Talkback Archive 2004

31/12/04 – 0n the subject of O Sensei. Aikido founder Ueshiba Sensei had this title, he was not only the founder of a new Martial Art, he was a profoundly spiritual man who made a connection between his art and nature itself. With the utmost respect, I doubt if the same can be said about your karate master. Con Iannis Brisbane QLD.
Thanks Con. As we said before, the title was used by Kase Sensei’s students (who are not JKA Karateka), take it up with them.

29/12/04 - Oss. Can you tell me if there is a connection between shotokan and wadoryu katas? I watched a competition in Melbourne earlier this month and I saw some similarities. I apologise if this is a stupid question, I only started this year. Jason B. Box Hill VIC
Thanks Jason. The Kata practised by today’s major groups come from common root forms and still have some obvious similarities.

28/12/04 - I am boy from village Ablanica, country Bulgaria. I want to study karate. Please help me. What a must to do? Mollov Ismen, Bulgaria.
Thanks Mollov. Yes, JKA is very active in your country. Please contact Yavor Diankov of JKA Bulgaria. Address Zapanden Park, 2 Suhodolska St. Bl. 4 Ent. 2 Fl. 1App. 3 Sophia 1373 Bulgaria. Telephone [+359] (2) 20 96 44 Fax [+359] (2) 20 07 64 Email diankov@omega.bg - Good luck to you.

27/12/04 – Your Tributes are very good. Why is it only JKA people who make the pages? H. Flynn Meath, Ireland
Thanks. We don’t know enough about people outside of JKA to write tributes of any merit.

27/12/04 – I’ve been doing Karate for 8 years but now I have chronic fatigue syndrome which has stopped me in my tracks. I will be forced to leave because our classes always go close to exhaustion and I’m tired just travelling to the dojo. I’m sure some other members have hurt themselves by making strenuous efforts without a break. I wanted to tell my instructor that it’s not good to do this but it’s almost compulsory to go hard. I need to find a dojo where my health can be taken into account. George Z. Northcote VIC

24/12/04 – Really interesting site. Merry Christmas to everybody in JKA Australia, we could use some of your warm weather up here. Luc Torlay Quebec Canada

23/12/04 – Hello and Oss. Can you tell me if there is JKA karate in Warrnambool? Andy Thomas
Thanks Andy. No, we don’t have a Dojo there at present.

22/12/04 - Hi JKA Vic. Well done on the excellent website. I was just wondering if you were going to do a report on the 2004 Mildura Gasshuku that was held in November this year? I attended and had the time of my life, excellent training! Sarah SA.
Thanks Sarah, yes look out for a report soon.

23/12/04 – Great tribute to Kase Sensei. I notice you called him O Sensei. Did you realise that ‘O’ Sensei was reserved for only the most revered masters? Oss with respect, Clem Evert Southend, UK
Thanks Clem, yes we realise that. The term is not ours; it was used by Kase Sensei’s own students. We used it in our tribute in deference to them.

20/12/04 – Hi my son wants a Tokado suit for Xmas. Can you please tell me where I can get one for him? Abby, Cranbourne VIC
Thanks Abby. You can buy Tokaido Uniforms online from their Internet site, but it’s a bit late now for Christmas. As far as we know they are not available in retail stores.

20/12/04 - Very interesting, thank you. I usually use the word 'training' myself, but often find that people are then not sure whether i am the learner or the teacher. If i say 'I have karate training tonight' they often ask me if i'm the trainer. Then i say no, i'm going to practice! I sometimes find that neither word is exactly what i want to say in English, but of course we cannot use the verb 'to play' as in 'play basketball' etc, as that is not what we do at all. Sometimes I say i am going to 'learn'. Thanks for clarifying the difference in both the English and Japanese terms. Oss. Jodie Pidcock NSW

18/12/04 - JUST LET US KNOW WHAT EVIDENCE DO YOU HAVE ABOUT "MOST LIVEABLE CITY"- everibody is repeating that in a parrot fashion. That's just wishful thinking, there is no credibility for that. Nick.
Thanks Nick. We don't normally respond to Talkbacks with no domicile, but we can refer you to "The Age" newspaper of February 6th 2004 "The (London based) Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey ranked Melbourne as the best city to live, with Perth fourth and Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney equal sixth". You wouldn't live outside of Australia by any chance?

18/12/04 – Hi guys. I’ve followed your site since it started. Congratulations on the best Karate website there is and a Merry Christmas to you all at JKA Vic. Rob Zachary Michigan USA
Thanks Rob. We’re not that good, but we appreciate your comment, merry Christmas.

17/12/04 – Hey! Did you know you had some dead links? Linkfixers will monitor your site and give you customised daily feedback for an annual membership of US$500. Our custom package will cost you nothing if we can negotiate a deal to display a series of banner ads and a one-page Advertorial about our web-hosting for sports deals. We Martial Artists ourselves and we are the only provider on the net offering custom link diagnostics below US$1000 per annum. We won’t bother you with repeated offers but ask you to reply in confidence to (email provided) to receive our free sportsweb online anti viral package. This is a one-off offer and we are being swamped by sites like yours snapping it up.
No worries. We got this one-off offer from you no less than 37 times in November. When do you get a chance to train?

17/12/04 – I’m from overseas looking to get back to karate, I found your great site but in the Yellow Pages there is a JKA Shotokan 7th Dan man in Melbourne. Is this the same JKA as yours? K. Beaton Mill Park VIC
Thanks. JKA is the worlds largest traditional Karate organisation. There are a plenty of ex-members, breakaway factions and business operators with non JKA affiliations all claiming to teach JKA Karate. That’s fine, but the Japan Karate Association is a group, not a person. Here in Melbourne and throughout this State the group is represented by JKA Victoria. This is the official website and the Dojo’s you see listed here are the only JKA Dojos in Victoria.

15/12/04 – Hi I do BJJ but i’m interested in hard style karate in the inner western suburbs. How do I contact you. Sav K Altona VIC
Thanks Sav. Check the Dojo Directory and call an Instructor.

13/12/04 – Dear JKA brothers. I am Musshad from our great Association of Pakistani JKA’s. Could you please assist my curiosity in relation to the beautiful kata of JIIN. Am I including this Kata JIIN in my class of Black Belt practitioners. Do’s your JKA’s practice this kata so much or has it become forgotten in your minds. These present kata of JKA number 25 or 26 including the JIIN. Which is your training? P. Musshad Islamabad, Pakistan
Thank you very much.

13/12/04 – Saddened to read about Kase Sensei, I thought he was only in his 60’s, how time flies. I guess I’m privliged to say I’ve trained with him. He did the most unexpected things using a lot of tai sakabi and pushy open hand stuff, you name it he did it. He was close to Enoeda but I was never sure about his connections to the JKA. Sad time for his loyal followers. Oss Vern R. Poole UK

11/12/04 – I read your last editorial with interest. I agree sporting terms we use in Martial Arts don’t really describe the art well enough. We should always use the correct terminology. Carl Masterson, Sydney Australia

08/12/04 – Traditionalists says there’s no first attack karate but what if you are cornered, threatened and about to be assaulted? Tell me you wouldn't attack then? Dean J. Upminster UK
Thanks Dean. The first attack is never ours, but the attack does not need to be physical for us to respond, it could be verbal. The same thing goes for the response.

