Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Today's Daily Keiko (and updates for 2026)

 Today’s practice was 掌手小 (Shote Sho) kata, along with its respective 基本技 (Kihonwaza: ‘fundamental techniques’) and 応用 (Oyo: practical ‘applications’).

Shote Sho requires sufficient skill of the other two ‘Iron Pam’ forms: 旋掌 (Sensho) and 掌手大 (Shote Dai). 

Featuring only three leg techniques, only open-handed thrusts, strikes and receptions are utilized. Karada no buki include: teisho, seiryuto, kakuto, shuto, haito, koko, shihon-nukite, boshiken, kumade and nihon-nukite”.

I personally find all of the kata of karate difficult; however, the more advanced formal exercises are at a different level. In saying that, they always bring us a full circle back to Heian, Tekki and the core fundamentals. As Funakoshi Gichin Sensei stated: “Victory and defeat are determined by simple matters”.
Ironically, we find that complexity most strongly directs us in this way; moreover, strengthens the base level techniques and budo/bujutsu principles.

Next year marks the 30th Year since I introduced the Shotokan of my late mentor, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, to New Zealand. This was formalized by the establishment of my first official Dojo in Christchurch City.

Accordingly, from 2026 I will begin the process of teaching the more advanced 古典型 (Koten-gata) outside Japan at various technical seminars around the world.

押忍!
André

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