Gomen na sai

I’m sorry for my lack of articles lately. Quite simply I’ve had very limited time to write, as naturally, I prioritize karate training over merely writing about it. However, Japan’s annual ‘Golden Week’ (in my case) begins this Saturday, so finally I’ll have some free time…
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I'm happy to admit that April has been a very hard month of training for me, and has revealed many points I seriously need to work on. This illustrates a special aspect of karate-do... "It's impossible to have an big ego if one trains seriously". The name Meikyo perfectly 'reflects' this in regards to self-honesty.
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I'd like to conclude by saying "The beauty of karate-do is seeking perfection. This humanly unattainable goal means karatedo is a lifelong pursuit. If this pursuit is continued with seriousness, it can only result in the development of positive human attributes." Karate-Do certainly travels upstream, in comparison to the 'instant coffee world' we now live in. Whilst I can never be proud of my karate technique, I can at least be proud of following this 'way'.

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Osu, André

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© André Bertel, Japan 2009

New Asai Sensei Videos on Youtube

There has been some fantastic footage of Asai Sensei uploaded on youtube.... Here are the links:

(1) Asai Sensei (Asai JKA Chief Instructor) and Yahara Sensei (Asai JKA Assistant Chief Instructor) Enbu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mx_Ylhh0Bw&feature=channel_page

(2) Asai Sensei and Yahara Sensei demonstrating their weapons skills for film makers in Tokyo (around 1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM4qt-WvZGQ&feature=channel_page

(3) Asai Sensei teaching at Youji Yamamoto's house: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q702oSxyQ94&feature=channel_page - This exercise certainly brings back painful memories for me!

(4) Asai Sensei doing a 'typically unrehearsed' enbu with Imaizumi Sensei: http://www.youtube.com/hard%20watch?v=-My3wubFOyQ&feature=channel_page

(5) Asai Sensei's techniques based on the movements of animals including the opening of Kihoken kata: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsH4NyBtzEY&feature=channel_page

OSU, André

© André Bertel, Japan 2009

Karate-Do Keiko

Here is my latest training regime, for those of you, requesting an update.

Kihon: Since the beginning of April my kihon-keiko is very much focused on a natural hanmi as opposed to an extreme one. That is ‘hip snap’ instead of a large scale rotation. This is essential for advanced karateka, for short distance, and spontaneous reaction. In addition to this, I’ve been paying much attention to Asai Sensei’s “First legs, second waist, third striking limb, and last, karada no buki”. To practice these very broad targets I’ve been using the grading syllabus as the basis of my weekly routine. Monday’s, I’m doing the 9th, 8th & 7th kyu kihon; Tuesday’s, the 6th, 5th & 4th kyu kihon; Wednesday’s, the 3rd, 2nd & 1st kyu kihon; Thursday’s, the shodan kihon; and Friday’s, the nidan kihon. On Saturday’s, my kihon training can be anything, but usually high repetitions of jodan kiz

ami-zuki kara chudan gyaku-zuki, and chudan mae ashi mae-geri kara jodan mae-geri (stationary on both

right and left sides). It goes without saying, when I do my Saturday evening training, under Tachibana Shihan (8th Dan), I’m always very tired.

Kata: The following four kata dominate my kata training at present: (1) Jion; (2) Enpi; (3) Unsu; and (4) Kakuyoku {Kakuyoku-nidan}. In addition to these, I’m ‘loosely practicing’ the following kata: the five Heian; the five Junro, Tekki-shodan, Bassai-dai and Kanku-dai. Really speaking, I’m utilizing these ‘additional kata’ to further reinforce my current kihon targets. The main kata, as I’ve mentioned in past posts, are a means to develop my own karate (based on what Asai Sensei told me to do, just before he passed away). Presently I’m doing kata-keiko everyday of the week.

Kumite: My current training schedule, whilst perhaps sounding

robotic, has been very productive: On Monday’s I focus on Sanbon kumite; Tuesday’s, Gohon kumite; Wednesday’s, Kihon ippon kumite; Thursday’s, Jiyu ippon kumite; Friday’s, Kaeshi ippon kumite; and Saturday’s Jiyu kumite. My present targets are twofold [regardless of the 'type of kumite' I'm training]: (1) Optimal maai; and (2) High level technique.

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Osu!

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© André Bertel, Japan 2009

Practice with Hamid Abassalty

Hamid Abassalty hopefully needs no introduction, he is the number one person in Japan to contact if you want to safely purchase a Japanese made traditional karate dogi (karate uniforms) or obi (belts). His business, kuroobiya (click here for the website: www.kuroobiya.com), is synonymous with 'satisfaction'. That is, he makes sure his clients get what they want. He will 'give you the edge', especially in regards to world class karate uniforms and belts.
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Last month I spent three and half days in Nagasaki on holiday with my wife (Here's a link to the post: http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2009/03/nagasaki-trip.html). And to be honest, until the very last minute we had planned to travel to elsewhere. So on the way I decided to call Hamid (who has lived in Japan/Nagasaki for over a decade) to see if I could train with him (at his dojo, instead of being restricted to self-training in my hotel room, or at a local shrine). He said “sure, so when are you coming?” And I answered “We should be there in a couple of hours and will be staying for just over three days.” Clearly shocked in the positive sense, he replied by telling me, “My dojo is unavailable right now as it is having spring cleaning… But, I’ll do my best to sort out another facility!” Sure enough, within a few hours, I received a call… “I’ve arranged a dojo for the next morning.” This to me is true karate spirit. Need I say more?
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I wish more karateka were like Hamid, that is, they talked with their karate as opposed to playing politics. I thoroughly enjoyed our training together, and look forward to the next one.
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© André Bertel, Japan 2009