This YouTube video is a "subtle reminder" for the following karateka from Deutschland, Stephan (4th Dan), Peer (4th Dan), Axel (4th Dan) and Andy (3rd Dan): all of whom came here to Oita as IKS RENSHUSEI on March 4th, 5th and 6th of 2024.
This video is primarily to remind them of the key points. I was very happy to see their technical development over the three days of training here in the dojo.André Bertel's Karate-Do
This site is based on my daily practice of Shotokan Karate-Do here in Oita City, Japan. More than anything else, unlike the majority of other karate websites, this page is primarily dedicated to Budo Karate training itself; that is, Karate-Do as a vehicle for holistic development.
Monday 11 March 2024
Renshusei from Deutschland (PART TWO)
Thursday 7 March 2024
Renshusei from Deutschland (PART ONE)
The experience of Renshusei is very special.
IKS = TRADITIONAL
It models the private training I received from Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, which follows Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei and Funakoshi Gichin Sensei.
I want to congratulate Stephan, Peer, Axel and Andy on completing their training here. Big respect to all of you. OSU!!
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).
Friday 1 March 2024
PART TWO - NORTH ISLAND... February 2024: Kapiti Coast, New Zealand Seminar Overview
On a personal note…The last time I was in that region of the country, I was
competing there, which was all the way back in 1993, which was also the year
when I first went to went to Japan to train. Thus, my beginnings with Asai
Tetsuhiko Sensei. So it was a full circle, so to speak.
This seminar also marked the 10th Anniversary of the KKA Karate Academy, so I’d
like to once again offer my congratulations to Allan Sensei and all of his
members. おめでとうございます!!!
In regards to the seminar content, as I have not been in New Zealand for
several years many of the kihon, drills and fundamentals points overlapped with
the South Island/Christchurch course (a week earlier); that being said, several
other aspects were worked on, as it was my first time to teach there.
As promised, the kata was different. As it was my first-time teaching in Kapiti
(and many of the karateka were unfamiliar with Asai Sensei’s advanced
extension JKA-style Shotokan) I used 鶴翼初段 (Kakuyoku Shodan) to connect the
dots between kihon and jissen-kumite —via this kata—and its respective 応用
(Oyo).
To reiterate, a key point was Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei’s differentiation
between 分解
(Bunkai) and 応用
(Oyo). This aspect is critical in physical training for Shotokan to be the
highly effective self-defense art that it is (as opposed to merely being a form
of ‘fist kendo’). The karateka attending clearly embraced this point,
especially pertaining to the practical use of our art.
Overall, it was great to share classical applications of Shotokan, from the
pre-WW2 /pre-competition era; in sum, a return to the ‘self-defense focused’
karate of Funakoshi Gichin Sensei. It is my hope that “…while we strongly hang
on to the advancements of karate in the more recent decades, that we work
together to preserve the bujutsu knowledge of the past”.
Tuesday 27 February 2024
PART ONE - SOUTH ISLAND... February 2024: Christchurch, New Zealand Seminar Overview
On February 10th and 11th, I conducted a Technical Seminar in Christchurch City, New Zealand, which so happens to be my hometown.
The course was an exclusive event, which only a small number of places available, making it very personal. It’s been five years since I’ve taught in New Zealand, so it was a chance for me to review a lot of past content—already taught elsewhere around the world—and also pass on some new material: not properly taught outside Japan before (in a budo/bujutsu context). The chief organizer, Peter Burtenshaw Sensei (5th Dan) was nothing less than an excellent host, along with the guys at the Christchurch club. Allan Sensei, organizer of the Kapiti Coast (North Island) Seminar attended, which was awesome; also, Peter Sensei from Wellington enthusiastically attended both events. A few hardcore lads from Australia also came: Grant Sensei (from Perth), and Bryan Sensei and Morney (from Noosa). Yet others travelled from other parts of the South Island. It was also great to have karateka from other styles. A big bow to everyone.Friday 2 February 2024
義理 (Giri)
Continuing on from my last article brief article on Japanese culture, relevant to the practice of Karate, 恩 ‘On’, today I’ll explain 義理 ‘Giri’ (Social Obligation). Once again, I’ll begin in 日本語 (Japanese language) followed by English.
