tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70465470608597653382024-03-07T02:17:17.429-08:00SHOTOKAN SENSEIA valuable study and teaching resource for all Shotokan practitioners.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-71097739701272615582011-10-28T14:13:00.000-07:002011-10-28T14:13:25.086-07:00Change of DirectionJust a quick note to let all of our regular visitors know about some website changes to Shotokan Sensei.<br />
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Until recently there were three different sites associated with Shotokan Sensei - this blog, the YouTube site and then our main shotokansensei.com site was hosted on a Word Press platform. Due to some technical difficulties with the Word Press platform, we are now in the process of designing a new homepage and site for shotokansensei.com.<br />
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Also this blog is now hosted under the blog.shotokansensei.com URL. The YouTube site is unchanged.<br />
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In the coming months we will be releasing the new Shotokan Sensei website that will try to organize all of the content that we offer in an easy-to understand and easily accessible format.<br />
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In the meantime, please enjoy the many articles and video posts on this blog and also our YouTube channel.<br />
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Thank you all for your continued support.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-19960480185207750752011-06-02T10:40:00.001-07:002011-06-02T10:40:55.640-07:00Karate Concepts: Enter Form, Exit Form<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e8A_RwHEXuo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-79913768639448320492011-06-02T10:39:00.001-07:002011-06-02T10:39:38.707-07:00Karate Concepts: Small Details<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7PjZoU66ztk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-40131549843473705332011-04-10T21:52:00.000-07:002011-04-10T21:52:39.929-07:00New Updated Website at ShotokanSensei.comCheck out the new and updated website at <a href="http://www.shotokansensei.com/">http://www.shotokansensei.com/</a>. This website brings together the best aspects of this blog and the Shotokan Sensei YouTube channel. Currently there are 75 uploaded videos on the YouTube channel and this blog has numerous articles. By bringing these two sites together at <a href="http://www.shotokansensei.com/">http://www.shotokansensei.com/</a> I can put both the written and the video content together in one place in a more coherent and systemized manner.<br />
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Initially, there is a free basic membership on the new site that includes many of the videos and articles that have already been posted on both sites. It is easily searchable through the convenient categories and the site will have many updates as it grows.<br />
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This blog will still be updated with new articles and posts as a complement to the main Shotokan Sensei website. Please check out the new site at <a href="http://www.shotokansensei.com/">http://www.shotokansensei.com/</a>.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-81591416822384821342011-03-03T00:18:00.000-08:002011-03-03T00:18:08.143-08:00Karate SpiritI once asked Master Kanazawa, "What is the most important aspect of karate?" He answered, "Seishin". "Seishin" means 'spirit', not in the religious sense, but in the sense of personal identity and of what we represent in life. This video tries to explain the concept of spirit and how it relates to karate.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZieG1ldOsf8" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-89201528554865115132011-02-10T23:44:00.000-08:002011-02-10T23:44:55.796-08:00Gankaku-shoGankaku-sho is an advanced kata that has been introduced into the SKIF extended syllabus content by Master Kanazawa. Two of the interesting aspects of this kata are the multiple stance changes, and the diagonal <em>embusen</em> (performance line) of the kata.<br />
I have included a couple of presentations of the kata in this post - the first video demonstrates the kata as a whole, and the second video breaks down the movements with a commentary of what is happening. I hope you enjoy the content.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8Wsxp2qwUyA" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-47525024718903771722011-01-24T00:08:00.000-08:002011-01-24T00:09:04.533-08:00The Three Ks of Karate<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The education system often talks about the ‘Three Rs’ of <u>R</u>eading W<u>r</u>iting and A<u>r</u>ithmetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To a casual observer, one might say that the education system was flawed from the very beginning by the fact that it can’t spell!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Karate, however, we can spell and the three Ks really are three Ks – <u>K</u>ihon, <u>K</u>ata and <u>K</u>umite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s look at each one and explain what it is.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kihon means Basics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basics are the fundamentals of our art or style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Karate, basics are our punches, our kicks, our blocks, our strikes and our stances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to build a strong foundation for our karate we must drill and practice basics constantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The honing of our basic technique is the very essence of our training and must be taken seriously in order to progress to a high level of skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we compare karate to learning a language, our karate basics are our vocabulary.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kata means Form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forms are sequences of movements that are put together in an overall pattern that we must memorize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kata training includes the elements of direction, technique, speed, power and rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a deeper level the analysis of kata can lead to many useful discoveries for practical self-defense, as hidden within the different forms are many useful sequences of movements that can be directly applied to different scenarios.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going back to our language analogy, kata can be likened to the grammar of our karate.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kumite means Partner Work or Sparring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basic partner work introduces pre-arranged training drills that help us get used to using different punches, kicks, blocks and strikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through these set training drills we are able to directly apply our defensive movements and counters against actual attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we progress in our skill level the drills become harder with a bigger element of surprise that is gradually introduced until we are able to deal with random attacks from multiple opponents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For our language analogy our kumite training is therefore how we express ourselves by using our vocabulary and our grammar appropriately based on any given situation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By breaking down our karate training into the ‘Three Ks’, we are able to focus on each core training element individually and consequently improve our overall ability with a very systematic approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ultimate goal is to combine these three elements seamlessly so that the ‘Three Ks’ become one K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that K of course is <u>K</u>arate.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When this seamlessness takes place, you begin operating from a level of what is sometimes referred to as unconscious competence. You don't have to think of the individual pieces and parts. Everything fits together and works in harmony, almost totally without any direction from the conscious mind. This is the level from which the masters operate and that is why observing them is like watching poetry in motion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep training hard on the three Ks and they will gradually begin to merge into one over time.</span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-89797176074736918542011-01-19T23:19:00.000-08:002011-01-19T23:21:48.059-08:00Behavioral Congruency<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The idea of Behavioral Congruency is not a new one but it is one that is based on sound logical principles.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In mathematics the word congruent means something that is exactly the same size and shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore in terms of behavior, congruency means acting in exactly the way necessary to achieve a desired outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, in other words if you can align your behavior with those who have already achieved your desired result or outcome (and are still achieving it) then you too can obtain the same result.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me give you an example with your karate practice that will illustrate this concept more clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably over 90% of people who start karate would answer “Yes” to the question,</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Do you want to become a Black Belt?”</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However we all know that nowhere near 90% of students actually make it to the black belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number is actually quite low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how can we increase the number of students who make it to the black belt?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well we can start by looking at behavior.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">So what </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">did</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> black belts do before they were black belts and what are they </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">still doing</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> now that defines their success in karate?</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well the good news is that black belts don’t really do anything that is extremely difficult or radically different to the average student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I can boil down their behavior to three simple things:</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-level-number-format: arabic; mso-level-text: "%1."; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; language: en-US; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.</span></span><span style="width: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They come to class regularly and consistently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally recommend twice a week.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-level-number-format: arabic; mso-level-text: "%1."; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; language: en-US; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.</span></span><span style="width: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They always give their best effort during class.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="margin-left: 18pt; mso-level-number-format: arabic; mso-level-text: "%1."; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; language: en-US; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.</span></span><span style="width: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They stay focused on their goal until they achieve it.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Obviously there are other things you can do too to make sure you become a black belt such as practicing at home and reading and studying about karate from books, magazines, DVDs and the Internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the three crucial behaviors are to come to class regularly, to train hard and to stay focused on your goal.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are someone who “wants to be a Black Belt,” I suggest that you ask yourself honestly if your current behavior, in terms of your karate practice, is congruent with the behavior that I just described.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If it is, then you are well on your way to becoming a black belt, if not then it’s not too late to change!</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The same simple question can also be asked about other important aspects of your life...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-22169748174470795522011-01-10T21:23:00.000-08:002011-01-10T21:23:11.060-08:00Basic Stances<iframe frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/039nv45oth8?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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This video shows the three most common basic stances of Shotokan karate.<br />
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For more videos, check out my YouTube site at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/seishin73">www.youtube.com/user/seishin73</a>.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-60989837086243755442011-01-07T23:27:00.000-08:002011-01-07T23:28:32.513-08:00The Trip of a Lifetime<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I was born and raised in England for 22 years, lived in Germany for 1 year, Japan for 3 years and now the United States for over 10 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have traveled throughout Europe and also South-East Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can see I have been very fortunate so far to have had the opportunity to visit so many places and experience so many cultures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of these trips and experiences were both life-changing and inspirational but I can say with complete honesty that the ‘trip of a lifetime’ for me is still continuing to this day, and that is my study of karate.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">This trip, or maybe journey would be a better word, started on a cold January morning in 1982 in an even colder </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">dojo</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> in North-East England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 8 years old at the time and could never have known what a huge impact karate would have on my life, and to be honest, it probably took about 10 years of training before I really began to understand the impact and some of the benefits that karate had already given me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However on that cold evening I didn’t know what to make of the lesson or of the experience, and I almost quit after the first lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this day I still can’t figure out what made me go back, but I’m certainly glad that I did because what I’ve gained in the years since is immeasurable.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">The goal of this article is not to give you a blow by blow account of my own experience in karate, but rather a perspective on what lies ahead.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">What lies ahead is a very difficult journey, full of success and failure, a journey of self-discovery and ultimately a journey of honest introspection.