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Selby Shotokan Karate Club

Monday, November 27, 2006

Kato Shihan - York Karate Course and Gradings


Kato Shihan honoured Haxby Club by arranging a course and grading around the Clubs 25th Anniversary celebrations.

Above: Another great course and grading session for Haxby, York and Selby karate clubs.

Congratulations to all Karateka that passed their gradings, Selby Club gradings were as follows:
Dave Stavenau - 1st Kyu
Domonic Schilke and Rebecca Brant - 4th Kyu
Adam Preece, Daniel Kozelko and Sam Dennis - 5th Kyu
Thomas Robinson - 6th Kyu

Many thanks to all Karateka from visiting clubs for supporting the course, special thanks to Sensei Rob Mc Cartney from York Kenshinkan (and his karateka), and Sensei Steve Cameron for their support and company at the dinner on Saturday evening.


Above : Sensei Steve Bland from York Kenshinkan Karate Club kicks Mawashi-geri.

Sensei Steve spent some time training with Selby Club while between KUGB clubs, nice to see you again Steve. Hopefully some of us can make a return visit to your club in the near future. Below is a link to Sensei Mc Cartney's club.

  • York Kenshinkan Shotokan Karate Club


  • Above: Kato Shihan Instructs on Sunday

    Above: Kato Shihan blocks tate- shuto in preparation for Gyaku-zuki chudan to Gullen Shihan

    Above: Thomas, Daniel and Sam perform Kihon (Basics) under the critical eye on Kato Shihan.

    Previous posts on the four boys-
  • The Famous Four Post
  • Sam gets Green post

    Above: Sensei Nick gets a right kicking ( Mae geri Chudan)

    May be not a "right kicking" but Hidari-Mae-Geri ( a left kicking)

    Above : Domonic and Rebecca perform 1 step Kumite for their 4th Kyu Gradings

    They both did well on Kata and showed a wide variety of techniques on the Kumite section, they found 4th Kyu Kihon to be challenging to say the least, both were promoted to 4th Kyu.
  • Domonic and Rebeccas Green belt grading post


  • Above: Dave performs Yoko-Geri-Keage (Side snap kick)

    Above: Dave has to dig deep on his physical and mental reserves during his grading, Sensei Nick is always happy to put anyone through their paces.

    Dave's grit and determination saw him through on the day, despite running his stamina tanks on empty. Well done mate, now you can enjoy your karate, courses with Sensei are a lot better when you know you haven't got to grade at the end of them, you can relax and watch others going through it.
  • Dave's 3rd Kyu grading post

  • On saturday night nearly twenty of us went out to dinner with Sensei to celebrate 25 years of the Haxby Dojo. Sensei Mike said a few words and presented three gifts, one to Kato Shihan who has been Haxby's chief instructor for all of those 25 years, to Sensei Ian who is the only remaining member who has been training with Haxby club for the full 25 years and to Gullen Shihan for the support he has given over the period. A good time was had by all and a brave few even ventured onto the dance floor.

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    Wednesday, November 22, 2006

    Shotokan Karate Videos

    I am always on the lookout for some good Shotokan karate videos, I have recently been sent a few links by Hans Ranah Sensei. I also had a few myself and I have now put them in the side bar so they can be easily accessed. I have not embedded them as many of them I could not get permission to post. Please follow the links in the sidebar on anything that takes your interest.

    • There is a link to Asai Sensei demonstrating on Kenshusei at the JKS Honbu dojo (Kamal Sensei and Makita Sensei)
    • There is a demonstration by Tanaka Sensei
    • Kumite between Kagawa Sensei and Yahara Sensei with Asai Sensei as Referee
    • Kagawa Sensei performing kata
    • Yahara Sensei with a perfect Ippon
    • Yahara Sensei's 8th Dan Grading
    • Asai Sensei kumite with Bertel Sensei

    Some of the links take a while to load and I have found it best to play the video at least twice to catch up on any buffering .

    If anyone knows of any other top quality videos please e mail the links so I can take a look.

    Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.



