Understanding Karate Practitioners

[acott001]

Hello. I am a college student. I am conducting research for my senior project.

My task: I am supposed to identify the behaviors and motivations of martial arts practitioners.

I hope that some of you will be willing to answer a few questions below to help me understand participants involved in martial arts. If you feel that there is any other information that might be helpful, I would greatly appreciate your insight.

There are no right or wrong answers, please answer the questions to the best of your ability. This information is confidential and will not be linked to you in any way. I am merely looking for insights and patterns within the community.

Questions: (Thank you all for your time and willingness to help me!)

1) How did you first become interested in martial arts?

2) What discipline did you decide to practice?

3) Why did you choose that specific discipline over the other disciplines?

4) What is your skill level within your martial arts discipline?

5) What other things do you like to do? (When you're not in the gym/dojo, what else do you like to do with your time? This can be physical or nonphysical pass times)

6) What are the first 3 martial arts related brands that come to your mind. (FIRST, not BEST).

7) How do you decide what martial arts gear/equipment to get? (How do you select one type or brand over another?)

Roughly how often to you buy new martial arts equipment?

9) Where do you get your equipment from? Is there a reason for this?

[Oshishinobu]

1) How did you first become interested in martial arts?

I always loved JV+CVD movies as a kid especially Bloodsport. I think like all kids growing up in the late 80's early 90's action movies were a must have.

2) What discipline did you decide to practice?

Shotokan Karate

3) Why did you choose that specific discipline over the other disciplines?

I liked the traditional styles the kata was always a high point of interest and I think the mystic of karate really brought me in. The good training and the fact that there is always something new hidden around the corner keeps my fire alight.

4) What is your skill level within your martial arts discipline?

Personally I always feel I have too much to work on but i feel confident in my skill.

5) What other things do you like to do? (When you're not in the gym/dojo, what else do you like to do with your time? This can be physical or nonphysical pass times)

I like to make things mostly things relating to the martial arts, I also practice hema.

6) What are the first 3 martial arts related brands that come to your mind. (FIRST, not BEST). Ki, Tokaido,Hanwei

7) How do you decide what martial arts gear/equipment to get? (How do you select one type or brand over another?)

I always look at the feel and design ki is a brand i found late and I tried so many other brands until I found it. For sword i stumbled onto my brand when I bought my katana. ever sense I have always loved hanwei.

Roughly how often to you buy new martial arts equipment?

less now than in the past after i found my brand, but i love buying something new.

9) Where do you get your equipment from? Is there a reason for this? Ki international, and Kultofathena.com

[Zaine]

Welcome to KF acott001! It's cool that you're doing a research project on karate.

1: I was bullied as a kid and wanted a way to defend myself.

2: I decided to practice Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu

3: I chose this because it was available. A family friend was an instructor and was having free classes at the time.

4: I am a Shodan in Shorin Ryu. However, I also have a Shodan in American Street Karate, and I am experienced in various other styles as well.

5: I read comic books, play video games, play various tabletop games, and read.

6: Century, Tapout, and Macho

7: I do research. I like my equipment to be of the best quality, and so I do research until I find that product. It doesn't really matter what the brand is for me, as long as it is good.

8: It depends on need. I generally end up buying only a few things throughout the year. That being said, I've been a martial artist for roughly 14 years, and have a lot of the stuff I need already. New purchases are usually replacements, new weapons I want to study, or impulse buys.

9: I have a local martial arts store. It's convenient, the owner will order things she doesn't have, and it's a great store. I've been going for as long as I've been practicing martial arts. She has quality items and I feel loyal to her.

I hope this helps your research. You mention that you wish to identify the motivations of practitioners, but only ask what our initial motivation was. My motivation has changed many times, and has settled somewhere in the realm of me just loving martial arts. I no longer need to defend myself from bullies, and I have never had to defend myself since beginning martial arts. I just love what I do. It helps balance me mentally and physically. It also might be poignant to ask how martial arts has changed the behavior of those who have stuck with it. The person I was when I began and who I am now is radically different, and I think part of that is due to my involvement in martial arts. This is true for most of us. Martial arts has a way of changing the person who practices it.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

[ashworth]

1) How did you first become interested in martial arts?

