I don't like this Sensei

[Revario]

Yes, I am looking for Kata knowledge from him. Only and specifically Kata. Not the way Bunkai are interpreted, as it is done in a non realistic manner. His focus is on curriculum and knowing things by heart, not the why but the how.

My own Sensei (which I dont get to see often) teaches same style but different method and understanding of Karate. I get all knowledge needed from him. The other man would be an extra (which would become the main as I would see him more often but never relate to him...)

On the other hand, why would you want someone to specifically learn a style or method they have no interest in before going to what they have an interest in? I understand having a basic knowledge and understanding of how a body moves, knowing various schools of HEMA exists, why wouldn't someone be able to start learning with a Kobudo weapon in hand? 

I understand tradition, I simply question the reasoning behind as I have mentionned, some style and schools have students starting with a weapon and take it from there. 

[Zaine]

1 hour ago, Revario said:

On the other hand, why would you want someone to specifically learn a style or method they have no interest in before going to what they have an interest in? I understand having a basic knowledge and understanding of how a body moves, knowing various schools of HEMA exists, why wouldn't someone be able to start learning with a Kobudo weapon in hand? 

For me, it's about trust. I start bo fairly early, but I need to know that my student is going to be responsible. Do they have awareness of their body? Are they mature enough not to joke around with a literal weapon? These are all considerations. Safety is a priority and insurance claims are not cheap.

I also think we can look at the demographics of Eastern martial arts and HEMA. Systems of karate have a very low barrier to entry. All you have to do is show up and pay some dues. Most schools seem to offer a gi with the first payment of dues. Furthermore, a lot of the revenue for Karate is seated in the youth classes. If we're apprehensive about handing an adult a weapon right away, then doing so with a child would be much worse. Because it is easier to have a homogenous curriculum so that one party doesn't become angry that the other is learning more, often times the difference in the content is small. You'll notice a difference in approach between these age groups, but they are generally taught everything in the same order. This simplifies a lot of the work that a dojo/dojang owner has to do, but admittedly doesn't allow for a lot of variance in those who are more interested in different aspects of martial arts.

HEMA, on the other hand, is mostly adults. The barrier to entry is much higher. Yes, clubs often have loaner equipment, but you're encouraged to purchase your own gear if you plan on coming for a prolonged period of time. You still have club due, of course, but even a cheap, good trainer (e.g. Feder) start in the $150 - $200 range, and you still have to buy the accoutrement. This means a mask, gloves, possibly a gorget, most clubs recommend a certain type of sole for your shoes, you need body protection, so at least a gambeson. The bill ads up, and while buying good quality gear will last you a long time if taken care of, you're still accepting a future in which everything needs to be replaced eventually. Few parents, who already have to deal with buying new clothes, shoes, etc. every time their child grows an inch, which is a lot, want to sign up for that kind of monetary commitment. It also works against HEMA that it is so connected to historical analysis. Often, HEMA benefits from you having some historical knowledge (which members of HEMA clubs are only too happy to teach you about) and not a small amount of picking up medieval texts and reading them, interpreting them, and then drilling them over and over again. Not a lot of kids are down for the rigors of HEMA, and that's fine, HEMA has an academic flavor to it that it really enjoys and I enjoy that aspect of training HEMA.

It just comes down to trust and confidence that your students are going to remain safe. When you have a bunch of adults, it's a lot easier to impress upon them the importance of not only being aware of yourself, but of your surroundings. Kids and teenagers usually build this awareness quickly as they progress, but lack the necessary maturity to handle a weapon upon joining a dojo/dojang. 

[bushido_man96]

On 8/25/2025 at 1:54 PM, Revario said:

On the other hand, why would you want someone to specifically learn a style or method they have no interest in before going to what they have an interest in? I understand having a basic knowledge and understanding of how a body moves, knowing various schools of HEMA exists, why wouldn't someone be able to start learning with a Kobudo weapon in hand? 

I understand tradition, I simply question the reasoning behind as I have mentionned, some style and schools have students starting with a weapon and take it from there.

