patusai

HongKongFooey -- I couldn't help comment on your tag even though my comment had nothing to do with the original subject. It was priceless. Thanks

"Welcome to McDojo's! One supersize blackbelt coming right up sir!" "

I was not aware of this. I'd like to know too

I am a bit familiar with Goju. I also love authentic Italian food!!! Welcome

Perhaps you should ask your instructor. He/she may have better insight. Good luck

Excellent, My understanding is that in Shudokan there are Kokyu katas (seven I believe) and even the lowest level of these kata are taught at high brown or low black levels. Does anyone have information on this? Do these kata have names? It is my understanding that they are guarded so I am not asking for movements or anything along those lines. I'm just curious as to the names. Thanks \

I like that!

It is a MA that suggests that it is effective in the street. It uses grapling and other eclectic techniques. From what I understand it is a "whatever works use it" type of a style. As for compatability, although it is the same as kyokushin and taekwondo in that it is a martial art it is by concept different. Perhaps you can view a class (or a few classes) and better determine its compatability and your needs?

As with everything else in life, there are limits. Old men should not perform Sanchin, for example, as a youth would. One of Itosu precepts was "Do not put too much strain on yourself while you are practicing, otherwise you will get bloodshot and your face will turn red. These are signs of over-practice which will ruin your health in time." Old man cannot practice like then did when they were young nor should they. I am not suggesting a right or wrong. This is just what I was taught and was cautioned about. I have no reason to do otherwise at this point in my life. To each his own.

You are indeed fortunate to have someone to correct your kata in such a way. Michio Koyasu (So Ryu Soke) is, the last I heard, still alive and doing well but many do not have access to him. There are those in the US who trained with Koyasu but based on conversations with some of them the style has changed under them based on what I was taught. They do not perform many of the kata that I was taught and as for the Ura katas many have no idea what I am talking about. James Caldwell in Nebraska is the one exception that I have found. I am sure that there are other exceptions. I just have not found them...yet. Some day, before I die, my pie in the sky dream is to find enough finances and possibily have the opportunity to train with him for a few years. Unfortunately they are nothing more than foolish dreams of an old man...but dreams drempt of none the less. Again, your are very fortunate. I wish you the best of luck in your continued pursit

Patusai (to breeach a fortress) is the same as Passai and Bassai (Shotokan version) I believe that the difference is dialect based and also Japanese vs Okinawan....I use to know but I can't remember anymore....old age? Toyama and others, INcludind Funikoshi basically received their training from Itosu and some of his senior students thus it's pretty much the same. There are differences in the way the kata are promounced and in many cases performed. This is one reason Toyama felt that there were no styles just karate. We are all cut from the same cloth although, through the years, modifications have been made to the cloth in an attempt to make it stronger. Perhaps the modifications succeeded. Perhaps not. I practice what I was taught as closely to exactly how I was taught. My first teacher's kata techniques may have even been slightly different than what he was taught. You forget things over time and, unfortunately, as you get older you run the risk, for one reason or another, of not having that person correct your kata.

Martial arts is not like politics. There are many schools out there and you can train at whatever one you want. If you find the rules too demanding or even foolish you have a choice. Although I think the request may have been a bit much I, honestly do not know why the request/demand was made. Maybe talking to your instructor and respectfully asking why and how would shed some better light on the matter...perhaps not. The best of luck to you

There is not much on the internet. There are some instructors still teaching the style in the Texas area and one in Indiana. There is one out west (Nebraska I believe), James Caldwell who was taught by Koyasu. I do not know the guy personally but... http://www.wkf.org/soryu.html This may have been what you have found on the internet. If not, it is probably one of the better informational sites IMHO Again, there is not much written about this style. No Books or videos. By the way if anyone does have infortmation about book or video of this style please let me know as it would be of great interest to me. It took me almost 25 years to find anyone who was familiar with the style. Only after the internet became populated with information did I find additional information to what I was taught. I have not seen much on Kata or rank requirements. Some of the teachers in Texas have different kata than what I learned. Kata generally associated with the Soryu that I learned were (Kokyu ho, Pian 1,2,3,4,5, Bei Rei (a kata developed by Koyasu himself), Patusai, Ura Patusai, Chinto, Kushanku, Jion, Ura Jion, Wanshu, Seishan, Sochin, Useishi. I also understand that Naihanchin 1,2,3 were also taught but I was not learn them. I was also know of an alternative bunkai kata of Kushanku and Useishi that were taught back in the day but I was not fortunate enough to learn either of them.

