英国空手白浪会 Shiranamikai
Everybody at Shiranamikai was delighted to have been part of Japan Matsuri 2024; the Japan-UK cultural highlight of the year. The crowd were fantastic – thanks for your support – and thank you to the team from the Embassy of Japan for making us feel welcome. We’re looking forward to the next one!
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Dear karate friends, thank you for your warm wishes, artwork, messages, company, and generosity. It is all very much appreciated. 50 feels so much better than 49!
Here is some of what transpired plus a x50 recording of training.
Austin
After a 3-year hiatus, Shiranamikai members were once again able to participate in the JKA England National Championship alongside more than 300 other competitors.
Well done to everyone who put themselves forward – there were strong performances throughout the day in some highly competitive events. No doubt everyone has emerged as a stronger character and better karateka.
Shiranamikai results
Alistair: Silver Kumite 🥈
Louis: Bronze Kumite 🥉
Lennon: Gold Kata 🥇 Gold Kumite 🥇
Ariana: Silver Kata 🥈 Silver Kumite 🥈
Lara: 4th Kata, Bronze Kumite 🥉
Chantelle: Silver Kata 🥈
Austin: Silver Kata 🥈
Alex: 4th Kata
Shiranami M (Shohei, Dennis, Jacqueline): 4th Team Kata
Thanks to family members for taking the time to come and offer your support, and those who assisted on the day. Also to all the JKA officials for organising such a large scale event, and managing the matches so well on the day. We appreciate all your hard work.
If you missed it this time, keep 29th October free for the Shotokan Open Championship!
Spring 2022, and England is hosting the first JKA international training course in three years. Instructors, Sawada Kazuhiro 8th Dan from JKA Belgium, Imamura Tomio 8th Dan and Shimizu Ryosuke 6th Dan from the Tokyo Sohonbu, join Ohta Yoshinobu 7th Dan for this long overdue gasshuku weekend.
A respectable contingent of our karateka neighbours are present, including from Scotland, Norway, Portugal, and Germany, all keen to participate and absorb the experience that these instructors have to offer… Sawada Sensei gives detailed explanations underlined with profound historic references, and uses physical proxies to great effect throughout his partner drills. Imamura Sensei expands upon uchi uke in basic partner work with makiotoshi making for interesting, if challenging, techniques. Shimizu Sensei demonstrates speed, power, and flexibility, leaving no doubt as to why he made such a formidable kumite competitor in the past. But what may have surprised is his exeptional form throughout katas Gankaku and Gojushiho Sho, with dynamic movement and slick direction changes. But that’s what the JKA does best: apportion equal time to kihon, kata and kumite, and where one finds a deficit, they strive to make improvements.
There was a lot to get through. The first 90 minutes of each day would be given over to kihon and kumite, followed by another 90 minutes being reserved for kata, bunkai, and instructor training. A friendly kumite match took place on Saturday, alongside a kyu grading, instructor theory, and referee practical. Sunday saw a dan grading followed by instructor practical exams.
So, a busy weekend with little time for much else. But this was a fantastic course taught by some of the most respected instructors in the world. And it was so good to finally catch up with karate friends after so long.
Congratulations to Alex on passing his 4th Dan! It’s an incredible achievement, and the culmination of 20 years of dedicated training.
Update: It was announced late-May 2022 that Sawada Sensei has been awarded 8th Dan by the JKA Shihankai. A just recognition for a great instructor who has dedicated his life to karate. Read more about Sawada Sensei on his academy’s site…
A great session with Ohta Sensei, our association’s Chief Instructor this March. We had a warm up and grading for our younger members followed by training for all. After a short break, senior grade students studied katas Bassai Dai and Jion before the main exam.
Congratulations to all those who graded!
One of the many benefits of studying karate is that it can be practised anywhere, regardless of space, and without the need for equipment, making it an ideal activity in which to participate online.
Back at the beginning of October 2020, The Japan Karate Association invited member countries to submit a modified version of the kata Tekki Shodan, performed in a space of just one metre wide instead of the usual two metres.
This was a good challenge for students across the world while ensuring practise of one of Shotokan’s fundamental stances: kiba dachi.
Shiranamikai members’ entries were submitted alongside other JKA England clubs, and the final results announced today by Tokyo Headquarters. Well done to all those featured!
Each year since 2009, we have enjoyed Japan Matsuri London, a cultural showcase for all the family, including: martial arts, food demonstrations, flower arranging, documentaries, theatre, music and dance.
This year it took place online in the form of Japan Matsuri Presents, and was a great example of how we can all overcome challenges and continue to enjoy our hobbies, interests and passions, by coming together, however possible, in difficult times.
Shiranamikai recorded a karate demo session adjacent to Trafalgar Square and The National Gallery, the home of the festival for the last few years, which was broadcast as part of the 2-day event.
Well done to the Executive Committee and team at Japan Matsuri and to all participants. Shiranamikai is proud to have been a part of it!
Sunday 6th January 2019 | 10-11am-ish
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHIRANAMIKAI
We’re in Stanmore this morning for some more training, sympathetic to Saturday’s session. Don’t forget your trainers! Followed by brunch, perhaps?
North London Collegiate School
Saturday 5th January 2019 | 4-5.30pm-ish
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S H I R A N A M I K A I 1 0 – Y E A R A N N I V E R S A R Y T R A I N I N G S E S S I O N
Come and help us celebrate Shiranamikai’s 10th Anniversary! On 6th January 2019 Shiranamikai opened the doors to its first dojo at Harrow School.
A lot has happened over the last 10 years but the core principles of the club remain the same: training always comes first… training, then eating. Here, too, we’ll remain true to our ethos with an hour and a half of excellent training directed by the Chief Instructor of JKA England, Ohta Yoshinobu 7th Dan, before heading off to refuel over dinner.
All our karate friends are welcome to join us – just drop us a line beforehand so we can keep on top of numbers and we’ll add you to the anniversary group email list for updates.
Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre