What's The Difference?

Karate. The word sometimes brings cringes to the faces of parents who have had bad experiences. In the Winter Garden are we have several dojo's. Some teach "sport" Karate and some teach "Traditional" Karate. You as a parent or adult must be aware and find out for yourself what the difference is.

So, what is the difference between Traditional and Sport Karate?

Good question. I will attempt to answer it for you.

Usually it is the Sensei (teacher). I am a traditional Sensei, studied in Okinawa, so I will address that aspect then explain what I have heard and seen throughout my 37 years of Studies in the Arts.

I am first generation Japanese/Okinawan taught. Most Sensei's have a great background in the arts. Somewhere along the way they have forgot where they have come from and started to make it more a business than a Dojo. They change the Katas to become flash and flair to excite the viewers and to gain revenue. They sell belts instead of having the students EARN them.

Let me explain.

First I will tell you what Traditional Karate and Japanese Martial arts are about.

In Traditional Karate there are multifaceted approaches to teach the student. Such approaches include Kihon (basics), Kumite (controlled fighting), Kata (a sequence of prepared movements that simulate a fight) and Bunkai (what you are actually doing when you perform a kata or movement). Each of these areas have to be broken down to sub components.

For example: Kihon can be broken down to Stances (dachi waza), Strikes (atemi waza), Kicking (geri waza) and blocking (uke waza). Each of these categories have yet again more subcategories such as the Uke waza have Jodan Uke (upper block), Age Uke (rising block), Gedan Barai (Lower Sweeping block), Uchi Uke (middle striking block) Soto Uke (outside block) and so on. Each of these blocks have a bunkai (application) or how to do the block and when to do the block. As you can see the Traditional Arts are about more than kicking and punching.

But that is just the beginning. You learn Language, History, Theory, Principles, Motion, Sequencing, Geometry, Physics, and Practical application at varying levels of complexity.

Traditional Karate does not give away ranking either.

This is an interesting aspect of the Traditional vrs. Sport Karate discussion.

I have seen 7 year old black belts. Yes, 7 years old! Now don't get me wrong here and listen to what I have to say before you get mad at me for calling Bobbies black belt a fake.

Okay, here is what I am saying.

Years of studies have to go into Karate before one gets his Black Belt (which by the way is just the beginning of his/her training). A black belt shows expert skills in your area. A black Belt MUST be able to hold his own in any situation against ANY attacker. This is where the problem comes into play. A 7 year old Black Belt in no way shape or form defend or hold their own against an adult of equal rank. This is what has given Karate and other Martial Arts a black eye. You have the Mega Schools (we call them in the traditional world "McDojo's") having parents buying black belt programs because of the sale and excitement of Bobbie being a Black Belt! Very sad. I recently had a student come form another Dojo and Claimed to be a Brown Belt. I was shocked to see the lack of technique and knowledge this Sempai or "Senior" student possessed at the age of 9. He also informed me he is testing for his Black Belt in 2 weeks! I see this everyday.

Traditional programs will not issue an full black belt until usually the age of 15 or 16.

So, how in traditional arts do we issue Black Belts? We issue Junior Black Belts and when the student turns the proper age they test for the Adult Black Belt.

Since the 1950's, karate has grown to be one of the most popular sports in the United States. Most people would see this increase in popularity as positive progress in the evolution of karate, but it is not. True to form, we Americans have taken an art from a different culture and "Americanized" it beyond recognition. Yes again the "McDojo". American Sport Karate is the direct contradiction of Traditional Karate in several ways. Sport karate the movement has been such that it is all becoming aerobatics and showmanship. Aerals do not a life survivor make. They have even lost the ability to do a real honest to goodness Kiai. Great to watch, but unrecognizable from the original art form. That's about it. The movements have lost focus and power and have subsistutated speed, flash and showmanship.

Look, I am not saying "sport" Karate is bad, but I am saying it depends on the Sensei. Sport Karate can be taught with a sense of tradition and history but it is rare. It's usually sport or traditional and not very much in between.

Traditional Karate
Sport Karate

If you want to see more on Traditional Karate visit my website and go to the video section. I have posted several videos there for your viewing pleasure.

Finally, the choice is up to you. Shop around and check out the Sensei or instructor not the facility. Be careful for the sales pitch and the flash over the substance. I teach every class that is taught in my Dojo and do not rely on an under belt to teach my students.

I have studied Karate in garages, backyards, attics and basements and some of the best instruction came from these facilities.

Thank you and continue your studies in the arts!

Sensei Tim
http://stoneybrookkarate.com