From June 16 to 18, 2025, the Karate Club Brno (FB: karatebrno, IG: karatebrno) from Brno, Czech Republic, and the Nada Club from Kobe, Japan (IG: nadasho_karate_jka), performed at the Daisue Hall as part of the Czech Pavilion (FB: CzechiaEXPO2025, IG: expo2025czechia) and Brno City Days (FB: brnomycity, IG: brnomycity) at the EXPO Osaka Kansai 2025 (FB: expo2025japan, IG: expo2025japan). All five performances were fully booked, with standing room only for some spectators as seating was insufficient. The performances featured 17 members from both clubs and were attended by officials from the City of Brno.

The goal of the performances was to symbolically and practically connect the Czech Republic and Japan through shared values: respect for traditions, discipline, spiritual development, and martial arts culture. The Czech Pavilion and the City of Brno proudly demonstrated how karate, through representatives from Brno and Kobe, can unite different nations in a single shared practice. Both teams trained for the performances separately, only exchanging videos of their respective training sessions. In fact, both groups arrived at the Czech Pavilion just a few hours before the actual performance. When the audience learned that this perfectly synchronized performance had only come together on site, thunderous applause erupted. This truly showcased how the Japan Karate Association brings nations together.

Before each performance, a video provided information about JKA karate and its significance for humanity. Our demonstrations presented the traditional Shotokan karate form, divided into kihon, kata, and kumite. For better audience understanding, each section was further categorized into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The Daisue Hall itself posed a significant challenge, as its auditorium encircled the entire stage and ascended spirally. Thus, the entire demonstration was designed for a 360-degree view, with all actions performed in every direction to ensure every spectator could see all techniques. Individual katas were presented by teams, but uniquely, students performed facing or with their backs to each other, allowing for an intertwined flow during execution. This was followed by a practical illustration of individual techniques in the form of bunkai. The culmination was kumite, where we started with demonstrations of controlled sparring (kihon ippon kumite) and concluded with free sparring (shobu ippon kumite).

Our entire demonstration was accompanied by music, with some passages incorporating melodies by Leoš Janáček, a prominent Brno composer whose music was created during the same period that modern karate began to take shape.

Observant viewers surely noticed a mascot resembling Myaku-Myaku sitting by the Czech and Japanese flags. Our mascot, named Kákábékun (derived from the first letters of Karate Club Brno), was dressed in a karate-gi with the Czech flag. After the performances, there was immense interest in taking photos with Kákábékun. During a photo session in front of the Czech Pavilion with participants in their karate-gis, a large crowd suddenly gathered—even those who hadn’t seen the performance—all wanting to take pictures with both the performers and Kákábékun.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Czech Pavilion, especially Commissioner General Ondřej Soška and Manager Jakub Carda, as well as to the City of Brno for the opportunity to represent them within the cultural program, and to Kateřina Jarošová and Jakub Geisler. We also thank the Czech JKA Federation (FB: JKA Czech Republic, IG: czechjkakarate) and the global Japan Karate Association (FB: news.jka, IG: jka_news), our Japanese partner Nada Club from Kobe, the parents of all performers for allowing them to travel to Japan, and all our partners, without whom this trip to Japan would not have been possible.

During their 14-day stay in Japan, the nine-member Czech delegation not only performed but also visited and trained at five other Japanese karate clubs. They explored major tourist destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Fuji, Hakone, Himeji, and Kobe. They made many new friends through karate training, and on behalf of everyone, I can confidently say this will not be their last visit to Japan. The bond forged between the performers from Brno and Kobe has led to a great friendship.

 

【Karate Klub Brno】

• https://www.facebook.com/karatebrno
• https://www.instagram.com/karateklub/
• https://www.karate-klub.cz/

【Nada Club】

• http://jkanadasyo.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/nadasho_karate_jka