New competition kumite clips

Last year I uploaded two clips of myself in kumite competition. The first of these was a jodan mawashi geri (upper level roundhouse kick) followed by an ashi barai (leg sweep) and finishing blow (http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=IbtN6_su3Kg); the second was scoring an ippon with a jodan zuki, which floored my opponent (http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=rcLf7RGQ-MM). Since then, I've recieved an ample amount of emails requesting that I upload more videos of my tournament kumite. Sadly I've haven't got any really good quality footage... Regardless, I've uploaded the following clips.

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Note: I've added some additional commentary (attached to the videos) on Youtube.

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(1) The first clip is of a double ashi barai followed by a gyaku zuki that downs my opponent. The first sweep 'off-balances' and 'freezes' him, and the second ensures he goes down with the punch, whilst making sure his attack impossible to launch. http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=QM_zckLv158

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(2) In the second clip, because of the distance and poor quality of this video footage, my chudan mawashi geri (middle level roundhouse kick) may not look so fast, but I'll let you decide ;-)http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=arsJwnrjvv4

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(3) In the third clip I use a right jodan mawashi geri followed by right jodan punch. The roundhouse kick made 'the gap' for an immediate straight punch to my opponents face. http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=fD5aVZMJ1LE

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(4) The forth clip is a chudan gyaku zuki which floors my opponent. Even though he quickly returned to his feet after this blow, his ability to fight was removed as he was seriously winded. http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=9ml4zX6xBFU

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(5) The fifth clip features a basic tai sabaki technique, which won Asai Sensei many matches in the early 60's. The punch to the back of my opponents neck is worth watching for, an excellent example of a finishing blow if not perfectly controlled. http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=UlZj0M_fqP0

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(6) The sixth clip is exactly the same combination as posted last year (the first link on this page). Left jodan mawashi geri, right ashi barai, followed by a kimewaza. A pretty nice ippon to wrap up a championship... http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=4SWhpQVih4Y

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I hope you enjoy the video clips, keeping in mind that I'm not, and never was, a serious 'karate competitor'. I've always trained karate as a martial art, and therefore didn't specifically practice to achieve competition 'success'. When training and fighting in tournaments, I never thought that I want to win by two wazari. I always wanted to win by an ippon. Following that mindset, my training for kumite competition was simply based on doing more kihon, thus my karate was never 'watered down' prior to attending such events. I'm really pleased that so many others also follow this 'karate way', ensuring that the 'martial art' of karate (real karate) will never become extinct.

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© André Bertel, Japan 2008

THE 1ST BIRTHDAY OF ANDRE BERTEL'S KARATEDO

Today is the first anniversary of www.andrebertel.blogspot.com. Initially I was concerned if I could consistently publish posts making the site worthwhile. What finally convinced me to initiate the blog was the fact that I write notes after practice every day regardless. What’s more, it helped me to stop littering our small Japanese apartment with my training notes, and updated self-practice routines (yes… some selfish motivation in there as well).

I didn’t expect that so many people would proclaim my blog as being 'the best karate website in the world', nor did I expect to ever get over 320,000+ visits in a year! Also the staggering amounts of emails I’ve received from karateka across the planet (http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2008/05/visitors-to-this-blog.html). What probably makes this blog different (to the majority of other online karate resources) is that the contents are a result of actual training. The posts are reflective of what I'm currently doing, and more importantly what I have to do, to keep advancing my own karate (and hopefully help you on you karate journey as well). It goes without saying that this blog also offers very special insights into the personal karate training of my late teacher, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, which has also contributed its popularity.

I’d like to conclude by once again thanking you all for supporting my blog. And more than anything I’d like to take this chance to thank my mother for putting me into karate (and more importantly forcing me to keep going), my ever supportive wife Mizuho (who puts up with my training everyday), Asai Sensei, Stamoulis Sensei, and also my own karate students. DOMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!

OSU! – André

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© André Bertel, Japan 2008

New Asai Karate videos online soon!

I've decided to upload some more footage including private lessons with Asai Sensei.

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A few tapes were sent to me from New Zealand last week, and these videos are currently being converted to DVD (and from PAL to NTSC system). Once completed, I'll upload some of this footage.

