Today rather than write too much I decided to simply post some pictures from today's training, which was dedicated to the CORE ESSENTIAL KIHON. I concluded with ENPI KATA.
Best wishes and positive energy, OSU!!
Regularly I receive technical questions domestically, here in Japan, and from around the world. Today I felt compelled to answer a few about the 指定型 (Shitei-gata) and offer some advice.
Please keep in mind: one's karate can only grow by QUALITY PRACTICE! Best wishes in your training.
押忍!
For the first and second movements of Heian Yondan there is an opportunity as they are executed slowly. Please ensure that: (a) both 右後屈立ち (migi kōkutsu-dachi) and 左後屈立ち (hidari kōkutsu-dachi) have the correct configurations, weight distributions and posture; furthermore, that hands and feet/legs are precisely coordinated: 手足同じ (te-ashi onaji); and (b) that haiwan-uke and the simultaneous hitai-kamae follows the proper trajectory and completes in the optimal position for both defence and attack. This aspect of kokutsu-dachi also applies to the opening sequences of Heian Nidan, Yondan and Godan (and indeed elsewhere).
Please note: for older karateka and/or those with injuries the stances do not not need to be low. However, even if standing in a high natural position it is imperative to maintain the correct weight distribution and positioning of the feet, legs, pelvis and overall posture. Needless to say, this applies to ALL OF THE STANCES IN KARATE-DŌ.
Ensure that the 交差立ち (kōsa-dachi) position and leg movements/footwork are mastered. This stance in Shōtōkan-Ryu is distinctly different from the other traditional ryuha. In the six 指定型 (shitei-gata) it is found in Heian Yondan once (movement 13); Heian Godan twice (movements 17 and 19); and three times in Tekki Shodan (movements one, seven and 21). Make sure that the positioning of the feet, legs, and posture of the upper body are correct.
騎馬立ち (kiba-dachi) is found many times in Heian Sandan, twice in Heian Godan (movements 13, 14 and 16) and throughout Tekki Shodan in 26 of the 29 actions. Make sure that the 足刀 (sokutō) of both feet point directly and especially that the pelvic posture in not compromised. Please remember that the sokutō position of the feet in kiba-dachi is representative of 踏み込み (fumikomi), 足刀下段蹴込み (sokutō gedan-kekomi), 関節蹴り (kansetsu-geri), et al.
From basis of Heian Shodan 前後立ち (zenkutsu-dachi) should be regarded as an attack more than a stance. The logic of this is easy if one considers it as a static position as this clearly makes no sense. Rather it is is one moment in time within the fluctuation of a physical conflict. The ‘primary purpose’ of zenkutsu-dachi is to drive your hips through your opponent; thus, fully utilizing one’s mass. Accordingly, be conscious of the positioning of the front leg legs knee. The optimal position has the front of the knee directly above the base of one’s toe joints with the sokutō of the foot pointing directly ahead. Likewise, the rear foot must be more frontward than to the side and, again, with the weight on the sokutō side of the foot.
The length of the stance is determined by the ability to correctly point the rear foot (and keep it fully grounded); moreover, fully engage the hips into one’s techniques. That is, a complete 正面 (shomen) position of the hips must be achievable.
In our organization, the IKS 国際空手道松濤館 (International Karatedō Shotokan) please be mindful of audible aspects of your kata. Firstly, while it is alright to announce your kata strongly, it must not be theatrically screamed, and name of the kata must be correctly pronounced.
In kata there usually two 気合い (kiai); however, one is also common for example in 王冠 (Wankan). For power, this must be short and sharp—not theatrically extended, nor a scream—but from the 腹 (hara).
Also be mindful of unnecessary externally audible 呼吸 (kokyū) breathing. Instead, breath naturally and fully, but with a sense of stealth “...to disallow your opponent from ascertaining your rhythm and capitalizing on this”.
Lastly, I want to offer some Budō Karate advice, especially for ones Heian kata training…
If you are no longer competing (or do not compete); furthermore, you are beyond the exams where the Heian kata are tested, I advise serious karateka use them as ‘forms’ to actively develop your base defensive and offensive skills and link these directly with the more sophisticated skills/applications. This is the actual purpose of the foundational kata.
.%20-%20Andre%20Bertel%20Shihan%20-%20September%202026..jpg)
A bit of extra training outside of the dōjo today focused on 平安五段 (Heian Godan) Kata.
Especially keep in mind the utilization of the 'Mizu nagare' action as an arm bar following an impact; the arm lock and follow up impacts leading to movement 12 (where the first kiai is applied); mikazuki-geri as an 'oblique kick' to set up the pull into enpi; the seoinage preparation and throw, followed by juji-jime; and attack and takedown with the conclusive actions.
OK, from now. Just a couple of 'kihon tips' (below the images). Osu!!
 |
| Movment 19: When jumping, hold the tuck of the legs for as long as possible fully applying 'Tai no shinshuku'. |
 |
| Movement 21: Initiating movements 21 and 23, extend chudan tateshuto before executing shuto gedan uchikomi doji ni nagashi-uke in 'zenkutsu'. Do not do an additonal wasted action after movement 22. |
Here is my current 'general' daily self-training, which is primarily focused on the fine details of old-school Shōtōkan-Ryu. For those of you, who understand Japanese, you will know that the title of this post insinuates a young person being assigned by their teacher.
While that is not literally the case, I constantly have the feeling of 'assignment' from my seniors here in Japan; moreover, I have always approached my Karate-Dō practice from a highly self-critical standpoint. This is 'the hard way', which is oftentimes very tough, but also is the prime generator of my motivation to "keep training everyday": as my late teacher, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, constantly encouraged me to do.
I have also been personally encouraged by Masters: Nakamura Masamitsu, Osaka Yoshiharu, Abe Keigo, and others over the years.
On to the TRAINING REGIME...
Notes
1.0) I have not put reps and sets in this regime. Rather, each day I set two-hours to train and practice within this time frame in accordance with my daily condition and targets.
1.1) Just to confirm: Insofar as Ido-Kihon is concerned, the tachikata is Zenkutsu-dachi and unsoku is Fumidashi/Suri-ashi, unless specified otherwise. Simplicity and perfection of 'core basics' is the prime focal point. Really deep 'detail work': "KIHON WITHIN THE KIHON".
1.2) As always 自然空手 (SHIZEN-KARATE) is the overarching theme. While, it is obvious, that some aspects in karate are not natural, following Asai Sensei we "...aim to make all actions as natural and clean as possible".
1.3) I'm supplementing this daily dōjō training with an informal outdoor practice. In this additional session I'm focusing on more advanced Kihon and Kata.
基本 (KIHON)
型 (KATA)
I. One from the five 平安 (Heian) or three 鉄騎 (Tekki).
II. One from 抜塞大 (Bassai Dai), 観空大 (Kanku Dai), 燕飛 (Enpi), 慈恩(Jion), 十手 (Jitte), 岩鶴 (Gankaku) or 半月 (Hangetsu).
III. Random kata: one from official IKS Kata list (here is a link to a list of these on this site): André Bertel's Karate-Do: THE 70 OFFICIAL I. K. S KATA
Please note: 'I' and 'II' covers the complete 15 CORE SHOTOKAN-RYU KATA as established by Funakoshi Gichin Sensei. Whilst 'III' includes the additional kata later added by Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei and Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei.
 |
| One of the Shōtō 'Big Seven': Gankaku Kata. |
 |
| Asai-ryuha Kihon-gata: Junro Godan. Migi jodan ura-zuki. |
.jpg)
