Zanshin

As many of you know, I am a big advocate of how the bye-products of learning a good martial system can enhance your life. On the other hand, I am a staunch advocate for training to maximise your combat effectiveness ("Jutsu" rather than "do" to be honest), and from a combative perspective, these are my favourite Samurai "Maxims" that most wado people base their karate on: It is said that "neglecting" any of these in your training could lead to your demise:- Kikioji - "daunted on hearing" - Being afraid of an opponents reputation. Mikuzure - "cowed at sight" - Being intimidated on seeing the size and/or fearsome expression of an opponent. Futanren - "Inadequate training" - Having something lacking in ones preparation.

Not right. No head gear (for little heads that are still developing), insufficient gloves and a floor that doesn't look very well padded. Nasty stuff, but I bet their parents are proud of them

Blimey Dobersky, Ashihara and Wado Katas not enough for you. Looked good though I will agree with you there.

I agree with your assessment here, tallgeese. I don't have a problem with taking a lifetime to master a system, but at the same time I feel that the system should make you a competent fighter relatively quickly. And then what...?

For me it would be:- Kushanku Naihanchi Seishan Chinto & Kihon Gumite Ipponme... Ok the last one is a paired kata, but if I couldn't have all of the Pinans (as well), I would probably just stick to the 4 solo Katas listed. Z

Spot on Doug. Provided you have the room, Kata is a great way to keep the mind and body ticking over in those dry spells. Fortunately I am still club training regularly, but despite this I am often found practicing Chinto kata in the kitchen whilst waiting for the kettle to boil.

Yep,

It isn't really jumping any processes. Like tallgeese mentioned, it is a basic form of training, but just different from the basic training of Karate. I agree, it is a basic form of training but it is jumping a process from a "traditional karate point of view", thats all I am saying. If it wasn't, the punch from a high guard position would appear in traditional Karate Katas. To my knowledge there is no kata that incorporates this type of punch.

IMO just because it forms part of your Kihon or basic training, does not mean that your classic "Jun-tsuki" is a just a beginners punch. In most traditional dojo that I have trained in, it is usually the first technique that is practiced during every training session, and is done so by 8th kyus up to 9th dans.This is because it is fundamental to most traditional systems of Karate. Brings different results.

Exactly, and from a traditional karate point of view, this would represent correct application using good form borne out of correct basics "hyungs?".

I've never really bought in to the whole "Hiki-te" thing, I think it is misleading as far as performing your classic "Kihon-Tsuki" is concerned. Forcibly withdrawing the non punching hand imparts a rotation of the hips around the the spine which is wrong. Instead the "hinge point" of the hips should always be the opposite hip to the arm with which you are punching IMO. If you place too much emphasis on the hikite there is a risk that you will send this hip backward, which will reduce the amount of power you are generating from your hips. Hiki-te does have its place (ie the pulling of an oponent on to a punch), but again, like the high guard position, it is an application. In Kihon or basic training, it exists purely to place your hand back onto your hip ready for the next technique. I think it would be a fairly daft karate-ka who squared up to someone with one of their hands on their hip. I like Tallgeese's approach to training in basics from the high guard position but I would be cautious as to whether this is jumping over the process (of learning how to correctly generate power in a punch) too quickly. Each to their own, and I may be mistaken but I think the OP question probably related to a "Kihon" type of punch, not one from a sparing guard.

It works well for both for me, Zanshin. You must have me confused with someone else. I don't know Kyokushin and haven't commented on it. Hi joesteph, Making both guard and punch work for you is correct application however, to get the most out of your punch, you should practice how to do it in its basic format. This way when you launch your punch from your upper guard position you are using the correct body mechanics, not lust the strength of your shoulders and arms. The Kyokushin thing was not pointed at you (sorry), but was more in anticipation for people that would point out the Kyokushin practitioners fight with a higher guard. I have nothing but respect for Kyokushin BTW

Maybe, but we are talking about how to best learn to punch here aren't we? Not how to guard? Again, punching from a guard position is application, not basics, or at least from a trad karate point of view anyway. Also, karate is a "non-gloved" martial art that means with blows to the body with pointy fingers etc to small ribs you would probably feel more inclined to lower your guard to protect these regions. The arms up around the head model, whilst having its place, is a spin off from boxing, which is a sport at the end of the day. And BTW Kyokushin is NOT a traditional form of karate.

