Mark Sensei, Micha Sensei, 日本に来てくれて私との稽古を楽しんでくれて本当にありがとうございました。 2年前に東京で開催した国際交流稽古会で初めてお会いした和道流オランダのGertjan Martens Senseiとはすぐに心が繋がったことを覚えています。私に対して伝えたいことや想いが私の中に明確に入ってくる特別な感覚を私は体験しました。私は貴方のことを決して忘れません。 もうひとつ大切なこと。
本日、アメリカ合衆国ハワイ州ホノルルで偉大な空手道の先生の葬儀が行われました。私は参列することは出来ませんでしたが、これまでのご恩に報いたく11月22日に開催される『The Final All Hawaii Championships』に選手と審判として参加し微力ながら成功に向け尽力し、その後は展墓し感謝の気持ちを伝えて参ります。
『Japan-Netherlands Exchange Training Session: Practicing shared body mechanics—specifically center-of-gravity shifting and the rotation of the supporting leg—across the progression from Kihon to Kata, Kata to Kihon Kumite, Kihon Kumite to Tachi Dori, and Tachi Dori to Kumite』 Two practitioners from Wado-ryu Netherlands joined class on 27th Sep.
Although the training venue is only a five-minute bus ride from our meeting point at the station, we learned that the next bus wouldn’t arrive for another fifteen minutes. So, treating the walk as a warm-up before training, the three of us decided to hike up the hill on foot—a twenty-minute journey. Along the way, we shared many fond memories of a great sensei who had passed away on last year yesterday. Mark Sensei and Micha Sensei, thank you so much for coming to Japan and enjoying our training sessions together.
I remember instantly connecting with Gertjan Martens Sensei of Wado-ryu Netherlands when we first met at an international exchange training event in Tokyo two years ago. I experienced a unique sensation where his thoughts and the message he wished to convey resonated clearly within me. I will never forget you.
One more important matter: Today, the funeral for a great Karate-do sensei was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. Although I could not attend in person, I wish to honor the debt of gratitude I owe him. To that end, I will participate as both a competitor and a referee in “The Final All Hawaii Championships” on November 22nd, doing my utmost—however humbly—to ensure the event’s success. Afterward, I will visit Sensei’s grave to express my heartfelt gratitude.
今回の動画の挿入歌には「You know the road is to tomorrow. Will you ride along with me again ?」という歌詞があります。生徒たちと仲間たちの顔が私の頭の中に浮かび、「この道は明日へと続いてる。君はまた私と一緒に稽古をしてくれるかい？」と和訳しました。私には私を信じてずっと一緒に稽古してくれる生徒たちと仲間たちがいるので、諦めることなくこれからも研究と稽古そして挑戦を続けて行きます。
The 62nd Wado-ryu Karate-do Renmei National Tournament was held at the Tokyo Budokan over two days, August 29 and 30. Sixteen competitors from our team participated, with six achieving top placements.
・Katsuhisa Tomitaka : 1st place (Men’s Jukuren Kumite Division), 2nd place (Men’s & Women’s Jukuren Kata Division), 3rd Place (Kihon Kumite Division)
・Mika Shinoaki : 1st place (Women’s Jukuren Kumite Division), 5th place (Men’s & Women’s Sounen Kata Division)
・Iwao Takeshita: 5th place (Men’s Jukuren Kumite Division), 3rd place (Men’s & Women’s Sounen Kata Division), 3rd Place (Kihon Kumite Division)
・Yui: 5th Place (9-10 years old girl’s Kata Division)
・Shion: 5th Place (9-10 years old girl’s Kata Division), (9-10 years old girl’s Kumite Division)
・Tsubasa: (9 years old boy’s Kata Division)
After the final match of the Men’s Jukuren Kumite division, several people asked me, “Why did you attack so aggressively?” so I would like to explain my reasoning here. I won the Men’s Jukuren Kumite division at the 9th International Tournament and 60th National Tournament (held in 2024 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the school’s founding), receiving the “Black Medal” and the rank of Jin-i from the Grandmaster Ⅲ Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei. Link here 👇 https://youtu.be/8h5b_pybY_w?si=liRTzHP7jSE6Efsu
For the Men’s Jukuren Kumite division at the 61st Wado-ryu Karate-do Renmei National Tournament held the following year (2025), I entered the competition with the determination to showcase movements and techniques that surpassed those of the previous year. I focused on the Wado-ryu principles of noru, nagasu, and inasu, while aiming for go-no-sen or sen-no-sen.
Link here ① 👇 https://youtu.be/E2SANOBQ3cM?si=ucBriVEE7dOvpyRn
Link here ② 👇 https://youtu.be/wOIBEOsyKmo?si=8keQjNYhUDZ7fJ03
Although I was able to execute the movements and techniques I had envisioned, I lost the final by decision, and the Grandmaster Ⅲ Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei, determined that no one merited the “Black Medal” on that occasion. Immediately after the match, an assistant technical judge remarked, “I thought you would attack more,” which led me to reflect deeply: “Oh, was I expected to attack this time?”
Over the following year, as I have shown in previous videos, I have continued to research and train for the Wado-ryu Jukuren Kumite division using a variety of methods. Although the match duration for the “Jukuren Kumite Division” is a mere one minute, there have frequently been instances where both competitors—too cautious to gauge their opponent’s intentions—remain motionless or exchange very few techniques until time runs out. Furthermore, the judging criteria evaluate whether one’s body mechanics correctly facilitate actions such as “deflecting, evading, and riding”, “shifting position, body, and technique,” and achieving “unity of attack and defense” or “freedom of attack and defense.” Unless one party takes the initiative to attack or move, these elements cannot manifest during the match. My reason and motivation for constantly attacking this time stemmed from a desire to realize the true essence of “Wado-ryu Kumite” together with my opponent; I wanted to create a scenario where they, too, could demonstrate those vital principles—deflecting, evading, riding, shifting, and the seamless integration of attack and defense.
However, that approach did not yield the “correct” answer. Although I won the championship, Grandmaster Ⅲ Hironori Ohtsuka Sensei once again determined that no one was worthy of the “Black Medal.”
The insert song in this video contains the lyrics: “You know the road is to tomorrow. Will you ride along with me again?” As the faces of my students and fellow practitioners came to mind, I translated the sentiment as: “This path leads to tomorrow. Will you train with me again?” Because I have students and colleagues who believe in me and train alongside me, I will continue to research, practice, and take on new challenges without ever giving up.
Finally, a message to my students and colleagues who believe in me and train hard by my side: Thank you for your efforts at the national tournament. After returning home, I watched the match footage of each one of you. I saw you boldly moving forward. As you grow—not only in matches but in life—the obstacles standing in your way will become larger; please move forward powerfully with a spirit of determination, facing adversity head-on. I know that you are capable of putting in the effort without being discouraged by anything. After all, you are my students, my cherished colleagues, and my family. Let us continue to strive together for the pinnacle of gentleness, walking the path of loving others with a heart that loves itself.
