André Bertel's Karate-Do

Sunday, 1 March 2009

The first day of Haru

Today Japan officially enters Haru (Spring) however the 'Shunbun no hi' (Spring Day) holiday is not held until March 20th. Haru is a beautiful time here in Nippon as the Sakura trees bloom, and we look forward to a boiling hot summer. For me this means even more opportunities to do my extra karate practice outdoors.

Anyway, here is a long overdue 'back log' of my posts. Hopefully this will be of assistance for those wanting to access past articles I've uploaded. Best wishes from Japan. - André

© André Bertel, Japan 2009

Friday, 27 February 2009

Andre Bertel Karate-do Seminar

Every month I receive emails asking me to conduct seminars outside of Japan. The last several requests from Europe, the Americas and Oceania I’ve regrettably had to decline (due to my 'crazy busy' schedule within Nippon). I'm very sorry to the various dojo/organisations I have declined, and hope that there are no hard feelings! I’m still open to you all. It has simply been a case of my inefficiency to arrange my extended holidays...

For those wishing to host me for a karate seminar this year, my next open period will be from May 2nd to May 10th. If interested in hosting me somewhere within this time, please email me at andre.mizuho@hotmail.co.jp

I'll also accept requests from within Japan, with first priority to Tohoku and Hokkaido, where I've not taught seminars at yet.

OSU!

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© André Bertel, Japan 2009

Monday, 23 February 2009

Daily Karate Training

Here is my current self-training regime, which I adopted last Monday, in addition to dojo-keiko. I haven't included my supplementary fitness training (karate specific speed, impact, and flexibility routines) nor my special Sunday workout (which is presently erratic… That is, anything goes with tokui-kata being the only certainty). This time I wanted to focus on my 'broad technical practice sessions'.

It is probably worth mentioning that in the case of Kumite, when self-training, I do all of the drills as solo routines. This keeps my body intact, whilst rehearsing everything precisely, for when I face actual opponents. Another point, not explained, in this routine is my set Jiyu Kata* practice, which I always do between Tuesday and Friday. This kata is my ‘daily treat’, and I usually save it until the end of my solo-training's (that is, after kumite). It can be anything from the Shotokan free kata and Asai-ryuha koten kata.

Hopefully by posting my latest self-training, those interested in creating (or modifying) their own supplementary practice will get some ideas. I’ve divided session content by weekdays (Monday to Friday) to hopefully convey a better picture of what I’m doing. Kindest regards from Kyushu, Japan. – André Bertel
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MONDAY

Kihon: (1) Chudan oi-zuki; (2) Jodan age-uke; (3) Chudan soto-uke; (4) Chudan shuto-uke {kokutsu-dachi}; (5) Chudan uchi-uke; (6) Gedan-barai; (7) Mae-geri; (8) Mawashi-geri; (9) Yoko-keage {kiba-dachi}; and (10) Yoko-kekomi {kiba-dachi}.

Kata: (a) Jo no kata; (b) Heian-shodan; (c) Junro-shodan; and (d) Jion.

Sanbon-kumite: Jodan & chudan.

TUESDAY

Kihon: (1) Chudan oi-zuki; (2) Jodan age-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (3) Chudan soto-uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (4) Chudan shuto-uke {kokutsu-dachi}; (5) Chudan uchi-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (6) Gedan-barai kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (7) Mae-geri kara chudan oi-zuki; (8) Mawashi-geri; (9) Yoko-keage {kiba-dachi}; and (10) Yoko-kekomi {kiba-dachi}.

Kata: (a) Heian-nidan; (b) Junro-nidan; (c) Kanku-dai; and (d) a Jiyu-kata*.

Gohon-kumite: Jodan, chudan & mae geri.

WEDNESDAY

Kihon: (1) Sanbon-zuki; (2) Jodan age-uke kara mae geri soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (3) Chudan soto-uke kara yoko empi uchi {kiba-dachi}; (4) Chudan shuto-uke {kokutsu-dachi} kara nukite; (5) Gedan-barai kara chudan uchi-uke {neko ashi dachi}, ura-zuki soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (6) Mae-geri kara mawashi-geri; (7) Ushiro-geri; (8) Yoko-keage kara ashi o kaete yoko-kekomi {kiba-dachi}; (9) Jodan shuto yokomawashi uchi kara kaiten shinagara empi uchi soshite mawari nagara sagatte shuto uchimawashi uchi; and (10) Yori ashi chudan gyaku-zuki kara gedan-barai, yori ashi chudan gyaku-zuki soshite gedan no kamae.

