My heartfelt thanks to all my dear friends, students, fellow Senseis, and Karate Masters around the world for your wonderful birthday wishes and kind messages.

I sincerely appreciate your friendship, respect, and thoughtfulness. You made my birthday even more special.

Wishing you all good health, happiness, and success.

With warmest regards and gratitude,

A. Tanzadeh, 🙏🙏🙏

Kisoku no Donto, 気息の呑吐, (the Principle of Inhale–Exhale Control) means controlling the rhythm of breathing in kata, when to inhale and when to exhale. It is one of the classic kata principles. You match breath to movement, so power, posture, and timing stay consistent. Kisoku no Donto is structured breath control for kata. You choose inhale or exhale per technique to support power, posture, and timing. 

Use abdominal breathing to load during preparation, release at impact, and maintain steady internal pressure during transitions. Naha-te kata such as Sanchin and Tensho are classic training models for this type of breathing control, which you can also apply in kihon practice and other kata as appropriate.
Six breathing patterns often taught under Kisoku no Donto:
1-Long inhale, long exhale, 2-Long inhale, short exhale, 3-Short inhale, long exhale, 4-Short inhale, short exhale.
Combinations of the above (1 to 4) are chosen to fit specific techniques.
波形呑吐 (Hakei Donto) – Wave-Shaped Breathing. Continuous, seamless breathing where inhale and exhale merge naturally without pause, like a wave. Represents the most advanced form of Kisoku no Donto, where breath and motion become one.

#kokyuho #karatedo #kisokunodonto #shitoryu

Kururunfa (久留頓破) of Shitokai
Kururunfa is an advanced Naha-te kata combining soft, flowing movements with explosive speed and power. Its key characteristics include rapid changes of direction, precise body shifting, close-range techniques, and effective use of the hips. In Shitokai, Kururunfa emphasizes relaxation, balance, timing, and coordination, followed by fast, decisive techniques. The goal is to generate maximum speed and power through efficient, controlled movement.
An interesting historical detail concerns the name of this kata. According to Shitokai tradition, when Ryuso Kenwa Mabuni introduced Kururunfa to his students, he used the numerical kanji 九 (Ku, nine), 六 (Roku, six), and 八 (Hachi, eight), written as 九六八, instead of the traditional characters 久留頓破. This phonetic adaptation was intended to make the name easier for his Japanese students to recognize, pronounce, and remember, while preserving the original kata and its technical principles.

#kururunfa #kenwamabuni #nahate #karatedo #shitokai

壮鎮 Sochin (Aragaki-ha Sochin)
Meaning: “Tranquil Force” or “Strength and Calm.”

壮鎮 Sochin (Aragaki-ha Sochin)
Meaning: “Tranquil Force” or “Strength and Calm.”
Sochin is a traditional Okinawan kata associated with Master Seisho Aragaki (1840–1918), an influential figure in the development of Okinawan Karate. The kata was preserved and transmitted through Ryuso Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shitoryu Karate.
One distinctive characteristic of Sochin is its combination of circular and direct techniques, precise body shifting (Tenshin), and rapid transitions between defensive and offensive movements. The kata emphasizes natural movement, effective coordination of the upper and lower body, and the dynamic relationship between softness and explosive power.
The deeper lesson of Sochin lies in maintaining calmness and stability while generating decisive power. Its effectiveness depends on proper timing, efficient body mechanics, and the ability to transition instantly from receiving an attack (Uke) to counterattacking.
Sochin teaches an important principle of Karate: True power comes from the harmony of stability, relaxation, and dynamic movement.

#sochin #壮鎮 #shitoryu #shitokai #kenwamabuni

The Proper Path of Mae Geri (Front Kick)
In executing Mae Geri, correct form is essential for speed, control, and effectiveness.
As soon as the kicking foot leaves the floor, the leg bends at the knee. From there, the hip joint lifts the thigh forward and upward (by engaging the hip flexors), bringing the knee onto the line of the intended target.
When the knee reaches alignment with the target, the lower leg extends sharply from the knee joint, directing the foot straight to the target.
Immediately after the technique, the leg retracts quickly from the knee. This is Hiki Ashi, which preserves balance, readiness, and proper posture.
A proper Mae Geri is not just a kick, but a coordinated sequence of chamber, extension, and retraction performed with efficiency and intent.

