RJCKarate

Our certificates are directly issued from our Honbu in Okinawa. They have three forms of signatures on them: an actual signature of our current head of style (son of the founder), an inkan that reads 'Soke' which is currently used, and was used by his father, and a personal inkan used by the signatory. However, something you could consider is having a 'for' or 'on behalf of' on the certificate. Since you obviously feel a need to have the founders signatures on the certificate-but they can't actually physically award the grade-issue it on their behalf. After all you wouldn't hold your grade, or your ability to grade someone if they didn't think they could trust you to do so. So on the certificate you might have... Kaicho Bob on behalf of Soke Hope this gives you some more ideas!

@LittleW Tomari is a village in Okinawa, Japan. I listed them as 'Tomari kata-name' to differentiate them from the various other versions, like Matsumora no Passai or Matsumora no Rohai etc. As for Tomari being a translation, the only one I can think of is Tomari being the Japanese way of saying Tomai-di. Hope this clears it up for you.

Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) has 18 kata in the syllabus. They are: Fukyugata Ichi & Ni Pinan Shodan - Godan Naihanchi Shodan - Sandan Ananku Tomari Wankan Tomari Rohai Tomari Wanshu Tomari Passai Gojushiho Tomari Chinto Chatan yara no Kusanku I don't question its reasoning for being within the syllabus, because after continual study (and much more to go) everything becomes a little clearer on why it is there. I sometimes see some other kata and think that they may be useful, but there is something usually contained somewhere that presents the same principles (despite goju type kata). Some people often say that once you have learned Kusanku that there is no need to practice the Pinan kata - and while this may be true, I don't think most people obtain a mastery of Kusanku to a level that should overcome the use of the Pinan kata. Cheers,

I've traveled to Okinawa every year for the past few years to train at our Honbu Dojo. I've also traveled throughout England & Germany training with our international dojo (I'm from Australia). Now, as for Okinawa, if you don't already have any dojo you are in contact with there, I have a good friend who runs a service called Gateway to Okinawa (http://www.okinawaportal.com/) he is a German who has made many trips to Okinawa, and currently lives there. He is in contact and in organisation with many Okinawan Dojo and arranges training & introductions for foreigners so that the work is easier for them! Mention that I sent you (Reece from Australia) and I'm sure he'll be of great help! He also arranges tours of Karate sites in Okinawa, including the hard-to-find ones. Also Master Tetshiro Hokama (Hanshi, 10th Dan Goju-Ryu) has a great karate museum and organises tours of all the hard-to-find Karate sites, he is also a fantastic guy. You can contact him at http://www.tetsuhirohokama.net/Contact_Us.html, if you're interested and he doesn't respond PM me and I can give you his phone. Hope this helps!

jassling, You might be looking at just the upper part, not stand. Mine is also a BOB XL, and you can do full strikes on the back as it is fully covered. Century Australia $650: http://www.centurymartialarts.com.au/Bob-XL-with-Shorts-base-Bob_p_193-34.html Century USA $399: http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Boxing/Training_Bags/BOB_XLR.aspx Plus, most of these products don't have shipping to Australia, and if they do, it would be very expensive. From all the shops in Australia, there are very few that are under $500.

I decided to purchase one yesterday, and it arrived today. They usually sell for around $700 over here, but I got this one for $300, so it was a bargain. Gave it a little bit and tried it out today, I quite liked it. I think it will be a good attribute to the dojo in the future and will be good for mental conditioning (hitting a human shaped target) and good for precision point striking. Cheers for the feedback guys!

If you don't know what a BOB is, see this link: http://www.womensportreport.com/products_the-century-bob-torso-punch-bag_128 I purposely put this in the Karate section, as I am more interested in Karate practitioners responses, but I do also welcome any other martial art to comment. I am considering purchasing a BOB for our dojo, we already have a makiwara & bag, but I feel the BOB might add another good aspect to our training for things like self defence, and simple placing of strikes. I would like to know if any of you have used the BOB before, what are your opinions, pros & cons and if you would recommend one. Cheers!

