Re-examination of the Itosu Ankō photo Only a few karate masters have had as much influence on karate development as Itosu Ankō (Itosu Yasutsune). He was born in Gibo Village (Shuri, Okinawa) in 1831. Itosu Ankō was the teacher of Choyu Motobu, Choki Motobu, Gichin Funakoshi, Kenwa Mabuni, Chōshin Chibana, Chojun Miyagi, and many more. […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Tsumasaki-geri is a kick with the tip of the toes. Some would argue that this is the right way to kick (the old way of Okinawan kicking), compared to our ordinary Mae-geri, where we generally kick with Koshi. Personally, I don’t believe there is a new or old way of kicking. Nowadays, Mae-geri, kicking with […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Once I was asked, why I do my Punch the way I do. Most often, my Tsuki (Punch) resembles a combination between a vertical and a horizontal punch. The answer is quite simple, it feels natural. The best way to explain it is to compare my Tsuki with push-ups! Yes, you read right, push-ups. […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
To unleash the full force of a punch, it’s crucial for both arms to work in harmony, a principle frequently emphasized in the Dojo. One arm (the fist) is thrust forward, while the other arm is drawn back to the side of the body (Hikite). Both arms execute the same movement, meaning that if the […]