cathal

If not seen, what's the strangest thing that has happened? Was it eventually explained? Is it still a good story to tell your friends?

That pretty much sums it up. Thanks chiliphil1

I've been practicing this kata for a while. Its easy to learn and I really enjoy it because its all about kime. I've even hard of it as a somewhat mysterious kata, with the origin unknown & a lot of opinions on it. The one thing most agree on is the name seems to resemble a Chinese temple called Jion-Li. Jion is widely known in Shotokan circles as one of the "big four": Bassai-Dai, Kanku-Dai, Jion, and Enpi. This is because most (if not all) Shotokan organizations agree on them & use them. The bunkai is also very interesting. Not everyone uses the palm heel strikes yet I've seen many occasionally utilize it for bunkai. A few different versions: Shotokan: Aragaki Misako: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz-riFkJy18 Wado-ryu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2PcEm9eXBw Nathaie Moreau 2010: International Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu: Javier Hernandez: What do you like, love, or hate about this kata? What insights do you have for those performing it? Does your dojo make changes to it? I know Shukokai uses Jion but couldn't in a video. Anyone have a link?

After checking into this for a while I'm both impressed and jealous that Wado_Heretic posted first. I can say with confidence that I'm not worried. I agree on the 12th kyu for youth. Mainly because its easier to train kids when they start as young as some I've seen on the website's media.

Wow I'm kinda speechless. Thank you very much!

Its too bad, that one from 2011 lost the link to the original study.

Well said. But if you watch the youtube video I submitted you may gain a new perspective. I'd be very interested to see your take on the subject after you've seen what the video has to say.

Nice to meet you, I hope you enjoy the forum

To be honest Shotokannon it does feel a bit fishy. Beginning at 12th kyu for Shotokan is unusual as well. All the Shotokan karateka I've ever heard of begin at 10th Kyu. - Is the dojo part of an organization such as IKD, ISKF, ITKF etc? - What are the requirements for grading from 12 to 11, and 11 to 10th Kyu? What was your testing comprised of? - Who officiated your exams? e.g. Shihan John Smith. - Are there stripes on the belt added each time? - Are you paying for each one? - Did you have to sign a contract for x dollars for a specific grade to be earned?

I like the creativity. Especially at the end with the Street Fighter moves.

That article's source is from 2011 and the original study isn't available any longer. Is there an updated link you've been able to find? I seem to remember a similar post from 2003 or so that had smaller numbers, its good to see they're increasing.

just 08 months from white to green belt? Some Shotokan soils go from white to Green.

Proof is on the...screen.

Granted, but obvious you didn't check out the video. Watch it and let me know if your opinion changes.

I saw the question like you. I'll add that a karateka is someone dedicated to keep training even when their body is tired. To keep training and push their limits. As well, someone who is humble enough to not allow themselves to be provoked into violence.

I don't know about any other styles that use backflips, its something we've been using in Shotokan for a while now. Check out this video and see how you can incorporate them into your bunkai. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vuamO-Lj2U&feature=youtu.be What are your thoughts? Do they seem practical? The third one was super simple to do that it made me re-think the "flashier" techniques.

What you're referring to is what I've heard called "Green Belt Syndrome" and I had a touch of it too. It tends to manifest around the mid-point between beginner and shodan. Basically there are two main possibilities: First, the student believes they now know it all or at least feel they can do it all if only their instructor would let them. Second, it sinks in that the years of continuous training ahead of them just aren't worth it. How I deal with it is by educating & informing them constantly. I let them know their presence in the dojo is valued and let them know the road ahead. Ultimately the choice to stay is their own.

The car is a 2002 Nissan Altima. I have a car in great shape except for 2 things: first is the driver's side front tire. The air seal is weak and it tends to go flat within a week if I don't keep filling it. I suppose that the new rim would cost about $100. The second is that it needs a front pipe for the exhaust. Its the part that goes from the engine's exhaust that follows under the engine to the exhaust pipe. That part costs $600 from the dealer and $650 from the mechanic (who will just purchase from the dealer and add $50 fro the trouble.) I have been unable to find the part from an exhaust shop that can even build exhaust pieces. This one is too convoluted in shape for hem to build. I've tried U-Pick companies and they don't have one that can fit. I've decided I've put too much money into the car already and it'll be better to just sell it. But how would I go about selling a car that needs work? If I sell privately I seriously doubt I'll get the money the car's worth. What advice do you have?

Welcome to KF

This. Keep practicing it and you'll get it.

I am happy that I learned a bit about their root belief with "the receiving."

This is informative and I really enjoyed watching it. I'm impressed they showed the candid feedback of the Okinawan master as well. Thank you for sharing this!

I think those are lovely symbolic interpretations, but I stopped valuing such interpretations about 7 years ago. Usually, the people who told me those kinds of interpretations seemed to use them for movements they couldn't explain from a practical standpoint. I have since learned practical combative applications for them, so I feel no desire to fill in gaps with pretty imagery. All that said, I do think that, sometimes, the initial and final hand position in kata can be symbolic. Usually, your hands are in some form of "hands-ready position" (http://cryptome.org/info/usss-hands/usss-hands.htm) at the beginning and end of kata. This provides you a useful, practical starting point. Some people have been known to use Buddhist hand positions for this, as well. This also fits with Chibana Chosin's teachings; "There is no kamae in a karate kata, except for the beginning and end of the kata. Everything else is transition and application. For me it is a nice story, something that I enjoy. I don't let it affect out the bunkai works out, though.

That's fantastic! Glad the forum could help

I've been informed that the first two movements (looking to the sky, and the arms moving down) are similar to an interpretation of looking at the sunset, then the zen shape for Universe. The last two movements can be seen as the fist representing the setting moon followed by the reverse movement for universe. This can be thought of as a ying/yang symbol with respect to the opposites represented in the kata. Any thoughts?