「義理」とは、自分がある特別な関係にある人々に対して果たさなければならない義務のようなものです。人間関係において義理は、恩に報いることを必要とします。たとえば、援助してくれた人や恩恵を施してくれた人に、その返礼をしなければならないのです。
封建時代には、武士にとっての義理とは、主君から与えられる領地や家禄といった恩恵に対し、自分の命を捨てても主君に仕えるということでした。現在でも、義理固いということは、その人の人間性が頼に値することを示します。
義理を欠けば、他人の信用や支持が得られなくなるのです。
The term ‘Giri refers to the obligation to act in relation
with other people, with whom has some particular social relations. It is a duty
that obliges one to observe reciprocal relations. For example, to help those
who have helped us; or, to do favors, for those who’ve done favors for us.
Even now, in contemporary Japan, the observance of Giri is an indication of high moral worth in society; furthermore, and more importantly, to neglect Giri obligation results in the loss of trust and support of other people.
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).
Thursday 1 February 2024
花より団子 (Hana yori dango)
Tuesday 30 January 2024
Current Self-Training Regime
• The stance is 前屈立ち (Zenkutsu-dachi) unless
otherwise stated in brackets; likewise, the unsoku is 踏み出し (fumidashi).
一 飛び込んで三本連突き。Tobi-konde sanbon ren-zuki
二 上段揚げ受けから中段前蹴り蹴上げそして中段逆突き。Jodan age-uke kara chudan mae-geri keage soshite chudan gyaku-zuki.
三 中段外受けから寄り足(騎馬立ち)横猿臂そして裏拳横回し打ち。Chudan soto-uke kara yori-ashi (kiba-dachi) yoko-enpi soshite uraken yokomawashi uchi.
四 (後屈立ち) 手刀中段受けから中段刻み前蹴りそして中段縦四本中段貫手。(Kokutsu-dachi) Shuto chudan-uke kara chudan kizami mae-geri soshite chudan tateshihon-nukite.
五 (後屈立ち) 中段内受けから上段刻み、そして中段逆突き。(Kokutsu-dachi) Chudan uchi-uke kara jodan kizami-zuki soshite chudan gyaku-zuki.
六 回転しながら下段払いから中段逆突き。 Kaiten shinagara gedan-barai kara chudan gyaku-zuki.
七 連蹴り: 中段前蹴り蹴上げから上段前蹴り蹴上げ。 Ren-geri: Chudan mae-geri keage kara jodan mae-geri keage.
八 中段前蹴り蹴上げから中段追い突き。Chudan mae-geri keage kara chudan oi-zuki.
九 回し蹴りから中段逆突き。 Mawashi-geri kara chudan gyaku-zuki.
十 中段後ろ蹴り蹴込み。Chudan ushiro-geri kekomi.
十一(騎馬立ち)横蹴り蹴上げ足を変えて横蹴り蹴込み。(Kiba-dachi) Yoko-geri keage ashi o kaete yoko-geri kekomi.
十二 手刀上段外回し打ち、手同じで手刀上段内回し打ち。Shuto jodan sotomawashi uchi te onaji de shuto jodan uchimawashi uchi
一 平安初段 (Heian Shodan)
二 鉄騎初段 (Tekki Shodan)
三 半月 (Hangetsu)
四 燕飛 (Enpi)
五 舞鶴 (Maizuru)
組手 (KUMITE)
一 自由一本組手 (型の応用) Jiyu Ippon Kumite (Kata no Oyo).
二 打ち込み Uchikomi: special focus on 突き技 (tsukiwaza).
My kumite specialty is DEAI, which I learned from Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei. This skill is imperative for smaller karateka, but also for all seeking to maximize their karate ability. |
Monday 29 January 2024
恩 (“On”)
Many have noted the kanji—for my name—on my dogi and obi is: 恩道礼 (“On-dou-rei”) So today, let’s briefly examine 恩 (“On”). In doing this I can also briefly explain an aspect of Japanese culture.
