Frank’s Karate-Do Shotokai Ryu
夫蘭久空手道松濤會流
by Frank Gerke, PhD (ed.), 4th Dan Black Belt
Saigon 2024
Dedicated to my instructors and children
Kanazawa Hirokasu Kancho & Frank Gerke after Nidan (2nd Dan Black Belt) Grading,
Hong Kong 1988
1
Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Preparatory Exercises...................................................................................................................... 6
Strengthening Exercises .............................................................................................................. 7
Kihon............................................................................................................................................... 8
Natural Weapons......................................................................................................................... 8
Tachi Kata ................................................................................................................................. 13
Complete Kihon Exercise ......................................................................................................... 14
1.
Kiba Dachi: Sonoba Zuki ........................................................................................... 14
2.
Oi Zuki ........................................................................................................................ 14
3.
Gedan Barai ................................................................................................................ 15
4.
Age Uke ...................................................................................................................... 15
5.
Shuto Uke ................................................................................................................... 15
6.
Shuto Uke – Shihon Nikite ......................................................................................... 16
7.
Uchi Uke ..................................................................................................................... 16
- Gyaku Uchi Uke ....................................................................................................... 17
8.
Soto Uke ..................................................................................................................... 17
9.
Teisho Uchi................................................................................................................. 17
10.
Tettsui Uchi ................................................................................................................ 18
11.
Mae Geri ..................................................................................................................... 18
12.
Yoko Geri ................................................................................................................... 19
13.
Mawashi Geri ............................................................................................................. 19
14.
Mikazuki Geri ............................................................................................................. 20
15.
Ushiro Geri ................................................................................................................. 20
16.
Nami Gaeshi ............................................................................................................... 21
17.
Nidan Geri/ Tobi geri ................................................................................................. 21
18.
Simultaneous Kick (Sokuko-geri) .............................................................................. 22
19.
Aun ............................................................................................................................. 22
Kumite........................................................................................................................................... 23
1.
Kihon Kumite ............................................................................................................. 23
2.
Kawashi ...................................................................................................................... 26
3.
Ten No Kata (Ura) ...................................................................................................... 27
4.
Throwing Techniques ................................................................................................. 30
5.
Iai ................................................................................................................................ 42
2
Practicing the Pole (Makiwara), Gichin Funakoshi Kancho ........................................................ 47
Practicing Kobudo: Sai and Bo, Gichin Funakoshi Kancho ......................................................... 47
Open Kata ..................................................................................................................................... 48
Secret Kata .................................................................................................................................... 48
Taikyoku ................................................................................................................................... 49
Heian Shodan ............................................................................................................................ 50
Heian Nidan .............................................................................................................................. 51
Heian Sandan ............................................................................................................................ 52
Heian Yondan ........................................................................................................................... 53
Heian Godan ............................................................................................................................. 54
Tekki Shodan ............................................................................................................................ 55
Tekki Nidan .............................................................................................................................. 56
Tekki Nidan .............................................................................................................................. 57
Tekki Sandan ............................................................................................................................ 58
Hangetsu ................................................................................................................................... 59
Sanchin...................................................................................................................................... 60
Matsumura No Sai .................................................................................................................... 61
Oyama No Kon ......................................................................................................................... 61
