SENSEI Hitoshy KASUYA

Biography

He was born on February 23, 1948

Graduated from the JKA (Japanese Karate Association) Kenshusei in 1973.

As a student at Hosei University in Tokyo distinguished himself in the Karate Club and captained the University Karate Team Hosei University in his last years as a student of that institution. As an instructor of the JKA, he began to establish the foundation for their future as the most distinguished teachers of Japanese karate standing in many international championships JKA.

1975. IAKF Championship Kumite and Kata in equipment held in USA, his team won both events, Kumite and Kata.

1976. Won 1st place in the Asia Pacific Championships held in Hong Kong.

1977. In Japan, his team won the championship IAKE Team Kumite and Kata.

1980. He was selected as a member of the Japanese National Team to compete in the 5th Championship WUKO in Spain. Kasuya Sensei was reassessing his future career in the JKA, when he learned that his Sempai (Senior Master) H Kanazawa Sensei JKA leave the organization, he decided to follow him and assist in establishing the organization SKI.

1982. He maintained his position in the Japanese National Team that competed the 6th WUKO Championships in Taiwan.

1983. During the 1st World Championship S.K.I.F. in Japan, won the event Kasuya Individual Kata and Team Kumite event per team.

1984. During the 2nd World Championship S.K.I.F. in Japan, Kasuya won the Individual Kumite event.

1990. He established the World Federation of Shotokan Karate-Do.

Thoughts of
Sensei Hitoshy Kasuya

These are the ideas of Kasuya Sensei, referring to all aspects of Karate. They have been taken from a newsletter published during the WSKF Championship in 1997.

I hope these thoughts make clearer their vision throughout the Shotokan Karate. In the near future, more thought will be added

• YAIKI
• KATA
• MA
• BREATHING
• MUSGIN
• TAISABAKI
• DEFENSE IN THE KUMITE
• FINTA
• DRAWING
• READING THE MIND OF YOUR OPPONENT
• INDECISION
• CONCENTRATION
• OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ATTACK

These are thoughts of Kasuya Sensei, referring several aspects of Karate. They have been taken from a newsletter published during the WSKF Championship in 1997. I hope these thoughts make clearer his view of the Shotokan Karate. In the near future, more thought will be added.

YAIKI

In KYUDI archery, there is a Japanese word called YAIKI which describes the position of an arrow during its flight. Even knowing that the arrow can hit the bull's-eye, we could still tell if you have a good or a bad YAIKI.
Beginners tend to think that no matter or the flight or position while the arrow on the target. Discussing the above, people think it is just a pretext without consequences. Either way, it is true that if the arrow is bad YAIKI not penetrate the target as well as if the arrow had a good YAIKI. This is especially true when it points to a frame or something of the same nature.
This can be seen in karate class, win or lose, we are always impressed with its speed, power and control.
The immature contestants fight only with speed but always seems to lack something else. They compete without the discipline of having executed the basic technique, and are not able to achieve a dynamic technique.
In Kyudo, we are told that the most important moment is when you let the arrow out of your hand, if you have some doubt or uncertainty in your mind the YAIKI not go right, which means that all true Kyudo this in mind .

KATA

The Japanese Karate Kata came from the island of Okinawa and similarly, the Okinawa Karate Kata came from China.
Traditionally, Japanese Karate-Ka had KATA, mostly, to practice their techniques. Through practice one can almost KATA improve their style of Karate. The ideal state for a good balance, speed, power, the combination of fast and slow movements and breathing, all these things can be learned through kata. Currently, there are many karate competitions where some of the contestants lost the true meaning of Karate.
So sorry to say that we do not see techniques as real as a powerful kick. This does not mean you do not have to insist on power.
The Shotokan kata should be performed wonderfully, as a combat KUMITE, not only with speed and power, but also an expressive performance.
I think the most important of Karate is to train the mind, not just training techniques.
But before you run a KATA (zenshin), control your mind. During the execution of KATA not put too much power, but not relax too much. Even if your actions are violent, your mind should be controlled, full of spirit (Tsushin). Your mind should be enriched, but not useless thoughts parked within it (ZANSHIN).
Described above is extremely difficult to achieve but not impossible. Twice in my life I had the experience of feeling or recognize at all to the audience or judges while competing, I felt like I was reaching a spiritual state of perfect altruism or total perfection, while it was slightly out of breath or tired.
I have enough time practicing karate, but as I said before, I've only experienced this feeling twice now. But I continue to practice every day to see if I can have this feeling again.
It has been my experience that is more difficult to practice the KUMITE KATA. Remember, it is not only important what others think of your Karate, but also what you think about your own performance.