#maegeri #karatekick #shitokai #Karate #糸東会 #糸東流 #空手道 #糸東流空手

掛け鷺足立ち
Kake Sagi Ashi Dachi (Hooked Heron Stance)
Sagi Ashi Dachi, commonly translated as “Heron Stance,” is a traditional one-legged stance found in several Karate kata, particularly Chinto.
One distinctive variation involves bending the raised leg and hooking its foot behind the knee of the supporting leg. Some Karate schools refer to this variation as Kake Sagi Ashi Dachi, while others associate it specifically with Chinto kata and call it Chinto Dachi.

Technical Characteristics
1- Supporting Leg: Stable foot, slightly bent knee.
2- Hooked Foot: Lightly hook behind the supporting knee.
3- Center of Gravity: Weight centered over the supporting foot.

#sagiashidachi #chinto #shitoryu #shitokai #tachikata

Shitoryu Karate Renzoku Kihon

Step forward into Hachiji Dachi, then switch sides and repeat the same movement.

During the entire movement, keep both feet flat on the floor.

When executing and finishing the kime on Gedan Barai and Chūdan Zuki in Hachiji Dachi, do not lift the heel. Do not let the foot disconnect from the floor.

Keep the heel down. Keep the feet stable. Connect the technique to the floor.

#糸東会 #糸東流空手 #糸東流 #worldshitoryu #shitokai #空手 #karate #shitoryu #沖縄空手 #日本空手

SAVE THE DATE!
SHITORYU KARATE TECHNICAL SEMINARS 2027
📍 Croatia
📅 June 26–27, 2027
A special opportunity to deepen your technical knowledge, refine your skills, and strengthen your understanding of traditional Shitoryu Karate under the guidance of two internationally recognized Karate Masters.
🥋 Featured Instructors:
Kaicho Genzo Iwata
8th Dan, Hanshi
World Shitoryu Karatedo Federation, President
A. Tanzadeh Shihan
8th Dan, Kyoshi
World Shitoryu Karatedo Federation, Vice Chairman
Mark your calendar and save the date!
Further details regarding the venue, schedule, and registration will be announced soon.
Together, we preserve, practice, and promote the true spirit of Shitoryu Karatedo.

Bassai Sho: Oyo Bunkai Variations
In this demonstration, I explore a different interpretation of Bassai Sho through Oyo Bunkai (practical applications).
Instead of applying the techniques against a Bo (staff), I demonstrate alternative responses to different types of attacks.
The purpose is to show how the same kata movements offer different practical applications depending on the situation, distance, and nature of the attack.

#oyobunkai #bassaisho #shitokai #shitoryu #karatedo #tanzadeh

SAVE THE DATE!
Shitoryu Karate Technical Seminars
Portugal
📅 September 25–26, 2027
Join us for a special opportunity to train and deepen your technical knowledge in Shitoryu Karate.

🥋 Instructors:
Kaicho Iwata
8th Dan, Hanshi
Tanzadeh Shihan
8th Dan, Kyoshi

Two days dedicated to technical study, refinement, and sharing the spirit of Shitoryu Karate.
Please mark your calendar.
More details will be announced soon.

#ShitoryuKarate #TechnicalSeminar #Portugal #SaveTheDate #KaichoIwata #TanzadehShihan #KarateSeminar

Ananko Kata and Sukui Dome application -

The Essence and Core (Shinzui) of Shito-ryu Karate - deep understanding of the true nature, technical precision, meaningful application, and more…

Hosted by Shitokai Italia, Budojima - Italy - September 6-7, 2025


#italy #shitokaiitalia #budojima #shitokai #wskf #eskf #糸東会 #糸東流 #空手道

Chikara, Power in Karate: the Science and Art of Power Through Relaxation, Body Connection and Kime

PORTUGAL, Costa da Caparica in Almada

Technical Seminars conducted by A.Tanzadeh, 8th Dan, Kyoshi
Sanctioned & Supported by Shitoryu Karatedo Portugal, Sensei Carlos Pereira
Organized & Hosted by Karate Clube Margem Sul Sensei Ricardo Camisão

NOVEMBER 6, 7, 8, 2026

More info:
+351 913 705 257 - kcmargemsul@gmail.com

#skp #wskf #eskf #karate #shitoryu #shitokai #chikara