Gichin Funakoshi Kihon kumite

[majin2912]

I don't understand all if the hatred. If MMA advocates like their style than so be it. Why do some people feel the need to put down others to elevate themselves? I've trained in Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Goju Ryu and now starting Wado. I liked all of them but karate resonated the most with me so for me, it's the best...for me, not necessarily for everyone else.

[XtremeFighterX2]

CaptainLeRoy158 master Gichin died at the age of 90

[CaptainLeRoy158]

Funakoshi was like 95 when he made this video. Just the fact that he was able to do any of this at that age tells you how well developed his mind and body was. Most people at that age are sitting in a wheel chair. It's a testament to the man and the art he developed.

[chentaichiacademy]

Okinawa is home of some very able martial artists and fine martial arts.

[LosBats]

I can't believe this argument is still going on, i remember hearing this 10 years ago. If you do your research Funakoshi was hand picked by the Okinawan masters to spread the new "Kara-Te" empty hand in Kanji as oppose to "Chinese Hand" to Japan as a "Physical Education program" to train the weak youth of japan for military service remember this was after the meiji restoration when the samurai class hence the soldiers/warriors didn't exist anymore.

[LosBats]

@LosBats Funakoshi was recognized by the other masters therefore he was a master but his passion and true skill was in teaching others, technicaly he wasn't the best karateka or even the best strongest fighter that honour was given to Motobu but he did know the subtleties of the art including the kyusho/pressure points and applications this video clearly shows the principles of Kenpo which is what karate is meant to be not what it is now, it shows what Ed parker called cutting the circle in half

[LosBats]

@LosBats these principles were and are used by both Larry tatum and even Mas Oyama look it up. Old generation Karateka did not train to fight for trophies nor even for the street karate was cultural heritage similar to Muay thai for the Thais, the okinawan as island people had a tight family structure and in many ways were very tribal when they did need to use karate they did with deadly motivation because the represented their master and lineage can we say that today.............i think not.

[LosBats]

@LosBats as for muay thai the modern version is far removed from the original not to mention the kingdom of siam had a cultural/trade exchange with the Ryukyu kingdom including the martial arts. Kudo dai do juku karate is a karate style, it didn't invent itself. I'm saying this as a person who stopped training in Shotokan 5 years ago because of the politics and the emphasis on sport techniques with very little real applications based on the kata but to say that karate is useless would be naive .

[LosBats]

@LosBats Tony blauer said that if you want to compete join a sports team if you want fitness go to the gym, the only reason for martial arts is for combat applications after all it is violence, once you understand the ramifications of that it makes you more humble and a true martial artist. Well those are my very long two cents worth of info, i hope someone got something from it.

[ImTellingMyStory]

@LosBats How long have you trained in Shotokan Karate for?

[LosBats]

@ImTellingMyStory

When i trained it was about 9/10 years but i stopped training about 5 years ago.

[bushidoartss]

@mymyharlow karate was great martial arts but funakoshi fucked karate..because he was skinny a sick he saved only kata...nothing just bulshit basic

[GrimReaperAlphaTeam]

@bushidoartss

I don't get you. Being skinny has an effect on mastering a martial art? And katas are nothing bu just bullshit basics?...

you should turn off the TV boy, you watched too much MMA on payperview channels.

[bushidoartss]

@GrimReaperAlphaTeam listen fat ass i am not watching i am fighting..i am 2 dan karate,i left karate 10 years ago..it is bulshit... 5 time japanese team get fucked in thailand they did not even fight fight was 15 seconds..because game nothing..only mc donalds boys can belivie it is art..it is gymnastic for lazy people

[GrimReaperAlphaTeam]

@bushidoartss

Of course, Funakoshi, Matsumura, Myagi were lazy people...I am 1rst dan in karate, 2nd dan in jiu-jitsu and brown belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu and i really can tell that karate basics gave me the solid shape of punching and kicking technics, it build me.

