—In two weeks, 17 Feb, we’ll have a quick exam for some of our white belts. I say quick, because the first test seems so short for those of us watching…it’s over before I can blink my eyes. Of course, for those taking their first test, it seems to last forever. this particular group of white belts should have no problems passing…some have been training since last summer, so they should be so ready, they should be overripe (joke). Following the short exam, we’ll have training as usual. —In three weeks, 24 Feb (weather permitting), we’ll have our periodic yard cleaning. As always, many hands should make this quick so that we have time for some training afterwards. Please bring your rakes and gloves (and weedwhacker, if you have one). —As I mentioned today, on the 14 Mar episode of the hugely popular TV series “Lost”, Anne, mother to two of our young blue belts is scheduled to appear as a nurse (speaking a couple of lines, no less!). So keep your eyes peeled for her, and you can tell your family, “Hey, I know her!” —Also in March, I’m happy to say that sempai Wes (not me, the younger, [...]

Some of you may wonder why, when we watch martial arts movies featuring karate, there is often, various weaponry associated with the art. We’ve all seen the nunchaku, sai, bo, kama, tonfa, etc, spinning with great flash and effect, in the hands of the movie villains/heroes. Well, we understand that it’s entertainment, but we also see many of these weapons (along with the ekku – oar, which hardly ever makes it into the movies) at traditional karate tournaments in kobudo competition. Sometimes, it’s hard to differentiate which implements are really associated with karate and which are part of the vast list of weaponry belonging to the Chinese martial arts. Not to mention those associated with Filipino martial arts such as escrima and kali. The implements I have just mentioned are those associated with Okinawan Te, the root of modern Karate-do. Formerly, the majority of Te practitioners in Okinawa all were adept with some or all of these weapons. The founder of Shotokan, Master Funakoshi Gichin, was very familiar with Okinawan weaponry, and has been photographed using the bo, sai, etc. However, during the formulation of Shotokan, a decision was apparently made not to include any of the weapons in the [...]

We often think of rules as restrictive or confining, but rules can also provide us with freedom. Rules provide for us a canvas which is limited by its size, but unlimited in how we may fill it. Kata provides us with this same canvas to express ourselves within its confines. At the very basic level, we do this technique, this many times, and in this way. However, no karateka is exactly the same. Therefore, we express movement differently due to interpretation, application and physical capabilities. The true expression of kata comes after endless (not mindless) repetition and effort. A technique becomes “your” technique. A kata becomes “your” expression. It’s not that I have reached this ideal, but I just wanted to share some thoughts on kata that will hopefully help you with your journey.