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Thank you very mauch for visit Master Asai’s grave

On December 6th last year, two hundred participants of the karate seminar who joined the event from abroad paid a visit to Master Asai’s grave.

This year on December 4th, again a great number of people visited his grave, chartering two buses.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for those who came.

(Thank you very mauch for visit Master Asai’s grave.)

SOKE IJKA Administrational Meeting Nov. 26th, 2017

SOKE IJKA global meeting

Date: November 26th, 2017. 09:30 - 12:00
Location: Soke IJKA Honbu Dojo Tetsuhiko Kan (Taipei)

Attendees:
SOKE IJKA President	Keiko Asai
Shuseki Shihan	Chen Hunt-tsung
Head of Technical Office	Chen Hsin-kuei/td>
Head of TAIWAN IJKA Global Section	Lin Mau-tsu
Global Instructor	Toshiyuki Kidokoro
	Wang ruyu
	Zhou Zhi wen
	Ji, Bang-Yen
Board member	Liang, Hong-tao
Note-taker	Chia Hao Liu

1. Instructions on holding workshops and seminars in each region
   1. Must pay the prescribed annual membership fee in order to retain the membership
   2. Dan examination and certification must be carried out according to provisions set by Soke IJKA Headquarters.
   3. Instructors who are not approved by Soke IJKA Technical Office cannot teach in the name of Soke IJKA at a workshop or seminar.
      
      
2. Operation of Europe Honbu Dojo　 　
   • In view of the health condition of the Head of Europe Region Mr. Bruno Koller (Switzerland),
     　Mr. Bruno Koller, the Assistant Head of Europe Region Mr. giuseppe Formenton (Italy) and
     　Mr. Otto Riedinger (Germany) are to consult and jointly decide on the future operation of the region.
     　They are to report the outcome to Soke IJKA Headquarters. The Soke will support their decision.
     
     
3. On the progress of 2018 Shanghai Asai Cup International Karatedo Tournament (Hosted by SOKE IJKA China and SOKE IJKA Shanghai)
   1. Dates: August 25th and 26th, 2018
   2. SOKE IJKA Shanghai is to bear the event cost
   3. On collaborating organizations in China
      　　Set up the Shanghai Jiading District Karatedo Association,
      　　which is to provide support with the administration of the tournament
      
      
4. On individual memberships
   1. Soke IJKA is promoting individual memberships
      　　Individual memberships are to be categorized into two groups.
   2. One is for those who practice karate or have interests in karate,
      　　which is the same as the regular membership, and the other is the supporter membership.
      　　For both categories, only those who do not belong to any other karate organization
      are eligible 　　for application.
      
      
5. On a particular applicant
   • An applicant who says hasn’t practiced karate for the last two decades is wondering if the applicant could take 3 dan and 4 dan examinations at the time of the trial for the SOKE IJKA membership.
     It depends on the applicant experience and skills, and the decision will be left to the Head of Technical Office Mr. Chen.
     
     
6. English wording for 「委員会」
   • Make the terms consistent, and use “committee.” Make necessary changes on the website.
   
   End
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Discussing each agenda item in depth at the international meeting

Front row: Head of Technical Office Chen Hsin-kuei (Left) Global Instructor Wang Ju-yu (Right)

Behind them from right; Global Instructor Chou,Chih-Wen, Note-taker Chia Hao Liu, Global Instructor Toshiyuki Kidokoro, a Board member Liang Hong-tao, ) Global Instructor Ji Bang-yen , Soke IJKA President Keiko Asai, Taiwan IJKA Head of Global Section Lin Maw-tsun.

Far back sitting down: IJKA Shuseki Shihan Chen Hunt-tsung, who is overlooking the meeting.

IJKA Individual Members Growing

2018 Asai Cup International Martial Arts Karatedo Friendship Tournament Dates Finalized as August 25th and 26th

Mr.Tsai Eng-meng Accepts the Post of the Honorary Advisor of IJKA

Thank you, Mr.Tsai Eng-meng

IJKA Administrational Meeting January 10th, 2018 TAIWAN

To martial art-enthusiasts around the world,

IJKA - Asai Karate Seminar 2017 in Deutschland mit

Photo Gallerry

The Kickoff Event Ends Successfully:
A Fresh Start for I.J.K.A. China

We held an IJKA training seminar on April 29th and 30th in Shanghai, China. The participants gathered from all over China, including those who travelled over 3,000km.
Others include those who came from Guizhou (2,300km), Qinghai (2,400km), Taicang/Suzhou (70km), Fujian (800km), Hebei (1,400km), Xi’an (1,300km), Nanjing (300km), and Changzhou (150km), representing their respective regions. Their eyes glowed with passion.
From start to end, every single move they made was an explosion of their full power and enthusiasm.

After the seminar, I was asked to give a comment as the president of the organization. I will write here what I said.
The very first thing I said was:
“Welcome back to IJKA, everyone.”
“You may think that this is an official ceremony to become an IJKA member for the first time, but it is not so.”
“There are many people here today who learned under the late Master Asai, and I know for a fact, as a witness of the events, that late Master Asai established both IJKA and JKS in China.”
“So today, this is not an event to officially recognize you as a part of IJKA, but an event to celebrate that you all came back home, and to celebrate the new start for IJKA in China.”
“For that, please make IJKA China’s karate something we can be proud of in the world.”
At the end of my speech, I added the following:
“When Master Asai passed away in 2006, teachers in Taiwan succeeded after him and they have been teaching Asai karate since. Then in 2010 on March 8th, we officially succeeded IJKA. We didn’t suggest you join IJKA as JKS and IJKA were both established by the same Master Asai, and karate practitioners should be able to choose what organization they want to be a part of. I just wanted to tell you this today.

※The History of Succession and Re-establishment of IJKA

2017IJKA-CHINA International Karatedo Seminar
Instructors and assistants who used to be direct pupils of Master Asai now spread over mainland China. 　　Front row on the right: Head of Global Section Mr. Lin. Front row center: Keiko Asai. Front row on the left: Head of Technical Office Mr. Chen.	All participants from the event.
Given a piece of Chinese pottery from Ms.施海燕, the deputy chief of Huangupu District Shanghai the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China in	Seminar poster
	The unveiling ceremony at China Honbu Dojo
The thirteen panels on display showed the footsteps of Keiko Asai. Her life so far has been a center of curiosity among karate practitioners in China, and a roundtable talk was set up.	Viewing of footages and a roundtable talk about the person who introduced karate to Taiwan, at Huangpu Cultural Center. Right: Head of China Honbu, Mr. 李淵深 The head of Technical Office, Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei, Keiko Asai answering questions without rehearsals, and the head of Global Section, Mr. Lin.

Attended branches：
Jiangsu Branch, Shaanxi Branch, Guizhou Branch, Hebei Branch, Shanghai Branch, China Honbu, Jiangxi Branch, Fujian Branch, Qinghai Branch, Zhejiang Branch, Shanghai Commerce and Industry Foreign Language School Karatedo Association, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law Karatedo Association, China Postgraduate College Karatedo Association (中博進修学院空手道協会) and five other college associations reside at Shanghai University. There seems to be more if we count those who could not make it to the event.

participants learning the Kihon Waza, the basic techniques.

Later on

Participants learned avidly the new kata created by Master Asai, called “Joko(常行).” They were very excited to learn something completely new, saying that they’ve been to Japan on numerous occasions for karate training but nobody knows that kata. They all seemed to find the movement graceful and impressive, as they said they would practice from Joko Issei to Gosei from now on.

■Report from the host in Shanghai

Report（Original text in Chinese）=>感??恩，也感?大家的支持！ ??2017年IJKA上海??会??

Translation：

• Title
  1. 1. Thank Master’s grace, and you for your support! 2017 IJKA Shanghai Seminar Ends
• Picture 1（Top）
  1. 2017-06-01 Karatedo（(*1)Shotokan-ryu）
     　 During the long weekend in May, we had a series of activities including an IJKA technical seminar and Dan examination over 3 days.
  　　
• Picture 2 （Bottom）
  1. 1. As one of the pioneers in spreading the Shoto-physical education and the traditional karatedo in China, our organization has seen many twists and turns during the course of its development, which are filled with colorful stories.
     This time, we put more effort into making the seminar and related trainings more meaningful. We invited the IJKA Head of Technical Office, Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei as the main instructor at the technical seminar and for the dan examination.
  　
• Picture 3（Bottom）
  1. What we learned was a very characteristic Asai karate (*1) developed by Tetsuhiko Asai Shihan.
     Chen Hsin-kuei Shihan learned directly under Tetsuhiko Asai Shihan, and is learning from Chen Hung-tsung Shihan (9 dan).
     In 2004, “Shoto PE” officially joined Asai karatedo. IJKA immediately responded by setting up the instructors with Chen Shihan as the main instructor, and started teaching us the karate techniques.
  　
• Picture 4 （Bottom）
  1. Chen Shihan has spent seven to eight years developing a series of karatedo exercise. He has gone through different ups and downs, but, here we are. We all share the same gratitude towards our Master.

We received this letter from Shanghai.

Ms. Akiko Onishi Joins as the individual Member of IJKA

We announced that Soke International Japan martial arts Karatedo KAI(IJKA) welcomes anyone who shared the true passion for karate with us regardless of whether being part of a karate organization or not.
Ms. Akiko Onishi came to us right away, and successfully obtained the first individual membership of SOKE IJKA from Japan. She attended the 2016 Asai Cup International Karatedo Championship, at which she, so joyful and active, was warmly welcomed by everyone.
　
【Experience in Karate】
Received karate training from JKS from the age of 6 to 20.
Received 2 dan at the age of 17.
After 22 years of hiatus, she took up the practice again in 2015, training under her older sister.

【Reasons for Membership Application】
My older sister and I started karate together and she still is an active karate practitioner.
She used to attend all Master Asai’s seminars; never missing one.
Watching her classic katas, I began to develop the itch to start practicing again. She looked so impressive and I wanted to be able to do the same.
While showing me the katas, my sister also used to say how she wanted to learn more from Master Asai. There were katas she still hadn’t learned from him, and that she wanted to receive training from the other organization Master Asai established (ie. IJKA.)

I became curious about IJKA, established by Master Asai, as an organization that inherited the spirits of his teachings, and so I began researching.
The image of Master Asai portrayed on the IJKA website was exactly the same as how imagined him to be from hearing my sister’s stories.
As I read the website, I realized the reasons I quit karate, the aspects of it I didn’t like, and it didn’t have to be the way it was.
I am not interested in winning the tournaments or obtaining a high-ranking dan, or becoming a prestigious judge. I just want to be able to perform the kata and pursue the karate waza deeper.
I gathered up my courage and contacted IJKA. I talked to Asai Keiko Sensei and my thoughts were confirmed. That’s how I decided to apply for a membership.


【Comments on the Championship】
Everyone was so welcoming and kind to me even though it was first time for me to meet them.
I was moved by the fact that there was no one making displays of strength or being overbearing about their accomplishments.
At Chen sensei’s seminar, I was overwhelmed by feelings of astonishment and awe. I was convinced that I could get a real karate training from these people.
As soon as I returned to Japan, I told my sister and asked her to join me. She also became interested in learning from Chen sensei.
I am hoping to go visit [Taiwan] next year for some good training, from morning until evening, for a few days.

Ms. Onishi making a dignified entrance at the opening ceremony	Mr. Giosuel Koller from Swizerland (Left); Ms. Akiko Onishi (Right)
Ms. Onishi (the third from the right) training hard at Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hontsung’s technical seminar.	From the left: Mr. Giosuel Koller from Swizerland, Mr. John Christian and Mr. Otto Riedinger from Germany, Ms. Onishi, Mr. Gerhard Schoenferder from Germany.
At the welcome dinner with IJKA executive members. From left: Mr. Toshiyuki Kidoko (7 dan), Ms. Onishi, and Mr. Lin Mau-tsu the global section head, Vice President of IJKA Taiwan and his wife	Mr. Onishi posing with IJKA president Mrs. Keiko Asai.

Global Admin Meeting Held After Tournament

2016 Asai Cup International Karatedo Championship Athletes Night

2016 IJKA Dan Examination

2016 IJKA Technical Seminar

Technical seminar with Master Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hontsung

Above: High-ranking members eagerly learning from Chief Instructor Mr.Chen Hontsung at the seminar

2016 Asai Cup International Karatedo Championship

2016 Asai Cup International Karatedo Championship was held in Taichung, Taiwan, on October 15th

Host：国際日本武術空手道会 IJKA、　　 中華民国空手道連盟

Co-host：台中市政府体育処、静宜大学、台中市体育連盟

承催：台中市体育総会空手道委員会

Period：2016/10/14〜2016/10/17

Venue：台中市静宜大学多功能体育館

Members, all admirers of Master Asai, came from all over Taiwan and abroad to get together at the event.
The event had Master Asai’s favourite direct pupils, and their 2nd and 3rd generation pupils, all mingling and showing their best performances.

2016 Asai Cup International Karatedo Championship
Participants waiting for their turn at the opening ceremony	Participants waiting for their turn at the opening ceremony
Opening ceremony. Some judges at seated in front	The President Keiko Asai making opening remarks at the ceremony
Behind the distinguished guests is the large, impressive poster of Master Asai. On the reft is Mr. Bruno Koller from Switzerland, with his nurse Theo to his left.

2016 Asai Cup International Karatedo Championship
Looking good in suits. The judges are Master Asai’s first, second, andthird generation pupils	The executives are Master Asai’s second andthird generation pupils
Behind the judging area is the large impressive poster of Master Asai	The President Keiko Asai Making opening remarks at the ceremony
Group photo of IJKA Taiwan and IJKA Europe members	3rd generation high-ranking students

Tetsuhiko Asai's Karatedo Biographical Film "武魂 (Bukon, the Spirit of Bushido)" Started

Director Mr. Shimomura and staff having a production meeting at San Want Hotel for the upcoming movie production

We Now Accept Membership Application from Independent Karate Practitioners

Recently, we are getting many inquires about Asai Karate.
According to these emails, there are many karate lovers , who quit karate at some point in their lives because of some personal reasons (such as work, studies, marriage, health issues, etc.) but have come back to it. Furthermore, these people do not intend to join any karate organizations; they simply want to keep practicing, including the katas created by Master Tetsuhiko Asai, and acquire the skills.

For that reason,SOKE IJKA has decided to accept those individuals who don’t belong to any kind of organizations, and allow them to join us in training. Master Asai was not concerned about what schools or ryu of karate people practiced, so the admission to SOKE IJKA is decided regardless of their schools. The admission is limited however, to those who love karate and has healthy mind and body.

Click here for katas Master Asai created.
Click here for information about fees.
Click here for contacting SOKE IJKA
Mail: info@ijka.jp

2016 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Tournament material

【Other material】
• final 2016 IJKA 講習報名表
• final 2016 IJKA 個人及親子競賽報名表
• final 2016 IJKA 競賽規程

Master Asai Memorial Karate-Camp 2016 in Luzern, Switzerland

The Master Asai Memorial Karate Camp 2016 is over. All was perfect, including wonderful weather in Lucerne these days. We had 5 days full of strong good spirit in the European IJKA-Honbu Dojo. We all enjoyed it very much to train together and to spend this wonderful time together. In total 50 Karateka visited the Camp and trained with Keibou Sensei and Bruno Koller Sensei. This Camp was just amazing!

the European IJKA-Honbu Dojo

2016 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Tournament Itinerary

Preparations Well Underway for Movie
“The Story of Tetsuhiko Asai (Draft)”

Preparations for the movie “The Story of Tetsuhiko Asai (Draft)” are well underway, and its production is scheduled to launch this May.
　
The theme of the movie has been finalized: it focuses on how the late Master Asai introduced and spread karate in Taiwan, and how he came to be known as the ”father of Taiwan karate."

To apply, please send the application to:
International Japan Martial arts Karatedokai I.J.K.A
Shinzyuku Nagatani Building. 203c
2-45-5 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Japan 160-0021

Or email the application to: info@ijka.jp"

【Application for Movie Credit Commemoration】
• 【Application for Movie Credit Commemoration】Download Form

Master Asai 10th Commemoration Karatedo Tournament To Be Hosted in Taichong, Taiwan in 2016

This year will mark the 10th anniversary since the passing of Master Asai.

To commemorate this event, this year’s IJKA Asai Cup International Friendship Karate Tournament will be held in Taipei, Taiwan. The dates have been decided as October 15thand 16th, and this took into consideration the typhoon season and children’s school schedule.

The decision was made at the meeting (held on January 8th) attended by IJKA Soke, Shuseki Shihan Chen hunt-tsung, the technical office, and the head of the technical office Chen Hsin-kuei, instructor Mr. Toshiyuki Kidokoro, Mr. Wang Ju-yu, Mr. Chou, Chih-Wen, and the director in Taiwan. The location and the dates were later agreed to by other global instructors such as Mr. Otto Riedinger, and Mr. Bruno Koller.

Master Asai Memorial Karate-Camp 2016 in Luzern, Switzerland

Students Practice Hard at IJKA Taiwan Honbu Dojo

2015年、
On December 20th 2015, President IJKA Soke Keiko Asai visited the IJKA Taiwan Honbu Dojo. Every students was training hard and their enthusiasm filled the room.

Every students was training hard and their enthusiasm filled the room.

Many students come as a family. The two students at the far end are a mom and dad. It was only the daughter at first, but as the dad was dropping off and picking up his daughter at the dojo, he decided to join himself. Then the mom joined. They are both university professors.

During a break, the sister, who has more experience, was kindly teaching a younger one.

Also, the smallest of the students was practicing a new kata, being not so confident about it, but practicing intensely. 。

“The Legend of Tetsuhiko Asai Karatedo” Film Production Finalized!

On October 11th, Keiko Asai, President of the IJKA Soke, visited Taiwan with the famous Japanese movie director Masaru Shimomura and producer Shimada for location scouting,
for the production of a film about the legend of the late Master Asai's karatedo.

The Department of Public Information in Taiwan extended generous support to the film crew, and released the news to the major local newspapers.

Media coverage:

Apple Daily　蘋果日報 http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20151015/712103/
Epoch Times　大紀元http://www.epochtimes.com/b5/15/10/15/n4551283.htm
CNA中央社http://www.cna.com.tw/news/aloc/201510150247-1.aspx
Department of Public Information Press Release　新聞局昨日有發新聞稿 http://www.news.taichung.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1550196&ctNode=1272&mp=112010

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/paimia



“The Father of Taiwan Karatedo: Film Crew Starts Location Scouting in Taiwan for Upcoming Karate Movie In Commemoration of Tetsuhiko Asai”


from a local Taiwanese paper:

Taiwanese karatedo athletes have been showing outstanding results at international tournaments. At the root of this is the great master of the Japanese karatedo, Tetsuhiko Asai. Close to 80 % of high-performing karate athletes from Taiwan are either Asai's pupils, or second generation pupils.
His wife, a famous Taiwanese celebrity, Keiko Asai, is nowplanning to start production of a film to celebrate the great legacy that her husband left with us.
The Department of Public Information has announced that it would extend its full support to the production team.
From “girls self-defense” to “karate shiharadori,” these were all created by the great master Asai through his tireless training.
As mentioned, 80% of star Taiwanese karatedo athletes have inherited Asai karate. Master Asai, who recognized the good physique of the Taiwanese and their natural talent for martial-arts, established the first dojo in Taichung in 1964.
Taiwan was then put under martial law, and the dojos wereshut down one by one. (Comment by Keiko Asai: We didn't close them.)
This did not stop karate from spreading.
He successfully combined the crane fist technique with karate, and earned the title of “the Father of Karetedo.”
His technique requires speed, and it's known to deter opponents before they can make a single move.
A native of Taipei, Keiko Asai is about to launch production for the movie “The Father of Taiwanese Karatedo: Tetsuhiko Asai,” to commemorate the late master Asai's accomplishments, and to document the development of Taiwanese karatedo. She spent a few days in TAIWAN with the film producer as well as the director, to research the historical background of the 1960's. They also went location scouting at places like the elementary school affiliated with National Taichung University of Education and National Taichung Girls' Senior High School. The filming will officially start next year, including auditions for cast members.
Keiko Asai (陳恵珠) was born in 1940. She later became a star actress at the Taiwanese movie company 中央映画会社. She also appeared in many movies and TV shows in Japan, which eventually led her to meet and marry the Japanese karateka Asai Tetsuhiko in 1963. She then moved her base to Japan.
According to the Department of Public Information, Mr. Asai officially introduced Japan's Shotokan karate to Taiwan in 1964 and was crowned the title of “the father of Taiwanese karate.” Mrs. Asai supported her husband with establishing dojos across Taiwan, as well as in Hawaii, Hong Kong, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Shanghai.
(Translation: IJKA)



Entry from Keiko Asai's blog:
October 13th
When I returned from Taoyuan to my hotel and finally caught my breath, I sat there and felt a sense of relief wash over me. I've been trying my best to do something for Japan and Taiwan, but this time it seems like I can really help Eniwa city of Hokkaido Japan and Taoyuan city of Taiwan, and both seemed happy about the project.
October 14th
The last day was spent in Taichung This is the city where I was born and raised. It's also the birth place of Taiwanese karate, so the whole crew is very excited about the visit.
As I wrote in my blog on June 15th, when I first visited the city with Someno-san, Mr.Fang (房瑞文), the director of the Department of Sports, and Mr. Lin (林秋萬), the director of the Department of Public Information, both from the municipal government, hosted us very courteously. I was hoping to meet them again, but our correspondence at the end of September told us that they were too busy. I would've liked to delay our TAIWAN visit but our movie director, who is also a very busy man himself, couldn't reschedule the trip, so even though I couldn't arrange a meeting with the officials, we came to Taiwan on October 11th, as originally planned.

So, initially we had no plans to visit Taichung, but we got a surprise call from Mr.Fang on 13th asking us if were in Taiwan. I told him yes, and he said they would be waiting for us on the 14th. The time was up to us.
Our film producer Shimada-san, director Shimomura-san, a secretary, and I hopped on a bullet train and headed to Taichung for a ten o'clock meeting.
Mis. Yang (楊), from the Department of Public Information , awaited us in front of the
government building, and then guided us to meet Mr.Lin.
Mr. Fang made some time for us in his busy schedule, and joined the meeting. He even gave each of us a present.
He kindly offered to support the film production in any way he could, so I asked him to contact the elementary school affiliated with the National Taichung University of Education for a permission for us to look around the school. This school is one of the most prestigious schools, and I thought it would be a difficult for us to enter. Mr.Fang said he would gladly help with these specific requests, and he called the school right away. Mr. Lin told us that he would help us with arranging the movie sets and other location-related matters, equipment, props, transportation, and staff. He then said that the government could grant a subsidy and that I should apply.
We are so lucky to have these officials' understanding and their kind support.
After the conference, Mr. Lin arranged us a ride and we looked around the city for about two hours including my school.
The Department distributed the news, and at the end of the day the four major newspapers in Taiwan took up our story extensively (see below.)
This day was another day filled with pure gratitude.

From the right (in white shirt) and counterclockwise: Mr. Lin, the director of department of public information, Mr. Fang, the director of department of sports, the director Mr. Shimomura, producer Mr. Shimada, and Keiko Asai.

Pictures Arrive From Senbukai Germany

Today, we received the photos from the karate seminar hosted by Senbukai Germany on April 25th and 26th. Below is the message from Technical Director Senbukai Germany, Mr. Gerhard Schonfelder:
　
　Dear Mrs Asai,

　 I hope you are well and healthy and everything is ok in Tokyo.
I just came back home from the seminar with Keibou Sensei in Nuremberg. It really was a great
event with a top class teacher who let us participate in his huge knowledge in Karate and Martial Arts.
Everybody was highly satisfied with the course and we of Senbukai Germany are proud of being
a member of the IJKA family. Please find enclosed a few fotos of Keibou Sensei's stay in Germany.
Unfortunately i did not take too much pictures this time because I was practicing all the time.

Gerhard (Technical Director SENBUKAI Germany)

Keibou Sensei was teaching Tekki Nidan.
received a gift from the dojo chief of Nuremberg	the group foto is with the Senbukai Germany group
taken during sightseeing around Nuremberg.

"Kenseikan Germany And Senbukai Germany Are To Cohost A Karate Seminar."

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament and Technical Seminar Ends with a Great Success

Following the great success of 2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament that was held on September 27th this year, a technical seminar was held the next day. Participants were eager to learn the new kata of “Seiryu,” and the room was filled with their excitement.

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Opening Demonstration By The Head of Global Technical Office Chen Hsin-kuei
(Kata: Ransetu乱雪)

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Opening Demonstration By The Head of Global Technical Office Chen Hsin-kuei
(Kata: Seiryu青柳)

All Japan Shaolin Butoku Association Performed Embu

We received a congratulatory message from the third generation Soke of All Japan Shaolin Butoku Association, Yoshihiro Morizane sensei, as below:

Congratulations on the 2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karate Friendship Tournament

All Japan Shaolin Butoku Association
The Third Soke Yoshihiro Morizane

On the occasion of the commencement of Asai Cup IJKA International Karate Friendship Tournament for the year 2014, I wish to extend to you my heartfelt congratulations. I also wish to thank everyone who has spent copious efforts into making this great event a reality.

The All Japan Shaolin Butoku Association’s relationship with the IJKA Shuseki Shihan Chen Hunt-tsung sensei goes back over 30 years, to when my father, the second Soke Yoshitaka Morizane, met Chen sensei. My father travelled to Taiwan to meet a true butoka. He became acquainted with the White Crane Fist Chen sensei, and came to know first-hand the greatness of the White Crane Fist. He told me that he visited Chen sensei on numerous occasions thereafter and maintained a connection with him as fellow butoka, respecting each other’s ryu-ha and techniques. I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude on behalf of our former Soke, to whom he placed absolute trust, for having this good rapport as two true butoka. This relationship is still well and strong today.

Two years ago when we held our All Japan Shaolin Butoku Association 60th Commemoration we had the honor to invite over 30 people, including Chen sensei from IJKA, and see the wonderful embu. As a performance from Shaolin Butoku’s friend organization, we were able to make a good impression to our kenshi and their families for having the breadth and the depth in our connections. Thank you again for participating in our event.

I sincerely wish for our relationship to grow stronger, and our exchange to become even more active in the days to come.

Lastly, please allow me to congratulate again on the 2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karate Friendship Tournament, and wish you all a great success, and a continued success of the organization. Thank you.



In addition, members from All Japan Shaolin Butoku Association performed the great embu.

1.Suiken-----------福島一生　5 dan

2.鶴三陣拳------白石弘明　6 dan　

3.棍相対--------冨安定喜、冨安裕次郎

4.瘋魔杖--------浦　正樹

5. White Crane Fist---------Shinji Morizane　6dan

6.拳相対---------中山富雄　7dan、浦　千治　　

Touching Performance: Embu at 2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Press Conference

At the press conference held the day before the 2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament held on September 26th in Taipei, Taiwan, boy of a mere six years old頼瑞謙bravely performed an embu along with his sister頼亭論 (senior at her junior high school) and her father頼怡宏. Her cute gestures including stepping ahead of her family before the performance and checking the standing position charmed the people around him.
劉慕慈, now in her third grade, is the cutest karate champion who has been winning all karate tournaments in Taiwan including the Taiwan Karate Tournament. She also claimed the championship at the Asai Cup. What is more is that she is very well mannered and honest that her personality excels her karate skills.
Her performance all around touched everyone.

Touching Performance: Shuseki Shihan Chen hunt-tsung sensei

Our Shuseki Shihan Chen Hunt-tsung sensei showed the participants “Bujyutu Karate”at the technical seminar held in conjunction with the 2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship, The room was filled with zealous students beaming with happiness trying to master the skills.
The head of technical office, Chen Hsin-kuei sensei performed the Bujyutu Karate, which is not part of the conventional karate a sport. Seeing the embu, the participants were thrilled to see the remarkable power of this karate. The embu was followed by Chen Hsin-kuei sensei teaching the kata “seiryu (青柳)” that Master Asai drilled into him thirty years ago, and it was also well received by the participants, who continued the fervent training.

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Ends with a Great Success 6

We had a great turn out at the 2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament held on September 27th.

The footage was taken at the 1961 All Japan National Tournament (more accurately an international event, as many contenders joined from outside Japan.) He fought with Hirokazu Kanazawa at the preliminary, and continued winning straight through all other rounds against eight tough opponents including Kusumoto, Mikami , and Shirai , and finally winning the championship. The audience watched the footage intently, and those who were inheritors of Asai Karate all expressed how much they missed him.

IJKA Administrational Meeting evening of September 28, 2014 TAIWAN

On October 12th, we received from Mr. Otto in Germany a meeting minutes of the global meeting held on September 27th, 2014. We apologize for the delay in posting this on our website. The following was decided at the meeting:

Attendants:

1. The participants agree to the Presidents proposal as to organizing IJKA along the lines of traditional Budo schools. So from now on, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei is Kaiso (Founder) and Soshi (Original master of the IJKA). As Founder, he is 1st Generation.
2. The current members of the Instructor Committee are regarded as 2nd Generation
3. 50 years ago, Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei came to Taiwan to teach Karate. He met his brother-in-law Chen Hunt-tsung Sensei, who was already a master of White Crane Kung Fu. They exchanged techniques and created the basic principles of what was to become Asai Karate. So Asai Karate as a martial art is a hybrid of Shotokan Karate, White Crane Kung Fu, Judo and includes useful techniques of other martial arts as well.
4. The instructors will receive information from Mrs. Asai as how to create special Makiwara pads for daily training.
5. Italy's IJKA global instructor, Mr. Formenton, agreed to host the next Asai Cup IJKA Karatedo Tournament and it was agreed by all meeting attendees.

We Declare That The IJKA Certified By The Japanese Cabinet Is The Soke of Asai Karate.

The IJKA Global Meeting on September 28th, 2014

We declare, as a resolution of the global meeting, that Master Asai Tetsuhiko is the Soshi of the International Japan martial arts Karatedokai (IJKA) as well as of Asai Karate, and that the Not-for-Profit Organization, the International Japan martial arts Karatedokai (IJKA) certified by the Japanese cabinet, is the Soke of Asai Karate.

Meeting

Date：Sept.28th, 2014
Venue：中華電信中正堂體育館

For that reason, our organization will be comprised of as follows:

IJKA Administrational Meeting September 26, 2014 TAIWAN

After the press conference we held the IJKA global meeting.

Date：Sept.26th, 2014
Venue：中華電信中正堂體育館

The agenda for the meeting was about establishing IJKA as “Soke.” The topic was sent to the participants prior to the meeting so that they were able to discuss the matter within their respective countries before coming to the table to vote.

More specifically, the following proposal was sent and reviewed by the members:

1. Master Asai is the Kaiso of IJKA as he founded the organization
2. Master Asai is the Ryuso of IJKA as he created his karate waza and kata. Since IJKA is not bound to one single school/ryu, he should be regarded as the original master, Soshi.

For these reasons, from now on we will officially call Master Asai the Kaiso and Karate Soshi of IJKA.

There are currently a few organizations outside of Japan that call themselves IJKA, and this is an uncomfortable situation for all parties involved.
After Master Asai’s passing, I was under medical treatment for a broken spine for three years and unable to do much. So I imagine those students who were left alone without the master were exasperated at that time, and had to start up their own IJKA groups. I do not feel that we need to make a fuss about them, except for those who abuse Master Asai’s name. Master Asai had a very strong mentoring relationship with some of them, so I have not had any intention of being adversarial against them, but I could not find the best way to solve this situation.

Going forward, however, I believe the best way is to use the Japanese traditional system, and regard Master Asai as our IJKA’s Soke (the original family), and acknowledge other IJKA groups as our Bunke (branch family). In case of a karate event, Soke will ask Bunke if they would like to join, and we can cooperate.

In order to act in accordance with Master Asai’s belief that “those who are learners of Budo should work together,” let alone following the same Asai karate under the same name of IJKA, we should develop a friendly relationship.
If needed, we can exchange techniques. Furthermore, on the premise that we do not get involved with the operation of their IJKA organizations, we can issue certificates of Bunke, if there is a request. I wonder what everyone thinks about my proposition?

The proposal was agreed by consensus. The participants of the meeting made a pledge to forever protect and ensure a proper succession of Asai-karate under the name of Soke.

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Ends a Great Success 5

We held a press conference on September with many reporters from various newspaper companies and TV stations.

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Ends with a Great Success 4

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament ended successfully,
and I was simply moved by the efforts put into this event by the members of Taiwan IJKA Tetsuhiko Kan
and the board members who spent many months preparing for the tournament day and night.
I am also grateful that for the generous donations many people made, which helped pay for the event!
Thank you also for those who showed abundant hospitality who volunteered to chaperon and host international participants with every meal, which they did with passion.
It was very touching and I could not help but be teary to see Master Asai’s students all together, and on the last day hugging each other as they parted.
I am certain that Master Asai was also happy to see that from heaven. So I thank everyone one more time. Thank you.
The participants told me that they were “really proud of our IJKA because IJKA has warmth and the strongest passion towards karate.” I was very happy to hear this.
Everyone’s excitement ran high when Chen Hunt-tsung Sensei showed “Bujyutu Karate,” to which they practiced enthusiastically and happily,
and even higher when the Technical Office head Chen Hsin-kuei, who received Master Asai’s strict training for 30 years, performed the kata of “Seiryu” for the first time and taught it to the participants.
After the tournament, we received many calls from Master Asai’s former students from Mexico, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and other countries.

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Ends with a Great Success 3

We are honored to have had so many participants at the 2014 Asai Cup IJKA Taiwan International Karatedo Friendship Tournament.
In Taiwan especially, many people came from all over the island to celebrate the memories of “the father of Taiwanese Karatedo,” Tetsuhiko Asai.
Including those from abroad, most of Master Asai’s former students brought their own students and their students’ students.

The participants were as follows:

Country:　　　　　Representative:

Germany　　　　　Otto Riedinger

Italy　　　　　　　Giuseppe Formenton

France　　　　　　Pascal Fargette

Indonesia　　　　Jonggi WL Tambunan

China　　　　　　　夏佳韵

China(Shanghai)　　邱 旭峰

China(Shenzhen)　　高泉煕

China(Hong Kong)　　王向軍

Taiwan(Pingtung)　　呉國華

Taiwan(Taipei)　　　　劉祖誠

Taiwan(Hualien)　　　宗一忠

Taiwan(Kaohsiung)　　潘蔡仁

Taiwan(Tainan)　　　　胡曉明

Taiwan(Chiayi)　　　　許俊翰

Taiwan(Taichung)　　栄一信

Taiwan(Hsinchu)　　　紀邦彦

Taiwan(Taoyuan)　　　頼啓東

古亭Dojo (Taipei, Taiwan)　呉憲耀

通安Dojo (Taipei, Taiwan)　黄博厚

健安Dojo (Taipei, Taiwan)　楊徳華

中華電信Dojo (Taipei, Taiwan)　周智文

National Chung Hsing University Dojo　梁洪陶

興雅國中Dojo (Taipei, Taiwan)　　　汪儒郁

博愛国小道場Dojo (Taipei, Taiwan)　汪儒郁

City of Taipei, Taiwan　　　　　　　林茂椿



From Japan, we had the honor to have the third Soke of All Japan Shaolin Butoku kai,
Yoshihiro Morizane Sensei, who kindly brought ten high ranking sensei’s from his organization and performed an embu.
Morizane sensei and the Shuseki Shihan of the IJKA, Chen Hunt-tsung share a thirty years of friendship over two generations.

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Ends with a Great Success 2

Congratulatory message from the IJKA Shuseki Shihan
In 1962, my sister came back to Taiwan with her husband, Tetsuhiko Asai-san in tow, who had just won the world’s karate grand championship. I was an acting Shihan of the White Crane Fist at the time, practicing the White Crane Fist and the 7-Jointed Whip under my Sensei along with my kohai students,
In Taiwan, “any comers are our guests.” Especially when the visitor is a husband of my sister and let alone the practitioner of bujyutsu, it was only natural that we set up a party to host him with great hospitality.
After a few good drinks, my sensei and my brother-in-law started competing with their own feverish techniques under the table. After the round my sensei told me that I absolutely must “learn bujyutsu under this person.”
From the next day, my teacher put all of his students under Asai sensei for training. This was the seed of Taiwanese karate. During the mere month he taught us the basic bujyutsu of karate, explained detailed training methods and key points, and gave us a set of documents that further clarified his points.
At the same time, Asai sensei felt the power of the White Crane Fist and the arcana of the Seven Section Whip that he asked me to show him some of the White Crane Fist’s kata and kumite, as well as some points of the Seven Section Whip.
To our surprise, in less than ten days, Asai sensei mastered more than 2/3 of the bujyutsu that took me over ten years to learn. We could not but be in awe of his natural talent for bujyutu and his spirit and the determination for training. Our respect for Asai sensei grew even more.

He then was sent to Hawaii to teach karate there for five years. During those years, we kept learning under him through letters and pictures, asking him about various techniques and problems.
After five years, Shihan and my sister came to Taiwan to spread karate here, as promised. When I was watching Asai sensei performing an embu one day, I noticed that his power was filled with more surprises, his techniques more sinuous, beautiful, graceful and refined. After a closer look, I realized that Shihan had incorporated the essentials of the White Crane Fist and Seven Section Whip into karate. As a result, he was executing offense and defense movements simultaneously, and moving after the opponent but being
able to attack first, which all lead to the even more powerful original Asai Karate.
After a few years in Taiwan, Asai Shihan went back to Sohonbu in Japan to head the Japan Karate
Association’s technical office and Shuseki Shihan. He established IJKA in 1990, and JKS in 2000, and
became Shuseki Shihan for both groups.
Every year, we exchanged visits, and every time I noticed that he added new techniques to his karate.
During the forty years of apprenticeship under Asai Shihan, I always had something new to learn and
experience. His bujyutuka spirit was reflected in everyday human life relationships, and as his bujyutu
attained higher and higher excellence, his butoku, the martial virtue, with regards to human nature
became even more strict. He is our proud Kaiso of the International Japan martial arts Karatedokai
(IJKA.)
I am happy that we were able to come together today to train and push each other to a higher level.
I am also grateful, and believe that everyone here feels the same, that we were able to have trained
under Kaiso and the first Shuseki Shihan of IJKA, and now have the opportunity to further develop one’s
skills the martial virtue.
the International Japan martial arts Karatedokai (IJKA)

Chen Hunt-tsung
Shuseki Shihan

2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Ends with a Great Success

We have just returned from Taipei.
The 2014 Asai Cup IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament ran smoothly and ended with great success.
This could not been possible without everyone’s cooperation, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

「2014 IJKA Asai Cup Taipei International Karatedo Friendship Tournament」
: Preparation Well Underway

Preparation for the 2014 IJKA Asai Cup Taipei International Karatedo Friendship Tournament and related events in Taipei scheduled on 26th to
28th next month is gaining momentum as the date approaches.

Some of the work include sending invitations to international participants, arranging staff for registration, confirming accommodation and shuttles, planning and organizing sight-seeing tours,
setting up the tournament venue, organizing Taiwan-wide press conference, arranging prizes and mementos,
and making pamphlets.

The members of the Taipei IJKA executive board, global instructors, top officers,
and parents of the students at the dojo are all working hard doing their part. They are also contributing generous donations and are definitely all getting excited preparing for the tournament.

2014 IJKA Asai Cup Taipei International Karatedo Friendship Tournament
Preparation Meeting 2

Date: May 31, 2014 (17:00-21:00
Venue: Kinnohashi
Attendants:

■Preparation work place: Zhong Zheng Hall Gymnasium


・Other details including preparation timeline, tournament name, embu demonstrations, and souvenirs,
were discussed at the meeting held on May 4th, as described in
“Topics 2014 IJKA Taipei International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Preparation Meeting.

・Thank you party’s formal name has been decided as “Teacher’s Day Party.”

・The sightseeing tour for the tournament participants was decided to be hosted by the President.

・The President reported on the following points:
With regards to individual members who belong to other organizations - the individual membership
and karate passport are intended to be used for participating in the IJKA activities,
such as attending technical seminars and trying out and obtaining instructor/dan examiner/tournament judge certificates.
Without actually being involved in these activities, there is no point in having them.
The participants at the meeting agreed that IJKA officials should meet in person any applicants to understand each other and establish a good line of communication before accepting any new members.
As such it was also decided that the IJKA would welcome anyone
who is interested in applying for a membership to come to join the 2014 IJKA Asai Cup Taipei International Karatedo Friendship Tournament.

・The president also revisited the reason why IJKA established the Honbu dojo in Taiwan.

The reasons are:


1. Master Asai frequently said that he was “happy to be surrounded by so many good and capable directors,”
   with regards to the people involved with his other karate organization that he and Keiko Asai established.
   


2. After Master Asai’s passing, a document that was sealed with blood was found. It was written by some of the directors, mentioned above,
   who all pledged to protect the organization with their heart united with Master Asai.　
   Since they are based in Tokyo, taking into consideration their competency as well as commitment to Asai Karate in Japan with their organization,
   we intentionally did not establish the IJKA honbu dojo in Tokyo, or in Japan, in order to show gratitude and to accord them with every courtesy.
   This decision is based on Bushido.
   


3. It was decided that Chen Hunt-tsung sensei, who studied karate waza for fifty years and spread the karate we see today in Taiwan with Master Asai,
   was the most appropriate person for IJKA’s shuseki shihan, and the honbu dojo was established in Taipei.
   
