Sensei Kato Course 21-22 June 08 York

Above: montage from Sensei Kato's Course

Another great weekend with Sensei Kato.

Rebecca received her Shodan certificate and thought nothing of attacking Sensei, Mawashi geri Jodan.

Sensei returned the favour by having her tied up with black belts.

We all kicked some chairs.

Only a small session on Kata on this course, plenty of Kihon though.

Johan got up close and dangerous with Sensei.

Looking forward to training at Whitchurch next weekend, Osu!

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Another new kata?

Sensei taught mainly Kihon at the weekend but he did teach some kata pre gradings. He went onto teach two linked kata explaining some history behind them.

Although new to most of us they are not new to the IJKA or Karate in general.

The first Kata was Meikyo Nidan, the second of three Meikyo kata, the first is in the standard Shotokan 26 syllabus. Meikyo Nidan is an Asai Kata based on Matsumura Rohai. It stands out with the use of the relatively unusual "Sagi ashi dachi" stance (Crane leg or Heron foot stance).

Asai Sensei taught Meikyo Nidan from the mid 80's onwards, firstly to other JKA instructors and then more generally from the early to mid 90's.

Above: Sensei Kato teaching Meikyo Nidan

Sensei Kato also taught Matsumura Rohai so we could understand the development. The kata is pre-Shotokan ( I believe) and uses "Neko Ashi Dachi" (Cat Stance) and a much shorter stance for the stepping movements and "Yame Zuki" techniques similar to Bassai Dai.

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York - Course and Grading with Sensei Kato

Congratulations to the 17 members of our club that graded at the weekend and a special mention to Holly from Haxby Dojo, who Sensei Kato triple graded from 12th Kyu to 9th Kyu. I have never seen Sensei ever triple grade anyone before, but she deserves her first adult grade, well done!
Rebecca was awarded her Shodan certificate, Sensei had her working hard all weekend, what else would you expect?
Just catching up after being away for a couple of weeks so I will try and post more at the weekend.

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Hangetsu

Last Sunday we finished off with some kata practise, it has been a while since I have done Hangetsu, too long really.

To learn the kata is quite straight forward, to do it well is quite another thing...

Above: Kanazawa Shihan performs Hangetsu

Sensei Andy took us through some of the areas that we need to work on, stance, technique, breathing, zanshin, pretty much everything really. It looks so easy when sensei demonstrated it.

Andy sent me the attached which he believes is about the kata and karate in general, I like the Kata and the poem...enjoy!

"Enter deeply" the sensei said,
Strive for perfection the moral read,
Guard the path, honour the code,
Seek the truth on an endless road,
Foster the spirit, be firm yet bend,
There are no short cuts for there is no end,
Reach for that pride that needs you harm,
Bury it deep with the strength of their arm,
Still yet moving, moving yet still,
Action providing the test of will,
Technique will bind muscle and breath,
As you too find the colours of death,......

Be quick now, seize the chance,
Be slow now, fathom the dance,
Soft as sand, sifted and blown,
Soft as sand yet solid as stone,
Blunt as a bludgeon sharp as a knife,
Past fatigue to the greater life,
The meaning lies inside your head
"Enter deeply" the sensei said.............

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Thank You Howdens

Many thanks to Neil Dallison from Howdens Joinery in Selby for their significant contribution to our club funds.

Sensei Andy is currently looking at some T Shirts for the club, the monies will be used to subsidise the cost to members.

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