FAQs
What type of Karate does the club teach?
Our club teaches practical Karate for self protection. We specialise in close proximity distance.
Our philosophy is 温故知新 On Ko Chi Shin — "Study the old, to understand the new."
We are not a sport Karate club and there is no competitive element in our syllabus. Our Karate has a foundation of Shotokan yet we have enhanced what we teach with concepts from other Karate approaches and methods to recover what was lost during the 20th Century Karate evolution.
What are the club’s objectives?
1. To learn Karate, understand it and adapt it to our individuality.
2. To develop the skills to facilitate evading or escaping aggressive criminals, ruffians or villains.
3. To provide a comprehensive set of challenges and goals, that are physical and mental in nature, that when met, assist us to discover, develop and maintain our own positive character traits.
4. To teach people effective skills that they will retain for a lifetime; in which the attainment of these skills requires deliberate practice.
What about Black Belt?
The common goal of most Karate students is a black belt and this is an incorrect attitude. The correct attitude is one in which the grade is a reflection of your skill and effectiveness. As you acquire effective skills, which are robustly tested, you will eventually progress to a Dan grade or black belt. This takes 5 years minimum or as long as you want. A black belt is a transition to deeper study and understanding.
What are the age limits?
Our club accepts students from ages 7 to 75. We could accept older than 75 who have their own appropriate insurance considerations.
What are the costs?
Class
£5.00 One Hour Class
£7.00 Two Hour Class
Others
£17 - Annual Club Membership, Insurance & BCKA Membership (Under 15 years)
£22 - Annual Club Membership, Insurance & BCKA Membership (15 years & Over)
£10 + class fee (Maximum three per year) - Progression Test or Grading
Where is the club?
Blairgowrie Community Campus, Blairgowrie, PH10 6UZ, 07854 812 541
When are the classes?
Wednesday
7pm to 8pm or 8pm to 9pm or 7pm to 9pm
How do I contact the club?
Use the Contacts, Call 07854 812 541 or just come along for a chat.
Do I need any special clothing?
Training clothes, T-Shirt & track suit trousers are ideal until you decide to join. After that you’ll need Karate kit.
When do I join?
After four weeks we’ll have a chat and if you are still keen and we think you are if good character then we will discuss you joining the club.
Where do I get the kit?
Look online for Karate DoGi (white or black suit), finger-less gloves & leg-guards (for juniors).
Where does Karate come from?
Authentic Karate was originally called Toudi Jutsu or Chinese Hand Combat Methods. Toudi Jutsu originated in Okinawa, the islands of the old Ryukyu Kingdom, situated south of Japan and east of China.
What did the Ryukyu people practice?
Toudi Jutsu was a collection of civilian self defence methods including striking, kicking, grappling, controlling and throwing a violent ruffian or criminal. Practitioners of Toudi Jutsu were influenced by Quanfa practitioners from southern China. The collective methods evolved into what is now called Karate.
How was Toudi Jutsu taught?
A teacher would have a few students and these students were encouraged to seek out several teachers who had greater expertise in specific areas. Techniques and tactics were applied with a partner. Tactics were remembered using a teaching method called Kata.
What is Kata?
Kata is like an how-to manual of tactics, recorded as a series of movements, that are practised repeatedly, without a partner. This helps the practitioner remember the tactics without the need for a partner. At the next opportunity the Kata is studied with a partner, thereby recovering the application tactics. The study of Kata is called Bunkai.
Why happened to the Ryukyu Kingdom?
In 1879 the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed by the expanding militaristic Japanese Empire. The Chinese influence of Ryukyu diminished, being replaced by Japanese assimilation. This change affected all aspects of Ryukyu culture including Toudi Jutsu.
Why did Toudi Jutsu change to Karate?
In 1908, Toudi Jutsu teachers Anko Itosu, Kentsu Yabu and Hanashiro Chomo campaigned for Toudi Jutsu to be taught in schools to create strong and healthy young people, ready for recruitment into the Japanese military. Importantly, this also preserved a key asset of Ryukyu culture.
Is Karate the same as Toudi Jutsu?
Not exactly, in fact a lot was changed in 1908. Military style group teaching by rote (copy) was introduced to the schools with one teacher to many students. Lethal and dangerous techniques were removed and grappling, controlling and throwing were substantial reduced or removed. Kata was practised solo for aesthetic form only and not for tactical application. Basically modernised Karate became a long distance range whereas Authentic Karate was a close proximity distance range.
Why did the Karate name change from Chinese Hand to Empty Hand?
In the 1930s Chinese culture and influences were not popular in Japan. Toudi Jutsu in the Ryukyu language means Chinese Hand Combat Methods. In Japanese it is pronounced as Karate Jutsu. In 1936 Okinawan Karate masters agreed to adopt the name Empty Hand, which is the same Kanji as Chinese Hand, basically to fit in with the Japanese assimilation. This is why the contemporary translation of Karate is Empty Hand. Different teachers were compelled to register their specific Karate with the Dai Nippon Butokukai, the Japanese martial arts controlling authority, thereby creating formalised styles. To be accepted standard uniforms, a grading system and a belt rank system were required.
Is Karate a sport?
Not originally a sport, 20th Century Karate evolved to include a sporting competitive element.