alex karanja

Hi, I'm very keen on learning martial arts - problem is that i can't seem to find any in nairobi, kenya. Any solutions to this?

Alex,

Thank you for your email - perhaps Shotokan Karate Nairobi can help you. Their contact information is Valentine valentine@kenya247.com - good luck in your search.

Peter

robenson dorvil

Happy new year!

robenson Dorvil

Hi Peter,
I hope everything is fine for you. It's been a silent period since we do not communicate. I wish all is doing well in Canada with you and students and family. Let's keep on touch!
In the spirit of Budo!
Dorvil Robenson, Sensei, Osu!

Manish kumar

Manish kumar Delhi Just like to thank the instructors at the recent squad training Sensei for some brilliant tuition! Kata being taught by Sensei Peter Hill was fantastic...amazing knowledge but not a surprise coming from one of the Academy's leading instructors, I really wished I had this opportunity when www.karateindia.org

john casterline

HELLO I HOSTED THE 1ST SEMBACH KARATE TOURAMENT
AT SEMBACH AB GERMANY I TRAINED AND TAUGHT WITH
EARL ROBIN ANYONE HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH HIM THIS
WAS ALL IN 66/67

Shanthosh

Dear sir,
I learned karate for a period of 2 years under the guidance of Sensai Dhanush, who is a student of Renshi.Pradeep Jose, Chief Technical Director, Kensu kai karate do federation. But then, due to unavoidable reasons, i left practicing it for the past 3 years.I am holding a 0Dan Black Belt.Now i am eager to restart my career, but i was unable to reach my master.Please help me in finding him.Or please suggest any good training centers in Coimbatore.

With Regards,
G.Shanthosh

Lamu

I came across this website while searching for information regarding Karate in Kenya. Very informative and many thanks for the very helpful information.
I am looking for information that would point me to a JKA approved shotokan dojo in Kenya. Would you be in a position to point me to that direction?

Thank you, Lamu

REPLY:

Lamu,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my site - I do appreciate it.

You may want to contact the following JKA representative in Kenya:

KENYA Japan Karate Association of Kenya
Chairman George Warambo
Secretary Jayson Kibe
1st Flr, Consolodated Bank Hse.
Koinange Street
P.O.Box 1985-00100 Nairobi, Kenya
TEL: [+254] 20-2014241
TEL: [+254] 20-3539129
FAX: [+254] 20-214380
jka_kenya@yahoo.com

I hope this is helpful – all the best.

Sincerely,

Peter

Philip Newton Sensei

True to tradition great web site and tribute to a true Master.

REPLY:

Sensei Newton,

Thank you for your email I am always pleased to hear from a fellow teacher.

I visited your web site and enjoyed reading about the history of your dojo, the photos of your students are a clear indication that they enjoy and are enthusiastic about their chosen style.

Continued success to you and all your students.

Sincerely,

Peter

kendal

i think your website is very informative I am curious about the various arts of karate and choosing the one that suits me best I learned a lot.

REPLY:

Kendal,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site and for your very kinds comments I do appreciate it.

I hope that you find a style of martial art that suits you – good luck in your search.

Sincerely,

Peter

Tom Larmondra

You are so on target with your articles on kata, bunkai, etc....
I am 64 years old and have been training and teaching shotokan for some time now. I constantly stress the value of kata and bunkai to my students - Kihon, Kata, and Kumite are the fundamental and consistant components of our art throughout the world. I have been priviledged to train with several of the JKA masters and they maintain the integrity of Funakoshi Sensei's teaching. It is refreshing and encouraging to read the strength of your dedication and committment to keep shotokan pure. Your website is thoughtfully put together with some really powerful information. I applaud your efforts and proud to call you a fellow shotokan instructor and karate-ka... May God continue to bless your teaching, your dojo, students and fellow sensei.

REPLY:

Tom,

Thank you so much for your email and for the very kind comments that you left in my guest book regarding the articles on my Shotokan web site - I do appreciate all that you have said.

Like you I am over 60 – in fact 61 to be precise and as of this coming January 11th I will celebrate my 33rd anniversary as a “student for life” in the art of Shotokan karate-do. I credit karate-do for so many things in my life and one of them is having the opportunity to meet, or correspond, with so many of my fellow karate-ka of all ages and from all parts of the world. We are truly a global community of like minded, if not always identically minded, individuals – I suppose much like any other large family.

If your dojo has a web site please be sure and send me the link so that I may visit it – in the meantime your thoughts and your comments are always welcome be they of a positive nature or of the variety that may be construed as constructive criticism – as you know both are always helpful.

In closing I would like to take this opportunity to offer you and your fellow students my very best wishes for the upcoming Christmas holiday season and the coming New Year.

