RichardHangHong

I have the dvd. It's good, shame there's no bunkai on there though. I like Funakoshi's videos as they the katas from ths front, side and rear views and with applications.

We use both Shotokan and Goju Ryu katas in our school. Here are the Goju Ryu ones Yellow - Taigyoku Shodan Orange - Shotokan kata Green - Saifa Blue - Gekisai Dai Ichi Red - Shotokan kata Brown - Sanseru Brown + black tip - Seiyunchin Brown + 2 black tips - tensho + a shotokan kata 1st Dan - Choose from Seipai or 2 other shotokan kata 2nd Dan - Choose from Kurarunfa or 2 other shotokan kata 3rd Dan - Choose from Shisochin or 2 other shotokan kata

Do you mean katas (forms)?

For our beginner-intermediate classes we do the basics every lesson, covering all the strikes, blocks, stances and kicks. This takes up about 30 minutes of a 1.5 hour lesson. Advanced classes are spent focusing on kata and kumite.

What titles have you come across? Heard it used in a class = Sempai, Sensei, Senior Sensei, Shihan, Hanshi Heard through karate friends nearby to me = Kohai, Kancho, Kigen Other titles I've heard = Renshi What do they mean? Assistant Instructor/Senior, Teacher, Senior Instructor, Chief Instructor, Head Instructor/Founder, Junior, Founder, Founder When should they be issued? Depends on how the school views the titles and if they use them or not. We use Sempai for assistant intructors and Sensei for instructors. We don't use Kohai at present. Sensei for black belt is suitable, perhaps students who teach at 3rd-1st kyu a title of Junior Sensei would be appropriate. I think 5th Dan is a reasonable time to issue someone with the title of Shihan. Hanshi and Kancho I think should be given at 9th or 10th Dan. As for Kigen and Renshi, I don't really know much about either title so can't really express any views on them. When ARE they issued? I've seen the sensei title given to students in another club at as low as 8th kyu. They throw a black and white belt on them to hide their grade and get them teaching people who most of the time don't know any better. As for Shihan and the others I've only really seen them given at the times I mentioned before with the exception of one who I know of was given the title "Kigen" at 3rd Dan and another who was given the title "Kancho" at 6th or 7th Dan. Both people were given the titles by their own students instead of by a group of seniors outside of their direct organisation. How would students who are junior to their "chief instructor" know if they should have that title?

We use both Japanese and English terminology in our dojos. For the beginner-intermediate classes we use the Japanese words followed up by the English translation so as not to confuse the newer students too much. In the advanced classes we solely use Japanese terminology.

Yes, Bunkai-Jutsu is a fantastic read. I just finished reading it a few weeks ago. It took me a while to read the whole thing as I have such a busy schedule and am not the greatest reader in the world. I tried reading at night but it kept me awake thinking about all the different ideas it gave me. I'm now reading Aiden Trimble's Karate Kata Applications and Funakoshi's 20 Guiding Principles.

Glad to hear you're on the mend KarateK. Nothing but good stuff for you now!

My school is: Seitou Ryu Karate Co-Founders/Chief Instructors England: Richard Gregory, 2nd Dan Australia: Rod Martin, 4th Dan My dojos are in Billericay, Basildon, Chelmsford, Corringham, Grays, Romford, South Ockendon, Tilbury and Wickford I also train in 3 seperate schools. Kikai Iaido - Steve Boyle, 4th Dan Tokon Kai Shotokan Karate - Steve Roberts, 5th Dan OTGKA Goju Ryu Karate - George Andrews, 7th Dan

I've been using my Blitz groin guard for years. I wear it over my gi but can wear it underneath if I have to. It's served me well over the years and hasn't failed me yet. https://www.blitzsport.com

One of my instructors did a class on knife defence one time. He gave everyone a felt pen to simulate the knife. Needless to say, everybody came out with pen marks all over their body. Including the most experienced students. Even the smallest cut can make a huge difference.

my hakama touches the tops of my feet on the instep when I'm standing up straight. Never had any problems, mind you though, Iaido isn't the most physically demanding martial art out there.

The video looks very cheesy. If you ever get to do a seminar with Rick Clark, go for it!

Have to agree with you there. I went to a pressure point seminar with Professor Rick Clark last month and he really diffused any beliefs that people had that the points were to do with chi and energy. It's all about joint manipulation and knowing where to strike for the greatest effect for creating the most pain in your opponent.

I agree with Brandon, if the board aren't placed correctly it can make it so much harder to break them. Make sure if there is a slight curve to the board (this is quite common and is generally the norm for most boards) that it curves like a "u" rather than an "n", it's just a case of flipping it over. Also, if you're doing multiple boards in one break, use seperators as without them once again makes it a lot harder as it is the equivalent of breaking one 2 1/4 board instead of three 3/4 inch boards. Lastly, follow through!

P.A.L, do you mean Kenshukai? That's my old association. I looked on the web for Kei Shin Kan and came up with totally different results.

We're not a part of any organisations or associations anymore, we're an independent school. Just got too fed up with all the politics so we left. We're with NAKMAS Governing Body for insurance and recognition though.

We have 12 to shodan, the last 3 are for the student to choose from so they can pick a kata to perform. Taigyoku Shodan Taigyoku Nidan Saifa Gekisai Dai Ichi Bassai Dai Sanseru Seiyunchin Hangetsu Tensho Empi Seipai Jion

I've done it before, took me over an hour! What a workout!!!

I only got home from work 20-25 minutes ago.

Awwww! I always feel sorry for you KarateK. Can I do anything to cheer you up?

Jesus walks into an Inn, hands the innkeeper 3 nails and says, "Can you put me up for the night?"

Moi!?! NEVER! I'm a perfect gentleman!

How about a trip to the moon? Can I get that? Would be fun to meet up one day.... (mind wanders off into a pleasant dream...)

Short and sweet, nice story