Dr. Mario Sérgio Viera Sensei, from São Paulo—and is a 3rd Dan with the ‘Escola De Karate-Do do Brazil’—once again came here to the Dojo as a 連取生 (Renshusei). He is a student of one of my predecessors here in Japan, Ennio Vezzuli Shihan, who also trained with my late mentor Asai Tetsuhiko Shuseki-
Shihan.
The focus on all three days of training here was the underpinning core mechanics of Budo/Bujutsu Karate; in particular, maximizing velocity via correctly using the kinetic chains in fundamental actions, and using as much as possible for optimal impact.
I also stressed, as always, that ‘the Renshusei program is not killer training course’ but, rather, “…it is technical training and learning based, to maximize skill development”. Yes, there is sweat and maybe a few bruises; however, nothing beyond each individual’s capacity. In this way, each trainee gains the most from their time here in the dojo.
In the case of young guns—wanting ‘Japanese university karate training’—with masses of Kihon repetitions at a fast pace; heavy contact kumite; and ‘the learn by experience’ method… this can also be provided by request. However, unless in one’s late 30s and under, I personally do not recommend this.
While much of this was done through 基本 (Kihon), it was naturally also applied in kata—which reinforces these aspects through more variations; and in the different forms of 組手 (Kumite). Furthermore, and most importantly these points were utilized in freestyle: 自由組手 (Jiyu-Kumite).
I must expand on this point as true Shotokan-Ryu; that is, “…shotokan practiced as Budo/Bujutsu”, literally involves “…the seamless integration of Kihon, Kata and Kumite”.
Mario did very well over the three days here, especially improving the use of kakato-chushin, his use of the sasae-ashi, foundational ‘koshi no kaiten’—via ‘ground power’.
A more elusive aspect was Asai Sensei’s use of junansei in relation to kime; nevertheless, this is a on-going challenge for everyone.
Another aspect I focused on was ‘technical moderation’; that is, adjusting one’s positioning and movements to allow the full use of the hips in each waza. This, as all my students know, is one of the major factors which differentiates the very best karateka in the world from everyone else. Moreover, it is one of the major barriers between the standards of Karate here in Japan, and those practicing abroad.
The biggest difficultly for non-Japanese, in there regards, is ‘trend following’ as opposed to ‘allowing one’s own body to dictate unsoku, positions, and everything in between. In the case of Mario, and for those who read this, allow me to use the length and width of as a simple stationary 前屈立ち (Zenkutsu-dachi) as just one example of this.
So, what is the correct length and width of this very common basics position?
The answer is ‘as long as possible’— “…without compromising:
(a) the position of the hips, especially of the rear legs hip, in forming a full/proper ‘shomen';
(b) the correct positioning and direction of the rear foot, dictated by ankle flexibility; and
(c) pelvic, back and neck/head posture.
In regard to width, the stance must project forwards as opposed to sideways, therefore, the ideal width (in the standard zenkutsu-dachi—not the narrow ‘zenkutsu’ and ‘hiza-kutsu’) is that of your hips. To be specific, the inside edges of both your front and rear feet should be the same as the outside edges of your hip joints.
Returning to length, if one cannot fully lock the hips into shomen, the back foot is more to the side than the front, or the posture is not able to be completely erect—the stance is too long!
If all of these aspects are exact, in this case I encourage the trainee to experiment with a longer stance, but to limit this length as dictated by the aforementioned prescription.
Mario was very open to this point with his decades of experience and now in his early 60s. Nonetheless, many younger karateka, as mentioned earlier, are fixated on ‘copying the current trends’, especially from tournaments. What’s interesting here, is that many world kata champions have highly compromised kihon within their kata. This has occurred due to sacrificing effectiveness for what they perceive as ‘good look's'. Needless to say, this has no meaningful relationship to true karate.
Ironically, the best tournament champions do not compromise effective kihon in their kata and, by doing so, are demonstrating “Kumite effective fighting forms”. We can see this here in Oita City with Nishiyama Kakeru. This comes from his teacher, and my friend, Sato Shihan who stresses ‘Budo Kihon , Kata and Kumite’.
Returning to Mário’s training, yes, it is different from athletes in their teens, 20s and 30s, but there is no compromise when it comes to doing karate as Budo/Bujutsu.
In fact, as I’ve said many times in the past, “one’s ultimate karate journey begins in the post-competition stage of training”. Master Asai taught me that “one’s technical depth—the richness of their movement—greatly improves through one’s 40s, more in their 50s, and even more in their 60s and 70s”.
In sum, ‘Karate is literally lifetime budo”. But this can only be the case if one practices karate as budo, as opposed to merely being a sport.
I want to give credit to Mario for continuing to seek to improve his karate in his 60s. While this is still young and strong period of life for a Budoka, it is still easy to walk away from training and/or no longer seek to advance in skill.
In Mario’s case, he is following The Way of Karate— ‘walking the walk’—by seeking knowledge and physically working in accordance with his age, existing knowledge/experiences, and in accordance with his own circumstances.
Accordingly, I’d like to commend Mario in his ongoing practice of Karate-Do, express my personal respect for his endeavors, and offer him a big 押忍
(Osu/Oss).
押忍！
アンドレ バーテル
©︎ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).
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