Recently I had a conversation with Boon Heng Lee Sensei from Hong Kong about Karatedo in general and Keishinkan Karate in particular. Boon Heng Lee Sensei trained Keishinkan in Singapore in the mid-1970s.

In my book “Toyama Kanken – The Heritage of Shudokan” I wrote that Takazawa Sensei’s karate was modified a lot in the 1970s. The kata were altered during that time, influenced largely by the Shotokan.

These statements were confirmed to me by Boon Heng Lee Sensei. Uchida Sensei told him that in the 1960s all the Pinan Kata were more like Shito-ryu.  In the early 70s, then the Pinan Kata were more like the Heians of Shotokan with the introduction of Shotokan back stance.
Boon Heng Lee Sensei was kind enough to share some photos from a 1970 kata book by the Malaysian Budokan Organization. In it, Takasaka Sensei, Yamazaki Sensei, Uchida Sensei and Kamae Sensei show some Keishinkan Kata. If one compares the pictures of Toyama Sensei with those in the book, then the influence of the competition karate and Shotokan Karate is already clearly recognizable.

All those who ordered a book from me have also received a postcard. I was repeatedly asked what this postcard and the people depicted on it are all about. Although I have already posted this topic on Facebook,  I would like to start my blog with it and introduce my teachers, mentors and companions in the Shudokan lineage to you.

Reinhold Hirsch Sensei
My master, teacher and mentor over a period of more than 30 years. From him I learned my karatedo. For me it was luck and honor to have had him as a teacher. He was "a" student of Ichikawa Isao Hanshi. Please read more about him in my book.
Hirsch Sensei taught me karatedo, kobudo, judo, jujutsu, kata, bunkai and much much more. He showed me the peaceful way of the warrior.

Gernot Laure Sensei
He was a disciple of Ichikawa Sensei and Hirsch Sensei. For many years, together with Hirsch Sensei, he shaped my education. I owe my understanding of basic techniques to him.
Laure Sensei taught me my karate basics.

Ishida Kenshin Sensei
In December 1990, I wrote a letter to Ishida Hanshi asking him if I could train with him. In June 1991, I stood in front of his door with my backpack and was taken in by him and his wife like a son. I lived and trained with them for several months. Ishida Hanshi established contacts with students of Toyama Sensei and helped me with my many travels through Japan. I cannot describe how grateful I am to him and his wife for everything.
Ishida Hanshi taught me karatedo, kindness, generosity and he showed me that nurturing a connection between martial arts schools is much more important than insisting on differences.

Tanaka Mikio Sensei
Tanaka Hanshi is an exceptional teacher. The few times I was able to train with him were very important and sustainable for my development in karate. I was fascinated by the calm, peaceful and energetic charisma of Tanaka Hanshi His execution of his favorite kata, Gojushiho, is indescribable.
Tanaka Hanshi inspired me in particular through its execution of the kata Gojushiho.

Takahashi Hiroshi Sensei
I have had the honor of being instructed several times by Takahashi Hanshi. Even though in all of my 32 years of training I only had a maximum of one month with him, he has left a deep impression on me and shaped my karatedo very much. His style of training and his attitude has fascinated me.
Takahashi Sensei taught me a lot about the attitude and etiquette of karatedo.

Tokuyama Yoshiki Sensei
Tokuyama Hanshi teaches Shudokan near Hiroshima. I visited him several times in his hometown. I am very grateful for his hospitality and our joint training sessions.
He taught me that it is important to nurture the passion and the "fire" for karatedo carefully and that it is not good to train overly hard over a longer period of time.

Ichikawa Isao Sensei
Ichikawa Hanshi was the teacher of my master. In the 1990s, I visited several training camps in Germany and also trained a few times in the honbu dojo in Vienna. To avoid misunderstandings, I would like to clarify that I'm not presumptuous to call myself one of his students, but there are people who, even after a short period spent in their presence, make an impression on you that lasts a lifetime. Hanshi was definitely a lighthouse in traditional karatedo.
Ichikawa Hanshi taught me how comprehensive karatedo can be and he showed me through his role model what Budo is really about.