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 (Richard Amos Sensei's dojo): 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

JKS Nakatsu Championships

On the weekend I was invited to the Japan Karate Shotorenmei Nakatsu Cup. It was a great honor to once again be asked to referee by Tachibana Shihan (JKS 8th Dan), which I did throughout the competition. Divisions included team and individual kata, kumite and kurumaisu (wheelchair) kata.

Enbu: In addition to being a shimpan I was suddenly asked to do an embu (demonstration) in the opening ceremony. The other two enbu were dantai (synchronized/team) kata. First up was Hangetsu and this was followed by demonstration of its applications, which was thoroughly performed. Next was a nice performance of Nirin dai (the second of Asai Sensei's wheelchair kata). And lastly, I individually performed Raiko kata.

Surprise-surprise… Next enbu starting from…now! Later on I was surprised again, when my body was completely cold (as I had been judging kata non-stop for a few hours). I was asked to do another koten-kata, but this time I had to do it immediately, no practice and no warm-up! Even though I couldn’t do my best Kakuyoku-nidan, I enjoyed the pressure of having to demonstrate on the spot. One thing I really like about Tachibana Shihan is that his karate is first and fore mostly a ‘Martial Art’... "No time for warming up and rehearsal if suddenly attacked!"

For the rest of the day I refereed shobu ippon kumite, and enjoyed some good fights. The best part of the competition for me was the excellent reigi-saho displayed by all of the competitors and officials. I also enjoyed meeting and socializing with several senior JKS instructors from other parts of Kyushu.
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Again I have to give my utmost thanks to Tachibana Shihan and the members of JKS Oita Sohonbu for a great day of karate - Osu!

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© André Bertel, Japan 2009

Nagasaki Trip

To commemorate two years in Japan Mizuho and I went to Nagasaki City for three and half days of R&R. We had such a great time wining and dining, sightseeing, and chilling out in general.
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Naturally, whilst there, we also went to the Genbaku Kinenkan (Atomic Bomb Museum), and the Heiwa Koen (Peace park). Like our time in Hiroshima, this was an opportunity for us to reflect on the worst possible human suffering, death, and the horror of war.

Central Nagasaki: Besides our car navigation failing a few times, taking us down old streets with dead ends, or just wide enough to allow a scooter to get through, both Mizuho and I really enjoyed the central city. We stayed at the lovely Richmond Hotel Nagasaki http://www.yadoplaza.com/portal/PO10010?hotel_id=H000006055&mode=3 in Shianbashi, and this allowed us to conveniently use the infamous Romen Densha (Tram train) system. The vibe in Nagasaki is very different due to the large amount of European buildings and 'Christian influence' . This extreme merging of Japanese and Western culture (especially in regards to the architecture) is very unique.

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A gondola ride and the night view of the city, from Inasayama, was one of Mizuho's targets, and fortunately the sky turned out to be very clear for her. Another target was to eat Champon and Sara udon in Nagasaki's Chinatown, which I'd recommend to anyone visiting the city. Delicious is the only word which comes to mind.

Hanami in Sasebo: On our way home Mizuho and I also had hanami in Sasebo City enjoying the beautiful sakura trees in full bloom. We did this at the Shinsaikaibashi and even managed to inhale a 'Sasebo Burger' in the process! Walking across the large bridge, the surrounding parks, and another bridge running parallel to it, ended up being really fun (and helped to burn off those nasty 'hamburger calories'). The warm sun, and refreshing spring breeze couldn't have been more perfect.

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Overall this little holiday really recharged our batteries and was a great way for us to celebrate our second anniversary in Japan.

© André Bertel, Japan 2009