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Let me start by telling you that I have failed a grading 4 times, I failed my Green Belt as well as each of the three Brown Belts once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me 6 years to get my Black Belt, when it should have only taken me about 4 years on average.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite being top of the class at school, I was NEVER top of the class in karate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why am I still doing karate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why am I still wasting my time?</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">...because I understand the value of karate.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Karate is not about being able to beat somebody up, karate is not about being able to kick high, karate is not about back flips, karate is not about aggression or anger, karate is not about weapons, karate is not even about keeping fit and healthy (despite that being a side benefit).</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Karate is ultimately about fulfilling your potential, it is about developing the discipline needed to deal with daily life in a consistent manner, it is about friendship, it is about harmony with others, it is about never giving up, it is about being true to yourself and others, it is about testing your limits and constantly challenging yourself.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">There are three main aspects of karate - Kihon (Basics), Kata (Forms) and Kumite (Sparring/Partner Work).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These aspects can be applied to everyday life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The true value of karate is found in how the different components of karate are relevant to everything that we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might sound strange to think that our everyday life is made up of Kihon, Kata and Kumite, but it really is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kihon represents those things that we do day in day out such as going to work or school, making dinner, brushing our teeth, organizing our day, Kata represents the set routines that we follow everyday, such as the order in which we do things in the morning when getting ready, the route that we follow to school or work, the school schedule or the work routine and Kumite represents how we apply our basic movements and our set routines to have an effective, successful and productive day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can see it is necessary to repeat the basic techniques of our life again and again, we will constantly follow set routines and will always add new routines but our success ultimately depends on how well we apply the things we have learned on a consistent basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that karate can help provide the disciplined structure to ultimately improve our lives.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-43499512489962947702010-12-29T22:46:00.001-08:002010-12-29T22:46:28.198-08:00Enter Form, Exit Form<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">There is a saying in Japanese martial arts that translates as “Enter form, exit form”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you first see these words they don’t really make much sense as there is no context in which to place them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the meaning should become clear during this short article.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">The phrase refers to the process of learning that we go through during our journey along the path of martial arts.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">First of all we walk into the dojo on the first day armed with a sense of excitement at trying something new as well as a little bit of caution because we don’t know what to expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this initial stage of our training most of us know very little about fighting but despite this lack of refined fighting skill, we possess something very useful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We possess natural reactions because of our survival instinct as humans, we have the element of surprise because the people in the dojo have never seen us before and therefore know nothing about our ability, and we are also unpredictable for the same reason.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">So we come to the Karate dojo possessing “no form” and then we are put into a rigorous program of teaching us technique after technique, form after form and sparring drill after sparring drill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point we are “entering form”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a couple of years of this training we no longer look like, react like or move like the person who entered that very same dojo two years earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact we have become quite proficient at executing all of the different techniques, we know several different “forms” and our sparring skills seem to have improved dramatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, that white belt we were given to wear has now changed color to purple or maybe even brown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By anybody’s standards we’ve come a long way.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">The problem at this stage of our training is that we are so immersed in “form” that when faced with a spontaneous attack that isn’t pre-arranged (like the sparring drills we practice) oftentimes our mind is so confused by choice as to which technique to use against the attack that our defense actually is ineffective despite our good technique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a common occurrence at this level of training because of the vast amount of new material that our minds have had to take in over the past two years and unfortunately for us this process will probably continue for several more years as we continue to accumulate knowledge about the martial art and try to integrate it and assimilate it into something meaningful and natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This requires many hours of practice.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Finally we accomplish a higher degree of understanding and we now start to break away from “form” and we begin to slowly “exit form”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This process of “exiting form” also lasts for quite some time and is full of inspirational moments when we gradually start seeing things on a deeper level and from a different perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple things that we thought we already understood suddenly open up and show us something we had never thought about before, thereby giving us additional skill and knowledge.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Finally we fully “exit form” and essentially return to the beginning, to that same person who walked into the dojo on the first day possessing natural reactions and the elements of surprise and unpredictability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only difference being (and a big difference it is) is that we now have a very refined skill base and an extremely deep level of understanding that just reacts to whatever situation it is faced with in an appropriate manner without thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially all of the skills that have been practiced for years and years have now become second nature and we have finally reached the highest levels of the martial arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what I believe is meant by the phrase “Enter form, exit form.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-27240816636934121882010-12-17T22:27:00.000-08:002010-12-17T22:27:24.160-08:00Truth or Belief?<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I started karate at the age of eight on an extremely cold dojo floor in the North-east of England on a January evening in 1982.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">My truth that night was that my feet were freezing cold like blocks of ice; my belief was that karate was extremely hard and unforgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried after the class and wanted to quit before the next lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite my initial experience, I stuck with karate.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">At the age of 10, I passed my brown belt after failing two previous gradings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My truth that night was that I was a tough young boy; my belief was that I was actually good at karate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I answered my parents doubts that night and was brimming with confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to my newfound confidence, I stuck with karate.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">At the age of 14, I passed my first degree black belt after spending four long years as a brown belt, after failing two more gradings, after trying to convince my parents that their money was well spent on my karate training, and after almost giving up on karate altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My truth that day was that I was a very stubborn individual who had reached a goal; my belief that day was that karate was in actual fact very difficult and that maybe I should quit now while I was ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of quitting, I stuck with karate.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">At the age of 22, I graduated from university, left England and went to Japan and enrolled in Master Kanazawa’s Headquarters Dojo in Tokyo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, I was a third degree black belt in my previous style, well-versed in my new style of Shotokan and had experience in Ju-jitsu and Aikido.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My truth that month was that I finally had some bona-fide experience on which to build.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My belief was that I could actually be successful in karate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to my fearless decision to move to Japan, I stuck with karate.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">At the age of 26, I left Japan as a third-degree black belt in Shotokan, awarded directly by Master Kanazawa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had spent <span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">three hard years in Japan learning the art of karate and experiencing the melting pot of culture shock, intense training sessions, and strange yet rewarding experiences that I will never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My truth in that moment was that I didn’t really know who I was, or what I wanted in life; my belief was that it didn’t matter because I could do anything that I put my mind to!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to the inspiration of Master Kanazawa, I stuck with karate.</span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Over ten years later and many many hours of hard work and a lot of help from family and friends, I am responsible for teaching well over 100 people this art of karate on a weekly basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a fifth degree black belt I represent Master Kanazawa’s worldwide organization and do my best to promote his message of harmony and strong spirit through my teaching.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">In some people’s eyes I have made it as an instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth of the matter is that I have a very long way to go before I can even begin to claim some measure of success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My own personal truth at this stage of my karate journey is that I have come a very long way since first stepping out on that freezing cold floor in England, and that my study of karate has revealed many personal weaknesses that I have had to face along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process of trying to correct these weaknesses, both physical and emotional, is never easy but it is necessary if we are to continue growing as a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My belief at this point in time is that I truly can achieve anything I set my mind to, regardless of how difficult it may seem at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to all of my experiences, I still do karate!</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">My instructor, Master Kanazawa, once said that one of the reasons to practice karate is to learn how to “make the impossible possible”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This simple phrase sums up the difference between truth and belief very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth of our current situation or of a goal that we want to achieve may very well seem impossible, but our belief that we will ultimately be successful is what propels us forward and drives us through the invisible barrier in front of us.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Time and time again in my own life I have come up against very difficult challenges that seemed insurmountable at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet with determination, perseverance and self-belief, the challenge gradually changed from being impossible to being very difficult to finally becoming imminently achievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect that all of you reading this have had similar experiences throughout your own lives.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">So what have all of these different experiences and my karate training taught me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I think that after searching for truth in everything I do, I have finally come to the conclusion that it is not the so-called truth of our situation or challenge that really matters; all that actually matters is our belief and how we handle it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-36949922117473084242010-12-05T22:55:00.000-08:002010-12-05T22:59:13.668-08:00The Benefits of Failure<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">To use the words “benefit” and “failure” in the same sentence probably qualifies as an oxymoron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like any good lesson in life, however, the things that we are afraid of the most often give us the best insights.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I have come to realize that we all avoid failure as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s almost a kind of taboo subject that gets swept under the carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our culture nobody wants to admit that they made a mistake or that they were wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is failure really that bad?</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">It seems like it is bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, who can deny the feelings of disappointment and disillusion when something doesn’t go our way, or even the harsh feeling of despair and regret when we really crash and burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does life treat us so badly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t we deserve better?</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">No we don’t!