Travel to Okinawa Kyu-rank

[Nidan Melbourne]

I think it will depend on the schools you contact, as they may allow lower kyu grades to train. BUT probably best to contact a Shotokan Dojo because you have that background.

I am not sure about how strong it's prescence still is in Okinawa (being a Goju-Ryu practitioner myself).

Normally I'd recommend you being minimum 1st Kyu, but i think some schools operate "beginner" and "advanced" classes so you could potentially go to the "beginner" class.

If they don't have beginner classes, how do students start their training? Not trying to be a wise guy here. Beginner classes may not be taught by the head honcho, but without beginners, the art dies.

Obviously if we didnt have beginners there would be no art.

I know many dojos that operate only 1 class for all grades, so 1 juniors class and 1 seniors class.

So it does depend on the teacher.

I misread your post. I somehow stupidly thought you said they didn't teach beginners. No idea how I thought that one.

Haha all good, it happens to the best of us! So not that stupid.

[RJCKarate]

Hello. I've been to Okinawa quite a few times now, but I belong to an organisation that has it's Headquarters in Okinawa, and we train with our sensei, not other organisations.

First and foremost, if you go to Okinawa: do not go to train in Shotokan. If you want to train in Shotokan, go to Japan.

The closest style to Shotokan would be Shorin-ryu. Variants of Shorin-ryu include Matsubayashi-ryu (my style), Shorinkan, Kyudokan, Shidokan or Seibukan - I think any would be suitable.

Secondly, don't just go to train. Go to immerse yourself in the rich culture, the history, and the people. Make it a pilgrimage where you spend your time looking at the birthplace of karate. You'll get much more out of it this way.

Go with an open mind, and an attitude to learn as much as you can, and a happiness to accept that things are different (not right or wrong). Try to retain this information and use it to expand your knowledge.

I don't think your grade matters as long as you can do the above. I've taken my students to Okinawa on a variety of occasions, and the least experience have included a person with < 1 year training.

I am sure, with or without karate training, that you will enjoy Okinawa - it is one of the best places on earth, in my opinion.

As someone else mentioned, yes, contact the Okinawa Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau and Mr Miguel Da Luz (http://okkb.org/) - he will assist you wherever you need.

If you'd like to chat at all, or ask any questions, don't hesitate to PM me.

[sensei8]

Do you have a sponsor? If not, it'll be difficult to train in Okinawa otherwise. One can't just walk into a dojo in Okinawa and ask to train. One, it's rude, and two, the CI doesn't know you .

If you're training in Okinawa at the invitation of a Master and/or organization in Okinawa, then that takes care of the sponsor. If you're training in Okinawa with someone who has a sponsor, that MIGHT take care of the sponsor, but again, go thorough the proper channels before traveling to Okinawa for training.

We were fortunate enough to travel to Okinawa with either our Soke and/or Dai-Soke; both were born and raised in Okinawa.

[MatsuShinshii]

I am interested in a 1 - 2 week stay, mainly to train and get inspired by the traditional styles and make them part of my skills and knowledge when I go back home.

Not to discourage you but if you are only talking about 1 to 2 weeks you may want to save your money up and wait until you can stay for no less than 3 months.

You can not get enough out of a trip in 2 weeks to make the trip worth while. I would contact the Okinawa Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau to have them contact the instructor you would like to train under at least a year in advance of travelling. They will help you with accommodations, translators, travel, site seeing, and introductions.

Depending on who you are planning on studying with it is customary to have your Sensei get in touch with them personally or through your organization so that they know your coming. Popping in on an instructor is not customary. Also bring a gift to offer to the instructor you intend to study with. Do not get hurt feelings if you do not get the chance to study directly under them as they often will pass you off to one of their senior students.

Good luck and let us know how the trip turns out.

[MatsuShinshii]

Do you have a sponsor? If not, it'll be difficult to train in Okinawa otherwise. One can't just walk into a dojo in Okinawa and ask to train. One, it's rude, and two, the CI doesn't know you .

If you're training in Okinawa at the invitation of a Master and/or organization in Okinawa, then that takes care of the sponsor. If you're training in Okinawa with someone who has a sponsor, that MIGHT take care of the sponsor, but again, go thorough the proper channels before traveling to Okinawa for training.

We were fortunate enough to travel to Okinawa with either our Soke and/or Dai-Soke; both were born and raised in Okinawa.

My apologies Sensei8. I just saw your post pretty much explaining the same thing as I just did. Not riding your coat tails just didn't read the 2nd page. Solid post by the way and good advice.

[sensei8]

Do you have a sponsor? If not, it'll be difficult to train in Okinawa otherwise. One can't just walk into a dojo in Okinawa and ask to train. One, it's rude, and two, the CI doesn't know you .

If you're training in Okinawa at the invitation of a Master and/or organization in Okinawa, then that takes care of the sponsor. If you're training in Okinawa with someone who has a sponsor, that MIGHT take care of the sponsor, but again, go thorough the proper channels before traveling to Okinawa for training.

We were fortunate enough to travel to Okinawa with either our Soke and/or Dai-Soke; both were born and raised in Okinawa.

My apologies Sensei8. I just saw your post pretty much explaining the same thing as I just did. Not riding your coat tails just didn't read the 2nd page. Solid post by the way and good advice.

It's all good, MatsuShinshii, it's all good!! I didn't bring up much about any required protocol, but you did in the reminder of a gift, and that's very important. I once FORGOT some protocol, and Dai-Soke reminded me in such a way that I never forgot again.