Shotokan (Shōtōkan) is a style of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo (Yoshitaka) Funakoshi (1906–1945)
From 17th-19th March 2017 WSKF England held training courses with Kasuya Sensei (Chief Instructor, 8th Dan) as part of his ‘International Open Tour’, assisted by Tomiko Mitsuoka Sensei, 8th Dan. Below is a reportage with a selection of some of the images from the training session that took place at Renseikan Dojo on Saturday 18th March.
All images can be viewed and purchased via the link below:
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As a young girl I grew up resisting sport, as in Australia it is so important that it has become an unhealthy national obsession. I was more interested in visual arts at school and had just one friend who sort of secretly did Karate without even telling me. Beyond that I knew little about this martial art.
My husband had already practiced the sport as a child and again briefly while in Germany as a student. He decided to take it up again, along with our two eldest children just a couple of years ago. I saw how it improved my husband’s health and how it brought confidence to our children in a variety of different ways. Observing them practicing I couldn’t help but get involved but tried my hardest just to watch. Our son enjoyed this being his time with Papa and I didn’t want to disturb that, but I was intrigued and couldn’t help wanting to give it a go.
So fast forward to the summer of 2016 and I became a karateka. I didn’t expect it, but somehow it just suited me. The philosophy, the combination of body, mind and spirit – the rhythm. It all just felt right. I love it when things comes together. I found that I enjoyed the movements and learning to control my body in a different way. I am also getting exercise and just feel physically better. It helps clear my mind also and I am learning a way to defend myself if I ever need that. It is actually liberating.
The way that it is a form of art is also important to me. Learning and performing a Kata is not just about practicing techniques to defend yourself, but it is also a performance that, when done well is very beautiful to watch. You must imagine the opponents as you move and your entire body, your breath, your physical and mental strength are involved. The Kata is my favourite part about Karate as it is almost a battle with yourself, encompassing art, sport, mind and spirit.
The WSKF ENGLAND National Karate Championships 2016 on Sunday 13th November 2016 @12.30, in the Spelthorne Leisure Centre, Knowle Green, SStaines-Upon-Thames, was a success.
Aminata Atteby (purple belt) who won a gold medal said:
“It took a while to get to Staines, but it was worth it for the medal. I had to check what section I was placed in. At first I just watched others doing their katas; pondering who would win and who would lose. I watched as people were told if they won; high-fiving and fist bumping each other. Then it was my turn.
I lined up with 4 others, bowed and sat, waiting for my time to stand. Soon I was up, butterflies fluttering in my insides. As there was only me and one other in my segment, I was allowed the choice of my own kata. Once I had finished, adrenaline rushed to my head; my opponent’s score was the same as mine! I watched as the judges rushed around, wondering how to solve the problem at hand. A few seconds and I had won! I smiled and laughed as my mother had also gotten first.
Later, we cheered the competitors doing kumite on. Friends from our dojo were recognised and won medals just as us. I saw friends chatting and congratulating each other. The medals ceremony was long, but it was nice to watch others be happy, holding medals in their hands. Only very few didn’t get medals yet everyone was happy. I did feel like I hadn’t done enough, only brandishing one, golden medal, but one was good enough.”
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The Opinion of Elijah (1st Kyu)
I entered the national WSKF karate competition on Sunday 13th October 2016. Firstly I was pleased by the decision to enter the competition and got third place but before that, I trained as hard as I could. I felt more nervous than ever (except when I get in trouble) but that wasn’t the case here. The case is that I trained hard and I worked many hours day after day. Each day I would train at least 1 hour and then I would do homework, work on another sport or relax.
I was nervous as we stepped into the train and went to the competition. Later we got there and met our sensei and some people from our dojo, I was delighted to find out I only had to compete against nine people. I beat my first opponent but both of my friends lost the first round. I had to battle four strangers in the final and I only just made it but I got there in the end I was pleased with myself as I got a higher score than the fourth competitor and got the joint third place with him. Though I think I should’ve been 2nd.
Sunday 13th November 2016 @12.30 in the Spelthorne Leisure Centre
Knowle Green
Staines Upon-Thames
TW18 1AJ
Further Competition Information: 07739 897 917 – albert.gustis@gmail.com
WSKF ENGLAND – Rules and Regulations on the Day of the Competition
Kata
All Kata Categories will be judged by Flag and the final judged by points
Kumite
WSKF ENGLAND Competition Guidelines…
What does Karate-Do mean ?
The question comes very often about Karate-do. Lots of people interested in practising Karate ask themselves the difference between Karate and Karate-do. They are usually confronted with this question when trying to look for a club where they could start Karate. So we will try to clarify things and help everyone to understand what Karate-do stands for.
To keep this post short, we won’t go back to the origins of Karate but it is important to know that Karate as practised nowadays was developed in Japan.
In Japanese, kara (空?) means « empty », precisely « vacuum » and te the hand. In extension, Karate means « empty hand ».
Do means the way, the technique, the art.
When we combine all the japanese words above, Karate-Do means the technique used to defend oneself with empty hands – which implies without external weapons, using only the body. But beyond this primary definition, Karate-Do is an Art – a way of life.
Practising Karate-Do is being in the journey of becoming an artist in the way of defending one’s self with empty hands. This is much deeper than just punching others. It requires one to live according to some strict principles.
The 20 principles of Gichin Funakoshi, considered the father of modern Karate-Do
#1 Never forget that karate begins and ends with respect.
#2 There is no first attack in karate.
#3 Karate fosters righteousness.
#4 First know yourself and then know others.
#5 Rather than physical technique, mental technique.
#6 Let your mind roam freely.
#7 Inattention and neglect causes misfortune.
#8 Never think that karate is practiced only in the dojo.
#9 Karate is a life-long pursuit.
#10 Everything you encounter is an aspect of karate: find the marvellous truth there.
#11 Karate is like boiling water: if you do not keep the flame high, it turns tepid.
#12 Do not think about winning; think about not losing.
#13 Respond in accordance to your opponent.
#14 Wage the battle with natural strategy.
#15 Regard your hands and feet as sharp swords.
#16 Step out the door and you face 10,000 foes.
#17 Learn various stances as a beginner but then rely on a natural posture.
#18 The kata must always be practiced correctly: real combat is another matter.
#19 Never forget your own strengths and weakness, the limitations of your body, and the relative quality of your techniques.
#20 Continuously polish your mind.
So, for everyone who wants to practise Karate-Do, they should know that it is more about these principles than the simple technique. Without internalising the principles of Karate-Do, one might excel in some techniques but will never become an Artist of Karate-Do
This is the new WSKF Administration from 1st of December 2015 till 1st December 2017.
1) President: Haruo UEDA
2) Vice President:
Michael DUKAS,
Mouin FAOURI,
Fouad KORBAN
3) Auditor: Manabu IHARA
4) Chief instructor: Hitoshi KASUYA
5) Senior director board:
Kotaro HIRUTA
Hitoshi KASUYA
Yukio IZAWA
Toshiyuki MASUI