I went to a Shotokan class last night down in Port Kennedy. Although it was a single class and therefore just a snapshot of their regular training regimen I must say it was not like other Shotokan classes I have seen - there was not the stereotypical endless repetitions of marching up and down the dojo but was a mixture of different things. Whether this was influenced by my visit or not I don't know though it would seem silly to presume that an entire format would be changed just because they had a visitor.

We did a handful of basics and combinations, some partner work and ran through Bassai Dai and Nijushiho a couple of times each. Interspersed through the class were also some stretching and breathing exercises.

The instructor is a most personable chap, and (perhaps best of all) did not hold my shady past against me. Seriously though, he offered me some feedback and some criticism, being that for him my zenkutsu dachi was shorter than he likes, but seemed satisfied when I showed how my length is arrived at rather than being some random arbitrary length.

Perhaps too the class is representative of modern Shotokan rather than 70s training, which from what I have heard and pieced together 70s training seems to be rather common - especially where the instructor has not trained (except self-training) for the last few decades?

Anyway, I had a great time and might have to make a regular thing of it.. perhaps a couple of times a year.


Mick

Hi Mick,

Don't tell me you finally paid Chris a visit

Cheers,
Bob

I'm spewing I didn't end up going with you now Mick...

Hi Bob,

Indeed I did And he seems to be a nice bloke, more interested in karate than politics.

Susan, there's always next time...


Mick

Thanks for the report Mick. Wish I could have come but personal dramas made it impossible. From your reports it seems he is the sort of person we need more of out here. The fact he encourages your classes rather than resenting any potential competition speaks a lot.

Well IMO there is room for everyone, EXCEPT where the interest in operating classes is based on making money rather than making MA available.


Mick

Do I detect a hint of a dig there?

what...from Mick??
never!

It was not designed as a dig. I have been around to look at a number of clubs and have seen some like I mentioned and where in response to questions about their background and credentials the instructor has replied along the lines of "I'm xth dan but if I'd kept grading I'd be yth dan by now."

But since you bring it up, why would you think it was a dig? o:-)


Mick

Mick
why have you been around to look at a number of clubs?What are you seeking from them?.

Originally I was looking for an alternate place to train, one that would hopefully take me where I wanted to go. More recently it has just been for a looky and a bit of fun.


Mick

Fair enough

They dont mind you turning up and doing a session without being a member?
Do they charge for it?

Usually not. With a network of contacts around the world it is possible to arrange to drop in to do a class almost anywhere.

Means I can train elsewhere than just the main population centres in Australia, NZ, UK. So I can travel and still be able to train. And possibly learn a few things along the way as well...


Mick

Shotokan karate-do is not a military instiution. However, as mentioned it is very dependent on the instructors...and maybe their past instructors.

Maybe most of you have trained with Takahashi derived dojo's which tend to have an excessively strict post war atmosphere. There are unfortuntely many of these JKA clubs in Adelaide which populated several pockets of our city. Those out side of the JKA will not have much respect for Takahashi whether they are from Goju, Wado, Shito or Shoto origin.

If you want to train in Shotokan club without all the unpleasantness of a concentration club fuelled to be a confidence boost for the instructor, a person in the know will tell you that the two clubs to go are the Karate Union of Australia (KUA) and to a lesser extent AAKS in Highbury.

Regards,

The World Warrior.

TWW,

This is the first I've heard someone mention shotokan in adelaide. Can you point me towards some good dojos? I've only heard of the ones on SKIA's website.

Bradt

P.S. I'm south of the city.

I know there is a shotokan karate lesson nearer to me at the local leisure centre and this lesson is closer to me than the one where I do attend karate lesson, but its not in my sensei's club, that he set up many years ago, and I'm not sure if I should go along as the lesson might not count according to my sensei.

I don't know what he's called the club (I just go along and enjoy it) but our cheif instuctor is Shihan Akio Minakami, 7th Dan JKF, his stuff about him is all in everyone's attendance card, its cute that we have a lion to have as a stamper every time, (it looks like a gremlin if I turn it up side down) I do a lesson and at the end, the sensei's stamps it, and on the front of the book underneath the lion, are the words Bushido Karate Dojo (BKD) and this year our karate club has joined the World Karate Academy.

I also would like to say that brown/ white stripe belt is called a kyu Ho.

Also is there a kata called Tekki Nidan?, and can kindly someone print all the kata's after purple 2 stripe in accordince with belt colour. Thanks

After purple belt, karate gets more interesting and exciting!!

Each club would be different.
Frinstance the club mick went to had the brown/white striped belt ad 3rd kyu and a different kata series. Best ask your instructor

And the class at another style may not 'count' towards your grading but all classes count towards your learning....

It could be well worth a trip...

There are 3 Tekki katas: Shodan, Nidan & Sandan. I'm not sure that all Shotokan groups practice all 3, some may only practice the first one or first two.

Mike

Brad, ring the AKF (SA) on 83846889 and have a chat with them. They will be able to point you in the right direction. Their website is www.akf-sa.com.au so have a look there as well. It really depends on what you are looking for so you may have to make a few phone calls and really know what you want.

And you'll maybe want to look at a few. There are some out there who are still doing what they were doing in the 70s, and others who have updated their training methods. Any good club will let you watch and even do some no-obligation classes to try it out.


Mick

Shotokan Karate International is located in the South with Malcolm Kadow with a dojo in Reynella. He also has a club in Eastwood near the corner of Glen Osmond Road and Fullarton. Malcolms number is 8381 8933.

Dave Rigby who runs ACORN...weird name...develops some talented junior at it is located in Highbury. His contact is 8369 3323.

Current Australian Karate Federation national kumite champion William Kuang has classes Enfield and Payneham three nights a week. His contact is 0413 011 510.

See how you go,

World Warrior

Looks at street directory...hmm...

thanks guys, those references you gave me will save me a lot of stuffing around.

I'll tell you what I think of them...

I have to agree on the KUA crowd - but I am biased. Well worth a trip though.

Will Kuang is from memory with the KUA. They are good non profit, non political organization who only just want to do karate.

Thanks, I had a look at the KUA web-link Elise gave me.

Wow.

Too bad it's too far for me to travel regularly, it shows there is a side of karate that I wnat to be inviolved in which I am missing out on at the moment.

Brad,
just had a chat with my plumber who trains with Chikara Budo (Shotokan) Mick is a BB and I think soon to be (if not already Nidan) This club may also recognise your GKR belt (depending on kata) as a couple of the students have previously done GKR. This is a smallish club too and maybe what you are looking for.

If you can get there here are the times for their classes:

Blackwood Gym - Main Road Blackwood, across the road from the Library, the building used tobe a squash centre 7pm - Wednesday, Kids fitness 530 - friday.


West Beach Primary School mon 7pm

I hope this helps

Chikara Budo, I'll try a web search.

On their website it says that the instructors are ex-GKR. I'm not really interested in training with people who left GKR to start their own club.

But thanks, I appreciate the reference.

I still haven't looked up Mr. Kadow's club yet.

Brad,
These people do not come from GKR. They actually were in shotokan and moved to GKR for awhile than went back to shotokan again. I had to clarify that. I know the website is not very good and needs some work so I thought I would put you straight there. They are a fairly new club with only a small group of students at present (about 50 all up).