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We deserve absolute honesty in everything we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that means failure instead of false praise, then so be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that means that we have to admit that we lost, or that we were sub-standard, then so be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that means that on that day we just missed out, then so be it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t gripe, don’t moan, don’t throw a fit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be happy that you have just received a lesson that you need to learn!!</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I received this lesson for the first time when I was 9 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been very successful at school, passing every test, getting top grades, being on the sports teams, getting praise from the teachers…</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I thought karate was going to be the same...until I took my green belt test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped forwards when my sensei called my name, expecting to receive my belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I was shut down and demoralized with that one word, “FAIL!”</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Absolute shock!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still an orange belt, I had to wait three more months to test again, I was not good enough!</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">This was the first time that I had failed at anything, and as it turned out I failed in karate three more times on my way to the black belt, before I finally made it on December 5th, 1987 (a day I will never forget based on the hardship that led up to that occasion.)</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">How could I fail? I thought I was better than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, as it has turned out, karate has shown me over the years that I’m not really that good at anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just get ahead of myself at times and think that I know something, which basically means that I am a little stubborn, and that on occasion I can be a little too self-confident.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I needed to learn humility!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karate continues to teach me this quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My failures along my karate journey were exactly what I needed, and they have definitely taught me some very valuable life lessons! Thanks to these hard lessons, I have come to realize that failure can actually be a good thing, despite the fact that it doesn't feel very good at the time. As long as you learn the lesson that failure brings, the experience is valuable, but if you stubbornly refuse to face up to yourself, then the lesson will have to be repeated again and again until you notice.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">When I first met my most influential sensei, Master Hirokazu Kanazawa, he wrote a piece of calligraphy for me that has inspired me in my life on so many occasions I have lost count. What he wrote in Japanese translates as,</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">"Never be afraid of failure, if you try your best."</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I am very thankful for my sensei's wisdom and I hope that his words will inspire you too.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
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</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-18370026223150183152010-11-27T23:55:00.000-08:002010-11-27T23:55:52.953-08:00What's the Difference between a Martial Art and a Sport?<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">This article focuses on an issue that is often written about in martial arts circles and will no doubt continue to be debated for years to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the basic question about whether karate is a martial art or a sport and, if you can definitively categorize it as one or the other, then what in fact is the difference between a martial art and a sport?</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">The article is going to start by defining what a martial art and a sport actually is and then it will discuss the difference between the two.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">So first of all, what is a martial art?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A martial art in the original sense of the words is an art that involves military strategy, sometimes weaponry and the idea of some kind of life-or-death situation that must be faced either on a battlefield, in warfare or in a personal dangerous encounter.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">The ultimate risk in a traditional martial art is the loss of one’s life at the hands of your opponent and therefore much emphasis is placed on spiritual growth, strength of character and moral fortitude during the course of one’s training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Training in a martial art is often very rigorous and demanding and is certainly not for the weak of heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The structure of the training is often very regimented and repetitive and requires a high degree of self-discipline and effort.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Consequently the goal of a traditional martial arts practitioner is not necessarily to win each battle but rather to not </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">lose</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">any </span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although ‘to win’ and ‘to not lose’ are essentially the same thing, the focus is different.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Moving on to the question of “what is a sport?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sport is an activity usually involving two or more individuals, sides, or teams, each one trying to win a game or competition as quickly and by as greater margin as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the strong element of competition and the emphasis on winning we should include the concept of fun as being a central factor in the overall goal of sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often see high levels of intensity and passion displayed by the players, especially at the top levels of competition, but usually everybody goes home at the end of the day friends and with a feeling of refreshment looking forward to next week’s game against a different team.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">These are basic definitions of a martial art and a sport and it used to be fairly easy to separate the two but over the years of development of both kinds of disciplines the differences are not so great and there is a lot of overlap between the two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So let’s now try to address some of the differences.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">First of all a sport in general is fun with a serious side to it called competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The competition aspect is usually hotly contested by both sides with one of the sides coming out a winner and receiving some kind of prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is often a little over-exuberance, sometimes injuries, but most of the time the game or match is an enjoyable spectacle with, as stated before, everybody going home friends at the end of the day.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">A martial art on the other hand is very different to this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although there is now the competition aspect of martial arts, this of course also includes team events, a martial art is predominantly an individual pursuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal of the practitioner is to hone one's skills by constant never-ending practice, week-in week-out, through a very regimented schedule and a very structured syllabus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The martial artist follows a path of growth, which begins the first moment he or she steps into the </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">dojo,</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> and in many cases continues for the rest of that person’s life, or certainly way beyond the competitive career of most sportsmen and women.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Along this journey of self-discovery and growth the martial artist not only tries to improve his or her technical ability and prowess, but also focuses on becoming a better person in every other aspect of his or her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By a better person, it is meant that the path of a martial artist is one of constant polishing and refining of one’s technique, which through repeated practice develops the good habits needed to improve one’s abilities in coping with everyday life’s challenges and tasks.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">The ultimate goal of the martial artist is to have mind and body unify as one, and then function harmoniously with the outside environment and surroundings, always trying to create positive values for others through leading by example and utilizing the principles of respect, hard work and effort, self-control and self-discipline.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Although a sport has many of these benefits and qualities, I think a sport is by nature too specific and focused on one dimension to adequately provide the rounded, balanced dimensions that a martial art offers.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I believe a martial art is intrinsically more rewarding than a sport and ultimately becomes a way of life for those who practice its teachings seriously.</span></div><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">In closing I think that nowadays karate is both a martial art and a sport but the sport aspect is just a small part of the overall martial art rather than the martial art being a small part of the sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For both to coexist effectively we need to recognize the importance of each with respect to the other.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-63175943613857532212010-11-23T22:35:00.000-08:002010-11-23T22:35:04.644-08:00How to Motivate Your Students in Three Easy Steps<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’ve been a karate instructor for any length of time you will no doubt know that your success in retaining your students comes down to one key factor – keeping your students highly motivated to continue training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you do this while still maintaining your focus on delivering a high quality program?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The majority of karate clubs have a wide range of students usually starting at around age 4 and going all the way up to 74 or older in some cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often within this student base there are the highly-motivated and gung-ho hardcore students who would practice running up a wall backwards if you told them it would help give them the edge over their fellow club members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there are hobbyists who approach their training from a slightly more balanced perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally this group of students practice pretty hard and come to class regularly but karate is not the number one item on their daily to-do list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final group of students is made up of those who say they want to get their black belt but are strangers to the concept of blood, sweat and tears.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So how do you motivate this diverse set of individuals?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are three simple tips to get you started:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Set your students up for success</span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As human beings we all need to feel like we are being successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like our efforts to be recognized and we seek approval from those who we respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your karate students are no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Positive praise produces positive progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing more powerful than a genuine comment from you that praises something about your student’s effort in class or your student’s recent improvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve all heard the phrase “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show your students that you genuinely care about them and that you truly want the best for them in their training.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disguise repetition</span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Repetition is the mother of skill but at the same time one definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again with the expectation of different results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a karate instructor your job is to make sure that your students’ skill level is constantly improving through repetition while making it seem to them as if they are constantly learning something new each lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is achieved by developing multiple drills and teaching techniques that focus on the same core competencies that are needed to grow as a martial artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By doing this your students will always look forward to coming to class because they will be excited to see what they will be studying today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doing the same lesson in the same way over and over is a sure recipe for low student retention.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Implement an effective ranking system</span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The path to black belt is a long and arduous journey and a large majority of students won’t make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore it is necessary to recognize the importance of an effective ranking system so that your students have regular “success stepping stones”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These “success stepping stones” are your different colored belts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure that you have a clear belt system that students can strive for with regular testing - usually every three months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However be careful not to overwhelm your students with multiple stripes and sub-ranks that only serve to confuse them even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep it simple and clear so that students know exactly what is expected of them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With these three simple tips you can go a long way to effectively motivate your students. There are obviously many ways to motivate students, so why not let me know some of the effective methods that you are using with your own students.</span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-89673800182791323512010-11-19T22:54:00.000-08:002010-11-19T22:54:20.783-08:00Some Common Karate Terminology<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I remember back to my very first karate lesson back in January 1982 in Darlington, England. I had such a hard time following<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the different movements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea that I had to remember the names of the techniques in a foreign language too was almost too much to bear.