08/12/04 – Re the half grade Talkback. My understanding of Shotokan ranking is; kyu grades can be awarded anytime and double even triple grades are allowed. Dan grades (not honorary ones) can only be awarded one level at a time. I never heard of half grades, it sounds silly to say I’m a six-and-a-half kyu! Petra Williams, 1st kyu Belfast, Northern Ireland

08/12/04 – Going back to your piece on cheating in sports, an update...Marion Jones who won gold in Sydney used completely undetectable stimulants before the Sydney Olympics. Her doctor Victor Conte said she injected herself in front of him. H. Leiman Randwick NSW

07/12/04 – Oss. Even although I train karate I still practice the details and the philosophy. The loose translation of keiko into practice and renshu into training makes sense to me but I agree we should use the original Japanese to describe it. Keep up the great site, I like dropping in. C.Lennox Herts, UK

04/12/04 – I re-started shotokan - a very hard thing after years off training - but I notice the belts have all changed and gradings are very frequent and more expensive. The sensei at my school grades all the time. He awards half grades, not temporary - HALF! Is this correct? (name and email supplied)
Thanks. JKA has always had 10 levels of Kyu and 10 levels of Dan. There is one examination per level unless a senior Instructor sees fit to award a double the grade, ie 9th Kyu to 7th Kyu. As for half grades, there’s no such thing in JKA.

04/12/10 – Thanks for the Chaos article. I’m sick of reading cr** about best this and champion that on karate sites. It’s good to see karates effectiveness being questioned. Brent McC. Mt Evelyn VIC

03/12/04 – Oss to all you JKA’ers in the green garden state (I’ve been there). I loooove your site. Kris Rijk Maastricht Nederlands
Thanks Kris.

01/12/04 – I don’t think karate would stand a chance in the UFC. I simply ask… where are all the tough karate guys when it comes to no rules fighting. James H. Battersea UK
Thanks James. UFC certainly does have rules - quite a few; there are 31 fouls including eye gouging, groin attacks and pinching the flesh! There are 5 weight divisions, and there are bout durations with rest times between rounds. The wrestling you watch on the telly has less rules.

30/11/04 – I like this website. When will the Kids Corner be coming? D’Arcy P. Northcote VIC

30/11/04 – Do you have lessons for women? I am interested in anti-rape and weapons control for my 2 daughters in the South Melbourne area. Ellie K. St Kilda VIC
Thanks Ellie. Sorry we can’t help you, good luck.

29/11/04 - I would like to know if there is a central or western suburbs (footscray, maidstone, maribyrnong) dojo for JKA as I would like to begin training again. I have come from W.A and have no idea where the location of one is. Thanks Sim Melbourne
Thanks Sim. Go to our Dojo Directory page, it's all there.

29/11/04 – Hi, I do Shotokan in England, good site. Watch out Australia – there’s a trend in Europe to put on shows where karateka get paid money to compete in invitationals, ones called the “10k Sports Karate Challenge”, people like KUGB champ Matt Price even do it. I think it goes against the whole grain of traditional karate and most other trad people I know don’t like it. L. Whittaker Washington UK
Thanks. Karate has limited spectator appeal, but what’s wrong with making money with it?

27/11/04 – Great report on the Shoto World Championships. One thing stood out you were very diplomatic about the Japanese refereeing. When will they stop twisting the rules to there advantage and give the rest of the world a fair go?? Secondly, I’m originally from Wellington, has the venue for the next Shoto Cup been confirmed there yet? G. Sharples Mentone VIC
Thanks. The Japanese were streets ahead of everyone this year and the results reflect that. As for the officiating, well nobody is perfect, but one the whole that too was excellent.

27/11/04 – I left JKA years ago disillusioned with the big-heads in Europe. I still like the karate but some people were self-serving too much for us. We are now very happy with our simple approach. Good luck with your association in Australia. Mats Weller, Sweden

27/11/04 – Hey JKA friends, Kent here again. I can’t wait to read Shoji Senseis’s book. He was at the JKA Headquarters one time when I visited in 1979. He was surrounded by people I think from his own dojo. Kent Mathers Manhattan, USA

25/11/04 – I like the articles and the technical tips. Good site, no very good site. Keep it up. Pete Mason (you might remember me from JKA Melbourne in the 80’s) Warragul VIC
Thanks Pete, your name doesn’t ring a bell.

23/11/04 – What was the Talkback about JKA aliens all about? Renee P. Hurstbridge VIC

23/11/04 – I went to the updated JKA Japan website as you recommended. Good to see the JKA now has a good site. The old one was out of date and the spelling was awful. The new ones so good I’ve been back about a dozen times. Yours is good too. Ashleigh R. formerly KUGB, San Diego USA
Thanks Ashleigh, we agree the new one is a drastic improvement.

21/11/04 – The question about differences between shotokai and shotokan is now not relevant. I know of clubs in the same association doing serious variations from each other in kata - a good argument for standardising karate. D. Timms Frankston VIC

20/11/04 – Seems obvious enough that in Ken's post of 16/10/04 he is asking you what the correct body position for the first move of the kata Bassai Dai should be. As the stance is kosa dachi and the block is uchi uke, I would have thought 'hanmi' would have been an appropriate answer? Robert Matthews Sunraysia VIC

19/11/04 – Hello karate friends in Australia. I’m so happy I graded to 3rd kyu last month which has made me determined to get to Black. I look back at myself 2 years ago and can’t believe how much karate has assisted me to develop. The belt system is excellent for acknowledging progress and keeping us motivated to continue. Even though I don’t do JKA, I looooved visiting your site, keep it up. Sharyn Lennon London UK

19/11/04 – Terrific and beautifully laid out website. It was a pleasure visiting. I was actually looking for information on the Japan KITE Association which is also JKA. I did Karate in the 1960’s in the army which, I must say has stuck in my mind as the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Good Luck to you karate men. Will Corbett, Uxbridge UK
Thanks Will. We now have Karate women too.

19/11/04 – When would it be OK to start my children? Paul, Moonee Ponds VIC
Thanks Paul.

18/11/04 – Thank you for contacting me regarding to JKA trainings. I decide my passionate Ving Chun Gong Fu after speaking to his sifu agains. So many thanks for speaking sensie. S. Goh East Melbourne VIC
No Worries

18/11/04 – A little birdy told me that JKA was a master race of aliens who came to earth to spread powerful techniques and take over, but they couldn’t decide who the boss was so they returned to space leaving the Karate world in turmoil. Evan K. Sevenoaks Kent England
No Worries

15/11/04 – Oss. I have repetitive strain injuries in my hands and arms, sometimes severe. when I train it eases off but it really aches in the morning again. Do you have members with chronic injuries who manage better by doing karate? Judd Eltham VIC
Thanks Judd. It’s common knowledge that increasing blood flow through exercise can lessen the pain sensation. But you should know that chronic conditions need specialist attention, so don’t rely on anything else.

14/11/04 – Derek from Thornbury (8/11) – you must be unique!! JKA Kid Northern Rivers Dojo NSW
Thanks “Kid” – which one of Ray’s crowd are you?

14/11/04 - I wanted to post a thanks to Sensei Stark for his article 'Just Train'. I have returned to the Whyalla JKA Dojo after a two year break and as expected, the training under Sempai Simon Thorburn is punishing, but immensely satisfying! I have lately been struggling with focus, being too worried about self expectations and getting back to where I was before... It's a difficult thing. Sensei, your article has reminded me that my training is exactly that, my training. I get out what I put in. I have forgotten so much in such a short period of time. Oss! Oh by the way... I was very glad to read your still plucking away at that guitar! I remember a great night of song and backslapping at the Bendigo Gashuku a few years ago. Great stuff. Thanks again! Oss! Jim Watson Whyalla, South Australia

14/11/04 - Very nice website and a lot of information is available. Our best wishes for you always. Please add the our official site of JKA Paksitan in your links. I hope you will be able to add this site. With best regards, Sincerly yours, Hussain Ali Changezi General Secretary JKA Pakistan
Thank you and regards to everone at JKA Pakistan, we have added your link.

13/11/04 – Your site is good for anyone interested in decent karate writing. I have a question - Could you tell me if shotokai is much different to shotokan? C. Bain Knox VIC
Thanks. It is impossible to properly answer your question. Across the world thousands of groups practice countless variations of the Karate that originated from one school. Also, you can’t tell what a group is doing from it’s name alone. That’s why the JKA is a single worldwide “association” with the same global syllabus.