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  • Saturday, November 18, 2006

    JKS GB 2006 Open Karate Championships - Nottingham

    Today a small team of Nine Karateka travelled to Nottingham to take part in the JKS GB Open Karate Championships. This is the first event that we have entered as a club since moving to our Barlby dojo three years ago and we came back with twelve medals.
    Congratulations go to all those who travelled to Nottingham and took part in events, our medal winners were:

    Sam Dennis Age 9 - 2nd - 9yrs and below mixed Kata and 3rd - 9yrs and below Kumite.
    Daniel Kozelko Age 11 - 2nd - 10th to 4th Kyu, 10 to 15 yrs mixed kata and 3rd 15yrs and below team kata.
    Adam Preece Age 11 - 3rd - 15 yrs and below team kata.
    Rebecca Brant Age 14 - 3rd - 10th to 4th ky, 10 to 15 yrs mixed kata, 3rd 15 years and below team kata and 3rd - 12 to 15 yrs Girls kumite.
    Thomas Gott - 3rd - 16 yrs+ team kata
    Helen Milner - 3rd - 16 yrs+ team kata
    Paul Brant - 3rd - Veterans Kumite and 3rd - 16+ team kata

    Our thanks go to Sensei Alan Campbell and Sensei Scott Langley for hosting the event, allong with all the officials and to Sensei Ashley Dilcock for his dedication to his dojo and its members, Osu!

    Well lets have a look and some of the photos then....

    Above : Sam Dennis is looking very pleased with himself after getting a Silver medal for his Kata, Sensei Ash is made up as well...well done Sam!

    Above: Just check out Sams Mawashi-geri, lets take a look at that supporting foot position... Sam you make us proud...very proud. Sam has never been so fired up, when he came off the mat Sensei Ash wanted to know what had got in to him.. he told Ash that I had told him .."I've got to go in..I've got to go in" his dad said he had been saying it all week.. while it worked Sam, well done.

    Above: Sam gets his medal from sensei Basil.

    Above: Does this lad look pleased with himself or does he look pleased with himself?

    Above: Daniel, Adam and Rebecca get bronze in the team kata event

    Above : Daniel with Silver and Rebecca with Bronze for Individual Kata

    Above : Thomas, Paul and Helen get Bronze for team kata (Jion), Helen is almost eclipsed by Paul in the photo, but she is there honest.

    Above: Rebecca, Adam, Thomas and Daniel at the Individual kata event

    Above: Rebecca gets a Bronze for Individual Kumite, thats number three. Sensei Basil told her she should trade her three bronze medals in for a Gold...may be next time.

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  • Thursday, November 16, 2006

    The 5 Rabbits were chased but not caught!

    Back in September I wrote the following in a post...
    A few years ago I was training hard for my Jiu Jitsu Shodan and I was also training in Karate. My Karate was suffering because I was focused on my up and coming examination.

    Gullen Shihan (my Karate Sensei) said to me one day "You will never get anywhere chasing two Rabbits". For the last few years I have only trained in Karate but have not lost my interest in other martial arts.

    In October I will be chasing 5 Rabbits for a week of intensive training by some very respected instructors:

    • Karate - Wayne Otto Sensei
    • Taekwondo - Wayne Brown Sensei
    • Weapons Kata - Tre Worsley Sensei & Adrian Rowe Sensei
    • Aikido - Gwynne Jones Sensei
    • Jiu Jitsu - Steve Barnett Sensei

    I look forward to a wider understanding of the martial arts, more details to follow post course...........

    The Course was brilliant and as promised I will post a few words about each of the days events. Unfortunately Sensei Tre Worsley was not available for weapons, but Sensei Adrian Rowe taught a full day of Kendo instead.

    Each post will give an introduction to the martial art,
    A profile of the instructor,
    Some in site into the days activities with some photos,
    Some useful links to further reading and finally ,
    a video clip of the martial art to see how it looks when done properly (not how we performed on the course thankfully)

    The course was the annual Army martial arts course held at Tetley Gym, Army School of Physical Training in Aldershot.

    I perhaps should have checked my birth certificate for age and mileage before applying to spend six days at ASPT, by the end of the week I felt like I had been in a car accident!

    However the opportunity to wrestle with a Brigadier and throw a Colonel through the air without feeling the full wrath of the RSM and AGAI 67 (disciplinary) action doesn't come along very oftern.

    There was a very diverse group of martial artists on the course, Karateka, Aikidoka, Ju-Jitsuka, Kendoka, exponents of Taekwondo, Mau-tai, kick boxing, streetfighters and mixed martial artists. I dont think I have missed anyoneone out but if I have appoligies.