More video tapes on the way

As I recieve more tapes from New Zealand I intend to upload more private lessons with Asai Sensei

OSU!

© André Bertel, Japan 2008

Asai Sensei's Birthday

Today is Sensei's birthday so if he was still with us, he would have turned 73 years old. I still cannot believe that nearly two years have elapsed since he passed away. Every practice I try to meditate on what Asai Sensei taught and explained to me. I know that in every respect I fall short of what he wanted me to achieve. Regardless, I have the satisfaction of pressing on in hope of perhaps one day getting somewhere close. It goes without saying, that following the model of Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei, really ensures that I achieve my maximum potential as a karateka. Days, months and years pass so very quickly... So whatever we do (work, academic study, karate etc) I believe we should give our utmost best like Sensei did. Such thinking, and application of this thinking "every day the sun rises" can only result in success. More importantly this 'way of life' leads to self-satisfaction. Taking shortcuts literally cheats ourselves and this can only result in a reduction of self-esteem. Why not be 'the best you can be' at whatever you challenge in your life?

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I'd like to end this post by quoting one of Asai Sensei's favourite sayings. Please think about this: "Todays training must be better than yesterdays training, and tomorrows training must be better than todays."

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OSU!

© André Bertel, Japan 2008

Kihoken

Kihoken (Way of Breathing Fist) was a kata designed by Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei to simultaneously, and equally, address three major issues. Firstly, different forms of kokyu (breathing); secondly, for total body relaxation; and thirdly for the development of the kahanshin (lower body) via kihoken dachi (essentially heiko dachi with both knees bent to 90 degrees keeping the back straight and vertical). I will briefly describe each of these points:

Kokyu: Although Asai Sensei broke Kihoken down into three parts (issei, nisei and sansei) it is in fact one very long formal exercise, much like Kibaken and several other Asai-ryu kata. Each part covers a return trip from, and back to, the start point on the enbusen. Asai Sensei explained to me that the first ‘return trip’ focuses on lower abdominal breathing; the second, upper abdominal breathing; and the third, alternate lower and upper abdominal breathing. The basis of this breathing is from Mrs. Asai’s qigong.

Relaxation: The relaxation aspect of the kata is to develop natural energy for martial application. This is particularly important for those who wish to incorporate Asai Sensei’s muchiken (whip fist) techniques. I'd like to expand here by saying there are actually two ways to perform Kihoken. Asai Sensei stated “There is an old man’s Kihoken and a young man’s Kihoken. Old men can do all the movements slowly like taikyoku-ken, and young men can utilize speed”.

Kihoken-dachi: The constant vertical squats from heiko dachi into kihoken dachi were considered by Sensei as a 'core basic exercise' for developing the legs specifically for karate. Asai Sensei practiced squatting into kihoken-dachi every day during his morning practice. Application-wise this also includes 'descending and rising linear body power' not unlike the other Asai style kata; for example movements one and two of Junro-shodan.

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If interested in developing any of the above three points, Kihoken is a certainly a formal exercise worth practising to enhance your overall skill. It also provides a specific foundation for all of the other Asai-ryuha karate kata and techniques.

© André Bertel, Japan 2008

Summer Training Begins

Today marked the beginning of Summer in Japan. As a person who loves the heat, Summer is my favourite season followed by Autumn and then Spring. I'm not a Winter person at all! Fortunately, unlike my past experiences living in Tokyo, Winter here in Kyushu is very mild, more like Spring back in New Zealand.

SPECIAL SUMMER TRAINING

I had a special 'assessment' training today where I videoed several kata; namely Empi, Bassai-Sho, Sochin, Unsu, Gojushiho-Dai, Junro, Kibaken and Joko. Kihon nor kumite were

assessed

indepedently from the kata. I wont harp on, however, I will say that my results were thankfully very pleasing. My karate as of June 1st 2008, is at

the highest point in my life thus far. My target now is simply to keep improving for myself and in memory of my teacher, Asai Tetsuhiko.

I'll continue to teach and propogate the karate that Asai Sensei directly taught me, and hope to continue contributing this technique to my friends in IJKA and JKS Japan, in addition to others interested in Asai Karate around the world.

OSU!

