I Met A Karate Legend! ｜Yusuke in Okinawa Ep.12

[@KarateDojowaKu]

❓Where did you start doing martial arts? ❓Observing vs Gaining Guidance, what are your thoughts on this? 🥋FREE TRIAL｜Online Group Lesson🥋 Program Details: karateintokyo.com/ Any questions or concerns? → Email me at [e-mail] Episode #1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppbMdJWuisR3bMk Yusuke In Okinawa Playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJSTi6iar9uebKc

[@kodain]

I believe I was seven, and it was with amateur wrestling. I come from the boondocks so there weren't many options. I stopped around eight because I had to go up against people who were 5-6 years older than me, and they were really heavy-handed. It then took until I was... 21 I believe. I was sitting in my room, and a friend knocked on my window: "'sup, wanna come train some ninjutsu?" That sounded cool, so I observed for one class, and then I was doing that for eight years. Currently practising HEMA. As for the question of observing versus guidance, a mix of both. There are some things that can be taught, and some things must be learnt. To quote Confucius: "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." I personally think a mix of all of these is needed, starting with two, ending with one, and the third is always present.

[@The_True_]

Teacher Yuk Sun Moon: Taekwondo: Sun Valley California. Observation: Watching teacher perform a technique. Guidance: Getting hit by teachers bamboo sword until I do the technique correctly. There was also verbal instruction with each strike, very effective.

[@IsaacLausell]

It is a great question which delves into the topic of pedagogy. Observing vs guidance IS something that has to do with the level. Even while favoring whichever of the two approaches in the initial stages of learning there is always some sort of guidance. Learning through modeling which is what involves the observational method is also a form of guidance. You model the activity at hand after someone that is skilled at performing it. Usually one absorbs the general skills followed by the smaller details which takes time to master. If we are talking about movement the gross motor skills followed by the nuances. For example in karate we continue practicing even the basic kata because after learning the general motions of it we will continue absorbing all the small nuances and details. Even a detailed explanation won't make you understand as you must be part of the discovery process, similar in Jerome Bruner's "Learning through discovery" educational model. Explaining is of course useful but the is a range of knowledge in which the individual has to experience the activity himself. It is in the process that people develop what is known as self focus systems, which is the unique way in which each individual relates to information and understands it.

[@jrnav8490]

I was 3 when i started training. I'm missing the bruises after training 😊

[@jamesfrankiewicz5768]

Observance and guidance both have their merits. Observing the correct way of doing a technique is important, but at some point you have to try it yourself (emulation). There is value in trying to figure out how to make your body duplicate what you observed, but there are also times where you can get stuck with the wrong idea in your head on how to get there. It also tends to be the slower way to make progress. Now, if the learning method is heavily directed, guided, and corrected, you will make progress faster than the observation-emulation model, but you might also get fooled into there only being one way to do things, and end up with a less flexible mindset. I think the best method is probably a mix of observation-emulation and guidance/coaching. Also, I do wonder if their might be some cultural connotation behind what is getting translated as "observance" here, that those of us not from Japan might be missing. Here in the U.S., it's popular "lore" to say that in Japan, one has to "steal" the techniques, and there is less direct coaching & correction.

[@redlionhead5902]

I was 14. Had some friends in to Kyokushin. They got me in the door. I've been with that style ever since. Now a Shodan.

[@jfilm7466]

Osu Senpai. Well done.

[@bhoomibhamani4290]

Well done 👍

[@danskarate997]

Well done, many years of good health and training to you. 👍

[@ajshiro3957]

I was 9. A classmate of mine told me about a school they go to. So I asked my mom about it. And so she took my brother and I to a class. Ever since then, I've been fascinated with martial arts

[@mattstrader8956]

I like to be show and to observe. Sometimes without being shown a concept it will never stick but I feel like even something I'm shown isn't really learned till I "discover" it later.

[@kevionrogers2605]

My dad's friend taught me Wing Chun. Then I was put in a Judo class held at a Goju Ryu school, so I started Goju Ryu too eventually getting black belts in both Judo and Goju Ryu. In college got involved with Isshin Ryu & eventually got a black belt in it too. Quiet sitting and observing the nature of things then thinking about it is important before you know what to research, deduce, induce, experiment, and question applying the scientific method. Gaining guidance is important to learn from others experiences, but people don't always prioritize or teach in actuality what they think they are guiding a person to do in reality.

