Jonathan de’ Claire interviews Master Harada shortly after he received his MBE for services to karate. JDC Harada Sensei, firstly, I wanted to congratulate you on being awarded the Member of the British Empire for Services to Karate. MH Thank you very much. This is a great honour for me, it was also total surprise! My people kept it a secret that this had been applied for and the first I knew… Read More »Harada Sensei – MBE interview
Master Mitsusuke Harada presents his opinion on the concept of kiai and it’s relevance and use within karate. The military origins of ‘kiai’ Europeans tend to be rather keen on what they call rational explanations and complain that some Japanese concepts are obscure and not easy to understand. In that respect, one of the most frequently quoted is that of KIAI, and I am often asked to give my opinion… Read More »The concept of kiai
Article for Shotokan Karate Magazine 2010 by Jonathan de’ Claire – KDS 4th Dan Working as a teacher I changed my career several years back and retrained as a teacher, undertaking a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). On the course, there was a major stress on the need to differentiate in your planning and delivery of lessons. This would enable a teacher, in theory, to deliver the similar subject… Read More »Teach and learn karate
Terms that we use when we practice. Some of the terminology presented here is divided into: Standard forms – terms which are in everyday KDS usage General – terms which are correct and part of KDS practise but are generally not referred to by their Japanese name. Miscellaneous terms – terms which appear in Karate-Do Kyohan or have been used in the past and so are included for completeness and… Read More »Terminology
“Kata are very important, they strengthen the body, condition the mind, train the spirit, enhance co-ordination, improve the reflexes and allow contact with the past. They are the essence of Karate-Do.” Master Harada Kata is paramount to the practise of KDS Karate. It is essential in order to develop the body condition required for longevity and true progression with the KDS practise. KDS katas are performed slowly initially. This allows… Read More »Kata
June 7th to 9th 2019 Newcastle KDS warmly invites all KDS members to the last UK all grades weekend course before Summer School. The course is open to everyone and will be led by Marie Kellett 5th Dan. We are hosting this year’s course in the High-Performance Centre within the University of Northumbria’s Coach Lane Campus (a 15-minute drive from the City Centre). As always, we’re planning a couple of… Read More »Newcastle – all grades course in June
Register You are warmly invited to Summer School 2019 at University of Kent! Expect a week of exhaustion and elation! We will be continuing to develop upon the theme of jiu ippon kumite, with an emphasis on kicking and the body condition required for it being likely themes… For those who have not experienced it before, think of the intensity of a weekend course over an entire week. Throw in the chance to… Read More »Summer School – registration is open