Masao Kagawa Discusses Budo Spirit in Finland; Karate Masterclass Fully Booked
Masao Kagawa, Chief Instructor of Japan Karate Shotokai (JKS) and 9th dan black belt, was invited to Finland to lead a masterclass, which was fully attended. He emphasized the "Budo spirit" as key to karate's global spread and its importance in fostering inner strength.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 19:29
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Central News Agency (Reporter Wu Chi-lin, Helsinki, 28th) Masao Kagawa, Chief Instructor of Japan Karate Shotokai (JKS) and a 9th dan black belt, was recently invited to Finland to preside over a masterclass, which was fully booked.
Karate dojos exist in over 190 countries worldwide, with over 100 million practitioners according to the World Karate Federation (WKF). Masao Kagawa is one of the driving forces promoting this sport. On this trip, he started from Belgium, passed through the Netherlands, and chose Helsinki as the final stop of his European tour.
He told the Central News Agency that karate's ability to take root globally, transcending language and culture, has never relied on winning or losing, but on the profound inner strength that grows within.
Kagawa, originally from Osaka, is currently an instructor for Teikyo University's karate club. He has competed in international events as an athlete and has long cultivated top athletes at Teikyo University.
When asked by the reporter whether, abroad, many consider karate as a sport or a fighting technique, potentially losing its essence, he replied that everyone has different understandings and motivations for learning karate.
The essence of karate lies in the "Budo spirit," which involves overcoming one's weaknesses through learning this spirit. Life is full of crossroads and difficulties; facing ups and downs, karate strengthens the inner self and fosters consideration and kindness towards others. This kindness is, in fact, synonymous with strength.
Kagawa bluntly stated that the core of karate lies in practicing basic techniques. This core should not waver, no matter how times change or how physical abilities decline with age. He said that times are moving forward, techniques are evolving, but basic techniques (Kihon) and "forms" (Kata) will never disappear. Without both, it becomes a tree without roots; only by firmly establishing the foundation can one talk about breaking new ground.
Looking at the younger generation of karate practitioners, Kagawa admitted to both worries and hope. He said that today's children are very agile, but few can persevere, often lacking willpower and patience, and choosing to give up at the most critical moments. He emphasized that the pursuit of technical excellence is endless, with no finishing line of "that's enough." Everyone harbors unimaginable potential, and he hopes they will "challenge themselves and let their talents bloom."
Kagawa's connection with karate began with a moving experience. He told the Central News Agency that as a child, when he first took the Shinkansen north from Osaka, he saw his elder brother win the national championship of the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Deeply moved, the next day he asked his brother to teach him karate.
The organizer of the masterclass, Lisa-Lee Greenspan, a 6th dan black belt and current Chief Instructor of JKS Finland, said that when she first saw Kagawa kick in Japan at the age of 6, she immediately told her father: "I want to kick like that." Decades later, she invited him to Helsinki. She said that on the tatami, everyone is equal. Achieving the peak is not about winning a gold medal, but about becoming a better self, emphasizing focus and dedication, and consistently practicing in the dojo no matter what. Among the participants, Onerva Alatalo, an 18-year-old promising national team member for the 2025 Nordic Karate Championships, has been practicing karate for nearly 11 years. Her sister first started karate, and her father then joined the whole family in practice. Alatalo said that in the dojo, her father is not her father, but a training partner.
When asked for advice for those interested in starting karate, Kagawa said, "Karate can help you build self-confidence from the inside out, forming an attitude towards life. This is what I most want to convey throughout my life of martial arts practice." (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150428
Karate dojos exist in over 190 countries worldwide, with over 100 million practitioners according to the World Karate Federation (WKF). Masao Kagawa is one of the driving forces promoting this sport. On this trip, he started from Belgium, passed through the Netherlands, and chose Helsinki as the final stop of his European tour.
He told the Central News Agency that karate's ability to take root globally, transcending language and culture, has never relied on winning or losing, but on the profound inner strength that grows within.
Kagawa, originally from Osaka, is currently an instructor for Teikyo University's karate club. He has competed in international events as an athlete and has long cultivated top athletes at Teikyo University.
When asked by the reporter whether, abroad, many consider karate as a sport or a fighting technique, potentially losing its essence, he replied that everyone has different understandings and motivations for learning karate.
The essence of karate lies in the "Budo spirit," which involves overcoming one's weaknesses through learning this spirit. Life is full of crossroads and difficulties; facing ups and downs, karate strengthens the inner self and fosters consideration and kindness towards others. This kindness is, in fact, synonymous with strength.
Kagawa bluntly stated that the core of karate lies in practicing basic techniques. This core should not waver, no matter how times change or how physical abilities decline with age. He said that times are moving forward, techniques are evolving, but basic techniques (Kihon) and "forms" (Kata) will never disappear. Without both, it becomes a tree without roots; only by firmly establishing the foundation can one talk about breaking new ground.
Looking at the younger generation of karate practitioners, Kagawa admitted to both worries and hope. He said that today's children are very agile, but few can persevere, often lacking willpower and patience, and choosing to give up at the most critical moments. He emphasized that the pursuit of technical excellence is endless, with no finishing line of "that's enough." Everyone harbors unimaginable potential, and he hopes they will "challenge themselves and let their talents bloom."
Kagawa's connection with karate began with a moving experience. He told the Central News Agency that as a child, when he first took the Shinkansen north from Osaka, he saw his elder brother win the national championship of the Japan Karate Association (JKA). Deeply moved, the next day he asked his brother to teach him karate.
The organizer of the masterclass, Lisa-Lee Greenspan, a 6th dan black belt and current Chief Instructor of JKS Finland, said that when she first saw Kagawa kick in Japan at the age of 6, she immediately told her father: "I want to kick like that." Decades later, she invited him to Helsinki. She said that on the tatami, everyone is equal. Achieving the peak is not about winning a gold medal, but about becoming a better self, emphasizing focus and dedication, and consistently practicing in the dojo no matter what. Among the participants, Onerva Alatalo, an 18-year-old promising national team member for the 2025 Nordic Karate Championships, has been practicing karate for nearly 11 years. Her sister first started karate, and her father then joined the whole family in practice. Alatalo said that in the dojo, her father is not her father, but a training partner.
When asked for advice for those interested in starting karate, Kagawa said, "Karate can help you build self-confidence from the inside out, forming an attitude towards life. This is what I most want to convey throughout my life of martial arts practice." (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150428