OFFICIAL FREITAL, GERMANY 2026 VIDEO: Martial Arts Media

 The OFFICIAL SEMINAR video is now available on YOUTUBE.

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Freital, Germany Seminar 2026: PART THREE - YouTube VIDEO TWO

 This second video footage, from the Freital 2026 Seminar, is courtesy of Oliver Schömburg.

He gave me permission to use a few clips from his footage; however, stay tuned for a very professional rendition (with many-many other features). 

This will posted on his top-class YouTube Channel: OLLIWAA 

Until then be sure to check out his other videos

Here's a direct link if you haven't subscribed! 

https://www.youtube.com/@olliwaa

About this short and VERY SIMPLE video ... It is basically conveying some key points, of which, I hope assists those who attended the 2026 Freital Seminar. Especially when the event is still fresh in the minds of the participants.

Again, I'd like to thank Oliver very much, and are also really looking forward to seeing the official footage on his channel in the near future. Needless to say, I will also post a link here on my blog.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Renshusei from Loxstedt (Niedersachsen), Germany (Part 2): YOUTUBE VIDEO

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Renshusei from Loxstedt (Niedersachsen), Germany (PART 1): Written Overview

Joshua Block (2nd Dan), Stefan Kurkowski (2nd Dan), Niklas Rudolph (1st Kyu) and Fabian Wolf (1st Kyu) came for two days as a 練習生 (Renshusei/Trainees). Their hometown of Loxstedt is located near Bremerhaven and Bremen.

It was the second time for Joshua to be a Renshusei here in Oita, but the first time for Stefan, Fabian and Niklas.

Based on their technical requests, I establised that 地面反力 (Jimenhanryoku), 腰の回転 (Koshi no kaiten) and 体の伸縮 (Tai no shinshuku) were the focal points they were seeking to better understand and improve.

Accordingly, I decided to primarily utilize 基本一本組手 (Kihon Ippon Kumite) as “Kihon training” to address the aforementioned three aspects; furthermore, practice basic 間合い (Maai). To expand on this, and to bridge to freestyle, 自由一本組手 (Jiyu Ippon Kumite) was also practiced.

Kata covered included 慈恩 (Jion), 壯鎭 (Sochin), and a requested  review of both 波手 (Roushu) and 舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai), which they’ve learned at my seminars in Europe.

Like for other Renshusei participants, the focus was not on hard physical training, but on traditional ‘Budo Shotokan’ technical development; that is, boosted karate skill development and knowledge.

Our Renshusei Training Program here is now recognized all over Japan as extremely high level for instructors, elite athletes and any karateka seeking to really improve their karate technique. Applications to be a Renshusei must be made via email to: iksjapanhq@gmail.com

To conclude, I’d like to thank Joshua, Stefan, Fabian and Niklas for their efforts whilst here in the dojo. We also had many fun times outside of training as well. I wish all four of you the very best and hope to meet you again in the future.

 

押忍!

André

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Kihon Ippon Kumite as 'Kihon Training'

Today's training was focused primarily on KIHON IPPON KUMITE with attacks with (and defense/counterattacks against): JOUDAN (Jodan jun-zuki), CHUUDAN (Chudan jun-zuki), MAEGERI (Chudan mae-geri keage), YOKOKEKOMI (Chudan yoko-geri kekomi) and MAWASHI-GERI (Jodan mawashi-geri).

My focus was simply on precise Kihon coupled with a vast array of Unsoku and Tachikata for various transitions. Accordingly, this was my fundamental practice in this session.

To conclude, I went through several kata as depicted below. Three of each Sochin, Unsu, Maizuru Dai (also Jitte and Maizuru Sho).

Current events... Besides Japanese Renshusei, soon there will IKS International Renshusei here from South Africa, Canada and the Netherlands. After that, I will be heading to Poland to conduct a Traditional Budo Karate Seminar there.

押忍

アンドレ 

Sochin Kata after the completion of migi jodan mikazuki-geri.

An off-timed photo just before the complete withdrawal of the third and final attack with ippon-nukite.

The final movement of the Asai-Ha Shotokan-Ryu Koten-gata: Maizuru Dai.

 

Preparing this post after training this evening: April 8th, 2026.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

大分市の桜 (Sakura of Oita City)

 大分市の桜 (Oita Shi no Sakura)... The Cherry Blossoms of Oita City are now in full bloom.

It has been 33 years since I first came here in Japan to 'Learn the Art of Karate-Dõ from the source', and this year marks 24 years since I first came here to beautiful Oita.

