Competition kata?

[Plata]

Hello

I had this thing on my mind and thought I can mention it here. More emphasis is put on certain kata(plural) in our dojo. In fact some kata are not practiced at all e.g. Naihanchi, Nijushiho, Sochin, Chinte, etc. We practice only a few of the advanced kata and when I asked my sensei the reason, she told me that those are not 'competion kata' i.e. you usually don't win a competition with them. This was not a very good reason to me but I didn't want to argue. I want you to know that my sensei is the best in our city and I am NOT saying that because I'm her pupil! She really is. But I can't shake off the feeling that she puts much more emphasis than necessary on the sport-ish part of karate which in my opinion is far from the most important part. I'd love to have your opinions on this matter.

[fujicolt]

Plata

such circumstances are often - IMHO driven by several factors:

1. the emphasis of your association
2. the personal emphasis of your Club Senior/s - and oft their age!
3. the 'culture' the club has developed as IT developed which will influence emphasis

just my thoughts

[nathanso]

I think there is nothing wrong with an instructor having an interest and even an emphasis on sporting/competition aspects of karate. However, i think that an exclusive emphasis as you describe should be an incentive to those interested in a more complete exposure to karate to train elsewhere.
I consider that one of the hallmarks of a good teacher, both in karate and in any other subject, is to recognize that there are things which they may not personally be interested in which are still important to teach in order to ensure that students acquire a suitably broad knowledge base.

[fujicolt]

I think there is nothing wrong with an instructor having an interest and even an emphasis on sporting/competition aspects of karate. However, i think that an exclusive emphasis as you describe should be an incentive to those interested in a more complete exposure to karate to train elsewhere.
I consider that one of the hallmarks of a good teacher, both in karate and in any other subject, is to recognize that there are things which they may not personally be interested in which are still important to teach in order to ensure that students acquire a suitably broad knowledge base.

Sadly oft not the case with karate though - would you not agree?

[nathanso]

Yes, I would agree.
Since teaching is an important part of my day job, I have spent a lot of time thinking about teaching effectiveness, trying different teaching approaches, and paying attention to student feedback. I think that teaching karate is not really all that different from teaching other things.

[fujicolt]

Yes, I would agree.
Since teaching is an important part of my day job, I have spent a lot of time thinking about teaching effectiveness, trying different teaching approaches, and paying attention to student feedback. I think that teaching karate is not really all that different from teaching other things.

Could not agree more 'student feedback' painful or complimentary is THE KEY! IMHO

not dissimilar to a really good Chef asking his clients - how can i do better for you! what did you like and what did you not like and why?

Sadly many Instructors of Karate are arrogant to the point that they go - I will give you what i think you need - when asked to explain you get - 'train more'

tis 2010 not feudal japan and WE pay for the training> MMMMmmmmm....... any comments

I had something said to me the other day that really made me think.....

Steve, we have instructors coming out of Japan telling us what to do who have not even been alive as long as WE have continually studied Karate - are they our SENSEI?

[Reid]

I also think that teaching kata is similar to lifting weights.
If you talk to a powerlifter, they'll say you have to squat to be strong and they push it as a primary lift.
If you talk to someone older who is into fitness, they'll push the leg press,and if you talk to a female fitness competitor, she'll push the leg extension.

I think people teach the katas they're good at, as people recommend the lifts they're good at.
When they say, the squat is a dangerous exercise, they're saying "it's a dangerous exercise (for me)."
Favorite kata normally means "the kata I'm good at."

In my experience, it's important to practice all of the katas becuase as your body ages you learn new things about subtle movement points, such as hip rotation. You think you know when you make sandan or nidan, but then you suffer an injury and then you have to rethink how the hip moves in one kata versus another. Plus, as you age, while Gojushiho is a cool kata, it's pretty damn long when you're old and have no intentions to compete again.


Steve I'm starting see a very consistent thread here in your angst against what I would consider European "orientalism."
My first sensei was in the Marines, and I train under FSKA but formerly under the JKA (in Hawaii). I'm Japanese, and I can speak it. I learned a lot from my first instructor, and his full name was Ed Erb (tall white guy). I don't have any qualms about him not being Japanese. If people in the UK do, I can understand your disdain. Please be careful of bring that angst to other threads however.

