High humidity here in Japan

Today concludes an intensive week of karate training which has really pushed my body to the limit. The high humidity here in Japan has not helped, but on the bright side, junbi-undo (preparatory exercises/warming) up has been effortless.
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My 'current set schedule' was traditionally broken to deal with several re-emerging technical weaknesses in my skills, and more importantly, to ensure my physical ability to apply these skills in reality. This resulted in the staunch practice of several kata I haven't worked on for a while. Kumite-wise, we've utilised gohon-kumite variations, which were formulated by Asai Sensei as stepping stones for oyo-kumite. For kihon training, simply high repetitions of the three core 'linear attacks' of standard JKA (Japan Karate Association) Shotokan. Anyway, here's what the week has included.
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KIHON: Oi-zuki, gyaku zuki, zenshin mae geri. Three sets of 50 repetitions of hidari and migi oi-zuki seperately (stationary gyaku zuki and oi-zuki alternatively 'compressing and thrusting forward' from heiko-dachi). Zenshin mae geri one hundred times up and down the dojo (emphasis on maintenance of 'perfect posture' whilst properly raising the kicking knee as high as possible. With all three techniques snap, maximum transfer of body weight and complete zanshin. The photograph here of 'correct distancing' (for kihon gyaku zuki) is demonstrated by my late karate teacher Tetsuhiko Asai. A crucial point, in actual application/self-defense, is that "the punch hits the vital point before the stance is landed". This ensures, that in addition to punching snap, that your body weight 'meets and goes through the target like breaking boards'. In the picture shown here, Asai Sensei is using the hikite in the traditional manner (to ensure the impact is "not lessened"). Both versions must be practiced daily to ensure they are natural. However, neither are compatible with modern karate-do, as they are not related to 'winning points'. Needless to say, this is a major different between standard Shotokan and Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu.
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KATA: This week the training of Heian, Junro, Tekki, Kibaken & Senka has dominated my kata-geiko. Applying the fundamental points practiced via oi-zuki, gyaku-zuki and mae-geri has been of prime importance. Also seeking 'softer action' and control of the tanden, in all body shifts, to ensure maximum effect in jissen-kumite/goshin-jutsu. It is worth noting here that "one must visualise the correct timing of impact whilst executing kata". This, as opposed to polishing kata merely for aesthetics, is vital for reinforcing effective martial arts skills.

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KUMITE: Presently we are training Gohon kumite with free-choice ukewaza for example kakuto age uke, teisho yoko uke, kake shuto uke, gedan teisho barai and so forth. The attacks utlized include jodan and chudan oi-zuki; jodan shuto yokomawashi uchi; jodan and chudan gyaku zuki; and chudan mae geri. We are also practicing these techniques in sanchin dachi and shokutsu-dachi countering with close range 'ate-waza' (such as hiza-geri, empi-uchi, atama-uchi etc).

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In addition to karate training we've been doing ample variations of seiken-tate (push ups on the fore fists) and spending long periods of time "relaxing" in kiba-dachi. This has been particularly challenging after all of the work on the Tekki and Kibaken kata. Oh the joys of karate training here in Japan! Done like this in other countries, I am sure you would agree, that probably most karate clubs would be empty. Osu, André.
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© André Bertel, Japan 2010.