Kata: (a) Heian-sandan; (b) Junro-sandan; (c) Empi; and (d) a Jiyu-kata*.

Kihon ippon kumite: Jodan, chudan, mae-geri, yoko-geri and mawashi-geri .

THURSDAY

Kihon: (1) Tobi konde sanbon-zuki; (2) Jodan age-uke kara mae geri soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (3) Chudan soto-uke kara yoko empi uchi {kiba-dachi}, uraken yokomawashi uchi soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (4) Chudan shuto-uke {kokutsu-dachi} kara mae ashi mae geri soshite nukite; (5) Gedan-barai kara chudan uchi-uke {neko ashi dachi}, ura-zuki soshite yori ashi chudan gyaku-zuki; (6) Mae-geri kara mawashi-geri soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (7) Ushiro-geri kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (8) Kaiten shinagara uraken-uchi kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (9) Yoko-keage kara yoko-kekomi; (10) Jodan soto-uke kara yoko yori ashi gedan-barai, mae ashi mae geri soshite chudan gyaku-zuki.

Kata: (a) Heian-yondan; (b) Junro-yondan; (c) Tekki-shodan; and (d) a Jiyu-kata*.

Jiyu ippon kumite: Jodan, chudan, mae-geri, yoko-geri, mawashi-geri and ushiro-geri.

FRIDAY

Kihon {All from jiyu no kamae}: (1) Tobi konde jodan kizami-zuki kara tobi konde sanbon-zuki; (2) Tobi konde jodan kizami-zuki kara chudan gyaku-zuki; (3) Ippo sagatte jodan age-uke kara mawashi-geri, ushiro-geri, uraken yokomawashi uchi soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (4) Mawashi-geri kara ashi fumikae ashi-barai soshite chudan gyaku-zuki; (5) Tobi konde jodan kizami-zuki kara chudan mae geri soshite jodan oi zuki.

Sonoba-kihon: (6) Chudan gyaku zuki; (7) Jodan kizami zuki kara chudan gyaku zuki; (8) Chudan mae geri {heisoku dachi}; (9) Jodan mae geri {heisoku dachi}; (10) Sonoba renzoku-geri: Mae-geri kara yoko-geri, mawashi-geri soshite ushiro-geri.

Kata: (a) Heian-godan; (b) Junro-godan; (c) Bassai-dai; and (d) a Jiyu-kata*.

Jiyu kumite

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Being a deshi of Asai Sensei

In this newly uploaded footage, filmed in 2003, you can see the typical style of one-on-one tuition I received from my late teacher, Shuseki-Shihan Tetsuhiko Asai (10th Dan). As I’ve stated before, I always feel deeply privileged to have been taken on as a deshi (personal student) by Asai Sensei, and the extensive one-on-one trainings I received will always be very close to my heart. In this video clip, which runs just under four minutes, it really shows the intimacy of Sensei-Deshi relationship.

The majority of the footage I've uploaded this time was filmed by Charles Lee Sensei of JKS Hawaii (Technical Director of Japan Karate Shoto-Federation Americas) who was observing this lesson. He was so much concentrating on watching our practice, that his camera work was unfortunately wobbly. Regardless, I really appreciate that he captured this footage. During the outdoor practice, where Asai Sensei was teaching me (at the end of the clip) Charles followed along a little. He was always amazed by the private tuition Asai Sensei gave me and expressed that he was very envious in an admirably humble manner. Note: At the beginning of the footage you can see the final

moments of the last session of open seminars (there were six 2.5 hour practices in total) which I failed to edit out. As always, in addition to doing these sessions, and assisting Asai Sensei for the majority of the time (while everyone else got rest times), I also had to do private lessons with him! - The rewards of being a deshi... Physically strenuous is an understatement!

Too many people claim to be students of various karate teachers when clearly they are not: “Being a deshi of a karate sensei is not something which someone becomes automatically by attending a couple of open seminars (like those in JKS New Zealand still dishonestly claim to promote themselves), and/or attaining dan ranks, or paying money. Peopl

e become deshi by a karate sensei ‘fully accepting’ them as ‘their student’. And the outcome of this is that the karate teacher gives that person one-on-one tuition/mentoring on a regular basis. That is, they make a committed effort to passing on their ‘knowledge’ to that person directly, unhindered, and without financial compensation. A deshi is not someone taught only in the masses, asked to demonstrate at a seminar, or someone who merely pays for training. They are singled out by the master and arduously taught.” – Looking back, this is probably why Asai Sensei always encouraged me to keep video records of his private lessons.