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I often get questions on this “mysterious terminology”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does “oss” mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is “seiza”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I just do an “oizuki” or was it a “maegeri”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What language is this?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Let me try to put you at ease a little with this “crash course” in karate terminology.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Common Terms</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Karate—empty hand (literal meaning)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Seiza—traditional kneeling position</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Kiritsu—stand up</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Mokuso—meditation and breathing</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Rei—bow</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Dojo—training hall</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Sensei—instructor</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">“Oss” or “osu” - formal greeting used to convey the meanings of hello, thank you, and, I understand (quick tip—when in doubt just say “oss”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a catch-all word.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Basic Punches</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Oizuki– front punch</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Gyakuzuki—reverse punch</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Kizami-zuki—front snap punch</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Basic Blocks</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Age-uke—rising block</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Soto-uke—outer block</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Uchi-uke—inner block</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Gedan-barai—downward block</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Shuto-uke—knife hand block</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Basic Kicks</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Maegeri—front kick</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Mawashigeri—roundhouse kick</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Yokogeri-keage—side snap kick</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Yokogeri-kekomi—side thrust kick</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Basic Stances</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Shizentai—natural stance</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Musubi-dachi—stance for bowing (heels together, toes apart)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Zenkutsu-dachi—front stance</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Kokutsu-dachi—back stance</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Kiba-dachi—horse-riding stance</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Kata Names</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Heian Shodan—White belt kata</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Heian Nidan—Yellow belt kata</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Heian Sandan—Orange belt kata</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Heian Yondan—Green belt kata</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Heian Godan—Blue belt kata</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Tekki Shodan—Purple belt kata</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Kumite Terms</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Gohon kumite—five-step sparring</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Sanbon kumite—three-step sparring</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Kihon ippon-kumite—basic one-step sparring</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Jiyu ippon-kumite—free one-step sparring</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Jiyu kumite—free sparring</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Etiquette (said at the beginning and end of each class)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Shomen ni rei—bow to the place of honor (to the front wall representing the past masters of karate and the style that we practice)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Sensei ni rei—bow to the instructor (to whoever is teaching that day)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Otagai ni rei—bow to each other (to all students who are present for the class that day)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Here is a free bonus link to a more detailed terminology list on the upcoming Shotokan Sensei member website where you will be able to view full technique lists, kata and kumite terminology, directions, body parts, etc.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.shotokansensei.com/pdfs/karateterminology.pdf">Karate Terminology</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Please don’t let the terminology of karate stress you out, it is just part of the overall experience of learning something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the early stages of your training you are not expected to remember it or learn it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you progress through the ranks, the Japanese terms will probably become something that you want to learn as part of your training.</span><br />
Good luck with your study of the art of Karate-do.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-27300567068683564022010-11-07T22:47:00.000-08:002010-11-07T22:49:38.163-08:00Seishin Shotokan Karate - 10th AnniversaryThis month, my karate club celebrates 10 years in existence! The past ten years have been absolutely great and I look forward to many more good years to come. Thank you to all of you who have made the past ten years possible - my family, my instructors, and of course my members. Life has been better because of all of you.<br />
Here is a link to a slideshow that celebrates our karate club. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d6DRQEPjjcU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d6DRQEPjjcU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-81863960325368992462010-11-01T23:07:00.000-07:002010-11-01T23:07:56.975-07:005 Common Mistakes That New Karate Instructors Make<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Becoming an instructor in a martial arts school is often a really exciting time because in many ways you feel like you have made it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to teach others you must have already mastered the basic content and now is your chance to “give back” your knowledge and continue the progression of your style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great honor but it is not without its pitfalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As any experienced instructor knows, teaching martial arts and practicing martial arts are in many ways two completely different things.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So if you’re a new instructor listen up and pay attention because, although you are probably a competent black belt student, you are a beginner in terms of teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some of the most common mistakes that new instructors make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by the way, if you are an experienced instructor reading this please don’t forget to tell some of your own horror stories to your assistant instructors so that they can learn from your mistakes too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mistake #1:</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Showing up to class without a lesson plan and “winging it”.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a BAD idea for any new instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Planning is critical in all aspects of life and in any job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a martial arts instructor is no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because you are good at your chosen art doesn’t mean that you can instantly snap all of the puzzle pieces together and teach an awesome class without a lesson plan from day 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even many experienced instructors refer to some type of lesson plan or overall structure before teaching each class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lesson plan will guarantee that you are organized, that you don’t “freeze” on the spot, and that you aren’t constantly thinking “OK, what shall I do next?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re thinking this, it means that you’re not focusing on your students!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mistake #2:</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trying to teach everything you know in one class.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very tempting as a new instructor to feel the need to stamp your authority on a class and to prove yourself to your group as being very knowledgeable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently in your first class you drill your students in every possible basic technique, all of the different forms whether they know them or not, and numerous partner work drills to the point of overload.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This causes major stress to your students as they feel completely overwhelmed and, not only that, when you go to teach your next class you won’t have anything left to give them that’s new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are very good reasons for a structured curriculum and a solid lesson plan.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mistake #3:</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Teaching class so that you get a good workout.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a difference between leading by example and training with your peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In every class that you teach your primary focus should be on the needs of your students and not on your own personal needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be inevitable that you will get a pretty good workout just by demonstrating the different techniques, forms and partner work drills to your students and it is also important to model these things well, but you must also allow yourself to watch your students so that you know which students need help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this way you position yourself to give valuable feedback rather than just working up a good sweat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mistake #4: Being too hard or too easy.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are very often two types of new instructors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Type 1 is the drill instructor who wants to put the students through hell so they know who is boss, and type 2 is the friend who wants everyone to like him and is overly nervous about how well he taught each class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to find some middle ground here and work your students hard by holding them to high standards but also develop strong and respectful relationships with them and show them that you care.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mistake #5: Allowing your students to decide on the content for the class.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a BIG mistake because so many things can go wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all you can’t please everybody and by asking what your students want to study you will get requests for everything possible within any group – forms training, sparring, pad work and target training, and self-defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t possibly fit everything into one class and nor should you (see mistake #2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also you are setting yourself up for failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would you do if they asked you to teach something you don’t know very well yet, like an advanced form or some knife defense that you may not have studied yet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the leader of the class and your students expect you to know what they need to study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t abdicate your responsibility to your students and allow them to dictate the class.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are some of the most common mistakes that new instructors make and there are of course many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Keep reading my blog for future articles on teaching and how to become a better instructor, coming soon!</span></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-71176362643760298032010-10-27T23:17:00.000-07:002010-10-27T23:18:40.476-07:00Book Review: Karate - The Complete Kata by Hirokazu Kanazawa<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=seishinshotok-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=4770030908&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you only ever buy one book on the technical aspect of Shotokan karate then this book must be it!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Karate: The Complete Kata</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> is written by one of the world’s leading karate masters, and arguably the most famous Shotokan master still alive today—Hirokazu Kanazawa, 10th degree black belt.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Back in the early 1980s, Master Kanazawa released a two-volume book set covering the 26 standard Shotokan kata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now in January 2010, Master Kanazawa has released a brand new version of the original two-volume book set that covers all of the 26 standard Shotokan kata plus an additional kata called </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Gankaku-sho</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> aimed at more advanced practitioners who want to further their study.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each kata has a whole new set of original photos that cover each move of every kata in the same fine detail that we have come to expect from everything that Master Kanazawa does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the book he is assisted by his three sons and other high-ranking instructors from his Headquarter’s Dojo in Tokyo.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The big difference between this book and the original set is that each move of every kata is also accompanied by a written explanation on how to perform the move, rather than just the name of the technique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a huge benefit to anybody who is trying to polish the details of the kata and the transitions between moves from this book.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The translator, Richard Berger, has truly done an excellent job in bringing these finer points of each kata to print for the first time according to Master Kanazawa’s exemplary technique and deep understanding of the art of Shotokan karate.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">In summary, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Karate: The Complete Kata</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> is already destined to become the definitive work on Shotokan kata and should not disappoint the reader in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has over 3000 high quality photos that accompany detailed step-by-step explanations to the individual moves as well as an introduction to each kata that touches on some of the historical context of the kata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also several suggested applications to some of the more important moves and sequences found within the different kata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additional diagrams are used to explain the appropriate head movement, stepping movement and breathing for the kata.