From: rtravsky@news.uwyo.edu (Rich Travsky)
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Subject: Re: Test Requiremnets-WRITTEN?
Date: 7 Nov 92 22:55:46 MST
Distribution: world
Organization: Banzai Institute

Just for everyone's edification, here's the written test I took
for my bb test (for the style Isshin Shorinji Ryu). Enjoy, and 
don't write me for any answers (sorry!).

Rich Travsky                  Division of Information Technology
University of Wyoming         rtravsky@corral.uwyo.edu
"We tottered together upon the brink of the fall. I have some knowledge, 
however, of baritsu, or the Japanese system of wrestling...I slipped 
through his grip..."  _The Return of Sherlock Holmes_



 1. What lead to the development of karate on Okinawa?

 2. What was the original name by which kara-te was known to the Okinawans?

 3. Who was considered to be one of the original propagators of karate on
    Okinawa?

 4. The original forms of karate came from ________________ Province,
    ________________ .

 5. What were the names of the first forms (katas) taught on Okinawa?

 6. What were the two styles which evolved on Okinawa to form the basis
    for all other karate systems and what was the base form and difference
    between the systems?

 7. Who was the renown master of Okinawan karate in the early 1900s?

 8. Which Okinawan city was reputed to have the strangest karateka?

 9. Who was Master Chibana?

10. Who were the men of Shaolin and what were they noted for developing?

11. Who was Daruma?

12. Who was Shimabuku Tatsuo? Who was his teacher?

13. Who was Funakoshi Gichin?
    a) What was his grade?
    b) What did he contribute to the techniques of karate?
    c) What was his system called and why?

14. Explain the origin and development of Japanese karate?

15. Who is Neko?
    a) How did he acquire his name?
    b) Of what style was his master?
    c) Who was his teacher?

16. Explain the origin and development of Korean karate.

17. Why is Kara-te not called "Karate-ashi-do"?  Two separate answers are
    required here, one dealing with origin, and one with technique.

18. What is:
    a) Gung fu
    b) Tai Chi Ch'uan
    c) Tang Soo Do
    d) Tae Kwan Do
    e) Kenpo
    f) Aiki-jutsu

19. What are the major differences in performance and technique between
    Okinawan, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese karate systems?

20. In the end result, what are the true differences betweem systems?

21. What was the primary difference between the Northern and Southern
    schools of CHinese boxing?

22. Write karate in kanji.

23. Write your name in kata kana.

24. Write the equation giving the formula for force.

25. Why is the karate blow more devasting than the blow of any other
    fighting system?  Include references to stance, breath control, 
    sequential use of muscle groups (reverse punch, for example), kiai,
    and comparision to a boxer's blow and footwork.

26. Explain kime.

27. What effect doe the kiai have both psychologically and 
    physiologically on an opponent?

28. Why is the full surface of the fist _not_ used in punching?

29. Should the striking components be hardened?  Why?

30. What is the main purpose of makiwara training?

31. What two methods of technique delivery are used in karate and which
    is considered the most powerful?

32. What are the four primary kicking techniques of karate on which all
    others are based?

33. What part does centrifugal force play in the delivery of a technique?

34. What is the secret of the "circle and point"?

35. In comparision, what are the advantages and disadvantages between the
    twist and vertical punch?

36. What advantages does a snap kick have over a thrust kick?

37. Can a karateka train his body to withstand certain blows that would
    usually disable a lesser man?

38. Why does the karateka train with various weapons?

39. Of what use is training with the bo and sai?

40. What is the greatest benefit derived mentally and physically from
    kumite?

41. What is the greatest benefit gained from jiyu-kumite?

42. What is the most unprotected part of the body and the easiest to
    attack in real combat?

43. How does the karate blocking system differ from the blocking in
    western boxing?

44. What are the three skill levels in blocking?

45. Break down the hard/soft system into four possible categories and
    explain them.

46. Name the principle combat stances of karate and the purpose of each.

47. Sketch the most vulnerable parts of the body and name them.

48. Fighting code of karate:  I ____________ to fight;  I _________
    to defend.

49. Of what importance is kata study?

50. The most important aspects of training in the development of techniques
    are _______________   and  ________________ .

51. What is the meaning of the second and sixth sets in Seisan?

52. From what primary Okinawan system is the kata Seiunchin derived?

53. What is the meaning of the techniques repeated three times in the
    beginning of Seiunchin?

54. What is the meaning of Naihaunchi and what is its principle?

55. What is the meaning of the last set (of techniques) in Naihaunchi II
   and III?

56. In its most basic form karate is pure _____________.

57. The final goal of karate training is ____________ character and
    great _____________.

58. If you enter combat without reason and emerge undefeated, who is
    the victor?

59. Karate is invincible. True or false? Explain your answer.

60. The karateka is invincible. True or false? Explain your answer.

61. Distance is the single most important factor to control in combat.
    Support or refute this statement.

62. What is the basic difference between jujitsu and karate?

63. There are three men in front of you about to attack. State what
    alternatives are available to you and explain combat strategy.

64. Why is shobu line an important part of karate training?

65. In combat you have two alternatives: to ______________ and
    __________.

66. Rearward retreat from a strong charging opponent serves your 
    opponent's interests. Explain.

67. Trace the development of the system you are studying and your
    instructor's background.

68. In the study of the martial arts, as in other studies or ventures
    in life, what three character traits are most important for 
    successful mastery?

69. Explain the meaning of the "three points" (kung-fu).

70. Explain, in relation to combat, "a mind like still water".

71. Explain, in relation to the character of self-mastery, "a mind
    like the moon".

72. Define yin and yang.

73. Explain, "raindrops pierce the the stone".

74. Explain, in relation to self-knowledge, "Say not 'I have found the
    truth, but rather I have found _a_ truth'".

75. Relate the lesson learned and the plane of life attained in the story
    of the archer.

76. Explain this quote: "No man can reveal to you aught which is lying
    half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge. The musician may sing 
    to you of the rhythm which is in all space, but he cannot give you
    the ear with which to arrest the rhythm nor the voice that echoes it".

77. In what sect of ancient China did the martial arts have their 
    philosophic basis?

78. The following statements were made by two famous men, Confucius and
    Professor Uyeshiba; explain their meaning, and you will have a 
    deeper understanding of the martial arts.

    a) "In the archery contest, no special emphasis is laid upon
       piercing the target, for the strength of the contestants vary.
       It is the style that counts". Such was the way of the ancients.

    b) "The mountain does not laugh at the river because it is lowly;
       nor does the river speak ill of the mountain because it cannot
       move about."