Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club - Hatsugeiko 2013: Christchurch, New Zealand

Prior to the commencement of training at 6am I enjoyed practicing Kanku-Dai kata on the beach as the sun rose.

While most members were away on holiday, nine karateka from the Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club engaged in a special Hatsugeiko (New Year’s Training) at North New Brighton Beach. Starting at 6am, and continuing for approximately two hours we went through kihon (fundamentals), kihon ippon kumite (basic one-step sparring), Heian Yondan Kata and various calisthenics.

Christchurh's New Brighton Pier and the Port Hills in the distance.

Kihon: The session began with the traditional long period of mokuso and a beach run. This was immediately followed by many repetitions of some of the `core kihon-waza’ including: (1) Seiken choku-zuki in hachinoji-dachi; (2) Mae-geri from heisoku-dachi; (3) Yoko-keage from heisoku-dachi; (4) Gyaku-zuki from hidari zekutsu-dachi; (5) Kizami-zuki kara gyaku-zuki from migi zenkutsu-dachi; (6) Mae-geri from hidari and migi zenkutsu-dachi; (7) Oi-zuki; (8) Sanbon-zuki; (9) Jodan age-uke; (10) Chudan soto-uke; (11) Chudan uchi-uke; and (12) Gedan-barai.

The most simple Shotokan-Ryu kihon waza were practiced over and over again with everyone taking turns at counting.

Kihon Ippon Kumite: Two techniques were practiced against jodan oi-zuki: (a) the standard jodan age-uke followed by gyaku-zuki; and (b) tate shuto-uke moving diagonally into kokutsu-dachi then countering with yoko shuto-uchi. Next, three techniques were practiced against chudan oi-zuki: (a) the typical chudan soto-uke kara gyaku-zuki; (b) chudan uchi-uke kara jodan kizami-zuki soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (c) stepping diagonally into kokutsu-dachi utilising chudan shuto-uke kara maeashi mae-geri soshite nukite (matawa gyaku-zuki). Lastly, against chudan mae-geri: (a) gedan juji-uke followed immediately by a yori-ashi forward with jodan juji-zuki to the throat.

IJKA (International Japan Karate Association) - Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu `Heian Yondan Kata'.

Kata: Heian Yondan was practiced several times slowly with the command count, at normal speed with the command count and mugourei (without the count). Technical emphasis was placed on the use of junansei (softness), to generate natural energy, and the optimal transfer of power.

 

The session concluded with numerous repetitions of oi-zuki into the waves, the traditional sumo matches, 100 seiken-zuki with maximum speed, followed by kusshin sokumen jodan mae-geri (squat front snap kicks to the side) and seiken-tate (fore-fist push ups). Overall, a wonderful Hatsugeiko in Christchurch, New Zealand

Osu, André

© André Bertel. Christchurch, New Zealand 2013).

 

"Karate-Do - Simple Life"