'll have to know the purpose behind movements - the principles that are trained via those movements - and the strategy of fighting that is presented in a kata. You'll have to be able to apply these principles freely in fighting and adjust them to a situation. It takes time. There's an old proverb: "Hito kata, san nen", which means "one kata, three years". It's appliable especially to those "serious kata" or core kata of the style. I, personally, think that three years is a relatively short time to really learn to know the kata thoroughtly and to learn how to apply all that knowledge freely - especially if you'll have to learn other kata, as well, while you're specifically working with one.

Well, that's plainly because "soto" and "uchi" may be in relation to performer or in relation to opponent. It's especially funny since the very same technique (say, chudan uke) may be both soto chudan uke and uchi chudan uke, depending on the side of the opponent.

Too late, they already do exist - high quality Japanese brands offer a custom tailored uniforms as an option.

I have seen many failing their belt tests. It's not all that uncommon. General reasons: Problems with stamina, not enough good technique etc. basic reasons. Occasionally those are caused by being overly nervous or not being able to get the "spirit" on, which results to a lazy technique. I think that passing rate is high (~90%) in lower grades, in upper grades the rate might be around ~70-75%. Reasons for relatively high passing rate can't be simply found from "lowered standards". I believe that a good teacher shouldn't even let the student test unless he/she is ready and probable to pass the test. I think that this control is the reason for low failing rate, as you suggested. fixed: Typo

Learning new? Well, first, you'll have to re-learn to do the old ones properly in a new way. Also, it's not about learning the new stuff. It's all about learning how to use the stuff you have. There will be time when you won't have anything new to learn - only polishing the known ones and learning to apply them. I actually like it - and wish every day that there'd be less to polish and keep up. A kata? Well, that should keep you busy for a while. If it's Gekkisai dai Ichi, you should have something that keeps you busy for the rest of the year. Applications...

Shureido, Tokaido, Hirota, Kamikaze: Do-gi and kobudo weapons. Tozando: Iaito and iaido-wear.

Dying clothes is completely acceptable - after all, it's just something you wear. If your do-gi becomes neat again, why wouldn't one dye it? It's not a spouse, it's not a dog. It's just something you wear. And yes, I would re-dye my favourite pair of jeans, as well.

Depends on how you count the techniques. No, if you know the language a bit. After all, learning languages is rather easy. What? Not that I know one. Technique names do not really mean all that much. They're simply describing the technique, after all.

Do-gi colour has nothing to do about being a master or not being one. It's just about looking McDojo-ish or not looking like it. Red belt is a master belt in some styles. It seems that your sensei has some growing up to do. They're fellow competitors and (apparently) they follow the competition dresscode. Shouldn't be a problem to anyone. "Beat them as badly as you can"? Childish.

Uhh...kay. You might ask this "higher rank" person about the dojo dresscode.

Maturity pretty much comes with age. And yes, I would generally say that 7 year old would have been too young to begin training a martial art. I don't believe in "junior black belts". A person who has achieved a black belt should have a body and ability that allows him or her to practice with other (adult) black belts properly, without holding back too much. A child under ~16 years of age is not ready for this. Of course, other dojo and other arts are free to have groups for 5 year olds (or even for toddlers) and give any belt to anyone. It's actually better that way - I don't have to see kids in a place I train or teach.

Do-gi has to be neat. If it's overly worn out, well, it's not an "uniform" anymore - so it's best to keep one as a home training do-gi (or just dump it). Holes, threads hanging etc. looks sloppy. It shows negligence towards own self.

Sounds like a western style. Not likely a Japanese name. I'd believe that it's a modern style. Photos that I found give it a bit McDojo-ish appearance.