Jun-kaiten vs. Gyaku-kaiten

Paul Kallender has just published a new article on his excellent karate blog which is focusing on fundamental koshi no kaiten (hip rotation). It really was a pleasure for me to contribute to this article, however the real treasures are from Paul's quotes from recent training with Sakae Ibusuki Sensei.

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Click here to check it out: http://yaharakarate.blogspot.com/2010/08/hanmi-or-to-shomen-jun-kaiten-vs-gyaku.html

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Talking with one's karate

I decided to title this post "Talking with one's karate". Why? Because this outlines my philosophy, and is turned into a reality daily, via predetermined practices (which I engineer in an effort to avoid mediocrity). I hope this finds you well and training hard!

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AUGUST TRAINING REGIME

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Sonoba-Kihon: (a) Migi chudan gyaku zuki; (b) Hidari chudan gyaku zuki; (c) Migi mae jodan hiza geri; (d) Hidari mae jodan hiza geri; (e) Migi chudan mae geri kara migi jodan mae geri soshite hidari jodan mae kekomi; (f) Hidari chudan mae geri kara hidari jodan mae geri soshite migi jodan mae kekomi. {30-50 repetitions of each}.

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Ido-Kihon: (1) Chudan oi zuki; (2) Jodan age uke karate chudan gyaku zuki; (3) Chudan soto uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (4) Chudan shuto uke kara shihon nukite; (5) Chudan uchi uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (6) Tenshin gyaku zuki (7) Jodan mae geri; (8) Jodan mawashi geri; (9) Jodan ushiro geri; (10) Jodan yoko keage; (11) Jodan yoko kekomi; (12) Henka-waza involving several variations of shuto uchi & kaiten uraken uchi. {Only 10-30 repetitions of each}.

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Key focal points within my current kihon practice include: 1.0/ Correct and optimal use of the jiku-ashi; 1.1/ The "shisei-unsoku connection"; 1.2/ Legs first, hips second & limb third; & 1.3/ Target penetration (applied in my corresponding daily makiwara training).

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Kata: Keeping in mind the previously mentioned focal points, my kata practice at present strongly reflect these, but with a more direct `flow' into kumite (especially in regards to smooth and effective transitions). To achieve these comprehensive refinements I've employed the following kata in my routine: Heian-shodan, Heian-nidan and Heian-sandan, Junro-shodan, Jion, Empi & Shinobiyoru-hayabusa. I am also blasting out Fudoken-sho and Gojushiho-dai purely to shock my body. {Typically I do each kata three times each or just one, or two of the kata, multiple times in succession}.

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Kumite: I've been stressing correct shisei in my attacks and counterattacks. In fundamental terms this effectively permits a properly connected/co-ordinated johanshin and kahanshin to get the business done. To achieve these targets I've been using limited jiyu-kumite and a relatively varied mix of yakusoku-kumite drills.

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OSU, André.

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© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Asai Sensei Memorial Practice: Christchurch, New Zealand.

The 4th Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei Memorial Training was held at the Christchurch Shotokan Karate club. The session was not a big class, but nevertheless had ample spirit and was a great tribute to Sensei.

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The training included exclusive practice of Asai Sensei's kihon (fundamentals) and his tokuiwaza (favourite/specialised techniques), specifically focused on drills he taught at the JKA Honbu Dojo in the early 1990's. We also practiced the kata Junro-shodan, and some very special kumite points from it, which are directly applicable for self-defense. The session concluded with a demonstration of advanced Asai-ryu kata and several points emphasised by Asai Sensei in jiyu-kumite (with both errors and correct methods modeled). In addition to this class, a black belt session was held focusing on refined kata and bunkai/oyo-jutsu. The kata and corresponding kumite covered were Kibaken, Junro, and the Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu versions of Gankaku, Nijushiho & Tekki-nidan.

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Four years since Asai Sensei passed away

Today marks four years since the passing of my late karate teacher, Asai Tetsuhiko.

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This post in has been made in remembrance of Sensei whom I miss dearly. There will be an official Asai Sensei Memorial Training this week at the dojo. This evening I did a special self-practice of some of the more obscure Asai-ryuha kata.

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Osu, André

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

WHAT IS KARATE?

