Many people question the importance
of Yakusoku-Kumite, which can probably be—best described in English—as PREARRANGED
SPARRING.
In actuality, I know a simple fact…
These days people need to do more Gohon-kumite, Kihon ippon-kumite and Jiyu
ippon-kumite than ever before. Why? Because the heavy influence of tournament
karate has resulted in a lack of kime in sports kumite events. Actually, yakusoku
kumite in addition to bridging kihon and kata to jiyu-kumite, bolsters kime in
jiyu kumite.
Am I against karate tournaments? NOT
AT ALL. I won many New Zealand National titles over the years, and a JKA prefectural
title (in men’s individual kata) here in Japan—apparently the first non-Japanese
to ever do so: even though competition karate has never been my focus.
My perspective, and many of my colleagues
and seniors here in Japan, is that tournament kumite must technically represent
traditional budo karate, which technically, in essence is all about
ichigekki-hissatsu (to finish with a single blow).
In sum, yakusoku-kumite, when
practiced correctly, is utterly essential for those seeking the true way
Karate-Do. There is nothing wrong with competition, however, first and fore-mostly, karate is BUDO; therefore, the acquisiton of a sound mind/heart and effective martial arts techniques is of the greatest importance.
© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan.
