National Karate Jiu Jitsu Union NKJU

07/01/2025

https://youtu.be/BtKcHv5kEro?si=xRf-eHYF6pJnGIhM

5th generation Kung Fu master Shifu An Jian Qiu explains Bajiquan, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan to karate black belt Jesse Enkamp. Learn more about Shifu An Jia...

06/19/2025

A proper forward stance

I want to propose a question to everyone who is receiving this bulletin. I would like you to send me an email on what you think is the correct position your feet, knees, and shoulders should be in the Zen-Kutsu-Dachi/Forward stance. Example: Back foot pointed straight in the direction you’re going or at an angle 15dg/ 45dg, etc. your knees and shoulder position and why.

I have seen little explanation on how this technique should be done correctly. After receiving info on this, I will give my take on this technique; The Zen-Kutsu-Dachi is one of the key techniques developing power, speed, and balance when used correctly.

REALITY:

To begin training in the martial arts is to commit to a gradual process of remaking yourself, body, and soul. Many start training in the Martial arts with few ever getting past five years. The reason for such a high dropout rate is many. Without dedication, hard work, and a mindset to overcome your inadequacies both physically and mentally, you will never be what you want to be. This can be true in all facets of our life.

https://nkju.org/whats-in-a-forward-stance/

03/14/2025

“Functionality isn’t a gift from lineage, it’s forged in training that actually works, guided by someone who knows their stuff.”

This quote from a respected Karate researcher and practitioner perfectly encapsulates my perspective on martial arts, particularly Karate. Too often, I see people boasting about being direct students of renowned masters, yet their actual training is laughable. If one of my serious students performed at that level, I would be embarrassed.

Training should be functional. It should teach you when, where, why, and how to move in both armed and unarmed confrontations, depending on your chosen martial art. It must also cultivate physical, mental, and emotional control. Without these elements, you’re not truly practicing a martial art, you’re merely participating in a social activity.
J. Sliger

01/27/2025

Confidence Versus Competence in the Martial

In the training halls where echoes of punches and kicks reverberate off wooden floors, a fascinating dynamic unfolds. It is the silent dance between confidence and competence, a paradox that shapes every practitioner, from eager beginners to seasoned masters. Having crossed paths with countless martial artists across a spectrum of disciplines, I have witnessed a curious phenomenon, how individuals, especially those who ascend to the coveted rank of Instructor, navigate the delicate balance of these two traits. Their interactions with students and fellow practitioners often reveal an unspoken truth: confidence, while intoxicatingly alluring, is not always synonymous with true skill.
Confidence, the word alone conjures images of self-assured warriors, unwavering in their stance, commanding respect with every move and word. We are naturally drawn to it, aren’t we? A confident instructor inspires trust, sparks motivation, and projects authority. In the chaotic dance of life and combat, confidence can feel like a superpower. But here lies the rub, can there be a dark side to this coveted trait? Can the dazzling brilliance of confidence blind us to the reality of competence, the bedrock upon which true mastery is built?
Time and again, I’ve observed practitioners who wield confidence as a shield, a facade to mask the cracks in their foundation. They exude charisma, command attention, and speak with unshakable conviction. To the untrained eye, they appear untouchable, paragons of their art. Yet, when the storm of a true test arises; a sparring match, a critical question from a student, or an unexpected challenge, their confidence can crumble like sand underfoot.
So, I ask: what is the greater virtue in the martial arts, confidence or competence? Can one exist without the other? Must they always be at odds, or can they harmonize like yin and yang, elevating a practitioner to their fullest potential? In the end, the martial arts are not just about the strength of the body, but the clarity of the mind and the depth of the spirit. Perhaps the ultimate lesson is this: confidence may dazzle, but competence endures. To the aspiring martial artist, the path is clear, seek not the fleeting applause of confidence alone, but the unshakable foundation of competence. In doing so, you may find that confidence, in its truest form, will naturally follow.

J. Sliger

01/24/2025

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01/24/2025

Sloppy skills that pay the bills.

What is a Mcdojo? McDojo’s schools are run and owned for the purpose of making money. Typically you can get a black belt in less than 2-3 years, and you are usually guaranteed success on the black belt test. These schools charge an outrageous amount of money, have extensive contracts, and are sometimes cult-like.

