Yasutsune Makoto

Awesome guys. The fluidity of the kata makes it a lot of fun and it has excellent bunkai, at least the way I am seeing the kata. I hope you all get to learn it soon and good luck to Pacificshore in your tournament. It might become a new favorite... I'd be interested to hear some of your ideas for the bunkai of steps 6 and 7, I see a a release from a grab on both wrists (or a defense) and a collarbone break to the front, using the front leg as a knee break on the way down,. What do you think?

Does anyone out there specialize in this kata? I am just learning it and would like to hear your opinions on this one. Especially any interpretations of what this kata develops in your training. (Ie: Hangetsu develops breathing, synchronization, internal strength) To me it seems a good multiple opponent kata (as the all do) that has a focus on closing and gaining distance on the opponents.

migi maegari - migi fudadachi - (landing with foot) gyakazuki (kiai)

Great kata...I competed with it for 3 years, I learned tons from it.

Thank you for your offer and good luck with your dojo!

I just want to point out that the local dojo was my first dojo and I received great instruction. That was when the doors first opened and the school was still traditional, since I have been away it became a school for money. I still have great respect for my sensei and those whom I trained with. I don't mean to speak poorly of these people. I have since talked to him and we have made arrangements for one on one sessions that I am sure will be helpful and compliment my training, in addition to my own regimine. Thanks for all your comments.

Other people have said similar things, but here is my two bits. I think a black belt is kinda like confirmation...almost like "You are ready to learn and understand" or "Welcome!" It is also something internal. No one can take it away. A true BB shouldn't care what color his belt is (it should be worn with humility). Rank, I feel, is over rated and the least important aspect of MA.

It is difficult to pick.... Sochin. Kanku dai. but they all are so amazing...ahhh kata

I call it an McDojo because I have trained there before, the brown belts can't teach the white belt kata (most of them any way). Your point about going is better than not is well-recieved.

What style is it? and where?

Are there any students (preferably advanced) in the Akron,Oh area? I am going to be there for the summer (home from college) and my only options for training with someone other than myself are driving an hour once a week (not very consistent training), or going to the local McDojo. So, if anyone has had to train extended periods by oneself do you have any tips or drills? Or if you live around there and know of a good dojo, preferably shotokan, let me know. Or, lol, if you wouldn't mind trying to get together and training... I already train kata, kihon, makiwara every day anyway, but there is just something nice about having other people around to train with. Let's you train a much broader range of applications, etc... thanks a lot

This directly applies to the theory of escalation. You pll a knife, he pulls a knife, winner goes to jail. I think that if a fight is going to go physical you want to keep it as low on the escalation scale as possible. That, I think, is one of the cores of martial arts training. Quickly and effectively neutralize the threat. Weapons=escalation, escalation=bad. BUT! If he pulls a knife, and you have to fight, I suggest not thinking twice about using your own weapon IF you feel you have no choice. But remember the most powerful weapons a martial artist has are mind and the weapons that you train (striking,throws, whatever)

that was a great watch!

that was great, thanks!

yes, but if you can apply what you learn you weren't just handed your belt. You deserved it. I think most of us are against schools that grant 2nd rank at 3 months, 3rd at 6 months, 4th at a year...etc. regardless of the competence of the student.

here here!

Being 19 and having a shredded belt I disagree. I have earned evey part of that belt over the 5 years I have been wearing it. I started training when I was 5 and was presented with a silk tokaido belt when I recieved my junior black belt from my sensei. I am by no means a master and I know it. Is it my fault that the belt I wear shreds? After training in it every day since I have had it, I would expect it to show wear. You can tell who puts in the time and who doesn't. Age shouldn't be a factor. Just speaking out for the young crowd on this one.

If they "hand out belts" as you just stated, then it is a bad style or school. bat I'd say bad school and agree with you. Schools that hand out belts hurt the martial arts, no matter what style it is.

Once you get comfortable with the motion and want to add more power to the technique (variation), try sychronizing the snap of the foot with your hip rotation. Kind of like your missing with a front kick then turning it all over with your hip to pull your heel into the back of your opponent. Just a suggestion. *this makes it lower and more close range. I like to use this style of kick against people who like to fight very sideways and aim for the spot between their shoulderblades. But this kick is extremely versitile in its application, so don't limit yourself to one specific variation of the kick.*

when working on pads I like to hit with a vertical punch, it helps keep your hands from tearing. Training from a middle block position can also help develop your power and getting your hip into it without needing to have a huge chamber, but this is just a drill to enhance your technique, not really an alternate way to throw the punch.

You knew what I meant, lol. I'm glad to find that there are a good number of us shotokan here that agree with you, if not at our schools than in our own training.

The biggest difference for us is the amount of chamber. In basic, the chamber is crucial (on the floating ribs, elbow straight back) while in free form the technique is thrown from wherever the hand is. I think the most important difference is the elimination of unnecessary motion from your attack while acheiving full power. However you accomplish this is good enough.

When turning make sure that your head doesn't lag. Having your eyes on the target throughout the technique should really help your balance.

Are you affiliated with any organization? I am interested in training in a similar fashion and do so on my own but it would be nice to be in an organization with the same mentality. I like the JKA and they have a lot of good things about them, but...well ya. **utilizing remaining mind is very powerful and it is an amazing aspect of karate, I agree**

I train at The Ohio State University, midwest region of the U.S. How about yourself?