Sincerely,

Peter

PAUL SEITZ

HELLO, I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR WEB PAGE, BUT I AM CURIOUS WHY SENSEI KISAKA IS NOT INCLUDED. HE IS A PEER OF ALL THOSE ON YOUR PAGE AND AN OUTSTANDING TEACHER.

REPLY:

Paul,

Thank you for your email I always enjoy hearing from a fellow karate-ka and sharing points of view.

First, let me say that I am personally unfamiliar with Sensei Kisaka and while he may be an outstanding teacher as you infer, the sensei’s that I feature on my web page are all current, or former heads of a major international karate organization, all of who have travelled extensively to teach and are therefore known throughout the world.

Secondly, I for one would be hard pressed to find a peer to those listed here, but that is my opinion and in turn I respect your thoughts and opinions should you choose to disagree, but let us at least agree on one thing and that we are both truly fortunate to have found a sensei we can respect and follow as we continue our life long journey down the karate road.

Sincerely,

Peter

Robenson dorvil

Hi Peter Sensei, Osu!
I hope everything is great and you whole family is doing find. I have a new schol in LA, California but only the beginning here you know after the earthquake i lost a lot of students in Haiti and family mambers, and life is still sound great for us survivers...I wish you all the best. May God bless yopu!
Dorvil Sensei Osu!

REPLY:

Dorvil Sensei,

Thank you for your email I was pleased to hear from you once again and to learn that you are now in California.

As I have not heard from you for some time I often wondered how you, your family and your many students made out during the tragic earthquake in your homeland and I am sorry to hear of your loss.

Do keep in touch and I wish you all the best with your new dojo and your new life in the U.S.A.

Peter

al batican

Dear Sensie Peter,

good day to you, my family is now applying for immigration to canada and 3 of 5 my children are practcing shotokan karate at aak (association for the advancement of karatedo) dojo here in manila. and this one of my consideration in choosing a place to settle aside from the occupation where we can be employable. just in case, what are the cost of memebership and dues involve. the children would be glad to continue the arts and joins tournaments were they are also a consistent medalist both kata and kumite. hope yu can share your thoughts and views. thank you

al

REPLY:

Al,

Thank you for your email. The cost of membership will vary from dojo to dojo as I am sure you can appreciate.

If you do immigrate to Canada you may want to visit several dojos in your new city to get an idea of the various costs and what is included with the membership before joining. You may also want to talk with students and parents as well as the instructor, to help determine if the dojo is right for you and your children.

Peter

Rex I. De Silva

Great site very interesting. You are performing a valuble service to Karate and the Martial Arts.

Rex De Silva (Kudan)
Chief Instructor,
Colombo Karate Seinin Kai

REPLY:

Sensei De Silva,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site and for your very kinds comments I do appreciate it, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow instructor.

I visited your web site after receiving your email and I found it to be most interesting since it covered a wide range of topics. The section on sea birds was of particular interest since I live in a city that is surrounded by water on three sides.

Please do visit often and I wish you continued success with your writing and with your dojo - all my best to you and your students.

Sincerely,

Peter

Gerald A. Giggey

I have been studying since May 2009. I have just breceived my Green Belt for my efforts. Sensei Cub Lewis studied under Master Kennith Funakoshi. Great syle and conditioning.
After my heart attack in June 23, 2006, my Cardiologist said I needed more exorcise. After about a year in training, my last test indicated a "markedly above average" according to him.

REPLY:

Gerald,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site and for leaving your comments I do appreciate it.

My congratulations to you on achieving your green belt and on your improved physical conditioning. It is always rewarding to hear about the benefits that Shotokan karate brings to a student’s life and I wish you continued success in the future as you journey further down the Shotokan road.

If your dojo has a web site please send me the web address, in the meantime I would like to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to Sensei Lewis and to your fellow students – good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

Chito

Hello,
I read your definition of Dojo Kun. Will please permit me to use it as a reference to our students in our martial arts class? I will of course refer it back to your website here.

Thank you,
Chito

REPLY:

Sensei Chito,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site and for asking for permission to use the dojo kun section of my web site as a reference for your students.

You do indeed have my permission to use this material and please let me know if your students find the material informative. Do visit often and I wish you continued success with your dojo and all my best to you and your students.

Sincerely,

Peter

Master Laboy

if anyone knows an instuctor by the name of Hatim Hassan...He is from Harrisburg Pennsylvania can you please forward me any information on him or his schools.
Thank you
Master Laboy

David Rigby

Only just a brief look at your site just before class, will visit again later after classes tonight. I like the information you have provided for your students.