It really depends on your definition of what "karate" is and when it was established. I personally would not include Shuri-te and Naha-te as "Karate" yet, however if we do include those, these two would definitely be the oldest. I would, from my personal research determine that systemised Shuri-te was older, as Sakukawa Kanga (also known as: Tode Sakugawa) and Matsumura Sokon were both practitioners, Matsumura being the first to systemise the fighting arts into what was known as "Shuri-te" (date unknown - but before 1890). It is important to know that these terms are no longer used as a style, and merely to demonstrate what area a style delineated from. Next, the styles Shorin-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu and Matsubayashi-Ryu are the four considered to be the first "original" karate styles in Okinawa, and were the ones used to form the first group (federation/association). Shorin-Ryu as a collective name for its styles (which would later be: Matsubayashi, Shobayashi & Kobayashi) stems from Matsumura Sokon, and subsequently Sakukawa Kanga, and was officially formed in 1933 by Chibana Choshin. However, Chibana Choshin wanted to show that he was teaching his teacher's (Itosu Anko) style and named it Shorin-Ryu in 1915. Shorin-Ryu is derived from Shuri-te. Goju-Ryu stems from Kogusuku Isei and Higaonna Kanryo and was officially formed in 1933 by Miyagi Chojun. Goju-Ryu is derived from Naha-te. Uechi-Ryu was founded by Uechi Kanbun, after his extensive training in China. In 1907, Uechi opened his first school in China, teaching Pangainoon Kung Fu, in 1925 Uechi moved to mainland Japan and opened a dojo, but still being taught as Pangainoon. This is considered its "birthdate" in Japan. In 1946 Uechi moved back to Okinawa. I am unsure, and have never been able to locate an official date that Uechi-Ryu become Uechi-Ryu, but I believe it is after 1933. Shotokan was founded by Funakoshi Gichin in 1939 after his extensive study in Shuri-te (Shorin-Ryu). Another personal fact to note, is on my travels to Okinawa, I have often had this discussion, and many senior karate practitioners generally always agree that "Shorin-Ryu" would be the oldest style of Karate which is still practiced today. So in summary, a quick timeline would be: Unknown - Shuri-te (Okinawa) Unknown - Naha-te (Okinawa) 1915 - Shorin-Ryu, derivative from Itosu (Okinawa) 1925 - Pangainoon Kung Fu (China, first taught in Japan) 1933 - Shorin-Ryu, Kobayashi (Okinawa) 1933 - Goju-Ryu (Okinawa) Unknown - Uechi-Ryu (Okinawa) 1939 - Shotokan (Japan) 1947 - Matsubayashi-Ryu (Okinawa, Nagamine Shoshin) I did write this in a fair bit of a rush, I hope I didn't make any significant mistakes!

Club Name: Kodokan Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Dojo Part of: Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Association of Australia & World Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu) Karate-Do Association Club Location: Canberra, Australia Club Sensei: Reece Cummings, 3rd Dan (me)

I may of already replied to this topic, apologies if I have! We have a junior system (below 14 years old) which goes: White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Purple - each belt starting from plain going up to 3 stripes. We have a senior system (14 and over) which is for our World Association and goes: White, Green, Brown, Black - white has 2 degrees, green & brown both have 3 degrees. It is an 8 Kyu system, not including plain white. Cheers!

