Asai-Ha Shotokan-Ryu: The extension of 'JKA-style' Shotokan

Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei personally told me that the additional kata were like ‘blank canvases’ when he taught people. He particularly stressed relaxed and fluid motions as opposed to the post WW2 ‘hard styled karate’. He explained that this style was not bujutsu but, rather, ‘spirit building training’; furthermore, competitions popularized this stiff movement. In sum, 柔軟性 (Junansei) is the priority.

Allow me to explain a handful of waza commonly found in Asai Sensei’s extension of Shotokan karate. In doing this, I’ll also add some corrections in relation to them.

The wind up or chambering of 上段払い (Jodan-barai) is important in itself. It’s actually an impact with seiken—like a ‘hook’ or ganken sotomawashi uchi. This can also be applied as an uke thereby making jodan-barai as an attack. So defense and attack or two attacks.

手刀掛け受け (Shuto kake-uke) and 手首掛け受け (Tekubi kake-uke) are both common ukewaza in the kata I learned from Asai Sensei. It is important to understand that they are ukewaza from 白鶴拳(Hakutsuruken, White Crane Fist). The defense is actually with the elbows not primarily with the hand or wrist.

Sensei was highly skilled with elbow and leg defenses in combination with head movement and ‘tenshin’ which I’ll get to later. I literally suffered a lot of pain from Asai Sensei's elbow and leg receptions! Others who experienced them first-hand will certainly also say this.

刻み前蹴り(Kizami mae-geri) is used a lot in the various 古典型 (Kotengata), mostly they are practiced to chudan; however, in application these kicks are lower, especially to the opponent's groin. While kicking with the lead leg has less power, it is quicker and (if correctly done) is harder for the opponent to read and defend against. Needless to say, '...the low kick is useful for opening the head and face to attacks".

Another technique, which Asai Sensei taught a lot was 上段外受け (Jodan soto-uke) flowing into gedan-barai. In fact, many people miss this, and simply do gedan-barai. For example, there is no direct gedan-barai in 青柳型 (Seiryu Kata). Standard gedan-barai is simply not in this kata!

Asai Sensei emphasized many 体の武器 (karada no buki/weapons of the body) which are illegal in competition; moreover, should only ever be used when needing to protect oneself from an unprovoked and violent assault. Why? Because they are too dangerous and require a 'do or die' scenario.

Emphasis is primarily on close-range waza, which also elucidates the focus on practical self-defense, as opposed competition-based 間合 (Maai).

It is for this reason that Asai Sensei highly emphasized 転身 (tenshin, rotation) in Kihon, Kata and Kumite. This in addition to 鞭拳技 (Muchikenwaza) or ‘whip fist techniques’ are the technical core of his karate and superior for optimally effective karate. These elements maximize centrifugal force and transcend mass and muscle power. Consequently, one can defeat much larger and stronger opponents.

One thing which I need to point out is that the 順路 (Junro) and 常行 (Joukou) kata are not ‘kotengata’, rather, they are ‘fundamental training forms’ designed by Asai Sensei. In his words, “…they are to trick you into doing more kihon”. Taken as a whole, they are to boost one’s fundamental techniques. Perhaps interestingly for you, some of my students I recommend them, others I don't.

Conversely, the kotengata are 武術型 (Bujutsu Kata)—for actual fighting techniques, strategies and applications. Ironically, the movements in these kata are more natural than the standard Shotokan kata; thus, generate more power with less stress on the joints, tendons and ligaments. Lifetime karate! I recommend these kata to everyone who really wants to get good and greatly improve from where they are right now!!! And, yes, 100% of the time they get immediate and long-term tangible results.

Last, but not least, the additional kata and introduced by Asai Sensei require a strong base in 'JKA style' Shotokan. Hand in glove, so to speak. Therefore, the additional kata enhance one’s Shotokan skill and inspires deeper and more meaningful karate practice. And, obviously, for those who are ‘technicians’ they’re fun to learn and practice!

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).