Zanshin

Many thanks guys, I am flattered. Z

I take it that a 3.8 grade point averege is good then in the US college system? Not that we have gpa's here in the UK i just feel flash for knowing what it is!. Our uni system delivers 1st's, upper seconds, seconds, and thirds. FYI.

Priceless! Aren't internet forums full of the sort of people that you are describing? Yes, you can become knowledgeable about MA and even an authority in some respects, but books and the internet are no substitute for real life training experience. Whilst the "information super-highway" has added incredibly value to the understanding of MA IMO, it has also led to a lot of people thinking they are experts when in fact they are not! Way back in the dark ages when I started training, we had no internet and for that matter Karate was Karate (I didn't know we were doing a specific style). The point is, I did exactly what my sensei told me, without question. Didn't understand a lot of it but also did not question it. I had no means to (IE the internet). I flatter myself that I did not turn out too bad after all these years. There is a growing risk however that too many people having become "experts" in MA from the internet, walk in to Karate Dojos with pre conceived ideas as to what is wrong or right. Now don't get me wrong, I am all for establishing good visibility in terms of what you are attempting to embark on and for that, the internet is brilliant. There comes a point however when the book worm must put down his book and don a gi and start "feeling it" through the red hot forge that is the dojo! And I feel sure that you all know that feeling!

Hi Bushido, Given that his background knowledge in traditional Karate is Wado, it does not surprise me that he uses Wado Katas to explain his applications.

When you say change, is it little adjustments here and there, or completely changing the shape and form of of the kata. There is a world of difference.

Hi Bushido, As far as I understand it, Mr Abernethy's original background was Wado (he was a student of Doug James I believe), however I think he refers to what he teaches today as Bunkai-Jutsu or applied karate. I haven't seen a lot of it but what I have, seems to make sense. That said, it is not Wado (or at least the Wado approach), but to be fair to him I dont think he claims that it is. Other Wado groups may use the term Bunkai when actually referring to "kaisetsu", but in reality there is a difference between the two in terms of process.

Hi Dobbersky, As was touched on in another thread, the M.O. in terms of how to apply Karate techniques can vary between styles. So a Goju student will have a different answer to that of a Wado student I think. As I understand it, the formalised pairwork you refer to is a relatively modern invention. It wouldnt surprise me if it evolved out of the requirement to teach a large number of people how to practice the kata techniqes against one and other in a safe way. As for some of the specific pair work you refer to ie Kihon Gumite and Ohyo Kumite, again I will stand corrected, but I believe I am right in saying that these are unique to Wado. As I am sure your Wado Instructor has told you, strictly speaking Wado does not use the word "Bunkai" to describe how to understand / apply the techniques found in Kata. Instead traditional Wado schools tend to refer to this as "Kaisetsu" or physical explanation. Typically this is done in its classical form without deviation (i.e. the way it appears the kata). My thinking (at present at least) is that the traditional Okinwan arts use the process of "Bunkai" ie disassembling the component parts. You can only do this though if you have a good level of understanding as to what the techniques are in the first place. After which you can then work on the potential variants in terms of how to apply those techniques and principles to a real situation. Generally speaking, most Wado Dojos don’t do that, although at my dojo we do sometimes have a bash at this and its good fun, and healthy, I’ve got to be honest. Typically, Wado students will learn how to apply the all of the techniques found in kata along with the principles of movement timing and mindset through the training of paired kata such as ohyo (which also means application) Kihon Gumite, then further up the syllabus idori (methods from kneeling) and Tanto dori (methods against a knife). So in nutshell, Wado pair work IS our bunkai practice I suppose.

My mate gets to do it everyday as he is a Knight at the Tower of London. He complains though about having to wear full plate harness and sweating his proverbials off, but still ... what a job! I envy him greatly!Well Bushi, If you ever find your self here in the UK, pop over and I am sure that he would be happy to run through a few things with you. Mind you, got take take your hats off to those guys. I didn't realise just how heavy Plate Harness and the under garments (sorry cant remember what he calls them) are. 60 pounds! Imagine having to fight for your life whilst wearing 60 pounds of sheet metal and carpet basically

Well, as Bushido would be at pains to say, the "martial" way is is old as mankind its self, and probably all civilisations evolved their own fighting systems, be that for self protection or military purposes. Its all about the evolution of the strong I suppose, so I think you have got your work cut out really. Arguably; Alexander the Great was the first "documented" leader of men that set a programme of training for his forces. I don't pretend to know too much about it, but would suggest you dig deeper. If you want to concentrate on the history of far eastern martial arts, you should research "Bodhidharma". This is a pretty good site to start with. https://www.art-of-budo.com/karate.htm Z

Any YouTube footage...? I am intreagued. On lighter note, BlueDevil...you actually live in Amarillo... So you must know the way...lol. Could not let that pass by either. Z Ps. sorry Blue if you are sick and tired of that.

Hmmmm "Fight Game" sort of sums it up really! Well for you at least I suppose. Others here might be slightly less two dimensional about it but, hey, I was your age once and fought at pretty high level for a fair few years, and to be honest, back then, I probably felt the same way. Never underestimate your opponent... No matter how old (or young) they may be. Z

Examination may be only 45mins, but truth is you are being evaluated all the time. Our dan gradings are conducted at the end of a two or three day course. Whilst the physical examination probably lasts no more than 45 mins max, truth is you have pretty much passed or failed before you start the test.

My mate gets to do it everyday as he is a Knight at the Tower of London. He complains though about having to wear full plate harness and sweating his proverbials off, but still ... what a job!

Ahh "Kuzushi".. balance breaking. There is someone who has good training. Hats off to you Throwdown.