[@PacShore]

14 yrs old and first official training was at a Kajukenbo dojo and that was the beginning of my MA journey.

[@TheNakedWombat]

I was 12 years old when my eldest brother who was 1 or 2 below black belt got me to join the local TKD near home. I had to leave after a few months following an unrelated injury but I returned when I was 15 years old. Both observing and getting in and doing it with guidance. Both have their role in training.

[@kevinburkett9018]

I was fortunate enough to train with Hokama Sensei in 2019, it was an absolute honor!

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Nice!

[@stillwateracoustic]

Looking forward to the next episode with Hokamma Sensei. We are so fortunate to be part of his karate and kobudo organization and able to train with him at times.

[@andrewtrayer3388]

I’ve been binge watching all your videos and I have to say this is definitely my favorite one!!! I lived in Okinawa, Japan for good 9 years thanks to my father being in the Air Force! I learned Uechi-Ryy karate for 6 years in Awase and I am so blessed with all the experiences I’ve gain in Okinawa! I still practice Uechi-Ryu til this day ☺️🙏

[@P5YKHOTIK]

I started in the early 1990s at a school that claim to teach the same style as from The Karate Kid movies. Later on I started following the teachings of Master Morio Higaonna. I have old videos posted from the first school, the entire video was sent to a friend in Japan that shared it with a group of instructors. We're not happy with the changes that were made in katas. Better to learn the correct way than to go back and change. Really enjoyed this video, thank you.

[@bhoomibhamani4290]

I really liked this video.❤ You go to different places and meet everyone and learn about the history of karate and at the same time give us information about it. It made me feel so good😊 Thank you so much for sharing this video 💞 I like to share with you .... The karate class started when I was 14th I told you earlier that sports are not important here. The situation was similar in my home. In starting I also did not get much support from my parents but yes my dad gave me full support then my mom also supported me and I have been going to karate for the last 5 years.😌 But now my class is closed due to Carona's condition. But I practice on my own at home.

[@Burvedys]

"They had a dojo?" "Yes, it's normal in Okinawa. It's main export here." :)

[@goraisan]

Can't wait to see the next video. I do practice Goju-Ryu as well!

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Nice!

[@wanabdulhadi1268]

From my experience, and as a product of my environment, I have mostly relied on observation, trial and error, and constant practice to perfect my martial arts, which is why I can learn a decent amount from books and videos, as how martial arts back in the old days were also passed down via scrolls and scriptures. But I can’t deny that guidance is crucial in perfecting one’s art, especially to iron out the kinks and creases.

[@wanabdulhadi1268]

Speaking of which, I would love it if anyone could recommend me books on shorin ryu, goju ryu, and even uechi ryu, that have been translated to english, as the only one I have now is on matsubayashi ryu, which I am thoroughly enjoying. What I noticed is that each styles, taking in their unique characteristics, when combined, compliment each other beautifully.

[@abdillahazhar1833]

I guess guidance is also a valuable thing in practice. I'm somewhat an observer type as well. But I feel like guidance from an observant and experienced person could help us understand ourselves better and root out bad habits, strength and weakness, and stuff. Because you'd need another person to point them out to you from a different perspective. It's like working on a painting, and when we work on the details too much, we neglect the greater picture. Or, when we're too broad, that we leave out important details. A teacher, or at least a different person could point out what's probably "off" with the painting. Another thing to add is, there are certain non-technical values that can be passed down to the students as well. Personally, I feel like self discovery through guidance, working together to find enlightenment doesn't diverge us from our personal journey. I guess, at least, that's how I see it.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

I really liked watching this guy, where he knows his stuff from what I seen. All the little tricks he'd acquired over years would be impressive. I say tricks, just things beyond just karate but part of his repertoire.

[@YoukaiSlayer12]

That is a incredible Karate journey that your new guest has been on. As for myself I originally started karate at a local community center, but didn’t stay very long, next attempt was some self defense classes when I was older, then in high school I tried a Karate at the YMCA, got up to yellow belt but had to go off the college & ended up losing touch(believe that was shorin ryu to be honest). Then some years passed before I started back at a local dojo mainly to help my adopted lil bro & I’ve been constantly doing it every since. As for advice vs absorbing, I prefer using both as they can help with development. As you can see how others perform, & their strengths you can adapt but someone else can advise you about potential weaknesses.