© André Bertel, Japan 2008

Stretching

If there is one area of my karate that I really need to work on, it’s my flexibility. In every other aspect of training I really push myself, but I admit to being lazy when it comes to stretching (relying on my 'training since youth').

Unfortunately I suffered a serious training injury in my pre-teens. The reality is that I cannot stretch my back, however, I can still stretch my hips and leg muscles to the max, and of course my upper limbs. By incorporating back stretches I can put myself out of training for several weeks! I'd like to emphasize here that THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR MY LAZINESS! The reality is that I need to stretch more (and can do so, whilst avoiding the stretches that flare up my old injury).

Fortunately, the injury has never hindered my karate ‘technique-wise’. The only thing is that I look silly, in a group warm up, when I can’t do some of the ‘traditional stretches’. Anyway, two days ago I decided to incorporate more stretching into my training regime to see what results I can achieve. Please wish me luck!

© André Bertel, Japan 2008

Visitors of this blog

According to my visitor statistics, people from the following countries have visited this blog!

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal. Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Bahamas, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

With people from over 100 countries visiting this site, I think it is fair to say it is now pretty international. The huge amount of emails I regularly receive from karateka here in Japan, and from around the world, consistently include such compliments as: "your blog is the best Shotokan karate website on the internet"; "online information backed by obvious technical excellence and years of correct training"; "the only real public insight into Asai-ryuha", and "a wonderful dedication to Asai Sensei".

Answering emails...

In addition to these kind compliments, technical questions on traditional Japanese Shotokan and Asai karate, I am constantly being asked to recommend karate products such as dogi, obi and makiwara; supplementary fitness routines; about living/training here in Japan; and information about organisations. I actually receive so many emails that I'm literally unable to answer everyone (sincerest appologies). I'll therefore continue to attempt answering the majority of your questions within my articles here on the site.

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ARIGATO GOZAIMASU TO ALL OF YOU! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF MY KARATE BLOG!

OSU,
André Bertel

© André Bertel, Japan 2008

JUNRO - Mastering the Jiku Ashi

As stated in my last post, I’ve been focusing on Empi kata to address my jiku-ashi (pivot foot). Two days ago I switched this focus to the Junro kata, which I'm also wrestling with at present. I have moved Enpi into the same status as Gojushiho Dai, and have peered Unsu with Junro-shodan, Junro-nidan, Junro-sandan, Junro-yondan and Junro-godan (I finally moved onto Junro-godan this morning).
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The special jiku-ashi method Asai Sensei taught me (one of three major 'underlying themes' of the Junro series) is something I didn't teach to the JKS New Zealand people who joined me after I started the organisation, as I couldn’t get past the general kihon themes outlined in my 2003 article (click here for to read the article: http://andrebertel.blogspot/.com/2007/06/here-is-another-article-i-originally.html or here; for one translated into Russian by the Japan Karate Shotorenmei Ukraine: http://www.jks.com.ua/rus/main-frame-rus.html). Back to JKS New Zealand… I could not teach the people there any deeper than the ‘general themes’ due to ‘the instructors’ terrible kihon (and complete lack of technical understanding – no one learned from Asai Sensei before the end of 2003, and only ever experienced two or three ‘open seminars’ at most – and no private training!). Sadly these same people are now teaching the Junro kata and proclaiming to be students of Asai Sensei! It is no wonder the New Zealand standards are so low.

