This video shows Mitsusuke Harada, the head of Karate-Do Shotokai (KDS), and one of his senior students demonstrating their technique. In many cases they are unbalancing people with what appears to be the lightest of touches, and in some cases with no touch at all. I admire Harada-Sensei and his pedigree (he studied under Gichin…
In 1905, jujitsu pioneer Sadakazu Uyenishi and his students issued the Textbook of Ju-jutsu. It was partly illustrated with “cinematographics” produced by the Gaumont Film Company. Here it is reanimated for the first time in more than 100 years. The video was uploaded by the Bartitsu Society, a group devoted to British self-defence pioneer Edward William…
Below is an article I wrote for Ryushu47, the newsletter put together by Sakamoto-Sensei for Ryusei Karate-Do (sadly, most of it is in Japanese). It is one of the tributes to William Dometrich, ninth dan and head of the United States Chito-ryu Karate Federation, who died on March 22. It is with great sadness that…
This is a copy of an essay passed on by Sakamoto Sensei, written by Jonathan de’ Claire BSc(Hons) PGCE, instructor of the South Glamorgan Karate-do Shotokai (KDS) group. When we first begin learning Karate, generally youth is on our side. The raw power and passion of youth further develops into adulthood and this can be extended into…
On the weekend, I enjoyed teaching a Ryusei karate clinic, in Chesley, Ont., hosted by instructors Matt Mannerow and Peter Zehr. Not only did the clinic attract Peter and Matt’s students, it was attended by instructors Rick Going and Kam Miranbigi, and their student Alex, from Ottawa Ryusei Karate-Do, and Kevin Fobert of our Belleville…
Are “warming up” and “stretching” the same thing? Often people equate the two. But “warming up” and “long-term flexibility development” are really quite different concepts that have evolved over time. And our practice should reflect that. Faced with some sport or physical endeavour, most people want to jump right into it, but then that little…