   
   President Keiko Asai told the attendants that she believes that students of Master Asai should accept and support each other even if they belong to different organizations,
   based on Master Asai’s wish to see “those who love karate training in friendly rivalry beyond the differences in the styles they pursuit.”
   
   

IJKA　ASAI CUP Taipei International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Preparation Meeting

Date and Time: May 4th, 2014 (08:20-9:30)
Place: IJKA International martial arts Karatedokai Honbu Dojo
Attendants:

■Preparation work place: Zhong Zheng Hall Gymnasium

■Other items discussed at the meeting

(１) Official name for the tournament
【2014　IJKA　ASAI CUP Taipei International Karatedo Friendship Tournament】

(２) demonstration：
・White Crane Fist　・Qi-gong　・Joko kata　・Dantai kata

(３) Souvenirs：
・T-shirt　・Tiepin　・Logo for doi etc.,

(４)Welcome party and thanks party

(５) Sight-seeing tour for participants

Thank You So Much to All Those Who Applied For IJKA Membership

We are grateful to receive so many applications to join IJKA.
However, we will be granting membership only after we conduct an interview with each applicant, in order to prevent the reoccurrence of the corrupt incidents that we saw in Germany and the US. This, we are taking a prudent approach to making our family bigger.

For those who are interested in having an interview, please consider coming to Taipei, Taiwan for the Second International Friendship Karate Tournament in September, where you would have a chance to meet with the IJKA Chief Instructor, IJKA instructors, Director of IJKA, and other board members.

For those who are interested but not able to come to Taipei, we recommend meeting with Bruno Koller (IJKA Europe Region Head), Otto Riedinger (IJKA Germany Chief Instructor), or Giuseppe Formenton (IJKA Italy Chief Instructor) for the interview.

IJKA Global Meeting Held November 17th 2013

The late master Asai aspired to “Everyone’s Karate,” and we at IJKA are taking on his vision and operate on decisions made by many members instead of having a dictatorship or a handful of decision-makers. 　

■Administrative meeting was held in November

• Meeting summary
• Date：November 17th, 2013 (10:00am -)
• Venue：IJKA Taiwan Taipei Honbu Dojo (“Tetsuhiko Kan”)
• Attendants:
• Ms. Keiko Asai (IJKA President) - Chair
• Mr. Chen Hunt-tsung (Global Chief Instructor)
• Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei (Global Head of IJKA Technical Office)
• Mr. Wang Ju-yu (Global Instructor)
• Mr. Chou, Chih-Wen (Global Instructor)
• Mr. Lin Mau-tsun (Honbu Dojo Admin Office Head of Global Section Chief)
• Mr. Ji,-Bang -Yen (Director)
• Mr. Lin Chyuan-jeng (Assisting Secretariat)
• Ms. Chen, Li-chu (Honbu Dojo Secretariat)
• Members of Tetsuhiko Kan：胡哲維、林家鴻、陳怡安、鄭喻方、陳明輝、劉家豪
• Registrar：鄭雯心

• 1. ●Reports from the Chair on the agenda items
     1. As a countermeasure against the individual member who stole the IJKA's logo and applied for patency, we submitted an official objection to the German Patent Office with some supporting documents to show the use of the logo in the past, including documents from the 2011 International Karatedo Friendship Tournament and pictures from the karate seminars in Italy and Switzerland where the head of technical office Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei was coaching. The individual also issued a dan certificate without being qualified as an official IJKA examiner. For that reason, we expelled this member and posted the announcement on our website.
     2. Preparation for the International Friendship Tournament
        The tournament was initially planned to take place in Italy along with technical seminars and qualification exams, but for technical reasons the event had to be postponed. For that reason, we will hold the tournament in Taiwan in March/April this year. The preparation for the event will move forward once the President contacts member countries, such as Italy, Switzerland and Germany and other country members, for confirmation and ensures that the schedule works for everyone.
  2. 
     ●Review of the agenda items from previous meeting
  3. 
     ●Additional comments
     1. The President is actively promoting culture exchange between Japan and Taiwan, from Tokyo. The group she leads currently mainly focuses on music, art, culture and martial arts, but karatedo will be added to the list going forward, and she is now recruiting participants. This way, she hopes to strengthen the ties between Japan and Taiwan.

The Second International Karatedo Friendship Tournament to be held in Taipei

Upon receiving agreements from core country members, the IJKA has decided to hold the event at Chunghwa Telegram Co.,Ltd.
Zhong Zheng Hall Gymnasium in Taipei.
For the details of the event, please see the announcement from Taiwan Honbu Dojo.

Moved By Mr. Formenton’s Considerable Spirit

Mr. Formenton said that “[the karateka of late is not very reliable and think only about power, money and Dan.
This is why [I am] outside off these environments, because those things do not interest me.”]
When I read this email, my eyes were filled with hot tears.
This is the core of Karate Spirit and therefore Bushido.
I give Mr. Formenton a round of applause for regally fighting for the right karate in dignity,
even if it leaves him alone.
This is the essence of our Master Asai's IJKA Karate.
I sincerely wish that this gives a good opportunity for those who value justice to follow Mr. Formenton’s lead, and set right these karateka who only chase after power, money, and Dan, over loyalty, compassion, and justice. I believe that this day will come. I know there are many good karateka in the world like
Mr. Formenton.

Announcement From Taiwan Honbu Dojo

• 1. Based on the decision made at a meeting of the Chief Instructor, the Head of Technical Office, instructors, and the President of IJKA, IJKA will hold a following event (still subject to change):
     
     
  2. 1. Event: The Second Annual International Friendship Karate Tournament
     2. Method: The same as the 2011 Taipei Tournament
     3. General Schedule:
        

        ・ September 26th, 2014 (Friday)	Morning: Tournament
        	Afternoon: Referee meeting
        	Evening: Welcome Party
        ・September 27th, 2014 (Saturday）	All day: Tournament and demonstrations
        ・ September 28th, 2014 (Sunday)	Morning: Seminars on techniques
        	Afternoon: Examinations for Dan and other certifications

     4. Tournament venue: Chunghwa Telegram Co.,Ltd. Zhong Zheng Hall Gymnasium (which was chosen for its familiarity in consideration to the previous participants.)
  
  
  
  3. Other details are to come after the President receives agreements from member countries. We will keep you posted.
     
     
  
  
  
  4. Lin maw tsun
     Head of Global Sections
     Taiwan Honbu Dojo
     
     
     

German member’s membership terminated

We are sorry to announce that we had no choice but to terminate the membership of a certain member in Germany.

To Mr. Bernhard Keller

We regret to inform you that your membership has been terminated effective immediately.

The reasons for the termination are for the following IJKA rule violations:

You used Master Asai’s picture and IJKA logo without permission.

You organized and held a tournament without contacting the headquarters without any official IJKA instructors present, while still using the IJKA name at the event.

You organized and held dan examinations without contacting the headquarters and without any certified IJKA dan examiners present.

You impersonated the role of an IJKA dan examiner without a certificate.

You do not reply to any contact from headquarters.

Because of this termination you must remove the IJKA name,logos and the Tetsubukai name from any and all of your materials effective immediately. Failure to do so will result in legal action.

In addition to you breaching the IJKA rules listed above, you carried out a disrespectful act against karatedo spirits when you attempted to register the IJKA logo under your name. Trying to make the logo yours, one that Master Asai worked on for months and hand drew many times, allowed me see that you are not fit to follow the path of karatedo, and therefore I have terminated your membership.

Master Asai’s Original Logos Sketches Found

The current IJKA’s official logo was designed by Master Asai, and made after much practice and many months.
Dozens of sketches are still kept with care, and since there are too many to share, I would like to introduce three of his logos with you here.
Master Asai’s courtesy name, or AZANA, was 悠翔 (“Yu-sho”), meaning to fly (“sho”) gracefully (“yu”.) Eagles look down on the Earth from the sky with sharp eyes,
and they are said to be keeping watch on evil. People respect the bird for its graceful flight and dignity, despite the bird’s loneliness.
For that reason, Master Asai placed a picture of an eagle with the IJKA name, with the spirit that he too would watch over IJKA and protect it.
I also helped, as his wife, for deciding the final design, including the color placements. We made dozens and dozens of designs and spent many days finalizing the logo.

Goju-ryu: Gogen Yamaguchi Sensei’s DVD Is Now Available

Goshi Yamaguchi sensei, who is the son of the late Gogen Yamaguchi, the founder of the International Karate-do Goju Kai Association, sent us Gogen sensei’s legendary karatedo DVD.

The late Master Asai was close with Gogen sensei, and even after Gogen sensei’s passing, Master Asai kept a good rapport with his son, Goshi sensei. More than once Goshi sensei sent congratulatory gifts to the karate tournaments Master Asai hosted.

On numerous occasions I accompanied Master Asai to visit Gogen sensei, and saw the two talking and laughing so happily. He was also very nice to me. So I think it is not surprising that when I watched the video my heart was filled with emotion. I wish to share with everyone this great DVD and the legacy Gogen sensei left for us. Unfortunately, because of copyright issues I am not able to post the video, but the DVD is now available, and anyone who wishes to watch it can order a copy from below.

For DVD orders or inquiries for All Japan Karate-do Goju-Kai Association, please contact:

All Japan Karate-do Goju-Kai Association
TEL:03-3395-2311
FAX:03-3395-2312
E-mail:gojuryu@karatedo.co.jp

Dan Grading Heats Up at IJKA Taipei Honbu Dojo Tetsuhiko Kan.

On June 30th, the annual kyu and dan examinations were held at IJKA Taipei Honbu Dojo Tetsuhiko Kan.
Kids trained hard without break for this event over the past year. They were filled with anticipation and showed powerful karate.
The Dojo was bursting with excitement, and they touched the heart of the observers’.


See moving picture of the event at IJKA Taipei Honbu Dojo Tetsuhiko Kan


The examination went on until late in the evening.

About unifying the logo＆Technical Office

1. About unifying the logo:
We will unify the IJKA logo globally to the one that does not include the word "Asai-ryu."
The reason for eliminating the word "Asai-ryu" from the organization's name is because Master Asai himself did not want to insist on one particular style.
Considering this, we will not restrict our group only to "Asai-ryu." You may however still call it ASAI KARATE.

2. About the name Technical Office (instead of 'Instructor Committee')
We do not call the Office a Committee because within Technical Office, there are
Instructor Committee, Kyu and Dan Review Committee, and Tournament Judge Committee.

IJKA Global Meeting Held in Europe

Summary of the meeting:

1. The Europe Honbu Secretary, Ms. Selina, spoke of the following:
   • The reason for the change in the seminar venue
   • It should be clearly stated to the members what qualifications and skills the instructor,
     the judge, the referee, and the dan test examiner must possess.
     For Ms. Selina’s comment on b., the following were discussed:
     * Follow the already laid out policies for the instructor qualification.
     * The tournament judge qualification is to be decided upon the Head of Technical Office and the Chief Instructor’s approvals.
     * The judges will be categorized into three ranks: Global, Regional, and National.
     Assign assistant judges in order to train members for becoming tournament judges, and prepare to meet the demands for judges at next year’s international tournament in Italy.
     * Make English names for judges and assistant judges consistent.
     * Establish a policy that candidates for tournament judges must have experience in Kumite.
     
2. Comment from Mr. Mehmet of Turkey
   • Mr. Chen (Hsin-kuei)’s talk on the original concept of IJKA karate and instruction on the techniques, as well as his demonstration fights were very good and easy for everyone to understand. They helped the seminar participants understand what everyone was saying about the differences in technique, sophistication, and intensity in IJKA Asai Karate and other karate styles.
   • Comment from Otto sensei from Germany on criteria for members having a role in IJKA organizational activities There are many regional groups in Europe, and since IJKA is still a young organization, and since having seminar is a good way to promote the group, we should not set up a criteria for that. For qualifying members for dan examiners, instructors and tournament judges, we must be careful in their selection.
3. Mr. Lin maw tsun, the global section head from the Honbu dojo, relayed the president’s messages as below:
   • Regarding the international friendship karate tournament in Italy ? We are not able to move the matter forward at this point since the person in charge of the event, Mr. Formenton, unfortunately could not attend the meeting, but he said in his email that he is intending to meet with Mr.Chen in September at the Italy seminar to discuss the details with him then.
   • Every member should follow the updates on IJKA website to know the organization’ s activities. Also, when you receive an email from the Japan Headquarters, please reply as swiftly as possible, so that the Secretariat does not have to send another email to make sure the first one is received. A short message such as “Thanks for the email. We will reply soon” will suffice. * Everyone agreed.
     • About qualification credentials and membership fee payment for applicants wishing to join IJKA.
     • Membership applicants must submit documentation on his/her karate background such as certificates, in order to carry out the administration process more smoothly.
       In order to reduce the bank-processing fee on both sides, the membership payment must be done through Pay-Pal in Japanese yen.
   • Master Asai’s book, “Practical Karatedo,” is being emended by Mr. Chen and the Chief Instructor. (Then briefly discussed the pictures in the book.)
   • The appointment letters for each of the organization’s positions are being made in both Japanese and English, with Mr. Lin Quanzheng’s support.
   • Make the IJKA logo consistent across countries.
     * Ms. Selina asked if they could add the sky to the background, but Mr. Lin did not accept the change.

Special Karate Seminar Germany and Master Asai Memorial Karate Camp Switzerland -Pictures Have Arrived

We have received pictures from Special Karate Seminar Germany that took place in Nuremberg on May 4th and in Munich on May 5th as well as from Master Asai Memorial Camp that place in Europe Honbu Dojo in Switzerland on May 9th.

Master Asai Memorial Camp 2013, 09th -12th of May 2013, Lucerne-Switzerland

We had a very good and powerful Master Asai Memorial Camp 2013 in the European Honbu Dojo in Lucerne-Switzerland with good spirit and good friendship. About 30 Karateka trained in this camp from early morning 06.00 o'clock until evening 18.00 o'clock. Six students passed with sucess their Shodan examination.
Thank you again, Keibou Sensei for your excellent teaching, and many thanks to all students visiting the Camp!

