Renshusei from Magdeburg, Germany: Kevin Bilski and Maria Vatterott

 Kevin Bilski and Maria Vatterott from Magdeburg, Germany, came for two days as Renshusei.

Both Sandan they run the ‘Karateverein Budo Kyudokan’: https://www.budokyudokan-md.de/about-1

During the training I concentrated on teaching/refining ‘specific points’ to enhance their technical skill in Budo karate. Mostly this was in the form of ‘basics within the basics’; that is, fine details, which are rarely taught outside of the very top karate clubs here in Japan.


They also learned Asai Sensei’s version of 鶴翼初段 (Kakuyoku Shodan) with applications relating to both classical Shotokan and Budo/Bujutsu in general.


For those who know about the Renshusei program, it’s ‘technical’ and, accordingly, I cross reference many of the classical Shotokan kata to emphasize certain points and/or principles. Indeed, this always intrinsically links to Kata and Kumite/Goshin-jutsu.


What impressed me the most about Maria and Kevin was not only their wonderful personalities, but also their strong desire to learn and really improve in their karate skill. Consequently, they were very quick to learn the skills and dynamics I was teaching.



Also, and needless to say, we also had some fun times outside of the dojo.

To summarize, they both did extremely well as Renshusei here in Oita. Kevin and Maria, I wish you the absolute best for your remaining time here in Japan.

押忍！！

アンドレ

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan. 

Current Daily Self-Training

基本 (Kihon)


• 前屈立ち、下段払い (Zenkutsu-dachi, Gedan-barai)

1. 中段順路突き (Chudan jun-zuki)

2. 中段前蹴り蹴上げ (Chudan mae-geri keage)

3. 背足下段前蹴り[金蹴り]  (Haisoku gedan mae-geri [Kin-geri])

4. 上段揚げ受けから上段逆突き (Jodan age-uke kara jodan gyaku-zuki)

5. 中段外受けから中段逆突き (Chudan soto-uke kara chudan gyaku-zuki)

6. 中段内受けから上段刻み突き (Chudan uchi-uke kara jodan kizami-zuki)



•  後屈立ち、手刀中段受け (Kokutsu-dachi) Shuto chudan-uke

7. 手刀中段受け (Shuto chudan-uke)



•  自由立ち、自由な構え (Jiyu-dachi, Jiyu na kamae)

8. 順路突き (Jun-zuki)

型 (Kata)

I.    平安 (One of the five Heian).

II.   鉄騎 (One of the three Tekki).

III.  半月 (Hangetsu).

IV.  燕飛 (Enpi).

V.   古典型 (One of the Kotengata).

自由一本組手 (Jiyu Ippon Kumite)

Attacking with, and defense/counterattacking against the following eight waza:

1. 上段順路突き(JODAN jun-zuki)

2. 中段順路突き(CHUDAN jun-zuki)

3. 中段前蹴り蹴上げ (Chudan MAE-GERI keage)

4. 中段横蹴り蹴込み (Chudan YOKO-KEKOMI)

5. 中段またわ上段回し蹴り(Chudan matawa jodan MAWASHI-GERI)

6. 中段後ろ蹴り蹴込み (Chudan USHIRO-GERI kekomi)

7. 上段刻み突き(Jodan KIZAMI-ZUKI)

8. 中段逆突き(Chudan GYAKU-ZUKI)

押忍!!

アンドレ 

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

鉄騎 (Tekki), 内歩進 (Naihanchi, 内畔戦 (Naihanchin) and 内範置 (Naihanchen)

 Before being renamed 鉄騎 (Tekki) by Funakoshi Gichin Sensei these karate kata were originally referred to as either: (a) 内歩進 read ‘Naihanchi‘ (ナイハンチ); (b) 内畔戦 read ‘Naihanchin’ (ナイハンチン); or (c) 内範置 read ‘Naihanchen‘ (ナイハンチェン).

Please allow me to accurately translate each of these names, which I haven’t found elsewhere in textbooks nor on the internet:


Firstly, our Shotokan 鉄騎 (TEKKI): ‘Iron Knight’. Referring to the stance, posture and sophistication of skill.


