移動基本
（１） 三本連突き
（２） 上段揚げ受け・中段逆突き
（３） 中段外受け・横猿臂
(騎馬立ち)・裏拳横回し打ち
（４） 手刀中段受け
(後屈立ち)・中段縦四本貫手
（５） 中段内受け・刻み突き・中段逆突き
（６） 中段前蹴り蹴上げ・中段追い突き
（７） 連蹴り:
中段前蹴り蹴上げ・上段前蹴り蹴上げ
（８） 裏拳上段横回し打ち
（９） 手刀上段外回し打ち・手刀上段内回し打ち
（１０） 天使中段逆突き
その場基本
(１) 中段直突き (平行立ち)
(２) 前蹴り蹴上げ (閉足立ち)
(３) 刻み突き・中段逆突き
(４) 中段刻み前蹴り・上段前蹴り蹴上げ
(５) 縦猿臂・後ろ猿臂・前猿臂・横猿臂
(平行立ち)
IKSの基本応用一本組み手
型
平安初段
半月
雷光
©️ Andre Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).
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| Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei countering Yahara Mikio Sensei. Nakayama Sensei's 'tokui' was ukewaza. |
muscle mem·ory
[muscle memory]
NOUN
1. the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious
thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement:
"typing relies heavily on muscle
memory" · "the secret to learning a technique like this is to do it
over and over again until you have developed muscle memory"
So, with many repetitions, our muscles eventually remember various
movements, techniques and positions. It also relates to how relaxed (or ‘incorrectly
tense’ in the words of Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei) our muscles are, especially in
relation to full speed motions under pressure (and, what I refer to as ‘red-line’
actions: where we are pushing to exceed our maximum explosiveness). Needless to
say, when I practice and teach, all of this goes hand-in-hand. We'll get into that more later.
The key aspect of all of this is ‘THE INCREASE OF REACTION SPEED
WITH OPTIMAL ACTIONS’, when under maximum pressure.
Accordingly, training new waza must be done extremely
carefully and methodically. Otherwise, bad habits will need to un-learned later
down the track. Sadly, and in reality, while not impossible, this is extremely
difficult unless one is extremely determined. On a bright note, I’ve had the
pleasure of helping many high-level karateka do exactly this.
This is also one of the key points behind supplementing our standard JKA style Shotokan with Asai Sensei's 'bujutsu extension' of it. As he said himself, "the koten (bujutsu)-gata are a blank slate, which function to further one's skill. This is why the more standardized 'JKF'/'WKF' versions of these kata, for the most part, remove their value. But this is the subject for another article, so I'll leave that there.
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| Asai Sensei countering Kagawa Sensei. |
To be brutally honest, it is so common to see people training very hard and giving
their best, yet actually making their karate worse. I am not talking about exterior looks here, but actual effectiveness outside the realm of the dojo and shiai-jo. This is a major problem around
the world, and elucidates why "...access to top level training, feedback coupled
with corrections and/or refinement is
utterly imperative". Because, in this way, WHAT IS GROOVED INTO MUSCLE MEMORY IS
‘OPTIMAL WAZA’.
For those seeking the Budo way of Shotokan and Karate as Bujutsu, if serious, you are welcome to apply to come to Japan and train as a renshusei here in Oita City. Those who have done this have greatly improved their karate skill by learning optimal actions and underpinning elements: that are simply not taught outside the most elite training sessions here in Japan. Furthermore, these aspects (with the exception of those who are uchideshi of top-level Japanese masters) are not shared with non-Japanese practitioners.
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| Asai Sensei and Enoeda Sensei (Early 1960s). |
The name of my group IKS has a strong meaning and message. I-K-S: INTERNATIONAL (all people from ALL countries), KARATE (OUR art), and SHOTOKAN (OUR style). Therefore, the 'prime technical priority' is correct 筋肉の記憶 (Muscle Memory) -- of karate-waza -- for all Japanese karateka, and everyone outside Japan also. This not only benefits non-Japanese Shotokan karateka, but also Shotokan karateka here in Nippon. OSU, André
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Continuing from the last article on 矢勢 (Yaiki) I’d like to go further on this subject by discussing 精神 (Spirit/Mentality), which is the key determinant of good or bad yaiki. If you didn't read this, here's a direct link, which provides the base for this post: André Bertel's Karate-Do: 矢勢（やいき） (andrebertel.blogspot.com)
So how can one’s 精神
(Seishin) determine good 矢勢
(Yaiki)—the momentum of their metaphorical arrows? That is tsuki, keri, uchi,
and so on…
Let’s consider 試し割り (Tameshiwari)—where we test our karate waza to break boards, stones, etcetera. Here's a link on this topic: André Bertel's Karate-Do: 試し割り (Tameshiwari) (andrebertel.blogspot.com)
So, when doing tameshiwari, if you harbor any feelings of fear or hesitation in your mind, you greatly
minimize your capacity to destroy the object. This is simply because your mental states/spirit restricts
your action. Yes, it puts the breaks on!
