Hotton Sensei, is under rated, his philosophy on Karate, movement, breathing concepts, the inside feeling is revolutionary. The way he explains being soft within your technique, mixing hard and soft evenly within his technique. Most excellent teacher he is

Impossible to make a list, there are so many great ones.

All are amazing practitioners and we are so fortunate to learn from them. I have been very fortunate to train with Kanazawa Kancho (and his father Hirokazu, many times) and Naka Shihan, for a three day seminar. But after almost 35 years of training, i have trained with many of the greatest masters. My teacher (Ozawa Osamu) was a pupil of Funakoshi Gichin and started his training in 1938. I started at a very good time, when many were still living. I trained with Ozawa Shihan for 12 years, until his untimely passing. Many masters i have trained with, were from other styles of Karate. The journey continues...

I place each of them on the same level, equally. Each one brings a unique, deep awareness, and profound insight for us to learn from. Respect to these warriors.

I have traveled around the world and had the good fortune to meet so many very skillful karate practitioners all great in their own way; Mikami, Nishiyama, Ubl, Ushiro, Aoki etc. . At some level after 4-5 decades of practice, your karate becomes unique - a testament of a lifetime journey. You cannot really compare for example the karate of Nishiyama and Asia or to rate which is better because at that level the comparison is no longer relevant - both born from the shotokan yet so very different and brilliant in their own unique way, the product of a personal and mindful investigation. I have tried to uplift my practice from both. What we can do is learn from all our shared time together on this planet and honor each individual endeavor in the sentiment of the Dojo Kun with Character, Sincerity, Effort, Etiquette and Self-Control - because well, that was a lesson too. I like Funakoshi sensei's idea of 5th dan being the last rank. It implies that you never arrive - that in actuality you are never the "master". Like all mindful endeavors it is just a humble journey, no comparison to be made only the observed footprint of an authentic practice that has spanned a lifetime. But thank you for including me in this list.

I did 2 separate 7 hours a day week long courses in the 70s under.Enoeda,Kanazawa,kawasoe and not sure of spelling ,Ochi. You don't realise how much you improve on that sort of training till you go back to your regular dojo. I did not feel any different,but the guys at my dojo I sparred with told me they really noticed the difference. I was lucky I could get the time off work and pay for both week long courses all those years ago.

Top 5 Shotokan karate masters... There are other styles in karate very well represented by great karate masters also,...

Before mastering martial arts it is so important to have good basics. Great video !

Well done sensei bertal, great that you are in this blog and so you should be. Your teachings have made me adapt well in the security industry, I have been able to handle conflict where a wack to the face or body is not so bad had I not fully defended myself. Thanks osu

Oss Sensei Thank you so much for your help and advice,i do appreciate your job,i wish you peace and happiness under the sky of prosperity,all the best.take care and have a good time. Your Student from Algeria.

I love how was Naka Tatsuya fighting on JKA

Incredible to watch!

I train with Sensei Kancho Kanazawa 2 times every year and every time I see him it’s such a blessing and will never forget his father, a legend. Sensei Hirozaku Kanazawa ❤️

I am guessing you have never trained with Steve Ubl sensei, the first uchi deshi (live in student) of Nakayama sensei at Nakayama's personal dojo (the famous Hoitsugan). He was also the former protégé and dojo caretaker of Nishiyama sensei. Ubl sensei is the legendary reclusive master we all grew up hearing stories about. Many high level senior black belts who have trained with many, if not all of the sensei on this list and many of your other lists will tell you he would rank at the top of your lists. Sadly, he has returned to seclusion and solo training since the closing of his dojo and the subsequent pandemic we are now experiencing. Katsumata sensei from Canada is another reclusive teacher who would belong on your lists. With that said, I do like the several videos I have watched that you have made. I, and several of my dojo mates, have trained at seminars with just about all of the Shotokan masters you have included in many of your videos. So I have subscribed and shared your channel and several of your videos with my dojo mates. 😀

Every master is unique in his/her own way....🤘

All are marvellous karate masters a complete way of life

Nice video my friend, motivates all the lazy Karateka like I am ;)

I'm glad to see Hotton and Naka Sensei on here.

