Kawazoe Sensei - JKA HQ 2011

by Walt
(Melboune)

With Kawazoe Sensei at JKA Sohonbu Dojo - October 2011

With Kawazoe Sensei at JKA Sohonbu Dojo - October 2011

I had heard that Kawazoe Masao Sensei was "back with JKA" which sounds ridiculous - as if he'd been on some kind of forced absence or retirement or worse - as if he'd actually stopped training..!

Well, any 'lifer' can spot another and I knew nearly 4 decades ago that this man with the gift of near flawless Karate, would be punching and kicking all of his life. How could he not..?

I worked out that when he first came to our Dojo in Scotland, he would have been just 28 years old. Most of those 28 years were spent amongst a generation of peers and mentors that are now considered the vanguard of modern Japanese Karate.

Leave..? I don't think so.

Fast forward to the Nihon Karate Kyokai Sohonbu joint Autumn International Training Camp in Tokyo Japan October 2011. (BTW, I have lived and trained in Australia for 30 years while Sensei continued to live and train in the UK). I join the senior (by rank) class for the first of 7 sessions over 3 days and, in a Dojo filled with more big names than I care to recount, I spot Kawazoe Sensei quietly preparing for Keiko like everyone else.

After the first class, in which I noticed he was extemely relaxed but powering through better than anyone, I made my way toward him and re-introduced myself in Japanese. He thought for a minute before declaring that he remembered me..!

Over the weekend in the various classes I partnered Sensei a lot, especially in Kumite drills - and there were no allowances made for 'old times sake'. He was in magnificent shape and moving like the wind - Fresh as a Daisy at 66 years of age.

Of all my trips to Japan this one is a stand out. To catch up with Kawazoe Sensei after all this time and to partner him at training - SUGOI DESU NE.

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Aug 17, 2015
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Kawazoe Sensei
by: Anonymous

Thanks for writing this article about Kawazoe Masao Sensei that is great in his karate techniques. You are good to have this review here and it is helpful for the other people to know about his skills.

Apr 09, 2015
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Shihan Kawazoe
by: Nicolaos Nicolaides

I have trained with shihan Kawazoe last Friday during his visit to Cyprus. He is a supreme karateka, very friendly and really an honor to train with. I hope I will have more chances to be taught by this great man.

Jan 28, 2014
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Amazing
by: Anonymous

This website ia an amazing website for kids and karate legens thanks so much i have learned much much more!!!!! Thanks guys !!!!!!!!!!!!! Xx

Apr 16, 2012
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...and looking fantastic too
by: T. Skelton

Hey, what a find. Thanks for posting Walt.

I remember the early years with Kawasoe in the UK. He always seemed different, had a quality about him outside of being just a Japanese teacher. So he's back with 'mother' JKA. Well, it'll be for his own sound reasons, no-one else's. Good for you sensei AND congratulations you haven't aged a bit..!

Jan 30, 2012
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Great Little Story
by: Paul Towmey

So it's true!

He's back were it all started - the JKA Honbu Dojo. And if I know sensei, this isn't a political move to once again be part of the biggest karate brand in the world, he's not made that way. That Kawasoe is once again with JKA is as good for JKA as it is for him and his students. Great news and thanks for the update. PT

Nov 07, 2011
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Way to go...
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the great little read Walt. There's been a lot of talk about his return, I suppose this is the proof.

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