hobbitbob

Excellent idea!

I listen with my ears. Never thought of listening with a shinai. In teh Army we called it "Thinking with your Triceps."

I always say that around fifth or fourth Kyu one sees the light at teh end of the tunnel, but one is certain that it is an approaching train!

A "traditional" style has associated with it a series of intangibles that are quite important for those of us who subscribe to them, and pooh-poohed by the "not traditional reality fighter." types. The concept of lineage is particularly important and may be associated with Concfucian concepts of family and group loyalty. The practioner of the "traditional' sytem has as his or her primary goal the learning of a system of varying degrees of antiquity often for the sake of practicing a unique cultural artifact. One may contrast this attitude with that of the "eclecticists' who forsake lineage and tradition in search of "what works." Often the "traditional" systems feature slow progress,and little obvious training in "fighting." instead the student is exposed over time to combative applications of basic techniques. A caveat to the use of the term "traditional' is that the Kihon/Kata/Kumite regime most of us are familiar with, with its rows of students, grouped neatly by rank, is actually a relic of 1930s Tojo militarism. It is the result of efforts by the Japanese university Dojo to train large groups of students in a short time. There is an excellent article in Dave Lowry's newest compilation where he discusses the role of the Dojo in the history of Karate. He points out that the Dojo concept was grafted on to Karate by the Japanese in the 1930s. Prior to this Karate was trained in small groups, often in coutyards or in fields or on beaches. In conclusion, the concept of "Traditional Karate" is something of a misnomer. One of my favourite Richard Kim quotes is this: "If someone tells me they are doing 'Traditional Karate-Do,' I ask them just what style of Kung-Fu they are practicing."

The concept of asking for more than you can comfortably do is the sign of a good instructor. Around about 6th Kyu gradings should be more challenging. The important thing is not that you can successfully do, say, Hidari Zenjutstsu-dachi, renzoku age uke, masotouke,uraken uchi, gedan barai, mae geri, mawashi shuto uchi, ushiro mawashi geri, uraken uchi, gyaku zuki. Repeat..... the imprtant thing is that you try.

When I lived in Baltimore, I was in a few encounters where I knew merely giving up my wallet wasn't going to make the other guy(s) go away. I see these as failures, becasue I should have been more aware of my surroundings. I regret the injuries I caused.

How much room does it take to do Kata?

Excellent reply.

One of the best Karateka I've ever trained under is Amber Travsky, who has taught Okinawa Kempo in LAramie, Wy. for almost twenty years now. She is a knowledgeable, precise, aggressive martial artist. i know few men who are her equal!

The frayed, ratty belt thing seems to be an American/Canadian thing. You dont see Japanese or Okinawan instructors with stringy, smelly, grey strips of cloth around their waists. My belt finally died. I'm on BB #3 now. I've had a Bear Brand (11 yrs.), Shureido (7 yrs.), and now a Meijin. Hopefully this one lasts longer!

In Shotokan we did very little Bunkai and Oyo. What we did was explained in the terms of "Block, punch, kick." In Seibukan, Bunkai and Oyo are emphasized a great deal, and stressed from the beginning. Kyusho are taught to yudansha, and grappling techniqes are iuntroduced at the intermediate levels. Hope this helps.

Weren't they the loser sin a large lawsuit a few years ago?

Dan ranking, as a product of lineage, is of great importance in styles that identify themselves as "tradtional" or "Classical." I'm not going to get into an argument over traditional vs. "reality combat flavour of the month non-traditional" styles.

It would really depend on the instructor. I taught at a rec council program as a Shodan, but it was understood that I had a higher ranked person who was teaching me.

I just found the website for the University club in Karlsruhe, germany, with whom I trainied in the early 1990's while stationed in Karlsruhe with the Army, and they had pictures from a recent seminar with Ochi Sensei. Ten years have really changed him. It really sneaks up on one that the whole genration of "greats'" like Knanzawa, Enoeda, Ochi, Asai, Osaka, Shirai, etc.. are in their late 70s and early 80s! Yaguchi Sensei here in Denver is pushing 70.

The individual in question is still quite new. He's been there but four months, and has never graded.I honestly think he's there because his parents feel it would be "good to have him in Karate." we are probably going to talk to mom and suggest that he stop for now, and perhaps try again later. If we were a "Mile High Kuh-ruddy" type dojo perhaps things would be different, but we aren't a babysitting service, and the fact that other 8 year olds are able to pay attention and train makes me think that this child doesn't belong there. The caveats to my opnions are : -I don't have children, therefore I am not as comfortable with evaluating child behaviour as those who are parents. -I am fairly demanding on students, and on myself as well. Our sensei, who owns the school, agrees with those of us who think that we are merely rewarding poor behaviour with attention. The sole voice of dissent is from one of the instructor staff who happens to be a mother of four children. THis is why I wonder if the opinion the rest of us hold may be incorrect. None of us, except for Sensei, have kids and the experience of dealing with kids.

I was thinking about this subject this evening. On Monday and Wednesday nights I help out with the beginner class as a "warm up" for BB class later. One of the little ones was having severe "paying attention and trying hard" problems. My usual response is pushups. I tend to do the pushups with them, not only does this lesson the "you're a meany" factor, it is good training. Anyway, after class, another BB and I were discussing this particular child, and his poor attitude, lack of effort, etc.. We resolved to speak with his parents on Monday night about whether karate might just not be a great idea at this time. he's 8, but very immature. Anyway, on the way home I continued to cogitate and began to wonder how much good correction does him, and if we are indeed rewarding his bad behaviour by the attetnion. Might he be acting out in search of attention and receiving the reward (attetnion from instructors) that he wishes? The difficulty lies in the fact that he sets a poor example for brand new students, who see him moving at attention, punching off to the side,and just generally not trying. His seniors realize he is a poor student,and ignore him. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I try not to whip on the dojo princesses.. . it gets them messy!

A: Punctuation much? B: I would have an easier time believing Stern as a karateka than Mel gibson or Brad Pitt!

The official notice is up. http://www.kugb.org

I'd believe it. There isn't any reason for him NOT to be, is there?

I'm happy to say I haven't been in a "fight" since junior high school!

[Listen its very simple if ur instructor says in ten yrs you can get ur black belt then u might slack for 9 and a half yrs then the next 6 months work ur a$$ of because u know ur gonna get that rank. Its about proper growth as a martial artist that is all and i find a dicipline that is tooo rewarding will diminish that growth If ina good Dojo the time to Shodan were ten years,and you slacked off for nine years, chances are you would not get Shodan in six months. Chances are you would never see Shodan. Chances are you would never see any promotions.

Perhaps one of the difficulties is the tendency toward "rank inflation." Can one really be 6,7, or 8th Dan with less than thiry or forty years of training?

I hope its only down for maintenanc, I've tried off and on for a few months to get inot it and is has been down the entire time.