Ossu, Bruno Koller

「Einmaliges Seminar mit」 Germany: We have received a report from the Global Section Taipei Honbu Dojo,
Mr. Lin maw tsun.

We received a report from the 「Einmaliges Seminar mit」taking place in
Germany. Below is a text from the email sent from Mr. Lin maw tsun, the Global
Section Chief of IJKA Main Dojo in Taipei.

About 40 people gathered on the first day of Technical Seminar Germany. The first
class was made up of a few beginners, and the second and the third were mostly filled
with instructors and black-belt holders of Shoto, Shito or Goju-ryu karate who
gathered from different regions in Germany.

Two karatekas from Switzerland and Austria also participated in the seminar. They
came to see the “extraordinary Asai Karate” commended by the people like the
German instructor Mr. Otto who has been to Main Dojo in Taipei.

The class started with an introduction by the Head of Technical Office, Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei,
who described how Master Asai and the Chief Instructor Chen Hunt-tsung exchanged karate techniques
and spread karate throughout Taiwan.

Michael then led a warm-up exercise, followed by a demonstration of one of Master Asai’s favorites,
the spreading-wing movement (“Tenshi”) of the White Crane Fist, that he learned from the Chief Instructor
and the Head of the Technical Office. The demonstration triggered great excitement from the participants.
The class moved on to basic movements and kata training such as Junro and Joko. Then Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei together
with Mr. Otto showed a demonstration of easy, yet powerful, specific defensive and offensive movements,
like punching, pushing and throwing that are all derived from “Koma” technique of the White Crane Fist.
The participants seemed to be both shocked and very intrigued by these techniques.

During the class Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei noticed that many of the participants’
movements were stiff, their shoulders were tensed, and that the arms hung abruptly
downward or to the side, instead of snapping hands or fingers by dropping the elbows
and using the force that originates in the shoulders. So he took ample time for them to
practice the elbow techniques (“Hijitsukai”), Tenshi and Koma movements from Yojoko,
and the participants slowly came to master the gist of it. Some students were surprised that
they could block attacks or throw out the opponent with such ease.

After the training, the participants solemnly paid their respect to the instructors.
When that was over, the place became bustling with lively discussions about katas and
people taking photos or asking the masters for their autographs.
In the evening at the banquet, Mr. Bruno Koller, the Region Head of Europe,
kept repeating that he finally showed them the karate he always talked about and the students
were dubious about. The dinner was buzzing with talks about Master Asai and the White Crane Fist.
Many of them revered Maser Asai and Mr. Chen Hunt-tsung, whom they had never met, as the martial arts gods.

Mr. Otto and Mr. Gehard have wide networks and many karateka friends, and are passionately spreading karatedo in their regions.

Mr. Michael treasures the training he received in the Main Dojo in Taipei,
and is resolved to continue accurately practicing what he learned. He is also a gentle and kind instructor to his students.

This seminar’s success does not attribute to just the real karate skills involved;
Mr. Otto’s translation work and the fact that he has been teaching his students with great care played a big role.

Please report to Mr. Chen Hunt-tsung of the details I described. I also strongly
hope that our disciples and students of karate know that our training environment is supreme and that we are extremely lucky.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Lin maw tsun from Germany.


On May 6th, the second day of the technical seminar in Germany, Mr. Lin sent us a report on the event.

Like the first day, there were classes from beginners to advanced. The students’
manners were far better than the first day, due to the strict training and the talks at
the banquet. Their movements were also better and smoother.

The advance classed reviewed the movement from the first day, and practiced the
mental power “Chi” that Chief Instructor Mr. Chen always taught. After repeating
the exercise, many of them seemed to be able to grasp how to maintain the posture
and extract the “Chi” from inner muscle, instead of simply using brute force.

The Head of Technical Office, Mr. Chen, also showed them how to counterattack by
moving a leg into the inside or outside of the opponent’s leg, which is something
Master Asai always taught. This is effective in breaking the form of the opponent or
even bringing down the opponent with one attack. The students were surprised and
delighted to know that the hand rotating routine they did in warm-ups could turn into a powerful move.
Especially those who were training in combat style were excited.

After the training, all the students went to Head of Technical Office Mr. Chen and asked for his autograph, thanking him vigorously for his lessons.

Mr. Otto spoke with Michelle and wished earnestly that the students learned manners
from the Head of Technical Office Mr. Chen and the Chief Instructor, as well as the
late Master Asai. He told Michelle that even if these teachers have gentle mannerisms
despite their position as highly skilled karateka, and are not as austere as Japanese
instructors, the students must not treat them as if they are friends. He stressed that
they must show respect for the great masters.

Summary of Administrative meeting at Main Dojo in Taipei, Taiwan 2013.04.13

• Date：2013.04.13
• Location: IJKA Taiwan Honbu Dojo (Tetsuhiko Kan)
• List of attendees:
  • Ms. Keiko Asai (President)
  • Mr. Chen Hunt-tsung (Chief Instructor)
  • Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei (Head of IJKA Technical Office)
  • Mr. Lin Mau-tsu (The Main Dojo Admin Office Global Section Chief)
  • Mr. Chou, Chih-Wen (IJKA Technical Instructor)
  • Mr. Ji,-Bang -Yen (director, IJKA Taiwan,Member of trustee Board, IJKA Taiwan)
  • Ms. Chen ,Li -chu (HonbuDojo Secretariat IJKA Taiwan)
  • and other director IJKA TAIWAN

Agreed items:

1. regarding The 2nd IJKA International Friendship Karatedo Tournament ,
   The Main Dojo and the Japan headquarters will bear some of the tournament cost. Italy Country Head has been notified via email. Currently we are waiting for their progress report on the tournament preparation.
2. Meeting minutes are posted on IJKA website, so the member countries should follow the updates this way.
3. When members receive a certificate or any other type of documentation from the headquarters, they must notify the headquarters by signing the receipt and sending it back to headquarters.
4. About verification of the qualifications and the background of those applying to become an IJKA member we will request them to send official certificates and other documents for Technical Office to evaluate. The membership will be issued once the office approves the application.
5. Dan registration fees and other fee payments made to the headquarters must be in Japanese Yen.
6. IJKA now has opened a Paypal account. Each member country should also open an account for the ease of payments.

Special Seminar with Chen Hsin-Kuei

4th/5th of May 2013 in Nuremberg, Germany
Chen Hsin-Kuei is a 7-DAN of IJKA Shotokan Karate
- trained in Japan
- former taiwanese Champion
- White Crane Kung Fu Master
- Nephew of Asai Tetsuhiko, 10-DAN Karate
Seminar teaching is conducted in English
Pupose is the introduction and perfection of principles and katas of Grandmaster Tetsuhiko Asai
Location is Georg-Ledebour-School, Georg-Ledebour-Straß e, 90473
Nuremberg/Germany
Price is 25・ per person
For participation, please contact bilska.erich@kenshokan.de or otto_riedinger@yahoo.de

Annual Master Asai Memorial Karate-camp 2013 Switzerland

09th-12th May 2013

IJKA global honbu dojo international meeting

• First Meeting: December 26nd
• Second Meeting: December 28th
• Location: IJKA Taiwan Main Dojo (Tetsuhiko Kan)
• Ａ. List of Participants:
  • Ms. Keiko Asai (President)
  • Mr. Chen Hunt-tsung (Chief Instructor)
  • Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei (Head of IJKA Technical Office)
  • Mr. Lin maw tsun (The Main Dojo Admin Office Global Section Chief)
  • Mr. Toshiyuki Kidokoro (IJKA Technical Instructor)
  • Mr. Wang Ju-yu (IJKA Technical Instructor)
  • Mr. Chou, Chih-Wen (IJKA Technical Instructor)
  • Mr. Lin Chyuan-jeng (vice-president, IJKA Taiwan)
  • Mr. Ji,-Bang -Yen (director, IJKA Taiwan)
  • Ms. Chen ,Li -chu (Secretary, IJKA Taiwan)

• Ｂ. Minutes of the Meeting:
  1. Issue an official letter of appointment for each position in the organization Under the logo, the document will be written in Japanese then English to follow. It will be crafted by Global section, and issued by the general headquarters in Japan. The term for each position will be two years with possible reappointments.
  2. Issue Karate Passport with membership cards. The fee will be 2500yen. This is to carry out the wishes of the late Master Asai that he left with Mr Naito.
  3. There are currently applications for the individual membership coming from England, Germany, India and other countries.
  4. IJKA will help fund the World Cup Karate Tournament that will be hosted by IJKA Italy. The IJKA general headquarters and the main dojo will actively aid the event to lighten the economic burden of the host country. This will include the preparation, scheduling, financially aiding the food and accommodation costs, and co-hosting events such as workshops, dan examinations and demonstrations.
  5. Make the timing of the international karate tournament flexible so as to allow each region host karate events more freely.
  6. Start holding global meetings through Skype. This will save the energy and the cost of the President commuting between Japan and Taiwan, and allow her to see the leaders of member countries that will be greatly helpful in having better line of communication and the opportunity to nurture rapport.
  7. The main dojo is to take video footages of practice scenes and technical demonstrations, and make them accessible for the general public through social media such as Youtube.

• Ｃ. Additional note from the President:
  • The President Keiko Asai will add a comment here, which could not fit into the meeting agenda due to a time constraint.
  1. IJKA headquarter is asking each dojo to pick a member from its dojo who is training very hard, and send the information of the student to the Japan headquarter. We will introduce the student on our website under a new section called “Meet a Member.”
  2. Karate Passport will be issued only one time, so the membership fee will be 2000yen from the second renewal.
     Replacement of a lost Karate Passport will cost 500 yen.
  3. Once you receive the certificate from headquarters, sign the receipt, and send the scanned image of the receipt back to headquarters.
  4. The membership fee must be wired to headquarters from the applicant's name, otherwise the head office will not be able to recognize whom the certificate is for.
  5. When transferring the membership fee, the name of the recipient must be IJKA, otherwise the office will not be able to retrieve the funds.

IJKA Karate Passport will be issued from the general headquarters

IJKA Karate Passport will be issued from the general headquarters along with the individual membership card.
In doing so, we will increase the individual membership fee from ¥2,000 to ¥ 2,500 (what was originally ¥3,000).

The 2nd IJKA Karate Technical Seminar Italy

The 2nd IJKA Karate Camp Italy was held in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Udine) from September 14th to 16th, hosted by Mr. Formenton Giuseppe.
It was a smaller group this time, limited only to those with black or brown belt, at Mr. Formenton's request.
Pictures from the camp

August 22nd and 26th Administrational Meeting

In order to practice the late Master Asai's tenet that condemns the privatization of karate organizations and
calls for an organization that can serve the interests of the members, the General Secretariat (Tokyo) and
Technical Office (Taiwan) holds administrational joint meetings to discuss public matters. Here is the report from the latest meeting.

First Meeting: August 22nd, 2012 PM08:00 -
Second Meeting: August 26th, 2012 AM10:00 -
Location: IJKA Taiwan Main Dojo (Tetsuhiko Kan)
Attendees: Mrs. Keiko Asai (IJKA President), Mr. Chen Hunt-tsung (Chief Instructor), Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei (Head of Technical Office), Mr, Lin Mau-tsu (Admin Office Global Section Chief), Wang Ju-yu (Head of Admin Assistant), Chou Chih-wen, Lin Chi-tang
Note-taker: Lin Chi-tang

Agreed Items:

1. Although the IJKA policy no.10 states that: "Members of the Association may contact Japan
   Headquarters directly without going through country heads," those individuals who are seeking
   IJKA certification are now required to include the regional headquarters when sending the email
   application. (Add their email address in CC). Upon receiving the application,
   the general headquarters in Japan asks the regional headquarters to provide information about the applicant.
   Regional/country heads must acknowledge that their obligation is to assist karate activities of the
   branch dojos in their home countries and in neighboring countries, and their role is that of a facilitator, and does not symbolize authority.
   
   
2. The Technical Office will lay out more detailed policies in addition to the policies on dan evaluation and admission process that are already posted on the IJKA website.
   
   
3. Make sure the Chinese language used on IJKA certificates and organizational names translated from English are consistent.
   Head of Technical Office is to obtain an approval from the President for new documents and translations.
   
4. IJKA will issue a Karate Passport to follow the wish of the late Master Asai.
   
   
5. Members from Taiwan will join the International Karatedo Friendship Tournament in Italy scheduled in 2013.

August 5th We held a memorial service for the 7th anniversary of the late Master Asai’s passing

On August 5th, a solemn memorial service was held at Tokyo Cemetery in Takao City, Tokyo, to mark the 7th anniversary of Master Asai’s passing. About 50 people, including the Asai family and those from the karate world, attended the ceremony.

August 3rd Late Master Asai Memorial Concert “Flower Banquet”

Late Master Asai Memorial Concert “Flower Banquet” In commemoration of the late master Asai’s 7th anniversary of his passing, we held a flower qigong concert, “Flower Banquet,” at Kanack Hall in Higashi Kanagawa station in Yokohama City.

The event was hosted by International Qigong Kenbiso and Kenbi Production, both headed by Mrs. Asai. It was co-hosted by Gekkan Music Star and NPO group Japan Children’s Song, Dance and Theatre. The morning and evening programs were both a great success. The compilation of Qigong, the flower qigong, which was performed for the first time in Japan, received positive feedback due to Mrs. Asai’s passionate lecture, despite initial audience confusion about the unfamiliar concept. Needless to say, songs by Japan Classical Songs and the nationally famous Duke Aces had a great response.

