Roland HABERSETZER

Shihan Roland Habersetzer
9th Dan Karatedo (Gembukan, Japan)
Soké, " Tengu-no-michi "

Shihan Roland Habersetzer practices Martial Arts since 1957 and was one of the first French black belts in Karate, in 1961. Regarded rightfully as a specialist in the Japanese Martial Arts (Budo) and Chinese (Wu-Shu), graduate with various titles in France, Japan and in China, Roland Habersetzer was given 8th Dan in Karate-Do in Japan in 1992 by O-Sensei T.Ogura, 10th Dan (Gembukan), along with the title of Shihan. On April 28th, 2006, Master Tsuneyoshi Ogura, who himself was raised by Yamaguchi Gogen (1909-1989) and Gima Makoto (1897-1998), gave Sensei Roland Habersetzer, in his Dojo in Kofu (Yamanashi-ken, Japan), the rank of 9th Dan, with the title of Hanshi and the statute of Soké (main founder) of his own now recognized style - "Tengu-No-Michi " (Tengu-Ryu Karate-Do, Kobudo, Hojutsu). These ranks and titles were also confirmed by Tadahiko Ohtsuka of Gojukensha of Tokyo, another Master-reference in Gojuryu and a long time friend, raised by Naha-te and Shuri-te directly from Higa Yuckoku (1910-1994). A true recognition and reward of his rare proselytism and unquestionable effectiveness. This ultimate recognition underlines the direction which Roland Habersetzer always wanted to give to his 49 years of practicing martial arts - an engagement in favor of an authentic Tradition, in the purest respect of the stages "Shu", "Ha" and "Li". This event also legitimates his concept of practice "Tengu No Michi". The title of Hanshi had already been given to him as well by Kokusai Shotokai Egami-ryu Karatedo Renmei.

He began in 1968 with his exceptional publishing work with some 70 publications to date (*), which made him one of the most important authors in the Martial Arts world. His work is considered a historical, technical and learning source and is taken as a reference in all French speaking countries and even far beyond. After 10 years being one of the working ankles of the young French Karate Federation he was very quickly disappointed by the sporting evolution of what was always regarded as an "art" and a "cultural expression". Thus in 1974 he created "The Research Center Budo" (C.R.B.) - an international, independent organization which gathers a number of Budoka who are worried about the spiritual future of the Martial Arts of the Far East. His exceptional work in this direction, by the means of numerous training courses and seminars throughout the world, as well as a whole series of technical handbooks and historical novels made Shihan Habersetzer a true pioneer by taking a strong step toward the traditional values of the Martial Arts, never deviating of his believes. He taught in his Dojo in Strasbourg from 1962 to 2002, freely and without slackening, always associating closely the combat techniques with the spiritual foundation they represent since their origins.

An expert universally recognized in Karate-Do, Kobudo and Tai-Chi-Chuan, he remains impassioned by the art of combat in all of its forms. A true "Ronin" of the modern time, convinced that the search for effectiveness can leave no stone unturned. All that quite naturally led to the opening of a new avenue of practicing new techniques including the use of contemporary weapons (from bare hands fighting to combat shooting, already represented at seminars in the U.S.A. and in Switzerland). This development is parallel to his multiple Budoka activities, but for now only within the framework of a special training courses and high level seminars. Of course, it is carried out within the structure of his "Tengu Institute", founded in 1995 - a new research aiming for a development of a whole new concept of personal defense, more in conformity with the realities of the current world. It begins with the study and comparative practice of various forms of combat with or without weapons. 

The main goal of Sensei Roland Habersetzer is through the practice of traditional Karate-Do, away from its sporting drifts and entertaining forms, to give a useful direction suitable for the contemporary conditions. His impassioned search for a true redefinition of the martial arts problems in the present times calls to re-align the technical and tactical behaviors in practicing traditional Karate-Do to make it more applicable in the current realities.

He named it "Tengu Way" ("Tengu-No-Michi"). As an illustration of a new awakening, a will, a Budo step that presents the practitioner with a mental behavior and average techniques to bring him or her up to date and in harmony with the requirements of the contemporary world. With this transformation, after 48 years of advancing and progress in traditional Karate-Do, to a true school (Ryu) of integrated martial arts (Shin Budo) "Tengu-No-Michi", Soké Habersetzer didn't do anything else but continued the living spirit of the Tradition in the present times.

(*) See ("Publications") the complete list of the works published by Shihan Habersetzer

(translation from french : Dimitre "Mitko" Mihaylov)

 

Page d'accueil

01/09/2006