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.
Torsten Uhlemann Sensei and Andrea Haeusler Sensei, (the instructors at 'Karateschule Fuji San Munster') returned to Oita for private training here at my dojo. I was fortunate to be able to teach a class at their dojo in Germany just last month! So it was great to see and work with them again so soon.
Based on what was covered this time I know that the students
at 'Karateschule Fuji San Munster' are going to have access to some new areas of high-level budo karate knowledge. It was great to see that Andrea and Torsten have improved and, undoubtedly, improve even more from now.
Away from training we also enjoyed many fun times together in and around Oita City.
Torsten and Andrea, it was wonderful to have you both training here in my dojo again. Kindest regards to you and to all of your students at 'Karateschule Fuji San Munster'. Osu and greetings, André
Tuleukhan Iskakov (3rd Dan) came again to learn karate as Budo/Bujutsu. It was wonderful to see his progress. He has a great heart and has a determined spirit to develop his personal karate skills and also, indeed, for karate in Kazakhstan. Osu.
The YouTube video link at the bottom of this page has no explanation as it is for those who attended the September 2019 'IKS ONE' SEMINAR' in Halle, Germany.
It is a reminder of the exact movements, but also, the key points taught. The underpinning aspects of karate as a martial art of self defense: and, how powerful it is when properly done! 落葉 (Rakuyo) means 'falling leaves' and I was only non-Japanese karateka to learn this kata directly from Asai Sensei - there are over 15 kata and, far more importantly, their applications in this category. The version featured here is the correct version of Rakuyo: unlike the others on the internet, which are 'just movement'. Just movement is merely learning kata for just having another kata. From Asai Sensei's view and mine also, THIS IS TIME WASTED.
So how to make this kata not a waste of time... Falling leaves seem so soft, but that is the point. The concept connects Newtons laws with human action.
Proper study of this kata is very demanding but results in great improvements in skill, via natural use of energy and the connection with kihon. Please be aware that 'IKS ONE' in September 2019 was the first time I have taught this kata since my seminar in Hawaii 2003 (as Asai Sensei's personal assistant). Nevertheless, after 2003 Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei further corrected me, refining my actions and changing some movements/applications; hence, this is the first time I have taught this kata properly to anyone in the world Next year and beyond many kata and applications - not previously taught before - will be shared at seminars (in Japan and around the world) and at the IKS instructors class here in Oita City: TO ENSURE THAT THIS SPECIAL FORM OF BUDO/BUJUTSU SHOTOKAN IS PRESERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Ina Batz, Christian Finger and Christoph Albrecht—all from Gießen, Deutschland—came for private training here in
Oita on October 8th and 9th.
It was a wonderful time to have them here: both in and out of the dojo. They
all did extremely well in the renshusei training and have lots to take back and share with their dojo in Gießen. I won’t write about
what I taught, as that is for them to train/share at their personal discretion; however, it was great to see them expand their physical understanding of karate as budo/bujutsu in a tangible way. This is a big credit to all three of them.
I
have to say Christian, Christoph and Ina are not only studious karateka but,
also, lovely and fun people... with the exception of Ina’s obsession with
‘yellow things’, which I have also noted (at international seminars for a few years) LOL...
Yellow aside, overall, it was also a great
pleasure to spend time together. We enjoyed many nice times and I
got to witness some fine karate improvements, which is always wonderful. Safe and fun travels Christoph, Ina and Christian. Until next time we meet, Osu, André.
Punito Aisenpreis Sensei, from Murnau (Southern Deutschland), came for another five days of one-on-one tuition here
in Oita City, Japan.
This time I focused on sharing
‘Kihon within Kihon’ at a deeper level. In relation to this, Kata and
self-defense were covered. The kata included the standard Shotokan-Ryu formal
exercises and also Asai Sensei’s kata.
In
April of next year I will conduct a seminar in Murnau for the first time, here is a link for more information: (http://bodhidharma.de/downloads/bertel_bavarian_budo_experience_flyer_2004_dft.pdf). Needless to say, it will be
a really great event, as since my last seminar in Halle—I began a next
phase of 'knowledge release', which will continue in 2020 and beyond. Omedetou gozaimasu Punito on your
karate advancement and, also, thanks for great times outside of training.
Roland
Heimgartner Sensei, from Switzerland but based in Hungary, came down to Oita to train with me in my dojo. In
addition to time in the dojo we enjoyed some very nice times.
Below are links to two new videos from Oliver Schomburg Sensei (3rd Dan). Check them out!!! Furthermore, explore his excellent website: https://olliwaa.com. Once again, thanks so much Olli. Osu, André
