Trainee from Biebesheim, Germany

Dominic Jährling (Shodan) from Biebesheim, Germany recently came as a Renshusei here in Oita City.

(1) The KIHON (Fundamentals) are everything in karate. They determine one's technical level and effectiveness.

(2) The form of KIHON is not for looks but optimal efficiency and bodily effectiveness.

(3) Ultimately KIHON is 'ISOLATION TRAINING'.

Overall, while I won’t go into details, the focus was improving subtle aspects of his KIHON naturally through both sonoba-kihon and ido-kihon, but also via kata and the different forms of yakusoku-kumite. Of course, collectively all of these elements culminate in effective jiyu-kumite.

A paramount factor is for each individual to find the best karate for their physique, personal attributes, and so on. This is an aspect that I stress to all Renshusei, and Dominic was of course no exception.

As always, in line with Asai Sensei’s methodologies—relaxation to transcend muscular power—was high on the agenda and, therefore, smoothness and ‘reactive adaptability’. Needless to say, these aspects are utterly imperative when karate is practiced as 武術 (BUJUTSU).

To conclude, it was not only great to see Dominic improve in his skills, power, and understanding of Karate, it was also a really nice time outside of the trainings.

Dominic, I wish you the very best, 押忍!

André

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

Kiba-dachi and Shiko-dachi: Simple Structural Difference/Structural Functionality

 

Movement 21 of Tekki Sandan Kata: Hidari haiwan jodan uchinagashi-uke (Kiba-dachi).

While there is no Shiko-dachi in the 26 standard Shotokan Kata, it is important to also practice it. Needless to say, they are EQUALLY IMPORTANT in fundamental training and exercises!

The reason is simple, they are different and complimentary to each other. Allow me to give the explanation about this from Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, Osaka Yoshiharu Sensei and others who have guided me on my karate path here in Japan since I first came here in 1993. Please note, these two sentences are not direct quotes: instead, a simple summary of what I've been taught about their functional structure.

I will not go into fundamental form here, nor movements; rather, only the core structural differences., which while simple, is very important.

"KIBA-DACHI is strong like a stone structure, suitable for typhoons, but not earthquakes.

Conversely, SHIKO-DACHI is flexible like wooden structure, suitable for earthquakes but not typhoons."

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

SEIRYU KATA (YouTube Video)

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

FREITAL, GERMANY SEMINAR 2024 (PART 2): YouTube Video

 If you attended this seminar, you know that this video 'far under-reflects' what was covered over the weekend; that being said, there are some subtle reminders here of key points.  A big OSU to all who attended. 

We are set for a massive 2025.

押忍！

AB

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

Reference videos for 青柳 (Seiryu)

You can utilize these videos in conjunction with the following notes: André Bertel's Karate-Do: 青柳 (Seiryu): Written Outline - as promised (andrebertel.blogspot.com); furthermore, videos from the September 2024 Freital, Germany Seminar, will be uploaded to my official YouTube Channel soon.

 

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

青柳 (Seiryu): Written Outline - as promised

青柳 (Seiryu)

This kata contains 52 Movements and has kiai on the 31st and 52nd waza. The emphasis is the flexible and soft use of the shoulders; furthermore, a strong base and power generation from various hip actions. In these ways, as the forms name implies, Seiryu mimics a mature willow tree with stable roots, a solid trunk and flexible branches.

PLEASE NOTE: Core aspects of Seiryu kata have been intentionally not included in this description; however, these were taught to the seminar participants.

1. Move the left foot leftward to form hidari hiza-kutsu and execute migi haito jodan furi-uchi. Note – this stance is the ‘in-line zenkutsu’ with the technique directed to the side; thus, the position is formally called ‘hiza-kutsu’.

2. Migi shuto uchimawashi uchi.

3-4. Repeat movements 1-2 on the opposite side.

5. Turn counterclockwise 180 degrees—facing ura shomen to form hidari ashi mae neko ashi dachi with hidari jodan soto-uke flowing into hidari gedan-barai.

6. Drive forward into hidari zenkutsu-dachi with hidari jodan uchi-uke and a simultaneous migi haito jodan sotomawashi uchi.

7. Hidari jodan ura-zuki.

8-10. Turn 180 degrees and repeat movement 5-7 on the opposite side.

11. Step 90 degrees leftward into hidari zenkutsu-dachi with hidari tsukami-uke.

12. Migi shuto jodan sotomawashi-uchi.

13-14. Repeat movements 11-12 on the opposite side.

