Hehehe....

Keep us posted, Throwdown. It sounds like a good time.

I don't know much about the development of Enshin Karate. Honbu Dojo is in Denver. I think Enshin's founder, Ninomiya, is best known for the Sabaki Challenge. It's supposed to be a pretty intense tournament.

I just popped into the Wikipedia page on Enshin, and it says pretty much the same thing, but there's more info there. Here's a link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enshin_kaikan

And here's a link to the honbu dojo's page.

http://honbu.enshin.com/index.html

Kyokushin, in general, is supposed to be pretty brutal. I know more than one kyokushin instructor who said they had to tone it down for beginners, especially kids. Too many people getting hurt.

So Throwdown,

Any clearer on what "sabaki" is?

Is it a competition style or a way of moving.

I know where my money is, but I want to give Bushi a chance.

Only fair really

from what I understand right now is that it is both. there is a red huge red ring on the mat and you fight inside it. they recommend that you try to score points using the sabaki method, but not required, also a plus for me. you can throw in tournament!! the competition part is pretty neat, one rule is that you can grab the gi for 3 seconds..?? also, the moving part is exactly what you think it is, to not meet force with force, to move to the side of the opponent.. lots of frontal attacks though like Kyokushin..

If they let you throw, then it sounds like you may have found the perfect Karate-compliment to your Judo!

So Throwdown,

Any clearer on what "sabaki" is?

Is it a competition style or a way of moving.

I know where my money is, but I want to give Bushi a chance.

Only fair really

from what I understand right now is that it is both. there is a red huge red ring on the mat and you fight inside it. they recommend that you try to score points using the sabaki method, but not required, also a plus for me. you can throw in tournament!! the competition part is pretty neat, one rule is that you can grab the gi for 3 seconds..?? also, the moving part is exactly what you think it is, to not meet force with force, to move to the side of the opponent.. lots of frontal attacks though like Kyokushin..

Ok I see, so it is the "sabaki" of "tai-sabaki" but put into competition format which would make sense, as you couldn't withstand the onslaught of full contact karate for long, if you didn't utilse evasive techniques.

Good to put into a full contact perspective I suppose, but surely, all quality ma would systematically employ this as part of their teaching...wouldn't they?

Just thought this might interest you seen as we are talking about tai-sabaki.

Here is a clip of Kuroda Sensei who, for my money, is probably one of the best martial artist in the world today.

This is body management....

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sXsMSoXrNgo

Z

Cool stuff.