    Col Dave Hopwood explained that although all the martial arts were very different we would see some themes that ran through all the arts and we should be able to learn something from all of them to apply to our own styles. The general themes were to relax, keep a low centre of gravity , lower than your opponents ideally. Don't be constrained to linear movements, and use your hips to generate power in technique, everything coming from your centre.

    Special thanks goes to Ex WO2 QMSI Dave Rigg, who travelled on a daily basis to take us for an hours sports science training. I found Dave's sessions particularly informative and has given me much to think about in my own training and the development of others.

    Many thanks to Maj Rob Howells for his hard work in the organisation of the course and events, I know how hard it is to get one senior instructor to run a course but five on consecutive days is quite an accomplishment.

    Many thanks to Maj David Worsley for the photographs that are in the series of posts.

    My last thank yous...promise

    Sensei-ne-rei (Thank you to all the instructors)

    Otagai-ne-rei (Thank you to all my fellow students for the opportunity to train togeather)

    Osu!


    This is post one in a series of six on the AMA course

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  • Day 1 - Taekwondo - Master Wayne Brown - 7th Dan

    Taekwon-Do is a martial art that is used only for self defence.
    Taekwon-Do is a modern form of self defence originating from Korea, founded by Grand Master General Choi, Hong Hi (1918-2002). He developed Taekwon-Do by researching other martial arts and by using modern scientific principles to design techniques that have maximum power and effectiveness.

    Taekwon-Do is most famous for its spectacular and dynamic kicking techniques, although this has led to the misconception that Taekwon-Do is just a kicking art. Taekwon-Do does make extensive use of the legs, since the legs are longer and more powerful than the arms, but kicks make up only a small fraction of the total number of Taekwon-Do techniques. There are also blocks, punches and strikes with the hands or arms as well as basic throws and grappling. The wide range of techniques caters for all types of situations, and students are taught to defend against single and multiple opponents, on foot, seated and prone, and against weapons such as sticks and knives.

    Master Wayne Brown 7th Dan




















    Training

    Master Brown started the training with a warm up session and a series of stretches. It was interesting to see what sort of stretches he did and would it improve my flexability if iI practised them. There was alot of emphasis on moring the pelvis while in about a 3/4 stretch. These did seem to create a more flexiable pelvis which in turn should improve your kicks.


    Right: My feable attempt at Tobi-yoko-geri

    Apart from needing to be higher, sorting my arms out geting my back leg up and relaxing a bit more it wasn't too bad.

    We did a lot of kicks on Monday, kicks standing still, kicks stepping forward and back, multiple kicks, jumping kicks, spinning kicks etc, etc dont get me wrong I like kicks but by Tuesday Morning I could hardly walk as I entered the dojo.

    We were all glad when master Brown got some pads out for combination kicks and strikes, we also did a number on combinations where we had to really reach in with the kick. This was good training, what I considered to be out of distance become in distance.

    Below: Is the Taekwondo course photo.



    Links

    You can get more information on Taekwondo on the following links:
  • bitf England

  • International Taekwon-do Federation



  • Video

    Crazy Taekwondo demo

    This is post two in a series of six on the AMA course.

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  • Day 2 - Aikido - Sensei Gwynne Jones - 8th Dan

    Aikido

    Aikdo has been called one of the most subtle and sophisticated of the martial arts derived from Japaneese Bujutsu (the warior arts).

    Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba (often referred to by his title 'O Sensei' or 'Great Teacher').

    It appears to be a martial art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu, and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu (sword based martial art). Aikido does not focus on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using an attacker's own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you.

    Movements and posture are extremely important, rather than just blocking and throwing your opponent. Circular movements are not just in one plane but in three dimensions or spherical movements.

    The founder was a poet and an artist as well as a martial artist. He studied many traditional arts, including the 'fighting' arts, such as jiujitsu and kenjutsu.

    In 1925 he defeated a master of 'kendo' without actually fighting because he saw where the attack was to fall and avoided it. The founder explained that Aikido should not taught openly to everybody in public, as the techniques are difficult to master safely without cooperation and trust and could be misused. The essentials include speed, timming, concentration of power and moving the centre of gravity.

