New Students & Rank From Other Schools / Styles
We get a few inquiries a year about students from other schools and / or styles wanting to come train with us at our dojo. We welcome anyone who has a good attitude and is willing to try in our dojo however we have always had a policy that if someone was starting new with than they would start at white belt. We have several students who have advanced rank even black belt grades who have done this and we appreciate their humility and willingness to learn.
The simple fact karate is not the same across the board. There are even a lot of varying differences between the same style taught at different dojos based on their lineage. Though the techniques may be similar and the principles or goals may be the same the path or method of execution varies. As an example Shotokan and Shito Ryu which have shuri te connections in their lineage also have other influences and their offshoots have varying influences as well. Though ultimately they come from the same place as Shorin Ryu they are different.
Many schools have moved to the sport aspect of karate also and that has really changed the dento (traditional) Okinawa Karate Do and not always for the better. The dynamics of of dento karate and modern sport karate are different in many aspects. Timing, Distance, Stance, Power Generation is all similar but different.
A new students prior experience will help them progress faster through the grades however we will no longer even consider allowing a student to wear their rank from another school. This is in no way showing any disrespect to their past style, instructor or their knowledge but giving them a path to learn with no pre conceived expectations from them themselves or other students. Our goal is for our students to learn the old way of Okinawan Karate not a new sport version and to do that we all have to have to keep the spirit of the beginners mind (Shoshin 初心) or (Shoushin 小身) and allow ourselves to develop our karate and knowledge. The belt is nothing but a piece of material and really does not express ones knowledge or ability the belt is just symbol and nothing more.
Thank you for your understanding!
Brandon L. Fisher
8th Dan / Hanshi
Okinawa Shorinryu Karatedo
Okinawa Karatedo Seijitsu Shin Do Kan Kyokai - Kaicho
The simple fact karate is not the same across the board. There are even a lot of varying differences between the same style taught at different dojos based on their lineage. Though the techniques may be similar and the principles or goals may be the same the path or method of execution varies. As an example Shotokan and Shito Ryu which have shuri te connections in their lineage also have other influences and their offshoots have varying influences as well. Though ultimately they come from the same place as Shorin Ryu they are different.
Many schools have moved to the sport aspect of karate also and that has really changed the dento (traditional) Okinawa Karate Do and not always for the better. The dynamics of of dento karate and modern sport karate are different in many aspects. Timing, Distance, Stance, Power Generation is all similar but different.
A new students prior experience will help them progress faster through the grades however we will no longer even consider allowing a student to wear their rank from another school. This is in no way showing any disrespect to their past style, instructor or their knowledge but giving them a path to learn with no pre conceived expectations from them themselves or other students. Our goal is for our students to learn the old way of Okinawan Karate not a new sport version and to do that we all have to have to keep the spirit of the beginners mind (Shoshin 初心) or (Shoushin 小身) and allow ourselves to develop our karate and knowledge. The belt is nothing but a piece of material and really does not express ones knowledge or ability the belt is just symbol and nothing more.
Thank you for your understanding!
Brandon L. Fisher
8th Dan / Hanshi
Okinawa Shorinryu Karatedo
Okinawa Karatedo Seijitsu Shin Do Kan Kyokai - Kaicho
