Is the Hierarchical Relationship of Sensei/Senpai and Kohai Outdated? ft. Karate Dojo waKu

[@xanthippus9079]

It's crucial to respect elders and traditions, but I totally agree with you both: everyone involved must understand why and the responsibilities that come with higher ranks. If people feel forced to follow strict rules without a reasoning, they may drop at any point.

[@idleeidolon]

that's the problem with tradition within the culture. eventually, it is assumed that you know the reason why certain responsibilities, tasks, goals, are the way they are. eventually, the reason is forgotten but the mechanics and the tasks and responsibilities remain. it is very important that along side the reasons for methods, responsibilities, and tasks are always remembered and reiterated. some young person might say, "why are you bothering explaining something so obvious old man?" but let a few generations pass, and everything is easily forgotten.

[@amandawatson5931]

One trains to fight in order to not fight. Whatever your chosen style, it's about not being prey in someone elses mind.

[@LetsaskShogo]

▼[PART1] of this video▼ How Karate Changed My Life ft. Karate Dojo waKu kzbin.info/www/bejne/rom3q4Cdrr2pa9U ●Karate Dojo waKu: KZbin Channel kzbin.infofeatured ●Karate Dojo waKu: Online Lessons karateintokyo.com/?

[@littlegiantrobo6523]

I feel the most important thing for Karate, moving forward, is to change the way competition is done. Competitive sport Karate is not very useful, but more importantly, it does not reinforce the teachings properly. This means that knowledge will be lost as it is abandoned for the sake of competitive efficiency. I'd also like to speak about the hierarchical structure. It has a good purpose, which is to quickly and effectively place senior students into a position where they start learning how to teach. And then, those senior students must frequently check in with the Sensei to make sure they are teaching correctly. It's a good apprenticeship system. However, over time, in martial arts at least, this system has been used to keep dojo, styles, and arts stagnant and under the "power" of the Sensei, when it should be encouraging the evolution and propagation of the art or style.

[@yarikyaryi]

Competitions make every one train harder, gives a better motivations. That's very efficient. And when one wins, he starts to train even more harder to not lose his titul, to keep up on winning. It's very common for senpais also to feel themselves more "high" and look down on kohais, and its not very rare when senpais are becoming envious of kohais success and make their life harder. That's giving more stress to potential talents. So I don't see any benefits of junior-senior system. Seniors should be established by skill, not the age.

[@littlegiantrobo6523]

@@yarikyaryi That's not what competition should be for. Competition should be like intense training where you truly get to test your skill and your commitment. We should be testing our training against people we do not know so well. But, that cannot happen in the current style of competitive kata and kumite.

[@ColonelMarcellus]

TaeKwonDo used to be taught as a martial art (as when I was a young man some 45 years ago). Now it's almost completely taught as a sport (like the Olympics). Taekwondo is now split and the disunity edifies neither the art nor the sport. Is this where Japanese karate is heading?

[@JosephKerr27]

I really like that "leader's crown" quote! This has been a fun collaboration because I've watched Yusuke's channel for a while, too.

[@jjw_llwd]

YO I SAW THIS GUY ON PAOLO'S DAY IN LIFE VID

[@jetsethro]

what paolo in tokyo video?

[@jjw_llwd]

@@jetsethro Day in Life of a University Student

[@dustinwheelerq]

I have learned so much thru this channel

[@rakumm]

Brilliant! Arigato gozaimashita, Shogo-san and Yusuke-san!

[@avicenna799]

Very insightful discussion. Now subbed to both channels.

[@laperrablanca1]

Shogo San and Yusuke San, I enjoyed so much watching your conversation, especially because both of you combine tradition with being open minded. Yusuke San made two great observations about what should change in Karate (especially Shotokan): being more open minded towards other styles and martial arts, and put the focus more on "why" than "how". Domo arigato gozaimasu!

[@jessemelendez6305]

Hello gentlemen, A very interesting video, I enjoyed the topics discussed and the discussions between the the two of you. I hope to see more collaboration from the two of you. Again great video.

[@eepyJay]

Loved this little mini series of two students of disciplined practices talk about these things!

[@ejAtienzaAbLM]

I’m so happy to watch this 2-part video. Such great thoughts from 2 great influencers and martial artists. I’m not Japanese but I’ve always been fascinated with Japanese culture. And as a martial arts student, I can relate to certain issues raised in the videos and see that despite the cultural differences, we share the same set of ultimate values and objectives. Thank you and please continue doing theses videos!🙏🏽

[@ShinChara]

The main thing I would say is, a teacher should beware their own ego. The person worthy of being the teacher is the one who can lead their students down the path of self-improvement. A teacher must walk that path themselves to be able to lead anyone else down it. Also, in all things, forget about "good enough" and "not good enough." Only look for improvement. Don't give up when you see that the path ahead is long, and don't stop walking that path because you think you've reached the end. You can always go further.

[@alishanewton5900]

I love your proactive approach both respecting and analyzing traditions

[@susanroberts7492]

Excellent interview! Thank you to both of you for your insights! Personally, I appreciate the cultural immersion I experience in my Dojo. I am.grateful for all that I have learned. I am a better person because of my training.

[@cythonnaiilo7956]

2 of my favorite YT content creators working together... i absolutely loved the video! Thank you alot for sharing it! i as Karateka agree to most of what you two said. Other things now make a lot more sense since i heared your explanations about where they come from in japanese culture. I am now even more happy i started Karate and of course that i found you two in KZbin. Keep up the amazing work everyone!

[@keiths81ca]

Word of the day: Segue A smooth transition from one topic to another. Radio personalities segue in unique and humorous ways.

[@kingrama2727]

I’d love to see you do a video on sumo!!!

[@beatfromjetsetradio8239]

Thank you for this wonderful insight into the martial arts side of Japan. I happen to have trained previously in TaeKwonDo, so it’s interesting to hear the similarities and differences between styles. Even aside from that, it’s comforting just to hear Shogo talk; his voice is smooth like silk.

[@bobbyevans6203]

Very interesting interview! I have learned a lot about martial arts and traditional Japanese culture through this channel. In the US, karate is taught mostly to kids as a way to learn and have fun. But I think it would be cool to see Karate and Kendo offered to people in their 20s/adults as a way to train your body and mind as well 🤔

[@jameshopkins7507]

Interesting talk. Here in Western cultures, we are suffering from the opposite trend - no respect for Tradition or Elders (Authorities). Again, balance is needed between the two.

[@abrahamgustavoguitiperez-m2937]

Enlightening segment. Both of you should expand your discussion on Budo w/Budoka from across the globe & in different ethnic groups. Get different perspectives, attitudes, history of how Budo arrived to their country, and the common ground we share.

[@JoshuaNicholsJoshybearhuggies]

I had no idea karate was so interesting. I learned so much from this video. In the states karate doesn’t seem as powerful to me, a lot of children start training in karate at a young age so for a lot of people in my neck of the woods karate it’s just something that you practice as a kid, kind of how people go to ballet at a young age. Of course it’s a respected art form but I guess I just didn’t pay very much attention to it until right now. Thank you so much!😇❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jeff2545mp]

I have been studying Ryukyu Kempo in the US for the last three years. We are told that we bow to our "superiors"not to honor them or feed their ego, but to remind them of their responsibility to be a good example of what a black belt should be.

[@CJ-uf6xl]

Brilliant interview!

[@KMO325]

Definitely want to see these guys collaborate again!

[@annina134]

Thank you for the nice video and interview, Shogo. :)

[@AznFighting]

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview (and the previous part). The questions and answers were very insightful! I'm happy you asked these questions because I don't hear many people talk about these topics critically and with an open mind but I think about these topics often so I'm happy to hear your thoughts. Your replies align with my views so that's extra fun hehehe In case you're curious, I also see a lot of people (online) bashing martial arts or styles (not only the Japanese martial arts). Especially if it's a martial art or style that's different from the one they're practicing. Btw, I like the editing for this video which was done differently from the usual. I like the editing in the other videos too, so what I mean is that the editing style was adapted to the kind of content. This editing style really fits the 'different vibe' of this video content, so good job on that too! :D

[@genshinlivehd]

I already waiting for this

[@namazuryusshugyo5214]

Love the answer "as content creator for karate/iaido it's important to approach It in many angles so everyone gets to enjoy the art from our perspectives"....something like that 😁👍 And also love that gintama quote too! To be deserving to wear the crown is to fit into every followers idea of the person wearing that crown!"

[@ゼロワンそれが俺の名だ]

As a Shotokan Black Belt, I'm excited to see this.

[@KRANOS444]

I'm a kid samurai because of my skill I killed about 2 men

[@ゼロワンそれが俺の名だ]

@@KRANOS444 cringe.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Good interview, but believe me, Judo is a devastatingly functional self defense. If a dojo practices for it.

[@ken2000X]

Even strictly competitive training. A throw is a throw and a jacket is very similar to a gi to grab. It is almost too dangerous when done on the ground outside of the dojo.

[@josephdelacruz6830]

This interview was great! Thanks for making such an insightful series!

[@jeffreyc5963]

Wonderful video. Much appreciated. Thank you

[@Dustin_Frost]

It's always been my understanding that in martial arts you're not necessarily training to fight but fighting to train.