15. Pivoting on the spot move into hidari zenkutsu-dachi with migi jodan age-zuki.

16. Step forward on the centerline into migi zenkutsu-dachi with migi uraken jodan tatemawashi uchi.

17. Hidari ganken jodan sotomawashi uchi.

18. Migi ganken chudan sotomawashi uchi.

19. Step forward into hidari zenkutsu-dachi with hidari jodan age-zuki.

20. Hidari uraken jodan tatemawashi uchi.

21. Migi ganken jodan sotomawashi uchi.

22. Hidari ganken chudan sotomawashi uchi.

23. Turn 180 degrees clockwise into migi zenkutsu-dachi—facing ura shomen—and execute migi tekubi   kake-uke swinging in a large arc diagonally downward to the right. 

24. Following the same large scale trajectory with hidari haito kesa-uchi.

25. Remaining in migi zenkutsu-dachi use the right lead leg to pivot 45 degrees counterclockwise and make hidari tate haishu jodan kamae and simultaneously attack with migi haito jodan sotomawashi huri-  uchi. Note that the haito uchi descends downward ending at the left side of the waist.

 

26. Remaining on the angle yori-ashi forward with migi shuto jodan uchimawashi huri-uchi flowing into   hidari haito jodan sotomawashi uchi.

27-30 Repeat movements 23-26 on the opposite side.

31. Turn 315 degrees clockwise to face shomen in migi zenkutsu-dachi with migi shuto jodan   uchimawashi furi-uchi flowing into hidari haito jodan sotomawashi uchi. — Kiai!

32. Turn 180 degrees counterclockwise into hidari ashi mae neko ashi dachi with hidari jodan soto-uke flowing into hidari gedan-barai.

33. Advance the left foot forward into hidari zenkutsu-dachi with hidari uraken jodan mawashi-zuki. Note – this punch makes a large arm then finishes by the right hip. 

34. Hidari jodan uraken yokomawashi uchi.

35. Advance with the right foot into kiba-dachi and execute migi kentsui gedan-uchi.

36. Migi kentsui jodan tatemawashi uchi.

37-41. Pull back the lead leg moving into migi ashi mae neko ashi dachi and repeat movements 32-36 on the opposite side.

42. Turn 270 degree clockwise into migi ashi mae fudo-dachi with migi jodan barai/gaiwan-uchi.

43. Advance into hidari zenkutsu-dachi with hidari naiwan jodan sotomawashi uchi.

44-45. Turn 180 degrees counterclockwise into hidari ashi mae fudo-dachi and repeat movements 42 and 43 on the opposite side.

46. Turn 90 degrees clockwise to face shomen in migi zenkutsu dachi and deliver migi shuto jodan uchimawashi uchi.

47. Immediately flow into hidari haito jodan sotomawashi uchi.

48-49. Turn 180 degrees counterclockwise to face ura shomen and repeat movements 46-47 on the  opposite side.

50. Turn 180 degrees, drawing the right leg in, and move into heisoku-dachi—facing shomen—with gedan kakiwake-uke.

51. Step forward with the right leg into migi zenkutsu-dachi with teisho jodan hasami-uchi.

52. Yori-ashi forward with haito chudan hasami-uchi. — Kiai!

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

FREITAL, GERMANY SEMINAR 2024 (PART 1)

I recently completed teaching the 3rd Budo Karate Technical Seminar—in Saxony, Germany—hosted again by ‘Shotokan Karateverein Freital e.V.’ (https://www.shotokan-Freital.de).

"180 participants from 15 countries enjoyed good camaraderie together practicing the bujutsu 技 WAZA (techniques), 応用 OYO (application) and principles of classical Shotokan-Ryu."

This was the last seminar in a series of my international seminars…

To complete the cycle of my teaching in Germany, over the years, I decided to return to the kata 青柳 (SEIRYU). 

This seminar marks a new phase in my teaching outside Japan. Seiryu was the perfect conclusion, as it’s non-standard Shotokan techniques, especially all the wide arcs, and the use of junansei (softness) and muchiken (whip fist) for power “…are elements that can be used to improve  all of the standard 26 Shotokan kata; Asai Sensei’s many bujutsu-kata (which are an extension of the ‘JKA style’); and JISSEN KUMITE (actual fighting/self-defense) effectiveness.

2025 onwards!

I decided that it’s time to move on to teaching a higher level. Accordingly, I'll be teaching many kata not openly taught before; moreover, their respective applications and enhancement of one’s karate skill level. Accordingly, 2025 will be a very exciting year for those attending the seminars.

When and where in 2025?

Insofar as a schedule is concerned—the seminar dates and places will be confirmed as soon as possible—and made public through social media. Of course, in Japan, here at the IKS, the renshusei training continues as always. 

Videos from the Freital 2024 Seminar are coming soon to our official Youtube channel: ANDRE BERTEL - YouTube

Also, as promised at the Freital Seminar (and before the release of the seminar videos), I will also provide a written transcription of Seiryu Kata.

押忍！

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