RJCKarate

I've done three black belt gradings, all with slightly different experiences. All my gradings have been proceeded by training with the examiner at least for one week before the official test. My shodan was in Australia and was in a formal setting. Consisted of about 13 kata, kihon and the standard karate stuff. This was on a set day. My nidan was also in Australia under my Okinawa sensei, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine. Similar to shodan grading. My sandan was much similar to what Montana mentioned. I used to live with my sensei when staying in Okinawa. One morning he yelled up the stairs to my room to come down in 10 and I would do my test. The test was quite short, but I'd been there for a few weeks before. I think it's interesting to look at how much westerners sometimes amplify the importance of something (like the black belt, or grading in general), when in it's country of origin - Okinawa - it's just seen as another minor test, and you're getting it because you've already shown your worthy.

I definitely think adults and kids need a different system, as children are often motivated with a material reward. Whether that is good or not, it is a reality. However, we don't actively encourage focusing on the belt. Our system is: Children (mon-kyu) White White/yellow Yellow Orange Blue Purple Children also have three stripes between each belt. Children generally take around one year minimum to go from full colour to full colour (ie. Yellow to orange). Adults (Kyu) Muyu white 6 kyu green 5 kyu green 4 kyu green 3 kyu brown 2 kyu brown 1 kyu brown There are six actual grades, but only three colours of belts, no stripes or anything other than skill to differentiate grades. Then of course, we have the black belt. _________________

Here is the system for our dojo (Matsubayashi-ryu). We have a separate system for adults and children. All times and class requirements are a guide only, but I've rarely seen students achieve it in less than those below: Children (mon-kyu) White White/yellow Yellow Orange Blue Purple Children also have three stripes between each belt. There is a minimum of 15 classes between each belt and one year between solid colours. Most students who are allowed to test usually have at least double the required time/classes. We have a testing for juniors three times a year. Adults (Kyu) Muyu white 6 kyu green - 20 classes / 3 months 5 kyu green - 25 classes / 4 months 4 kyu green - 30 classes / 4 months 3 kyu brown - 35 classes / 4 months 2 kyu brown - 40 classes / 4 months 1 kyu brown - 45 classes / 4 months Adults can test at one of the three times per year, but are usually just tested when they met the requirements either in class or at an arranged time. Adults (Dan) 1 - 10 Dan with relative years between grade - 2 years from 1 Dan to 2 Dan, etc.

Hi all, We all know there are the technical requirements, but outside of that, what do you require? This question is for everyone, but in particular those martial arts that talk about character and personal development. For example, I know some instructors who require their junior students (children) to fill in a report card about how they act at home, and even some that ask for their school teacher's assessment of behaviour. What do you do, out what do you think of these extra requirements?

re Groinstrike That's good - but what type of sparring is it, could you expand?

Hi all, In karate, I believe it's important to bridge the gap between kata (and subsequently kihon and kumite) and a realistic self-defence situation, or fight. I was wondering, how do you all do it? Here are some points to generate discussion: - do you only practice kata? - do you think jiyu kumite is enough, and does it do the job or not? - do you do yakusoku or step kumite? - do you practice bunkai or oyo (analysis and application) and if so, what does this consist of? - do you find you, or your students actually able to do the bunkai/oyo when pressure testing the movies in a realistic confrontation? - do you have drills or self-defence responses pulled from the kata that you practice regularly, and what type of attacks are they practiced against? - what about traditional elements of karate, such as hikite (chambered hand), and how are they utilised to bridge the gap? - do you do kotekitae or kakie, our anything similar? To start the conversation off, here is some of my thoughts: Yes, we practice kata. I believe the kata process is the ‘gateway’ and foundation to realistic fighting. In my opinion, kata forms ways to naturally respond to someone’s attack. The response is generated from the position you are already in, or forced into when attacked, and that illicits the kata ‘to come out’ and form the response. This gives your body (and mind) time to think about what to do next, rather than getting caught out on the initial attack. Your defence from this point consists of your generic skills, which might continue to be kata, but from different ones, or different segments depending on positioning etc. We do have sets of yakusoku kumite which are practiced both against karate attacks, and then from guard position with realistic attacks. Bunkai and oyo is an integral part of our system, and each student is required to recognise what the move means, rather than just doing the move. We ‘bridge the gap’ by taking segments of the kata and practicing them against realistic attacks (lapel grab, wrist grab, push, haymaker etc and combination of those). We also do forms of kotekitae and kakie which incorporate ‘feeling’ the attack, and then responding in a natural way. All of our drills and responses are related to kata, kihon or kumite and we don’t have separate self-defence sets, as I think this only adds too much to learn. We incorporate the use of all traditional elements of karate in our self-defence situations, such as hikite and use it as a pulling hand, guarding hand, and much more and don’t just use it as just an opposite move to the other hand to generate power. Throughout our lessons, I always make reference to segments in the kata and what their application is. Sometimes we go into practicing it as a drill, sometimes it’s simply to highlight the point to allow the students to visualise it. We don’t practice jiyu kumite in the way most karate styles look at it. We do a form of free kumite, but it’s usually where one person is designated the ‘aggressor’ and one the ‘defender’ and it is based around a scenario. Our lessons are generally half kata, and then half application of kata. Look forward to everyone’s thoughts and continuing to contribute to the discussion, RJC.

Just an important note, but the WMKA Honbu Dojo is actually run by Kaicho Yoshitaka Taira. Sensei Takayoshi Nagamine unfortunately passed away in April 2012. Also, there may be no point contacting the WMKA if you belong to a different group (Ota or Frank Grant, for example). But visit the site I said earlier, if their dojo isn't listed, there probably not affiliated. Regards,

Hi Bruce, It sound like you're practicing Matsubayashi-ryu - if I'm wrong, this might not be as relevant, but I practice it as well. It can often be common in traditional karate schools to leave the founder's signature on certificates to show that you are still going on the original way. My dojo has a shomen with pictures and some tributes, but we bow to them because of what they've taught us, rather than religious reasons. At my dojo, I teach a holistic approach to karate-do, included personal development. However, we do not engage in anything mystical. As for lineage, feel free to check out my website in my signature, or matsubayashi-ryu.com, the Okinawa association website. If you can give us a website or info on your dojo, I'm sure people on this board could provide a moor informed opinion. If you are matsubayashi-ryu and you'd like an onion on your dojo, and don't want to give the details publicly, gel free to inbox me. Sorry for any typos, as I'm on my phone. Regards,

I believe that there are plenty of applications in Matsubayashi-ryu Karate. The Okinawan sensei I have trained with have always made a point that Karate is about real application, and not just doing a pattern, otherwise, you might as well do Ryukyu dance. Often though, instructors do leave the teaching of said applications to higher grades - whether that is a good or bad thing is another topic completely. I hope you stick out your time with Matsubayashi-ryu and that the applications are taught in your dojo. Perhaps ask your sensei about application, and when or whether it is taught.

I have my name on one side in katakana, and my style name (Matsubayashi-ryu) in kanji on the other.

I practice kata and kihon every day. I also teach it every lesson at my dojo. Mirrors are useful, but I actually watched someone perform a kata once with their head tilted a certain way, because they always looked in a mirror when practicing.

I've used it every day of my life since I started it. Whether that be the increased awareness, mental robustness or physical traits I have developed. It's enabled me to excel in a variety of areas of life, including my job and time in the military. As for uses for self-defence, it has on numerous occasions allowed me to de-escalate a situation, or avoid it. I have only been in a couple of what I would even consider 'fights' and it has proved to be there when I needed it. I hope you enjoy your study of Matsubayashi-ryu - what country are you practicing in, or if you are willing to say, what area - good chance I know your instructor if they are still connected to Okinawa/under the WMKA.

Hi all, What is the average length of your Karate class? I see a lot of classes (especially commercial dojo) running classes for only 45 minutes or an hour. For anyone who runs, or participates in those length classes what are your thoughts on them - do you really have enough time? Also, to expand on the question what part of your session is dedicated to what? For example 20min warm up, 15min basics, 30min kata etc. Feel free to answer even if you don't practice Karate, but I'm more interested in replies from people who do. For my dojo: Kids classes - 1 hour (split 15min warm-up, 15min basics, 30min kata or kumite/drills) Adults classes - 1.5 hours (split 15min warm-up, 15min basics, 30 minutes of kata or extension on basics, 30 minutes on partner work involving kumite, yakusoku, goshin waza etc) Cheers,

In addition to doing about 19 hours a week of Karate teaching (excluding training), while being an instructor I have in my 'real life' been: - a student - a professional in the comms (advertising/marketing/PR) field - a member of the Army

I don't know why anyone would question anyone on the 'why are you only a 3rd dan and not a 4th dan' if you've only been a 3rd dan for 4 years. In most 'organisations' 4 years is a minimum. I belong to a international organisation and train under it's head guys in Okinawa, but it is my style specific - but there are lots of schools, lots of people. If you're a 3rd dan and that is the highest rank in your school, and you have achieved it by what you call 'legitimately' then why do you need an 'outside organisation' to promote you within your 'no organisation' school? I understand that students want to advance to a higher rank, but if they are at the 2nd highest rank - isn't that good enough? When they are 9th dan, do they have to be 10th dan? Put on a white belt, does that make you worse? Get promoted to 4th dan, does that make you better? On another note, many organisations as a 3rd dan you would only be able to promote to 1st dan. Just my 2c.

When I initially started, I would be considered '3rd generation' as my lineage was: Osensei Shoshin Nagamine > Soke Takayoshi Nagamine > Instructor in-country > me Since I moved away from my hometown and opened my dojo, I have regularly (in addition to practicing under my sensei in-country) traveled to Okinawa to train under Sensei Takayoshi Nagamine, which I guess would change me to '2nd generation' as well. Sensei Takayoshi Nagamine sadly passed away in 2011, and now we train with a different Okinawan instructor who was also taught by Osensei Shoshin Nagamine.