Mrs. Keiko Asai singing “Soshu Yakyoku” with Duke Aces in memory of her late husband
Mrs. Keiko Asai teaching qigong breathing method, concentrating qi in “dantian” wishing for people’s good health.
A scene from the musical “Bamboo Princess” performed by Sayaka Fukai, the junior leader for Japan Children’s Song Dance and Theater

Master Asai Annual Memorial Karate Camp 2012 Closed as a Huge Success

Master Asai Memorial Karate Camp has become an annual event and it took place again this year in Switzerland from May 17th to 20th with a large turnout of about 100 participants
See Photo

Meeting for International KARATE Tournament in Italy 2013

Mr Bruno plan to hold a meeting after Master Asai Memorial Karate-camp 2012 for international KARATE Tournament in Italy 2013.

Master Asai Memorial Karate-camp 2012 will held in Switzerland

IJKA had a meeting

1,Under the late Master Asai's spirit of everyone's KARATE,
that IJKA decide on important matters together in a meeting,
2,IJKA had a meeting in TAIPEI.2012.2.19
3,International Japan Martial Arts Karatedokai Meeting Minutes
Date: February 19th, 2012
Time: 12:30pm
Location: Taipei
Attendees: Keiko Asai, Chen Hunt-tsung, Chen Hsin-kuei, Lin Maw Tsun, Toshiyuki Kidokoro, Wang Ju-Yu, Chou Chih-Wen, Chang Mei-Cuan
Recorder: Chang Mei-Cuan

Agenda

Big Success at European Main Dojo Opening Ceremony

On the picture, from left to right: Lukas Gerber 1-Dan Michel Ritter 1-Dan Leos Urbanek 3-Dan Nadir Affinito 3-Dan
Giosuel Koller 3-Dan Bruno Koller 8-Dan

The European Main Dojo celebrated its grand opening early this year on January 21st. Mr. Koller reported the exciting event: It was a memorable day for us and all the people who participated in the event - I am so happy to report that we had such a wonderful event.

A Dojo-kun hand-written by late Master Asai was presented to the dojo by the president of IJKA, to celebrate the opening of its European main dojo.
Dan certification for Mr. Koller, who passed the 8-dan examination in Taiwan on August 7th, 2011.

Technical Seminar in Italy Ends with a Success

The technical seminar held in Lignano Sabiadoro, Italy from November 24th to 27th last year drew over three hundred people, where people trained passionately under Mr. Chen Tsin-koei, the head of Technical Office of IJKA, who attended the event from the Taiwan Main Dojo.

See Pictures

Karate Workshop in IJKA Italy

International Japan Martial Arts Karatedokai (IJKA) Italy Dojo hosts a karate camp from November 24th to 27th at LIGNANO SABIADORO in Italy.
The branch manager Mr. FORMENTON GIUSEPPE won the championship at the IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament that took place in Taipei August 6th of this year. On August 7th, he was nominated at the IJKA international administration meeting for the IJKA technical office global instructor by the group's president, Keiko Asai, and received unanimous approval. The head of the technical office, Chen Hsin-kuei, will be sent to the dojo from the main technical office to train the new global instructor.

Black belts training hard at the IJKA headquarters

At IJKA Taipei general headquarters black belt students train hard for two hours every Sunday from 6:30am under the guidance of Chief Instructor Chen Hunt-tsung. Chen Sensei devotes his energy into coaching his students despite the illness he suffered this past May. There are many students that come from abroad seeking to train under the Sensei.<

後列の一番奥がフランスからのMr.Dominique Aymer	右手奥、指導中の技術局長 陳興桂
マスター浅井の技を熱心に練習する黒帯　有段者達	三時間半にも及ぶ猛練習　疲れも見せず気迫に溢れる （５０代、６０代を含み、２年間も休まづ続いている）

Response to the Publication of “Kata Kyohon”

The statement by the legal successor of Master Asai as to the "Kata Kyuhon"

we are very pleased to learn that the students and disciples of late Master Asai are popularizing the "New Karate", which is created & developed by Master Asai with his whole life in the world.

In the meantime, we are very disappointed and regretful on this event of the publication "Kata Kyuhon" was made. The ones who made the publication, appropriated the portrait of Master Asai & his "New Karate" for commercial purples, are all with the knowledge that I am the matron of Master Asai, the legal successor,
None of them send any notice and tried to obtain the consent from me prior to the publication. This has constituted the disrespect to Master Asai.

As known on the world, Karate is not just concerned about the physical techniques,the promotion of the inside sprit is rather more important. Above all, etiquette and respect are the most important lessons of karate, and the fifth DOJOKUN of KARATE is saying "respect others".
That is common knowledge in the karate world.

We do love to see more and more people learning Mastar Asai's karate and feel honoured that people are interested, but we would also like to see anyone who wishes to publish Master Asai's karate and portrait, please send a formal notice and request to me Keiko Asai. Your sincerity would be returned by a gift of Mastar Asai's memento and certificate of acknowledgement, as a token of good faith and gratitude. A public announcement and words of encouragement will also be posted on I.J.K.A's website.

Feedback on the 2011 IJKA Taipei International Karatedo Friendship Tournament

President Keiko Asai
Chief Instructor Chen Hunt-tsung
Government of Taiwan
Participants

Dan Promotion Results

Dan evaluation results

IJKA International Dan Promotion Examination

8月７日

The judges for the tests were: Head of the Technical Office Chen Hsin-kuei, Mr. Bruno Koller, and Mr. Toshiyuki Kidokoro.

Mr. Toshiyuki Kidokoro. Mr. Wang Ruyu, Mr. Zhou Zhiwen and Mr. Otto Riedinger
assisted the event with starting commands and administrational paperwork.


From 4dan, Chief Instructor Chen Hunt-tsung joined the judges despite his illness.
Everyone was moved by his passion for the tournament, heating up the event even more.。

國際武術空手道會親善大會檢討會議

會 議：2011年IJKA國際武術空手道會親善大會檢討會議
日 期：2011年08月10日
地 點：IJKA國際武術空手道會淺井流總本部道哲彦館
参加人員：

会議内容
招待状（インビテーションカード）について
・少なくとも一ヶ月前には発送する。各貴賓等対応が困難。（例・総統府など）

大会カタログについて
・ 大会本部に何冊か保留するように。
・ 各貴賓客に一冊配布する。
・ 各チーム１冊は、不十分。それぞれ６名に１冊ぐらいは渡せる。
・ 主要選手の写真を掲載する。（役員等）

参加選手登録及び参加費用について
・ 各チームは、締切り期日までに登録。
・ 選手参加費用は規定期日までに支払い、当日に支払うことのないように。
・ 大会本部は、所定の領収書を準備し滞ることのないように。

会場において
　記録等の事務手続きは、貴賓客等のステージと別として貴賓客に視覚上の煩雑を避けるようにする。

理事長の意見

* 招待状は各貴賓・関係者に発送する以外に空手会員達に協力してもらい、親戚、友人達に配って貰う。
* 外国から来た各選手達にはパンフレットはプレゼントしたい。
* 大会パンフレットに各国選手の写真は載せてあげたい。
*各チームの参加登録は必ず期日までに済ませること　それが遅れると、
主催国はとても大変で諸事がはからどらない。（パンフレットの印刷、ホテル予約、飛行場への送迎手配、其の他　諸々）。

　

【IJKA行政ミーティング行なわれる。】

8月7日、故マスター浅井生前の意向である「みんなの為の空手」を実行する為、海外各国から指導員が集り、恒例のIJKA行政ミーティングが行なわれた。

参加者
1　IJKA総本部理事長浅井惠子　日本
2　主席師範陳宏宗　台湾
3　主席師範助教CHEN,HSIN-KUEI(陳興桂)　台湾
4　日本総本部事務局里村明子　日本
5　技術局指導員BRUNO KOLLOR　SWITZERLAND
6　技術局指導員城所俊行　日本
7　台湾総本部道場国際部長林茂椿　台湾
8　IJKA TAIWAN秘書長汪儒郁　台湾
9　IJKA TAIWAN副秘書長周智文　台湾
10　IJKA TAIWAN監事張美娟　台湾
11　FORMENTON GUISEPPE 　ITALIA
12　FREZZA ALIGI　ITALIA
13　RIEDINGER OTTO　 GERMANY
14　李淵深　中国上海
15　MAHAMOOD−ul−HASSANRANA 　PAKISTAN

（欠席会員国　USA,ロシア,インド）

議題
（一）IJKA技術局に関して
理事長 浅井惠子の推薦により
イタリア FORMENTON GIUSEPPE（國際6段）
ドイツ　RIEDINGER OTTO（國際4段）
台湾 汪儒郁、周智文（國際五段）の４名をIJKA技術局指導員とし
陳興桂を技術局局長（Head of technical office）
とする事に対し、会議参加者全員の賛成を経て可決された。

これにより，2011年8月以後，IJKA技術局指導員（教練）會の指導員メンバーは以下の通りとなった。
主席師範 陳宏宗
技術局長 CHEN,HSIN-KUEI陳興桂

指導員（教練）
BRUNO KOLLOR　 SWITZERLAND　８段
城所俊行 日本 6段
FORMENTON GIUSEPPE，ITALIA 6段
汪儒郁 臺灣 5段
周智文 臺灣 5段
EDWARD R FUJIWARA 5段
JOEL CHINEN 4段
RIEDINGER OTTO, Germany4段 となる


（二）友好団体締結について
IJKAは故浅井哲彦先生の空手を受け継いで正統な空手を練習する団体である。
国数が少なくても、小さい組織でも構わない。
友好団体締結はしない方が良い、浅井先生の空手を練習するのならIJKAに加入して一緒に仲良く練習しましょう、という結果となった。

（三）二年後のIJKA国際大会はスイスとイタリアの共催で行なう。時期及び場所は後日発表する。

その他
　1　各会員国は指導員の派遣が必要な場合、総本部に申請する。
　2　パキスタンMahamood-UI-Hassan Rana 氏には、パキスタンIJKAとして空手の発展を進めてもらう。
　

August 6th SAYONARA PARTY!

Karaoke time! Participants from Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Taiwan enjoying themselves with the highlight being Mr.Giosuel Koller's Japanese enka (traditional ballad) song 」 "Yosaku."	Staff from the Japanese administrational office also joins in on the world famous song "Sukiyaki."
And the party continued into the night…evading the painful goodbyes.

2011 IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Taipei Ends with a Success

Demonstration from 　鄭朝俊先生、陳東照先生、居合道　呉健文先生、for Iaigiri-do　王武雄先生、or Aiki-do brought an additional excitement to the tournament, and the event closed with a huge success.

Host: IJKA Taiwan（IJKA　TAIWAN) Advisory: NPO International Japan Martial Arts Karatedokai (IJKA) The Sports Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of Interior Co-hosts Chinese Taipei Karate Federation (CTKF) Chunghwa Telecom（CHT） Kaohsiung Karate Association (KKA) Taipei Karate Association (TPKA) 中華電信空手道社（CHTCKA） 愛爾達電視公司（ELTA TV） 靖天電視公司（GOLDEN TV） 神旺酒店集団（SAN WANT HOTELS GROUP)

See Pictures

2011 IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament Taipei Results

On August 6th, heated battles unfolded at the 2011 IJKA International Karatedo Friendship Tournament,
with many participants from all over the world including: Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, France, and Pakistan. Results:

Welcome Party at San Want Hotel

San Want Hotel No.172, Sec. 4, Zhong Xiao East Road, Taipei, Taiwan. Tel: 886-2-2772-2121 　　Mail: reservation@swresidences.com

IJKA President Keiko Asai speech	Chief Instructor Chen Hunt-tsung speech
Welcome party hosted by Mr. Tsai Eng-Meng, the Chairman and CEO of Want Want China Holdings.

On August 5th, a welcome party was held at San Want Hotel after the tournament judge meeting. Chairman and CEO of the Want Want group, Mr. Tsai Eng-Meng, also the honorary
chairman of the 2011 International Karatedo Friendship Tournament, kindly hosted the party. Including Chief Instructor Chen Hunt-tsung, karate-ka from many different
countries joined and had a chance to meet other members. The evening soon became a great success with everyone having a great time.
。

IJKA Japan General Headquarters Admin Staff Admires San Want Hotel

Japan general headquarters admin staff at the hotel lobby

They stayed at San Want Hotel from August 5th for 5 days.
During that time, they were constantly impressed by the service the hotel provided that we don't normally see in Japan.
Everyone was excited and could not stop complimenting: "Their breakfast is just perfect!" "Love the daily delivery of fresh fruits!" "The apples taste sweeter.
" "Look at the art collections in the hotel!" "Look at the gorgeous chandelier!!" "I am addicted to the complimentary coffee and Want Want snacks given out at the lobby!"…etc.
Their praise continued in Japan telling each other they must go back. Mrs. Kinase told her friends about the hotel, and apparently they are actually planning on another trip!
。

Tournament Judge Meeting

A meeting was held with members that were the future judges at the International Karatedo Friendship Tournament. Chief Instructor Chen Hunt-tsung,
Assistant Chief Instructor Chen Hsin-kuei, and members of the IJKA Technical offices from Taiwan and other countries engaged in a thorough meeting,
to ensure the tournament would take place smoothly and fairly. A welcome party followed the meeting at San Want Hotel, hosted by the tournament sponsor,
Want Want. Everyone had a great time at the big and elaborate party.

News coverage on International Karatedo Friendship Tournament

A press conference was held on August 3rd at 14:30pm prior to the commencement of the tournament on August 6th

Read articles (sorry, Chinese only)

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

INFORMATION OF SEMINAR & DAN EXAMINATION

Join or form a friendly association with International Japan Martial Arts Karatedokai(IJKA)

May 7th, 2010 IJKA-Taiwan Organization Meeting

With the permission from the Taiwanese government, IJKA-Taiwan was formed at an organization meeting in Taipei at 興亜国中 with Mr.林銓正 leading the meeting.

Speech from IJKA President Keiko Asai	Assistant Chief Instructor Chen Hsin-kuei
	>
Participant members	Group trustee and inspector election
Election results	Elected trustees and inspectors

Registration for the International Karate Friendship Tournament

For those who are interested in participating in the International Karate Friendship Tournament, please fill in the registration form (Download) and send it to us via email. We will arrange your stay including airport shuttles and hotel accommodations based on the information.

