Yanagawa Sensei's first course in Wales was hosted by the WKA in Novemeber, 2007 at the Dolphin Hotel Sensei taught for over 4 hours. During this seminar he introduced his Budo Karate to Wales. He displayed his mastery of movement and instructed all in the basics of his dynamic footwork and his body mechanics. We then moved onto striking techniques. Sensei taught on how to combine body movement with strikes for maximum power. We also learnt evasion techniques that provided ample counter attack possibility. The Budo Bunkai of Pinan katas was then introduced using all the concepts we had just practiced-this was especially insightful as Pinan katas are very similar to the Heians we practice at Yoshitaka - it was great to see other ideas and practice of Bunkai. The session then finished with a question and answer session, where Sensei answered many questions from the attendees. Sensei was assisted by Ohgata Sensei and Hasagawa Sensei from his dojo in Japan, Sakagami Sensei (7th Dan - President of the WadoKai England Federation) and May Sensei (6th Dan - Sei Wa Kai Chief Instructor Wado Karate)

The course was held at the University Sports Hall and after a very thorough warm up we were introduced to Yanagawa Sensei and his assistants; Takayanagi Sensei, Homma Sensei and Kido Sensei. Sakagami Sensei (President of the WadoKai England Federation) also assisted. Sensei then introduced his style, 'Budo karate' which he went on to explain is different from competition karate - Sensei is focusing his 'Budo Karate' on getting the most out of his techniques, not merely attempting to make them 'score'. He had dedicated himself to getting the most speed and power out of the body into each technique. Initially we focused on Uki-mi and trying to foster this principle in our knee raises. We then moved onto breathing exercises and utilising the back (by moving the shoulder blades) to drive power into a punch. We then went onto moving punches, with focus on using the body like a whip - with the punch on the very end, it was certainly amazing to see Sensei and his assistants perform such techniques, and quite something  to have them demonstrated on you! The power that the assistants could generate from even a taesho that only travelled 2 inches from start to the target was just something else - especially when it was done on your arm! 

We then moved onto the Bunkai of katas Pinan Yondan and Pinan Godan. Where all the principles we had just seen were put together and preformed by Sensei and his assistants in a kata. It was then our turn! And thanks to help from one of Senseis assistants, Takayanagi Sensei and one of the course attendees, Richard, the 'Shotokan' got to grips with the Wado based Pinan katas!

This course like the previous one was very insightful and has left us a lot to think about and practice. Yanagawa Sensei, and indeed his assistants are very inspiring-and should Sensei visit Swansea again I recommend you train with him.

The course was organised by the Budo Karate Shinkokai and hosted by the WKA. Our thanks go to May Sensei and Evans Sensei for inviting us, and Wellington Sensei for making us 'Shotokan' fell very welcome at the event. We are already looking forward to Sensei's next visit to Wales.

Sensei Yanagawa was assisted by Sensei Miyaji and Sensei Takayanagi. Sensei Yanagawa got us to reflect on basic stance transitions to attempt to get a good foundation for strikes and blocks. We then moved onto to tsuki (punches) followed by mae geri (front kick). After teaching Kihon in the Budo Karate style, Sensei's assistants then selected technique sequences from Pinan Nidan and Pinan Godan and proceeded to break them down so we could reflect on our body mechanics and try to generate as much power as possible into each attack and block.

Master Kazumasa Yokoyama (of the Shorin-Ryu style) was a  special guest at the course and taught as part of the seminar. He focused on the two hands working together in unison - whilst one covers the other has a split second to deliver a full block, then the counter attack also involves both hands working together. Master Yokoyama then set up some partner work where we put the idea of two sides of the body working in unison. Master Yokoyama is known as ‘Shungekishu’ or lightning flash hands - and he did live upto his nickname!

Again a wonderful course, with a lot to think about and practice. Many thanks to Sensei Peter May and Sensei Kuniaki Sakagami for the course and their warm welcome. We look forward to Sensei Yanagawa's next UK visit.

"Yanagawa Sensei has focused his training on maximising the body’s potential. He has researched animals in the wild, the body dynamics used in many different types of sport, and traditional Noh artists; as well as continuous study of his own strength and movement. This has resulted in Yanagawa Sensei developing a unique style of Karate which he calls “Budo Karate”. As a regular contributor to the prestigious Japanese Martial Arts Magazine “Hi-Den” (Hi- secret), (Den – techniques passed on through the generations), Yanagawa Sensei can communicate effectively his thoughts on movement and the ways in which he generates such immense power. Yanagawa Sensei is unique in the karate world and is regarded by many within Budo circles as being the greatest Budo Karate master alive today."

(Written by Sensei May -  see this link for more information about Yanagawa Sensei)

Sensei Yanagawa has appeared on the cover of Traditional Karate Magazine (July 2007) and has written a number of Martial Arts books in Japanese, however his title 'Budo Karate Fundamentals' is also available in English. He has also produced DVDs of his Budo Karate.