Jion ............................................................................................................................................ 62
Jitte ............................................................................................................................................ 64
Kanku ........................................................................................................................................ 65
Bassai ........................................................................................................................................ 66
Empi .......................................................................................................................................... 67
Gankaku .................................................................................................................................... 68
Nijushiho ................................................................................................................................... 69
Seienchin ................................................................................................................................... 70
Saifa .......................................................................................................................................... 71
Shisochin ................................................................................................................................... 72
Shiho Kusanku .......................................................................................................................... 73
Shushi No Kon Sho................................................................................................................... 74
Chatan Yara No Sai .................................................................................................................. 85
Tsuken Shitahaku No Sai .......................................................................................................... 85
Practising The Pole ................................................................................................................... 86
Vital Points of The Human Body ............................................................................................. 87
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................. 88
3
Appendix: Grading Syllabus ..................................................................................................... 95
Gokyu (五級,yellow belt), after 6 months of basic training; ............................................. 96
Yonkyu (四級,orange belt), 6 months after Gokyu grading; ................................................. 96
Sankyu (三級,green belt), 6 months after Yonkyu grading; .................................................. 97
Nikyu (二級,blue belt), 1 year after Sankyu grading; ........................................................... 98
Yikyu (一級,brown belt), 1 year after Nikyu grading. .......................................................... 99
Formal title: Senpai (先輩) ....................................................................................................... 99
Shodan (初段,black belt), 1,5 years after Gokyu grading. .................................................. 100
Formal title: Sensei (先生) ..................................................................................................... 100
Nidan (二段,black belt), 2 years after Shodan examination. ........................................... 101
Formal title: Kyoshi (教師); ............................................................................................... 101
Sandan (三段,black belt), 3 years after Nidan examination. ............................................... 101
Formal title: Shihan (師範) ..................................................................................................... 101
Yondan (四段,black belt) .................................................................................................... 101
Formal title: Supreme Master, Kancho (館長) ....................................................................... 101
Gondan (五段,black belt) .................................................................................................... 101
Supreme Master passed away: Soke (宗家) ........................................................................... 101
4
Introduction
This is my first book on Karate-Do. In the past years, I have been written and publishing on the
subject of Karate-Do quite a few articles and papers, some arguing in favor of this system, some
in favor of yet another one.
After tears and years of research, hard training, much fighting, very much sparring, trying
different styles of martial arts like Shotokan Karate-do, Egami Shotokai Karate-do, Shito-ryu,
Wado-ryu and Goju-ryu Karate-do, boxing, kick-boxing, Chinese Taijiquan, Judo etc., I finally
came to my own conclusions as a basis to found my own system of martial art.
My system, Frank’s Shotokai Karate-do Vietnam, is the result of many years of research. It is
based on Master Egami’s “Shotokai”, as presented in the Heart of Karate-Do, as well as the
works of Funkoshi Gichin (see Bibliography), but goes beyond that.
My approach is a general one, which means that a martial art as a means of human body and
mind conditioning contributes to the development of ourselves as well as of society, in which we
live in.
The basic idea is to free yourself from the everyday expectations of the so-called dogmatism,
which surrounds us in every moment of our life. This everyday dogmatism tells you what to do,
dictates your daily performance and makes you a slave to social expectations and exploitation.
Karate-do means to free yourself in order to start becoming yourself, start loving your brothers
and sisters, your family, your lover, etc. from the bottom of your heart.
Sincerely Yours,
Frank Gerke, PhD.
Frank practicing Yoko-Geri doji Uraken-Uchi, Kata Gankaku, Bonn 2006
5
Preparatory Exercises
1. Jumping
2. Leg curling
3. Head exercise
4. Shoulder exercise
5. Arm swings
6. Back exercise
7. Hips swings
8. Body swing
9. Arm swings
10. Stretching
11. Leg curls
12. Leg squeezes
13. Leg swings
14. Breathing
6
Strengthening Exercises
1.
2.
3.
4.
Push-ups
Sit-ups
Back exercises
Legs
University of Education Dojo, Ho Chi Minh City 2015
7
Kihon
Natural Weapons
A. Hands
1. Clenched Fists
a. Nakadaken – Dragon Head Fist
Used as basic clenched fist in most techniques and kata.
b. Seiken – Straight Fist
As used as in Sanchin Kata.
c. Ippon Ken – One Knuckle Fist
As used as in Hangetsu Kata
8
d. Uraken – Back Fist
As used as in Heian Nidan and other Kata.
e. Tettsui – Iron Hammer
As used as in Heian Shodan and Heian Sandan.
2. Open Handed
a. Shuto – Spear Hand
As used as in Heian Shodan and other kata.
b. Haishu – Back Hand
As used as in Heian Godan
9
c. Teisho – Palm Heel
As used as in Jion and other kata.
B. Arms
1. Enpi (Hiji) – Monkey Arm
As used as in Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan and other kata.
C. Head
1. Atama – Head Strike
Head strike as suggested by Master Funakoshi after dragging in an opponent in Heian
Nidan.
