old school karate

advfhorn · Yellow Belt

just curious - when someone says "old school karate" what do you think of?

sensei8 · KF Sensei

My quickest answer to this question is...

Whenever one is training in Karate for sports, that is NOT old school Karate, IMHO.

By the way, great topic, advfhorn, thank you.

_________________
**Proof is on the floor!!!

aurik · KF Sempai

When I think old school karate, I think of something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adJSQQZzKHU
_________________
My Journey (So Far)
Shuri-Ryu 1996-1997 - Gokyu
Judo 1996-1997 - Yonkyu
Uechi-Ryu 2018-Present - Nidan
ABS Bladesmith 2021-Present - Apprentice

sensei8 · KF Sensei

Spartacus Maximus · Black Belt

It can mean slightly different things depending on the context and the person using the words. Generally it refers more to certain training and teaching methods that were common before karate became commercialized and widespread as a competitive sport. The words are also used to describe karate taught exclusively for self-defense and in a way which endeavours to be as close as possible to what was originally done in Okinawa and Japan. In fact, ´old-school’ is a term often used when referring to Okinawan systems versus those that developed after karate was introduced to Japan in the early 1900’s by the likes of Funakoshi and Motobu.

Wastelander · KF Sensei

I know that some people see "old-school karate" as referring to what is affectionately known in the US as the "blood and guts era" of karate here in the States, which was mostly the 1970s. They talk fondly of the hard training, with Sensei that were almost abusive to their students, and point karate tournaments where people lost teeth and broke bones.

Personally, that's not "old-school," to me, at all.

I see old-school karate much the same way that Spartacus Maximus describes; Okinawan methods that primarily carry over from before karate's introduction to the school system and mainland Japan. It's superficially characterized by having more angles/circles than straight, hard lines, along with higher stances, but beyond that it tends to include a great deal of grabbing, locking, and throwing. It also tends not to incorporate point fighting, but since that's the popular karate thing, most schools do it, even if they teach otherwise-old-school methods.
_________________
Kishimoto-Di | 2014-Present | Sensei: Ulf Karlsson
Shorin-Ryu/Shinkoten Karate | 2010-Present: Yondan, Renshi | Sensei: Richard Poage (RIP), Jeff Allred (RIP)
Shuri-Ryu | 2006-2010: Sankyu | Sensei: Joey Johnston, Joe Walker (RIP)
Judo | 2007-2010: Gokyu | Sensei: Joe Walker (RIP), Ramon Rivera (RIP), Adrian Rivera
Illinois Practical Karate | International Neoclassical Karate Kobudo Society

Fat Cobra · Green Belt

Our style is "old school" karate. This is defined by no superfluous motions. Everything is direct and efficient. Move from point A to B. This includes our kata and techniques. We have locks and throws (Tuite Jitsu) and Pressure Points (Kyusho Jitsu). We do body toughening exercises, like Ude Tanren (forearm conditioning) and makiwara punching. We also do Kobudo (traditional Okinawan weapons training: Bo, Jo, Tanbo, Chizikunbo, Kama, Nunchaku, Sai, Tonfa, Eku, Manji Sai, and Nuntebo). Our classes are small and more informal than some others.

We do not break boards, point spar, or compete in tournaments of any kind (kata or sparring). Everything is practiced for practical self defense.

However, "old, old school" karate, as I see it, goes back to Okinawa in the early 20th century and before. There were no uniforms (Gi's) or belts (rank). Practitioners wore long shorts and no shirt. They practiced in somebody's house or backyard and classes were small and informal.
_________________
Yondan in Ryukyu Kempo
Head of the Shubu Kan Dojo in Carthage, NY
(United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance)

sensei8 · KF Sensei

I could say that I'm not "old school" Karate because I started in 1964, however, the methodology and ideology that I/we trained in was "old school" training from Soke and Dai-Soke because they were both differently from those times.

Perhaps, "old school" can't be addressed as "old school" in today's modern world, no matter what age the methodology and ideology is handed down.

Semantics might apply to this topic across the board.

_________________
**Proof is on the floor!!!

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

I think of lots of floor drills and basics drills, sitting in a horse stance for 15 minutes at a time and not moving or risk getting a tongue lashing from an instructor. Only four belt colors and no kids allowed in class.

Not that it's right, but that's the picture that forms in my mind. Like Wastelander mentioned, the "blood and guts" era.
_________________
www.haysgym.com
http://www.sunyis.com/
www.aikidoofnorthwestkansas.com

advfhorn · Yellow Belt

Thanks guys. I have really been asking myself recently what I love about karate and the things I like, and are they really karate. These perspectives helped.

	KarateForums.com Forum Index -> Karate	All times are GMT - 6 Hours Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2