英国空手白浪会 Shiranamikai

Course with Sensei Daniel Lautier 7th Dan, Chief Instructor of JKA France and Ohta Sensei 7th Dan, Chief Instructor of JKA England

Sensei Lautier advised our group of more than a hundred dan grades that we would be doing “just five basic moves – easy”, but his wry smile suggested this wasn’t the full story. Sure enough, Sensei had thoughtfully choreographed five sequences combining front, side and back stance with multi-directional turns; first accompanied by hand techniques, then with the addition of kicks.

I think it would be fair to say that most of us found this session to be a challenge. However Sensei Lautier was patient and in between sets, gathered us around for a recap and additional explanation. But he also took these opportunities to make the task more difficult each time! With so many other people moving and turning around you, it’s easy to become distracted, then end up copying people in your periphery instead of persevering on your own. So Sensei had each row of students start the combination with a different leg forward.

Cendrine’s characterful translations were superb – her colourful explanations really added to the day’s positive atmosphere. “Pardon my French!” she said afterwards.

We rounded off Lautier Sensei’s session by practising Jion, with all those intending to grade lined up along the front row for Sensei to scrutinise.

After a short break, Lautier and Ohta Sensei swapped groups. Ohta Sensei had our group working through kumite drills: the attacker (from uchi uke, back stance) shifting their weight forwards into front stance, attacking kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki; the defender shifting their weight rearwards into back stance and defending age uke, soto uke (then countering gyaku tsuki, front stance to repeat the cycle). Another exercise used mae geri as the attack with the blocker shifting sideways (with a cover block) to avoid its path and counter-attacking with kekomi, gyaku tsuki.

Ohta Sensei’s method of introducing a kata often starts with basics and kumite combinations inspired by the movements in that kata. And in this case the exercises we had been working on were preparation for Nijushiho. It’s always impressive to see Sensei ingeniously break down a kata then build it back up bit by bit. He then treated us to his own performance of Nijushiho, explaining key points along the way.

To end the course, we each chose from Empi, Jion, Nijushiho and Meikyo, forming groups to work on our preferred choice.

This was the last JKA England course of 2011 but there is already a full schedule of events planned for next year with opportunities to train with Ohta Sensei and other world class instructors.

Austin

In November 2011, JKA Norway held a special 4-day Gasshuku in celebration of a successful 25 years. Larsen Sensei 7th Dan and Ohta Sensei 7th Dan were in attendance, as were a line-up of no less than 11 instructors from the JKA Headquarters dojo in Tokyo, Japan. To see this many Honbu instructors together at an event outside of Japan is probably unprecedented! The course was attended by karateka from over 17 nations and on each day of the training there were over 600 participants.

Memorable sessions included studying Sochin with Taniyama Sensei and Nemoto Sensei. We paid particular attention to smooth transitions from stance to stance, effective use of the supporting leg and also on making precise, quick Shuto Uke.

A kumite session with Ogata Sensei provided some useful drilling on the use of yori ashi. The exercises we practised were simple yet the concentration needed to apply the techniques with correct distancing, timing and control created an intense atmosphere. On ending his session, Ogata Sensei reminded us that care and respect for others was one of the most important responsibilities for a karateka to uphold. He explained that while the techniques we develop through karate training can potentially be used to devastating effect, there was nothing uglier than hurting a training partner through a lack of consideration. There was far more beauty, said Ogata Sensei, in having the mental and physical skill to perfectly control what would otherwise be a lethal technique. It’s the same idea in our everyday interactions outside the dojo – where we should take care that our actions and words do not cause offence or hurt to others.

Naka Sensei’s ability to create whip-like power through fluid use of his body was awe inspiring. We practised Tekki Sandan and with our minds occupied on remembering the sequence itself, many of us struggled to get anywhere close to Naka Sensei’s quality of movement. The lack of repetition and sequencing in this kata, coupled with the inclusion of some familiar movements that also appear in Tekki Shodan, make for a mind-boggling combination!

Imura Sensei worked through a number of exercises to help us develop the strength and flexibility needed for Jitte. Some of these were very hard work yet great fun. One challenging exercise involved working with a partner. With one person maintaining a strong and stable kiba dachi, the other would suspend themselves in an almost upside-down position by wrapping their legs around their partner’s waist. Then, while hanging on for dear life, the suspended partner had to perform sit-ups!

