Hello all

[Shotokan0]

Hello All,

My name is Rob and i have been studying Bujutsu for over 20 years. I started in Tae Kwon Do and after witnessing a Shotokan Class in action i decided to change. I have never looked back since. I am currently Sandan and struggle on a daily basis to continuously refine due to medical reasons. The most important thing for me is not to concentrate on the top of the mountain.. But on the beauty of the path that takes me there.

Secondly may i say what a fantastic world of information and experience the SHOTOKAN WAY is. I have seen sites and i have seen sites but this beats them all so well done. I have always found that for a good community to grow, the goodness must first come from those within the community so i can only say congratulations to everyone that has contributed to this forum and hope that i am not lost in this wealth of experience and knowledge..

Osu

rei

Rob

[shotokan101]

Hi Rob - welcome - nice sentiments BTW

Dive in - make yourself heard

[shotokan101]

Been thinking Rob - unusual for me but you've managed to kick one off - what was it that so attracted you to Shotokan and have you any observations (comparison wise) regrading key similarities/differences between thes differing "ways" ?

BTW - Hope you don't mind the question

[Shotokan0]

Hiya, Kicked something off ?????????

I amassuming you are reffering to the Tae Kwon Do that i previously studied prior to Shotokan ?

If so, simple... SPORT. For me, everything about the Tae Kown Do was becoming sport orientated. To be honest, i knew nothing of any other style. A friend of mine introduced me to a Karate class which to be honest, scared the daylights out of me when i first looked. No padding, serious Kumite and powerful commands being shouted by the Sensei...

to be honest, i cannot remember why i joined as i can remember how nervous i was. It has taken me years to get to this point on this path and i know that i will not reach the end but something keeps me going. I know that in Tae Kwon Do i always felt as if my purpose was to win but in Karate, i am always trying to better myself in everything i do throughout life.

I cannot and never have been able to put my finger on it, but something keeps me going. This may sound daft, but it is part of me. The TKD literally seemed to be turning into a game or sport but the Karate seemed to be life. I was taught that when i punched, i must punch as if my life depended on it. When i blocked i must block as if my life depended on it regardless of wheather or not i had an opponent in front of me or not. It is difficult to explain but i feel that the Karate had a purpose in everything.

Does this make sence ?

Osu

Rob

[shotokan101]

Certainly makes sense to me Rob - and many thanks for taking the time to post such an enlightening insight.

Looking at TKD - especially seeing it in an Olympic setting - "from the other side of the mirror" (not having any TKD experience but having watched a few sessions) - I would tend to have the same "impression".

I also think that the "continuous" improvement aspect of karate is what has mainly kept me at it all this time - I quite like being ability to continually test myself (not meaning gradings/ranks/competitions) but just get out on the dojo floor and try to improve what I've done before.....

...oh and then of course there's Kata....

[Shotokan0]

I also think that the "continuous" improvement aspect of karate is what has mainly kept me at it all this time - I quite like being ability to continually test myself (not meaning gradings/ranks/competitions) but just get out on the dojo floor and try to improve what I've done before.....

...oh and then of course there's Kata....

Good points,

I am always trying to improve and yet to be honest, never seem to get that far and yet i continuously keep tyring. Not just within the Dojo but in everything.

Kumite, Kata, Kihon, etc etc etc... As i have mentioned before, i gave up looking at the top of the mountain and started concentrating on the beauty of the path that takes me there. I think this was when i realised that Karate-Do really was the path for me even though my legs struggle to walk the path sometimes.

Osu

rob

[Tom O'Brien]

Shotokan0,

Welcome aboard. I took TKD for 6 yrs. but I love Shotokan. There is a wealth of information here. Good luck.

Thanks,
Tom

[Shotokan0]

Hiya Tom

Thank you for the welcome... I have to agree, the knowledge within this forum is vast and to be honest rather overwhelming to say the least. I am slowly getting through it...

Thanks again Tom...

Osu

Rob

[Tom O'Brien]

Shotokan0,

If they can put up with me here - you will be just fine. Good luck.

Thanks,
Tom

[administrator]

Welcome!

Hope you enjoy the TSW forums!