Today I will simply leave you with some images from Oita central city that I've taken from my iPhone over the last couple of days.

押忍！！

AB

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Freital, Germany Seminar 2026: PART THREE - YouTube VIDEO ONE

 IKS (International Karate Shotokan) Technical Director, André Bertel (7th Dan Japan), conducted the 4th Budo Karate Seminar in Freital, Germany on March 14th and 15th, 2026.

It was once again hosted by the Shotokan-Karate-Club Freital e.V. (Kaminari-Arashi Dojo). Shotokan karate as Bujutsu was the main focus in both Kihon and Kumite; furthermore, the advanced Asai-Ha Shotokan-Ryu Kata 舞鶴大 (Maizuru Dai) was taught. This kata brought the Kihon and Kamite--technique, principles and applications-- seamlessly together. Emphasis on impacting vital points with 'old-school karate' weapons of the body such as Ippon Ken, Nakayama Ippon Ken, Kakushiken, Kakuto and various forms of Nukite were high on the agenda. Also, use of Teisho and the Tate Ken. In sum, this video is to provide the Seminar Participants with some subtle reminders of the key points taught.

Any inquiries about hosting Seminars or Booking Training (as a Renshusei in Japan) should be made to IKS Japan Sohonbu Dojo: iksjapanhq@gmail.com

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Renshusei from Bissendorf, Germany: Jürgen Schneider-Jansohn

 Jürgen Schneider-Jansohn (3rd Dan) from Bissendorf, Germany, came for three days as a 練習生 (Renshusei, Trainee).

Training for two hours each day on March 24th, 25th and 26th, Jürgen not only practiced but also came with many technical questions. This allowed me to specifically teach him according to his personal image of what ‘being a Renshusei’ would achieve for him.

This is what being a Renshusei here is all about in my dojo: ‘Karate specific for the individual for maximum technical development’.

Besides the critical details of budo karate kihon, which I always stress, much emphasis was put on fundamental kata such as平安初段  (Heian Shodan) and 順路初段  (Junro Shodan), also several of the more advanced Shotokan forms such as 半月 (Hangetsu) and 明鏡 (Meikyo).

Yakusoku Kumite was also high on the agenda, especially 五本組手 (Gohon Kumite), 三本組手 (Sanbon Kumite), 基本一本組手 (Kihon Ippon Kumite) and 自由一本組手 (Jiyu Ippon Kumite). Besides correct budo/bujutsu karate 間合 (Maai) the focus was on correctly and autonomously utilizing a greater variety of body shifts in defense, such as:

• 体捌き (Tai-sabaki)

• 転身 (Tenshin)

• 出合い (Deai)

• 足切り替え (Ashi kirikae), etcetera…

For example, stepping back directly; diagonally leftward or rightward, rearward or forward; moving sideward right or left; spinning either way; advancing; dropping or leaping; and/or a combination of these.

Returning to 基本 (Kihon) and 型 (Kata) I emphasized how, in traditional Budo Karate—Kihon, Kata and Kumite—are literally one: completely harmonious. 

In all three of these domains correct 呼吸 (Kokyu) is essential, not only for optimal physical prowess, but also for psychological control.

Overall, Jürgen was very diligent over the three days here and did very well. In sum, he has a lot of karate homework and new knowledge to take back to Germany! It was also nice to spend some time outside the dojo with him and his lovely wife.

押忍！

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Team from Toodyay, Western Australia

A team from Toodyay, Western Australia, came for Renshusei training here in Oita City. The group of over 20 people, led by Ken Bainbridge Sensei (5th Dan), completed a two-hour practice, which was focused on some of the core basics of Traditional Shotokan Karate-Do.

In particular, the six SHITE-GATA: Heian 1-5 and Tekki Shodan were the intrinsic reference points.

It has been just over 15 years since Ken Sensei first hosted me in Western Australia for a seminar, so it was wonderful to catch up with him and his students. Also, my friend Brad Steven's Sensei from New Zealand, who I got to hang out with the night before the training.

A special thanks for Kylie Sensei for her correspondence in preparation for the Renshusei Training.

Until the next opportunity. OSU!!!

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2026).

Freital, Germany Seminar 2026: PART TWO - Report in English

 Report by Diana Lenk

Already 2 years ago I was allowed to experience this special event for the first time. I was all the more excited about what awaits us this year.

