Freital, Germany Seminar: February 2023 (PART 1)

Here is some footage for those who attended the Budo Shotokan Karate Seminar, in FREITAL, GERMANY 2023 (which was held on the weekend of February 4th and 5th). Another video, 'Part Two' will be released soon.

About the Seminar Participants

Over 200 karateka from 17 countries trained in each of the four workshops over the two days, including two from as far away as South America (Colombia).

The clips featured here are REMINDERS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS of the foundational points of 'old school JKA style Shotokan'; furthermore, the advanced extensions of Shotokan introduced by the late Japan Karate Assocation Director, and Chief Instructor, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei.

Special version of Suishu Kata

A special verison of the kata SUISHU (MIZU NO TE) was taught for the first time (outside closed doors within Japan). This also included the BUNKAI ('dissection'/'analysis' for correctly learning the movements/trajectories and positions) and the OYO (practical 'APPLICATIONS'). These two aspects were clearly separated in the Budo Shotokan context.

Conclusive remarks

I'd particularly like to thank the organizers: http://www.shotokan-freital.de/ In particular, the organizing committee: Stephan Pilz Sensei (4th Dan), Marco Herrmann Sensei (4th Dan) and Andy Neitzold (2nd Dan). Furthermore, all the member of their club and, indeed, all of the participants from outside Freital who attended. To each and every one of you, a big "OSU!" and greetings from Japan.

Overall, the seminar was a fantastic success, returning to standards before the pandemic. It has also set the standard for higher level events in the near future. Until then, stay tuned for PART TWO, which will be released here as soon as possible.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).