On the weekend of March 28/29th, JKA-Shotokan Ireland held its annual spring training course with its technical director, Masao Kawasoe Sensei, 8th dan JKA. The course was hosted by clubs in Dublin (University College Dublin) and Cork.

Once again karate-ka travelled from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, England and France for the chance to train with Kawasoe Sensei and witness his technical karate expertise. The course also welcomed participants from outside of the JKA, all eager to learn from Kawasoe Sensei and benefit from his many years of experience.

Over the course of the two days, Kawasoe Sensei covered a range of topics including the importance of correct visualisation of each target and the benefit of hitting a physical target such as a makiwara. Drills were practiced with eyes open and closed to emphasise the importance of me-sen (eye direction).

He also spent time working on the kicking techniques for which he is renowned. In particular, he broke down mawashi-geri, demonstrating how the correct positioning and timing of the supporting foot and knee, hip, and kicking knee enables the kicker to target the back of the head, not just the side. As an aside, this is how Kawasoe Sensei’s instructor from Takushoku University, Katsunori Tsuyama Sensei, demonstrates mawashi-geri in Nakayama Sensei’s book, Best Karate Vol. 3.

Kata covered over the weekend included Jion and Chinte. Kawasoe Sensei went through each kata in detail and answered questions from participants regarding particular techniques, their timing and application.

It’s safe to say that all participants on the course, from 9th kyu to 6th dan, got something to take away and work on, and all at JKA-Shotokan Ireland are already looking forward to Kawasoe Sensei’s return in the autumn.