question regarding Judo and Tenshinkan karate

[paisley]

I am looking for a good MA for a 4 year old boy. My friend has suggested judo. What do you think of judo as compared to other forms of Japanese MA (I live in Japan) for 4 year olds? Do you feel judo has any self defense value other than being just a sport? Also, what do you think of Tenshinkan Karate? I am very happy to say Japan's best dojo is in my town and the world chief and creator of Tenshinkan karate runs that dojo. However, the classes are very high level and so professional. The tiny little children are so self disciplined and tough. I wonder if this is too much for a 4 year old?

[SaiFightsMS]

Have you watched classes for that age group at both schools?

[BKJ1216]

Well I don't know much about judo for self defense, it seems like it would be good. Just make sure that if you do sign him up that he is doing the actualy program, he will be abel to tell the difference and will most likley drop out.

[paisley]

Actually, no I have not observed both classes. I observed the Tenshinkan class and was impressed with how well disciplined the smallest of children were and how tough they were. The sensei did not seem mean at all yet he got these results and kancho was so humble I had NO idea he was KANCHO until I got home and read some information on his dojo. This impressed me because I did not want an arrogant style of MA for my son. However, that was just one meeting so I can not base my whole opinion on my first impression. Anyway, as nice as the class was, I still had to wonder if it was too much for my four year old at this time. He has just turned four so he is still babyish in that he likes to be near me, and I admit he is not perfectly polished in self discipline yet. I thought MA might help him in this area but I don't want to plunge too deep too fast either. Then I observed another karate class. However, it seemed too lax to me. The children did not even properly bow to the sensei (they bowed but only very casually) and they did not leave the dojo as properly as the Tenshinkan children did. It was a gentle, friendly class which is nice but it was teaching karate wrong in my eyes because they were starting sloppily which can lead to a life long approach to karate as well as other things. I think a children's class can be gentle and kind without being sloppy. I mean, children don't begin piano lesson by being allowed to slouch and rest their wrist on the piano. They are asked to sit up properly. If they start out with slouching, that habit will be hard to break later on and it will also impair their ability to play. The teacher can still give them candy and pat their heads and talk sweetly to them but the basics can not be ignored. I think the same goes for MA especially here in Japan where bowing, showing respect to elders, and exiting a room are very important to show proper respect. Anyway, I hope to observe the judo class next week. There are 5 other classes in my neighborhood I can observe as well so I have a lot to choice from which is why I wanted others opinions since I am not into MA myself.