    The practice of techniques and other exercises leads to greater confidence and can be used for physical training. Relaxation and strength is developed without the aggression that 'fighting' seems to encourage. Many of the techniques have been adapted for use by the police because they are designed to defend against a range of attacks including grabs and strikes by objects, often leading to the controlling of the attacker and the removal of the weapon. Some practices may be carried out, without an opponent, so as to learn moves or sequences (Kata).

    In Aikido in addition to a gi and a belt a Hakama may be worn, in some schools only when you reach a dan grade, The Hakama is the traditional skirt or voluminous pants worn by the japaneese Samurai. In theory this hid the feet so opponents could not use foot position to their advantage. In Aikido the version worn is the horse back riding style of huge pleated pants.

    Sensei Gwynne Jones 8th Dan

    Sensei's style is both Aikikai and Ki Aikido blend. Both soft and harmonious, yet solid. Using traditional aikido and Tohei sensei's Ki training. Sensei Jones trained with Tohei Sensei in 1978 and 1979 when he came to UK at Swansea university. He also did numerous seminars with Chiba Sensei, Tamaru Sensei and Yamada Sensei. He started aikido in 1961 with traditional aikido, but now blends the two styles. It is dynamic aikido, not static, but still uses the solid basics at Kyu grade level. He also researches new development as he believes that aikido needs to expand from different forms of attack.


    Training

    The posture or stance in akidio is shorter than karate, assuming the shape of a three sided pyramid, the back foot 90 degrees to the front foot and approx 15 degrees off the centre line.


    Left : Sensei demonstrates knife defences with one of his Uke's. Sensei enters off line before applying a wrist lock and finishing with a take down.


    We were very fortunate that sensei brought some of his club members with him, their assistance in coaching pairs while practising techniques was invaluable and helped us to gain the most we could from the day.





    Right: SMJR J Picket from the Royal Dutch Navy throws Col Dave Hopwood (I believe),
    Col Dave seemed to spend most of the week being hit or thrown by someone.

    At the end of the day SMJR Picket presented some beautiful display boards depicting the history and development of Aikido and Ju-Jitsu to Sensei Gwynne Jones and Brig Graham Hopkins for their contributions to the Army Martial Arts Association.


    In Aikido there is much emphasis on Ki this can be defined as "attention", or "mind" or "intent" although many feel that that Ki defines some sort of "magic" and since they do not believe in magic they cannot beieve in Ki. Those who emphasize Ki training tend to insist Ki is not magic at all but a blend of Mind and Body. Nearly ten years ago I saw my late TE-AT-SU chief Instructor Shihan Dave Parker do a demonstration with mutiple black belt attackers. He effortlessly redirected the energy of his attackers as they sailed through the air, I could not even see what he was doing to obtain such spectacular results, this first sparked my interest in Aikido and today I was getting my first real taste.

    Talking about taste that has reminded me about Senseis cup of tea with ten sugars in it. When Sensei was talking about being relaxed, the feeling of relaxing it is impossible to explain, you have to know by experience. You would know the difference between a cup of tea with no sugar or ten sugars but how would you explain it...you could say it was sweet...but how will that help someone who has not experienced sweet. Throw demonstrations like the unbendable arm you can help people begin to understand the concept of relaxing and ki.

    Sensei showed us the ki demonstration of the unbendable arm, this demonstrates the power of the goal. The feeling that that energy is flowing from the fingers, exhibiting a strength that is beyond physical capacity.

    We practised rolling breakfalls, it is important to know how to land and fall, especially if you are being thrown. The Aikido roll (unlike the tumbling roll taught in schools) does not go straight down the back, but slightly sideways down the arm,across the back to the hip. The head is tucked away from the rolling arm. The roll protects the nape of the neck and the spine so well that if done properly it makes no difference if you are rolling on a mat or on concrete as long as you are round.

    Left: Sensei just uses the transfer of his body weight to counter Col Daves attack.

    Sensei talked about being off line and keeping you centre of graviy lower than your opponent to assist in your throws and your stability.

    In Aikido the movements are very circular and you move around your opponent rather that backwards and forwards togeather like in some other martial arts.

    Sensei also talked about "Maai" the appropriate distance for both attack and defense, a distance of approx 2 metres should be maintained.


    Links

  • Shin-Gi-Tai Aikido Society

  • Plymouth Aikido

  • Video

    Aikido (The Art of Peace and Harmony)


    This is post three in a series of six on the AMA course.

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  • Day 3 - Karate - Sensei Wayne Otto - 5th Dan

    Karate

    I'm not going to say anything about the roots of Karate as a reader of this blog you are likely to be well informed, if you need any further background you can follow the links in the side bar to web sites that are far more informative than this one.

    Sensei Wayne Otto OBE 5th Dan

    Sensei Wayne Otto OBE is nine times World champion and fifteen times European champion. Sensei studies Uechi-ryu Karate more details can be found in the link section below.

    The Italians have called him"Lo Squald Nero", the black shark and the French have called him "La Perle Noire", the black pearl.

    All I know having the pleasure of being on the recieving end of a few techniques he is damn fast!

    Sensei has also competed in the £10k cash events, details of his 2002 success also in the link section below.

    Training

    Sensei started with a warm up routine that the karte England squad use for kumite training, using five basic techniques:
    Gyaku-Zuki, Kazame-Zuki, Mae-Geri,Mawashi-Geri, and Ushiro-Geri.
    (Reverse Punch, Jab, Front snap kick, roundhouse kick and back kick)

    1.To start with each technique was executed ten times.

    2. Then all five techniques togeather were executed ten times.

    3. Then with a partner the five attacks were used with the following defenses:

    1st Attack - Gyaku-Zuki, Defence - Gedan Bari, Uraken Jodan (Downward sweeping block, backfist to the face)
    2nd Attack - Kazamae-Zuki, Defence - Nagashi-uke, Gyaku-Zuki (Sweeping block, reverse punch)
    3rd Attack - Mae-Geri, Defence - stepping in Gedan-bari, Gyaku-Zuki ( downward sweeping block, reverse punch)
    4th Attack - Mawashi-Geri (off front foot stepping in), Defence - Teisho-uke, Gakyu-Zuki Jodan (palm heel block to kick spinning opponent and reverse punch to the back of the head)
    5th Attack - Ushiro-Geri, Defense - Kazame Zuki Jodan (Jab to head as opponent turns head to start to spin)

    4. Then about six or seven of us lined up facing an opponent, each person in turn executed first 1 technnique , then 2 ..3..4...5 techniques, the person at the front carrying out the defenses, then the person at the front changed places and the exercise was repeated for every person in the line. As you can imagine everyone was exhausted by the end of this first warm up exercise, good training though, when each person in the line is doing five attacks at speed you really start working hard with your defences or you get more than a few knocks.


    Left: Col Dave Hopwood looks on as Sensei Otto explains the virtues of Mikazuki-geri (crescent kick), Sensei brought the kick further to the side than I have usually bring the technique, then would bring it across using the power of the leg muscles with devestating effect.

    I found the technique particularly effective when brought into the solar plexus, Sensei kindly picked me up off the floor, and told me to stop making him look bad, he might not get invited back.

    It was a pleasure to be "dropped" by a world champion, Osu!

    The back foot was brought to the front foot and then the Mikazuki-geri was executed from the front foot, the foot was brought high and then cut down. It was very quick to close the distance and was an awkward kick to defend against. The kicks were tried in both right and left stance.

    Following on from this the defender would tighten his guard to protect his mid section, again Mikazuki but brought down on the lead hand of the guard, followed by a Gyaku-zuki chudan. The technique was practiced in both stances.

    The third technique built up in the series was Mikazuki-geri, Gyakui-zuki followed by Mawashi-geri jodan, round house kick to the head. The attacker adopting a line just to the outside of the defender in a low posture to enable them to open their hips to kick to the head.

    Sensei also added a sweep into the technique, the Mikazuki-geri would be high and sharp but as a fient followed by gyaku-zuki, this would be blocked Gedann-bari by the defender, the attacker placing their front foot behind the defenders front foot and Ashi-bari (foot sweep).


    Left: Sensei Otto square up to WO2 Dunnell

    Sensei demonstrated a mean Ushiro-mawashi-geri on the Sergeant Major, which landed with the heel just behind the right ear. A definite "Ippon" technique, I don't know how he managed to stay on his feet, most of us would have had more than a wobble on.