So as you first said that karate is for skinny ass and then that i was a fat ass i will try to get the point here, i'm 143 lbs for 5.6 , i'm a light weight :) .

[bushidoartss]

@GrimReaperAlphaTeam just go to muay thai gym train 1 hour..and see how you feel and 3 hour karate training feel nothing empty training

[GrimReaperAlphaTeam]

@bushidoartss yes probably...but if i was looking for maximum cardio training, maximum strenght, maximum stamina, i would choose a sport, not a martial art.

[bushidoartss]

@GrimReaperAlphaTeam muay thai is not sport this is art..also kudo karate dai do juku karate is art..but goju ryu shito ryu shotokan pussy ryu shit ryu they all bulshit..

[GrimReaperAlphaTeam]

@bushidoartss I was ironic...I meant that i don't need to practice a maximum contact sport to show how much i am a big boy, i know what i'm worth in a dojo, i don't have this sad illness that consist in believing i will automatically get attacked as soon as i step in the street...but if it occures, i already prooved myself i was able to deal with it.

Obviously we're not practicing for the same reasons, so be it.

[ImTellingMyStory]

@GrimReaperAlphaTeam I've done cardio/core training, I've ran, I've lifted weights, I've played sports and I can tell you that none of them gave me as much strength, cardio, fitness or discipline as Karate.

[ImTellingMyStory]

@bushidoartss Depends on the person.

[sebas1277]

Oyama was young than Funakoshi, is logic that he was more stronger.

The Young Funakoshi was a very good karateka, he was trained very hard everyday and he was a most important master of Okinawa.

Sorry for mi bad english-

[ShinMilkManX]

Funakoshi has done more for Karate Do in recent years than almost anyone one else. He was probably near his last few years on this video. Respect and humility should be the first things any Karateka should be about.

[shazsanfrancisco]

Funokoshi was not that good. There were many that were way better than him at Karate. Funokoshi gets a lot of credit because he took Shorin Ryu and sculpted it for the Japanese and Physical Education at schools and such. Contemporaries of Shorin Ryu were much much much better than him.

[kivaavikkiva]

Funakoshi is undoubtedly a highly respected exponent of martial arts however he doesn't look very impressive in this video ....pretty disappointing.

[maksim55669]

@kivaavikkiva ummm, please keep in mind that at the time this video was shot, he was possibly very very old. No matter how good of a warrior you are, age has it's effect.

[kivaavikkiva]

Ya, I guess u r right.

[Jank143]

Oyama would have spanked Funakoshi. Look at how small and frail Funakoshi looks, and what a beast Oyama was. Size and strength > skill, no matter what you hear in the dojo.

[spacecadet35]

Size and strength is not greater than skill. Oyama fought a bull. The bull was bigger and stronger than Oyama, yet Oyama killed it.

[Need3D]

Have you ever seen any episode of Star Wars? Yoda was as so little as Funakoshi was, but he was the biggest warrior who has been ever known in Galactic History. You know, size is not matter if you have a good technique.

[babaz7]

if mas oyama and funakoshi fought who would win?

[786myfist]

@babaz7 Oyama would, theres no question there.

[tedfio1tedfio1]

The answer depends on whether you train in Shoto or Kyo! Remember Kyo came out of Shoto. Oyama trained under Funakoshi. I would not take sides!

[rdc959]

you have no clue who that old man is do ya.

[talon115]

That guy thats punching must have depth perception issues. He is stopping his punch a full foot from that old man!

[wateronthesmoke]

Unfortunately it is usual in Karate. =/

[Onikagenokageyama]

It looked more like Funakoshi sensei was moving away from the punch at roughly the same speed as the punch was moving, and therefore the distance can be confusing. This guy seemed like a good enough Uke.

[tonatiuhification]

gran tecnica

[ajaben]

Really??? I thought it looked quite stylized and useless.

[njtr]

Sometimes that's how training looks. Check out Lyoto Machida to see the finished product. Also keep in mind that this is a man in his 80's. Oss.

[Lulatsch24]

if funakoshi would live now, he would beat up the whoule ufc

[Stravingus]

I think it's a real honor to be able to see this. Thank you for posting it.

[talon115]

This old fool was never in a real fight in his life. This is pathetic!

[zBloodD3monz]

There is more to Karate than fighting.

[talon115]

I agree...but alot of kids have gotten their asses kicked over the years by thinking otherwise.

[zBloodD3monz]

Is it really that bad losing a fight?

[Hikiwake10]

Well Motobu was better fighter and Funakoshi was better Diplomat . OSHU

[SallyMyers1991]

The power of this man! Yet I read in martial arts book called From Lee to Li that he only ever had one fight, and then he just grabbed other man by testicles and handed him like that to police officer.

[njtr]

This is incredible seeing a man his age, still out there moving and teaching. Rest in peace Master Funakoshi. Thank you following your dream and for changing so many of our lives. Osu.

[shotojojo2005]

I like Funkoshi duck at the end! Gotta love the guy!

[mehle3]

yes he onle did kata and he kil martial arts..because real okinawa karate was good and diferent..but he only did kata and teach kata

[brucefetter]

which is ok but as i understand it, he wasn't teh best at kata, just a good speaker. Anyhow, okinawan karate is very different, regardless of who taught GF. still very neat to see him do it. thanks!

[786myfist]

Funakoshi didn't spar. I hear and Ive read he only did kata and basics, cause to him kata was karate.

[gagiandjeo]

5 stars!

[Philmoscowitz]

wow, rare footage! i wonder how old he was when this was filmed.

[smky1]

what ever style you practise in what ever your martial art maybe always be respectful to other forms because any martial artist no matter what their style maybe should pay homige,however slight it maybe to a man who devoted so much time and energy to a style that he cherished and belived in so deeply. I say this so it will be reminded that ignorance has no place in martial arts.

R.I.P Funakoshi

[armandino101]

well said mate

[Semimaru]

agreed 100% a martial artist without respect is just a trained bully

[shotojojo2005]

You tell them!

[mrussum1]

@smky1 hope you don't mind when i use the quote "ignorance has no place in martial arts"

[smky1]

@mrussum1 not at all its nice to know that other people out there agree

[marteopius]

@smky1 well said brother

[starwarsfan1985]

i hope all you critics realize that funakoshi is like 80 something years old in this clip. he is doing pretty damn good for a 80 year old.

[tZalypse]

cum on guys,

this clip only shows the late figure of Funakoshi.

the other clip of tekki, in which Funakoshi was much younger, was much better than this.

after all, I don't personally think he was the strongest karateka at the time.

however, I believe he was a good sensei and good karateka, though not the strongest, who introduced skill of Karate into the mainland of Japan in a nice form.

[Trapp1993]

i agree with both bits,

his time didnt have the biology of the body developed as we have although it was only some 90 years ago so they couldnt know important facts about our body which could improve our techniques especially in kumite

[hadstudio]

funakoshi was good teacher :-)

[Ronin6575]

Interesting old footage. Why did someone bring up MMA and boxing? What does Funakoshi have to do with those two fighting arts?

[wildniterose]

karate is not about who is better or worse. To some people the skill comes natural other have to slave to get half as good but in the end its not about competing with the world. Its about finding you self in it. I don't think Sensei Funakoshi was the greatest but I do believe he was a great Sensei. Because he brought us karate I hope to be like him and my sensei someday. It's really not always about the skills or the fighting but what you learn inside.. shoshin..beginners mind always.

[okinawankarate]

people shouldn't worship this guy as much as they do....like ya give him respect for bringing karate to japan...and he knew how to project karate...but he wasn't the greatest

[perspolisforever]

Shotokan is a great art, but Funakoshi was not a naturally born athletic like motobu,as you can see in his video clips, his karate doesn't flow, but we gotta respect him for what he had done by intoducing Okinawan te to the mainland japan.

