Japan

Names of the different parts of a karate gi

Keikogi (稽古着), or dogi (道着), is a uniform for training in Japanese martial arts and their derivatives. (Keiko means practice, gi means dress or clothes.) The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century.  The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro. Japanese martial arts historian Dave Lowry speculates Kano derived

Names of the different parts of a karate gi Read More »

Rank Will Not Protect You

    In a situation where you need to defend yourself, it is your skills, not your rank, that will protect you. Prevention is the best self-defense. Attackers, whatever their objectives, are looking for unsuspecting, vulnerable targets. Be aware of your surroundings, avoiding confrontation. If you can defuse a situation (talk someone down from physically

Rank Will Not Protect You Read More »

Karate has many stances; it also has none.

“Karate has many stances; it also has none”. Genwa Nakasone wrote explaining Gichin Funakoshi’s 17th precept; ”Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai”. (Fixed positions are for beginners: later, one moves naturally) . So there are no stances in karate? . A common complaint about karate, and its kata, is that the stances are impractical–that

Karate has many stances; it also has none. Read More »

Your sensei taught you everything you know…

“Your sensei may seem old and frail. Keep in mind, he taught you everything you know…… but not everything he knows.” . Prince Loeffler Shugyokan Dojo Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu . . “A teacher is never a giver of truth; he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each student must find for himself.”

Your sensei taught you everything you know… Read More »

Don’t let style limit your karate.

“Don’t let style limit your karate.” ~ Jesse Enkamp There’s a multitude of martial arts styles out there, some originating from China, others are Okinawan, Japanese or from Korea. One comment that I often hear is …..“my style of karate is the best style.” . It’s essential to define what people mean by “best”. I’m

Don’t let style limit your karate. Read More »

If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.

“There is a proverb that says – Nito oumono wa itto omo ezu (二兎追う者は一兎をも得ず). It translates to – If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.” ?? . Yasuhiro Uema 9th dan Shorin-Ryu Shubukan . A great master received a university professor who came to enquire about wisdom. . The master served tea.

If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. Read More »