Kumite training must involve no friendship

"Kumite training must involve no friendship. There is no friendship in fighting someone, so if you want to learn karate as true bujutsu (martial arts) you must train with a serious spirit, right from the onset of your training. For example, when doing yakusoku-kumite, the attacker must aim to hit the defender. They must attack from the correct ma’ai, not too far away, and not too close. This is the most basic point in kumite training, if people do not follow this precisely, they will be completely wasting their practise time. Obviously one must use commonsense when training with someone much less experienced, or physically weaker, but at a high-level, there is no excuse if you cannot handle someone stronger. When defending and counterattacking you must not be afraid, you must foster a spirit of `no fear’. Enter into range without pre-conceived thought, this was my way when I used to compete. I didn’t care, I just reacted. This is essential and needs to be fostered in all karateka. This why I am always teaching that running away is more dangerous, go inside. Everything is step-by-step, but for instructors, there is a responsibility to be strong both physically and mentally. Fortunately most are strong, but some are using age, or high rank, as an excuse, and this is not acceptable. Higher level karateka must rely on superior technique, regardless of age, to overcome strength, size and youthfulness. This is karate, and this is the purpose of all technical skill. Instructors must self-train everyday!"

T. Asai

Asai's phrase 'no friendship' does not mean hostility toward a training partner — it means honesty. In yakusoku-kumite, a half-hearted attack teaches nothing: the attacker must genuinely try to hit, from the correct ma'ai, and the defender must answer without flinching, or both partners waste their practice time. The same honesty applies to defence — Asai warns against running away and urges students to go inside, entering range without pre-conceived thought, because hesitation is what makes a counter fail. The passage also sets a standard for instructors: strength, physical and mental, is a responsibility, not an option, and age or high rank is no excuse for letting it slip. The remedy he prescribes is daily self-training — the instructor must keep practising, so that technique, not size or youth, is what overcomes a stronger opponent.