On the penultimate day of the course there was a team kumite match between Japan, England, Norway and Germany. England were represented by five JKA England squad members: George, Chris, Twanda, Rachel and Jana. There was a fantastic atmosphere, particularly with the host country cheering on their national team and with strong spirit being shown by all the competitors and their supporters. Japan, fielding a team of recent and current All Japan and World Championship medallists, were the eventual winners. Watching the Japanese fighters, I was impressed to see Okuie Sensei’s direct and postitive lines of attack and by Shiina Sensei’s intuitive sense of timing. But the outcome of the match was by no means a foregone conclusion, with some strong performances put in by the European teams too.

On the last day of the course, we were treated to a rare display of free fighting by Japanese instructors. While this is incorporated into their daily instructor training, it is unusual for non-Honbu instructors to be allowed to observe it. The exchanges were fluid and skilful, and it was interesting to see the instructors experimenting with holds and takedowns.

Bergen is a beautiful city, and aside from training, it was fun to be able to explore it with friends. We took a ride on the Fløibanen cable car to take in some wonderful views of the city and ate some mouth-wateringly fresh seafood.

Congratulations to JKA Norway on its Jubilee Anniversary!

Sasha

This was JKA England’s second international course this year, with guest instructors Imamura Tomio 7th Dan and Izumiya Seizo 7th Dan from JKA’s Tokyo headquarters joining Ohta Yoshinobu Sensei 7th Dan.

Izumiya Sensei led us through a session on how to check that techniques follow the correct path. Generally, the correct course for a technique involves the foot or fist travelling the shortest possible distance, from the start point to the goal, yet with the maximum amount of power delivered to the target. For a series of exercises aimed at helping us check and tidy up our techniques, Sensei used a few props – including a small towel, a karate belt and a broom handle.

Imamura Sensei provided us with some pointers on posture, including an impromptu demonstration of the meaning of ‘shime’ (which comes from the verb ‘shimeru’ meaning ‘to close’ or ‘to squeeze’). This involved Sensei energetically scrambling up the student who had posed the question and standing on his upper thighs whilst he was stood in kiba dachi.

Another highlight was seeing Izumiya Sensei demonstrating a number of possible applications for the kata Unsu. The takedowns drew gasps from all those watching.

As usual, this course was aimed at all levels. Different grades were split into groups and there was something for everyone, from beginner through to advanced dan grades. Brown belts had a particularly useful session on Sunday which saw them work through their grading syllabus with Ohta Sensei.

Check the events page for details of the next special course.

The July course at Walton on Thames was billed simply as the “All Grades Course” and I was expecting the usual mix of kihon, kata and kumite. As it turned out, the training was 100% kata. Great – my favourite! And a useful way for Shiranamikai students to polish their kata for the forthcoming summer grading.

What are kata, anyway? There’s a lot more to them than simply memorising a sequence. Firstly, their purpose is to set out a framework through which karateka can develop physically and learn the techniques of karate as well as how they can be applied. So much so that when you perform kata, you should build your understanding of the meaning of each technique and imagine you are fighting a series of opponents. Kata is also a form of performance art. As such, karateka should not only try to master the techniques, but should also use the kata as a vehicle for expression of their own emotions and personality. After in-depth study, the ideal is for your body to move effortlessly and efficiently, leaving you free to enjoy the dynamics of the movement.

But back to the course itself – which presented an opportunity to move bit by bit closer towards that ideal performance. At the start, Ohta Sensei outlined the kata that we would be studying. Brown belts would focus on Empi and Jion. Black belts could choose 2 kata for in-depth study out of Empi, Jion, Chinte and Gojushiho Sho. Grades from 9th to 4th Kyu would be focusing on Heian kata.

First up for me was Chinte. Ohta Sensei encouraged us to balance the apparent softness in this kata’s character with an assertive mentality. As I settled into fudo-dachi I caught a glimpse of Austin, Sheila, Will and the rest of the Jion group being put through their paces. It looked like a tough session!

Next was Gojushiho-Sho, a kata characterised by smooth, flowing defences in back stance, interspersed with sharp open handed attacks. We were reminded that this kata needs seemless transitions in order to maintain its momentum.

During the last part of the course, Ohta Sensei asked those intending to take Dan gradings this year to state which kata they were planning to perform for the exam. Then various stations were set up throughout the hall – each one focused on one of the choices. I joined the group performing Kanku Sho. Austin returned to Jion. Sheila and Will opted for Bassai Dai.

Meanwhile, Danny, Suzanne, Mo, David and Aidan systematically worked through all the Heian kata. In the breaks, it was great to see our group sweating profusely and reviewing what they had learnt. There was also a chance for me to sample the Shiranamikai haul of sugary snacks. I’d say the Rowntree’s Sour Pastilles have a slight edge over the Jelly Snakes.

Sasha