[@MartinSolomon]

Best crossover since the Harlem Globetrotters visited Gilligan's Island.

[@isaacclarke4229]

He has extensive experience and knowledge of Karate

[@JosephKerr27]

Hey, I recognize that Jion performance from Yusuke's Okinawa series! :)

[@basscrash01]

I understand both sides of the coin in the elder vs junior debate. I practices TKD for over 10 years and tho it was the Olympic version we still kept a pretty traditional pose in out training and hierarchy. Later in life I went into a smaller martial art called Farang Mu Sul tho I only trained for the MMA aspect of it less importance was given to the hierarchy and way more to the practical aspect and skill improvement for the cage . I think a valance can be struck with respect for everyone yet also giving skill and experience its due respect where it be in combat or Kata forms.

[@larryoconnor7094]

Respect for others is born of self-respect.

[@matthewjay660]

Shogo-kun! 405,000+! My God, man! You were just at 368K subscribers SEVEN days ago! Congratulations my dear brother! Get it, Shogo-kun! HAI! I bow to you! Wow! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 👊🏻✊🏻💪🏻🇯🇵

[@book3100]

Yes, the question of the learning manners of Japan opposed to outside Japan; I do think the Japanese manners should be taught along with whatever the subject is. I believe the proper manners are integral to the learning of a marital art. I would apply that to whatever country the subject is from.

[@animenationxx1033]

I love your videos 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@Anthropomorphic]

Very interesting! I'd recommend checking out a channel called Martial Arts Journey. It's run by a Lithuanian former aikido teacher who had a kind of "crisis of faith" a few years ago, and started trying to figure out a way to reform aikido to bring it more in line with what it claims to be. The channel is broadly devoted to discussing topics related to that project, including the ways he perceives other martial arts to be struggling in similar ways. He's touched on a lot of the same issues brought up here, but obviously from the point of view of someone who's trained in a Japanese martial art as a non-Japanese person.

[@lakkakka]

Depends on what the people paying want I gues. I abhor people acting like my superior. I'm willing to learn. I'm not willing to be submissive or forced to respect a person just because. It depends on how respected I feel.

[@Anthropomorphic]

Yes, I don't think I've ever heard someone single out Japanese martial arts as being useless. The dichotomy I usually see is between those that practice realistic sparring, and those that don't; and more broadly, between competitive martial arts and "traditional" martial arts. In my experience, Judo is usually recognized as having at least some level of real-life applicability, and karate has its defenders as well - especially kyokushin. Japanese contributions to MMA and the modern state of kickboxing are also pretty universally recognized, even if it's hard to claim either one as uniquely belonging to any one culture.

[@bremexperience]

Time for part iii!

[@Ntshaz]

Hi i want to ask is there any athlete karate that famous in japan?out of context but Did you know about yuzuru hanyu?? Im really curious (TT)

[@goingmonotheist783]

Actually.. When someone says forms are not practical, it's like someone saying gymnastics is not practical for parkour~ Ofcourse parkour is different, and more practical.. But doing gymnastics will infact really boost your ability to do parkour.. Ten fold

[@KingofAwesomness14]

yes, yes the senpai and kouhai stuff is outdated! I'm not saying there shouldn't be teacher student, important due to fundamentals. Senpai and Kohai simply due to age, especially 1 year difference, is dumb and faded. A better way to introduce that is a mock fight, a beginner fights someone slightly higher, whoever wins, wins and that's how the respect is won.

[@Randi-h5q]

Duking it out with one's fists probably isn't the way to go. The senpai-kouhai (senior-junior) relationship in East Asian culture stems from respecting one's seniors from the life experiences and wisdom seniors (are expected to) bring to the table, not playing the toxic "you must listen to be just because I'm your senior" card (this applies to parenting and other leadership roles too). In the dojos I attend, I'm the senpai to many of the younger students by age (as I'm one of the handful of adults in class), and a kouhai by martial arts experience; so in that sense I share a bit of wisdom and temperance gained from age with my classmates, whilst my younger classmates guide me with the different techniques, and that works out pretty well for all parties.

[@Eternaprimavera73]

Which would be the reason to be open minded, if the japanese point, is that gendai budos are not for functionality..but more for personal spiritual growth..

[@santokukan]

I will like to say for the last question has to do with the Sensei experience. What you do in the Dojo works in the Dojo because the way is done in the Dojo. This doesn't take away in any way for the value of what you are learning. Everything works outside the Dojo. The Sensei's role for this is to teach you how to adjust those moves and how to more or less can be adapt them to an attacker in the street. As you know a street person will probably not attract karate style for example. So adapting to an irregular attack is critical. The Sensei must explain this points. A Sensei without this knowledge can only be classified as a technical Sensei. This 8s not bad it just limits what he can teach. This my humble opinion after 51 years of experience in martial arts.

