I.J.K.A

One question I have been asked countless times in the last few months has been “Why are you not a member of the IJKA?” Well if Asai Sensei was still with us, he would have turned 75 years old today, so I thought on this occasion that I’d ‘publically answer this question’. Admittedly, I’ve been a little afraid to do so, as I no longer wish to get involved in karate conflicts (which cannot be ‘sorted out’ in the dojo), nor hurt people’s feelings. However, it seems that this question will never go away until I confirm my current position, and the possible actions that I may take, as a personal student of Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei. Before I go on I’d like to say I sincerely hope that this post does not offend anyone. This is probably the most intense article I’ve ever made on this blog, and after more than 650,000 visitors, I firstly hope that all of you understand that “I talk with my karate technique and heart”. And secondly, that “I have been an intensely dedicated follower of my late sensei, Shuseki-Shihan Tetsuhiko Asai”. Please keep these points in mind as you read this. Osu, André Bertel.
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Two groups calling themselves IJKA and then there’s that Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu instructor André Bertel… As I am sure you are all well aware, there are two groups claiming the name of I.J.K.A (which I’ve already written about). One, which is led by Mr. Sadashige Kato in the UK, and the other, which is directed by Mrs. Keiko Asai. Mrs. Asai’s group is known as ‘International Japan-Martial Arts Karatedokai Asai-Ryu’ whilst Mr. Kato’s group is known as the ‘International Japan Karate Association’. Then there’s me, Asai Sensei’s apprentice, André Bertel.

“Mr. Bertel, I want to be in your IJKA.” Everyone knows I am an I.J.K.A/Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu instructor (trained and qualified by Shuseki Shihan Tetsuhiko Asai himself). More than that, as Sensei would say, my karate is ‘physically and technically 100% Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu’. Therefore it is natural that many people all over the world want to know, which group am I in (or like the regular question stated above “Why am I not a member?”). The other point, which people around the world know, is that I gave Asai Sensei his final international interview (published just a few months before he passed away in Shotokan Karate Magazine), where he stated ‘what I must do after he’s gone, within the I.J.K.A’. Sadly, this has yet to happen as both I.J.K.A groups have been far too vague. It seems that what Asai Sensei wanted no longer matters.

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A nice new I.J.K.A dan certificate is nice, but it’s certainly not enough!
Well, the unclear deals I‘ve been offered from I.J.K.A of sending me a newly registered rokudan certificate and homologating my instructor, examiner and judge licenses, is not enough, especially in regards to clarity. That is all very nice, but I don’t need these (as I already have them from Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei himself). For me karate practice/training, the organization’s mission, and liberty as a professional karate instructor are the priorities.

So what do I specifically need? Well firstly, I will only ever be in a group sincerely promoting and preserving Asai Karate (with the priority being on karate training/practice itself, not just an empty brand label). And secondly, I need to have my freedom to teach karate internationally, as a professional instructor. If both of these points were met, then the new dan certificate, and re-registered qualifications, would mean something. I can honestly say that if either of the IJKA groups agreed to these terms, they’d have my full support and cooperation. And let’s face it, if either of the existing IJKA organizations were “authentically Asai karate focused” and not politically minded, this would eventuate. My question is why hasn’t it?
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A third IJKA!? It is a great compliment that many people want to join the IJKA organization “which I am in”, however at present, regardless to any claims, I’m still neutral. I am not with Mrs. Asai or Mr. Kato, because I really don’t know who is right or wrong, and I’ve had no formal explanation. All I’ve had, from both sides, have been ‘informal requests’ to share my technical knowledge of Asai-ha Shotokan-ryu, with the only formal offer being to re-register my qualifications by one side. Therefore, in the near future, I may decide to establish a third IJKA group, to proactively ensure that Asai Sensei’s karate is preserved. This is especially important in regards to the many koten kata and bunkai/oyo-jutsu, which Sensei taught me.
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© André Bertel, Japan 2010.