Shotokan Karateka, and perhaps most styles, are often obsessed, even fixated, with ‘power’, and the magic word called ‘Kime’. Firstly we need to fully comprehend the concept and science of ‘Kime’; but I am often left wondering if we do really understand its real relevance? Is ‘Kime’ just an ideology? Is it a creation of Nakayama Masatoshi’s halcyon days …
Category Archives: Technical
KYO, JITSU, MA-AI, SUKI – TOOLS OF KUMITE.
空手の組手 From the get-go I need to state that I was never a great ‘Kumite’ exponent, and for that very reason, plus participating in instructor training sessions I learned the theories and tools that assisted me along my journey. I grew up in the ‘blood and guts’ era of karate where pads were forbidden (other than a …
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着眼点 Chakugan Ten of Kata – Point of Focus
An instructor’s submission for consideration. This essay has been submitted by Carl Gigg, Yondan, of the Gima-Ha UK (Shisei Kai Branch). Please give it careful consideration. Chakugan Ten of Kata Essay by Carl Gigg For this essay, we are looking at the ten elements of kata, highlighting five or six points in detail for discussion. …
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Ramblings on Kata 
Formalised karate ‘kata’ are normally practised within the Shoto-Ryu/Shoto-Kan/Shoto-Kai systems (and in fact most Okinawa and Japanese Budo systems, not just karate-do/), as a solitary ‘enbu’ (performance); therefore, the ‘Kata No Ju Taiyoso’ (ten elements of kata) appropriately apply to the person practising or demonstrating the kata (read ‘performing’), and not the ‘imaginary’ opponent being ‘contested’ …
Unsoku and Tameru
FOOTWORK ‘Unsoku’ or ‘Footwork’ is an essential element to all ‘Fighting Arts’, and within ‘Japanese Budo’ it becomes part of the ‘Kihon’ structure. We see it within all the ‘Kata’, and it goes without saying that without it, ‘Kumite’ become ‘limp’ and most likely ineffective. ‘Unsoku’ is essential for being able to fight with ‘skill’ …
Yokeru – Koto
For the past few days, during Zoom training, we have been looking at Happo Sabaki/Tai Sabaki; i.e. the 8 directions of attack and defence. We are now moving forward, from ‘simple Sabaki’ to the more ‘complex Sabaki’. This will bring terminology that you may not be as familiar with. It is quite important, within karate, …