Posts in Karate
What's the deal with Karate anyway?
What's the deal with Karate anyway?

There is a question that everyone will ask who encounters Karate. From the person who found out their colleague regularly practices it, the student taking that first step on the mat, and even the bruised and battered seasoned black belt.

Is Karate actually any good?

Sometimes this leads to doubt, which can end up in the student taking up any other number of options, or they continue but change their thinking to be one of faith, rather than trust.

First off, i’m not here to fire up anymore debate about the efficacy of one style over another.I’m just going to state everything I have observed so far about Karate.

After that, you can make your mind up.

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KarateBenjamin EayrskarateComment
Twenty Precepts …And Justice for All
Twenty Precepts …And Justice for All

Following on from my previous post regarding the Precept Karate Ni Sente Nashi – there is no first attack in Karate, this next one homes in on the idea that karate is on the side of justice; it’s what is used by the good guys, against the bad guys.

Surely those reading this publication in 1938 would be in no doubt that Karate was to be a useful tool for good?

Then again, it depends on what is defined as “Justice”, and what the “good” and the “bad” are.

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KarateBenjamin Eayrskarate, Funakoshi, Budo, Karatedo, philosophy, twenty guiding principles, Shotokan, twenty precepts, KarateDo, Karate, niju kunComment
Twenty Precepts: Attack
Twenty Precepts: Attack

When I first heard this precept, it was during an explanation about Kata, and why all Kata start with an Uke – or in English parlance a “block”.

I can already hear the gasps and the rush to make a correction.

Of course, my understanding now is that all Kata start with an Uke which is often a form of attack whilst defending – for beginners though perhaps it’s ok to teach Karate a particular way.

This precept has also come up in discussion online over the years. You surely know which one I am referring to by now.

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KarateBenjamin EayrsKarate, KarateDo, Attack, twenty guiding principles, twenty preceptsComment
Twenty Precepts: Respect
Twenty Precepts: Respect

If there is ever a resource that acts as a top-notch guide and learning tool for all karateka it must be one of my all-time favourites that I constantly reference throughout my life.

Funakoshi Gichin’s “The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate” – a.k.a. ‘the twenty precepts’ is a book that all Shotokan practitioners will have read and many Karateka from other styles will have surely heard of if not also read.

I was going to say let’s look at number one, but of course they are all “Number One” – Hitotsu, so to be pedantic I’ll start from the precept that you’d read first on the list.

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KarateBenjamin EayrsKarate, Karatedo, Respect, twenty guiding principles, twenty precepts, niju kun Comments
Shotokan: Why I still love it
Shotokan: Why I still love it

First things first, I am a complete convert to Shorin-Ryu.

After spending time in Okinawa training at the Shimbukan under Sensei Akamine I could see why Shorin-Ryu was not only a natural progression for me in terms of style, but that the method also allowed a greater expression of power and technique.

However, I have not, nor will I ever abandon my knowledge of Shotokan. Why?

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KarateBenjamin EayrsShotokan, Jesse Enkamp, Karate, Mind, Body, Spirit Comment
Train Like an Okinawan
Train Like an Okinawan

I am very lucky - I had the time, some money, and an opportunity to go train in Okinawa.

It was amazing!!

Life changing, inspiring, and it altered my path in so many ways.

I’d say many who have gone to Okinawa for Karate feel the same.

And most people who have been to Okinawa realise that it is a big commitment, and not everyone has the opportunity, or time, or money to do so.

So instead, you have a few options.

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KarateBenjamin Eayrskarate, hokama, senaga, goju-ryu, uechi-ryu, dell hamby, james pankiewiczComment
What is Karate Worth?
What is Karate Worth?

Money and Karate are supposedly like chalk and cheese. They just don’t work together.

And yet, look closely into the history of Karate and you’ll see that money played a very important role, as it does with everything in life.

Sure, money can’t buy you the passion and dedication needed to become proficient in the art, but it certainly acts as a major source of exchange between student and teacher.

So, what is Karate worth?

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Karate, LifestyleBenjamin Eayrskarate, Kung Fu, Bruce Lee, Value, Funakoshi, Mabuni, Kyan Comments
My Favourite Karate Gi: Shureido (Part 3 of 3)
My Favourite Karate Gi: Shureido (Part 3 of 3)

Last in the series of posts about what I consider my favourite Karategi is none other than Shureido.

The Seishin is light, airy, and has great snap; ideal for the hot Okinawan conditions.

The Kamikaze is heavy, hard wearing, and I know to be long lasting so it will be with me for a long time, giving me the best cost per wear.

The Shureido is something special however; from the birthplace of Karate the K10 is a heavyweight 100% cotton keikogi that comes unwrapped in a signature blue hue.

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KarateBenjamin Eayrskarate, Shureido, Karategi Comments
The Most Important Part of a Sensei
The Most Important Part of a Sensei

They are your taskmaster, drill sergeant, fitness coach, guru, technician and teacher.

They teach you etiquette, prepare you for your grading, coach you through competitions, test you regularly in the Dojo and teach you the skills to train by yourself and to pass on your knowledge to others.

Most importantly, however, they have been trying to do their best before you even thought about taking up a martial art.

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KarateBenjamin EayrsKarate, Sensei, Respect Comments
My Favourite Karate Gi: Seishin (Part 2 of 3)
My Favourite Karate Gi: Seishin (Part 2 of 3)

The Seishin brand is arguably the fastest growing karate sensation. It is a venture into the modern era utilising crowdfunding, social media and public endorsements to spread it’s awareness.

Created in part by Jesse Enkamp, internets famous Karate Nerd™, the Seishin Gi seeks to push the positives and reduce the negatives of a top quality Gi.

Unlike other companies, which perhaps only change the fabric or cut, the Seishin Gi sought to also innovate be adding extra parts that perhaps you wouldn’t consider.

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KarateBenjamin EayrsKarate, Gi, Seishin, Jesse Enkamp, Karategi, Keikogi, DogiComment
Life's a Beach(ball)
Life's a Beach(ball)

Whilst I worked in Hospitality in my previous life I was at times in attendance to various customer service training days.

Aside from the free food and coffee involved there was generally a lot of training around delivering the best service, learning about drinks, food, ingredients and best practices for serving.

One training which I remember well and which I know to be an important aspect in the martial arts world is what’s known as the beach ball principle.

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KarateBenjamin EayrsKarate, beach ball, perspective, philosophy Comments
My Favourite Karate Gi: Kamikaze (Part 1 of 3)
My Favourite Karate Gi: Kamikaze (Part 1 of 3)

When I began to get serious about my training attire in Karate I moved on from my easy wash elasticated waisted Blitz and was introduced to Kamikaze brand via my Sensei.

My decision on which of their Gi was based on getting the heaviest that I could afford, with it also being 100% cotton. It was then that I bought the Kamikaze America Gi.

It lasted so well for so long that recently I decided to upgrade to a top of the range Monarch Gi. Here is why.

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KarateBenjamin EayrsKarate, Gi, Kamikaze Comments
Aiming for the Next Grade
Aiming for the Next Grade

In Karate we are seeing a renaissance so to speak of the disregard or downplay of achieving grades.

Some schools are reverting back to keeping simply a three belt system, White, Brown and finally Black.

This is the same belt grading system as was devised by Jigoro Kano and subsequently adopted by Gichin Funakoshi.

However, since the introduction of coloured belts in 1935 by Judoka Kawaishi Mikinosuke onwards there grew a desire to increase testing and therefore increase belt colours.

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KarateBenjamin EayrsKarate, Karatedo, Grades, Belts, Testing Comments