Was bullied as a young kid, and I Loved jackie chan!

2) What discipline did you decide to practice?

Karate

3) Why did you choose that specific discipline over the other disciplines?

was the first discipline I found in the area, ended up loving everything about it, the art itself, the sport aspect of it.

4) What is your skill level within your martial arts discipline?

average, a Dan grade black belt running my own classes

5) What other things do you like to do? (When you're not in the gym/dojo, what else do you like to do with your time? This can be physical or nonphysical pass times)

I captain a pool team in an amateur league, also play on a dart team,

6) What are the first 3 martial arts related brands that come to your mind. (FIRST, not BEST).

Blitz, Tokaido, Shuriedo

7) How do you decide what martial arts gear/equipment to get? (How do you select one type or brand over another?)

Depends what I need, with some items I know what brands are better quality

8 ) Roughly how often to you buy new martial arts equipment?

I normally put an order in once a month

9) Where do you get your equipment from? Is there a reason for this?

Blitz mostly as I have a trade account set up with them so get it for a good price

[Spartacus Maximus]

Q1: needed an advantage to get through harsh times and constant physical bullying by larger people. Also a way to stay fit alternative to team sports commonly taught and played in school.

Q2 and Q3: karate because judo was the only other thing available and the idea of being able to strike was more appealing. Specifically Shorin ryu because it was the most accessible without requiring a bus or car ride. Stayed because the good dojo atmosphere.

Q4: Formerly a 3dan, restarted from scratch under a different instructor with different methods teaching the exact same "style", now a shodan. Considered a novice.

Q5: urban exploring and outdoors activities of all kinds.

Q6: Century(first supplier ever dealt with), Shureido, Budo(probably defunct)

Q7: Shureido for everything because the owners are good personal acquaintances.

Q8: Not very often because the quality is excellent and supplies last a very long time.

[Nidan Melbourne]

1) How did you first become interested in martial arts?

At first wasn't overly interested until my mum enrolled me into club. But i FIRST got interested when I first watched the Karate Kid Movies

2) What discipline did you decide to practice?

Goju-Ryu Karate

3) Why did you choose that specific discipline over the other disciplines?

I didn't really have a choice (see answer 1), but for me i realised that it would be better on my joints and suits my ideology on life.

4) What is your skill level within your martial arts discipline?

Currently a Nidan (2nd Dan) and a White Belt in BJJ

5) What other things do you like to do? (When you're not in the gym/dojo, what else do you like to do with your time? This can be physical or nonphysical pass times)

I go to the Gym to work out, go to the movies, do photography, and see friends and family, oh and also spend quality time with my fiancee

6) What are the first 3 martial arts related brands that come to your mind. (FIRST, not BEST).

Seishin, Arawaza, Adidads

7) How do you decide what martial arts gear/equipment to get? (How do you select one type or brand over another?)

Usually quality and the price of the equipment. Usually will only buy what I can use in the Dojo and for Tournaments (AKF or WKF Standard)

Roughly how often to you buy new martial arts equipment?

Haven't had to buy new equipment in about 2 years, so every 3-4 years i will get new equipment

9) Where do you get your equipment from? Is there a reason for this?

Well kumite equipment I go through my sensei as he bulk buys the equipment then onward sells them to students. Gi's I either go through Sensei if I want the clubs embroiddery or will go through Seishin, Arawaza or outlets that sell them

[Karate_John]

1) How did you first become interested in martial arts?

Good old childhood days of watching Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles.

2) What discipline did you decide to practice?

Goju-ryu Karate, But my first was Tiger Schulmann's as a kid.

3) Why did you choose that specific discipline over the other disciplines?

Short story is I was getting personal training from a friend of my physical therapist. He happened to be 7th Dan in Goju ryu at the time. After taking one day about martial arts and my interests he invited me to his club.