D. Legs
1. Hiza – Knee
10
As used as in Heian Yondan.
E. Feet
1. Koshi – Ball of Foot
As used as for the Front kick in Heian Nidan.
2. Sokuto – Edge of Foot (Sword Food)
As used as in Heina Nidan and many other Kata.
3. Teisoku – Sole of Foot
As used as in Bassai Dai.
11
4. Kakato – Heel of Foot
As it is used in the back kick (ushiro geri).
12
Tachi Kata
13
Complete Kihon Exercise
1. Kiba Dachi: Sonoba Zuki
2. Oi Zuki
14
3. Gedan Barai
4. Age Uke
5. Shuto Uke
15
6. Shuto Uke – Shihon Nikite
7. Uchi Uke
16
Gyaku Uchi Uke
8. Soto Uke
9. Teisho Uchi
17
10. Tettsui Uchi
11. Mae Geri
18
12. Yoko Geri
13. Mawashi Geri
19
14. Mikazuki Geri
15. Ushiro Geri
20
16. Nami Gaeshi
17. Nidan Geri/ Tobi geri
21
18. Simultaneous Kick (Sokuko-geri)
19. Aun
22
Kumite
1. Kihon Kumite
a. Zuki – Gedan Barai
b. Zuki – Age Uke
23
c. Zuki – Shuto Uke
d. Zuki – Uchi Uke
24
e. Zuki – Soto Uke / Tettsui
District 7 Dojo, Ho Chi Minh City 2008
25
2. Kawashi
Uni Dojo Bonn 2007
26
3. Ten No Kata (Ura)
27
28
29
4. Throwing Techniques
30
Uni Dojo Bonn 2007
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
5. Iai
42
43
44
45
Iai at Uni Dojo Bonn 2007
46
Practicing the Pole (Makiwara), Gichin Funakoshi Kancho
Practicing Kobudo: Sai and Bo, Gichin Funakoshi Kancho
47
Open Kata
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Taikyoku (太极拳)
Heian Shodan (平安初段)
Heian Nidan (平安二段)
Heian Sandan (平安三段)
Heian Yondan (平安四段)
Heian Godan (平安五段)
Tekki 1-3 (鐵騎)
Hangetsu (半月)
9. Miyagi no Sanchin (長順の三戰)
10. Hiagonna no Sanchin (の三戰)
Basic Weapon Katas, one featuring the Sai-weapon and one featuring the Bo / Kon (staff):
1. Matsumura no Sai (松村の釵)
2. Oyama no Kon (大山の棒)
Secret Kata
Open-handed:
1. Jion (慈恩)
2. Jitte (十手)
3. Kanku (觀空)
4. Bassai (拔塞)
5. Empi (燕飛)
6. Gankaku (岩鶴)
7. Nijushiho (二十四 步)
8. Seienchin (制引戰)
9. Saifa (碎破)
10. Shisochin (四向戰)
11. Shiho Kusanku (四方觀空)
Weapons:
1. Shushi No Kon Sho (周氏の棒初)
2. Chatan Yara No Sai (北谷 屋良の釵)
3. Tsuken Shitahaku No Sai (津堅志多伯の釵)
48
Taikyoku
49
Heian Shodan
50
Heian Nidan
51
Heian Sandan
52
Heian Yondan
53
Heian Godan
54
Tekki Shodan
55
Tekki Nidan
56
Tekki Nidan
57
Tekki Sandan
58
Hangetsu
59
Sanchin
60
Matsumura No Sai
Oyama No Kon
61
Jion
62
63
Jitte
64
Kanku
65
Bassai
66
Empi
67
Gankaku
68
Nijushiho
69
Seienchin
70
Saifa
71
Shisochin
72
Shiho Kusanku
Personal instruction only.
73
Shushi No Kon Sho
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
Chatan Yara No Sai
Personal instruction only.
Tsuken Shitahaku No Sai
Personal instruction only.
85
Practising The Pole
86
Vital Points of The Human Body
87
Bibliography
富名腰義珍著。唐手術。東京 1926 年。(Tote Jitsu. Tokyo 1926).
