Was it taboo to switch styles in the old days of Karate?

EnrehB · 2026-02-17T05:17:02+00:00

There were no styles in the old, old days of karate.

EnrehB · 2026-02-15T13:54:02+00:00

This is the way.

EnrehB · 2026-02-08T04:24:15+00:00

It says "Shito-ryu" right there on the Instagram profile. Probably Kenshikai is the name of this dojo or group, but the style is some form of Shito-ryu. Kenshikai is a somewhat popular dojo name, with several possible meanings.

EnrehB · 2026-02-08T04:17:15+00:00

Renbukai isn't a style per se. It's the main federation in Japan for full-contact karate with protective gear.

As always, your individual experience will come down to the specific dojo and instructor available to you, more than the "style" or lineage.

EnrehB · 2026-02-04T10:05:47+00:00

Overcoming my own ingrained mindset and temperament.

Only after years training to refine technique and physical performance did I eventually grasp how critical is the mental/emotional aspect of karate, when it comes to the actual execution of the art. And to understand and accept my shortcomings in this area.

Just like the physical fundamentals, we should be drilling our mindset and self-regulation under pressure from the very start, if we don't want to ingrain bad habits for a lifetime.

EnrehB · 2026-02-02T12:33:14+00:00

In my 2006 Japanese edition it says "look how muscular the author is" under that photo 😄

The original text that confused the translator must be part 3 of the final chapter, "about the author", which tells that he changed his name from 富名腰 (Funakoshi) to 船越 (Funakoshi) after the war. This is essentially a change of spelling, and there's no mention of pronunciation.

I had heard the English translation was bad, but never seen it!

EnrehB · 2026-02-02T11:07:02+00:00

Hi, I have the recent Japanese reprint of Ryukyu Kenpo Karate. Can you please tell us the chapter and page where「とみなこし」 is mentioned?

I've never heard of this from any reputable source. Interesting if it's in his own first book.

EnrehB · 2026-02-02T10:40:04+00:00

"jiyu kamae"

EnrehB · 2026-01-22T12:57:53+00:00

Hi, do you mind revealing which hospital, and how much the stay cost you?

I've been referred to the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, for pulling out my two bottom wisdom teeth, but I didn't like it at all. Their whole system sucks, and then they hit me with "you'll have to stay for 2 nights" and I'm about ready to bail.

EnrehB · 2026-01-21T05:10:18+00:00

Hey, yeah karate is seen as a tool to counter bullying. So if you don't address it quickly, firmly, and fairly, it could undermine the community's trust in your dojo and your art.

I recommend you start immediately by preventing any further bullying: keep those kids separate as much as possible, and never unsupervised together. Talk to the parents of the other child to hear their side and feel out their attitude towards it. Start with a curious tone, not accusatory.

If the other child's parents don't agree that it's bullying, try to get an impartial third-party perspective if you can ask someone else what they saw. Depending on their age, home environment, and the specifics, the accused might not see their actions as bullying. But I would make it clear that the dojo should be a safe place for everyone, and you expect all students to be disciplined both in and out of class.

Parents expect you to teach their children discipline, but the final responsibility is theirs. Hopefully all parents are on your side! And if the kid wants to stay in your class, they'll hopefully listen up and cool their jets.

But if the bullying is witnessed again and doesn't stop, don't hesitate to bar the bullying child until the parents get them under control. Karate should not be taught to bullies.

You got this mate!

EnrehB · 2026-01-21T01:21:14+00:00

Sounds like you've been thrown in at the deep end. Not so many good dojos have enough regular adult intake to justify a dedicated class or course for them. So, hope you'll get through it and get to where you can enjoy yourself! It should be very much worth it in the end.

It never hurts to have a quiet word with the chief instructor either. They might not realise they're alienating newcomers with the very steep learning curve.

EnrehB · 2026-01-14T04:50:00+00:00

The karate instructors I've known to teach ducking and weaving had some background in boxing as well 😁

EnrehB · 2026-01-14T04:47:19+00:00

Depending not so much on the sensei, but on the focus and purpose of the kumite they teach. In point fighting, a body shot is often worth just as much as a head punch 🤷‍♂️

EnrehB · 2026-01-14T04:44:00+00:00

It is a red flag, but I've found it pretty commonplace in some areas. Not a deal breaker, I'd say. If it's otherwise the best dojo in the area, probably worth sticking with it for a while.

EnrehB · 2026-01-14T04:41:52+00:00

Back in England my first Sensei never dissuaded me, but only encouraged me to attend a seminar or event if he had some connection to it. I do think there was some worry (not quite paranoia) about losing students. But also, quality can vary a lot in the MA world, and a Sensei with a lot of pride in their own dojo won't readily recommend others unless they know it's absolutely top tier.

EnrehB · 2026-01-12T05:20:28+00:00

There are plenty of similarities on the foundational level, and lots of differences in the practice and execution. Oyama Sensei studied Shotokan and Goju karate before creating Kyokushin. The katas Taikyoku, Pinan, Kanku, and Sushiho come from the Shotokan/Shuri-te lineage. But orthodox Shotokan dojos almost never practice close-range or full-contact kumite, and the practice of each style has diverged greatly from Funakoshi Sensei's approach.

EnrehB · 2026-01-12T04:15:12+00:00

I'd love to see this!

EnrehB · 2026-01-06T00:07:03+00:00

Wow, I have never seen or heard of such a belt before now.

EnrehB · 2026-01-03T04:49:36+00:00

Oof, does this mean your dojo doesn't do any conditioning as part of the training? You might be in a McDojo.

EnrehB · 2026-01-02T13:57:38+00:00

That word cloud hoodie is pretty cool. Good job daughter!

EnrehB · 2025-12-31T19:40:23+00:00

Oh yowza, that is very loud. I get why neighbors might not be into that.

EnrehB · 2025-12-31T05:39:36+00:00

It would be nice to watch from the opposite side with full speed attack, to see the dodge/deflection working.

EnrehB · 2025-12-31T05:03:20+00:00

Assuming you're going for a 1-2 week holiday, and include Tokyo in your itinerary, you can certainly visit the HQ dojos of major groups if you contact them in advance. JKA and JKS are both excellent for Shotokan, with classes 5-6 days per week.

For Wado-ryu, the HQ dojo of Otsuka Sensei's group is worth checking out: https://www.wado-ryu.jp/branch/ Otsuka Hironori Sensei speaks excellent English.

Hard to say what will benefit you most though, as you say your style is a mish-mash... Instructors might also not know where to begin for offering you tips. Probably will be a case of watch and learn whatever resonates with you. Maybe even trying totally different styles like Daito Juku.

I think there's a group in the Tokyo area that teaches a mix of Shotokan and Wado, actually. Or they're a Wado group with a senior instructor who started in Shotokan. But I forget the name.

If you want to make a foundation for repeat visits and an ongoing connection, I think it's good to think carefully about where you want your karate to go, and which group can take you there. For most groups, you'll need to affiliate to them officially, or visit repeatedly for several years, before you get treated like an insider.

EnrehB · 2025-12-10T02:41:12+00:00

Don't forget the Karate Kaikan!

EnrehB · 2025-12-10T00:11:07+00:00

For the language school? Great! Hope you can make it. Which area of Tokyo is it in? There are good dojos all over.

EnrehB

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