by Erik Plate, Sensei

After twenty-five years of studying under Hanshi Bruce Juchnik, I've learned that the most devastating techniques are the ones your opponent never sees coming. Today I want to share with you one of the deepest concepts in Kosho Shorei Ryu: the art of invisible movement, and wh...

I've been thinking lately about what separates real martial artists from people who just know how to hit hard. Over forty-four years of hosting The Gathering, I've had the privilege of training with masters who understood something most never learn: strategy always beats force.

Let me share some st...

In martial arts, there's a fundamental distinction that separates effective practitioners from those who remain trapped in rigid patterns. It's the difference between adapting to principles and adapting to techniques. This concept, deeply rooted in the teachings of James Mitose and refined through d...

Let me tell you about Dan Inosanto. I've never formally trained under him, but I've watched him for years, and he's taught me more about what it means to be a student than most people realize.

I first met Dan through his cousin Pas Fidel, who came up alongside me in the early days. Dan had just sta...

Let me be honest with you. When I watch most martial artists perform kata today, I see beautiful choreography. I see athletic movement. I see people who have memorized sequences with precision and dedication. What I don't often see is understanding.

This troubles me because kata was never meant to ...

When most people ask about Kosho Shorei Ryu, they expect to hear about techniques, forms, or fighting methods. They want to know what makes it different from karate, kung fu, or jujitsu. But asking "what is Kosho?" is like asking "what is education?" The answer isn't found in the curriculum. It's fo...

Understanding the true depth of Kosho's foundational concept

In Kosho Ryu, we often hear about "the Octagon," but too many practitioners see it merely as a floor pattern or geometric shape to step around. This surface-level understanding misses the profound truth that has been preserved through gen...

Overview

In this in-depth discussion, Hanshi Bruce Juchnik shares insights from decades of experience with legendary martial artists at The Gathering events. Rather than focusing solely on techniques, he explores how studying the character, demeanor, and principles of great masters reveals the deep...

A discussion with Hanshi Juchnik regarding the development of the Martial Arts Collective Society and recognition of participants of The Gathering events over the years. Unfortunately, The Gathering has been cancelled this year. Other Regional events to be announced soon.

Do you deserve anything in the martial arts or in life?  Are you a true student?  How hard are you working for what it is you want.  Here are my thoughts.

by Jeff Driscoll, Kyoshi

The terms Shoden, Chuden, and Okuden are frequently used to describe the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of a martial arts system. They are frequently looked upon as merely the basic, intermediate, and advanced techniques, which comprise most martial systems; bu...