Trainees from Central India (Part One)

Tekki Nidan (Movement 24): Hidari uraken jodan uchi/Migi zenwan munemae suihei gamae.

Mr. Sudhir Parab (from Mumbai, Bombay) and Mr. Kailas Lohar (from Pune, Maharashta) once again came to Oita for training.

'Budo/Bujutsu KIHON' from Yakusoku-Kumite: The two hours at the dojo included Gohon Kumite, Ippon Kumite and Jiyu Kumite; with a focus on underlying budo/bujutsu fundamentals for them to improve. In particular, I had Kailas and Sudhir work on: (a) their attacks - especially pertaining to effective and optimal maai'; (b) the 'wrist/waist connection in their ukewaza; and (c) instantaneously/reactively selecting (and countering with) the most effective waza in the moment. 

The correct maai to attack is what determines the effectiveness of Yakusoku Kumite practice for both the designated attacker and defender.

 Budo/Bujutsu Jiyu Kumite: I focused on the main point that "...in jiyu-kumite the fundamentals are maintained in the context of freestyle, so that maximum damage can be inflicted at any moment"; thus, control is not only 'to make controlled contact' but, rather, the contact is the same as full contact without 'going through' the target. Therefore, it is that "...percussive waza are landed with full commitment of the legs and hips, and the weapon of the body connecting with the respective target; nevertheless, with the limb not fully extended". In this way, if the opponents, say jaw, was in fact a board, instead of stopping you'd simply fully extend the limb to break it. This is the exact 'Budo/Bujutsu' use of the SUN-DOME rule. In sum, unlike sports karate, in Budo/Bujutsu, the focus is ICHIGEKI HISSATSU. Therefore, merely reaching the target, which can attain a 'point' IS NOT REAL KARATE.

 

Impact Training: Beyond this control, 'following through' impact training was also practiced. I primarily focused on instructing haisoku and sokuto-kerwaza targeting the groin; namely, haisoku mae-geri keage and sokuto yoko-geri keage (also a variation of mawashi-geri to impact from an angle. Needless to say, groin kicks are devastating, and if the kicker is skillful, extremely hard to defend against in a street fight. In IKS we constantly focus on full contact impact on a variety of training tools. Moreover, "...we target the weak and vulnerable points of koryu-karate, which require 'minimal fine motor skills to reliably apply' under the most extreme levels of psychological pressure".

I also taught variations from different angles (the criticality of 'instantaneous and fluid adaptability') and contrasted these with kekomi. Besides seiken-tsukiwaza open hand attacks were also practiced. Once again, the aim was using the lower body and core, and relaxation of the attacking limbs.

Kata: To reinforce these points Heian Shodan Kata was trained; furthermore, by their request, Tekki Nidan Kata. Certainly, kata helps to reinforce the optimal mechanics for self-defense and, whilst making movements to the extreme, allows us to also practice the more damaging actions of Shotokan -- with full speed -- without needing to care for a training partner.

Overall, it was great to see Sudhir and Kailas eyes further opened to 'old school karate' based on real world self-defense, which with all its brutal effectiveness is also a beautiful art. In sum, I wish them both the best in their Shotokan endeavors. OSU, AB.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2022).