saishu

It's not that they don't condition themselves, its that they condition themselves differently. Tomo

Actually, a real emphasis on "stronger and deeper" does not have much to do with Shuri-te at all. I dont know if Azato's karate should really even be counted. Azato didn't contribute much to the development of Shotokan, since the first chance Azato had to get rid of Funakoshi he did and passed him off to Itosu. Personally I think Itosu had more impact that Azato. Sadly even Kenwa Mabuni had more impact on the development of Shotokan that Azato. Tomo

Well in Saishu Ryu we have quite a few kata. Taikyoku Shodan - 9th Kyu Taikyoku Nidan - 8th Kyu Taikyuku Sandan - 7th Kyu Heian Shodan - 6th Kyu Heian Nidan Heian Sandan - 5th Kyu Heian Yondan Heian Godan - 4th Kyu Tekki Shodan -3rd Kyu Ananku - 2nd Kyu Bassai Dai - 1st Kyu Kanku Dai - Shodan Nidan Katas -------------------- Matsukaze Bassai Sho Kanku Sho Jion Jutte Ji'in Empi Gankaku Tekki Nidan Sandan Katas -------------------- Tekki Sandan Hangetsu Matsumura Bassai Chinte Nipaipo Meikyo Rohai Chatan Yara Kushanku Yondan Katas ------------------- Hakucho Nijushiho Supraimpei Seienchin Sochin Sochin Ni Shi Sochin Godan Katas ------------------- Hakutsuru Sho Seipai Heiku Paiku Gojushiho Sho Gojushiho Ni Unsu Unsu Ni Anan Hakutsuru Master Katas (6 dan and above) ------------------- Hououmaru Tachihouou Tobihouou Sensohouou I am currently working on learning Ananku. Pretty much learning the kata that I didn't learn from doing Shotokan. This kata list is out of our 2006 guide book, they change a little from time to time, but for the most part this is all of our kata. Tomo

The way you land kind of depends on the style you are from. In Shotokan you land with a Soto Uke in front stance. In some forms of Shorin Ryu you land with a back fist. The way I practice it is as a tobi nihon geri (jumping double front kick) and land with a soto uke (outside block). Hope this helps. Tomo

Well I guess that's the reason he's a Red (Master) belt. I have seen some of the guys in Okinawa move like that, I think this is real. Tomo

The techniques in the videos look very similar to Saishu Ryu. Esp the knife fighting. I would say go for it if you can find a school. Tomo

You know I have heard that as well. But I attended a Ken Penland seminar and all we did was the Hakutsuru Kata. I have heard that Kise was suppose to be the only one who knew it, but if that is the case why can you buy videos of Hohan Soken performing it? Or is there a possibility that the one Kise knows is like Hakutsuru Ni or something? Oh well. Tomo

A good Kata Guruma on to the pavement is a great way to end a fight. Tomo

I know this kata. It's one of Mabuni's kata. It's very similar to Juroku and Matsukaze. If you want to learn it you should ask your Sensei. Tomo

Okay I have had a couple people write me messages asking about the Hakutsuru kata. I am just wondering if anyone can put in their two cents in about the mysticism surrounding this kata. I have had people tell me that there is no way that I could know this kata, however I have known it for about 5 years. Up until a few days ago I didn't think it was a big deal. Could someone please shed some light on this whole issue for me. Because to me Hakutsuru is just another kata. So what if it was made by Bushi Matsumura. You can buy videos of Hohan Soken performing this kata for goodness sake. If anyone is unfamiliar with this kata you can see it here - SaishuRyu Website. This video is of Saishu Ryu founder Scot Mertz performing Hakutsuru, but his version of this kata is the same one that i learned. Tomo

I dont know I have had problems with Tokaido's. Just not enough bang for my buck I guess. Just bought to many of them that look like trash after a year or so. Have you looked at Ki or Ronin gis? I know Ronin makes a 18 oz karate gi, which is probably the heaviest karate gi on the market. Ki also makes some really good gi's at a reasonable price. Tomo

I have never heard of this person. You might want to do some background checking on him. Any system where you can make Rokudan in that quickly is very suspicious. In Judo it takes roughly 25 years to make Rokudan, same with Shotokan karate and a few other styles that I know of. Please for your own sake, check into your "Grandmaster" and this Ancient Kung Fu Karate. Sounds very fishy to me. Tomo

I'm a Rokudan in Kodokan Judo. I have never heard of anyone in any style becoming a 6th in 4 years even if they have a ton of tallent. Who is your instructor if you don't mind me asking. Tomo

Some schools use Blue instead of Purple, or they use Blue as either the first or second purple. I know ISKF doesn't use it, but I have seen some JKA schools in Japan using it instead of purple. Tomo

Have you ever thought about doing Saishu Ryu? It's a lot like your past experience and I think you would do well. If you are interested you should contact our Doshu Scot Mertz. I have heard that he does video correspondence courses for some people. I have a link to the Saishu Ryu website on my name block. Go check it out. I'm pretty sure the contact form on the site goes directly to Doshu Mertz. Tomo