Goju Ryu karate--Should I join?

[thaiboxerken]

"dont they realize that the TRUE secrets of the system are contained WITHIN the kata ?"

 

I find that hard to believe, since there are plenty of martial arts that don't have KATA.

[Sandhoppa]

Master Jules is an excellent resource in Gojuryu if you ever contact him...I would recommend it, he is my mentor/martial arts advisor

[Sandhoppa]

"dont they realize that the TRUE secrets of the system are contained WITHIN the kata ?"

 

I find that hard to believe, since there are plenty of martial arts that don't have KATA.

 

He might have just been talking about Goju ryu karate Thai, which therefore would be true. I am not that knowledgeable about MA in general so I wouldnt know if that is correct or not about non-kata martial arts

[thaiboxerken]

I would hope he's talking about Goju Ryu, since there are plenty of martial arts that have no Kata.

 

He can't be correct if he means all martial arts.

[Master Jules]

Thai......if youll notice the first post....he was inquiring about Goju Ryu, and how it compared to the other 20 styles that hes heard of etc.......I simply detailed some of the points I wanted to make about how Goju "stacked up" so to speak.....Im guessing you already know my background in Goju Ryu, so its natural to assume that that would be what I was refering to. Yes, Im fully aware that not all systems have kata........I again was just refering to the system of Goju Ryu, which has kata, and very deep "meaning" kata at that.

 

Just for the record, there is a deep connection between the art of Okinawan dance, and the creation of kata in Okinawan systems. Being that, as mentioned earlier, the Okinawans were under Japanese rule, and the practice of the arts had to be held at night, and concealed as much as possible, kata was created to conceal the actual "real life combative techniques" contained within Goju Ryu from the occupying Japanese. That is what I wanted to refer to, being that these "hidden" techniques found within the Goju Ryu kata contain such a large variety of fighting "styles" , the system itself shows there is no need to "cross train".

[thaiboxerken]

Ok, so it only applies to Goju Ryu. However, I have to ask.. since martial arts are not illegal here, why practice the dance/kata instead? Why hold secrets?

[Master Jules]

Good question Thai......kata has remained simply because thats how the system was designed....the "secrets" of the kata...the hidden meaning if you will, are taught to students who have proven that they are morally responsible enough to "handle" these techniques......a responsible instructor will not (or should not) teach a student whom he/she believes would use these techniques in a "bad" way.

[thaiboxerken]

I guess that's your philosophy. I'll teach any student anything I know, because knowing the secrets aren't enough to actually pull them off.

[Master Jules]

Very true. But, my question to you in regards to your willingness to teach anybody everything you know is this : Don't you think that you have a moral responsibility as an instructor to NOT teach anything to a prospective or current student who may show signs that he/she has questionable intentions as to how they may use the knowledge that you want to so freely give ?

[Shane]

way off of topic

 

BUT

 

I see where both of you guys are coming from. Iam also like thai, I'm willing to share without holding back and not in the form of dance, but also I ensure before giving to much that the individual is able to realize and respect the awsome power and responsibilty of having such knowledge.