富名腰義珍著。空手道師範。東京 1935 年。(Funakoshi Gichin. Karate-Do Kyohan. Tokyo
1935).
Funakoshi Gichin. Karate-Do Kyohan. Kodansha International LTD. Tokyo 1973.
Funakoshi Gichin. Karate-Do Nyumon. Kodansha International LTD. Tokyo 1994.
Funakoshi Gichin. Karate-Do. My Way of Life. Kodansha International LTD. Tokyo 1975.
Funakoshi Gichin. Tote Jitsu. Masters Publication. Hongkong 1997 (Tokyo 1922).
Shigeru Egami. The Heart of Karate-Do (The Way of Karate: Beyond Technique). Kodansha
International LTD., Tokyo 1986.
Kanazawa, Hirokazu. Black Belt Karate. The Intensive Course. Kodansha International. Tokyo,
New York, London 2006.
Kanazawa, Hirokazu. Karate Fighting Techniques. The Complete Kumite. Kodansha
International. Tokyo, New York, London 2006.
Kanazawa, Hirokazu. Karate. The Complete Kata. Kodansha International. Tokyo, New York,
London 2009.
Masatoshi Nakayama. Dynamic Karate. Kodansha International. Tokyo, New York, San
Francisco 1966.
Hidetaka Nishiyama & Richard C. Brown. Karate. The Art of “Empty Hand Fighting”. Charles
E. Tuttle Company. Ruthland (Vermont), Tokyo 1959.
Fumio Demura. Sai. Karate Weapon of Self Defense. Ohara Publications, Inc, Burbank,
California 1974.
Fumio Demura. Bo. Karate Weapon of Self Defense. Ohara Publications, Inc, Burbank,
California 1976.
88
Shotokan Dojo Hong Kong on the event of Yondan Grading, 2011
Yondan (4th Dan Black Belt) – Diploma
89
Dedication to Frank Gerke by Karl J. Brüggen in the book “Egami. The Heart of Karate-Do”:
90
91
92
93
94
Appendix: Grading Syllabus
There are five Beginners’ grades in this system:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Gokyu (五級,yellow belt), after 6 months of training;
Yonkyu (四級,orange belt), after 6 months of training further;
Sankyu (三級,green belt), after 6 months of training further;
Nikyu (二級,blue belt), after 1 year of training further;
Yikyu (一級,brown belt), after 1 year of training further.
The three master levels are:
1. Shodan (初段,black belt), after 1,5 years of training further. Formal title: Sensei (先生);
2. Nidan (二段,black belt), 2 years after Shodan examination. Formal title: Kyoshi (教師);
3. Sandan (三段,black belt), 3 years after Nidan examination. Formal title: Shihan (師範);
The Supreme Masters’ title is Kancho (館長).
95
Gokyu (五級,yellow belt), after 6 months of basic training;
Kihon:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Oi Zuki
Gedan Barai
Age Uke
Mae Geri
Kumite:
1. Kihon Kumite: Age Uke, Gedan Barai
2. Ten No Kata: Age Uke - Gyaku Zuki; Gedan Barai –Gyaku Zuki
3. Iai: Age-uke – Gyaku zuki
Kata:
Taikyoku Shodan
Miyagi No Sanchin
Yonkyu (四級,orange belt), 6 months after Gokyu grading;
Kihon:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Oi Zuki
Gedan Barai
Age Uke
Shuto Uke
Uchi Uke
Mae Geri
Mawashi Geri
Mikazuki Geri
Kumite:
1. Kihon Kumite: Age Uke, Gedan Barai, Shuto Uke, Uchi Uke
2. Ten No Kata: Age Uke - Gyaku Zuki; Gedan Barai –Gyaku Zuki, Jo Shuto Uke – Shihon
Nukite, Uchi uke – Gyaku zuki