[@robertoalvelais528]

Glad you're experiencing the Naha side of things.

[@KarateDojowaKu]

It was a great experience!

[@JOEBECK07]

I started at 10yrs old my brother was being taught by his best friend who was a brown belt from his style Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan Karate from his Sensei Jim Thomas. He started teaching us. The Dojo was formed in 1959 and since that year the number of schools has grown to exceed 200 with a membership of over 8000. Our Grandmaster's name is Donald R. Madden, I left and studied Kenpo karate for while then returned to Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan. Observance and Guidance are essential. It is a derivative of two main Karate influences Goju-Ryu, and Shotokan.

[@TehDanno1]

To truly become the best karateka you can be, both with techniques and character. You have to be able to learn from guidance and from observation of others. So, being able to do both is best.

[@davidmatthews2983]

In my opinion, the best way to be trained is to be shown first, then allowed to practice, and be tutored or inspected and then critiqued by someone more experienced. Also talking and communicating, and receiving ideas and feedback is important also. This reminds me training in Okinawa, where a shihan would run through the entire kata without sides or break it down, when we couldn’t follow, he would repeat the entire kata, constantly with a fast pace! It was very frustrating, and made learning un-enjoyable, but of course the language barrier might of been an issue to start with.

[@KarateDojowaKu]

well, watch me and learn kind of approach is very popular among the old generation in Japan…

[@camiloiribarren1450]

I definitely love Goju-ryu. It forced me to be more aware of myself, learn more and develop techniques that can be used in any situation, like the sanchin movements. Makes it easier to walk when there’s obstacles in the way

[@KarateDojowaKu]

That’s great!

[@paulhaber8256]

My first real karate experience was in 1966 in Danang Vietnam. I had been a boxer and became a bit of a bully and a young man from the Philippines taught me a very quick karate lesson. After several days of following him around and begging, he agreed to teach me.

[@TheOctabreaker]

I initially started at 7 years old in a school called "den of the white tiger" in my hometown that taught a combination of kickboxing, karate and kung fu. 2 months after my best friend and I joined, they closed and we started at my first Tang Soo Do school where I trained until I was 14 and my parents could no longer afford it. 22 years later, I have a few years experience in choi li fut kung fu, and I'm back in Tang Soo Do, hoping to start Hapkido as well.

[@pascal_chiffre]

I started with Judo when I was six but than I saw Karate Kid and always wanted to do what they were doing. But it took me 30 years to really start with Karate. Tried so much else like Muay Thai and Bunjinkan Ninjutsu but in the end they all never satisfied what I was searching for and now I do Goju Ryu Karate and feel that this is the end of the search and the start of my journey.

[@mongusse8610]

I have done a lot of sports since 6 yrs old and After french boxe i was like so tired to do things which are tiring and sometimes useless so i began kobudo and my master said that i Can try karate

[@ppkrex]

What in French Boxing did you feel was useless?

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Yeah I’m interested in this question too!

[@mongusse8610]

@@KarateDojowaKu @ppkrex my guard because i was harassed and guard doesn't makes opportunity to respond even in match with kicks and punchs i can't do what i wanted

[@danskarate997]

Started taekwondo as a teen and did a host of martial arts, I ended up in shotokan karate in my early 20s I'm a shodan. Still love it.

[@Themusic8074]

Great Video \O/ 1 - I started in a local dojo, I was supposed to go to the shotokan sensei, but I went in the wrong day and started goju ryu with another sensei by accident, haven't stopped since then. 2 - I'd rather go with observing, I think it's something related that everyone has its own body and sometimes you need to learn how to deal with it first, almost like training one's will and improving patience. Guidance is faster and a much efficient in order to learn a set of things though, however, I think it could make one close to giving up if they don't receive any guidance, so losing confidence or maybe the lack of patience to do it by him/herself would make lose the will to learn. Love this video, I was waiting for the Goju-ryu part hahaha ありがとうございました

[@EJaniszewski]

Always great to watch your videos, sharing such legend's thoughts and backgrounds. Thanks. Btw started at 12 (now 47), local dojo nearby my house (in São Paulo city - Brazil), recommend by a close friend who was training there. Wado-Ryu. Observing vc Guidance? Middle term :D plus direct experience with careful investigation and wise honest questioning. ;) Cheers.

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Great point! I totally afree

[@waldorfmartialarts8320]

At Black belt level, about 10 years for me, I watched and studied what my GMaster’s son was doing. He was an amazing practioner. I studied his technique and the training exercises he did. I copied as best I could to emulate his actions. Instruction is important initially, but self study and independent practice, alone, is much more necessary to achieve your highest results. You watch a mentor, study what they do, and recreate as best you can.

[@tanujm9435]

oh man these are the best, i really wish you could meet rika usamis teacher...soke inoue sensei. but unfortunately he isnt with us anymore.

[@sliderx1897]

Both of my parents were Jka black belts from the 70s. My father started teaching me when i was 4, he brought me to my sensei when i was 7. I still train under him i am 39 now

[@smerdoninbrawley]

I love his karate-gi, well used!

[@capedia8677]

Hey do you know master hanshi seneha shigetoshi of Ryosyakai Goju Ryu ?

[@santokukan]

In my opinion both observing and gaining guidance are important. There may be a time where you may have to study a move by observation in order to gain a better understanting of the flow of "ki". Now I started at the outside of a school/park in the "barrio" (rural community) where I grew up. The community was looking new activities for the young generation and they spoke with a guy in town. That was many many moons ago.

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Thanks for your insight!

[@ericshimizukarbstein6885]

I was 3 to 4 when I started, we had classes in the school (Here in the São Paulo region of Brazil it's normal either karate or judo classes in the grades), when I was 6 I started to also train outside school with the same coaches, in their Dojo

[@markc.jamila2386]

Stay safe yusuke loved your content

[@enderbykarate]

started at age 16 in Kyokushin-kai, then moved on to Chinese Kenpo, then to Chang Hun Tae Kwon Do. Currently am at 40 years of practice.

[@kdefensemartialarts8097]

I think instruction and observation are best together.

[@Samperor]

I did TKD when I was six and did Kendo at age of 13. I also did Shotokan karate during the late teens and early twenties and Did TKD again just get my black belt. Now Shotokan with you. lol

[@danishtrivedi5800]

I actually started with Shotokan Karate between ages 5-8, then had to quit because of bullying. I would not restart my Karate training again until I was 18, this time in Meibukan Goju Ryu under Kyoshi Sensei Rajesh Thakkar. All this in Mumbai, India.

[@YetMoreCupsOfTea]

My first martial arts experience was with the local Shito-ryu club in the big gym near my parents' house in Western Australia. The club practiced on a basketball court there. My father had enrolled me to train because he had trained in Karate (I believe Goju-ryu) in the 1960s and 1970s. Though, I'm sad to say, when I was a child I didn't enjoy training. If I remember correctly, I was punched in the face in kumite quite hard on my first day by a much larger boy, and it left a bad taste in my mouth. It wasn't until I was in my teens that I got back into martial arts again, and at that stage it was Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu (a Southern style with an emphasis on circular attacks, like large swinging backfists and hookfists, and full contact sparring).

[@malcolmsoh5648]

I started martial arts when I was in military doing hand to hand combat. After my military service, I started Tae Kwon Do training.

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Nice!

[@keylian2322]

I started practicing karate about 15 years ago, in my local karate club. I had heard about karate because i had family that tried it before. As per the observing vs guidancce, i think you need to be guided to understand what karate is, and you have to research what feels to be the most efficient techniques. And past a certain level, you can search for sensations by yourself, just like the breathing techniques Hokama sensei talked about

[@KobukanGojuRyu]

Many small details will be missed if you only watch. Direct instruction is key to learning any style.

[@KarateDojowaKu]

I agree!

[@kausthita11]

I just realised you were the guy from Paolo from Tokyo's video 😂

[@emanuelreid-oxley6628]

I would say the best way to learn is to do Hands-On but as well you supposed to used your eyes and watch pay attention👌🏾👍🏾🙏🏾

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Thanks for your opinion!

[@JoeAuerbach]

I started proper taekwondo at like 13 to curb my violent tendencies as a kid (which worked, but the way). I'd taken two karate classes before that but neither felt right to me.

