Saturday, 8 February 2025

善は急げ (ZEN WA ISOGE)

The Japanese Proverb of  善は急げ (which is read: ぜんはいそげ or "Zen wa isoge") implies 'not to procrastinate". I felt this was an ideal title for this post.

After my daily keiko today, I turn my thoughts towards Aotearoa (NEW ZEALAND). I’ll be traveling there from tomorrow to conduct an exclusive セミナー (Seminar) in Christchurch City. For those who managed to book a place in this ‘limited number of participants’ budo event… おめでとうございます!Congratulations!!!


With that in mind I’d like the opportunity to highlight ‘who can come’ and ‘who can’t come’ to my seminars: or here to Japan as a 練習生 (Renshusei).


The answer to that is: there are no politics!


That is, everyone who is serious about traditional Japanese Budo Karate is welcome.


Here in Japan, while I mostly instruct Shotokan Karateka, I also instruct high-level exponents from Shito Ryu, Goju Ryu, Wado Ryu and some other Kaiha/Ryuha as well. In sum, Karate Famiy!


Those who cannot come to my seminars are simply those who missed the available places at the seminar (usually determined by the Dojo and/or Sports Hall buildings ‘maximum number of people’/capacity, or the organizers ‘cap’ on the maximum number of attendees at the event).


In the case of wanting to be a Renshusei, it’s simply a case of the applicant booking the days and hours before someone else does. It is literally a ‘first-in-first-served’ system, which is necessary for me as a professional karate instructor in Japan).


Another question I’m constantly asked is “What is the easiest times to book being a Renshusei? The answer to this is 12月 (December) and 1月 (January); that being said, it is really essential to still secure your booking early, as intermittently I get a wave of Renshsusei in these months. 

Accordingly, secure your days and times—so that they are yours!!!


Likewise, for those wishing to book a December or January Seminar, again, it is 'first-in-first-served'.


Last but not least, for those attending the upcoming Seminar in New Zealand, see you in Christchurch on February 15th and 16th. Please come knowing that it will be a time of sharing world-class knowledge from Japan—to improve your karate; furthermore, it will be in a spirit of mutual respect and friendship. 


押忍!  

アンドレ

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

Saturday, 1 February 2025

Extra "Daily Self-Training" in January

前蹴り蹴込み (爪先) Mae-geri kekomi utilizing Tsumasaki.

In January, as is my tradition, I challenge myself to do two daily self-trainings (instead of just the one) each day. To clarify, these two sessions are separate from any classes I instruct, which, needless to say, are also a workout.


 In this post I will outline this extra session, which solely focused on Sonoba Kihon and linking this to Kata and Kumite. A special feature being the classical variations of MAE-GERI.


To clarify, the average duration of my self-training throughout the year is two-hours. This was the same in January for my normal session. However, this additional practice averaged at one-hour in duration. In conclusion, this extra session concluded yesterday. OSU! - AB


基本 (KIHON)

その場基本 (Sonoba-Kihon)


1. 中段直突き (自然体)
    Chudan choku-zuki

2. 上段直突き
    Jodan choku-zuki


3. その場前屈立ち、腰の回転
    Sonoba zenkutsu-dachi, Koshi no kaiten

4. 中段逆突き
       Chudan gyaku-zuki

5. 上段逆突き
    Jodan gyaku-zuki

6. 上段刻み突き
     Jodan kizami-zuki

7. 連技1: 上段刻み突きから中段逆突き
    Renwaza 1: Jodan kizami-zuki kara chudan gyaku-zuki

8. 連技2: 上段刻み突きから上段逆突き
    Renwaza 2: Jodan kizami-zuki kara jodan gyaku-zuki

9. 連技3: 上段揚げ受けから手同じで上段刻み突き
    Renwaza 3: Jodan age-uke kara te onaji de jodan kizami-zuki            kara chudan gyaku-zuki




型 (KATA)

I. 平安三段
    Heian Sandan

II. 平安三段の基本分解: 振り猿臂から裏拳上段縦回し打ち           (騎馬立ち) Heian Sandan no kihon bunkai: Furi enpi kara       
          jodan uraken tatemawashi uchi

III. 平安五段
       Heian Godan

IV.  平安五段の基本分解: 挙動20から23
       Heian Godan no kihon bunkai: Kyodou 20-23

V.    旋掌
       Sensho




組手 (KUMITE)

(1) [前蹴りの基本分解]
Mae-geri no kihon bunkai

Supplementary notes are needed here... There are two main forms of mae-geri keage and three main forms of mae-geri kekomi. In modern day Shotokan-Ryu, the main focus is chudan and jodan mae-geri keage utilizing josokutei (in English, 'the ball of the foot'); however, mae-geri kekomi utilizing kakato (the heel) is featured in Unsu Kata.

In pre-WW2 Shotokan, there were more variations of mae-geri in general practice. For example, keage with the instep to the opponent's testicles; kekomi to the solar plexus and under the chin with the heel; attacking with the toe tips to the throat: etcetera.




