Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu

On the 27th I did my self-practice at the beautiful Usa Jingu. Rather than write about it, here are some photographs. As the old Chinese saying goes "A picture speaks one thousand words".

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Best wishes and best training from Kyushu, Japan.
Osu!
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© André Bertel, Japan (2009).

About my Dojo here in Japan

To avoid any confusion I'd like to give an explanation about my dojo, based here in Nakatsu-shi, Oita. My dojo does not offer 'regular classes', nor membership, but rather offers private lessons to advanced karateka needing specific supplementary training.

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If you wish to learn karate in Nakatsu or Oita Prefecture in general, I highly recommend that you get in touch with the Non-Profit Organization J.K.S (Japan Karate Shotorenmei). The prefectures chief instructor is Tachibana Shihan (8th Dan). Here are his official contact details: http://www.jks.jp/schedule.html#oita

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SO WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MY DOJO?

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(1) Firstly, it is for my own practice. I prioritize training over all other aspects of karate. It is my belief that you cannot gain the mental/spiritual benefits of karate-do without constant physical training. So firstly, my dojo is for my own karate-keiko!
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(2) Secondly, my dojo is a place to privately train serious karateka who wish to 'supplement' their club practice. For example, last month a sandan from SKIF (Shotokan Karate International Federation) came to my dojo to work on his Unsu. This month I have a couple of JKA (Japan Karate Association) shodan's, who are training for an upcoming ippon shobu event. These karateka, just like all the others who come to me, are not my students, but are coming to my dojo to 'get special training'. I will coach anyone regardless of organisation, in my dojo. So if you are interested in private lessons please email me at: andrebertel@hotmail.com

Shotokan-Ryu and Asai-Ryu Technical Seminars:

Away from my weekly dojo self-practices, and private lessons here in Nakatsu-shi, I also conduct technical seminars by invitation (regularly within Japan & sometimes internationally). Currently some of my seminars are being arranged in Europe next year. If you are wanting to host a technical seminar, again please email me. Please note: Unlike my private dojo, when travelling to conduct seminars I teach all grades.

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To conclude, I'd like to once again emphasize that my Nakatsu-city dojo does not recruit members, but is rather for serious training. It is primarily for my own daily self-practice, and to host private lessons, for serious karateka.

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© André Bertel, Japan (2009).

Technical Maturity

Yesterdays training was focused on the following techniques practiced in the stationary fashion: (1) kizami-zuki; (2) gyaku-zuki; (3) oi-zuki; (4) mae-geri; and (5) mae ashi mae-geri. Stances employed were heiko-dachi, zenkutsu-dachi, han zenkutsu-dachi and neko-ashi dachi.
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Stance length and stance recovery: The technical points being worked on were exact stance length (without obstructing proper hip action in punching techniques). The focus here was a balance between horizontal and vertical alignment as opposed to the vanity or 'physical exercise purposes' of making a 'long stance'. And in the case of the kicks, the fundamental point of 'rapid return to the stance' was highlighted. Just to clarify, this was not focused so much on the hiki-ashi, as it was focused on quick stance recovery... Yes, all very basic stuff, but physically very challenging.

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Superfluous action: The other aspect worked on, which I've always found terribly hard during intense stationary practice, is the complete removal of additional/superfluous movement. This is tough when you are blasting out say 'jodan kizami-zuki kara chudan gyaku-zuki' and are getting very tired. However, this is a telltale that unnecessary power is being used, or unnecessary muscles... Visualisation of the spine was used to correct this with all of the above mentioned techniques.

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Kata: No full kata were practiced however a few sequences from various kata were used to apply the above points drilled in the kihon-geiko. Firstly, the opening of Unsu up until the final gyaku-zuki before going to the ground for mawashi-geri. Secondly, and also from Unsu, the two haito-uchi combinations concluding with migi gyaku-zuki. Thirdly, the opening movement of Jion in isolation (pictured above). And forthly, the final shuto uke in Sochin through to the mikazuki-geri and muso gamae.

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I feel that the theme, which overshadowed yesterday's practice was 'technical maturity', which is largely based on 'moderation'. Practicing in zenkutsu dachi, and not obstructing hip action, via excessive stance length, is just one small example of ' technical moderation' (which is the cornerstone of technical maturity in karate).

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© André Bertel, Japan (2009).

I.J.K.A under Mrs. Asai

It was brought to my attention about a newly uploaded message from Mrs. Asai on the I.J.K.A website. You can also listen to an audio message in Nihongo, English and Chinese on the IJKA Asai Karate Federation site (MORE INFORMATION TO COME): http://www.asaitetsuhiko.jp/ Just scroll down the main page. I have copied and pasted the message here. All the best, André Bertel.
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Dear Friends of Shihan Asai;

My name is Keiko Asai, the wife of the late Tetsuhiko Asai. Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have touched our lives and made Tetsuhiko Asai’s karate life as wonderful as it was. 　Thank you to all of you.