I will begin writing in 日本語 (Japanese) followed by 英語 (English)."恩"
「恩」とは、何らかの好意を受けたときに人が感じる深い感謝の気持ちで、 それにいくらか負い目のような気持ちも混っています。人は、自分をいつくし み育ててくれた親に恩を感じます。いろいろ世話になり目をかけてくれた雇い 主に恩を感じます。また、やさしく指導してくれた先生にも恩を感じるでしょ う。
日本では、恩を感じたら、何らかの形で恩人に尊敬の念とか忠誠心を示さな ければならないとされています。世話になった人々に贈り物をする習慣も、こ のような事情から生まれてきたのです。
"ON"
“On” is the deep feeling of gratitude that people feel when they receive some kind of favor, and it is also mixed with a feeling of some sense of indebtedness. For example, people feel indebted to parents who cared for them and raised them well. Likewise, someone might feel grateful to their employer who takes care of them. Another example is that a student may feel indebted to a sensei who has taught them well. Here in Japan, it is believed that if you feel indebted to someone, you must show respect or loyalty to the benefactor in some way. Hence, the custom of giving gifts to 'seniors', 'teachers', etcetera (which is often very odd to non-Japanese) came from this situation.
"Ondorei" is my name in kanji (from my mentor, Asai Tetsuhiko Shuseki Shihan). It has a nice meaning in Japanese, from a direct Sensei/Deshi relationship. But it is not that simple. It is also steeped in 義理 (Giri), which means ‘Obligation’. This has especially guided my mission as an instructor, in addition to my daily self-training. To conclude, if there is interest, I will address 'Giri' in a future article.
恩道礼 (ONDOREI)
(c) Andre Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).
Saturday 20 January 2024
舞鶴型 (Maizuru Kata)
Maizuru is an extremely elegant kata with its biggest
technical challenge being all of the sudden and fluid changes in 力の強弱 (Chikara no kyoujaku).
That being said, like the other Koten-gata, as technical as it is, it’s also
natural and not hard on the body. This means that more explosive power can be
produced.
In my own training I utilize kata to enhance my
jissen-kumite/goshin-jutsu capacity and, accordingly, this results in the
extraction of kihon (single and renzokuwaza) from kata. In IKS, kihon is not
only making waza into thin air for ‘form’ practice, but also extensive impact
training and partner drills.
Kata therefore, while still being an art form, functions as
pragmatic training tool.
舞鶴 is a
kata I really enjoy practicing, and, at the same time I find very
challenging. Accordingly, like the other koten-gata, it motivates my training and enhances
the base ‘standard Shotokan’ kata.
押忍
André Bertel
Sunday 14 January 2024
Renshusei from Wales: Jon and Misty
Jonathan Jones, and his partner Misty, from Wales came for private training on January 14th. They were the first non-Japanese Renshusei of 2024.
They got in touch with me via my friend Lyn Jehu Sensei who
came for training back in 2009. It’s hard to believe that’s nearly 15 years
ago! Here’s a link:
Both Jon and Misty are currently brown belts with KUGB
(Karate Union of Great Britain) and came with the objective refining their 基本 (kihon). Based on this
request, I focused on the foundational body mechanics of Shotokan as
budo/bujutsu: especially focusing on Brown belt/Shodan level 腰の回転 (Koshi no kaiten). In
this process, I had them do a lot of work on 前屈立ち
(Zenkutsu-dachi): shomen and hanmi. A key aspect was ‘stance moderation’ for
optimal functionality, which is largely based on each individual’s physique and
flexibility.
In addition, and in support of this, we also covered 五本組手Gohon Kumite, and 型 (kata): especially 平安初段 (Heian Shodan) and 鉄騎初段 (Tekki Shodan). In
particular, the focus in my teaching was ‘how kihon, kata and kumite’ are one
in the same’ and reinforce each other’ for greater effectiveness.
Overall, Jon and Misty were great to work with and I really enjoyed having them here in the dojo. I really hope the training will result in immediate and long-term technical gains as experienced by other Renshusei.
Lastly, I want to wish Jon and Misty the very
best in your respective karate journeys and a wonderful time here in Japan.
押忍
André