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As Asai Sensei’s only New Zealand deshi, I hope this footage further demonstrates the brilliance of Shuseki-Shihan Tetsuhiko Asai, as an unparalleled karate technician and genius instructor. I hope it also illustrates that being a deshi of a karate master is a very personal "special" thing, and something which many people falsely claim to be. Sadly, this is particularly the case with Western karateka, claiming to be deshi of famous Japanese instructors. In traditional Japanese karate-do, what constitutes being a deshi is not necessarily what the student wants, it is completely dependent on what the master does! No one is a deshi unless they have been formally taken on, and trained individually as an apprentice, by the karate master themselves.

Click here to watch the video footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMCL3elwhmw

© André Bertel, Japan 2009

Sunday, 8 February 2009

JKS Oita-ken Technical Seminar

Today I attended the JKS (Japan Karate Shotorenmei) Oita-ken Technical Seminar. This ‘prefectural training session’ was held at the Usa Budo Dojo, a purpose built martial arts gymnasium in Usa-city. The facility is most famous for Sumo; however it also hosts Judo, Kyudo and other traditional Japanese martial arts events.
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Trying to find the dojo in the countryside was somewhat challenging, however some kind directions from a local shop owner, and my cars electronic navigation system, eased the situation. Even so, I still missed the first few minutes of the junbi-undo (preparatory exercises/warm-up).

FIVE HOURS OF 'TOUGH TRAINING'... Here's a brief overview of what was included in the seminar.
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Part I: KIHON
Stationary kihon: Needless to say, as usual, this was the killer part of the session... Literally a couple of hours of solid fundamentals... Karate the Japanese way! Here’s what Tachibana Shihan (JKS 8th Dan) took us through: (1) From kiba dachi, chudan choku-zuki ‘locking in shomen’. (2) As previous but ‘big’ niren-zuki. (3) Kiba dachi niren choku-zuki, pivoting on the spot into zenkutsu dachi {45 degrees} and punching migi gyaku-zuki, pivoting again on the other angle, and punching hidari gyaku-zuki. – Exact hip timing... (4) As previous but after each gyaku-zuki stepping forward on the angle with zenshin gyaku-zuki, then stepping back with koutai gyaku-zuki. In between the three gyaku-zuki attacks, execute niren choku-zuki in kiba dachi. (5) As previous but after the very last koutai gyaku-zuki, execute a single choku-zuki in kiba dachi, from here jump forward in kiba dachi executing choku-zuki, then finally jump back in kiba dachi for a final choku-zuki. (6) The previous five drills were then adapted for mae-geri with the exception of the jumping movements in kiba dachi. These were exchanged by a zenshin mae-geri into zenkutsu dachi, ushiro ashi mae-geri stepping back into zenkutsu, and finally mae ashi mae-geri returning to kiba dachi. Really speaking, classic Asai Shuseki-Shihan Karate!

Ido-kihon : Tachibana Shihan then had the black belts go through last year’s newly establised Japan Karate Shoto-Federation dan-shinsa kihon (which we've been doing heaps of over the last eight months). This was comparatively easy, compared to the initial stationary training, as each technique was only performed 30-50 times at full speed. Techniques included (7) Tobi konde kizami zuki kara sanbon zuki. (8) Tobi konde kizami zuki kara gyaku zuki. (9) Tobi konde kizami zuki kara mae geri soshite oi zuki. (10) Ippo sagatte jodan age-uke kara mawashi geri, ushiro-geri, uraken yokomawashi uchi soshite gyaku-zuki. (11) Mawashi-geri kara ashi o fumikae ashi-barai soshite gyaku-zuki. (12) Migi and hidari sonoba renzoku-geri: Mae geri kara yoko geri, mawashi geri soshite ushiro geri. To conclude Tachibana Shihan had me demonstrate my yoko-keage, yoko kekomi, mawashi geri and ushiro geri, for all of the participants to study. He also had me demonstrate the sonoba ren-geri.

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Part II: KATA
A very short break and on to kata (goodbye lunch, hello Kankusho): The lunch break was very short for me... I went to my car to get my bento, and almost immediately, a female black belt, who placed 3rd in kata at the last JKS World Championships, came to me asking for some coaching. I immediately checked if Tachibana Shihan said this was OK, and she said “Tachibana Shihan wants you to improve my tokui-kata.” So for the remainder of the lunch break I worked with her on her Kankusho.