2011.3.27 Summary of Instructor Meeting Held in Taipei, Taiwan

○Agenda 1: Dan Ranks

・President Keiko Asai
In order for people to obtain a higher rank, IJKA has currently advised its members to refer to our website on the exam details as to what each rank entails, and encouraged them to practice according to the criteria. This is all on the website. Any opinions?

・Chief Instructor Chen Hunt-tsung
If the technical performance at the exam is deemed appropriate for the aimed rank by the technical judges, including Chief Instructor, then that is what counts.

・President Keiko Asai
In accordance with Master Asai’s system, people with enough practice years can try out for two ranks at the same time. Any opinions?

Opinions from the instructor committee:
1. It should only be limited to those who have practiced hard during the practice years.
2. It should only be limited to those who continuously practiced during the entire duration of the practice years without break.

Agenda 2: New members

・President Keiko Asai
In order to realize the principle of Master Asai: “Everyone’s Karate” and “Everyone’s IJKA,” IJKA has been accepting various people with long karate background and who have been devoted in mastering karate. As an example, the karate techniques of a particular person from Italy who participated the memorial camp in Switzerland held last year were shown to be excellent, and was also recognized by Assistant Chief Instructor Chen Hsin-kuei and we will endorse him as a new member of the Instructor committee, when he comes to participate in the Friendship Tournament in August.
(All meeting participants agreed)

・President Keiko Asai
There is also another person from Russia, who I will introduce to you all and recommend him as a new instructor.
(Everyone agreed)


Agenda 3: Progress on the preparation for the August Tournament

Asai Memorial Karate-Camp

Asai Memorial Karate-Camp in Switzerland.
Beginning : 02nd of June 2011
End : 05 of June 2011

Dan Promotion Examination to Take Place

A dan promotion examination is to take place on August 7th in Taipei, Taiwan, one day after the IJKA International Friendship Tournament.
For those who are interested in taking the exam, please check the dan criteria posted on our website. There is more chance of passing the test if you start practicing now. Also, in accordance with Master Asai's system, if you have enough years of karate experience you are able to take exams for two levels at one go, so we advise you to practice for the next two levels. For example, if you have 2dan and have been practicing for 6-7 years without taking a dan exam, and if you pass 3dan test at the August 7th dan promotion exam you are qualified to take the test for 4dan there as well.

We wish you the best of luck.

Dear friends and students of the late Master Tetsuhiko Asai,

We are planning to hold the INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS FRINDSHIP KARATE TOURNAMENT on August 6th this year, in Taipei, Taiwan. The government of Taiwan is also supporting this event.

Following the late Master Asai's principle that "people who love karate should respect and learn from each other regardless of nationality, style or organization they belong," we welcome people who are from many different organizations and practicing different styles of karate.

If you have practiced karate with Master Asai before, and are now in a different organization or your own organization, we welcome your participation in our tournament and to commemorate the late Master Asai.
We are also looking for organizations that are interested in co-hosting this event. If you are interested in participating and/or co-hosting the event, please fill in the attached form for

"Friendly organizations and individuals," and return it via email.

2011 IJKA International Martial Arts Friendship Karate Tournament Preparatory Committee

Title：2011 IJKA International Martial Arts Friendship Karate Tournament Preparatory Committee Meeting
Date and time：December 22nd 20：30pm - 23：00pm

Venue：IJKA International Martial Arts Karatedo-kai Taipei Main Dojo Tetsuhiko Kan

Attendees：

Tournament Venue：Chunghwa Telecom Co.,Ltd. Zhong Zheng Hall Gymnasium, No.42, Sec.1, Jen-Ai Rd. Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Tournament Objective：To strengthen the relationship with the participants and to become united in spreading Asai Karate.

●Preparatory staff and schedule

- The first round of applications will be closed at the end of January, and number of participants determined.
- There will be a second round of applications that will be due the end of February.

- The cost of the tournament,
　Japanese yen
　\3,000- for Participation Fee,
\2,000- for Technical Seminar Fee,

\5,000-~\7,000,for one night for Hotel Fee.

- For the next preparatory committee meeting and any other meeting to be held in the future, the style of a "network meeting" is more desirable (President Mrs. Asai) to allow other country members to participate, to carry on Master Asai's vision of "everyone's karate."
- The preparatory committee will meet every Wednesday from 20:30pm at the Main Dojo, Tetsuhiko Kan. (Tentative)
- Meeting schedule:

●Other notes on the tournament

*Target participants: Regardless of which organization people are from, welcome anyone who learned karate from Master Asai or support Master Asai's karate.
*Encourage exchange between different types or martial arts such as Kendo, Iaido, Jodo, Shaolin Kung Fu, etc, at the tournament.

●Other notes on the technical seminar
* Filming should be strictly prohibited without permission.
* Issue certifications upon completion of the seminar.

●Other topics
*It was agreed to set up the "Instructor Seminar System" from 2011 to develop instructors in each member country. People with certifications of 2-dan or higher with IJKA can apply to participate in the training.
*Member countries will be asked to send video footage of their dojo practices, to be posted on IJKA website (http://www.ijka.jp/cn/index.html)
*During the preparation period of the 2011 Friendship tournament, IJKA will make the utmost effort to communicate the objectives of IJKA and continue to work in unison with karate enthusiasts to carry on Asai Karate.
*IJKA is a non-profit organization.

2010.11.21 Announcement

Master Asai did not certify any of his students in any country as a Shuseki　instructor .

Master Asai was never a Shuseki sihan for any karate organization outside of Japan other than IJKA.

Using Master Asai’s name and forging his seal and certification is strictly prohibited.

Preparatory committee for the IJKA ‘intanational Friendship karatedo Tournament‘ has been established

A preparatory committee for the IJKA ‘intanational Friendship karatedo Tournament‘ that is planned to take place in Taipei, Taiwan on August 6th in 2011 has been established with the following members:
Taiwan Main Dojo
陳興桂、林茂椿、城所俊行,Wang,Ju-Yo,Chou,Chih-Wen,chang,Mei-Chunan,LaiYi-Hung,
Lin,Chyuan-jeng、謝佳皓、Lai,Yi-hung、李如霜、謝秀福、陳麗珠

Main Contact: Global head of main dojo / Frank M.Lin(林茂椿)


Japan General Secretariat
浅井 惠子、里村 明子、坪田 祐貴、酒井 孝之 Main Contact/T.sakai(酒井 孝之)

2010.11.16 Announcement

1) We will hold an IJKA　General ‘intanational Friendship karatedo Tournament‘ on August 6th, 2011 in Taipei, Taiwan.

2) We will hold another dan promotion examination a date close to the tournament. More details to come on the website, so please stay posted.

3) IJKA General Friendship Tournament and the dan promotion exam will be annual events, and the host country for the year 2012 will be decided after the 2011 tournament.

2010.11.15 Announcement

Aside from the annual tournament and the dan promotion exam, you are also able to host an IJKA seminar or a dan promotion test with nearby dojos by applying to the IJKA Technical Office to have an IJKA instructor come to your country.
The hosting dojos will bare the cost of the event. For more details including costs, please email IJKA Secretariat.

IJKA Hong Kong Branch Newly Re-Established

On November 10th, the IJKA Hong Kong branch was re-established. IJKA had registered itself as a karate organization with the Hong Kong government through the Hong Kong Police Force in 1999, and Master Asai visited the city every year as an instructor. However following his passing, the registration was only renewed once, the following year, and the IJKA Hong Kong branch became more or less unsubstantial. This year Master Asai’s devoted students got together and after a long 4 years re-established the Hong Kong branch of IJKA. The members of Hong Kong branch are as follows:

Member
Branch Chair:梁　達銘　(30 years of karate experience)
Secretary: 劉　美群
Administrative Officer: 洗　素素
Member representative: 黄　偉毅
Witness: President of IJKA Keiko Asai

Picture taken at the restaurant Lin Kee after the branch inauguration (From left to right): Branch Chair 梁　達銘, IJKA President Keiko Asai, the secretary 劉　美群, the member representative 黄　偉毅

We do not transfer Dan certificates from other organizations or federations.

Announcement

　1. No certifications have been issued under the joint name of Keiko and Tetsuhiko Asai
　2. There have been no Dan or Kyu certifications issued under the name of Keiko Asai in any country
　3. To issue certifications, such as these mentioned above, without consent, especially to use Master Asai's name
　　　so nonchalantly without permission,
　　　and to use the IJKA logo, is an act of blatant disrespect. uch behavior violates the 4th Dojo rule:

The Family of Mr. 賴啓東 Chosen as the Image for the Karate Song "Karate Family"

At the IJKA main dojo Tetsuhiko Kan, there were a number of families that were the perfect example of the karate song "Karate Family." This is something that has been nurtured over 23 years through Asai karate.
Mr. 賴啓東 joined the karate club at school when he was 16, in 1987, and started training under Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei. In 1990, after acquiring Shodan, he took a break from karate. Then again in 2008, at the age of 37 and for the first time in 18 years, he re-joined Tetsuhiko Kan with his eldest son 賴威成 (9 years old), his younger brother 賴怡宏 and his daughter 賴亭諭 (8 years old), and his younger sister's twins 楊士緯 and 楊于嫻 (7 years old), 6 people all together. In 2010, his wife 曹育華 (36 years old), his second son 賴威廷 (5 years old), and his sister 賴癸妬 (37 years old) also joined, bringing the total number of Mr. 賴's family practicing hard at Tetsuhiko Kan to 9.
Master Asai sincerely desired that people study karate as a family. He always said that in the era of the nuclear family, when large families including grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and cousins all get together to work for a common goal and always encourage each other, that this was the most desired situation for not only the family's happiness but also for the children's education. For that reason, Mr. 賴's family was chosen as the "perfect image" for the song "Karate Family." (Photo: Mr. 賴's family - 9 of them posing for the camera)



空手ファミリーのイメージキャラクター賴家一族

The international instructor committee meeting was held on the day after the event, on August 16th

Following the event, the international instructor committee meeting was held.

Attendees:
Keiko Asai (President of IJKA)
Chen Hunt-tsung (Chief Instructor)
Chen Hsin-kuei (Assistant Chief Instructor)
Bruno Kaller (Europe Region Country Head)
Guido Feller (Swiss Karate Association Representative)
Lin maw tsu (The Main Dojo Admin Office Global Section Chief)
Kidokoro Toshiyuki (Instructor)
Chen li theu (The Main Dojo Admin Staff)

Agenda

1. Mr. Toshiyuki Kidokoro, who has just obtained his 6-Dan, was certified to be the instructor of the Technical Office of IJKA. Upon graduating from the university, he studied karate under Master Asai for 22 years.
2. The Russian member Mr. G has been practicing Master Asai’s karate for a long time, and has a career of almost 30 years in karate. He will be meeting with the members of the instructor committee for his instructor certification next year or possibly earlier. Members are looking forward to the occasion.
3. IJKA runs like a family. Because of this principle, even from when Master Asai was alive we cared about the administration of each dojo and sought ways to minimize burdens on them. The director of IJKA, Mrs. Keiko Asai reiterated at the meeting that the organization would always consider ways that would benefit them all.
4. In the spirit of the family organization, we must also care for the administration and the management expense of the general headquarters. Hence, from 2011 the fees of annual membership and such will be set in the currency of Japanese yen.
5. The host region for the 2011 International Competition was decided. It will be announced with further details.
6. It was decided to establish a preparatory committee for the 2011 International Competition.

A Complete Success at Master Asai Memorial Event & Tetsuhiko Kan Commemoration Ceremony At Taipei, Taiwan

At the joint event, the students of the IJKA Taipei Main Dojo Tetsuhiko Kan showed enthusiastic demonstrations and this was followed by the Assistant Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei and the Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hung-tsung’s demonstration on the Asai Karate techniques, which filled the hall with excited applauses.

In order to showcase Asai Karate, the students’ demonstrations included the Junro Shodan up to the 5-dan, to Joko Issei to Joko Sansei, the world’s newest form of karate, captivating the karate practitioners.

The disciples of Master Asai and their disciples came from all over Taiwan to participate in the event. Some saw old training mates for the first time in 30 years, others a little less; nonetheless a friendly atmosphere dominated the event.

IJKA Honored by Distinguished Guests from Taiwan Presidential Office

IJKA had the honor of having Mr. Rong Yee-jung as a guest from the Presidential Office, who gave a speech and celebrated the achievement of Master Asai.



Mr. Fang Rui wen of the Sports Affairs Council under Executive Yuan, who by the order of the Minister Lee Chia-chin of the Presidential Office, presented a letter of appreciation for Master Asai.


a　llter　of appreciation for master Asai

Much Media Attention

The event attracted much media attention and many interviews from local newspapers and TV stations were given.

Speech by Director Keiko Asai

Moved by the reunion with Master Asai’s desciples, Keiko Asai, on behalf of IJKA, gave the opening speech.

International Dan Certification Test Taken Place

After the event, a Dan promotion test was held, starting in the late afternoon until late that day. Abiding by the evaluation rules of Master Asai, Assistant Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hsin-kuei (7 dan) and Instructor Toshiyuki Kidokoro (5 dan) together evaluated 13 applicants for the Shodan and 3 applicants for the 2 dan. The evaluation for the next test was joined by Bruno Koller, 7 dan, (who came all the way from Switzerland) to evaluate 3 applicants for the 3 dan and 4 applicants for 4 dan. For the 5 dan evaluation, the Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hung-tsung joined the other three judges. 2 applicants for the 5 dan, Wang Xu yu and Zhou Zhi wen, were thrilled to have passed the test, as they had been waiting for this for 7 years since the last test when Master Asai was still alive.
The climax was the evaluation of the 6 dan for Mr. Kidokoro, who was well prepared for this test mastering all new techniques of Master Asai. Mr. Kidokoro trained hard under Master Asai techniques such as Tenshin (Body transfer), even with bleeding feet. The result of the test was a well-deserved pass.

In total 26 applicants were evaluated for the dan promotion at the test.