Microwave Ovens - They heat things up! lol

Well each to their own of course, but personally I think their is great value in learning how to step and punch in the "traditional manner". Maybe tallgeese, you are an experienced karate-ka so it is appropriate for you to train your preferred way now, however I would hazard a guess that you did a fair few "traditional" Jun-tsuki in your time. As far as the "tricky bit" goes, you are right, there is plenty of room for error, however, I am going to bang my "trad" drum now and say that if you stick with a good system, you will automatically improve your chances. It takes time though, and perhaps thats a price that some people today dont want to pay. Z

I train (whenever I have the time) with a small Koryu group that practices Daito ryu, and I am the only Karate-ka there. Its funny you should say what you do, because the Sensei has always joked about the "coarseness" of Karate and my lack of budo refinement, but on the other hand, he has a healthy respect for karate as he knows its effectiveness. That said there are a couple of guys at the club that practice a branch of "Tomiki" aikido which is more geared toward Kumite, and they are pretty decent. Daito is different to Aikido (as far as I understand anyway), as the techniques are not designed to be performed on your Uke in a way that he can comply with the technique. Anyway. Aikido great training to learn how to move, but I agree with kansas, it takes a long time for it to be effective.... some would say that that was the whole point though.

The first way is a training exercise, the second is application. They are both equally valuable IMO. I agree, as long as the transition is made. Of course, and thats the tricky bit.

Well said. I have to admit that I have owned a silk black belt that I wore until it turned virtually all white. It was sort of the fashion back then. It seems to be a bit of a western thing though, as all of the senior Japanese sensei that train with always wear a perfectly black belt. Apart from one that is. Mr Shiomitsu 9th dan Wado Ryu wears a pure white belt (not a black belt that has turned white). Today I just wear a plain and simple cotton black belt. It does the trick for me. Z

The first way is a training exercise, the second is application. They are both equally valuable IMO.

Hi northerndragon, Which way does your instructor teach you? I ask this as there a numerous options and possibilities available to you and you shouldn't ovelook any. Point is though the punch starting points will vary according to what you are using it for and also the purpose of training. The classic "kamae" for a karate punch (in basics) is fist up on the hip, as it is part of a process that allows the karate-ka learn the essentials of movement, timing and correct form. This is only an exercise, but with practice you will be able to apply the same principles to any punch with any start position. I have heard it said that there are only two types of punches, and the rest are derivatives.

Hi Beaverfighter, This club is part of Norma Foster's group and connected to the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) Wadokai. https://www.bushidokarate.ca As such they have very good connections. I have never trained with them, but I am sure they are a good calibre club as Norma Foster's standards are extremely high (well I suppose they would be as she is the highest ranking female Karate-ka in the world). Wado is a very authentic Japanese style that offers a complete system. But then i would say that as I am biased. Anyway, I don't think they are too far from you.

Hi Shinta, I couldn't agree more. Wise words. From a Budo perspective the Japanese would not practice anything that does not have a purpose. The practice of seiza is not only a good way to prepare the mind for training and show respect, it also engenders correct posture and is great training for moving promptly from a difficult position. From a training perspective, this is why most traditional Japanese MA like Aikido / Jujutsu still incorporate "Idori" into their syllabus. Unfortunately it is another example of a seemingly "insignificant" practice that is often overlooked in most modern dojo. By the sounds of it you are lucky enough to train with a good instructor who knows how to perform Seiza-rei. Z

In my experience, fist strikes such as ridge hand (or "haito") are predominantly used as softeners, rather than killing blows. Therefore there is no need for vast amounts of power to be generated. I think its speed and targeting that is the key. Good aiming at points of the body with bone directly under the minimum of flesh cover.... under the nose, outer eye sockets, small ribs etc. It’s basically a way of hitting something that is quite hard, with and edge that is quite hard, but also strong. Very importantly though, you should make sure your thumb is well out of the way. If you are doing it with the three outside fingers in a fist, you should make sure the thumb is well across the ring finger. If you are doing it with an open hand you should make sure the thumb is pointed in toward the small finger, otherwise you risk damaging your thumb against an elbow/teeth etc. Haito is a classic tool for "Atemi" and very much overlooked today. IMO Z

I don't entirely disagree with you Dan however, a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing sometimes, and perhaps it takes an experienced instructor to recognise this in a student. After I was graded to Shodan, I thought I was the "business" and knew all the answers. Furthermore I was absolutely convinced that my instructors were dinosaurs who were completely out of touch with good karate, and modern training etc. Now, I don't think thats a bad thing, as it made me look around me and see what other systems / schools had. It made me look very deeply into my karate particularly as a had started a small club at the time and was conscious that i wanted to reach the right things. Deep down though I consider loyalty a very important value, so I stayed with my group and progressed through my Dan gradings etc., but most importantly I came to realise that actually these guys that had been me teachers for over two decades had already given me all the answers. I just didn't know it at the time because I wasn't ready to understand. Z

Ahh Dobbersky a man after my own heart, although of course, strictly speaking Wado does not use the process of Bunkai!