Secondly, 内歩進 (Naihanchi): ‘Inside Stepping Forward’. Referring to the footwork tactics.


Thirdly, 内畔戦 (Naihanchin): ‘Inside Ridge Battle’. Referring to the in-fighting techniques within the kata.

Fourthly, 内範置 (Naihanchen): ‘Inside Range Set’. Referring to the close-range two person sets/drills.

Funakoshi Gichin Sensei began his karate with Naifanchi, later renaming them 'Tekki'.

Motobu Choki Sensei only practiced one kata, and that was Naifanchi. 

Irrespective of Ryuha, naming, and rendition practiced, all of the names offer important technical insights into these classical kata.


Needless to say, the original version utilized ナイハンチ立ち (Naihanchi-dachi) whilst our Shotokan-Ryu employs騎馬立ち (Kiba-dachi). Regardless of stance, the kata practices numerous close-range/in-fighting self-defense application. This harmoniously mixes percussive blows and grappling.

The purpose of adopting the Kiba-dachi was to better train the core training objective of the kata: the tanden. In this regard, these kata are the equivalent of 三戦 (Sanchin) in the Naha-Te systems. Furthermore, the Kiba-dachi increases stability and develops both leg strength and flexibility.


Whilst these kata all have a linear enbusen—moving side to side—the techniques can be applied against attackers at any angle. I particularly like the joint locks and strangulation techniques featured, which can be readily applied Ina fight: after applying an 入口技 (Iriguchiwaza).


It is said that Matsumura Sokon Sensei learned the original form from a Chinese master living in Tomari. Later Matsumura taught it to Itosu Anko Sensei.


After are three versions of the kata arose: Shodan, Nidan and Sandan. It is said by some that Nidan and Sandan were developed by Itosu Anko Sensei, however, others claim that “…the three together constitute the original form”. Considering that only Shodan has a formal opening ‘kamae’ suggests that the kata may have been devided into three. Nevertheless, all of these are merely theories with no conclusive evidence.


In old school Shuri-Te, this kata was ‘the first form learned’ and, often considered, ‘the most important’. The same can be said of Sanchin in the Naha-Te systems: especially Goju and Uchi Ryu. Motobu Choki Sensei exclusively practiced it; moreover, claimed it to be a complete fighting style/system in itself. This is consistent with my aforementioned comments on 応用 (Oyo)—‘applications’.

On a personal note, my late teacher, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei favored three kata in the 26 standard Shotokan formal exercises: 二十四歩 (Nijushiho), 燕飛 (Enpi) and, yes, 鉄騎 (Tekki Nidan).

押忍!!

アンドレ 

Practicing Tekki Nidan during my daily self-training. November 5th, 2025.

© André Bertel. Oita City, Japan

恩道礼

From time to time, I'm asked about the kanji on my karate-dogi and obi. I've written about this a few years ago, but I'll answer with a breakdown/analysis of the Japanese today and some background information.

My name in Kanji is: 恩道礼 (On Dou Rei)

The background of this kanji is as follows: 

心に道を刻み

道を貫き礼を尊ぶ

和の心

Please allow me to translate into English:

“Engrave the Way (Dō) in your heart. Follow the Way with perseverance. Honor courtesy, The spirit of harmony.”

Breakdown:

• 心に道を刻み — “Engrave the Way in your heart.”
  (心 = heart/mind, 道 = the Way, 刻み = to engrave)

• 道を貫き礼を尊ぶ — “Persevere in the Way and honor courtesy.”
  (貫く = to carry through, 礼 = courtesy/etiquette, 尊ぶ = to value/respect)

• 和の心 — “The spirit of harmony.”
  (和 = harmony/peace, 心 = heart/spirit)

Background:

My late teacher 

ASAI TETSUHIKO SHUSEKI-SHIHAN

押忍!! 

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

基本 (KIHON)

In my own personal training each day, I really put a lot of effort into KIHON: especially the 'simplest' waza of Karate-Do.

