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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JKA England’s Chief Instructor is the cover feature on June’s Shotokan Karate Magazine along with an interview in which he opens up about his initial selection, assisting the late Enoeda Sensei and the formation of JKA England in what is now more than 40 years of his teaching karate in the UK.
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
Shiranamikai members participated in the JKA England National Karate Championship at the weekend. Well done to everyone who took part, especially those who competed in a karate competition for the first time, and thank you to parents for their support during the day (and photos!). Results as follows…
Ella: Bronze in Kumite 🥉
Ariana: Bronze in Kumite 🥉
Blanche: Gold in Kata, Gold in Kumite 🥇🥇
Lara: Bronze in Kumite 🥉
Jacqueline: Silver in Kumite 🥈
Alex: Silver in Kata 🥈
Austin: Gold in Kata 🥇
Congratulations!
This was a great result so it was nice to relax and catch up over dinner after our regular training session a few days afterwards!
Shirahanamikai members outside the dojo with the beautiful cherry blossom. It felt almost as if we were among the clouds 🌸
Sessions run as normal up to and including 21st December.
We make a full return to schedule from 3rd January 2023.
| Tuesday 20th December | 6.30pm O2 Centre |
| Wednesday 21st December | 7pm Harrow |
| Saturday 24th December | No training |
| Sunday 25th December | No training |
| Tuesday 27th December | 10.30am O2 Centre |
| Wednesday 28th December | 7pm Online |
| Saturday 31st December | No training |
| Sunday 1st January | No training |
| Tuesday 3rd January | 6.30pm O2 Centre |
Ahead of our return to group training, Shiranamikai Karate members took photos of themselves with the theme ‘cherry blossom’.
The aim was to foster the spirit of togetherness by creating a montage despite being unable to meet up in person.
The last year has shown us unprecedented challenges but we persevered, stayed in touch, and continued with training.
Cherry blossom hails the start of spring and calls to mind a feeling of renewal. Now is our chance to move forward as we resume our outdoor karate sessions, and look ahead to what we can achieve together.
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!
All of our classes have been running live online since 24th March. We have a stable, interactive feed, with instructor-student interaction just as we would in our regular sessions.
Let’s not forget the importance of looking after one’s mental health in these challenging times. Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine of the beautiful spring weather to exercise, whilst maintaining a safe distance from others. And indoors, follow the sessions, watch the details, check the technique and practise safely.
Feel free to reach out via the contact form. Email is still the best method of contact for club members and I will send session weblinks and updates using this method so make sure the club email address is added to your email whitelist, and Follow our Twitter and Facebook accounts @Shiranamikai
Follow Gov.uk and NHS.uk advice.
Stay safe, stay in touch, and keep practising!
Austin