Sun Ti

Yeah you should learn as much as possible, and you should master at least one thing. I like your attitude, but does that extend to learning TMAs? I'm guessing, uh-uh and a nope. Without traditional arts you don't have kickboxing American style. Joe Lewis was a BB in Shorin Ryu as was Bill Wallace. Although mid-level Okinawan stylists, they had enough MAs knowledge to create a phenomenon that is loved around the world. Just like Bruce Lee. He never mastered Wing Chun, but now JKD is the bomb, huh? This is the thing many MMAs types are missing. You have to be very proficient in one thing in order to invent something like GJJ, unless you are straight up lucky and just happen upon "it". You have to understand many schools of JJJ/AKJ in order to form Kodokan Judo, like Jigoro Kano did. I like that everyone is a bandwagoneer. You guys will probably never use what you've learned for ring sport outside the ring. It will give you confidence that you can beat multiple attackers, someone who "steals" you, or weapon wielding assailants. Or will it? When the shite hits the fan, either get out the way, or be prepared. Train for SD or train for sport. They really are not inclusive. I know I'm rambling. I'm just wondering when people will get things straight. Real karate, like a lot of Okinawan Karate, Kyokushin and its offshoots, are also good styles. The French sailors that invented Savate or Boxe Francaise learned that stuff in SE Asia from traditionalists. Maeda was a traditionally trained Jujustu-ka (only a 3rd dan btw) who taught Carlos Gracie who in turn taught Helio Gracie who in turn formulated the ground game called GJJ. A third dan taught 2 eventual 10th Dans. Wow! Traditional sucks, huh? Anyway, yeah savate is cool. I like their use of toe-kicks, which styles like Matsumura Seito Karatejutsu and Uechi Ryu use with great frequency. Makes sense when you wear shoes. Peace...

It doesn't need to be proven. Machimura's name is a part of the Jigen school's registry. The current headmaster of Jigen Ryu has verified this. Sokon Matsumura was a Shihan in that ryu. The headmaster has also said that the influence of Matsumura's karate and Jigen Ryu was two-way street. "The question is which influenced which the most." Those are his words. As a practicing nidan in the Kokusai Shuri Te Karate/Kobujutsu Rengokai, and the International Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate/Kobujutsu Association, I can say that our requirements for Shodan include 5 kata. They must be perfected to the best of your ability. The normal time it takes to get a Shodan in this system is about 3-5 years, so 4 years. Shodan is the beginning of understanding. You should know the first five kata inside and out, and be able to apply and show the analysis of them with originality and flexibility. Learning 15-20 kata before getting Shodan will give you the movements but not the application/analysis. Concentrated study of each kata, with no moving on until you've undertsood them completely, and can execute them flawlessly (for you), should be the aim of "old school" training. That's my opinion based on my training and experience in Shorinkan and Matsumura Orthodox. Peace...

First off, this is my first post, and I'm glad to be here. Sensei Demura is a a renowned Japanese karate-ka with SOME Okinawan karate training. I tend to classify his style as Japanese Shito Ryu with no real affiliation to Mabuni Kenwa's Shito Ryu (Okinawan). His kobudo is different, his kata are different and the intent of his karate is more "modern" too. Too deep and long in the stance department and too much block-then punch/kick karate. Too shoulder locked and too static. TOOO much goho (hardness). If you're looking for a good style (ryu-ha) that emphasizes realistic fighting techs and the best weapons techs, you should search for a good Shorin Ryu school, preferably Matsumura Seito Karate-Jutsu (none in LA area) or Shorinkan-Kobayashi (I don't know if there are any of these there either). There is very little in the real karate department in La-La land and. Seems people there don't have the patience to learn MAs the right way just the overnight way (j/k)! The Kyan influenced ryuha are also good (Okinawan Shorinji Ryu, Shobayashi, Seibukan, Sukunaihayashi, etc.). There are some good Goju Ryu, as well as Uechi Ryu schools, which teach Okinawan weapons . Stay away from the more school-kid influenced Japanese styles. They are short on kobudo (weapons art) and long on formality. Then again Ohshima sensei teaches a good style of Shotokan! Good luck and take your time finding a good dojo, sensei and style. There are some out there but they are sooooo hard to find. Bye...