| "KENSUKE SETO 6th Dan" by Robert Curtis TRADITIONAL KARATE(August 1996) In 1992, Sensei Seiji Sugimoto introduced me to Sensei Seto at his Osaki Dojo in Tokyo. Since that first meeting, I have returned on many occasions to that dojo to train with this world famous karate technician. |
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TRADITIONAL KARATE: What are your personal details? Sensei Seto: My name is Kensuke Seto and I live in Meguro-Ku, Tokyo. My style is Shotokan and I have been training for over thirty years now. My current grade is 6th dan and I belong to Nakahara-sensei's JKA. My senior instructors are Ueki-sensei, Tanaka-sensei, and Oishi-sensei. I hold three positions within the JKA. Firstly I am a director of the Technical Committee, secondly I am Chief Referee of the Association and thirdly, I'm Senior Instructor for Osaki Branch. TRAD: Why did you take up karate as opposed to baseball (which is very popular amongst Japanese people)? Sensei Seto: I enjoy playing baseball! However, I especially like martial arts such as kendo and bojutsu. I also enjoy skiing and kayaking though my first love is karate-do! I see all martial arts as a challenge and if I had the time, I would like to take on many other challenges! The reason I have spent most of my life practising karate is because I find that the training gives me great mental satisfaction! Whenever I practise, I always find a new thing in karate. This is one of the main reasons why I have never lost interest in training! Plus I really believe that karate has developed my character and made me what I am today. Through karate, I have developed a philosophy of life. TRAD: What else have you developed? Sensei Seto: In three words: 'The Fearful Mind'. When I face an opponent for the first time, I may know nothing about him. I don't know what kind of art he has practised or for how long. I don't know what kind of mental condition he may be in. However, I will soon find out by wiping all thoughts from my mind and concentrating on what is in front of me. Through karate, I have developed a form of awareness for him and the danger he may pose to me. Any martial art that does not give you this feeling of awareness - this ' fearful mind' is not really a martial art in my view. TRAD: Who was your first sensei and which other notables have you trained with or know? Sensei Seto: My first sensei was Mr. Nakayama. I also have known Kanazawa-sensei for over thirty years and although my relationship with him is very good, I would not call it a friendship - because my respect for him is too great. TRAD: What was training like in the JKA Instructor's class? Sensei Seto: Training in the Instructor's class was very hard under Nakayama-sensei and every day we did a lot of basics. The emphasis of the lessons was always good technique. TRAD: What did you do after qualifying as a JKA Instructor? Sensei Seto: I was sent to Hawaii to teach for the JKA. I stayed there for approximately two years (between 1975 and 1977). It was a very good experience for me and I particularly remember feeling a different atmosphere whilst teaching there than in Japan. The atmosphere was more tense. I learnt a lot about myself when I was there! TRAD: Which parts of karate-do do you enjoy? Sensei Seto: I enjoy all aspects of karate-do equally, though one of the most attractive aspects for me is kumite. Of course kata and kihon are very important and if a student does not train equally in all three, then he will not develop a good standard of karate. The martial arts were intended to kill or damage enemies, so by design they can be dangerous. Kata is used to train people in potentially lethal techniques without any danger to themselves or to others. Kata includes within it the basic concept of how we should act when faced with danger. Originally, kata was designed to train a karateka how to defend themself - so it's very important. I have learned 'Rokyu', 'Ha' and 'Ki' through training in kata. TRAD: What does it take to be successful at karate? Sensei Seto: It is for others to judge whether anyone is successful at karate. I don't feel that I am successful in karate-do, though it's certainly true that I have studied a little longer than many others. The most element for success for any karateka, I believe, is to pursue a personal goal and enjoy what you are doing. If you love karate - as I do - then you will be able to practise hard and overcome all obstacles. To have targets and goals is very important. As we reach one target, we then find we have another. It is impossible for any person to achieve all his goals and so training should be never ending. This is the 'do' in karate-do. TRAD: How does heavy training affect the mind and body? Sensei Seto: Almost every sports person damages their body to attain a higher level of skill, so this is the opposite of good health - but it is good to develop your mental toughness! Heavy practice produces mental and physical toughness and without developing physical toughness we will not gain mental toughness. I don't accept the view that martial practice is all about the mental side. Those who only concentrate on the mental aspects of martial arts will find they have nothing available when they need to call on their physical skills. The purpose of martial practice is to help us to be prepared to sacrifice ourselves for our honour if ever such action be required. TRAD: Do you have any closing remarks to make - perhaps about your hopes/ambitions? Sensei Seto: Karate is like a religion to me! I want to make friends with everyone I meet! My only real ambition is to continue my practice. I have spent my whole life teaching people and trying to instil the ethics of karate-do into their lives. If karate itself has a value, then it will survive by itself. But if it has no intrinsic value, then it will not survive! I personally want to go on pursuing what I regard is right in karate-do! TRAD: Thank you for sharing your views with us. Sensei Seto: You are welcome! |
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