hobbitbob

I think that Matsukaze is the Japanese rendering of the Hongan name of the kata Wanduan. I have never seen the kanji though, so I can't be sure. the two kata look similar, though.

I agree. My first dojo used Century heavyweights (which are really medium weight) gi for beginners, and the things are just pathetic! Asian World fo MA's "proforce" brand makes an affordable line of heavyweight gi, and KI also makes good, inexpensive heavyweights.

The end of the world must have come, becasue I am actually disagreeing with kickchick on something ! A: I prefer heavyweight dogis for several reasons: Durability. Comfort. tradition. B: I prefer cotton to polyester. Polyester traps moisture and ends up sticking to one as one practices. Polyester Gi also look "cheap." Yes, cotton is more difficult to care for (Wash in cold, and hang dry), but I've never had a problem with my 100% cotton heavyweight Gi wrinkling. Of course, I take to time to fold it before placing it into by pack after practice, and I wash it and air dry it after training. I have also never had a problem with cotton gi shrinking. Most higher quality 100% cotton gi wil shrink a small amount with the first laundering, but after that they will maintain their size as long as one is careful to ONLY use COLD water. Personal favs: Tokaido (of course, but hellishly expensive!) Meijin (available through Dragon IMporters (https://www.dragon-tsunami.com).

As alsways, I see the McDojo phenomenon growing way beyond any other aspect of Karate. However, traditional martial arts still seem to be going strong.

Who knows, one would certainly hope that he at least displays better grammar skills! Unfortunately, there are many people in Martial Arts, as in any other endeavor, who "know best," and the rest of the world is wrong. Perhaps he has only seen poor shotokan? I've certainly seen poor Goju, poor Shito, poor Shoto, poor Shorin, etc.. in twenty-plus years of practice. I've seen even more good Goju, shoto, shito, shorin, etc...

In my short time spent practicing the martial ways I have frequently come across teh title "master." IT has been used in different ways by different people. What exactly is a "master?" In may Korean and eclectic styles, the title denotes anyone holding the rank of 4th dan or above. In the mists of the past, a master was some wizened gentleman who had trained for his entire life, adn was dedicated to passing the art down to a chosen few students. The concept of "mastery (Derived from the Latin Magister)" implies completion, or a sense of knowing "all that there is to know" about a certain subject. If this is the case, should someone with 10 or so years of training really be called a "master?" Also, over the years, I've noticed a large number of people sporting belts or uniform patches witht eh title "master" or "Grandmaster." The first thing that comes to mind when I see these things is: "Is this person so insecure that they need the patches to remind themselves?" Would a true "master" not be very reluctant to display their own individual status? Similarly, I recently encountered an individual handing out flyers for his "kuhrotty" school in the parking lot of Safeway who introduced himself as "Master ____." I found this to be rather incongruous, since I had always assumed that the term "Master" was a one-way form of address, not a personal title. The chap appeared to eb about my age (mid 30s) and I inquired about his training. He had apparently spent some time doing Kenpo, some time doing Jujitsu,a dn some time doing TKD. He claimed to haev begun training in his 20s, so it is doubtful he had truly "mastered" anything. To be fair, I haven't seen the man teach ( I denied any training in the martial arts, but did agree to visit his school for a free "introductory lesson"), but I ofund the lack of humility engendered by referring to oneself as "Master" so-and so to be somewhat off putting. My curren instructors (A TKD 7 and a Shorinjiryu 8th dan) both refer to themselves as "teachers," and do not demand, or even accept being addrerssed as "Shihan" or "Master." They really only ask for "Sensei" or "Sir." Has the term "Master" become merely an advertising tool? What has the plethora of "Masters" done to the credibility of the martial arts? Interestingly enough, while websurfing not too terribly long ago I came across a school that has among its list of yudansha numers 5th dans and above who are all under 18, all of whom are accorded the title "Master." What does this say about the amrtial arts in general?

I think that thequestion itself, "would you take lessons from a 1,2, or 3d Dan" is dependent on the style, and system as well. In may of teh Japanese and Okinawan systems, students do not progress as rapidly as they seem to in Korean styles. Therefore a 20 year studetn in a Korean style is likely to hold a higher numbered grade than a 20 year studetn of Shot, or Shito, or Wado, or Goju, etc... As has been stated above, the true test is the person's teaching ability, not the grade. Often the teaching responsibilites increase as grade increases, but not neccesarily. One of the best "traditional" karate Dojo I've ever known has as its cheif instructor a 2d Dan, who has trained for 25 years. there are higher Dan ranks training there, but he is the Sensei, adn teh one designated by his senior to run that particular Dojo. he has also undergone training ar USA-NKF instructors and referres courses, adn therefore is probably better qualified to teach than a 4th Dan who trains three nights/week, and hasn't had that much time and experience teaching. The other comment on this thread that struck me, adn perhaps it should be a seperate thread, is the concept that a certain Dan grade is a "master." I think personally think that the adoption of the title "master" as a designation for 4th Dan and up by many Korean and eclectic systems has been a major mistake and a source of great discredit to the arts in general. To my way of thinking, only after most of a lifetime's worth of study may one truly "master" a martial art. Arbitrarily deciding that the 25 year old with 10 years of training is a "master" is ludicrous and reflects poorly on teh one who uses the title , as well as those who gave him the title.