Sorry guys I just couldn't let this opportunity pass by. The fact that there are sooooo many "world champions" in ma is one of the reasons why perhaps, we aren't taken that seriously by grown ups! I mean, the Jim Carey sketch springs to mind straight away, and for those who have not seen it : BTW not disrespecting in anyway the Champs you guys have trained with, they are there for a reason. Just trying to inject a bit of humour Bushi before you chop me.

Harry Cook's by any chance? I would reserve caution with stories such as this as, in the most part, we are unable to destiguish between hard fact and embelishment. It is well documented that Funakoshi was not "pro" direct combative style "Kumite" in much the same way as Aikido's Morihei Ueshiba, preferring to focus more on techniques that could be practiced safely with the ultimate goal of self improvement or "do". But I think a lot of that was to make Okinawan Karate more palatable to main land Japan, and who knows what the old boy was really capable of. Obviously quite a lot, as his Karate is still the most widely practiced Karate in the world. Not bad for an old primary school teacher that can't fight! Z

That's no problem Fish, glad you enjoyed them. The "Wa" in Wado refers to harmony. The mental understanding of what you are doing and why, is part of the "harmonization" process of mind and body, essential to budo. Wado's good isn't it Z

Actually, thats a very good way of putting it Dobbersky. I think there are a lot of "misconceptions" in Karate as to what "Bunkai" is. Not surprising really when you try to understand it for what is supposed to be. My understanding (at present) is that Bunkai is part of a process that allows you to execute Kata better, NOT necessarily the end result of practicing kata. Paraphrasing from Otsuka's book: "Enter into Kata, then withdraw from Kata" - meaning you should not become "stuck". You should "withdraw" from the kata to allow yourself to develop forms with no limits. Different schools use varying methods to achieve the same results. One of the readings for the Kanji for "Bunkai" means to "disassemble", and it fits in as part of a three stage process. 1. Kaisetsu - This is a "physical explanation" of a movement in kata against an opponent in its classical form, IE exactly how the technique is performed in the Kata without deviation. 2. Kaishaku - This is the process of "interpreting" how the technique could be utilised in a less structured approach. 3. Bunkai - The process of "disassembling" the individual movements / techniques, so that they can then be applied (in full or part) in a totally free thinking way. You can not expect to understand bunkai if you have not gone through the preceding processes of "explanation" and "interpretation". I think what many people refer to today as Bunkai is actually "Kaisetsu" or a physical explanation. But getting back to Dobbersky's comment... forget about trying to find the "hidden moves" because there is a risk that in doing so you will become “stuck”. Learn to react instinctively. How do you do that? No short answers really, its on going training, with the right mindset. Z

Hi anewsome, What technique are you refering to?

So do I, but it usually goes right over their heads. Thanks for the replies guys, good to know I am not the only one who feels this way. TBH, I think it takes a martial artist to understand a martial artist. I know we don't always see eye to eye, but generally speaking most good or well intentioned students of MA share a common "gene" of forever seeking self improvement. You just can't seem to make people who are not martial artists understand that. Even my dear old mum suggested that I should take up cricket when I stopped Karate!! (I had treated my old folks to a local cricket match at the time my mum suggested that). I tried to explain to her that I fully intended to train in Karate for as long as was physically capable. To be fair to her though, she probably still equates it to the Karate I was doing in the eighties which was quite hard core and she often had to sort me out when I came home from the dojo in a bit of a mess. Still I think I might be winning her round slowly lol! My bosses? thats another story they think I am a nutter! Still, as long as they pay me...... Z

Hi Tori, I understand and completely agree with you. You have remained loyal to your Dojo and sensei which counts for a lot in my books. I was just interested in whether there were actually any "official" Shotokan weapons Katas? Agreed various senseis may have their own, but do the JKA have any officially listed for example? I know that many karate schools also teach traditional "Kobujutsu", but it isn't strictly speaking Shotokan or Karate for that matter, it is Kobujutsu, but I agree their katas are great. Just curious really. Z

Being brave enough to walk through the dojo door for the very first time, meeting some of the soundest individuals I know, and being introduced to this wonderful art. I was hooked and have been ever since.

From my understanding, Nakayama "codified" 27 shoto kata. Just out of interest, which ones are the very rare "weapons" kata you refer to? Are these perhaps paired Kata as in Tanto Dori? My thinking is that they can not be that rare, so just show him. Whether you will do it credit or not is another thing Either that or suggest he asks your instructor to show him? Z

No, afraid not. Tim's writing contributions are quite well known in wado circles and his work is respected by many. He does good work as you can see. I believe he also contributes to Wado World and he is active on the yahoo wado egroup that is used by most of the top Wado experts around the world. Worth while joining, you will learn a lot, particularly if you are interested in finding out about "real" wado and what makes it tick. Z

Each to their own of course but personally, I am not a great fan of dan bars etc. I have been fortunate to train with most of the Wado-ryu "old boys" as it were (Shiomitsu, Arakawa, Ohgami etc) and they all wear perfectly plain belts. Shiomitsu might wear a white one with his name on it I seem to recall. Its almost a reflection of Wado, as in "less is more"? That said, I did buy a silk BB with the full trimmings when I graded for Shodan. I will hold my hand up to proudly purchasing a "Tokaido" silk BB with my name (in Katakana) down one side and my Assoc. name (in Kanji) on the other, and I would be hypocrite to say otherwise so I think they are a trophy in that way. So go for it, but perhaps don't wear it in front of too many Japanese instructors!! Z PS ... It is my understanding that the word "Osu" is considered a bit "crass" in many Japanese Wado dojo, so perhaps don't do that either. Again, I learned the hard way by being reprimanded by a 3rd dan when training with Arakawa sensei . Still, we live and learn.