REPLY:

Sensei Rigby,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site and for your comments I do appreciate it, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow instructor.

I visited your web site this evening and I particularly liked the layout and the opening page with the Torii arch and Mount Fuji in the background – well done. By the way I did notice, however, that when I clicked on the three links in the photo gallery section of your web site I received a notice stating that the links were broken, perhaps you are updating these pages, but nevertheless I wanted to point that out.

Please do visit often and I wish you continued success with your dojo and all my best to you and your students.

Sincerely,

Peter

Sensei Shiv Panchal

Dear Sensei

osu

This is Sensei Shiv Panchal from India, i m Chief Instructor of International Shotokan Karate Federation of India.I visit urs web today, It is very nice n helpfull to promote Karate Do.I will be happy to share my Karate with urs organisation, If U ve any opportunity plz. mail me at my e-mail.

Domo Arrigatou

Sensei Shiv Panchal
www.iskfindia.com
Cell no =+91-9812429009

REPLY:

Sensei Panchal,

Thank you for your email and for visiting my Shotokan web site, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow karate-ka.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you and all of your fellow students, my best wishes and my hope that your journey down the karate road will be a lifelong one – good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

Deolal

I have been wanting to contact David Ballasone for a few years now. Do you have a way to contact him? I also studied with him in the late '80 and early '90 in ROchester NY.

Let me know if you have contact informationf or him or if you want to give it to me.

Deolal

REPLY:

Deolal,

Sorry but I am unfamiliar with David Ballasone.

Peter

jay

Dear sir,

My name is jay,i am 25yrs old and situated in mombasa,kenya,i want to learn karate,but i dont know of any dojo's around me,i went through one of your posts and you helped someone with our fska affialiate email address,if you could please email this address so i can find a place to learn.
thanks
jay

REPLY:

Jay,

I came across this email address for Sensei Peter Ochieng, Secretary General Ufak Zone 5 / KKF Nairobi Branch / Fska Kenya

damkarateboys@yahoo.com

This phone number came to me from an outside source so I can not verify one way or the other if this is the correct phone number Tel # +254 722655661

Good luck in your search for a dojo.

Sincerely,

Peter

AYANANGSHU SAHA

Hi, PETER,
Hope you r doing well.I am willing to take up karate.But,I want to know some thing.You know, in many sites i have read people saying that to fight in real life situations, or in street fights karate is useless.They suggest aikido, tae kon do , or wrestiling, boxing.Is it true?If it is true then why should I learn karate if my main purpose to learn a martial art is for self defense?

REPLY:

Ayanangshu Saha,

Thank you for your email I am pleased to hear that you are interested in studying karate, over the years I have found it to be an excellent system for personal development on both a physical and mental level.

As for street fighting I do not believe that any particular martial art can claim that it is the most ideal method no matter what the ads you read have to say. In any real fight the skill of the winner and their physical ability to defend themselves will usually determine the outcome regardless of whether they study have been studying, boxing, Aikido, Taekwondo, or for that matter a particular style of karate.

All of the martial arts you mentioned have their own merits and they are all worthy of study, I hope you find a style that fits you the best and that you never have to use your training and your new found skill outside of the dojo.

Sincerely,

Peter

Stitchit

I noticed some posts from Ft.St.John, BC. I will be relocating there in the next couple of months and will be looking for a place to train. Any suggestions from anyone? Thks

REPLY:

If anyone has any suggestions please contact the karateka at the above email - thank you.

Peter

bhavik

i know 26 Kata name. but i heard that more than 26 other Kata there are. so please can u tell me all Kata name.
thank you.

REPLY:

Bhavik,

I presume that you are referring specifically to Shotokan katas, in which case there are 26 katas, plus three Taikyoku katas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taikyoku that together make up the Shotokan syllabus and that are practiced in most traditional Shotokan dojos. Many other different katas exist of course in other styles of karate and these can be sourced on the internet if you are interested.

I hope this answers your question to your satisfaction – good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

Robenson Dorvil

Hi Peter,Osu!
I hope tihs mail finds in good health and your all family is doing well. I'm in California and hope to hear from you. We have to talk in a couple days because it's been a while we didn't talk and i wish you all the best.

REPLY:

Robenson,

Thank you for the email it is good to hear from you once again, I hope you are enjoying your time in California.

Up here in Canada we have had a very good year and we are currently looking forward to the opening of our new dojo in about three weeks time. Please do keep in touch whenever you have the opportunity – in the meantime all the very best to you and your students for the coming New Year.