The major rule by which I try to live is this: NEVER BLOCK WITH YOUR FACE!

IN Wado the theory is to have one's strong side forward. this developed from Ohtsuka sense's experiences in Kendo and Jujutsu, from what I understand.

Depending on the cost of liability insurance in your area, he might be correct these measures.

My TKD instructor, Pham, Phouc Ky, is one of the most remarkable human beings I've ever met. He was one of the few members of his family to receive an education, and speaks French and English, along with Vietnamese. He was a major in the Vietnamese Army Special operations units, and then became a High School teacher. After the fall of the Southern government, when he was imprisoned for several years, and escaped, becoming one of the so-called "boat people." He made his way to the US in teh 1970's, Married, raised a family, and has three sons, two are physicians, one owns an import-export business. He works as a machinist for a local manufatucing company. He bagan teaching TKD at UMBC in 1985, when his eldest son was a freshman. He continues teaching, twice a week, for free, and will probably continue until he dies. He learned his family's vietnamese Kung Fu style from his father, adn learned TKD in the army. He was one of a group sent to Korea to learn TKD in a nine month course. they trainied quite hard, "Punch ahrd, kick hard," he says. About one third of the group passed, he says. At 63 he trains by himself each morning for two hours before breakfast and going to work , "otherwise, it will all be gone (snap of fingers) just like that," he says. He pushes his class hard, and words of praise are few and far between (the highest praise is a smile and a loud "yes!"). He stresses the importance of good basics "Without basics, your Taekwondo for nothing!" he always says. Despite his stern personality on teh Dojo floor, he is always interested in his students lives and their wellbeing. When I tested this June for 1st dan, I was quite poor. This kind caring person paid for my Kukiwon testing fees ouot of his own pocket (I haev since re-imbursed him)! He is a true example of the word "sensei", which may be translated as "one who goes before," or "life model."

Embarrassed myself horribly tonight doing Unsu! Anyway, in order to facilitate the complete spin, I try to turn my head forcefully first. I don't have the probelm of not getting all the way round, instead I tend to "overspin." Best of luck!

That would certainly lead to being noticed!

At my 1st dan test in TKD we all headed down to Northern Virginia in a group, to test under Sabumnim Thanh. On the way, we stopped to get gas, etc..., and MAster Pham bought all of us testing rather delicious Vietnamese sandwiches. an hour later, whilst changing into my Dobok, my nerves allowed me to enjoy this repast agin! The moral: Don't eat less than two hours beforehand!

Several Knee surgeries ago, I found that jumping off of the lead leg was best.

From what I've been able to tell, the ISKF forbids its members to attend training camps with non-ISKF instructors. Ranking fees are a bit on the high end, too. I've met quite a few god ISKF yudansha, though. In Denver Sensei Yaguchi and Aragon, in Washington Sensei Cathy Cline,and in Baltimore Sensei Amin, adn Sensei Davis are quite fomidable Karateka.

Has anyone read Shihan Toguchi's second book?

Interestingly enough, with the demise of Gen. Choi, the ITF has splintered into at least three organizations.

The "run away quickly kick."

the JKF (Japanese Goju) seems to practice their Kata in a more "stiff" way, like the JKA people, than teh Okinawan Goju people do. Bear in mind, I've only seen videos of the Japanese Goju people.

Shihan Higoanna's books are quite useful, but they are also quite out of print. the videotapes he made for Tsunami are quite good, however.

I find the JKA style of Karate to be one of the best, easiest to learn, and most consistant (between Dojo) of all of the Japanese styles. I am unsure as to how much actual contact with the JKA people had, even before the breakup. I know that Sensei Nishiyama's and Okazaki's organizations were considered "American Representatives," but other strong "JKA stylists" like Ozawa Sensei (Las Vegas) and Americans like Sensei Dalke and Sensei Hassell seem to haev had littel contact with the actual organization itself.

TKD (University Sports Club) Tues. and thurs, 7:00-8:30 pm. Shorinjiryu (Commercial school) M,W,F: 6:00-8:30 p.m. Tu, Th: Kids: 6;00-7:00 p.m. Adult Beginners 7:00-8:30p.m. Saturday: Kids: 11:30-1245 Adults: 1:00-3:00 p.m. I practice on Tuesdays and thursdays at teh TKD club, adn Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at teh Shorinjiryu Dojo.

I would love to haev 30 minutes to stretch and warm up, but our University TKD club goes in after an aerobics class, and has fencing (egads...pointy things...run!) following. we have a mere 1 adn 1/2 hours two times a week, so we usually only stretch for ten minutes at the beginning. Memebers are encouraged to stretch outside the room before class. At teh comercial school where I am learning Shorinjiryu, classes are two hours, so we have twenty minutes at the toip and ten at the bottom of class to stretch.

Chito-Ryu, from my understanding, was the product of a certain Dr. Chitose Tsuyeyose, an Okinawan Gynecologist who had studied with Itosu and Funakoshi before the war. It was brought to the US by William Dometrich, and to Canada by Tsuruoka Masami. I've never found any examples of the Kata on line, though I haev seen mention on the Cyberdojo forum that there is apparently some similarity between Chito and Shoto technique. I would love to know more about the style. There was an article in Dragon Times a few months ago about Dr. Chitose,a dn Jose Fraguas' interview with Sensei Dometrich is in his compilation "Masters of Karate."