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">All in all, this book will serve all practitioners of Shotokan very well for the whole of their Shotokan karate study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is quite simply an </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book"; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">essential</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> book!</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-43473974022971429232010-10-18T21:18:00.000-07:002010-10-18T21:29:03.507-07:00The Number One Reason You Should Stick WithYour Karate Training<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are many reasons that people first get started in the martial arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually the reasons are for self-defense, health and fitness, discipline, confidence, self-control and spiritual growth among others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us have heard about these benefits of the martial arts, yet despite knowing the potential rewards of karate, it is not always clear why we should stay on the path for the long term.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would like to let you know what I believe the number one reason is for you to continue with your karate practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I do that let me give you a very quick rundown of my own personal karate experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been practicing karate for more than 25 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially my reason for enrolling in my first karate class was to learn self-defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about 6 or 7 years of training my reason for practicing karate was physical strength and fitness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then after about 10 years of training (around the time that I was entering the adult world) I began to appreciate the more philosophical and deeper insights of the martial arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on in my training during my three years in Japan, karate was about perfecting my technique and improving my overall knowledge, and now as an instructor karate is about giving the gift of what I have learned to others.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you can see my primary reasons for studying karate have changed with time and with my own personal development as a martial artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However if I were to condense all of my knowledge into one key point or reason for training then it would be this:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The number one reason you should stick with your karate training is “Self Discovery”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everything that I have learned about punching, kicking and blocking, everything I have learned about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kata</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kumite</i>, pale in comparison to what I have learned about myself in the past 25 years plus of karate training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During my training I have experienced the full emotional roller coaster of passed and failed gradings, successful and unsuccessful tournaments, great health and fitness as well as some cuts, bruises, pulled muscles, the odd broken bone and several doses of hurt pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve come to realize that just because I know the moves to a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kata</i> that I don’t necessarily know the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kata</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The movements are just the tip of the iceberg, there is so much more to be discovered beneath the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because I can throw out my hand in front of me doesn’t mean I have a good punch and just because I have a black belt around my waist doesn’t make me a better person than anybody else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karate constantly teaches me humility and constantly challenges me to be better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karate teaches me self discovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps me to learn about who I am, how I react under pressure and what it is that gets my fire burning.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over 2000 years ago a Chinese General called Sun Tzu compiled a military strategy that is still read and studied to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His strategy is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Art of War</i>, and in it he writes:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So it is said that if you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know others but know yourself, you win one and you lose one; if you do not know others and you do not know yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.”</i></span></div><div align="right" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: right; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Translated by Thomas Cleary, p.82</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It would seem that the importance of self discovery is timeless and the martial arts are one such path for discovering your own strengths and weaknesses on your journey to self improvement.</span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-41288968233010726392010-10-14T15:11:00.000-07:002010-10-14T15:11:46.371-07:00The Blocking Myth<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have always been fascinated by languages, so much so that I majored in German and minored in Japanese for my Bachelor’s Degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During my studies, I had to learn translation and was given passages in the foreign language that had to be translated into English and vice versa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I found was that most words such as apple, road, house, dog, etc. usually translated directly from one language to another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, many other words and phrases could not be directly translated, as there are cultural and idiomatic differences in the way words and phrases are viewed through the eyes of the host culture and the foreign culture.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After studying Karate for over 25 years, three of which were in Japan, and after studying the Japanese language, I have found the same to be true in many of the English translations of the different Japanese technique names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most interesting discrepancies that I have found is the Japanese word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“uke”</i> and the usual English translation of “block”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">uke</i> is from the Japanese verb <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ukeru</i>, which means “to receive.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we think about the English word “block” for a minute then it brings synonyms such as “stop”, “deter”, “halt” and “obstruct” to mind.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So if we now compare the word “receive” with “stop” or “halt” or “obstruct,” then doesn’t it seem like we are talking about antonyms rather than synonyms?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doesn’t it seem like one has the opposite meaning to the other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is this?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I first noticed this linguistic difference over ten years ago and initially I just thought that it was interesting and left it at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then I have started to delve deeper into the various words that are used as the technique names in Japanese and English and I have found many differences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through living in different foreign countries, I have realized that it is not always wise to judge everything by your own cultural beliefs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often it is better to be a neutral observer and to ask, what is the reason and what purpose does it serve?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how can two words, “uke” and “block,” represent the same set of techniques yet mean opposite things when directly translated?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The answer lies in the true purpose of the technique!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I am about to say might sound a little controversial but bear with me for a little while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A “block” is not meant to “stop” an opponent’s attack, but instead it is meant to “speed up” an opponent’s attack in preparation for a devastating counter attack!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I mean by this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I use the words “speed up” in conjunction with the word “block”?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s go back to the Japanese word “uke” which means receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you receive an opponent’s attacking move, whether it is a punch, kick or strike, what you are really trying to do is to <u>deflect</u> and <u>redirect</u> the energy of the attack so that the opponent is temporarily thrown off balance and placed in a more advantageous position for a counter attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So by “receiving” this attack you can now send the blow on its way in a different direction and then immediately deliver your counter with appropriate timing for the most effect.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s look at a couple of different scenarios to try to explain the conceptual difference in the English word “block” and the Japanese word “uke.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scenario 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine that our attacker is coming at us with a front punch to the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we “block” the attack in the English sense of the word, then perhaps we use an outer forearm block (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">soto ude-uke)</i> that attacks the opponent’s punching arm at a 45 degree angle away from us and stops his forward momentum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After successfully halting the attack we deliver a counter attack such as a reverse punch (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gyakuzuki</i>) to the rib cage to finish off our opponent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end result of this encounter is that we used the majority of our energy in stopping the opponent’s punch, and consequently his forward momentum, and then we had to deliver as strong a punch as possible to inflict damage to a stationery opponent.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scenario 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now imagine that our attacker is once again coming at us with a front punch to the body but now we are “blocking” the attack in the Japanese sense of the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now “receiving” the punch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as we execute our outer forearm block we change the angle from a 45 degree angle away from us to a 45 degree angle that draws the opponent towards us and deflects his punch past our body, thus “speeding up” the attack in preparation for our devastating counter attack of a reverse punch to the rib cage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end result here is that we used minimal energy during our block, thus conserving the speed and momentum of our attacker towards us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we redirected the punch in such a way that we placed our opponent in a disadvantageous position that put him off balance as we delivered our finishing blow.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So based on these two scenarios, we must now ask ourselves what are the main differences between the key nuances of the English word “block” and the Japanese word “uke?”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first difference is based on velocity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that velocity defines not just the speed of an object (in this case a punch) but also its direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the beginning of the attack in each scenario the velocity is clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The speed of the punch is as fast as possible and the direction is towards the defender’s body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at the point of blocking both scenarios change significantly and this is the point at which both languages show their actual meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the English example, the velocity of the punch <u>decreases</u> because the block “stops” the attack and sends the punch <u>away</u> from the defender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the Japanese example, the velocity <u>increases</u> because the block “receives” the attack and draws the punch <u>towards</u> the defender but “deflects” its momentum past the defender.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second difference focuses on the impact of the counter attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first scenario, the impact is as if the defender is punching a stationery object because the speed of the attacker’s punch has been nullified by the defender’s block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the second scenario, the impact is like a head-on collision as the speed of the attacker’s punch has been amplified by the defender’s block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So although, the first counter attack can still be very damaging, there should be no doubt as to the efficacy of the second counter attack.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The final difference is found in the purpose of the two blocks and this is what I was alluding to earlier in the article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first scenario, the emphasis is on the block rather than the counter attack as the true purpose of the block is to not get hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in the second scenario, the emphasis is on the counter attack rather than the block, as the true purpose of the block is to place the attacker in the most vulnerable position so that the defender can deliver a truly decisive and finishing blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, the first use of a block still allows further chances of attack by the opponent, but the second use of the block coupled with the counter punch renders any chance of a follow-up attack highly improbable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This should remind us of the classic Karate concept of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ikken hisatsu</i> meaning “to kill with one blow”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely the Japanese meaning of “uke” allows for this outcome more so than the English meaning of “block.