[Flyingtart]

I think oyama trained under Funakoshis son. Well shotokan could be better but so could everything.

[Lemonjoissance]

Karate is about "not insulting", "not arguing".so please just smile and move on...

[ttourer5]

Boy you better shut your mouth..You probably have no idea as to how many lives karate can and does save.. If i was you i`d keep that comment to myself....This man should/is worshipped for inventing shotokan karate which not only teaches self defence but also teaches great discipline...i know, i've been doing it since i was a kid..

[guitarninja83]

Royce Gracie got his ass kicked by Hughes, His jiu jitsu a joke? How about Ali defeated by Frazier, Boxing a joke too?

[Ronin6575]

Why is that of any interest or importance?

They were what they were. Who made the bigger impact on karate over the years though? It was Funakoshi. Why? He was a better teacher and taught people proper attitude not how to kick people's "asses"!

[jemzes]

Oss sensei. if it was not for Sensei then shotokan karate would not have been spread around the world forpeolpe to enjoy. also Sensei did not study Shotokan he studied Karate, the students he taught called it shotokan. do some reseach.

[saxtommy]

ridiculous

[fischerrrrrr]

You are ridiculous

[acerwk]

You don't even know the right terminology

Go to Japan ask and learn what really happened

[westerlund24]

He has a nice haircut

[acerwk]

amierdolo u r a kid ,only 24 and you dont know nothing.go to japan,study and you will learn the truth...

[amierdolo]

pfft and you actually think that i'm 24 years old? you look like a child trying to get attention just by typing crap on youtube.

anyway motobu was beaten several times in the street, by non-practising normal people.

[acerwk]

amierdolo read and learn

[amierdolo]

i've practicing diferent styles of karate for 15 years now. you need to shut up listen and learn

[Trapp1993]

We are very lucky to actually have clips of our great Master that we can watch - most kinds of karate dont have that.

Although it is quite hard to believe but if that was Master Funakoshi karate must have been well improved - he isnt even putting in hikite.

[acerwk]

i just tell how the things are.if you want to live in a lie ok then

[R4W]

I have to disagree. Losers don't found a widely known form of karate.

[amierdolo]

lol you owned acerwk in the ass

[acerwk]

well watts,my dad is dead

[DoctorPenis]

this is rare footage to me! never seen funakoshi on film. he's an icon of karate.

[acerwk]

You want to live in a lie or do you want the truth.Learn history Funakoshi was looser,sorry

[tigermix83]

Is that why he has an entire organization named and dedicated to him?

[EASEDIGEST]

Many challenges came to Kancho Kanazawa from bigger men.Ask those men how they got floored by kancho Kanazawa(Shotokan Karate).These challenges came often to the great shotokan masters. Many they refused and some were to tempting to refuse.

[acerwk]

im sorry for you then

[bboymusicman]

I train in his orgaization

[bboymusicman]

organization

[Pecherin72]

Funakoshi was known for introducing karate to Japan and simplifying the cirriculum for the masses and making it popular. He was a school teacher and was better at presenting karate in written form, most other Okinawan masters could hardly write in those days! I'm not saying he can't fight, just saying he didn't become famous through his fighting abilities but did so because of his intellectual abilities. Respect is due for the Grandmaster anyhow!

[1URESAM]

anyone who trained karate for as long as he did has to have been a damned good fighter.

[malikistwo]

Pecherin72 is completely right, he is one of the greatest, but some of the technique would never work in a street fight, thats why i dislike shotokan kumite very much, it's limited. Look at the strikes no one stops to get punched. BTW 1st dan in shotokan ryu, saw the truth when i began JKD..

[1URESAM]

shotokan has worked for me when i have gotten in trouble.