Rather than giving my own definition of karate-do I thought it would be most appropriate quote Nakayama Sensei. But before I do so, I’ll explain why, by extracting a section from an article I wrote for my dojo newsletter in 1993.
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“My karate teacher and Japan Karate Association Chief Instructor Tetsuhiko Asai was taught by none other than the late master Masatoshi Nakayama Sensei. Nakayama Sensei was a genius insofar as coaching is concerned, and this was manifested by the quality of students he produced. Besides Asai Sensei, barrages of other living legends come to mind such as Hirokazu Kanazawa, Keinosuke Enoeda, Masahiko Tanaka, Yoshiharu Osaka, Mikio Yahara, Keigo Abe and so on. What I am trying to adamantly convey here is that Nakayama Sensei was greatest and most influential karate instructor ever.” (Bertel, A. JKA Christchurch Karate Club Newsletter, March 1993. `The Golden Era of JKA Shotokan’).
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Masatoshi Nakayama Sensei’s definition of Karate - The Way of the Empty Hand.

“Deciding who is the winner and who is the loser is not the ultimate objective. Karate-do is a martial for the development of character through training, so that the karateka can surmount any obstacle, tangible or intangible. Karate-do is an empty-handed art of self-defence in which the arms and legs are systemically trained and an enemy attacking by surprise can be controlled by a demonstration of strength like that of using actual weapons. Karate-do is exercise, through which the karateka masters all body movements by learning to move limbs and torso backward, forward, left and right, up and down, freely and uniformly. The techniques of karate-do are well controlled according to the karateka’s willpower and are directed at the target accurately and spontaneously. The essence of karate techniques is kime. The meaning of kime is an explosive attack to the target using the appropriate technique and maximum power in the shortest time possible… Training transforms parts of the body into weapons to be used freely and effectively. The quality necessary to accomplish this is self-control. To become a victor, one must first overcome his own self.” (Nakayama, M. Japan 1987. `Best Karate Volume 11’. Kodansha International Ltd.).

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© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Some more footage on Youtube

In this video I am self-training in Japan, however it features nothing particularly impressive, just regular practice, hence I wasn't going to make it public. I actually uploaded it last year, along with many other films, kindly given to me from senior JKS (Japan Karate Shotorenmei) instructors, who sometimes asked to film my self-practice sessions. All of these shihan who supported me, were long time senior students of Asai Sensei, and wanted me to privately coach at their respective karate clubs thanks to Sensei's recommendation. Needless to say, that was and is a huge honor for a foreign instructor!Anyway, I've decided to make some of these videos public as the scenery is very nice, and waza is reflective of socho-geiko with my late karate teacher Tetsuhiko Asai. For example most relevant in this clip, is the choku-zuki, which is 100% Asai Sensei's version. So if you wish to study Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu, this footage alone is probably quite useful for you. In addition to this, the clips of the kata featured have been labelled in both English and kanji.

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If nothing else I hope you enjoy watching the video and that it perhaps gives you some ideas for your own training. Osu!

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Shodan - The Beginning Not the End

Paul Kallender has finally relaunched his excellent karate blog from Tokyo. You can click on the link below to check it out. As the latest article features Ibusuki Sensei I thought I'd upload this classic photo of his teacher Gichin Funakoshi Sensei, also masters Nakayama, Sakagami, Obata & Shito-ryu founder Kenwa Mabuni. http://yaharakarate.blogspot.com/2010/07/back-in-saddle.html

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

Christchruch Shotokan Karate Club website

Here is a link to the site of the Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club for club information etc. This basic blog is for the club itself, with basic details etc, therefore I'll still continue to consistently post my own articles on here.

Click here to check it out: http://www.christchurchshotokan.blogspot.com/

As mentioned previously, for those wishing to host me for technical seminars or to do private lessons email me at andre.mizuho@hotmail.co.jp

For more information please read my previous post.

OSU, André

© André Bertel, New Zealand 2010.

KYU EXAMINATION CURRICULUM

8, 7 Kyu – Shiro obi

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

Kata: (8 Kyu) Heian-shodan; (7 Kyu) Heian-nidan.

Gohon kumite: Jodan & chudan


6, 5, 4 Kyu – Midori obi

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

Kata: (6 Kyu) Heian-sandan; (5 Kyu) Heian-yondan + Junro-shodan; (4 Kyu) Heian-godan + Junro-nidan.

Kihon ippon kumite: (6 Kyu) Jodan , chudan & mae geri; (5 Kyu) Jodan,chudan, mae geri & yoko kekomi; & (4 Kyu) Jodan, chudan, mae geri, yoko kekomi & mawashi geri.