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Group kata training: When the lunch break concluded, Shihan had the entire class go several times through the following kata: (1) Jo no kata; (2) Heian-shodan; (3) Heian-nidan; And (4) Heian-sandan. I’d like to add here that besides the tough physical nature of the training, some phenomenal points were made. I learned some very valuable things, especially in regards to the Heian kata. This was by far the most educational part of the seminar for me. (5) After that, Tachibana Shihan had me lead the brown and black belts many times through Bassai-dai, whilst he taught the other students.

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Part III: KUMITE:

We covered all forms of 'examination kumite' doing dozens rounds of everything up to, and including, kihon ippon kumite (that is, Sanbon kumite, Gohon kumite and Kihon-ippon kumite). From there we did a couple of rounds of Jiyu-ippon kumite (brown and black belts only) and finally Jiyu-kumite. In the jiyu kumite section, Shihan had all of the adults line up in front of me, and fight me one after the other. I have to say that this was the most 'fun' part of the seminar for me.
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Conclusion:

Tachibana Shihan ended the five plus hours of brilliant training with several Asai style 'ashi-uke' drills to put everyone under high physical stress. A great and spirited way to end a fantastic day of hard karate practice. I'd once again like to express my thanks to JKS Oita-ken chief instructor, Tachibana Shihan, and the Japan Karate Shoto-renmei for their invitation.

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Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Shotokan karate subtleties

I’ve made many discoveries in recent weeks, which have forced me to change my self-practice routine. I stumbled across several ‘invisible weaknesses’, which I felt extremely compelled to address immediately. Such subtleties are deeply humbling, and are what make Shotokan karate such a wonderful art. To still be a beginner is not a statement of humility, but rather one of neccessity, to stimulate serious ongoing training. This point can never be overemphasized.

Several things have come to my attention via corrections in the dojo, and my self-practice. Rather than delve into my ‘technical issues’ on here, I’ll avoid boring you to tears, and give you my overall training routine. Whether facing the winter here in the North or enjoying the summer of the Southern Hemisphere, I wish you all the very best in your karate practice. Regardless of where you are, the weather is no excuse not to train! I say this boldly as I type sitting in a warm kotatsu. - André

KIHON

1. Yoko-keage in isolation and yoko keage with simultaneous uraken yokomawashi uchi: (a) From kosa aiyumibashi in kiba dachi [ido-kihon style]. (b) From zenkutsu dachi [syllabus style]. (c) Specific yoko keage/uraken yokomawashi uchi from Heian-nidan kata. (c) Specific two yoko keage with uraken yokomawashi uchi from Heian-yondan kata. (d) Specific four yoko keage/uraken yokomawashi uchi from Kanku-Dai kata. (e) Specific four yokokeage/uraken yokomawashi uchi from Gankaku kata. (f) Specific yoko keage with haito uchimawashi uchi from Bassai-Sho kata. (g) Specific two yoko keage with uraken yokomawashi uchi from Kanku-Sho kata. (h) Specific two yoko keage/uraken yokomawashi uchi from Sochin kata.

(2) Gyaku-zuki: Stationary zenkutsu-dachi – ‘grass roots style’ with concentration on refined use of energy (Asai style through and through).

General practice: (3) Mae geri in isolation; (4) Oi-zuki in isolation. And (5) Chudan shuto-uke in isolation. [With all three of these techniques I am reassessing my ‘chambering’ and further ‘person

alising’ them. I'm also training pelvic hip alignment at a higher level to intensify power on varying angles to my opponent].

KATA

For fundamental training, Junro-shodan is my focus. The genius of Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei is so evident in this masterpiece. My advanced training includes Tekki-nidan, Empi, Unsu and Sochin. I've been using Sochin to spice up my routine and to fore mostly address points in my kihon. The depth of Unsu and Sochin, at a high level, is like Freud's Iceberg , so my kata training at present is extremely technical (actually too technical). Such practice cannot be continued for too long by anyone (if they are serious about their development) as it becomes information overload. For the time being, I'll enjoy this for what it is. But I will soon strip back my kata.

KUMITE
Not muc

h to say except Kihon-ippon kumite [syllabus style]: Jodan oi-zuki, chudan oi-zuki, chudan mae-geri, chudan yoko-kekomi and jodan mawashi-geri. Focus primarily is on fundamental position in defence prior to counterattack. My attention is on the following points. I won't use any technical terms here: (1) Front foot; (2) Back foot; (3) Front knee and thy; (4) Back knee and thy; (5) Pelvis, hips and backside; (6) Abdomen; (7) Back and chest; (8) Neck/head; (9) Eye focus; (10) Reception shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand; (11) Withdrawal hand shoulder, elbow, wrist and fist; and (12) Breathing.