12/11/04 – The “chaos” article was very sobering - thanks for the wake up call! What actual techniques would you use bearing in mind we need only a handful? Barry W. Harrow UK.
Thanks Barry. The article deliberately avoided talking about techniques, it was more to do with how you should prepare than what you should prepare with.

12/11/04 – Hi im learning karate from my brothers mate who is Shodan-ho. He tells me to learn as much kata as I can as it is the soul of karate. The katas we do are jka shotokan and we have just had some moves added to include at least 4 kicks in every one. B. Collins Granville, NSW

09/11/04 – Hello, I’m an English shotokan stylist and im relocating next year. Can you tell me if there is a JKA club in Auckland New Zealand worth going to please. I will be going there to live for 3 years. John Cloke Suffolk, England
Thanks John. Go to our links page and click on JKA New Zealand.

09/11/04 – Oss and hi. I noticed on the JKA Victoria webpage a reference to 'refresher' courses. Could I please get some information on these courses if they are currently being run. I have been out of the training systenm for some time because of work and am trying to get back to find the best way to get going again. I have read Sensei Walter's article which was very motivating and feel that something like a refresher course or guidance in how to structure training outside the dojo training would be very useful. Thank you and I look forward to your response Oss, Chris Lowings.
Thanks Chris, We’ll be in touch.

08/11/04 – Hi, I do Shukokai karate. JKA seems to be a very large and powerful organisation yet I never see a dojo in my travels or hear about it at my styles copetitions. What is it all about and why is it so hard to find? Derek T. Thornbury VIC
Thanks. You should get these answers here. Also, try going to our links page and check out the websites of our affiliates and our world headquarters in Japan.

08/11/04 – dropping by as I do once a week. never sent anything in because I’ve got nothing to say really. Oops, I just did. V. Masoud Northmead NSW

07/11/04 – I was at the Shotokan Week course with Kanazawa Kancho, Melbourne is a great town by the way, I don’t think any JKA people attended. R. Jacobie, Kilburn SA

06/11/04 – hello and smiles from France :) most jka sites have different version of counting of jka katas. You have nothing of this kind, but please put more detail of kata for a resource for example 40,41,42 for Bassai? What count do you use for this one? J Deschamps France

04/11/04 – What a nice place to visit, well done. Karl’s article about the reality of assault is great stuff from a traditional site, can you do more of this? N. Harvey Warragul VIC

03/11/04 - Hey Sensei Stark, great to see you still active in JKA. I trained with you at Cheltenham Dojo way back in the 80's, are you feeling old?? and actually competed against you in a FAKO tournament. How is everyone? I miss Melbourne especially the weather. I stopped karate about 10 years ago because of a back injury sustained in a match with a certain top KUGB fighter. My best wishes and who knows, I might get back down there some day for more of that great sunshine. OSSS Jim the Geordie T&W UK
Thanks Jim, we’ll pass this on for you.

03/11/04 - I enjoyed my visit to your site very much, the discussion papers are very good to read and some of the talkback emails are hilarious. Keep it up. G Beckinsale Exeter England

01/11/04 – Hi from Wales. I love anything to do with JKA SHOTOKAN. Steven Wells Cardiff UK

01/11/04 – How are you all down there in Mexico? Been doing shotokan for 2 years after doing a fair bit of Judo training. I heard Kanazawa Sensei was in Australia recently, did you get a chace to meet him in Melbourne? T Meekin Brisbane QLD

30/10/04 – Oss to all our Karate friends in JKA Australia. We are 2 Aussies living and working in Tokyo doing JKA. We were spectators at the Shoto World Cup in September and we spoke to some of your supporters on the first day. Your team performed magnificently, it’s a pity there can only be one Man and one Woman champion because your competitors were among the very best. Congratulations Australia and good luck for the future. Abby and Tom Brannigan Tokyo, Japan
Thanks guys.

29/10/04 – Oss. I like your website I do JKA in Argentina with Sensei Inoue. Oss Raoul BA Argentina

27/10/04 – groovy site…is kata unique to karate? i know that tekwando has forms but the chinese arts seem to do patterns as well. Ty Petit Burwood East, VIC
Thanks Ty. Most traditional Martial Arts (weaponless or not) have something similar to what is known in Karate as Kata.

26/10.04 – They say karate is full of contradictions and I agree. It says on a website for the shotokan karate coalitions “The ultimate goal of all Karate enthusiasts is to achieve the rank of Black Belt” I always thought there was a bit more to karate than a belt. On the front page of the same website it’s got Funakoshi’s famous quote saying “The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants”. G. Clements Werribee VIC

26/10/04 – Just reading your latest article about street assault. I know the feeling of being ‘paralysed with fear’ I had it a number of times in scary street situations and the karate I learned didn’t help me one bit. Luckily I didn’t get badly hurt, but I vowed to prepare myself better. The freestyle school I now go to is nowhere near as technical as karate, but we work a lot with surprise attacks and I’m far more confident. More articles on this subject would be welcome. Danny N. Bundoora VIC

24/10/04 – Very informative. T. Taylor Brixton UK

25/10/04 – I write to enquire about personal lessons for only myself as a person. I did shoto-kan in Singapore in 1970’s now I work in Melbourne but cannot make unfortunately the classes to JKA. Please your kind reply is appreciate. S. Goh East Melbourne VIC
Thanks. One of our Instructors will contact you.

24/10/04 - If you do traditional karate to keep fit, dojo training will be enough, so I definitely agree with the article about Preparing for Chaos not only was it was a good read, it was a reminder call. I agree that karateka are very comfortable in the dojo and need to think more carefully about self defence. N. Spalding Black Rock, VIC

23/10/04 – I come from a shotokan Dojo in Canada (not jka) could I possibly train with your club next month when I visit there? Thanks in anticipation, Jacques D. Montreal Quebec, Canada
Yes Jacques, you’ll find contact information in our Dojo Directory.

22/10/04 – Who was the Karate champion who wrestled bulls and chopped off their horns? I seem to remember he had some connection with Australia. O. Pate Cleveland, UK

19/10/04 – Who is saying the Dojo Kun on the sound file on the website? Greg Ross Brisbane, Qld

19/10/04 – I read your day by day account of the Aussies trip to Japan for the World Championships. All I can say is excellent. B. Noakes Halifax UK
Thank you.

17/10/04 – W. Malton should recognise that it would take a lot more than a yes or no to re-admit break-away groups or individuals into JKA. It is silly for people to think things are so easily fixed. We will never know the real reasons valuable high ranking Sensei go their own way, and we can only guess how they are regarded now. T. Carruthers Kent, England

16/10/04 – Just dropped in to see what’s new on one of my favourite websites and I’m not disappointed. The tributes are excellent, but what about some biographies of the living masters of JKA? I think it would be a big winner with visitors. G. Roberts New Plymouth NZ
Thanks. Send some in.

16/10/04 – Please help me. Is the very first movment of jkas style bassidia in shomeni or hami? i am uttrly confused. Ken O’M. Skye VIC
Thanks Ken. You are, and you’ll need to stay that way for a while longer.

15/10/04 – been surfin karate sites all day too much cant stay awake. good night. Paul Selby, VIC

14/10/04 – Hello and thanks for such an informative resource. Would I be able to write to your staff about karate matters? I am keen to open a discussion link. Matthew Jane Kidderminster UK
Thanks Matthew. Talkback is not a forum or chat room but we definitely read all emails.

14/10/04 – Who are those yummy shirtless dudes? Myra P. Eaglemont VIC
Thanks Myra. As it said, they’re Taipans. You’d be glad to know that the lads kept going but we can’t put those pics up.

