Old School Kyokushin

[meguro]

Below is a clip of the man himself, talking about all kinds of provocative stuff:the strongest karate; breathing; eye contact; wrestling a bull (looked like the beast was tame and not at all interested in fighting); elegant Kumite as avoiding all of your opponents strikes while delivering your own; testing agility; training with weights and then declaring weight training unnecessary. One thing I found interesting was his statement that a karateka who can master a one armed handstand can knockdown a bull. I'm game for that (the handstand I mean, I don't get Sosai's animosity towards farm animals). Thoughts?

[GJEC]

Interesting clip.

Not sure about some of the things he quotes as they seem contradictory. In terms of 'strong' I've found my Japanese sensei used it as a more inclusive term than in the west where it might refer more to 'physical' strength.

So in that sense his statement of 'weights won't make you strong' might mean they (alone) won't build the will of iron he expects from top karate-ka.

Just my 2p

Gary

[MMX]

I agree with Gary. He means the physical strength alone wont carry the Karateka. Will and fortitude go hand in hand with that!

[meguro]

Good point, Gary and MMX. I jumped all over the surface contradiction. What do you make of the elegant karate (or was it kumite?) as not taking any hits and strikes becoming threats? Sounds like he has come full circle ( no contact kumite=>knockdown=>no contact).

[MMX]

Apr 11, 2013 6:59:32 GMT -5 meguro said:

Good point, Gary and MMX. I jumped all over the surface contradiction. What do you make of the elegant karate (or was it kumite?) as not taking any hits and strikes becoming threats? Sounds like he has come full circle ( no contact kumite=>knockdown=>no contact).

I find that interesting. That is most of the basis of both Ashihara and Enshin. Evade and counter using their own momentum against them.