Profile of Sensei Masao Kawasoe

Sensei Masao Kawasoe is a brilliant karateka and much in demand as an instructor. If you ask anyone who has ever trained with him, they will agree that he is one of the best karate technicians in the world. He is both dynamic and knowledgeable, with an impressive ability to communicate ideas and demonstrate how to make personal improvement. His dedication to tradition, quality and manners is universally acknowledged, with few able to perform the physical demands he makes of himself.

Sensei Masao Kawasoe was born in Saga City, Japan in 1945. For the past 38 years Sensei Kawasoe has resided in the UK close to London. Sensei began his martial arts training in judo. At the age of 15 he saw demonstration of karate that so impressed him he immediately went to find a karate dojo. His first instructor was Sensei Tsuyama. Training through high school and then Takushoku University, he continued to train with Sensei Tsuyama.

It was during his time at university that he first caught the attention of Master Nakayama, the Chief Instructor of the JKA, and was invited to enrol into the infamous JKA Instructors class, which he graduated after three years.

Sensei Kawasoe is featured in Volume 4 of Sensei Nakayama's "Best Karate". Sensei Nakayama said of him "Kawasoe is especially noted for his kicks, which are strong, good, effective and have a sharp snap. Through his mastery of karate basics he has come to reach a level few achieve, his technique inspires all who witness it to strive for the ideals of Shotokan Karate." A high honour indeed from such a renowned Master of karate.

Sensei Kawasoe has an excellent instructional DVD entitled "Beginner to Black Belt: The Kawasoe Way", featuring 90 minutes of clear and precise instruction it provides the perfect guide to achieving your black belt. Multiple-angle and slowed action shots make this a DVD you will want to watch again and again. It presents basics, kata and sparring routines for each grading exam. The DVD is available from the club at a discount price.

There is no doubt that Sensei Kawasoe is one of the very best instructors to have emerged from the JKA, and he remains an important figure in the world of karate; pioneering new concepts and promoting his brand of Shotokan karate wherever he teaches. He has a world-wide following of senior students who have stayed loyal to him and followed his example by developing and teaching excellent Shotokan Karate. Long may this continue, and in his own words: "I am lucky to have good karate, but even more, I am lucky to have good students to carry it forward. My wish is to leave something worthwhile behind for everyone. My life is then complete."

We are honored to have this 'master of karate' as our personal instructor. Sensei visits us three times a year to train and grade club members. As associate members of the UKTKF and JKA we have access to all of Sensei's courses as well as other JKA instructors, courses and competitions throughout the UK and the rest of the world.

Please see for yourself the skill and mastery of this superb karate technician by clicking on any of the links below.

Sensei Kawasoe demonstrates oi-komi gyaku-zuki (1.27) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpUOujUKM3g

Sensei Kawasoe performs Kihon kata (5:01) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5zdyUHpLzo

Sensei Kawasoe demonstration of defence against knife attack (5.11) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O19ORnG66Y&mode=related&search=

Sensei Kawasoe demonstrates stepping punch shown from above (0.20) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS0AIbzAcR8

Sensei Kawasoe teaching Unsu kata (1:28) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTiZy-sekKg

Sensei Kawasoe demonstrates body movement during front kick (2:56) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTzrnvXCYz8

Sensei Kawasoe demonstrates dropping the body during kumite (0:55) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7dSGOgNk3A

Sensei Kawasoe teaching kata technique and application (3:15) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdE6Kuf09v4

Sensei Kawasoe demonstration 1998 (1:53) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQHSGQ6qTsg

Sensei Kawasoe teaching advanced kata (19:19) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOM1pUgmPec

Senseis' Kawasoe and Naito in kumite demonstration (2:44) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcx7I5PO-tk

Senseis’ Kawasoe and Naito teaching on UKTKF Course Edinburgh 2011 (11:39) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_m-JkntF58

Sensei Kawasoe kumite demonstration Italy 1993 (2:21) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLxFTSZd0Vs

Sensei Kawasoe kumite demonstration Italy 1993 (Reverse angle) (1:51) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OWqyX6NyjU&feature=related

Sensei Kawasoe performing Bassai-Dai kata (3:03) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLYwQJohMyo

Sensei Kawasoe teaching Bassai-Dai kata (7:02) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTVQzZEiMu4

Sensei Kawasoe teaching Mae-Geri, Mawashi-Geri and Bassai-Sho kata (12:40) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ooubw8Q78o

Sensei Kawasoe teaching kumite drills on a course in Russia 2009

Part 1 (8:18) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMPYekKifCM&feature=related

Part 2 (8:32) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swC320XPCg&feature=related

Part 3 (8:14) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gyGpA-KZnk&feature=related

Part 4 (8:35) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnQ6z9JW5S8&feature=related

Part 5 (8:12) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB071BlR5so&feature=related

Part 6 (8:27) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL0kPEQNCYQ&feature=related

Part 7 (8:15) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdWKS63PLIM&feature=related

Part 8 (8:26) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaLVDhyHWHs&feature=related

Sensei Kawasoe demonstrating Nijushiho kata and application (2:08) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoNjcMih8JE