Can Karate be effective?

[KotoRyu]

Who's one of the baddest fighters in K-1? Francisco Filho. What's his background? Kyokushin karate.

End of discussion

[matsushorinryu]

Just my Opinion

The fact that there even has to be a conversation about karate being effective would make the old okinawan masters roll over in their graves. If you want the truth, probably 95% of "martial arts" taught in america are useless on the street no matter what the style or how much "sparring" you do. We have sold out masters like Fusei Kise to thank for the commercialization of the art. I think that the biggest prank okinawans ever played on america is our versions of karate. it all became about money, and has become watered down. Most of you who post on this site, including myself, would probably not be able to handle old fashioned karate training. Karate was invented to defend ones self and family, so yes karate itself can be very effective. As for watered down American versions of the art, no they can't. Most american schools that teach the absolute traditional way don't have many students if any, and end up praticing in basements, not big fancy dojos because americans are lazy. we want to see results fast...we don't want to work for what we get, hence the implementation of a colored belt system as opposed to just white and black.

[Streetprince]

so thats where the different belts came from?

[Britt]

I thought Jigaro Kano invented the colored belt progession system.

[Kenpodog]

you want the truth,

I can't handle the truth, but let me have it anyway!!

probably 95% of "martial arts" taught in america are useless on the street no matter what the style or how much "sparring" you do.

Then I want to learn what they do on the street so I can defeat 95% percent of all Martial Artist!! Ha Ha Ha (maybe I didn't want the truth after all.)

[jubaji]

because americans are lazy. .

Speak for yourself, bitch.

[shaolin-warrior]

American kempo, ed parker schools, villari schools, and yes even united studio schools teach a very effective kenpo/kempo style. In the hands of a well practiced martial artist, these techniques are deadly.Dont get mad yet, the problem with these styles is that as americans, we want to purchase our next belt and move forward. It took great men a lifetime to develope a system that was designed for preservation of their family lineage. they practiced a lifetime and felt unworthy of their masters while we attend a class twice a week and never or rarely practice and cant wait to tie on our blackbelts and do our 45 second form or kempo with little or nomore realization than tieing our shoes. Its not the system thats failed the student, but the student thats failed the system.

[robertlee]

American kempo, ed parker schools, villari schools, and yes even united studio schools teach a very effective kenpo/kempo style. In the hands of a well practiced martial artist, these techniques are deadly.Dont get mad yet, the problem with these styles is that as americans, we want to purchase our next belt and move forward. It took great men a lifetime to develope a system that was designed for preservation of their family lineage. they practiced a lifetime and felt unworthy of their masters while we attend a class twice a week and never or rarely practice and cant wait to tie on our blackbelts and do our 45 second form or kempo with little or nomore realization than tieing our shoes. Its not the system thats failed the student, but the student thats failed the system.

You wopuld remember That as the need for what was known as karate jutsu. Chngaed. To karate do. The training did get softer. The true ways was to train for the higher degree of self defence. But times changed after the gun and The way of life began to change. BUT any fighting art as long as a person trains to be a fighter can work. Even ti chi. As it to was about the oldest Kung fu art. Then more towards internal health training. It to if a person so minded be brought to a defence art. BUT the person there self has to be the one that trains that way. IN any art. You will see some who get very good and alot that basiicly miss the boat. Just as the boxer how many people box and how many make it to the top. JUST a few. those that pushed there self to go beyond the next person. Asking more from there self. There is just so many ways to hit kick or go to the ground. And all arts. Have a foundation. Then a person that can build from that into a real representive of what they can do. Its do you want it bad enough to go the limit. If not you will only be as good as you make your self be.

[Kenpodog]

American kempo, ed parker schools, villari schools, and yes even united studio schools teach a very effective kenpo/kempo style. In the hands of a well practiced martial artist, these techniques are deadly.

AMEN, Brother or Cousin,
It's all Kenpo, It's All Good!!!

[shaolin-warrior]

I'M SOOOOO sick of the bad rap !!!! I started with steve damasco 7 years ago..
am currently training with one of his students in wallingford conecticut, now that ussd is divided.

[Kenpodog]

I don't ever remember any of my instructors teaching "Kenpo Politics", but it seems to be a major part of the system????
I started in a Chinese or Tracy's type system then moved into an American or Parker (EPAK) system. For what it's worth, I think my school is affiliated with the WKKA and I never cared to know the lineage.
In Kenpo it's what you know, not where you go.
Kenpo was designed for the street and politics or lineage won't help out there!!!

[jubaji]

In the hands of a well practiced martial artist, these techniques are deadly.

....................

[BoarSpear]

It took great men a lifetime to develope a system that was designed for preservation of their family lineage. they practiced a lifetime and felt unworthy of their masters while we attend a class twice a week and never or rarely practice and cant wait to tie on our blackbelts and do our 45 second form or kempo with little or nomore realization than tieing our shoes. Its not the system thats failed the student, but the student thats failed the system.

Very well said!!

Unfortunately this is true of most of the Martial systems today.
There are those who stilll live the lifestyle, but they get treated as freaks and wackos by the majority of the population. These people rarely have students since people dont have time for training as well as women, cars, bars and a job so the teachers would rather see the art "die" complete rather than "live" on as a joke like so many of the commercialized arts today.

[Uke]

The fact that there even has to be a conversation about karate being effective would make the old okinawan masters roll over in their graves. If you want the truth, probably 95% of "martial arts" taught in america are useless on the street no matter what the style or how much "sparring" you do. We have sold out masters like Fusei Kise to thank for the commercialization of the art. I think that the biggest prank okinawans ever played on america is our versions of karate. it all became about money, and has become watered down. Most of you who post on this site, including myself, would probably not be able to handle old fashioned karate training. Karate was invented to defend ones self and family, so yes karate itself can be very effective. As for watered down American versions of the art, no they can't. Most american schools that teach the absolute traditional way don't have many students if any, and end up praticing in basements, not big fancy dojos because americans are lazy. we want to see results fast...we don't want to work for what we get, hence the implementation of a colored belt system as opposed to just white and black.

Peter Urban learned all of his arts in Japan and Okinawa. He was a very learned, intelligent man who dedicated his life to martial arts. Some of my brothers in Goju are fantastic fighters, and have beaten many of the Okinawan fighters. In NY Goju is alive and well.

But I do agree with you about the McDojos though.

[Tai Chi Fighter]

Eugueu Ryu

Has anyone ever heard of the Eugue Ryu style of Karate. If so tell me what you think.