[@jamesfrankiewicz5768]

Even though I didn't think of it as such at the time, I started martial arts with western wrestling in middle school. (By "western wrestling", I mean something close to Olympic Freestyle Wrestling rules. Our coaches mentioned that it wasn't exactly the same, but they never bothered to mention what was different, either.) After that, I moved far away and was the under-confident new kid, so I didn't pick it up again after the move. After a several year gap, I was at the university and my lab partner from an engineering class invited my to try out kung fu (Hung Gar, as I learned later), that he'd been training in for the last term. I accepted his invitation, and I ended up sticking with it until I graduated and moved away, having another training gap. A few years later, I ran across an old buddy, who, to my surprise, recently took martial arts. He knew I had been looking to start martial arts again and kept inviting me until I came. That martial art was Aikido, and I've now been training over 8 years. There's been some tinkering with other martial arts here-and-there since I started Aikido, but not so far as to take away time from my primary training.

[@ppkrex]

If you live in the USA then the style practiced & competed at school is American Folk Style Wrestling also known as Scholastic Wrestling, and Collegiate Wrestling.

[@karaterevolutionkaizendojo]

A class ❤️❤️

[@waltercarillo8916]

wow finally goju ryu's turn! :)

[@lichsutimhieu4650]

Different between Gojushiho (kokutsu dachi) of Shotokan and Useishi of Matsubayashi ryu

[@anthonyenriles8573]

I find it odd that there are no thirst comments about him? 🤭😁 He's really cute and nice and strong too...😄

[@ralfhtg1056]

A schoolmate of my sister established contact between my parents and her sensei who then also became my sensei.

[@Samperor]

It seems Goju is everyone's favorite here.

[@robertoalvelais528]

Thoughts: Why set up a false dichotomy?( Learning by observing, vs. receiving advice.)

[@counselorchandru]

False how?

[@robertoalvelais528]

@@counselorchandru as mentioned in the parenthetical comment it's not a situation of either learning by observation or by direct instruction. Yusuke is in a unique situation, as a dan-level visitor to the dojo. Here, he's going to watch some things, then "experience with advice other things"- direct instruction. It's not a binary choice, ordinarily. I'm certain that Hokama Sensei's students learn by a combination of observation and direct instruction, as we all do as normal members of a dojo.

[@counselorchandru]

@@robertoalvelais528 Agreed, however, I understand the question to be more along the lines of which is more prevalent in the learning style of the individual viewers

[@feardabrow]

Hokama Sensei!

[@samigarira7971]

OSS .karate turns our hands and feet into weapons

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Yep

[@idleeidolon]

iirc somewhere there is a picture of Jesse Enkamp when he was a kid.

[@abdillahazhar1833]

That Momo Iro Obi, though... It immediately reminds me of Jeese Enkamp. 😄

[@idleeidolon]

@@abdillahazhar1833 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZy6ZqZ_pJ2Dqdk here you go. the moment in the Karate Nerd docu with the timestamp.

[@abdillahazhar1833]

@@idleeidolon Oh, man! I remember this! Thanks for reminding me! Jeese did come a looonnngg, loooooonnnggg way... It's like he's basically Okinawan. 😄😄😄

[@paulwangler6988]

Karatekas with 'Facewindel', oh no!

[@ErfanBehkar]

Why his belt is pink?

[@Anshu-wz5bh]

Oss Sensie

[@charleslima8535]

Quero falar mandarim, russo e alemão

[@karateamrit]

Issin Ryu Sensei is he?

[@feardabrow]

Goju-ryu & Kobudo

[@trinidadraj152]

Early on it is better to receive guidance and to practice, practice. Later on it is better to carefully observe and reflect on what you see. If you are a small person, for instance, your teacher might not know what it's like to be your size. After you get to a certain level of skill you realize that the way most people teach throws won't work for you because your size. How do you learn how to throw people bigger than you? You'll have to search for your answers, experiment, and observe many approaches. Sometimes you may find someone who can give you great tips, but you'll still have to figure out the rest on your own. If you think of the founders of various martial arts, they were all people who did not simply repeat what they were taught their whole life. They did some re-thinking on what they had already learned and branched out to something innovative. Even Hokama sensei is unique because most Goju Ryu people don't practice Naifanchi. He absorbed everything he has learned and found some value in it.

[@abelpraveen3713]

I started learning Karate and Kobudo from my schools karate club when i was 1st standard.I got my first dan after training for 13 years both Karate and Kobudo.