Catonsville Seido Karate: Frequently Asked Questions

About the style

What kind of karate is this?

The name of the style is "Seido", pronounced "say-dough" and meaning "sincere way". It is a Japanese style, most closely related to the Kyokushin, Shotokan, and Goju-ryu styles.

Who founded it? How long has it been around?

Kaicho (Chairman) Tadashi Nakamura founded Seido Karate in 1976. He is a kudan (ninth degree Black Belt) who was a leading student in the Kyokushin-kai style of karate until philosophical differences with his teacher led him to leave and found Seido Juku.

About the training

Who teaches the classes in Catonsville?

Catonsville Seido Karate classes are taught by Jun Shihan Tom Swiss, a sixth-degree black belt who started his karate training in 1985.

Do you have to have previous experience, or be in great shape, to start training?

Not at all. We love beginners!

Everyone is welcome to train regardless of previous experience, fitness level, age (minimum age 7 years for the youth class, but adults in their 40s, 50s, 60s, or older are welcome!) or gender. You don't have to be physically strong - though if you stick with it, you'll be pleasantly surprised how much more fit you'll be after a year of training. (Note: it is recommended that you consult your physician before beginning any vigorous exercise program.)

Seido also makes a special effort to accommodate students with special needs, including disabilities.

Do you do sparring?

Yes. However, students do not begin free sparring until they've reached the level of Green Belt, which usually takes at least a year; and safety rules, including the use of protective gear, are closely followed.

Do you do forms (kata)?

Yes. The Seido curriculum includes a total of over twenty kata, with students learning one or two new ones at each belt level.

Do you do tournaments?

Yes. Students are encouraged to participate in kata competition in one of a handful of traditional karate tournaments (including the annual Seido benefit tournament), and students of the appropriate rank levels may compete in kumite (sparring) as well. However, competing is not mandatory, nor is it the primary focus of training.

Black Belts training with bo and jo. Beach Training at Cape Henlopen State Park (Delaware), August 1999

Do you do weapons?

Yes, however since weapons are viewed as extensions of the body, weapons training is reserved for advanced students. Black Belt students train with bo and jo (short and long staff), and basic knife techniques. Yondan (fourth degree Black Belt) students also train with sai.

About the uniform and belts

Do I have to buy a uniform before I start

We do not require students to immediately purchase a unform; especially for kids, there's no point in spending the money when the interest may only last a few weeks. You can train in a plain t-shirt and sweatpants at first, or if you have a uniform from previous martial arts training that's fine.

But once you decide to really join our classes you will need to purchase a training uniform ("gi"). Information on buying and caring for a gi is available on a separate page.

What are the belt colors? What do they mean?

The system of colored belts that we use is simply a means to break down the curriculum and to provide a visible indication of approximately how far a student's study has progressed. Each belt level has a syllabus - a set of techniques, forms, and drills - that the student must demonstrate competence in before being promoted to the next level.

The order of belts used in Seido karate (other styles use different orders) is as follows: White, Blue, Yellow, Green, Brown, Black. At each level below Black Belt, there is also a corresponding "advanced" rank - Advanced White, Advanced Blue, and so on, which is indicated by a patch sewn on to the end of the belt. This forms a total of ten kyu ranks below Black Belt.

At Black Belt a student progresses from shodan (first degree), to nidan (second), and so on up through (in theory) judan (tenth). In traditional Japanese karate, ranks above third degree are generally considered full-fledged teaching ranks. Ranks above godan (fifth dan) are rare; these require decades of pratice and teaching and are considered "master" ranks, awarded for contributing to the art. Only a handful of people, the greatest master teachers, are ever awarded the rank of kudan or judan (ninth or tenth degree Black Belt), and even then usually not until the age of 60 or 70.

How long does it take to get a Black Belt?

There is no guarantee or limit on reaching shodan (first degree Black Belt). It is entirely up to the students' time and effort in training.

Belt rankings are only meaningful within a system, so comparing the time it takes to reach Black Belt in different schools is not really helpful. There is always a school where you can reach Black Belt faster. (The fastest way is to just buy one at a martial arts supply center.)

However, in Seido about five to eight years is typical for students training a few hours a week, in between other life commitments. Some students may take ten years or more; others may take only a few years.

It is important to keep in mind that attaining Black Belt level is not a completion of training; it is in fact just the beginning.