Peter

I was instructed by David Balassone in the mid 80s

David Pope

S Funakoshi, Shihan Hirano passed away on October 1,2009. Please excuse the delay.
David Pope, Sensei(JIKC)

REPLY:

Sensei Pope,

Thank you for your email - please accept my condolances on the passing of your Founder, Shihan Hirano.

Peter

Alan

I recently recieved a leaflet advertising Karate under Sensei Saulius Puida, and was quite interested. I have cerebral palsy and i'm currently studying Aikido. I've trained in Shotokan before, but quit due to the difficult kicks, hence the interest in Aikido. I was wondering if I started training again, would there be any chance of private lessons?

REPLY:

Alan,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my karate web site and for leaving your comments I do appreciate it.

I am unfamiliar with the instructor you mentioned or their dojos policy on such matters, but for the most part private lessons in most dojos are usually at the instructor’s sole discretion either with the instructor or with an appropriately ranked student assigned to the task, every dojo is different.

There is often a cost associated with such instruction as the lessons take place for the most part outside of normal class hours, as such you might want to discuss the matter of cost before making any commitment.

I wish you every success in your training.

Sincerely,

Peter

goldwin

I just started attending shotokan karate here in pangasinan, philippines, at first I hate it, because i really don't know what to do first, and I've been discourage by our place for practicing our katas, its very dirty.. but as go on.. everythings change.. i really like it, even when I'm 19 years of age, I'm a white belt student.. I really hope that because of this.. i will change a lot more.

REPLY:

Owen,

Thank you for your email I am pleased to hear that you are enjoying your karate training.

You will be pleased to know that everyone struggles with kata, not just white belts. Every new kata you learn as you rise up the belt ranks brings with it a new set of challenges and often the need for a new way of thinking. The thing that I like most about kata is that the learning process is never ending, even if you think you know a kata you must constantly practice it and in doing so you will always learn something new about the kata and about yourself.

I hope that you will continue with your training for many years to come and I extend my best wishes to you, your sensei, and to all of your fellow students.

Sincerely,

Peter

Gamini Soysa

We are teaching traditional Okinawan Karate and Kobudo since 1974 in Sri Lanka and India. Beside for sports karate practioners Renbukai (bogu karate)classes daily at our dojo, free lessons on Sunday. Instructor-Gamini Soysa, 8th dan Okinawan shorin ryu 7th dan, Japanese Renbukai( 40 yrs teaching experience, USA,Sri Lanka & India)

REPLY;

Sensei Soysa,

Thank you for visiting my Shotokan web site and for leaving your comments.

I am pleased to learn that Okinawan Kobudo is also being studied in Sri Lanka as well as in India. I have visited your web site and I enjoyed the many photos you have posted there, I wish you continued success in your efforts to promote both of these martial arts in your country.

Peter

Rob Ingram

Hey Peter:
Just a heads up that we are hosting a Shotokan Tournament at the Hollyburn Club in North Van on October 10th. There will be kata, ippon shobu kumite, team kata, and a weapons division. I'll send you a registration package as soon as I get them finished. Hope to see you there. Oh, and send me an e-mail address please.
Rob Ingram

REPLY:

Sensei Rob,

Thank you for the email it is good to hear from you, I understand that you were recently here on the island to do some kobudo training at Sensei Nicholson’s dojo. As you know he is a great source of knowledge having been Sensei Tamayose’s student for a great many years so I know you were in good hands. As I understand it he is the only Canadian ever to have graded under Sensei Tamayose for Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, and Yondan since the Tesshinkan was formed so I am sure you learnt lots.

Please do send along the tournament package at your convenience, my personal email address is peterb@vreb.bc.ca - take care and good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

Kev Nolan

Oss Sensei Lindsay

Just a short note to thank you for your earlier words of encouragement and to let you know that I passed my 7th Kyu grading! I was so pleased, as I did have difficulty in the Kata as mentioned. This feeling of passing was better than getting my first belt. My sensei has been very patient! He and our karate ka extend our best wishes to you and yours.

Oss and Rei.

Kev

REPLY:

Kev,

Congratulations on passing your exam, from your attitude I am confident that your new rank is the first of many yet to come.

As for having a problem with your kata during your test it is important to remember that mistakes are inevitable, not only during a grading, but also in life. It is how you respond and how you deal with your moments of uncertainty and stress in any given situation that helps to shape and define you as a person. After all our mistakes are life’s way of gently teaching us and at the same time helping us to grow as individuals, the trick of course is not to repeat the same mistake over and over again, which is why your sensei will undoubtedly stress to you and your fellow students the benefits of proper practice and the development of good basics and good habits.

If your dojo has a web site please send me the address, do keep in touch and let me know who you are progressing – in the meantime all the best.

