What an opportunity…

On the 7th of March, some of us had the pleasure to train with a renowned karateka, Masao Kagawa Shihan (9th Dan). Born in Osaka in 1955, he won many competitions in the eighties and early nineties (refer to his impressive CV below !) and he is currently the Chief Instructor of the Japanese Karate Shoto-federation (JKS).

The course started with a number of simple drills – slowly increasing in complexity – aimed at understanding the role of the hips in generating power (e.g. by keeping the punching hand as far back as possible when punching oi suki shudan, until the very last second), the importance of being fully relaxed (starting with the upper body and shoulders), the importance of breathing. Squatting was used throughout as a strengthening exercise – and became a cause of much fatigue over the following 72 hours…

A big thank to the JKS crew (Alan Campbell, Wendy Campbell, Matt Price, Shyam Raithatha, etc.) for welcoming us on the day and allowing us to train with such a renowed karateka !

Osu…

Kihon / Exercise 1 (start from the natural standing position and go back into natural standing position in between each technique)

– Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi, punching Oi Zuki Chudan;
– Step forward into Zenkutsu Dachi Migi, punching Oi Zuki Chudan;
– Step into Kiba Dachi to the left, punching with elbow strike / back fist ;
– Step into Kiba Dachi to the right, punching with elbow strike / back fist ;
– Step back into Kokutsu Dachi / a knife hand block ;
– Step back into Kokutsu Dachi Migi / a knife hand block.

Kihon / Exercise 2 (as per exercise 1, SQUATTING in between each technique)

Kihon / Exercise 3 (start from the natural standing position and go back into natural standing position in between each technique) [ variation from exercise 1 ]

– Step into Zenkutsu Dachi with Mae Geri, punching Oi Zuki Chudan;
– Step into Zenkutsu Dachi migi with Mae Geri, punching Oi Zuki Chudan;
– Step into Kiba Dachi (left) with Keage, punching with elbow strike ;
– Step into Kiba Dachi (right) with Keage, punching with elbow strike ;
– Front leg Mawashi Geri, back into Kokutsu Dachi / knife hand block ;
– Front leg Mawashi Geri, back into Kokutsu Dachi Migi / knife hand block.

Kihon / Exercise 4 (as per exercise 3, SQUATTING in between each technique)

Kihon / Exercise 5 (start from Zenkutsu Dachi Migi)

– Step into Zenkutsu Dachi with Mae Geri, punching Oi Zuki Chudan;
– Step right into Zenkutsu Dachi Migi with Keage, punching Gyaku Zuki ;
– Step to front into Zenkutsu Dachi with Mawashi Geri, Gyaku Zuki.

Kihon / Exercise 6 (as per exercise 5, starting from Zenkutsu Dachi)

A number of exercises in Kiba Dachi followed, e.g. moving 90 degrees to the side and punching, pulling back to the front and punching twice, before moving to the other side and punching again, etc.

Kihon / Exercise 7 & 8

A very simple – yet tricky – exercise consisting in a single Oi Zuki Shudan stepping forward ; the goal is to make sure the punching hand is kept as much back as possible in the Hanmi position, until the very last second – to generate as much power as possible. A similar exercise is performed going back, trying to use the hips to generate the power required to step back (i.e. in theory the front foot does not need to touch the floor)…

Kumite / Routine 1 (with a partner)

– Attack Oi Zuki Jodan x 2, stepping forward in Zenkutsu Dachi ;
– Defend upper rising block and counter x 2 ;
– Attack Oi Zuki Chudan x 2 stepping forward in Zenkutsu Dachi ;
– Defend Soto Uki and counter x 2 ;
– Attack Mae Geri x 2 stepping forward in Zenkutsu Dachi ;
– Defend Gedan Barai and counter x 2 ;
– Attack Mawashi Geri x 2 stepping forward in Zenkutsu Dachi ;
– Defend vertical block and counter x 2 ;
– Attack Spinning back fist x 2 stepping forward in Zenkutsu Dachi ;
– Defend vertical block and counter x 2.

Kumite / Routine 2

With an opponent in Zenkutsu Dachi against a wall, attack with a Kizami Zuki to the face… Opponent defends with a simple deflecting block (opened hand)… Routine is enhanced when the Kizami is immediately followed by a Gyaku Zuki Shudan… Opponent defends with the same simple deflecting block before a Gedan Barai with the same hand.

Kata

This was all leading up to Gojushiho Sho and how to generate power in the Kata…

 

Photos (for some, Credit to Robert Graham Photography)

 

Curriculum Vitae

1978	5th Kanto Uni. Championships	Individual Kumite 1st place
1979	6th Kanto Uni. Championships	Individual Kumite 3rd place
1983	26th All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 3rd place
1983	JKF All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 2nd place
1983	1st World Cup	Team Kata 1st place
1983	3rd IAKF World Championships	Team Kumite 1st place
1983	12th All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 1st place
1984	27th All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 2nd place
1984	27th All Japan Championships	Individual Kata 2nd place
1985	28th All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 1st place
1985	28th All Japan Championships	Individual Kata 1st place
1985	1st Shoto Cup Championships	Individual Kumite 3rd place
1985	1st Shoto Cup Championships	Individual Kata 3rd place
1985	14th All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 3rd place
1986	6th International Team Event	Team Kumite 1st place
1988	31st All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 2nd place
1988	2nd Shoto Cup	Individual Kata 2nd place
1988	2nd Shoto Cup	Team Kumite 1st place
1988	2nd Shoto Cup	Team Kata 1st place
1989	32nd All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 1st place
1989	32nd All Japan Championships	Individual Kata 3rd place
1990	3rd Shoto Cup	Individual Kumite 1st place
1990	3rd Shoto Cup	Individual Kata 3rd place
1990	3rd Shoto Cup	Team Kumite 2nd place
1990	33rd All Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 1st place
1990	33rd All Japan Championships	Individual Kata 1st place
1990	1st World Games in Dubai	Individual Kumite 1st place
1990	1st World Games in Dubai	Individual Kata 1st place
1990	1st World Games in Dubai	Team Kumite 2nd place
1991	34thAll Japan Championships	Individual Kumite 1st place
1991	34thAll Japan Championships	Individual Kata 1st place