Tag: JKA

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Events Gasshuku JKA Courses

JKA England Spring Gasshuku, May 2022

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…

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Events JKA Competitions News

JKA Tekki Shodan Online Challenge

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!

Summary, results, and message from Ueki, Shuseki Shihan
Fancy trying it yourself? Here’s the performance guidelines
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JKA Competitions News

2019 Shotokan Open Championship

Shiranamikai participated in the Shotokan Open Championship this weekend. This annual event, hosted by The Japan Karate Association in England, regularly comprises iro 350 entrants from across the UK and Europe. Well done to everybody who made the effort!
Our club’s results as follows…

🥈🥉Kyo: Silver in Kata, Bronze in Kumite
🥉Alex Meltsov: Bronze in Kata
🥇🥈Lydik: Gold in Kata, Silver in Kumite
🥉🥈Steph: Bronze in Kata, Silver in Kumite
🥈Tovael: Silver in Kumite
🥈🥉Chantelle: Silver in Kata, Bronze in Kumite
🥇🥇Shion: Gold in Kata, Gold in Kumite
🥉Alex Maclean: Bronze in Kata
🥈Itsuko: Silver in Kata
🥇Eri: Gold in Kumite

Congratulations on the impressive performances, everyone, it’s a 15-medal haul for the club! But what really counts is trying your best, and being back in the dojo for the next training session 🤗

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JKA Courses News

Japan Karate association in England Autumn 2019 Gasshuku

‪We enjoyed world-class training at the weekend with Senseis, Imamura Tomio 8th Dan and Kurihara Kazuaki 5th Dan from The Japan Karate Association’s Tokyo HQ and Ohta Yoshinobu 7th Dan, Chief Instructor in England. This was a brilliant, intense, and immensely technical, 3-day course!‬

Kurihara’s distance-making during his kumite class was a sight to behold – him covering ground with astounding speed and power. The partner changes seemed relentless to some as his drills became ever more challenging.

Ohta’s session couldn’t have been more of a contrast, advocating the feeling and connection of technique through muscle engagement during controlled kihon and kumite. As he explained, many advanced katas contain slow movements so when practising it is vital to consider the point at which you start, transition and finish the techniques.

Imamura‘s lesson featured many close-quarter techniques and reverse hip twists that one encounters throughout kata. Many applications felt awkward at first and somewhat opposed to the expansive style of Shotokan but after practise it felt more positive. Great to explore these movements.

Congratulations to Subhash! After training finished on Sunday there was a black belt examination where he passed Shodan. Very well deserved!

Ohta Sensei’s Birthday
There was another cause for celebration on Sunday with it being Ohta Sensei’s 60th birthday! There were two huge cakes organised by the association, along with a gift. It’s difficult to sum up in how high a regard he is held by everybody he teaches but Tony Cronk captured it well when he said, “…without you there would be no association.” 

Many happy returns, Ohta Sensei, from everyone at Shiranamikai!

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Outside The Dojo Special Club Sessions & Kyu Gradings Uncategorized

Karate at Hyper Japan 2019

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Shiranamikai participated at the 2019 Hyper Japan exhibition at the London Olympia in Kensington.

Our club members demonstrated the three pillars of Shotokan karate under the Japan Karate Association: kihon (basics/fundamentals), kumite (partner work) and kata (forms). Katas shown were Heians: Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan and Godan, followed by Bassai Dai and Sochin. We also incorporated some light-hearted bunkai (application of technique) from Heian Godan.

During our performance of ippon kumite we could hear something big going on at the J-Culture stage on the other side of Olympia: Kuni-Ken, a tsugaru shamisen duo, were performing their own version of ippon! Literally, their title track “Ippon”. What a coincidence!

Thanks to everyone at Hyper Japan. See you next time!

Music by KUNI-KEN
Available on Spotify, iTunes store etc. Check them out!

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JKA Courses News Outside The Dojo

Japan Karate Association in England 2018 Winter Gasshuku

Shiranamikai members participated in a 3-day winter gasshuku (training camp) hosted by The Japan Karate Association in England.

Tutorage was by special guest instructors Imamura Tomio 7th Dan and Hanzaki Yasuo 7th Dan from the Tokyo Sohonbu, alongside Ohta Yoshinobu 7th Dan, England’s Chief Instructor. In turn, they were supported by Senseis Adel, Roy, Gary and Giuseppe of England’s technical division.

Kata choices for brown and black belts were Friday: Chinte / Meikyo / Empi, Saturday: Jitte / Bassai Sho / Kanku Dai and Sunday: Jion / Bassai Dai. Ohta Sensei also had a section for those who were grading with alternative kata choices. Other Kyu grades were able to focus on the Heian katas while exploring applications.

These karate courses also offer a chance to catch up with friends from other clubs in the association and when not practising, the time to do other things, like on our Saturday side trip to Hever Castle!

After the last training session on Sunday, there was a Dan grading. Congratulations go to Ollie and Alex on passing their Shodan grading. Well done guys, you’ve worked long and hard. Your black belts are well deserved!

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