14/10/04 – Thank you for an amazing report on the Shoto World Championship. Will you be displaying the full results of the tournament? T. Tedder Auckland NZ
Thanks. Go to our results page There should be more about the World Cup soon on the new JKA Japan website at www.jka.or.jp/

12/10/04 – I read on your site that JKA is bu-do karate not based on points. Doesn’t JKA use ippons and wazarys? I was always taught that an ippon was a full POINT and a wazary was a half POINT. So what is the point you are trying to make? Al Reardon North Ringwood VIC
Thanks Al, it’s easy. A Kumite movement that clearly emulates a killing blow is deemed to be an Ippon which immediately ends a (Shobu Ippon) match. A movement that is not enough to emulate a killing blow, but is very close to doing so is deemed to be a Waza-ari which means 'almost a technique' ie, almost an Ippon. Two of these are enough to end a match.

11/10/04 – This is a really cool site guys, I fell over it looking for Shotokan grading stuff and stayed nearly 2 hours. I’m re-motivated. Dale B Grimsby UK

11/10/04 - Sensei Nishimura - It was a pleasure to meet yourself and Walter Stark at the JKA Shoto Cup in Tokyo. Congratulations on Australia's success at the championships and I hope to see you again in the future - Kind regards. Paul Herbert Dartford, England
Thanks Paul, we will pass on your kind words.

10/10/04 - Leon Peters - I want to teach my son to be respectful, and solve his problems with tact and consideration so that, where all other avenues have been exhausted, he would just give up and walk away in disbelief, rather than solve his problems by bashing people - hopefully, this way, he'll stay out of jail, and won't accidentally kill someone! D. Risborg Adelaide South Australia
Thanks. Leon's email triggered a lot of similar responses. Good to know we've got some sane people around.

09/10/04 – Hi, I read the Talkback from Leon Peters, all I can say is what a laugh. Fancy seriously mapping out a career path in the combat arts for your young child. What kills me is that this imbecile thinks his boy will grow up normally. Why doesn’t he change his name to Jean-Bruce Van Norris and send him to be brainwashed with all those other poor little Shaolin Monk boys, idiot! Perry W. Camberwell VIC

09/10/04 - When’s the Tabata tribute going up? Jason McNeill Paisley, UK
Thanks Jason. We realise it’s dragging on but it will happen one day.

09/10/04 – Hi Aussie, I started karate late at age 31 and I’ve trained for 3 years but recently I’ve had a lot of severe muscle pain in my upper legs and abdomen. Our training is now 3 days per weekly with another day optional and it used to be only 2 days. Would this be too much, enough to cause this pain? Trevor B. Reading UK
Thanks Trevor. You can expect your body to react to any increase in the intensity of your training but don’t ignore persistent pain.

08/10/04 – Jeez, you really do a good job for JKA Karate. I haven’t seen a site with so much on it, well done. Peter Chisolm, Tunbridge Wells UK
Thanks Peter.

06/10/04 – Thanks for responding to my last email. I like the way you nicely side-stepped the question which is always a very hard one for JKA people, so I’ll ask you again. If very senior ex JKA masters like Asai, Yahara etc. wanted to return to the JKA and you were in charge, would you accept them? W. Malton Elwood VIC
Thanks. We’d accept anything if it would stop you sending these daft emails.

05/10/04 – Great stuff lads. Good to see some substance in a karate site. Can I offer one piece of advice for you to answer every Talkback seriously or at least answer them. Reading through, some rippers have been unanswered and I’d love to respond to them. Mark Salmon Taylors Lakes, VIC.

05/10/04 – Good report on the Shoto World Cup - can’t wait to see the pictures! B. Noakes Halifax UK

05/10/04 – I enjoyed reading your eDitorial on drugs, but I was wondering what you traditional guys thought about the Tae Kwon Do in the Olympics? It was a joke, right? Tom O’Donnell Redfern, NSW
Thanks Tom. We didn’t see it.

03/10/04 – Good evening, I am very impressed by your site. Having studied 3 styles of karate (two major and one minor) and competed in all three, I really believe that kata is for certain people only. A style like yours trains equally in the three K’s but how many of your best competitors are equally good at all of them? H. Devlin West Melbourne VIC
Thanks. Your right, Kata is only for certain people - those who practice often and train hard.

02/10/04 – Hello, I don’t see as many good traditional karate websites and magazines around as there ought to be. As a staunch traditionalist I love it when I find something like jkavic, Reading through, I almost feel like I’m part of it! Keep up the good work and my best wishes to you all. Kent Mathers Manhattan, USA

30/09/04 – I read your editorial about drugs in sport. If JKA karate is not a sport, why are you bothering to talk about it? Tonya F. Townsville QLD
Thanks Tonya. The eDitorial is very relevant. JKA Karate is not a sport, but that does not make it immune to the drug blight.

30/09/04 – Good site but you are too focused on JKA. What About giving your brothers and sisters in the other martial arts some space for articles etc. J. McLure Black Rock VIC
Thanks. Sure, why don’t you send something in.

28/09/04 – Cool site lads. Can you tell me if Enoeda Sensei has been awarded 9th Dan by the JKA? It is commonly accepted in Europe that the rank was awarded after he died but I’d like to see or hear it from the JKA itself. Andy H. Leeds UK
Thanks Andy. The JKA publishes an annual diary listing every official rank of 5th Dan and above anywhere in the world. You can check the diary to verify senior ranks.

27/09/04 – I’m an Okinawan Goju stylist from the United States now living in Melbourne. Could you help me with some contact details for Goju in this town please. L. Larson Edithvale
Thank you, why don’t you check the www or the Yellow Pages.

24/09/04 – I visit your site regularly. Have you heard the results from the World Shoto Cups yet? Mehmet, Coburg VIC
Thanks Mehmet, we’ll put up a report soon.

24/09/04 – Thanks for your great site. I do jka but I have never been on Gashukku or Kangeiko. I know my Karate will improve if I can do one, but we never even talk about it in our club. Anyway, I suppose normal training will be fine for now. Ricky McD. Glasgow UK
Thanks Ricky.

22/09/04 – Hi there. My club has recently changed weekend class training times to the early morning. I am not able to warm up properly so I’ve strained some muscles. I don’t feel like going anymore and I want to quit. I tried talking with my sempei but he can’t help. What is your advice? Sharon B. Exeter UK.
Thanks Sharon, we don’t have any advice.

20/09/04 - I see from the bios that your people have studied several other arts in addition to JKA. Can we have a story or 2 or perhaps a comparison to JKA? Henk, Birmingham UK

18/09/04 - There is no mention here or on other traditional karate sites about training full contact and I think I know why. I’d be interested to hear a JKA opinion on what constitutes full contact. Ian R. Geelong VIC
Thanks Ian

17/09/04 – When is the earliest practical age for a kid to learn JKA? I’d like my son to learn it at some stage but first, I want him to do wrestling, for solving playground disputes. Then I'm going to teach him boxing, for the rougher stuff. From there, I'll introduce him to dirty tricks and traditional arts. This will give him a solid base to work with should he continue in the fighting arts. Leon Peters Sydney NSW.
Thanks Leon, make sure you squeeze in some advanced weapons training and combat psychology, he should be a fighting machine by the time he's 6.

14/09/04 – I am a JKA student but I am interested in any and all fighting arts. Most cultures have a fighting system and I try to search them out. For example I found a very informative site on Vietnamese martial arts some of your readers could be interested (link provided) G. Lorimer Newcastle UK.
Thanks, the link was dead.

14/09/04 - I am looking for a Video or DVD copy of the taikyoku kata. Can you please assist? W. Gilmore Sussex UK
Thanks, try amazon.com

12/09/04 – Hello. You don’t have much on the history of Shotokan on the site. Were you aware that master Funakoshi and his students performed the kata kankudai, and naihanchi (now tekki) for Doctor Jigoro Kano of Judo fame? Master Kano asked Funakoshi to prolong his stay in Japan and to teach him the basics of karate. Funakoshi did teach Kano some basic blocks, punches, strikes, and kicks and Kano incorporated some of these into judo kata. It is interesting to think that Judo and karatedo are closer than most people think. S. Power Newhaven, USA
Thanks. We mentioned this in our tribute to Funakoshi Sensei.

