patusai

I too use only cotton. If I did get a satin maybe it would be for special events/promotions/etc. I don't plan on getting one though.

What manufacturer? One heck of a belt

I never washed my best. I do like a clean gi though. Yes indeed belts get smelly after time. Now adays you can spray them with that fabric freshener stuff I suppose but then you'll have a non-MA sent about you.

Welcome. Nice of you to be here

Congratuations...here's wishing you many more wins in MA and in life

That's a good question. Do they use sashes outside the US (I ask hoping that you would know)? If so was the sash system developed by Americans or Orientials? It would be interesting to learn...for me at least

Kinda like don't ask don't tell

Yep. Well said

Seattle and Pittsburg

I have knows this to happen. I heard that a Shodan went to Canada (I will not mention the style but it is a well thought of style and the promoter was a very very high ranked individual in that style) and came back a Sandan. One if his students who was promoted to Shodan went to Canada a number of years later for advanced rank, there was no record of the promotion to Sandan. There was a test and the person came back with a Sandan. Is it suppose to happen? It is not for me to say. Many guys back in the day were in Japan or Okinawa got shodan rank and returned shortly thereafter with ranks far exceeding Sandan. I am not sure if one rank level at a time is an American expectation or not. The example that I am offering the promoter was oriential. As for bad publicity, frankly it does not matter. Many of the old masters were recognized as masters simply because there were people out there that actually recognized and respected them. Some did not go up the ladder of rank one step at a time. I suppose that what I am saying is that although I could not do it there are some that can and probablty should. It is not my call but if it is awarded by a top master level individual it is valid. Itosu and ( believe it was either Chibana or Funakoski) were once authorized to promote to any rank in any style and it would be honored in all of Japan based on their authority alone. Not necessarily one rank at a time either. Just my thoughts. Sorry for the length.

If you do get this, just ask them "what does a someone with a black belt look like?" I didn't look like the extremely athletic type. The other problem is that people watch too much TV.

Yes indeed some technique are executed better with a vert. punch. Just below the solar plexes the "pocket" is a real good fit and if done right can cause a great deal of damage.

Your legal defence is flawed. That is all that I am going to say. I apologize for getting involved with this post since you just wanted information on building the weapon and nothing more. Do you have a sensei? If you do perhaps you can talk with him/her about this idea.

As for belts being a marketing scam...sometimes it is depending on the school. All schools and all teachers are not that way. Taz, you have a one of a kind in todays MA world. All teachers cannot do that.

If I'm understanding this I have trained on both types. I find that I get more destructive power with the Horizontal. Maybe it's me, maybe it's all in my mind.

Shotokan is a a popular style. Are there other Shotokan schools in the area? They may welcome "transferring" students from another Shotokan school that has "changed" direction so to speak. They may be able to test to or near their present rank depending on how the instructor works this I would think.

I was wondering if anyone know of any free traditional weaponry downloads for the Sai, Tonfa and Bo? Also, there are DVD's available for purchase so can you offer any recommendations? I'm looking for traditional kata performed non freestyle for Japanese and Okinawan MA Thank you

I knew a guy back in the day that make a pair of steel ones out of cold rolled steel bars and welded a chain to fasten them together. He use them to practice with until the first time he spun them around and caught them under his arm. It was months before he was able to use Nunchakus again. My point us...well I have no point....but then again... As for using the Nunchaku on the street, why bother? If you are living in that dangerous of an area and you feel a need for a weapon why would you use something old world and inferior to the more modern day weapons? Ok, so you pull out the chucks and the guy robbing you pulls out his gun and...well...you know.... If it's that dangerouns Hogosha is right....more than likely they will take the chucks aways from you and...again...well...you know...

Never counted

I get help. It would seem to be difficult to practice this art alone. I'd talk with my instructor to see what he/she would suggest. Good luck

Ok, I'll bite...Come on, this has to be a joke....but... I would pay $6000 to have the greatest of honors of being tested (or even having my kata corrected) by Matsumura, Itosu, Chibana, Toyama or even Koyasu and to me it would be well worth the cost. Note; that only one of those on the list is still alive...at least I hope that he is still doing well. I suppse knowing who you master is might make a difference...I suppose. It would not be for the test itself but for the high honor of being tested by by a great master... and I'm talking great here not your normal modern day master level black belt. Take the $6000 and find another school/style and use the rest of the money on some worth while charity.

Ok, I'll bite...Come on, this has to be a joke....but... I would pay $6000 to have the greatest of honors of being tested (or even having my kata corrected) by Matsumura, Itosu, Chibana, Toyama or even Koyasu and to me it would be well worth the cost. Note; that only one of those on the list is still alive...at least I hope that he is still doing well. I suppse knowing who you master is might make a difference...I suppose. It would not be for the test itself but for the high honor of being tested by by a great master... and I'm talking great here not your normal modern day master level black belt. Take the $6000 and find another school/style and use the rest of the money on some worth while charity.

Welcome. You're looking for something that is still missing? What are you trying to accomplish? A full rounding of MA? Aikido, Traditional MA Weapons?

"You don't look like a black belt" I never thought that was necessary though.