Few words, just images from my recent daily self-training/practice.
POSITIVE ENERGY TO EVERYONE!!!
A big OSU from Oita City, Japan.
押忍!
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This site is based on my daily practice of Shotokan Karate-Do here in Oita City, Japan. More than anything else, unlike the majority of other karate websites, this page is primarily dedicated to Budo Karate training itself; that is, Karate-Do as a vehicle for holistic development.
Greetings to all karateka here in Japan and around the world.
UPCOMING SEMINAR OUTSIDE JAPAN
This month I will be conducting the first Technical Seminar in Poland. For those attending, see you soon!
IKS Goals: UNCHANGED
The goal of International Karate Shotokan is a to preserve and spread the highest level of Traditional Budo Karate without political restrictions and outdated organizational structures.
We have deep respect and cooperation with other Shotokan groups, Goju Ryu, Wado Ryu, Shito Ryu and other styles. This is critical for mutual understanding and higher levels of technical karate development.
I encourage all karateka to seek knowledge from multiple sources. Seek to maximize your potential. Organizations means nothing without this. That is, don't rest on a brand label; rather, become the best you can be. This is TRUE BUDO/BUJUTSU.
RENSHUSEI
Besides the seminars here in Japan and abroad, the Renshusei Program here in Oita continues to produce excellence amongst Japanese and foreign karateka.
This is year has been fully booked up until October. For those wishing to book places, it is important to do so 'at least three months in advance'. In sum, book early to secure your days (and times) to avoid missing out.
To conclude, I want to thank everyone for their support. I am training each day seeking the skill levels of Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei, Nakamura Masamitsu Sensei, Osaka Yoshiharu Sensei, and other masters who have directly contributed to my technical evolution, and as an instructor of Karate-Do. I am also grateful for my wonderful students here in Japan and around the world. A deep bow to you all.
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Maizuru-Dai Kata: Hidari teisho age-zuki, Migi ashi mae sanchin-dachi. |
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Mae-geri keage with high reps... Sweating it out on the tatami, trying not to lose form: May 2nd, 2025. |
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Movement 8 of Ransetsu: Hidari jodan mikizuki-geri, Usho-ate. |
KIHON
The focus of my kihon was KERIWAZA and to supplement this I used the 'basic training kata' 'RANSETSU', which is Asai Sensei's original version of the now more commonly practiced 'RANTAI'. Special attention was given to: (1) Mikazuki-geri; (2) Kansetsu-geri; (3) Mawashi-geri; (4) Ushiro-geri kekomi; (5) Yoko-geri kekomi; (6) Various forms of Fumikomi, including 'Kakato-otoshi.
Ashi soto-uke and Ashi uchi-uke were also practiced extensively.
While Nidan-geri is also in Ransetsu, I did not practice this in isolation.
The basic Mae-geri keage, 'the staple kick of Shotokan-Ryu' was also trained as usual as Sonoba-Kihon.
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Maizuru-Dai Kata: Hidari ashi mae fudo-dachi, Hidari hitosashiyubi ippon-ken chudan-zuki. |
KATA
1. HANGETSU
2. JION
3. KAKUYOKU
4. MAIZURU DAI
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The second to final action of the three Kakuyoku Kata. |
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Movement 24 of Jion Kata: Hidari teisho, hidari sokumen chudan yoko-uke (Kiba-dachi) |
一、力の強弱体の伸縮技の緩急を忘るな
(Hitotsu, chikara no kyōjaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyū o wasuruna)
"Do not forget the employment or withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique."
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Kanku Sho Kata. |
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Sonkyo no mae-geri. |
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Kakuyoku Nidan Kata |
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Kakuyoku Sandan Kata. |
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Basic mae-geri keage practice. |
The forms of Kokutsu-dachi and Fudo-dachi are unique, in Karatedo, to Shotokan-Ryu (and breakaways from our style). That being said, of course, their applications are universal in Karate, other forms of Budo, and optimal human movement. One thing that I have been taught, and practice, is 'ACTIVE TACHIKATA'. The stances of karate are only reliably effective when they are active, which requires them to be adaptable, mobile and speedy, able to maxmize one's mass/transfer of weight for power, defensive evasion, and so on.
Balance is, indeed, also a critical aspect, but also intentionally off-balancing to fully utilize gravity. Dropping and rising, different angles, and so forth, must all be used both reactively and optimally in any moment.
It is also beneficial for more experienced to understand the tachikata of other ryuha such Shiko-dachi and Bensoku-dachi in Goju, Mahanmi-nekoashi-dachi in Wado, and so on.
Correct positioning of the feet knees, thighs and hips is not only for the aforementioned purposes, but also an aspect of 'bodily control', which also encompasses self-awareness.
The Kokutsu-dachi and Fudo-dachi of Shotokan-Ryu are positions which maximize one's ability to attack and defend in fluctuation. Of course, this is the same in other stances but, again, these two are unique to our Ryuha.
As one ages, and due to injury and so on, lower stances may become a challenge. In this case, one will adopt higher more natural positions. This is a natural progression; however, all of the foundational principles and applications remain the same.
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HIDARI KOKUTSU-DACHI |
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MIGI ASHI MAE FUDO-DACHI: In the IKS we continue to do the old form of this tachikata. |
The following YOUTUBE VIDEO is primarily for Jody Sensei and Wesley Sensei to give them subtle cues (to remind them of several key points covered).
I have not put them in the 'learning phases' of their training, which is personal for them; nor have I disclosed the teaching they received. This is exclusively for them as RENSHUSEI. The knowledge they attained is for them and for whom they choose to share it with.
What I will say is that, for their respective levels (and individual experiences in Karatedo), they did exceptionally well and clearly advanced whilst here.
I want to offer a big bow to both Jody and Wesley for their physical and mental efforts, and spirit, here in Oita: DOJO and OUTDOOR KEIKO. I hope this video reminds you of some of key points covered. OSU!!!
©︎ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).
(by Jody Young)