    Sensei Otto also did a take down technique, both attacker and defender are in the same stance. You grab your opponents front wrist with your front hand, rotating around the opponent your right arm goes high across their chest in a low Kiba-dachi (horse ridding) stance. You stand up into Shizen-tai (Natural position) spreading your arms out with the shoulders back. As the defender falls to the floor you complete the technique with a Gyaku-zuiki or geri (kick).


    Left : WO2 Dunnell and SSgt Mo Morris

    The attack Kazamae-zuki, defended Nageshi-uke, Gyaku-zuki





    Sensei Otto's course was very much Kumite (Sparring) based, starting with sparring drills and then going on to practice techniques that had worked for him in competition. One of the main differences I noted was the extensive use of the front foot to kick with rather than the rear. It is obviously slower to bring the foot from the rear. Sensei closes the distance to the opponent with the half step that also creates momentum for the front foot technique. Again a lot to think about in the days course.



    The Karate Course Photo

    A very good day was had by all, I am sure I am not in any way biased when I say that.

    Thank you Sensei- Osu!



    Links

  • Uechi-ryu Karate

  • Karate England

  • 10K 2002 report


  • Video

    I would have liked to have found a good quality video of one of my instructors Asai or Kato Shihan undergoing combat, but unfortunately I dont have any, so below is a karate demo instead.

    karate demo


    This is post four in a series of six on the AMA Course.

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  • Day 4 - Ju-Jitsu - Sensei Steve Barnett - 10th Dan

    Ju- Jitsu

    Ju-jitsu ( JU - gentle; JITSU - art ), is a Japanese martial art system in which the strength and weight of an opponent are used against him by means of anatomical knowledge and the principles of leverage. Included in this art are methods of throwing, constriction, joint locking, and weaponry forms.

    Ju-jitsu has not had an organized history as many other martial arts have. For hundreds of years, ju-jitsu knowledge was secretly passed on orally from teacher to student, master to disciple, father to son.The practice of ju-jitsu can be traced back in history more than 2,500 years. Ju-jitsu developed from many individual teachings that either originated in Japan, or found their way to Japan from other Asian countries.

    Morihei Uyeshiba took portions of the art to start his own system of aikido in 1925.

    The next historical phase of ju-jitsu, which had gone into decline with the closing of the Tokugawa era, was in 1882, when Jigoro Kano developed the sport of judo (JU - gentle, DO - way) in order to increase the popularity of the martial arts, and to provide a safe sport using selected techniques taken from the art of ju-jitsu.

    Ju-jitsu is what might be called a parent art, from which other martial arts later develop. Since ju-jitsu has such a broad history, it was inevitable that other arts, or ways would evolve from it.

    Judo (the gentle way) and aikido ( the way of the mind and spirit ) trace direct lines to ju-jitsu.

    Many styles of karate, especially kenpo, also trace many of their techniques back to ju-jitsu.

    Sensei Steve Barnett - 10th Dan

    Sensei Steve Barnett holds the ranks of 10th Dan Ju-Jitsu, 5th Dan Karate and 5th Dan Budo he is president of the Goshin Ryu Ju-Jitsu Internaional, he spends some of his time in Eastern Europe training military forces and has been invited to teach Ju-Jitsu in Japan, an honour that is not extended to many westerners.

    Sensei Steve Barnett is the technical director and secretary for western Europe of the AJJIF

    Training


    Sensei started with wrist locks, Ikkyo and Nikkyo.

    Left: Sensei Steve applies a wrist lock to Col Dave Hopwood.

    Col Dave isn't pulling faces for fun, when the lock is on, it's on, you either go with it or you will get a broken wrist.


    Sensei taught the class "O-Goshi" - Major hip throw, this technique is regarded as the basic hip throw. Against an upight opponent the thrower turns in and bends both knees so as to sink lower than the uke (opponent). The right arm goes round the uke and left high on his right arm. As the thrower moves into position the opponent is pulled forward over the hips, the legs straighterned and lift, the uke is pitched forward onto the mat.

    Sensei then taught "Tai-Otoshi" - Body drop, the thrower takes a standard sleeve/lapel grip and makes a standard turn around a pivioting on his right foot. Having made the turn the foot/leg is extended across the opponents leg . Both arms pull forward, the right continues and the left pulls towards the left hip. The action of the arms and the block on the ankle will flip the uke off his feet. Sensei was demonstrating the throw on me when he started to talk about counters, I don't know what I thaught I was doing when he went to show the throw again I went into a standard body drop to body drop reversal and just stopped before I threw him. Auto-pilot can be a dangerous thing. On the next throw I reached the mat somewhat faster than previously, I must learn to concentrte when I am uke!