3, 2, 1 Kyu – Cha obi

Kihon: (1) Sanbon zuki; (2) Jodan age uke kara chudan gyaku zuki; (3) Chudan soto uke kara yori ashi (kiba dachi) yoko empi uchi; (4) Chudan uchi uke kara jodan kizami zuki soshite chudan gyaku zuki; (5) Tenshin gyaku zuki (Kaiten shinagara gedan barai kara chudan gyaku zuki); (6) Chudan shuto uke (kokutsu dachi) kara mae ashi mae geri soshite nukite; (7) Ren geri: Chudan mae geri kara jodan mae geri; (8) Mawashi geri kara gyaku zuki; (9) Ushiro geri; & (10) Yoko keage ashi o kaete yoko kekomi (kiba dachi).

Kata: (3 Kyu) Tekki-shodan + Junro-sandan; (2 Kyu) Sentei-gata* + izureka Heian gata matawa Tekki-shodan + Junro-yondan; (1 Kyu) Sentei-gata* + izureka Heian gata matawa Tekki-shodan + Junro-godan.

Jiyu ippon kumite: Jodan, chudan, mae geri, yoko kekomi, mawashi geri & ushiro geri.
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Supplementary notes

1.0

These are the minimal technical requirements outlining the kyu examinations.

1.1 In kihon the stance is zenkutsu-dachi unless otherwise noted.

1.2 The three broad stages of kyu are shiro-obi (white belt: beginner, 8th & 7th kyu); midori-obi (green belt: 6th, 5th & 4th kyu) and cha-obi (3rd, 2nd & 1st kyu).

1.3. Sentei-gata* = Bassai (Dai), Kanku (Dai), Empi, Jion.

1.4 For the examinations of nikyu & ikkyu it is customary to also engage in jiyu-kumite.

1.5 All kyu ranks represent a progression towards the shodan. By ikkyu koshi no kaiten must be close to or at shodan level.

1.6 The five Junro are kumite no kata and must be practiced and performed with this fore most in mind.

1.7 Ability to attack strongly with the core kihon waza is imperative. Although not formally listed this will be tested via impact against the makiwara and so forth. Basic strength and flexibility, whilst not checked in the examination is prerequisite for invitation to grade. This is dependent on age, sex and the rank being tested for (please check with your instructor for the official guidelines).

© André Bertel. New Zealand, 2010.

Returning to New Zealand to support the Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club

Throughout my career as a karateka I have moved backwards and forwards from Japan nearly a dozen times. And of course now is no different, so this is certainly not new in my life, even though it is new for the readers of this blog. After three years and three months of daily training, and teaching karate in Japan, I will once again return to Christchurch, New Zealand. My karate assignment is to assist in the growth of "high-quality" Shotokan karate in the Canterbury region, which has been one of my passions, since I first went to Japan as a 16-year old nidan. Needless to say, I will be supporting the CHRISTCHURCH SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB, which is led by Lyall Stone Sensei. I will also be available for private training.

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Christchurch Shotokan Karate is the only club in the Canterbury region teaching traditional Shotokan correctly without compromising standards: There are other Shotokan clubs in Christchurch City, however their standards are shameful, literally not worthy of being called karate. Regardless of any affiliation to Japan, what these groups are teaching is not traditional Shotokan, and have been highly detrimental for the development of Shotokan in New Zealand. Therefore the only group I will work cooperatively with, will be the Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club. This will once again result in the emergence of a Shotokan karate club, in Christchurch City, offering high class Japan/international standards, to cater for everyone who is interested in practicing authentic Shotokan karate in the Canterbury region.

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The Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club has a long history with Asai Sensei from the Japan Karate Association days, right through to the present time: I would like to talk about this more here. It is the ONLY CLUB IN NEW ZEALAND with a history of "more than two years with Asai Sensei!" The club followed Asai Sensei since the original Japan Karate Association split right at the opening of the 1990's.

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Christchurch Shotokan Classes: The general classes of the Christchurch Shotokan Karate Club are held in the central city, in the gym of the in Christchurch Polytech Institute of Technology. These are held on Tuesday's and Thursday's starting at 6pm sharp. Daily advanced classes are also held, however these require application to attend. If you wish to contact me for private lessons, do so via my email: andrebertelono@gmail.com come to the dojo, train, and talk to me afterwards.

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As a professional international karate instructor I have to again emphasize that this is the THE ONLY DOJO teaching REAL SHOTOKAN KARATE in Christchurch-City, hence my support of it. My motivation in saying this is in hope that "authentic and world class is kept alive, and developed to a high level in my hometown" (as opposed to being reduced, and made into a joke, by groups, and instructors, which are completely incompetent).

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Upon returning to New Zealand I will be attending the general classes as well as daily black belt training, so if you make it to Christchurch, remember to bring your karatedo gi and obi. Mizuho and I look forward to seeing you when we get back to New Zealand. OSU!

© André Bertel, Japan 2010.