This is also the same in both 型
(Kata) and 組手 (Kumite). “… Hesitation dramatically
alters the dynamics of karate-waza”.
I found that when I used to compete in karate tournaments,
and also when I experienced real fights whilst in the security industry. When
less experienced I had to wrestle with fears and over excitement. My
self-discovery was that I had a burning desire to defeat my opponent in Kumite
and outside the dojo. This sometimes made my body inflexible. Because of this,
I occasionally lost, and, during those times—even when I defeated my
opponents—I did not do so with all my potential, and in an ideal manner.
It was not until I dropped the aim of ‘all-out winning’ (to
“lose magnificently”), and lost fear of harm in real fights, when I could react, and move, in an optimal way under stress. So, literally, my mind/spirit made me free. For
that time onwards I really improved and my yaiki was, and has always remained, truly
reliable.
Irrespective of technique, without strong seishin, one’s
skill will never be optimal; furthermore, defeat can readily come when facing a
much less skilled opponent. That is because they can overwhelm the more
skillful individual by physical ferocity and breaking their spirit. I’ve seen some
instructors simply getting a good shot to the face in Kumite, then watched them
go into panic mode. Yes, the ‘Goodbye Nice Technique Mode’. Accordingly, to have 'good yaiki' at all times must be underpinned by unwavering Karate
Seishin: 気迫
(Kihaku). In this way, even when harmed “…the properly sharpened arrows you
launch will be destructive, and the mind/spirit will not fail your body”. This is BUDO/BUJUTSU KARATE, which is true karate. Anything else is just a fake show.
Great to have mutual respect between karate styles who truly follow the BUDO WAY.
Here is a link to the Kyokushin Oita Homepage with a brief article. If you cannot read Japanese, Google translate will certainly work.
You can click here: 松濤館の空手家、AndreBertel先生と交流 (kyokushin-oita.jp)
A big OSU and 'Arigatou gozaimasu' to Mimura Tadashi Shihan and Kyokushin Karate Oita.
.jpeg)
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).
In this brief article I will explain 矢勢（やいき) ‘Yaiki’, which is a term from 弓道(Kyudo: Traditional Japanese Archery), and is also an important concept in Budo/Bujutsu Karate: irrespective of Ryuha/Kaiha, Shotokan or otherwise.
Yaiki is ‘the movement of arrow's’.
Even when an arrow hits a target truly high level karateka
can immediately ascertain the manner of how it hits ‘is either good or bad’.
One may believe or conclude that ‘as long as the arrow hits the target, the
movement is not so important’. However, if the arrow has insufficient ‘yaiki’,
whilst it hits the target, it cannot puncture the board or, in the case of old
school battle, puncture the opponents armor.
It should be obvious now how yaiki applies to the various
waza of karate. A top level budo karateka’s waza is clearly dangerous (seen in
its speed, power, control and autonomous adaptability). Karate with technical
immaturity can have good form and speed, but lacks a devastating capacity and
also the ability ‘to adapt and remain just as effective’ in a live scenario.
Nowadays, many senior graded black belts fail to discern this, which is sad.
These karateka may fool the majority when demonstrating
and/or they might wins points in competition, but they have bad yaiki, as they
have not trained their waza correctly nor thoroughly enough with constant
seeking of 一撃必殺 (Ichigeki-Hissatsu); that is, to
finish with a single blow.
I’ve seen several Shotokan instructors on YouTube who many
people think are good, even though they have very low Yaiki. Their karate is
‘performance karate’, laced with lots of well spoken talk. However, if they
have to use their karate in a really violent situation, their ‘karate’ will
fail them. They are 'karate salesmen and theorists', weak and easily crushed in a real fight.
Yet, why do so many high graded karateka now
cannot discern this UTTERLY CRITICAL POINT? WAKE UP!
For many years I’ve taught this, but still people are still confused. The Shotokan we have is effective in free fighting AGAINST ANYTHING.
Please always reference 矢勢（やいき）‘Yaiki’.
If you do, you’ll understand the old school Japanese perspective of true
karate—irrespective of the fakery—and, in this way, you be guided to seek true
training and instructors. Like my masters, Asai Sensei, Nakamura Sensei, Osaka
Sensei et al.
押忍! アンドレ
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).
その場基本
1. 中段直突き (自然体)
30 to 50 reps of chudan choku-zuki (Shizentai).
