Wantage Karate Club

The Saturday session was well attended by approximately 80 karate-ka from 6th Kyu and above. The warm up consisted of a number of stretches based on Shiatsu and Makko Ho exercises to improve the flow of energy or qi around the body. Each movement works on specific pairs of meridians (energy channels) enhancing their function. Apparently Sensei Heene is well versed in such traditional oriental self healing techniques that also includes reflexology on the soles of the feet that improve the functionality of various internal organs.

A series of movements were then taught which incorporated basic blocks and counter attacks all based in Fudo dachi. The sequence included a number of changes in direction and heal steps. Having memorised this mini kata we then partnered up where the role of the attacker and defender continually changed over the duration of the combination. Amongst others, the purpose of the drill was to utilise the momentum of the attacker to either help the defender counter attack strongly or to aid tai sabachi (body evasion). The first and last moments of the drill were good examples of this.

The opening block consisted of an age uke that tried to redirect the attackers energy to immediately counter attack with the same arm using a chudan tate ken zuki (vertical fist punch). The vast majority of counter attacking stances used Fudo Dachi that is typical of Sensei Kase style of Shotokan. This is based on the principle that power is generated from a deep-rooted stance that utilises the dropping of the Hara. Body pressure exerts down hard into the floor keeping the feet flat at all times. This is distinctly different to the rear leg thrust of the majority of Shotokan styles. The last move consisted of a Gedan barai to avoid a Mai geri. The momentum of the attacker was used to help turn the defender to enable a Ushiro geri to be administered to the opponent’s floating ribs area.

The course then progressed onto Kata with Sochin and bunkei being taught. Sensei Heene explained that during the Kata the Karate-ka should have the feeling of defending the ramparts of a fortress. The rhythm of the kata should be segregated into three distinct parts. The first section the Karate-ka calmly defends three side of the castle giving the outside attackers the impressive that it is far more heavily defended. This corresponds to the sequence of moves in the first three directions that terminated in Nidan zuki’s. The middle section tempo is increased, as each facet of the fortress needs defending strongly from the now invading attackers. This corresponds to both uraken and keage combinations and the four Shoto ukes. During the last section the attackers have penetrated the castle walls and the Karate-ka is in mortal danger. The only hope of survival is to break out and go on the offensive. This corresponds to the combination of techniques in the reverse direction beginning with two shuto ukes and culminating in Mai geri and Nidan zuki.

Due to time restrictions, limited bunkei applications focussed on the use of Nagashi uke (sliding block) and tate shoto uke to re-direct the attackers arm (from above the elbow) away from the defender to enable a nidan zuki counter attack.

This was the second time I have trained at an ESA event and find the significant differences in body dynamics puzzling at first. Having seen skilled individuals on said courses I am in no doubt that these techniques are just as effective as our own methods. I thoroughly enjoyed this insight into Sensei Kase style of Shotokan Karate and if the chance arises I will attend this annually held course next year.

Paul Edwards