Not a moment late we were called to line up for introductions
to the course by Alan Campbell Sensei (7th Dan) and introduction to
Kagawa Shihan, we began with some heavy warm-ups to get the blood pumping and
loosen us up a bit (and we needed it for what came next). We began with what you would assume was a simple
task to just punch choku-tsuki jodan and chudan relaxed and with control
(trying to be relaxed is very hard) and then we moved on to kicking maegeri
chudan with the same control. All
demonstrated with extreme control and precision by Kagawa Shihan as he made it
look as easy as it sounds. Then we practised mawashi-geri and yoko-geri kekomi
with our partners as a target, and then bent over as an obstacle for us to kick
over to allow us to target over their back with our kicks.
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| The Haxby contingent (with the exception of Paul B) with Kagawa Shihan |
Following this practice of control and relaxing we moved on
to demonstrating what we had learnt by doing basic Kihon Ippon Kumite (one step
sparring) Jodan, Chudan, Mae-geri, Yoko-geri, Mawashi-geri and Ushiro-geri.
After running through this a couple times, we were called around to watch and
listen to Kagawa Shihan explain what he was more looking for in the form of Kaishi
Ippon Kumite (reaction sparring) where he explained that as we stand together
we look into the eyes of our opponent and as he phrased it, read their minds as
to where our opponent would be attacking, stating that against a black belt
this is easy because they think about how to attack, where a Kyu grade simply
throws themselves in making it harder to read. After watching his
demonstration, we moved on to putting it in to practice, to begin with we only
attacked jodan and chudan oi-tsuki, so we could get a feel, after ten attacks
from each side we moved on to attempt it with both mawashi-geri and Ushiro
mawashi-geri. To round off the lesson of control and relaxation within karate Kagawa
Shihan did one last demonstration where we chose a rather tall karateka to come
out and just stand in stance with a roll of tape sat on his head, stating
beforehand if he kicks him he is very sorry. With perfect control Kagawa missed
his first kick just catching the side of his partners head, next he easily
placed his foot about a foot over the target and finally he caught the tape and
sent it sailing through the air towards the end of the hall.
After a short 2-minute water break we got straight back in
to training and ready for some kata practise, where we went through Junro
Shodan, Nidan and Sandan and thanks to Mike and Paul Sensei we were slightly
ahead with having recently been through the Junro katas at the dojo. We focused
on trying to perform the katas as Asai Sensei had envisioned them when he
created them, to be free flowing and smooth rather than the standard Shotokan kata,
which tends to be more rigid.
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| A well earned lunch break |
After a quick lunch break and a catch-up with
everyone from all ends off the hall on how the training was going we got back
to training. The last session was focused around Kagawa Shihan’s favourite kata
Bassai Dai, where he explained that everyone should choose their favourite kata
based on how if fits to you, both in body and mind, because if the kata feels
right to you in every aspect of your karate then it will always be performed
effortlessly and with full feeling. After several practice runs (and being
corrected by Jim Sensei and a couple others further up the line for where we
were in the kata) and some in depth practice of certain moves and transitions
between them it was time to preform what we had learnt. Sending everyone to one
side the kyu grades were called up first, followed Shodan to Sandan for a very
strong performance of the kata and finally Yondan up performed in front of
everybody and quite honestly showed how to perform a kata the way it was
intended to be.
After a short stop the Sandan and Yondan gradings took place
and powerful performance were had by everybody, some exceptional kata was performed
and staying true to what was said in the last lesson, bassai dai was chosen by
Kagawa Shihan for every grading. The level of kumite was top notch as everyone
wasn’t battling to beat their opponents but battling to attain their next Dan
grade, the next step in their karate journey. A huge congratulation to Matt and
Steve Sensei from Selby on both passing their Sandan.
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| Kagawa Shihan with the JKS England Senior Instructors |
And after a long hard and warm days training with the most
exceptional instruction we departed for home not without taking a small detour
for a well-deserved ice-cream en-route. I think I speak for us all when I say
good day was had by all.
Osu
Ben