2. 上段直突き(自然体)
30 to 50 reps of jodan choku-zuki (Shizentai).
3. 三本連突き(自然体)
30 reps of sanbon ren-zuki (Shizentai).
4. 中段前蹴り蹴上げ (閉足立ち)
60 reps of chudan mae-geri keage (Heisoku-dachi).
5. 上段前蹴り蹴上げ (閉足立ち)
60 reps of jodan mae-geri keage (Heisoku-dachi).
6. 左上段刻み突きから右中段逆突き(左前屈立ち)
30 reps of hidari jodan kizami-zuki kara migi chudan gyaku-zuki (Hidari zenkutsu-dachi).
7. 右上段刻み突きから左中段逆突き(右前屈立ち)
8. 左中段刻み前蹴りから右上段前蹴り(左前屈立ち)
30 reps of hidari chudan kizami mae-geri kara migi jodan mae-geri keage (Hidari zenkutsu-dachi).
9. 右中段刻み前蹴りから左上段前蹴り(右前屈立ち)
30 reps of migi chudan kizami mae-geri kara hidari jodan mae-geri keage (Migi zenkutsu-dachi).
10. 中段連 (騎馬立ち)
11. 縦猿臂から後ろ猿臂、前猿臂そして横猿臂 (自然体)
10 repetitions of tate-enpi kara ushiro-enpi, mae-enpi soshite ushiro-enpi (Shinzentai).
12. 手刀上段外回し打ちから手刀上段内回し打ち、手刀縦回し打ちそして背刀上段外回し打ち
移動基本
1. 上段刻み突きから三本連突き (自由立ちから前屈立ち)
20 reps of jodan kizami-zuki kara sanbon ren-zuki (Jiyu-dachi kara zenkutsu-dachi).
2. 上段揚げ受けから中段前蹴り蹴上げそして上段逆突き(前屈立ち)
20 reps of jodan age-uke kara chudan mae-geri keage soshite jodan gyaku-zuki (Zenkutsu-dachi).
3. 中段外受けから中段逆突き(前屈立ち)
20 reps of chudan soto-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki (Zenkutsu-dachi).
4. 中段外受けから中段横猿臂そして裏拳横回し打ち (前屈立ちから騎馬立ち)
20 reps of chudan soto-uke kara chudan yoko-enpi soshite uraken yokomawashi uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi kara kiba-dachi).
5. 中段内受けから上段刻み突きそして中段逆突き (後屈立ちから前屈立ち)
20 reps of chudan uchi-uke kara jodan kizami-zuki soshite chudan gyaku-zuki (Kokutsu-dachi kara zenkutsu-dachi).
6. 転身の下段払いから中段逆突き (前屈立ち)
20 reps of tenshin no gedan-barai kara chudan gyaku-zuki (Zenkutsu-dachi).
7. 手刀中段受けから中段刻み前蹴りそして貫手 (後屈立ちから前屈立ち)
20 reps of shuto chudan-uke kara chudan kizami mae-geri soshite nukite (Kokutsu-dachi kara zenkutsu-dachi).
8. 前蹴り蹴上げから中段追い突き (自由立ちから前屈立ち)
20 reps of mae-geri keage kara chudan oi-zuki (Jiyu-dachi kara zenkutsu-dachi).
9. 中段前蹴り蹴上げから上段前蹴り蹴上げ (前屈立ち)
10 reps of chudan mae-geri keage kara jodan mae-geri keage (Zenkutsu-dachi).
10. 中段刻み前蹴りから上段前蹴り(自由立ちから前屈立ち)
10 reps of chudan kizami mae-geri kara jodan mae-geri keage (Jiyu-dachi kara zenkutsu-dachi).
11. 裏拳横回し打ち (前屈立ち)
20 reps of uraken yokomawashi uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi).
12. 手刀上段外回し打ちから手刀上段内回し打ち (前屈立ち)
型
1. 平安初段 (Heian Shodan)
2. 五十四歩大 (Gojushiho Dai)
3. 火手 (Kashu)
Each kata eight times (slow then full speed - thus, twice for each direction): Northward, Eastward, Southward and Westward.
組み手
KUMITE
自由一本組手 (JIYU IPPON KUMITE)
Attacks and defenses with and against: (1) Jodan oi-zuki, (2) Jodan gyaku-zuki; (3) Jodan kizami-zuki, (4) Chudan oi-zuki; (5) Chudan gyaku-zuki, (6) Chudan mae-geri keage, and (7) Jodan haito sotomawashi uchi.
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).
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ASAI TETSUHIKO SENSEI
The YouTube footage in the direct link below is from the private training at the host dojo, during the Friday evening prior (to the 2023 Freital International Budo Shotokan Karate Seminar).
