SUSTAINED MOTIVATION

One of the biggest factors of success in any field is MOTIVATION. As everyone knows, “motivation is not something that is hard to attain; rather, it is very hard to sustain”. It is this point, SUSTAINED MOTIVATION, which is the base of high-level achievement in any field. However, this foundation is merely the springboard of potentiality; alternatively, the barrier to success if not attained or nurtured.

Without sustained motivation, irrespective of natural ability, one can never reach an elite level in any endeavour; likewise, for those lacking significant natural ability—with sustained motivation—it literally becomes possible to reach the highest of levels. In sum, talent is extremely overrated.

Interestingly and very importantly, sustained motivation is underpinned by one imperative psychological skill… RESILIENCE. If you are—or train yourself to be—a truly resilient human being, you will be in a superior state to achieve your goals. To read more on this topic, click here: http://andrebertel.blogspot.jp/2013/10/karate-do-powerful-mechanism-for.html; furthermore and better, read this interview with Hanshi Renzie Hanham: http://andrebertel.blogspot.jp/2012/01/interview-hanshi-renzie-hanham-8th-dan.html  

This was the result of after my final semester at university. Less than top marks was not good enough. I am not bragging nor claiming I`m smart. What I am saying is that with sustained motivation you can literally do anything.

People often ask me, how is that you have practised karate since your early childhood? My karate journey began in my pre-teens, then continued through my teens, 20s, 30s and now, I still practise daily in my 40s. I guess this is also an example of sustained motivation.

These are key points that I constantly emphasise to my students as they never lose their power; moreover, they empower individuals to achieve their goals. All the very best in your endeavours:whatever they may be. Osu, André Bertel.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2017).

Heel, toes or middle of the foot?

Migi sokuto tobi yoko-geri kekomi.

One of the ‘technical must do’s’ of standard Shotokan style is to keep the entire foot flat on the floor in kihon and kata training (and, indeed yakusoku-kumite). In particular, keeping sokuto/the sword edge of the foot grounded—as opposed to `rolling them upwards`; and kakato-chushin (heel centre-line) are emphatically stressed.

The issue of sokuto is widespread; however, kakato-chushin is a characteristic of budo/traditional Shotokan. Actually, kakato-chushin is one of the bedrock ‘fundamental technicalities’ of Shotokan as a karate style; that being said, the majority of people “…who practise the Shotokan-ryu kata 'primarily for sports-type competition', for the most part, omit kakato chushin from their kihon”. This is because their focus is merely upon superficial aesthetics: as opposed to executing effective kata with potent effectiveness in the real world. This practise has long been deeply ingrained internationally. However, “...here in Japan this didn't begin coming commonplace until late 1999”.

Kihon gyaku-zuki: Kakato-chushin with the vertical axis running down from the lead shoulder through the lead leg.

Anyway, as a result (due to what happened at that time), many stopped focusing on kakato-chushin; and consequently, increasing numbers of Japanese Shotokan-style karateka (like their Western counterparts) “…now no longer understand what part of the foot is the focal point for techniques in relation to transitions and movements”. Interestingly, they keep the foot beautifully flat, yet merely do so for appearance sake.

Overall, this skill vitally relates to the use of the hips, COG (center of gravity), and where the axis is located: centre, right or left-side. It is at this point where one folds the body in harmony with the driving leg. Needless to say, all of this comes back to the soles of the feet; hence, kakato-chushin and its variations (when the point of focus moves to tsumasaki and the centre of the foot) must be 'physically understood' and trained daily.

In sum, without precise and ongoing practise of this ‘most based skill’ (please excuse the pun) the effectiveness of ones techniques will be innately compromised.

Hidari jodan mawashi-geri.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2017).

抜塞大 & 慈恩

Movement one of Bassai Dai: Sasho soede migi chudan uchi-uke (migi ashi mae kosa-dachi).

Today, BASSAI DAI and JION. The point of the training was to strip back another layer of these kata; in particular, via kihon, to improve application of techniques in Jiyu-kumite/Self-Defence. In sum, each of the sentei-gata are technically challenging (to the maximum). This is because they inherently demand "simplification and effectiveness of kihon". To answer my last post, physically speaking: this is BUDO KARATE.

