Masao Kawasoe; The Kawasoe Way Beginner-Black Belt Volume 3

In the third of the series the author introduces semi-free fighting and demonstrates training using kicking bags. Also included is detailed instruction in Tekki Shodan and Bassai Dai.

Price $39.95

Masao Kawasoe is a Japanese karate pioneer of the first order who has done much to develop British, and therefore European karate. Noted for the high quality of his technique and strict orthodoxy, he is considered to be one of the most stylish Shotokan instructors active in the world today, and is much respected by his students and his peers. This video series is a reflection of the man himself—very high quality, serious, low-key but dynamic—everything that this instructor has come to represent to the world of Shotokan karate.

This is an instructional series and the production therefore is directed toward learning techniques and training methods. Professionally produced, the image and content quality is excellent and Kawasoe Sensei’s performance more than impressive. There is a polished quality to everything he does, not simply a mechanical reproduction of technique, but a virtuoso performance that results from constant and intense training over an extended period.

This is a useful and very valuable series of instructional aids that is notable for the quality of both its content and production. Duplicated under license in the U.S. from original master video tapes, it sets a technical standard that will be difficult to surpass. If you want to see and learn from a superb Shotokan technician at his best, The Kawasoe Way is a video series that you must not miss!

I 've been fortunate enough to see a fair few Karate videos in my time but there are few that compare to these. It is not that they are well produced, filmed, have useful commentary, cover a whole range of topics useful to all karateka and so on, they have all of these in abundance, however their main asset is Kawasoe Sensei.

As it says in the introduction to the tapes, the late Master Nakayama said of Kawasoe Sensei: "through his mastery of kihon (basics) he has come to a level few achieve. His technique inspires all who see it to strive to the highest ideals of Shotokan Karate"— high praise indeed. He is a slight man but his size and physical presence belay the power that clearly flows from him as he performs karate of a breathtaking technical level.

There are four tapes in the series. The first is devoted to basics and should be the first one that anyone buys (including all Dan grades !) For the beginner you couldn't want a better introduction to karate. The first is a structured guide through basic karate. The higher grade should watch for all of the detail that is not pointed out in the commentary. You can learn so much by watching Kawasoe Sensei just standing in back stance for example or the way he steps in front stance. His back stance is much shorter than that generally seen in Europe but is clearly very correct. When he steps in front stance his heel does not leave the floor at all, the movement is smooth and a delight to behold The method for Gyaku zuki is interesting. The punch is clearly extremely powerful and method of using pushing power from the back leg in addition to the hip twist appears to be gaining in popularity as more people see videos such as this.

Watching Kawasoe Sensei's kicks is awe inspiring. There is no trick photography here, he really does move that slowly placing the technique for you to see exactly how it is done. Then at a stupendous speed to show you how it should be performed.

Kihon Kata (Taikyoku shodan) is presented and the method for moving is described in detail. "Bend the front knee fully when moving forward", "when turning behind make sure the hip on the back leg is pulled back before turning", "many western students hurry their kata, each movement must be finished", "there must be no body movement prior to the technique being performed".

Volume Two focuses mainly on the Heian katas (Nidan to Godan). The main thing to stand out here is the speed of the kata It is much slower than normally seen in western dojos. Strictly speaking slower is not the correct way to express it. The techniques are lightening fast but the pauses between them are much greater. This makes the kata so much better. The student has more time to think about what he is doing. The kata looks much better and more solid and more importantly it just feels right.

Tape 3 is for the more advanced student, at or close to brown belt level. Again good kihon is emphasized but the student is encouraged to further his study. Timing, balance and form are presented as one and the same. Ushiro geri is introduced and kata Tekki Shodan and Bassai dai are covered in detail.

You will gasp and stare in wonder as you see Sensei Kawasoe perform ushiro geri. I cannot say any more about this technique, you will just have to buy the tapes to see what I am talking about. Jiyu ippon kumite essentials are presented and Kawasoe Sensei is shown instructing a group of Dan grades. This is very useful because Sensei picked them up on some standard errors (scripted I'm sure) so that the viewer may learn from them.

Tekki and Bassai are performed slowly and then at correct speed. Then with commentary outlining common mistakes. Again, if you really want to improve your karate you should pay careful attention to everything that is said.

The 4th tape covers the brown belt katas in depth (Jion, Kanku dai, Empi and Hangetsu). Also stretching is covered, watch and dream that you may one day be that supple, have such balance and coordination. Along with the stretching, basic points are covered emphasizing that senior grades must practice their kihon diligently.

Like the previous tape each kata is performed slowly and then at correct speed. Sensei Kawasoe's movement is so crisp and precise. If you really want to improve your karate whether you are a beginner or a senior dan grade you should get these tapes as soon as possible and study them in as much detail as you can and then come back and study them again.

The advert for the videos says "The most outstanding series of instructional karate videos ever made", it ain't Iying. Buy these videos as soon as you can. It would be impossible not to learn a great deal from them.