kivikala

Absolutely

True, the JKA was not started by Funakoshi. It was created by a group of businessmen who hired Nakayama as best as I can tell, was then a 1st Dan under Funakoshi and "JKA" promoted him to 9th dan and set him up as "Chief Instructor" of the JKA. Only much later was Funakoshi named "honorary master" but he only taught at the JKA a couple of times before his death. The Wasada U. club (aka "Old Boys Club") lived and breathed Funakoshi and still to this day try to preserve exactly what Funakoshi taught. Funakoshi never "endorsed" any group other than to indicate it is for his students to carry on the Way (wherever that may lead). So that way whether a "style" has 19, 26 or 108 kata it would still be Shotokan. It seems about this time even Goju was having it's own problems and trying to standardize things for "Okinawan Karate" in order to gain the same recognition for itself that Funakoshi (an Okinawan BTW) gave Shotokan! After Myagi's death, it is my opinion, the Goju-ryu heirarchy fell apart which caused a sort the backlash effect I experienced when I was training in Goju in the later 50's and 60's. (How was that huh? I tied the post back to Goju... )

Only what I was willing to put in.

I am a dyed-in-the-wool Masamune Shirow fan (Ghost in the Shell, Intron Depot). I was introduced to Sandman by a friend and enjoyed that tremendously as well. I enjoy quality Manga -> Anime crossover stuff but it is getting harder and harder to find anything that wasn't hacked together overnight for the American saturday morning cartoon audience.

Depends on the tradition. Those such as Shotokai (Egami) and SKA (Ohshima) following the practice via the Wasada University Club (Gigo/Egami) and the "the Shotokan" (Funakoshis school) will practice only 19 kata (see Karate-do Kyohan by Gichin Funakoshi). The Tokyo University Club, JKA (Nakayama) and other Shotokan spin-offs practice 26 kata (see Dynamic Karate by Masatoshi Nakayama). Even in Goju there is some minor contention on what are the correct kata (i.e. Togouchi vs Yagi).

Hmm... Ok, a quick 5 point over-simplified checklist on the major differences... Goju Ryu 1. Short upright stances. 2. Shorter "snappier" strikes and kicks. 3. 12 kata emphasizing ibuke breathing built around Kata Sanchin. 4. Very suitable for close in fighting. 5. Strong circular movements. Shotokan 1. Long low stances. 2. Longer "driving" strikes and kicks. 3. 19 Kata emphazing maai and speed built around Kata Kwanku. 4. Better suited for longer distance fighting. 5. Strong linear movements. We can look at the styles from a human morphology perspective and I believe that Goju-ryu is more suitable for people of the brachiomorphic physique whereas the Shotokan style is more suited for dolichomorphic bodies. This is evident in the generalized characteristics of the kata and even kihon practice. So both physically (see above) and ideologically (Go and Ju vs just Go) the two styles are rather different. However, those who train in Shotokan long enough will come to find the two styles are more complimentary than opposite. So there, that's my take on the differences.

Sure, what's not to like about Goju? .

A lack of consistant leadership in the local Okinawan Goju community. I suppose you can call this politics. We wanted better quality guidance. Growth of karate in the early years in the US was no picnic.

From my talking to various instructors, visiting various dojos it seems wearing a hakama is much like putting on your jeans. There really is no "right" way or "wrong" way to wear it (other than to make sure the koshita is in the back). Some schools/styles are very very fussy about exactness and formal wear, such as the knot has to be this way or that. My feeling is that a hakama is more personal and needs to be utilitarian as well as being outwardly a traditional garb. It has to be comfortable, fit right, and present no impediment to movement. Beyond that you can tie the hime around your neck if that what you need to do. All I care about is that the hakama is black. Previous posters have indicated some good sources and information on the subject.

Just my observation, I have heard of people getting their back belt in 1 year in TKD, but when I've actually asked around at local TKD schools (and a few out-of-state) the time to gain that rank is usually around 4 years. So I've never met any 1 year black belts (yet). In my school you can get to Shodan in 3 years if you are a karate-prodigy otherwise 4 years is more the norm. Nidan is eligible after 2 more years (doesn't mean anyone gets there). and Sandan 5 years after that. I'd like to say I pulled the numbers out of my hat, but I've been using the same requirements that were handed to me by my Japanese instructors some 40 years ago.

From the original posters comments, it sounds like the previous schools instructor is being a bit overly sensitive. I can understand if there are particular circumstances, then re-addmission might not be an option. But nothing like that is indicated here. But it's his (the instructor) school, and he can do pretty much as he pleases. However, for myself, I've never refused a student who has gone to another school and wanted to come back (even those who have gone over to the dark side).

Long time ago in a dojo far away, a rag-tag bunch of karate-ka (including me) practiced Goju-ryu. We did this for about 15 years until we discovered Shotokan. However, Goju kata are still part of our syllabus, but that's a secret, and you never heard it from me.

Each dojo have their own formalities. As has been suggested, it is totally approriate to ask your instructor for guidance on this. By observation, the general proceedure does not seem to be all that different from school to school.

Although at my age I don't train as much as I used to, I just looked at my routine and schedule and realized I spend somewhere between 10-12 hours a week. Some days are more or less than others. When I was in top form I'd be doing 20-24 hours a week but as time creeped on, I've slowed down. Hmm, must be a weak mentality I've allowed myself to slip into.

I believe the school-owner names the school (he who has the gold makes the rules.) I think organizations appreciate uniformity as it creates strong community and mind-share. But unless it's a franchise, the organization can go cry me a river. We have over the years been members of various organizations (HMAF, SKKU, USKA, HHSK, SKA). When we joined SKA it was "suggested" that we use the name "Shotokan Karate - (town-name)" if we were going to include any references to SKA in our own advertising. At the time, our name was rather generic "Shotokan Karate Dojo" so for us changing the name to support the organization was a simple no-brainer. If the school name was more "unique" (i.e. Kivikala's Super Karate School, Bait Shop and Delicatessen) we would not have changed the name. Many schools in SKA have unique (non-conforming) names. As an observation, the schools that do follow the convention tend to be university clubs rather than established businesses.