Sincerely,

Peter

NIKHIL

i m vry deeply obliqued that we have a great talent in India but we re having lack of services or we can say a huge lack of finance in India but still i like that many of us are very muck keen in going martial arts infact i am also a black belt holder in karate

THANK YOU

REPLY:

Nikhil,

Thank you for your email I do appreciate it. I am well aware from the many letters that I receive from martial artists in India that karate is doing well in your country and it continues to grow.

Finacing remains a major factor in the development of any organized activity and karate is no exception. I wish you and your dojo every success in the years to come.

Sincerely,

Peter

Jason Parker

Hello Sensei. I enjoy the information on your site every time I visit. I am a first kyu shotokan student and am glad to see that there are other students who started late like me. I am currently thirty-eight years old. I too had trouble with Heian Nidan. I think it was the hardest kata for me to learn and still gives me occasional trouble if I haven't performed it for a while. Visualization helped immensely to overcome difficulties learning this and other katas. Keep up the good work with your website and I will look you up if my family and I come to Vancouver Island.

REPLY:

Jason,

Thank you for your email and for your very kind comments which I do appreciate.

As a Shotokan stylist and someone who started karate at the ripe old age of twenty-nine I have struggled with all of the kata at one point or another and even today after so many years of practice I recognize that there is still so much for me to learn. If you ever find yourself in the Greater Victoria area I would welcome the opportunity to train with you - in the meantime I extend my best wishes to you, your sensei and all of your fellow students.

Sincerely,

Peter

Doug Turner

Thanks for the information on counting. We are in a GED class but one of the students is studying Japanese. The answers to our times table flash cards will be in Japanese.

I have heard of "kuku" or 9-9, a series of phrases Japanese elementary school students use to master the times tables. Can you tell us where to find these phrases? Thanks,
Doug Turner or dturner@amadorcoe.k12.ca.us

REPLY:

Doug,

Thank you for the email - I am pleased that you found the counting page helpful. I am unfamiliar with the 9-9 series of phrases that you refer to but if I come across any information in that regard I will forward it to you - all the best.

Peter

Richard Buller

Sensei,

I arrive in Washington on 27 August to visit my son for two weeks. It would be an honour to train with you during my visit. Is this possible? I am a member of Souths Notts Shotokan Karate Club and my Sensei is Rob Manning. I have attained 8th Kyu, having started Karate at 57 years of age.

Regards,
Richard Buller

REPLY:

Richard,

Thank you for your email I am very pleased to hear from you and my congratulations to you on beginning your karate journey at the age of 57, that is terrific.

While you would be most welcome to train at our dojo during your visit I suspect that the distance between our location and your son’s home in Washington will probably preclude this happening. If you are visiting Washington state you will be south of our location and in the USA, as opposed to Canada where we are located. If you do plan on making a cross border visit to Canada we are in the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island and can be reached by car and or ferry from Seattle.

If you do plan on making a visit to British Columbia let please let me know and we can make arrangements for you to train with us. In closing please extend my regards to Sensei Manning and your fellow students, I hope that we will have the opportunity to train together - in the meantime all the best.

Sincerely,

Peter

jenishmange

KARATE IS A WAY OF LIFE DONT THINK AS A SPORT .I BOW TOWARDS THE LEGEND KARATE MASTERS AND TOWARDS MY SENSEI UDAY KURDEKAR

REPLY,

Jenishmange,

Thank you for your email I do appreciate it.

While I agree with you that karate can indeed be a way of life I also understand that sport karate is partly responsible for spreading the popularity of karate around the world. While sport karate has its place it should never be confused with traditional karate and all the benefits that it has to offer - good training.

Peter

Kev Nolan

Rei Sensei Lindsay

Thank you for your web site. I have not been doing Shotokan Karate for too long, having just graded for my 8th Kyu and going for my 7th. I am a bit late getting into Karate as I am now 42!

Nevertheless, your site have been a great wealth of information and compliments the support from my own Sensei. As a total novice, even simple/basic information such as counting has been helpful to me.

Still having trouble with Heian Neidan, but we will get there!

Thank you once again and keep up the great work.

Kev

REPLY:

Kev,

Thank you for your email and for your very kind words, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow karate-ka. As for being age 42, I have always felt that it is never too late to start learning karate, since karate has SO many benefits for people of all ages.

With regards to Heian Nidan, even students holding a Dan rank can always find something in this kata to remind them of its complexity and the need for continual study. No student should ever take this kata for granted simply because they have managed to memorize the embusen of pattern. Did you know that Heian Nidan was originally taught to students as the first Heian kata, with the present kata, Heian Shodan, being taught second. The complexity of Heian Nidan, however, posed many problems for beginners who found the kata very difficult and so the order in which Heian Nidan and Heian Shodan were taught was subsequently changed to be what we have today.

