Zanshin

Hi dmacdonal9, Mr Suzuki was and still is a powerful force in Wado karate here in the UK. He was the key protagonist in disseminating Wado throughout the sixties, seventies and into the eighties. A vast majority of the senior instructors here in the UK, now in their 50/60s and 7th dans + etc., were originally taught by him. That’s some feat. Sadly, I am led to believe that he is not in the best of health these days and maybe that’s the reason behind not being able to visit North America again. I have been invited to attend a Suzuki course here in the UK next month, but am unsure as to whether I will be able to attend. Question for you, do you have Maegeri in your Wanshu?

/ well you have a very humble school sir. can you maybe share the humility with mine? they don't seem to get it That’s a shame NewEnglands_KyoSa, it's not about that, as you obviously know. What stance is your instructor taking over all of this? Is he/she happy to let this go on? I doubt it. Sort of detracts from the whole reason to train really.

Very Well done. I spent a bit of time round your neck of the woods about 15 years ago good part of the world.

That’s not necessarily pulling rank. They are probably grown ups who would rather spend their time training as opposed to trying to answer questions on stuff that they don’t really consider important. If you feel that way perhaps you should direct your questions toward your sensei.

I understand what you are saying, but my answer to that would be that the content of the lessons should be enough to make people want to come back.

Hi dmacdonal9, Good post and welcome to the forum. Nice to have another Wado Guy here. I see you train with the Wado Kokusai. Have you managed to train with the man himself (Mr Suzuki). I think you have summarized Wado well (not easy to do). As you say, many if not all of the techniques practiced in wado are apparent in other styles of karate but the difference is the way they are applied. For me, the way that Wado practitioners move is the key to applying the unique principles of wado.

Ah, that's kind of cool. Like bunkai almost, right?yes, just like bunkai except its not the whole form, its just a piece. Thanks guys, Question then, do you take the techniques found in the Pyung Ahns and apply them in any other way outside of the "one steps".

Hi bushido_man96, If I understand your question correctly, I think he was formally taught stage combat as part of his acting training. He has a recognised qualification in it and teaches it to local high school drama clubs etc. He was a martial artist from a very young age so I think it was a happy union. As part of his stage combat training, he also had to study a formal style and I think that’s how he got into the fencing and rapier and dagger work etc.

I agree with most of the others here, in that you should get a Jujutsu gi. Not just because of the badges really (although it’s probably ok to start with, but if you get serious and want to continue, it’s a bit disrespectful). This is very true, also the sleeves of a jujutsu gi get a lot of punishment and karate suit sleeves would probably tear off before too long. Probably the first thing that would go though would be the ties at the side. Judo/Jujutsu Gis don’t tend to have these, for exactly that reason.

At both my schools, rank is recognised by where you stand. The most senior grade is always at the front and to the sensei's left (as he looks at the class). In my Kobudo group, further observations are made, in that students will sit up out of "za-rei" according to grade. It is bad form for a junior student to arise before his senior, so the correct effect is like a Mexican wave, with the very newest student sitting up last.

Thing is, I'm a grown up, and I can do what I like (within reason). I think perhaps you need to "sense check" your decision to train in another art with your instructor, to get the benefit of his or her knowledge, but at the end of the day, it’s your body, your time and your bucks. That said, I am a believer in the pedagogy of structured long term mnemonic style training and adopting the wrong additional training style could be disruptive to this balance. Not everyone is this way inclined but it suits my slightly “autistic” tendencies. Choose an art to compliment what you do best and take advice.

My favourite! Especially the ones from other clubs and competitions from overseas. Nothing wrong with that.

My friend is an actor by trade and got into medieval sword work as part of his stage combat teaching. At the dojo last night, we exchanged a few ideas. He showed me some "rapier and dagger" techniques which were fun to do. Very circular movements, almost balletic The discussion arose because we were talking about a school of Kenjutsu called Nitōjutsu where the practitioner uses two swords ie an Odachi (long) and Kodachi (short). It is my understanding that the style was influenced (at some stage) by early European visitors to Japan in the 17th century who commonly used rapier and dagger style techniques. So just goes to show really that good swordsmanship is good swordsmanship in any part of the world.