3. Iai: Age-uke – Gyaku zuki, Shuto Uke – Mawashi geri
4. Throwing: O Soto Gari
Kata:
Heian Shodan
Miyagi No Sanchin
96
Sankyu (三級,green belt), 6 months after Yonkyu grading;
Kihon:
1. Oi Zuki
2. Gedan Barai
3. Age Uke
4. Shuto Uke
5. Uchi Uke
6. Soto Uke
7. Mae Geri
8. Mawashi Geri
9. Mikazuki Geri
10. Yoko Geri
Kumite:
1. Kihon Kumite: Age Uke, Gedan Barai, Shuto Uke, Uchi Uke, Soto Uke
2. Ten No Kata: Age Uke - Gyaku Zuki; Gedan Barai –Gyaku Zuki, Jo Shuto Uke – Shihon
Nukite, Uchi uke – Gyaku zuki, Soto Uke – Gyaku Zuki
3. Iai: Age-uke – Gyaku zuki, Shuto Uke – Mawashi geri, Mae Geri – Shuto uke - Throwing
4. Throwing: O Soto Gari, Byobodaoshi
5. Kawashi: simple
Kata:
Heian Nidan
Miyagi No Sanchin
97
Nikyu (二級,blue belt), 1 year after Sankyu grading;
Kihon:
1. Oi Zuki
2. Gedan Barai
3. Age Uke
4. Shuto Uke
5. Uchi Uke
6. Soto Uke
7. Tettsui Uchi
8. Mae Geri
9. Mawashi Geri
10. Mikazuki Geri
11. Yoko Geri
12. Ushiro geri
Kumite:
1. Kihon Kumite: Age Uke, Gedan Barai, Shuto Uke, Uchi Uke, Soto Uke, Uchi Uke
2. Ten No Kata: Complete
3. Iai: Age-uke – Gyaku zuki, Shuto Uke – Mawashi geri, Mae Geri – Shuto uke –
Throwing; direct Shut attack against Zuki
4. Throwing: O Soto Gari, Byobodaoshi, Tsunamegaeishi
5. Kawashi: simple
Kata:
Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan
Hiagonna No Sanchin
Oyama no Kon
98
Yikyu (一級,brown belt), 1 year after Nikyu grading.
Formal title: Senpai (先輩)
Kihon:
1. Oi Zuki
2. Gedan Barai
3. Age Uke
4. Shuto Uke
5. Uchi Uke
6. Soto Uke
7. Tettsui Uchi
8. Teisho Uchi
9. Mae Geri
10. Mawashi Geri
11. Mikazuki Geri
12. Yoko Geri
13. Ushiro geri
14. Nami Geishi
Kumite:
1. Kihon Kumite: Age Uke, Gedan Barai, Shuto Uke, Uchi Uke, Soto Uke, Uchi Uke
2. Ten No Kata: Complete
3. Iai: Age-uke – Gyaku zuki, Shuto Uke – Mawashi geri, Mae Geri – Shuto uke –
Throwing; direct Shut attack against Zuki
4. Throwing: O Soto Gari, Byobodaoshi, Tsunamegaeishi, Taniotoshi
5. Kawashi: simple
Kata:
Heian Godan, Tekki Shodan
Hiagonna No Sanchin
Oyama no Kon
Matsumuma No Sai
99
Shodan (初段,black belt), 1,5 years after Gokyu grading.
Formal title: Sensei (先生)
Kihon:
The complete 28 exercises.
Kumite:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Kihon Kumite: Complete
Ten No Kata: Complete
Iai: Complete
Throwing: Complete
Kawashi: complex
Kata:
Hangetsu
Hiagonna No Sanchin
Oyama no Kon
Matsumura No Sai
100
Nidan (二段,black belt), 2 years after Shodan examination.
Formal title: Kyoshi (教師);
Kihon:
Oi Zuki 1000 times.
Kumite:
Kawashi: complex
Kata:
Hangetsu
Hiagonna No Sanchin
Oyama no Kon
Matsumura No Sai
Sandan (三段,black belt), 3 years after Nidan examination.
Formal title: Shihan (師範)
Kumite:
Free sparring with the Supreme Master.
Kata:
All, except Secret Katas.
Yondan (四段,black belt)
Formal title: Supreme Master, Kancho (館長)
Perfection of all Kihon, Kata and Kumite.
Gondan (五段,black belt)
Supreme Master passed away: Soke (宗家)
101
Buôn Ma Thuật Dojo Opening Ceremony, 2007
102