Old Ways -- From an open discussion group.....I would like to think that Kitsui, Kiken and Kitanai - Hard, Dangerous and Vulgar were the ways I have been taught and are the ways (or most of them any way) that I pass on.

This is a response from Mario McKenna from Vancouver, BC and also was a member of the KSL at one time.

Larry.



We are all pretty familiar with the social and political climate of
Japan from the Meiji restoration to the rise of militarism in the
1920's. It goes without saying that the face of Karate was forever
changed: Standardized unifroms, universal curriculum, new basic forms, emphasis on "moral and mental" development, competition, etc. In contrast to this, from what little I know and have discussed with teachers here, old style training in Toudi involved the three "K"'s -
Kitsui, Kiken and Kitanai - Hard, Dangerous and Vulgar. Endless, self-imposed training on a handful of techniques both in pairs and by oneself, combined with weight training using the old style equipment and impact training on the makiwara and/or kaki-te. That's it. No
systematic or overt instruction in "bunkai" or let alone "oyo"- the terms didn't even exist!

Instruction, was very hands on and if the student was lucky and listening, hints were given along the way. But ultimately this apprentice model focused on developing a strong sense of efficacy in the student as experience is always the best teacher. Hence the need
to test oneself via Kake-damashi in the old red light district of Tsuji or perhaps even go so far as try Jissen.