Brandon Fisher

Typically the belts get darker in color the higher the rank however this is not always true to every style. Here is ours: white yellow (Roku-Kyu) Orange (Go kyu) Green (Yon Kyu) Blue (San Kyu) Purple (Ni Kyu) Brown (Ik-Kyu) Black (1st - 3rd Dan) Renshi Belt Optional 4th and 5thdan Shihan & Kyoshi (red and white blocked belt optional) 6th - 8th Dan) Hanshi (Red Belt optional) 9th & 10th Dan

I think that there are aspects of both art and science in all styles.

Ok I can understand that.

Some partners just want to control and be in control. Very true

I don't disagree with application training it is a must so please don't misunderstand me.

Cool my family has a go kart track an hour and 15min from Indy in parke county right by turkey run state park. I will actually be down there in a few weeks. Here are a couple of pictures for you. I have alot less hair then I did have when I went to those tournaments. One of my wife and I http://www.seijitsushindo.com/brandon/awards03.jpg Me showing Yoko geri http://www.seijitsushindo.com/brandon/brandonw.jpg

Knuckle push ups are great for wrist strength. with the nunchaku in closed postion holding both handles in one hand rotate your wrist both clockwise and counter clockwise. If you really get serious go to bushipower.com and get the punch blcok charger.

He taught a seminar at the school I was with in '96 and knew him from the tournaments. Yeah I remember when you guys were always at those tourneys.

I had a feeling. What a nice guy he is but I after seen him in several years only a couple of his students here and there. To bad he closed his schools.

Who did you train with in Lisbon?

Thats always the best complement in my mind win or loose in competition.

What you saw is known as an Eiku. I have seen it done many times but never had the opportunity to learn it. Hopefully one day I will.

I have carried a pocket knife since I was 14 but its not for self defense. When I was in Indiana I had a personal protection carry conceal permit and I carried a small .22cal pistol with me. I don't do that in Ohio because the carry conceal law here is really weird. So I rely on my hands and feet and whatever I am carrying.

Scary is right. I first learned to shoot with a .410 gauge shotgun and then a .20 gauge. The first pistol I shot and learned with was a Dan Wesson .357 that was real scary. But I have shot .22 rifles and pistols and also a .45 1911A. The .45 was my favorite though by far.

Shureido is the best I have ever used. Google it or if you are in the USA https://www.shureidousa.com

Nunchaku are illegal in most places to carry on you unless they are in a bag and you are heading to the dojo. At least in the states this is the case. As far as defending against a knife I agree with the above comment of hitting the hand but the wrist is acceptable also. Chances are you will break the persons hand or wrist by doing that. Do not ever reach for the blade of a knife where you arms hands or any part of you is close to the blade. Its simply way to dangerous and stupid. I always tell my students if attacked with a knife get something between you and knife if at all possible. Broomsticks, bricks, bookbags, purses, newspapers, and chairs are all options.

Learn to snap your wrist at the striking point similar to when punching it will help add power and control over the nunchaku. People have estimated my speed with a single traditional nunchaku at more than 100 miles an hour and I am visually impaired. The interesting thing is though I rarely hit myself extremely hard anymore because of that one detail. Make sure your wrists are strong but flexible also. Good luck you have choosen my favorite weapon.

My first exposure to a martial arts weapon was with the Nunchaku but my first weapons kata was a bo kata. I wish I could remember that kata now.

Sorry I have only heard of but know nothing about it. I saw it in Budo International Magazine though.

Who else is a black belt from Ohio or Indiana? What dan grade are you and in what style(s)? How long have you been training? Ok here is my info: Years Training: 22 Years Teaching: 12 Dan Grade: 5th Dan Tai Shin Doh Karate, 5th Dan & Founder Seijitsu Shin Do Karate, Kyu Grade: Go Kyu Shorin Ryu / Shorinkan From: Cleveland, Ohio originally from Lafayette, Indiana

I agree completely but my karate background is Shotokan and Shorin Ryu so I know where you are coming from.

I can tell you are not a traditional japanese stylist. My comments are not meant that application doesn't need to be practiced because it does and alot to become very good. Application requires your reaction to be second nature.

I belong to 2 organizations now Professional Karate Commission (PKC) United States Martial Arts Assoc. (USMAA) PKC is mainly tournament based and I have been around it a long time. It is a organization that believes in traditional martial arts. USMA I just joined so I have no comment either way except their professionalism has been outstanding up to this point. I also got accepted into a european organization called International Combat Martial Arts Unions Assoc. This was a no fee life membership which is nice.

I have taught people as old as 55.

Only thing that guarantees a black belt is a lot of hard work, sweat and some tears. Time should not be an issue not everyone is going to progress as fast as others. My system is a average of 4 to 7 years but very few have made it in 4.