[lil'sword]

hey you guys(gals)
Setsu suggested that I should open up a forum for people who are curious about karate, and so I did. Here you can post your Q and I will hopefully beable to post some answers. I f I cant answer your questions then I will look it up and in so doing further my own understanding. So fire away!!

[bamboo]

Hi lil' sword!

I've seen ryu-ha that looked very linear and striking only while others that included lots of throws and shime waza.

Would you mind starting off by giving the basic characteristics of the main styles and what makes them different or unique enough to be their "own" style? I know its a tall order but I am quite curious to hear it from an actual karateka.

cheers,

bamboo

[lil'sword]

First of all I have only done karate for about 5 years in shotokan and one year in shotokai, so my knowledge is limited to these two styles. I havn't had the time to branch into the other areas yet. The thing about shotokan is that it is very direct. The moves rely on the shift of energy through out the body for one single purpose Ex. one punch. The stances and the kata are designed to bring the whole body together so your whole body delivers the punch and not just your arm and shoulder. Your body is there for the conductor of energy that your muscles create. The energy that flows through is supposed mimic a wave so that it starts in the ground comes up through your body and jumps into your opponent on contact so as to provide maximum impact. The movements and mechanics of motion of Shotokan are designed around this principle. The stances are solidly connected to the ground in basics to provide a foundation for this process. ......

Ill have to coninue latter I have to go..... ..

[Kyorgi]

For the average person about how long does it take to get to a dan rank in karate? (I want to see if its similar to tkd)

[lil'sword]

in my dojo it takes 4 years which to some dojos is a very short amount of time where in others it is a long ammount of time. It all depends on the instructor. There are 9 belts before the dan rank in my dojo.

[bamboo]

What do you consider the strong and the weak points of shotokan karate?

[lil'sword]

strong points would be standing and fighting, as well as speed and focus. The week points would definatly be in the grappling area. There is almost no ground work at all.

[bamboo]

Is there any nage waza in shotokan?

cheers,

bamboo

[lil'sword]

yes there are a few throwing moves in shotokan.

[BLACK PANTA]

What are the tests like for each rank. And if you have your shodan, what was that test like?