wagnerk

You've made a strong case for kata as the heart of karate, regardless of whether or not it's Okinawan, Japanese, Korean, etc. Kata absolutely can be the vehicle through which principles, tactics, and mindset are transmitted. But playing devil’s advocate for a moment… If we treat kata as a manual, then the question becomes: Is the manual essential if a system trains the applications directly, consistently, and with depth? Some arts build their curriculum around principles, drills, and pressure-tested scenarios rather than formal kata. If those drills already contain the same mechanics, tactics, and combative logic that kata encodes, then it could be argued that kata becomes one method of transmission, not the only one. In other words: If a style trains the principles of kata bunkai and oyo every day, If it pressure-tests those principles against resistance, If it preserves its lineage and combative logic through direct practice, …then is kata functionally necessary, or is it simply one traditional container for the same knowledge? Kata is brilliant at organising information, preserving history, and developing attributes like rhythm, breath, structure, and intent. But a system that trains the same attributes through alive drills, two-person sets, scenario training, and or principle-based flow might argue that it preserves the “heart” of karate without needing the formal choreography. So perhaps the real question is whether kata is the only valid container for karate’s essence, or whether it is simply the traditional container - a very effective one, but not the only possible one. But like I said, this is just playing devil's advocate. Personally I believe kata/forms/whatever else it's referred to is needed - not everyone can or is able to train live all the time, not everyone is able to remember everything about the art, not everyone wants the same thing from the martial arts, and not everyone can do everything that other can do (that is just being human). Kata/Forms cover the short falls of the above, but this is just my opinion.

Congrats on the 6th Kyu, and good luck for 5th

Congrats on your 4th Dan, kudos to you!

Yes, on the wall in the living room My Dan certificate is the only one hanging on the wall. I don't display any of my academic, professional, or vocational qualifications. For me, what I have put into my martial arts training, I would definitely say that it is comparable to my Bachelor and Masters degrees, if not more so.

Missed this post and the message, thank you

25 years of martial art training: Tang Soo Do - 3rd Dan (hopefully testing for 4th Dan at the end of this year) Shotokan Karate - 2nd Dan (from 2004) Plus a few different belts (under black belt) in various other arts.

I found the book "The Lost Art of Tang Soo Do" by John Kedrowski as well as "The Secrets of the Warrior-Scholar The Untold History of Tang Soo Do V 1.4" by Daniel R. Segarra very interesting regarding the history of Tang Soo Do.

Congrats mate, which art is this one for?

IMO, for grades/ranks 5th Dan and above, I don't have any strong views one way or another. I started my MA journey 23 years ago with Shotokan and considering that Gichin Funakoshi rank was a 5th Dan, so for me either or is fine. A pretty simplistic view, I know

Technically 9 Dan levels; however as our CI is a 5th Dan - 5 at the moment

Hi All, Has anyone heard of the Artist Sia? Well if you haven't, don't worry, I've only come around her in the last week ... I have to say, it's actually nice to see a vid like this showcasing karate in a non-funny way... Hope you enjoy it -Ken

Have you not taken alook at other "No Politics - No Association Interference" associations and or Governing Bodies? There are a few in the UK that will allow (associate) instructors from 3rd Kyu/Gup as well as insure them and their clubs... Some will even give you the opportunity to grade (provided you meet their criteria, time in grade, as well as reach their standards)...

Welcome to the forums

Looking at the video, then at their website, it appears like they are very loosely based on forms from Shorinryu Karate - how which form, I'm not really sure. Since they are a a modern freestyle Karate style, don't expect their forms to be readily recognized outside their own style...

Awesome, major congrats on both of your passes