Excellent: lol: I must admit, some of the guys that I train with in my Kobudo group could easily be mistaken for arms dealers.

Hi Holland, I am glad to hear that. Had a look at your website actually. You have some great photos on there. You obviously have a good photographer amongst your ranks. Lovely community feel to your Dojo which I think is very important.

Spot on, that’s the one. Apparently the gap between your knuckles and the back of the shield is minimal and when it gets clouted hard, your knuckles get it big time. But guess it’s that or your head.

As well as my do-gi, belt, mitts, gum shield, shin and instep, and cup, my bag has got some great goodies in it: Hook and Jab pads Hakama Tanto and cord for hojo-jutsu In my Sword bag I have: Kodachi Boken Iaito If I can be bothered to haul it a long I have kick shields. But I am also very sad.

Quality job Holland, You managed to welcome a new board member by telling us all when you started karate, that you will be a 4th dan in feburary, that you run your own school and plugged your web site to boot. All in a couple of sentences, are you a salesman by any chance?? Please don’t take offence, I am a great admirer of Isshin ryu , I am just tickling you.

I am with ShoriKid on this one. Be proud of your dojo, but at the same time careful where you choose to go. Red flag and bull springs to mind when it comes to a few “watering holes” in my neck of the woods. We often pop over the road after training to the "local" for re-hydration purposes and have learnt to be very discrete. Difficult when 15 + plus fellas walk into the pub (and some of our lads are big!) carrying kick shields, boken and the like. Nonetheless we keep a very low profile.

How they tell you could be the key. Most of the students in the Dojo where I train would tell you by hitting you. In a nice way of course. Videoing has its place, but sometimes you can only see the tiny "inflections" in people’s movement in real life, and for this you need a good partner.

One of the black belts at our club is, by profession a Knight, in that as his day job, he re-enacts medieval combat at the Tower of London. He is an expert in medieval sword fighting and Italian fencing. As well as broad sword he does Sabre and foil. (and things with little shields I can’t remember the name of, but he is always complaining hurt his hands) He is also a flipping good Karate-ka who is not in the slightest bit interested in Japanese sword arts. Funny that isn't it.

If I get a new belt, I tend to tie the knot in the usual way then tuck the ends back under the waist of my belt. This stops the knot from coming undone during practice and also will make the belt more malleable over time. It is also a very traditional way to tie the belt as it prevents the ends from getting in the way. Personally, I don’t wash belts as it completely knackers them. If you’re worried about smelling at the dojo, buy a new one. Also, because I am really sad, I fold and knot my do-gi with my belt before and after training, this again helps make your belt more wearable. Best advice though is to train regularly so you keep tying your belt. It will soon soften.

There is only one way really to find out if you are doing something wrong and that is to do the time on the "Tatami" with a decent opponent. You will soon find out if you are telegraphing techniques. I am sure you will agree Dan that it is one thing doing solo practice (in front of a mirror), but at the end of the day there is no substitute for paired kumite. How are you going to realise your flaws otherwise?

I think I would go for steel Iaito, as the alloy ones are often chrome plated and can flake if damaged. Make sure that you get one appropriate to your size/height. A good one is a lot of money so make sure you get what is most appropraite to your needs. Certianly don't buy one until you have consulted your sensei.

Sounds excellent Tom all credit to you. We had our first lesson back at the Wado Dojo last Thursday when we did two hours of Kumite training getting ready for a comp we've got in Feb. My first training at my Koryu dojo this year, was on Sunday with 1.5hrs of Itto ryu (Kenjutsu) followed by 2 Hours of Daito Ryu (Aiki-Jujutsu). It’s good to be back.