[sixyears]

if you are refering to them stopping after Funakoshi blocks the attack then preform a strike, he is only stopping to show the viewer the individual techniques for learning. In a real fight the block and strike should be preformed in quick sucession and if the block is done correctly it should be a strike in its self as well as off balance the attacker.

[deek77]

Good point. When practicing form and technique in karate(or any style), you don't go full blast; in a real fight you would.

Funakoshi's Precept of Karate #18: Practicing a kata exactly is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.

[acerwk]

and why you ask me that?

[dzanicsan]

acerwk, a question for you,,,where and how and from what styles did funakoshi learn,,,and from which masters,,,what styles did he learn to create shotokan,,,who were his teachers.

[NiMoN777]

Wikipedia...

[wildniterose]

did you ever get you answers cause i have a few.

[acerwk]

learn history amateur

[pgong]

Why don't you post some history references so we call all learn?

[acerwk]

The same style with the man that saved Funakoshi when he cry like a baby when he was ass kicked in his dojo

[gussosa]

Great! This proves that the master's karate was much more flexible that what most of us are/were taught now.

[acerwk]

the techniques of shotokan is for the kids

[BelguteiFly]

ur so stupid acerwk, i bet u dont even train. what do u practice again? shorin ruy? goju ruy?...

~KYOKUSHIN~

[1URESAM]

acerwk spends alot of time on this site for someone who denounces shotokan as he does. i don't think he trains at all because he doesn't have much to say. he probably reads comic books about karate.

[zenchido]

OSU BROTHER!!! Sosai is the greatest nutjob there ever was!!! LONG LIVE MAS OYAMA

[karateni]

Yes, shotokan techniques can also be for kids to learn my friend..hehe, and I'm sure if they know shotokan karate...they'll kick your ass! :-)

[acerwk]

iam just inform everyone for the truth.nothing more.they keep say shotokan rulez an funakoshi was the best.the history tell us different staff

[DocWagonPlatin]

Hey acerwk,

this 'who beats who with style xxx' is poor.

If you wanna beat an unarmed men, shoot him.

Sp why learn Karate at all ?

It's to practice yourself as a whole. This mainly includes your character.

So, go and practice more !

You comments look like you still have to learn a lot. (Like all of us, of course)

[acerwk]

1uresam u r amateur!

[acerwk]

shotokan is a system for kids and competition!in real life what do u do,oi-zuki?lol...Funakoshi was beaten with stuf like that..and his son for a Goju Ryu student...looserssss

[acerwk]

shotokan is the most widely practiced style of karate in the world.Yes because is for the masses!learn history,funakoshi was beaten

[1URESAM]

acerwk is a stupid piece of shit and i bet i'd fuck him up. anyone who runs his mouth like that is most likely a beginner at whatever he does. he ain't shit.

by the way, shotokan is the most widely practiced style of karate in the world you stupid pederast.

[1URESAM]

acerwk is making shit up.

[acerwk]

sorry man but karate is not all shotokan.there many style that u can be a fighter.i agree shotokan is only for sports and kids..

[TheRealKingofMahon]

Ya well any fool knows that karate was built as a learning tool and to teach soldiers dicipline so a true karate artist should never have to prove themselves as a fighter! Karate is about buildig of character! You wanna fight be a boxer!

[AVbullet]

no style is superior than one another

[icemantrooper]

gitchin funakoshi was a little pussy he never faught and he was challenged alot...a real martial arts master is chocki motobu and chotoku kyan ..now they were fighters ..and shorin ryu is alot better than shotokan ive done both so i have the right to say that shorin ryu is alot better

[RockLeefan101]

wow,i am doing both and i went to tournements that have both styles of fighting. So i can't imagine what your talking about, they are both equal, the have diferent advantages and disadvantages

[acerwk]

i mean beat motobu student,the same student that kick funakoshi ass.not Motobu sensei,my mistake.Motobu sensei didnt fight

