23/06/2026
Some thoughts on the seminar held by Masaki Mackey Fujii Sensei in Italy, written by our German friends, from the Berlin dojo:
James:
We, Miguel and James, two Kenbukai practitioners from Germany, recently attended a seminar with Sensei Masake Fuji in Pordenone, Italy, hosted by Shihan Stoppa. “Hit without getting hit” was the focus, which Sensei Fuji broke down into an explanation of distancing and body orientation, breathing and the right level of tension in the body, and tai sabaki in kata and basics.
Sensei Fuji explained that in Kenbukai Kyokushin, distancing hinges on a deeper sense of miai. He showed it is not just about the space between practitioner and opponent but also the position and orientation of one’s own body, especially the core. On breathing and tension, he stressed never being fully relaxed and controlling the breath, so practitioners are constantly prepared for subsequent techniques.
For Ido Geiko, Sensei Fuji used the analogy of a slow train and a fast train. The fast train goes through all the same stops as the slow train; in the same way, a technique performed fast should go through all the same stages as that technique performed slowly. This highlighted Kenbukai karate’s focus on correct basic technique.
Sensei Fuji emphasised the core, hip movement in multiple planes, not just rotational, and contracting the side of the torso to boost the effectiveness of movement and technique, creating space for both attack and defence. He introduced new floor exercises to us, which we look forward to integrating into our training in Germany.
Miguel:
We had the pleasure of attending a seminar with Sensei Masaki Fuji in Pordenone, Italy, hosted by Shihan Stoppa. It was an inspiring experience, filled with new insights, deep reflection, and challenging yet rewarding training.
Throughout the seminar, we were warmly welcomed by Sensei Stoppa, whose hospitality made us feel at home from the very beginning. Combined with the beauty of northern Italy, the seminar became an unforgettable experience that broadened our understanding of Kyokushin Kenbukai Karate and opened new paths for our continued study and practice.