The completion of movement 25 in Bassai Dai: Migi sokumen jodan uchi-uke doji ni hidari sokumen gedan-uke (Heisoku-dachi)

The opening kamae of Jion kata: Sasho uken shita ago mae (Heisoku-dachi)... A historically important posture.

Movement one of Jion: Migi chudan uchi-uke doji ni hidari gedan-uke (Migi zenkutsu-dachi).

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2017).

武道空手とは？

WHAT IS BUDO KARATE?

武道空手とは？

Movment six of Bassai-Dai: Migi gedan sukui-uke kara migi chudan soto-uke (Migi zenkutsu-dachi).

Movement  19 of Bassai Dai: Ryoshi-tsukamiyose doji ni migi sokuto gedan-kekomi (Hidari ashi dachi).

Movement 35 of Bassai Dai: Uken jodan saken gedan yama-zuki (Hidari ashi zenkutsu).

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2017).

抜塞大: Bassai Dai

Bassai Dai (抜塞大) Kata is characterized by its advancing strength which essentially practices to suppress the opponents attack. This characteristic appears in the very first movement right through to the 42^nd and final action. The name Bassai (‘Penetrate the fortress’ or ‘Storm the castle’) derives from this overarching theme. In this article I'd like to focus on some critical points of this kata and conclude with an overview.

Andre Bertel - Hidari seiken jodan kizami-zuki - February 6th, 2017.

Change from tateshuto to seiryuto: Recently, the current JKA (Japan Karate Association) Chief Instructor—Ueki Masaaki Sensei—stressed that movement nine of Bassai-Dai (previously Hidari tate shuto chudan uke in Hachiji dachi), unlike Kanku Dai, should now be applied as seiryuto instead of tateshuto; thereby, being consistent with the overarching theme of the kata.

Greater martial arts thematic consistency: Such a small variation may seem insignificant, nevertheless, I appreciate this change. Indeed, as kata are inherently martial arts templates—primarily existing to enhance ones unarmed self protection skills—any greater thematic consistency within them, in my opinion, is a very good thing.

Koshi no kaiten and chakugan: Probably the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Bassai Dai is koshi no kaiten (the rotation of the hips). Shomen, hanmi and gyaku-hanmi in Bassai Dai must be extreme. In doing this, one must keep the eyes, head and neck fixed to achieve proper chakugan. This is an essential skill but, for some including myself, very challenging.

Winding up: Another very important lesson from Bassai Dai, which I personally stress in my dojo, is the high emphasis on loading/chambering (or winding up) of techniques. This point is probably most obvious when executing the changing blocks. It is via theses switching actions, one learns to maximize tai no shinshuku (compression and expansion) from the core/centre; hence, avoiding “…rushing to the completion of techniques”, which merely results in ‘aesthetic strength’. I should add here that most people only focus on the chudan-uke switching actions, however, this lesson is found throughout the kata. For example, movements 38 and 39 (switching from migi to hidari gedan sukui whilst transferring from hidari to migi hiza kutsu) and movements 40-42 (the conclusive and unique shuto-uke sequence).

Moderation of tachikata: Moderation of tachikata (stances) is another aspect of Bassai Dai that one must face head on. In particular, stance width and length are primarily determined by: (a) hip and ankle flexibility (and joint health, and muscle strength); (b) the ability to maintain level hips and what I refer to as good 'three tier posture'; and (c) the optimization of the techniques being employed in regards to generating power from the entire body and, indeed, movements/transitions of COG (centre of gravity). Furthermore, just like techniques, not only incorrect positioning must be avoided but also superfluous positioning/actions must be eradicated.