[acerwk]

shotokan is a system for kids and competition!in real life what do u do,oi-zuki?lol...Funakoshi was beaten with stuf like that..and his son for a Goju Ryu student...looserssss

[acerwk]

thank God for Him Ohtsuka sensei was there and saved him!he beat motobu in 3-4 seconds using Shindo Yoshin ryu Jujitsu!Go to japan and u find the truth

[acerwk]

Learn history my friend.Funakoshi was NOTHING as a fighter!Motubu student kick his ass easily inside Funakoshi Dojo in front of all his student

[dimebag1977]

acerwk is a wanker.. WTF is he talking about .. this man was the father of modern karate.. it was'nt about who was harder adn never was.. hey acerwk time to hang up your belt looser! i hope your instructor is proud because no one else here share's your views.

[aoaby]

Funakoshi wasn't the best student under his master, and was far from the best. But he'd have kicked the ass of most people posting here nevertheless :D

[acerwk]

Shihan Legnon?37 years old shihan and ''Ive trained in 5 arts, and currently teach two of them''?

lol..lol..lol..

and from usa?what do u teach amerikan MCkarate?

Funakoshi was nothing as a fighter and that is the truth!sorry ''shihan'' lol..lol..

[tigermix83]

Does that make you an expert

Just because you've trained in 5 arts

[acerwk]

im not following anything.I just tell the Truth!!!

Funakoshi as a fighter was nothing special!In the fight tha i tell u Funakoshi was lost.Was lost badly!!!

Thank God,Hironori Ohtsuka the founder of Wado-Ryu was present and saved him!Ohtsuka win Motobu student in a second..

And then we have Giko Funakoshi!A Goju-Ryu student kick his ass to...

This is Shotokan,good only for loossing....

[matbroomfield]

Although Funakoshi is far from his best here, it's great to see the man in action at all. And lest anyone forget, he was good enough to defeat a mugger when he was 80 years old.

[caseysan39]

I'm truly grateful to be able to see video of Master Funakoshi, thank you for posting this and let us never forget 礼　- karatedo begins and ends with rei.

[acerwk]

sucks...Everybody know that one of Motobu student kick Funakoshi ass inside Shoto-kan..what a looser..

[matbroomfield]

Motobu was renowned for being a thug who cared little for the spirit or etiquette of karate. Good to see you following in his tradition.

[Calderoni4]

that is a mistake that a lot of people make motobu sensei was a very good fighter fromokinawa he trained underitosu sensei and other masters he had issueswith funakoshi because motobu believed in street combat for training karate and funakoshi eliminated this from karate motobu didnt like funakoshi and funakoshi didnt like motobu but since motobu didnt know very good japanese and funakoshi was such a good speaker motobu couldnt defend his fame resulting in people believing that motobu was a thug

[matbroomfield]

From the books I have read, Motobu loved street fighting so much that he would start fights with strangers in order to practice. As a result of this behaviour, Itosu eventually refused to train him any more. In fact, Motobu even challenged his own eldest brother, but it was as a result of the beating he received on that occasion that he started to mellow.

[Calderoni4]

that is true but motobu didnt actually start fights but he was provoked real easy and he put himself in a position so that people would provoke him itosu did refuse to train but i understand that it wasnt because streetfight that it was because motob always tried to prove himself in the dojo and i understand that the fight with his brother was a friendly fight just to test skill. my info is from the books watashino karate jutsu and okinawan kenpo both written by motobu, but we may both be right.

[guitarninja83]

Funny, because Motobu was very fluent in both speaking and writing... this has been proven and is a fact. Why don't you get a copy of Motobu's book and read what HE was to say about him starting or not starting fights at saki bars and whatnot. He, without a doubt, was always looking for trouble.

[Calderoni4]

the two books that i ust wrote above are written by motobu. and yes he was very fluent speaking and writing the okinawan language not japanese

[bnclegnon]

grow up fool, least you find yourself in a shotokan dojo spouting off at the mouth. Hell, any respectable instructor of any style shouldnt tolerate that nonsense. I never speak ill of other arts. Ive trained in 5 arts, and currently teach two of them. Style is unimportant. Its about self improvement. It seems you have alot of training yet to do.