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So as you can see, a simple linguistic translation of a technique can lead to much ambiguity in the meaning and application of a technique by its practitioners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is therefore very important in my mind that we do our best to research not only Karate techniques, but also the terminology and the culture behind the techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this way, we can better preserve the legacy of our respective arts and also improve our own understanding of and ability in the art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The translation of “uke” to mean “block” is just one example where an understanding of both languages and cultures can lead to a breakthrough in understanding technique.</span></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-86225013686763946132010-10-10T22:21:00.000-07:002010-10-10T22:32:57.862-07:00An Interview with Richard Berger (Part 2)<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">...this is continued from "An Interview with Richard Berger (Part 1)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2F9QwxrN8bUvkGzupjGIawS3Zi2f5Ox8Osok34A3RPqvetqJnX_-DVj5QvI_ie-nrwjFWO7YBf1yd56EjOzVFv4Z0DV24NGcKCIXynaU660LSaeRrQfJ3jgx3Ca7pAHzxJViS462b5sz/s1600/R_Berger_5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2F9QwxrN8bUvkGzupjGIawS3Zi2f5Ox8Osok34A3RPqvetqJnX_-DVj5QvI_ie-nrwjFWO7YBf1yd56EjOzVFv4Z0DV24NGcKCIXynaU660LSaeRrQfJ3jgx3Ca7pAHzxJViS462b5sz/s320/R_Berger_5.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="background-color: black;"><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Are there any experiences in particular at the Honbu-dojo that stand out to you during your time training there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Experiences that were insightful, funny, embarrassing, or simply inspirational?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I remember one time during a class when we were asked to pair off with a partner to practice <i>jiyu ippon-kumite</i>. Everyone had found a partner except for me, so the instructor headed in my direction and I took a deep breath, trying to keep my rapidly accelerating heartbeat under control. The class that day was being taught by Ichihara-sensei, a decidedly old-school instructor, well-known for his gruff demeanor and very short temper. He decided that we would focus on <i>ushiro-geri</i> (back kicks) and we began practicing No. 2 of Kanazawa-kancho’s number system, in which the defender responds by lunging forward into a <i>kiba-dachi</i> (straddle-leg stance), scoops one arm under the attacker’s kicking leg and the other below his torso, then performs a leg sweep followed by a downward <i>gyaku-zuki</i> (reverse punch) counterattack. Ichihara-sensei repeatedly kicked with laser-beam precision and I, for some reason, never managed to get out of the path of his attack. Three times in a row he kicked, and three times in a row his foot landed—<i>Thud!</i>—right into my inner elbow. After the third time he looked at me with open disdain and barked, “Doesn’t that hurt!?” In keeping with proper dojo etiquette, I responded with a sharp “<i>Hai</i> (yes)!” At the time it didn’t strike me as particularly funny, nor did the angry bruise that I had over the next several days, but when I think back on the incident, I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous the situation was.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">There was also another incident that I’ll never forget. Kanazawa-kancho was teaching the class—it was about seven or eight years ago, so he was probably around 70 at the time—and we were practicing the kata Unsu. I recall that we had several overseas students in attendance and Kancho was giving detailed explanations for each technique. We got to the middle the kata, where you simultaneously drive the left hand downward and the right hand upward while stepping forward to deliver a downward lunge punch. Kancho was explaining that one application of the initial motion is a block, to create an opening for the subsequent downward punch. Since I happened to be nearest to him at the time, he decided to use me as his demonstration partner. He was speaking to the class as he demonstrated the move, which he performed quite casually and with no particular effort. In fact, I don’t even think he was looking at me when he did it. I knew exactly what he was going to do and anticipated it, but even so, when he raised his hand and deflected my outstretched arm, I was completely unprepared for the resulting impact. It was as if I had been struck by a sledgehammer; to this day, I have no idea how such an effortless motion could create such force.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are many foreigners who are fascinated by Japan – I am one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often we go there with great ideas and unrealistic expectations and then the demon of “culture shock” strikes and we struggle for a while to find our place within our host country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can honestly say that I had a great time while in Japan but I know of others who were just miserable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What were your encounters with culture shock and how did you deal with them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you still experience culture shock after living in Japan for so long or is “reverse culture shock” now more of an issue when you visit the United States?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Well, Japan isn’t for everyone. I don’t think there’s any way to know if you’ll like it or not unless you actually go and find out for yourself. Of course individual experiences can have a major impact on one’s impression of the country. I know some people who fell in love with Japan because they met a lot of great people and had a number of wonderful encounters. But then again, I also know of people who had a string of bad experiences that negatively affected their opinion of the country.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">One thing that I believe is important to keep in mind when visiting any foreign country is maintaining an open mind; that’s most likely what helped me to adjust to life in Japan and helped me to avoid any serious culture shock. Now, however, after having spent 20-plus years in Japan, I do suffer the occasional bout of reverse culture shock when I go back to the United States to visit family and friends. I’m reminded of the Japanese saying <i>Sumeba miyako</i>, which, essentially, means: If you live somewhere long enough, it becomes home.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You are the translator of several of Kanazawa-kancho’s most important and recent books, such as <i>Karate</i></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> Fighting Techniques</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: The Complete Kumite, Black Belt Karate: The Intensive Course, </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and the newly released book, <i>Karate: The Complete Kata</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These books are incredibly valuable to the followers of SKIF, and also to the wider Shotokan community, so we thank you for helping to bring these projects of Kanazawa-kancho to fruition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can’t have been easy to make this happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please tell us a little bit about what it takes to translate a book of this scope.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Well, I realize that translating may seem like a very glamorous line of work (laughs), but I can assure you it’s not. Since you are familiar with Japanese, you can appreciate how different it is from English. Because the two languages are structured so differently, rendering Japanese into natural-sounding English can often pose quite a challenge. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I view translation as a two-step process. First, you need to get the Japanese into some form of working English. Then you need to ignore the original Japanese and clean up the English so that it makes sense and flows naturally. It requires discipline and a discerning eye.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How long does it typically take to translate such a technical book?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Well, first of all, I have to confess that I’m a slow translator; I spend a lot of time mulling over each sentence, thinking of the best way to express it in English. In addition, I have a full-time job that keeps me busy from Monday to Friday, not to mention a family. So, I’m limited to weekday evenings and weekends, provided I have the time and energy. As such, completing the first draft can take around six to nine months.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What is the process that the book goes through from concept to translation to print?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">All three of the books that I’ve been asked to translate had already been released in Japanese. I didn’t receive any special instructions from the publisher so, in each case, basically just used the original Japanese text as my guide and then submitted the translation manuscript. About six months later, the publisher sends me the page proofs for checking. I’ll look for typos and other text errors, and make sure that the text and photos are in agreement. I’ll also look for missing or incorrect photos, as well as photos appearing out of order. You’d be surprised at how many mistakes there can be at this stage of the layout process. If there are a lot of serious problems with the initial page proofs, then a second round of checks will usually be done before the book gets printed.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You are a long-time member of the Honbu-dojo and your Japanese language ability is as good as it gets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems you are the natural choice to be Kanazawa-kancho’s translator in anything and everything he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you were asked to be the translator of his books, how did you feel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it a surprise, an honor, or a bit of a burden considering your work and family commitments?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t honored that Kancho thought I was up to the task of translating his books. I was also pleased to be entrusted with the project, knowing that whenever I do translation work, which I’ve been doing for over twenty years now, I always try to present the material as clearly and concisely as possible while making every effort to maintain the tone and feel of the original text. But, on the other hand, since I do have a full-time job and a family, I must admit that there was also a part of me that wasn’t looking forward to the amount work that I knew the job required.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I can imagine that being a translator of any book can be a bit of a thankless task, yet in many ways it is no less significant than being an author in your own right and this is one of the reasons I wanted to hold this interview to bring your own personal efforts to light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you give us an idea of what it takes to be a translator and also of how much more you have learned about Shotokan karate by being a translator than you would have otherwise learned?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">It may sound counterintuitive, but I think the single most important factor in being a good translator is being a good writer. If you give it some thought, though, it makes sense: if you have trouble understanding the source text, with a little effort, it’s possible to figure out the meaning, provided you get the right help. But the real challenge is translating that into the target language so the reader can understand the proper meaning, context and sentiment. No matter how good you may be at reading and understanding Japanese, for example, if you don’t have the skills to render the original text accurately, and efficiently, in English, then there’s no way that you can effectively do your job as a translator.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">And to answer the second part of your question, I believe the translation process I just described has helped me to deepen my understanding of Shotokan karate. Karate training is, of course, a physical endeavor—we learn through training. But when you have to think about how to describe the physical nature of karate through words, you gain a new perspective, which often provides new insight and understanding. I believe instructors will be able to appreciate what I’m talking about, because they must give a lot of thought to explaining various aspects of karate when teaching their students.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another main reason for holding this interview is to help to promote and publicize Kanazawa-kancho’s incredible contributions to the Shotokan world and to the wider Karate international community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man is truly a legend in his own right and has helped to change the lives of many thousands of people around the world through his own example of leadership, compassion, harmony and strong spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has it been like to work with someone of his stature and knowledge in a field in which he is without doubt one of the foremost exponents?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">It has been a pleasure and an honor to know, train under, and work with Kanazawa-kancho. One of the things in particular that has so impressed me is his promotion of harmony, in all of its various forms: harmony of movement, harmony with others, and harmony with nature. It’s really quite straightforward, but until you really understand how these different kinds of harmony work and how to incorporate them, it’s difficult to fully appreciate their value. In karate, harmony influences breathing, the use of the various parts of the body, training with an opponent, and so much more. When we look at karate books, I think that many of us tend to head straight for the photos, looking for the “fun stuff,” but I would encourage those who have Kanazawa-kancho’s books to spend some time reading the forewords and other sections that offer his thoughts and advice on karate.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In closing, do you have any special message for the many fellow Shotokan practitioners around the world who are reading this interview?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">As I touched on in my previous response, there’s much more to karate than simply the physical aspect. To anyone seeking to get more out of karate, I would highly recommend pursuing these other aspects, which can be incorporated into most every facet of one’s life. I’m not talking about anything of a spiritual or mystical nature, but—for lack of a better word—more of an “attitude,” or way of thinking. I believe this is one of the reasons why karate is often called karate-do, referring to the “way,” or “path” of karate.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">And last of all, if you love karate, keep training. At the Honbu-dojo, we have men and women who began training in their 30s, their 40s, and even their 50s. We also have students who continue training well into their 60s and 70s. Just look at Kancho; he’s approaching 80 and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">Richard, thank you very much for this opportunity to exchange ideas and to share your many experiences, it has truly been a pleasure to know you personally and I hope our friendship will continue for many years to come.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEq4hT8CiY4e4vHX38Uh4CqxUA7LICoQ0b3_UMzE9cetNH2bRShL60LnPfbVQETlS1svwADXRhv1jogqDVQZMs7i9oZrUbd4fvFKc9RANmkhF6te4ckhXTFfe2qeLotvEMPhT2WH2S9oI/s1600/R_Berger+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEq4hT8CiY4e4vHX38Uh4CqxUA7LICoQ0b3_UMzE9cetNH2bRShL60LnPfbVQETlS1svwADXRhv1jogqDVQZMs7i9oZrUbd4fvFKc9RANmkhF6te4ckhXTFfe2qeLotvEMPhT2WH2S9oI/s320/R_Berger+1.