Karate connected Czechia and Japan at EXPO 2025 in Osaka
From 16 to 18 June 2025, Karate Club Brno and Nada Club from Kobe took part in the City of Brno’s programme at the Czech National Pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. All five performances were held before a packed audience. The stage was shared by 17 members from both partner clubs, with distinguished guests including representatives of the City of Brno.
The performance of the Czech karate team at EXPO 2025 in Osaka focused on both the symbolic and practical connection between Czechia and Japan through shared values – respect for tradition, discipline, spiritual growth, and the culture of martial arts. Teams from Brno and Kobe trained separately, exchanging only recordings of their practice sessions. They arrived at the Czech National Pavilion just a few hours before the actual performance, which was met with a thunderous standing ovation.
Before each demonstration, a video introducing the Japan Karate Association and its significance for society was shown. The showcases featured the traditional Shotokan karate style, divided into three segments – kihon, kata, and kumite – and further categorized by skill level. Given the spiral-shaped design of Daisue Hall, the performance was choreographed so that movements unfolded in all directions.
The students moved in an unconventional manner – facing and standing back-to-back – creating a dynamic flow of motion. This was followed by a practical application of techniques in the form of bunkai and a final kumite, ranging from controlled matches to free sparring.
The musical accompaniment included melodies by Leoš Janáček, a renowned composer from Brno whose work emerged in the same era as modern karate. Attentive spectators could spot a mascot resembling Myaku-Myaku, seated between the Czech and Japanese flags. The Karate Club Brno mascot, named Kákábé-kun after the club’s initials, wore a karate-gi adorned with the Czech flag and, after the performance, became a popular subject for group photos. A spontaneous crowd gathered in front of the pavilion, attracting even passers-by.
During their stay in Japan, the nine-member Czech delegation not only performed but also trained at five local karate clubs. They visited notable locations including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Himeji, and Kobe. Through shared training sessions, they forged new friendships and a strong bond between the performers from Brno and Kobe. One thing is certain – this will not be their last visit to Japan.
Source: Karate Club Brno, author’s adaptations