All right, here's the deal.

I've been training at the same dojo for going on 9 years now. (8 1/2, more like.) Now, in previous years there was mostly yudansha and mudansha going in and out. This was the case just about 15 years ago.

Nowadays it's the opposite. A couple 2-dan and 1-dan teaching about 10 mudansha (that includes myself) It's a small dojo and there would be a lot more people coming in if not for the ATA gym that moved in about 5 years ago.

I'm getting off topic, but here are my concerns.

The 5-dan that started the dojo is a fairly nice guy. He's a doctor who did regular Western medicine, then later went into traditional Chinese medicine. Now, he's really knowledgeable about karate and trained in Japan and Okinawa.

However, I rarely see him training. I've been to his home on several occasions and there's no training equipment there except for an exercise bike. Typically I'll see him in the dojo training on Saturdays two or three times a month.

I have never seen him teach a regular class. Supposedly he tried teaching some children and became frustrated and got into an argument with some parents. That part is hearsay and I didn't see it.

His 5-dan looks legit. The certification is on the wall right next to the water cooler. It's from the IJKF and was awarded in 2001.

The length of this is getting a bit ridiculous, but there's another issue I want to bring up. I've been at 1-kyu level for about 3 years now.

And there's no date for shodan evaluation for me and four other people. There's no explanation and I feel awkward bringing it up, since I don't want to come off all "WHERE'S MY FUCKING BLACK BELT"

He's also had history with animosity between just about every other martial arts school he's come in contact with since he's started the dojo. I mean, he's an okay guy, so I dunno what the deal is.

So that's it. I'd like some opinions on this.

His 5-dan looks legit. The certification is on the wall right next to the water cooler. It's from the IJKF

The who?

Oh. International Japanese Karate Federation.

A lot of guys get disenchanted with their martial art after many years of training. They don't know how to progress, they plateau, and basically get bored. This is either because they fail to find new ways to improve upon what they are doing (at least new ways that hold their interest), or they refuse to try something new and foreign to them (like trying out Uechi Ryu, Judo, or something like that). I have witnessed the break up, or splitting, of more than a couple dojo because of their dojo-cho gets less and less involved and senior students are running classes pro bono. Its sad, and it really sucks, but it happens a lot..even if the head instructor is a good guy.

As for your teacher's legitimacy I can not comment as I'm only experienced in Japanese GoJu Ryu.....I have some friends who used to (not sure if they still do) practice Okinawan GoJu up in Canada. I could ping his name off them if you want to PM it to me...but I can't guarantee they will know.

Oh. International Japanese Karate Federation.

Not familiar with it at all...although I'm not completely knowledgable of Japaanese styles.

As far as your sensei...if it were me, I'd ask to see him privately and then mention that you've been ikkyu for 3 years and could use his help in getting to the next step (shodan), and see what he says.

Not familiar with it at all...although I'm not completely knowledgable of Japaanese styles.

As far as your sensei...if it were me, I'd ask to see him privately and then mention that you've been ikkyu for 3 years and could use his help in getting to the next step (shodan), and see what he says.

This got moved to YMAS already? Man.

That seems like the most logical move, yeah. There's too many variables and not enough information, so I'm going to ask him for a lunch meeting the next time I see him.

Thanks, fellas.

Is your problem that: a) you don't feel you are getting enough out of your current training, or b) you think that your head instructor is a tool?

If the training works, who gives a **** about this guy? I've seen some real ponces running schools, but some of them actually know their stuff.

If the training isn't working, well, how about that ATA?

Ask him about it?

Uh. Yeah what ^^^ he said. You've been there 8 years and you can't ask him a simple question? Or is this a TMA respect thing? Not being dick, just seems a lot of y'all rely on honoring sensai and that leads to abuse of power.

^^^^^^This one.

Uh. Yeah what ^^^ he said. You've been there 8 years and you can't ask him a simple question? Or is this a TMA respect thing? Not being dick, just seems a lot of y'all rely on honoring sensai and that leads to abuse of power.

It's nothing like that, I just don't know the guy that well 'cause y'know, the dude isn't around that much.

And I don't want to be a dick who just comes up and starts asking about getting the next belt. (I've known a couple of guys like that and I don't want to be that guy.)


Is your problem that: a) you don't feel you are getting enough out of your current training, or b) you think that your head instructor is a tool?