I would like to extend to you, your sensei and all of your fellow students, my best wishes, if your dojo has a web site please be sure and send me the web address - good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

Sensei Buddy Legnon

Oss! Greetings to you Lindsay sensei!
My name is Buddy Legnon (Godan) and I am writing to you just to give you a big thumbs up for your site! It is a great resource of mine when directing interested parties to the world of Shotokan.
I dont have my own website in regards to my training. Buy why would I with such great sites out there that already exist, like yours!

Do you sell your school t-shirts?
Would you be intrested in a Shirt for Shirt trade with me? I have new school shirts and I think they are great. I like to collect tshirts from other schools as I travel, but BC is not a place I will be going anytime soon.

Take Care and Good Wishes to you!
Yours in the Arts,
Buddy Legnon

REPLY:

Sensei Legnon,

Thank you for your email and for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow karate-ka and I am glad that you found something of interest on my site.

Please visit often, your thoughts and comments are always welcome, in the meantime I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you and all of your fellow students, my best wishes - remember – “always train as if it is your last day in the dojo, for one day it will be” – good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

Chaudhary Mudassir

OSS,
Sensei. i am very happy to see your wonderful web site and i get so much information about karate which i have needed from the past so many years...

well i belongs to Pakistan and i am also shotokan shodan black best and under training of My Nidan Black belt test...

But Sensei i want more information in the form of CDs....in which i would see all Shotokan katas and kumite traning for my Nidan test...
i hope you will help me in this regard...
and i will wait for your E-mail...
yours FaithFully
Ch.Mudassir

REPLY:

Chaudhary,

Thank you for your email, for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site, and for passing on to me your dojos web address.

In reply I would suggest to you that while video tapes and CD’s can be helpful it is very important I am confident that as someone who is training for their Ni Dan exam you are already aware that the nearest and best sources of the information you seek is your own sensei.

Today the internet provides a wide range of videos on kihon, kumite, kata and bunkai, however what you will find on the internet being performed by other students and instructors may not always be in accordance with the beliefs and methodology of your own sensei. By all means look around for other points of view and training methods, but in the end make sure that what you discover fits in with the teachings methods of your sensei who has given you so much of his time and expertise.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you, your sensei, and to all of your fellow students my best wishes – good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

christine erlinger

Sensei Lindsay, Once again i have been challenged to prove that an ura-zuki exist in Shotokan kata. This time the challenge takes me to Tekki Shodan. I thought it was after the hook punch and middle block. I thought the series was much like that of the one in Jion. Can you please clear the confusion in this kata. Thank you as always for you knowledge. To share knowledge is a wonderful act and will ensure future generations are able to carry on the shotokan way. thanks and rei christine erlinger

REPLY:

Christine,

Thank you for your email – your questions are always interesting.

As you probably know an Ura zuki is essentially a forward punch with the palm facing upward, it is also known in some styles as shita zuki or, an inverted punch. You stated in your email - ”Once again I have been challenged to prove that an ura-zuki exist in Shotokan kata.” The problem with trying to prove that a specific move exists is that some movements in kata are “hidden movements” by that I mean that their potential purpose is not always meant to be clearly visible or understood by watching someone perform a kata. Instead these movements are performed subtly and without fanfare, often only beginning to reveal their underlying possibilities when the student has practiced and explored the kata for a considerable length of time.

In Tekki Sandan as you stated, you first perform the mawashi zuki, or hook punch, then this is followed by stepping across and performing either and hidari uchi uke (inside outward block) or an urakan (back fist) depending on what a student has been taught by their sensei. It is at this point that you would then simply reach forward with your left arm while loading your right fist and then perform a migi jodan uraken or right back first.

The “hidden movements” are most often only revealed when performing the katas bunkai or in a demonstration when you might chose to reveal a possible purpose, or meaning for a specific movement, or technique found in the kata. This is where after performing the hidari uchi uke, or an urakan, you could demonstrate that an ura zuki, or inverted forward punch would fit in as part of a bunkai by punching forward to your opponents chin for example, prior to then following up with the migi jodan uraken.

As you can see it is very important to remember that in karate not all things are meant to be seen - or for that matter proven. I hope that this explanation helps you in some way, I wish you continued success in with your.

Sincerely,

Peter

Jeron Tarpley

i like the website. its nice to have something organized and easy to understand... thankyou. i am a practicioner of the huntsville school of karate.

Jeron -

REPLY:

Jeron,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my web site and for your comments, I am pleased that you found it to your liking.

All the best to you, your sensei and your fellow students.

