In demonstrations of board breaking, I confront my own mind, technique, and body, including these fundamentals of physical movement, in order to understand whether or not I have achieved a trinity of these three elements. I also hope that by showing the results that this state produces, along with my attitude and posture, it will give my students an opportunity to feel something or to practice.
This is footage from my second world championship. At 27 years old, before I opened my dojo, I trained for a total of eight hours a day: two hours before work, one hour during my lunch break, two hours after work, and three hours at the dojo. Back then, I felt a sense of accomplishment from pushing my body to its limits, and I think I was just trying to force my techniques on my opponents during matches.
Now, 21 years later, I prioritize creating an environment where students with worries and goals can find hints that will lead to problem-solving and goal achievement. In matches, I aim for a connection and harmony of mind, technique, and body not only with opponents but also with referees, staff, and spectators. —————————————- ⑤ 身体操作の基本を用いて突きを速くするトレーニングを稽える Fundamental body mechanics are used in my training to increase the speed of TSUKI
⑴ ゴムバンドで拳立て伏せ knuckle push-ups with a rubber band ⑵ ゴムバンドで突き TSUKI with a rubber band ⑶ メディシンボールを前後 Medicine ball back and forth ⑷ メディシンボールを左右 Medicine ball left and right ⑸ ラダーを横移動 Move sideways on the ladder ⑹ ラダーの上を跳ねる Jumping on a ladder —————————————- ⑥ 身体操作の基本を用いて蹴りを速くするトレーニングを稽える Fundamental body mechanics are used in my training to increase the speed of KERI
⑴ ラダーで膝上げ Knee raises on the ladder ⑵ ラダーで腰捻り Twist your waist on the ladder ⑶ ハードルを横跳び Jumping over hurdles sideways ⑷ ハードルを片脚跳び One-legged jump over hurdles ⑸ ボックス三段跳び Box Triple Jump ⑹ 腰高ボックス跳び Jump onto a box that is waist-high —————————————- ⑦ 身体操作の基本を用いて足捌きを速くするトレーニングを稽える Fundamental body mechanics are used in my training to increase the speed of Footwork
⑴ 反り跳び Backbend jump ⑵ 押し相撲 Sumo wrestling ⑶ ラバーロープ Rubber rope ⑷ アブローラーバーピー Ab roller burpees ⑸ 四方反り跳び Four-way backbend jump ⑹ 落球を避ける Avoid the falling medicine ball —————————————- ⑧ 5テクニクスドリル ⑴ 刻み突き ⑵ 裏廻し蹴り ⑶ 中段廻し蹴り ⑷ 中上 ⑸ 上中 —————————————- ⑨ 身体操作の基本を用いて反応を速くするトレーニングを稽える Fundamental body mechanics are used in my training to increase the speed of Reaction
⑴ ハイプランク姿勢でボールを片手で掴む High Plank & Ball Catch ⑵ 頭上に投げた風船が床に着く前にゴムバンドを取って戻る Balloon & Rubber Band Catch ⑶ 指示に従い左右回りまたは四股立ちまたは突きまたは風船取り Round & Freeze ⑷ 取って取られての中で誰よりも先に３つを獲得する Be the first to acquire three ⑸ 三目並べ Tic-Tac-Toe ⑹ 突きと蹴りを組み合わせた連続技 A combination of TSUKI and KERI ⑺ その連続技に対して体捌き Body movement against that combination of moves —————————————- ⑩ 打ち込み ⑴ 防御のみ ⑵ 体捌き ⑶ 1本勝負
During spring break, many students were absent from practice due to family trips and other reasons. However, I strongly hope that those who continue to attend the dojo every day will have meaningful training sessions. In my late teens, to maintain the operation of my karate club, I worked part-time at a convenience store in the early mornings before university classes began and late at night after classes and practice. I also worked as an apprentice at a sushi restaurant. At the convenience store, I was responsible for opening and closing the shop, managing inventory, and placing orders. Since it was in a less-than-safe area, I also had to focus on security. After winning an international tournament and returning home, the store manager invited me to his home and celebrated with a lavish meal.
