What if my Sensei doesn't know enough kata?

[isshinryu5toforever]

Choki Motobu actually knew and practiced many kata, because he learned from many different people: Ankō Itosu, Sōkon Matsumura, Sakuma Pechin, Kōsaku Matsumora, and Tokumine Pechin. According to what we know, he thought Naihanchi/Naifanchi/Tekki was the basis of Karate though.

He was also one heck of a fighter, because he fought a heck of a lot.

[BDPulver]

wow, havent been feeling well and so im kinda catching up. Dont fret it though. When I first started isshinryu my sensei was 3rd dan this was back in 84. I'm still under him and he has reached 8th dan. We do 8 katas, 2 pihans, 6 original weapon katas (unless i'm missing 1 from my memory) and 3 or 4 non original weapon katas that where added after Tatsou died.

The one thing I remember our Hanshi telling us at a black belt seminar is what Tatsou told him and thats not to stay hold of his original teachings but if you see something that looks like it might belong with isshinryu. Practice it, refine it, work with it with others and see if it can be added. Its how we got kama added not long ago.

Most everyone has gave good opinions and responses but I'll add mine even if a bit late All martial arts whether it be TKD, Karate, MMA (which i have come across some single minded ppl here recently), kung fu...whatever it is you fancy. Is a growing art. It can only blossom if you let it like the cherry blossom. You will flourish and grow strong.

Like sensei8, I'm a strong proponent as well towards kata. Knowing the moves and possible different meanings to them. Also, I'm strong believer on knowing your kihon's (basics). Without kihon we would have no kata and with no kata we have no martial art. I remember some classes where we would drill nothing but kihon and then others where it was 1 more 2 kata during class.

So, in a way you are kinda like how i was when i first started with a young sensei but if you stick with it not only will you grow but you can watch him grow also. Which as a student and a teacher makes one feel the gratitude the art has to offer.

[Dobbersky]

Thanks soooooo much for the information, all!!!! It has definitely broadened my horizons--and made me understand how difficult truly knowing a kata can be. You guys rock!

I think I will do as you all suggest--check out various resources, network, and be patient and learn everything that my sensei teaches me..and learn new ones when he feels that I am ready. Until then, I will also focus on basics and sparring.

I presume from reading your posts etc that you are an Officer in the Air Force or something like that. I was a Sergeant in The British Army

I suggest too that you read "Book of Five Rings" Hanshi Kaufman's version

and a book called "The Way to Blackbelt"

Patience is a virtue, think about when you first learnt Drill some of the guys I bet had to practice for days just to get the attention correct etc.

If you compare Kata to Drill, it take years of practice to get on the Drill Team same as it takes years of practice to get the inner meaning of the Kata itself. Kata has applications that NEED to be learnt. Compare it to learning how to strip a weapon down etc aswell as leaning how to fire it.

Shotokan whether its 11 kata or 26 is an excellent style to practice

OSU!!!

[xravenwingsx]

Thanks soooooo much for the information, all!!!! It has definitely broadened my horizons--and made me understand how difficult truly knowing a kata can be. You guys rock!

I think I will do as you all suggest--check out various resources, network, and be patient and learn everything that my sensei teaches me..and learn new ones when he feels that I am ready. Until then, I will also focus on basics and sparring.

I presume from reading your posts etc that you are an Officer in the Air Force or something like that. I was a Sergeant in The British Army

I suggest too that you read "Book of Five Rings" Hanshi Kaufman's version

and a book called "The Way to Blackbelt"

Patience is a virtue, think about when you first learnt Drill some of the guys I bet had to practice for days just to get the attention correct etc.

If you compare Kata to Drill, it take years of practice to get on the Drill Team same as it takes years of practice to get the inner meaning of the Kata itself. Kata has applications that NEED to be learnt. Compare it to learning how to strip a weapon down etc aswell as leaning how to fire it.

Shotokan whether its 11 kata or 26 is an excellent style to practice

OSU!!!

Good guess...I was a sergeant in the US Air Force--I worked on fighter jets. We used to have a Flight Lieutenant from the Royal Air Force in our unit--he was the best leader we ever had. Pleasure to meet you! I have considered Art of War and Book of 5 rings, I've heard they're amazing. I plan on purchasing as much of Funakoshi's work as I can, as well.

[Dobbersky]

Good guess...I was a sergeant in the US Air Force--I worked on fighter jets. We used to have a Flight Lieutenant from the Royal Air Force in our unit--he was the best leader we ever had. Pleasure to meet you! I have considered Art of War and Book of 5 rings, I've heard they're amazing. I plan on purchasing as much of Funakoshi's work as I can, as well.

Ravenwings, its a pleasure to chat with you too, I sometimes find that as I'm from a military background I have a different concept of what martial arts is for hence why I put the comparison to Drill and Weapons care in my post to assist you

Looking forward to many more conversations

I'd be looking at moving to Cavite, but I already have many friends in the Philippines who are Karateka in Manila, Cebu and other places

Lol, I have to laugh because An Officer and A Gentleman, has many scenes filmed in the Philippines etc, I understand what the Filipinos say too

OSU!!!!

[Ti]

Do they 11 first then worry about the rest.

[quinteros1963]

Your instructor knows enough if he knows more than you. Learn what you can from him and if you get to a point where he can not teach you anything else, then I would consider someone new. However keep in mind as you are growing so will he, so will you ever catch up?

Lets continue to train!

[xravenwingsx]

Your instructor knows enough if he knows more than you. Learn what you can from him and if you get to a point where he can not teach you anything else, then I would consider someone new. However keep in mind as you are growing so will he, so will you ever catch up?

Lets continue to train!

I think that in theory, I will never catch up for the simple reason you just mentioned. Been thinking about that a lot the last few days.

[sensei8]

Your instructor knows enough if he knows more than you. Learn what you can from him and if you get to a point where he can not teach you anything else, then I would consider someone new. However keep in mind as you are growing so will he, so will you ever catch up?

Lets continue to train!

I think that in theory, I will never catch up for the simple reason you just mentioned. Been thinking about that a lot the last few days.

You might one day catch up to your Sensei's rank, but you'll never catch up to his knowledge.

Besides, you're very correct when you say that you'll never 'catch up'! Why? Because your journey is YOUR journey alone! Your journey isn't to 'catch up' with anybody, but to be honest with yourself across the board each and everyday.

[unknownstyle]

once youve been doing your kata for a long time you will start to truly understand the technique and bunkai behind them. a great thing to do is to take the kata you know and break them all down and see what you can come up with for a realistic application. then you write them down, as you continue to do this you will notice you changing and tweaking your technique over time. this is one of the best ways to understand the kata. and its because of this you have so many styles of martial arts, yes i may learn my martial art from my instructor but over time my technique has become much different than that of his own. the same thing will happen to you.