今日で50歳になりました。

As a professional karate instructor, in addition to teaching Renshusei, I do my own self-training every day without compromise.

今日で50歳になりました (Today I turned 50 years old), which, of course—in the art of 空手道 (Karate-Dō)—is still a youngster.

On the subject of age Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei once said to me that: “competition peak is usually between your mid 20s and early 30s”. Whereas “…one’s actual Budō technical peak (for long-time practitioners) is from your 60s”.

This highlights that 'maturity of waza' can only attained through many years of technical refinement, and an experienced mindset. Yes, the old maximum is indeed true: 'Youth is wasted on the youth'. 

With these points in mind, I remain inspired, just as ever, 'to challenge myself via daily training'. Again, to quote my late mentor, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei: "Every day, the serious budoka must consistently seek improvement through the rigors of their personal keiko".

As I enter my "50's" on this day, I want to offer sincerest thanks to all of my seniors, peers and juniors (past and present): both here in Japan and around the world.

どうもありがとうございます、

押忍！

André Bertel

With 'the girls' last week in Okinawa at the Shureimon (Shuri-Jo).
 

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

IKS 参段 (SANDAN) EXAM REQUIREMENTS

 参段

型

1. 得意型①：松濤館流の型

2. 得意型②：松濤館流型またはIKSの正式古典型

型の応用

3–5護身術の応用技

自由組手

制御された連続自由組手

IKS 弐段 (NIDAN) EXAM REQUIREMENTS

 弐段

基本

1. (自由な構え) 刻み突きから三本連突き

2. (自由な構え) 刻み突きから中段前蹴り蹴上げそして中段順突き

3. (自由な構え) 上段揚げ受けから回し蹴り、裏拳横回し打ちそして中段順突き

4. 移動目標：右逆突き

5. 移動目標：左逆突き

型

1. 選定型：抜賽大、観空大、燕飛、慈恩、十手、岩鶴、半月、鉄騎、常行。

2. 得意型：松濤館流の型

自由組手

制御された連続自由組手

IKS 初段 (SHODAN) EXAM REQUIREMENTS

 初段 

基本

1. 三本連突き。
2. 上段揚げ受けか中段前蹴り蹴上げそして中段逆突き。
3. 中段外受けから腕同じで寄り足 （騎馬立ち）横猿臂そして腕同じで裏拳横回し打。
4. 中段内受けから手同じで刻み突きそして中段逆突き。
5. 回転しながら下段払いから中段逆突き。
6. 手刀中段受け (後屈立ち) から刻み前蹴りそして縦四本貫手。
7. 連蹴り。
8. 回し蹴りから後ろ蹴り蹴込み。
9. (騎馬立ち) 交差擦り足横蹴り蹴上げ足を変えて横蹴り蹴込み。
10. 手刀上段外回し打ちから手同じで手刀上段内回し打ち。

• インパクトテスト

型

1. 指定型：平安、順路、鉄騎。

2. 選定型：抜賽大、観空大、燕飛、慈恩、十手、岩鶴、半月。

自由一本組手

上段、中段、前蹴り、横蹴り、回し蹴り、後ろ蹴り、刻み突

き、逆突き

Training at the 沖縄空手会館 (Okinawa Karate Kaikan): PART THREE - YouTube Video

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

Training at the 沖縄空手会館 (Okinawa Karate Kaikan): PART TWO - Supplementary Images

© André Bertel. Japan (2026).

Training at the 沖縄空手会館 (Okinawa Karate Kaikan): PART ONE - Report

This week I’ve been back in Okinawa training.

While Shotokan is ‘mainland Japanese karate’ our IKS style is deeply respected due to our old-school approach: both technically and in attitude/spirit.

Here’s a brief outline from my days training at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan.

基本 (Kihon)

In Okinawa karate tradition this sessions “Kihon” centered around 補助運動 (Hojo-undo). While I regularly use the sandbag, makiwara and weights in my daily practice, the training here always includes some ‘old school’ tools.


① 巻藁 (Makiwara)
Impacts with Seiken and Shuto.


② サンドバッグ (Sand-bag)
Renzokuwaza.


③ 握り甕 (Nigiri-game)
Unsoku with both Sanchin-dachi and Fudo-dachi.


④ 鎚石 (Chi-ishi)
Exercises in both Kiba-dachi and Shiko-dachi.

⑤ 石差し (Ishi-sashi)
Exercises in both Kiba-dachi and Naifanchi-dachi.


型 (Kata)

平安初段 (Heian Shodan).

鉄騎二段 (Tekki Nidan).

半月 (Hangetsu).

征遠鎮 (Seienchin).

舞鶴小 (Maizuru Sho).
In sum the training was focused on strength and conditioning for impact power; furthermore, the 力の強弱 (Chikara no kyojaku) — the ‘use of power’— via the utilization of solo kata practice.


While kumite was not directly addressed today, the aspects covered are clearly related to actual self-defense, which is the technical essence of 伝統的な空手道 (Traditional Karate-Dō).

The IKS (International Karate-Dō Shōtōkan) is moving forward here in Japan and aroun

d the world. I am sure that Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei would greatly approve of our technical standards and efforts.

André

© André Bertel. Japan (2026).

CORE ASHIWAZA (from the 26 Standard Shotokan-Ryu Kata)

Please note that the following waza are OMOTE; that is, I have not included the URA applications. Furthermore, I have not included other obvious 'leg waza' applications such as the third move of Wankan including a Hiza-tsuchi; Nami-gaeshi also being applied as an Ashi-barai; using the tachikata to manipulate the opponents stance/balance, etcetera. 

(1) Yoko-geri keage

Heian Nidan, Heian Yondan, Kanku Dai, Gankaku, Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Sochin.

(2) Mae-geri keage

Heian Nidan, Heian Yondan, Kanku Dai, Jion, Hangetsu, Kanku Sho, Chinte, Unsu, Sochin, Gojushiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho, Wankan, Jiin.

(Please note: this waza is typically CHUDAN; however, some federations cite JODAN mae-geri keage for Heian Yondan, Kanku Dai and Unsu).

(3) Fumikomi

Heian Sandan, Heian Godan, Tekki Shodan, Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Bassai Dai, Jitte, Gankaku, Jion, Gojuhiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho.

(4) Hiza-tsuchi

Heian Yondan.

(5) Mikazuki-geri

Heian Godan, Bassai Dai, Hangetsu, Kanku Sho, Unsu, Sochin, Meikyo.

(Please note: this waza is CHUDAN; however, some federations cite JODAN mikazuki-geri for Sochin).

(6) Sokuto gedan-kekomi (Gedan yoko-geri kekomi)

Bassai Dai, Bassai Sho.

(7) Nidan-geri

Kanku Dai, Gankaku.

(8) De ashi-barai

Bassai Sho.

(9) Yoko-geri kekomi

Nijushiho (Japan Karatedo Federation: also permitted in Gankaku).

(Please note: this waza is officially CHUDAN; however, typically JODAN is also permissible).

(10) Fuse mawashi-geri 

Unsu.

(11) Kakato gedan-kekomi (Gedan mae-geri kekomi)

Unsu.

(12) Kakato ushiro-geri kekomi (Tobi ushiro-geri kekomi)

Unsu.

(13) Nami-gaeshi

Tekki Shodan.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan.