| Chief Instructor's Gasshuku, Okinawa , 9-17th
November 2002 Okinawa ~ The birthplace of Goju-Ryu Karate-do. After sitting for nearly 15 hours on a plane we touch down at Naha airport. When we exited the plane, we were greeted with a warm climate of about 23C/76F. For people coming from the West, this was quite pleasant as we are in our winter. We hailed a taxi, which took us to the hotel where most of the Chief instructors and their assistants were staying and about 25 countries registered for the Gasshuku. The training was held at the Okinawa Budokan, which is a magnificent building and home to an array of Martial arts and disciplines. Instruction was to be conducted under the supervision of Master Anichi Miyagi, Master Shuichi Aragaki who were both students of the late Grand Master Bushi Chojun Miyagi, with the help of the world renowned karate Master Morio Higaonna. This was an opportunity to absorb the true roots of Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-do. (Unfortunately, Aragaki Shihan was unable to attend for medical reasons and under advice from his Doctor) Every morning we were invited to the zendo (mediation hall) for zazen (seated mediation) with Roshi Sakiyama who is a Zen master and Zen teacher to Higaonna Sensei, who is himself a diligent attendee of zazen. On the first day at the Budokan, we assembled for the first training session. I looked around with admiration at this beautiful dojo, with it's floor and wall panelling all made from oak wood, together with small rooms that were tatami matted, where dignitaries and invited guests can watch the variety of disciplines that are on display. The command to 'line up' came from Nakamura Sensei, who was the official interpreter, without whom lots of valuable information would have been lost. We started with the traditional warm up, which seemed quite stringent, lots of basic punching, blocking and kicking which is typical of Higaonna Sensei's teaching. Then it was Sanchin kata with explanations on breathing, correct execution of technique together with the finer points, all under the watchful eye of Master Anichi Miyagi. Hojo Undo (supplementary training) is quite an important part of Goju-Ryu Karate because of the abundance of grabbing and holding technique's, close quarter elbow strikes and short punches, all of which have to be executed with speed and power. Therefore, Chishi (strength stone) and Nigiri Game (gripping jars) were also part of the training. Master Miyagi demonstrated first, then we followed and during this training, he would tell us stories about Bushi Miyagi and his experiences. After 3 or 4 days training we were off to a small island called Tokashiki, which has about 700 inhabitants. We were told that during the cold war it was a missile base, but I'm pleased to say that it is now calm and tranquil. Part of this former military base has been turned into a sports facility for young people and in the morning we were invited to participate in the raising of the National flag and Japanese National exercise, the latter was quite amusing! The second night on the Island, we camped out in tents, which was fun. The Japanese are so efficient, that we were even given a demonstration of how to put the tent up and down in the correct way! Evening training on the beach consisted of Sanchin and Tensho kata, with one step sparring, until the sun disappeared over the horizon. In the morning, at 6.am there was zazen for one hour, then after breakfast, training on the beach resumed. The sun was out, the sea was turquoise blue and set in a bay surrounded by mountains, what a wonderful experience to spend time in such a calm and tranquil place. That afternoon, it was time to go back to mainland Okinawa and all the comforts of a hotel, beds, air conditioning, ice-cold beer and of course more training. There was lots of emphasis on advanced kata, repetition after repetition, trying to better your kata and digest what the Masters are showing you. After training Master Miyagi would give some inspiring lectures on Bushi Miyagi's life and philosophy. The final day consisted of demonstrations by representatives of all the disciplines of Okinawa Martial Arts including Goju-Ryu at Ginowan City Hall. True to Japanese form, this was a very well organised event and a fine display from all participants, which was well received by the audience of circa 1000 spectators. In all it was quite an eventful time and now it's time to pack our suitcase and head for home. I must say that I've missed my family and can't wait to see them all again. My special thanks to all the staff and helpers of IOGKF Okinawa for making this trip a memorable one and of course the Masters for sharing their knowledge. I would also like to extend a personal thanks to the continued support and kind words extended to Higaonna Sensei from the sponsors of the I.O.G.K.F: Mr Hidenobu Goya of the Kanehide Group Mr Seizen Uehara Mr Kenzo Nakasone from Shureido George Andrews Accompanying Instructors were Linda Marchant, Terry Read, Andy Barker |
A small selection of images from the trip
Click on the thumbnail images to bring up a larger version
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| OTGKA Represenatives with Sensei's An'Ichi Miyagi and Morio Higaonna | Visit to Shuri No Mon | Sesan kata training Sensei's Linda Marchant (Centre) and Terry Read (Left) |
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| Sanchin beach training at Tokashiki Island | OTGKA team taking noodles | Okinawa Budokan |