Training
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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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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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Inoue Motokatsu: Nunchaku & Suruchin Kata
I find it odd that the Inoue Motokatsu’s Ryukyu Kobujutsu group do not use the kata developed by Taira Shinken for suruchin and nunchaku. Indeed, Inoue’s nunchaku and suruchin kata do bear Taira’s name (ie. “Maezato no …”). To the best of my knowledge Inoue stated that all his kata came from Taira and there… Continue reading
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Kakiya
It is uncommon for Karate students nowadays to use a makiwara (striking board), but it is even rarer for Karate students to train using a Kakiya (カキヤー). The kakiya was in common practice in 19th century Okinawa, but it seems that it has fallen into disuse. There are still a few old school Karate teachers who still… Continue reading
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Dialogue in the Dojo
I enjoy practicing Kobudo and Karate in the morning by myself so I can polish and work through techniques. If I’m honest with myself, it’s probably not enough time, but I concentrate just on a few things, so I feel I can make a little progress or at the least not get any worse. The… Continue reading
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Keiko or Kanko?
If you thought the title of this short post refers to the names of two Japanese women, well you’re mistaken. No, its about Karateka and Kobudoka who travel to Japan or Okinawa and think they’re training (keiko – 稽古) , but are actually Karate tourists (kankokyaku – 観光客). If you’re using a company or service to… Continue reading
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Differences in Nahate Kata
The Tou’on-ryu kata Sanchin, Sesan, Sanseru and Bechurin all chamber their punches either at the waist or in front of the solar plexus depending on the stance used. Compared to Goju kata, Tou’on-ryu are much simpler and much more direct. In the Tou’on-ryu kata Sesan, Sanseru and Bechurin, the opening three steps are performed as… Continue reading
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Training Day
Today I had a thoroughly enjoyable training session. Maybe because of the heavy snow and the early hour I went to the gym, to my surprise, I had it all to myself for two hours (貸切状態)! What a treat! If you’re curious what I was doing, then read on. Warm-up: Dumbbell swings x 10, Goblet… Continue reading
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Learning to Learn
I’ve been really fortunate to cross paths with some amazing teachers, mentors and friends in my Karatedo and Kobudo journey. As I’ve shared in previous posts, I’m constantly amazed at the incredible patience all of them have shown me, regardless of my grasp on their respective art. Reflecting on their teaching styles, it’s clear to… Continue reading
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Bechurin
In the frontis of ‘An Overview of Karatedo‘ (Nakasone, 1938) there is a photo of Kyoda Juhatsu leading a group of middle school students in Karate practice where he is on a platform positioned in shiko-dachi, with his right fist by his midsection and his left fist extended to the front. This photo has always… Continue reading
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