NinTai

I have one of these and they are well worth the price. Well made and comfortable. Are there and specific questions that you have?

"It's a great read. Very philosophical - as far as the techniques, take what will work for you and your "personal" style and discard the rest. Bruce would have it no other way." You forgot the most important part of that philosophy: Before you discard something you have to know why it doesn't work for you. People always seem to for get that part.

"Kanbun Uechi agreed so wholeheartedly with the philosophy that his curriculum was originally 6 kata (though I think it expanded to 8...someone from Uechi Ryu correct me on this). " Kanbun sensei brought back 3 kata; Sanchin, Seisan and Sanseiryu. The rest (5 additional) were developed after his passing.

Jason, I have a set from Carbone (I thought it was a good idea to get the deluxe version but they turned out to be too heavy). One of the features that i like about the sai from Oki is that the kashira is rounded not pointed (agena sai). Thanks for the help.

I've seen that also, more so in the TKD scene. I saw a tape of a TKD BB test recently, it was disturbing to say the least. Hands down (not in a low guard but just hanging there) and many times just turning their back on the opponent so that there wouldn't get "scored" on. I'm only using the TKD as an example, I have met TKD people who don't act this way, but they seem to be the exeption.

To clear a few things up. "There are four main styles as most know Shito-Ryu, goju-ryu, Shatokan, and Wado-ryu" Actually Okinawan styles are basicaly divided into three main camps: Shuri-te, Naha-te and Other (Chinese styles such as Uechi-Ryu that have almost no Okinawan influence) Shito-Ryu and Shotokan come from the Shuri-te lineage, while Wado-Ryu was developed in 1934 in Japan combining ju-jitsu and Shotokan. ( http://www.wado-ryu.org/wadoryu/wadohist.asp ) "Japan then conquers Korea and outlaws any kind of tradition, including martial arts and destroys tons of history and legacy then forces Koreans to join Japan’s military. While in the military they learn Shotokan, after returning they take Shotokan and split up into like 7 different fractions. One of which was Tae Kwon Do. " Actualy I belive the "founders" of Tae Kwon Do studied Sotokan while in Japan attending University during the early 1900's some under Funakoshi himself. (More information can be found in Dragon Time Vol. 23 "Taekwondo- An Historical Appraisal by Robert Donrenwend Ph.D) I hope this helps.

Your welcome Good luck

Does anyone own a set of sai from Okinawan Adventures? http://www.okiadventures.com/html/sai.html If so how do you like them? Do you have any pics that you can share? Thanks

Here are a few places. What do mean by "unique"? https://www.weaponsconnection.com https://www.okiadventures.com https://www.murasakikobudo.com

I was very pleased with the ones that Bugei offers. Handles are longer and it tends to feel more like a real sword. My opinion. http://bugei.com/subcategory_31.htm

I agree that there is a great misuse of the term "master" as well as other oriental titles (I once saw on a website that the instructor when by the title "sifu" but was american and taught a japanese based style ). Anyway its interesting to note that an instructor I know was taugt by Kotani Sensei one of judos 10th dans and a direct student of Kano Sensei. The whole time he trined with him he just called him Sensei thats all.

From what I learned the "reaction" hand could be anything. It can grab and immobilize and attacking limb, pull a opponent closer or assist the "punching" hand in applying some sort of limb manipulation. The list just goes on and on. I have learned that the application happens while the limbs are moving not when they come to rest at the end. "reaction hand should stay up all the time to pick up the second punch/move" That would be a good guard position but when you start moving then it becomes depenent on the situation. I hope this helps.

I have a set of manji sai from Carbone they are very nice. He makes 2 types one with centered tines another with ofset. the style depends on your instructor. Good luck.

I'm not sure. What plant is used to make it?

I tend to let my rear foot slide up with the punch. While experimenting on the makiwara I found that by letting the foot slide it transfered my body weight to the target.

Actually, Kung Fu (or Gung Fu) means "skilled". It is a trait you strive to achive. i.e. Motzart had kung fu in music just as a pottery maker can achive kung fu in his/her trade. Wu Shu on the other hand is closer to "martial art", wu is the chinese pronunciation of bu, they are both the same character.

Thanks, I was just at the site, I'll sent them an email.

My instructor has also done conditioning for I would say 30 years. The only problems he has are with his right shoulder, but that has more to do with being shot there. The key is to start SLOW. Gradually increase the intensity and duration over a long period of time, like a year or 2. And please hit something that gives. Unless your drunk i don't think you will be fighting with any brick walls. Karate is about hitting the soft parts of them with the hard parts of you. Like anything else some people with develop problems and others will not. Play safe.

Its interesting to note that the "advanced" kata were once the "only" kata. I.E. Uechi-Ryu was origionaly Sanchin, Seisan, Sanseiru. Now there are about 5 "in between" kata that used the same movements in order to make the transition more gradual. Before you would spend possibly a year or more on one kata instead of the 3 moths usualy seen now. But I digress even the simpliest kata, Taikyoku for example can have very advanced applications and be a whole self defence system in itself if you study it long enough.

How many people wear a tie to work or a formal event??? When I was a leo we wore clip on ties so that they would come off if the bad guy/girl (to be pc) tried to use it against us. Next time you do your "street clothes" training wear a shirt and tie like you were going to a nice resturant see what happens.

I would have to agree that all kata are important as each teaches different principles. If my memory serves me it was Itosu that developed the Heians for the school system, hence the term "school boy karate". I belive he took pieces of other kata, Kusanku, Passai etc. and broke them dowm into simpler combinations so that it was easier to learn. As to the question posted. I tend to favor Sanchin and Naihanchi. I can't remember which Uechi instructor said it but the comment was: "All is in Sanchin" And Mutobu felt that Naihanchi contained all that was needed to survive a confrontation, if you mastered it of course.

Greetings, Does anyone know where I could purchase real maki (rice straw) rope. In the U.S. possibly online. Thanks