CLICK HERE FOR THE ORGINAL REPORT IN GERMAN (PHOTOS INCLUDED)
ENGLISH TRANSLATION (PHOTOS EXCLUDED)
Relax, Snap: Karate works!
The anticipation of our course in Freital lasted a long time - several times the karate seminar with Shihan André Bertel (7th Dan) had to be postponed due to the pandemic. On 04 and 05 February 2023 we were finally able to welcome him again in Freital.
For me it was the third seminar weekend with Sensei Bertel. I knew with my 4th Kyu that a challenging weekend awaited me. I knew I was going to train on the edge in the hall full of Dan carriers. I knew I had to expect some bruises. And I was really looking forward to it all.
Sensei Stephan Pilz (4th Dan) had the organizational strings in his hand and a direct, private line to André Bertel. It is thanks to him that we members of the Shotokan Karate Club Freital were able to enjoy a special privilege: On the eve of the course, André Bertel gave us two training sessions in our dojo.
He had just arrived and apologized to us for his jet lag. What tiredness? With unbridled power, he whirled off. The beginners received an impressive lesson in greeting etiquette and the execution of the basic techniques, the higher graduates then honed their explosiveness and coordination under the attentive eye of the sensei. Everyone was spellbound – especially our little karatekas. "Snap!" was one of his most urgent requests - meaning the snapped, lightning-fast techniques in karate. Another often heard hint was the admonition "Relax!", because we were much too tense about the implementation of his training. Shoulders down – relaxed! Muscles loose – snap! My trouble with this was hopefully not so clearly visible.
On Saturday, many members of our association were on their feet early to ensure the smooth running of the karate seminar. We were all excited, but we already had practice – in 2019 we already welcomed André Bertel in Freital. And suddenly Freital became the center of international karate: about 200 karateka from 17 nations gradually revived the hall. The mayor of Freital had a similar view in his opening speech - impressed he watched the cheerful André Bertel for a while in the sports hall full of attentive karatekas.
I was totally focused, wanted to do everything right and knew – I won't succeed. After the warming by sensei Marco Herrmann (4th Dan), André Bertel attached great importance to the training of basic techniques. He impressively showed every technique to be practiced, every turn to be practiced or every jump to be practiced - even several times and every time perfectly. And we participants translate his demands on the technique into their own movement - some managed it almost as perfectly. Some, like me, are more like that.
This year's kata, which Sensei Bertel taught us in the seminary, was the original version of the Kata Suishu (water hands), which was taught to him personally by his master Tetsuhiko Asai. This demanding kata mimics the course of the water. Accordingly, we trained the alternation of flowing and energetic movements, speed, rotation and strength. Every arm and foot technique, every movement or position demonstrated by the sensei were ideals for me that required the highest concentration. At the end of the day, I was exhausted, predictably dissatisfied with myself, but happy.
Again and again André Bertel showed the kata with bunkai to prove the effectiveness of the techniques in combat. These demonstrations were always a firework of energy, speed and power. André Bertel's "Try this!" was the signal to implement his instructions on his partner: punches, levers, kicks, throws. Many thanks to my training partners for their patience – my insecurity after every "Try this!" was legendary. But the atmosphere in the hall encouraged me again and again: motivated karateka could be seen everywhere with a smile on their faces – even if they were lying on the ground.
However, this first day of the course did not end just like that - a party with buffet at the Feldschlösschen headquarters in Dresden rounded off the day.
Sunday started with the Kata Suishu. Some could be seen before the training, how they ran the 58 movements of the kata relatively safely. Unfortunately, I was not one of them. So it was time again: full concentration. In addition, André Bertel taught us in the militant implementation and effectiveness of traditional karate. We practiced this constantly on our partner and left this course with the certainty: "Karate works!". Andre Bertel took a long time to talk to individual course participants, to fulfill photo requests, to sign autographs. I saw many karateka thanking the helpers to take a last roll or a last coffee. Quickly everything was back in its old place with our many diligent hands.
But for us Freitaler Karateka it was not over yet: Sensei André Bertel gave interesting training sessions in our dojo on Monday and Tuesday. Nothing could have kept me away from this training. At some point, he also referred to his damaged forearms. That comforted me somehow.
My conclusion: André Bertel doesn't just teach karate. He teaches enthusiasm, motivation and technique that enables your own body to do incredible things. His way of praise, repeating, encouraging and being patient makes him a very good teacher. I understand why even karateka from Colombia travel to experience André Bertel in Freital.
We would like to thank Sensei André Bertel as well as all participants, organizers and helpers – together this course was an incredibly inspiring event!
(Report by Anja Blume)
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2023).