G'day all, While I refer to 'karate' below this is simply because it is my martial art, but please take it as a general reference and weigh in despite your art... I get a lot of enquiries for teaching kids under 5 (youngest being for a 2yo). I do not teach children under the age of 5. What is your opinion on 'kinder karate' and do you think it really has advantages over gymnastics / other coordination based activities?

Hi guys, First some background: I practice a style of Okinawan Karate that uses the ‘hips on’ motion when performing a lower block (and most other blocks), especially when in front stance. By ‘hips on’ I mean that when the block is in the pre-blocking position the hips are cocked back, and when the block is executed the opposite hip to blocking arm is pushed forward so that the hips become square. The basic idea behind this is that the hips are the motor of the body, and by driving the hips into the block the whole body weight and not just the arm is put into the block. There are other style-specific mechanics such as a whip-like motion and 'snaping' instead of 'thrusting/clubbing', but for this topic it’s less relevant. My style of Karate is more about in-close fighting, and we prefer to move inward/toward/slighty around an attack rather than backwards when defending. We also try to use the block as a strike, hence the importance of the weight behind the ‘block’. I have had a new student join my dojo from a Goju-kai/Shotokan mixed style where they block with the ‘hips off’ in comparison to my ‘hips on’ (meaning their hips aren’t square, and opposite hip to blocking hand is pulled back). I have seen this demonstrated in a variety of styles. My limited understanding of the ‘hips off’ is that it works when moving backwards as it sort of ‘pushes’ the block into the attack, rather than ‘snapping’ (as we do) into it. I had the student try both, and he said he felt that the ‘hips on’ had more power, especially if wanting to move into an opponent. Here are videos to demonstrate what I mean (just look at hip motion): Hips on: Hips off: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdcQTBFmeQg#t=1m56s Now the question: Which one do you do, why do you do it, and if you have done both, which do you prefer?

It's great to have dedication to your Karate. However, there is a lot to learn, with a steep learning curve, but many, many years to learn it. For beginners at my dojo, I require that they train twice a week. Some of them ask about training more, but for their first 3-6 months, twice is often good - you don't want to flood yourself with too much information, and you want to give your body time to develop and adjust. You should talk to your sensei though, I'm sure he can help with a plan. Hope this helps.

I have both a dojo website, and facebook page. My linkedin profile includes information about my capacity as the Director of our non-profit martial arts organisation.

I'm of the opinion that students should pass a grading nearly every time. But this is simply because I only put students up for grading when there is no doubt that they have the ability. Our seniors don't do formal test days, they receive their grade when they have demonstrated their matching ability.

This might help you a little more BarbedTerror, as I'm in Canberra as well. My dojo is full-time (but non-profit) and dedicated to the teaching of Okinawan Karate. We have 5 scheduled classes per week, plus extra classes and seminars every now and then. We only have two fees, both per month: $60 - once per week $90 - unlimited training That means classes range from $14 - $4 per class depending on how many classes you attend. Additionally, once you reach a certain grade/trust you get access to the dojo 24/7. Hope this helps you get a better comparison.

I teach 5 classes per week at my dojo, which often gives me great training in a non-physical form. For actual physical training, I try to get in at least 3-5 hours practice a week. Outside of that, it's always on my mind. To OP (BarbedTerror): I notice you're in Canberra. Glad to see more Aussies, and Canberrans getting in on the scene. Canberra has a pretty strong, and rich martial arts community. I know the GKR scene is big down here, but haven't had much to do with it.

It's called Yakusoku kumite, and the one you refer to is the first one of seven. They are best viewed in Osensei Shoshin Nagamine's Essence of Okinawan Karate-do, but are also performed by Jim Sindt, and can be found on YouTube: Cheers,

If you want the exact clarification of what Kancho and Kaicho are, here is the following: Kan 館 means place/house Kai 会 mean association Cho 長 means head/chief So, Kancho would mean 'Head of House (dojo)' this in Okinawa is generally used for the head of a dojo (/chief instructor). It can often be used interchangeably with dojocho and is generally what all owner of dojo in Okinawa are referred to as. Kaicho would mean 'head of association' this in Okinawa is generally used for the head (figure or not) of the wider association. Generally, Kaicho would be considered higher. I would, however, like to clarify that you don't generally address someone as the above when talking to them, you would call them sensei - this includes basically all titles: hanshi, kyoshi, renshi, shihan. Mind you, this is my experience from Okinawa arts, not saying it is gospel! I think it would be strange to use the titles if you did not practice an art that aligned with the language that you were using (i.e. Japanese & karate). But, I do an Okinawan art, I dress in a gi, and I operate a dojo, so my students call me sensei. Cheers,