Kakato chushin: Indeed on the subject of tachikata—for many karateka in Japan—Bassai Dai is seen as the kata where kakato chushin is taken to the next level. Turning with various ukewaza vividly elucidates this point. The heel-toe relationship in the various transitions found through Bassai Dai are extremely important and need to constantly be honed to develop, and maintain, optimum impact power. Needless to say, this brings to mind the importance of te-ashi onaji, which due to my time constraints, I will not specifically address today. However, if your interest is stimulated, please use the search function at the top left corner; moreover, you can reference my YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/user/andrebertel

Conclusive remarks: The late Chief Instructor of the JKA, Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei, stated that “Bassai Dai is a bright jewel among the Shotokan kata”. I believe this is case largely due to the aforementioned points I’ve mentioned today: especially in regards to its applicative theme. Lastly, I will wrap with a complete outline of Bassai Dai Kata. All the best from chilly Oita City, Japan. — André

BASSAI DAI KATA

Overview

·         Rei (Musubi dachi)

·         Yoi (Sasho uken kafukabu mae, Heisoku dachi)

1.      Sasho soede migi chudan uchi uke (Migi ashi mae kosa dachi)

2.      Hidari chudan uchi uke (Hidari zenkutsu dachi)

3.      Migi chudan uchi uke (Hidari zenkutsu dachi)

4.      Hidari chudan soto uke (Migi zenkutsu dachi)

5.      Migi chudan uchi uke (Migi zenkutsu dachi)

6.      Migi gedan sukui uke kara migi chudan soto uke (Migi zenkutsu dachi)

7.      Hidari chudan uchi uke (Migi zenkutsu dachi)

8.      Ryoken migi koshi kamae (Hachiji dachi)

9.      Hidari tate seiryuto chudan uke (Hachiji dachi)

10.  Uken chudan choku zuki (Hachiji dachi)

11.  Migi chudan uchi uke (Hidari hiza kutsu)

12.  Saken chudan choku zuki (Hachiji dachi)

13.  Hidari chudan uchi uke (Migi hiza kutsu)

14.  Migi shuto uke (Hidari kokutsu dachi)

15.  Hidari shuto uke (Migi kokutsu dachi)

16.  Migi shuto uke (Hidari kokutsu dachi)

17.  Hidari shuto uke (Migi kokutsu dachi)

18.  Ryo sho chudan tsukami uke (Hidari ashi zenkutsu)

19.  Ryo sho tsukami yose/Migi sokuto gedan kekomi (Hidari ashi dachi): KIAI

20.  Hidari shuto uke (Migi kokutsu dachi)

21.  Migi shuto uke (Hidari kokutsu dachi)

22.  Morote jodan age uke (Heisoku dachi)

23.  Ryo kentsui chudan hasami uchi (Migi ashi mae fudo dachi)

24.    Uken chudan zuki (Yori ashi—Migi zenkutsu dachi)

25.  Sasho jodan nagashi uke/Migi shuto gedan uchikomi kara Migi sokumen jodan uchi uke/Hidari sokumen gedan barai (Heisoku dachi)

26.    Migi sokumen gedan barai (Kiba dachi)

27.  Hidari tekubi hidari sokumen kake uke (Kiba dachi)

28.  Sasho ni migi chudan mikazuki geri kara sasho ni migi mae enpi (Hidari ashi dachi kara Kiba dachi)

29.  Migi gedan uke/Hidari zenwan mune mae kamae (Kiba dachi)

30.  Hidari gedan uke/Migi zenwan mune mae kamae (Kiba dachi)

31.  Migi gedan uke/Hidari zenwan mune mae kamae (Kiba dachi)

32.  Ryo ken hidari koshi kamae (Migi ashi zenkutsu)

33.  Saken jodan uken gedan yama zuki (Migi ashi zenkutsu)

34.  Ryo ken migi koshi kamae (Heisoku dachi)

35.  Uken jodan  saken gedan yama zuki  (Hidari ashi zenkutsu)

36.  Ryo ken hidari koshi kamae (Migi ashi zenkutsu)

37.  Saken jodan uken gedan yama zuki (Migi ashi zenkutsu)

38.  Migi gedan sukui uke (Hidari hiza kutsu)

39.  Hidari gedan sukui uke (Migi hiza kutsu)

40.  Migi chudan shuto uke (Hidari kokutsu dachi)

41.  Migi te migi ashi uho e

42.  Hidari chudan shuto uke (Migi kokutsu dachi): KIAI

·         Naore (Sasho uken kafukabu mae, Heisoku dachi)

·         Rei (Musubi dachi)

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2017).