12/09/04 – Just reading some earlier Talkbacks, like most karate people I have respect for wrestling and ju-jutsu but they are not perfect. For instance, before any grab can be made for your clothes or body, a grappler will need to come into range and here he is prime for a karate attack. All we need to do is move quickly because the opportunity time will be very short, especially if he rushes you low down around the waist or legs. If he gets you on the ground, it won't last long. P. Molloy Carool, NSW

12/09/04 – I did shotokan in South America for 7 years. I looking to start again in Melbourne. Thanks, your site gives me inspiration to re-start soon. I should speak to a dojo in Dojo Directory? Luis Da Costa Mentone VIC.
Thanks Luis. Call us or come to training anytime.

11/09/04 – It was a surprise to see a Shotokan site with so much interesting stuff. Did you know that some of your links were dead? Tegan Smythe Warragul Victoria
Thanks Tegan. Our links work when they are put up and we do try to check them.

10/09/04 – Hi your site is ICHIBAN. There are many run of the mill karate sites around but you make good reading with your articles etc. Did any of your members get a chance to train with Nakayama Sensei? Incidentally, I was really surprised to see that an old time champion like Ron Clarke openly stating that drugs should be used in sport, completely amazing. Keep up the good work. Elspeth P. Rockhampton QLD
Thanks Elspeth. Yes, many JKAA people attended Nakayama Sensei’s classes in Japan and here in Australia.

08/09/04 – Good afternoon from the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom. I’m a retired Physical Education teacher who introduced JKA karate to a school I taught at in Kent England in 1968. Master Kanazawa was the head instructor and he gave us a demonstration I have never forgotten. The school club lasted about 3 years then faded when the students joined a bigger club. In visiting your site, I see that the JKA is indeed a worldwide organisation, however I didn’t see any reference to Master Kanazawa. Is he still in the organisation? N. Aldridge IOM, UK
Thank you. Kanazawa Sensei left JKA some time ago and founded a group known as Shotokan Karate International. There’s a lot of information about SKI on the www.

06/09/04 – I heard that Sensei Asai’s group the one’s who broke away from JKA in the 1990’s has since splintered, Yahara, Abe, Kagawa, Isaka etc I also heard that some of those senior guys want to return saying they never left in the first place. Would you accept this? W. Malton Elwood VIC
Thanks. The JKA World Federation would be the body to deal with this. We are part of one of it’s international affiliates, so we are not in a position to talk for the whole group.

05/09/04 - Congratulations to all JKA Victoria students (6 years old to over 40 years old) from Central and Southern region Dojos who trained and graded at Takahashi Sensei's winter seminar and grading exam in late August. A lot of nervous but determined faces entered the MSAC complex on grading day prepared to give their best - and they did. When it was over, a whole new crop of inspired and upgraded Karateka left. Well done. W. Stark Lilydale VIC

05/09/04 - Hello, who do we contact to offer our very top qality discount gloves? A. Ahmed Lahore, Pakistan
Thanks, try Myer or David Jones

04/09/04 - Dropping by again to see what people have been sending in to Talkback. There are some strange ones but it's entertaining reading. I like the articles and editorials too. Keep it up. Paul Barnett Oldham, UK
Thanks Paul, you should see the fish John West rejects.

01/09/04 - I saw some emails here a few weeks ago about JKA being tougher in the past. If you look at how it's been watered down, it is no wonder that the level is deteriorating worldwide. Maybe it's time to get back to Sensie Nakayama's true JKA training. Just a comment. L. Binney North London UK
Thanks. It seems this subject is always up for discussion, because every Karate "generation" makes the very same point.

01/09/04 - Hi. How much should I be paying to train karate? I was told it was under $10 a lesson but I'm being asked to pay a lot more in my taikwondo. Any cost comparison would assist. Thank you. Rachael Bryant Eltham VIC
Thanks Rachael, fees and charges vary. For what it's worth, people train at JKA Victoria Dojos with very high level Instructors for far less than 10 dollars a session.

30/08/04 - I recently moved to Kenya and after having practised Shotokan Karate in several countries including Spain, France and Great Britain wanted to continue. After several bad experiences with dojos affiliated to the Kenya Karate Association I finally located a group of serious karatekas who recently formed JKA Kenya, sadly, they are having trouble establishing communication with JKA Japan. E-mails are unanswered and they feel frustrated and isolated from the rest of world of Karate. So please feel free to e-mail me. It would be nice if we could organize exchanges between our two countries. Warmest regards, Jacqueline Anne Taylor 3rd kyu Nairobi, Kenya
Thank you Jacqueline. Assuming you used the correct email addresses, your communications should have been answered by the JKA World Federation. One of our seniors will be in touch with you to assist. Stay determined and good luck with training.

28/08/04 - Alright guys, you have quite a good site there, well done but I noticed your dojo kun page had them numbered 1 to 5. I thought that each one was supposed to start with one. V. Nguyen Richmond, Victoria
Thanks. If you look at our romaji translation you'll see that each line starts with the word "hitotsu" which means "one" ie, a single object or thing ("Koto", the last word in each line, means "thing"). To use "ichi, ni, san…" and so on, would indicate descending importance. We listed the English translation with numbers to show the order in which they are recited.

27/08/04 - Visited you in Sydney 1995. Good luck Aussies at the World Cup in Setember. Les Okill Dundee, Scotland

25/08/04 - I'm an elapsed black belt who has joined a big JKA club after 6 years away from karate. Previusly I did an okinawan style and we emphasised bunkai so much that it was really the main thing in our training. Imagine my amazement when my shotokan teacher struggled to explain the application of the heian shodan kata!! If this is JKA the world over, I doubt if I'll be staying. Please don't put my name, I don't wish to offend anyone. (name and email supplied) Blackburn UK

25/08/04 - Nice site- will drop by again soon. Petra, 4th kyu JKA England

25/08/04 - Thrilled to see such a great site out of Australia, well done to you. J. Goodall Newhaven Sussex UK

24/08/04 - Its amazing how all karate resembles JKA. I would say what all shotokans and taekwondo is doing is just bad JKA. Nobody really understands the history of karate, they think karate is something they can just call there own by sticking another badge on and starting a website. They take the techniques they can do and put it into a new style and if they can't do some techniques they leave them out or change them. I know this is a bit tough on honest styles but lets face it JKA karate is the father and the mother of all karates. Cole Rattigan Liverpool, UK

22/08/04 - I write to ask if you have a policy on streching? My karate came to an abrup end after I tore nearly every muscle on my back in a class doing streching exirsises that were to extreem. Jarrod Wembley Downs, WA
No policy Jarrod, just sensible Instructors. Do you have a policy on spelling?

21/08/04 - I agree with your statement that JKA is not a style, but you must concede that what you do is known as Shotokan Karate. Belle Lipton Hayes, UK
Indeed it is Belle. There's nothing to concede, the simple point we made was that the organisation does not purport to be a Ryu (school) in the sense of Wado or Goju etc.

21/08/04 - Hello, I'm from the State of Vermont in the USA. I like your site. I did a form of JKA called Japan Kempo Ku-Ken-Do which was run by a group of christian brothers who learned directly from an advanced master in the south of Japan. They brought their knowledge to America in the late 1960's. Is JKKK still in the JKA brotherhood? There was no mention on the site. T. Leary Woodstock, Vermont USA
Good one!

20/08/04 - I'm confused. What is JKA? Are you saying it is not shotokan karate? I. Stratton Bournemouth, UK
That's right, it's an association. If it was Shotokan Karate, what would the hundreds of Shotokan groups the world over be called? Go to What is JKA? it is clearly explained there.