    We went on to do some standing arm locks, followed by some take downs, recumbant ankle throws and front scissor throws.

    Sensei taught the differences between strangles and chokes, whether the blood or air supply is restricted, this led to move strange faces from Col Dave, he did make a first class uke for Sensei.
    We were shown "Ude-Garami" Entangled Arm lock, the attacker makes the move when lying across the upper body of the opponent, the wrist is grabbed and the other arm slid under the opponents arm catching your own wrist. Ukes arm is kept in a figure L and rotated into the mat.



    Left: Sensei instructs Maj Sheldon and myself on escapes from wrist grabs.

    Senseis methodology throught the days training was the three second rule, no looking good, no posing... you have three seconds to finish this first attacker before his mate piles in. If you haven't disabled number one in three seconds you will probably lose.

    Techniques were practiced slowly and then quicker until we achieved three seconds or better. As Sensei was demonstrating he would always be striking...giving them something to think about...there is no point just blocking when the same block can be a strike as well...you have bought a bit of extra time in the vital three second slot.



    One of the last bits of pain for Col Dave as Senseis uke was a five strike defence to a grab that ended in a devestating uppercut to the throat. Even in a controlled manner it was extremely effective. In a combat situation it would be devastating. After a few slow demonstrations Sensei demonstrated the five strike defense at speed....asking if he had landed all five strike within the thre seconds. The concencious was that the five strikes had been landed in a little over one second with devastating speed and accuracy.

    Sensei concluded the training with some defences to knife attacks and weapons.


    Links


  • All Japan Ju-Jitsu International Federation

  • Goshin ryu Ju-Jitsu


  • Video

    Ju-Jitsu Clip SHow


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  • Day 5 - Kendo - Sensei Adrian Rowe - 3rd Dan

    Kendo

    Kendo, is the art of Japanese fencing. "Ken" or tsurugi is from the character meaning sword. The character for "Do" or michi includes the meaning way or path which translates as "The way of the sword". A path in life which is followed through the training of kendo.

    Kendo, the Way of the Sword is the art of Japanese Samurai Swordsmanship. It is rooted in the traditions of Budo, the Martial Way. It is both exhilarating and demanding to learn.

    Modern Kendo bears but faint resemblance to Kenjutsu and to its feudal origins of sword wielding samurai warriors which are today depicted in movies and television. Kendo, literally translated, "the way of the sword," cannot be traced to a single founder or given an exact founding date. The story of the rise of modern Kendo begins with the samurai and extends over the culture of several centuries.

    Kendo began to take its modern appearance during the late 18th century with the introduction of protective equipment: the men, kote and do and the use of the bamboo sword, the shinai. The use of the shinai and protective armor made possible the full delivery of blows without injury. This forced the establishment of new regulations and practice formats which set the foundation of modern Kendo.

    Kendo Equipment

    Kendo equipment consists of the swords, uniform and armor. There are two types of wooden swords used. First, the bokken or bokuto, a solid wood sword made of oak or another suitable hardwood. The bokken is used for basics and forms practice (kata). Second, the shinai, is made up of four bamboo staves and leather. The shinai is used for full contact sparring practice. The uniform or dogi consists of woven cotton top called a keikogi and pleated skirt-like trousers called a hakama. The armor or bogu consists of four pieces: the helmet (men), the body protector (do), the gloves (kote), and the hip and groin protector (tare). Modern Kendo armor design is fashioned after the Oyoroi of the Samurai.

    Kendo Practice

    A Kendo practice is composed of many types of training. Each type has a different purpose for developing the Kendo student.

    1. Kiri-Kaeshi: successively striking the left and right men, practice centering, distance, and proper cutting while building spirit and stamina.
    2. Waza-Geiko: technique practice in which the student learns to use the many techniques of Kendo with a receiving partner.
    3. Kakari-Geiko: short, intense, attack practice which teaches continuous alertness, the ability to attack no matter what has come before, as well as building spirit and stamina.
    4. Ji-Geiko: sparring practice where the kendoist has a chance to try all that he or she has learned with a resisting partner.
    5. Gokaku-Geiko: sparring practice between two kendoist of similar skill level.
    6. Hikitate-Geiko: sparring practice where a senior kendoist guides a junior kendoist through practice.
    7. Shiai-Geiko: competition matches which are judged on the basis of a person scoring valid cuts against an opponent.