Absolute Rick and Andre wow they got the thrue karate spirit in body and mind

All are amazing karate master

OMG, AMAZING

It would so inspiring if any of these guys had actual footage of them applying this stuff IRL.

Excellent ! MERCI👍🏼🍒

That's was beautiful Thank you

Thank you for inspiring

I am watching all video i am from India training in uechi ryu karate nice video

I really love your style.

Sensei nobuaki kanazawa es realmente increíble!! El mejor...

Ótima apresentação Gostei de todas

Nice i gotta learn some of this technique

What is the last music loved it please

Le Karaté Do porté a l'excellence exprime la force, la puissance, l'elegance et la maîtrise. Un bel art martial

Respekt Grande maester OSS 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Naka Tatsuya and Kanazawa are also a movie star. They played in several Japanese Action movies.

👍good to see ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡masters

Todos são excelentes e as melhores referências no Karate-Do Shotokan Ryu!

Great sir

Wonderful

Naka Tatsuya, is not a fancy aquarium fish displaying flashy fancy movements in his dojo. He is the real deal as seen on tournaments. His movements are circulatory which give him advantage and make him unpredictable hence dangerous. He is the real deal. 💥👊

Puxaram o saco para os outros Mestres... Sem comentários... Na minha humilde opinião, sem sombra de dúvidas Bertel e Hotton são os dois melhores... Ou seja mereciam os primeiros lugares nessa lista !

wOw! one the greatest fighter from shotokan karate especially Andre Bertel as if Jeff Speakman will move fast. But! nothing really can match the speed and agility of my idol Bruce Lee 🙂 🇵🇭🤜☯️🤛🇯🇵

My first training karate at Pulapol PDRM Segamat Johor Malaysia😍

Thank you!

My Most FAVOURITE Is SENSEI HOTTON. He has the TRUE SPIRIT of REAL KARATE. Hope he will give Seminar's in PERTH. Australia. R E S P E C T to a GREAT MAN and WARRIOR 😇🙏🙇

"for me"... (and Shotokan only) There is no one list of such kind. So many masters one doesn't know!!

That first guy, #5, awesome how u can hear the snap in his strikes even though was just demo

Nice kata

Oss,magnific

Can you do one on judo masters?

Many karate masters willfully et from this.... \

Woow they are so good ..

Very nice video!!!!

Osu ...... Respect from Pakistan 🇵🇰

Bertel is incredible !!!

Super video!

I agree Eli, so Many great one. One of the greatest ones missing, Masutatsu Oyama (Kyokushin) . I think all the guys mentioned here are Shotokan . I practiced Kyokushin as a kid for a few years and my Sensei always taught us that, Shotokan was the Enemy 😅. Not taking anything away from Shotokan . Much respect.

I like it this post

Wow!

Laborato ??? jaja ... you can't avoid in this list Kagawa Sensei !!

André Bertel für mich einer der besten Karate Kämpfer!!! Die Power die Schnelligkeit die Technik,der Mann ist absolut Top!!!!!!!!!!! Einer der besten!!!

Nice to see my sensei in such great company :)

Respect et considération 🙏 🙏 🙏 ❤️ 🤗 🤗 🤗 !... Oss 🙏 !

Oss Sensei muito ótimo

Frank Brennan from the UK and Kagawa sensei as well. Many many many

hello new friend here very nice video good job!

honorable mention Keiji Tomiyama 😉

Lovely

Amazing

Amazing Sensei Andre Bartel

Bertel. Hotton. Tatsuya. Kanazawa. Lavorato. Isso sim. Lista mais aceitável !

I was extremely surprised to not see Gichin Funakoshi mentioned.

Hotton Sensei looks so unassuming, and then "FLASH" his foot is suddenly in and out of your face before you even knew what hit you..