[@Wolf_Appledore]

Shogo, can you please discuss Aikido and how it compares to some of similar Martial Arts?

[@shannimarmen8201]

I think karate helps develop self confidence in your body and spirit. These are real life applications. Any martial art is only useful in real life if you seek to learn real life skills from it. We teach self defense scenarios in our dojo. Kihon is real life applications of kata. I have personally used them in self defense because the amount of repetition you do that they become a reflex.

[@janeygenraam7923]

Kihon is not the application for kata. That's bunkai.

[@sakissakis7992]

Between methods of teaching Jujutsu (dangerous techniques through Kata) and Judo (randori and Kata), which is more preferable and realistic in real combat? I think randori can be a great teacher (because techniques are pressure tested) and also more realistic. But, to be complete as a martial artist, someone must also study the "jutsu" part and techniques which can be practiced only in Kata, due to their dangerous nature. Thank you.

[@Thawra-Umma]

J'aime bien ta façon de penser calme et réaliste. Mais durant cette discussion vous n'avez vraiment traiter la question : qu'est ce qui fait que les arts martiaux japonais, le Budo, n'est pas efficace en conditions réelles de combat. Vous avez aborder certains paramètres, comme le fait de suivre aveuglement le Seunsei, pas d'évolution car pas d'esprit d'initiative ou de remise en question des enseignelents. Il y a aussi la volonté, légitime, de pratiquer son art tranquillement. Je pense aussi que pratiquer ces arts préserve la culture japonaise car ils en font partie. Mais ce serait bien de traiter cette question d'un point de vue technique sans émotivité. Très belle chaîne Shogo. Merci

[@Pine15]

Not sure if you did this already, but I'd be really interested in what Japan teaches about the 2nd world war. Maybe you can find a German to compair it to? You know, with these two countries being the greatest aggressors of the war- I only know that it's a huge part of the German school system and the German identity in general, with them looking down patriotism, making it illegal to deny the holocaust and all that.

[@TonyPacenski]

What were the 2 other things your Kendo friend learned in 27 years of training?

[@noorur]

Do interviews with aikido specialists and sumo wrestlers too ☺

[@ianbrass9251]

Because it was mentioned, you should clarify that in Kendo there are no styles and crosstraining 出稽古 or 武者修行 is super common and welcome! Perhaps a problem of editing.

[@faithwithfruits]

Thanks!

[@blaeckingceorl4161]

And he didn't even mentioned the most important part of Karate. Maybe he just didn't achieve that level of experience yet, because It would be quite interesting to know why he avoided talk about... UNAGI. Lol

[@bangladeshesports1899]

Please tell me about kodachi...many manga anmie showed kodachi. But you didn't about kodachi...please tell me about kodachi

[@adewit5366]

Well i teach Judo. for me the dynamics between Senseo, sempai and studente is there because it is functional. Respect is one but it about not become adoration. Sturing class yes i am in charge but when class is over and we are hacking some tea and a chat. Zo'n just ons of the membres of the Dojo. Of course i am in Holland. Juist about the least hierachi liking people in de world. In when sales nu usualy patents of the kids i teach i emphasize that the respect goes both way's. top me this is expressed in the fact that when we begin class the kids bos too me yes but more important i bow back. Respect only works if it goes both way's.

[@Chann223]

It always amazes me how Asian countries like Japan are such perfect contrasts to Western countries like the U.S. People don't speak their minds or opinions so much in Japan, while here in America that's all they ever do. The lack of expression is such a problem in Japan they say, while out here in the West the overabundance of expression is equally just as big a problem. Just goes to show how too much or too little of anything can become a bad thing ☹️

[@denismorgan9742]

Is it necessary to be done as a sport? Aikido does not, the founder of kodakan did not until his student made in to a sport and Jigoro wasn't to happy, so it necessary?

[@kevionrogers2605]

You conflated Funakoshi with Kano.

[@thedude6058]

16:46 i know this bgm, which holomem uses it again? matsuri?

[@Icesong]

Fubuki uses it the most I think, but I've also heard it on Reine's and at least one other member.

[@marcow246]

Do you guys happen to know what the bgm is called?

[@akale2620]

How many people get into physical fights on a regular basis? Martial arts or fighting skills seem rather useless if you are not an anime battle shonen protagonist.

[@goingmonotheist783]

👍

[@jeanwilliam3532]

Please look at your videos right now

[@book3100]

Not practical? I've heard this many times. The people who think a martial art is impractical has been lucky in life. They've never been in a situation that might test the practicality of a martial art. All the martial arts have something to offer. The more you know of any system, the more you understand the application and possibilities.