I am writing today to let you know that in 2006, Keiko Asai officially succeeded the right to the trademark of I.J.K.A., International Japan Martial Arts Karate Asai-ryu for which Shihan Asai registered ten years ago at Japan Patent Office. Thus, I am the sole heir and the founder of IJKA globally (emphasis added).

In addition, the application to become an NPO was approved last year. Please see to the attached certification. Another important message to you is that there are a few illegitimate organizations under the same name of IJKA in Europe including UK. They use IJKA name without my permission or authorization. As of today, the only European instructor who was admitted in IJKA is Sensei Bruno Koller of Switzerland. Any other organizations and dojos have no authorization to grant any rank certifications or diplomas of Asai-ryu karate. Only my organization can grant such certification. If you wish to be an authorized member of NPO IJKA, we welcome you (emphasis added).

Please send your request or questions to info@kenbi-pro.jp and we will provide you a membership application form and the fee information. . Also, we are going to start a new program hosted by I.J.K.A.. The show is called “My Life: Karate Journey,” and it will introduce not only Tetsuhiko Asai’s karate life, but also those people who shared a karate life with him. Currently we are looking for more materials to make the show more realistic and robust. If you have:- Your personal experiences about Tetsuhiko Asai - Anything related to Asai Sensei’s karate (advice, thoughts, actual lessons etc.)- Videos and photos We will air the stories on our radio show, with a mention of your karate-dojo and/or your name. This is to commemorate and celebrate Asai Shihan and his love for karate, so the karate styles or organizations do not matter. Tetsuhiko Asai’s biography movie about his karate filled life is in the production plan. The making of this radio show will be an important part of this movie. If you have any questions please contact us at info@asaitetsuhiko.jp. Thank you again for your support and understanding. I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Best wishes to all,
Keiko Asai - President International Japan martial arts Karate Asai- ryu (I.J.K.A.)

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© André Bertel, Japan (2009).

Jugatsu no keiko

Some reflections on my karate-do… Recently my Shotokan karate practice has been further simplified, yet again… This is undoubtedly due to my lacking of skill, in so many aspects of karate-do. Day in and day out I convince myself that “my thinking is a result of my ability to see deep into techniques” {perhaps not true, but it works...}. In actuality this ‘way’ has been my key to motivation throughout my karate career. I’m highly motivated because I’m never fully satisfied by my waza, there’s always bundles of physically 'seemingly unsolvable jigsaws', which I'm determined to solve (I believe I can, otherwise how could I go on?). Seriously, for me karate is a constant uphill battle... As a healthy balance, I try to recognize when I do something well, that is, when I do something technically superior, to my ‘previously perceived bests’. Such times are my biggest rewards, along with the daily pleasure of keeping in shape, and the satisfaction of completing hard workout with sweat oozing, perhaps some blisters popped, and plenty of knocks. Of course the other rewarding aspect is the mental benefits of karate training, which are too numerous to list here!

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Anyway, here is my latest training schedule… All the best from Japan! – OSU.
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Kihonwaza (Fundamental Techniques): The current numbers of repetitions are highly variable depending on my daily target/emphasis. (1) Chudan oi-zuki; (2) Chudan gyaku-zuki; (3) Chudan mae-geri; (4) Chudan yoko-keage; (5) Chudan yoko-kekomi; (6) Chudan mawashi-geri; (7) Chudan ushiro-geri; (8) Gedan-barai kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (9) Jodan age-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (10) Chudan soto-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (11) Chudan uchi-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (12) Chudan shuto-uke kara tateshihon nukite gyaku zuki.

Kumite: Presently I’m doing lots of uchikomi Japanese style. Lunging down the line with nagashi-uke kara gyaku-zuki soshite gyaku-zuki and the like. High repetitions of explosive attacks emphasizing ‘reaching with the torso’ (colliding) as opposed to reaching with the limbs. This of course is largely concerned with transport of the torso via various forms of footwork. The beauty of this training is moving from your center, something which really connects one’s kihon, kata and kumite. Finding this, and keeping the limbs in a state of relaxation, further trains a key point which Asai Sensei stressed.

Kata: My kata training as of late has been primarily focused on Hangetsu (Half moon), Empi (Flying swallow), Unsu (Cloud Hands), Kakuyoku-Nidan (Crane’s Wings Second Level) and Tekki-Shodan (Iron Horse First Level). In saying that, I’ve been still practicing a wide range of kata, but only during the warm down portions of my self-training sessions.
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© André Bertel, Japan (2009).