Another reason for the rise of the: McDojo’s

“Not baring from actual physical problems” we have so many that have let their training lax, and have become overweight, out of shape, and are unable to impress anyone with any physical skills they may have once had.

Their training has become complacent and consists of talk, showing pictures of the past, telling everyone how many ranks, titles, and styles they have accumulated over the years. This feeds their ego and a lineage that is questionable.

They seek recognition from Japanese federations/Ass. or organizations, which all have two things in common. Anyone can join, and you can get promoted provided you pay.

Read More >

This bulletin is going to be dealing with the increase in Mcdojo’s. Let’s start and ask. What is a Mcdojo? McDojo’s schools are run and owned for the purpose of...

01/13/2025

If you’re Kai’s are good, you’ll share them.

In November 1974, Shogo Kuniba and Mr. B parted ways, and it was at this time, Mr. B created the NKJU. I have heard many reasons for the breakup. There have even been written articles on the subject, but it’s all been conjecture and hearsay. We are left to take everything at face value. I can only tell you what was said to me by Mr. B. Since I don’t have documented facts, what I say would be hearsay as well.”

I knew Mr. B better than most and his type of personality. I also know how ego can get in the way of truth. I will only say. “It is what it is.”

Read More: https://nkju.org/if-youre-kais-are-good-youll-share-them/

01/09/2025

McDojos and Martial Universities?

I was with Richard Baillargeon from 1973 to mid- 1987 when he was head of SKKU and during the inception of NKJU in 1974. Everything seemed to be running pretty well up until about the mid 80's...

Read More > https://nkju.org/mcdojo-colleges-and-universities/

01/02/2025

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few." – Shunryu Suzuki

We must be cautious not to reshape what we don't yet understand to fit the framework of what we think we already know. Instead, our aim should be to approach our training with an open mind, fostering curiosity and a spirit of exploration. By staying present and grounded in the moment, we can fully engage in the process, free from the distractions of where we believe we ought to be.
During training, especially with so-called high-ranking Karate practitioners, it’s common for me to hear them say, “I know, I know,” after a lesson. It’s fascinating how the ego can take control, causing practitioners to close themselves off to the experience. Instead of remaining open and receptive to the teachings, they often try to categorize the techniques as something they’ve already mastered. Rather than being fully present and embracing the teachings in their purest form, they focus on showcasing their perceived knowledge, striving to impress others with what they think they already know.

One of my teachers, Kaicho Velez, often asked me why so few of his students truly grasped his curriculum, especially those who claimed to have previously trained with great masters. At the time, I struggled to articulate what another of my teachers, Tom Brown Jr., was imparting, which was the importance of cultivating awareness to perceive both the world around us and within us without the need to "know." It is about embracing the understanding that it’s okay not to have all the answers, but instead to remain present and attuned to how the world influences us, how we influence the world, and the intricate interplay between the two.

This is a difficult and at the same time easy path to follow. It is, as Tom called it, walking the razors edge. It is a choice, but one that we constantly have to make and that is the hardest thing for me to do.

This path is both challenging and simple, a paradox that reflects what Tom described as "walking the razor's edge." It is a deliberate choice, yet one that must be made repeatedly, moment by moment. For me, that constant recommitment is the most difficult part of the journey.

J. Sliger

12/22/2024

What makes a real Martial Artist?

Over the years, I have met many Martial Artists. Some I have known on a personal basis, but sadly very few began the Martial arts with the right attitude, determination, and loyalty. In contrast, many struggle to overcome the obsession for rank and titles, inflamed by their overinflated egos.

This obsession degrades the very foundation and philosophy of what the Martial Arts once stood for.

Over the years, I have watched as many practitioners and teachers who have lost their way, forgetting the honor that it was to be called “A Martial Artist” in decades past.

Read More > https://nkju.org/so-what-makes-a-real-martial-artist/

12/14/2024

The Body mechanics Challenge

Body mechanics Challenge. I would ask everyone to do a straight punch only, no other move from your body, Just from your shoulder to your fist with palm up. Look at every motion and explain to me how many distinctive moves you made.

The responses I received were wide and varied from six to ten moves. Once you see and understand how moves work, you will know how to achieve maximum power; this power comes at a price through many hours of practice. I want get into the Physics of motion...

Read More: https://nkju.org/the-body-mechanics-challenge/