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Karate Studies: Translation Update
Some readers may be aware that I’ve been intermittently translating “Karate Studies” magazine for nearly three years now. I’m delighted to announce that yesterday, I received a proof copy of “Karate Studies” (空手研究). Much like my previous endeavors in translating old Karate books, working on “Karate Studies” has been a blend of love and frustration.… Continue reading
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Efficacy or Effectiveness?
I have heard people say that Karatedo is an “effective” method of self-defense. Yet, at other times I have also heard the complete opposite, that Karatedo is “useless in a real fight”. Obviously there is a discrepancy between the two statements, but why? In my day-job definitions are important in helping us allocate resources to… Continue reading
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What constitutes a black belt
What constitutes a yudansha or blackbelt? My observation of most Japanese karate is that it is heavily criterion based with respect to gradings and promotion. That is, there is usually a group of examiners with a predetermined set of techniques, kata, kumite, ect. that a student must perform successfully for each respective rank.Those kind of… Continue reading
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Karate & Kobudo: Two Wheels on an Axle
I started to learn Ryukyu Kobudo from my teachers Minowa sensei and Yoshimura sensei when I was 24 years old. At that time I was living on Amami Oshima and studying at their dojo in Naze-shi. Minowa sensei would often say to me that Kobudo and Karate-do were, “like two wheels on an axle.” At… Continue reading
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Hit in the Head
…when the athletes grow old, they creep, wrinkle and squint due to the severe blows; their eyes fill with catarrhal liquids, their teeth fall, and their bones become porotic and break easily. Galen discussing elite boxers Nikitas N. Nomikos, George N. Nomikos, Demetrios S. Korres (2010) The First sport injuries in the history of medicine.… Continue reading
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Mystery Bechurin
Back in 2011 I visited Kita Kyushu to see Yoshino sensei. The last time I had saw him, he had dropped a bombshell of a statement during lunch that he knew an alternate form of the Tou’on ryu Bechurin. My interest peaked and he said he would teach it to me the next time I… Continue reading
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Karate Man: A Short Documentary
Here’s a nice documentary about Ota Eihachi sensei produced by Habunami Studios. I remember many years ago reading about him in Black belt magazine where they featured his use of the Kama. I was impressed with what he had to say, his energy and his enthusiasm. Enjoy. Continue reading
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Happy Birthday Kanzaki Sensei!
Tomorrow, April 22, 2024 would have marked Kanzaki sensei’s 96th birthday. Naturally when his birthday roles around I think about him, and a flood of good memories come to mind. Initially, I was going to keep this post private, but on reflection I thought it would be better to share a few of my thoughts of… Continue reading
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Thoughts on Okinawa Kobudo Systems
The other day I was chatting with one of my students after Kobudo practice and we got on the topic of Yamane (Yamani)-ryu. This of course got me thinking about not only Yamane-ryu, but also the other Kobudo systems (Taira, Matayoshi, Ryukonkai, Ufuchiku) practiced on Okinawa. Below are some random thoughts about Yamane-ryu and Kobudo… Continue reading
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Walking a Path
Canadian culture, and by extension US culture, suffers from a staggering lack of patience. I would go so far as to say that it borders on narcissistic. A few months ago I was standing in line to pay for my groceries when a women behind me asked if she could cut ahead of me because… Continue reading
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