This site is based on my daily practice of Shōtōkan Karate-Dō here in Ōita City, Japan. More than anything else, unlike the majority of other karate websites, this page is primarily dedicated to Budō Karate training itself; that is, Karate-Dō as a vehicle for holistic development.
From time to time, I'm asked about the kanji on my karate-dogi and obi. I've written about this a few years ago, but I'll answer with a breakdown/analysis of the Japanese today and some background information.
My name in Kanji is:恩道礼 (On Dou Rei)
The background of this kanji is as follows:
心に道を刻み
道を貫き礼を尊ぶ
和の心
Please allow me to translate into English:
“Engrave the Way (Dō) in your heart. Follow the Way with perseverance. Honor courtesy, The spirit of harmony.”
Breakdown:
心に道を刻み — “Engrave the Way in your heart.” (心 = heart/mind, 道 = the Way, 刻み = to engrave)
道を貫き礼を尊ぶ — “Persevere in the Way and honor courtesy.” (貫く = to carry through, 礼 = courtesy/etiquette, 尊ぶ = to value/respect)
和の心 — “The spirit of harmony.” (和 = harmony/peace, 心 = heart/spirit)
In my own personal training each day, I really put a lot of effort into KIHON: especially the 'simplest' waza of Karate-Do.
44 years into my Karate Journey, and as a professional full-time instructor in Japan, I continue to learn so much from the most basic training. For it is there: that nothing can be hidden.
That being said, Budo Karate requires that we always directly connect Kihon (and Kata) to the optimizing of effectiveness in JISSEN-KUMITE (that is, karate in a real fight/self-defense). Perfect 'form' has no meaning: if this point is not the foremost objective.
Without this understanding. and putting this into each practice: "...karate becomes only a sport, recreational activity, or merely 'karate movements' with no relationship to the true art".
With these critical points in mind, BUDO KARATE KIHON IS WHAT DETERMINES ONE'S TRUE KARATE LEVEL.
Main target of today’s practice was the organic refinements of fundamental techniques. No care about PERFECT FORM nor FULL SPEED and POWER; rather, as Asai Sensei would say "...in training just move in accordance with the moment".
This is at the heart of the IKS:
"NATURAL KARATE"
その場基本 (SONOBA KIHON)
High repetitions of the following eight kihon-waza.
① 中段順突き (Chudan jun-zuki)
② 中段逆突き (Chudan gyaku-zuki)
中段逆突き (Chudan gyaku-zuki)
③ 上段揚げ受け (Jodan age-uke)
④ 中段外受け (Chudan soto-uke)
⑤ 中段内受け (Chudan uchi-uke)
⑥ 下段払い (Gedan-barai)
⑦ 手刀中段受け (Shuto chudan-uke)
中段内受け (Chudan uchi-uke)
⑧ 中段前蹴り蹴上げ (Chudan mae-geri keage)
中段前蹴り蹴上げ (Chudan mae-geri keage)
約束組手 (YAKUSOKU KUMITE)
Only two sets (both of attack and defense) of the following three forms of 'prearranged drills'. In Kihon Ippon Kumite and Jiyu Ippon Kumite I was particularly focused on angles in defense whilst maintaining precise kihon at maximum speed.
～ 五本組手の基本 (Gohon Kumite no Kihon)
〜 基本一本組手の基本 (Kihon Ippon Kumite no Kihon)
〜 自由一本組手の基本 (Jiyu Ippon Kumite no Kihon)
型 (KATA)
〜 燕飛 (Enpi)
I only executed Enpi twice, one slowly and once at full speed to simply conclude the session.
Allan Youl Sensei (4th Dan)—from the Kapiti Coast, New Zealand—visited Oita with his wife, brother-in-law and sister-in-law.
He studied for a couple of days here in the dojo.
Away from his training, it was great to hang out with him, Brenda, Steve and Vicky. Very nice times!!!
In the dojo I focused on teaching Allan several key points: (1) Especially correct 間合い (Maai) in Budo Karate—irrespective of art or style; (2) 自然空手： Healthy movement in kihon to protect the body and acquire maximum effectiveness; (3) 二十八歩 (Nijuhappo) Kata; (4) Key points of core classical Shotokan from Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei, and the extensions of this developed by my late teacher: Master Tetsuhiko Asai; and (5) A more systematic and realistic kumite training methodology—that is, “specific goals for each form of kumite to achieve optimally effective karate”.
Early next year, January 31st and February 1st, Allan will host me for a seminar in New Zealand. It’s open to all karateka interested in traditional budo karate. For those attending, see you there!
Lastly, a big greeting to Allan, Brenda, Steven and Vicky. We hope that you had pleasant flight back to Aotearoa New Zealand.
押忍!! アンドレ
__________________________
André Bertel 7th Dan International Karate Shotokan 国際空手道松濤館 Oita City, JAPAN
Peter Lampe Sensei (5th Dan), and his lovely wife Birte, returned to Oita. It was wonderful to catch up in person and spend time together.
We enjoyed training together and hanging out!
The practice included in depth Budo Karate Kihon—in depth classical Shotokan and revolutionary extension of our style by Master Asai; Kumite—Oyo; and various kata, including 半月 (Hangetsu) and the 古典型 (Kotengata) 安三 (Ansan).
Peter did exceptionally well in the training and has clearly developed his skills as an instructor of Karate-Do.