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Unlike the older kata (where there is little or no clarity about their creators original purpose), us, those from around the world who were personal students of Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, practice these 'underlying themes' of the ASAI KARATE KATA as Sensei taught during one-on-one training, and other private times. This makes the Junro series and the other kata he devised extremely unique to his students. It also reveals that many people who teach them never got past simply learning 'the motions' or 'general themes'. Naturally these people can never teach others correctly, and thus produce students lacking the subtle skills which typify authentic Shotokan, and Asai-Ryu (Please refer to my 'Narrow River' article here: http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2008/03/shotokan-karate-do-narrow-river.html).
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Anyone who experienced Asai Sensei’s training, even just in the group seminar environment, knows that Sensei often mixed up the moves of various kata. However, HE NEVER CONFUSED THE PRINCIPLES HE WAS TRYING TO REINFORCE. Sensei once said to me in an interview "all that matters is the foundational ideas of my kata. Knowing many kata means nothing." General themes in the kata such as spinning, kicking with the front foot etc.., (as described in my 2003 article) are fine for the 'relatively inexperienced with such techniques', but are just as well, if not, better learned through kihon. What is “really important” as Asai Sensei stated is to fully understand the underlying principles (and in the case of kata 'fluid transfers' and the practical possibilities that come from these). In the case of the Junro’s, Asai Sensei’s special jikuashi technique was a major influence in their creation.
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There are plenty of clowns teaching karate in the world, but the worst of these "karateka" are those people who proclaim knowledge, which in reality, they really do not possess. These are the people who merely ‘do the moves’ and hide behind paid affiliations via political maneuvers, but do not exhibit (nor comprehend) the underlying principles of karate. This really establishes if such people were, in actuality, students of Asai Sensei. Subtle points, such as his special jiku-ashi technique literally reveal everything. As a student of Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, without formal organizational connections, I will continue to train daily with vigor as Sensei instructed me to do so.

© André Bertel, Japan 2008

Unsu, Gojushihodai, Empi & Junro

For your interest here is my updated training regime. As made clear from the title of this post, kata is the seed for this month's practice. However, emphasis always remains on the "The Trinity of Karate". The inseparable cohesion of kihonwaza (foundational techniques), kata and kumite (fighting) to achieve 'Ichigeki Hisatsu'.
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KIHON:

I am hardly doing standard kihon-keiko at present, hence the title of this post, but when I do (twice a week), I'm following the very simple routine described below. My typical repetitions remain the same as in previous months (50-100 for stationary techniques and 20-30 for ido-kihon techniques). I see no need to increase this as I'd prefer to increase snap whilst maintaining precise form. My current kihon training is still being dominated by individual techniques and sequences from Unsu kata.

Standard bi-weekly kihon-keiko: (1) Chudan choku zuki {heiko dachi}; (2) Chudan mae geri {heisoku dachi}; (3) Chudan gyaku zuki; (4) Chudan mae geri; (5) Sanbon ren zuki; (6) Mae geri kara chudan oi zuki; (7) Chudan mawashi geri; (8) Chudan ushiro geri; (9) Yoko keage {kiba dachi}; (10) Yoko kekomi {kiba dachi}; (11) Gedan barai kara chudan gyaku zuki; (12) Jodan age uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (13) Chudan soto uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (14) Chudan uchi uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (15) Chudan shuto uke {kokutsu dachi} kara tate shihon nukite.

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KATA: Unsu, Gojushihodai, Empi and Junro

(a) Shotokan-ryu kata: As stated before I've been focusing my attention on Unsu, Gojushihodai and Empi. Since returning to Unsu I've been remodeling it for my own fighting style. The way I'm performing Unsu now would probably not do very well in a tournament with world class competitors (but who knows, maybe people would find it refreshing?), however it is very functional and enjoyable for me to execute. Empi has been a study on kankyu (rhythm) and also basic foot/ankle training (continuing on with my refinement of 'technique and jiku-ashi co-ordination'). According to some very senior Japanese friends, presently Gojushihodai is my best kata on a good day, however I'm trying to gain more refined motor-control over some techniques. Gojushiho-dai is the kata I'm least working on this month, and when I do perform it, I just 'blast it out'. (b) Asai-ryu kata: I'm also reviewing each of the Junro kata (currently Junro-sandan). The main point is exact 'foundational techniques' and using no forced power ('classical JKA Shotokan form' enhanced by Asai Sensei's natural energy and fluidity). For me this is a never-ending task, so to be honest, my Junro training is currently 100% kihon-centric.

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KUMITE:

Kumite for me right now is concentrated on the bunkai/oyo (application) of Unsu kata. Essentially the cohesion of the Unsu kihon, kata practice and kumite application. As common/mundane as this may sound, this method has been an advanced means for me to 'physically study' "The Trinity of Karate" (as mentioned in my opening comments). From past experiences I've found this orthodox training method is the optimal means for me to refine my karate as bujutsu.

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I sincerely wish you the very best in your karate keiko no matter where you are on Planet Earth. Stating the obvious, "karate begins and ends with training"; therefore the quality, intensity and frequency of ones training determines everything.

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OSU!

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© André Bertel, Japan 2008