“As a mirror’s polished surface reflects whatever stands before it and a quiet valley carries even small sounds, so must the student of Karate-Do render of their mind empty of selfishness and wickedness in an effort to react appropriately toward anything they might encounter. This is the meaning of kara or “empty” of Karate-Do.”
by Gichin Funakoshi
Sensei Andre Bertel is direct student of the renowned karate master Asai Tetsuhiko was a prominent Japanese master of Shotokan karate who was a former Technical Director of the Japan Karate Association (JKA). He combined the long distance fighting method of Shotokan and the short distance fighting method of White Crane Kung Fu along with kobudo (Okinawan weapons).
Impression of the course in Sevilla 2015 from the Shotokai Ryu. It was held by sensei Mitsusuke Harada, he is a direct student of master Gichin Funakoshi and his uchi deshi Shigeru Egami. In Shotokai fluent movements, working with the physical- and psychical-conditions is typical and mostly unknown in other modern karate styles.
A brief explanation from Shihan Hirokazu Kanazawa(1931) about “mushin” in relation of the meaning with the empty mind. This short interview was made around 2007.
Note: please watch the extraordinary tsukis with the special relaxed twist of the fist around the 30 seconds in the video. You normally don’t see this technique by karatekas.
Karate demostration by Shihan Kunio Kobayashi from the JKA, feel the karate spirit.
生涯武道、植木政明師範。75歳の空手。Karate Master Ueki Shihan, 75 years old. A real inspiration for a long live practicing in the way of karate-do, oss.
Udekitae – Arms and legs conditioning in Goju-ryu.
Sensei Hideo Ochi at his prime, in charge as national trainer of Germany.
Randori with Sensei Kanazawa & Sensei Asano 1970.
Sensei Kiyohide Shinjo from Uechi-Ryu Karate.
Interview with MORIO HIGAONNA 東恩納 盛男,
3rd generation Founder of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate.
Interview with world-renowned Japanese master of Shotokan karate, HIROKAZU KANAZAWA 金澤 弘和, born on 3 May 1931. He is teaching the style of Gichin Funakoshi, founding father of Shotokan-Ryu Karate.