Moving from Shotokan to Shukokai?

[wildbeast1628]

Hi, new to the boards and just had a quick question.

After being involved in Karate for about 12 years, and acheiving 1st Dan, I went to university and have had about 2/3 years without doing much. I am thinking of returning to karate now but o not live local to my old club, but have found a club quite near to where I now live. Only trouble is that I have always been involved in shotokan karate, whilst this new club practises Shukokai.

How different are the two styles, and would it be easy to pick up.

Cheers

Nick

[Traditional-Fist]

From what little I know about Shukokai I would say that its stances are much higher than that of Shotokan as it is a "faster" style. It was also created as more of a sport style of karate rather than budo.

That is my input on it. I personally would go for Shotokan if I had the choice, but, as you have no choice, give it a try and see if you like it. Good luck.

[Meguro]

No, impossible, won't work. You can't switch from the rocket science that is shotokan to the mumbo jumbery of shukokai!!! Seriously, style has nothing to do with your enjoyment of what ever it is you're going to be doing. Don't look at Shukokai from Shotokan colored glasses. If the folks at the new dojo look like you might enjoy training with them, join them. But do so as a white belt and leave all your preconceived ideas at the door.

"From what little I know about Shukokai I would say that its stances are much higher than that of Shotokan as it is a "faster" style. It was also created as more of a sport style of karate rather than budo. "

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Shotokan originally marketed to the Japanese military and educational establishment as a form of exercise. Rather than budo, you might think of it as the original Tae-Bo.

[Traditional-Fist]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Shotokan originally marketed to the Japanese military and educational establishment as a form of exercise. Rather than budo, you might think of it as the original Tae-Bo.

I would say that Shukokai is more sport oriented than Shotokan, which depending on individual schools, can be regarded as more of a "fighting" style.

The old JKA training(in Japan) seems to have had more combat oriented approach, even going as far as including defense training against grappling and boxing type attacks. I don't know if this type of methodology is still followed.

Today Shotokan, as taught to the Japanese Selfdefense Police, is very combat oriented. Sparring is full contact and punches are allowed to the face. They hold regular tournaments, open to public viewing, which are reputed to be brutal.

Also, Egami's Shotokai is practised as budo rather than sport. Shigeru Egami was of course one of Funakoshi's original students.

[jaymac]

Wildbeast, you should just check out the school. They probably have a trial membership. I agree with meguro, if you like it, join as a white belt and enjoy your training. I know that when we get new students, it can become somewhat troubling when he/she has to constantly say, "well, when I trained in " _______" we did it this way. It blocked their ability to learn something new and almost all situations that person left because they felt they weren't learning anything. Some advice, I started in this program with a Black Belt in Kung fu. The only person who knew about it was the head instructor and only because he had asked me if I trained before. I chose not to ever talk about it, not because I didn't enjoy my previous training, but because I wanted to really learn this one without boasting about previous ranks or knowledge of the martial arts. It has worked well for me. Good luck!

[shogeri]

If it seems to work into your expectations, talents, and abilities, then it it certainly worth a try.

If it's not for you, then you will know both by observation of those who have been doing such a system for while, and by your own capacity to mold the style into who are already are.

good luck!

[shukokai2000]

I have studied Shukokai for over 10 years. As i am now 2nd Dan i love it and any shukokai school would welcome you. it has the same roots at the end of the day. follow yor own path