Peter

Lloyd Madronero

Pax Christi,

Good Morning sir. I am A practitioner of the same art My shihan died two years ago and along with him our club died. All Other clubs are so on to money than training. I want to train well so i can able to attain true karate discipline. I have stop for 3 years and have not followed my dujo kun since i stoped. I want to train some children in our hometown hope with your healp we could build a organization here in Cagayan de Oro, Phillipnes, I trust your organization is well favored hop you can help us. thank you. God Bless More Power

REPLY:

Lloyd,

Thank you for your email, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow Shotokan karate-ka.

Our affiliation is with Shihan Funakoshi in the USA and I am not aware of an FSKA dojo in your area, you may want to try and contact the Philippine branch of the ISKF at http://www.iskf.ph/ .

In regards to your comment about fees for training it is important to remember that while not every instructor is interested only in money the cost of operating any dojo can be considerable and as such it is only natural that membership and other fees are often charged.

Good luck in your search for an qualified instructor and organization in your area – all the best.

Sincerely,

Peter

Jimmy B

Sensei Lindsay,

I have studied Shotokan Karate-Do in the past, my own Sensei has since retired. I am a disabled veteran with a desire mentally to complete my training, but the physical part of me has some doubts. I have purchased materials and searched the web for way to complete the trsining or get advice from others such as yourself. I want your opinion on what would be the best way to complete my training on a self taugh basis? Or is that even possible. I went 5 years in Shotokan Karate-Do, and lost my job some time ago and was unable financially to pay for any further training. I have medical disibilities that prevent me from performing some of the kata's but I do my best to attempt to achive my goal. I want to become a black belt, I was only months away when I was layed of my job then. I am retired now and have a fixed income and nothing but time on my hands. Thank You Sensei Lindsay for you time. J.B. Ridgecrest, CA.

REPLY:

Jimmy,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my karate web site and for your email, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow Shotokan karate-ka.

I have trained in the past and still do today with students who have disabilities of one kind or another. One of the things that they all seem to have in common is a desire to learn, to grow and to continue their karate training for as long as possible, in spite of their own personal limitations. As such I understand and admire your own desire to continue your training and to perhaps one day obtain a Dan ranking.

Since your previous instructor has retired I would encourage you to try and find another instructor in your area, since I have always believed that any students continued progress is best accomplished under the guidance of a qualified sensei. Even today after more than 30 years I still look to my own teacher whenever possible for knowledge, guidance and technical correction and I am always rewarded with new insights and a clearer understanding of the ways in which I too can improve.

You may have considered this already, but have you thought of enquiring to see if your veterans association, your medical plan, or some other government agency can be of assistance in deferring some, or all of the cost of a dojo membership, perhaps as part of any rehabilitation program given the fact that you are a veteran?

In closing I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you my best wishes and I hope that you do indeed find a means of continuing your journey down the karate road.

Sincerely,

Peter

crissy e

Sensei Lindsay, recently I have been studying Jion. It is not clear to me if the movements after the x block above the head are indeed uraken followed by an urazuki. In my reading materials Best karate series by Nakayama, and in 25 Shotokan Kata by Sugiyama it states urazuki. But when reviewing video it is not as easily seen. Is there indeed urazuki in Jion? Please help if you can. I would love any other ideas for reference materials on this question.thank you for any help you can offer. Christine

REPLY:

Christine,

Thank you for your email and taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow karate-ka. As for your question regarding the kata, Jion, I think it is an excellent one and I offer you the following thoughts and comments from my own experience and my point of view.

There are several approaches to this combination of techniques and as I am sure you will appreciate the approach that you or I are taught will most often flow from what was taught to our respective sensei s. Having said that I teach was taught this series of movements as follows:

- after the jodan juji-uke ,or as it is commonly referred to, the X block, the left hand becomes a jodan age-uke, while the right hand performs jodan uraken,
- this is then followed by the right hand performing jodan nagashi-uke, while the left hand performs jodan zuki-uke,
- then this is followed again by another right jodan uraken
- end of technique.

Another approach to this series of movements using ura-zuki as you mentioned can be found in an excellent book by two well known British karate-ka, Aidan Trimble and Vince Morris. The book is called “Karate Kata and Applications, Volume 2”. I am not sure if the book is still currently available in print as new so you may have to look for it second hand on line , but I consider it a very good reference for both kata and bunkai applications. In their book they describe the Jion series as follows:

- after the jodan juji-uke, or as it is commonly referred to, the X block, the left hand becomes jodan age-uke, while the right hand performs ura-zuki,
- then this is followed by the right hand performing jodan nagashi-uke, while the left hand performs chudan zuki-uke,
- then this is followed by right jodan ura-zuki
- end of technique.