For a very long time in advance, all preparations, necessary planning and approvals were organized by our board, and many threads were drawn in the background. An incredibly complex task, when you then see and feel with what dedication, heart and soul and not least an enormous expenditure of time this very special event could take place here in Freital. Simply every detail has been considered. Be it the organization of the day during the stay of our important guest, or the coordination of the helpers or hours of "packing seminar envelopes".

On the day of arrival of André Sensei at the airport in Munich, Lufthansa went on strike and he was picked up from there without further ado by two club members. What a great action of the two.

And then it was finally time.... On Friday evening, André Sensei kicked off in a community training session with us in the dojo, first for all club members of all graduations. It was also a very impressive experience for our newer members to train with such an internationally known trainer. André Sensei explained the basics very vividly and practically. He made it important that everyone could take home inspiration for their training that evening. The consistently positive feedback confirms this. Then it was the turn of the "big ones". A total of 3 examinees successfully faced the experienced and professional judgment of André Sensei.

On Saturday it started early in the morning for many helpers. With combined forces, the gymnasium of the Weißeritz-Gymnasium was transformed into a dojo. Many hardworking hands ensured that tables and benches were set up, the refreshment station was created, the signage in and around the hall was attached and the national flags of the participants could fit harmoniously into the picture. A very wide range of culinary products was also prepared. Between absolutely appetizing sandwiches and breads, many different homemade cakes, muffins and biscuits, which were contributed by various members and helpers, it was difficult to decide.

Around 9 a.m. the preparations were completed and the first participants also found themselves. Guests from various European nations could be welcomed. Including the Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Even guests from Norway, Ukraine and Great Britain found the way to Freital. Everyone received from our team at the reception their personal envelope with all important information about the course as well as the voucher for the evening event and a card to pick up the ordered T-shirt "No Danger".

The seminar, which was awaited with great excitement and anticipation, began at 10:00 a.m. The hall was well filled with almost 200 participants and everyone could feel this special atmosphere. We welcomed a good-natured and a sympathetic André Sensei from the first moment. His incredible presence is difficult to put into words.

He built with us piece by piece, the Kata "Maizuru Dai" (as much as Dancing Crane) unknown to us, and explained the individual techniques vividly, comprehensibly and very impressively, both in the Kata and in the Bunkai. Only three students of Grand Master Asai from Japan are currently teaching this special Kata. For this reason, it was a special honor and also a personal claim for us to implement what was shown as well as possible. Both demanded a lot of concentration, especially from the low-graduate participants, because as light and powerful as every movement of the Sensei looked, it was much more difficult than expected to put them into practice themselves. At this point, one or the other became once again very aware that the path of the warrior (Budo) is a very long, even lifelong process, in which one can only gain the understanding between the harmony of mind and body through long, intensive and continuous training. Through the many detailed descriptions and demonstrations of the extremely effective techniques, everyone was able to take away many, sometimes also new insights, for themselves and their training. Thanks to the direct translation by Marco, there was no loss of information.

After the first very demanding seminar day, it was time for all those who had registered in advance, "Getting together in a relaxed atmosphere" in the Ballrooms Coßmannsdorf. Those present expected a cozy evening with a relaxed atmosphere. With a very varied buffet there was something for everyone and there were no wishes left unfulfilled. There was the opportunity to exchange ideas across national borders and to make new contacts. In addition, you could experience André up close. All evening he wandered from table to table, gladly answered all questions and was an absolutely sought-after conversation partner with his uncomplicated manner. Until the late evening hours you could enjoy this special atmosphere and let the anticipation of the second day increase.

Also on Sunday morning, the hard-working helpers gathered again at the hall and ensured with their commitment that the participants lacked nothing. Without many words, everyone knew what to do, and in no time the preparations were finished.

On the second day it started already 09.00 o'clock. From the first moment, this special mood was again due to the presence of the Sensei in the air. We repeated and deepened what we had learned and gained new insights about timing, distance and control. For all participants it was time to be there again with full concentration and commitment. André explained precisely the sometimes complex mechanics behind the techniques and was able to give valuable tips for their training to the many highly graduated Dan carriers. Later it went into the partner training to work on the implementation of what has been learned. And again there were so many new impressions, WOW effects and small AHA moments for each individual, which will make this spectacular event have an effect for a very long time.

A special and respectful gesture at the end of the seminar was that André Sensei’s personally thanked each individual participant and helper, and thus secured a very special place in retrospect of this weekend.

At this point, I can only thank you very much that through the perfect organization, the cooperation of so many helping hands and supporters, this weekend has become inspiring, instructive and above all unforgettable for everyone.

The images are copyrighted by Oliver Schömburg.