44 years into my Karate Journey, and as a professional full-time instructor in Japan, I continue to learn so much from the most basic training. For it is there: that nothing can be hidden.

That being said, Budo Karate requires that we always directly connect Kihon (and Kata) to the optimizing of effectiveness in JISSEN-KUMITE (that is, karate in a real fight/self-defense). Perfect 'form' has no meaning: if this point is not the foremost objective.

Without this understanding. and putting this into each practice: "...karate becomes only a sport, recreational activity, or merely 'karate movements' with no relationship to the true art".

With these critical points in mind, BUDO KARATE KIHON IS WHAT DETERMINES ONE'S TRUE KARATE LEVEL.

押忍!!

アンドレ 

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

自分の稽古: 令和7年11月1日 (My self-training: November 1st, 2025).

 自分の稽古: 令和7年11月1日

My self-training: November 1st, 2025.

手刀中段受け (Shuto chudan-uke)

•  時間：1時間45分

Duration. One hour and 45 minutes.

•  練習のターゲット：基本技

中段順突き (Chudan jun-zuki)

Main target of today’s practice was the organic refinements of fundamental techniques. No care about PERFECT FORM nor FULL SPEED and POWER; rather, as Asai Sensei would say "...in training just move in accordance with the moment".

This is at the heart of the IKS: 

"NATURAL KARATE"

その場基本 (SONOBA KIHON)

High repetitions of the following eight kihon-waza.

① 中段順突き (Chudan jun-zuki)

② 中段逆突き (Chudan gyaku-zuki)

中段逆突き (Chudan gyaku-zuki)

③ 上段揚げ受け (Jodan age-uke)

④ 中段外受け (Chudan soto-uke)

⑤ 中段内受け (Chudan uchi-uke)

⑥ 下段払い (Gedan-barai)

⑦ 手刀中段受け (Shuto chudan-uke)

中段内受け (Chudan uchi-uke)

⑧ 中段前蹴り蹴上げ  (Chudan mae-geri keage)

 中段前蹴り蹴上げ  (Chudan mae-geri keage)

約束組手 (YAKUSOKU KUMITE)

Only two sets (both of attack and defense) of the following three forms of 'prearranged drills'. In Kihon Ippon Kumite and Jiyu Ippon Kumite I was particularly focused on angles in defense whilst maintaining precise kihon at maximum speed.

～ 五本組手の基本 (Gohon Kumite no Kihon)

〜 基本一本組手の基本 (Kihon Ippon Kumite no Kihon)

〜 自由一本組手の基本 (Jiyu Ippon Kumite no Kihon)

型 (KATA)

〜 燕飛 (Enpi)

I only executed Enpi twice, one slowly and once at full speed to simply conclude the session.

上段揚げ受け (Jodan age-uke)

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

Visitor from Kapiti Coast, New Zealand: Allan Youl

Allan Youl Sensei (4th Dan)—from the Kapiti Coast, New Zealand—visited Oita with his wife, brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

He studied for a couple of days here in the dojo.


Away from his training, it was great to hang out with him, Brenda, Steve and Vicky. Very nice times!!!


In the dojo I focused on teaching Allan several key points: (1) Especially correct 間合い (Maai) in Budo Karate—irrespective of art or style; (2) 自然空手： Healthy movement in kihon to protect the body and acquire maximum effectiveness; (3) 二十八歩 (Nijuhappo) Kata; (4) Key points of core classical Shotokan from Nakayama Masatoshi Sensei, and the extensions of this developed by my late  teacher: Master Tetsuhiko Asai; and (5) A more systematic and realistic kumite training methodology—that is, “specific goals for each form of kumite to achieve optimally effective karate”.

Early next year, January 31st and February 1st, Allan will host me for a seminar in New Zealand. It’s open to all karateka interested in traditional budo karate. For those attending, see you there!

Lastly, a big greeting to Allan, Brenda, Steven and Vicky. We hope that you had pleasant flight back to Aotearoa New Zealand.

押忍!!  アンドレ 

__________________________

André Bertel
7th Dan
International Karate Shotokan
国際空手道松濤館
Oita City, JAPAN

__________________________

 

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