This is just from my personal experience whilst training with a variety of Okinawan senior sensei, and also from my couple of trips to Okinawa. The belt is a piece of material. It is to be washed if it becomes dirty, or even if you want to just soften it up so it ties better - I had first hand experience of this. Secondly, a belt holds your gi together, it's nice to fold it up and not drag it on the ground so it doesn't get dirty, but if you toss it over a sofa, or place it on the floor until you do something, I've never found that to be a no-no in Okinawa - of course you should not just leave it there, but that's just general tidiness. Wear around the edges of a black belt is the most I've seen, occasionally a thread or two might start to come off, or the belt will start to fade, but I've not seen one that is completely white, it is always replaced. Once again, this is my first hand personal experience from the limited world of Okinawan Karate that I have seen. But, in the end of your day, if your sensei/dojocho says don't do something - don't do it. I would like to make a general comment on peoples idea of 'you should never wash your belt'. Japanese and Okinawan are both very, very clean cultured people. It is imperative we clean our gi, clean our body, cut our nails, clean the dojo - why would you never wash your belt? I'm not saying every week, but I give mine a courtesy wash every once and a while - I've never read anything that I could source on good authority to tell me otherwise (no individual should take offense to that statement). I think a lot of these traditions come from Western countries who 'assume' about things. The belt is like the Samurai's sword, it represents honour, and whatnot - but sometimes, things really are...as they seem and it is just a belt, nothing else. I realise that this is becoming a long post, so sorry! - this is the last thing I will add. The belt system is a relatively new innovation. It was brought into Judo when belts weren't like what we have today, when the senior Judo students were awarded with a black belt - it was not from it turning dirty, it never has been - this, for sure, is a myth.

There are four main branches of Shorin-Ryu: Matsubayashi, Shobayashi, Kobayashi & Matsumora Orthadox. For reference, I practice Matsubayashi-Ryu, and have done so for quite a while, both in Okinawa and my home country. The reason I like this branch of Shorin-Ryu is that is a style which allows anyone to practice it. It utilizes short, time & space effective movements which comply with the natural aesthetics of the human body, making for practical self-defence. I've gained many things from this style of Karate such as cultivation, fitness, confidence, mental robustness and self-discipline. Focus is usually on kata, and through this demonstration of application is openly shown. It focuses on hard training which includes contact kumite. Shorin-Ryu is one of the biggest Okinawan Karate styles, and from what I have seen maintains fairly good quality throughout the world, especially for the Matsubayashi-Ryu branch. I have practiced Ninjutsu (2 years), Aikido (few months) and Judo (my other still practicing Martial Art) and find Shorin-Ryu Karate stacks up very well against them. In comparison to the training I have had in other martial arts, I've found that Karate has taught me in some way, what most of the others have anyway - sometimes, I admit, very subtly. My opinion though, is based on individual schools I have trained at throughout my time. Cheers,

I thought I would make this topic for two reasons. Firstly, I've come into the chance that I might be able to acquire a venue which will allow me to have access 24/7. I currently run a school which teaches on Tue, Thu, Sun, private lessons and looking at another day to open general classes. My school is self-sufficient and does not require any funds from my day job, however this is a job I am considering leaving at the end of the year, to take up something less time consuming (i.e. a 9-5, Mon-Fri job). For simplicity sake let's say the place I currently hire sets us back $50 a week to run 3 classes - this new place would be $100 (double) and would be accessible 24/7. Secondly, If you had run into a similar opportunity, to open a full (or semi full) time school, at relatively low cost (say $250 USD p/wk) what would you do? Would you move from your current part-time night teaching to this, and what would you do to make sure the school was successful? Take note that for this situation, I'm not planning on taking it on as a 9-5 job. The possibility would be to teach every night after 4pm, and any time on the weekend. Hope this isn't to confusing, but just thought it'd be great to see what those who have been in this situation, have done, and what those that wish they could do! Cheers,

I can't tell you what the writing actually says (because I haven't seen it), however the most common thing is to have your style name on one side, and the person's name on the other. If your son doesn't know what it says, I'd suggest for him to ask his instructor, as it is his belt. If you uploaded an image though, I'm sure someone on this forum could help you. Cheers,

