Winter is here... Kind of

I practiced 舞鶴小 (Maizuru Sho) again today—as pictured in this post—but also 鉄騎三段 (Tekki Sandan), 五十四歩大 (Gojushiho Dai) and 移動基本 (Ido-Kihon).

My Ido-kihon consisted only 順突き/追い突き (Jun-zuki/Oi-zuki), both chudan and jodan, going up and down the dojo. I worked with differing 技の緩急 (WAZA NO KANKYU) and 力の強弱 (CHIKARA NO KYOJAKU); furthermore, not only in my ‘tsuki’ practice, I also focused on these points in the three kata I trained.


Overall, it was not an overly physical session but, rather, technically challenging.


Finally, today, there was a slight wintery feeling here in the dojo. Nevertheless, for many of you, the winter we experience—here in Kyushu—is extremely mild.


I hope that this post finds everyone training hard and in good health.

押忍!
アンドレ 

 © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

Koten-gata: 舞鶴小 (Maizuru Sho)

Movement 8 of Maizuru Sho. Hidari nakadaka ippon-ken jodan ura-zuki (Hidari ashi mae fudo-dachi).

Movement 59 of Maizuru Sho: Migi fuse ushiro-geri kekomi.

I decided that my self-training today would be focused on a single kata, its respective kihon, oyo and the form itself. 

My selection was the  Koten-gata, 舞鶴小 (Maizuru Sho).

Movement 3 of Maizuru Sho: Migi koko jodan gyaku-zuki (Hidari ashi mae sanchin-dachi).

Movement 60 of Maizuru Sho: Here I'm making a mistake. Migi ashi mae tatehiza-dachi and Hidari tateken chudan gyaku-zuki is correct; however, the fist should be a vertical Nakadaka Ippon-Ken.

Like Maizuru Dai, the movements between outside and inside tension stances is a theme, also the use of various 'karada no buki' against anatomically vulnerable targets. Whilst Dai focuses more on Ippon-ken, Sho utilizes Nakadaka Ippon-Ken.

Movement 22 of Maizuru Sho: Hidari tekubi kake-uke (Migi ashi mae zawan-dachi)

The balance required in Maizuru Sho is far more difficult as there are many movements not found in the standard Shotokan kata, nor the more commonly practiced Koten-gata. This makes these two kata highly valuable for senior ranked karateka to increase their technical skill.

Movement 2 of Maizuru Sho: Hidari shuto tateotoshi-uchi.

Movement 49 of Maizuru Sho: Hidari hiza-geri, Ryo sho koshi.

Movement 5 of Maizuru Sho: Migi shuto tateotoshi uchi (Migi ashi mae fudo-dachi).

Today's practice was both challenging and enjoyable. My body is tired after the session but, like the other 'Asai-Ha Shotokan-Ryu' Kata, the movements are natural and healthy for the body. 

This is not only good for one's muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints, but it also means the actions can GENERATE MORE POWER!

Movement 21 of Maizuru Sho: Kaisho manji-uke (Migi sagiashi-dachi)

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

Special Seminar: KAPITI COAST, NEW ZEALAND 2026

Here is a direct link to the Technical Seminar in New Zealand next year, which will be a VERY SPECIAL GASSUKU!

 KKA Martial Arts - Andre Bertel 2026

Hosted by Allan Youl Sensei (4th Dan), and his group the KKA KARATE ACADEMY, it will mark exactly 30 years since I opened my first official dojo in New Zealand.

Needless to say, it was also the introduction of my teacher, Asai Tetsuhiko Shuseki-Shihan's revolutionary style of Shotokan in the country, which at that time expanded the JKA syllabus.

Indeed, this syllabus is now preserved by the IKS (International Karate Shotokan) both here in Japan, and around the world. And we openly invite all groups who wish to expand their knowledge of Karate as BUDO/BUJUTSU.

The seminar is open to all styles and organizations, so for those who manage to secure places, see you in Kapiti Coast.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

4th International Budo Karate Seminar in FREITAL, GERMANY on March 14th and 15th, 2026

Upcoming Technical Seminar in FREITAL, GERMANY

March 2026

To avoid missing out you can secure a place at the seminar via the link below. For those who attend, greetings from Japan and see you there!

 Shotokan-Karateverein Freital e. V. - Kaminari-Arashi-Dojo - International Budo-Karate Seminar

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

Some images from today's self-training

Some images from my self-training today. Details of this routine were published on November 16th. The initial images are of kihon, with the final being from the kata I went through.

I wish everyone the very best in their practice!  - AB

 

Movement one of Enpi Kata: Migi zenwan gedan-barai, hidari zenwan suigetsu mae gamae.

Movement five of Maizuru Sho Kata: Migi shuto tatemawashi uchi.

Movement 20 of Heian Shodan Kata: Migi shuto chudan-uke.

Movement 39 of Hangetsu Kata: Sasho ni migi chudan mikazuki-geri.

Movement 41 of Hangetsu Kata: Ryo teisho gedan awase-uke.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

Official IKS KUMITE Requirements

                                             © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

 

Official IKS Kata (ASAI-HA SHOTOKAN-RYU)

 

                   © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

Official IKS Kata (SHOTOKAN-RYU)

 

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

Renshusei from Rotorua, New Zealand: Martin Lee

Martin Lee Sensei (4th Dan) from Rotorua, New Zealand, came to Oita for 連取性  (Renshusei) Training. It was wonderful to catch up with him.

I first met Martin, when I gave a seminar at his dojo—the ‘Otonga Shotokan Karate Club’—twenty-something years ago. Their general classes in Rotorua (open to new beginners and visitors) are held every Wednesday and Thursday at 6 to 7pm.


Martin also got to train with my late teacher Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei. So, it was a full circle for him to come and train at the IKS Sohonbu Dojo.

In regard to his Renshusei Training, the focus was on fine details in 基本 (Kihon); in particular 手足同じ (Te ashi onaji), 決め (Kime), 鞭身 (Muchimi) and ‘standardization of the classical Shotokan-Ryu waza’ as “…a baseline for individualized budo/bujutsu karate development” (directed by one’s own unique personal attributes and physique). As always, in this process, I referenced many of the Kata, for example, Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi, Hangetsu, Gojushiho Sho and so forth.

型 (Kata): The standard Shotokan Kata included, but not limited to, were: 平安初段 (Heian Shodan), 鉄騎初段 (Tekki Shodan), 珍手 (Chinte) and 王冠 (Wankan).

I also reviewed Martin’s 順路初段 (Junro Shodan), 鶴翼初段 (Kakuyoku Shodan) and 青柳 (Seiryu) with 応用 (Oyo/Applications). During this time, I showed the versions and applications that Asai Sensei practiced and taught me privately.

組手 (Kumite) was twofold: Correct五本組手 (Gohon Kumite) and correct 自由組手 (Jiyu Kumite). Focus was on applying correct kihon for maximum effect—large sale actions; exact 間合 (maai); and the base 自由な構え (Kamae).

It was great to have you here Martin. 

押忍！

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

MOVING STILL: Video by Oliver SCHÖMBURG

Below is a direct link to a new YouTube video by Oliver SCHÖMBURG. It depicts the Wildau Seminar in September, which was held on September 27th and 28th, 2025.

Here's also a link to Oliver's YouTube Channel, where you can see other professional video productions.

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

A very big "ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU" to Oliver. 

押忍！

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).