Well it’s the New Year, and like so many of you, I too made my New Year’s resolutions. Whilst some I may have already broken, others are going strong; one being to ‘up’ my study of karate throughout 2012, to make further leaps in ability and understanding.

It’s still early 2012, but I am so motivated and inspired. On the first lesson of the year - when I taught my Juniors’ session - I took along my current karate ‘study’ note book for some of my youngsters to see (to encourage them to note things they were learning too for later reference). As I flicked through the latest couple of pages I realised just how many notes I had made over the last few days alone, fifteen in fact. These notes included lesson ideas, training drills to improve certain techniques or concepts, and personal notes to myself for self improvement. I had quite literally littered the pages with idea after idea, note after note, pieces of information after information. I am off to a good start and I hope the year continues this way.

The MAIN feature of this edition is an Interview with Toshiaki Namiki. Last year, Colin Putt (UK) accepted my request to conduct an interview with Toshiaki Namiki on my behalf for TSW. Having met Sensei Namiki in France two years ago, I was eager to bring him and his story to our readers around the world. Some of you may not be as familiar with Sensei Namiki as you may be with other more prominent Japanese instructors. His reputation and the respect he commands from all he encounters and teaches for however speaks volumes.Toshiaki Namiki has a fascinating story and background, one of training under an array of significant names- from Masahiko Tanaka to Masatoshi Nakayama, training alongside the likes of Mikio Yahara and other renowned names. Having studied within Nippon University, he amassed an impressive array of competitive titles and experiences. In 1978 he made the move, upon Master Nakayama’s request to go to the USA to start a JKA group.

This interview gives a full, and detailed insight into this karateka’s fascinating story in karate. I hope you all enjoy and find it educational and fruitful.

The second instalment of this edition comes in the form of an ‘Interview with Hitoshi Kasuya’, provided by Arijit Charkraborty. This interview is Kumite focussed, and provides some interesting insights from this world renown instructor.

The third instalment of this edition is an article I have written about kata, entitled ‘Be the Artist & think’, which looks at the role of kata in my life today, how that role has evolved over time, and how I now engage my students to develop and nurture their understanding of kata.