18/08/04 - Oss. I love JKA. Do you know where I can buy an original copy of Dynamic Karate? Ashley McD. Welshpool WA
Thanks Ashley. If you are talking about the hardcover version, it went out of print over 10 years ago. Recent re-prints have been in softcover but the internal content is identical as far as we know. You could try e-bay or some of the online used bookstores.

17/08/04 - sensei.., i trained many years and achieved 2dn. I have not kept up my committment, and need now to re-train. i shall. assure me in my understanding that I can join a Dojo with humility, and yet be respected for my previous knowledge. ie. my belt, not white, but my own black, but training to the 'side' of the class. (i even remember a similar situation when Paul Mead pulled a re-trainer from the side and gave him a real 'seeing to!!') Steve Goodlad
Thanks Steve. Every Instructors' policy on re-trainers as you call yourself will be different. Karate is very "rank conscious" so you will naturally have lost momentum. Best to choose a reputable group and focus on getting back to the level at which you deferred.

17/08/04 - Some time ago two polo-shirted young men from GKR karatedo came to my door offering a good deal to start classes. I went along and enjoyed it very much until the instructor decided to switch schools to JKA taking a lot of money with him and leaving us to another inferior teacher, in the end I left. If I gave you the name of the person could I apply for a refund? (name and email provided) Neutral Bay NSW
Thanks. JKA can't be responsible for what one of it's members may have done before joining. If you send us the person's name, we will make his Instuctor aware of this.

16/06/04 - come by this way to ask help to a chance of buying the book of Hiroshi Shoji Sensei, is it written in english? great site. Edmundo, Portugal
Thanks again Edmundo. You wrote to us in relation to this last year. The book was not published in English, but we may be in a position to serialise a private translation on this website in coming months.

14/08/04 - Hi. Who won the JKA National Championships? Luke Levitt Wareemba, NSW
Thanks Luke. Go to Results you'll find all the details there.

14/08/04 - I want to compile a database of all combative (budo) martial arts for the internet, my question is - could I please list JKA Victoria? Do you know where I can get a list of every JKA world affiliate? Thanks. Steve F. Bearsden UK
Thanks Steve. It's OK to link this site, you could try approaching JKA world headquarters for more information, go to our Links Page

13/08/04 - Thank you for a fine effort with this site, I like it. Will Stevens Bumbury, WA

13/08/04 - What is JKA if it is not a style? C. Everard Dorset UK
Exactly what the name says - an association. The people who learned directly or indirectly from Master "Shoto" Funakoshi formed JKA. Prior to this Karate was taught mostly in Universities where some variations to methods of practice were emerging. The Japan Karate Association standardised Karate and spread it worldwide.

11/08/04 - Re the emails about JKA being harder in the past. My club was extremely hard-line like a lot of clubs in the 70's and 80's, but I also saw some soft, even weak teaching and training. It's not right to say JKA was tougher overall in the past, you can't generalise and I suspect there are as many toughies around these days as weakies. G. Crabb Solihul, UK
Thanks.

11/08/04 - Danny Clow might have a point. I don't think there is any style or substance to JKA now. JKA Senseis nowadays are far less strict than they were back two or three decades ago. Etiquette is still as strong as ever but who cares about that? Where are the knuckle push-ups, bunny hops, lost teeth, broken bones, exhausted students and grumpy instructors who treated us students like ****? John V. Lincolnshire UK.
There are none in Lincolnshire by the sound of it John, and you make a good point, nostalgia is not what it used to be.

11/08/04 - I read on another JKA related site that being a good teacher does not require a person to be a good at karate, I'm confused, what's that supposed to mean? Dawn T. Thomastown, VIC
Ask them Dawn.

10/08/04 - Who is the Chief Instructor of JKAA Melbourne? Andy Thorne Bendigo VIC
Our Senior Instructor is Nishimura Sensei. Check out Instructors Profiles.

09/08/04 - Hello. I'm a frequent visitor to Victoria on business and I'd like to train at one of your dojo. I've been involved with karate on and off for 25 years but I can't find anything as good as JKA. Would it be OK to contact you when I'm down there again? P. Milligan Vancouver, BC Canada
Certainly. I hope we live up to your expectations.

09/08/04 - Hi. I like your articles and your tributes are beautifully written. I was very privileged to train under the late Nakayama Sensei in London some 23 years ago. His Assistants were Mr Ohsaka and Mr Tabata and I was amazed at Mr Tabata's huge body being able to move so smoothly and dynamically. Your site has stated for some time that there will be a tribute to him soon. Is it still coming? Jill Lovett Portsmouth UK
Thank You Jill, yes it is.

07/08/04 - Good site, but is there really a JKA "style" anymore? Since the downfall of the organisation, most clubs have done their own thing. Danny Clow Montmorency, VIC
Thanks Danny, what downfall? There never was a JKA style, nor is there any claim that we have one. We are a worldwide group of like-minded people doing the same thing. Our Karate is often called Shotokan which has been branded a style. You might want to check this out and then examine how Karate has developed over the last 60 years to get a better idea.

07/08/04 - I had a long debate today with my son who is a kick-boxer about the lack of manners and gentlemanly conduct in his "scene" as he calls it. I did a little bit of JKA a while ago and what sticks out in my mind is the very good manners displayed and demanded of everyone. I feel that these hitting sports lack manners and therefore are dangerous. J. Mason Deakin ACT
Thanks. JKA is big on etiquette as part of it's Budo culture, but you should find an emphasis on good manners in most combat sports.

07/08/04 - Dropped JKA State of Victoria into Google and look what I get! Tremendous site guys, love the 'variables' (articles, editorials, interviews etc) streets ahead of anything in its space. Best to you. Carlton Braun Minneapolis USA
Thanks Carlton, keep visiting.

06/08/04 - Just wondering if your JKA Katas have a 'degree of difficulty' component for tournament point purposes. I am setting up an all-styles tourney and I want to include Unsu and some others from JKA on the list for black belt open. It seems to me the JKA Kata vary enormously in difficulty, is this taken into account by judges in your own competitions? Paul Searles Derby UK
Thanks Paul. No it isn't.

04/08/04 - hello this is a cool site Im a seventh kyu with jka england. Shelley R. Bristol, UK

04/08/04 - Congratulations to all the winners and place-getters at the JKAA Nationals. We are sorry we couldn't attend and compete, but we look forward to future events. Billanook Dojo VIC

03/08/04 - I like your talkback forum, but the moderator can be a bit rude sometimes. Don't you think? John E. St Kilda VIC
Thanks John. You will have seen that the vast majority of responses to Talkback (which is not an open forum) are courteous and moderate. We don't go out of our way to offend, but some of the stuff we receive must be a joke.

02/08/04 - Thanks for a very informative site. There's a lot con men still in the Martial Arts community. Self proclaimed grandmasters who write books just to make a fast buck. Is there anything we traditionalists can do about it? G. Hume Doncaster VIC
Not much. It's consumer beware, at least in the unregulated Karate world.

01/08/04 - What is it that causes all the friction between the different martial arts? Karate-ka are all reasonable people, who share a common interest but put some of you guys in a room and a blue would break out in no time. Where do you think it went wrong? Frank Needham (expat Aussie), Essex UK
Thanks Frank, maybe that's why the Martial Arts exist.

01/08/04 - To Glen Bowers... Yes JKA practices take-downs and throws. You don't see much of it though because they are more comfortable with hitting. Rhys Sandilands (Nidan Wado-Ryu) Cardiff Wales

31/07/04 - Hi, Great site. I practiced JKA for a few years in the UK before moving on to boxing. I am sure i know one of your karateka and was enjoying the profiles on your instructors but who are the 'cauld bridies' L. McNeil Portree, Isle of Skye Scotland
Thanks. This looks like code for something, maybe you are getting your JKA's mixed up.