MA

MA In general the word refers to the space between two contestants and sometimes refers to the time between two actions. In Japan, where we have traditional cultural activities as the tea ceremony and flower arranging, as well as Japanese Noh plays, MA is considered very important. For example, in the performance of Kata, MA exists between techniques. In Kumite, the distance between opponents, strategy, and strength that they have are all related to MA. You can easily control your opponent using a good MA. Unfortunately, there is no textbook for the study of MA and this must be learned through experience.

BREATHING

When you concentrate your effort in an attack should pay close attention to your breathing and extra attention to your opponent's breathing. It is very good moment when your opponent is breathing to attack. You too can see the exact moment that your opponent is about to inhale. It is vital now your opponent will have their strength and concentration are ideal deflected or unfocused, too. During the execution of an additional noise Kata another appropriate KIAI point, there is no need for heavy breathing noises. The important point is to breathe in a relaxed manner.

MUSHIN

During a fight, if you're too focused on your strategy or technique that your opponent will use, will put you in a dangerous stalemate. Mushin is a vital and important technique to switch off mentally, that would be like watching the fight from an objective viewpoint. This can only be the result of hard training, long and consistent. The mental aspect of mushin, it can sometimes be interpreted as being unscientific, but we must always consider each aspect in the effort to win a fight.
The most important things are learned through experience, and if not through the experience then they are just dreams.

TAISABAKI

This is the technique of turning or evade the attack of your opponent. For this technique, the distance is an important element. If this technique is done correctly Taisabaki not only prevent your opponent but in return you will also have an opening for attack.

DEFENSE IN THE KUMITE

The elbow should act as the hub. Do not put your elbow too high. The movement of the elbow should be ten small as possible. If the elbow is far from the body or out of alignment, your movements will be slower and weaker, therefore your attack will be very slow. In defending your position or position is important too.

FINTA

When you execute a feint're making a move to attack your opponent. If you are in a dead end for your opponent then you resort to using the fake. The FINTA is used to create an opportunity for attack.
FINTA You must be a good technique to cause your opponent to lose concentration. If you fail to fully commit to making a good FINTA and a strong follow-up, drop a opening in your defense to counter your opponent.

DRAWING

DRAWING is the position where you give an opening to attack your opponent, lowering the guard waiting for the attack and then counterattack. DRAWING FINTA and are opposite as the face and the seal of a coin.
Even when you're facing a strong opponent, with both techniques, Fintia or drawing, you will create opportunities for attack. Most first-class contenders have and use these techniques.

READING THE MIND OF YOUR OPPONENT

This technique is called YOMI in Japanese and refers to the cultivation of the art to sense the intentions, movements and techniques of your opponent. This can only be achieved through experience. When you YOMI your technique is very elegant and do not waste time on irrelevant technical.

Indecision

If you try very hard to judge the actions of your opponent, it is safer to fall prey to a state of indecision, "should do this or should do that" you must read the situation and act almost simultaneously without hesitation.

CONCENTRATION

You must make a maximum effort to develop a clear concentration and good technique. Humans can do almost anything if they concentrate and focus your attention on something. Without the ability to concentrate, you become weak and you're in a dangerous or disadvantageous position.
Most Karate-Kas class can concentrate and checked at any time and in any situation.