username9

I have studied Tani-Ha Shito-Ryu (Or Shukokai as it is better known) and I can tell you it is quite useful. But trying to compare wether to study ju Jitsu or karate (in any style) is hard. You will get different things from both of them: Karate - A Basis in traditional Kicking, punchink, blocking and sweeping type things. Ju Jitsu - A basis in throwing, locking, strangling/choking and submission fighting along with grappling. I have started studying a progressive system of Ju Jitsu and it complements my many years in Karate and taught me things i never realised I needed to know! So study them both mate - Y not?!

Hi guys, I have studied Shukokai Karate since I was "ickle". I was just wondering how many people know of this style or even study it? Is it studied in America? It is an evolved style of Shito-Ryu, "created" by Sensei Tani. So - any Shukokai-bretheren out there?

My advice is similar to some of the above - NEVER claim that you know more than you do and NEVER be arrogant enough to think that you can't take advice from others. We can take some advice from our TaeKwon Do Kicking "cousins". One of the Tenets of taeKwon Do is to always respect others and to never stop learning from others. And to save urself a hard time from ur mates, don't go shouting about that u do it! But the most important thing is Listen, learn and HAVE FUN! Welcome to Karate and I hope you get as muich enjoyment out of it as I have....and then TaeKwon Do and then Ju Jitsu....hehe - I started when I was 7 - I'm 20 now and can't get enough! and out of interest - which Uni are you at?

So what Kaos was trying to say is PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT - NOT PERFECT. Practising a kata perfectly will make it perfect. Basically matey you need to memorise the basic pattern - all of the Pinan Katas are basically the same with different movements. When u get the basic directional sense the rest will come. And like we say PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!! And don't try doing too many at a time - you will have enough on when u get to higher grades. Having to do Basai Dai, To Mari No Basai and Basai Sho is confusing as hell! So good luck and practice and don't take too much on at one time!

We should do what Shorinryu Sensei did and decline to take part in it. If someone gives you a honorary rank in the aim of claiming one back...kick them in the nuts! Or at least don't accept it! We won't stop idiots doing it so just do your bit!

Back to the point from me guys: I like Ian Abernathy's books on Kata Bunkai "Karate's Grappling Methods " is a good one. Especially for myself who has a 2nd Dan in Karate and then realised I wanted to learn Ju Jitsu-type stuff. (Grappling). It helps me tie in what I have learned regarding Grappling to my Original style of karate. Interesting stuff. As for pressure-point fighting - I am a baby in that but I think it should also be introduced more into Karate! I also found it interesting that many pro boxers are trying to work on pressure points!

It seems like the guy does know his stuff. (O'Sensei Philip Porter) But then again it does seem pretty hard to get 10th Dans in all those styles. In my original art - Shukokai Karate - you would have to have trained for about 50 years AFTER achieving 1st Dan to gain your 10th Dan. But the point still remains that Dans are just Bars on a belt after a while - all it means is kids think you are impressive. Unless you prove yourself, no-one in the know thinks the same. I'm not rubbishin high-ranked individuals ....as long as they have "earned their stripes!"