The Karate Kids

The search for a karate school has begun. Last night I took my oldest four kids to one of the local martial arts schools to observe, at the invitation of the instructor. A nice gentleman, who was very kind to us. So, here are our choices:

1. "Karate" school #1. Actually, the form of martial arts taught there is Korean in origin, and so I'm baffled at their use of the term Karate (which is Okinawan/Japanese). Tae Kwon Do is what's being taught, and so the school should be called "So-and-So's Tae Kwon Do" and not "So-and-So's Karate" as it is currently mis-named. Tae Kwon Do is Korean for "the way of the foot and fist," and it was developed by Koreans to fight enemies who were attacking predominately on horse back, and because of that, the kicks tend to be aimed extremely high, with alot of jumping and flying around in the air -- not awfully practical for the Western world, IMO. Anywho, this is the studio we checked out last night. It's kind of a franchise deal -- high prices ($89 for one person! and the next family member only gets a one third discount, the third another 1/3 discount, and every other family member would be free), but not a great product. While watching the class, I paid special attention to the black-belts. I figure a black-belt is earned when the student has demonstrated proficiency in that particular form of martial arts, and therefore, if you want to know how this stuff is supposed to look like, if you want to see the end result of this school's training, watch the black-belts. Well, they were a bit sloppy, off-balance, and at times... just not really into it. This tells me that while this school is charging filet mignon prices, they are serving Mickey-D's hamburgers. We're likely passing on school #1.

2. Karate school #2. This school has the same identity problem as school #1 -- Korean martial arts peddled as being karate. But at least this Tae Kwon Do school also teaches some Hapkido, Aikido, and Judo (Hapkido is Korean, but Aikido and Judo are at least Japanese, if not exactly Karate -- all three of these styles focus on grappling, joint locks, pressure points, throws, etc.). I spoke with the gentleman who runs this school on the phone, and he seemed very nice, and he also invited the family to come out for a class -- but he wants us to participate in it and see how we like it. We may just take him up on that, but we'll see. Prices at this school are significantly lower -- $55 per month for the first student, the next family member is $50, then $45, then everyone else for free.

3. Karate school #3 is a true karate school. Okinawan Isshinryu. It's the school I went to when I was in High School (though they've moved to another location, and grew significantly in attendance). This style of karate is very unique. First, the fist is vertical, instead of the more typical horizontal. There are some good reasons for that, as a horizontal punch requires a last moment twist which makes it less effective when jammed, and because of the positioning of the arm when using a horizontal punch, the bones can be fairly easily broken with a good block. Neither problems are as severe with the vertical fist. Also, the strength and snap of a vertical punch is superior, IMO. Second, most of the kicks and punches are aimed at the knees, middle of the body, and occassionally the head. Unlike Korean "karate" which was developed to destroy higher targets, Okinawans developed karate to defend themselves against Samurai. Samurai were well armored, but very cocky. Often the only time to strike a Samurai was the moment they raised their sword arrogantly above their heads -- the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself -- BAM!!! That blow to the chest might be the last blow they would ever strike, and if they missed, that sword was coming down hard. Most Isshinryu techniques seem to be aimed at the solar plexus. WAY more practical than kicking straight up in the air. I think I might start training again myself. When I looked at some of the old literature from my old school, I started remembering my katas, and much of the fun I had and good things I learned during that time. Look, who am I trying to kid. We're probably going to sign up at this school... even if I'm not sure what they charge anymore.

Lest we Americans forget -- many martial arts came about because an oppressive government took weapons away from the people, and so they were forced to fight with bare hands, bare feet, and with farming impliments. Don't give up your guns, guys. Don't give up your guns. It's one thing to fend off guys with swords with your bare hands and a long stick, but it's an entirely different matter to defend yourself with the same against tyrants with firearms.