[Th0mas]

Steve I'm starting see a very consistent thread here in your angst against what I would consider European "orientalism."
My first sensei was in the Marines, and I train under FSKA but formerly under the JKA (in Hawaii). I'm Japanese, and I can speak it. I learned a lot from my first instructor, and his full name was Ed Erb (tall white guy). I don't have any qualms about him not being Japanese. If people in the UK do, I can understand your disdain. Please be careful of bring that angst to other threads however.

...Steve is not anti-Japanese, It's just a general grump with everything and everyone.

Sorry Steve couldn't resist it. (I am so going to get it the next time we train together)

[Reid]

Steve I'm starting see a very consistent thread here in your angst against what I would consider European "orientalism."
My first sensei was in the Marines, and I train under FSKA but formerly under the JKA (in Hawaii). I'm Japanese, and I can speak it. I learned a lot from my first instructor, and his full name was Ed Erb (tall white guy). I don't have any qualms about him not being Japanese. If people in the UK do, I can understand your disdain. Please be careful of bring that angst to other threads however.

...Steve is not anti-Japanese, It's just a general grump with everything and everyone.

Sorry Steve couldn't resist it. (I am so going to get it the next time we train together)

As I read more threads I'm starting to notice that.

I know this is off topic, but one of the reasons why I enjoy reading the Shotokan Way is that I'm tall for a Japanese (and with a pretty good build), and I think that a lot of the European training methods suit me better than the Japanese type of drills.
I've NEVER benefitted from Japanese style drills because I'm not 5'4" with short legs with unilimited hip rotation.
I've always enjoyed watching the European kumite videos. I've always felt like, "Okay I can actually perform it that way."
I normally do the opposite and dismiss Japan technique (blasphemy Gasp!). I recall watching Kagawa sensei do Mawashi geri. Right..if you're 5'6" with short legs and grew up stretching all your life, I'm sure. But you can't stand up right and kick like that while being over 6 feet with long legs, even if you can do a full split. That's a lot of stress on the spine when the legs are long heh

[kensei]

I know this is off topic, but one of the reasons why I enjoy reading the Shotokan Way is that I'm tall for a Japanese (and with a pretty good build), and I think that a lot of the European training methods suit me better than the Japanese type of drills.
I've NEVER benefitted from Japanese style drills because I'm not 5'4" with short legs with unilimited hip rotation.
I've always enjoyed watching the European kumite videos. I've always felt like, "Okay I can actually perform it that way."
I normally do the opposite and dismiss Japan technique (blasphemy Gasp!). I recall watching Kagawa sensei do Mawashi geri. Right..if you're 5'6" with short legs and grew up stretching all your life, I'm sure. But you can't stand up right and kick like that while being over 6 feet with long legs, even if you can do a full split. That's a lot of stress on the spine when the legs are long heh

Reid,
LMAO, I have to say I laughed at your post, you are asian and not the normal asian build, and I am welsh/Russian back ground and short for my Ethinic back ground, and always been a bit small...till I hit 40 and packed on a few extra. Have very good hip movement and natural flexiblity from my mom. I always had a hard time doing the North American/European training methods and drills....way better following the Asian/Japanese drills.

I love it! LMAO!!

[nathanso]

Are you sure you guys weren't born in the same hospital? Maybe you two were switched at birth.

[Reid]

AHAH Perhaps..

Sometimes when I watch the way Japan competitors cover ground, I have to honestly say to myself "yeah that's never gonig to happen."
I'm not slow, but I can't do triple stepping techniques effectively. I'd cover too much ground or get caught in between.
And then the kicking. The idea of staying up right is really based on biomechanics. I mean if you're legs are short, you're not putting as much strain on your lower back as someone taller.
Kagawa kicking for me is the ultimate Japan style technique, close quarter, tight and no leaning.
Gimme a break...
haha

[kensei]

Kagawa kicking for me is the ultimate Japan style technique, close quarter, tight and no leaning.
Gimme a break...
haha

No kidding, even a guy like me with short legs and a strong short back looks at him and thinks...if God only loved me more!