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I'll wrap up this post by saying that Shotokan karate is all about subtlety, that is, depth of knowledge. The subtle skills of the art are what establish each karateka’s technical level and ability to apply it. What’s more, understanding these skills is not enough… The body must be trained via tens of thousands, if not, hundreds of thousands of ‘correct repetitions’. Why? Because we must always remember that Shotokan is a narrow river (please my article on this topic here: http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2008/03/shotokan-karate-do-narrow-river.html logspot.com/2008/03/shotokan-karate-do-narrow-river.html). Quality (effective) not quantity karate, is the key, and this is determined by mastering the subtleties.

Friday, 9 January 2009

Blog Reviewed on TSW

I failed to mention that this blog was reviewed on TSW (The Shotokan Way) at the end of last year. I didn't know it was being reviewed, so it was a pleasant surprise.

Here is the link: http://www.theshotokanway.com/andrebertelblog.html

Monday, 5 January 2009

Nakatsu City

Mizuho and I recently ventured into Nakatsu’s tera machi (temple town). We went at the ideal time (an unusually cold and grey skied day) to avoid large groups of tourists. The two highlights of this relaxing wintery stroll were visiting the former residence of Fukuzawa Yukichi, and going to Goganji, a relatively famous temple here in Oita Prefecture. I thought I'd post something about these two historical places in Nakatsu City.

Goganji
This exquisite building is also known as Akakabe dera (which literally translates as 'the red wall temple’). Many years ago, when the Daimyo, Kuroda Yoshitaka had several influential people murdered. The vassals at Goganji were also assassinated and their blood splattered on the temple walls. After several unsuccessful attempts to paint over the blood stains, it was decided to paint the walls red.

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The former residence of Fukuzawa Yukichi

The larg

est note/bill in Japan is ichiman (10,000 yen) and the man featured on it is Yukichi Fukuzawa. Fukuzawa resided in Nakatsu City during his teens, and his home has been well maintained as a national treasure. His influence on the modernization of Japan is nothing less than colossal. For some general information about Fukuzawa Yukichi click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuzawa_Yukichi One point of interest, for Shotokan karateka, is that Fukuzawa founded Keio Gijuku (which later became Keio University), one of the ‘Big Three’ educational institutions in Japan. Needless to say, Keio University was an important venue for Gichin Funakoshi’s promotion of karate-do. And therefore, the Keio University Karate Club was a pillar in establishment of Shotokan-ryu.

I thoroughly recommend anyone visiting Kyushu to go to Nakatsu City, and explore its historical tera machi. As cold as we appear in these pictures, we still had a fantastic time.

Saturday, 3 January 2009

Kangeiko 2009

I’m presently doing my annual Kangeiko (Special Winter Training) which will be completed tomorrow. You can click here to check out my 2008 post: http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2008/01/kangeiko-2008.html. For those of you who don’t know, Kangeiko is typically a week of intensive karate training, where we have to endure the coldness, whilst pushing ourselves to the limit. Traditionally this practice is done outside, in the early morning facing the elements.

My best wishes to everyone else who is partaking in Kangeiko this year, especially those here in Japan.

OSU

2009

Thursday, 1 January 2009

New Years Resolution

On January 1st (this day last year), I stated “My karate has no past, no nothing. I BEGIN KARATE FROM TODAY. My New Year’s resolution is to keep on this straight and narrow path.” (http://andrebertel.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-years-day-2008.html)

My 2009 New Year’s resolution remains exactly the same, because 2008 was literally my most technically productive year ever. My focus is simple, to keep concentrating on ‘physical karate training’, which is the kokoro (heart) of this blog.

The only other concern I have, is practicing karate primarily as a traditional martial art, as opposed to a performance sport. Whilst there is nothing wrong with karate tournaments, the way the major events are being conducted now is in no way related to the ‘martial art of karate’. It is therefore my hope that this blog might be a source of information, for those seeking bujutsu karate, as opposed to the watered down version of the art. This is the essence of Asai Sensei's karate, and has steered me in the direction I'm now travelleing. Others who also follow this karate 'way' have my deepest respect.

“My karate is bujutsu. Only bujutsu karate is real karate.” – Asai Tetsuhiko.

All the best for your training in 2008.

Osu!

André Bertel

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