It's really quite simply a matter of how the sensei teaching the curriculum wants to teach it.  Some are good with weapons first and only.  Some are not.  It could be that a sensei wants to see what kind of discipline and dedication the student is willing to put into training before putting a weapon in their hands that can become a dangerous force multiplier.

For others, it could simply be because that is the way it was when they learned it and that is the way they will do it.  They just follow the same method they learned.  I'm fortunate in that if I wanted to, I could just learn the weapons curriculum at the Aikido school I attend.  But it's only offered one day a week, unless the sensei chooses to do a weapons day during the other classes.

In the end, if your options are limited, you'll just have to make do.  Or don't.  Your choice.

[DarthPenguin]

On 8/25/2025 at 7:54 PM, Revario said:

Yes, I am looking for Kata knowledge from him. Only and specifically Kata. Not the way Bunkai are interpreted, as it is done in a non realistic manner. His focus is on curriculum and knowing things by heart, not the why but the how.

My own Sensei (which I dont get to see often) teaches same style but different method and understanding of Karate. I get all knowledge needed from him. The other man would be an extra (which would become the main as I would see him more often but never relate to him...)

On the other hand, why would you want someone to specifically learn a style or method they have no interest in before going to what they have an interest in? I understand having a basic knowledge and understanding of how a body moves, knowing various schools of HEMA exists, why wouldn't someone be able to start learning with a Kobudo weapon in hand? 

I understand tradition, I simply question the reasoning behind as I have mentionned, some style and schools have students starting with a weapon and take it from there. 

This confuses me a little : if your own sensei is in the same style then why not get them to teach you the kata? You are obviously experienced so i am sure you can likely practice them yourself to get the techniques down (if you don't want the bunkai etc. from the new sensei then you aren't missing out on anything). Your own sensei may even let you make a personal video of them performing the kata/s so you have a reference to look at if you need to remember sequencing etc.

Wouldn't this achieve your goal with a lot less hassle?

[Nidan Melbourne]

1 hour ago, DarthPenguin said:

This confuses me a little : if your own sensei is in the same style then why not get them to teach you the kata?

I was thinking the same thing. 

I am in a situation where I can't viably train at a dojo at the present, and I have asked various instructors (I'm a Goju-Kai Practitioner) to film stuff for me. 

Not just the Kata, little tid bits, but to help tide me over till i see them next. But every couple of months, i send them a video of progress and if theres anything i needed to work on then they give me the feedback. if there is something that need to work on or to add or even consider they bring it up. 

Even before whats going on; I did a lot of work on Zoom with students who couldn't make it into the dojo to train. Is it harder? Yes it is. But way better than the alternative - Not training! 

[Revario]

Thank you both for those answers and options I didnt even think about. 

My Sensei is pretty old school not sure if he would be ok with camera but will definitely ask as it would be a very very viable option. 

As per training, I sure do on my own and with partners, it helps to perfect details and work on my own Bunkai for Kata. So it is correct to say all I "need" is the Kata forms. In quotation as I feel there is a lot more to gain by having a in person relationship with an instructor. 

That may be the best option for all to do it virtually. Thank you very much!! 

 

[Nidan Melbourne]

54 minutes ago, Revario said:

Thank you both for those answers and options I didnt even think about. 

My Sensei is pretty old school not sure if he would be ok with camera but will definitely ask as it would be a very very viable option. 

As per training, I sure do on my own and with partners, it helps to perfect details and work on my own Bunkai for Kata. So it is correct to say all I "need" is the Kata forms. In quotation as I feel there is a lot more to gain by having a in person relationship with an instructor. 

That may be the best option for all to do it virtually. Thank you very much!! 

 

Don't get me wrong; there is more to Karate than just the Kata. And totally get that there are things in our Art that you need a partner for. 

If you can't get your primary instructor; you can always check in with other instructors you have a relationship with who teach your art that could always go online for. 

For me atm the partner work i'm missing i actually fill in with friends or others wanting to learn what I teach. And build them up to the point that they are doing the same stuff as I do. Forcing me to find a different way of doing it; including when they ask questions forcing me to think about what I do in a different way.