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Boomer, what did Sanchin kata give you that you felt was lacking?

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I feel that shotokan was meant to be this great conglomeration of Okinawan arts, as Funakoshi meant for it to be. How can it be so without a kata that's a common theme throughout almost all Okinawan martial arts?
Also, the backbone of shotokan was through Funakoshi's mentor, Azato Yasutsune, who's philosophy was "treat the arms and legs like swords". Itosu, who was considered to be equally important to the develpoment of shotokan, had a different philosophy of "condition the body". But the latter philosophy isn't as prominent in the shotokan of today. I feel sanchin can add a bit of that aspect.

My art lacks flash and fancy high kicks...and so lacks mass appeal.

Personally, that suits me...but for the life of me I can't understand why 99.99% of the people I meet have no interest in the martial arts. Makes for small classes.

"What is your art lacking?"

Years.

Am I showing my age?

I view martial arts as one. JKD was in part, a realisation someone has after they have a bad dream - they remember things they forgot. It's all about learning "Fist Law" to me, wether you learn BJJ, Hapkido, TKD or Boxing.

To me, karate is an empty shell. It can have everything in it. Otherwise, you go outside to look for answers and solutions. If you want to improve your punch, sure, use the makiwara and basics, but learn boxing, spar and experiment. I awant my locks and bunkai to be better so I learn Hapkido, which has become soemthing else on it's own. I train, and try to learn the concepts and their variations, and be able to apply them in the correct situation.

My karate has hard fighting, we realised we needed grappling so took it up a little before I started, we compete in WKF tournaments and do JKA kata. Our bunkai was lacking so we sought out Vince Morris and Pat Mc Carthy. We watch some of the UFC training videos for some hard endurance sessions and to steal yet more techniques. We don't say abandon what is sueless, we leave that up to the individual, and usually say if it is useless you don't know how to use it.

Your "karate" is what kata etc is practiced in your dojo, your traditions and the bonds you have with your training partners. Style is about kata and instructors. Your "art" is what you can do. I liken it to a "strength map" a body builder might compile. If his chest is weak, he might specialise in certain bench presses for a few months. You try to amke it even and and as large as possible.

Good answer Kintama!

The art that I currently study is lacking sanchin kata as already stated, and Hojo Undo.Both of which I add to my home training with the help of shoshikan who has agreed to teach me sanchin kata . IMHO You are not studying true karate without the hojo undo which is a vital part of conditioning the body to make it an effective weapon. Without this training its just sports karate.
Regards Maki

i believe that ground fighting and personally in our dojo we dont do enough sparring which i really love but hey life aint fair.and the reason we need more of that is if some one suprise attacks you and gets you on the ground itts key to know how to fight your way out of it and sparring is practice fighting so therefore self explanatory helps you be all practiced up for a real fight
happy punching,
sholin dude