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-29158024022513511652010-10-07T23:07:00.000-07:002010-10-07T23:09:08.814-07:00An Interview with Richard Berger (Part 1)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">Many karate practitioners from all over the world visit Master Kanazawa’s Headquarters Dojo every year to improve their Karate and to learn from the Master himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally spent three years training at Kanazawa-kancho’s dojo but I would venture to guess that there is nobody who has spent as much time studying the SKIF system at the Headquarters Dojo in Tokyo as Richard Berger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to studying Shotokan karate for so long in Japan, Richard is also the translator of several of Kanazawa-kancho’s most important books.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In this two-part interview I ask Richard about his time training in Japan, about his experiences with Kanazawa-kancho, about culture shock and reverse culture shock</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and about what it’s like to be chosen as the translator of Kancho’s books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am extremely grateful to Richard for his time preparing this interview and for his professionalism throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think everyone will gain something valuable from his insightful answers.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Richard, thank you for agreeing to this interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s start off with a few introductory questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How long have you lived in Japan?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I first came to Japan in 1984 for a couple of weeks as a university student. The following year I came on a one-year overseas study program, which I extended for an additional year. Then I returned in 1990 and have lived here ever since. So, if you include the two years I was here as a student, I’ve spent a little over 21 years living in Japan.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How long have you practiced karate?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I started training in the early 1980s in Southern California. I trained for a few years, took a few years off, started training again, then moved to Japan and took off a few more years. I then started up again in 1993 at Kanazawa-kancho’s SKIF headquarters and have been training ever since. So, all together, I guess that makes about 21 years.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why did you start?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Good question. I think I had always been curious about karate, wondered how it “worked.” I think everyone had heard some variation of the story about the scrawny kid that used karate to beat up the two or three big street thugs that tried to mug him. I wanted to know what karate was all about. Were there “magical” techniques that would render your opponent helpless—a twisting motion of the wrist, perhaps? Or maybe some fancy footwork? I wanted to know the “secret.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What it is it about karate that keeps you going back for more?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Well, aside from the fact that I genuinely enjoy it—something I don’t think I could’ve honestly said when I first began training—karate is the only form of exercise that I’ve been able to stick to. I tried going to a sports gym for a while—lifting weights, running on a treadmill, that sort of thing—but soon grew bored and quit. What keeps me going is probably a combination of things: following the lead of an instructor during class; training along with others in a group, which creates an environment of healthy competition; and engaging in exercise that requires concentration, providing a diversion from day-to-day concerns. I find that in addition to the physical benefit of karate, there’s definitely an emotional benefit as well, which allows me to forget about any other worries I may have while I’m training.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From personal experience, training at Kanazawa-kancho’s Honbu-dojo is an incredible learning adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was only there for </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">three</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> years but you have been there far longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you give us your thoughts on training at the Honbu-dojo and what makes it so special?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I joined the SKIF Honbu-dojo in the autumn of 1993, so I’ve been training there just over 16 years now. Needless to say, one of the greatest rewards is receiving direct instruction from Master Hirokazu Kanazawa, one of Shotokan karate’s true legends and an incredibly kind and considerate human being. What you can learn from Kanazawa-kancho goes far beyond just karate. His warmth, humility, and attitude toward life and nature, not to mention his sense of humor, all offer very valuable lessons.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">But in addition to Kanazawa-kancho, who we don’t get to see as often as we’d like because he spends several months out of the year teaching overseas, the SKIF headquarters has many other first-rate instructors who regularly teach classes, each with his own unique expertise and teaching style. Also, when some of the top instructors from overseas are in Tokyo for competitions or other events, they will occasionally stop by and teach a class, which is always rewarding.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Needless to say, for those of us who train regularly at the SKIF Honbu-dojo, I think we’ve got it about as good as it gets.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Training in Japan is not just about your time actually on the floor practicing karate but also includes many chances for socializing with the senseis and members after class. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">In Japan, identifying with, and belonging to a group is very important. For this reason, there is a strong sense of camaraderie and kinship among the students and instructors. In many respects, it really is like a big family and it’s nice to get to know the other students on a more personal level. During my first several years training at the SKIF headquarters, there was a group of us who’d go out regularly once a week for dinner and drinking after training. Things have changed since then, but even now it’s not unusual for members to occasionally go out for dinner after a class.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">We also often get visitors from overseas who will train with us for a time at the dojo, and we’ll sometimes treat them to dinner, especially if it’s someone who’s made a strong impression on us, or who we haven’t seen in a while.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Getting to know the instructors is also a treat, because there is often quite a large gap between their true personalities and the personas that they project when teaching.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Can you tell us a little bit about how these two aspects go hand-in-hand both in a karate setting and in the workplace?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Well, this ties into what I was just talking about—namely, the importance of belonging to a group. In Japan, relationships play a vital role, and this applies to the karate dojo as well as the workplace. As long as you make an effort to be a part of the group and fit in as best you can, then, in most cases, you will be openly and warmly welcomed by everyone. Of course, no one can know all of the cultural dos and don’ts, so the occasional gaffe is inevitable, but having the right attitude and always trying your best will go a long way in Japan.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">During my time at the Honbu-dojo there were many other foreign visitors who came to train with Kanazawa-kancho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of them were excellent karate-ka who were visiting for a period of a few short weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you give some advice to foreign visitors to the Honbu-dojo in terms of expected behavior and etiquette?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I can imagine how intimidating it might be for someone coming to Japan for the first time or paying their first visit to the dojo. One thing I would definitely recommend is coming a good 20 to 30 minutes early to introduce yourself and ask permission to take part in the class. I can’t imagine anyone ever being turned down, but it sends the right message and will ensure that you get things off on the right foot. It’s also important to understand that there is a visitor’s fee that needs to be paid if you plan to take part in the class. I think it’s 1,000 yen (approximately 11 U.S. dollars) per class, and it would probably be a good idea to mention that up front and get that out of the way early.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">As for the students that you’ll be training with on the floor, one thing that you can do to make a good impression is to join everyone else when you see them wiping down the floor before and after class. This shows a sense of humility that is very important, especially in the dojo.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">And if you plan to do any training at SKIF headquarters for any length of time, I would strongly recommend familiarizing yourself with Kanazawa-kancho’s kumite number system, which appears in his book <i>Karate Fighting Techniques: The Complete Kumite</i>. It’s not at all unusual during a class for the instructor to say, “Okay, now we’re going to practice <i>jiyu ippon-kumite</i> (free-style one-step kumite) numbers two and three.” If you don’t know what he’s talking about, you’ll probably wish you did.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Honbu-dojo has such a deep pool of talent to draw from for its instructors and in many lessons there can be two or three instructors on the floor in addition to Kancho, all of whom are ranked 5<sup>th</sup> Dan and above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, each instructor has his own way of teaching while sticking to the same syllabus content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How have these different teaching styles helped to mold your personal karate knowledge and ability?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While it goes without saying that maintaining a consistent approach to training is very important, being exposed to different instructors and new training experiences can help give you a more rounded, well-balanced perspective of what karate has to offer. As you just mentioned, because the Honbu-dojo has so many first-rate instructors, I have benefited greatly from their individual teaching approaches, training menus, technical interpretations, and philosophies.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-67942490824221974972010-10-04T20:38:00.000-07:002010-10-04T20:38:40.345-07:00Harmonizing with your Opponent<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The process of learning <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kumite</i> (sparring or partner work) in Shotokan karate can be a long and arduous path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually a practitioner begins by learning the introductory <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kihon</i> of our style such as punches, blocks and kicks and then basic partner work drills are introduced such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gohon kumite </i>(five-step sparring) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sanbon kumite</i> (three step sparring) at the beginning level and then <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kihon ippon-kumite</i> (basic one-step sparring) at the intermediate level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time the practitioner has reached the brown belt level the partner work drills have progressed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">jiyu ippon-kumite</i> (free one-step sparring).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So essentially the first two to three years of a karate-ka’s practice are focused on learning set drills that progressively lead the karate-ka to a better understanding of basic technique and how those techniques can be used against an opponent.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Many instructors introduce <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">jiyu kumite</i> (free sparring) in the midst of all of this drilling of basic technique to break up the monotony of set partner work and to try to encourage the practitioner to loosen up and not be so rigid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this is a good idea especially at the intermediate levels of 6<sup>th</sup> – 4<sup>th</sup> kyu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe there is great value in systematically introducing partner work drills through set sequences that build upon one another but it is also important to encourage freedom of movement and creativity through free sparring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a structured combination of these two methods practitioners can gradually be given the necessary tools at the beginning and intermediate levels to lay the foundations for rapid improvement in their overall <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kumite</i> skills at the brown belt levels and beyond.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If we look at the systematic training methods that Shotokan offers we can see that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gohon kumite</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sanbon kumite</i> are essentially partner work drills that focus on repetition of offensive and defensive techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kihon ippon-kumite</i> offers different applications of each basic technique and emphasizes the “one chance” mentality and the importance of effective counter attacks under stress.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jiyu ippon-kumite</i> takes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kihon ippon-kumite</i> training to the next level by introducing the concepts of distance, timing, range and the element of surprise.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This article assumes that the reader has already mastered the prerequisites of basic technique along with set partner work drills and is looking to take his or her <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kumite </i>skills to the next level through a deeper understanding of what Master Hirokazu Kanazawa, Chief Instructor and President of the Shotokan Karate International Federation, refers to as “harmonizing with your opponent.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Kanazawa-sensei, if you can harmonize with your opponent you will never lose an encounter, whether physical or verbal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the highest level this concept essentially means that you will never be drawn into an encounter in the first place because you will be able to read the intentions of your opponent and appropriately diffuse the situation before any hostility and conflict can arise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the perspective of actual <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kumite</i> practice, however, there are several key concepts to understand.