A major aspect of the training was emphasizing the 国際空手道松濤館 “IKS” (International Karate Shotokan) focus on 自然空手; that is “NATURAL KARATE”, which is superior in effectiveness whilst being good for the joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
In these regards, it is absolutely critical for senior grades to customize karate for themselves to keep developing in technical skill, effectiveness and good health.
To conclude, I want to wish Peter Sensei and Birte the very best and look forward to the next time we meet again.
Upon request here’s a little insight into my current self-training. Today’s session is not completely reflective of my monthly goals; however, it (as always) was shaped by them.
In regard to Kata, today was an interesting mix.
Kumite training was very predictable, as it’s a TOKUI for me.
OK, so here’s a rundown from my Self-Training today: October 23rd, 2025.
押忍！ ― アンドレ
移動基本 (IDO-KIHON)
Please note — the stance is 前屈立ち (Zenkutsu-dachi) and footwork is 擦り足 (Suri-ashi) unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, unless said, the starting position is 下段払いの構え (Gedan barai no kamae).
Additional notes: 順突き (Jun-zuki) is referred to 追い突き (Oi-zuki) and viceversa. 外受け (Soto-uke) and 内受け (Uchi-uke) are ‘outside-inward’ and ‘inside-outward’ respectfully, which is classical in Shotokan but opposite to the JKF (Japan Karatedo Federation).
① 三本連突き (Sanbon ren-zuki)
② 上段揚げ受けから中段逆突き (Jodan age-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki)
③ 中段外受けから寄り足 [騎馬立] 横猿臂そして裏拳横回し打ち (Chudan soto-uke kara yoriashi [Kiba-dachi] yoko-enpi soshite uraken yokomawashi uchi)
④ 手刀中段受け [後屈立ち] から縦しひ縦四本貫手 (Shuto chudan-uke [Kokutsu-dachi] kara tateshihon-nukite)
⑤ 中段内受けから中段逆突き (Chudan uchi-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki)
⑥ 下段払いから中段逆突き(Gedan-barai kara chudan gyaku-zuki)
⑦ 前蹴り蹴上げから中段順突き (Mae-geri keage kara chudan jun-zuki)
⑧ 回し蹴りから中段逆突き (Mawashi-geri kara chudan gyaku-zuki)
⑩ [自由な構え] 中段回し蹴りから中段後ろ蹴り蹴込み ([Jiyu na kamae] Chudan mawashi-geri kara chudan ushiro-geri kekomi)
⑪ [自由な構え] 横蹴り蹴上げから足同じで横蹴り蹴込み ([Jiyu na kamae] Yoko-geri keage ashi onaji de yoko-geri kekomi)
⑫ 転身逆突き (Tenshin gyaku-zuki)
型 (KATA)
My focus today was on precise, sharp and effective Kihon. While practical application of my karate is constant in my practice, some days like today, I purely focus on movement efficacy: without which, applyin
① 太極初段 (TAIKYOKU SHODAN)
② 平安初段 (HEIAN SHODAN) [Pinan Nidan]
③ 観空大 (KANKU DAI) [Kushanku, Kosukun Dai]
④ 常行二撃 (JOKO NISEI)
⑤ 二十四歩 (NIJUSHIHO) [Niseishi]
⑥ 二十八歩 (NIJUHAPPO) [Koryu Nipai]
⑦ 気法拳一撃 (KIHOKEN ISSEI)
組手 (KUMITE)
Special focus on one of areas of specialization, 出会い技 (Deai-waza) utilizing 突き (“tsuki”), 打ち (“uchi”) and 蹴り技 (“keriwaza”).
The directly linked YOUTUBE video is primarily a personal reminder for Alessio for some of the Budo Karate points in both KIHON and KUMITE, and KATA covered while he was here in Oita.
SUMMARY: Alessio Bombardieri—from Florence, Italy—came to Oita as a Renshusei: between October 6th and 14th, 2025.
Critical details of Budo Karate Kihon in form, impact training, bunkai (analysis) and oyo (application) were covered.
The different forms of kumite were also also practiced with jissen-kumite constantly in mind. I placed particular emphasis on Alessio’s maai and zanshin after countering. A few basic examples are provided in the video.
Over the course of several days numerous kata were covered. These included Jiin, Jitte, Nijushiho and Tekki Sandan.
Furthermore, Kata from my late teacher, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei: 気法拳 (Kihoken), 順路 (Junro), 常行 (Joko), 鶴翼三段 (Kakuyoku Sandan), (Nijuhappo) and 落葉 (Rakuyo), amongst others.
Again, the focus was on Budo Karate Kihon and the underpinning principles for effective application in self-defense.
The openings of a few of the more advanced kata were analyzed; namely, 掌手小 (Shote Sho), 舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai) and雷光 (Raiko). Again, these can be seen at the end of this video.
CONCLUSION: I’d like to wish Alessio the very best for his remaining time here in Japan, and also to congratulate him on passing his Sandan. It was great to have him here in the dojo and, away from his time as a Renshusei, we also had some fun times!
RENSHUSEI BOOKING:
For those wishing to Book/Secure dates and times as RENSHUSEI, you can do so by contacting me directly at: andrebertelono@gmail.com
We apologize but we do not—under any circumstances—support visa applications to Japan. This is the sole responsibility of the applicant(s).
