TIPS AND INFO FOR STUDENTS
Tips
Be sure your keiko gi is clean and neat.
Be sure your nails are cut and feet are clean.
Try not to eat one hour before class.
When in doubt ask an upper belt to assist.
Talking is to be kept to a minimum.
Try to maintain a proper diet for your training needs.
Strength and flexibility tecniques should be practiced at home.
Proper care and attention when handling weapons.
LESSON #1
Respect
Courtesy
Patience
Courage
Confidence
Humility
Responsibility
Discipline
Try this:
Put on a tee shirt, jeans and running shoes.
Look in a mirror and think Samurai. How do you feel?
Now put on a suit and tie and think Samurai. Look in the mirror. Now how do you feel?
As members as the Tenshin Ryu we were required to wear a jacket and tie to class for 20 years.
How bad to you want to learn Budo? What will it take to learn these dynamic life changing experiences? ....just walk in the door.
Katana and Kenjutsu
We use swords ranging from the 1400s to the 1940s. We feel an obligation with antique blades to carry on in the spirit and history of the maker and the previous owners. It is also through the inherent danger that one learns Budo quickly.
However, we do not cut objects off of students nor do we slash at each other with sharp blades.This was not part of classical training. We do what is called "tameshigiri or test cutting" Here one cuts rolled up straw mats or bamboo in proper conditions.
Kyosei or first level instructor requirement : 100 Shohatsuto kata and 1200 kirioroshi in succession. This is a fundamental sword kata that is done in a few different schools. Kirioroshi is a downward cut from a raised katana above the head.
A Kyosei in some classical arts like kenjutsu, jujutsu and aikijutsu receive a certificate or teaching licence called a menjo. This is about the level of a second degree karate black belt in the San Sai Ryu
Dojo records: 100 Shohatsuto Kata..5000 kiri- oroshi...run 1 mile...shikko suburi with kirioroshi around a 100 yard football field in one session.
#2: 100 shohatsuto kata...6200 kirioroshi in one session.
At least a dozen people hold each of these distinctions.
Bu- War Do -Way- Kan-House
"house where they study the ways of war "
Our Style is San Sai or Three Elements
Dojo refers to : "Way Place" or meditation room in a monastery.
For a structure to be called a Budokan at least two arts must be taught there.
The Delaware Budokan was built over a period of
eight months. It was started in 1995 and opened in Feb 96. It was built by the members themselves.
Red Flags!
Lots of trophies: This can be deceiving. Of course, being involved in this area for many years at high levels, I have seen some excellent tournaments, many outstanding competitors and can give some good insights to the benefits of sport martial arts. My Sa Bum Nim of seventeen years, ninth dan Cha Soo Young was principle advisor to the 84 and 88 Olympic Committee. Several of our members trained at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado and my students have won many awards. However, many great schools do not go to competitions as it is the least important aspect of the Martial Arts and for most seekers of our training. Many times awards are given to everyone just for entering the contest and competitors even pick out their own awards quite often. They are for profit events. Many are often inhouse or inter school trophies. They are also expensive events to enter and travel to. One famous tournament put on in Las Vegas annually by very prominent instructors stated in their flyers and promotions:"Create your Wildest Kata, Get on your Wildest Costume and show the World Real Martial Arts. Again, I can recall many fun times at touraments and can appreciate creativity, check out the Long Beach Invitationals...awesome!......but.... This is absurd!!
I saw one guy in a tournament get carried in on a throne and dressed in leopard skins followed by an entourage of 30. They all sat together and would chant and distract the competitors.
A brawl ensued. I have seen Tae Kwon Do teachers at the highest level throwing chairs and fighting on the main floor on more then one occasion and more.
Look around to different schools/dojo that can help you find out what you can expect from each of the martial arts if you are not sure. Is it: self defence, health improvements, confidence, weaponry, new friends, interesting people, tournaments, cultural aspects etc.
World Champions: Twenty year olds with 15 world tittles? His 22 year old teammate with 9? some other fighter in another article with 5 more tittles at the same time. How is this possible? I've seen it in books, magazines, catalogs and more. Many organizations, good and bad give these tittles. These guys are everywhere. These "World Champions" forget to say they are group "xyzs" champion, perhaps even twenty years has gone by since the tournament.Yet, some still claim and advertise they are World Champions .. not former or xyzs etc. Some organizations have as few as 4 or 5 members even. Many of these guys have tiny schools, are unknown, no magazine profiles, articles, movies, books or dvds. If you Google them...nothing. They are hardly "Champions of the Whole World" as they proudly proclaim.... This isVery Misleading
No Certificates.
I speak regularly with many black belts from around the world wanting to join our ryu and other organizations I belong to. Many are claiming all type of ranks. Most high ranking ones have no senior knowledge of their art, certificates from their sensei, wont, or can't even give/remember their sensei's name. Ask for their credentials!! I want my doctors diploma on the wall to examine.
Ninety nine percent of legitimate teachers have their certificates to prove it. Ask them why they don't if they fail to present one. It's your money and you want value, quality and a long, positive relationship with your sensei and dojo.
Thirty year old Gradmasters who trained for 3 years and are now tenth dans in the system they invented. Run!
Ninja Grand Masters: This is the easiet way to take advantage of uneducated trusting consumers.
Lets see: "I was in the army in Nam/Gulf War /Iraq and my sensei was so secret he never gave me his name or style." If you do your home work there are some creditable teachers out there. None will open with that line and will present more acceptable lineage.
Soke:
The most abused word in the Martial Arts today.
Unless you are born into a Japanese family or adopted by them, and the direct inheritor of the ryu......Forget it.
Music, Kick Ball, Games, Beer Cans.....Run!
For a complete Glossary of Terms and Articles go to LInks page=Kenjutsu International Association of Instructors