押忍 (Osu) and Greetings from Oita City, Kyushu, Japan. This year I am only doing ONE SEMINAR IN EUROPE. It will be held in FREITAL, GERMANY on September 7th and 8th.  Also, this year, there will be no filming, only from our official camera. Therefore, only those who participate will access the full content of the seminar. Yes, we will provide a video, but it will only contain snippets of what will be taught over the two days. So, for those who attend, you will get the knowledge, but not the 'karate couch potatoes'.   For those who are serious about Karate as BUDO/BU ..read more

Jocelyn "Strob" Simard and his son Yamato (from Saint-Sauveur, Québec, Canada) came as trainees. Jocelyn’s wife Yuka (originally from Osaka) and his younger children, Yuto and Sayuki also came to the dojo. The training focused on 基本 (KIHON), including the following focal points: (1) Choku-zuki  mechanics; (2) Koshi no kaiten in zenkutsu-dachi—especially utilizing the rear leg correctly; (3) Gyaku-zuki basic and kumite application; (4) Fumidashi in zenkutsu-dachi; (5) Oi-zuki; (6) The four core ‘closed fist’ ukewaza with focus on hanmi and hikite; (7) Using gyaku-zuki after each uke to te ..read more

限界まで!  (GENKAI MADE) I don’t mean this term negatively or crazily, but in the context of CHALLENGING ONESELF. It means "TO THE LIMIT".   Today in my self-training I pushed myself to the limit.   This is not always possible to stay in good health, but occasionally, and obviously, very productive. This year I'm 48 years old, so I'm still very young, but I'm seeking the karate of Asai Sensei when he was 71, just before he passed away. I'm nowhere near his level. Saying "GENKI MADE", doesn't mean being stupid. We must not hurt ourselves. It is all about balance for each indivi ..read more

Today I did a slight variation from my current training regime, (especially in regard to my kihon practice, for those interested you may find it interesting to compare and contrast this). In sum, I'm posting this to highlight variations, which I intermittently do through the month. I wish everyone here in Japan and around the world the very best of health and high-level training. For those of you coming to Japan as Renshusei here at the Dojo, or attending upcoming seminars, see you soon! International Karate Shotokan has many special events in Japan and abroad coming up. 押忍! André Bertel KIHO ..read more

 Here is my current self-training regime.  OSU - AB. 移動基本 (IDO-KIHON) The first two 連続技 (Renzokuwaza) are hand attacks, the first with closed fists from the free style position and the second with open hands in zenkutsu-dachi. The first primarily relies upon propulsion and moving the center; whereas, the second primarily relies upon the whip like ‘muchiken’. The main point is to maximize the effectiveness of each individual waza.   1. (自由立ち、自由な構え) 上段刻み突きから上段追い突きそして中段逆突き (Jiyu-dachi, jiyu na kamae) Jodan kizami-zuki kara jodan oi-zuki soshite chudan gyaku-zuki.   2 ..read more

Here are some pictures from my self-training today. I think the images say more than text. I wish all who read this post the very best in your training! OSU - AB Mae-geri keage kara oi-zuki. Keep the shisei (posture) as much as possible. Migi jodan age-uke fires directly from the hiki-te position and is 'sent' via the hip action and 'shoulder snap'. Hidari gedan-barai (higher grades must adjust the 'uke height' based on their physique and optimal effectiveness, as opposed to the basic 'one fist above the lead leg). Chudan soto-uke... Elbow set but the uke wr ..read more

Usually, I'd travel somewhere here inside Oita City, Oita Prefecture, or somewhere else in Japan to enjoy Sakura. However, due to being so busy travelling around Japan in March, my family and I decided to simply enjoy the cherry blossoms directly around our home. The very light rain and dim skies made for a serene atmosphere. While by no means being professional photos, and just shot and posted now, I hope you enjoy them.   © André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024 ..read more

 Ken Bainbridge Sensei brought a group of students from his dojo (Avon Valley Karate in Toodyay, Western Australia) to train here in Oita. Actually, Ken Sensei brought me to his club to conduct a seminar in 2011; furthermore, this was his third time to train with me here in Japan. If you use the 'Search Engine' here on the site, you can read about these times, also access some video footage.   The following ‘brief outline’ is for Ken Sensei and his students, basically ‘bullet points’ to remind them of the aspects covered on this visit.  Ken Sensei with his group from Toody ..read more

 Christa Lehmann (4th Dan), from Switzerland, once again returned to Oita for private training. Of course, it was not only great to have her here in the dojo, but also to catch up.  This time her first request was to work on 鉄騎三段 Tekki Sandan Kata. Other kata covered included some key points from: 平安初段Heian Shodan, 鉄騎二段 Tekki Nidan, 燕飛 Enpi, and 五十四歩小 Gojushiho Sho (amongst others).   Christa also requested to go through core kihon. So, I concentrated on: 1. Sanchin-dachi; 2. the transition from Fudo-dachi (outward tension) to Sanchin ..read more

I enjoyed a two-hour beach training in Miyazaki. Just kihon, kata, and some basic conditioning work, but an excellent session. My focus was on 体の伸縮 (TAI NO SHIHSHUKU): the contraction and expansion of the body, which can both large/extreme, subtle, and/or a mix of both.  I’ve personally always enjoyed training on different surfaces. Dry sand, in particular, makes the drive of the sasae-ashi challenging. Needless to say, this propulsive ‘stretch’ of the rear is of critical importance for the execution of budo karate thrusts and keriwaza.   What’s ironic here is that in sports karate ..read more