Renshusei from Christchurch, New Zealand: Roger Cudmore

Roger Cudmore (Sandan), from Christchurch, New Zealand, came for training and to catch up. Roger has been a member of the dojo there for 20 years. Over the last two decades his son Harvey (Nidan) and two of his daughters, Clare and Charlotte, also trained with the Christchurch Dojo. They also were in my Canterbury team at the New Zealand National Championships, and trained with my karate master, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei.

 

His training request was a "...focus on fine points, tailored to him", on ‘core 基本技 (Kihonwaza—the fundamental techniques)’ of Shotokan-Ryu.

 

I was very happy about his request and used it to combine solo practice, impact training and, overall, effective application in jiyu-kumite and self-defense. My comments herein are reminders for Roger for after he returns home from Japan (and perhaps some video footage will be uploaded later to augment this post).

 

An important focal point was on the 'first official Shotokan kata': 平安初段 (Heian Shodan). In particular, I emphasized higher levels of precision in: (a) the unsoku/leg movements; (b) hip action—largely determined by the unsoku and hanmi and shomen zenkutsu-dachi; and (c) large scale waza. Of course, Heian Shodan is brutal as one cannot hide errors and weakness; hence, making it invaluable regardless of experience.

 Linking to this was the practice of: 直突き (Choku-zuki), 追い突き (Oi-zuki); 前蹴り蹴上げ  (Mae-geri keage) — both stationary (as a hangeki/counter) and advancing (as a kogeki/attack). The five core Shotokan 受け技 (Ukewaza) were addressed, as well as various 打ち技 (Uchiwaza) and 下段回し蹴り(Gedan mawashi-geri). Big 'Wind ups'/'Chambering' were high on the agenda with the aim of using them as flinch reactions; thereby, producing bigger, more robust and, overall, more dynamic and generically functional waza. 

 

In that light we also covered kata 鉄騎三段 (Tekki Sandan) and 半月 (Hangetsu). In particular, the correctly coordinated timing of the limbs and torso; furthermore, of this aspect moving. Simplification of shisei/posture (eradicating any unnecessary actions) was a high priority in these regards. SHOMEN was stressed when in shomen; moreover, shomen was also stressed when rotating the hips (into hanmi and gyaku-hanmi. This is an imperative point!

 

I also emphasized JUN-KAITEN where the hips turn in the same direction as the waza (e.g. - gyakuzuki, soto-uchi, haito-uchi) and GYAKU-KAITEN where the hips rotate oppositely (e.g. - chokuzuki, oizuki, uchi-uke, gedan-barai, etcetera). I also addressed when waza use both, for example, movements 18-21 of Heian Shodan features two shuto-uke with jun-kaiten and two with gyaku-kaiten. Likewise, uraken yoko uchi when snapped employs gyaku-kaiten; whereas, a swinging uraken utilizes jun-kaiten.  

Overall, it was wonderful to spend time in and out of-the dojo with Roger. So, I’d like to thank him here. I also hope that the private training he received will contribute towards his ongoing karate development. A big ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) to you Roger and have safe journey home! Until next time, 押忍 (OSU)!! 

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