蹴上げ (KEAGE)
a. 前蹴り蹴上げ (上足底)
     Mae-geri keage (Josokutei)

b.  前蹴り蹴上げ (背足)
      Mae-geri keage (Haisoku)


蹴込み (KEKOMI)
c.  前蹴り蹴込み (上足底)
     Mae-geri kekomi (Josokutei)

d.  前蹴り蹴込み (踵)
     Mae-geri keage (Kakato)

e.   前蹴り蹴込み (爪先)
      Mae-geri keage (Tsumasaki)


(2) 旋掌型組手の分解
Sensho kata kumite no bunkai


押忍! 
アンドレ
空手に先手なし!
©︎ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

Friday, 17 January 2025

得意技 (TOKUI-WAZA) and a more important point

André Bertel - January (2025) - Kangeiko.

There is a major misunderstanding about 得意技 (TOKUI-WAZA) in present-day karate and, the problem is, how “… most karateka rate people’s technical level mostly by appearance”. That is, by external performance.



This misunderstanding is FATAL for anyone seeking authentic karate; that is karate, which is optimally reliable in actual self-defense. I need to expand on that... Optimally effective against a strong and violent attacker.


Please understand, KARATE MUST BE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE!!!!!!!!! Otherwise, NO MEANING!!!!!! Karate is not a game; it is life or death in an unprovoked attack.


In 武道空手 (Budo Karate), which is the authentic art of Karate, technique is literally 武術わざ (Bujutsu-waza). To clarify what this, “bujutsu-waza constantly seeks to achieve 一撃必殺 (Ichigeki-hissatsu).


Therefore, the Tokui-Waza must literally epitomize this functionality.


Let’s consider the tokui-waza of some of the Shotokan legends. Consider instructors like Enoeda Keinosuke Sensei’s 突き (Tsuki), Tanaka Masahiko Sensei’s 刻み蹴り(Kizami-geri), or Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei’s use of 転身 (Tenshin) and 鞭拳 (Muchiken).


I often see instructors copying the movements of such masters, yet from a professional perspective, clearly just having a ‘photocopy’ of the real thing.


The fact is, Tokui-waza requires total dedication of training to become truly effective, and this includes intensive impact training, and various evaluative systems to monitor development and reccession. Within this formula 自由組手 (Jiyu Kumite) is utterly imperative and, even though it’s not the same as real fighting, it is neccesary to develop the critical skill sets against non-compliant training partner.


Considering the above three masters, Enoeda, Tanaka and Asai, all three could immediately finish any opponent with their Tokui-waza. This is what a true tokui-waza is



I feel really sad that so many karateka have lost the traditional understandings of karate. Accordingly, many Japanese Shotokan legends here in Japan have encouraged me to spread the truth.


Here in the Dojo there will be many Renshusei, and some Renshusei from other countries. We need to work together to keep TRADITIONAL KARATE alive and well. This is a very big job, as many who appear to teach traditional karate are actually nothing more than dancers.


This year, IKS 国際空手道松濤館 (International Karate Shotokan) will work closely with our Shoto, Goju, Shito, Wado and other ryuha friends to preserve Budo/Bujutsu Karate, which is reflective of one’s tokuiwaza.

押忍!
アンドレ
 

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

Thursday, 16 January 2025

1st André Bertel POLAND SEMINAR:

I’ll be conducting my first International Budo Karate Seminar in Szczecin, POLAND on MAY 17th and 18th.


It will be hosted by Klub Karate Pomerania Szczecin.

To ensure that you secure your place at the seminar, contact the organizers at karate.pomerania@gmail.com

Greetings from Oita City, Japan. See you in Poland!


押忍! 
アンドレ
©︎ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2025).

Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Four Seminars outside Japan in 2025

If another Seminar -- outside Japan -- is booked in last quarter of 2025 (October, November or December), we will update you here, on this site and link it via other social media platforms.

 However, thus far, the International Seminars are as follows (you can click on the poster to enlarge the details):

Again, my advice is, if you wish to attend ANY of these events: BOOK EARLY with the organizers, as people always miss out - as they are ALWAYS completely sold out.



February — CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand.


May — POMERANIAPoland.


July — VOHENSTRAUß / BAVARIA, Germany.


September — WILDAU / BRANDENBURG, Germany.


As the above poster states: Each seminar will be VERY DIFFERENT, different Kata, different Oyo (Applications) and different Budo/Bujutsu Principles.

押忍!!
André


—————————————

André Bertel

7th Dan

International Karate Shotokan

国際空手道松濤館

Oita City, JAPAN 

—————————————




 押忍!

アンドレ 


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

Tuesday, 14 January 2025

Report by PAUL KALLENDER-UMEZU

Karate Optimization by André Bertel-Sensei

Report by PAUL KALLENDER-UMEZU 


Methods themselves are weaponsThey are all just sides of one active, fighting and charged life. Oswald Spengler, Man and Technics, 1931.

 

 

In this piece, I will go into details about Andre Bertel-sensei's Karate optimization training as I have recently experienced itup front and personally, in one-on-one training at Bertel-senseis office, the Oita Budo Sports Center