If the training works, who gives a **** about this guy? I've seen some real ponces running schools, but some of them actually know their stuff.

If the training isn't working, well, how about that ATA?

edit: I had a rambling paragraph that didn't answer the question.

No, I don't think I'm getting the maximum out of my training and I also haven't received a shred of information about the status of a future shodan evaluation. Like, Zero. Not even a rumor.

And I think he's a semi-tool because he does homeopathy, but as far as karate, I respect him because I'm pretty sure he could kick my ass.

No, I don't think I'm getting the maximum out of my training and I also haven't received a shred of information about the status of a future shodan evaluation. Like, Zero. Not even a rumor.


If you're not happy with the results of your training, change schools. It's challenging to switch schools and/or styles, especially when you've been with a school for several years, but it's better than wasting more time in a place that isn't giving you the results that you want.

It's nothing like that, I just don't know the guy that well 'cause y'know, the dude isn't around that much.

Let me get this right; Is he the head instructor and he is not around much, or is he just the guy that owns the club/place you train/whatever, and he's not around much. I can understand the latter to an extent (because owners have a lot of stuff to do), but shouldn't a head instructor be the one who is at the school leading class the most?


And I don't want to be a dick who just comes up and starts asking about getting the next belt. (I've known a couple of guys like that and I don't want to be that guy.)Dude, there is nothing wrong with confronting an instructor and kindly talking to them about getting a black belt as long as you have been at that rank for a reasonable amount of time. So, you have been brown belt for three years, and haven't once had the subject of testing for shodan been brought up? Maybe he, or whoever is qualified to test you, is just waiting for you to man up about getting your shodan.

I remember when I was doing TKD, the instructors were always more than willing to help and give attention to those ready to test, and even those who just wanted to know how far they were coming along in their training.

There should be no problem at all, in my opinion, with a brown belt going up to the instructor and asking whether or not they can test for their shodan, especially if they have been at that rank for three years, as you have stated.

Just man up and ask.




edit: I had a rambling paragraph that didn't answer the question.

No, I don't think I'm getting the maximum out of my training and I also haven't received a shred of information about the status of a future shodan evaluation. Like, Zero. Not even a rumor.That is a bad. First bring this up, and if nothing comes of it, I would suggest that you train elsewhere, even if you have to start from scratch.

I left tkd a couple years ago, as I too felt like I wasn't getting the most out of my training, and I was so close to getting my black belt. I now train judo and feel like I am getting so much more out of my training now, even though I am back to square one at white belt.

It's not so much about the belt as it is about what you get out of your training.


And I think he's a semi-tool because he does homeopathy, but as far as karate, I respect him because I'm pretty sure he could kick my ass.He does homeopathy!?!?! Leave that place now and don't look back. :5headache

Sincerely,

ZoA.

Just say something like "hey, what do I need to do to get ready for my shodan test?" or something of that nature. That's a pretty earnest and respectful way to go about it. If you think your training has plateaued it could be a reflection of the head instructor feeling the same way and getting bored with what he is doing. That sucks, and may necessitate you leaving where you at and training someplace new. Hopefully thats not the case, but you need to be where you can grow and develop. Best of luck man, sorry this is going on in your training.

To OP, your fears are clearly grounded. You and your loved ones are obviously in danger and need to strike first. Be careful though, as this man is a 5th dan and therefore can shoot lightning. Wait till the early hours of morning, block all exits and burn his house.

As far as the 5th dan goes, you didn't mention his age. I know a lot of older folk may take a casual kata & kihon approach to their personal Karate, basically hard-style Tai Chi for them. Some people have that approach even though they're not old...

As far as the belt goes: is your attendance spotty or are you an almost-never-miss-class person? How do you stack up vs. the shodans on average skill-wise? Is the training at your dojo good enough to make you want to attend without the carrot of a belt? Will you get your shodan only to start teaching/assisting instead of being trained?

If your skills compare well and you have been consistent for the last 3 years...I understand not wanting to be that guy, but a) a lot of martial arts instructors are absentminded and not businesslike people b) he doesn't sound like he's very involved in class-to-class activities, so you being due for promotion hasn't popped onto his radar. Just be clear you're not asking for a belt, and just want to know if you're being held back on purpose because your progress in x/y/x is lagging.