NightOwl

Haha Sorry about sounding a bit standoffish! I assumed that you were 'one of those guys', but I am pleasantly surprised to see that you are willing to put in the effort. Pronunciation wise, Japanese is MUCH easier than mandarin (I am working on mandarin on the moment and it is tough!), also since you know some kanji, that can definitely come in handy down the road for reading. As far as 1960's japan compared to today, it is very different- just like the 60's in America are different from the America of 2007, but I would go so far to say as even much more so (for one thing the introduction of a more western diet means that you are no longer a huge giant here...which I was disappointed about at least haha). The 24 chickens guy has a book on his travels as well, however you probably will still glean some current stuff from the other book (if not an interesting reading experience). There are also lots of cultural books for people moving there that you can find at your local bookstore or library. Either way, good luck on the application progress, and let us know how it goes.

haha congrats! Hopefully this will give you the experience you need to handle a similar situation in the future.

Well, if you want to study at the source, then I suppose Okinawa would be the origin of the art. Having said that, Japanese dojos do not have special magical powers that have completely eluded the west. Yes, you probably will find more dedication (just because they put so much time into a single sport over here), but from everything I've heard (I personally have yet to train at a japanese dojo), they are actually fairly casual compared to the west, where in an effort to be authentic many dojos try to out japanese the japanese (if that makes sense?). In fact, okinawans traditionally didn't have a belt system or even wear uniforms- that was later adapted to fit to the Japanese tastes and militaristic style much later. Either way, it is not as romantic as it is often portrayed. Secondly, keep in mind that if you are going to live in Japan, knowing the culture and especially the language is VERY important...I cannot stress the language part enough, as the foreigners that I meet here who don't speak japanese always say that they are surprised on how little people speak English. It isn't America with black hair, take the time to learn to adapt to the environment instead of having it adapt to you (which it will not). Japanese, especially written japanese, is very difficult compared to learning many western languages, and some people live here for years without ever learning it (usually just staying in foreigner circles but then why go to japan if you aren't going to go into the japanese culture?). I'd recommend a japanese immersion program before going- it will really help. Also depending on where you stay, it can either be really rural or very urban- it isn't on the whole a very pretty country, and I've yet to run into a samurai or geisha despite what the Japanese tourist industry would have you believe. Finally, it is EXPENSIVE- especially for transportation. You can buy a special rail pass if you are a student but usually you have to affliliated with a school and the people at the train stations do not understand english. Also just on a side note- the way western karate dojos use 'osu' is very often incorrect.... Mind I am not trying to scare you away, but at the same time it isn't easy and you WILL need to do your homework to do well here (but at the same time you will never 'fit in' with everyone else no matter how much you do, but you can read about cultural differences on your own). 24 fighting chickens has some articles on living and training in japan, as well as what it is like to train in a real dojo, so I suggest you check out here: http://www.24fightingchickens.com/

aye, me too. They cover some standing submissions as well which I find interesting.

Sounds like it was a wonderful experience! It was also cool that he ended up handing out the belts (congrats to your instructor on his black).

Yay- free videos is something I can afford! I will admit Cross, you are ever so slowly changing my mind...I do love some full resistance knife disarming . And no, I don't think that many karateka or any other martial artist for that matter would do well under heat- the point was that for most people RBSD training won't give too much of an advantage either unless they are really into it (and at which that point they are the exception to the rule anyways). The stereotypical SD class talks of groin kicks and eye gouges with maybe going against somebody in a full body pad suit (while being told to stay in well lit areas)...not that they are perhaps even the rule, but that is the stereotype. And in the latter situation I did apply some of what I would call 'self defense tactics;. Namely when someone called me over to the back of a parking lot and I asked what they wanted and they wouldn't tell me but told me to 'come over'. When I asked what they wanted but they asked me again to come, refusing to answer, I started heading in a different direction. But when I did they started swearing and moving forward so I walked fairly quickly back towards the entrance by the windows with maximum visibility in case something should happen and took out my keys in a loose position so that if I made a fist it would have the end of the key sticking out of it in a iron kunckle esque fashion. I then unlocked and locked the car as fast as I could (I couldn't do much anyways if he had a gun as far as getting away, but a knife would be hard to use if I was in a car), and drove off. Was it a bit intense? Yeah I won't lie, it was intimidating- but in the end I kept my wits about me and avoided having a confrontation whether it was a real threat or not. And also, in many of those videos fighting skill would DEFINITELY have come in handy. No, of course arm bars and getting someone into your guard would be stupid, but knowing how to kick, punch, jab, and do stand up grappling/ throws would have helped in many of those situations.

That's where I met my wife! However, when my wife and I started dating, it took the instructor about 2 weeks to figure it out, and he didn't figure it out in class. He saw us at the local bowling alley together one night, and that is how he found out. I think you are right, and the sensei should have probably mentioned something to the couple about their demeaner while at class. Seriously? That's really awesome! I hope my girlfriend does my martial arts...