What floor material do you train on at your school, what are your opinions of it, and how do you rate it in comparison to other materials you have trained on, plus advantages/disadvantages? Some of the basic materials for a karate school might be: wood, lino, tile, carpet, jigsaw mat. The main comparison I am looking at is between wood & jigsaw mat. This is primarily aimed at karate school practitioners as I will be using this to help decide what floor I go with in my school. I'm used to training wood, as that is the traditional Okinawan way (and my school follows such), however the place I'm looking needs to have some floor material placed down. My school trains in traditional-style Okinawan karate, therefore we focus on striking, however do do a variety of takedowns, sweeps and some minimal throws, but no 'rolling' as you would find in BJJ etc. Any comments etc would be appreciated. Cheers,

Pretty similar to what you said sensei8, with slight modifications. Sandan (3rd Dan): Permitted to have their own school without any 'supervising instructor' and can promote other people to Shodan (1st Dan). Godan (5th Dan): Last 'technical ability' based rank. Rokudan (6th Dan), with Renshi: First official Okinawan instructor title, some might say 'entry-level master'. Nanadan (7th Dan), with Kyoshi: Second instructor title, or 'experienced instructor', or 'junior master'. Kudan (9th Dan), with Hanshi: Third instructor title, or 'Master'. Whilst Renshi/Kyoshi/Hanshi are additional 'instructor' titles given from Okinawa, you can be recognized as having your own individual dojo, with no supervision at Sandan, and thus an instructor.

Hi, I think as said previously it is important to have a minimum age for Shodan (1st Dan). I believe that 16 is a better age to set Shodan at than 18, because achieving this rank in my opinion means you now have an 'in depth grasp of the basics' and believe one can do so at this age (16). In my opinion it is also important for a Shodan to be able to have a certain physical & mental robustness, along with being able to practice kumite or even conditioning drills against persons that may be dramatically older/stronger than them. Additionally, a shodan may be required to provide assistance to the instructor if required, and the age of 16, in my opinion, is an okay medium. However, there are 9 more dan ranks to consider. Whilst I relatively agree with your outline, I believe they should be guidelines not hard and fast rules. Let's take Sandan (3rd Dan) for example. Say a practitioner started practicing at the age of...6? At the age of 20 (below your limit) they would have been practicing for 14 years, and if they have been practicing in a challenging, and hard-training dojo, they would be more than likely ready for it. Now for Judan (10th Dan), I don't believe a Karate Master is going to get any better between say the age of 60/65 and 70, so I also see no real significance in putting this in place. My final reasoning is, if you do, as I do and practice Okinawan Karate (or even Japanese for that sake) they don't follow the guidelines. They promote people, based on their skill and dedication (at least in my dojo). It's not rare to see everyone a Yondan by 25 (providing they started young - training for approx. 15yrs), it is really only in the western world that we have set these 'hard and fast' rules on ages. Also, kyu ranks in my style have a minimum age of 14. Before that you're a 'junior' and go through other belts, not considered 'kyu'. Cheers,

This is coming from a view, which has not been able to see the quality of either school, therefore you could consider it somewhat uneducated. However, from viewing NKS website, I would chose Goju-Ryu. Not saying that NKS wouldn't be a good karate school, however from what I can see you want traditional Japanese-style Karate, even though Goju-Ryu is Okinawa, I think it would suit your needs better. This is providing that the Goju-Ryu school is quality, it could be the total opposite to a 'traditional school' and, NKS could be better. Maybe explain what you're interested in more, do you want to do competitions, get a black belt in X years? However, go see a class at both.

As an instructor, my general policy is for our seniors (14yrs+) should refrain from wearing their top and belt outside, in pretty much all cases except for public karate-related events or seminars. For our juniors (under 14yrs) a lot of them come to class in their gi, and they are always accompanied by their parents, so I don't really see any major problems with harassment or getting into a fight, due to their supervision. Personally, it depends on how much time I have. If I know I'm going to arrive at the dojo quite early, I come in normal cloths, if I know I will arrive with minimal time before lesson, I will wear my gi pants. However, I usually always wear my dojo t-shirt. I don't necessarily want to promote that I do karate, however I know this will subsequently do so, but I do want to promote the school. I have gained 2 very good students, from wearing my t-shirt, who came up to me and asked about the school - so I see that as an okay thing. Cheers,

Are your gradings conducted similar to a normal lesson where the instructor walks around, or do they sit at a desk/panel and assess you in a much more formal manner? This topic isn't about what you perform, or the requirements, just how the grading is conducted. Additionally, I know most blackbelt gradings are conducted using the panel method, but this is just for general, all-grade testings. Cheers!