Good channel thank you my friend and to be my friend .

Hebaat

#2👍

I wonder if in real street figth this karate tecnics are efficent, ( dont get me wrong) because it realy looks beautifull those karate moves.

very nice

Way of empty hands.... Truly inspiring..

Nice

Perfeito

Tấn vững,động tác dứt khoát,có nội lực❤❤❤

Всем привет! Питер на связи! Это очень хорошее видео. С юности любил каратэ. Одно время занимался в Киокушинкай. Правда, позднее переквалифицировался. Оказался в тхэквондо WTF. Всегда любил старых мастеров. Равнялся па них ещё так же, с юности. Кстати, увлëкся восточной философией и Дзэн буддизмом.

Yeah so i'm training Oyama style and for the first years it was just passion now I have bronze belt and I became trainer. Karate is something very important for me now and I wish I could be like them

Saya paling resfek master tetsuya naka beliau sering dtng k aliran lain dan belajar seperti k sorinji kempo

👍👍👍Oss

There are so many masters! Overcome yourself and your own ego. Then, you will have mastered everything.

All are legends

Master Tanaka is never a show off. That shows the great level and maturity of the karate pracritioner. Master bertel is totally a pleasure to watch practicing. Speed and technique are totally mind blowing. Lastly, master hotton, I love his insights and the way he teaches full of philosophy and value without leaving the impecable technique of a grand master. These are my three favorite modern role models in karate

Szanowny Panie. Mily przyjacielu. Patrząc i oglądając technike ktora pokazujesz okazuje ona bardzo istotny spryt i wartość ruchu w myśl uderzenia które nastąpi. Noga uderzającą jest noga wykroczna uderzającą na głowę przeciwnika po obejściu go... Istotnie nie ma on szans na ruch tym bardziej na sam fakt obrony. Druga to uderzenie zewnętrzna częścią dłoni i pociągnięcie jej po ciele.. Tak by jego siła ciągnięta była aż do końca przepony... Uderzenie powoduje odebranie oddechu i silny ból w okolicach żołądka i przepony. Potrafię uczynić z mojego ciała rzeczy rzeczywiście istotne lecz patrząc na mistrza jestem pełen podziwu ile można zyskać oglądając Cie na monitorze... Bardzo bym prosił o częstsze okazywanie technik Twojego okazu. Pozdrawiam Cie serdecznie.

Harada, Suzuki, Enoeda, Kanazawa Hirokazu, Jon Bluming from my time the best (UK)

Andre Bertel owes his success to Tetsuhiko Asai and Asai-ryu Karate. Mostly for putting back fluidity into Shotokan.

I'm not very familiar with Jean-Pierre, but I've trained with 3 of the 5. Andre Bertel is the last Master on my bucket list. I agree with the early commenter that Rick Hotton is underrated. He brings a unique perspective and vocabulary to karate. One that flies under the radar because he wants it that way is Steve Ubl. The others are social, conversational, and to a degree self-promoting. Ubl sensei projects a sense that I'm in the presence of a master.

Oss 🙏🥋

And Masao Kagawa?

EXCELENTE LE FALTO SENSEI TANAKA

Try Tsutomu Ohshima-sensei. If you REALLY want to learn Funakoshi-sensei's KARATE, not just the stuff people THINK is his Karate, HE is the guy to find. And yes, his stuff WORKS! It's REAL FIGHT Karate, not tournament Karate ... There was an old interview with Kanazawa Hirokazu-sensei that mentioned him - he was telling a kajukenbo guy that Ohshima-sensei was at a much higher level than even he. A real national treasure!

❤

In school days iam a red dragan karate student that period I performed roundus kick

Unless this is limited to specific style(s) of karate, this list is woefully incomplete without Kancho Joko Ninomiya. His intuitive understanding and incorporation of physics and body mechanics into every technique in Enshin Karate are perfection.

Крутейшая подборка мастеров карате, на трëх из них я ориетнируюсь в своей практике!!!