Shihan Legnon

Orbelus, thank you for posting...

[stardingo747]

Hey, thanks. I just wish youtubers would show more throws. Can't tai sabaki be used in conjunction with throws?

[stardingo747]

Does Shotokan Karate have any dodging techniques? It looks a bit stiff.

[rosswoof]

Shotokan has lots of 'doging/slipping' techniques taught under the banner of 'tai-sabaki' (lit. Body evasion/movement).. For those with little experience in actual combat, shotokan builds progressively from fixed kumite's (ie pre-arranged) to non fixed (free sparring).. each level introduces new concepts relevant to combat.

[lastadolkg]

I believe that he may lose his physical power, but he's mentally and tecnicaly more stronger than he was before. Not only he but all sixth dan to up, nowadays.

[maxdrobot]

Nuff respect to Gichin Funakushi.

[royksk]

I am a Godan in Shotokan but even I found this embarrassing to watch. As with all professions, arts etc. one should quit while ahead.

[Japanaholic]

I must humbly disagree. While it is true that one tends to decline with age, the reasons for being a student of any art should be the ones from within, such as helping yourself mentally and physically, regardless of whether or not you still posess the ability to do as well as you once did.

::Bows to Funakoshi Sensei:: Osu

[royksk]

I should have been more explicit. I agree with all your observations in fact I still teach Shotokan but can no-longer train due to post-polio syndrome. I hadn't meant that Sensei should actually cease practising the art but that filming him at a time when he was clearly not able to deliver the same power and defensive ability that he once could have done may result in non-karateka viewing this video and seeing Shotokan as an ineffective art. They may not understand the concept of karate-do.

[kirokukan]

He looked pretty good to me considering the mans age and this should only impress those who watch

[bnclegnon]

he may have been old, and lacked serious power, but maybe he was being begged by his students and friend to do this video to capture his movments on tape before his death? perhaps it wasnt Sensei Funakoshi who wanted to be taped, but those like us who value its existance.

[emotionumist]

You are a "Godan" and yet you understand little of karate-do. Perhaps when you are "Rokudan" we shall all follow your sage advice as to what information should be hidden from the general public.

[royksk]

"Sage" def: A mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom. I don't consider myself a sage. However after over 40 years of Shotokan Karate, godan for the last 17, and as chief kata judge and assistant chief referee to SKIGB I feel justified in airing my views. I will never attain rokudan due to my inability to train (in the past anything awarded above godan was honorary and examinations were not required, the financial climate in karate has changed things).

[emotionumist]

Apologies, perhaps I should read your words more carefully. I reacted because I see karate as a way of life and the "degradation" as part of it, although I believe karate has very little to do with "blocks and punches" (hence I see no degradation in Funakoshi). Please take a look at Shoshin Nagamine in his latter years - similar to Funakoshi's "performance". Best regards.

[royksk]

Just to keep things straight, last year, I resigned my official roles (after 20 years) due to health problems. If you or anyone else is interested we have the 29th Shiro Asano Spring Championships taking place:

DATE: Sunday 29th April 2007

TIMES: 12:00 Preliminary Start - 17:00pm

VENUE: Chilwell Olympia Sports Centre, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 5HR

Sorry about the short notice.

[BlueberrymyQuestion]

Embarrising to watch?! for a Godan you don't know as much as you should, Gichin Funakoshi was the creater of shotokan karate everyone owes them their respect for his talents at mastering it...

[Niel999]

Sensei Funakoshi... *o*

[thespectresov]

they have a dvd of this but i wouldnt pay for the bad quality film and short duration. but the clip is cool thanks for sharing

[jcbs]

thanks for the upload... gichin funakoshi sensei... rei...