To clarify, I don't plan on handing my classes off to my assistant, I will still be present at all classes. My job (the one I earn my money from) however can often have last-minute requirements for me to stay at work, and as such, sometimes I have to reschedule a class at the last minute (this might happen once every 2 months), so an assistant would be handy here. Secondly, having an assistant where I could occasionally split the class, so it would be easier to teach different level kata or technique would help, so as not to hinder advancing students and not to rush new students. Once again, the idea is not for the assistant to take over my classes. When people sign up, they expect me to be teaching, thus, I teach. Cheers.

I just want to comment on this point by Sibylla "- How many are there (if the school has tons of beginners but very few advanced students - bad sign)" We may have different perceptions of 'bad', however.. My school consists of 15 people. 2 have been training 1.5yrs, 2 have been training 1yr and the rest about 6 months - 2 are green belts, and the rest are white. Why does this make my school bad? My school has been established for 1.5yrs and therefore if I didn't really only have 'beginners' I would consider my school bad, not the other way around. When considering factors for a martial arts school, how many people is not always a good consideration.

As I moved away from where I was studying Karate, and my style was not available I decided to open my own school about a year and a half ago. I run 3 classes a week, and have 15 students attend 2 and 6 attend the other (it's a senior class). I run all 3 classes myself, and do not have anyone in my current ranks who would be capable of running a class without my direct supervision. My most senior student is a 6th Kyu, about to become a 5th Kyu. The situation I have is: I would like to find someone who I could have as my Assistant Instructor, so I could more effectively teach the students. Now, it would not be possible to get one of my students to a satisfactory level in a limited amount of time. The second problem is that my style is quite limited in my country, let alone my area, so there isn't the possibility of finding someone who has studied my style. The third option is find someone from a similar style (this would most likely be something like: Wado-Ryu, Shito-Ryu or a Shorin-Ryu style) and then give them some training to convert the differences. The question I pose to other instructors: Have you ever been in a similar situation where you wanted to get another (assistant) instructor, but you could not get one from your school/style/students - and if so, how did you resolve the problem?

Before I give my opinion, I will just say that I practice Matsubayashi-Ryu and only have minimal knowledge of both of these styles. Firstly, Wado-Ryu (which is more similar to Matsu then Kyo). Wado-Ryu from the limited views I've had often can incorporate some forms more Jujutsu looking techniques in addition to 'standard' Karate. A main aspect of Wado-Ryu from observation is on tai sabaki (body management/evasion). As you mention contact may be an issue, I would recommend Wado-Ryu. Secondly, and briefly Kyokushin was designed by Mas Oyama as a style of 'stand-up full contact' karate. It's focus is on physical stamina, robustness and toughness as well as 'realistic combat' whilst allowing full contact attacks to all areas excluding groin and punches to head. Kyokushin will be heavier on the contact, Wado-ryu less so. There are more qualified people to speak on these 2 styles, pre-apologies if I have made a misrepresentation of either style. EDIT: If you go to Wikipedia.org I'm sure you can find some information on both of the styles. Cheers,

Most of the time I have undergone instruction, as well as seen instruction I have been told to ensure the fingers are locked together, and then thumb pressed in against the hand. However, my question is when you see many people demonstrate a shuto uchi or uke (even by the same people who instructed you) and often people who are 'expert' in their art their fingers are slightly apart. Do you think this is because of relaxation of the hand, because it allows for a more effective strike/block, or what is your opinion and the application purpose?