4) What is your skill level within your martial arts discipline?

I'm a Shodan (1st degree Black Belt)

5) What other things do you like to do? (When you're not in the gym/dojo, what else do you like to do with your time? This can be physical or nonphysical pass times)

I'm a big computer gamer.

6) What are the first 3 martial arts related brands that come to your mind. (FIRST, not BEST).

shureido, Pro force, Ronin.

7) How do you decide what martial arts gear/equipment to get? (How do you select one type or brand over another?)

Quality and the price of the equipment, Look at user reviews.

Roughly how often to you buy new martial arts equipment?

Maybe every 2 years, Don't really need much equipment.

9) Where do you get your equipment from? Is there a reason for this?

I get it from my Dojo or Amazon if it's special order. just price.

[jaypo]

1. Confidence. Loved JCVD- Bloodsport put me over the top.

2. Shotokan.

3. Only style that had classes in my area that didn't interfere with my other sports.

4. I hold a Sandan (3rd degree) in Okinawan Karate. However, due to various injuries, I'd put my skill level at average now.

5. Weight lifting. Deer hunting. Shooting. And of course, family!

6. Century, Pro Force, Tapout

7. Price- because I'm not rich. Quality. Presentation.

8. Once every 3 months.

9. AWMA. Blackbeltshop.

[sensei8]

1> How did you first become interested in martial arts?

Bullied in school when I was 7 years old; since 1964.

2> What discipline did you decide to practice?

Shindokan Saitou-ryu

3> Why did you choose that specific discipline over the other disciplines?

Mom choose it, not I!! In short, it was close to our house, and the prices seemed quite affordable.

4> What is your skill level within your martial arts discipline?

Kudan in Shindokan Karate-do

Hachidan in Shindokan Kobudo

5> What other things do you like to do? (When you're not in the gym/dojo, what else do you like to do with your time? This can be physical or nonphysical pass times)

Spending time with my family; this is above all things.

Chess...reading...cooking...going to the gym...swimming...

6> What are the first 3 martial arts related brands that come to your mind. (FIRST, not BEST).

Century Martial Arts Supply

Asian World of Martial Arts

Eosin Panther

7> How do you decide what martial arts gear/equipment to get? (How do you select one type or brand over another?)

Safety

Quality

Effectiveness

8> Roughly how often to you buy new martial arts equipment?

Once every 3 years, whether it needs to be or not.

9> Where do you get your equipment from? Is there a reason for this?

See #6

[mushybees]

I'm going to copy sensei8's format.

1> How did you first become interested in martial arts?

I've always had an interest. My older brother trained as a kid and he was always demonstrating on me I didn't take classes myself as my parents couldn't afford it. When I was in my late teens and had the means to pay myself I was too self conscious to take it up. As recently as 2 years ago I decided enough is enough and joined a local club run by some really nice people.

2> What discipline did you decide to practice?

Wado Ryu

3> Why did you choose that specific discipline over the other disciplines?

With a strong emphasis on balance breaking and taisabaki it was a good fit for my physique being short and slim.

4> What is your skill level within your martial arts discipline?

5th kyu

5> What other things do you like to do? (When you're not in the gym/dojo, what else do you like to do with your time? This can be physical or nonphysical pass times)

Taking the kids to the cinema, walking in the woods and sand dunes, diy and reading

6> What are the first 3 martial arts related brands that come to your mind. (FIRST, not BEST).

Blitz

Tokaido

Shureido

7> How do you decide what martial arts gear/equipment to get? (How do you select one type or brand over another?)

If it's clothing/gi a comprehensive size guide. Size wide, it's often a lucky dip ordering a gi, even from a familiar brand.

8> Roughly how often to you buy new martial arts equipment?

I've bought 3 gis over the last 2 years and they're in good kick still so I don't forsee buying again for a while.

9> Where do you get your equipment from? Is there a reason for this?

Blitz. Familiarity with the brand and no other reason. If I found a brand that have very good sizing info and decent quality I'd have no trouble switching.