The Pinan (平安) kata series, Shodan-to-Godan (Pinan is often translated as ‘peaceful/tranquil mind’), are widely taught to students in a variety of karate styles. They are attributed to Itosu Yasutsune ‘Anko’ (1831-1915) who is said to have adapted them from older kata. However from which kata is less than certain. . Itosu introduced karate into…
Tag: Training
There will come a time when you think everything is finished. That will be the beginning.
One of the things that I’ve learned over the years is that it’s important to not only learn something, but to reinforce it as well. How much you practice is just as important as how you learn. We’re all a little guilty of doing things just enough to be proficient without truly mastering a skill….
Combative function or symbolic gesture?
I’m a strong believer in that if you are passionate about something, the martial arts or otherwise, you should also study its history. Understand the context to which something was created. . What can an individual learn from history? Through history, we can learn how past societies, systems, and ideologies were built, and operated in…
“In karate, the most important thing is kata.”
Kata are a library of self-protection techniques and principles in karate. Each kata creator encoded their specific knowledge into each movement of the kata they made. Kata are not simply a record of techniques, or a solo performance; rather each and every kata is designed to record the key principles and strategies of a complete…
Keiko (稽古) and Shugyō (修行)
Keiko (稽古) and Shugyō (修行) . Training in the martial arts is not just a hobby; we should contemplate our practice deeply. . The Japanese have six words for training, each signifying a deeper, more encompassing path: Keiko – practice; Renshu – training; Kunren – discipline; Tanren – forging; Kufu – struggling to solve a…
Japan judo hits crisis point as bullied, burnt-out children quit.
“Japan judo hits crisis point as bullied, burnt-out children quit.” . “Japan is the home of judo but a brutal win-at-all-costs mentality, corporal punishment and pressure to lose weight are driving large numbers of children to quit, raising fears for the sport’s future in its traditional powerhouse.” – Andrew McKirdy Japan Today June 2022 ….
Karate-do is the pathway of inner development…
Karate, its birthplace on the small island of Okinawa, created from indigenous fighting systems with influences from Chinese Kempo. . “Karate” (空手), meaning “empty hand”, the name was changed from Chinese hand or Tang hand (唐手), in the early part of the 20th century – both of which are pronounced karate in Japanese. . “Karate-Do”…
Stop calling yourself Sensei!
If you call YOURSELF “master” or “sensei” you probably aren’t one. I see this so often, especially on social media. – Come on guys..… let go of that EGO! . If you teach karate and are using Japanese language in your dojo or school, then you should know how to use these titles, or specifically,…
The one word that separates the greats from the average. DISCIPLINE.
Passionately chase your dream. . In all honesty, this is the only way to do it. The mistake people make is trying to become motivated, they think it’s something you either have, or you don’t have. Unfortunately, you have to work at motivation. This means you have to actively tell yourself that you will go…
“Karate has many stances; it also has none”.
“Karate has many stances; it also has none”. – Nakasone Genwa (1895-1978) . Fundamental to the improvement of your karate technique is correct and balanced form. . In karate, ‘stance’ refers to the position of the lower body, the hips and the legs, which literally carry the upper body. Thus techniques are at their best…
The process of ‘shime’ for Sanchin kata is about cooperation and study, and not brute force.
Shime (締め) testing is a two-person drill which serves as a way of testing a practitioner’s ability to apply the strategies and principles of Sanchin kata. . The idea behind the testing is to have the practitioner placed under a load, to evaluate their structure. . The testing involves putting pressure on the practitioner’s body….
Here is the bottom line: You DON’T want to get into street fights.
Real fights are messy, full of uncertainty, sloppy, falling down and scrambling up, feints, lucky shots. Street fights are quick and aren’t run over several rounds like an arranged fight. . If you know for sure another person is going to attack you and is cornering you, you’ll be at a major disadvantage if that…