After Shodan and 2-dan evaluations, Mr. Koller joined the judges for 4-dan and 5-dan tests

Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hung-tsung joined the judges to evaluate Mr.Zhou Zhi wen for 5-dan


Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hung-tsung joined the judges to evaluate Mr. Toshiyuki Kidokoro for 6-dan

The dan promotion test ended after six long hours. Tests were at the IJKA main dojo, Tetsuhiko Kan.

哲彦館がホノルルハワイに設立されました。

I.J.K.A.指導員会の指導員であるMr.フジワラは、マスター浅井と４３年の師弟関係にあり、自宅の一室に、「浅井哲彦ミニ記念館」とも云える、マスター浅井の写真や生前に使ったライター、Tシャツ、スリッパ、其の他いろいろなものと、禁煙する際、最後に吸ったタバコの吸殻まで、ガラスのケースに入れて飾ってあります。 「浅井哲彦の武道館」という意味で「哲武館」の館長であるフジワラさんは、I.J.K.A.本部道場が『哲彦館』となった事に賛同して、哲武館を『哲彦館』と改めました。

Schedule Change for Dan Test in August

The Dan test schedule has been changed to August 15th, starting from 16:00pm after the Master Asai Memorial Event. The location is the same, at the main Dojo in Taipei, Taiwan. IJKA Headquarters Administrational Office has received responses from members in Russia, Germany, Switzerland and other countries that they intended to come take the test.

【 Dan Test in August 】

On August 16th, the day after Master Asai Memorial Event, a Dan test will be held in Taipei, Taiwan.
There will be those who are taking 6-Dan test and, in order to follow the Dan testing rules, Mr. Bruno Koller(7-Dan) from Switzerland will be there as a judge together with Assistant Chief Instructor Chen Hsien-Koei and Chief Instructor Chen Hontsung.

Members from outside of Taiwan are also welcome to take a Dan test.

About IJKA Dan Certificates

Late Master Asai had a strong intuition. As if he knew when his life was going to end, he had prepared many Dan certificates signing his name and sealing it with his hanko. He signed his name under Shuseki Shihan and left the official examiner blank. He told me: "When I'm gone, please look after IJKA for 3 years and if my karate is disappearing it is up to you."
Since I accompanied him for close to 50 years, I understand very well the meaning of "it is up to you." It does not mean, "I entrust you the organization called IJKA," but "it depends on you to decide whether it is ok to let IJKA dissolve and Asai karate finish, or to inherit IJKA and do your best for the organization." It has now become his will.
He said this not because of a legacy but rather it was his sincere wish to pass on his martial art - the karate that is not hurtful to body and can be practiced lifelong - to those karate-ka whom he loved: His disciples.
We are restarting IJKA and issuing certificates with Master Asai's signature for Master Asai, those karate-ka who still did not join any other groups out of respect to Master Asai, and those who joined organizations but are keeping Asai Sensei in their heart.
The instructors who judge the dan test will sign the blank space under official examiner.

Master Asai's Diary Found

Master Asai kept a diary for close to 40 years, taking up dozenss of notebooks.
What a surprise it was for me when I found them after he passed away. He kept a meticulous record of which country he had visited (and who came to pick him up), what he taught there and which Dan he certified to whom. This will be the supporting document for anyone who needs to prove his/her IJKA high ranked Dan.

Different Dan of organization

When I asked a person from another country what Dan he had, he replied “6-Dan at my dojo, 5-Dan in the national rank, and 3-Dan in IJKA.” I think his explanation makes a lot sense. It would be incorrect to assume that 6-Dan at the dojo translates to 6-Dan in IJKA.

Keep your Dan a Secret?

Another person with a high ranked Dan told me “I don’t tell others my Dan.” This was because the Dan he had is only achieved when you have mastered almost all of the Waza on the Dan evaluation table. He explained that it would be embarrassing if he couldn’t demonstrate the Kata requested by his juniors or pupils, or when he losses the Jiyu-Kumite because he had to go easy on a lower-ranked opponent. Also he mentioned that there were mean-spirited people who would come and compete just to test whether he actually qualified for his Dan.
I remember how Master Asai used to answer any questions, anytime, from whomever, without hesitation. It was because of his hard training.

IJKAの段位について

生前にマスター浅井は言っていました。　日本にいる空手愛好家は週に３回または毎日でも道場に練習に行くことが出来るけれども、外国の方は、技術の高い先生に教わるのは難しく、日本から招いてキャンプを開くのも年に約１度位で、時間的にも経費もかかるので進歩の度合いが思う様に進まない。だから、IJKAの段審査の時は、その人の人間性と空手に対する情熱、そして空手普及に尽力しているなどのポイントも考慮に入れている、との事でした。（それが空手の心技一体に通じる。）

2010年8月15日に台湾台北にて行われるマスター浅井追悼イベントのタイトルが決まりました。

台湾空手道之父
浅井哲彦首席師範逝去四周年追悼会
及び
I.J.K.A.国際日本武術空手道会浅井流
総本部道館—哲彦館成立大会

"Tetsuhiko KAN" was established in Taipei,Taiwan.

IJKA Main Dojo has been named "Tetsuhiko KAN" after late Master Asai.

Announcement: Master Asai Memorial Event

The planned Master Asai tribute event on August 15th has been postponed due to insufficient time for planning. It was decided at the Instructor Meeting held in Switzerland on May 13th, on the same day of August 15th, IJKA Main Dojo will host a Master Asai's memorial event in Taipei, Taiwan instead.
At the event, Master Asai's some of the best disciples will demonstrate Asai karate, and the Chief Instructor Mr. Chen Hongtsung will teach a class on Asai karate. Also to be demonstrated are the White Crane Fist technique Master Asai incorporated into Karate, and Qigong exercise that allows you to practice vigorous karate without harming your body.
Considering the economical burden such as travel fees, IJKA has refrained from calling the members to participate, however you are welcome to participate or observe the event if you are interested.

[Keiko Asai Comment]Thank you for participating in The Master Asai Memorial Camp

At The Master Asai Memorial Camp in Switzerland we were able to advance discussions over three meetings with instructors from six different countries: Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Italy, Japan and Taiwan. I also had a wonderful time with all the participants and this sense of joy is still lingering in my heart.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to those who participated in the event.

[議事録]　International Meeting in Switzerland, May 15th, 2010

At May 15th, an international meeting was held in Gams, Switzerland. The meeting was led by Mrs. Keiko Asai, wife of the late shuseki shihan Asai Tetsuhiko and president of the International Japan Martial Arts Karatedokai Asai-Ryu.
Besides Mrs. Asai. Senseis assistant chief instructor Chen Hsien-Koei (7-DAN, Taiwan), Koller Bruno (7-DAN, Switzerland) and several instructors from switzerland, Riedinger Otto (Germany) and Dormenko Andrey (Rrussia ）and Formenton Giuseppe(Italy)　attended the meeting.

Mrs. Asai discussed core IJKA principles with the attending instructors:

1. The organisation is not interestet in competing with any other organisation and is dedicated to teach Asai Tetsuhikos personal style of karate
2. In an earlier meeting the day before, Mrs. Asai made it clear to everyone that Mr. Kato Sadashige was never appointed as european or world chief instructor of IJKA by Asai Sensei. Mrs. Asai is the legal heir to IJKA registerd with the government of Japan
   The IJKA trademark first acquired by Tetsuhiko Asai on Oct 8th, 1999 was inherited by Keiko Asai as his bereaved family in August 2006. On October 8th, 2009 when its 10-year term expired, the trademark was re-registered under Keiko Asai. (See Certification 1)
   IJKA was registered as a non-profit organization on August 25th, 2008. (See Certification 2)
3. Administrational office of IJKA is located in Tokyo, Japan, the main Dojo is in Taipei, Taiwan
4. Supreme technical body is IJKA instructors commitee, which consists of Chief Instructor Chen Hongtsung (8-DAN, Taiwan), assistant chief instructor Chen Hsien-Koei (7-DAN, Taiwan), Koller Bruno (7-DAN, Switzerland), Fujiwara Ed (5-DAN, Hawai USA), and Joel Chinen (4-DAN, Hawai USA), who was just appointed.
   These people are also the members of the Instructor Committee, and we will be selecting more instructors as we go forward.
   These kodansha under the leadership of the Chief Instructor are tasked to develop Asai Karate in the future
5. National instructors and country heads will be named in member countries to support the masters of instructors commiti
6. IJKA is not interested in becoming a large organisation, but invites Karatekas of good heart to join and wants to create a family spirit among members
7. Persons and organisations interested in joining IJKA do not have to go through country heads but can contact IJKA Headquaters in Tokyo directly. This is meant to avoid trouble among members
8. We will gradually select each country head as well as regional heads.
9. The regional head for Europe is Koller Bruno from Switzerland, and Riedinger Otto from Gemany has been appointed as the assistant regional head.
10. Regular Seminars will be organised to increase the technical level of students as well as regional, national and international tournaments. Member countries should cooperate in inviting instructors commiti members to reduce costs
11. Principles will be set by IJKA Headquarters and instructors commiti to guarantee sufficient funding of Headquarter staff and international events
12. The planned event on August 15th 2010 in Hollywood is postphoned until further notice

All attending instructors thanked Mrs. Asai for her words and will support her in the endeavor to preserve her husbands organisation and his unique style of karate.

[レポート]第1回指導員会ミーティング及び空手道技術セミナー

now has grown to have about 20 member countries. It held the first Instructor Committee Meeting at the same time with Annual Karatedo Techinical Seminar, in Gams, Switzerland from May 13th to 17th.
Around 100 people came to participate in the seminar. The participants came from Geneva, Germany, Russia, and also from Italy, from which people travelled over 7 hours in two cars. There, in memory of Master Asai and six national flags fluttering in the air, everyone practiced in an air of excitement.
Assistant Chief Instructor, Mr. Chen, Hsin-kuei (7-dan) led the seminar.
He started karate when he was 7 years old and since then, for 47 years, he has been following Master Asai’s teachings and dedicating his life to karate.
Some of the techniques demonstrated by Mr. Chen were as follows:
- Junro (Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan)
- Joko (Issei, Nisei, Sansei)
- Heiann Kata specifics (ex. Asai-ryu shoulder snap, Uke and Uchi with the hand-whip technique)
- Other advice included - Asai-ryu only uses one arm for kobo (offense and defense) where most people used both arms, switch from Kiba-dachi to Souchin-dachi (Fudo-dachi) in order to accommodate the hip twist of Joko Sansei, Junro Nidan is Morote-uchi where most people incorrectly used Morote-uke.
The participants who were following the general forms before found the training and the pinpoint advice fantastic, as these were just what they needed.
Mr. Chen also taught the meaning of each movement from Junro-kata, and how to practice it with one against four people. The place was filled with excitement and the red-faced participants devoted themselves to the training (and when not training dedicated the time to record the training on video.)
The seminar drew to a close with a promise from the participants, who were all moved by the Assistant Chief Instructor Mr. Chen’s personality and the training to put in every effort into making it a bigger event next year,

Information about Russian IJKA-Dan-Diplomas

On 13th of May 2010, Mrs. Keiko Asai, President of IJKA, met with Mr. Andrej Dormenko of Russia and talked about the situation regarding Dan-Diplomas.

Mrs. Asai did not sent any Dan-Diplomas to Russia after the death of shuseki shihan Asai Tetsuhiko. Therefore any IJKA Dan-Diplomas given to russian students between August 2006 and 2010 are faked and not registered with IJKA Headquarters.

If you have recieved such a diploma, you may contact IJKA Headquarter and inform them about your status and the instructor, who held the dan-test.

IJKA Headquarter, Japan

Singing Competition Song "My Life Karate Journey"

You sing a song with lyrics by Asai Tetsuhiko Shuseki Shihan, a karaoke contest will be conducted. The winner prizes so spectacular, please join us.

The lyrics of the Karate Song represent the feelings and the realizations of Master Asai in his 50 some years of teaching karate.
In the lyrics, Master Asai depicts the image of a butoka (martial artist) training hard at karate as: Dateniwa shimenu kuro-obi ni, sessatakuma no ase shimiru (In the black belt tied for a reason, the sweat of long hardship soaks through.)"
Here, he admonishes those who merely seeks high karate ranking titles, and tells them to "sunka o oshimi waza o neri (hone skills without wasting any minute.)"
To those who are causing discord with other karate-ka despite the common interest, he says to "washite ayuman onaji michi (walk the same road with all of you in Peace) and "onore no kokoro hibi migaku (hone my/your spirit day by day)." In wishing world peace, he also adds the line: "Kono michi kuni no sakai naku (No national borders on this road)."
The song was made in hopes that Master Asai's students around the world would hear this and learn the essence of his teachings.

About the Song "Karate Family" At the karate seminars Master Asai used to hold, often he saw big families coming in large vans from adjacent countries, travelling over ten hours. In such an era of the nuclear family, Master Asai was always impressed to see such families with brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents, sometimes with aunts and uncles and cousins, get together to work for a common goal. He believed such an environment was the best for children's health and education. That became the basis of this song.

"My Life Karate Journey"
Please download it from here.

1st Prize: $USD100 and Dojo Kun calligraphy signed by Master Asai
2nd Prize: $USD50 and calligraphy by Master Asai signed
3rd Prize: Calligraphy by Master Asai signed

You have to be a member of IJKA

Professional musicians living in Japan

How to join the competition: send a demo tape (CD or MD) to IJKA General HQ in Japan at the address below:

Destination:
Kabuki-cho 2-45-5 Shinzyuku Nagatani Building.203
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan

Karaoke Instruments sells.
If you wish to purchase, please let us know by e-mail saying they want to purchase.
E-mail：info@ijka.jp

Usual price: Japanese En US$15
Special price for singing competition US$10

June 30th, 2010

Winners will be sent an email of notification. The names will also be posted on the website.

For the winner, there will be a performance opportunity at the Master Asai Memorial Event on August 15th, 2010,Hollywood

Please download it from here.