Mostly the material that I can see without using my credit card, and traveling to interview them is a bit expensive as well at the moment. Richard Dimitri does seem to know well what he is doing, but do a quick youtube search on self defense classes/ RBSD and there's nothing that makes it what it is many times built up to be. Sammy Franco seems to love eye gouges for instance. Are they are great tool? Most definitely, but outside of people such as himself how many people after paying whatever amount they pay for the seminar are really going to be able to pull everything off when the heat is on? Especially if they are not used to having somebody coming at them. 'I would just eye gouge them'/ kick them in the groin is a common answer by those who don't spar against those who do, but so far there isn't much proof that it is a magic bullet- just another weapon in your arsenal. And yes, a good offense is a good defense- once you make it to the point of no return that's when a good grappling/striking base comes in handy. The bigger point then should be not what to do during the fight, but before it...namely it not happening at all. See a bunch of youths on the street late at night? Don't be a 'tough guy'- cross to the other side. Also don't mouth off to strangers, be polite, take a joke, stay in well lit areas, swallow your pride, and if a situation doesn't feel right get out of it (especially to a public place)! If you are a woman, carry mace- and never forfeit your life over some money. I have personally had a death threat against my life before- and I have once been in a situation where I sensed that someone was there to harm me. In the latter (before I did much in the sense of martial arts) I put the car keys between my knuckles and walked quickly to my car where I promptly locked it and drove away. All of that came from the basic RBSD lesson that I got as a kid that I didn't need a VISA for (I use mastercard anyways)- don't go off with strangers. Of course it evolved and adapted from that point, but the fact of the matter is that common sense is your best friend (and not being hotheaded). But once you get to the point where the situation is out of control (or the other person is out of control), knowing how to fight is key.

Has anyone checked out this site before? I came across it recently, and while I am not a huge fan of DVD/book learning, IT'S FREE (which is the best price). And no- I am not getting royalty checks... http://submissions101.com/ and on a side note while it is very dangerous and you shouldn't do it a home etc- I found the segment on the various blackout techniques informative.

What is GKR?

Nope, sorry but it just isn't doing it for me...I am not however, questioning the competency or expertise of those who run these places. Most of the time they actually have combat experience/ a fighting background, and really can apply their skills. However as you mentioned the marketing is a bit much- looking at titles such as 'Feral fighting secrets' with a picture of bared fangs and a logo of a muscular eagle with an American flag- perhaps they do teach quite well, however from what I have seen of RBSD (outside of those made for people who use it professionally), it hasn't really impressed me. Maybe roleplaying does help for some people I guess- but I can never take those seriously. I think that at its core it is simple fighting principles that can work well if the instructor knows what he/she is doing, but I think the package it is sold in promises just as much as martial arts places that can give too much of a sense of invincibility. Now this is a huge problem with ALL martial arts, but I am picking on RBSD training in particular at the moment because it claims to be the exception. Think of it this way- most RBSD seminars are not in depth programs like those presented- they are the ones you see at community centers etc. People go for a few weekends and quit...not usually going into a long term program like you mentioned and thus not really being able to internalize what they've learned. But if you were going to put in that much time- why not build up a rounded base at an mma gym? It doesn't have the marketing yes but it will make you a better fighter. Do that and pick up a violence prevention book and you'll get similar results but a better offensive capability.

That would be a great idea. With the set-up you described, it would probably be a good opportunity for you and your school. You would also show something else to the people watching, something that might make more sense to them. Challenge them to a duel?

Yes, I am sure that there are good RBSD places- the best ones you will probably find in military and police/security training centers. But a lot of the prominent stuff (that I see at least- maybe I am refusing to see the good...) is DVDs claiming 'PRISON FIGHTING SECRETS', weekend women's self defense classes, and unrealistic gun disarming techniques that are likely to get you killed. I still don't think that most places prepare someone for the adrenaline rush that you get when you encounter a dangerous situation, however to be fair most traditional martial arts places don't either.

Can you blame them? What locale could possibly be more romantic than a dojo?

Undefeated in the UFC? I know he lost some in other organizations (such as his fight with Yuki Kondo who's a kenpo stylist) http://youtube.com/watch?v=z-3b2_1Vk8M.

Sometimes I think groin kicks are overrated...kind of like eye gouges. If they are drunk they will be able to get in a few more swings as well because it is a delayed pain. I am going to have to respectfully disagree however that high kicks are useless...they have worked at times in MMA (which is as close as you can get to a real fight). Of course if you miss the stakes are losing a round- in real life you may loose more. Then again I still hold that if they don't have their hands up AND you are good at them the choice is yours. Personally, I usually don't use kicks at all.

That's where grappling training comes in...too bad submissions on the ground are a nono (where I suspect is his greatest weakness).

Hm, well I'd love to but it will have to wait. Where I currently am guns are banned and even the cops usually only carry batons . Anyhow....is it friday yet?

The okinawans traditionally practiced only low kicks... highkicks are a gambit, and best are pulled off if your opponent isn't expecting it I think (which is why I don't advocate kiaing as it kind of tells them that you are going to throw kicks.)

Remember, you are a CUSTOMER, not a disciple. Sometimes instructors forget that I think ; )

Anywhere??? http://www.impactjj.com/. Casual, but the real deal. Head out to Oregon for BJJ or mma style striking (or conditioning).

Well, Kyujitsu more like it but details details....to be honest I really want to learn how to handle a firearm but you seem to learn swords first if you take martial arts...

right, the 21st. I think that they might do some rifle work from the photos...but really, isn't marksmanship/learning to handle a gun a modern martial art? If you look at the old Jujitsu schools (ryus) weapons are just as big a part of the curriculum as unarmed fighting.

By no means however was I discounting Eskrima- I think that it is one of the most relevant armed martial art styles out there. I just don't think that it will transfer into MMA too much. Having said that taking both is always a nice compromise eh?

Ah- I envy you! I too hope to make it to the 'homeland' someday. : p The people there are supposed to be pretty friendly, not to mention the cool accent!