    Kendo Kata

    Almost all martial arts have a set of kata. Kendo is no exception. Kata are pre-set sequences of motions which illustrate very deeply one or more aspects of the art. Repetitive practice of kata internalizes the lessons of the kata.

    Kendo kata are practiced with a solid wooden sword called a bokken. There are ten kendo kata specified by the All Japan Kendo Federation. Each kata studies a single set of concepts in a very pure setting allowing the practitioner to delve deeply into these concepts.

    Kendo kata are practiced between two people, the Uchitachi and the Shidachi. In kendo kata, the Uchitachi attacks the Shidachi who in turn demonstrates a proper response to the attack. Seven of these kata are illustrations of the technique of the long sword against the long sword. The last three kata illustrate the short sword defending against attacks by the long sword.

    Prior to the invention of the shinai and bogu, kata were the only way that kendoists could safely practice. Originally, the role of Uchitachi was taken by the teacher and the role of Shidachi by the student. This tradition carries over into modern Kendo kata in that the Uchitachi always sets the pace and distance at which the actions are performed.

    Sensei Adrian Rowe 3rd Dan

    Sensei Rowe has a dojo in Williton, West Somerset which has been established over 25 years, he teaches the following disciplines:
    Judo - Gentleness
    Kendo - The way of the Sword
    Iaido - Swordmanship including drawing the sword
    Jodo - The way of the stick

    Sensei Rowe has a quite unique teaching style that was appreciated by all, may be a little lighter hearted than some of the previous days but no less dedicated to his martial art.

    Training

    Left: This is a picture from Sensei Rowe's dojo and not our course.

    It gives you an idea of the armour that is worn by the kendoka. Unfortunately I was wearing a men on my head and Kote on my hands and not able to take any photos. However this did not stop Maj Sheldon from trying to answer his mobile phone, much to the confussion of the caller. Sensei kindly explained to the caller that he was the Major's Kendo Sensei and he was a bit busy at that time and could they call back later, I am sure this only added to the callers confusion...

    I enjoyed being struck "Men" (to the head) hundreds of times during the day. The natural thing to do is to lower your head when you see a stick coming towards it. This is not a good idea, the men is reinforced at the front but offers little protection at the rear. If you keep your head high and back straight you will take the force on the front of the helmet, no problems. If you duck you will soon have a headache. This only has to happen a few times before you get in the habit of keeping your head up.

    There are four targets (if I was paying full attention)
    Men - Head
    Kote - Wrist
    Do - Body
    I believe the 4th target is the throat, hope thats right Sensei?

    I found striking Men or Kote fairly easy but Do was a lot more difficult. To strike Do the Shinai has to come off the centre line and down at an angle, this calls for a far more controlled movement that I never came anywhere close to mastering.

    The stance to me appears to be similar to the Aikido short stance but squarer to the centre line, the front foot andances and the rear foot catches up. I found this to be a very unnatural movement.

    Despite some patient one to one instruction from Major David Worsley, who is a first Dan in Kendo (and 6th Dan Aikido) I still did not achieve any form of profeciency.


    Links


  • The British Kendo Assocation


  • Tsunami Dojos



  • Video

    Below is a video of a Japaneese Kendo Competition

    Kendo championship final

    This is how the experts fight

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  • Monday, November 13, 2006

    Video of Asai Shihan and Andre Bertel Sensei

    Tetsuhiko Asai Sensei and Andre Bertel Karate Kumite


    I am afraid that the quality of the clip is not the best but it is still worth a look.

    Bertel Sensei was a dedicated student of Shihan and has a depth of knowledge of Asai Shihans katas, I hope he will make more of his sessions with Shihan available soon.

    Bertel Sensei many thanks for sharing your video footage with us all, Osu!

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  • The Shotokan Way

    I had a quick look today at an exciting new Shotokan Website " The Shotokan Way" it looks like it will be an excellent resource for all Karateka.
    With their permission I have added a link to the site in the side bar.
    Don't take my word for it go take a look for yourself.
    Happy Browsing.
    Osu!