Monkeymagic

Draeger, D. F. & Smith, R. W. (1987) ‘Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts.’ Harper & Row Tan, K. (2004) Constructing a martial tradition: Rethinking a popular history of karate-dou. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, Volume 28, No. 2, May 2004, pp. 169-192, Sage Publications. Someone might have written the first one already

Dolph Lundgren was also the Swedish captain for their olympic karate squad.

I actually think more people are taking up some form of eastern practice, karate included. we here in the west are continually bombarded with the martial arts in films, yoga, tai chi, etc. In films we have Jackie Chan, had Van Damme and Bruce Lee... they had a massive influence and there was very probably a large amount of people joining karate and such when they were big on the screen. Now it's part of our culture. it is not really something that is seen as an asian art and that we are not aware of. People think about taking up a form of fitness, sport or increasing their flexibility. They frequently choose karate or a similar form of martial art. Karate is the most popular, least aggressive (in most peoples eyes), most comercialised and accessable. There are more clubs than ever, more styles, more people telling others about it. going back to films, there are more action films which have the main characters use some form of karate - this is a major inlfuence. People are starting to see karate as a way or path towards something, rather than a way to learn how to beat people up. It feels good for people to say they have a coloured belt in karate. people's lives in the west are so busy they find it hard to keep fit and be motivated to keep it up. How many people join the gym, pay a monthly membership, then hardly ever go. With karate clubs, you pay your membership, then feel motivated to go, to learn something new each time, are motivated by others who go (thus building a social circuit too) and is most styles have a good belt system which give you that incentive to carry on. What do you think?

1st kyu - Seki Juku - training towards my black belt but leaving the country this summer so may not get a chance to take it. But at least i'll be good enough to do it by the time I leave. Shame really. It's all about learning to get there for me anyway, i've been lucky to get this far in a relatively short time but worked vary hard towards it. I am moving to China, so will be able to maybe pick something up there.

Did he need to be a black belt for something?

What do you think the western interpretation is? I have another thread on this forum related to this if you want to answer there or here. Ta

Could you add more to this?

So, you perceive karate's real essence as a peaceful art rather than what the westerners would generally see it as a 'martial' art? What would you say about those western martial arts that seem quite agressive, such as TKD and kickboxing? How much of the real reason for martial arts have they forgotten, ignored or not focussed on anymore?

Why do you find karate more worthwhile?

I mean essence. Thanks for asking, I am trying to word my research dissertation question, and you just helped. I realise karate is a mixture of different martial arts and historical influences from China, Japan and Okinawa in the original sense of the art but more recently the west. As a practitioner, how do you perceive karate's eastern essence? What is it to you?

More research for my dissertation here. Please answer freely. the word 'eastern' is open for interpretation. Thanks again

Why did you start? What motivated you?

Can anyone find any other famous black belts??

Flexibility and knowledge

Chan, S. (2000) ‘The Construction and export of Culture as Artefact: The case of Japanese Martial Arts,’ The Body & Society (Sage Publications), Vol. 6, No. 1, Pages 69-74 Krug, J. G. November (2001) ‘At the feet of the Master: Three Stages in the Appropriation of Okinawan Karate Into Anglo-American Culture,‘ Cultural Studies, Critical Methodologies (Sage Publications), Vol. 1, No. 4, Pages 395-410. Mattson, G. E. (1963) ‘The Way of Karate’ Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan: Charles E Tuttle Company, Inc. James, A. The Social World of Karate-Do There are a few more. I'll add as I read them.

Bit confusing that sentence...I mean you seem in favour of the west's influence Thanks

Karateka - How much of eastern culture have 'the west' put back into karate? You seem quite for influence the west has had on karate. Could you see the karate that we know in the west as 'karate' and that of the ancient time something else?

Our main instructor is very good and who attracted me to stay at the club. He is very relaxed, works us hard, knows his stuff. He is very good for those just learning in the beginners class. In the advanced class he pushes us and those who are new to the advanced class always at different levels. He knows all his students names (well those who have been coming for a while) knows there weaknesses and strengths. He will push you when you are slacking but you know really he just wants youn to do well. He will praise you when you have done something well (usually something he knows you have been working on) I have been going to the club coming up to three years. I am a brown belt now and he has guided me well through each grading. I will be leaving the club this summer as I am leaving the country. I will miss his instruction and the ethos of the club. But this has encouraged me to continue karate when I move abroad. Anyone know of good karate clubs in Beijing (that teach in english).

Pinan - ichi, ni, san, yan, go at seki-juku

Jerrylove - Do you think karate was really developed in Okinawa during the Japanese occupation of the Island? Why do you think this? Do you also think that the Okinawans identify themselves with the 'birth' of karate? Unknown - Do you not think that the Japanese and okinawans used kata when developing karate? I think the japanese also developed point sparring in the karate physical education - Does anyone know whether this is true? Thanks again

Jiyn - why do you think karate is effective?

Thank you for your comments. Sauzin - Do you think we practice karate here in the west or have 'the west' created their own karate? Is karate, as the modern world knows it, the western forms of karate? How much of eastern culture have 'the west' put back into karate? Jerry love please continue to add comments too.

Apparently, there were only four schools of karate which was brought over to England in the 1950's. As these schoold developed and produced black belts, they went off to teach karate too. Some of these black belts decided from the style they stated with and add, change or take aspect away, creating their own style. I think from what i have read and heard, there are so many styles now with so many different grading and belt sytems. So many different views on karate and how it should develop, change, revert back to its original, be more competitive, have more grappling, less formal, more foral, etc. So those who start their own styles have their own motives for teaching what they teach. Here is an interesting artle to read: 'At the feet of the master: Three stages in the appropraition of Okinawan karate into Anglo-American Culture.' - Gary J Krug, Source (Cultural Studies Critical Methodologies, published by Sage, Volume 1 Number 4, page 395 - 410)