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| The fake certificate sent to me (compare to Asai Sensei's writing below). |
I've republished this article, which
I originally posted in 2007, as in 2013 I joined the JKA (Japan Karate
Association). Accordingly, I’ve done this to avoid confusing my readers (via
adding this introduction). It is important to note that in 2007 I’d already
been out of the Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS) for a year. You will notice that
I’ve also reposted the article on the same date—as it was originally posted—to
avoid any possibility of confusion. Furthermore, I have cropped the photo down,
of me holding the false certificate, to avoid people from using the image in a
negative manner.
Lastly, I have added the image of my `second
Godan certificate’ from Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei… I have done this because he gave
me two 5th Dan diplomas. One being the standard one with the gold
seal (this was not in the original
article), and the second certificate, which is in his own handwriting. This better serves the purpose of the original
article; that is, “…to show what authentic certification of Asai Sensei looks
like in comparison to a fake”. Moreover, to emphasise that karate, and the
martial arts world in general, is full of false qualifications; nonetheless,
there is a comprehensive means to identify fraudulent diplomas, and fraudulent instructors. – André Bertel (August 4th, 2014).
.JPG) |
| Here is an authentic diploma from Asai Sensei. It is blatantly clear that the certificate shown above this one is fake. |
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: `FALSE CERTIFICATES’
(2007)
Last year I
formally resigned from the JKS (Japan Karate Shotorenmei); however, not long
after my resignation I was sent a dodgy certificate from an individual who is
planning to start their own Asai Karate organisation (and wishes me to be
involved). Needless to say, in the context of karate, I immediately lost all
respect for this person.
The certificate
is obviously fraudulent—by a quick glance—when one looks at the writing and
signature (when comparing the writing to my JKS 5th Dan certificate handwritten by Asai Shihan).
My informal experiment: For interest sake, as a fun experiment
(prior to moving back to Japan), I decided to check if my senior students in
New Zealand would immediately detect that the certificate was indeed fake. My notion
was that, as senior karateka—who have personally acquired grades from Asai
Sensei—they would easily recognise that the certificate was bogus. I framed the
cert nicely and put it next to one of my authentic diplomas, which as you can
see has Asai Sensei’s calligraphy. However, to my shock, my senior students all
failed to notice that the certificate was fake!!! When I told them they were
very surprised…
I’d like to
use this point to elucidate that false certification is rampant in the karate
world, and martial arts world in general; moreover, even highly experienced dan graded karateka
outside of Japan, are tricked by such certification.
In sum, fake certificates are
prevalent in karate and the martial arts, it is sad but a reality. If a
certificate is presented to you, or you can see it, the chances are that you
wont be able to establish its authenticity (as based on my little experiment even my senior
students, who knew Asai Sensei personally, couldn’t). Osu,
André Bertel.
.JPG) |
| I have added this diploma to supplement the original article. Please note Sensei's signature (in Kanji) in comparison to the fake certificate. |
© André Bertel, Japan 2007.
Today I drove to visit Fukiji Temple in Bungo Takada (Oita prefecture), which is the oldest wooden structure in Kyushu. This, and two other historic temples, have been designated as Japan's greatest national treasures..JPG)