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Within the overall category of harmonizing with your opponent, which Kanazawa-sensei calls <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“wa no sen,”</i> there are three sub-categories of defensive strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are called “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">go no sen”</i> (counter attack), “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tai no sen”</i> (same-time attack) and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sen no sen”</i> (pre-emptive strike.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first of these strategies, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">go no sen”</i> (counter attack) is both the easiest to understand and also the easiest to execute from the practitioner’s point of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most beginning <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kumite</i> drills focus on counter attacks as the main form of defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that as the attacker moves in with their chosen technique the defender blocks <u>and then</u> counters with an appropriate technique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the simplest form, the attacker steps in with a head punch and the defender blocks the punch with rising block and then counters with a reverse punch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the easiest form of defensive strategy as all the defender has to do is to get out of the way of the opponent’s attack by using footwork and an appropriate block and then counter with some kind of strike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the beginning level there really isn’t much need for anything more advanced than this kind of strategy but when faced with a more skilled opponent the basic strategy falls apart as the counter attack is subsequently blocked and countered again by the initial attacker causing the defender to ultimately lose the initiative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another problem with this counter attack strategy is that there is no harnessing of the attacker’s power and forward momentum by the defender as the blocking technique is aimed at nullifying the attack and then the counter attack must be delivered with 100% effort and power from the defender to be effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially a ‘tempo’ has been lost by the defender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can be likened to a chess player putting his queen into play too early without adequate protection and having to backtrack on the move, thus losing a ‘tempo’.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The second strategy, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tai no sen</i>” (same-time attack) is much more effective but is consequently more difficult to pull off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This strategy is where the defender is able to see the attack coming and counter at the point that the attacker is most committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example the attacker comes in with a head punch and the defender, seeing the attack, resists the natural reaction of moving back, and instead moves in to the attack ducking the head out of the way and delivering a solid punch to the ribcage with perfect timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resulting effect of this defense is twice that of the counter attack because the defender is meeting the attacker in a head-on collision thereby making the impact twice as effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This type of defense is one of the most useful because, as Kanazawa-sensei clearly explains in many of his seminars, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“tai no sen”</i> strategy allows a defender to conserve some of his energy by using only about 75% of his total power, but when combined with the 100% commitment of the attacker the resulting effect is far greater than a 100% counter attack against an already completed attacking technique, as in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“go no sen”</i> strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drawback of this type of defense is that you are still betting on your superior speed, timing and technical ability against your opponent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On those occasions when you meet up with a superior opponent you will quickly see your ideas of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“tai no sen”</i> strategy revert back to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“go no sen”</i> strategy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The final strategy of harmonizing with your opponent is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“sen no sen,”</i> which could be translated as “pre-emptive strike” or “advance attack”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Do”</i> of “karate-do” suggests, we have a moral obligation to use our art as a defensive art and not as an aggressive attacking art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Master Gichin Funakoshi echoed this sentiment with his precept of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“karate ni sentenashi”</i>, which is very often translated as “there is no first attack in karate”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite frankly speaking though, would you stand still if someone drew a knife against your child and wait for them to strike first?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you wait for someone who was cursing at the top of their lungs at your wife to take the first shot before you reacted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you allow someone with a broken bottle to take a swing at your face?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the actions of your opponent require immediate action on your part without any thought or second doubts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is at this point that you are able to “read” your opponent and sense their ill-advised intentions and react both pre-emptively and appropriately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“sen no sen”.</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So back in the dojo this is characterized by that moment between two opponents when one is about to strike but the attack hasn’t yet happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This moment is sometimes referred to as “the gap” between intention and action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your job is to utilize <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“yomi”</i> (reading of your opponent) and take decisive and immediate action before your opponent is able to follow through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If done correctly it really doesn’t matter what precise techniques you use because if you deliver them in the split second of opportunity, your opponent will be completely overwhelmed and defeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This type of attack relies heavily on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ikken hissatsu”</i> (one strike, end of story) philosophy that is so often romanticized in our beloved karate legends, but as always you could add several additional counter strikes to make sure the job is done properly!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When you have all of the above defensive strategies in your kumite arsenal you are on the way to being able to fully harmonize with your opponent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again your ultimate goal is to avoid potentially harmful conflicts as much as possible but in the times when decisive action is necessary, your kumite drills should reappear as naturally as your knee-jerk reactions of bowing to your sensei, saying <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“osu”</i> in class, or yelling out your <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“kiai”</i> at the climax of your kata performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference is that your well-honed kumite reactions might just save your life!</div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046547060859765338.post-8207617719918347872010-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:002010-10-01T12:41:36.399-07:00The Holy Cow of Japan<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I lived in Japan for three years from 1996 to 1999. During this time I worked as an assistant English teacher. From time to time I encountered several trying circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This article tells one such story.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was on one of those beautiful but cool October mornings that had been brightening up my usually dull and uninteresting journeys to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mood that morning, however, could not be improved by the great weather as I’d woken up to find myself lost in a miserable cold which had rapidly been developing the day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting astride my “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mama-chari”</i> (a rather nice Japanese term for describing the piece of crap bike that I used to get to work and go grocery shopping each week) I was feeling a little bit rattier than usual at this early hour of the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so it was I set off on my 25 minute journey to work.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I’m sure every newcomer to Japan has noticed, and every long-term resident for that matter, the roads are a little on the narrow side to say the least, so it should be pretty obvious to everyone that anything with four wheels that is bigger and heavier than one person and a bike should be treated with respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it was not the cars, the trucks, or the motorbikes that were the main danger, not even the fellow cyclists (although I did see several “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kamikaze”</i> maneuvers during the first few months after arriving in Japan and I have to admit that I was guilty of a couple myself).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, the main threat posed to the personal safety and sanity of a cyclist was most certainly Mr. Joe Pedestrian!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This person could without any obvious effort on his part reduce the poor unsuspecting cyclist to a heap of metal, spokes and limbs on the ground, or to a raging, sweating, nervous wreck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way the cyclist felt a certain personal grievance and Mr. Joe Pedestrian just kept on walking, oblivious to the physical or mental damage he may have just caused.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those of you who would like a clearer picture of what Joe Pedestrian was actually like, let me give you a brief rundown of his main characteristics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most often encountered between the hours of seven and nine in the morning and anytime from five in the evening to around midnight, Joe Pedestrian was usually dressed in a dark blue or grey suit with briefcase in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Optional extras included an umbrella, a newspaper, manga (a Japanese comic - yes Japanese adults read comics!!), a cigarette and bloodshot eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this of course sounds fairly innocent, except for the manga perhaps, so how could such an ordinary sounding person be of any danger to the average cyclist?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well if you consider that this person probably didn’t get home from work until about ten or eleven the night before after making his way home via the local <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“izakaya”</i> (bar/tavern) and that after getting up at around six in the morning and forcing down breakfast, he probably had quite a hangover from the beer and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sake</i> he was made to gulp down, it’s hardly any wonder that his mind was in quite a fuzzy state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what happened next?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our man Joe would leave his house with one thought on his mind – I mustn’t be late for work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if he was late of course, he would have just put a black mark on all the good effort he made in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">izakaya</i> the night before towards improving relations with his supervisor and colleagues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he would leave his house and head towards the station at a fairly brisk pace – nothing would stop him!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is where I came in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not averse to a late night trip to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">izakaya</i> myself trying to improve my relations with my own work colleagues, I had been known (on very rare occasions I must stress) to be in a similar state of fuzziness to our friend Joe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only difference was that the thought of being squashed between a large truck and the scooter that was trying to squeeze through the one foot gap between my bike and the curb was a very sobering one, and therefore I woke up very soon after leaving my apartment.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Very aware of the dangers and obstacles that faced me on my hazardous journey to school, I still never failed to be shocked and surprised by the sheer lack of awareness of that man Joe, and I’m sorry to say that in those moments the beautiful English language that I was supposed to be teaching escaped me and instead my very worst gutter language came into action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness my mother couldn't hear me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But do you know what happened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My curses and screeching of brakes did not even register in robotic Joe and he just kept on walking right past me, in front of me, or anywhere that was in my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, he mustn’t be late – nothing would stop him!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And do you know what was ironic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That same person, who would not even utter the slightest hint of a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“sumimasen</i>” (sorry) after nearly making me pile my bike and myself into a telegraph pole, would be apologizing profusely in the office for the slightest infraction into my line of path on my way from my desk to the fax machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It was</span> madness!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or was it just me?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So to bring this rant to an end on a slightly more serious note, if you ride your bike to work in Japan and know what I’m talking about please take care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you need to do is get up a little earlier so you can leave for work a little earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easier said than done, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it would have been much easier to get up in the morning if the apartment that I lived in had some insulation, which brings me to another point…</span></span></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10542321688484065481noreply@blogger.com2