Good idea. I'd add to wash them with soap and warm water. Sometimes the bactrial sprays cause a rash. You might want to consider washing them based on the manufacturers directions. If they are really old I'd toss them and find something else...but was that something else after each use...

ArmorOfGod said it well. It's not your school. As for barbers...you've got to find a good one. If you went to one of those "styling" places you, first of all spent too much money and secondly a registered barber is the best way to go in my opinion. If they wash the hair and then cut it that will indeed screw things up. Washing long hair and cutting it at the length that you desire is fine but when it drys the hair is actually shorter then intended. In my day I had long hair (long and naturally wavy) and the hair wash always screwed up the length for me after the hair dried. A genuine barber next time...ask for his certificate. Just a suggestion

If you respect your sensei's decision and respect you sensei as you have indicated there should be no discussion needed. Your sensei had him start all over again, he did, and through training your sensei saw that he is at a much higher level than a white belt. What would you have your sensei do? If the guy knows the kata and can perform it to the level that he is at now would you keep him at a much lower rank and bore him by doing the same kata and techniques as someone who has yet to learn them? Would you put the guy at say 3rd kyu instead of 2nd kyu? As for passing you, perhaps he will. Maybe he will not. Remember the rest of the training is new to him now...as is the training for you. As I see it, this is a great motivational tool for you. You train hard now train harder so that his skills do not pass yours. There is a story told by a motivational speaker that goes something like this: During an olympics there was a 100 yard dash (or some distance) two runners were neck and neck to the very end. It was a photo finnish. On the photo one runner was seen looking over his shoulder and one runner was show leaning forward (looking ahead). One guess as to which one won. My point is don't look over your shoulder or you will be passed. Good luck to to both of you

As many have said start with one. Good luck to you in your pursuit

I do So Ryu Kan which in some respects is similar. The kata of Soryu are a bit different then what you have indicated Michio Koyasu was a student of Toyama.

I agree. many, including myself, do not breath deeply. We breath (normally breathing) as if air costs money and we are charged for every breath. I have to start working on my normal breathing. Thanks for bringing this up.

Since the general idea of karate is that there is no first attack I would think that Bunkai came first. Back in the day one of my styles taught bunkai for all the kata and specifically taught bunkai as a kata for a select number of kata: Jion, Patusai, Kushanku and Usieshi. From what I understand a lot of American schools have since done away with the actual bunkai as a kata in istself but still teach bunkai so that students can better understand what it is that they are doing and why. I seriously can't understand teaching kata without bunkai.

Unfortunately (or in some rare cases it's fortunate I suppose) there is always someone out there that will promote anyone

If he has done it before then perhaps he is worried about some younger stronger person taking over and does not allow a person to pass a certain limit. Speaking from experience, the older one gets their skills start reflecting age. You look out at a world that does not appreciate age and the knowledge and ability that it brings. It make you feel inferior. This is a world that would sooner recognize a 7th degree black belt on a young ripped buy than a old man with 30 years experience. I did a little research after sending you the response and I was able to find photos. This may be the thing

Wow! I never experienced anything like that especially after 21 years. I have known black belts who left organizations after reaching 3rd dan but the split was, at least as I know it, more mutual. Usually it was because the dan wanted to do their own thing...yes, not really ready to make the move but they wanted to go out on their own. Maybe in time he will be able to talk and you can get an explaination. Not knowing why is very difficult and the longer times goes by the more difficult it will get. I am not sure what the documents were. I assume that the content had no bearing on the decision. Maybe he felt it was time for you to move on and be on your own. Of course when that happens it is usually done under different conditions. Good luck in your school and I hope that someday that you are given the opportunity to meet with your instructor and talk this out...even if it does not get resolved.

Good luck on the test!

What little I know is creatine requires more water. I'd ask a doctor.