At the sushi restaurant, as an apprentice, my duties were limited to cleaning, washing dishes, and serving customers hand towels and tea. One day, a heavy snowfall brought all trains and buses to a standstill. I walked for about an hour to the restaurant, and when I arrived, the owner said, “Oh! You’re here. I thought you’d call and say you’d take the day off because of the weather. I didn’t expect you to actually come.” From that day on, my master taught me the fundamentals of being a chef, one step at a time.
Building trust isn’t easy, but it’s true that if you have goals, work hard, and keep challenging yourself, “someone will be watching.” Now, I want to be someone who keeps a close eye on my students.
I don’t think there’s any need to make it unnecessarily complicated. If you’re sharing value and enjoyment with people who are interested, then simplicity is fine. The way people perceive the flashes of inspiration, surprises, and new possibilities that arise from that simplicity is different for everyone. I feel that a life in which I can share the appeal of Budo with people of all ages and genders is a treasure given to me by God.
Our first important event of the year took place on March 7th. It was my first opportunity in three months to perform a new piece, and my adorable students, ages 7 to 9, performed it. One girl, who had been anxious about not being able to complete the “Tile Breaking” (Kawara-wari) until the day before the performance, succeeded in the actual performance. Another girl, who had performed Kagura with me at the end of last year, took on a sense of responsibility and confidence as the oldest student and performed admirably. The following day, March 8th, was Sunday class practice day. The sky was clear, the temperature was just right, and the practice room was a tatami room, so I could feel the students’ enthusiasm. This month, we’re spending 14 days conducting promotion examinations for 60 students in 19 classes at six locations. To support students who are working hard not only at the dojo but also on their own in order to pass, we’re offering “Advice for Independent Practice.” Every day, I receive videos and questions from students, such as, “I’ve memorized the order of the kata, but I want the teacher to confirm that my stance is correct,” “There are parts of the stance and hand movements I don’t understand, so I’d like to ask the teacher,” and “If I understand the meaning of the kata movements, I can practice them more consciously, so please teach me.” “Parent, child, and teacher form a triumphant four-legged race” Even if others call me a “fossil-level analog person,” I want to share the importance of “facing each individual honestly.”
I moved to the United States in May 2000, and lived and practiced karate in Salt Lake City, Utah for three and a half years until returning to Japan in 2003. I was given the opportunity to meet and interact with wonderful athletes and instructors while competing in tournaments held in Utah, California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New York, and Hawaii. I also had the opportunity to meet pioneers who came to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s and worked hard to spread and develop karate. Here are some words I received from one of those great teachers: This is because, “It is not optimal to simply stay close to your teacher and learn from them forever. There is much to lose while being called “sensei” (teacher) and staying close to your teacher. It doesn’t matter if it’s small, but create a place to teach yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s small, but find someone to share your thoughts with, listen to what they have to say, and study together. And never give up on the effort to share what is good, even if it’s in your own way. This will lead to the spread and development of sincerity.” With these words in mind, I opened my own dojo in May 2007, and for the past 18 years, I have been practicing and studying every day, 7 days a week, in 16 classes at 7 locations, with over 100 students.
令和八年一月十一日は、和道流空手道連盟・百合ヶ丘空手道クラブ支部の稽古始めでした。早朝から気温は非常に低いのに着るのは道衣のみで、冷たい床の上を裸足で立つことになる道場に、一人も欠席せず全員が集まりました。 共に武道精神を探求し和の道を歩む友に、「私が出来ることを今年も精一杯努めたい」と強く思いました。 January 11th, 2026, was the first day of practice for the Wado-ryu Karate-Do Renmei’s Yurigaoka Karate Club branch. Despite the extremely low temperatures from early in the morning, everyone gathered in the dojo wearing only their karate-Dogi and standing barefoot on the cold floor. To my friends who share my pursuit of the Budo spirit and the path of harmony, I strongly felt that I wanted to do my best in what I can do this year as well.
