Question for Stryke

[2Green]

Hi Stryke:
If I remember correctly from some previous posts, you are a Shotokan practitioner, yes?
Just wondering, now that you are somewhat acquainted with Uechi through these forums, any comments or perspectives on the comparison of the two?
Not expecting you to diss Shotokan or praise Uechi,but just wondering if you have any observations.
I have to tell you that I have read "The Spirit of Karate-Do" by Andrew Bowerbank, on the life of Masami Tsuruoka who brought Shotokan to Canada, and found it extremely inspirational. I have limited exposure to Shotokan but there is a variant called "Shotokai" taught here in Canada, do you know anything about that?
Ain't it great that various styles can meet in these forums and compare notes?

[Stryke]

Hello 2 green

Ill do my best at this but this is a big question , firstly I dont think ive learnt hardly enough to be able to talk about Uechi, so camparisons on differences i cant do , what I can comment on is some similaritys .

the difference between Shotokan and Shotokai are primarily i believe politics , Shotokai usually sticks to original 15 Kata from Sensei Gichin Funakoshi . Whereas Shotokan do extended kata list of up to 26 i believe instated by JKA . there was a disagreement after Funakoshis death and various stories exist .

Personally i believe 15 would be more than enough , but even though i dont know all 26 each kata i Know has taught me something .

Ive just been reading the post by Sensei Van Canna , hip rotation for us Shotokan boys is where its at , this is no 1 in my mind for Shotokan .

Also Sense Cannas TC methods to me sounds like something Ive been working on in Shotokan , but understand Im only going by Descriptions .

For strength of Shotokan Id list as most obvious would be , RANGE!!!! , In any tournament Ive ever been in Ive never seen anyone close range better than a Shotokan stylist , also a hard direct style , plenty of power ( Hip Rotation ).

Im seriously working on in fighting , and kata Bunkai style grappling , not commanly thought of as Shotokan strong points but there none the less , this seems to be a phenomenon right across the Martial arts and i see it so much in these forums , so many Uechi Bunkai as for example in the video clip segments also obviously straight out of Shotokan Kata .

My only real experience in Uechi is a process of self teaching Sanchin and listening to all you folk , Sanchin has been at times inspirational , It has helped me finally understand the Shotokan kata Hangetsu , to me personally a real oddball Shotokan kata .

Shotokan is a hard style no doubt , but I find its just a training difference not a technical one , I get the impression (how could anything not be more flowing than Shotokan ) that Uechi is far more fluid apearing but once again these things are more training differences than technique and i believe at higher levels come down to personal style .

I get a hunch that In Uechi In fighting is a much bigger focus , Sanchin Dachi is awesome , although we have similair stances in Shotokan your initial focus on it must get into your mindset .

Sensei Canna`s post on rotation mentions blocks as weapons , hip rotation , oh boy thats my Shotokan , blocks to me these days are anything but , I parry yes , blocks are to break , maim and destroy .

Hope that`s a little of waht you were after , remeber Im just a Student in Shotokan and a novice at Uechi ( even saying that feels presumptuous ) .

If you have any questions to add please ask , this is what i love about these forums , It is great to share ideas thoughts and realise hey it`s a worldwide martial community ....

all the best

Stryke

[2Green]

Thank you so much for a quite comprehensive answer. Nothing inspires me more than contact with a person who loves their art and training, if in a different style.
I have a friend in ITF-style TKD,(the original, non-olympic style where hand techniques are emphasized) and he is similarly enthused about his training.
I guess that tranlates to confidence in making it work for you.
Anyway, it's ironic that in a fluid style such as Uechi, that hip or waist rotation would be a stranger. I know that in Shotokan it is specifically taught as a fundamental. I think in Uechi it is something we stumble onto; I know of no drills that are actually used to cultivate it. Too bad for us!
Maybe there are some:...anyone?...
I think that's what the TC classes are all about, but they're not in the "book".
But again, thanks for a great answer, and I think that people who really like their art wind up as great teachers.You seem like one of them, as are many on this site.
Train on brother.

[Colin 8 of 8]

I have been thinking of taking up karate for some kata. All the arts I have done so far seem to avoid them. Can anyone tell me what styles I should hunt down and which I should avoid?

Thanks

Colin 8 of 8


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My name is Colin 8 of 8, I am very much alive, and intend to stay that way.

[Stryke]

Hi I agree , choosing Kata is the same as choosing a style , its got to be a personal , choice .

I could no more answer , whats the best style ? ,Is there any style`s that are useless i should stay away from ...

Having said that , Id trust your instincts , here are alot of well esrablished well known styles and the mostly do kata , if selecting just for Kata id look at the lineage and the diversity of the style first and formost .

[2Green]

Colin 8 of 8:
Uechi Ryu only has eight Kata,but there's a lot in them.
Also, the Kata aren't the point of the style,they are like a combination encyclopedia/training device/demonstration/of the style as far as I can tell so far.
Although they portray scenarios, I don't think anyone expects to ever use the entire Kata sequences in real life as they are performed in class.Same with Bunkai.
Perhaps taking Karate to learn Kata is like taking boxing to learn how to skip rope, although you might find that Kata teaches you Karate without you realizing it!
In fact I think that's part of the intention, at least in our style.
One thing's for sure, learning Kata has to improve a person overall in terms of basic attributes like balance, coordination,flexibility,etc.,all of which would be helpful IRL if trouble should occur.
And although lots of other skills do this (fencing, ballet, figure skating, gymnastics, etc.), none of these are oriented directly to fighting-skills.

As for part 2 of your question, I can't answer which to seek or avoid, but I have gone to various dojos and dojangs and sat quietly watching as an anonymous spectator, just to see what they do. Don't ask or offer any info, just watch. Try to picture yourself doing that and think whether you can see yourself in that picture.
On every occasion that I have done this, I have come away knowing I made the right choice FOR ME in Uechi. I would never diss another style because it's all about what the student is after.I only think that the student should know what the style offers rather than assuming what it does, and maybe going down an uninformed path.
The Uechi Kata seem to me very fluid,powerful,dignified and well thought out.(...perhaps not as I perform them...)
Other styles' Kata I have seen look either to stiff and choppy, or silly and flowery,or too non-combat related for me to pursue personally.
I like some Kung Fu forms I've seen,but I see a lot of Uechi in them anyway.
So my advice is: think about what you want to get out of learning Kata, then go be a fly on the wall and look for those aspects in what you see. Hope that helps...?

[Colin 8 of 8]

Thanks all.

Colin 8 of 8

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My name is Colin 8 of 8, I am very much alive, and intend to stay that way.

[beckyhaworth]

Colin,

The best advice I can give is to watch the instructors with the students. How do they treat them?

Use your gut feeling when you meet the instructors....if you don't "like" them, then you won't be able to learn from them.

Becky