29/07/04 - I would like to add to P. Renfry's question. Are JKA women graded on a different criteria to men in Australia? I have seen some very dubious gradings given to women in the KUGB, including black belt gradings. Scott P Reading, England.
No

28/07/04 - Congrats on a good solid Karate site. How do JKA people condition their body to take hard punches? Vern P. North Ringwood, VIC
Thanks Vern. We work on blocks, parries and other avoidance strategies to deal with hard punches, then counter with our own.

26/07/04 - A question for you guys.. Would you train under a female instructor? and since you became involved in the martial arts, how many women teachers have you trained under? And for the lady teachers, what behaviours have you encountered from male students or even potential male students? P. Renfry Moe Vic.
Thanks for your questions. The gender debate is not much of an issue here, infact JKAA has many highly qualified female Instructors, Bev Cook, Kim Parker and Laurel Scott are three. Also, we have a full ladies national squad preparing to compete in the 2004 world championships and there are hundreds of other female JKA Karateka in this country, all on an equal footing with the guys.

24/07/04 - Hi. Great to see you speaking out about drugs. I thought you would be interested to know that every European WKF sanctioned event has random sample testing. Some people show up for tournaments then mysteriously don't compete. E. Grattan Homebush, NSW
Thanks. As we said, the temptation to take drugs in sport must be intense. We'd like to think that JKA people and all Budo Karateka get enough out of training to prepare for Shiai without needing to cheat.

22/07/04 - D. Mair's comment can't be discuonted so easily. In tradidional karate there are heeps of senior guys that are rubbish, just look around you at the 50 somethings comfortible sensies. I dedecate 5 days a week to training and I don’t like these guys been called tradidional karatekas like me. G. Ramsey Sandringham, Vic
Learn to spell.

22/07/04 - This is a good karate site, you seem to have a lot of knowledgeable people contributing. Do you know if the current JKA Grandmaster Motokuni Sugiura does overseas trips like his predecessor Masatoshi Nakayama? I'm doing as many courses and meeting as many grandmasters as possible to expand my knowledge. I met Nakayama once in Canada and learned more in 2 hours than I did in 5 years. Steven Oldale Rippon Lea, Victoria

21/07/04 - Ha Ha Ha Come on, I meant a good boxer v's the JKA Champ at a freefight with no holds barred. A. Gilmore Glen Waverley, Vic
Oh, you didn't say that. OK, in that case our guy would win - female bantamweight boxers might be good but not that good.

18/07/04 - I love your interviews, but when will we see an interview with a normal Karateka? Everybody so far is a champion or something. Jacob Thiess St Kilda, VIC
Thanks Jacob. We hope our Interviewees are normal people, but we see what you mean. Look out for something soon.

17/07/04 – I’d like to see your JKA Aussie mens champ up against a good boxer. Who do you honestly think would win. A. Gilmore Glen Waverley, Vic
Thanks, great question. At chess - the boxer would win, at Shobu-Ippon Kumite – our guy, but at darts, who knows?

16/07/04 - Does JKA do throws, locks and take-downs? I once did Wado Karate which I was told was Jujitsu based and I liked them. Thinking now about getting into it again and my mate who is a JKA fanatic wants me to join, so I'd like to give it a go if these elements were taught. I have also looked at Shotokai, which emphasises evasive manoeuvres whereas JKA avoids them. Is this accurate? Thanks in anticipation Glen Bowers Minto, NSW
Thanks Glen. There's only one way to find all this out.

16/07/04 - Hello. Do you know if all styles of Karate end their hard techniques with a sudden pause to allow transfer of energy? I have seen some advanced practitioners using much softer and continuous looking waza to great effect and I wonder if you karate guys need to use shock so much? I am JKA, Shotokan researching this point. G. Clarke Illinois, USA

15/07/04 - Thanks for a great visit. I noticed you claim Funakoshi in your lineage. I have been told by practicing karateka that his old saying "Karate ni sente nashi" does not hold true today and I agree. Surely the guy who hits first and hits hardest is the winner? Just a comment. Saul Liebermann Chelmsford, UK
Thanks for your comment Saul.

14/07/04 - I've known individuals in JKA with Dan rankings that don't have the knowledge nor the ability to hold the Dan rankings that they have. D. Mair Revesby NSW.
Thank you, you must be a JKA senior.

14/07/04 - Hi there. I do JKA in England. Great site, osu. Peter D. Oxon, UK

12/07/04 – Does Karate have any religious connotations? My son is keen but I’d like to know the facts before I join him, thank you. Helen Riley Bayswater, Victoria
Thank you Helen. We can only speak for JKA Karate and the answer is no.

11/07/04 – I like your site. Do you link non-JKA shotokan clubs or other styles on your links page or is your policy against promoting such clubs? Steven Park, Perth WA
We’re not fussy Steven. You could find any traditional group linked here.

10/07/04 – I had a look at the grade syllabus for the very high dan grades. Am I correct in thinking that it gets easier rather than harder to pass a JKA test? It certainly looks that way. Aron S. Brisbane QLD
Thanks. There is always a lot more to any grading exam than there appears.

08/07/04 - Some very annoyed JKA person has lashed out at a request from a visitor to the JKAA website about your Chief Instructor. They only wanted to know some details about him but they got a very rude reply. (no name or email address provided)
Really, we'll have a look.

08/07/04 - Hello. I read as much about traditional BUDO as I can. I know that JKA higher grades submit a thesis or some form of study into a particular technique as part of their grading examinations. Do these appear anywhere on the internet to read? It would I'm sure make fascinating reading and help people with their research. Donald Rennie Cumbernauld, Scotland
Thanks Donald. Individual research done as part of the JKA grading syllabus is not recorded publicly. If it were to appear anywhere, it would be done by the examinee, not the examiner(s).

07/07/04 - I'm a former shotokan student and I have been in Japan twice this year for business. I did some Aikido recently so I visited the Aikido Hombu Dojo in Shinjuku which was wonderful, but I wanted to tell you that I also visited the new JKA Hombu Dojo at Bunkyo. It was extremely impressive, what a sight. I did a general class and also managed to see some very famous instructors. I know now that JKA is definitely for me and I'm ready to get back into it. It was great to find your site, which has a very traditional feel. Richard B. Eltham, VIC

05/07/04 - I read the Tradition, Vision, Values article. I was the person asking what it all meant. I must admit I'm not a lot wiser after reading it.
Thanks for your feedback.

05/07/04 - Greetings. I collect MA memribilias. Do you know where I could get a black belt worn by Nakayama Sensei the founder of JKAJ? I may be prepared to offer a price for it if you can help. S. Abraham New Jersey USA
Thank you, what's JKAJ?

05/07/04 - Just read the article tradition, vision and value and I think it is interesting that you should use shuhari as an analogy to describe tradition. I am reading as much as I can about shuhari and I think I've grasped the concept, but can you tell me how long it takes on average to achieve shu (su) then how much longer it takes to get to ha stage and finally to ri? Does it happen at a different rate for each person? Or does it happen over a fixed time? Your comments appreciated. C. Kaplan Cambridge UK
Thank you. This description of the learning process talks only about the stages a person goes through. The rate of learning would depend on the quality of training, amount of practice and how quickly knowledge is assimilated.

05/07/04 - I found this site 10 minutes ago and I'm really annoyed. I'm on leave from work having just spent 7 weeks holiday in Australia, 4 in Melbourne, I leave for the UK in 3 days. I wanted to do some Karate while I was here but it never occurred to me to check the web for JKA dojo's. I notice a school called KG Karate which looks like JKA is online as well, are they JKA? T. Robertson. (JKA England student)
Thanks, have a safe trip home. All JKA Dojos in Victoria are listed on our Dojo Directory page.