As you can see my approach and their approach is similar, but not identical, yet both work within the pattern and the rhythm of the kata. In the end what I believe is important is that you treat this entire series of movements from start to finish, as one thought. No breaks, no stops, or pauses. Just one complete movement.

I hope this helps you in some way, thank you again for writing me, if your dojo has a web site please let me know, in the meantime please extend my best wishes to your sensei and to all of your fellow students, I hope that your journey down the karate road will be for a lifetime - good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

Hayley

Oss,
Im Hayley-Marie and i am a karate-ka student of the Red Scorpion Dojo. Karate is my life and i some day hope to be a sensei to my own dojo. I know this will take time and so much effort but in the end it will all be worth it to see how i can show others and teach others the way aof shotokan karate-do.

My sensei, sensei Godard, is one of idols and i strive to be as dedicated as he is. He has recently involed our dojo in many seminars, taken by Sensei Otis. Probably the highlights of my karate. Along with training with Senisei Kanazawa.

I want to thank you for your site. it has helped me understand alot more about shotokan karate and i deffinately would refer any one interested in learning more to check it out.

Ive recently graded for my green belt by Sensei Otis and was invited to our dojos 'elite' black belt club. So im very happy to be a part of karate in every aspect. at the age of 16 i am very confident about mose things, taking part in compeitions has been a great help in this.

please accept my great thanks and best wishes for the long journey that is still ahead.....

oss,
Hayley-Marie

REPLY:

Hayley-Marie,

Thank you for your email and my congratulations to you on obtaining your green belt from Sensei Otis and for being accepted into your dojos black belt club. I visited your dojos web site this evening it looks great, I particularly enjoyed the photographs of the various seminars in the gallery section, it looks like all of the students and instructors had a great time.

I am very pleased to learn that you found something of interest on my web site that the information was helpful to you, please visit often and your thoughts and comments are always welcome. You may also wish to visit our dojos web site at http://www.olsonsmartialarts.ca/ . Listen to your sensei, train hard, practice with sincerity, and always be supportive of your fellow students and their efforts, but I think you know this already.

Do keep in touch and let me know how you are progressing - in the meantime my best wishes to you, to Sensei Godard, and to all of your fellow students.

Sincerely,

Peter

Jim

Just thought I'd take a moment to stop by and say thank you for the information on your website. I've been studying & practicing Shotokan Karate for the last 11 years and have found the information on your website rather useful, especially the last few years as I've stepped into black belt and beyond.

Regards,
Jim Ehrman
Ni Dan
Jichooshin Dojo
Kihaku Kai Int'l Shotokan Karate Federation

REPLY:

Jim,

Thank you for your email and for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow karate-ka and I am glad that you found something of interest on my site. From your comments I gather that you have returned to karate after an absence of some length, many of us know what that is like and how hard it can be to stay the course, but I gather you are pleased to be back in the dojo.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you and all of your fellow students, my best wishes and my hope that your journey down the karate road will be a lifelong one – good training.

Sincerely,

Peter

Ken

Hello to Shotokan Karateka!

Study with honesty, courtesy and spirit each time you put on you uniform. Then take that into your life.

Kristin

I am a Shodan with GKR Karate which is a combination of Goju Ryu and Shotokan.

I just found your website and have really enjoyed it, there are so many great learning tools and information. I will definitely pass this on to my students. The quotes are awesome. Especially the following:

"Learning the pattern of all twenty-six katas found in the Shotokan system is one thing,
truly understanding them, however, is a process that will take you an entire lifetime."

I have a few students who think that the more katas they know, the better karate-ka they are. It is so important to focus on your relevant grade katas and "try to" perfect them before moving on. It truly is a process of a lifetime.

REPLY:

Kristin,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Shotokan web site and for leaving your very kind comments, I am always pleased to hear from a fellow karate-ka.

As for your comment about kata, it is often the same here when it comes to a student’s approach to learning. I too often find that in today’s fast paced, high speed, I want it now world, many students simply learn the pattern of the kata, practice it for awhile, then say that they know it, and ask to be taught the next kata.

This attitude often comes from younger students who really enjoy karate and who are simply eager to learn, but who have yet to completely grasp the importance of time and patience. Older students and especially adults who have had more life experience on the other hand tend to learn early on in their training that nothing is “instant” when it comes to kata, and that the concept of “studying deeply” is not only the best approach to learning a kata, it is truly the only approach for those who seek unlock all that is hidden within the katas movements.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you and to all of your students my best wishes and my hope that your journey down the karate road will be for a lifetime - please visit often and do keep in touch - good training.

Sincerely,

Peter