04/07/04 - Just looked through the article about the recent Bendigo Seminar and noticed the reference to the eating habits of one Sensei Dion Risborg. I thought it appropriate that I respond. Dion's eating habits were not always this excessive - not until we had the pleasure of having one Kenji Nakai, a fellow JKA student from Japan, stay with us for three months in 2002. For all of those who came into contact with Kenji, especially during a mealtime, you would be aware that the amount of food that Dion seems to have "polished" off on that evening would have simple been an entrée for Kenji. No doubt Dion was just trying to live up to the high standards that Kenji Nakai set during his stay in Australia. Heather Risborg – Adelaide SA
Thanks for the explanation Heather but there is no excuse for gluttony on that scale, your grocery bill must be colossal. (This message reached us back on 27th May. Apologies for the delay)

02/07/04 - I read all the Technical Tips. The last one about head position is hard for me. I'm a bit bulky and I can't fully turn my head to the side in kibadachi. Does this mean my karate is poor? G. Masterson East Melboure, Victoria
Thanks. Our Technical Tips are intended only as reminders of the small things that contribute to better Karate practice. Don't worry if your body can't do everything perfectly but keep working to do the best you can.

02/07/04 - What is your position about people with criminal records joining JKA? My son was kicked senseless in the street by a Karate man who did some form of karate and he had form as long as your arm. We couldn't sue his club but karate needs to be warned if it let's bad guys join, they could kill an innocent person. J Cale, Teddington UK
Thank you, this is an interesting point. We try to screen out people with any kind of conviction if they apply to join us, but that's not failsafe. A person of bad character or with negative intentions could still probably join, but we would find out and remove them.

01/07/04 - In your tribute to Shoji Sensei, it is mention that he wrote a book, "The Road to Karate ? the way of life of a budo-ka?. I cannot find a copy or reference to this book anywhere, could you tell me where I could get an copy of this book, in english? Richard Clark
Thanks Richard. Shoji Sensei's book was published in 1976 by the Fukumasado Publishing Co. of Tokyo. It appears in the Japanese language only. It is a small book written as a memoir of his life in Karate. Shoji Sensei was a special person to us, so there is some chance that we ourselves will embark on an unofficial translation, which of course will take time. You might like to stay in touch with us to check any progress.

30/06/04 - I've been doing some web browsing for the last couple of weeks. Just about every martial art out there is now really a sport, just like football, basketball etc. I started karate because it was the art of empty hand fighting but now it is all sport oriented. As a result I've seen poor quality technique and promotions that never should of happened. I just wonder if there are any strong traditional schools left who teach good quality technique. I'm talking about ones that demand good quality performance and do not except sloppy technique or behaviour, and are not afraid to loose a student. If there are any schools like that left, I'd like to know about them, may be you are one? Charles V. Braeside Vic.
Thanks Charles.

29/06/04 - I have just started to learn gojukai karate since one month. I am on my 1st kata. I would like to know whether there are any kata lessons online which teach you step wise how to do katas? Kindly let me know if there are any sites available for learners so that i can practice and get more information. Hufriz Turel, India
Thanks Hufriz. Karate is best learned from teachers, that's why we don't offer Kata or Kumite videos or other tutorials as teaching aids. At best they can supplement good personal instruction. Sorry we can't help you, good luck.

27/06/04 - Thanks for a good Shotokan web site. My instructor informed us last year that our associaition was breaking away from JKA and nothing would change as far as trainings or gradings. I need to know if my new second dan rank (awarded after the split) is a real grade, he tells me it is, but I don't know. David. M. Tyneside UK.
Thanks David. It depends what you mean by real. Your new rank is not recognised by the JKA, but that doesn't mean it's inferior (or superior). Take the issue up with your Instructor.

26/06/04 - What is the overall point of martial art training? What is the end point? Why do people train in the martial arts and what do they get from it? I'm interested to hear from JKA Australia people. Thanks Mel Crane St. Louis MO. USA
Well guys, what do you think?

26/06/04 - I've spent over a half of my karate life doing basics which don't reflect what I would have to do in actual sparring. I am great at punching, blocking and kicking thin air, but it seems like years wasted. Franco, Penrith NSW
Thanks Franco. Then why do you continue to waste your time?

23/06/04 - I'm wondering if I can train with you guys in July on the Gold Coast at the JKA of Australia National seminar and Championships. I'm a karateka on a working holiday from Great Britain and I'd love to attend. How do I apply for a place? Julieanne Shipp Robina, QLD.
Thanks for your interest Julieanne. You are welcome to join us so we will contact you directly. This year will be fantastic with Mizuno Sensei, head of JKA in Mie Prefecture in Japan and Nishimura Sensei from Victoria both joining us as well as some other notables.

22/06/04 - Despite what I'm told, even by Shotokan experts, I disagree that high kicks are effective in a real fight. I think they are OK for sparring but impractical on the street. What happens if you slip or damage yourself because your muscles are cold? What if your foe is faster and kicks under your kick. So many reasons not to do it. I think it's a bonus to be able to kick high in a fight. Gus Wells BC Canada
No Gus, it's a bonus having time to do anything by choice in a real fight.

22/06/04 - Is it wise to train with a bad back? I did JKA karate-do for years and developed some lumbar problem that they can't fix for me. The pain is low down and dull, not sharp so I think I might be okay. Do you know of anybody in your club who has had anything similar and if so, how did they handle it? Chris Newman Halifax, Yorks. UK
Thanks Chris. We can't give you any advice except to proceed with care, each "bad back" case is different.

22/06/04 - Hey, just a question I have on my mind. Can you recommend for me how often to stretch? For a good 4 months now, i've been doing 4 hours worth of stretching most nights a week (4 to 5 times a week). My strong leg was my right leg but after a while I got frustrated at how bad i was with my left, so i've been starting each stretch on my left and it's improved a lot. I'm just curious as to how long it takes to do the full side splits using JKA stretching? J. Oliver, Luton UK
Unbelievable.

20/06/04 - Hello, I'm a JKA 1st Dan with asthma and I'd like to offer some help to sufferers via websites. When I started karate, I was using my inhaler 2 to 4 times a day when I wasn't training. I sometimes also needed it during lessons. I found that the fitter I became, the less I needed it. Asthma is a problem for a lot of people in Karate, so if I may give a little advice: Don't panic if you become breathless during training, breathe slowly and deeply and use your inhaler if necessary. Also, make sure your instructor knows about your condition and that you might need to use your inhaler during the class. Good luck with your website, I like it. Per Lewis, Cardiff, Wales
Thanks for the tips Per.

19/06/04 - My subject is Kiai's. I'm learning Shotokan karate and my teacher just tells us to make as loud a sound as possible to increase the power. But from what I've read on the internet there are specific sounds, syllables that can be emphasised and different volumes you can use to make different effects. Is this true for JKA? Tara McL. Frankston Victoria
Thanks Tara, no it isn't.

19/06/04 - Just one simple request. Could anyone connected with the running of this site please post a reply, anything will do, so that I know you do read this section. P. Coulter Gosford, NSW
Hello, we're here! Who do you think responds to Talkback emails?

18/06/04 - I'm interested in the karate toe-kick which I think is very impressive but it appears to take a lot of conditioning. Personally I can't see the purpose in the toe kick when it's just as easy to pull your toes back and strike with the ball of your foot. Toes take a while to heal if you smash them up I bet some of the more senior people here could tell some good toe stories? E. Pert, Glenrothes Scotland
Thanks for your email. This is a very rare technique not used much in mainstream JKA.

17/06/04 - I love Shotokan, but the forms have been too watered down to find the bunkai. For your informations, I watched an Okinawan who displayed the true meaning of forms. He was a shorin ryu karateka. He told me I could see the original bunkai in tae chi, or shoalin kung fu. M. Renouf Brisbane QLD
Thanks for the information.